The Chosen Soul (17 page)

A sacrifice for Cruor’s might

Astriel entered his throne room and immediately waved everyone out. Guards and

servants scrambled out of the chamber, leaving him standing alone, at its center. He

turned to face the massive stone bowl in the middle of the room. The water within it was

calm and undisturbed, its surface smooth as glass.

Astriel waved a hand over the water while softly speaking archaic words. Within

moments an image shimmered to life.

The woman in the reflection smiled and blushed, her head lowered shyly. The large

male devil beside her laughed and his giant bat-like wings folded gracefully at his back.

Adonides
. Astriel knew the Abaddonian well.

The devil leaned over her, taking her wrists gently in his fingers and guiding her

hands in an ancient arcane gesture.

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Astriel’s heart beat hard against his rib cage. Her long raven hair shimmered like

sapphires in the sunlight. Her deep blue-black eyes glittered mischievously.

He gazed at her image as she listened to Adonides say something he could not hear.

There was a flash of blue-white light and snow began to fall around them. Her beautiful

eyes grew wide and she laughed. She threw her head back to catch the flakes upon her

tongue.

Astriel watched for several moments more, his gaze narrowing on Adonides. Then he

waved the image away.

Now there was no doubt in the prince’s mind. It was the woman who had escaped

him. She was “sable as this endless night”, her hair dark as a crow’s wing, her eyes,

endless pools of ebony. She the daughter of Malphas, she the heir of Caina.

She was Cruor’s Chosen Soul.

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Heather Killough-Walden

The Chosen Soul – Chapter Twelve

“Are you going to be all right?”

Raven didn’t look up from the ground as she walked. She took a deep breath. “Yes, I

think so. He took it hard, finding out who – and
what
– I am. But he’s my brother, and he’s most likely worried sick right now. He’ll probably just be glad that I’m back and in

one piece.”

Adonides walked beside her, always a respectful distance, yet Raven suspected, close

enough that he could reach out and grab her at the slightest indication that there was

trouble. They moved through the forest, cloaked by Adonides’s veiling spell. As they

walked, they made no sound, and animals continued about their business, oblivious to

their passing presence.

Eventually, they came upon a clearing and drew to a stop.

Ahead, Haledon’s temple sat, white-washed by the sun, clean and inviting, at the

center of a field of sunflowers.

“Before you return to the temple, there is something else you need to know.”

Adonides had drawn closer and the look on his handsome face was serious. Raven gazed

up at him, worry beginning to gnaw at her insides.

“What?”

“In the clearing, when I was teaching you… I performed the spells because I knew

you could not.”

Raven’s brow furrowed. “Of course I can’t. I haven’t yet learned how.”

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Adonides shook his head. “No. That’s not what I mean. Raven, you are more than

capable of casting any magic you desire. As Malphas’s daughter, you possess immense

faculty. However… At the moment, you are drained. Weak.”

She looked away from him, embarrassed that he’d been able to tell. When had it

showed? She’d been careful not to stand up too quickly or exert herself. The truth was,

she’d been a little dizzy and weak since her trip back from Caina.

He put a finger beneath her chin and turned her face toward him once again. He was

smiling gently at her. “I’m not only speaking of physical weakness, Raven. And yes, I

can tell. However, I am also referring to your loss of power. Tell me truthfully why you

did not deal with Talon on your own.”

Raven’s eyes widened. How had he known?

Adonides shook his head slowly, as if he could read her mind.

“Your magic failed you because you had not fed.”

Again, Raven’s expression turned confused. “I haven’t eaten in a while, but what

does that have to do with-”

“Not food, Raven.
Life
. You must consume
life
in order to replenish your power.

You have done much since first becoming all that the daughter of Malphas can be. You

have learned of Winter, realized your magic, met your father – that, in itself, can be

draining.” He smiled a teasing smile and continued. “However, everyone who has come

to know you knows that you do not consume animals. You do not feed on life, Raven.”

At her comprehending look of disgust and horror, he continued gently, his hands

softly grasping her upper arms. “You are Dark Royalty, Raven. I’m afraid you have no

choice. Your power depends upon you feeding.”

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Heather Killough-Walden

“I can’t.” She said the words even as she felt the numbing reality sink in. Before he

answered, she knew what he was going to say.

“You can,” he pulled back away from her, “and you will.”

In a motion so fast that it blurred, he had sliced his wrist open with one extended

claw. Bright red blood pooled at the wound and then dripped down his wrist to fall to the

ground below. Raven stared at the open cut, her heart pounding painfully behind her rib

cage. She felt a hunger rise within her and was thoroughly disgusted by it.

“I can’t.”

What have I become? This isn’t happening. This can not be.

“You can. You will not hurt me, Raven, and I will not harm you. Let me help you.”

He held his hand out before her. “I give this to you freely, Princess. Please drink.” His

other hand wrapped gently but firmly around her right wrist, preventing her from fleeing.

“Adonides, I don’t want to do this.” She felt her knees go weak as she stared at the

thick red liquid that continued to rise from his wound. She felt her power stir within her, as if it was waking up and listening, waiting.

“Yes, you do.”

She closed her eyes and let him guide her as he brought her closer, placing her hand

around his wrist, helping her pull him to her lips.

And then his blood was in her mouth, sliding over her tongue, warm and sweet like

wine. Raven unconsciously gripped his wrist tighter as the heady liquid slid down her

throat. It was not at all salty, as she had expected. Instead, it burned and numbed like

strong liquor. Its warmth spread throughout her body.

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As she swallowed, she heard someone moan and wondered whether it had been her.

The world spun away as she drank. All that remained were her and Adonides and his

magical blood as it ripped through her senses, suffusing her with fire and ice, power and

passion. As if from a distance, she felt a strong band come around her waist, a hard body

pressed tightly against her own. She didn't care. She simply drank and wanted more.

And as she pulled the devil’s blood into herself, the warmth sank lower, moving

through her midsection and between her legs, where it pooled and heated, ebbed and

swirled like a building storm.

She moaned this time, knowing full well it had been her, and lazily opened her eyes.

Glowing golden orbs gazed back at her, held her in their will, heated with a near

frenzied passion. Adonides’s fangs had extended and a low growl escaped from deep

within his throat.

Raven’s eyes widened. Whatever effect drinking his blood had had upon her, it had

obviously affected Adonides even more. The hungry blaze in his eyes was unnatural,

terrifying, and mesmerizing.

For a moment, a crazy recklessness inside of her considered surrendering to this

furious need, both his and hers, and sating the monster that had awakened within her.

A monster.

I’m a monster. What am I doing?

And then she remembered that she was drinking blood. A devil’s blood, nonetheless.

I am a devil.

She closed her eyes against the sway of his powerful gaze, swallowed one last time

and released his wrist.

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Heather Killough-Walden

He held her tight as she caught her breath and reached for her senses. Power and

magic swirled within her like a storm of fireflies, buzzing in her ears and through her

bloodstream. She slowly came to grips with who she was and what she had just done,

then she opened her eyes.

Adonides reluctantly let her go.

Raven glanced down at his wrist and watched as the wound began to heal. In a few

seconds, the cut was gone, the blood evaporated from his skin.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“It was my pleasure, your Highness.” Adonides spoke softly, reverently, and she

glanced up to see that he’d gained control of his ardor. His eyes no longer shone eerily

and his fangs had receded significantly. He turned then, his attention at once upon the

small temple in the distance. “You’re certain that Loki is here?”

Raven blinked. The change of subject was so quick, it was disorienting. However,

she fully appreciated his chivalry. She bit her lip, cleared her throat, and took a deep

breath.

“Yes. This is where he would have gone.”

Adonides turned to her and she faced him. He bowed his head in deference. “If you

wish it, we can continue your lessons tomorrow afternoon. You will be strong enough to

try the spells on your own.”

Raven nodded. Though she could not quite manage a smile, he acknowledged the

attempt and smiled in return. Then he took a step back. “Until then, I suggest not going

anywhere alone.”

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She nodded again and the handsome Abaddonian disappeared in a flash of blue light

and smoke.

“Raven!”

She quickly spun around and looked towards the temple. The doors had been thrown

open and several people were rushing out to meet her. She recognized her brother at once,

and Summer, just behind him. Two men in yellow, red and gold robes raced after them.

“Raven! By Haledon, you’re safe!” Loki sprinted down the path and barreled right

into her. He gathered her up in a painfully strong embrace and hugged her tightly. He

finally released her when he noticed that she wasn’t able to breathe. “What happened?

Where did you go? Who were those men? How did you get free?” Loki stopped to glance

around. “What are you doing standing out here?”

Raven could only smile at him. She hugged him and the two shared a moment of

silence as the other three caught up to them. Summer was the first to speak up.

“Raven, are you all right? What happened?” she asked breathlessly.

Raven pulled away from Loki and smiled at the blonde woman. “I’ll explain it all

inside. I’m starving.” She looked at the acolytes, wondering if they could tell she’d just

finished drinking a devil’s blood. “I hope you priests are allowed to eat in that temple,

because I don’t think I can go another ten minutes without food.”

Real food. Not blood.

They smiled, and one of them laughed. “Of course. Please come in.” He gestured to

the temple, and they followed.

*****

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Heather Killough-Walden

The young man in red robes knelt before a large shrouded throne. “Master?”

A figure in the shadows, dressed in black and draped in darkness looked up. Only his

eyes, which reflected an eerie and unnatural light, were visible.

“Speak,” came his command, cold as the stone on which the robed man knelt.

“My lord, a Blue Robe from Castle Eidolon has come to see you. She claims to have

information of great importance.”

The shadowed figure slowly lowered his head, contemplation evident in the heavy,

silent air. “Show the elf in.”

“Right away, my lord.”

The man in red robes rose and exited the chamber.

A few moments later, he returned, this time with a female elf in blue robes trailing

hesitantly behind him.

They approached the throne, she much more reservedly. As they moved, she took in

the black metal sconces lining the walls, which held heavy lit torches, their red firelight sending dancing shadows across the symbolic relief carved into the stone around them.

She recognized several symbols immediately. They were markings from various canons

of augury and told tales of calamitous presages that had been passed down for ages.

They reached the stone throne and the man in red robes bowed once, rose, and left

them alone.

Jaren stared into the darkness. With the help of her elven eyes, she could just make

out the outline of a large figure in black clothing, the dark cowl of a hooded cloak

shading every feature but the eyes, which reflected the firelight as would an animal’s at

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night. She could feel those eyes watching her and the power of the presence she sensed

reminded her of something.

“What is it you want, elf?”

“I’ve come to talk to you about Cruor. I know that the Omega Order studies his

legend, among others. I know you are waiting for indication of his return.”

Silence was the reply.

Jaren swallowed and squared her shoulders. “I think the time has come for his

rebirth. I have noticed the signs.” She paused, pulled a leather-bound tome from beneath