Shadow Warrior

Chapter 13

“Holy s**t!” A yell came from somewhere in the room.

Leo and Abby both sat up, startled at the sudden intrusion. Confused and sleep still clinging to their eyes.

In the doorway, stood Galadin. His eyes were huge as he looked between Leo and Abby. Knowing in his eyes as Abby pulled the covers up over her naked torso. Looking around and finally understanding what is going on. Their minds were still foggy about how exactly they ended up in this predicament.

Each of them looked around the room, trying to ascertain what exactly happened. By the looks on their faces, Galadin knew exactly when they both remembered what happened last night.

“So….” Galadin started. “The demon magic was here at the house. I’d imagine it had something to do with this current predicament? I mean if you guys are a thing, that’s fine. I just thought it was a silent s****l frustration. Not a blaringly loud one.” He took a deep breath in. “Yeah. So, I’m just going to go.”

As he exited, he closed the door behind him. They were both still processing the situation they were in. Both terrified to move as their clothes were strewn about the room. They didn’t even have two sets of covers since the fitted sheet had fallen away from the floor at some point in the night.

“So, um. How do you want to do this?” Leo slowly looked up at Abby. Shock filled her face. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red. It looked so cute on her. Shaking his head, attempting to throw out the memories from last night.

Her body had felt like heaven beneath him. It was unlike anything he had ever day dreamed about. She was breathtaking. Abby’s cries were like a song written just for him. Beautiful and full of passion. Hearing her call out his name as each wave crashed about them, was something he only ever thought would happen in his dreams. Actually, his dreams had missed just how perfect it would be.

Deep into his own thoughts, he was looking down at the blanket as Abby’s own mind rushed with images of last night. Embarrassed by her promiscuity, she couldn’t lie to herself. It was absolutely perfect. In every way possible. Leo was gentle and understanding. Never pushing her too far, but also knowing just what to do. Half the things they did last night, Abby didn’t even know was possible.

Finally snapping themselves to attention, Abby looked up at Leo. Now trying to figure out how they were going to deal with this. Over thinking, as she always does. She put together puzzle pieces that made sense, but were so wrong.

“I think the demon magic made us do that.” She whispered. Partially terrified on what Leo’s answer was going to be. Part of her wanted this to be true. The other knew better. They can’t be together.

Leo’s face fell, no longer hiding anything he was feeling. Confusion still strongly embraced in his mind. His heart sank at her words. The magic had made them do that. Abby wasn’t into him. It was all the magic, but then what was the purpose of casting that spell? To distract them?

“I will close my eyes if you want to run to the bathroom.” Leo’s voice sounded melancholy. His pain of rejection radiated through his heart and soul.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Abby whispered again.

Leo closed his eyes and waited until he heard the bathroom door close. The sound of the lock sliding into place. Positively she was not coming out. He got up and grabbed a robe. Needing time to think and clear his sour mood, he went to another bathroom down the hall to shower.

During her shower, Abby was full of self-loathing. Leo would hardly look at her. She felt as though she had somehow betrayed Leo. Their relationship would surely never be the same again. Fear, sadness, and pain radiated through her mind as the hot water cascaded down her body. Providing some comfort to her, but not enough to undo everything that had already happened. She had just got Leo back and now she could be losing him again.

After exiting the shower, she quickly dressed and headed out into the hallway. There she bumped into Leo. His hair was still dripping wet from his own shower. Taking notice of his dull eyes. It was like the light in them had been snuffed out. This furthered Abby’s anxiety.

Entering the lounge, they found Galadin deep in a book. Neither of them cared to take notice of what he was reading. Each of them took a seat in chairs far from each other. The tension in the air could have blown up a building at this point. One wrong move and the world was going to come crashing down.

“Okay, the awkwardness has got to go. You are two consenting adults. If you are interested in each other that way, then have at it. I just wasn’t prepared, because I just thought you were in a place where you were each keeping it from the other.” Galadin looked at Leo and Abby. Both displaying confusion all over their faces. “Oh Hades! I am not dealing with this. You two need to figure out your own issues. I am not playing match maker. Eventually, you two will figure out what’s actually going on. Now, let's get to work.”

Galadin began explaining his findings to Leo and Abby. Their minds still swarming with questions regarding his commentary. It was a struggle for them both of them to concentrate on what he was talking about.

Picking up some of what Galadin was saying, they pieced together the answers. Someone had casted a spell on the castle. It was a powerful demon magic that essentially took away their subconscious. No little voice to tell them right and wrong. To keep them on their moral compass.

“And I’ve lost you both.” Galadin gave out a glare to each of them. “I’m going to get some coffee; you all have some conversations that need to be had. All I ask is that you’re honest with one another. Or this is going to be torture for all parties involved. I’m running around the corner. I’m going to need a double shot of espresso to deal with this mess.” His exit from the room was drama-filled. Giving a deep sigh as he left the room.

“I am so sorry, Abby. My actions were inexcusable. Never would I ever take advantage of you.” Leo was starting to run on.

“No, Leo, this is my fault…” Before she could finish, a huge explosion threw them across the room.

Abby’s body slammed into the windows and shattered every one of them. Leo was flung against a wall. Both of them are disoriented and bleeding. Attempting to stand on the floor, Abby looked up to see Kesh. He wrapped his hand around her throat. Tightly squeezing, but allowing enough space for her gasp for air.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!” Leo screamed. Unadulterated fear shone in his eyes.

“Now, now boy. I will, once you do as I tell you to.” Kesh gave Leo a dark glare. His eyes were slowly changing. The whites turned black. “You are going to give permission for Valak to enter your vessel. Or I will kill your little girlfriend here. You have until the count of 10.”

Kesh slowly started counting. With each number, he tightened his hold on Abby. Her sight was going darker as consciousness slipped away.

“FINE!” Leo screamed. “I give the Greater Demon, Valak, permission to use my vessel!” Warm tears escaped his eyes as he knew this meant he was going to lose Abby, but at least she would be live.

A darkness surrounded them. Tendrils of evil moving about the room closing in on Leo’s form. Kesh released Abby, allowing her to fall to the floor. Her eyes searched for Leo’s. The black dots slowly vacated her vision.

What she saw broke her heart. The black shadows had completely surrounded him. They were like a snake pulling back to strike.

“Wait!” Kesh yelled. Putting his hand up.

His hand was firmly wrapped around Leo’s arm. An evil smile plastered on his face. His eyes were now completely dark.

“I just had to tell you kids a fun fact before we get this show on the road… That spell wouldn’t have worked if you two weren’t already in love with one another. It can’t create something that isn’t there. I needed to know Leo’s weakness and he wasn’t showing his cards. He just needed a little nudge.” Kesh punched Leo’s cheek like he was a child. “Now Lord Valak, have your way.”

Leo looked at Abby as her mouth gaped open. Shock filled her body. He had wanted to tell her so many times, but this wasn’t how he wanted her to find out. This was going to be her last memory. Finding out her Soul Keeper is in love with her, and then have him ripped away from her.

Before the darkness completely overtook him, he said the words that had haunted his thoughts. “I love you, Abby.” Darkness consumed him.

-------- Same Moment

Abby was staring at Leo as the darkness was quickly sweeping in. Quickly encasing Leo’s body in a shroud of evil. The air about them was freezing. No warmth left in the world.

Her eyes searched Leo’s for some sort of sign he was going to fight. Instead, she was only met with sadness and resolve.

“I love you, Abby.” Were the last words Leo spoke before his eyes turned black and a yellow pair of slitted eyes stared back at her. They looked like snakes' eyes. Giving off an unnatural glow.

Abby’s tears streaked her face. She would have given anything in the world to hear those words before now. Now, she didn’t want them. It meant Leo was giving up. Allowing Valak to do with him as he pleases.

“Don’t cry little one. You can have him and me. He’s not here anymore, but I possess his body.” Valak spoke with a deep, sinister voice.

Abby couldn’t even speak. Her heart shatters as she sees dark circles slowly creeping in around Leo’s eyes. Internally slapping herself, she pulled herself together. She had to save Leo at all costs. Slowly getting up, her head spined. Her eyes were unable to focus on anything. Blinking rapidly, she fought to keep herself upright.

When her eyes finally focused, she saw that the room was now empty. Standing there, she couldn’t move. He was gone. Valak had him and she had no idea how she was going to get him back this time. There were only two ways to get him out, but with him being a Greater Demon, things may not work the same way.

Galadin came running into the room. “WHAT THE HELL DID YOU TWO DO?” He screamed as he assessed the damage in the room. The wall that had once led to the hallway was now gone. Most of the rooms surrounding them had also been destroyed.

“Kesh got Leo.” Abby’s shaking voice spoke. “And Leo accepted Valak.” Her voice dropped down to a whisper.

“WHAT? Why would he agree?” His voice had come down, but was still loud in the open space.

Abby flinched at his question. Her, it was because of her. “Kesh found Leo’s weakness.” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words aloud.

Realization changed Galadin’s features. Instead of anger, he gave her a sympathetic look. Walking towards her, he took her in his arms. Hugging her as her eyes overflowed with stinging tears. Unable to control herself anymore, she released it all. Tired of holding herself together. Tired of being strong.

The one person she was meant to be by her entire life, was once again gone. This time, they were going to be fighting for his soul.

“He said he loved me.” Abby’s whimpered into Galadin’s chest.

“I know he does.” Galadin’s voice had softened. His arms still wrapped around her in a protective embrace. “The question is, do you love him back?”

Abby pulled away from Galadin, searching his eyes for any sort of deception. She found none. He was being honest and genuine.

“How come I didn’t see it?” Tears continued to stream down her face. Her eyes grew puffy.

“Because you both have been beaten to death by how being in love with each other is illegal. I know the stories of two Soul Keepers falling in love. I’m so old, I was here when it happened.”

An odd look of realization crossed over Galadin’s face. Excitement soon replaced it. Releasing Abby, he jumped up and maneuvered around the rubble. Searching through the wreckage for something.

“What are you doing?” Abby stood and watched as Galadin frantically looked around like a mad man.

“The first Soul Keepers that fell in love were tainted. Their intentions weren’t pure. That’s why the Angel ripped them from each other. That’s why the Concurrence made your love illegal, but that was just a ploy. They were bad apples, but you and Leo are not. What the Concurrence are truly scared of is the power you and Leo hold in loving one another with genuinity and true hearts.” He continued to search the rubble and finally pulled a book free from under some stones. Standing, he flipped through the pages, searching for something.

Abby continued to watch him, thinking he had finally lost it. Galadin walked up to her and showed her a page on Soul Keepers. It didn’t make much sense to her, but Galadin explained.

“Your love for one another is a very old and ancient magic. You are stronger than a thousand-man army. I would place my bet, that your love for one another can help Leo fight Valak from within.” Galadin’s excitement was overwhelming.

“What do you mean?” Still confused by all the chaos.

“Where are they now?”

“I would imagine they are probably back at Castle Dracula.” Abby chewed on her lip thinking of the last time they were there.

“Get ready. That’s where we are going.”