Chapter 26: Bianca - Burn - Change

Bianca
Burn

For the first time since all this had begun, the anxious stirring in my chest finally began to disappear. Titus really was here, and the uncertainty was gone.

He was going to be safe now.

The dragon was slumped forward, weight resting heavily on his shoulders and knees as his arms were tied in the air above him. He looked bruised and beaten, and I couldn’t imagine what they’d already done to him. And he wore no shoes, while his shirt was in tatters, barely covering him. Besides where I stood, there was no other exit in the rounded room—not even a window. However, in four corners of the space were black, golden-framed mirrors—almost like the smaller, shiny objects that had been in my own prison. And on the floor was a chalk circle running from each mirror.

The ominous glass stood out to me for only a second longer, then my concern for Titus outweighed the eerie chill seeping into my pores.

The brief respite had vanished, and a new sort of fear began to pool at the base of my throat. I rushed through the room, falling to my knees in front of him. I’d pressed my hands to his chest, and I could see his shallow breathing, which was, at the moment, the only indication he was still alive.

His skin was dirty, clammy, and warm.

Too warm.

He didn’t even flinch under the feel of my hands, and my lips parted as I tried to say something… anything.

But nothing escaped.

All I had right now was touch.

My heart raced in nervous anxiousness as I pressed my palms to his face, gliding my fingers over his rough jaw, moving my hands upward as I brushed the fingertips of my right hand over a loose curl that had fallen over his brow.

Titus…

He remained asleep—though, if he were just sleeping, he’d surely have woken by now. Helplessness consumed me as I sought to find the cause of his imprisonment.

Like Gloria, he had smooth, charcoal shackles locked around his wrists. Familiar, even down to the button-like latches nestled on the surface. On top of that, the chains continued to loop further, wrapping around his elbows.

Bile rose in my throat—I’d seen this already.

My hands moved to my hair as I pulled out another bobby pin—I could pick a lock easily.

But I had to hurry.

I stumbled to my feet, moving to grab the chains. Maybe he’d wake up once I freed him and he could break free. Once he was no longer imprisoned, we could—

Fire and pain roared down my arms, the force of it throwing me off my feet and causing me to fall back onto the floor. My ears rang and my head spun, and I grasped my elbows, rolling onto my stomach as I tried to extinguish the flames.

But, thankfully, the wave of force faded as quickly as it’d begun, and I was left shivering in the aftermath.

My hands were still without wounds—despite what I’d felt, there was nothing physical to show for my pain.

This really was just like what’d happened with Daniel Cole.

“Bianca?” Titus’s deep tones echoed through the chamber, and I pulled my hands to my chest. His eyes were sharp, piercing, even despite his current predicament. “What are you doing here? Are you okay?”

It was kind of sweet that my welfare would be the first thing the bruised and imprisoned man could focus on.

I opened my mouth to answer, shaking my head. A choking feeling tightened in my throat, and I wasn’t quite sure what was wrong. I wanted to reassure him. But my words were frozen in my throat, and tears of frustration pooled in my eyes.

My face was warm, and I pressed my hands to my cheeks in shame. I was so stupid. There was nothing stopping me from talking. What in the world was my problem?

I was physically okay now, so I didn’t understand.

“Bianca, look at me.” Titus’s voice was comfortingly calm, but commanding. “You’re going to be fine.” The chill receded, and my hands stopped shaking.

Still, though, this nervous energy hadn’t entirely left me, and I bit the tip of my finger as I took him in.

Titus was staggering to his feet, and his eyes shone with a dark crimson that—if I didn’t know any better—would have rendered me frozen with terror.

A low keening sound began to echo throughout the room as he pulled at the chains.

Instead of being afraid, a strange calmness protected my senses. Titus wasn’t explosive—yet—nor visibly angry at all. However, his muscles were tense—patches of ivory fading close to the surface of his lightly tanned skin before disappearing once more.

His jaw was clenched tight, and he grimaced, grunting once, before turning his glare to the ceiling. The chains on his wrist were lax while he was on his feet, but he still seemed unable to reach the locks or gain enough leverage to break free.

My skin crawled at the thought of touching the manacles again. I didn’t want to get hurt, but I had no choice. I needed to help Titus. I stepped into the circle, standing in front of the dragon. The top of my head only came to his chest, and I touched his elbow.

His tense demeanor relaxed as he looked at me. After a short breath, he lowered his arms, and my fingers trailed over the line of his forearms toward the chains at his wrist, but before I could touch them, my progress was suddenly halted.

Titus touched his forehead to mine and gently pressed his foot over my toes. “Thank you for trying,” he said, and the wave of his breath brushed over my cheek. My heart began to race at the reminder of our close proximity. “But these chains are reinforced with onmyoji magic, they’re not just going to open that easily,” he said, nodding pointedly to the pin gripped in my fingers then toward something across the room.

My gaze drifted across the room—to one of the imposing black mirrors—and a shiver shot down my spine.

“Bianca,” he continued, voice cautious. “Princess. Talk to me?”

My attention snapped back to his—sad eyes bore into mine. I’d never really focused on Titus’s human eyes from such a short distance before, and for a moment I was mesmerized by the mixture of emerald and crimson.

A strange, detached feeling began to wash over me once more: my skin buzzed, and the echo of a melody rang in my ears.

Why now…

Then he exhaled, and the spell was broken.

Titus was chained up, half-naked, and I was basically plastered against him.

The thought should have embarrassed me, in some distant recesses of my mind I was horrified. But at the moment, the knowledge was nothing more than an observation.

I felt numb.

I stepped back, biting my bottom lip as I studied the floor.

Mirrors.

How was it that Finn said that onmyoji used mirrors?

Titus said my name again, and this time there was definitely more crimson in his eyes. The shimmering scales under his skin seemed closer to the surface. “Are they dead?”

I blinked at him, torn between this short conversation and continuing the next phase of my plan to free the dragon.

His voice lowered and mouth twisted, briefly showing off his razor-sharp teeth. “I can smell them on you,” he said, and this time he enunciated each word. “Are the fuckers dead?”

A splash of cold broke through my quiet feelings, and my back straightened.

Smell…

I wiped my sweaty hands over the torn remains of my skirt. Though nothing had technically happened, it was still equally violating. My skin itched with the need of a good scrub, and heavy exhaustion loomed in closer. But I couldn’t focus on those feelings, I would be useless.

I nodded in answer to his question, backing up another step.

He watched my retreat and his brows drew together in concern.

“Bianca, listen,” he was speaking, his voice low and urgent, but his words fell around me like a mist. I was aware of it, but it was difficult to focus. “You need to find someplace safe to hide. Don’t worry about me.”

The first resemblance of emotion stirred at me, and my throat felt tight.

I staggered back another step. I couldn’t leave him. I pressed my clenched fists against my chest, the world swaying in my vision as my gaze darted across the room. I had to help him, but I had no idea what to do.

I couldn’t breathe.

“Bianca…” Titus began again, but then his argument faded into background noise as my attention wavered.

Something warm and soft brushed against my right hand, and my slipping sanity fell back into place. There was nothing beside me, but the looming presence of a particular mirror.

My ears buzzed. It called to me, its presence growing larger the longer I stared. Before I knew it, I’d crossed the room and stood in front of it, and I brushed my fingers over the smooth glass surface.

Although I could see my reflection, I realized this wasn’t glass at all. Obsidian, maybe?

I wasn’t sure, but the dark coolness reminded me of the watch Finn had given to me.

The air stilled, and the strange humming stopped, as my attention remained fixated on the stone. Despite Finn’s accusations that I hadn’t been trying hard enough, I had always made an effort to mediate the way he’d shown me. But it had always been so difficult for me to focus. To shut out my surroundings.

But this…

This was mesmerizing.

Watching long enough, I could even see the glimmer of silver snow drifts scattered lightly across the surface.

The longer I watched, the more the shimmer glowed.

So pretty.

I was tracing a lazy pattern onto the glass, my fingers humming under the stone’s vibration, when the surface suddenly changed. My movements stilled and my breath caught as a shadow moved across the stone, the light pink of my nail polish contrasting with the smokey dark surface, and the last of the world fell from around me.

My pain vanished, as did awareness, and I was alone, falling through the dark.

But I was only left in peace for a moment.

A male’s deep, reverberating voice spoke through the night. “Who are you?”

My bare feet touched the floor—it was uncomfortably warm and strangely soft—and my hair whipped through the hot, dry air.

“What are you doing in my domain?” The question came from directly behind me. I jumped, spinning on the heels of my feet and stepping back.

The speaker was a tall man, even more than Titus, with messy, short jet-black hair and pale skin. His features were sharp and pointed, and he had sanguine eyes under thick lashes. He was wearing torn jeans and a black leather jacket, with fingerless gloves covering thin, elegant looking hands.

He held a sword in his right hand, which was loosely pointed behind him into the red dirt.

He was beautiful, but his appearance and the dangerous attire caused my breath to seize.

“Mu…” He grinned as his violating eyes moved over me, travelling over my naked breast. I should have been horrified—or at least embarrassed—but my skin was beginning to vibrate with pain and there was no hunger in his expression. “What a surprise. You’ve never come to visit me here before. Have you sought me out for another round?”

I opened my mouth, and the words flowed effortlessly from me now. “Who are you?”

The man blinked, his bright grin dimming. “My name is Belial.”

Belial…

The simmering of recollection pooled at my thoughts. I’d caught Damen once talking into a mirror. Finn had said that he was arguing with an Overseer—someone named Belial who resided in the Underworld.

“Am I in hell?”

“No.” He cocked his head and raised his sword, resting the back of his blade across his round shoulder. He continued to eye me in a way that, now, began to reek of curiosity and elation. “We’re not quite there yet. This is purgatory, little fae. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure? Why are you disturbing my work?”

Work…

My thoughts remained blank and befuddled for a moment, as the hot ache in my bones began to grow stronger.

The winds shifted, and dirt and sand lifted into the air around us.

My nose wrinkled at the taste of dirt, and I wiped at my eyes. Then froze—

Dirt.

Memories poured into me. The earthen dungeon where Ada, Gloria, and I had been held. Titus imprisoned and chained. The hand-written spells by the onmyojis and witches, and the scrying mirrors placed strategically around the room.

“You!” I stepped back, hands pressed to my chest, as I gasped at the demon. I pointed at him. “You’re working with them! It’s your fault Titus can’t break free! Let him go.”

“The dragon?” Belial lifted a thick brow curiously. “I can’t do that. I’m only upholding my end of a bargain.”

“Let him go!” I demanded again. Even though my heart was racing furiously, this was no time to be afraid. I had known that Titus was stronger than this. No one could defeat him. Except of course, maybe Damen—least that’s what they said.

Of course, the only way that some pathetic onmyoji could gain the upper hand over Titus was with some underhanded tricks, and by boosting their own strength by using me.

It was one thing to be clever and to gain an advantage using your own skills, cunning, and resources, but this was flat out cheating.

“How could you help them?” I continued, ignoring the warning that rang at the back of my head. I’d grown rather used to Mu’s silent presence, sometimes giving me confidence when I had none, but for now, he was quiet.

Belial worked for Damen, right? I didn’t know what their roles were entirely, or much about onmyoji in general, but how did he think he’d get away with this.

“Damen is going to be angry when he finds out!” I warned.

Belial’s light expression darkened in a blink, and he was over me, hand outstretched as I fell to the ground holding my cheek. The pain stung through me an instant later, and I held my face, staring up at him.

“It’s too late for me to care what Huo thinks.” Belial turned his nose up at me. “I’ve never asked for much, and I’ve been a loyal servant. He’s had every opportunity to give me what I want, and, every lifetime, he squanders it.”

He attacked me. I’d have thought that with him working for Damen, and all that, I’d be fine…

A tentative foreboding began to fill me. “W-what is it you want?” I asked, my voice breathy as my breathing quickened to short bursts.

The dark-haired man pursed his lips, glancing me over once more. This time, I did begin to feel uneasy.

“I have an idea,” he said finally. “The humans only give me a slight advantage in my overall plans. I’ll break my bargain with them, but in return, we work out a deal.”

My breath caught. What was it with demonic creatures trying to barter with me?

I was almost hesitant to ask. “What kind of deal?”

He grinned again, flashing his sharp teeth in the process—a stark reminder that he was very much not human.

“First, tell me honestly,” he continued, that same unsettling smile on his face, “how long do you think you could survive down here in purgatory?”

The unexpected question caught me off guard. “Wh-what?”

“Usually, your little fae ass would be burnt to a crisp by now. It’s always been too much for you.” His mouth twisted in distain. “So how are you doing it?”

“Um…” How was I supposed to respond? I mean, logically thinking, this probably had something to do with my bond with Kiania. But I probably shouldn’t tell him that.

Somehow that seemed something best kept secret.

“It doesn’t matter,” he droned on, ignoring the fact that I hadn’t answered him. “How about it, want to stay with me?” His eyes seemed to glisten against his pale skin, which, silhouetted against the darkening crimson sky, made him even more imposing.

“S-stay?” He couldn’t be serious? “Here?” I asked, looking around.

Sloping, high mountains and cliffs jutted out from the distant landscape, and waves of sand and dust surrounded us. It was barren and empty, with no sign of life anywhere.

And it was so, so hot.

Could I even survive in a place like this?

Besides, the boys might let me get away with a lot, but I doubted they would let me uphold my end of this deal—even if I were to make it.

I wanted to help Titus, but could I make such a huge sacrifice?

A vision of him tied and helpless rushed through my thoughts.

Yes. I could do it.

Sure, my companion looked like he might be a bloodthirsty megalomaniac who had no idea how to hold a sword properly and might cut off his own head one day simply by accident, but there were worse things.

Belial had held his left hand out toward me, weapon still held loosely over his right shoulder and eyebrow raised in haughty expectation as he waited for my answer, and my mouth went dry.

He wasn’t even really asking—he already knew what my answer would be.

I swallowed, reaching toward him and tried to ignore the way the corner of his lips curled upwards. “Oka—”

“What are you doing, Belial?” The sand scattered between us, and, suddenly, a familiar tall woman with long midnight hair stood there.

“Kiania.” Belial dropped his hand back to his side and stepped back, eyes narrowing on the shikigami. “How are you…” He sputtered, face turning red for an instant, but then his surprised masked over with annoyance. “This isn’t your concern.”

I was transfixed by the woman—my heart thundering as a sudden rush of relief washed through me, although there was no particular reason why I’d feel this way toward her.

Most times I’d seen her outside of my dreams, she’d been a white tiger, yet she was a woman now. This was only the second time I’d seen her this way.

“I’m making it my concern.” She moved closer to me, robes swaying as she fully blocked the Overseer from view.

Her words were strong and tone firm, but Belial seemed to find them amusing.

“Really, now?” he laughed. “Doesn’t this sound familiar? The tables sure have turned.”

“And who do you think you’re bargaining with?” Kiania ignored Belial’s taunting, and I shivered despite the heat. “You cannot claim a dragon’s mate.”

I’d curled forward, face to my knees, and my pulse echoed in my ears. I wanted to speak, but the fire I’d been trying to suppress was spreading over my skin, and I could only clench my teeth against the pain.

But it didn’t stop my racing thoughts. Could she hear me now, in this place? Because I really wanted to know…

Was she stupid?

Belial clearly hated Damen, and probably the others. Why would she hand him this ace?

“Mate?” Belial barked out a laugh. “Now it makes sense—yet another ‘prophecy’.” He’d pushed Kiania, and the woman stumbled on her feet as the Overseer pointed his sword in my direction. “Still appealing to humanity’s interest in divination, I see. As usual, you’re up to no good.”

Me? Up to no good? My palms sweat in the heat as I stared at the edge of the blade.

I hadn’t done a single thing.

“I’ll set your dragon free,” he said.

What?

He was grinning madly, eyes shining in barely restrained excitement. “The fact that you’re Jin’s mate has to be eating Huo up inside. He’s so insanely jealous and arrogant. I can’t wait to witness his unraveling. It’s going to be glorious.”

Why would me being with Titus bother Damen? That made no sense, the whole sharing thing was his idea.

Yet…

I’d been growing rather suspicious of that same thing as of late.

Kiania rubbed her arm, frowning at the demon, and his grin faltered as his attention moved somewhere over my shoulder.

“Time for you to go,” he said quickly, mood diminishing. “I’ll collect on your end of the bargain later.”

“But—” The man was delusional. We never technically bargained on anything—Kiania had interrupted the deal.

Before I could finish my statement, I was jerked out of the scene. Pain pulled at my scalp, and this time, when my mouth opened in a scream, nothing escaped besides a strangled sound.