To Save a Brother

I take a deep breath and ready myself to leave my world and journey through the portal. I don't enjoy travelling to the mortal realm. Interacting with mortals is, in a word, distasteful.

But my brother has chosen to seek his revenge in the mortal world and I must stop him, convince him that revenge can turn on its seeker.

The transition from dark to mortal realms arcs through my chest as if I've been struck by a lightening bolt. The shock pierces my mortal heart, an organ I do not need in my world. As a mortal, the heart is my core; as a demon my darkness keeps me alive. I detest the feeling of being mortal, of sensing compassion grow inside me.

Now in the mortal realm, I drag my body to a nearby tree and use it for balance as I stand. Searching the countryside I spot one of my own, another Ash Demon, being put into the back of a truck, a girl standing beside another man, both looking quite pleased. I fist my hands and take a step, but waver, falling to my knees. The transition has left my body weak and useless.

Damn this mortal body. Damn this mortal world.

Desperate to Save Destiny

The visions were growing stronger, more clear. If I didn’t save Destiny she would not only be lost to forces of the dark realm, but she’d take with her the universe’s only hope for peace.

I wander the halls of St. Yve Manor searching for the one person who needs to hear my plea. Lady Aurora could order Destiny be brought to England where I would train her and keep her safe.

I pass the library and spot Aurora consulting a thick volume.

“I’ve been looking for you.” I join her and glance over her shoulder. As I suspect, she is researching the prophecy of the demon lord and crystal goddess.

A prophecy, perhaps, but it feels frighteningly real.

“We must bring her here,” Lady Aurora says in her usual, businesslike tone.

“Yes, I agree.”

Aurora snaps the book shut and looks at me. “You can’t be the one that retrieves her.”

I ache with guilt. I should have gone for her years ago, but I had given my word.

“Who, then?” I ask.

“Someone who is beholden to us.” She paces to the window and glances out onto the Enchanted Forest in the distance. “As fortune would have it, he’s being held captive in the chamber below.”

“Captive?” My heart skips. “You mean he’s…?”

She turns to me, her expression regretful but determined. “He’s Ash demon. And he’s our only hope.”

And its then I know our hope is lost.

Edwina, Healer & Teacher

Mersey Bane: Pest Control Specialist :-)

10.14.07


Hey!
Have you been wondering about me? A lot has happened in the past few months. I've taken an extended leave of absence from the Cadre. Me, I feel as though I may never return, yet the smallest part of me wants to keep my options open. In case, well...this is a wicked world; one never knows what will come up. I see Squire once in a while when he drives into London. That's rare though, because that dude just never gets out from the dungeon.

So I moved in to London (no, not with Jack—yet). I moved permanently into my apartment close to King's Cross. I'm thinking about taking some college courses on history and language and maybe even some business. Someone I know has a real problem with accounting, and it would make his life one hundred percent easier if I could take over the books for his business.

Actually, it's our business now. That's our business card up there. Simple. A little vague. But for the people who need our help, they know exactly what we do. We're freelance demon hunters now, both of us. I still use the crystal capture method, unless we've both determined the culprit is a nasty, then I stand back and let Jack blast it. He likes to blow things up. :-)

I just like Jack. How can a girl not? He's sexy, but he doesn't know it. He's charming, but rough around all the edges. He's strong and...well, he knows that. He carries me around his flat over his shoulder a lot. (I love it. I just...love it.) And can you picture a man in his skivvies doing upsidedown pull-ups with a gravity bar and boots? Oh, baby. He's the coolest thing that has ever happened to me. And he is 'the one' that my mother chose for me before she died. She made a good choice. (Jack thinks so, too.)

So if you're ever in London, and you feel a dark creepy stalking the shadows close to you. Don't worry. We've got your back.

The Scent of War

(Introducing characters from Saving Destiny, November 2007)

“Revenge will not ease your pain, brother.” Kadenshar had to try and stop Tendaeus. Too much had already been lost. Kadenshar did not want to lose his brother as well.

“I am surprised you have such a passive attitude.” Tendaeus leaned against the Weeping Willow at the edge of the Enchanted Forest of St. Yve Wood.

Lust sparkled in his eyes as he focused on the manor in the distance. His expression was like that of a lust demon poised to enter, ravage and possess.

Kadenshar worried that his little brother was being controlled by his passion for vengeance.

“If I could get into the chamber where they hold our kind prisoners and free them,” his voice trailed off. He turned to Kadenshar. “They would be in my debt and I would amass an army that would swiftly destroy our mortal enemies.”

“It is not worth the risk.”

A hollow laugh echoed in the forest as Tendaeus turned back to study the manor. “When did you become so weak, brother?”

“It’s not strength, but intelligence that will determine our victory.”

“Then I will be intelligent in my quest to destroy them. Who knows?” He glanced over his shoulder. “I may take a mortal female or two in the process. One of the Cadre leaders, perhaps? They say a mortal’s love is all consuming, stripping the creature of its senses, even self-preservation. I would like to taste that kind of surrender. What do you say, brother? Will you join me?”

“Not today,” he said. Tendaeus was young, impulsive and foolish. Yet Kadenshar must protect him, especially from his own folly.

Kadenshar had made a promise and he would keep his word. It was his penance.