Chapter 22

This may be a bad idea.

Shivering, Harper looked around the desolate ruins of La Fuego Village about two miles from the slopes of Mt. Fiery. She'd managed to dematerialize here, using her newfound powers. Jared assured her a couple of days ago she could do it.

Unfortunately he failed to convey how weak this transport method would make her at first.

She could no more fight a demon than she could comb her hair.

Leg muscles quivering, she fell to her knees near the ruins of a building. Painted bright turquoise, it stood open to the sky. Perhaps a home, or a store, it was a sorrowful reminder of the loss here.

A child's ash-covered doll lay in the doorway.

The bright blue sky overhead and burning yellow sun belied the grim atmosphere at La Fuego. Here, layers of gray ash covered the ground. Harper shivered, knowing people were probably buried beneath, either killed by the oncoming pyroclastic clouds of fire and ash, or when the buildings they relied upon for protection simply couldn't withstand the onslaught.

A powerful demon did this. Killed innocents and drew power from their suffering. Probably laughed as they died.

This, along with a fierce determination to save Jared, fueled Harper.

Saqara must be vanquished so he couldn't cause any more pain. Couldn't be a catalyst for Jared to embrace evil.

Deep down, she knew Jared was a good man. But she failed to convince him.

Vanquishing this demon might finally bring Jared much-needed peace.

I have coldfire. I am a powerful being. I can do this.

Strength returning to her limbs at last, she stood and stretched as one would prior to undertaking a great physical task. Harper splayed her fingers, summoning her powers.

The air carried the faint stench of Sulphur still and an underlying smell of old decay. Harper's senses kicked in, but so did her emotions. Control your emotions. Jared always insisted.

But it was tough, with the sad, sad energy of this village, and all the lost souls who had only wanted to live out their lives in peace.

Tears sprang to her eyes. This demon must be defeated for the sake of all the people who lived in danger. She knew a tremendous war hovered on the horizon. Her senses indicated it.

Harper drew in a deep breath and heard a rumbling in the distance, like a freight train. Dust kicked up, so much dust she could barely see. But she felt an ominous crackling in the air and the stench of decay grew stronger.

As she prepared to fight, summoning her coldfire, she saw a face rising out of the dust - a snarling face with a red slash of a mouth and pointed teeth. Then a soft pop of air followed. Harper caught a brief glimpse of Jared, wonderful, handsome, strong Jared.

He waved a hand and everything went dark.

With extreme care,Jared sent Harper hurling far, far away to the safest place he knew.

His castle in Peru.

She would be protected there.

He hoped she would stay there until this battle was over.

Dematerializing to the ruins of the turquoise house, he prepared to face the demon. This wasn't going to end well, and he might lose his life.

But Harper would be safe.

Guess this is it, then. Well, it's been an interesting 234 years on earth. Wish it had been longer so I could stay with her.

But everything has to end, eventually.

The ruins echoed with the ominous hiss of a chilling wind as Jared confronted the enemy. Jared summoned his incubus form. His ears flicked forward, detecting the whisper of pure dark energy.

SaqraYazez, his leathery wings outstretched, his red mouth a yawning pit, eyes black as pitch, circled around Jared. Walking on cloven feet, the other demon looked less agile.

Jared knew this was an illusion, to lure in victims closer in order to devour them with Saqra's needle-like teeth.

Amid the crumpling stones, sunlight filtered through the shattered archways, casting elongated shadows dancing much as Saqra did around Jared. More than a display of strength, the other demon taunted him, played with him much as a cat toying with a mouse before devouring it.

Got a little secret for you, Saqra. I'm not as weak as you think.

Jared conjured a super-sized nail file and sharpened one of his bony horns with languid boredom. Saqra drew back.

"You puny mound of flesh, do you think to play with me?"

"Why not?" Jared flicked a hand and the file vanished. "Playtime's over."

Jared raised his hand, power surging inside him. Malevolent energy crackled in the air, as the shadows lengthened. Out of the corner of his eye Jared spotted several lesser demons. The Dark Lord's minions, ready to claim the victor as a new supplicant for their master.

This was more than a battle for power, or even his sorry soul. Harper's life hung in the balance. Should Saqra defeat him, the demon would pounce on Harper and siphon her dry. Or worse – let her live in exchange for an impossible bargain.

Her life for joining the Dark Lord in the ultimate battle to destroy humans and Others who opposed him, and leave the wreckage for Others loyal to the Dark Lord.

"You look pale, Saqra. Napping underground too long?"

Saqra sneered, his voice guttural and grating. "Give it up, Jared. Join us, and Harper will join you as well. You can be together forever."

"The hell I will and in hell? Too toasty for me. I prefer the cold." Jared flicked out his claws. "You can't have her."

"You will die."

Jared laughed. "That's been an inevitable conclusion for decades, you fool. Tell me something I don't know."

"I will siphon out Harper's soul as well."

The words stopped Jared in his tracks. For a moment, confidence fled. "You cannot. A soul has to be offered."

"She will offer hers to me when she thinks it is the only way to save you."

Without warning, Jared hurled a barrage of fiery red energy balls towards the demon, who retaliated with a flick of his hand, conjuring burning red flames that devoured Jared's energy balls. The fire slammed into Jared with the force of a wrecking crane. He staggered backwards, his back hitting the splintered rock wall. Jared glanced down. Moonlight showed an ominous patch of burned flesh.

Mind racing, he glanced up at the demon, who chuckled.

"That's correct, Jared. I used your own feeble powers against you. Every time you throw fire at me, I absorb it and become even more powerful."

Like gasoline on roaring flames. I have no weapons against this.

His mind flashed to Harper. Harper, who stood to lose everything if Saqra won this battle.

Suddenly Jared knew he was going to die. Inevitable. He knew it from the moment Xavier had told him "last chance, buddy."

But never had he regretted it until now, until realizing how much he wanted to live. The thought of losing Harper, spending eternity in the Shadowlands, separated forever from her, pierced his heart.

The thought of watching her die in agony broke him.

With newfound resolve, he straightened, dusted off the ashes of burned flesh from his chest and shrugged. "Is that all you have, you fugly, spineless, worm dick?"

Screeching, Saqra rushed him, tossing more bolts of energy at him. Jared ducked and rolled, managing to avoid them, smiling inwardly. Wonder what got him more upset? The reference to fugly or wormdick?

When Saqra ceased to regain his breath, Jared sprang up and attacked. Surprise was key.

Two bolts of fire hit the demon, nearly knocking him off his feet. Snarling, Saqra attacked again.

The ruins trembled with turbulence as they engaged in a high-stakes duel. Jared, fueled by desperation for Harper, dodged the other's fiery bolts with a dancer"s grace. Malevolent laughter echoed through the ancient stones as Saqra pummeled him with more dark energy.

Panting, Jared advanced, his mind racing. Throwing power at the demon only made him stronger. He must try to get closer, close enough to sever the other's arms, the weapons Saqra used to both draw in power and expel it.

Getting closer meant risking his life.

Getting closer meant saving Harper. Without his limbs, Saqra couldn't siphon away her magick.

The adversaries circled each other. Saqra's black eyes gleamed with triumph as Jared leapt forward, his claws at the ready.

The bolt of dark energy sent Jared backward, smashing into the stone wall. He shook his head, fighting off the agony and burn from the other's fire. Knew Saqra was playing with him, seeking to drain his strength and leave him powerless. Then he would coax Harper out of the castle, convince her to join him and serve the Dark Lord.

I have no real power to stop him.

Suddenly Harper's dulcet voice echoed in his head.

Love is the only weapon we have, Jared.

He rushed forward, swiping at the demon, and ripping at his arms. Saqra screeched, but retreated, throwing bolt after bolt of fire at Jared.

Drawing on an inner reserve of strength, he deflected the crackling energy. But each time Saqra threw fire at him, Jared weakened. Already he could feel his insides burning, his powers diminishing. No way in hell could he survive this attack.

I'm sorry Harper. I'm sorry I couldn't be your champion.

He thought of Harper and love surged in his chest, loaning him strength. He would die today, but damnit, he'd die fighting.

"Xavier, if you're watching, help Harper. Do it as a last favor to me, for your daughter's sake," he called out.

Jared kept tossing all his energy bolts at the other demon. Shockwaves of magick rippled through the air. The ruins bore witness to a battle that transcended the mortal realm.

As the crescendo of magical energy reached its peak, Jared summoned the remnants of his incubus powers.

Suddenly his peripheral vision caught sight of a new arrival – a misshapen shadow that siphoned out all the air, leaving behind a bitter cold that sank into his bones.

Oh damn. Not fully formed, but his presence still powerful.

The Dark Lord.

"Finish this Saqra. Mutilate the incubus and bring her to me," the icy, grating voice demanded.

No way he could fight the leader of all darkness. It was like dousing a forest fire with a glass of water. Still he had to try, for Harper.

Jared tossed a dim bolt of energy at the gross shadow, which laughed and simply absorbed it.

"We came to throw you a lifeline," a familiar voice said.

Xavier! Jared opened one bruised eyelid. Blinding light flooded the ruins. Not only Xavier, the Crystal Wizard, but Caderyn, the most powerful wizard of all.

"You have no power here," the Dark Lord screamed.

"Fuck you, yes we do," Caderyn said calmly, and threw a bolt of pure white light at the grotesque, misshapen form.

It fell back, shrieking and disappeared.

From his position on the ground, Jared laughed weakly. At least Caderyn solved one huge problem.

Saqra advanced toward him as Jared struggled to stand. One last attempt to get this bastard. The wizards watched, not doing anything, like spectators.

"Now, I shall finish you, Jared," the demon snarled.

"I think not, you bastard."

Harper!

She'd escaped the castle. Damnit! Saqra turned to her and stretched out a clawed hand.

"At last. Harper Ashley. You came to save your incubus lover. This puny male cannot fulfill your desires or dreams. Only the darkness can."

He cackled, and suddenly his features became handsome, with flaxen hair and smooth flesh.

A storybook prince, Jared thought dimly. Damn, you really think she's going to fall for Prince Charming? With all that ugly beneath?

Harper flicked a hand at the demon, and a strip of skin peeled back, showing his scaled cheek. "You look better in your real form, Saqra."

The guise of Prince Charming faded, leaving the demon staring at her with black eyes. Saqra turned to Jared.

"Join me Harper Ashley, and join the forces of darkness or I shall kill him."

Harper laughed. "Oh yeah? Well, fuck you and your bony ass."

Dazed, Jared watched as Harper surged with dazzling blue light. She began tossing bolt after bolt of coldfire at the demon, who tried absorbing it, but the onslaught was too quick, too powerful. Saqra screeched and threw his hands before him, desperately trying to deflect the blows.

The blue fire kept sizzling through the air, landing on Saqra and melting his leathery wings, turning them to stubs, He kept screaming and finally collapsed, moaning, to the ground, his chest heaving.

Only then did Harper cease her furious attack.

"Go to hell," she snarled.

When the light subsided, Jared managed to stand upright, his chest heaving with exhaustion and pain. He staggered over to Saqra, giving one last vicious swipe across the demon's flailing arms, severing them.

Gotcha. Try to take her powers now, you son of a bitch.

The amputated limbs writhed on the ground, as if trying still to fling out more power. Saqra's screams of pain almost wrung pity from Jared.

Almost.

A voice spoke, grating and harsh, from below the earth. "You failed me, Saqra. You promised me a coldfire pyrokinetic to serve me. You know the consequences for failure."

The screeching, weakened demon writhed in agony. Saqra and the lesser demons vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only eerie silence.

Gone. Son of a bitch was gone, yanked to the underworld by his master. Have a nice homecoming, you bastard.

Xavier and Caderyn vanished as well. Only then did Jared collapse to the ground. A scream echoed off the stone walls, cutting through the quiet.

Harper rushed over to him, a halo of brilliant blue energy ringing her body. Light versus the evil threading through the heated air. She was cool, blessedly cool energy, dispelling the burning, foul stench Saqra left behind.

Jared's cracked lips formed a faint smile as he reached up to brush a trembling hand against her cheek.

"B-ony ass? Good o-one," he joked, but his voice faded.

"Jared, why did you sacrifice yourself for me?" Tears spilled down her pale cheeks. One splashed on his forehead. It felt like a warm, sweet kiss from her mouth.

"Had to, my dear. You're…worth saving." He struggled to maintain consciousness.

Even if you don't love me, I will always love you. I cannot bear to leave you, be separated from you for all eternity, but at least you will live and be safe.

"T-he world n-needs you, Harper A-ashley."

"The world needs you as well, Jared." More tears. Damn he hated seeing her cry.

"N-not an u-gly old d-demon like me. The w-world will g-get by without m-me." Numbness, sweet numbness overrode the pain wracking him. He could barely feel his fingers as he brushed his knuckles over her damp cheek.

Strong arms cradled him, warm arms that had clung so sweetly to him in bed as they'd made love. "I won't get by, Jared. I love you. Damnit, I love you! Stay with me! Please!"

Blue coldfire wreathed her body.

"Think of the good things, Jared. The love," she whispered.

He gently touched her face. "Love you, Harper."

Harper closed her eyes and the magick flowed into him. Good, healing magick. Jared felt his heart beat faster, his strength slowly return.

He closed his eyes as well, thinking of how much she cared. How much he cared for her.

Little by little, the energy coursed through his body, healing wounds, restoring his body. Finally he felt it fade.

Opening his eyes, he saw Harper still holding him, paler now, but breathing and alive.

Her eyes flew open and she smiled tenderly at him.

"Hey," he murmured, touching her cheek. "Thanks for saving my life."

"Thanks for not dying on me, and thanks for taking on that demon to save me."

He stood, helping her up. Jared gazed down. Human form once more.

"What now?" she asked, brushing off her jeans.

"Home to my castle," he said. "If you wish. I need to take care of you."

He gave her a gentle kiss. "If you will allow me the honor."

At the castle,Harper rested in one of the chairs on the terrace. The air was bright and clear, and rejuvenating, though she still felt weak from helping Jared heal. He fussed over her, bringing her cool drinks and her favorite turkey on rye toast with mayo.

After she finished eating, and sipping the delicious lemonade Jallu had made, a soft tingling down her spine warned her another Other approached.

Harper had learned to discern the feelings accompanying her paranormal powers.

Sure enough, with a soft pop of air, Sonia materialized. Wearing a fairly normal outfit, normal for her, of pink trousers with blue spiders embroidered on them, and a pink checked shirt, her soft blonde hair was pulled up in pigtails.

She rushed over and hugged Harper. "I'm so glad you are okay!"

Harper hugged her back.

"Daddy told me what happened. Jared saved your life and you saved his!"

As Jared squatted down, the little girl ran to him and hugged him equally hard.

"I was scared for you. And Harper, I would have given you my pet spiders to help fight the demons."

Shuddering Harper smiled. "Thanks sweetie. But let's leave the spiders at home, k?"

"I cried when I heard you fought a demon, Jared." Sonia's lower lip wobbled.

"I am a demon who fought another demon," Jared murmured.

"No, you're not. You're a good person, Jared. I know it."

"She is correct."

They turned to see Jallu enter the terrace. Suddenly the old woman transformed into Serena the witch. Serena then transformed into a beautiful woman clad in a flowing green gown, with long red hair spilling down her back.

To Harper's astonishment, Jared stared at Serena and Sonia bowed her head. Confused, Harper's gaze whipped from Sonia to Jared.

"My lady goddess." Sonia curtseyed, a bit clumsily, and nearly toppled over.

The woman smiled and helped the girl up. "Sonia, my dear. Always a pleasure to see you."

The child beamed.

Jared stared at Serena. "Oh damn. Oh damn, it's not…possible."

"It is," Serena said.

Jared's eyes widened. He sank to his knees. "My lady Danu."

Puzzled, Harper looked at Serena. "But, but, you're Serena."

"Get on your knees," he whispered to Harper. "This is Danu, the goddess who created the race of paranormal Others."

Harper stared, google eyed. Her gaze whipped back to Jared. "You tried to seduce a goddess? Are you nuts?"

"I didn't know!"

Danu laughed. "Remain where you are, Harper. I am so pleased with both of you. Rise, Jared."

Sonia went and hugged Danu, who hugged her back. Jared's jaw remained open. Slightly amused, for she'd never seen him flustered, Harper wondered what would happen next.

"I, I." Jared raked a hand through his black, short hair. "I apologize, my lady goddess."

"For trying to seduce me?" Amusement twinkled in the goddess' lovely green eyes. "It is your nature, Jared, but you needed to be taught a lesson. Had you continued the way you were headed, you would have self-destructed."

He lowered his head. "I was miserable. I had lost the only woman I'd ever loved and being with other women was the only solace I knew."

"You did not lose her. You found her." Danu nodded to Harper.

Harper and Jared faced each other. His eyes widened as she gasped, remembering her dream.

Remembering the face in the dream, the man Isabella loved.

It was Jared.

He touched her cheek. "All these years I chose to have my memories removed of Bella, my one true love. And now I know…it's you, Harper. You returned to me."

Harper's heart leapt. "The dreams, you were the man in my dreams!"

"Memories, not dreams, dear Harper."

Danu gestured to Jared.

"You did know each other previously. Harper is the woman you fell in love with all those years ago, Jared. She was reincarnated as the woman you love today, your soulmate. Her powers are much stronger."

Jared's eyes became luminous with emotion as he glanced at Harper. Her palm slid into his for reassurance.

"Xavier was right. My soulmate. Harper is my soulmate," he said.

Harper's grip tightened on his hand. "I never imagined it, Jared. I only knew there was something about you that called to me, in a way I've never felt before. And the dreams I had…"

"Memories." The goddess smiled. "Memories that could not be denied, especially as you grew older and the time came for you to ignite your powers."

She almost feared to ask. "Jared's curse?"

"Gone." The goddess glanced at him. Jared looked stunned for the first time since she'd known him.

"Thank you," he said. "But I don't understand… I found Jallu in the village and hired her to be my housekeeper. How…"

"Jallu is your housekeeper, Jared. But not a human. She is the guardian witch of the village. I reasoned it was easier to keep an eye on you with Jallu in the guise of an older woman. I took her place and sent her to live with relatives she longed to visit for a few years."

To her astonishment, the goddess winked. Harper relaxed.

The goddess studied Harper with a calm demeanor. "You have questions, Harper. About your birth parents."

"Yes. They died… saving me." Her voice quivered.

Danu went to her and rested a hand on her shoulder, her touch reassuring and motherly. Calmness immediately replaced Harper's distress.

"You were a curious child and they tried to protect you, but in doing so, isolated themselves. Had they trusted more, and reached out to Caderyn, their guardian and judge, for assistance, he could have found them help."

The goddess rubbed her shoulder. "He tried his best to find you good, adoptive parents to raise you. Unfortunately, though they seemed to be up to the task, they resented being parents. You deserved better."

Harper glanced at Jared, his face filled with loving concern. "It's okay, Danu. I found better. I don't wish them ill will. Are they all right?"

"They are content." Danu dropped her hand. "You do not have to see them ever again if you do not wish it."

"I don't wish it. Let them live their lives. I have mine." Harper slid her palm into Jared's.

"I still can't believe the curse is broken," he murmured.

"It was all upon you, Jared," Danu told him. "The moment you sacrificed yourself for Harper, the curse was broken. Love is a force of power, but the act had to be demonstrated, not merely words spoken."

Harper's heart felt full of joy. Then she remembered the evil being Jared had mentioned.

"That…thing… that was present at the battle," she began.

"The Dark Lord, ruler of all evil." Jared's gaze narrowed. "He wanted you and your powers, Harper. He's building an army."

Danu's expression tightened. "Dark times are coming for all Others and Skins, I fear. The Dark Lord is gaining power and must be defeated. A war is on the horizon when all, humans and Others, must choose a side for either good or evil."

Resolve filled her. She knew now her purpose, and Jared's. "Then we will be there to help you in this fight. We will be your champions."

Jared picked up her hand and kissed the knuckles with a gentle brush of his mouth. "Indeed."

Hours later,when Danu had left, she and Jared sat in the great hall. Curled in his lap, she nestled against him with contentment.

"Are we going to stay here?" she asked, stroking his bearded cheek.

"For the time being, if you'll have me as your mate. Then we can decide where you want to settle. Or if you want to settle."

Jared took her hand and kissed her, watching her face brighten. "Harper Ashley will you marry me? For better or worse, in human form or not?"

She flung her arms around his neck. "I will. I love you, Jared Griffin. No matter what form you are, Jared Griffin, I know your heart will never change."

He framed her face with his hands, his gaze sparkling with love. "Never. It will always be yours, forever."