Instinct (24 page)

“
11:34
? Why then?”

“Invert it and turn it over.”

Nick blinked at Aeron. “I'm an idiot with a head injury. Want to help a brother out and make it easy on me?”

Nashira snorted. “Take it from me, our Malachai isn't big on riddles or puzzles. He doesn't even like to play Zelda.”

“Yeah. Attention span of a gnat. ADD.”

Aeron sighed heavily. “It's a numeric cipher for ‘hell.' Before it came to mean ‘infernal damnation,' it was simply a word that meant ‘hidden behind a veil' or ‘to keep hidden.' Even the term ‘hell-mouth' is an ancient one that was used by my people long before missionaries came to our shores.”

Nashira nodded. “Whenever it turns
11:34
over a hell-mouth or near a hell-gate, the veil thins enough for something to punch its way through from one realm to another. There's always a chance something can come through. It's why you saw so many
zeitj
ä
gers
earlier. The atmospheric unrest put all the guardians on notice that the portals were about to be accessed.”

Aeron crossed his arms over his chest. “Even I knew from here that Noir was trying to cross from Azmodea into the human realm.”

“Did he make it?”

Nashira hesitated before she answered his question. “I'm sorry, Nick. They weren't able to stop him.”

Fear and dread tangled inside him. If Noir had made it through, then he'd gone after those nearest and dearest to Nick. And most likely, Livia was hoovering up to Noir, right now.

Playtime was over.

Ignoring the pain, Nick rose slowly to his feet. “What do I need to do to get us through?”

Aeron snorted disdainfully. “You're the Malachai. Transform to your body. Conjure a portal. Punch through it.”

Gah, he made it sound
so
easy.

Nashira put her hand on Nick's shoulder. “But don't be hatin' when you do it.”

Nick laughed at her reminder. “Where are all the riddles and rhymes you were so quick to torment me with in the past?”

She smiled at him. “I'm no longer locked in the necravitacon. My desire to make you crazy with them is gone now.” She rose up to kiss his cheek. “My only desire is to help you and to thank you for my freedom.”

“You're welcome.” Nick rolled his shoulders and shook his hands to loosen them. “All right. Let's try this.”

Aeron moved to stand by his side so that he could help guide him through it.

With a deep breath for courage, Nick tapped his powers and let the strength of the Malachai run through him.

For a moment, as he remembered what Livia had done, he felt himself slipping toward the beastly side of it and losing control.

But he pulled himself back by sheer force of will. Livia wasn't worth the cost of losing his future. Of losing Nekoda and his mother.
They
were the prize.

Hoping Aeron and Nashira weren't setting him up like Livia had, Nick did what they said and punched a hole from Agonia back into the mortal realm he called home.

For a full terrifying minute—the longest one of his life—he didn't think he could do it. But after a few more nerve-wrecking seconds, he finally made the hole through.

He allowed Nashira and Aeron to cross over first, and then he followed through and closed the portal.

“Where are we?” Aeron asked in a low whisper as he glanced about at the bed and dresser.

“My room.” Nick kept his tone barely audible. Just in case.

Using his telepathy, he reached out to Kody to see where everyone was.

She didn't respond.

His panic set in. They should all be here, in his house, where it was safe and protected.

Why weren't they here?

Nashira touched his arm to anchor him. “Breathe, Malachai. Don't panic. Don't get angry. Not until you have more information.”

Grateful for her presence, he closed his eyes and used his powers to search the condo.

It
was
empty.

Rage tore him apart as he saw the blood and fighting in afterimages that had been recorded by Menyara's spells. Noir had been here and he'd attacked them all.

“Nick … Calm yourself.”

Honestly? He didn't want to be calm. He wanted Noir's throat. The Malachai in him was a fierce, demanding beast.

And right now, it was hungry. Bloodthirsty. It craved the throats and hearts of his enemies.

Of anyone who'd ever done him harm.

His breathing ragged as he struggled for control, he opened his eyes to stare at Aeron. “Is this how the world looks to you, too?”

“Do you know what my name means?”

Nick shook his head.

“Carnage and slaughter. Back in the time when the Dagda and the M
ó
rr
í
gan ruled, there were altars set for me throughout the kingdoms where we were worshiped. The day before a battle was to be fought, three strong warriors—two men and one female, in the prime of their youth—would be sacrificed to me to ensure me favor for their cause and their victory.”

“And I should take what from all that?”

“That it was never the blood of me own that I hungered for. It's the throats of me enemies I crave. Their blood that nourishes me hunger and makes me want to feel it washing over me skin and bones, until I'm drunk from it. So, aye. I understand what you see and feel. That need you have to rip them apart and relish every cry they scream for mercy and death.”

Nick took a step to the left.

Aeron wrapped his fist in Nick's shirt and pulled him closer as those pale eyes showed every ounce of furious horror that lived inside the ancient being. “But as a fellow brother in the deathly arts, I'm telling you now,
boyo,
don't give in to that hatred. Remember what I told you. Save yourself while you're able. Don't lose your soul for vengeance. Think of your Nekoda and let her pull you back from your violent ways, and if there's killing to be done, let me have it. I'm already damned and lost. There's still hope for you, lad.”

Aeron released him and stepped back. He clapped a hand against Nick's cheek. “Better?”

Not quite sure, but definitely intimidated by the war-god, Nick nodded and took a second to get ahold of his emotions.

Finally, he had enough control to use Menyara's spells to see what had happened and to let it play out. Yes, his anger wanted control, but he kept a tight leash on it and refused to give in to it.

He would
not
be his father.

I am the Ambrose Malachai.
And he would walk his own path. Right or wrong.

With a deep, fortifying breath, he looked at Aeron, then Nashira. “They're at Caleb's.”

And they were under one bloody, bad attack.

 

CHAPTER 16

“We can't hold them! They're busting through!” Kody shouted a warning to Simi, who was holed up in Caleb's bedroom with his body and Cherise's.

Demons, crows, insects—you name it, Noir was throwing it at them.

Kody hadn't seen anything like this since she'd been in battle against Ambrose, centuries from now. They were losing, and she was terrified.

After Noir had taken possession of Zavid, Dagon had bought them enough time to gather Cherise and retreat with her here, out of his reach.

But that hadn't lasted long.

Noir had found them. Now they were fighting again.

Suddenly, a bright flash lit the foyer below. Livia appeared in her demon form. Holding her head high, she surveyed the combatants smugly.

“Give up, Nekoda!” she shrieked from the bottom of the stairs. “Nick is dead. I'm the new Malachai!” She held his sword above her head as proof of her bold declaration.

From the balcony above, Nekoda froze as those words hit her like a fist to her heart. No! It wasn't true. It couldn't be true!

Tears choked and blinded her as she nocked another arrow on her mother's bow. “You lie! I don't believe you! You're not powerful enough to take down Nick.” Kody let fly the arrow at Livia's head.

She ducked and sent a blast toward her.

It missed and shattered the window over Kody's head. “Whose blood do you think covers me?” Livia asked. “I cut his throat with his own sword!”

Even though Livia had the Malachai sword, Kody refused to believe Nick was dead. She'd feel it if he was gone.

It was a trick.

“You lie!!” she growled. Nick knew better than to die on her. She'd never forgive him for that.

Never!

The entire house shook as Noir and Thorn and Menyara went at each other outside.

Kody was about to run out of ammunition. Beleaguered and exhausted, she hadn't been this tired since she'd fought against Nick beside her brother. Lightning flashed. Rain poured and demonic screams echoed all around.

Still, she fought on. It was what her parents had taught her to do. Past the pain. Past the exhaustion.

Never give up. Never give in.

Livia rose with the sword. “All of you!” she screamed violently. “Listen to me! You have to obey me now!
I
am the Malachai! I have his power! I took his blood and his sword!”

As those shrill words carried, the fighting slowly came to a stop.

Even Noir.

Covered in blood, he returned to the room to stand by Livia's side. “What is this?”

She held the sword out for his inspection. “I used the Malachai's sword to cut his throat and take his power. I am the leader of the u
Å¡
umgallu! Hear me, Chronus and Tiamat. God of order and goddess of chaos. I am now your lead servant. The one who will oversee the final battle.”

Menyara and Thorn appeared next to Kody's side on the balcony, as did a wounded Xev and Dagon.

“What madness is this?” Xev growled.

Tears filled Menyara's eyes. “It's not possible. Not my Nicky.”

Tiamat appeared before Livia and held her hand out. “Let me see the sword.”

Tucking her wings in, Livia handed it over.

The goddess examined it before she nodded. “It is indeed the Malachai's sword, and it bears the blood of Ambrose.”

Unable to breathe and choking on her sobs, Kody fell to her knees as she heard those words of bitter confirmation. Her only solace was that Cherise wasn't awake to hear them, too. It would kill her to know that Nick was dead.

Xev picked her up and cradled her against his chest, but there was nothing that could comfort her while she hurt like this. Nothing other than Livia's throat.

Her mind set on vengeance, Kody pushed herself away from him and started forward.

But Xev caught her in his arms. “Don't you dare. They'll kill you.”

“Let them! He's all I have.” Sobs racked her entire body as pain and grief permeated every molecule of her being. Her heart felt as if it'd been ripped out. She couldn't lose anyone else. She was tired of burying those she loved. Tired of saying good-bye.

Tiamat handed the sword back to Livia. “Pick your generals, Malachai.”

Grim and Laguerre stepped forward with cocky grins.

Livia walked past them both.

Just as she was about to pick random demons, a deep, Cajun drawl rang out in the room.

“Oh no, you din't! Put my sword down. You getting bitch-cooties all over it. Don't know if I'll ever be able to sandblast them off that handle, you skank.”

Kody's breath caught in her throat. Her gaze blurred by tears, she scanned the crowd until she saw the tall, proud, black-and-red-skinned, winged Malachai.

Ambrose!

Oh, she should hate that body with every last bit of her soul. But right then …

She wanted to kiss him.

“Nick,” she breathed as relief coursed through her veins.

He flew into the room with two others she didn't recognize. But by the way Xev stiffened, it was obvious he knew at least one of them.

Livia turned on Nick with a shriek. “No! I killed you! You're dead! I saw it.”

Nick scoffed in that arrogant way only he could. “Obviously not. Really, we need to talk about your aim. Good thing you're not a man. 'Cause they'd ban you from restrooms all over town. Run you out on rails.”

When she went to attack, Nick threw his arm out and yanked his sword from her grasp. Then he pinned her to the wall with his powers, and faced Tiamat.

Nick was in no mood to play with the ancient goddess. While he was well aware of the fact that she could splinter him to pieces, he really didn't care. “I'm assuming I passed your test?”

All she did was nod.

“Good. Does this mean
I
get to pick my generals now?”

Again, she nodded.

Nick's gaze never left hers as he rattled off his list with ease. “Nashira. Xev. Dagon. Aeron. Kody. Caleb.”

“You can't do that!” Grim and Laguerre protested in unison.

Tiamat quirked her lips. “Actually, he can choose whomever he wishes to lead his armies. That is his prerogative.” She turned back toward Nick. “But be warned with that lineup, Malachai, you have chosen one of the most powerful groups ever assembled. Together, they could wield enough power to one day kill you.”

Nick inclined his head to her. “I'm counting on it.”

Tiamat and Chronus closed ranks around Noir. “Time for you to return to your realm.”

“No!” he snarled. “That wasn't the deal.”

Chronus shrugged. “The balance is maintained and Ambrose has proven himself worthy of his bloodline. He bested his competition. Passed every test and resurrected himself. He's even subdued his old generals and chosen new ones. Order is restored and he's claimed his birthright.”

Tiamat wrinkled her nose. “Deal with it.”

Noir's hate-filled gaze went straight to Nick. “I know who you are now, boy. This is only the beginning.”

Nick crossed his arms over his chest and lifted his chin with every bit of stubborn Cajun pride he possessed. “You might know my name and face, but you know nothing about me
personally
. And that's your mistake. If you did, you'd know not to threaten me or mine.” He raked a sneer over Noir's body. “If you think you can take me, you better not come alone.” He cast his gaze around at the bodies on the floor. “And don't forget to stock up on body bags before you do.”