One of the men comes to stand beside me. "Liora, this is Khalil. He'll be taking you back to Dryndara and then back home."

"What about you?" I ask, losing myself again in his warm honey gaze.

"I have to stay here for a while...take care of some things. Don't worry. You'll see me again." His smile is sincere...soft, and sad.

I reach over and give him a hug, savoring his sweet scent once more. "Okay. Bye. I'll miss you."

His deep eyes search mine. "You too, love. More than you know."

A sudden boom literally shakes the air, and the ground trembles beneath our feet. A high pitched wail, louder than anything I've ever heard before, pierces the atmosphere. I cover my ears against the sonic screech and stagger to the ground in pain. My head feels ready to explode from some unseen pressure, squeezing it tight.

"What's happening?" I gasp at Bones, who is on his knees beside me. There is unmistakable pain in his eyes, and he doesn't answer. Again the sound pierces the air, and again the ground shakes...this time so violently I'm sure it's going to crack open and swallow us whole.

"Bones!"

But my cries are drowned out by the panicked shouts of terrified Hlbafas as they moan and writhe in agony. The ground continues to quake and tremble with increasing ferocity. Thick black clouds darken the sky, and the G.o.ddess moon changes from bright-white to blood-red. The air becomes hotter and hotter, until I can barely breathe. Sweat beads on my forehead and stings my eyes. The ground shakes so hard it bounces me into the air. I slam back down on the hard soil, knocking the air from my lungs like a painful punch.

"Bones...help me!" I cry out, reaching for him. He shifts into a h.e.l.lhound and places his body over mine, wedging us between a rock and the wall of a small building. The hot fur is suffocating, but soft, and keeps me safely on the ground.

The siren wails again, and the pressure on my head becomes unbearable. My ears feel like they're bleeding, and I'm sure my brains are being liquefied. The only thing I can do is to squeeze my hands over my temples to try to relieve some of the pain. It doesn't work.

"Bones! What is it? What's happening?!" I cry out again. Whatever it is, it's huge, and it's killing all of us.

From the panicked ma.s.ses a voice rings out.

"It's the Legionare! Run for your lives!"

Chapter 19. Liora.

The ground trembles even more. I peek out and see demons trying to flee, but falling clumsily onto the rocking ground. Then I watch, horrified, as they disappear one by one into thin air, as if being zapped with a magic wand. The terrifying noise gets louder and louder. I squeeze my eyes and cover my head with my hands.

And then...it's gone.

For a brief moment there is absolute stillness.

Then, screaming...louder...and louder. Bones' ma.s.sive body presses down on me, and I know this is it. We're all going to die.

From beneath his giant legs I see a row of what looks like soldiers riding in on red horses. But these are no ordinary horses. They're much bigger than Diablo and have wings and horns. I can only a.s.sume their riders are demons, but their faces are hidden beneath dark cloaks. Many carry long swords that glow an eerie green. The one in front waves his hand, and instantly the Hlbafa demon screaming on the ground in front of him vanishes. I squeeze my eyes harder and try to retreat even further beneath Bones. I'm guessing I have seconds left to live. What a way to go...hiding beneath a sweaty h.e.l.lhound only to be snuffed out by a faceless earthquake-making demon.

The marching stops, and the troops form a long line in front of the camp. The leader jumps down and pulls back his cloak. His jet-black, shoulder-length hair almost hides his eyes, which are mere slits. His nose is hooked and pointy, and his chin is too large. But there is something strangely compelling about him. His unique features enhance the power that radiates from within.

"Who is the leader here?" His gravelly voice shakes the air. The remaining villagers have become deathly still. Finally, the blonde demon steps forward.

"I am Xandria, daughter of Pernach, ruler of Hlbafa." Her voice trembles with false authority.

I peek around Bones' body, grateful no one seems interested in us. Then I see him...sitting atop one of the winged horses. It's all I can do to hold back my screams of relief.

Kieron!

As if sensing me there, Kieron shifts his gaze slightly to where I lie huddled behind Bones. His eyes lock with mine, and I feel the familiar flood of love shoot through me. How long I have waited for this moment...to see him again! His mouth twists in the half-smile I adore so much, and my heart flutters with joy. He gives a small nod in my direction and a quick wink. I still can't believe my eyes, that he is here, and I fight my need to cry out to him. What is he doing with these loathsome creatures?

Wait-didn't the blonde woman, Xandria, say that Kieron had set me and Lucky up? That we were here because of his trap?

The black-haired demon steps closer. "I am Abbaton. I have been notified that you are in violation of the land treaty that prohibits the capture and killing of demons from other tribes without sanction."

Xandria pulls her cloak around her. "No, you heard incorrectly. We are within our rights to punish the murderers of our precious sisters. Our prisoners were trespa.s.sers who killed five of our n.o.ble sentries. We only seek justice, not war."

Abbaton turns to Kieron who dismounts and walks over to him. My G.o.d, it's so good to see him. I have only to look at him to know everything is going to be all right.

Kieron whispers in Abbaton's ear, and he nods. "I've heard all I need to hear. You are to release the prisoners at once."

"But that's not fair! They're the ones who broke the treaty! It is they who should be-" Xandria starts.

"Silence!" Abbaton looks around until his eyes fall on Bones and me pressed against the wall. "Bring the prisoners to me."

Someone nudges us from behind, and Bones and I get up and walk over to the demon leader. My eyes search Kieron's, seeking rea.s.surance, but fail to find it. He looks like the same Kieron, but now he's different somehow.

I stand beside the two naked men and Bones, who still hasn't changed to his human form. I wonder why. "Kieron, what's going on?" I ask bravely as my heart thumps deafeningly in my ear.

He shifts his gaze from me to Abbaton. Abbaton eyes me curiously, circling me. "Are you the demion I've heard so much about lately? The one causing so much trouble for us?"

"I-I don't know what you've heard, sir. But I can a.s.sure you I had nothing to do with whatever happened here. I just woke up and found myself here with Bones-"

"Show yourself, hound," Abbaton says. In an instant Bones is human again, and holding my hand. I glance at Kieron, but he just looks away, his jaw rigid. "Speak your position, and tell me why I shouldn't let the Hlbafa have their justice."

"It is true we killed five of their sentries, but we had the Otium Peace Torch. We were investigating the disappearance and murders of two of ours...it turns out it was from the Amazea, but we had no way of knowing that. Yes, we found them on Hlbafa land while following their scents, and we wanted to speak to their leaders to see if they knew anything. We were attacked, and were forced to defend ourselves. Five of their sentries died, and we lost one of ours as well."

"But this is just your word. How do we know it was not you who provoked the attack?" Abbaton asks.

"You don't. But not ten days ago a band of Hlbafa ambushed and attacked our peaceful gathering spot in Dryndara, killing over a dozen innocent demons who had nothing at all to do with this. Even then we didn't retaliate into war...we just came here wanting to save our...friend...who was being held hostage."

Abbaton turns to Xandria. "Is this true? Did you attack their lands?"

"Well, yes, but only because-"

He snaps his fingers and she vaporizes into the mist. Just like that.

I gasp, dumbfounded. Abbaton turns to us again. I'm too terrified to look at him, so I just focus on Kieron's hands. On his dirty fingers. His frayed jeans. His dusty black boots. I can't believe Xandria is gone, in the blink of an eye. Not that I liked her much, but how can someone be here one second and be completely gone the next? Well, I guess she's not completely gone. A small pile of her ashes still lies at Abbaton's feet.

Recovering from their initial shock at the sudden death of their leader, the panicked villagers again begin running and screaming, pursued by the hors.e.m.e.n, who callously slaughter them either with their long swords, or by pointing their fingers and reducing them instantly to dust. I bury my face in Bones' chest and hold my breath.

When the commotion finally dies down, I look up. This time, my eyes lock on Kieron, who continues to stare at me intently. I desperately want to run over and throw myself into his arms, but something tells me not to let my feelings show right now. Stay cool. Calm.

Abbaton returns his attention to us. "I think that is all that needs to be done here. You are free to leave except for one. One must be the tribute for the Hlbafa's lost sentries."

"But wait, that wasn't our deal!" Kieron says, stepping forward. "They all need to be let go."

"I've altered the deal. The Hlbafa do deserve their Justice, but only one. Choose," he says, staring at me.

I'm taken aback, speechless. Does he mean me? Does he want me to choose?

"Yes, you. Choose," he commands, answering my silent question. "Choose your tribute. You seem to be in the middle of this whole mess, you decide how it ends."

"Are you kidding? I'm not in the middle of anything. I don't even know what's going on-"

"Wrong answer."

And with that he raises a finger, gives it a quick snap, and suddenly, Bones is gone.

"Wha-?"

"There. I've made the choice for you." He turns, his cape billowing behind him, and strides back to his mount. He jumps onto its back and turns again to glare down at me. "You are an unworthy demon and hereby banished from the realm of Thiberoux." He looks at Kieron. "You have one hour to return to the mortal world. If either of you comes back here for any reason you will be sent to the Wasteland for a thousand years. You will be tortured, and then, if you're lucky, you will be vanquished. Understood?"

With that, the Legionare leaves with far less fanfare than at its arrival.

I fall to the ground as the breeze gently flutters the ashes at my feet.

I hear Kieron's voice, but it sounds hollow and far away-like he's underwater, or in a tunnel.

"Liora, come on. We have to go now." There's a tugging on my arm, but the pressure is dull. My body is becoming numb.

"Liora...Liora...Lucky!"

I lift my chin slightly, unable to focus on anything in particular. Pictures swish around in my mind... fractured images of agony and ecstasy.

Kieron kneels beside me, grasping my hand in his. "Liora...Lucky...whichever of you can hear me...we need to get out of here right now."

"Okay," my voice softly sing-songs as I stare out into s.p.a.ce. My hand rests on the pile of ashes beside me, and my finger traces a slow circle through it.

Suddenly, I'm being lifted. I'm sitting on top of a horse, with Kieron's arm wrapped firmly around my waist. Our steed flies across miles of open countryside, and I close my eyes, unable to feel the sting of the wind as it whips across my face and p.r.i.c.kles my arms.

I hear a loud screaming, so loud it drowns out everything else...the clomping of galloping hooves...Kieron's voice in my ear. It comes from inside me...the scream of ultimate suffering, of a broken soul in the depths of despair, when all hope is lost. The scream of unspeakable agony and immeasurable sadness.

Kieron's arm tightens across my chest, and he leans his head against mine. His warm embrace is the only thing saving me from shattering into a million tiny pieces.

After what could've been either a few minutes or several hours, we slow to a stop and Kieron helps me dismount. I take a dazed look around-I know this place. It's our special spot...the magical meadow where Kieron and I first kissed.

It feels like a lifetime ago.

He holds me steady and gently brushes my hair from my face. He looks deep into my eyes. "Liora," he whispers, so close I feel his breath on my cheek. "Liora, sweetheart, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," I mumble, my voice dull and hollow.

He throws his arms around me, holding me close. His lips are soft and warm on my face and neck. I know I should move...I want to move. But I just can't.

"We're back in human world now, right? No more demons?"

"No more demons...only me," he whispers.

He leads me over to a mossy patch of emerald green gra.s.s. I don't know how long we sit there, staring at the sparkling lake and infinite valley below. Kieron seems okay just being here with me...in silence. I'm glad, because I can't think right now. My insides are shredded, and it's all I can do to remember to breathe.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Kieron's hand covers mine, and his thumb makes soothing circles on my palm. I instinctively lean closer to the warmth of his masculine body. I need him near. Never before in my memory have I felt so completely fragile...as if the wind itself could break me apart.

"Liora," Kieron whispers, gracing me with soft kisses. "Oh, Liora, how I missed you. I've thought of nothing but your beautiful face since the last time I saw you. How desperately I wanted to return to you sooner, save you from what was happening. But this was the only way-"

"You got Bones killed...you almost got me killed..." My voice fades.

Kieron shakes his head. "I'm just as devastated by what happened to Bones as you are. It wasn't supposed to happen. None of that was supposed to happen..."

I tilt my head to meet his cobalt gaze, torn between the desire to brush his dark locks away from his handsome face, and the urge to slap it. I clench some gra.s.s in my fist instead.

"What did you think was going to happen? They said you set some sort of trap for us."

"No, Liora. Never a real trap. You have to believe me. The Hlbafa were coming to get you...well, Lucky and Bones, and whoever else got in their way. It was gonna be war...no two ways about it. And they knew about you, that you'd be human by day. They were going to send demons to get you when you were at your weakest, and send a small army into Dryndara to kill everyone in sight-"

"So how'd we end up over there as prisoners?"

Kieron looks down and runs his fingers through the gra.s.s. "I allowed myself to be caught. Then I convinced their leader, Xandria, that if I disseminated some info through the underground and made sure it got back to Lucky and Bones, that you'd-Lucky, would try to rescue me."

"But I still don't understand how-"

"It was the only way I could protect you. Otherwise, you were fair game, and Dryndara would be at war. I couldn't risk having you get caught in the crossfire. By claiming to make a deal to trade myself for you and Bones, I knew I could then get the Legionare to step in and take it from there. It was the only way. Otherwise you'd always have a target on your back."

"Yeah. And what a fine job the Legionare did. Killing Bones for no reason."

"That wasn't supposed to happen," Kieron says quietly, looking away. "I don't know why Abbaton did that."

"Lucky will be inconsolable," I say, rubbing my stomach. A flurry of nerves is creating an unpleasant tickling in my gut. "She may even want to kill you for revenge. Bones has been her very best friend practically her whole life."

Sadness clouds Kieron's features. "I know. And she's already been through so much...lost so many she's cared for..."

"And what was that about being banished from Thiberoux? I mean, that's certainly no skin off my back, but what about Lucky? What about you?"

"That is something Lucky and I will have to deal with. But right now I'm more concerned with you. How are you?" he asks softly, his fingertips gently stroking the side of my face. "You've been hurt."