Demon War: Shadowguard Academy Book 4 Read online

  But Belial should’ve discussed it with me. I should’ve been part of that decision.

  When? A skeptical voice asks in my head. Between your self-pity sessions and self-isolation?

  I sigh and shake my head. “Whatever. It’s fine.”

  Olina’s eyes widen. “Truly?”

  “Yeah.” My attention returns to my reflection. “I don’t have the energy to feel angry.”

  Neither of us speaks as Olina continues drying my hair. When finished, she offers to help me with my makeup. I decline. Thankfully, she doesn’t insist.

  Twenty minutes later, I’m changed and sitting at a dining room table. This is the first time I’ve been in this part of the safe house, choosing to take my meals alone in my room instead. But Olina hadn’t given me a choice today. She sits next to me, delicately cutting the roasted chicken breast on her plate, doing her best to act normal, but I see the tension in her shoulders. Periodically, she shoots uncomfortable glances at the other end of the table where Belial sits.

  Once again, he’s attempting to seem at ease. He’s finished eating and now lounges in his chair, sipping amber liquid from a crystal tumbler. His Adam’s apple bobs with each long swallow.

  He catches me staring and raises an eyebrow. “Do you not like the chicken?”

  I don’t bother looking at my untouched plate. “I’m not hungry.” I haven’t been hungry for weeks.

  “Do I need to ask Olina to threaten to force-feed you again?” A twinkle of amusement flashes in his eyes.

  The mundane demon beside me stiffens.

  I don’t know why Olina is so uncomfortable. She says Belial is a kind employer, and that he gave her a better life when he purchased her and her sister from their crappy demon father. Why is she so tense? Is it because she is sharing a meal with her boss?

  “No,” I tell him with a bit of an edge. I’m trying to be civil for Olina’s sake, but his subtle taunts are making it difficult. “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Are you certain?” Belial persists, a knowing smirk forming on his perfect lips.

  I grit my teeth. “Positive.”

  “Very well.” He takes a drink, and I have to tear my eyes away from his throat.

  Staring the full plate in front of me, I pick up my fork and half-heartedly pick at the steamed vegetables. I chew on a soft carrot. It has no taste. I pop another into my mouth, hoping if I choke down a few more bites, Belial will be satisfied. The silence at the table is awkward, and I’m ready for it to end.

  Minutes later, I notice Olina is finished with her meal.

  “You don’t have to wait for me,” I tell her softly.

  Her responding smile is weak. “I am happy to keep you company.”

  Except, she clearly isn’t. The skin around her eyes is tight with discomfort.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Lady Aspen.”

  I refrain from criticizing the unnecessary title. I convinced her not to use it when we’re alone, but it’s a different story when we’re in public. Especially in front of Belial.

  Belial clears his throat, drawing our attention. “Thank you for joining us for dinner, Olina. That will be all.”

  Without hesitation, Olina rises from her seat and curtsies towards Belial. Then, she shoots me a reassuring glance before hurrying out of the room.

  The moment the door closes behind her, I ask, “Why did you force Olina to eat with us?”

  He swirls the liquid in his glass, looking bored. “I forced her to do nothing.”

  “She was clearly miserable.”

  “Olina cares about you, and she is worried. She would do anything to help you feel better, even accompany you to dinner with me to act as a buffer.”

  A shadow of guilt hovers over me. “Then why did she look miserable?”

  He swirls his glass. “I suspect I make her nervous.”

  I snort. “You think?”

  He ignores the question. “Are you ready for the meeting tonight?”

  “I guess.”

  “You guess?”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “I want you to have emotions.”

  “Indifference is an emotion.”

  His eyes narrow. “Hardly.”

  I shrug. “Why don’t you tell me if I’m ready for this meeting or not? You know, since you’re the reason I haven’t been to one so far.” I drop the question with the appropriate amount of sass.

  Unfortunately, Belial is unaffected. He doesn’t even ask how I know about the other meetings.

  “You weren’t ready.”

  “Oh. So, I’m ready now?”

  “No,” he doesn’t pause, “but we no longer have the time to wait.”

  I try not to show how his remark rattles me. “You had no right to keep me from speaking with anyone.”

  “Are you telling me you wanted to speak with Victor? What about the Van der Klays? Or your roommate, Cortney?” His eyes flash, his temper cracking through the calm façade. “The last I checked, which was only an hour ago, you hadn’t reached out to your loved ones of your own volition.”

  “That’s different.”

  “Oh yes. Of course. It’s different because your version makes me the bad guy and lets you continue to drive a wedge between us.”

  Shock jolts through me, and my heartbeat spikes. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “No?” He scoffs. “How convenient.” He finishes his drink in one, long gulp.

  My cheeks heat. “Whatever.” The chair screeches against the wood floor as I stand up. “I don’t have to put up with this. Come get me when it’s time for the meeting.”

  I’m out of my chair and halfway to the exit before Belial makes his move.

  An unexpected gust pulls at my hair one millisecond before his chest appears in front of me. I have to lean back to avoid a collision.

  I stumble back a step, then pierce him with my most ferocious glare. “Move.”

  “No.”

  I step to the right. Belial shifts. I make a move to the left, and he does the same.

  “What is your problem?” I shout. “Are you trying to piss me off?”

  He closes the distance between us, grabbing my arms to keep me from retreating. “If anger is the only emotion I can draw out of you, little mountain, then so be it. I will spend the rest of my days stoking your anger, as long as it means I don’t have to watch you become a corpse of a being!” His chest heaves, brushing against mine.

  I try, and fail, to pull free of his hold. “Let me go.”

  His neck bends forward. His breath billows in front of my lips as he bites out, “Make. Me.”

  I cringe. I can’t help it. I know what he’s asking from me, and the idea fills me with dread. “I can’t.”

  “That’s a lie, and we both know it.”

  I choke down the lump in my throat, shaking my head. “No. You’re wrong.” I can’t use my magic. It’s the reason my father is dead. It can’t be trusted.

  And neither can I.

  “I’m never wrong, love.” He inches even closer, pressing against me. There’s no question he can feel my rapidly beating heart.

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “What? Love?”

  “Yes,” I croak.

  His violet irises swirl, entrancing me with their beauty. “I’m afraid I cannot oblige you, little mountain.”

  I turn my chin, averting my eyes. “Stop it.”

  “Stop what?”

  “Messing with me.”

  He releases a low, disbelieving laugh. “Little mountain, you’re the one messing with me.”

  His words draw my eyes back to his. They flash with emotion I don’t dare name.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  His gaze flickers over me. Whatever he sees douses the fire in his eyes. “Your game of hot and cold cannot last forever, Aspen. Eventually, you will need to make a decision about how you feel about me.”

  Oh my god.

/>   My face burns.

  I struggle to find a response, preparing to spit out something—anything—to dispel the tension building between us.

  But before I can utter a sound, Belial straightens and takes several steps back. “The meeting begins in the library in half an hour. Try not to be late.” Then, he blinks out of sight, leaving me alone with my stomach twisting, tongue tied, and heart racing.

  Chapter Three

  The library is empty when I arrive. I’m glad. I can use the time to get settled before anyone else comes in.

  I look around the room, which is really more of a fancy study, and see a long table in the far corner. Assuming that is where we will sit for the meeting, I make my way over to it.

  The chairs are the type you’d see in a school computer lab, complete with cushioned armrests and wheels. I opt to sit so I’m facing the doors, placing myself in the middle of the table.

  Then, I wait.

  Unlike at Belial’s mansion, there are no clocks ticking away the time to let me know how long I must wait for the meeting to begin. If only I’d brought my cell phone, but I didn’t think to grab it when I returned to my room to nurse my embarrassment the last twenty minutes.

  A vision of fiery, impassioned violet eyes fills my mind.

  Ugh.

  I wish I could feign ignorance about Belial’s remark, but I know this is something I need to face. I’ve made a terrible mistake letting my guard down around the original demon and have actually developed… feelings for him.

  No.

  I try to suppress the thought.

  But I can’t.

  I want to blame the fact I’m Hermona’s reincarnation. The original Guardian and I share the same soul—the mortal soul created as a perfect complement to Belial’s.

  The only problem?

  Belial is no longer mortal.

  A long time ago, he made the decision to trade his soul to Lucifer, becoming one of the first demons to roam the earth. But his transformation wasn’t enough to sever the connection he felt with Hermona—a connection which still exists, but now with me. This link drives Belial to care for me, but the connection doesn’t explain my own emotions.

  I’ve learned that long before we ever met, Belial has worked to keep me safe. He told my mother to hide me from Azazel, and he kept his distance in order to not lead his evil brother right to me. Knowing him now, I can’t imagine how difficult that must’ve been for him.

  But it’s not just the fact Belial looks out for my wellbeing. Before the tragic events in the warehouse, when I was hiding out at Belial’s mansion, I actually got to know the original demon.

  Even if the entire situation was against my will, I learned of Belial’s character. He’s honorable… for a demon. I laugh at his jokes. I’m frustrated by his stubbornness. I’m impressed by his intelligence. And my body zips with energy any time he and I touch…

  But the biggest shock of all came when I realized I trusted him. When I was abducted by Azazel’s minions, it was his face I wanted to see. I trusted he would do everything in his power to save me.

  Now, Belial is prepared to go to war. He’s working with his own enemies to defeat his brother, Azazel, and keep me safe.

  It’s a lot to take in.

  He’s never admitted it out loud, but I know Belial holds romantic feelings towards me. I see it in the way he looks at me, not to mention the fact he’s kissed me on more than one occasion.

  He’s not shy about his affection, but he doesn’t push it on me. I can’t even blame him for the change in my own feelings. That’s all me. And that admission is terrifying.

  So when Belial accuses me of being hot and cold…

  Yeah…

  I can’t really deny it.

  Voices reach me one moment before the door opens. A familiar head of black hair comes into view, attached to a pale, handsome face.

  Victor Bloodbane, leader of the New York vampire coven, spots me immediately. He smiles wide. “My, my, my. So, it’s true. The lovely Aspen Van der Klay lives to fight another day.” He taps into vampire speed and zips across the room.

  Now seated next to me, Victor reaches out and takes my hand, bringing it to his lips. “We were worried about you.” He gives me a chaste kiss. I don’t consider Victor creepy. Well, not creepier than any vampire is. But I pull away the moment he releases my hand. I’m not big on affectionate gestures as of late.

  “You knew very well she was alive.” Belial joins us at the table. He’s followed by lesser demons I do not know, and one face I do recognize.

  Shock ripples through me, and my jaw drops. “Master Osei?”

  My history professor’s warm eyes meet mine. “I am glad to see you are well, Miss Van der Klay.”

  I swallow down my surprise. “W-what are you doing here?” I consider looking at Belial for the answer, but after our earlier awkwardness, I decide against it.

  “I’m here for the meeting, of course,” the older man answers.

  “But… why? I mean, shouldn’t the Shadowguard send a councilmember?”

  He smiles kindly. “They should. But, alas, they didn’t.”

  I chew the inside of my cheek. The demon-fighting society should have sent someone with more clout to represent them at this meeting.

  Is the Shadowguard not taking Azazel’s threat seriously? Surely, they experienced the aftermath of the warehouse. Kidnapped Guardians were recovered, and plenty of witnesses saw Azazel open the Gates of Hell. There’s no way they don’t know how bad the situation truly is.

  “We are lucky to have Master Osei with us today,” Belial says, smoothing out any awkwardness my questions may have created. “We will benefit from his historical knowledge as we search for a solution to our predicament.”

  The professor chuckles. “I’m not certain there is much I know that you wouldn’t, ancient one.”

  “I may know my own history well, but I can’t say my knowledge is particularly well-rounded. Your expertise will prove invaluable.”

  Master Osei dips his chin. “Very well. I will strive to help as much as I can.”

  I’m taken aback by how friendly the pair seem. It’s almost like the two aren’t destined to be mortal enemies.

  I glance around the table. Other than Isabella, Victor’s second-in-command, I recognize no one else. I assume the human-looking trio are from the Blackstone Clan. The witch and two warlocks carry an air of suspicion, but they don’t give off the Guardian vibe. Then, there are two lycans. Their golden irises give them away.

  I turn to Victor. “Where’s Gabe?” I ask after the only lycan I personally know.

  “Missing the wolf prince, are you? He’ll be pleased to hear it.”

  I frown. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “No need to lie to me, dear.” Victor winks, then adds, “The Woodland Prince is at his home, speaking with his father. With any luck, he will call us with favorable news.”

  “Favorable news about what?”

  “I’ve already told you,” Belial interjects, his voice hard and unrelenting. “Aspen is not relocating.”

  The vampire shows no emotion. He shifts his attention to the original demon. “Should we begin the meeting so we can all discuss this matter?”

  I risk a glance at Belial. His expression is just as hard as his voice. “Very well.”

  “Excellent.” Victor’s gaze returns to me. “As already expressed, the alliance is glad to see you recovered, Aspen. We weren’t sure you would pull through.”

  It takes all my focus not to let painful memories overwhelm me. “Thank you.”

  “Our healers confirmed her survival,” one of the unknown warlocks states, settling his demon race.

  “As did I,” Belial adds. Amusement steals into his tone. “One might think you all do not trust me.”

  “Trust is earned,” Victor replies, “but this had nothing to do with trust, and everything to do with the fact I saw Aspen’s wounds with my own eyes. Nothing short of a miracle could’ve saved her.”<
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  Emotion clogs my throat. I look down at my lap, hoping to hide my tumultuous feelings.

  “It wasn’t a miracle. It was skillful magic,” the witch states. Her dark blonde hair is pulled back in a slick bun, making her look older than I suspect she really is.

  “Of course,” Victor concedes politely. “Your clan’s healers are renowned for their skill. I see, now, that I shouldn’t have doubted her survival.”

  All three magical lesser demons dip their heads in acknowledgement.

  “It is the least we could do for one of our own,” the female adds.

  All eyes shift, their weight pressing down on me.

  With a deep breath, I look up.

  Victor smirks. “Not surprised I see?”

  “No.” I choke down the lump in my throat and add, “My father confirmed everything before he...” I can’t finish the sentence.

  Solemn expressions fill the table.

  “We were sorry to hear of his passing,” the same witch speaks in a quiet voice.

  Hot moisture gathers behind my eyes, but I force myself to meet her stare. “Thanks.”

  She nods.

  One of the lycans clears his throat. “Well, now that we know the girl is alive, we need to discuss what to do with her next.”

  “And I’ve already relayed to the alliance that she will stay in this safe house.” Belial’s tone brooks no argument.

  But an argument is what he gets.

  “We all have the same goal, here,” the lycan continues, though not without a healthy dose of wariness. “It’s imperative we keep the girl out of Azazel’s grasp.”

  “What do you think I’ve been doing?”

  “No one doubts your ability to keep her safe,” Victor attempts to placate him.

  “Then please explain why we are wasting time with this discussion?”

  “Because you are an original demon, and we would be fools not to question your loyalty.”

  All eyes swing to the newcomer’s voice. A mundane demon holds open the library door, looking supremely uncomfortable, as Fabian, my grandfather, hobbles into the room.

  A host of emotions flow through me. I haven’t seen the powerful warlock since the attack, when he and the other lesser demons arrived to rescue me, and I’ve been worried about what I would say to him when we did come face to face.