The Blood Bracelets #2: Demon Born

Chapter One

The monsters were never

under my bed.

Because the monsters

were inside my head.

I fear no monsters,

for no monsters I see.

Because all this time,

the monster has been me.

"Monsters" – Nikita Gill

Kael stumbled through the Doorway, the backpacker's reception unfolding around him and as he swept his gaze across the room the first thing he saw was Zed.

Kael shouted wordlessly, leaping over one of the couches to reach Zed's side. There was a spear lodged into Zed's shoulder to pin him to the wall, and it was made entirely of hewn rock. Kael hesitated for just a moment before he grabbed the spear, bracing Zed with his other hand, and ripped the spear out of Zed's shoulder.

Zed woke with a growl, his eyes snapping open from the pain. Kael eased him to the ground and knelt in front of him.

'Where's Taryn?' Kael asked.

Breathing heavily, Zed shook his head. 'She's gone, Kael.'

'Gone?' he said, hoping he had heard wrong.

Before Zed could explain, wind surged through the lounge and Kael ducked his head against the gale. He didn't need to check for any open doors or windows, instead he glanced over his shoulder to see another Doorway peeling open against the wall beside the front door. Julius stepped through, looking grim, and the Doorway sealed behind him.

Kael turned back to Zed, finding an apology written in his expression. 'Taryn is gone. The Alchemists took her.'

Deep down, Kael had already known. That didn't stop understanding from crashing over him, like a tidal wave that couldn't be outrun. Had it been his fault? If he had let Taryn come with him, kept her close, would she still be here now?

He had played right into Asina's hands.

Julius appeared at Kael's side and clasped a hand against his shoulder. 'We didn't see this coming, Kael. It wasn't your fault,' Julius said, as if he had read Kael's thoughts. He looked to Zed as he knelt down and added, 'All right, let me have a look at this wound.'

Kael cast a glance across the lounge once again, though aside from the damage to the wall behind Zed the place was unscathed. 'Wait, where's Coranna?' he asked.

Zed grimaced. 'You're kneeling in her.'

Kael jerked backward to see a pile of ashes scattered across the floor and, now, on his knees.

'I'm fine,' Zed grumbled, pushing Julius away from him as he stood. 'Don't be sitting there moping, Kael. You don't have time for that, and we can't let the Alchemists get away with this.'

Kael steeled himself and stood as well, gingerly brushing the ashes off his knees. 'Where's Ace and Eljae?'

'I don't know,' said Julius. 'I went back for them but they were gone. I fear the Alchemists may have taken them too.'

'Bastards,' Zed groused.

Kael turned to Julius. 'Did you know about Seth?'

Taken aback, Julius replied, 'What about him?'