Page 5 of Dark Symmetry

“I’m Abigor,” the demon persisted. “He’s Julian.”

I glanced at the man, who had shifted a little on the ground. “I don’t care.”

“And believe it or not,” Abigor added, raising his eyebrows ever higher, “I was just minding my own business, you know, fishing in a lake of fire or whatever you think I do in Hell, when I was extremely rudely transported into the middle of this campfire, and then Julian here decided I was going to be the catalyst for resurrecting—” He broke off, looking slightly ill. “Well, for something untoward, let’s just say that.”

I looked at the man on the ground, then back to Abigor, still motionless in the fire. Slowly, I let the ball of lightning fizzle into nothingness.

“He really did this?” I said.

Abigor threw his horned head back. “At last,” he crowed. “She sees reason.”

I sent him my best withering glare, then stepped over to Julian and nudged him with my foot. He groaned and rolled onto his side, but his eyes didn’t open.

“What did he do?” I asked quietly, thinking of the bodies scattered across the village grounds.

Abigor didn’t answer. Instead, he looked to the left. I followed his gaze, seeing the three fresh graves there.

Resurrect, Abigor had said. My stomach twisted.“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Then—” I hesitated. “He must not know what effect he had.”

“I don’t mean to harp on this,” Abigor said, tipping his head to one side, “but it would be really great if you could maybe just grab that book and unbind me.”

“Whatever power he has drawn,” I mused, taking a step toward the book, “it was misguided. Misused.”

“He didn’t do anything. It was a failure. Not even a lightning flash.”

I knelt and lifted the book, carefully turning its handwritten parchment pages. “A failure,” I said, “but not for the reasons you think.”

“God’s death!” Abigor exploded, tossing his head back. “Will you kindly stop sermonizing and unbind me?”

I closed the book with a snap, my gaze lifting to meet the demon’s.

“In time,” I said calmly. “But first, I must speak to Julian.”

I knelt beside the unconscious man, ignoring Abigor’s protests. While the larger part of me did want to get to the bottom of this mystery, there was at least a small part that enjoyed tormenting the demon. After all, whatever dark magic had taken place here, he’d been part of it, willing or not.

I conjured my celestial shroud, pulling it partway around me. When the man awoke, he would be able to see me, but my wings and the angelic glow I bore would be hidden. Perhaps if I appeared as a human, he would be less afraid.

“Come now,” I said softly, lifting the man into a seated position and cupping his face in my hand. “You’re all right.”

“I’m not,” Abigor said loudly.

I ignored him. Julian stirred against me, and I sensed his sharp spike of fear as he regained consciousness.

“What—” he said groggily, then his eyes flew open and he scrambled to get away from me.

I raised my hands in a placating gesture. It would accomplish nothing if he fainted again. “Julian, right?”

He gave a jerky nod.

“I apologize for startling you. My name is Lilin, and I am not here to harm you. But your actions have had dire consequences. You have caused great harm to this village, and I am going to need you to tell me the exact details of the ritual the two of you attempted—”

“Hey, I attempted nothing,” Abigor cut in, glaring at me. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m here against my will.”

“Harm?” Julian broke in. “What harm?”

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