Demon Bound: The Camelot Archive - Book One, R Nicole [top romance novels .TXT] 📗

point that gives an unobstructed view of Camelot.”

Unobstructed, eh? I had a fair idea where a lookout point like that might be. Trent and I had stood there during our first patrol—the same night the Dark captured me—and we’d argued about the impending doom I felt and his annoyance at my sour attitude. It seemed so long ago, but I knew that’s where we’d find the Balan.

“C’mon,” I said, “I know where he is.”

“See? I knew you’d come along in leaps and bounds when you put your mind to it.”

Now that we knew the city was free of demonic invaders, I sprinted through alleys and lanes, vaulting over fallen statues and crumbling walls. Reaching the outer wall, I leapt into the air, using a burst of Light to propel me to the parapet.

Elijah landed next to me and let out a low whistle. “We need to do that more often.”

“I’m just glad I haven’t lost my edge.” I looked out across the Clee Hills and pointed to the rise where Trent and I had stood the night this all began. “There.”

Elijah peered over the wall, scoping out the ground below. “Ladies first.”

“Coward.” I grinned and jumped over the parapet, landing at the bottom on a cushion of Light.

Elijah hit the ground a little heavier but made it in one piece.

“Show off,” he said.

“Keep your voice down,” I hissed. “Sound carries out here.”

We worked our way up the hill together, concealing ourselves as best we could from the bright moonlight. Large stretches of open ground made it difficult, but we climbed the rise without being seen.

It wasn’t long before I felt something Dark ahead of us. Whether it was my newfound abilities making me sensitive, I didn’t know, but I was thankful for the early warning system.

I dragged Elijah behind a boulder, lingering out of sight of the demons above.

“Bingo,” he said. “Told you so.”

I peeked around the edge of the rock. The Balan stood at the top of the rise, flanked by two inky black shadows, bare chested with his arms outstretched. In the crystal moonlight, I could see the blood dripping down his torso, red smeared in a circular pattern over his rotting flesh.

“Is that…” I began, hoping it wasn’t what I thought it was.

“A sigil,” Elijah confirmed. “Carved into his chest.”

I shook my head. “That’s seriously messed up.”

“It’s also a huge problem. That’s the ritual we need to stop.”

The sigil was linked to the Balan, which meant the only way to sever the bond was to kill him.

“I’ll say,” I drawled.

“I guess you have to take your new abilities out for a test drive.”

I shook my head. “We need Wilder.”

“The king hasn’t come down from his castle,” he drawled. “I’m not relying on Excalibur’s arrogance to save us, Madeleine.”

“Something’s wrong with him because he wouldn’t leave Camelot exposed like this.”

“We don’t have time to go searching for the guy,” Elijah snapped. “If that Balan finds what he’s looking for, we’re screwed.”

“I don’t know how to use my power. What if I choke?”

“You don’t have a choice.” He held my shoulders. “Madeleine, you’re the only one who can get close without falling under the influence of his ritual. It’s you or no one.”

Some pep talk. I know I’d craved the fight back in London, but now that the stakes were at critical mass I wasn’t sure I had the right kind of dreams. Scarlett Ravenwood—Arondight—was my hero and she’d faced far worse. She’d had faith that I’d become a talented Natural, even after I’d mutated. If she could only see me now.

I looked towards the Balan and his twisted ritual. I could do this.

“Well, then,” I said to Elijah, “you’d better say here. You’re bound to the guy and I don’t want you getting in the way.”

“You mean you don’t want me turning into a zombie.”

I smirked and readied my arondight blade. “Something like that.”

If this was the first stop on the trail to becoming a better person, then I was about to leap headfirst into the deep end.

I took a deep breath and stepped from behind the boulder.

I didn’t want to be late for my date with destiny.

19

I climbed the hillside, my gaze fixed on the three demons atop the rise.

The Balan lowered his arms as he sensed my approach, though the flow of Darkness raining over Camelot didn’t cease. So much for a stealthy sneak attack.

“Madeleine Greenbriar,” he said, turning his black eyes towards me, “I was hoping you’d come.”

“I’m getting sick and tired of you sticking your rotted nose where it doesn’t belong,” I drawled, stopping a few paces away. The sigil hacked into his flesh was even more gruesome than it appeared from far away. “It’s time to take out the garbage.”

“Is that any way to thank me?” he asked, the stench of blood and rot thick in the air. “I gave you the powers that allowed you to save the life of that snivelling fool, Elijah.”

“Demons lie.” I laughed and shook my head. “It’s in your nature.”

“So is death.”

The Balan lifted his hand and the two demons flanking him slunk towards me. I struck, my blade exploded into life, the silver sparks twisting with red flame as cold iron sliced through demonic flesh.

The creatures burst into flame, their final deaths consuming their flesh. Heat radiated on either side of me as I focused my gaze onto the Balan.

I was no longer afraid of what I’d become. It fuelled me in a way I’d never felt before and standing before death itself wouldn’t stop me from getting what I wanted.

“Are you still using that pathetic toy?” The Balan narrowed his eyes. “Madeleine.”

“You keep saying my name like it has power over me, but it just comes off as creepy.” I pointed my sword at him. “I’m not like you and I never will be.”

“You are exactly like me,” he snarled. “Naturals may not have a true name, but the demon we made you from does.”

“Liar. I don’t have a true name.”

“Are you sure?”

“Let them