Chapter 31
Tobias
Tobias shifted into a more comfortable position on the throne, never taking his eyes off the demon inside the warded pentagram.
Rion and Will appeared to be doing the same thing.
For a moment none of them spoke. Oriax took it as a power play, and his level of discomfort grew.
His anger also stirred, but unlike Rion, he was unable to manifest flame.
Therefore, his anger mattered little as long as he remained inside the pentagram.
“You should speak,” Rion stated silently.
“After the mess I made of negotiating with your father, I’m surprised you would suggest this.” Tobias knew he could have cost all three of them their freedom. Failing then paled in comparison to failing now. The risk seemed too great.
“We have faith in you,” Will said.
Tobias turned to look at him. “Well damn. Now you’re a responsible adult?”
“Why does no one speak?” Oriax demanded.
“They’re having a telepathic conversation,” Kitty replied examining her nails again. “I’m sure this won’t take long.”
Oriax scrutinized the trinity. However unintentional, this stumble had elevated their presence. The demon was impressed.
“Look, we have no interest in what goes on in your realm,” Tobias began. “Khyterrion is not after your throne. Our main objective is to sever the connection your father has with the vampires. I’ve saved three kingdoms, but even I have my limits.”
“What do you mean? Explain yourself.” They had Oriax’s full attention.
“Two original undead kings have sworn an oath to serve us. Since your father has no hold over me, they are now shielded under my umbrella. The problem is, three other original kings are still vulnerable. If we make this deal, it includes their freedom.”
Oriax nodded. “I care little about the affairs of vampires, though I am intrigued as to how you have gained enough power to achieve the things you claim.”
“If we put you on the throne of the eighth realm, we want a blood pact with you. One where we agree not to kill you, and you agree not to kill us. No more vendettas, no more bullshit. Our paths never need cross at all.”
“Fine. I have no interest in interacting with any of you beyond this arrangement. We shall not seek each other out.”
“I will be responsible for all vampires in the In-Between. You will be responsible for all demons in your realm,” Tobias continued.
“We will negotiate a series of accords to abide by. These will only apply if you enter our kingdom, or we enter yours. Basically, as I said earlier, if everybody minds their own damned business, there will not be a problem.”
“The beings of my realm will not stop bringing chaos and wrath to the In-Between. It is what we were born for. It is who we are.”
“We know this,” Rion said sternly. “Just as we know light cannot exist without darkness. In order for any of the realms to coexist, there must always be a balance. As of this moment, reparation is required as the balance has been off kilter for some time. We strike this bargain to return things to the natural order.”
“For the sake of peace though,” Will added, “it’s probably a good idea for you to tell your people to avoid New York State, Florida, and the country of Norway.”
“That is oddly specific.” Oriax frowned.
“My kingdom, and those of the two original kings I have sworn to protect.” Tobias knew his power had coalesced during the conversation. The closer they were to success, the more his confidence became evident in the energy he projected.
“Is that it? Is that the complete deal?”
“Nope,” Will jumped in. “You have to agree not to obstruct our efforts to take out your father and twin.”
Oriax’s lips twisted in disdain. “Why would I do that if the entire point is to put me on the throne?”
“My turn,” Rion demanded silently in their heads before Will could say anything else.
“Clearly what we intend is to your benefit. However, the manner in which this unfolds is difficult to predict. If we discover you have reneged on the deal to save yourself at our expense, our agreement will become void.”
“I cannot be seen helping you,” Oriax growled. “Nor can I rule a realm who have watched me aid those we have cast out.”
“Nobody is asking you to do that. Just stay out of our way.” Tobias said.
“It will not work in such a manner,” Rion said abruptly.
“If the entire eighth realm knows we have ended their Lord and his heir, a war will ensue. Not a single one will sit back and allow Oriax to turn a blind eye while we live as we please in the In-Between. The lower realms must believe Oriax is responsible for these deaths.”
“Rude.” Will lit another cigarette. “I mean, if we’re going to do all the work…”
“Stick a fork in it, would’ya?” Kitty hissed at him.
“I’m not fucking going back to the eighth level of Hell,” Tobias growled at Rion. “…And you can’t, unless you want to enter via the river like a mortal and tangle with the behemoth again. How are we supposed to frame him; hold him hostage and hope Daddy comes to save him?”
The pale-skinned demon cast another glance around the room.
“If we do this here in the In-Between you will have an advantage. Father almost never comes here. A mortal form would be unfamiliar to him and holding form the way I am now would be difficult since he is unpracticed. He will still hold great power, but it will be weaker than any other circumstances.”
“How do you propose we convince him to come here?” Rion asked in astonishment. “We cannot summon him the way we did for you, and Tobias’ suggestion was ridiculous.”
Oriax laughed. “That, little brother, is not my problem. This is your circus.”
“You know I was being sarcastic, right?” Tobias arched a brow in Rion’s direction.
“We will seal this agreement with blood,” Rion announced as though Tobias wasn’t in his head.
It was a redundant statement, as nobody had expected any other outcome.
“We will bring about the two executions we have promised, for which Oriax will take the credit. Once that has transpired, we will continue our rule here, and Oriax will continue his in the eighth realm. After our bargain has been made in blood, we shall discuss the accords.”
All three immortals opened a vein and let blood flow into a chalice. Rion and Will produced their immortal swords and set them aflame. They flanked Tobias as he approached the pentagram, ready to protect him if Oriax tried to do anything stupid.
By the time Tobias breached the salt circle and pentagram, Oriax had opened a vein of his own.
Now that the perimeter of the room contained the only ward, the energy shifted in the vicinity.
This was most definitely a male of power.
He knew Rion was supposed to possess greater immortal strength, but it was still an unnerving experience.
Oriax let his blood drip into the chalice. Though his face stayed tilted forward, he raised his gaze to look at Tobias. “You will go first, so I may be certain there was no poison in this cup before we started.”
With a silent nod, Tobias took a sip and passed it to Rion. Once the trinity had consumed a mouthful and declared their oath, they passed the chalice to Oriax, who did the same.
“My twin seeks my presence. He will be suspicious if he cannot materialize where I am.”
“I hope you aren’t suggesting we invite him to the party?” Will blew out a series of smoke rings and crushed out the cigarette butt on the floor at his feet.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing.” Tobias said suddenly. He pointed to the pentagram. “Alright demon, get back in there.”
“I think not,” Oriax began as Tobias shoved him into the small space. He hurriedly pushed the salt back into the breach of the circle with the toe of his boot. “Act like you’re trapped and don’t want to be here.
“Wherever would I gain such inspiration?” Oriax muttered.
“What in the world…” Rion stared at Tobias in astonishment.
As he spoke, Tobias blurred to the perimeter and broke the ward there.
“Martelli, what the fuck are you doing?” Will demanded.
“Shhh, he’s got a plan,” Kitty hushed with a mischievous grin.
“Oh, and you think this is a good thing?” Rion hissed back at her.
Oriax watched from the pentagram, both brows arched in fascination. There was no more time to speculate, as the air shifted, and a second pale-skinned seven-foot demon appeared.
“What is the meaning of this?” He bellowed. Belatedly, he observed his twin’s predicament.
“Ornias!” Oriax shouted. “Brother!”
The newcomer whirled to face the trinity.
“Khyterrion, whatever you were attempting here, is over now. You will pay for this inconvenience.” With that, he marched over to the pentagram and sniffed at the air.
Confusion filtered into his expression “This ward has expired.” Despite this, he kicked a space in the salt.
“What transpires here?” He asked quietly.
“They sought to keep me prisoner to get father’s attention,” Oriax replied.
“Fools,” his twin laughed. “Father would never succumb to such a flimsy attempt.” He stared at Tobias. “Is this affiliated with the downfall of the vampires?”
“It’s affiliated with the downfall of some vampires,” Will corrected.
“Some of us don’t intend to fall at all,” Tobias added.
“This conversation bores me.” The newcomer, Ornias, growled and produced an Unholy sword.
“That’s cute.” Will produced his own sword, of almost twice the length, which he immediately ignited with white flame.
“So is yours,” Rion gave a low throaty laugh and produced his own giant flaming sword.
“Summon your sword brother, do not just stand idle!” Ornias yelled, his wings unfurling in what could only be described as a confrontational manner.
Oriax pursed his lips and produced a sword, icicles forming as he calmly stepped out of the pentagram.
His fingers tightened around the hilt and he drew it back over a shoulder.
Then, he decapitated his twin. A splatter of black blood exploded theatrically from the wound.
Ornias dropped to both knees and fell forward onto the floor beside the fallen head.
Silence swept across the room as all three immortals stared at the twins in shock.
“If you fail to deliver on your end of this agreement, I will kill you all,” Oriax said coolly. He yanked the head off the floor by its Mohawk and flashed out.
“Well, that was unexpected,” Rion muttered.
“Aw man, I was looking forward to a fight,” Will complained.
Tobias cuffed him over the back of the head. “Could you not?”
Rion put the sword away and strode over to the body. He stood staring down at it as though the male was capable of getting up without a head on his shoulders.
“What have you done?” Lyla’s furious tone came from the doorway.
“Hey now, we didn’t touch him.” Will threw up both hands.
“One of your sons killed the other,” Kitty announced, with much greater compassion in her tone.
“I sincerely hope it was the right one.” Lyla said, kneeling beside the body. Tears shone on her cheeks, but beyond that she remained stoic and strong. She placed a hand on his chest and sighed.
“Oriax lives.” Will somehow managed to sound respectful and defensive at the same time.
“This didn’t quite unfold the way we expected,” Tobias said.
“What exactly did you expect?” Lyla asked in exasperation. “This is not a game!”
Rion was at her side at once. He wrapped both arms around the female, holding her tightly. Judging by the energy shift in the room, he was projecting a cocktail of comforting emotions to ease Lyla’s suffering.
“There was a reason I wanted to be the one to do this. I would never have hid four rooms away and waited until this was over. I wanted it to be quick, and I wanted him to die an honorable death.”
“He did, we promise you this much,” Rion said.
“If I was to condone this, I should have demonstrated the courage to perform the act myself!” Her eyes, still blurred by tears, were almost unreadable.
“There was no battle,” Tobias added. “He didn’t even see it coming. He died trying to rescue his brother.”
“Alright.” Lyla dry-washed her face and arose. “I can accept that.”
“We must determine our next course of action swiftly,” Rion announced. “We cannot be certain what will happen when Oriax returns to the palace with our brother’s head. He must survive this.”
At that moment, Lori, Christo, and Vixen walked in. Will’s gaze pivoted even before any non-visual cues had been given. As per usual, his gaze settled on Vixen’s belly. His eyes widened and he turned to Tobias.
“I know how we can summon the eighth lord.”