Ch 30: The Demon Unleashed

"NO!"

Astasha didn't even notice the word escaping her lips, but it was too late.

Blood poured from Bryn's throat as his lifeless body slumped to the ground. To her horror, Cordelia crouched down and reached out, the thick red running over her hands. She was chanting, her eyes closed. The demon's words came to her then; the easiest way to pull power was a sacrifice.

Tears were streaming down her face. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't real. Her head was spinning, everything was closing in around her.

Cordelia stood and turned toward Tasha. Her eyes were like a hurricane, a dark storm on the water raging forth.

Astasha began to struggle against her bonds, fighting with everything in her to break free and escape what she knew was coming. She'd never felt so powerless, never realized how much her magic had defined her strength, and she hated it.

Her entire life she had prided herself on being strong, on being capable of defending herself, protecting herself. She hadn't needed a knight in shining armor. But now, she felt weak, small, useless. She prayed to the Gods and Goddess that someone would come, that Cal, Errant, even Helia, anyone would save her now. Not even for herself, but for all those who could be hurt by what was coming.

But as Cordelia approached her and raised the blade to Astasha's chest, no one came. The knife hovered over her right breast. The Water Witch's chanting grew louder as Astasha’s panic reached its peak. And then there was pain.

She didn't know how deep the cut had gone, but that wasn't what caused her to scream in agony. It felt as though she was being ripped apart, like something was tearing through her. The blast that came from her seemed as though it could have leveled trees, and then suddenly, it was over, and she slumped to the ground, her bonds released, everything in her spent.

There was silence, and then she heard it, a cackle that made her blood run cold and every hair on her body stand on end. She had heard it before. Mustering all the strength she could, she lifted her head, only to wish she hadn't.

Standing before her, naked in the flesh, was the demon. It looked like a man, one that was dangerously handsome, with black slicked back hair and sharp features. But as it turned its hands over, observing them, its skin changed, like an illusion giving way to what truly lay underneath.

Its flesh seemed to rot and decay, before returning to its normal appearance. And as it looked up, the same happened on its face. It was horrifying and revolting, and Astasha wanted to either scream or vomit.

It was then that she noticed Cordelia. The water witch had been knocked back by the force of the demon entering the world. Shaking slightly, Cordelia rose, her eyes wide and transfixed on the demon before her. She dipped her head in submission.

"My... my lord."

Astasha cringed. The woman before her was sick, her mind corrupted. How could she have done this? How could she have released such evil into the world? And now she bowed before it?

The demon turned to her. "You." It stepped toward her and Cordelia was at least smart enough to take a small step back. The demon's head cocked to the side, its flesh mutating again. It watched her and its lips curved in an evil smile. "You did well, releasing me little water witch. And I shall indeed reward you with the knowledge and power you seek."

"Thank you, my lord."

This was a nightmare. A living, breathing nightmare. After everything she had done, everything she had risked and sacrificed, the vile monstrosity she had fought so hard to keep at bay was standing before her, all because of the greed and jealousy of a silly water witch. Astasha was shaking, but from fear or anger, she didn't know.

She was still weak, crumpled on the ground, but with the magic that was binding her broken, she hoped for a miracle. Her fingers gripped the grass beneath her, trying desperately to pull energy, to regain some of her strength. She needed to escape, to warn the others. There was no way she could simply slip away, she knew she wouldn't make it far before she was caught again. She needed to catch the two off guard and put up some kind of shield to hinder them while she ran.

The drugs in her system were starting to wear off, but the energy she pulled was still slightly muted. She didn't know if it would be enough, but she had to try.

Mustering everything in her, she uttered under her breath and pushed herself up, throwing her arms out to cast the spell.

Not even a second later, her back was slammed against a tree, the demon's hand around her throat, cutting off her breath and her magic.

A sneer covered it’s face. "Tasha, at last, we meet in the flesh."

She wanted to panic, to scratch its eyes out, kick and scream. But something in her told her it would only enjoy that, so she set her face with determination and looked into the dead, cold eyes before her.

It took its time examining her. "It's such a pity you decided to go against me." Its eyes traveled down to her chest, her breasts still exposed and blood dripping down from the slash made by Cordelia. "You truly are a beautiful specimen to behold." Its eyes came back to hers as the fingers on its free hand trailed up her stomach, bringing her blood to its lips and tasting it. The sight made her ill. "Then again," it said licking its lips. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't going to enjoy what I'm going to do to you in punishment."

Astasha grit her teeth. She would fight to the bitter end. And even when there was no fight left, she would never give it the satisfaction of seeing her beg or struggle.

Its hold was tight and the lack of air was beginning to make her head swim, but she never broke eye contact, never ceased her glare that bore into the eyes she had despised since the first time they had looked out at her from her Prince's face.

The demon leaned forward and licked her cheek and she tried not to cringe. “Pity, you don't taste like fear." It whispered into her ear. "Don't worry though, it'll be pouring off of you by the time I'm through."

"I do not fear you, I will never fear you, or anything you could do to me." She choked out.

The demon laughed. “Mmmm. So feisty. I’m curious to see if I can make that fire burn like it was the last time we were here together, that is, before I snuff it out completely. I did promise you I would finish what we started and I’d hate to disappoint you my sweet.”

The demon pushed its pelvis into her, and she involuntarily closed her eyes in disgust. "The only fire that will burn for you is that of hatred and revenge." She said through clenched teeth as she opened her eyes again.

"Good." The reply wasn't what she was expecting. "Fueled by that, you may yet be useful to me. Perhaps I'll just have to fuck you into submission first.” Its mouth was close to hers, its breath on her face as it used its leg to push her thighs apart.

"I'll die before I submit to you." She was becoming light-headed, but she held onto whatever strength she had left.

“Oh believe me, you'll be begging for death by the time I'm done with you." Its hand came off her throat but before she could even begin to summon the energy to throw up a shield, it waved in her direction and she was slammed against the tree again, her body unable to move.

She had had no idea what to expect if the demon had been released, what kind of power it could wield. But seeing it first hand now was the most terrifying thing Astasha could imagine. The things this monster could do were unmatched.

Her mind went to Calder, to her mother, to anyone she had ever cared about. There was no winning her fight against the demon. She would die in this clearing tonight. That she knew. It was too strong and she was too weak. But there had to be something she could do to protect the ones she loved, to warn them.

Astasha focused on what little energy she had, on the fire that had burned inside her when she was with Cal, the love she had felt, the joy. She gathered it all inside her and with the last of her strength she sent out a warning to Errant.

The demon was free. Protect the palace.

She didn’t know if it would reach him, if they would be able to defend the castle from its terror. So long as she could keep it distracted long enough for them to do whatever they needed to, her death wouldn’t be for nothing.

Astasha closed her eyes and pictured Cal, imagined their little family living in a cottage in the forest, smiling, laughing, full of love and life. She let herself bask in the glow of how beautiful the thought was, of how much they had loved each other, of what their life could have been had things been different. Theirs was a love unlike any other and she was blessed to have experienced it. Her last thought was for Calder, of how much she loved him.

And then the demon descended on her.