Home / All / Defy Not The Heart / Chapter 23 “Sacrifice”

Share

Chapter 23 “Sacrifice”

Author: Amy Blankenship
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
Chapter 23 “Sacrifice”

Shinbe and Toya were still fighting the massive waves of demons Hyakuhei continued to throw at them, when Shinbe caught a glimpse of the other side of the battlefield. He could see Suki reaching out her hand, and her mouth open as if she were screaming, though all he could hear was metal clash against ripping flesh and bone as he fought.

‘Suki…’ his heart clenched painfully at seeing her muted cries. ‘Suki… I know you, survive! Don’t let him defeat you!’

Shifting with the next swing of his staff, Shinbe’s eyes widened as Kotaro came into his sight. His body was falling headfirst, back to the ground with blood running from his side where the talismans had once been. “Not good,” he whispered to himself as he blocked another attack. Kotaro’s talismans had been ripped from him, which could mean only one thing.

“Damn it!” Shinbe shouted over his shoulder in Toya’s direction. “Kotaro has lost his talismans!!” His gaze fastened on Hyakuhei, seeing the s
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 24 “Rebirth of Rage”

    Chapter 24 “Rebirth of Rage”   Hyakuhei’s senses were alive and burning as the void’s opening screamed behind him with hurricane force winds. The suction pulled them through the air at such a speed that within seconds they could no longer feel the wind, nor could they hear the wailing sounds. They were now deep within the heart of the void. The wailing sound of the winds from the dying curse had been replaced with the dark sounds of demon souls trapped within the void. Their raging anger and malevolent auras felt like a personal homecoming for the vile guardian as they surrounded his still descending form. Hyakuhei’s eyes glittered dangerously within the confines of the void as he silently assessed this new turn of events. He would have an army of demons to assist him in retaining his priestess. There would be no saviors within this realm to protect her from him. Darkness encased him as Hyakuhei’s feet gently touched upon what seemed to be hard packed earth. His raven lo

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 1 _Secret Love_

    Defy Not the Heart The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Book 2Amy Blankenship   Copyright © 2006 Amy Blankenship English Edition Published by Amy BlankenshipSecond Edition Published by TekTime All rights reserved.   The Legend of the Heart of Time The worlds may change… but true legends never fade. Darkness and light have constantly battled since the beginning of time. Worlds are formed and crushed beneath the feet of their creators, yet the ongoing need for good and evil have never been in question. However, sometimes a new element is thrown into the mix… the one thing that both sides want but only one can have. Paradoxical in nature, the Guardian Heart Crystal is the one constant that both sides have always striven to attain. The crystalline stone has the power to create and destroy the known universe, yet can end all suffering and strife in the same breath. Some say the crystal has a mind of its own… others say the gods are behind it all. Each t

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 2 _Morning Frights_

    Chapter 2 "Morning Frights"   Shinbe jerked awake with a start when he heard Toya’s shout. He felt all the muscles in his body cringe at the thought of becoming shish-kabob on Toya’s twin daggers. Morbid fascination had him slowly opening his amethyst eyes to see what was going on. "Shut up!” Kyoko yelled, throwing her hand up and casting the taming spell, then instantly grabbed her head in panic as the pain rocketed through her brain. "What was that for?” Toya growled as he glared up at her from the floor. "Oww,” her mouth made a little ‘o’ as she cringed again. “Shhh,” She added hoping he would get the message. Shinbe sighed, knowing Kyoko most likely had a hangover, and Toya wasn’t helping the matter by being so loud. He was glad she could paralyze him, even if he did find it strange that the taming spell only worked on Toya. Sometimes he found himself jealous that she could put a spell on Toya at all. It also didn’t help that Toya was the only one who could leap b

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 3 _Kiss of Jealousy_

    Chapter 3 "Kiss of Jealousy"   Kyoko set off in the direction of the hot spring. She was tired, sore, and couldn’t wait to just be able to relax in steamy water. She stumbled on a rock and wondered if it was going to take weeks to get her balance back after getting drunk only one time. “Damn it… Geez, now I sound just like Toya,” she said to herself with a giggle. Shinbe followed quietly, peeking out from behind trees ever so often. He had to stifle the laugh that threatened to escape him when he heard the comment about her sounding like Toya. It was great to find out he wasn’t the only one in the group that held complete conversations with their self. If he was crazy, then they made a great couple. He stayed back long enough to let her gain some distance between them. Finally getting to the secluded hot spring, Kyoko rummaged through her bag. Finding what she needed, she arranged her bathing supplies by the side of the water. She quickly undressed, easing her aching bod

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 4 _Don't Go_

    Chapter 4 "Don't Go"   Coming to the heart of time gardens, Kyoko slowly sat down in the grass in front of the maiden statue, looking up into the maiden’s face. She focused on the face that she knew mirrored her own looks. That image belonged to her ancestor that the statue was made in memory of. If living at the same time, they could have been twins. Kyoko shook the thought away, remembering why she was now sitting in the grass in the first place. Her thoughts began to battle amongst themselves as if she wasn’t even there to listen. ‘Toya is such a jerk!’ She had just come back and ‘all he could do was yell’ at her. Sometimes she just… ‘Hated him…. OK, maybe that was a lie.’ Kyoko sighed, 'I can't lie to myself. I do love Toya and when no one is around to witness it… he often proves that he loves me back.' Kyoko narrowed her eyes in thought. “But then he has to go and blow it.” She was going home and maybe she’d never come back. She jumped up with every intention of lay

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 5 _Dangerous Jealousy_

    Chapter 5 "Dangerous Jealousy"   Kyoko was miserable. All she could think about was Shinbe and Toya and that stupid kiss. She lay under the soft covers wide-awake, pondering how she could possibly want to be kissed by either of them. One was Shinbe, the lecherous guardian that flirted with every woman he came in contact with. He’d probably had more women than she could count on her hands, yet just the thought of his kiss sent her swooning. The other was Toya, who yelled at her for little things and tried to always be the boss of every move she made. Still, sometimes he could be so sweet. They both could. She thumped her head back against the pillow and sighed. It was strange how she used to think of only Toya before she went to sleep, but for a while now, the thoughts had been slowly changing to Shinbe. Shinbe… She drifted off to sleep dreaming about him yet again. ***** Shinbe awoke in the middle of the night covered in sweat, another dream. He whimpered as he stood up. Wh

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 6 _Misunderstandings_

    Chapter 6 "Misunderstandings"   After finding grandfather and telling him that Shinbe was awake, Kyoko got her backpack and loaded it down with all the things she knew her friends would like. She packed beef jerky for Toya, chocolate bars for Kamui, and of course everyone’s favorite, chewing gum. As an afterthought, she put in some bottles of soda and chocolate covered almonds for Suki and Sennin. Kyoko grinned, feeling better now that she knew Shinbe would be well again soon. Still… she would have to have a heart to heart with Toya about fighting and the fact he could have killed his own brother. She silently wondered how Shinbe could have come through the heart of time. The shrine would not have let him pass without a reason. “Probably so I could break up the fight,” Kyoko mumbled under her breath. She also added the typical supplies she would bring them, like bandages and aspirin. Looking around the kitchen, she wondered if she should check on Shinbe one last time but

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 7 _Questions_

    Chapter 7 "Questions"   Kyoko made her way back through her darkened house to find Shinbe fast asleep. She silently wondered if she should tell him about her meeting with Toya. Sitting back at her desk, she set about to finish sewing the torn robes, but thoughts of Toya slowed her fingers. He’d surprised her when he kissed her. She used to dream about him kissing her… she used to wish for it. She had to admit that kiss was exactly what she’d always imagined… it was the timing that had made it confusing. Maybe it was just Toya trying to distract her anger. He’d never tried to kiss her before, so why else would he do so now? She thought about his lips on hers, and on instinct, she raised her fingers to her lips wondering at it… then another kiss invaded her mind. When she had casually brushed her lips against Shinbe’s, it was like an electrical shock ran through her. Had Toya not shown up when he did… she’d of liked to of experimented with that kiss a little more. Shaking

Latest chapter

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 24 “Rebirth of Rage”

    Chapter 24 “Rebirth of Rage”   Hyakuhei’s senses were alive and burning as the void’s opening screamed behind him with hurricane force winds. The suction pulled them through the air at such a speed that within seconds they could no longer feel the wind, nor could they hear the wailing sounds. They were now deep within the heart of the void. The wailing sound of the winds from the dying curse had been replaced with the dark sounds of demon souls trapped within the void. Their raging anger and malevolent auras felt like a personal homecoming for the vile guardian as they surrounded his still descending form. Hyakuhei’s eyes glittered dangerously within the confines of the void as he silently assessed this new turn of events. He would have an army of demons to assist him in retaining his priestess. There would be no saviors within this realm to protect her from him. Darkness encased him as Hyakuhei’s feet gently touched upon what seemed to be hard packed earth. His raven lo

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 23 “Sacrifice”

    Chapter 23 “Sacrifice”   Shinbe and Toya were still fighting the massive waves of demons Hyakuhei continued to throw at them, when Shinbe caught a glimpse of the other side of the battlefield. He could see Suki reaching out her hand, and her mouth open as if she were screaming, though all he could hear was metal clash against ripping flesh and bone as he fought. ‘Suki…’ his heart clenched painfully at seeing her muted cries. ‘Suki… I know you, survive! Don’t let him defeat you!’ Shifting with the next swing of his staff, Shinbe’s eyes widened as Kotaro came into his sight. His body was falling headfirst, back to the ground with blood running from his side where the talismans had once been. “Not good,” he whispered to himself as he blocked another attack. Kotaro’s talismans had been ripped from him, which could mean only one thing. “Damn it!” Shinbe shouted over his shoulder in Toya’s direction. “Kotaro has lost his talismans!!” His gaze fastened on Hyakuhei, seeing the s

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 22 “Enraged Terror”

    Chapter 22 “Enraged Terror”   Kyoko’s lips parted in a silent scream as midnight locks of hair wrapped around her before her feet could even touch ground in the demon realm. She struggled vainly against the hair that lifted her up out of the time portal by her wrist, ankles, and neck. Hyakuhei dragged her into the night air, bound in the silken strands of his hair. The steely bindings brought her face to face with true terror as her gaze locked with the blood-red, enraged orbs of Hyakuhei. Kyoko shuddered at the waves of pure anger and rage that flowed off of the enemy guardian as he tried to see into her soul. The caressing note in his voice as he spoke to her sent a deadly chill down her spine. “Ky-yo-ko,” Hyakuhei’s voice licked at every syllable as his eyes began to glow blood red. Hyakuhei held the priestess up over the ground, her feet inches from the grass, and glared at her. How dare she take what was his and give it freely to the amethyst guardian. Hyakuhei’s lips

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 21 _Blinding Pleasure_

    Chapter 21 "Blinding Pleasure"   Kyoko launched herself into Shinbe's embrace, not caring if she almost knocked him over in the process. As his arms came up behind her, she didn't care that one lingered on her bottom. If that was where he wanted it to be, then he could keep it there. All she cared about was that he was there and alive, and she didn't want to be away from him right now. Looking up into his misty, amethyst eyes, she realized she didn't want to lose him at all… ever. Shinbe's body tensed and melted all at the same time. He wanted to be all around her and inside her as he pulled her tighter, feeling no resistance from her. The thin layer of her silk nightgown hid nothing from him, and she was trying to kill him, this was the proof. The heat coming from her body only added to the fire within him. With one hand pressing against the small of her back, and one hand cupping her bottom, Shinbe stood up shakily as her legs wrapped around his waist and he moved to sit

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 20 “Heartbeats and Cruel Smiles”

    Chapter 20 “Heartbeats and Cruel Smiles”   Hyakuhei’s long midnight hair caressed the wind as he flew high above the night-shrouded ground, wrapped in the protection of his miasma. Tonight his little game would come to a conclusion and he would claim his prize. Of course, he would indulge in a little entertainment first. What is the joy of destroying one’s enemies after all, without letting hope flood their faces before you crush their soul. A cruel smile played across his perfect lips as he pictured the final scene. Misery would reflect off of their faces… misery and pain. He would bask in the gloom of their torment. They would all die, save for the priestess. The priestess was his prize, and her anguish would bring him the utmost pleasure. He would make sure she had a clear view of the board as he crushed her guardian’s, one by one. Each would desperately fight in his game, fight for her and die for her. Each death would bear down on her heart, smothering her with guilt a

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 19 _Always Darkest Before the Storm_

    Chapter 19 "Always Darkest Before the Storm"   Kotaro stepped to the mouth of the cave he’d slept in. He could sense evil in the distance… Hyakuhei was on the move. "So, you have finally come out of hiding, have you." His ice blue eyes narrowed with deadly intent and the muscles in his jaw flexed. He felt the guardian heart crystal calling to him and he could feel the talismans he’d collected since it had been shattered heighten in power, as if answering that call. Toki and Hoto stood in the shadows of the cave watching their leader as he looked out in the distance. Hoto ran a nervous hand through his hair, knowing Kotaro was going to leave them. He understood their master had avoided his guardian brothers but the priestess was never far from his thoughts. Leaning close to Toki so Kotaro wouldn't overhear, he whispered worriedly, "Should we not follow him?" The last rumor Kotaro had heard, less than an hour ago, was that Hyakuhei had found the remaining talismans. That left

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 18 “Lightning and Thunder”

    Chapter 18 “Lightning and Thunder”   Kyoko stepped onto the wooden floor of the shrine house and looked around feeling a difference in the air. “What is that noise?” she listened worriedly then realized it was sheets of rain hitting the sides of the shrine house. The wind howled. “Uh-oh,” she couldn’t help it when her body flinched at the sound. “Hate storms… rather… demons…” Kyoko mumbled incoherently. She was half way up the stairs but froze in mid-motion as lightning flashed, illuminating the room. A crash of thunder immediately followed, shaking the old walls. Shinbe stabilized in her world just as the thunder clapped. ‘What the…’ He glanced up and suddenly knew what heaven looked like. Now that was a sight worth its weight in gold. His gaze traveled up the shapely leg, to the pair of silky, snow-white panties. With her other leg arched up in the air… and to his delight, she seemed to be frozen in that very position. Without looking away from the… prettiest pictur

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 17 “Defy Not the Heart”

    Chapter 17 “Defy Not the Heart”   Toya cursed violently as he ran through the forest following Kyoko’s scent. The second the Taming spell had allowed him movement, he was up and after her like a shot. She couldn’t just run off with that lecherous guardian whenever she wanted and leave him behind. He gritted his teeth the moment he truly realized what had just happened. HIS Kyoko was alone with the LETCH! Golden eyes flashed silver at the thought. There was no way in hell his brother was going to lay a hand on her, and if he did, Shinbe would never have any children… ever. All of a sudden Kyoko’s scent changed and he slowed to a stop as he tentatively sniffed the air. Taking a few steps forward, the smell abruptly spiked and he was surrounded by the heavenly scent of her arousal. A menacing growl vibrated within his chest as he picked up Shinbe’s scent laced with hers. Two more steps and his body shot through the air like a silver bullet. He could smell the guardian’s arousa

  • Defy Not The Heart   Chapter 16 “Flame of Jealousy”

    Chapter 16 “Flame of Jealousy”   Kyoko watched worriedly as Shinbe lay on the mat, still unable to wake up. His brow had broken out in a sheen of sweat, causing drops to trail down his temples. At least he seemed calmer now. She watched the shadows play across his face as she dabbed at the moisture with a clean rag. Trying to keep fear at bay, she ranted quietly, "Once he does wake up, I'm going to knock him out again for being dumb enough to use the cursed void knowing what it would do to him.” Kyoko sniffed. She sat back against the wall to look out the window at the night sky. Shinbe found himself again near the shrine. The sky was blue and from the brightness he could tell it must have been midday. He was standing there, leaning against a stone with his elbows propped on the rim with his chin resting in his hand as he stared at the maiden statue. He knew she was on the other side, far away, in some other dimension. Yep, that's about as far away as she could get. To q

DMCA.com Protection Status