Balor (Balor’s Saints MC #1)

Chapter Nine

Balor

The intel I’d received said Thaddeus Kline and his followers were using an old plantation home outside of Darkwood. The place hadn’t been hard to locate. We’d arrived under the cover of night. The house loomed before us, dark and foreboding. Ominous shadows clung to the walls, flickering torchlight casting eerie patterns. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their movements methodical. I could feel the dark magick in the air, thick and cloying, like a heavy fog that settled over everything.

Ben tilted his head as he used his enhanced senses to pick up on conversations and movements the rest of us might miss. “They’re talking about a ritual. I think Thaddeus is going to sacrifice Belladonna’s child to strengthen his magick.”

I clenched my hands, the familiar rage building inside me. Like I’d ever let that fucking happen. “What else did you hear?”

“There are at least a dozen guards. I can also hear chanting farther inside the building. It’s faint, but it’s there.”

I opened up my senses and tried to discern exactly what we’d be walking into. I sensed more people, some with weapons in addition to their magick. And farther inside, a room that felt… wrong. Almost as if it had been tainted by something.

“We’ll have to split up to hit them all at once,” I said.

Jackson snorted. “Or you could wait a moment. We’re in the south near a plantation. Give me a few minutes and you’ll have a large army at your disposal.”

I glanced around. “Confederate and Union soldiers?”

He shrugged. “Among others. I also sense Native American remains, some slaves, and there’s a family cemetery behind the house with generations of the family just lying beneath the dirt.”

I winced. The thought of raising slaves felt wrong on so many levels. Those people had suffered enough already. Same for the Native Americans. “Is it possible to only raise the soldiers?”

Jackson’s eyebrow rose. “Fine. If that’s what you want. It will add about thirty people to our numbers. If I had to guess, this plantation was used as a hospital ward during the Civil War.”

“What about animals?” Clay asked.

“A lot of sheep.” Jackson grinned. “But there are also wolves, mountain lions, a few bear, and…”

He tipped his head to the side as if trying to reach out to those under the soil. I waited, hoping he’d continue. Jackson closed his eyes and took a breath, then started to chant under his breath. His hands glowed as he held them out over the ground, and a green light suffused the earth beneath our feet and shot out in every direction.

The ground began to rumble, and soon bodies -- both human and animal -- began to rise. I blinked when I saw some bison joining the misfit undead army. I also saw three herds of deer, even though I wasn’t sure what good they’d be. In the distance, I heard screams and knew the necromancer had also raised bodies around the house and the guards had spotted them.

“Find the person responsible!” someone yelled. Possibly Thaddeus.

“What are these? Zombies?” someone else asked.

I glanced at Jackson, who merely winked at me. “These undead aren’t going down unless either I do, or if I give them the command to rest again. And as you commanded, I left the slaves and Native Americans alone.”

We breached the gates of the plantation and surged forward, with Clay shifting into his bear form. Ben’s fangs flashed in the moonlight, and an unholy glint entered his eyes. Looked like it was going to be feeding time for him. I just hoped he didn’t bring any of them back as vampires. That was the last thing we needed.

I’d wanted to leave Belladonna behind, but as she’d pointed out, being alone would put her in greater danger. So she stood beside Collin, tossing spells at her ex-coven members, and keeping up with the rest of us. I felt proud of her, and a little worried at the same time. Her confidence was still lacking, but I knew only time could improve it.

Jackson’s army couldn’t be taken down by the coven’s spells, and they charged forward. The soldiers used their bayonets or swords, for those who had been officers, to stab or slash at the witches. I eyed Belladonna, wondering how she felt essentially seeing her family dying before her very eyes. Except, when I looked, she was gone.

I scanned the area, my heart rate increasing. No matter where I turned, I couldn’t find her. What the fuck had happened? She’d been right there just a moment ago.

“What’s wrong?” Collin asked, coming up beside me.

“I can’t find Belladonna.”

“I was taking down a witch and when I looked up, she’d vanished. I thought she’d gone after someone.”

I wanted to yell at him, but I knew how things could get in the heat of battle. He hadn’t lost track of her on purpose. “Find her!”

Collin looked around. “I’m on it.”

I focused on the battle at hand, but it seemed as if it was going a little too well. This was easy. I’d heard this coven was a force to be reckoned with, but they were dropping like flies. Something was wrong.

Collin came back after several minutes. “No one has seen her, and there’s something else.”

“What?” I asked.

“Tracks going off into the woods. I think someone may have snatched Belladonna and run.”

Fuck ! I yelled out to be heard over the chaos. “Finish this! And finish it now!”

“Decoy?” Collin asked.

“Yeah, I think so. I don’t believe Thaddeus planned to fight us fairly. He took advantage of this fight to get what he really wanted, and I’m sure he took his heavy hitters with him. These witches are just cannon fodder.”

* * *

Belladonna

I fought against the restraints, my body twisting and straining as I tried to break free. The bindings dug into my flesh, and I could feel the bruises forming. It didn’t stop me from struggling. I refused to give up, refused to let him win. My father might have me now, but I wouldn’t remain here. One way or another, I’d escape.

If only he hadn’t used binding magick that blocked my abilities.

My fiery red hair clung to my cheeks, damp with sweat. I panted as I tried to wrench one wrist free. All I managed to do was make the restraint cut deeper. I’d been so close to freedom, to safety. And now…

I swallowed hard. I wouldn’t cry. Couldn’t show any weakness. He’d pounce on it, use it to his advantage. No, I had to be strong. For myself, for Balor, and most of all, for the child growing inside me.

“You thought you’d escape me? That I’d let the last remaining Kline female slip through my fingers? You may be worthless to me, but I’m sure someone would think you’re an excellent broodmare. You have the magick from my family in your veins, after all.” My father’s voice was edged with a growl. “Where did you think you’d go, Belladonna? You don’t have any friends, and you’d never make it on your own. You were raised in a coven. You need others to survive.”

“I was doing just fine without you.” I straightened my spine and met his gaze. I wouldn’t let him see my fear. If he knew how terrified I was, he’d use it against me. He was the master of cruelty and delighted in causing pain. I’d had a small taste of freedom, and I never wanted to go back.

My father’s mouth flattened into a harsh line. “You will marry Eric. You’ll have a proper warlock’s child.”

I knew he didn’t really care about that. What he wanted was the power of being tied to the Night’s Bane Coven. It was power my father was after, and nothing more.

My stomach churned, and I swallowed hard. “I’d rather die.”

His lips curled up in a cruel smile. “A possibility. I have two warlocks examining the spells placed on you. If they can’t strip the mage’s taint from you, then you will perish. Eric won’t want you if you carry the child of another, especially one that isn’t a newarlock.”

I thought of Balor, and my heart ached. He was a good man, even if he might have some darkness inside him. Despite the rumors, he hadn’t hurt me. My father had done far worse in the name of loving me. I’d take Balor’s firm hand over my father’s cruelty any day. And why was he acting like my baby was an abomination? The prophecy said our child would be the most powerful in centuries, possibly ever.

My father knelt and grasped my chin, forcing me to look at him again. “I will find a way to salvage this mess you’ve made. You will become the good little witch I’ve trained you to be. I don’t care what I have to do to make that happen.”

“You’re wasting your time. I’ll never marry Eric. I’ll never marry anyone you pick for me. I refuse to spend the rest of my life in this coven, or any other associated with you.”

His smile sent a shiver down my spine. “We’ll see.”

My father crossed the room and pushed the door open wider. I turned my head and stared at the ceiling. The door shut with a loud thud and the lock snicked into place. I didn’t know what he hoped to achieve. No one would dare defy him. He had everyone convinced he was all-powerful. They didn’t know he’d been bleeding the other witches dry to increase his own power. He’d drained my mother and would likely kill her. I had no doubt he’d do the same to me if he thought it would make him stronger.

I considered the precious life growing inside me. “I’m sorry, little one. I’ll find a way to keep you safe. I promise.”

The door opened, and I tensed. My father would find a way to force me to do what he wanted. I heard the click of heels on the stone floor and wondered if one of the witches had come to mock me. Or maybe Eric wanted to see what he’d claimed as his own. I turned my head and froze. Anne-Marie stood just inside the door, her eyes wide in shock.

She’d been my childhood friend, but I’d known the moment I fled she’d never forgive me. She wouldn’t understand why I had to leave. I knew she’d take it as a personal insult. She’d always been a bit… temperamental.

“I didn’t realize you’d returned to the coven,” she said, her voice trembling.

“You mean, you didn’t realize I’d been dragged here and restrained. I didn’t come here willingly.”

Her gaze swept down my body, and her eyes widened. Shit. She’d sensed the baby. “Who?”

I knew what she was asking. “Does it matter? I’ll never marry Eric. If my father wants to kill me, then so be it. I will never be anyone’s slave again.”

Her lips thinned, and she took a step closer. “How? I thought you were… How could you betray your coven, your intended?”

I snorted. “He’s not my intended. I never agreed to marry him. As for the coven, you can have my place. I’ll gladly step aside if it means I never have to see any of you again. I fell in love with a man who doesn’t force me to do things I don’t want.”

She winced. “Your father will use the binding spell on you. You wouldn’t be able to get more than a few steps away from Eric if that were the case.”

“I’ll never wear his mark. I’d rather die, Anne-Marie. The child I carry is my husband’s.” Okay, so a small lie. But she wouldn’t know that. “We were planning to have an official bonding and wear each other’s marks, but my father put a wrench in our plans.”

Of course, I was assuming there would be a mark. I still wasn’t sure what a bonding with him would require. We hadn’t really had time to discuss it.

Her eyes widened. “Your father wants what’s best for you, and that’s you being here with the coven, or joining another.”

“I didn’t realize my father intended to use me as a broodmare. If they can’t strip the child’s magic from me, and purge this baby, then I’ll be dead in a few weeks. Maybe sooner.”

Anne-Marie’s lips twisted in a cruel smile. “You always were weak. You were given everything. All I’ve ever wanted was to earn a place of honor.”

I arched a brow. Well now. It looked like she was finally going to show her true colors. It seemed my friend was actually my enemy, and I’d been none the wiser. “You want to be my father’s whore? Because that’s what you’ll be if you want a higher place. You think he hasn’t bedded every woman in the coven? He’ll drain your magick, then get rid of you once you aren’t useful.”

She paled. “That can’t be true.”

“Ask your mother. Or one of the others old enough to know what goes on. I’m sure they’ll confirm it. I never wanted any of it. I’d rather live a quiet life than have all of this.”

I lifted my chin, my gaze locking on hers. “I know you envy me, but I don’t know why. I’d rather die than live a life of forced servitude and unhappiness. I want a chance at happiness, and that means leaving this coven. I don’t want the crown. I never did.”

Anne-Marie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a coward.”

I shrugged. “Maybe. But I won’t apologize for doing what’s best for me and my baby.”

She took a step closer, her expression hardening. “Do you know what I’d give to have the life you’re throwing away? What I’d be willing to do?”

I was starting to have an inkling. “My freedom isn’t worth much if I’m nothing more than my father’s pawn. I’d give anything to be free of him. Even if it meant living on the streets. To be free… I’d do anything.”

Her lips pressed together, and she turned to leave. She paused in the doorway. “If you won’t take the crown, then who will?”

I swallowed hard. “I don’t care, as long as it isn’t me or my baby.”

She turned to look at me. “Your baby?”

I nodded. “The power my child has… it’s incredible.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

I shook my head. “I can’t explain it. I just know the child inside me is more powerful than anyone we’ve seen in a long time.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”

I shook my head, the motion making me dizzy. “I’m not.”

Her jaw tightened, and she paced the room. I needed to convince her and find a way to get her to help me. Even if it meant tricking her into believing it would also help her.

“I doubt my father will let me leave, but I’ll find a way to get out of here. I’ll go back to Balor, and I’ll make a life with him. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my baby safe. If you want my life, you can have it. I don’t want it.”

One of her eyebrows lifted. “You’d give me your life?”

“You want the crown. You want a place of power in the coven. You want a man like Eric.” I swallowed hard. “You can have it. All of it.”

“What are you saying?” she asked. “It’s not like you have the power to hand any of that to me.”

“If there’s a way to give you what you want, I’ll do it. I won’t marry Eric. But you could. You just need to convince him you’re the better choice.”

She walked over to me, and her fingers brushed my shoulder. “What would you give to be happy?”

“Anything.”

Her lips twisted. “Me too. Even if it means I have to kill you and your baby to do it. Just remember that, Belladonna. You aren’t the only one willing to do whatever it takes.”

She left the room without another word. I heard the lock click into place, and I let out a breath. I hoped she kept her mouth shut to my father. He didn’t need to know I’d rather die than remain here, or exactly how powerful my child would be. Although maybe he already knew and that’s why he wanted to destroy them.

Talking to the bitch had been risky. I knew she was only out for herself. Now I just had to hope me escaping would benefit her. If she thought it did, then she’d help get me out of here, even if it just meant causing a distraction long enough for me to slip away.

Had Balor noticed I was missing? Was he already searching for me? I could only hope he’d find me in time.

“Where are you, Balor?” I whispered. I needed him, more than ever. I didn’t think I’d ever escape this place on my own, and clearly Anne-Marie wasn’t going to be of any help either.

I didn’t want to die here or lose my baby. All I wanted was a chance at a happy life, with Balor and our child at my side.

Was that really asking for too much?