Shadow Warrior

Chapter 8

The car carrying Kesh pulled into a larger building. Leo was careful to pull over down the street. Watching as Kesh exited the vehicle and headed towards the entrance.

Leo got out, as did Abby. They were silently moving towards the entrance Kesh had entered when they heard someone speak.

“Looks like you’re lost.” The voice was deep and unwelcoming.

Leo and Abby both turned around to see a demon staring at them pointing a blade at them. It was red and glowing with demon magic.

“We have been looking for Warrior Kesh.” Abby batted her eyes at the demon. Giving him an innocent smile. She was laying on the charms to hopefully throw on the demon. For just a moment, she saw the confusion on his face.

“I will take you in to see him,” he responded.

Leo and Abby walked inside as the demon instructed them where to go. The knife was still pointing at their backs. Both of them tried to memorize as much information about the building as possible. They weren’t sure what was going to happen. They needed to make sure they knew how to get out in the case of an emergency.

Warrior Kesh was on the couch looking as sober as ever. He was sipping on a glass of tea as they walked in. His back straight and his eyes clear of any influence. He gave Abby a smile as they were escorted in.

“I understand you are looking for me?” He gave Abby a welcoming smile, but all his smile did was set her nerves on edge. It reminded her of what a demon looks like before it kills someone.

“Yes sir. I am a huge fan and I just had to meet you!” She put on the mindless girl play, hoping to keep them in Kesh’s good graces.

“What an honor little one.” He motioned for her to move forward. Patting the seat next to him. With reluctance, Abby walked forward. Trying hard to hide her revulsion.

Taking a lady-like seat next to Kesh, he laid his hand on her thigh. This had Leo up in arms. He was trying hard to hide just how much this was affecting him.

“Hey man, that’s my girl. She just wanted to meet you.” Leo was fighting to keep his cool with him. He called Abby “my girl”, something fluttered in her heart. Her eyes nearly betrayed her excitement.

Warrior Kesh gave a big smile. He was up to something. “She isn’t your girl, Warrior Leo. She is your Soul Keeper.” Abby’s heart dropped. He saw right through them. Knowing exactly who they are. “Who can ever forget the infamous Warrior Abby? The girl whose birth was secret and forbidden. Little rule breaker you are.” He punched her cheeks. Her smile had completely fallen from her face.

Kesh stood up and walked towards Leo. Abby went to get up, but a hand pushed her shoulder, keeping her in place.

“You are the notorious Warrior Leo. You and your perfect parents.” His words were filled with hate and loathing. “Who could ever forget you? According to the council, you are going to supersede me.” Kesh was no longer smiling, but glaring at Leo. “Too bad you won’t be that successful.”

Turning his eyes to Abby, he gave her a look. It scared her down to her bones. Motioning to someone behind her. It was another Shadow Warrior, but his eyes were gone and the area around the empty holes was black. It was horrifying. Maintaining their composure, Leo and Abby stayed put until they could get more information.

Kesh moved towards Abby with a small knife in his hand. Abby wasn’t worried as he had no reason to kill her. She was a nobody. Leo looked around frantically as Kesh was approaching Abby. The demon behind him grabbed firm hold of his arm.

Putting out his empty hand, Kesh motioned for Abby to take it. The instant she reached out her hand, he took it and slammed the blade deep into her hand. Abby bit her lip, hard. Trying to remain silent as she felt the searing of the blade. It had gone clean through her hand.

The same warrior that handed the knife to Kesh, came back with a black chalice. Kesh removed the blade and dipped it into the cup. A liquid started hissing as he dipped the blade into it.

Kesh’s eyes grew wide and he began laughing. “Oh, what a joyous night it is! You are perfect.” His eyes met my mind. “You are my key. Well, more specifically, your blood is my key.”

Abby was confused and thought Kesh had officially lost his mind. She was no one special. Her life was so far from special, she didn’t even have a recorded birth.

“How so?” Abby asked. Curiosity got the best of her.

“Why are your family the ones who locked Valak away? Your blood is his key.” Kesh’s words hit her hard. How did he know about her family? How did he know who they were? There was no record of her in the world.

“I can see you still have not solved the riddle of your life. Wonderful! I get to tell you a story.” Kesh started. “The Shadow Warriors tried everything to lock away Valak. Fearing his superiority and abilities. Their fear guided them to their deaths. Now your ancestors were the ones who cracked the code. Figuring out their blood was the key. You come from the blood of guardians. They haven’t been in known existence for the last thousand years. The followers of Valak slowly whipped them out. They reported they had ended their family line about 17 years ago, but by the looks of it, you survived. The last descendant of the guardians.”

“Do you know who my parents are?” She asked with hesitation. Now scared of the answer.

Kesh smiled wider. “Why yes, I do. I suspected, but I couldn’t confirm until now.” Pausing for a moment. Abby suspected it was for dramatic effect. “Your parents were Warrior Kamai and Warrior Lukas. Your father was killed for being an abomination. His mother was a Shadow Warrior and his father was a warlock. Once this information was discovered, the council was quick to dispose of him. I suspect your mother was already pregnant. The mixing of the bloodlines is a straight line for death where the Concurrence is concerned.” Taking a moment, he turned around. Now addressing Leo.

“Now, young Shadow Warrior. I have big plans for you. Your blood is strong enough and your vessel will be just as strong.”

Abby whispered in horror, “Strong enough for what?”

“To hold Valak.” His eyes turned black as he said the name. “Take them. Separate them. They are stronger together.” He shooed away the men surrounding us. While Kesh spoke, more warriors and demons came into the room.

Abby’s eyes met Leo’s and she knew he was going to fight. Preparing her body for hell. Kesh quickly moved over to Abby. Grabbing her by the throat and holding the blade to it with deadly grace and precision.

“Move and I will drain you dry. All I need is your blood, beautiful.” His lips were close to her ear. Hot breath caressed her skin. Her body screamed to get away from him. “Now, be a good little warrior and go to your room or I will drain your Soul Keeper here and now.”

Abby’s eyes were fixed on Leo. Anger filled his eyes as he was led away. Worried about what was going to happen to Leo. They had to find an escape. There was no way she could let Leo get possessed. He would die. That thought filled Abby with dread and anxiety.

“Now, why don’t we go enjoy a quiet dinner.” Abby’s eyes flashed at Kesh. Hate seething from her body. “Don’t look at me like that little love. We have so much to talk about before your death.”

His words should have terrified her, but instead it only fueled her resolve. She was going to find a way out of this. Come heaven or hell. Kesh moved her toward another room.

There was a long table with candles burning black flames. Food covered the entire middle of the table. All sorts of options, but Abby’s stomach rejected the idea of eating. Which she didn’t intend to do. It would be too easy for Kesh to poison her or drug her. Make her more compliant.

Kesh forcefully pushed Abby into the high back wooden chair. Kesh took a seat at the head of the table. Abby was on his right. Only two plates were set at the table. Watching Kesh’s every move, he poured her a glass of red wine. Set it on the table for her.

“I understand you must be very upset with me, but I just want you to know that I appreciate the sacrifice you are about to make. You are making a sacrifice for a better world. No more pesky humans to destroy this world. No more Concurrence to interfere with matters. And all shall be equal. Prince Valak had given his promise. This world will be a safe place for all of us. So many will revere you for your courageous act.”

His eyes were looking at something in his mind. Probably the grandeur of having Valak back on this earth. Kesh took a seat and began sipping his own wine.

While her hands were under the table, she felt the black card Galadin had given her. Observing her surroundings, she noticed quite a few people were there, but they stood in the shadows.

“Hands on the table, little missy.” Kesh motioned for her to take her hands out.

Quickly sliding the cards into her sleeve, she took them out and set them on the table. A door on the other side of the room squeaked open as an elderly man came in wheeling a cart. It looked to be a medical cart. Eyeing him with a ferocious intensity, Abby waited to see where he was going.

The man came around the table and towards her. Just as he was nearing her, three men came forward and held her down. One grabbed her right arm, and pulled up the sleeve. Here her arm was on display to the man. It didn’t matter how much Abby fought. She was at a disadvantage.

Unable to break free, the old man pulled out a needle hooked to a syringe. Fearing he hit her arm wrong, Abby stopped fighting. Watching as the needle moved closer to her vein. The prick of the needle invading her vein didn’t hurt much. It was more uncomfortable than anything.

Quickly, blood moved into the syringe. The man plugged in a hose into the end of the tube. It circulated until it started coming out of a bag. It looked like a hospital bag humans would use. She watched as her blood drained into the bag.

“Eat up little one. You are going to need all your strength to give me all the blood you can.” Kesh was happily eating away as Abby looked in horror as the blood was quickly filling the bag.

Her mind raced with ways to get out of here in one piece. The black card came back to her mind. In one swift motion, she slid it from her sleeve and had the black flame quickly engulfing it.

Not a second later, Galadin was before her. His eyes glowed with a deep purple as he eyed around them. Kesh stood from his seat and began yelling commands. His men lunged for the warlock, but were unsuccessful. Galadin moved faster than Abby’s eyes could follow. Taking out most of the men in the room, he was quickly by her side.

Grabbing her arm, he looked up at her. Rather than taking the time, he quickly applied pressure and pulled the needle from her arm. Abby couldn’t stop the flinch that came from her body as the reaction from the feeling of the needle being pulled from her arm.

He wasn’t gentle, but she couldn’t complain. He was here to help.

Standing on shaky feet, she looked up to see men surrounding Kesh. Galadin grabbed Abby’s hand and in an instant, they were elsewhere. She had no idea where. Looking around, she didn’t see Leo. Her heart started to race and her mind went wild.

“Where is Leo?” She yelled. Catching Galadin off guard.

“I didn’t know he was there. And its too late now.”

His words dropped Abby to her knees. Her heart was hammering in her chest. Her skin was heating up and she fought to keep from screaming.

They were hurting Leo.