The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (19 page)

Chapter Fifty
Five

The rains no longer fell but the damage was done.  All trace of the magic used to kidnap Alexandra was washed away.  But as the wind blew Balthazar’s nose caught a very familiar scent.  It didn’t take him long to follow it all the way to Baal.  He had Alex, unconscious and much to Balthazar’s relief, unharmed, bound to a tree.

“I was wondering if you were going to make it,” Baal said standing from his spot beside Alexandra.
  He had never been the type of demon to take orders from someone beneath him, and Aelek was far beneath him.  He had no intention whatsoever of giving the girl over to anyone.  “I’m glad you did.”

The two demons squared off with one another.  Picking their
steps, they sized each other up, coming closer to each other.  Balthazar was first to strike out.

Baal anticipated his
movement and easily leaned out of range.  He turned his body slightly and brought the heel of his foot into Balthazar’s gut.  The young demon fell to his knees at the blow.

  Baal was on top of him in an instant, grabbing him in a choke hold.  Balthazar slammed his e
lbow into Baal’s chin.  The older demon staggered back.

Balthazar leapt to
his feet.  Turning on Baal he struck out again but the old demon was once again faster than him.  A clawed fist ripped through Balthazar’s abdomen.  A fierce growl tore through his chest, snapping Alex to consciousness. 

“Balthazar,” Alex said, her voice cracking as she saw the bloody hole left by Baal’s fist.  Balthazar fell to his knees, catching himself with his hands.  His eyes snapped up to Alex
. 

“Good,” Baal said, “You’re awake.  I want you to watch as I tear him to pieces.
  You’ll be next.”

Balthazar watched as the
fear washed over Alexandra’s face.  The stale stench of her fear reached his nostrils.  He had many reasons to defeat Baal, but the one that seemed to matter most at that moment was Alexandra.  He had to save her, no matter what the cost.  Even if it meant his own life, the only thing he cared about in that second was taking away the fear she felt.

Balthazar’s
eyes began to burn.  His pulse quickened drastically.  He could feel the scratch of his inner beast.  It ached to be set free.  It taunted Balthazar; letting him realize the only way he could possibly defeat Baal was to set the beast free. 

Alexandra watched in horror.  Her mind racing as she struggled against her bonds.  She had to do something.  She refused to sit by and watch as Balthazar was killed.  Taking a heavy breath to calm herself, she finally recognized the tingle of Balthazar’s aura.  She could feel the rage behind it, the blood thirst, and she knew that was his beast. 

Balthazar growled as he flew towards the old demon, his claws extended and ready to tear into flesh.  His eyes colored over solid red, and he moved with an increased speed brought on by his loss of control.  He snarled as his claws dug into the chest of the older demon.  His other hand dug into the vulnerable neck of the old demon.  Baal’s eyes were wide as Balthazar’s beast ripped his head clean off his body.  Blood dripped from Balthazar’s claws, his chest heaving with every gasping breath.

His
bloodied eyes fell on Alex.  Before she could blink he was before her.  His claws digging into her flesh as he picked her off the ground.  She cried out in pain as her blood mingled with the blood already covering the demon lord’s hands.  The feel of his aura grew fiercer as he barred his fangs at Alex.  He hesitated, holding Alex in his grasp.  She could feel the turmoil behind the tingle that touched every inch of skin on her body.  He was trying to fight his beast.  Trying to fight the urge to tear her to pieces.  She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. 

Alex
concentrated on his aura, but this time rather than try to pull on it she gave it a little push.  Balthazar growled but released his grip on her.  The crimson color drained from his eyes and the usual gray blue was left behind.  His body fell to the ground, the gaping hole in his torso bleeding profusely. 

Chapter Fifty
Six

“Wake up,” Alexandra shouted, the tears streaming down her dirty cheeks.  She shook the bloody unconscious demon, hoping what she did hadn’t killed him.  There was so much blood. 

Balthazar
coughed, spewing blood into the air as his eyes popped open.  Alex grabbed his face in her hands, looking into his dizzy eyes. 

“Stay awake,” she said with a sob
, “Please be ok.”

He lifted a bloody
hand to hers, grasping her wrists.

“I will be fine, girl,” Balthazar groaned, “Your tears are unnecessary.”

Alex pulled her hands away and his head dropped back to the ground, a bark of pain leaving his lips. 

“Sorry,” she said
, biting her lip.

“We must find
shelter,” Balthazar said, struggling to pick himself up.  “I can heal, but I must rest.”

“What can I do?
” Alexandra asked, watching as he struggled to stand. 

“Be quiet, girl,” he said, as
he reached around her slender waist and pulled her tightly into his body. 

Alexandra felt
the nauseating sensation of Balthazar’s demonic speed.  When they stopped Alex could feel Balthazar release her and fall to the ground, but she could not see.  It took her a moment to realize they were in darkness. 

“Lord Balthazar,” she called out, her eyes bugging to see through the darkness.  Her voice echoed around her,
both there was no reply.  Once her eyes had time to adjust she could see they were in a cave. It was fairly deep, and judging by the rushing sound of water in the distance, they were behind a waterfall.  She looked at the crumpled form of the usually immaculate Demon Lord, covered in blood. 

Alex
felt her way to the mouth of the cave, the pounding rush of the water threatening to drown out her thoughts.  Alex tore a small swatch off her skirt and soaked it with the water, carrying it back to the Balthazar.  She made several trips, each time washing away more and more blood.  Finally, it was all gone, save for the fresh blood that was still oozing from Balthazar’s torso.  She tore off several more pieces of her skirt, and tried as best she could to stymie the flow of blood.  The chill in the cave ate through to her bones and she curled up next to Balthazar, trying to get warm.  It wasn’t long before she was fast asleep.

#

Balthazar awoke next to Alex.  Her torn skirt had ridden high up her leg exposing the round curve of her bottom.  The morning sunlight filtered through the water and into the cave, making her taught skin glow as it gently kissed her flesh.  He turned his body towards the girl and wrapped a muscular arm around her waist pulling her closer to him.  Alex was still half asleep, and she allowed herself to be pliable to the Lord’s demands.  He pressed his hardened self against her soft backside as he planted light open mouth kisses on her collar bone.  She moaned at the sensation.  Balthazar’s chest rumbled with pleasure at the sound.  He wanted more, much more.  He pulled her onto her back and climbed on top of her, finding a comfortable spot between her legs.  Alex slowly opened her eyes.

“Balthazar,” she whispered breathlessly as he kissed her neck, her sleep addled mind not fully comprehending the situation.

He grabbed her by the wrists and held her hands above her head.  She moved under him, her nearly naked body pressed close to his.  Balthazar could feel every move she made, and he tensed at the sensation.  He brought his face to hers with a rumble in his still broken chest.  Alexandra swallowed hard, her body shaking with every vibration from the demon on top of her.  His flesh was pressed hotly against her, and with every gasping breath her breasts were forced into him.   

Balthazar
trailed kisses down her neck, placing a wanton hand on one of her heaving mounds.  She offered no resistance, arching in to his touch.  Lowering his head, he gently nipped at her soft breast through the thin fabric of her tattered robe.  He lifted himself onto his knees, and used a claw to carefully slice through the remaining fabric, revealing her shapely form to his eyes.  He looked hungrily at the beautiful creature that lay before him. 

Balthazar
lowered himself back onto her, a moan of pleasure escaping her lips.  He teased her, prolonging her delicious agony as he hovered a breath away from her exposed nipple.  She whimpered, anticipating his touch.  The sound made Balthazar want nothing more than to tear into her.  He felt himself throb with desire as he snaked his tongue out to swirl around a hardened pink nub, eliciting a deep moan from the girl.

His hands continued to roam her body, trailing lower.  Electricity shot through Alexandra as the tip of his claw found her most sensitive bundle of
nerves.  He flicked at it, pulling her tighter to him, his hardness pressing against her thigh as she shifted frantically under his attentions.  Balthazar rubbed himself rhythmically against her as she fought against the sensations attacking her body. 

She was fighting
; fighting to hold back the flood of pleasure that assaulted her body.  Balthazar left a trail of open mouth kisses up her neck, his hot breath tickling her ear.

“Let go, Alexandra
,” he whispered, his deep voice husky.

Her eyes clamped shut as her body shuddered with the overwhelming ecstasy brought about by his sinfully delicious touch.  Balthazar’s strong
arms held her firmly to him, her head lolling back as her breathing evened out. 

He snaked a hand behind her head, gently tangling his fingers in her hair at the nape of her neck.  He pulled her closer to him and captured her lips with his one last time.  Her green eyes slowly opened to look up at him, wide and searching.

“Isn’t that sweet,” a sinister voice said before everything went black. 

Chapter
Fifty Seven

A hard slap in the face woke Balthazar to the sight of a hideously disfigured creature.  His head swarmed with a heavy blackness of being unconscious for a long time.  He caught sight of Alex.  Bloody and gagged, she struggled against the tight grip of Aelek, as the cloaked Magi encircled them, a starless night sky above.

“I
wouldn’t want you to miss this,” the Chief Magi said, turning to Alexandra.             

Balthazar pulled against his bo
nds, his lips curling in a snarl. 

“I will tear you to pieces,” he growled through barred fangs. 

“Settle down, boy,” Ashdad said, from beside him, his voice choked.  “Do not waste your strength.”

Balthazar’s
head snapped around to see the other demon.  He was covered in blood, his hands bound behind his back and barely able to hold his head up. 

“
You will give me what I want,” the Chief Magi said, pulling the cloth gag from Alexandra’s mouth.

Alexandra’s lips pulled tightly together, her chin rising
in spite of her fear and pain.  She gathered the spit in her mouth and shot it at the ugly creature with as much force and disdain as she could muster.  “I won’t give you a damn thing.”

“Perhaps some persuasion is needed,” the
Chief Magi said a smile curling on his lips.

“Alex,” a familiar voice said,
small and strained.  Alexandra’s eyes grew wide at the recognition of her lifelong friend, Sam.  His face was hollow and pale as he was tossed at her feet. 

“Sam,” Alex gasped, her heart
jumping in her throat.

“N
ow,” the Chief Magi said picking Sam up by the hair, “will you give me what I want.”

“Alex
, just give these things what they want,” Sam said, his voice cracking. 

“Sam,” Alex said
again, her eyes welling up at the bloody and broken sight of her friend, “I can’t…”

“Please, Alex,” Sam
cried, his body shaking uncontrollably.  He shrieked in pain as the Chief Magi drug his claw across his cheek, leaving a thick trail of blood in its wake.

“Stop it!” Alex screamed, “Stop hurting him.”

“Very well,” he said, “All you must do is give me your blood.”

“Let him go,” she said
as she hung her head in defeat.  “I’ll do what you want, just stop hurting him.”

“No, girl,”
Ashdad cried.  His power had been utterly exhausted fighting against Aelek, trying to buy Balthazar some time to get away.  He could not let the Magi awaken their master.  He had to stop them from getting her blood. 

“
Give me your arm,” the Chief Magi said. 

Alex held her arm out to the grotesque creature.  Aelek stepped around her, pulling a golden dagger from his robe.  The bloody colored stone in the hilt glinted in the moonlight.  Alexandra’s brows pulled together in confusion.  It was the same dagger Aunt Tamy left her. 

She screamed in pain as Aelek raked the blade across her slender wrist, the Chief Magi capturing her blood in a gilded goblet. 

“Alexandra,” Balthazar breathed, as he watched helplessly.  His eyes began to burn.  He felt the itch of his beast, but this time it was different.  This time, he knew he could control it. 

“Calm yourself, boy,” Ashdad said.  “A blood thirsty beast is the last thing we need.”

“I can control it,” Balthazar said, his eyes
washing over red as he released his darkness.  A surge of power emanated from him, raw and angry.  Ashdad looked on in mild disbelief before realization hit him.  It was impossible for a demon to control his beast on his own, but Balthazar was doing just that.  There was only one way this could happen.  Alex had already bonded herself to Balthazar.  The two were linked, now and forever.

The Magi began to chant.  The sky darkened overhead, and the clouds began to swirl together.  The wind picked up quickly, sending Alexandra’s long hair whipping around her.  Alexandra began to convulse, her eyes rolling in the back of her skull. 

Balthazar broke through his bonds and in an instant had his fingers around Aelek’s throat.  His claws dug into the soft flesh as he ripped the throat from the demon master.  He dropped the lifeless body to the ground, the golden dagger clattering against the rocky ground as it fell from Aelek’s hand.  He pulled Alexandra into his body, a possessive growl in his throat as his blood red eyes dared the Magi to challenge him.

There was only one thing Ashdad could do.  He had to make things as right as possible.  Ashdad grasped his chained hand, and with a vicious growl ripped the appendage from his body. With his remaining hand he seized the dagger, and in one fluid motion turned, throwing the dagger.

It hit Balthazar square in the chest.  The demon lord let out an anguished howl, grasping at the dagger.  The earth began to quake beneath them.  A soft but absolute light grew from the dagger, to engulf the entire area.  The Magi hissed in pain as the light touched their naked skin, the purity of it threatening to dissolve them on the spot. 

Alexandra felt her knees going weak as her breathing became more labored.  Her eyes slowly closed over with blackness.