Page 37 of Celestial Shadows
And that point comes quickly.
Abedon throws his head back and begins screaming as the lightness of my angel energy surrounds him and the darkness of my succubus shadows wrap around him, entering into his eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
As I watch, blood begins pouring out of every hole in his body—from his mouth, nose, ears and eyes. Still, I don’t stop. I don’t let up. I have to free myself from this power. If I keep it inside me, I’m afraid it will burn me until I become nothing but flames.
And that’s exactly what happens to Abedon—he gets engulfed in an incendiary of power that burns through him.
***
BARON
Plains of Reckoning
I pound my fists against the barrier, even as it begins to eat away at the skin on my knuckles. Pyre syphons energy from the dead and uses it to slowly break through. We need to get to Eilish. I have to know she’s alright. “Theren, can you tear this down with blood magic?”
Though it goes against my natural instincts, the Unseelie’s magic might be the key. Theren hobbles over on unsteady legs and lifts the staff—the barrier breaks before the spell is ever uttered from his lips.
I run over to where Eilish and Abedon fought.
She stands tall with her head high, wings proudly on display, and she’s heaving in breaths, her chest rising and falling with the effort.
Abedon is no more. He’s now reduced to a pile of charred ash before her. Ash that lifts on the wind and is carried away. But my concern is no longer for Abedon and his army. It’s entirely devoted to Eilish.
Her eyes are different. Glowing orbs stare back at me as I make my way to her side. She doesn’t seem to notice me. I hover in front of her, wanting to hold her, but unsure of myself.
“Eilish,” I say but she continues to stare straight ahead as if she can’t hear or see me.
“Silvanus!” I call to the god, where he stands not far off. “What the fuck is wrong with her? Why isn’t she responding?”
“It’s time. We must restore the balance while Eilish is in this state,” Silvanus answers. “If we don’t, the power inside her will continue to build until she destroys everything left in this world.” He lifts her into his arms in a bridal hold. Eilish’s eyes remain open, unblinking as she stares off into the distance. “Can you and Pyre take us to the Tomb of The Gods?”
I look to Pyre. He nods as he faces Silvanus. “Baron will need to feed to resource his magic and energy, but we can do it.”
The dark army remains as the balance is still askew. Kolvar catches sight of us and shouts. “Go! Aima and I will fight off the soldiers. Myerdoth and Belroth are clearing the skies.”
The portal to The Veil remains open. It won’t be long before it consumes everything. We hang on a thin line with multiple threats on the verge of a cataclysmic event.
“You must feed before we can go any further,” Pyre says as he faces me. I want to argue, because time is of the essence, but I know he’s right. He reaches for me and I sink my fangs into his arm. With the bond, we both pull strength from my feeding.I taste his blood on my tongue and he taps into the power of The Veil inside me.
I break away from his wrist and help Pyre cast a portal. Silvanus and the others pass through first, cutting down demons as they go. Variant tosses his sword to Aima. She accepts it and uses the Sword of Eternal Flame to smite the Knights of Umbra.
Pyre and I make it through the portal at the same time. We land in the Cogost Mountains.
***
BARON
Cogost Mountains
This place isn’t right.
I can feel the souls that still linger. Remnants of a battle long ago still litter the ground. I can see the temple at the top of the mountain, but my feet won’t allow me to take another step. Silvanus carries Eilish in front of me, surrounded by the others.
“Why can’t I follow?” I insist as I glance down and find my feet stuck in place.
Pyre remains at my side. “Because we don’t belong here, Baron. We are soulless entities, Guardians of The Veil. Our presence isn’t welcome here.”
Part of me expected this.
