Simone looked about for a weapon, a limb . . . something. There was nothing around. "Try this."
She jerked to hear the deep voice in her ear, and found a man there who had one vividly green eye and one brown one. He was gorgeous and he held a small sword out to her.
Not questioning anything, she seized the sword. The moment her hand touched the hilt, a shimmer of power went through her entire body.
She heard whispering voices in numerous languages.
"Simone." It was her father's voice.
"Daddy?"
"Close your eyes, little one, and we will guide you."
Trusting her father implicitly, she did as he said, and the moment she was blind, she saw everything clearly.
Even the wind was visible to the demon inside her.
Kaiaphas advanced and she parried. The harder he rained blows onto her sword, the easier she could parry them and fight him. The more she deflected, the angrier Kaiaphas became.
"You're going to beg me for mercy, just like your whore mother."
She ground her teeth until she heard her father again in her ear. "Anger is your enemy. Move forward not in anger, but with purpose."
And the moment she did, her blade sang true. It deflected Kaiaphas's thrusts and planted itself deep within his demon's heart.
"That is for my mother," she said, her eyes tearing. "And for my baby brother whose future you took. Burn in hell, you son of a bitch." She snatched her sword out of his chest, twisting it as she did so.
An instant later, he burst into flames. His cries echoed out in the darkness.
Suddenly, there was applause behind her.
Simone jerked around to see the man there who'd given her me sword. "Who are you?"
"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to."
"You're Jaden."
He inclined his head to her in a mocking gesture.
She looked down at the sword that was unlike any she'd ever seen before. The black hilt was tinged with red. Black roses and vines were etched down the blade that curved ever so slightly. "Why did you bring me this?"
"I promised your father peace. I told him that no demon would ever hurt his last remaining child. As Xypher told you, I can't kill myself to fulfill a bargain. I can only provide a means."
She held the sword out to him, but he refused to take it.
"That belongs to your bloodline, demonikyn. Guard it well. A demon's sword is the best protection from others of its kind. With it, you can kill any demon who comes for you or one of yours."
"Thank you."
He laughed. "Don't thank me. I do nothing that I haven't bargained for."
He started to fade.
"Jaden, wait!"
He solidified in front of her.
Simone tried to speak, but words wouldn't come. She wanted to ask about Xypher and yet she couldn't.
"He gave himself up for you," Jaden said in a stoic tone. "What?"
"It's what you wanted to know, is it not? Xypher allowed Satara to kill him in exchange for her word that she would leave you alone. He gave up his vengeance to keep you safe."
"No, he took his vengeance."
Jaden placed a hand on her shoulder, and there in her mind, she saw Xypher in Kalosis. She heard the words spoken clearly and she watched as he died in Katra's arms.
"No!" she cried, unable to bear it. "You have to help him."
"There's nothing I can do."
"You make deals. Xypher said you have the power to do anything. Anything."
"What are you suggesting?"
"If you free Xypher from Tartarus, you can have my soul."
"Do you understand the bargain you're making? Once I take your soul from you, you are the property of whoever I give that soul to. You will be a bound demon, subject to the whims of your master. No will of your own. No future. Nothing."
"I don't care. Xypher died for me. I can't have him punished for that."
"He died to keep you safe."