Page 66 of The Darkest Night

“Uh, yeah.” Mae scratched her cheek awkwardly. “Looks like I’m the only one, huh?”

Bryony looked questioningly at Violet and Miles, her expression grim. The cousins hesitated before dipping their heads, as if granting her permission.

“You’re not the only one who can see demons in their human flesh,” the New York coven Head Priestess confessed. “Remember how I said we met some fallen angels a while back? The ones who fought and defeated them can see them too.”

“They are our friends,” Violet said. “Allies and divine beasts who have literally been to Hell and back. And not all fallen angels are our enemies. There are some who stand firmly by mankind, like Azazel once did.”

Blood pounded in Mae’s ears, this revelation yet another bombshell that rocked her once normal world.

“Divine beasts?” she repeated numbly.

“Yes.” Violet made a face, as if she’d recalled something unpleasant. “There are seven of them, along with the ones they have bonded with.”

Mae looked jerkily at Brimstone.Divine beast? Is he one too?!

The fox heard her questions.

“I was originally a spirit your father once saved from death,” he said gravely. “The firstkumihoupon which all nine-tailed-fox legends are based. I swore my fealty to him after he nurtured me back to health. When Azazel was seeking a familiar for his unborn daughter, I was one of many hellbeasts and powerful spirits who offered to serve her. Azazel chose me in the end.” He licked Mae’s cheek carefully and ended up soaking her entire head with drool. “I am glad he did.”

Mae grabbed a napkin and dabbed her face and hair, still dazed. “Any idea what Hellreaver originally was?”

Brimstone eyed the pendant with a beady stare. “That fool is made of the souls of a thousand demons. He was forged in the fires of Hell by a fallen angel who was once the greatest metalsmith in the Heavens.”

Hellreaver hummed smugly, evidently choosing to ignore the ‘fool’ comment.

Mae grimaced. “A thousand demons, huh? No wonder he’s tiresome.”

Hellreaver sulked and grew heavy around her neck. Mae wondered if she should reveal what else she had sensed yesterday.

“I gather from what I’ve seen of Violet and Miles in action that sorcerers and witches can feel out each other’s magic?” she said carefully.

“Not everyone can,” Bryony replied. “It takes practice and experience for most who do develop that skill. Some are naturally born with the ability to do so.”

Violet squinted at Mae. “Why?”

Mae swallowed a sigh.

Best not tell them I can kinda see a map of New York in my head with all their locations.

“Nothing,” she mumbled. “It’s just…I think I can detect other people’s magic too.” Something came to her mind, causing her to frown. “Although, truth be told, the Dark Council sorcerers and witches who ambushed us this morning did surprise me. I couldn’t pick up on their magic at all, including Oscar’s.”

“That’s because my father forced a spell upon us that can shield our abilities, especially in combat situations,” Nikolai confessed. “It’s magic that all Dark Council members bear, including his children.”

“That’s one spell we truly wish never existed,” Bryony said with a sour expression.

A memory flitted through Mae’s mind. Of the vast army who had destroyed Azazel and Ran Soyun’s city and palace.

I wonder if that’s the reason my father didn’t see the enemy coming.

A fluttery feeling swarmed her belly. It was the first time she’d unconsciously referred to Azazel as her father. It should have felt wrong. Except…it didn’t. She sobered in the next instant.

The first Sorcerer King must have been truly powerful to mask such an extensive force from Azazel.

“I’m going to get to the point.” Vlad studied Mae and Bryony with a piercing look. “I want you to help me stopOniksand those demons.”

Chapter 32

Relief filledMae as she walked through the front door of her apartment.

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