Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (48 page)

She ran her tongue across her upper lip, an obv
ious invitation.

I stood for a moment, hands in the pockets of my jeans and leaning against the wall casually, admittedly taking in the view myself.

“Damn, you are one sexy assed demon,” She purred and bit her bottom lip, as she moved to the bottom of the stairs with a hand on the balustrade, to pose provocatively, hoping I’d tell her the same.

I took my time descending the stairs on purpose and her eyes never left me, “This is a nice, cozy place. Nice camouflage on the outside too
, and this is definitely you…not a micro speck of dirt or dust anywhere.” She glanced around and giggled.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. You asked me to summon you and I did, so get to the point.”

She pretended to pout, “A little concoction to create a relaxing atmosphere?” She smiled and held up her manicured hand.

She twirled her index finger
, and in the next instant a chilled bottle of expensive wine and two wineglasses appeared on the square coffee table in front of the couch and fireplace.

I pursed my lips and looked at her wryly.

“Whether you believe me or not I didn’t come here as the enemy,” She began as she sashayed her voluptuous figure towards the couch and proceeded to open the bottle of wine using magic.

“I don’t believe that
, but okay then — why did you want me to summon you?” I asked not making a move to join her on the couch, as she poured a deep burgundy wine into both glasses.

             
She laughed a bit and didn’t answer right away, taking her time to pour each glass and then bring them over to me. I eyed her carefully, her movements, her face and her smile.

There was no way I was going to drink the wine.

She handed me a glass, I didn’t take it.

She sighed and downed the crimson liquid in one gulp
, and then drank the one she had handed me in the same manner before tossing them both into the air, to which they both vanished along with the wine bottle on the table.

“Just get to the point Berith. What is it you want to tell me, I’ll decide if it’s worth anything to me,” I told her.

“Damn Cam, what does one have to do to become part of your legion or earn your trust?” She then asked.

“I don’t have a legion and as far as earning my trust, that is something that few have ever achieved
, and your odds remain slim to none.” I then told her as I moved around her towards the couch, still keeping her in my sights.

             
She turned to face me with an almost hurt look, but I knew better. Berith was anything but vulnerable, trustworthy or even sensitive for that matter. She wanted something and I knew what that something was.

She moved over to the couch with me too
, but chose to sit in the armchair as she crossed her shapely legs slowly.

I sat
down on the couch.

“You know since the beginning, I never had a choice.” She then said.

This time I chuckled, “We all have choices.” I stated.

“No, I didn’t. I was enslaved since birth. Brai
nwashed with fear and torture, and then once I was mature and desirable enough physically, I became his sex slave and he rented me out to his comrades when he was done breeding with me. He could care less about his children. There is no bond, and they will all become expendable slaves to him anyway, left to fend on their own or die. I guess I grew on him after a while, because then he began to pamper me as long as I serviced him and brought in the souls,” She then began.

             
She was staring into the fireplace, lost in her own memories as she paused for a moment. Her eyes tightened.

I still wasn’t falling for the act
, but I’d let her speak… as to how long depended on what she wanted to tell me. I didn’t have all evening — I had a date to get ready for.

“I used to be one of his favorites, but his use of me has diminished with so many others he’s been acquiring and all the chosen ones he’s been ta
king.” She began as if in a trance.

“And why do you feel the need all of a sudden to betray him and tell me anything? Feeling threa
tened you’ll be replaced?” I asked with a raised brow.

She blew out a sharp breath and rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she looked down into her lap for a moment,

“Please. He’s too preoccupied with so much right now as it is to even notice. I don’t know — no matter what I do, where I go…I’ll always be bound to him. He owns me and I don’t see any way out. I never wanted to exist in the first place, but it wasn’t my choice. I was never an angel like you or any of the fallen. I was created of darkness and sin, to be a demoness. I’ve never known light or had the option to be anything but this, and all I’ve known was Morning Star, he’s been the one to take care of me. I suppose I have choices now, but I guess I’ve always held onto the hope that one day…” She trailed off, and stopped in deep thought.

             
I remained silent and eyed her this time, trying to read past what she was trying to say or what she was trying to get out of me, which would be not a damned thing.

“One day what?” I replied.

She seemed sorrowful…genuinely sorrowful, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it however, I wasn’t going to fall for it either.

She shook her head, “He’s so confident he’ll have Earth after the end that he’s preparing his own new race of kings and queens who will serve u
nder him and rule the humans that are left. You do know how he’s been able to do it so stealthily don’t you?” She then said looking up at me to gauge my reaction.

I had already known that he was trying to do all of that, which was why he wanted my offspring so badly.

“It isn’t difficult in this era of the human world. Humans are already creating hell on earth as it is for themselves, and have been since the beginning.” I replied.

She laughed, “Then he was never that far off or wrong about mankind now was he? They’re all predictable, generation after generation; century after century.”

“He’s underhanded and never plays fair. His influence is strong, and mankind never stood a chance.” I told her.

“You’re wrong Cam`ael. The only thing he does is put what mankind desires out there. It’s h
umans that greedily take the bait each and every time.” Berith countered.

“He knows the price and the outcome yet he ne
ver puts that out there. I call that an unfair advantage, he doesn’t care about anything or anyone but himself. If you came here to discuss your opinion of his finer points and convince me that he’s not to blame for all of the hatred, cruelty and perverse sin prevalent today; you will fail each and every time, so get to the point Berith and finish answering the question.”

“Humans know the price
— they just don’t care or believe in evil or us.” She smiled.

             
I gave her a look that conveyed I no longer had the time or patience to continue debating why Morning Star was the vilest, hated, despicable and obscene entity on the face of the universe.

She read the look accurately as she continued on with a sigh, “Well, mostly it’s been through m
usical venues or any event where many people can and will gather. Sporting events, Olympics, political rallies, the Oscars, music award shows…you name it. He’s plants his gatherers among them, and then opens a waiting portal nearby. Most people venture through willingly, they aren’t necessarily kidnapped.” She then said.

“Bullshit, you mean deceptively and unwittingly venture through. So that’s his plan this time around again then,” I more stated than asked.

“It’s worked, and so far as I know.” She smiled again.

“I’m not one to be misled Berith
, and I am a sole believer in revenge and the hunt to get it, remember that,” I warned her with a hardened and serious expression. I meant every word and she knew it, she knew me.

She pursed her full red lips and a slight wrinkle furrowed her brow.

“I wouldn’t do that to you Cam. I really do like you.” She then said.

             
I puffed out a breath of sarcasm, not even wanting to address that and go there. This conversation and meeting had gone on way too long already.

“Do you know anything about a rogue legion? Does the name Toraen in particular ring a bell?” I then asked her.

She pursed her lips and sighed, shaking her head no.

“There are many rogue legions Cam`ael
, you know that. If you want me to try and find out for you though, I can.” Berith offered.

“I’m not asking you to so don’t expect the favor returned.” I told her flatly.

“Consider it a gift then. Because he’ll find out eventually; he’ll know that I’ve met with you and what I’m about to tell you, and you know what will happen then…” She trailed off looking into the fire again.

“So why are you risking yourself now?” I then asked.

She stared off into space for a moment, it was hard to read expression on her face but I took it as indifference and sadness and I was curious now.

“Because I’m tired and I’ll be dispensable once he’s achieved his goals.” She finally softly r
eplied.

I could respect and understand that.

“What makes you so sure he will?” I asked.

She shrugged a shoulder.

There was a bout of silence. I was still trying to figure out her motive.             

             
She began to stroke the front of her calf slowly as if to draw my attention to it, and I did look but it didn’t spark arousal; at least not with her anyway.

I thought o
f Star.

“Edanai must have some strong power over you.” She then smiled.

I gave her a weary look, and I would neither justify nor deny that statement.

Then she leaned forward with an elbow on her knee
, and an even bigger smile.

“I don’t understand why she’s never liked me.” She then said with a quizzical expression.

She couldn’t be serious, I thought to myself.

“I’d steer clear of her if I were you. She’ll rip you apart, don’t underestimate her.” I warned Berith.

“I’m not afraid of Edanai. I’ve never done anything to her. If she wants to fight me tell her to summon me and bring it on,” Berith said, and then she cut her eyes to me again with another wide smile.

             
Females were all alike, mortal and immortal I thought to myself, and I wasn’t about to get in the middle unless Edanai were truly in danger.

“Oh. I know. It’s the girl isn’t it? She’s very pre
tty. A little on the fragile and petite side, but then again some of the smaller divine chosen have proven to be some of the most deadly, and she definitely has the will and tenacity. The fact that you’re drawn to her like many others doesn’t surprise me in the least but if she makes it to be rebirthed, what then? She’ll have no memory of this life, and she may be the one who ends up killing you.” Berith then asked and commented.

I looked at her then. Hearing her even speak of Star and reminding me of that fact
, instantly made me wary and then angry, but I knew it wasn’t a secret. There were way too many spies out there and I had already known that.

“What do you mean if?” I raised a brow.

Berith laughed a bit and then she eyed me this time, “The deal you made him, exchanging her for the other two; I was pretty sure you were bluffing, but if you weren’t…don’t do it.” She then said with a serious tone.

She had my attention now.

“How did you know about that?” I asked.

“I’ve mastered eavesdropping quite well when it comes to him. How do you think I know things? It’s one of many advantages I’ve acquired from being with and around him for so long.” She smiled.

I could see this as advantage for our legion too, if I could trust Berith at all.

“Really? Well in that case, how many has he managed to convert to dark divines?” I then asked.

“He has quite a bit, though I don’t know an exact number.” She said.

“Guess.” I flatly told her with a serious and hard expression.

She sighed and shook her head, “I don’t know, I could say maybe a few hundred.”

“A few hundred?” I repeated.

It wasn’t anywhere near as much to match the number of divine chosen, but a few hundred was more than enough when it came to Morning Star.

“More or less
, but he’s going all out to train them too.” She pointed out.

“Where is he training them?”

“That I don’t know. He’s real secretive and careful about mentioning that.” Berith answered.

I wasn’t sure to believe her answers
, since she answered them so easily like a recruit would to a drill sergeant, but for now I would take her word for it because it sounded exactly like Morning Star.

“Which one of the bands playing tonight are dark divine ones?” I finally asked.

She looked at me, and after a long pause she finally answered, “All but three.” She then said.

             
My pulse quickened at the mere thought. That was the entire line up. Morning Star had a good amount of them already.

“What are their names?” I asked scooting to the edge of the couch now.

“Cam, I didn’t come here to give you that information.”

“That’s the information I wanted.” I told her.

“And that’s the least of your worries, believe me.” She replied.

I narrowed my eyes at her, “Then what did you want to tell me?” I said becoming agitated as I stood up again.

              Berith stiffened and sat up straight, a slight gasp escaped her lips as she stood up quickly then too, which alarmed and put me on instant guard. I listened, cocking an ear to pick up any sound and focus on any scents and signatures nearby and outside.

“What is it?” I asked her.

She seemed terrified and she almost began to tremble.

“I have to go.” She mouthed silently.

I wasn’t so sure this wasn’t an act.

“Wait! What did you need to tell me?” I asked her grabbing onto either side of her arms.

Her eyes were round with fear, and a trickle of dark fluid began to run down the side of her temple.

She had gone mute.

She shook her head almost in a panic, but I wasn’t going to let her go.

“He’s summoning me!” She shrieked in a low whisper.

“Don’t answer!” I told her.

Her pulse quicken
ed and her body was rigid, “I…have…to!” She said.

I’d never seen Berith like this.