THIS TIME (The Grace Allen Series Book Three Paranormal Romance) (13 page)

EIGHTEEN

The
reality of my enslavement to Lucifer was becoming more and more apparent as the
limitations to my powers became clear. I knew I was no longer myself in many
ways, but now I found I couldn’t bind my powers to Seth’s.

Once
we’d entered the war room, we joined hands and sat in a circle. Closing our
eyes, we all reached out with our minds as I had always been able to do in the
past. Seth and Gavyn both sent their power out towards me but, astonishingly,
my power shuddered and fled. Leaving me sitting beside them utterly useless.

I
had no words, only the shame that filled me and the memories of fashioning the
spells that now seemed to cut me off from being any kind of help. I pulled
away. If I couldn’t bind my magic to theirs, at least I could send it out on
its own. I reached out, tasting the air, feeling the earth.

It
didn’t take long to find the magic woven by the elven elders. They looked like
a rainbow of mist woven around the trees. Some were bright and vibrant while others
looked to be almost completely faded. These were the areas that seemed to be
fading on their own. Then there were the black smears of power. Writhing black
blobs, oozing out of the trees like poisonous tar. They sizzled and popped as
they ate through the bright colorful mists of Elvin magic.

I
shuddered as my magic sped back to me. We returned to ourselves at the same
time. I jerked back, my breath was knocked out of me and I gasped, rolling onto
my side. Gavyn sucked in a huge breath of air as Seth choked and coughed from
his hands and knees.

“How’d
that unholy sludge get past the spells?” Gavyn choked out.

“He
found a loophole. Good God, we are so stupid.” I stood up slowly, brushing the
dirt from my bare legs. “It’s not alive. Didn’t you say that the spells kept ‘
anyone’
evil out? There was no life in it, no consciousness that I could detect.” I
pulled up a stool and sat down hard. “It wasn’t the same thing that I felt
before, though. It lacked the sour flavor that was in the air earlier.” Then I
had a thought, standing up in a panic, I yelled, “Where are you keeping Helen?”
I watched in dismay as Gavyn’s eyes bugged out of his head.

“Son
if a bitch!” I yelled. “You have got to be kidding me? You left her
unsupervised?”

I
moved to run from the room only to fall back a step as Seth tore from the room
with his rarely-used vampire speed.

“She
was catatonic!” Gavyn defended. “She was unable to move or speak!” He looked
sick. “Well, come on then.” He motioned for me to follow. “We may as well stop
Seth from gutting her should she still be chained to the wall.”

I
blew out a breath, thinking Seth had it right. She needed to be disposed of and
quick. I didn’t condone murder, but if it kept my friends alive and me out of a
demonic marriage bed, I’d hand him the knife.

***

The
night had given way to morning, illuminating the dirt path as Gavyn and I made
our way to the dungeons. As we walked, he explained that they had given Helen
some of the same drug that they had given to me.
The Dead Dreg.
It would
render her completely useless should she wake and try to use any of her powers.
I had my doubts that it had lasted. It seemed that these dumb-asses had
forgotten their little guest and therefore they wouldn’t have kept up on her
doses.

“With
so much happening…”

Gavyn’s
voice was droning on with all the reasons he could think of as to why this had
happened. I just looked at it as a total fail. I was no angel, so I had to
swallow all of my shitty comments.

“…
and honestly most of us had decided that she was just about dead anyway.”

“Forget
about the whys and the hows, Gavyn. Let’s just try and fix it, okay?”

Seth’s
roar was enough the clear the forest of every single bird in the trees. We ran,
fumbling through the doors at the same time like a couple of keystone cops.

“Damn
it, Gavyn!” I shouted and pushed him ahead of me into the room. We immediately
descended several flights of stairs into the dungeons.

The
scene was chaos. Elves ran about the room in a panic as Seth tore through each
and every cell searching in vain for Helen.

“She
is gone!” Seth panted. His hair was long once again and hung around his
shoulders in complete disarray. He was shaking as he clenched his hand at his
sides. Then he shivered and looked up. “This is a problem, you realize?” he said,
his voice low and menacing.

“We’re
done for,” Gavyn moaned gripping onto an iron bar on one of the cell doors. He
leaned heavily on it causing it to sway and creek loudly. “My people will be
wiped out.” He looked at me, his eyes deep pools of despair. “You know this.”
He stated, his voice flat.

I
wished I could comfort him. I wished that I could say that a war would be a
wise approach and his people stood a chance, but it was nothing but bull shit.
His people were going to die. If they picked up arms against Lucifer, which was
just what they planned to do, they would all die and it would be all my fault.
I felt sick. Turning on my heel I ran from the room.

NINETEEN

Ann’s
house came into view. I stopped, bending over I dug my hand into the stitch in
my side. Panting, I stood and entered her small yard.

“Auntie,
Grace!” Ann smiled as she pulled me into a one armed hug. “How’s it going?” As she
pulled away, her smile fell. “What now?” She handed a squirming Missa to a
pretty blonde girl. “Stevie, take Missa to the nursery, would you?” She smiled
warmly at the girl as she turned to take my arm.

I
nodded to the retreating girl, lifting a brow in question. Ann smiled. “That’s
Tobias’s young sister. She’s living here now, helping me with the baby and
reminding me how old I am.” She laughed and shook her head as she led me to the
back door. I watched her sit. She was so at home in this world. So full of
peace despite what was happening all around her. I felt guilty as hell bringing
my mess to her door.

“I’m
sorry,” I said, overcome, I rose to leave before I made things worse for her.

“Sit
your ass down right now, Grace Allen and spill it!” she demanded.

I
opened my mouth and then closed it and plopped back into the chair. At her
stern look, I laughed, “Wow, you have the mom thing
down
. Missa’s in for
it.”

“Yes,
yes, I’ve mastered my estrogen. Now what’s put that look on your face?” She
leaned forward and took my hands.

I
sucked in a big breath and began telling her everything that had happened
starting, with the meeting I’d attended in the war room and my crazy mating
bond with Seth and Lucian, to the revelation that Mariee could possibly be a
huge, love-sick idiot, to my latest dream starring Lucifer. She sat quietly
while I spoke until I came to the part where Helen had gotten free.

“I
told them to kill that demon bitch!” She slammed her had onto the delicate
table that sat between us, sending several of Missa’s brightly-colored toys to
the ground. “I knew with her looks and her freaking demon powers some idiot
would slip up.”

I
was in shock. “
Wow
. I had no idea you wanted her dead.” I lowered my
eyes and looked at my hands. “We don’t know how she got free. But I feel the
same way. Lu really likes her, I think. As much as he can like anything, I
guess. He wouldn’t have let her near me otherwise.”

Ann
shifted in her chair. “I’ve been thinking, Grace.” She looked into my eyes. “
A
lot
.” She stood. “I might have an answer, but we need to talk.” She opened
the door and gestured me outside. “Stevie, I’m running to the river with Grace,
are you alright to stay with Miss Mess?”

“Yes,
Ann. She will be well,” I heard Stevie’s sing-song voice call out.

“Okay,
let’s go.” Ann grabbed my hand and pulled me down the grassy hill that spanned
her back yard. “We can’t have any ears around.”

***

The
sound of the flowing water was soothing, but not enough to stop the chill that
had settled into my bones. Ann’s plan was completely outrageous, bordering on
impossible. It required me to be at my absolute most powerful and even then I
wasn’t sure if I could, or even
should
attempt it. The risk was huge.
Not only to myself but to absolutely everyone else.

A
plan like this could only be used if we were at deaths door or worse. Until
then I would have to think of something else. I couldn’t let these people
sacrifice their lives for me. Not when they had worked so hard for so long to
keep their people alive. A war with Lucifer would mean their death. Not to
mention Ann. No way was I letting these people pay for a deal I had made on my
own.

“You
look ill,” Ann said, giving me a nudge as we walked back to her yard.

“No.
I’m alright.” We reached her door and she moved to grab the handle. “You go on
in and take care of the little piggy-girl,” I smiled and pulled her into a
tight hug.

She
smiled. “It won’t come to that, you know. You’re clever. You’ve out smarted him
so far, you can keep it up.” She turned to go inside and stopped. “I’m not
afraid,” she said, turning to face me. “Even if it does come to that and you
have no choice but to move forward, I trust you. One hundred percent.”

I
smiled at her. “I know, Annie,” and then I frowned, “Ann?”

“Yeah?”
Her brows lowered.

“Stay
inside.” I met her eyes, “okay?”

 “Of
course, Gracie.” She laughed and shook her head. My shoulders fell as I watched
her retreating back. Her voice rang out as she greeted her daughter. The sound
filled my heart as the tears filled my eyes. This was it, I’d made up my mind.
It was time to pay the piper.

I
walked down the path sending my power out into the forest. I was still weak but
my anger was fueling my determination. The sludge was spreading and I had no
idea how much longer it would take for that crap to eat through the spells, but
I was afraid it would be soon.

The
sound of running spun me around.

“Jamie?” 
She came to a skidding halt in front of me. I grabbed her arms. “Cripes, what’s
wrong? Where the hell have you been all this time?” 

“Researching,
now come on, they need you!” she panted. “The spells are almost down.” She
pulled my arms. “Helen is at the boundary!”

“
What
?”
I jerked from her grip. “Seriously? How did she get past the spells?”

“Anyone
can get out, that’s not the hard part. She can’t get back in. Seth and Lucian
are trying to strengthen the spells right now. They need you.
Come on,
Grace!”
She took off, not looking back and I shook myself. Digging my feet
into the ground, I ran as fast as I could until I entered the clearing at the
center of the village.

“Oh
my, holy hell.” I gaped at the impossible sight in front of me.

This
was all because of me.

The
village was chaos as flames licked along the tree line, threatening to block
out the sun. I watched as the ground below writhed with demons. They danced
among the raining ash just outside of the failing border of protection.

I
moved forward, my eyes drawn to the figure of Helen. She was dressed in a
shining, patent-leather cat suit. It clung to her curves like a second skin as
she strode back and forth along the boundaries. Slick, shiny-skinned demons
slithered along the ground. Their malformed bodies crawled and twisted along
her legs as she mocked the Elvin soldiers.

Our
eyes met and she cocked her hip and winked at me. Her smug attitude proved that
she was eating this up. She must feel like the
true
demon queen as she
sneered down her nose at me. Shit, as far as I was concerned she was the
perfect choice. Her lust for Lu was palpable and her evil practically oozed
from her pores.

I
took another step just as a demon screamed. Adrenaline zinging through my limbs
I ran toward the edge of the trees, scrambling past the smoking flesh of the
stupid creatures as they tried to get past the boundaries. Hissing and
screeching sounds echoed in the air as the ancient spells continued to hold
them at bay.

Grace, we need your magic.

I
snapped my head up and moved faster. Seth and Lucian stood back to back on top
of a small, grassy rise. Their powerful bodies glowed with golden power as they
worked to strengthen the spells.

The
ancient elves who wove the spells were long dead and now, as Madea, we were the
only true hope. Elvin magic wove the spells, but with their species dying out,
not many elves were born with the kind of power needed. Not even Gavyn
possessed the power to fight the sludge.

This
was bad. I joined them, grasping each of their hands, I stood with my back to
them. I closed my eyes and shoved my power into theirs.

Agony
shot through my head and my mark caught fire. I screamed and fell to the
ground.

“Son
of a bitch!” I screamed.

Lucian
and Seth cried out as I smacked my arm wildly. Panicked, they started to move.
I held out my hands making them stop.

“Don’t
break your link! Don’t stop, I’ll be okay.” I looked at my arm, it was red and
puffy, but otherwise I was okay. “Please, just don’t stop or they’ll get
inside.”

 I
shifted on the ground in misery as they continued to pour their power into the
spells. I’d been neutered. That fucking demon had rendered me useless.

“Fucking
asshole.” I mumbled and stood. My eyes searched the field, landing on Helen.
She watched me, a smug smile on her face. I looked down at my mark. A small
portion of the tattoo glowed brightly.

My, God, what the hell have I done?

The
village was beginning to clear of all those who weren’t staying to fight. Elves
lined the borders, armed with spears and bows and arrows. The human priest who
helped exorcise my demon blood ran up and down the line of soldiers blessing
weapons and tossing holy water around like a mad man. Gavyn barked orders,
standing tall and proud, showing no fear as he faced what he knew was their
end.

I
stumbled down the hill. My feet felt heavy as I funneled through the soldiers.
Gavyn stood slightly apart from his men. My heart sank as I moved to stand next
to him. He looked at me and then as one we looked out toward the horrors before
us. Demons, hundreds of them, writhed together, line after line of horrid
creatures gnashing their teeth and clicking their razor sharp claws. The sounds
they made were worse than any nightmare imaginable. The sight was utterly
terrifying.

Shouts
sounded as the smell of the fires began to seep through the spells. They were
falling faster.

I
looked toward the grassy rise and felt sick. Lucian and Seth were struggling to
keep it together, their magic frantically repairing the tears the black ooze
created as it spilled from the cracks in the trees.

 “This
will end tonight, Grace,” Gavyn’s said in a low voice, “one way or another.” He
looked out at what he knew was their end. I watched his body language as it
betrayed his lost hope.

“It
will end,” I stated simply. “No doubt, but you won’t be the one to end it.”

Gavyn
spun and grabbed my shoulders. “We won’t let him get to you,” his fingers
squeezed. “We owe you our lives, Grace.” He lifted his chin, looking out at the
sea of evil. “You must be protected. At any cost.” His jaw worked stubbornly,
solidifying my resolve.

“Look
at me, Gavyn,” I frowned as he glared at me, shaking his head. “No, you have to
let me try and deal with him.” His jaw tensed. “
Please
, you have to
trust me.” I grabbed his hand. “I know what I’m doing, okay? Just…stand down.” 

I
looked out toward Lu’s demon army. “I have a plan.”

Gavyn
squeezed my hand then dropped it. I watched his eyes as they became glassy

“There
is only one way out. I can see it in your eyes. You can’t do it. We are fine
warriors, you don’t have to do this.”

I
smiled. “That’s very brave, and I thank you. But unless you see demons on this
side of the lines, you have to keep your men leashed.”

He
let out a breath. “As you wish, Madea. We will hold our ground.”

I
let out a huge breath. “Thank you, Gavyn.” I smiled, the effect was pretty
pathetic, I knew. “Until we meet again?” I turned and rushed away before he
could respond.

The
sun was now fully covered by smoke and ash. It glowed crimson through the haze.
The forest beyond the boundaries of the village looked to be nothing more than
a pile of charred sticks. The sky was an alien sort of dusk, painting the pale
skin of each Elvin warrior in shades of orange and yellow as they nervously
stood their ground.

I
positioned myself several feet in front of the warriors and braced myself for
whatever was to come.

The
chattering and clicking sounds suddenly ceased. I stepped closer to the demon
horde and watched them react to something in the air. They stirred, agitated.
As a group they skittered and jerked uneasily.

I
looked along the line that separated us from them and found nothing different.

All
at once, they began to howl and moan, their heads turned up towards the sky. A
look of utter adoration and worship twisted Helen’s face as she peered at the
sky.

Fuck.

Their king had come.