Demon War: Shadowguard Academy Book 4 Read online

  My throat bobs. “Yes,” I agree. “Thank you.”

  “Of course.” He lifts his gaze. "Let me also say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing my grandsons to reside in this home.” He gestures to the massive house behind me. “The climate within the Shadowguard is tense, to say the least. It is a relief to know the boys are safely removed from it here.”

  I release a stilted laugh, unable to hide my discomfort. “That wasn’t really my call to make. This is Belial’s house.”

  “Oh, yes. I’m aware.” Awareness flickers across his wrinkled expression. “But I think we both know the real motivation behind the original demon’s hospitality. A man, regardless if he is a demon, will do anything for a woman he fancies.”

  “Grandad,” Freddy groans.

  “Grandfather,” Andrew complains at the same time. “You did not just say ‘fancies’?”

  “What?” Mr. Legrand turns to his grandsons, completely taken aback by their whines. “What did I say?”

  “Sorry about him, Aspen,” Andrew speaks up, gently guiding his grandfather to the side, farther away from me. “Our granddad forgets his manners from time to time.”

  The elder Legrand appears baffled.

  I can’t deny I find their interaction a little funny.

  “It’s okay.” I offer a small smile. “I’m not offended.”

  “Good,” Mr. Legrand returns, shooting exasperated looks to his grandsons. “I didn’t think you would be.”

  Andrew grumbles something under his breath. Freddy just shakes his head.

  I try to meet the youngest Legrand’s eye, but he makes a point to avoid looking at me. Whelp, I guess there’s no progress there. Hopefully, one day, things will be a little less awkward between us.

  “So,” I clear my throat, returning my attention to the oldest Legrand. “What brings you here today, Mr. Legrand?”

  “Please, call me Kevin,” he is quick to say. “I volunteered to come share the latest alliance developments with Belial. I figured it would be a good opportunity to visit my grandsons and meet you, of course.”

  “You’re part of the alliance?” Color me surprised. I never would’ve pegged the prominent Guardian as a rebel.

  Mr. Legrand grins and nods. “You’d be surprised how many of us there are.” His eyes flicker meaningfully to my left, landing on Lex.

  Does that look mean what I think it means?

  I face my foster brother a lift a brow. “Lex?”

  Lex’s deep blue eyes lift to the sky, pretending he doesn’t hear me.

  “Lex,” I repeat. This time, I accompany it with a foot stomp.

  He sighs, his shoulders falling just a bit. “Yes, Aspen.” He answers my unspoken question, knowing exactly where my mind went after Mr. Legrand’s statement. “Mom and Dad are part of the alliance too.”

  “What?”

  How did I not know this?

  Why did no one tell me?

  Lex exhales, acting as if my question bores him. “Come on, Aspen. Did you really think Mom and Dad would let me be here if they weren’t part of the alliance?”

  No… I guess they wouldn’t.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “When would I have had the chance?” Lex levels me with a pointed stare. “If you aren’t busy training with Olina all day, you are hiding out in your room. You didn’t exactly open up your schedule to discuss our family. You didn’t even ask about them.” There’s sour note in Lex’s last words. They hit me like a punch to the gut.

  Lex is right. I didn’t ask about Charles or Vivian since he’s arrived at the safe house. I guess I just assumed they were okay. I didn’t stop to think how my lack of interest could be perceived. I don’t want Lex to think I don’t care.

  “You’re right,” I concede, mature enough to recognize when I’ve done something wrong. “I’m sorry. I should’ve asked.”

  My apology has its desired effect. The tension leaves Lex’s jaw. He never could stay mad at me after an apology. “It’s fine. I just… I just wish you would reach out to them. Mom and Dad are worried about you.”

  Again, guilt hits me in the stomach. “Okay. I will.”

  Lex’s eyes widen. “You will?”

  “Yes.” More than one conversation with my foster parents, my foster mother in particular, is long overdue. I’ve already acknowledged I need to face her sooner rather than later. I can do that while also reassuring the people who raised me from the age of twelve that I am all right.

  Lex surprises me by wrapping me in a strong hug. “Thanks, Aspen.”

  I return his embrace. “Of course.”

  Lex steps back, looking much lighter than a few moments ago.

  Mr. Legrand clears his throat and asks in a semi-joking manner. “Does that mean I may freely discuss the alliance without fear of stirring the pot?”

  Half-hearted chuckles travel around the small group. Lex and I nod our agreement.

  I kick off the conversation, “You said you delivered information to Belial. Does that happen every day?”

  “Just about,” Mr. Legrand confirms. “Though, only a few alliance members are privy to this safe house’s location. We take turns traveling here, using different methods of transport to be undetectable to our enemies, should any be watching us.”

  “What sort of information do you tell him?”

  “Oh, you know,” Mr. Legrand waves his hand in the air, very unbothered by my probing question, “The usual information: the status of the raids on known demon hives, the latest intel on Azazel’s location—though that changes daily—our enemies latest attacks, and the number of causalities and injuries.”

  Wow.

  This is going to sound ridiculous, but I honestly had no idea the lesser demon alliance was actually doing anything.

  I mean, I’d only sat in on one meeting with them, and there didn’t seem to be much consensus between the different group members. We discussed where I would stay while hiding from Azazel, how Head Minister Hendricks was complicit in Azazel’s crimes by concealing them from his people, and how to expose the truth to Shadowguard society. Then, we were interrupted by news of the attack on St. Michael’s Academy.

  I suppose I just assumed there’d been no more meetings due to the fact Belial hasn’t mention them to me. In hindsight, that was foolish.

  Well, you know what people say about those who assume…

  “I had no idea,” I say lamely after noticing Mr. Legrand watches me, waiting for a response.

  I glance at Cortney and Lex. Neither of them looks particularly surprised by Mr. Legrand’s news. The same can be said for Andrew and Freddy. I’m the only one in the dark.

  The older Guardian’s expression softens. “I can’t say I am surprised. That demon of yours is awfully protective of you.”

  I can’t help but blush, both from embarrassment over my ignorance and the fact he called Belial ‘mine’.

  “He’s not my demon,” I mumble quietly.

  My response makes Mr. Legrand laugh. Thankfully, he’s the only one.

  “My dear, I hate to tell you, you couldn’t be more wrong. The stories I’ve read about Belial and his relationship with Hermona would leave no doubt in your mind of where his loyalties lie.”

  I’m still blushing, but I can’t deny Mr. Legrand’s short speech has caught my interest. “You’ve read stories?”

  “Oh yes.” His smile widens with excitement. “Many. Some appear in the journal entries of the other original Guardians, while others come from secondary sources later in time. Regardless, those early texts all reveal the same thing. Belial’s existence became dramatically entwined with Hermona’s. It changed his entire life’s trajectory—something many Guardians would vehemently deny as possible for a demon to this day.”

  “I wouldn’t deny it,” Freddy shocks the group by speaking up.

  “Why would you say that, son?”

  “Well, I’ve interacted with some of the mundane demons working in the safe house.” Fre
ddy shifts his gaze from his grandfather to his brother, searching for support. “They made me nervous at first, but I’ve realized they aren’t the blood-thirsty or mindless demons like we were taught at the academy. They have their own goals and drive. It’s not hard to believe they can choose not to live violent or evil lives despite their demon status.”

  Each of us stares at Freddy in a mix of disbelief, pride, and wonder.

  For my part, I’m proud to hear one of my fellow academy students has such an open-minded view of mundane demons. He’s come a far way from that first day in the safe house, where none of the students even wanted to follow Olina to their guest bedrooms.

  Maybe there’s hope for Shadowguard society. One day, maybe we will stop painting all mundane and lesser demons with the same prejudicial brush.

  “Well spoken, Freddy,” Mr. Legrand beams. “After working with the lesser demon alliance these past few weeks, I have to say I agree.”

  Andrew, Cortney, and Lex all reveal their agreement, as well.

  I look over my shoulder at Ladros to gauge his reaction. I’m greeted with a small, but pleased, smile. My own smile grows in response.

  “Speaking of those stories,” Mr. Legrand draws my focus back to him, “I have been trying to get the alliance to read them.”

  He has?

  “Why?” Andrew asks his grandfather.

  “They are invaluable sources of information, not just about Belial, but also the other originals. There are many accounts of the violent acts committed by Azazel and his brethren back in the day. We can use them to analyze how our enemy thinks and anticipate his next move.”

  His words send tingles shooting across my skin, and not in the good way. They almost seem like a warning.

  But a warning from what?

  I look around the back courtyard. Other than two mundane demons attending the shrubs lining the stone wall, I see nothing. I sense no sign of danger.

  “Isn’t it clear what Azazel wants?” Lex crosses his arms with a frown.

  “I don’t know,” Mr. Legrand returns. “Is it?”

  My foster brother spares me an apologetic glance, then says, “Yeah. He wants to open Hell and unleash demons into the world—just like he tried to do when he abducted Aspen.”

  The tingles on my flesh begin to feel like sharper pain. I grimace, both from the feeling and Lex’s statement.

  “Yes, but why? What’s his motivation?”

  “To destroy Guardians,” Andrew offers.

  “And humans,” Cortney adds.

  “Okay,” Mr. Legrand nods. “But why? You are describing his goals, but you have not identified his purpose. Why does Azazel do what he does? What’s his motivation?”

  “He’s an original demon. He sold his soul to the devil,” Lex states. “What more motivation does he need? He’s just evil.”

  “Ah, but we just acknowledged Belial, who also sold his soul, is capable of non-evil behavior. So what causes Azazel do choose to commit evil acts?”

  A memory hits me. Well, it doesn’t actually hit me. I’d describe it more as slicing across my brain.

  There’s a fireplace. I’m lying on my stomach, writing in a journal.

  Except… I don’t recognize the unfamiliar language.

  The image fades from my mind, but its impact remains.

  I hunch over, clutching my head in my hands, willing the agonizing sensation to go away.

  It doesn’t.

  “Aspen?” Cortney’s hand rests on my back. She sounds worried. “Are you okay?”

  Another memory flashes.

  I feel a stronger, warmer, hand lying against my back, warming me more than the blazing fire in front of me ever could.

  I’m not proud of how long it takes me to realize what’s happening.

  My vision flickers between the ground below me and the distant memory.

  I am seconds away from losing cognizance of my surroundings, but I manage to the mutter the words, “Get Belial” right before Hermona’s memory consumes me.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The smell of burning wood brings me a sense of peace I find difficult to come by. The aroma makes me think of home, even though I haven’t stepped foot in my father’s home for years.

  I lift my eyes from the journal in my hands, focusing on the mesmerizing orange, red, and yellow hues in the hearth. This hunting lodge, tucked at the base of the Taurus Mountains, is my happy place. It’s where I come to escape the stress of my life’s calling and my family’s pressure.

  It’s also where I come to be with the one man who has ever stirred a fire in my soul.

  Peering over my shoulder, I see the aforementioned man, sitting in a cloth chair, sipping a glass of his favorite amber liquid.

  I tell Belial spirits are a bad habit, but I know he’s not going to give up his vice.

  Secretly, I don’t want to change a thing about him. He’s exactly who I want him to be, original demon or not.

  “What mischief swirls in that pretty head of yours, little mountain?” Clever violet eyes peer into my soul.

  “Nothing,” I lie. “Just taking notes in one of my father’s early journals.” I lift the inked quill in demonstration.

  “Hm. Then why were you looking at me in such a way?”

  I tuck the quill into the ink pot. “In what way?”

  He takes a long sip, intently staring at me over the rim of his glass. “Tenderly.”

  My chest warms. I tilt my head, letting strands of black hair conceal part of my face. “Perhaps because that is how I think of you—tenderly.”

  His eyes smolder with heat. My toes curl in response.

  This what my family can’t understand.

  How can I, a Guardian created by God to rid the world of creatures like Belial, find myself so taken with one?

  Belial and I have grown close since our first meeting. In the beginning, I’d simply been intrigued by the original demon. I wanted to learn as much as I could about the elusive and mysterious being. I’d thought I could gather information to help my family ultimately defeat the powerful creatures—Satan’s chosen demons.

  But meeting after meeting, my intrigue turned into so much more.

  I became fascinated with the original demon, enthralled with understanding him, captivated by the unusual sensations his mere presence elicits within me.

  He’s not the evil monster I was led to believe. He’s like any other person, capable of good and evil. And ever since the day we’ve met, I’ve seen nothing but good in him.

  I’ve never been in love before, but I’m certain it feels like this. I want to spend my days at Belial’s side, even though I know it’s not possible.

  Not anymore.

  The smolder fades from Belial’s expression. No doubt, he can sense the shift in my mood.

  “Have you found anything interesting in your father’s journal?” He asks, changing the subject in an attempt to distract me from my dejected emotions. He’s gotten good at that since the wedding.

  Despite my connection with Belial, I finally conceded to the demands of my family and community and married Amaad. The young man from my village is strong, intelligent, patient, and kind. He’s everything a young woman should want in a husband.

  But that’s part of the problem…

  I never wanted a husband.

  My six brothers and I were trained from childhood to combat demons. We learned how to wield God’s magic, and I was the only one gifted with holy fire. For my entire life, my focus rested on my family’s divine purpose. And I was okay with that.

  But while my brothers’ priorities were allowed to remain the same, new pressures were placed on me. Due to the uniqueness of my gift, I was told it was imperative to have children. It’s my duty to continue my bloodline with the hopes my offspring will possess my gift. They will give humanity a greater chance of survival. Or so I’ve been told over and over again.

  I agreed to an engagement with Amaad to appease my parents, and I managed to avoid going through w
ith a wedding for three years. But, eventually, I could avoid it no longer. Not if I wanted to remain a memory of my family… Not if I wanted to continue fighting demons with my brothers at my side.

  The only one who knows the depth of my sacrifice, or at least the only one who cares, is my twin. But not even Rael, my best friend in this entire world, can understand or condone my relationship with Belial. He doesn’t openly object to our interactions, not even after my marriage to Amaad, but I know it still unsettles him. He, like the rest of my family, fears the day Belial turns against me.

  I’m the only one who knows that day will never come.

  Negative emotions continue to bubble up inside, but I force them out of my mind. Now is not the time to dwell on things I cannot change. That’s not why I come to this cabin.

  “Not really, no,” I finally answer Belial. I look down at the journal, turning the fragile pages with care. “This one discusses his early encounters with God through visions. He explains how he discerned how to use his magic to fight demons.”

  “Indeed?” Belial finishes his drink, then stands for a refill. “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, thank you,” I give him a quick smile, then return my attention to the journal.

  I’ve landed on a page I haven’t yet read. A quick scan reveals it discusses how demons cross from Satan’s realm into ours. My interest is piqued.

  Father taught us the bare minimum about Hell. My knowledge about the demonic realm consists of just that: it’s where demons come from. While we’re pretty sure demons are able to reproduce, we are also certain that’s not how all demons get here. There are simply too many of them for that to be the case.

  I lean closer. My finger follows my father’s neat script.

  “God blessed me with another vision this evening. I saw the burning flames and heard the agonizing cries of the demons trapped in the depths of Hell. Satan lords over them, gleeful from their pain.”

  I skim the next few sentences, not reading anything I haven’t heard before, but my attention is recaptured by the following paragraph.

  “I fell to my knees in the middle of the vision, begging God for guidance. How could I close the Gates of Hell forever? How could I banish the demons from our world, preventing them from crossing over and wreaking havoc on unsuspecting innocents?