Page 84 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

“I dreamed of this,” he rumbled in her ear. “Of holding you, not as a demon but as a man.”

She turned in his embrace, needing his lips against hers, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she stood on tiptoes. Vallen obliged her with a slow, sweet kiss, one that promised to escalate and continue all night. She moaned into his mouth as he clamped her to his chest with one arm. His other hand yanked at the knot of her belt.

“I need you,” she murmured against his mouth. Her belt fell to the floor, and her dress sagged open.

“I know. Even without the binding, I know.”

“Vallen—”

A loud boom shocked a cry of fright from her, shattering their intimacy. Vallen grasped her close as a heart-stopping, shrieking noise followed.

“The alarm,” Vallen said, releasing her. He ran for his sword in the corner of the room.

“W-What’s that mean?” she asked, breathless and pulling her dress shut.

“They’re here,” Vallen said. “Majo and her demons are here!”

Chapter Nineteen

“N-now?” Shumei asked, stunned.

“Quickly, love, you must dress,” he pleaded. “They are at the gate!”

She heard a deep shout down the hall that could only be Rosuke, then his heavy steps as he ran toward their bedroom. Mai called out to ask what was wrong. Vallen tossed her belt to her before attaching his sword to his waist, hands working fast.

It couldn’t be now. She wasn’t ready. There was still so much she had to do. So much she had to learn.

“Vallen,” Rosuke called. “They’ll come to the front. I’ll scout their numbers. Follow as quickly as you can!”

“Be careful,” Vallen said. Rosuke ran off, footfalls fading fast.

“What is this noise?” Mai called. “Is the enemy here?”

“Follow me. Bring any weapon you have,” Rosuke ordered.

Vallen turned to look at her, hand on the hilt of his sword. He was ready? How could he be ready? They were about to be slaughtered.

“I-I’m not a fighter,” she said, voice brittle. Vallen retrieved her belt from where it had fallen to the floor and pulled her dress shut, then wrapped the belt around her.

“You are. You can do anything, Shumei. You restored my humanity, my magic, my hope. You performed spells I’ve never been able to do myself. You defeated a veteran magic-user in only a minute.” Not caring about aesthetics, he finished tying her belt into a sloppy knot. “You are the light of the Divine One, his champion, and our empress. He has elevated you above all others.” He grabbed her shoulders, looking her dead in the eye. “You can do this.”

Warmth flooded her chest, but it wasn’t magic. It wasn’t excitement, nor was it fear. It was determination.

She wondered for the space of a heartbeat if the Divine One himself hadn’t taken Vallen’s place for just that moment, for she felt uplifted. Nodding once, she followed him to the door.

“Find Rosuke,” she said. “I’ll join you shortly.” Vallen whipped open the bedroom door, sword in hand, and ran out.

She entered the hallway and extended her right hand. Finding the inner wall, she rapidly drew a circle with the tip of her finger. A light followed where she traced, a bit of magic she’d added to reveal the lines and ensure accuracy. The ball of warmth inside eagerly awaited the circle’s completion. As she finished, a crackling sound, not unlike the sizzle of summer fireworks, filled the hallway. A whoosh of warm air burst out from the completed circle, throwing her hair back over her shoulders, and the blare of the alarm faded.

The circle she had just activated overrode the one she’d placed on her brother’s room earlier, and worked much like the barrier charms, only stricter and more powerful. It wouldn’t keep the Foul One’s evil creations out forever, but quite a while. She ran down the hall and whipped open her brother’s door. Oka was awake and sitting up, eyes wide with fear.

“W-What’s going on? Did I have a nightmare?”

She rushed to plant her hands on his shoulders. “Listen carefully. The enemy is here, but the house is safe, so promise me you’ll stay right here. We’ll be fine, but you must not come outside. Obey me in this, please.” She quickly kissed his cheek and pulled him into her arms for a fast, tight hug before running out his door.

“What? Shumei,” he screamed. She ran to the front of the house, mind working overtime as she went through a dozen scenarios in the space of ten seconds.

What if the fighting had already begun? Would she need to help Mai? Should she go after Majo first? Should she think of ways to coordinate the four of them? Or could she let them worry about themselves?