Grace Unchained (Bloodrite Book 1) Read online

  Lucifer grinned. She was smart and pretty. A perfect match for one of his boys. A short nod came from him to the group. “That’s it?” Lucifer quirks a brow.

  She nods, then makes a little gasp. “I hoped that you could also bespell me? Make it so he cannot find me, no matter where I end up. Imp has a way of finding me I can never understand.” She wraps her arms around her middle. “I want to feel something I have never felt.”

  “And that is?” A low-timbered voice rumbles and echoes, though, from the look on his face, it had not been his intention. He was wider than any other at the table, thick but not obese. His hair was dark, messy, and framed his spectacular blue eyes. Grace could not reason what he may be but thought he looked strong as a bear or maybe an ox.

  “Safe and…Loved.” The words come at a level no human could have heard, but these were not humans, and the large one stood. Those three little words broke his heart.

  Grace swallows as he approaches from the dais. The fact that she did not shirk impresses Lucifer, though he could not contain his chuckle when a squeaky yelp escapes her as the behemoth lifts her into a full-body contact hug.

  “Ursa,” Olle scolds, but the male does not listen, just sits back in his chair with the clearly scared and confused girl in his lap. He holds her close and just mutters and coos intangible things at her.

  “Well, it would seem another of us has made up their mind,” Lucifer grumbles. He, too, would agree, but the way Ursa seemed to usurp the situation had him acting otherwise.

  Ursa growls lightly. “She is so little and needs safekeeping,” he pulls her in tightly, and unable to fight, Grace takes comfort from him and allows herself to nestle into his large, strong arms.

  “Wolf…no bear,” again with the outward thoughts.

  Ursa smirks, “Was it my name?”

  Grace grins, and her face lights up. “No. This—the way you hold me- is like a big bear hug.”

  “Have you had much experience with the hugs of bears?” He asks.

  Her smile was wide but solemn. “I had a bear once, before the upheaval. I found her in the woods. Called her Bella, she was—my friend. Hunters killed her mother, my father sent them packing, and I took Bella. Once she got too big, she lived in the woods. She was wild around my family. They weren’t exactly bad people, but she was kind, gentle, and always gave me hugs. I was sad when she went poof.”

  “Went poof?” Olle asked, and Grace nodded.

  “Yes, when the bombs came, Bella covered me as my house was blown up. Then she was gone, and I was alone—mostly,” Grace said softly, a far-off look in her eyes.

  “How old were you when this happened?” Lucifer asks, and Grace jumps, lost in thoughts.

  She blinks at him, “I was ten when the first bombs were dropped. The day of the great exposure, as many call it now.”

  Twenty-five years ago, the paranormal world had revealed itself to humans. This had shaken the foundation of the natural world as most saw it. World leaders, influential people, and well-known voices came forward as non-humans. It split the world. There were those for integration, those against, and those that just wanted to watch the world burn. Like most that fear do, humans thought that they would be enslaved. This thought made little sense to Grace as it had not happened to that point. Why would it once the world was aware?

  War ensued, and missiles were pointed by those with codes. Fortunately, before it could go nuclear and burn it all down, the Councils were formed, and a truce, however shaky, was forged.

  As far as Grace understood, there are still violent factions on both sides, but the peace holds. When things get too out of hand, sides police their own. While the paranormal lives were hardly scathed, none wanted another upheaval.

  “How did you live alone so young?” Ursa stroked her new pretty hair, looking at Olle. He knew the angels work well.

  Grace smiles, “I had a friend in the town nearby for a time. Her family took me in and did what they could. I also had my mother’s pets for the company every now and then.”

  “A lonely existence.” High Priestess Tabitha acknowledged.

  “Perhaps, but it was mine.”

  4

  Grace sat with Ursa for what seemed like ages. Looks were exchanged. It was to Grace as if they were having a conversation without her. Finally, Olle sighs, standing with Lucifer, then each stand, one by one. Except for Ursa, who cuddles her and waves.

  “You know my choice.”

  “It is decided then. We will take you under our wings.” Olle declares. “Stonebridge?” He says offhandedly, and Lucifer nods.

  “There will be no hovels or shacks,” Lucifer interjects. “Stonebridge is one of ours. We will transport you and make the proper introductions to ensure your safety. The home will be bespelled and fully staffed.”

  “Thank you,” Grace’s heart swells with such happiness that her chest hurts. The weight of fear may finally lift if she allows it to.

  Arguing that sounds much like the woman from the front desk catches her attention as the doors to the chamber slam open.

  “I’m sorry, my Lords, my Ladies, he would not wait.” The woman half bows and tries to stop the male storming toward them.

  The male is tall, handsome in human terms, with a solid jawline and well-maintained hair slicked back. His clothes are tailored as he stalks toward them, his eyes locked on Grace.

  Although she sat in the room with Lucifer himself, this was the true demon in Grace’s world. He was the epitome of a villain, a devil with an angel’s face.

  Grace’s grip on Ursa tightens as her flight instinct kicks in, she tries to pull away, but he holds her firm. “You are safe.” He growls softly. “He cannot hurt you now that you are with us.”

  Grace looks at him, seeing his bear glaring at her enemy. The predatory look does not make her afraid rather, it makes her feel more protected and calmer. She always did like animals better than people. Perhaps this council was to be the best of both.

  “Great council, my name is Imperfezzio Lention. I am the son of Head Councilman Lention of the Human Council of Developmental Life. I am sorry for any trouble Grace may have caused with her fantasies. She is troubled and mentally unstable. I will take her home—ouch, what the fuck you—” Imp swallows the insult he wanted nothing more than to hurl, just as Grace had the metal stein that had been at Ursa’s space.

  “I am not unstable, you maniac, stay the fuck away from me, or I will—I don’t know what I will do, but it will be bad.” She snaps but also hides in Ursa’s shadow. “Where is Bella when you need a big bear to eat an annoying person?” She heard Ursa and the two members beside them snicker, making her blush. “Oops.”

  “Just need the okay.” Ursa winked, making Grace’s heart flutter.

  “Now see.” Olle began, the knife he had been peeling an apple with chipping at the table. “We have taken a shine to dear Grace. You may be able to sway a dimwit, but we, sir, are not as such. We have taken her under our wings, so her care is our responsibility. You may leave.” Olle hardly looks up as he waves dismissively.

  Grace taps Ursa’s arm, making him look down. “Yes, my little cub?”

  She smiles at the sentiment. “He talks a lot about wings.”

  He smiles softly. “It is an angel thing—I think.” He points toward the shocked-looking Imp.

  “I cannot do that. Grace is a risk to any she is near. Her illness is like a plague, infecting even the most notable. Please give her to me to take her home and care for her as I have all these years. I have pills, herbs, and tonics—”

  Ursa gently pulls away from Grace and stands. “Not gonna happen. Nope, go away before I just eat you. Those legs would snap pretty well, don’t you think, Navi, Auggie?” He looks at a woman whose hair is as green as a burning flame and a man whose black hair shifts to reveal a rainbow as he laughs.

  “I want his balls.” The woman, Navi, winks.

  “Save us a rib.” Lucifer and Olle smirk simultaneously as Ursa lifts Grace, putting her in
a princess-style hold, walking away. From this place, Grace reasons she must be nearly seven and a half feet off the ground. If Imp wanted her, he would have quite the fight. She waves over Ursa’s shoulder. What else was left for her to do? She smirks when most of the council waves back. Several follow, including the High Priestess, Olle, and that dark, handsome one.

  “I demand you give her back. She is, not your—” Imp sounds muffled. She could see that Imp was being dragged out over Ursa's shoulder, “—don’t think you can get away from me, Grace, you will belong to me again. Prepare for the rising!”

  The doors are slammed shut, and silence fills the chamber as they reach a new door.

  “I told you he would not stop. He will see me dead before I belong to another,” Grace mutters.

  Ursa smirks. “He can try.”

  5

  “Where are we going?” Grace asks but receives no proper response. She was not afraid of these council members. The idea that they were capable of extraordinary feats only made her feel safer. Especially knowing that they did not even entertain Imp’s preposterous claims.

  They enter another well-sized parlor of sorts, and Ursa sets her down. The room was not nearly as cluttered as the one where she had been healed by Olle, but it still felt like it held many secrets.

  “I will be calling a friend of mine. He is one of the ground keepers for the house we will be sending you to. I will ask him to come here to meet you, and we will head to the house again together so we can introduce you to the town,” Olle came toward the large couch as Grace settled on its soft cushions.

  Ursa looks through a large chest, humming to himself, so Grace turns her attention to Olle, only for him to step aside to make a call.

  The couch depresses, and the man with the rainbows in his hair sits beside her, giving her a start as his eyes look like a field of shooting stars.

  “I am Ag, or as the bear calls me, Auggie. I speak for the dimension beings. It is a pleasure.” he smiles, and Grace instinctively puts out her hand for no reason she could fathom.

  Ag grabs it and sets his lips to her knuckles.

  Grace blushes, “I meant a shake, but that works,” she said without thinking, and Ag winks before leaning back on the couch to listen as Olle speaks.

  “Hello Splash, I need you at the council building. We have a human we are going to send to Old Stonebridge. She is under our protection from well a—manic is a good word—yes, she is—no, she is not going to make fun of you—she is sort of sweet with a backbone—I don’t know, let me ask.” Only hearing one side of the chat was odd, and Grace blinks when Olle next speaks.

  “Grace, Splash wishes to know if you like water beings?”

  “I love all beings apart from most humans. Humans are assholes.” Her declaration made them laugh.

  “Did you hear her? Yes, she is funny—okay, see you—no, I will not give you a bigger pond. You already have a huge one—no, you cannot talk Grace into getting you one either—bye,” Olle hangs up and rubs his head, though he smiles. “I swear he wishes to take over the whole garden with a pond.”

  “Is his name really Splash?” Grace wonders aloud.

  “Nah- He’s got one of those fishy names no one can pronounce,” Lucifer smirks. “Not like me. Mephistopheles is easy.”

  Grace’s eyes went a little wider, she had the feeling, but it was now confirmed. She was making devil deals.

  Lucifer winks and rolls his wrist. “Splash is a water spirit. They are amazing at garden work, but shit at naming their kids things anyone can pronounce.”

  “Would an earth spirit not work better with a garden?” She asks, confused.

  “True earth spirits are rare. Splash’s kind walks the line between both worlds. His kind has made a pact with the earth to live by land and water. In return, they take care of the earth where they live. It is a win-win,” Olle explains.

  Grace nods softly as Tabatha strokes her hair, and she leans into Ag, who hums a gentle tune. It did not take long before the exhausted woman was fast asleep.

  Ag holds her close, “She is different.” He whispers softly as food is being brought through the door.

  “Maybe she will be the one?” Grimm, one to follow but yet introduce himself to Grace, appears.

  “Maybe you are right, Grimm, after all, she seems to have a light, but we will see.” Lucifer smiles at Desmond, the vampire leader who watches her with acute fascination. “See, even the bloodsucker likes her.” Lucifer laughs as Desmond flips him off.

  “We will see. Let us hope the town takes to her as we have. Or her life may get worse and not better,” Olle nods.

  Worry laces Tabitha and Ag’s features as Ursa covers and tucks Grace into the couch with a soft fleece blanket. He nudges Ag to move so he can lift her feet and tenderly get a pillow under her head.

  “She will be fine, I am sure, even if I have to stay with her.” He smiles as she makes a happy muttering and snuggles down into what he hopes are to be happy dreams.

  6

  “This her?” A soft voice causes Grace to snap her eyes open. Standing over her is a relatively tall male whose mossy green eyes study her with curiosity. Framing his pointed ears is bright blue hair that reminds her of water shifting freely as he jumps back, causing short laughs and snickers around the room.

  “I felt someone watching me,” Grace mutters, rubbing her eyes and sitting up with a long yawn.

  “Your eyes are different,” the wavy-haired male says matter-of-factly.

  “Born that way.” She quips flatly at the commonplace remark. “You must be Splash. I am Grace. It is nice to meet you,” another yawn exaggerates her words.

  He nods. “It is nice to meet you, as well.” An extraordinary little human. He smiles with the thought.

  “We should head to Old Stonebridge now. I have already called ahead for a meeting. I think we all want to get Grace into a safe place before that—Imp?” Lucifer looks to Grace, who nods. “—can stir up any trouble.”

  Grace looks at her hands in her lap before muttering. “He will not let this go.”

  Splash put out his hand, and as she stood, the space in front of them became blurry.

  A Portal? Before Grace can express her surprise for having never seen such a thing, she is pulled inside.

  Her vision is hit bight a brightness that leaves rainbows across it, but as her eyes adjust, she can hear clamoring and commotion. The room's safety was gone, and she was in a square, feeling very exposed.

  With a yelp, she instinctively hides behind the largest thing. Which so happens at that moment to be Ursa. He looks down at her with a gentle smile, curving himself so that she may see but still keep in his shadow.

  “Hello, people,” Lucifer announces in an almost comical fashion. Those that had stopped at their arrival began to walk away with rolling eyes. It seems to Grace that this was a regular happening for these people, even if it were a first for her.

  “Ah—but wait!” He calls after them. “I called a meeting, come here! We have something of much importance!” He waves them back like a carnival barker with a show. Grace’s heart sinks as he continues. “As you can see, we have a human with us. This is Grace. She has come to us for protection from one who would claim her.” Lucifer holds his hand out. “Look what evil has been done.” Grace hesitates but lets him pull her forward just the same. “We cannot allow such a monster to lay claim, can we?” He pushes her hair from what remains of the scars.

  The sinking of her heart was becoming a bottomless pit as the whispers began.

  “—look at that burn.”

  “—painful.”

  “—who would do that to anyone they love?”

  “—That was no accident….”

  On and on, it continues, making Grace feel as small and insignificant as ever. She swallows deeply as Lucifer squeezes her hand with assurance and promise.

  “Grace has been through horrors no one—mortal or not should ever need to endure. The one making claims is the son of the head of
the human council.” Murmurs, more whispers. “Her own have failed her. She is unsafe in her world. She came for sanctuary. What would we be to deny one in such need? We have given her our protection and offered her safety in this town, within our walls. We ask that you extend that graciousness and hospitality we know you possess. Help to provide and protect her.”

  One by one, hands raise as eyes roam over Lucifer, his people, and Grace.

  “Grace, they are going to ask you things. Humans are not our natural guests. Don’t be afraid. Okay?” Olle now stood with them, his presence helping to calm her broken nerves.

  Taking a deep breath, Grace nods, looking up at the people. “It cannot be worse than the human council. They let all my answers get twisted to make me look nutso.”

  Lucifer points to a questioner who immediately yelps, rubbing their backside.

  “Thanks, I could have done without the shock—ya prick.” He says brazenly, and Grace wondered how they tolerated being spoken to in this way. The human Council would never have allowed such insult or familiarity.

  Lucifer winks at her and then answers with a shrug. “I wanted to be clear on whom I was pointing to.”

  Grace giggles and whispers, “Bad Lucifer.”

  She faces the zapped male, who sighs. “I think we would all like to know why you need us? What would make one that claims do such horrors?”

  Grace again explains her tale, the torture, and Imp’s skewed views on demons and Satan.

  “What do you think of Satan?” He presses, as she laid facts, not opinions.

  “That humans kiss his figmented ass too much.” She says without thought. Then shirks back at the gasps. “I mean, if he were real, and all the horror stories were real, would he truly be benevolent just because they worship him? Stories say he’s a liar and deceiver. So, it would be more likely that version of evil would just gobble up the souls and spit out the bones. Maybe make lamps?”