Page 122 of Bellamy
“Yes. Your blood was the key that locked him in his cage. The nexus created the doorway in the veil to place that cage.”
“Hoia Baciu has ley lines, right?” Daman asked. “The ‘dead zone’ is where the nexus is located. That’s the source of energy Asa tapped into to summon the demons from the underworld during the battle.”
Lazarus nodded. “Yes. The locals there speculate that clearing is the gateway to another dimension. They’re right in many ways. The nexuses can act as portals to other realms.”
“Ever since the battle, demons and monsters have been attracted to it,” Daman said. “Lycus and his pack have been busy.”
Lycus was Daman’s childhood friend who had been saved by the Great White Wolf, a legendary creature from Dacian folklore. Turned out, all those stories were true.
“Like moths to a flame,” Phoenix said. “Lesser demons can’t help but be drawn to the power of those places. A shame your friend couldn’t join us. The memory of him tearing into our army was a sight to behold. Terrifying but remarkable.”
“Though strong, the wolves would be of little use in this fight,” Lazarus said. “The mana in their bites can kill demons, but only celestial steel can harm an angel, fallen or not. Better for them to stay where they can be of use.”
As we walked, Phoenix’s tail brushed the back of my leg. I peered over at him, and he smiled a little. Our bond was deeper than it had ever been, yet my soul yearned for more. It was like an emptiness in my chest that could only be filled by officially making him my mate.
But we couldn’t join our life forces. Not when the stakes were this high. Since the moment we were thrown together, it had been a constant fight for survival. For both of us.
“We’re nearly there.” Lazarus slowed his pace.
“I feel it.” Phoenix looked at the ground. “The magic here is insanely strong. A maelstrom of pure energy is flowing beneath us.”
The mana in my veins allowed me to pick up on it a bit too, but my expertise was on the battlefield—and in the bedroom—not so much in dealing with magic.
One of the angels cocked his head as a gentle wind blew around him. “Belphegor is close.”
“The trees speak to you too?” Daman asked him. “Gusion had that ability.”
I felt an echo of sadness come from my brother. The fallen angel’s death had hit Daman hard. Maybe because Gusion had loved a dragon, just like Daman loved Warrin. He’d felt a bond with Gusion.
“Yes,” the angel responded. “I possess earth magic. All nature speaks to me. Plants and animals.”
“Same with me,” Daichi said with a nod. “We’re kindred spirits, you and I.”
The angel smiled at that.
“I’m Daichi,” the earth dragon said.
“Oliver.” The angel tipped his head, his smile still in place.
The cluster of trees opened to a small clearing. In the center of that clearing stood a circle of tall stones with a massive tree behind it, the branches twisted and the trunk thick. Smaller trees were positioned around it.
Lazarus turned to us. “We’ve arrived at the nexus.”
“Stones and a tree?” Raiden asked.
“It’s a sacred place,” Lazarus said. “Legends claim the stone circle is the entrance to the Fae kingdom. One of them anyway. The energy here can be used to open any portal. Or to find the tear in the veil.”
Galen stared hard at the circle. His temper always spiked when leaving Simon behind. “Any human who truly believes in the Fae should know to stay away from this place.”
“Precisely. You never know if a faerie will help you or play tricks on you,” Alastair said. “Depends on how they feel that day.”
Phoenix smirked at me. “I’m sure you know all about faeries. You’ve fucked enough of them at Krave.”
I grabbed him by his nape and pulled him to me, our mouths inches apart. “And now I’m completely devoted to you.”
Lust purred in my chest. An agreement. Phoenix was more than enough to sate the licentious bastard.
My demon smiled. “I know. I’m just giving you shit.”
