Page 18 of Hidden Sacrifice
“More entertainment than I’ve had in a long time. How are things with the fae?”
The two walked off, talking cheerily about the latest political moves. Jace still passionately cared about the vampire people, so being updated on things was good for him.
I took out my mid-realm phone and dialed Sheila’s number. I needed to see her while I was in the realm. Or at least talk to her. The phone rang and rang. I felt disappointed, but she was probably sleeping anyway. I shot out a quick text to let her know that I was in the realm and would love to catch up. Hopefully, I would still be here by the time she got the message.
We followed after Jace and Sebastian, the guards settling in behind the brothers. It was laughable. The guards wouldn’t be able to stop us if we decided to cause trouble. Maybe they were just here to make sure Jace didn’t cause any problems.
Surprisingly, Jace and Sebastian veered away into the forest as we neared the castle. The vampire guards continued straight on toward the castle, leaving us to decide which set to follow.
“Wait,” Sebastian said suddenly. I stopped so quickly that Jasper bumped into me from behind. Muscular arms grabbed me quickly to make sure I didn’t fall.
“You all go with the guards back to the castle. We’re going to meet with my friend Azrael. He’s willing to translate your spells for you, but not with the demons present.” Sebastian looked apologetic, at least.
I looked to my demons, wondering what they thought about all this.
“I’ll know where he’s at anyways, from our bond. If the angel is worried about us discovering his location, we may as well meet in neutral territory,” Jax said.
“No, it’s not that. Az doesn’t want to be able to feel your souls. His gift is that of prophecy, which drove him somewhat mad. He’s met Jace plenty of times so the visions won’t overwhelm him as much. Having all of you there, and all of you strangers, he would be stuck with so many visions of your long lives he could pass out for hours or days.”
“We don’t mind going to the castle,” I said quickly. Having a power like that would be enough to drive you insane.
Go show the boys your room, Darling. I’ll be back before sunrise to watch the light creep down the mountain from the cove.”
That was something I missed so severely from the vampire realm. It felt good to show this side of my nature to my demons.
CHAPTER7
JACE
Az lived inside a fucking tree. Well, not really, but practically. A large door was drawn onto the trunk of the tree Az claimed as his own, but once you opened it, it was a big ass house. He had always said it was because of angel power. Now that I’ve been to Hell, I have a whole new appreciation for what celestial souls could do. Even if I become part of the pack, I will only get an enhanced demon body, not the celestial soul.
“Ah, Jace,” Az said; his voice had always been guttural and rough, sounding more like grunts than actual words. I watched as his eyes, an unnatural yellow, clouded over as Az was hit with a glimpse of the future. “You have found a mate, it seems.”
“Any good details that you want to share with me? I could have used a heads up before I got banished from the realm,” I said with a low laugh as I took a seat at the table opposite the fallen angel.
I have only seen Az’s wings a handful of times over the long history we have known each other; today was not one of those occasions. He preferred to keep a mortal look, despite always looking out of place. Usually, he wore a long dark hood to cover his shoulder-length black hair. The yellow of his eyes burned out from the fabric’s shadows no matter how hard he tried to dull them.
Az wasn’t all covered up here, sitting at the table in his own home; no, he felt safe. Sebastian and I got to see the real shame Az hid from the world. His body was covered head to foot in a patchwork of scars from his fall from grace. Angelic runes crossed his pale skin. Golden against the angry red lines that looked like lightning covered parts of his skin. He was forever marked for failing his divine purpose, despite his gift causing his fall. I still don’t know what prophecy he saw that made him decide to fall from Heaven, but somehow, he thought it was worth all this shame he carried.
“You have a book?” Az held out a hand, and I took the spell book from the backpack on my back.
Sebastian and I watched with fascination as Az turned the pages slowly; the letters illuminated under his touch. These weren’t just spelled; the book held a power of its own.
“This was the spell the mortal was trying to cast.” I pointed as soon as Az reached the bookmarked page.
His finger hovered like a ghost above the weathered page. The book was inked in blood; I could tell by its smell. As his finger poised above the lines, the ink appeared fresh and liquid, with shimmering pieces of golden light flowing through it.
“A being wrote this with angelic blood,” Az grumbled. His eyes continued to sweep the page, his finger lazily following different symbols. As soon as his finger moved, the ink settled into its standard, dry, rust color.
“Do you know what the spell was going to do?” I leaned forward a bit as if I would suddenly be able to read the book myself.
“I don’t understand a lot of it. The words are jumbled, almost like a toddler wrote them, but I can feel the power in this spell. I think this intends to steal the power in a soul.” Az looked over the page again, his face falling further into a frown. He started to flip the pages quicker, looking over the other spells written there with an occasional grunt. Suddenly, he closed the book, placing his hand on it as if he was worried it would open back up.
“This book is dangerous,” Az spoke slowly. His eyes clouded again as he was thrust into another vision, “One to save all. All to save one.”
Those words. Morrigan had muttered them the moment she unlocked her whole vampire nature. “What does that mean?”
Az blinked a few times, his eyes returning to their usual amber glow. “I think it’s time you both go. If I come up with anything else of use, I will send word.”
