Her Shadow Demon

Chapter One

Shadow Realm

Frigid air swept over Jude’s face as he gazed toward the musty skyline. Steam puffed from his nostrils, and he swiped at the cloudy mass. Nothing in the barren Shadow Cusp territory brought a chill that icy unless a certain being followed.

Daemon

As the fifth moon of the Shadow realm appeared, its light added detail to those who neared, confirming Jude’s suspicions. The horde stretched along the horizon like a black band, undulating closer at a steady pace. Wings rose above the dark mass, their eyes aglow like tiny pin lights.

He knew the day would come when the Daemon caught up to him. And it has to be when we’re so close to reaching our goal.

Shifting his breast plate over the wide waistband of his loincloth, Jude made sure he could move freely. Digging the toe of his heavy boot into a thick crack of dried mud, he pressed his lips together and thanked the gods he’d elected to stay midway between gargoyle and human for the rest of their trek. He considered those who followed them. Though I might need to take on full gargoyle for battle.

Swishing his lion tail, Jude called on his solid strength and set his determination.

As he dug the crusty ground with the knuckles of his wings and forearms, rocky soil groaned. Dislodged from its aged rest, the scent of death accompanied the sound. He lurched, but quickly swallowed and used the urge to heave to shoved harder.

Angling his large wings, they directed the sediment to create a tall barrier. Soil rained around him as he straightened and shook out his long, dark mane.

He glanced at Willow, one hand tucked under her head and the other arm resting before her as she slept. There was a time a cricket could chirp, and she’d jump up, bursting from her gargoyle persona with a roar, sword drawn.

A vision, isn’t she?

Jude’s sleep-deprived nerves cringed. Not now, Bahtish.

The tall, slender man leaned his head to the side and held his hand toward her. But you must agree. A true lioness is she. Even asleep in her human form, her stunning emerald eyes glistening behind those supple lids. Oh, that I might kiss them and awaken her passions. Oh, that I...

Hush it, Incubus! Leave. You won’t receive protection from me against these creatures.

Bahtish swiveled in the direction of the rubble wall. Ah, yes. I’ve never seen a demon carry on a search as long as these have.

You mean besides yourself? Jude glowered and then turned to face the oncoming creatures.

Mmm. I do consider myself a notch above the ordinary. Jude glanced back at him in time to see him straightened the long panels of his jacket to lay flat on his thighs. His callous-free fingers brushed over his cheeks and the few messy locks joined the rest of his platinum hair at his shoulders.

They are not demons, Jude said. They are Daemon. Spawn of the Gods. Spawn of the Fae. And they carry the power of both. Daemon are demi-gods. Never underestimate them.

Do say.

Despite himself, Jude nodded. It’s true when everyone thinks of a demon, they think of a daemon’s likeness. A curse to punish their fathers. Through no fault of their own, they have been outcasts.

My dear, gargoyle warrior. I never would have thought it. It sounds like you have a healthy respect for these beings.

Guess I do, Jude said in a low, graveled voice. They are the only creature in this wretched realm who could end us with a pass of their hand. But don’t.

A streak of grey and white flew before him, and Jude jumped back from the bird, expecting the revolting sensation of warmth plopping on his shoulder. Ha! Missed me that time, didn’t you, Pig?

Ah, said Bahtish with a hesitant edge. He motioned to Jude’s head. You might want to check again, mate.

Jude threw his hands in search of the sticky mess and scowled as he found it seeping into his mane. His sneer muffled his words. I couldn’t have picked a better name for the filthy pigeon.

Bahtish picked up a stick and seemed to try his best to either scoot the goop off or poke Jude in the head as much as he could before Jude called it quits.

Withholding the reverberating roar from his voice only made Jude want a good bath sooner than later. Just leave it be!

Jude turned and quietly walked to Willow. He sank to one knee and gazed at the stub of her left arm.

Ah, yes. Our poor Willow. Maimed for life.

She’d cut out your tongue for saying that. Jude led his thick fingers along her dark blonde tresses with a feather touch. If they’d only stuck to nicking away at my claws or mane while I slept. He blinked, taken aback. Had he just said that out loud? I’m just glad they didn’t try to shatter her head.

Bahtish lowered, resting one arm on his thigh. You do love her.

Lowering his brows, Jude looked at the irritant. Of course, I do.

I’m just saying, you’re not the most sensitive guy. He upped his face in a know-it-all manner. She deserves much more. Let her rest.

A rumble shook Jude’s core. And an incubus knows exactly what my companion needs.

Bahtish jumped up, hands held before him, palms forward. Hey now, my big fellow. I happen to believe I do.

Of course, you do, Jude grumbled. The years in Shadow have worn on us both. We’re unable to reach the deep sleep of our gargoyle. We’re constantly on guard. And whether she wants to admit it or not, she requires more to restore her energy, yet she insists on sleeping in her human form. No deep sleep acquired there.

Heaving a sigh, Jude anchored his fists at his waist and looked at the wall of rubble. Bahtish followed his regard.

Come now, do you really think that will protect you from them? The neat-to-the-T gentleman leaned forward. They can fly.

The humor in his voice grated on Jude’s sleep-deprived nerves, and he turned toward him. When had he decided to make himself the third party of the expedition? Go home, Incubus. He let his voice turn to a mumble. If you even remember where that is.

But you must see my confusion in understanding your plan. How is that going to protect us?

A growl rumbled in Jude’s throat, and he scowled at the demon. It’s not to protect. If you knew Daemon at all, you’d know it’s a line.

A line. The man blinked his silver, iridescent eyes and squinted his tan cheeks.

How Bahtish managed a warm complexion, Jude didn’t know. His own dark golden visage had lightened in this realm where the light of the sun rarely shown. Then again, all demons seemed to have healthy-looking features.

Jude raked his fingers through his dark mane...the only part of him in which he took pride. A drawn line is a universal symbol. He turned to stand over Willow as he half-heartedly explained in a quiet voice. Even with their numbers, they won’t want to cross the line and launch a dishonorable battle. We’d devour them.

We would? That paints such an archaic picture. Er ... Bahtish pointed above Jude’s head. "...you might want to let him know though."

In a flash, Willow slid her sword free of its sheath, supporting the weapon with the palm of one hand, and joined Jude as he turned.

Jude slowly withdrew his sword, allowing the sweet sound of the blade to let the Daemon know exactly what he’d be facing.

The being’s oil-slick skin glistened in the light of four moons, the fifth dipping below the horizon. Eyes glowed red, his male member swung low below his hips, and...no cold air.

Jude scowled again. Tell me why you’ve come, Daemon. Why have you followed us?

Bahtish’s brows rose. Huh.

Willow slanted her emerald eyes at him.

Jude shrugged. What?

Bahtish tossed his hand at the pile of dirt. He didn’t cross the line.

The Daemon nodded toward Jude. And take on battle with the great Gargoyles of Earth? Of Inter-dimensional Court? He shook his head and then dropped to his knees on the top of the line. We are not a warring race, Jude and Willow. My name is Fre’shan. I am the Leading Father of all Daemon. I implore you believe me.

Bahtish waved his hands at the being and tripped up the mound. Of all that’s holy, man! Do stand back up. Your shaft is... It should never rest in the filth unless it’s after a markedly amazing session of sex.

Jude rolled his eyes as a nudge hit his arm.

Wanna fill me in? asked Willow. Why is a naked Daemon kneeling less than twenty feet from us? And why aren’t we freezing from it?

I have come without weapon, said Fre’shan, without covering, to prove my honest intent. I wish to bid a request.

Bahtish stepped back and held up his hands, palms forward. Humor laced his words. Oh, hey, now. When has a demon ever had any kind of honest intent.

A huff puffed from Jude’s chest and formed as mist before his lips. He darted his gaze to Willow at the same time she looked at him. The cold is back. We’ve angered him.

Both tightened their holds on their swords.

Fre’shan peered at Bahtish, who scrambled down the rubble, and then nodded toward Jude. Apologies. I did not mean to lower my guard on the curse.

Fre’shan stood and lowered his hands to his side. Slicks of red and black merged, separated and then flowed side-by-side just beneath his glossy skin. His long, thin tale wrapped around his right leg, the triangle appendage at the end resting at his ankle. Tall leathery wings stretched out, and his tone grew stern. We are Daemon. We do not harm. Like you, Jude and Willow, we protect.

Chapter Two

Dimension Two-Eight-Five

Kami’s blouse bunched up her back as she slid down the trunk of the wide oak. She cringed as aged bark grazed her skin and snagged her hair until her bottom hit the ground. Folding her knees to her chest, she buried her face in her arms and welcomed the sharp pangs as punishment. Hurting Ian pained her more than anything she’d done in her life.

Autumn leaves crunched as he paced the woodland’s small clearing. Each stride matched two beats of her heart and crushed the sweet memories they’d made. Dust scented the air as he shuffled through a turn.

Why are you just now telling me this? His breath hitched, and he cleared his throat.

Words wouldn’t form as Kami lifted her gaze.

His hazel eyes shifted to the shadows of the young birch trees as he set his hands at his waist and paused. A cloud of insects drifted through the pale trunks, creating soft hums in the air. Ian ran his hand across his jaw and then looked back at her. You know I love you, Kami.

Tears seeped beneath her lids, and she blinked to relieve the burn. Of course, she knew. She knew he loved her deeply. But what about devotion? When his status required him to wed three, how much could he be devoted to her?

I need to be the only one, Ian. I can’t know you might love someone else more than me when you choose another wife. She stared at the thick roots that surrounded her