She made it to the wall by her front closet and turned to see what was transpiring.
Kelly was only feet from her, blood coating her face, running down her chin, sliding down the bones above her chest. She was a skeleton. A wretched vision of death and decay, she sat and convulsed, spitting blood onto the carpet.
Leviathan grabbed Brianna by the hair and dragged her across the floor back to Kelly. Desperation mingled with terror as he brought her closer. Her nails dug into the carpet in a pathetic attempt to keep from getting closer to Kelly. As she started chanting another spell, he clocked her in the jaw. Pain shot up her head, down her ravaged back.
Kelly's eyelids peeled open, her convulsing coming to an end. Her eyes settled on Brianna once again. She looked stronger, as though the bonding was already having a positive effect on her ravaged body. Leviathan's hand was wrapped around her neck, immobilizing her.
As Kelly edged closer, Brianna tasted death.
She could only pray Asmodeus would be spared the sight of her lifeless body.
Chapter Eighteen
Asmodeus flashed himself to Brianna's bookstore, leaving Raum with Kelly. He had a compulsion to see her. The longer she was gone from his side, the more he felt a pull. Never having felt this way for someone, he didn't understand it.
The bookstore was silent as he materialized by the front desk, figuring they had already closed up for the night. Boxes lined the corner of the store, and books had toppled from tables. The open/closed sign faced the wrong way. He walked to the front door and tested it. It was unlocked.
When he slid the deadbolt in place he heard a moan come from the back of the store. He didn't run, he flashed himself to the back hall in attempt to reach the sound as quickly as possible.
Naberius was lying on his side on the floor, his eyes rolled back, showing only the whites. His back was arched as though he were trying to breathe, but not having the capability to do so.
Asmodeus bent down as breath rushed out of his lungs. He'd never seen Naberius in such a condition. His brother was strong. Powerful. It took a lot to take him out.
It would have to be another demon who contained powers from the first fall.
Leviathan.
Placing his hands on Naberius, Asmodeus healed him. The wounds that were making it difficult for his brother to breathe were on the inside of his body. Leviathan had not fought Naberius with physical strength. He had fought with inherited power, searing Naberius's insides, likely infusing him with fire.
It took a moment before Naberius became coherent. His eyes were wild.
His voice was hoarse as he tried to speak. "I'm so sorry. I'm so—"
Asmodeus held his hand up for silence. "Leviathan?"
Naberius closed his eyes in defeat. "Yes."
Panic shook his body as he pulled his cell from the clip at his belt. Before he could dial out it rang. He flipped it open.
Raum was out of breath. "Kelly's gone."
"Flash yourself to Brianna's bookstore. Naberius is in need of assistance." Pain settled in his chest when he thought of Brianna in Leviathan's hands. He might not make it in time. It might be too late for Brianna.
That realization sent him into vicious action. His vision blurred as he flashed himself to Kelly's house. He'd no idea where to look for Brianna. Where would Leviathan take them? Surely not to Kelly or Brianna's house, though that would be the first places he would look. He had no other options at this point.
Scanning the premises with his senses, he could detect no one. He flashed himself to Brianna's, becoming dizzy from his rapid breathing. He palmed his sword as he materialized in Brianna's living room.
The sight of Brianna, Leviathan and Kelly on the floor, a tangle of legs and arms, made bile rise in his throat. More than shocked he had found them there, he roared as he raised his sword, aiming to flay the demon's head from his shoulders.
Leviathan let go of Brianna and jumped back, materializing his own sword. The dog Leviathan had left behind came out of nowhere and latched onto Asmodeus's leg. Leviathan must have materialized the dog out of the garage to aid him in the fight. Asmodeus grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and hurled it out of the way. The dog landed in a heap on the floor, where it lay motionless.
By fending off the dog he had opened himself up to Leviathan's attack.
Leviathan shouted an order. "Kelly. Demon. Now."
Kelly let go of Brianna, who crumpled to the floor. Kelly and Leviathan lunged at him simultaneously. He focused on the demon, allowing Kelly to latch onto his left arm as his right held his sword. He deflected blow after blow from the demon while Kelly tugged on his powers. He couldn't allow her to continue or he would be defenseless against Leviathan.