Val didn’t like hearing that.But things are right now. We have magic and power, love and loss, challenges…
Love?
You must know love.
Perhaps. Describe it.
Val imagined Talon with his smiles, his tears, his devotion to Ava and to Val. Then she thought of her parents and the brief time she’d had with them. She could never forget her mother’s smiles and her father’s hugs.
Affection, yes, these things I remember…
Val felt a frisson of hope, that maybe she could talk Ilu into letting her go.
It was because I lost myself in this love that betrayal sent me away, forgotten, lost.
Images surged into Val of a massive tree surrounded by lush grasses, flowers, fruits and animals. A small brook rippled by into a larger pond, where creatures drank and frolicked. And life was plentiful and peaceful.
Until those with ill intent came. They destroyed. Tore up the earth. Slaughtering not for the sake of food but for pleasure. Corruption rotted what was once harmony and called forth Ilu, who joined in to wipe out the predators ruining such perfection.
For there will always be corruption, and I am justice to tear it out.
But I’m not corrupt!
They are.Ilu motioned to the demons and vampires fighting, to Nergal and Vladimir, who’d nearly returned to his full form.
They call me to this plane, so full of death and malice. As do the whispers of one who is coming closer. He calls on me to join him.
Val felt a push of something in Ilu’s words, but before she could make it out, Talon flew into the battle next to a winged,muscular woman carrying a…battle ax? The woman had long black hair and eyes so bright they shone.
Yet Val’s attention sought Talon and the way he zeroed in on Vladimir.
The staff. Where was it?
Where’s the Staff of Blight?she asked Ilu.
I have it right here. It will make a handy start to my takeover of this plane, I think.
No. You can’t.
Oh, but I can and will. What’s to stop me?
Me.
And me,Khent said in her head, alerting Valentine and Ilu to pay better attention.
Khent? You can hear me?She wanted to feel his arms around her, to kiss him and tell him all the things she hadn’t before.
His voice faded.
Ilu’s attention sharpened on Khent, who seemed different. His features were more refined, longer even.
“I’m here, Valentine.” He started up the stairs to the throne and paused a few steps below. “Ilu, I’ve come to take back my mate.”
“She is mine now, vampire. As you will be mine.”
“Think again.” He shimmered, and Val watched as Khent grew. And grew.
And grewinto an impossible, magnificent black dragon. His eyes turned a glittery obsidian, a beast who carried death close. He stared down at her from his long neck. “Give me back what’s mine.”
