His Darkest Embrace (Jaguar Warriors 2)

She buckled over, her hands going to her head as a million thoughts rushed through her brain.

“Ugh,” she whimpered weakly, trying to push away the image of Jagger’s smiling face.

Could she do this? Did she have enough strength to carry through?

Don’t stop now. You’re nearly there.

The words spoken were much clearer this time. Skye’s head whipped up and she felt the earth tremble beneath her feet as her eyes took in the shimmering form that stood on the other side of the altar.

Winter’s kiss fell from Azaiel’s mouth as he smiled and she felt it drip into her body, like shards of ice melting into her soul.

His features hardened and Skye felt the cold inside of her feather outward. She shivered and tried to look away, but couldn’t.

You need to touch the portal. Pick it up, Skye. His tone was cajoling, as if she were a small child who needed guidance.

Irritation flashed through her. No shit, she thought.

Pick it up, Skye, he said once again, this time with much more force. You are the one.

“The one?” she said dully. Skye’s brain felt weird and mushy, and she tried desperately to keep her thoughts coherent.

The one to free me. His voice whispered through her brain like a lover’s caress and he smiled at her, his eyes swirling ribbons of gold and black.

Skye bit her tongue. The taste of copper filled her mouth and she tore her gaze away from Azaiel and settled instead on the disc. It had begun to glow from within and she fought the urge to grab it and hold it near her heart.

It was calling to her.

“I don’t want this,” she said as tears threatened once more and her gaze settled on the demon. “I wish …”

You must finish this. Do you want the legions of hell running mad in the human realm? Can you live knowing it was because of your weakness that humanity was destroyed?

His voice thundered inside her mind and Skye winced at the ferocity of it.

They are like maggots, the demons that live here. They will destroy everything in their path. Darkness will fall upon the earth and only those with evil in their hearts will survive.

His eyes swirled faster still and Skye found that she was mesmerized by them. Every minute that ticked by brought more substance to his body. It scared her because she didn’t know what it meant.

“Why do you care?” she asked suddenly, as if a small crack had opened and let some form of her own thoughts through. “You’re demon. Why are you helping me seal the portal?”

Azaiel stared at her, his eyes electric, and she could feel the rage that radiated from deep within him. It was a tangible thing, thick and meaty in the air. In that moment she had a glimpse of the power that he possessed.

It was unlike anything she’d ever seen before.

His face darkened and the air around him crackled with energy. He paused, visibly relaxed, and she heard his voice in her mind once more.

You will open the portal now.

His voice commanded her and she found herself nodding, even though deep inside a scream erupted. One that echoed in her ears until it fell away, silent.

“Yes,” Skye whispered. She felt strange, like she had no control over her thoughts or actions. “I need to open the portal.”

Except something was wrong.

She wasn’t there to open the portal. She was there to seal it.

“No!” she whispered hoarsely as she shook her head in denial. But it was no use. Azaiel was much too powerful.

The words that were buried deep within her mind, the ones her father had taught her, slipped away until there was nothing but Azaiel.