Goetia

of them went down. Simon clung to consciousness by his fingernails. He felt the warmth of chemicals—stimulants as well as pain relievers—flood his systembefore he could call the suit’s AI off. The medical subprograms were strugglingto keep up with everything being done to his body as well.

Even as the demon released Simon, Leah fired once more. Another bone-shaking explosion filled the passageway. Dust fell from the ceiling, followed quickly by a shower of rocks blown free by the impact.

Hargastor rocked back on his heels for a moment. Then he stood. And he smiled while his head and features burned. Blackened flesh pulled back from his fangs and streamers of blood mixed with them.

“Weaklings!” the demon roared. “I am invincible!”

Shaking, nerves jangling from the pain and from the chemicals stampeding through his bloodstream, Simon forced himself to his feet again. He fought to suck in a breath and couldn’t.

“Airway partially blocked and closing down,” the suit AI said. “Administeringepinephrine.”

The adrenaline-enhancing injection flooded Simon’s body. Some of the painwent away. His heart pounded rapidly and caused his temples to throb. But his throat opened up.

“Cardio-pulmonary operation within acceptable tolerances,” the AI informedhim. “Video sensor arrays are still being repaired.”

Simon took a deep breath and stepped between Hargastor and Leah. He was certain his armor still provided a better chance of survival than hers. He fisted his sword and readied himself.

Warren woke with Naomi’s voice in his head. She called to him over and over.

“I’m here,” he said automatically. He struggled to remember where here was. His body felt like it was coming apart as he stood.

Get moving, Merihim ordered. Hargastor can’t be allowed to get away.

Farther down the passageway, Warren heard the sounds of the Templar weapons. He didn’t know which he couldn’t believe more: that the Templar weren’t deadalready or that he wasn’t.

I’m just going to get killed, Warren thought to himself. But he knew ifhe didn’t go Merihim would kill him. He went, almost stumbling over himself.

Only a few feet ahead, he watched as Hargastor slammed one of the Templar against another and turned to the slim, black-clad female in front of him. Another Templar was just getting to her feet. A fourth lay unmoving on the floor. Darkspawn sprawled in death all around them.

Kill him, Merihim ordered. While his back is to you and he is at his weakest, kill him.

Warren felt that he was only going to draw the demon’s wrath to him oncemore. But he summoned the energy to him as he took up a position less than twenty feet behind Hargastor.

“Let me take you out of there,” Naomi called to him. “You’re dying. I canfeel it.”

Warren felt her pulling at him, but he forced her away.

“Take heart,” the voice told Warren. “Your master can’t completely forsakeyou.”

Warren didn’t know that he believed that. He’d felt certain over the lastfour years that Merihim would leave him whenever he felt like it.

Or whenever Warren got too close to whatever secret desires the demon followed.

“Merihim has his secrets,” the voice said. “All of them do. And when youdiscover what it is, you make them weak.”

It doesn’t matter if I don’t live long enough to save myself, Warrenthought bitterly.

Hargastor’s attention was on the black-clad female. The Templar behind himscarcely noticed Warren because she was so intent on the demon’s back.

Then one of the fallen Templar pushed himself up and stood between Hargastor and his chosen prey. Recognition flared throughWarren as he surveyed the dark blue and silver figure before him.

It was the Templar that he had met four years ago. The same one that had taken his hand and allowed Merihim to possess him. The armor’s coloration—uniqueas far as Warren knew—wasn’t the only thing that gave away the man inside. Healso felt the man inside.

Warren’s focus shifted as his rage and pain outweighed his fear. The Templarhad been the one who had left him cursed that night. If he hadn’t taken hishand, Merihim would never have given him one of his to wear in his service. He might still have been a free man and able to leave London when so many others had.

Good, Merihim said. Use the anger you feel. It will make you stronger. Bend it to your need. But destroy Hargastor.

Warren wanted to wait before striking until Hargastor had killed the Templar. He could see it all in his mind’s eye. It would have been revenge of sorts, andalmost by his own hand since he hadn’t prevented Hargastor from lolling him.

Except that if Warren wasn’t strong enough to destroy the demon, there wouldbe no one to save him. He’d seen enough of the Templar to know that the ones inthe passageway wouldn’t have been able to simply leave him there once heattacked.

Do it, Merihim growled.

Power flooded into Warren. Pain fled. In the space of a single breath, he was once more clear-headed. He channeled all the power he had—his and what he tookfrom Merihim—and unleashed it through his demon’s hand.

A shimmering shower of falling stars flew from Warren’s hand and crashedagainst Hargastor. The demon staggered as purple pustules suddenly sprouted all over his back. Something writhed inside them, growing larger and more active as Warrenwatched.

Hargastor howled in pain and fear, something that Warren had never thought he would hear. He turned around and faced Warren.

“What have you done?” Hargastor demanded. “What have you done?”

Not knowing what to expect, Warren stepped back. He’d used every bit of thepower Merihim had given him. And he’d used up his reserves as well. There wasnothing left. He could barely stand on his feet.

“Who are you?” Hargastor asked.

Warren wasn’t going to say anything, but his mouth opened and he said, “I’myour death, dung fly. Your true and final death today. Let your master hear your mortal cries of anguish.”

Hargastor screamed in pain and thrust his hands out.

Warren dodged weakly back and covered his head with his arms but nothing happened. His breath caught at the back of his throat when he realized that he could hardly move.

“Warren,” Naomi called.

“Wait,” the voice said.

Merihim