Chapter Forty-Six Kasu #2
Kasu stepped back as Lord Onyx’s demonic aura washed over her.
It was like an oil slick – greasy and sticky and suffocating.
The shadow at Orro’s feet flickered. It was no longer that of a man but instead a large, crow-like figure that stretched along the floor and across the wall.
Kasu could see that the shadow bore several large, feathery wings.
“But—! What—? How—?”
“What a headache.” Lord Onyx sighed and smoothed back a lock of hair that had fallen from his otherwise impeccable coiffure.
“Imagine spending weeks, months, putting a careful plan in place, infiltrating the heavens, and getting close to the Hall of Fates, only for some woman to beat me to it and steal a reincarnation wheel.”
Arun’s eyes narrowed. “Are you talking about my mother?”
Lord Onyx ignored him. “They increased security. Had guards watching the hall at all hours. I didn’t think I’d get another chance to steal one, but here we are,” he muttered while his fingers gripped the metal tray tighter.
“And on that note … I’m taking that.” He pointed to the reincarnation wheel.
“And I’m bringing it back with me to the under-realm. ”
“What do you plan on doing with it?” The tension in Arun’s shoulders didn’t ease. He remained ready to fight at a moment’s notice.
Onyx shrugged. “I’ll allow demons and ghosts a way out. For a price, of course.”
Kasu bristled. “People should be allowed to reincarnate no matter how much gold they have!”
Lord Onyx sighed. “Time is against us. I wish to grab the wheel and leave before we are discovered. If you are going to use it, I suggest you do so now.”
“And you have a way out of the heavens, do you?” said Arun.
“Of course.”
Kasu shook her head. She still had plenty of questions. “Why bother with the reincarnation wheel? Isn’t running the northern quarter enough?”
Lord Onyx tilted his head to one side, studying her the way a cat might inspect a mouse caught between its claws.
“You mean the fighting pits? How droll. I didn’t become one of the four demon lords of Ghost City by resting on my laurels.
To rule, one must always be looking for new business opportunities. ”
Kasu sucked in a harsh breath. That was all this was to him.
Business. Lord Onyx was not going to help anyone out of the goodness of his heart, or the passionate belief that those who fell out of the cycle of souls still deserved a chance at redemption.
This was just another opportunity for money and power.
Onyx frowned. “If you’re not going to use the wheel, then step aside.”
Kasu didn’t move.
“Why should I?” She stuck her chin in the air in hope that it would distract the demon from the slight tremor in her legs.
Lord Onyx clicked his tongue in irritation. As much as he wanted to tear her head from her neck, he seemed to understand the position they were in. They could not afford to linger.
“Fine. I’d rather not waste my time in a meaningless fight. I’ll make a deal with you. Every month I’ll let ten ghosts, chosen by a lottery, walk through the wheel for free. No money required. In return, you hurry the hell up so I can continue with my business.”
“Fifteen ghosts,” Kasu insisted. “And demons too.”
Lord Onyx clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Fine.”
“And how do I know you’ll honour that deal?”
“Would you like it in writing? I am a demon. We may lie, cheat, steal and kill, but we always honour our contracts.”
Kasu supposed Lord Onyx was right to stagger the process. It would be chaos if everyone tried to rush through the wheel at once. It was not ideal – she would rather the reincarnation wheel land in the hands of someone far more altruistic – but it was a start.
“All right. Where do I sign?”
With a wave of his hand, a piece of parchment and an ink brush popped into existence. Kasu read the wording carefully before signing.
Lord Onyx snapped his fingers and the contract disappeared.
“Now, hurry up!”
Arun stepped towards the reincarnation wheel, but Kasu grabbed his wrist.
“Wait.” She turned to Lord Onyx. “You could take us to the under-realm with you, couldn’t you?”
“What are you saying?” Arun stared at her in disbelief.
“If we return to the under-realm, we can stay together.”
“But your dream. You’ve always wanted to return to the mortal realm. To feel the sun. The wind. The touch of warm earth and soft grass.”
“I know, but…”
Her chest ached at the thought of parting with him. How could she leave, knowing there was no guarantee they would ever see each other again? That there was a chance she’d live the rest of her life carrying this echoing emptiness inside her?
Arun took her hand. “Let’s go.”
“But…”
“Go or don’t go. Either way, hurry up!” Lord Onyx snapped.
They stared at one another, locked in each other’s gaze.
This was it. Her reincarnation. Her rebirth.
Kasu’s heart was pounding so hard that each beat felt like a punch to her ribcage.
She was going to do it, wasn’t she? Defy the heavens and be reborn without their permission. Without their forgiveness.
Arun was still holding her hand. He tugged at her wrist to pull her closer.
“There’s a small house on the edge of an apple orchard.” His whisper ghosted across the curve of her ear.
Kasu’s throat tightened. “The smell of blossom perfumes the air and when the wind blows, the petals fall like snow.” Her voice was hoarse, scrubbed raw with emotion.
“Someone waits for you on the porch.”
Kasu swallowed past the lump in her throat. She would find Arun, find Ruo, find a way back to them both.
Arun raised his other hand to cup her face. His thumb brushed away the tears she hadn’t realized were gathering at the corners of her eyes.
“They’re waiting for you to come home.”
Hand in hand, they stepped through.