Lilith insisted on starting my training almost straight after our chat. Something that I was both pleased about and dreaded to my bones. I was very conscious of the fact that my birthday was mere days away, and I didn’t want to find out what would happen if I wasn’t prepared. At the same time, the whole idea of being a creature at all, wielding a special gift, scared me. I had grown up believing that I was a human, a hunter. The only special power I ever hoped to gain was that of super strength or to see in the dark.
Our first session did not go well. Lilith instructed that the first step in control was being able to call upon the fire at will. We spent hours in the back garden, focusing on drawing the flame out from my core with out even a spark to make up for my efforts.
I was told over and over again, that all magic stems from emotion. That I had to work out what emotion was my trigger. I had already worked out my trigger was loss. Replicating that though was no easy task.
Lilith tried to recall the memory of my mother’s passing, of loosing Lucas, of Darren’s betrayal. All she succeeded in doing was making me angry. I could feel the power there under the surface, but I just couldn’t reach it.
It wasn’t until 2 days later that I managed to summon the flames and hold them in the palm of my hand.
It was early in the morning. The sun just peaking up from over the horizon. I couldn’t sleep, nightmares had plagued my sleep since the day at the remains of my old home and the earie feeling of being watched from afar kept me from resting. I went outside to get some air.
Since being back here at my childhood home, memories of my childhood came back to me thick and fast. Watching the sun rise I recalled a memory of when Lucas and I sneaked out during the night. We had both agreed the night before that it would be fun to sneak out and spend the night under the stars, only I was too scared to stay out all night, so Lucas agreed that we would only meet up just before sunrise. I had chambered out of my bedroom window, the floorboards in the house being far too squeaky and would have given me away straight away, climbed down the trellis that held up the wisteria. I had remembered to grab a thick fleecy jumper before leaving, but even then my teeth chattered in cold air. I ran through the clearing heading for our meeting place just past the tree line. My welly clad feet falling heavily and the dewy ground making the bottom of my night dress wet in the long grass. Lucas had been there waiting for me, a beautiful smile adorning his face when he saw me appear through the dense trees. He took my had in his and we walked to the top of the hill Lilith’s cottage sat on. Lucas was patient and kind, he would pick me up every time I stumbled, always holding my hand tightly in his. When we finally made it to the top it was still dark, we sat huddled together, Lucas' arms around my shoulders trying to keep the chill away. We didn’t have to wait long before the sun began to glow just above the horizon. It was the most beautiful memory.
I had snapped out of it only to notice the wetness on my cheeks, I embraced the memory and watched in shock as a ball of fire formed in the palm of my hand.
In my excitement I called for Lilith, she emerged from the front door in nothing but a dressing gown and watched in fascination as I showed her what I could do. She looked at me with such pride that I could help be wistful that my own mother wasn’t here to guide me through this. The thought of my mum only made the little ball burn brighter.
That is how I now find myself here. Stood in the middle of Lilith’s kitchen working on lesson number two. How to use the fire to do my bidding.
Standing in Lilith’s kitchen, a single thick pillar candle in front of me. My hand filled with a fire ball, trying to will the fire to light the wick.
So far, two bushels of lavender, a very sorry looking cyclamen plant and Lilith’s cats tail had been ignited. The candle remained untouched and taunting me from its place on the counter.
“Concentrate my dear. Try picturing the candle lighting.” Lilith cooed encouragingly behind me. The cat let out a small hiss of disapproval from where he was hiding under the kitchen table.
Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes. I pictures the candle in my mind, I thought about how it would look when it was lit. The small steam of smoke drifting up from the flame. The smell of the melting wax. I breath in and out keeping my mind calm and not allowing outside noise distract me. Breathing in and out I willed the candle to light.
Lilith let out an excited gasp. I opened one eye and squinted out, excited to see that the candle in front of me was flickering on the counter. I absorbed the fire back into my body and turned to Lilith a look of glee on my face.
“I did it!!” I cheered. I jumped into Lilith’s outstretched arm who gave me a hug in return.
“Well done Avalon, you did well!” she smiled at me.
“What’s next?” I ask in anticipation.
Lilith gave me a knowing smile before she pulled out a dozen more candle of varying sizes and placing them on the counter in front of me.
“Now you light all of these, at once.” Her eyes twinkling. I looked back at her scowling. I was hoping for something more exciting but turned back to the task at hand. Retracing the steps I had taken before. Picturing the display of candles in front of me. I was please to find that this time around the candles were easier to light. I was getting the hang of it.
And so this is how the afternoon went on. Each time I would light the candles Lilith would add more and make me do it again. By nightfall, the whole kitchen was illuminated with the soft glow of candle light. Every room in the house had a merrily roaring fire, and Lilith and I sat eating our dinner laughing about the problems that Lucas and I would find ourselves in when we were younger.
My memories were coming back easier now. It seemed the more time I spent away from Darren and the headquarters, the clearer everything became. There were even flickers of times spent with my Dad, although they were few, and they were still very muddled at the moment.
It was the eve of my Birthday. I felt no joy at the prospect, only unease at what it would mean. I had no idea what I would face come tomorrow. Would I feel different, will it be painful, will the darkness take over me or am I strong enough to fight it.
I knew one thing, I was going to try with everything I had to fight against the darkness. It would not take me easily.
I decided that I would take a walk, needing to clear my mind of the worry that clouded it.
Pulling on a pair of comfy shoes and thick coat hanging by the door I step out into the autumn chill. Breathing in heavily I let my mind clear of all the racing thoughts. Not really paying much attention to where I was going.
It was until an owl hooted through the night that I realised that I had walked too far from Lilith’s cottage. I had no idea where I was, the moon casting shadows over everything. Not sure which direction to go.
Something caught my eyes in the distance, a flickering light, thinking maybe it was a light from Lilith’s cottage I head in the direction of the flickering. It was until I got closer that I realised it was not a cottage, but a fire. There was a small lean to built against a tree just outside the ring of light cast by the flames. Built with branches and shrubbery foraged from the within the woods. A makeshift spit was built over the fire , the smell of roasting meat fragrant in the air. It didn’t take much to realise that someone was camped out here.
Dread filled my stomach. I had no idea if this person was friend or foe, but the fact their meal was cooking away over the fire, I knew that whoever it was, they weren’t far away.
I turned to go back in the direction I came from, eager to get back to the safety of Lilith’s cottage. Only as soon as I turned I ran smack bang into a hard object. Falling onto my bottom with a thud. I look up into the eyes of the biggest man I have ever seen.
His size easily towered Ben or Darren. His broad shoulders blocking out most of the moon light that was sat just behind him, casting his face into shadows. I shuffled backwards in the dirt. My heart race picking up as I felt the adrenaline spike in my blood.
“Oh God, please don’t let me die tonight.” I plead in my head. My eyes locked on the dark silhouette in front of me.
“You should not be out here Princess.” The man’s voice spoke out into the quite night. His words billowing out puffy white clouds in the cool night air making it look like he was breathing smoke.
“Who, who are you" I ask, trying to sound strong, yet I knew I achieved the very opposite.
“My name is Lysander. You are in danger, return before you are found.” His voice was the perfect mix between dark and dangerous and mysterious and sexy. I stood up on shaky legs and take a step to move around him. His body followed me as I move. My eyes never leaving his face. He seemed familiar too me, yet I knew we had never met.
“Why are you here Lysander?” His name rolled off my tongue. It felt foreign in my mouth. By now I had moved far enough around for the moon to illuminate his face.
He wore a heavy black cape, its hood pulled up over his face. His body was clad in black leather and metal chest plate. Heavy boots on his feet. At his waist dangled a sword, easily bigger than me in length. His skin was a deep tan, his eyes two burning orbs of Amber. He watched me with a steady gaze, never blinking. He looked like he had just stepped out of the crusades, a warrior that belonged to a different time completely. My breath caught in my throat as I took him in. He was beautiful in his own way.
“To protect you, Princess.” His answer came. His voice caressing my ears. I almost forgot what I had asked him.
“I don’t need your protection. I can protect myself.” I retorted , still not able to pull my eyes away from him. His mouth turned up in a smirk.
The cockiness of his posture made me feel giddy inside. Something I had never felt before, for any man. Lysander intrigued me in a way I could not explain.
“I have no doubt about it Princess, but if its all the same, I will remain here, where I can be certain.” His words left me in confusion. Why would I need protection from this complete stranger. Who even is this man. All I had was a name. Before I could say anything more a rustling from the direction of his camp sounded.
“GO NOW!” he shouted at me, his voice was a command and left no negotiation. With one last look I watch as the mysterious man turned away from me, drawing his sword and holding it up at arms height. The moon bright in sky, I watched as dozens of dark shadows raced between the trees. Turning on my heels, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me in the direction I had come. The sound of metal against metal, and the cries of pain sounded behind me. I dare not turn back or even catch a glimpse at what was going on. I just kept running and running until Lilith’s cottage came into view.
I slammed the little blue door behind me, my breathing ragged as I tried draw in enough oxygen and get my beating heart under control which threatened to burst out of my rib cage. “Avalon? What is wrong child?” the concern in Lilith’s voice evident as she takes in the sweating mess in front of her. I try to regale everything that had just happened to me, all the while still trying to calm my beating heart and catch my breath. She listened wide eyed. She looked scared as she took in what I was telling her, her already pale complexion even more ashen than I could ever have imagined. “You say the man’s name is Lysander?” Lilith asked, her voice quite. “Yes, do you know him?” my eyebrows up in my hair line. “No, I do not know the name. But from the way you described him its not hard to work out he is demon.” Lilith dropped down into chair that sat against the wall. “A demon?” my voice squeaked. “Does that mean they know that I am here?”
DING DING DING The clock chimed out, its ringing grating through me like nails on a chalk board. My heart sped as I waited for the pain. I flinched as each little chime called out. The last chime sounded and the house was once again cast into a deathly silence. I looked to Lilith, who looked at me expectantly, she opened her mouth to stay something but before the words could come out a ringing started in my head drowning everything out. My head reached out and clutching my temples hoping the pressure would stop my head from ripping in two. This is it, this is what I had been waiting for, time was taunting me, lulling me into a false sense of security. I could feel my body temperature rising, sweat beading on my head. I don’t know how but I must have fallen to the floor, because next thing I knew Lilith was standing over me, her lips moving but I could not hear what she was saying. All of my senses were drowned out with the ringing in my head.
As Lilith had predicted, my recovery took a further fortnight before I could move freely. Up until then, every inch of my skin sore and stretched to its limits, even the smallest movement felt like torture. It was slow process. Lilith changed my wrappings and applied her healing salve twice a day. Each time the swirling marks came into view I looked down at myself in wonder. They were slowly starting to heal. When I could finally lift myself from the bed without Lilith’s help, I found my way to the gardens. Still too weak to wonder far, but I needed fresh air. Autumn had definitely set in now, the garden was bare bar a few rows of root vegetables in the vegetable patch. There were a few stray rose flowers still in bloom, the last shows of summer before the winter set in. The trees surround the cottage had started their transition from green to a whole palette of browns, auburns, yellows and reds. It was beautiful. Leaves floated down from the canopy above settling on
Lucas It has been weeks since Lysander had given me an update on what was happening. The last time he had contacted me was to let me know that Avalon had come into her power. I watched through his eyes as the flames engulfed her, Lilith had managed to use her own magic to get Avalon outside otherwise the cottage would have been reduced to ash within minutes. It was a horrendous image, one that would not leave me anytime soon. Lilith’s tall frame and platinum hair stood out against the back drop of my old home. It should have stirred something inside of me to see my mother after 10 years. In all honesty, my thought was not with her, but with the other half of my soul that was writhing in pain in front of me. Powerless to take any of it away. I had seen a few elemental users come into the power over the years, but never have I seen a display quite like this. Where magic completely enveloped the creature. It was beautiful and horrific all at the same tim
I woke well before day break, eager to make my way to the clearing that Lysander was camped at. If I’m honest, it wasn’t the thought of training that had me excited. It was Lysander himself. He was a mystery to me. All my time at the academy and not one man (or boy) had caught me attention the way that Lysander had. The attachment I felt for him which confused me. Surely I shouldn’t be, the blood vow still held firm, I could feel the bond tethering me to Lucas. So why was I so drawn to my mysterious protector. I head out into the cool morning air, torch in had because it was still dark. It felt good wearing my familiar legging and gym top assemble again. I had pulled on a thick pullover before leaving. My breath billowing out in icy clouds as I walked to the boarder. As I approached, I could just make out Lysander’s figure in the darkness. Day break was just shining its first rays of light over the horizon. “Good, you are on time.” Lysander sounded impressed.
A look of shock registered on Lysander’s face. He seemed to be lost for words. His eyes were bulging out of his sockets and his mouth agape. I couldn’t help be start to laugh. He was always so dark and mysterious. His face always shrouded by shadows, so the fact he was standing here in front of me now looking so dumb struck sent me into a fit of giggles.“I’m failing to see what is so funny Princess.” His face one again hardening.“I’m sorry,” I splutter. “But your expression was too funny.” The gates had been thrown open and I couldn’t stop laughing. Laughing soon turned to sobs in my mouth. The seriousness of the task I must undertake registering in my head. “Oh Fuck. Why did it have to be me.” I sob into my hands. My shoulders shaking with each breath. I hadn’t pieced the puzzle together until now. But Lilith’s words echoed through my mind; “The only way to kill Lucifer is with the fire of Hell itself. The same fire that runs through your blood.” She had been warnin
I took me a while to pull myself together after Lysander had gone. The pain and confusion evident in my chest, which didn’t seem to ease with the passing of time. If anything it only grew worse. Apart of me knew that Lysander was right though. I had to find Lucas, he was the only way to gain access to Lucifer. Having Lysander around me only proved to be a distraction, not to mention he would throw himself in harms way should I end up in the path of danger. One thing was absolutely certain, it had to be me who dealt the final blow. Once I had done what needed to be done, maybe then I could think about my wounded heart and everything it entailed. I pulled myself off the ground, picking up my sword as I went. The weight still felt strange in my hand, but it also felt like an extension of my body. The hilt warm in my hands. I couldn’t help but wonder how old the blade was. It certainly looked old, ancient even. The blade still razor sharp glinting in the morning sun ligh
The trip itself to the portal shouldn’t have taken any longer than an hour at most. Yet the terrain before me with all its dips and swells slowed down my progress considerably. By the time I broke through the tree line and found myself on the edge of a vast expanse of water, it was already mid day. I had followed Lilith’s instructions and headed due south. The problem was that due south lead directly to the other side of the lake before me. I could see a small cavern at the side of the waters edge. And everything within me was telling me that there is where I found find the portal to the underworld. For the most part of my journey I had allowed myself to follow my inner compass. The string that tied me to Lucas. The closer to the portal I was getting the more the string seemed to tighten between us. By this point I could almost feel the connection pulsing between us like it had its own life force. It was strange to be so aware of someone who was not with you and you
Avalon – 3 years later We left the cave shortly afterwards. Deciding it was probably best to make ourselves scarce before Lord Tyrell and his vampire army came to take back what they believed to be theirs. It was my belief, that whilst everyone thought Lucas dead, the safer we would both be. England was out of the question for us, too many people there knew of us, who we were and the importance that we would have in underworld should we be caught. As much as Lord Tyrell had promised me that I would always be welcome in the underworld, I had to question why? Was it that he hoped to use my status to glean the trust of the demon aristocracy? Did he believe that with me by his side, his transition into power would be made easier? Or was it that he simply wanted to keep his friends close, but his enemies closer. I was not naive; I knew that Lucas and I were Tyrel
We sat for a long time in each other’s arms, just talking. About everything.About Lucifer, and Lilith, and Oona. About my father, both biological and the man who raised me for my formative years. About where we go from here. About the hopes hat we have for the small life that was now growing in my womb.No matter how hard I tried, something still niggled inside of me. The echo of the dark thoughts that seemed to invade my mind more and more often over the last few hours. Imploring me to return to the underworld. To absorb the power of the flames and to take my rightful place. To complete my destiny. If my trip to the hells fire had shown me anything, it was that fate was not done with me yet. And that there was no way for me escape it.The idea of there being more to come scared me. When Lilith first told me that I was the key to save the underworld, I believed her. I had no idea that she had put me on a path that would lead me down much a d
Trigger Disclaimer: Please be aware that the next chapter includes mild themes of suicide.Magda left me with hope flaring in my chest, which lasted all of two seconds before the gapping hole where my heart once sat throbbed painfully, reminding me that it was not possible that Lucas was still alive.Regardless of what she said, he was gone.I have no idea how I had managed to survive the mate bond, and the curse of being twice blessed. But I had. Perhaps one could not happen until I had completed the other? My curse would not allow me to die before I had completed its conditions.Now that they had been I had to wonder, what was the point in living in a word where Lucas did not exist?Regardless of why I did not, I should have died with Lucas in the grounds of the hunters. I should have been consumed by my own power the moment that I killed Lucifer, but I wasn’t. Instead, I am here, alone. The bastard child of an incestuous r
Trigger Disclaimer: The next chapter includes mild themes of rape. I moved towards the door, not bothering to pick up the sword from its resting place. Where I was going, I didn’t need it. As I stepped towards the door which led to the spiral staircase, another person stepped out from the shadows. My eyes flicked up startled by the sudden appearance. My eyes rounded out when Magda came into view before me. “Magda?” I questioned, confused with her sudden arrival. “What are you doing here?” “I am here for the dark lord. Thought I see now my journey was futile.” She mutters, gazing passed me to the pile of Lucifers remains behind me. “You have been busy tonight child.” I watch her cautiously, unsure if I should be worried that she has witnessed what I have done or not. “What will you do Magda?” I ask her, I fight back the flames that struggle to burst forth a
I stood looking at the place that Lucifer only moments ago stood talking to me as flesh and blood. All that was left of the devil was a smoking pile of ash, and a creeping doubt in my heart.Lucifer’s death had left me with more question than I had ever thought possible.Not only was he suggesting that I was conceived in the underworld, which would mean that I was not only completely demon, but also that my father was not in fact… my biological father. But also, that my mother wasn’t the person I thought that she was. And that he clearly believed that one day my son would be back in the underworld and ruling it.My head span with what he had told me. I didn’t know if the words he had spoken even held an element of truth, or if he was simply trying to get into my head. He was the devil after all. He was known for being a trickster, for being evil!I sat back in the soft arm chair, feeling completely d
For the first and last time I left the St Leger family home behind, the water gardens having been my only window into what the residents was like. Where my mother had spent the majority of her childhood.A part of me curious, to know the woman who had raised me for 8 years. Who loved me and was so gentle and kind. The other just wanted to be done with the underworld forever.Unsure as to where to start to search for Lucifer. I found myself in the long gallery, pictures of the all the dead and damned family member of the Royal House of Caine. The picture of Lilith hung high up before me, like the Queen presiding over her court.The gallery was quiet, and much darker than the last time we were here. The usual torches which lined the halls of the royal palace unlit casting the room into an eery glow.I stepped forward quickly, with soft footsteps so as not apprise anyone of my approach. The door to the banqueting room was sat slightly ajar, poking my head ar
LuciferI had spent a great many hours thinking about my life over the last few weeks, probably more than I should have done.I had lived many lifetimes. Even before falling from grace. Not all of them unhappy.Even in my damnation on earth, I had found love, and happiness to a degree and I had even procured a family. Lilith was my happiness for so long. She had born me many children. And in turn Grandchildren, and great grandchildren and so forth.Most of them are now so watered down that the lineage has all but disappeared, yet it was still there. A piece of me living on in my own personal hell, earth.All had brought me joy, and pride in their own ways.Yet I found myself unsatisfied with what I had achieved during my time in the underworld and in turn on earth. My mission had been to prove God wrong. To prove to him that his creation, humans, were not worth th
Lucien stepped out from the dark hallway that split off from the garden room and into the light. Stopping in his tracks as he looked upon the scene in front of him.His annoyed expression soon disappeared as his gaze fell upon me.“Niece, how wonderful of you to visit. I had no idea that you had even been recovered. How fortunate.” His words dripped sarcasm, half of his face that was stretch grotesquely over his cheekbones from the scaring he had incurred from our previous tryst.“Well, I couldn’t allow you to think you had won Uncle. Afterall, we do have unfinished business to attend to.” I spoke with just as much sarcasm as I could muster, all the while letting the low burning heat radiate through me.Lucien stepped out into the middle of the room so he was stood beside Nova, who by now had taken on a whole new shade of white, looking as if she may just faint on the spot.I stand with my feet set apart and my hands r
I expected that Hélène would look at me in sheer horror at what I intended to do.Instead, she remained calm, her earlier appearance of courageous determination steadfast on her face.“You don’t need my help for that my lady.” She looked at me kindly.“What do you mean Hélène ?”Rather than answering with words she pointed to my neck, and what laid resting against it.My hand came up and caressed the hard stone that Lucas had given me.“It has magical properties you know.” She said as she watched my expression thoughtfully. “It once belonged to Lucas’ mother. She wore it before Lucifer changed her into an immortal.”“That explains why Lucifer looked at me so strangely when he saw me at the dinner party. It was because I was wearing Lilith’s stone.” My brows creased together as I thought of the night that Lucifers dark eyes followe