Demon War: Shadowguard Academy Book 4 Read online

  But that time isn’t now.

  Belial watches me with knowing eyes. He senses my unease, but he doesn’t pull back. He knows I’m not distressed, just confused. And a little overwhelmed.

  In fact, the original demon seems to lean closer. His gaze locks on my lips, and I know I’m in trouble.

  “Why can’t a warlock or witch help train me?” I blurt, breaking the spell between us.

  Belial stops his advance. His attention shifts to my eyes. “Pardon?”

  I’m acutely aware of how vulnerable my position is. If Belial wanted, he could press the desire I see swirling in his eyes and close the rest of the distance between us.

  But he won’t.

  Some might think I’m naively trusting, and I don’t blame them. They don’t see Belial the way I do. They don’t know how much he’s risking by keeping me safe. Original demon or no, Belial is loyal. And he would never do anything to hurt me.

  Not even to do something I know he wants with his entire being.

  I extend my arms and maneuver into a sitting position. Belial doesn’t budge, putting our faces less than a foot apart.

  Movement catches my attention. Olina’s skirts billow as she silently moves towards the exit. Before she slips through the door, she shoots me a mischievous smile, spares a meaningful glance at Belial, then disappears.

  My cheeks flush. Hoping to hide my reaction, I begin to ramble, “My powers are no longer bound by the spell my father placed on me at birth, right? I should be able to access them for whatever I want, but that’s not the case. Part of me wonders if refusing to practice my powers the last few weeks has somehow caused them to weaken.”

  I don’t know much about magic. Maybe it’s like a muscle. If you don’t use it, it deteriorates, and it takes substantial effort to get it back. The only problem? I don’t know how to get it back.

  “Warlocks are lesser demons,” Belial points out. “That’s not how demon magic works. But we aren’t trying to access those powers. We want Hermona’s divine power.”

  Well, there goes that theory.

  “Then why isn’t it working?” I hang my head, feeling tired and defeated.

  “As I’ve said, it’s because you aren’t truly trying.”

  And just like that, my anger burns aware my fatigue. My head snaps up and I glare. “I’ve told you I am trying.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “Why not?”

  “You forget, I know your soul better than anyone who has ever existed. I can tell when your heart isn’t set on something.”

  My anger burns brighter. “Are you seriously telling me I don’t want to access my power? You think I’m failing on purpose?”

  “Not consciously, no. But subconsciously? I think too much guilt is linked to you using your power. Until you resolve those emotions—until you forgive yourself for your father’s death—you won’t be able to successfully use your powers.”

  His words are like a bucket of frigid water, dousing my anger, leaving me a cold, shivering mess.

  “Screw you, Belial.” I scramble to my feet, hoping to hide the tremble from my voice. I stomp towards the exit.

  With a burst of speed, Belial is in front of me. I walk right into his chest, bouncing off, rubbing my nose in pain.

  “OW!”

  “I will not let you run from me, little mountain. Not anymore.” He reaches out and takes my hand.

  I immediately yank back, but his grip is too strong. “Let me go, Belial.”

  “No can do, love. This is something you must face sooner rather than later.”

  I frown, confused.

  I open my mouth to ask what he’s talking about, but the telltale sign of us transporting distracts me.

  “Belial! Where are we—” My question is cut off as a kaleidoscope of colors overtake my vision, and we are sucked into a chaotic swirl, on our way to an unknown destination.

  Chapter Nine

  I land on a rocky surface with my head still spinning. Pain shoots up my legs. I take a wobbly step and immediately lose my footing, pitching forward to try and counteract the fall.

  Before my face plants into the ground, Belial’s grip on my hand tightens and I’m pulled back into the safety of his chest. It takes several moments before my mind clears from the disorienting travel. Once it does, however, my head begins spinning for an entirely different reason.

  The ground is littered with black rock. Their size resembles coal, but the sharp surfaces reminds me of broken glass. The rocks glisten, reflecting the weak sunlight penetrating the grey, cloudy sky. I’ve never seen anything like it.

  “Where are we?” I ask, cringing when it sounds like I’m shouting. Our surroundings are unnervingly quiet.

  “Careful, little mountain.” Belial’s breath brushes the top of my head. He voice is lowered into a whisper. “You don’t want to be too loud. Not yet.”

  “What?” I twist to look at him. “Why not?”

  Belial doesn’t return my gaze. Instead, his focus rests on something to our left. I follow the path of his eyes and see the dark opening of a natural cavern. It, by itself, would not be alarming. The countless bleach-white bones littering the ground in front of the opening, however, raise all of my red flags.

  “Belial?” I raise my voice. “What is going on?”

  “Shh.” His left pointer finger presses against my lips. “You’ll wake it up.”

  “Wake what up?” Almost as soon as the question leaves my mouth, the black stones beneath us begin to rumble. Belial’s hands land on my upper arms, steadying me as he widens his stance to stabilize us despite the shaking ground.

  A loud snarl, sounding almost like a groan, drags my attention back to the cavern. My eyes grow wide with equal amounts of awe and terror as I watch a massive, red-scaled, winged creature lazily crawl out of the dark cavern on two reptilian-looking legs.

  Behind me, Belial sighs. “See? You woke it up. Now it will be even more irritated.”

  Is he seriously chastising me for that right now?

  “What is that thing?” I lean further into Belial’s chest. I have no idea where we are, or what we are doing here, but there is no way I’m going to put any distance between us with that thing in front of me.

  “That is a wyvern.”

  The creature tilts its head back, stretching its neck up to the sky. Its midnight black wings spread out, spanning at least twenty feet. I’m only slightly relieved to see the creature’s eyes are closed tight. It might’ve hear me, but if there is any luck left in this universe, it hasn’t seen me.

  “What in the world is a wyvern?” I whisper frantically. I’ve never heard of such a thing. The creature in front of me looks like a dragon, and I’m praying it doesn’t have any of the same mythical powers as the notoriously dangerous monster.

  “Wyverns are demons,” Belial states with calm, as if he’s discussing nothing more than the day’s weather. “Guardians hunted them to near extinction hundreds of years ago, and those that remain make a point to live far human civilizations.”

  “That thing is a demon?” I can hardly believe it. All demons I’ve learned about have vaguely humanoid figures and features. I’ve never heard of one so animal-like.

  “Yes,” Belial replies, loosening the grip on my arms now that the ground is no longer shaking. “It is. And a particularly powerful one, too.”

  Once again, I twist to look at him. “What do you mean?”

  This time, Belial deigns to give me his attention as he confirms my fear. “Wyverns have access to hell fire. They spew it from their throats. Their powers rival mine.”

  Is he serious?

  This monster can give an original demon a run for his money in a fight?

  “Why in the world would you bring me here?” I hiss, throwing a fearful look at the wyvern. Thankfully, it’s still preoccupied with stretching. A barbed tail is lifted in the air, looking like a spiked mace from medieval times.

  “Because you said it yourself, you need incenti
ve.”

  My forehead creases. “Incentive?”

  His gaze doesn’t waver. “To access your power, of course.”

  The truth hits me like a punch to the gut. My heart immediately begins to race. “No.” I shake my head. “You’re messing with me.”

  There’s no way Belial plans to do what I think he plans to do. Absolutely no way.

  It goes against his every instinct to protect me!

  He wouldn’t do that to me.

  He can’t!

  Unfortunately, I’m proven wrong.

  Belial takes a step back. I immediately try to follow him, but a purple barrier stops me in my tracks.

  I reel back, once again rubbing my poor nose. “What the hell?” I ask, but my voice is muffled as it echoes back to me. I glance around and realize Belial has encased me in a dome of his power. “What is this?”

  Belial tucks his hands in his athletic pant’s pockets. “My barrier will be able to withstand the wyvern’s attacks for at least five minutes. After that, you must rely on your powers to protect yourself from hell fire.”

  “WHAT?”

  Belial doesn’t bother with a response. He lifts his hands, sparing me one last, encouraging look, then brings his palms together, creating a resounding crack, right before he disappears from sight.

  And, just like that, the creature’s head swings my direction. Breath lodges in my throat as I meet its cold, empty, coal-black eyes.

  Oh, shit.

  Chapter Ten

  At first, the wyvern and I simply stare at one another. I long to scan my surroundings to search for Belial, but I don’t want to do anything to startle the creature. Maybe, if I’m lucky, it will forget all about me and go back to its lengthy stretching routine.

  Unfortunately, luck is not on my side.

  The creature’s wings fold against its back, then it begins to move towards me.

  I force myself not to step back. This demon is a predator, and the last thing I want to do is retreat like prey. Belial’s barrier shimmers in front of me, giving me some comfort that I’m not completely without protection, but that doesn’t stop overwhelming fear from flooding my veins—especially not when the demon draws closer, revealing just how massive it truly is.

  My body’s fight or flight mode is activated to the extreme. Every instinct screams at me to get out of danger asap, but I can’t get my limbs to move.

  The wyvern halts its approach less than four feet from me. It blinks, staring at me with unnerving intensity.

  Should I say something?

  I half expect the demon to immediately begin charging at me. This interaction is far less frightening, but no less daunting. I’m not sure how to proceed.

  Guttural sounds vibrate from within the demon’s throat, breaking the silence. The wyvern’s lips are pulled back, letting the sounds travel out of its mouth.

  I gape, dumbfounded. I think the demon is speaking in demon tongue.

  The sounds abruptly stop, and there is no missing the expectant gleam in the wyvern’s intimidating eyes.

  “Uh… I’m sorry.” I lick my lips. “I-I don’t speak demon tongue.”

  The monster squints, clearly displeased. It makes more noise, sounding more forceful.

  Reluctantly, I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”

  The wyvern roars. It stands on its legs, then swipes with a sharp talon. I scream and stumble back into the barrier. Thankfully, Belial’s magic holds. The monster’s attack is deflected like it bounced off a piece of rubber.

  If I weren’t in such a dangerous situation, I might laugh at the perplexed look on the creature’s face.

  Unfortunately, its confusion morphs into rage. The demon begins to strike over and over again. I yelp with each hit on the barrier, and panic escalates when I see sparks flying off the barrier. That can’t be good.

  Now that I’m no longer worried about pissing off the monster, I search my surroundings for Belial. Surely, he wouldn’t truly leave me on my own to face this demon.

  I look, left and right and at the top of the rocky hills in the distance. Belial isn’t anywhere to be found.

  Damn it.

  The wyvern continues to screech in unfamiliar demon tongue, its strikes becoming more frantic and fervent.

  Suddenly, without warning, red power begins to accumulate in its throat. Before I can process what I’m seeing, hell fire spews from his mouth.

  I drop to the ground and curl into a ball, as if that’s going to save me from hell fire.

  Around me, I hear the barrier sizzle as its pummeled with hell fire. I squeeze my eyes tight, praying Belial’s protection will be able to withstand this attack. Because otherwise, I’m toast. Literally.

  The wyvern doesn’t cease its attack. The barrier continues to creak, and I’m convinced this is the end. At least Azazel won’t be able to use my blood to open the Gates of Hell again. I’d call that a small victory.

  And who knows, maybe my death will force Azazel to give up his grand schemes. Or at least delay them long enough for the Shadowguard to figure out a way to stop him.

  I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t immediately realize the wyvern has stopped blowing hell fire. I look up. The monster glares at me from the other side of the barrier—the very thin, weakened barrier.

  I take a deep breath, not daring to take my eyes off the creature. Slowly, I stand on my wobbly legs.

  The creature continues to stare. It doesn’t even blink.

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “Look. I’m sorry for trespassing in your territory. I shouldn’t be here.”

  The demon doesn’t move. Then, it growls more unfamiliar words. It sounds hostile, but not as pissed off as before.

  Maybe it can understand me?

  I decide to hope for the best. I lift my hands, palms out, showing I’m unarmed. “All I want is to leave. Belial should be here somewhere. He can take me away, and we will never come here again.”

  “Belial?” The demon roars. There’s no mistaking the hatred in that single word—the only one I can understand. Obviously, the wyvern knows Belial, and he’s not a fan.

  Way to go, Aspen.

  The demon resumes spewing hell fire at the barrier. This time, I don’t cower. I watch, horrified, as cracks in the barrier become more pronounced. It won’t be able to withstand much more. I need to come up with a plan.

  I look at my palms, willing them to light with holy fire. They do, but the flames are weak, and no amount of staring strengthens the power.

  I return my attention to the barrier right as it breaks into a thousand small shards.

  Instinct kicks in, and I turn on my heel and run.

  I slip and stumble along the rocky ground, but I don’t pause to look back at the wyvern. Knowing its location won’t change my fate. Honestly, it’s a miracle I’m not already burned to a crisp.

  Blood pumps in my ears, drowning out most of the world’s noise, but I’m able to feel the ground shake with each of the wyvern’s heavy steps. It’s definitely in pursuit.

  Think, Aspen! You aren’t helpless. What should you do?

  My mind spins with different defensive maneuvers I could use, but none will actually enable me to escape the demon. Martial arts isn’t how I will get out of this mess alive.

  A powerful gust of wind knocks me off my feet.

  My palm’s rip open when they collide with the sharp rocks. My athletic leggings tear at my knees. I wince but force the pain to the back of my mind. I twist and gasp when I see the wyvern hovering over me.

  It’s black, ominous gaze is less than ten feet away. Its wings flap in long, smooth strokes, sending wave after wave of powerful wind into my face.

  I make one last attempt to sway the demon to show mercy. “Please. Let me go, and I will never return.”

  This time, the demon doesn’t bother to respond.

  It’s throat glows red, and I know what comes next.

  I throw my hands in front of my face, silently expressing my goodbyes to my loved
ones, ready to accept my fate.

  But Fate has other plans.

  Hell fire flows from the wyvern’s mouth, but its met by electric blue holy fire.

  I feel the power rolling off my hands, but I don’t truly process what’s happening until I see the holy fire flowing in front of me.

  My mouth falls open, marveling at the powerful sensations coursing through me. The holy fire is strong and vibrant. It pushes against the wyvern’s attack with ease. The demon’s dark eyes widen with its first sign of fear. I see tendons in its neck strain against the force, trying its best to advance its attack.

  But it’s hopeless.

  The wyvern doesn’t stand a chance against Hermona’s holy fire—against my holy fire.

  The monster’s flames break away as it launches itself into the sky, hoping to evade my power. But the holy fire has a plan of its own.

  The blue flames chase the creature high in the sky, singing its red scales. The wyvern cries out in pain. Only then, do I come back to myself.

  I shake away the awe of my power and immediately begin to pull it back into me. At first, the holy fire resists. It’s become the predator, and it doesn’t wish to relinquish its prey.

  But I give it no choice.

  I clench my jaw, hold out my hands, and will the power back into my body.

  Sweat beads on my brow. It takes immense concentration, but I am victorious in the end.

  The moment the last of the holy fire is contained within my body, I fall onto my back, and stare at the dreary, empty sky. The wyvern is nowhere to be seen.

  My chest rises and falls. Exhaustion pulls at my eyelids, but I fight back the fatigue.

  Quiet footsteps reach my ears. I know, without looking, Belial approaches. Even exhausted, I can’t ignore the way my skin tingles from his presence.

  “Nice of you to come back,” I try to snap, but the words hold no punch. I don’t have the energy.

  Belial doesn’t speak.

  I turn my head. He stands there, staring down at me, looking furious.

  Here we go.

  “What’s your problem?” This time, there’s a healthy bite to my words.