Shadow Warrior

Chapter 14

The element of surprise was long gone. With Valak now possessing Leo’s body, they were going to have a whole fight on a new level. Abby’s determination ran strongly through her veins. Her heat was beating rapidly. This was going to be her only chance to save Leo.

Galadin portaled them right to the front door. Walking through, they found the halls swarming with demons. Upon entrance, all of the demons continue on with their tasks. Ignoring their presence. All but one.

It walked them and greeted them as though they were invited guests. It didn’t speak a single word, rather it motioned for them to follow it. The smell around them was repulsive. Death was here. The pungent odor consumed all of Abby’s senses. A feeling of dread overtook her mind and body as they moved deeper into the castle.

Ascending the stairs, they made their way up to the second floor. Galadin and Abby watch around them for any attacks, but they find none. The demons were too preoccupied and paid them no attention.

Entering a large room, they found Kesh there with Leo. They were talking. Kesh was looking substantially worse than when they had last seen him. Black veins were visible running throughout his body. His skin a deathly pale shade.

Leo’s body looked worn out. As though he hadn’t slept in a lifetime. His eyes were now black and red. All signs of Leo gone.

“Ah, welcome my guests. Have a seat.” He motioned for them to take a seat. Cautiously they obliged. Both uneasy with the environment. “Now, are you here to take me up on my offer?” Valak’s eyes were menacing.

“I am not afraid.” Abby spoke with more courage than she knew she had.

“Aww such a shame. I was so looking forward to tasting your sweet nectar. Leo’s memories of your time together are still vivid in his mind.” His eyes grew darker as his eyes moved up and down her body. Had it been Leo, Abby would have grown excited, but knowing it wasn’t Leo, she felt repulsed.

“I am here to negotiate back Leo’s body.” Abby sat up straighter. Putting on a hardened outer shell. Inside she was breaking, seeing what this demon was doing to Leo’s body. All because of her. Guilt had taken hold on her mind. This was all her fault and she knew it. She was going to have to spend a lifetime apologizing to Leo and making this up to him.

“Why would I do that? What do you have that would make me even consider such a proposition?”

Kesh gave out a laugh. “They have nothing that could possibly interest you, my Lord. Shall we rid ourselves of them and continue on with your plans?” Towards the end, Kesh wasn’t looking confident. Valak’s eyes looked at Kesh with disdain.

“Silence yourself. You are a traitor to your own kind. I will listen to their words before yours.” Moving his eyes back to Abby, Valak watched her with intensity.

Abby was squeezing her hands and legs together to keep from fidgeting under his gaze. It was like looking at the devil himself.

“Out with it. What do you have that would even make me consider giving up this body?” Now glaring at her due to her silence.

Abby was at a loss for a moment. She honestly hadn’t thought this far. At this point, they were winging it. Leo would have lost his mind had he known.

“I would like to offer up myself. Take me and let Leo be. I am of value. He is not. You didn’t say you specifically had to have his vessel, you just said you needed a Shadow Warrior. My family’s blood is what bound you to your prison.”

Galadin was staring at Abby in total shock. She had this as a backup plan, but didn’t tell Galadin. He would have tried to talk her out of it.

This was no thoughtless decision. Leo had a family that loved him deeply. He had people who depended on him. He was important. Abby knew her existence was inconsequential. She had no family, no one who depended on her. Leo’s love for her was something she had always hoped to have, but she would give it up in a thousand lifetimes if it meant he could go back to his family.

Valak was thinking deeply about her proposition. His face was stone, not giving away a single secret as he contemplated her offer.

The room had been deadly quiet as everyone waited for Valak’s response. Valak was unlike other demons. He had the ability to body hop a little easier. The vessel didn’t have to die. However, he had to receive permission to enter.

Abby was positive he was going to take her up on his offer. She couldn’t think of a single reason for him not to. It was the perfect opportunity for him to get revenge on her family.

“I will make a decision, but first…” Valak walked towards Abby. Stopping before her and put out his hand for her to take. Abby stood and took it without question. Resolve fortifying itself in her mind. “I need to taste you my dear.”

His words threw her off. Shock was evident in her face. Her body screamed for her to run. Her skin crawled at the idea of having to have s*x with him, but knew it would save Leo, she would do it.

As if reading her mind, Valak gave her a smile. Something glistened in his eyes. “I would not be opposed to ravaging your body; however, I speak of your blood. I must taste it before I tell you my decision. We can step away if you would like a moment with me.”

“Just take my blood.” Abby gritted out through clenched teeth.

Disappointment flashed in Valak’s eyes for a second before he moved closer to her. Pulling her body up against his. Moving his nose to her neck, he inhaled deeply. Opening Leo’s mouth, Valak bit into Abby’s neck. It was just deep enough he was able to get a small pool of blood forming in his mouth.

Allowing her blood to coat his tongue, he allowed its truth to speak to him.

He was skeptical of the honesty behind her proposition. It would have been the perfect trap. He is able to read blood. Everything in her life would be open to his mind.

The girl had led a horrific life. Having no one and having to grow and show her strength. He could even see the memories she could not. Seeing how hurt she felt as she grew, thinking she had been abandoned. When, in all actuality, her parents had been killed. She couldn’t remember as she was but a few months old.

The people that had taken her in wished to care for her, but misfortune befell them as well. Her entire existence called to dark forces. Hearing the call, they sought her out. She was powerful. More than she knew and since she had joined her soul with Leo’s, they were far more powerful than they could fathom.

Kesh’s plan had back fired. They were able to discover Leo’s weakness, but he also gave them the keys to the world. They were now a force to be reckoned with. At least, they were not aware of the power they held. If they knew how to use it, Leo could kick him out of his body. It would bring him to the brink of death, but he knew Leo after seeing into his mind. Leo would take that chance if it meant he could live a life with Abby.

Worry grew within Valak as he continued to read the story of Abby’s life. They were what the Concurrence had always feared. Valak was around when the first pair of Shadow Warrior’s had fallen in love. Their love was filled with greed and selfishness. Their love was for each other and power.

Valak had sat back and watched as they destroyed the world around them. It was quite comical. Watching his heavenly brother come down from his throne and having to tear the souls from their bodies. The Concurrence was not yet fully established, but what no one else knew was that it was the head of the Concurrence’s daughter who had bonded to her Soul Keeper. The man eventually ended his own life in despair. Never being able to see his beloved daughter again was too much for him. He had raised her to be rotten. Valak enjoyed watching the world from afar when he got bored of tormenting souls. All species have their flaws and weaknesses.

Abby stood absolutely still as Valak broke the skin on her neck and tasted her blood. He lingered there for what felt like hours. Confusion coursed through her mind as she attempted to decipher what he was doing. Did he just like blood that much?

Unbeknownst to her, her blood told a tale not even she knew.

Valak flew back and slammed against the wall. Galadin sprang up and moved to Abby’s side. Both of their eyes watched as Valak’s were starting to clean. Leo’s eyes were peering at them from the depths of darkness.

Abby recognized those eyes. They were soft and loving. They were truly HIS eyes. He had somehow broken through.

Crippling to the floor, Leo’s body crawled towards Abby and Galadin. It would have completely freaked her out if she had not noticed his body was slowly going back to normal.

Putting her hand on Galadin’s, she gently removed it and went to Leo. He was fighting. As she neared him, she could see the exhaustion in his eyes. And the sadness within.

“I need you.” His voice was hoarse. Leo’s lips prayed for water as they cracked and bled. Abby moved to Leo and helped him up. Watching for any sign, Valak was coming forward again. “Let me love you,” Leo whispered in her ear.

Her eyes grew wide. Of all the moments, this was not one for him to tell her. She wasn’t going to let him give up so easily.

Misunderstanding what Leo is trying to tell her. Leo had been awake and aware the entire time. He saw what Valak saw, heard what he heard, and felt what he felt. Leo knew how much Abby loved him now. Her thoughts had professed her feelings for her. Leo knew their power would be strong enough to lock Valak back up.

Taking her hand, he closed his eyes. Focusing on the love he felt for her. Thinking of each moment, he was reminded as to why he loved her so. The way her eyes sparkled when she was happy, the sadness her eyes held when she was thinking of her missing family. The way she looked at him when he was with his family. There was envy there, but never anger towards him. How she scrunched her nose when she was thinking deeply.

A smile danced on his lips as he internally laughed. She was making that face right now. Confusion was on full display as she thought he had completely lost it.

Pulling her close to him, their lips met. Abby attempted to pull away for a moment, but soon stopped trying to fight it. Feeling their love slowly rise. At first it was just a feeling, but soon it got hot. Like the heat from a candle. Burning inside of them. It was their power charging up.

Feeling their souls moving closer to each other as their power grew. Soon enough, he could feel the heat on the outside of his body.

The feeling of being ripped away from Abby, his body grew cold. It was like he had been dropped in the deepest darkest crevices of the world. Leo knew Valak was fighting for control again.

Abby stared at him. A single tear fell from her eye as she saw Valak’s eyes return.

“That’s it, b***h. You’re dead!” Valak screamed. His voice carried and shook the world around them.