The Billionaire's Enchanted Bride

A Threat Awakens

Originally a sparkling example of modern luxury, Ethan's penthouse today seems to have been created in reaction to a natural disaster. Broken windows abound allowing the cool evening air to saturate the floor. Ethan watched the relic still swaying on its pedestal while seated on the edge of his desk. His heart pounded.

Still, Seraphina fixed her eyes inside the orb under the whirling crimson light. Her voice shaking slightly, she said, "This is worse than I thought."

Ethan stammered then soon his incredulity gave way to fury. Based on what you would define as "worse"? That was left to you. Besides what else could it be calling?

Turning to him, Seraphina had emerald eyes ablaze. Apart from a prison, the relic is a lighthouse. Whatever spell imprisoned me inside must have left traces; today, it pulls attention from objects best left in the shade.

Ethan tightened his mouth. Like other like?

Seraphina's response was cut abruptly when the room rocked from a thundering hit. Ethan swirled about, looking for the noise producer. Under the weight of an invisible power, modern security systems groaned at his office door. The air moved like metal straying and bending.

Ethan said, "Something's trying to get in," gently and slowly, against the panic screaming in his chest.

Open hands let Seraphina push ahead. Her face was obviously hard, but soft golden light whirled about her fingertips. This is a fairly bad spot. Besides the beauty of the orb, we have to clear it.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. Destroys it? Through all of this struggle? It's not perfect, just not ideal.

Furious, Seraphina whirled all about him. Do you mortal like the life you lead? Should that beast go through, it will not only search for me but also destroy all in its route!

Before Ethan could answer, the door let away with a loud cry. It got cold as a large black man walked into the room. Its body shimmered like fog just marginally kept together, and its eyes burned a weird, terrible white. Ethan grabbed for a weapon—anywhere he might defend himself—and the beast caught it with a guttural shriek.

The beast sobbed, sounding like metal, waking me with claws. It turned to fix eyes on Seraphina. Also, you will pay for it.

Rising her hands, Seraphina straightened her shoulders while the golden light around us got more vivid. She takes a stiff stance but speaks gently. "I'm not sure who you are," she said, "but you're quite mistaken if you believe I'm defensseless."

The thing surged fast, its hazy tentacles reaching for her. Ethan instantly turned the closest object—a large crystal weight—toward the monster. It passed just through the object and hardly touched the wall.

Ethan mumbled under his breath, naturally. "Based on reasons, why shouldn't those work?"

Seraphina blasted off a golden blast; the light broke against the beast to push it back. She obviously paid a lot of money for it, but she cried in anguish. She staggered and laboured with her breathing. "My magic: it's too weak," she moaned.

Fast healing, the creature's form whirled and merged as it got ready for yet another attack. Ethan whirled through his consciousness. He solved problems, but he was not a magic believer. Should brute force be inadequate, some other approach must be available.

Desperate rising in his voice, he asked, "Is there anything else that can stop this thing?"

"The Orb!" Managed, gripping her side; Seraphina was "I need time to channel the fragment of power it still possesses."

Turning now to check the relic, Ethan The spinning red light inside seemed to be changing now to fit the action in the room. Graced, he groaned and trailed Seraphina back toward the beast. Give you time to buy."What are you?" asked Seraphina. Ethan was starting to shift already.

He charged the beast, flinging the metal lamp off his desk like a bat. Though the homemade weapon passed in a misty shape, the deed delayed the demon just long enough for Seraphina to climb back on her feet. Her hands rested on the orb; her eyes glowed weakly as she started to chant in a tongue Ethan understood not.

The beast extending aggressively had tentacles. Ethan hit once, then turned straight ahead toward the wall. He clenched his teeth and pushed himself to stand while anguish tore across his shoulder.

At Seraphina, he said, "Keep going!"

A golden light began to slink like vines around her palm from the ball. The monster shrieked gutturally as the light came upon it; its form twisted and turned. It is in action! Seraphina's remarks contained hope and will. She cried.

Ethan had to blink his eyes as the light got stronger. The thing broke off into a black smoke cloud with a last, sharp scream. As the room's air settled, the golden radiance darkened.

Breath fast, Ethan dropped his arm. His voice choked, he questioned, "What the devil was that thing?"

Shaking hands, Seraphina spun the ball. Defender of darkness standing in for those who denounced me.

Ethan shook his head, shock mixed with tiredness. " This just keeps getting better."

The sphere started to radiate once again, dark, terrible purple before anyone could talk more. The face of Seraphina became pallet. She answered, this is not done here.

Time went by, and the ball pulsed violently while the chamber flashed. Ethan corrected himself; he may sink. Anything ahead seems unfit for it.