Crunching on yet more bones, he reached the steps before her throne and waited.
“Kneel,” she ordered, and the word vibrated through the room.
Against his will, he collapsed onto his knees, staring up at her.
“You have made a mistake, gargoyle.” Her words were like the tensing of a bow, drawing the air from the room. “I am the Demon of Sacrifice. I am the one who destroys men, those foul creatures who harm women and children. Any woman may come to me, and I will offer her my powers in exchange for vengeance.”
Her head cocked to the side. “You are that most hated creature… man, in stone or flesh. I do not help men.”
His throat tightened as she spoke, as if her very hands were closing around his throat. “I knew all this before I came. I even knew that you might kill me before you heard my words.”
Something unreadable flashed in her eyes. “And yet, you came. Why?”
“It was worth the risk.”
She crossed her long legs and the skirts moved yet again in their eerie, unnatural way. “Speak.”
The tightness in his throat eased enough for him to speak. “We seek to overthrow Caine. My demon-brothers and I, along with our angel, have been searching out the true rulers of the realms, because Caine is corrupt. He is turning innocents into demons, and thugs into angels, and we plan to stop him.”
The woman rose slowly, her eyes wide. “You’re saying… not everyone who is a demon sinned so greatly that they deserved their punishment?”
He shook his head. “No.”
To his amazement, the demon began to pace, her powers electric in the room. “I never imagined such a thing. I just thought that after what was done to me—that I held some blame—that I deserved—“
Her gaze snapped back to him, and for one horrible moment the pain and suffering in her eyes made the protective gargoyle within him want to roar in rage. Then, the look was gone. “I have never helped a man… except my brothers, but I will hear you out.”
“Thank you,” Tristan whispered. “It has been decreed that it will take all ten Immortals to overthrow Caine. They are the rightful rulers of the realms. My brother sacrificed his life to learn their whereabouts. He has told us that time is of the essence, and we cannot save him and them. I know that what I'm asking is a great thing and no simple task, but you are the only one who can help us. Can you prevent Caine from destroying Mark's soul while we save the world?”
Her brows rose. “You’re asking me to go against the most powerful man in existence.”
“I am.”
“He will come after me for this.”
“I know.”
She studied him. “So, what makes you think I will help you?”
He tried to hide his unease. “I have been told that you wish for one thing above all else, and even though I don’t think it’s what’s best for you, I can give it to you.”
A guarded look came over her face. “I want for nothing but vengeance against men.”
“And a stone heart.”
Shock registered on her face.
“You don’t want to feel anything anymore. You want the human part of you to die.”
She moved closer, her voice lowering. “I wish that more than anything, but I’m told such a thing is impossible.”
“Not if a gargoyle gives you his essence, that which makes him a gargoyle.”
Her hands came together before her, clenched above her heart. “Give it to me.”
He shook his head. “My friend, Mark…”
She released her hands and went back to pacing. “I cannot prevent his soul from judgment…”
Tristan’s hope fled.
“But I can buy you some time.”
“How much?”
“Three days.”
Tristan shook his head. “We need more than that.”
She whirled on him. “That’s all I can give. Take it or leave it.”
His breathing became rapid. Was he really going to do this? Give up being a gargoyle forever?
“Alright, but you must allow me to remain a gargoyle until I’ve completed my task. I can’t save the world with the flesh of a man.”
She moved to stand in front of him and held out a delicate hand. “It’s a deal.”
Power swelled around her and magic swept over him in a wave of heat, suffocating in its terrible beauty.
He raised his hand, and she snatched it.
Black magic exploded from beneath them, dark shadows that lifted them into the air and swirled in a storm of chaos. He tried to tear his hand free, but her magic was too powerful. Something in her life had created a creature of such rage that it overtook her and made her into this demon, a demon more powerful than he ever imagined.
White light began to pull from him. It was uncomfortable at first, and then painful. A scream tore from his lips, and he fought against whatever was happening to him, but there was no escape.
At last, in front of him, a swirling light formed into a heart and pulsed with white light.
With her free hand, she cradled it in her palm.
They dropped to the floor. She came down gracefully onto her feet, while he fell onto his side in the sea of bones.
She whirled around, her black skirts flying about her. Seating herself back on her throne, she set the white, pulsing heart on the arm of her chair. The look on her face was one of complete satisfaction.
At last, he drew in a breath, coughing. The pain still held him in its grip, but he tried to breathe through it.
She smiled. “I never said it wouldn’t be painful. Now, my gargoyle, you will attempt this task of yours. In three days’ time, whether you succeed or fail, I will devour your stone essence, and you will be nothing more than a demon.”
He struggled back onto his feet, rubbing at the ache in his chest. “Thank you.”
She wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at the pulsing heart.
Slipping from the room, he pushed himself faster, even though his body screamed in protest with each step.
