FREE MONTHLY NOVELLA CHAPTER - Demon Heart Chapter Two
Demonheart by Kiss Carson
© Kiss Carson 2020
CHAPTER TWO
The momentum of the two demons knocked Dominique to the floor.
Her chair skidded along the carpet, collided with the couch and toppled onto
its side. A mighty sword blade skimmed across her face barely missing her nose, the draft from the thick metal stirring her auburn curls. Flat on her back, she
managed to suck in a deep breath. What she didn’t expect was the shrill scream
that flowed from her mouth.
A sword struck the potted palm beside her desk, splitting the heavy cement pot in two. A green gem appeared with an audible pop and hung in the air. Zachary rolled across the floor and the diamond shaped jewel dissolved into his body. One white wing tip slapped Dominique across her chest and swiped her face as Zachary stood to confront the black demon.
Feathers, black and white, floated through the air to land softly on the worn carpet. Her heart wanted to pound a hole through her ribs. Dinner threatened to reappear, not as a chili taco, but as a glob of stomach contents. She obviously suffered from some sort of hallucination brought on by said chili taco. Dominique cursed the taco stand on the corner. If she didn’t die from food poisoning or demon attack, she would march down there in the morning and accuse the owner of trying to send her insane.
Computer games did not come crashing into real life.
A cold, wet sensation wrapped around her leg. Still on her back she looked down at the gross cherub demon that hugged her shin. With a shriek, she shook her leg but the cherub’s grip tightened. The hideous beast grinned up at her, teeth glistening in the light of a nearby lamp.
Zachary's white angel demon bounded over Dominique, stabbing the cherub with his sword as he went. It let out a high-pitched squeal and disintegrated into a fan of falling lights. Dominique started at the sprinkle of sparks, her mouth open and her eyes wide. Her brain didn't know what to make of her current situation. Was she awake? Was she dreaming? Maybe she was dead! Her mouth opened more and she drew in a deep breath, ready to release a cracker of a scream.
“My suggestion is that you move.”
Dominique's breathing hitched and the scream jammed in her throat as she stared up at the bold, chiseled face and fierce grey eyes. Demon Zachary's wings stretched wide and he lifted his sword as though to strike her. This time her breathing stopped altogether, and she felt her face pale. She threw her arms over her face in a simple attempt to protect herself and squeezed her eyes closed. Dear God, what is happening?
“Move,” Zachary yelled.
His deep voice spurred her into action. Her eyes flew open and she sprang to her feet, parried left, lunged right, and grabbed the photograph from her desk. A large hand shoved her and she stumbled across the room. Righting herself, she stood in the furthermost corner with her back to the wall. Insanity ran in her family. Invisible friends. Monsters in the cupboard. Her sister swore a Great Dane dog followed her for most of her pre-teen years. Sheeba her sister had called the invisible animal. Dear Lord, why am I thinking about this, now? Because two winged demons writhed on her living room floor. And they could not be real!
Another cherub sprang from the wall to cling to her leg. Dominique froze. It stared at her with tiny black eyes. Saliva dripped from pointy teeth and slid down her shin. Her eyes darted left, then right as she searched for a weapon. A nail file poked from under the nearby bookcase. Last week, she’d looked for the darn thing for hours. In one desperate move, she leaned over, snatched up the nail file and hit the demon. Regret surged through her when it, too, disappeared in a flurry of falling lights. More and more pink monsters lunged at her. Nail file swinging, Dominique edged toward the front door, her only escape route from this craziness.
Two cherubs squealed with laughter as they used their long claws to tear the blue microfiber fabric on her sofa. Tiny pieces of foam rained down onto Zachary and Dorian. Both had changed into human form and now struggled to disarm each other. Zachary overpowered the white haired man and stood, his sword tip millimeters from Dorian’s throat. Their chests heaved with exertion and their labored breaths echoed around the walls of the small apartment.
Dorian clutched his injured arm. “You may have won this battle, Zachary, but not the war,” he said, his voice a low growl. “You will never get her to the last Destiny Door. I will make sure of it.”
The lights fizzed out. Dorian’s words dissolved into calm silence. Dominique drew in a trembling breath. Exhausted, she slid down the wall to sit on the floor. Game characters made everything look so easy. She’d only ever experienced thumb cramps from too much gaming. Now, every muscle screamed in protest. Demons had come out of her computer screen—demons—and they’d tried to kill each other on her floor! She stared into the blackness. Shadows didn’t even break the darkness. And it was so quiet after the battle. Maybe she’d imagined the entire episode. An earthquake would explain her ruined furniture and broken lights. She looked in the direction of her computer. She’d discovered online gaming two years ago, just after…She clutched the photograph more tightly. Please let my computer be all right.
Glowing blue embers appeared from the darkness and floated toward her. Now what? Dominique drew her knees into her body and held the nail file so tightly that her knuckles ached. The lights came closer. Their iridescence grew until she felt safe within the umbrella of their radiance. Then, the three blue lights entered her body. Dominique stiffened. Sharp pain in her chest rendered her unable to move. Splinters of glass pricked from the inside. Her mouth fell open in a silent cry and she dropped the nail file to clutch at her chest. The radiance within her body expanded until her entire apartment came alive in the blue light.
Ice chased the fire that spread through her. She managed to gulp a breath. Slowly, the hurt subsided. The light faded. A deep sob escaped as she grappled along the floor until she found the nail file and held it against her. Unable to comprehend the events of the last few minutes, she sniffled back more tears. The photo was now a crumpled mess in her fist.
The lights flicked on. Dominique screamed, surprised when Zachary Sterling leaned in so close that the warmth of his breath tickled her cheek. He smelled fresh and clean, like rain. The thick coat he’d worn now discarded, sinewy muscles in his arms budged, the sleek lines of his chest pronounced under his black t-shirt.
Dominique darted past him and crawled to the other side of the room. Heavy footsteps followed. She pushed her body into the wall and stared at his features, so much more handsome in person. A demon with the face of an angel.
He lowered into a squat and extended his hand. “I am Zachary Sterling, Demon Lord, and I am here to assist you on your journey.”
Dominique pulled away from his hand and shook her head. Don’t touch me. “What just happened?” she demanded.
“The Hope Stone has nestled inside your soul. The future of Demon Realm now lives in you.”
Dominique stared at him, mouth ajar. “The future of—. What? I didn’t sign up for this. I only typed my name and pressed enter.”
“You have been chosen.” Zachary's tone turned insistent.
“I don’t care.” She glanced at the photograph in her hand and then tucked it inside her bra. “I’m not very good at futures. I can’t help you.”
Zachary grasped her forearm, his grip firm as he pulled her up. She considered fainting. Instead, she yanked her arm from his hand and held the small nail file forward threateningly. Zachary raised his sword until the steep tip stopped in front of her nose. The blade didn’t waver, the hand that held it steady and strong. He could slit her throat with the flick of his wrist. Maybe now is a good time to faint. Dominique swallowed hard and raised her gaze to his face. For all the death and destruction he would encounter as a game character, serenity filled his eyes.
“Are you going to kill me?” she managed to whisper.
Zachary indicated to the file that shook in her grip. “Are you going to kill me?”
“I could only try,” Dominique replied with a little more gusto.
“You are bold to confront me with that tiny weapon." He considered her for a moment, his face somber. "This time, I shall spare you.”
Dominique carefully pushed the tip of the sword away from her face. She tentatively touched her nose and stared at his outstretched hand. With five long fingers and a perfectly shaped palm, it looked like the kind of hand she would love to hold, not the hand of a demon. Zachary helped her stand. He righted a chair and urged her to sit. A brass key with the head of a screaming demon and a sword shaped shaft dangled from a leather lanyard around his neck. Dominique had to touch. She couldn’t help herself. Her finger brushed cool brass. Pale blue light surrounded the key before Zachary encased it in his hand and slipped it under his waistcoat.
“You must come with me,” he said.
“Come where?”
Zachary shrugged his great coat on with ease. “To Demon Realm.”
Dominique shook her head. “There’s no point. I was serious when I said I wasn’t very good at helping people. I couldn’t save him.” Her hand went to where the photo sat under her shirt.
“The Hope Stone has chosen your destiny.” He slid his sword into the scabbard on his back. “That means you are coming with me.”
Before she could protest, Zachary swung her into the cradle of his arms and ran toward her computer desk. Panicked, Dominique struggled. She squirmed, and threshed, and screamed, but her actions didn’t prevent him from plunging through the screen. Unfamiliar sounds bombarded her. Flashes of bright light sped past. Her stomach churned as though she rode a roller coaster. The warmth of her apartment faded, replaced by an icy chill that penetrated her bones.
Dominique landed on a hard surface with an oof and a resounding ouch! She muttered a curse and rolled onto her back, arms spread wide to allow her lungs to function properly. What the hell just happened? If she didn’t know any better, she’d been kidnapped by a demon. She took a deep breath. A game character had abducted her—an angel demon. Her thoughts paused as she tried to digest what may, or may not, have happened. Maybe she’d dreamed it all. A man as magnificent as Zachary couldn’t really exist, even inside a game.
“A dream,” she whispered.
Maybe, when she opened her eyes, she would be tucked in her bed, and if the dream had lasted two years she wouldn’t be alone. A few deep breaths later, she dared open her eyes and looked straight up into pale blue sky. Slowly, she pulled herself up. Snow surrounded her, kilometres and kilometres of pure white snow, without a bed to be seen. Where had her apartment gone? Her computer? Her sanity?
Instinctively, her hand rose to her breast and the photograph housed safely in her underwear. Then, she looked down at her clothes. She wore an all in one vinyl suit that hugged her every curve to embarrassment. A wide elasticized belt hung around her hips. Various paraphernalia dangled from the belt: a scabbard with a jeweled dagger, an empty pouch, and three bottles of green liquid. Thigh high boots with six-inch heels adorned her feet. She felt her hair, pulled back off her face and fastened with a thick band of vinyl.
Dear Lord, I must look like a bondage mistress.
Dmn29’s words replayed in her head. I’ll see you in there. Dominique studied the landscape again but her gaming comrade was nowhere to be seen, not that she knew what he looked like. She’d never met him in person. Ahead, Zachary stared over the horizon. He stood straight as a spruce, wide shoulders pulled back proudly. The breeze swept hair across his face and ruffled the tails of his long coat, just like a scene out of any game she’d played. The only difference? She wasn’t playing this game. As far as she could tell, she lived it. He looked at her over his shoulder.
“Come.” His deep voice split the frigid air between them.
Dominique wasn’t sure she wanted to do anything with him. Could she trust a man who turned into a demon at whim? Hell, could she trust a game character? They were known to change alliances at the drop of a hat. She scanned the winter scene for an exit. Every game had one. Every game. However, from where she stood she couldn’t see any houses. Or tracks. Or civilization. And nothing that resembled an exit. Just her and Zachary. Damn.
With some effort, she struggled to her feet, teetered on the heels a moment, and then took her first stumble into unknown territory. Her new vinyl suit squeaked with every step, and six-inch heels weren’t exactly conducive to trekking through snow. After four steps she sank ankle deep into the snow. Dominique wriggled her feet, lifted one foot high and took a step. Stuck again, this time with her legs spread wide, she bounced her knees and tried to move but the snow had swallowed her boots to above the ankles. The crotch of the bondage suite rode higher until it threatened to split her in two.
Only me. Such a ridiculous thing could only happen to me.
Warm hand slid under her arms and, with an effortless tug, dragged her from the icy prison. Placed onto firmer snow, Dominique staggered and wobbled precariously on the heels of her boots.
Zachary frowned as he eyed her shoes. “Perhaps I should find you alternative transport across the snow.”
“I would prefer alternative transport home.”
“Once Demon Realm is safe you can go home.”
Dominique looked around. “Demon Realm looks safe. You and I are the only two people here.”
“Looks are deceiving.”
Dominique teetered and let out an exasperated sigh. “My boots look uncomfortable. That’s not deceiving. Why did you slap impossible heels on me and then expect me to walk on snow?”
“I didn’t dress you. You wear female warrior attire.”
“Do your armies win wars because the enemy is distracted by the female warriors’ butts?” Dominique twisted and studied the curve of her posterior. “My arse is a weapon in its own right.” She chuckled and turned to Zachary. He wasn’t eyeing her backside as she’d anticipated. Instead, his grey eyes were fixed on the horizon. A light frown marred his brow as he studied the empty snow that stretched on forever.
“You are the first female warrior,” he told her. “Stay here.” The request was most definitely an order. The tails of his coat swirled as he turned and strode across the frozen expanse.
Dusting snow from her hands, Dominique looked around. So, this was Demon Realm. Why would anyone want to save such an icy wasteland? Cold air swirled around her. She shivered and folded her arms. If she was a character inside a game, why could she feel the cold?
In the distance, Zachary paced as though he waited for someone. He captivated her. He didn’t look like a demon, not that she knew what demons usually looked like. However, he was exactly what she’d envisaged as the perfect game character. More than once she’d stayed up until the early hours of the morning imagining her ideal game. That was when she shared her life and dreams with someone else.
Dominique swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. A shadow cast across the brightness of the snow. She glanced at the pale sky. Not a single cloud. The shadow darkened and slid along the ground following the valleys and mounds of the snow. Her eyes rested on a form, a grey mass with no distinctive outlines or features. Ghosts?
Dominique stumbled away from the advancing wraiths. Zachary hadn't seen the ghosts come from her and his form disappeared behind the thick fog of creatures. Keep calm, Dominique. Good advice, but what should she do, now?
Run, Dominique. Run.
A sword struck the potted palm beside her desk, splitting the heavy cement pot in two. A green gem appeared with an audible pop and hung in the air. Zachary rolled across the floor and the diamond shaped jewel dissolved into his body. One white wing tip slapped Dominique across her chest and swiped her face as Zachary stood to confront the black demon.
Feathers, black and white, floated through the air to land softly on the worn carpet. Her heart wanted to pound a hole through her ribs. Dinner threatened to reappear, not as a chili taco, but as a glob of stomach contents. She obviously suffered from some sort of hallucination brought on by said chili taco. Dominique cursed the taco stand on the corner. If she didn’t die from food poisoning or demon attack, she would march down there in the morning and accuse the owner of trying to send her insane.
Computer games did not come crashing into real life.
A cold, wet sensation wrapped around her leg. Still on her back she looked down at the gross cherub demon that hugged her shin. With a shriek, she shook her leg but the cherub’s grip tightened. The hideous beast grinned up at her, teeth glistening in the light of a nearby lamp.
Zachary's white angel demon bounded over Dominique, stabbing the cherub with his sword as he went. It let out a high-pitched squeal and disintegrated into a fan of falling lights. Dominique started at the sprinkle of sparks, her mouth open and her eyes wide. Her brain didn't know what to make of her current situation. Was she awake? Was she dreaming? Maybe she was dead! Her mouth opened more and she drew in a deep breath, ready to release a cracker of a scream.
“My suggestion is that you move.”
Dominique's breathing hitched and the scream jammed in her throat as she stared up at the bold, chiseled face and fierce grey eyes. Demon Zachary's wings stretched wide and he lifted his sword as though to strike her. This time her breathing stopped altogether, and she felt her face pale. She threw her arms over her face in a simple attempt to protect herself and squeezed her eyes closed. Dear God, what is happening?
“Move,” Zachary yelled.
His deep voice spurred her into action. Her eyes flew open and she sprang to her feet, parried left, lunged right, and grabbed the photograph from her desk. A large hand shoved her and she stumbled across the room. Righting herself, she stood in the furthermost corner with her back to the wall. Insanity ran in her family. Invisible friends. Monsters in the cupboard. Her sister swore a Great Dane dog followed her for most of her pre-teen years. Sheeba her sister had called the invisible animal. Dear Lord, why am I thinking about this, now? Because two winged demons writhed on her living room floor. And they could not be real!
Another cherub sprang from the wall to cling to her leg. Dominique froze. It stared at her with tiny black eyes. Saliva dripped from pointy teeth and slid down her shin. Her eyes darted left, then right as she searched for a weapon. A nail file poked from under the nearby bookcase. Last week, she’d looked for the darn thing for hours. In one desperate move, she leaned over, snatched up the nail file and hit the demon. Regret surged through her when it, too, disappeared in a flurry of falling lights. More and more pink monsters lunged at her. Nail file swinging, Dominique edged toward the front door, her only escape route from this craziness.
Two cherubs squealed with laughter as they used their long claws to tear the blue microfiber fabric on her sofa. Tiny pieces of foam rained down onto Zachary and Dorian. Both had changed into human form and now struggled to disarm each other. Zachary overpowered the white haired man and stood, his sword tip millimeters from Dorian’s throat. Their chests heaved with exertion and their labored breaths echoed around the walls of the small apartment.
Dorian clutched his injured arm. “You may have won this battle, Zachary, but not the war,” he said, his voice a low growl. “You will never get her to the last Destiny Door. I will make sure of it.”
The lights fizzed out. Dorian’s words dissolved into calm silence. Dominique drew in a trembling breath. Exhausted, she slid down the wall to sit on the floor. Game characters made everything look so easy. She’d only ever experienced thumb cramps from too much gaming. Now, every muscle screamed in protest. Demons had come out of her computer screen—demons—and they’d tried to kill each other on her floor! She stared into the blackness. Shadows didn’t even break the darkness. And it was so quiet after the battle. Maybe she’d imagined the entire episode. An earthquake would explain her ruined furniture and broken lights. She looked in the direction of her computer. She’d discovered online gaming two years ago, just after…She clutched the photograph more tightly. Please let my computer be all right.
Glowing blue embers appeared from the darkness and floated toward her. Now what? Dominique drew her knees into her body and held the nail file so tightly that her knuckles ached. The lights came closer. Their iridescence grew until she felt safe within the umbrella of their radiance. Then, the three blue lights entered her body. Dominique stiffened. Sharp pain in her chest rendered her unable to move. Splinters of glass pricked from the inside. Her mouth fell open in a silent cry and she dropped the nail file to clutch at her chest. The radiance within her body expanded until her entire apartment came alive in the blue light.
Ice chased the fire that spread through her. She managed to gulp a breath. Slowly, the hurt subsided. The light faded. A deep sob escaped as she grappled along the floor until she found the nail file and held it against her. Unable to comprehend the events of the last few minutes, she sniffled back more tears. The photo was now a crumpled mess in her fist.
The lights flicked on. Dominique screamed, surprised when Zachary Sterling leaned in so close that the warmth of his breath tickled her cheek. He smelled fresh and clean, like rain. The thick coat he’d worn now discarded, sinewy muscles in his arms budged, the sleek lines of his chest pronounced under his black t-shirt.
Dominique darted past him and crawled to the other side of the room. Heavy footsteps followed. She pushed her body into the wall and stared at his features, so much more handsome in person. A demon with the face of an angel.
He lowered into a squat and extended his hand. “I am Zachary Sterling, Demon Lord, and I am here to assist you on your journey.”
Dominique pulled away from his hand and shook her head. Don’t touch me. “What just happened?” she demanded.
“The Hope Stone has nestled inside your soul. The future of Demon Realm now lives in you.”
Dominique stared at him, mouth ajar. “The future of—. What? I didn’t sign up for this. I only typed my name and pressed enter.”
“You have been chosen.” Zachary's tone turned insistent.
“I don’t care.” She glanced at the photograph in her hand and then tucked it inside her bra. “I’m not very good at futures. I can’t help you.”
Zachary grasped her forearm, his grip firm as he pulled her up. She considered fainting. Instead, she yanked her arm from his hand and held the small nail file forward threateningly. Zachary raised his sword until the steep tip stopped in front of her nose. The blade didn’t waver, the hand that held it steady and strong. He could slit her throat with the flick of his wrist. Maybe now is a good time to faint. Dominique swallowed hard and raised her gaze to his face. For all the death and destruction he would encounter as a game character, serenity filled his eyes.
“Are you going to kill me?” she managed to whisper.
Zachary indicated to the file that shook in her grip. “Are you going to kill me?”
“I could only try,” Dominique replied with a little more gusto.
“You are bold to confront me with that tiny weapon." He considered her for a moment, his face somber. "This time, I shall spare you.”
Dominique carefully pushed the tip of the sword away from her face. She tentatively touched her nose and stared at his outstretched hand. With five long fingers and a perfectly shaped palm, it looked like the kind of hand she would love to hold, not the hand of a demon. Zachary helped her stand. He righted a chair and urged her to sit. A brass key with the head of a screaming demon and a sword shaped shaft dangled from a leather lanyard around his neck. Dominique had to touch. She couldn’t help herself. Her finger brushed cool brass. Pale blue light surrounded the key before Zachary encased it in his hand and slipped it under his waistcoat.
“You must come with me,” he said.
“Come where?”
Zachary shrugged his great coat on with ease. “To Demon Realm.”
Dominique shook her head. “There’s no point. I was serious when I said I wasn’t very good at helping people. I couldn’t save him.” Her hand went to where the photo sat under her shirt.
“The Hope Stone has chosen your destiny.” He slid his sword into the scabbard on his back. “That means you are coming with me.”
Before she could protest, Zachary swung her into the cradle of his arms and ran toward her computer desk. Panicked, Dominique struggled. She squirmed, and threshed, and screamed, but her actions didn’t prevent him from plunging through the screen. Unfamiliar sounds bombarded her. Flashes of bright light sped past. Her stomach churned as though she rode a roller coaster. The warmth of her apartment faded, replaced by an icy chill that penetrated her bones.
Dominique landed on a hard surface with an oof and a resounding ouch! She muttered a curse and rolled onto her back, arms spread wide to allow her lungs to function properly. What the hell just happened? If she didn’t know any better, she’d been kidnapped by a demon. She took a deep breath. A game character had abducted her—an angel demon. Her thoughts paused as she tried to digest what may, or may not, have happened. Maybe she’d dreamed it all. A man as magnificent as Zachary couldn’t really exist, even inside a game.
“A dream,” she whispered.
Maybe, when she opened her eyes, she would be tucked in her bed, and if the dream had lasted two years she wouldn’t be alone. A few deep breaths later, she dared open her eyes and looked straight up into pale blue sky. Slowly, she pulled herself up. Snow surrounded her, kilometres and kilometres of pure white snow, without a bed to be seen. Where had her apartment gone? Her computer? Her sanity?
Instinctively, her hand rose to her breast and the photograph housed safely in her underwear. Then, she looked down at her clothes. She wore an all in one vinyl suit that hugged her every curve to embarrassment. A wide elasticized belt hung around her hips. Various paraphernalia dangled from the belt: a scabbard with a jeweled dagger, an empty pouch, and three bottles of green liquid. Thigh high boots with six-inch heels adorned her feet. She felt her hair, pulled back off her face and fastened with a thick band of vinyl.
Dear Lord, I must look like a bondage mistress.
Dmn29’s words replayed in her head. I’ll see you in there. Dominique studied the landscape again but her gaming comrade was nowhere to be seen, not that she knew what he looked like. She’d never met him in person. Ahead, Zachary stared over the horizon. He stood straight as a spruce, wide shoulders pulled back proudly. The breeze swept hair across his face and ruffled the tails of his long coat, just like a scene out of any game she’d played. The only difference? She wasn’t playing this game. As far as she could tell, she lived it. He looked at her over his shoulder.
“Come.” His deep voice split the frigid air between them.
Dominique wasn’t sure she wanted to do anything with him. Could she trust a man who turned into a demon at whim? Hell, could she trust a game character? They were known to change alliances at the drop of a hat. She scanned the winter scene for an exit. Every game had one. Every game. However, from where she stood she couldn’t see any houses. Or tracks. Or civilization. And nothing that resembled an exit. Just her and Zachary. Damn.
With some effort, she struggled to her feet, teetered on the heels a moment, and then took her first stumble into unknown territory. Her new vinyl suit squeaked with every step, and six-inch heels weren’t exactly conducive to trekking through snow. After four steps she sank ankle deep into the snow. Dominique wriggled her feet, lifted one foot high and took a step. Stuck again, this time with her legs spread wide, she bounced her knees and tried to move but the snow had swallowed her boots to above the ankles. The crotch of the bondage suite rode higher until it threatened to split her in two.
Only me. Such a ridiculous thing could only happen to me.
Warm hand slid under her arms and, with an effortless tug, dragged her from the icy prison. Placed onto firmer snow, Dominique staggered and wobbled precariously on the heels of her boots.
Zachary frowned as he eyed her shoes. “Perhaps I should find you alternative transport across the snow.”
“I would prefer alternative transport home.”
“Once Demon Realm is safe you can go home.”
Dominique looked around. “Demon Realm looks safe. You and I are the only two people here.”
“Looks are deceiving.”
Dominique teetered and let out an exasperated sigh. “My boots look uncomfortable. That’s not deceiving. Why did you slap impossible heels on me and then expect me to walk on snow?”
“I didn’t dress you. You wear female warrior attire.”
“Do your armies win wars because the enemy is distracted by the female warriors’ butts?” Dominique twisted and studied the curve of her posterior. “My arse is a weapon in its own right.” She chuckled and turned to Zachary. He wasn’t eyeing her backside as she’d anticipated. Instead, his grey eyes were fixed on the horizon. A light frown marred his brow as he studied the empty snow that stretched on forever.
“You are the first female warrior,” he told her. “Stay here.” The request was most definitely an order. The tails of his coat swirled as he turned and strode across the frozen expanse.
Dusting snow from her hands, Dominique looked around. So, this was Demon Realm. Why would anyone want to save such an icy wasteland? Cold air swirled around her. She shivered and folded her arms. If she was a character inside a game, why could she feel the cold?
In the distance, Zachary paced as though he waited for someone. He captivated her. He didn’t look like a demon, not that she knew what demons usually looked like. However, he was exactly what she’d envisaged as the perfect game character. More than once she’d stayed up until the early hours of the morning imagining her ideal game. That was when she shared her life and dreams with someone else.
Dominique swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. A shadow cast across the brightness of the snow. She glanced at the pale sky. Not a single cloud. The shadow darkened and slid along the ground following the valleys and mounds of the snow. Her eyes rested on a form, a grey mass with no distinctive outlines or features. Ghosts?
Dominique stumbled away from the advancing wraiths. Zachary hadn't seen the ghosts come from her and his form disappeared behind the thick fog of creatures. Keep calm, Dominique. Good advice, but what should she do, now?
Run, Dominique. Run.
*
* * *
Zachary surveyed the landscape. The prophet certainly
challenged him this time. The woman from The Unknown wasn’t at all what he’d
expected. He had anticipated a warrior, someone to battle by his side and save
his beloved home. This woman’s only strength was her ability to find trouble,
and she would encounter a large amount of that during their journey.
Zachary's sharp whistle lingered on the still air. “Where are you, Gagan?” he muttered.
The ground under his boots vibrated. A slow smile spread his lips. Gagan appeared from nowhere. However, Zachary knew better than that. Gagan had camouflaged with the snow until close enough to see. The white bear skidded to a stop and with an excited roar, he rose onto his hind legs and swiped a massive paw through the air. Zachary stumbled back. Even though the beast made sport, one strike would knock him out.
He lunged at the bear and spread his arms to encompass his wide chest, burying his face into thick fur. His best friend, confidante, and sparring partner, Gagan gave him strength when everyone else had deserted him. The giant bear also saved him from many precarious moments, many bloody battles where Demon Realm had almost lost its ruler and lord.
“I have a surprise for you, old friend.” Zachary reached high to pat Gagan on the shoulder. “No matter how exasperating you find her, you must promise not to eat her.” He vaulted onto the bear and straddled his back. Domini would be delighted he had summoned such a regal creature to carry her across Demon Realm. “I have brought the woman from The Unknown, the chosen one who will defeat Dorian and his minions.”
Gagan emitted a low growl.
“I understand your abhorrence,’ Zachary said with a nod. “Dorian betrayed us both with his—."
Fear filled screams cut his words short and chilled his demon heart. In all his years in the battle zone he had never heard such distress. He sat tall on the bear’s back to scan the land before him. Dark figures fluttered across the ground. Some soared into the air while others entwined until they became a grey mass against the blinding white of the snow.
“Shadow specters.” Zachary dug his heels into the bear’s sides. “Go, Gagan, I fear Domini is in dire trouble.”
Gagan lopped across the ice. Zachary gripped soft fur in each hand to keep his balance. In the distance, the woman struggled to escape the hoary throng pressing down on her. Domini was in more than trouble.
“Gagan, battle,” he shouted.
Immediately, armor covered the bear from neck to tail. A jeweled helmet adorned his head, and plates of iron shielded his chest. Zachary drew his sword, held the weapon high and bellowed his war song as the giant bear galloped into the mass of shadow specters.
Chapter Three
Zachary's sharp whistle lingered on the still air. “Where are you, Gagan?” he muttered.
The ground under his boots vibrated. A slow smile spread his lips. Gagan appeared from nowhere. However, Zachary knew better than that. Gagan had camouflaged with the snow until close enough to see. The white bear skidded to a stop and with an excited roar, he rose onto his hind legs and swiped a massive paw through the air. Zachary stumbled back. Even though the beast made sport, one strike would knock him out.
He lunged at the bear and spread his arms to encompass his wide chest, burying his face into thick fur. His best friend, confidante, and sparring partner, Gagan gave him strength when everyone else had deserted him. The giant bear also saved him from many precarious moments, many bloody battles where Demon Realm had almost lost its ruler and lord.
“I have a surprise for you, old friend.” Zachary reached high to pat Gagan on the shoulder. “No matter how exasperating you find her, you must promise not to eat her.” He vaulted onto the bear and straddled his back. Domini would be delighted he had summoned such a regal creature to carry her across Demon Realm. “I have brought the woman from The Unknown, the chosen one who will defeat Dorian and his minions.”
Gagan emitted a low growl.
“I understand your abhorrence,’ Zachary said with a nod. “Dorian betrayed us both with his—."
Fear filled screams cut his words short and chilled his demon heart. In all his years in the battle zone he had never heard such distress. He sat tall on the bear’s back to scan the land before him. Dark figures fluttered across the ground. Some soared into the air while others entwined until they became a grey mass against the blinding white of the snow.
“Shadow specters.” Zachary dug his heels into the bear’s sides. “Go, Gagan, I fear Domini is in dire trouble.”
Gagan lopped across the ice. Zachary gripped soft fur in each hand to keep his balance. In the distance, the woman struggled to escape the hoary throng pressing down on her. Domini was in more than trouble.
“Gagan, battle,” he shouted.
Immediately, armor covered the bear from neck to tail. A jeweled helmet adorned his head, and plates of iron shielded his chest. Zachary drew his sword, held the weapon high and bellowed his war song as the giant bear galloped into the mass of shadow specters.
Chapter Three
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