Divination: Deamhan Chronicles, #4

By Isaiyan Morrison

Minneapolis was once a sanctuary for Deamhan, but their peaceful existence is now threatened by the arrival of Amenirdis, the ruthless and power-hungry Queen of Limbo. As she unleashes chaos and destruction upon the city, they must fight to survive against her wrath and the influx of other supernatural creatures slithering into their territory.

 

Amenirdis demands absolute obedience and respect, and those who oppose her face dire consequences. With danger lurking around every corner, the Deamhan must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with twists and turns, where everything and everyone is a threat.

 

The stakes have never been higher as they fight to defend their home against all odds. Will they emerge victorious, or will they fall beneath the merciless reign of their enemies? Only time will tell as they face their greatest challenge yet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isaiyan Morrison
• Release date: Mar 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224424771

Isaiyan Morrison

Isaiyan Morrison was born and raised in Minneapolis, but her heart is in the impressive magical worlds she dreams up. She hopes to share her love for world-building with her readers and help guide them through the extraordinary settings she creates. Her other passions include reading, and researching historical events. She also enjoys gardening, gaming, and spending quality time with her cats and her Presa Canario.

Book preview

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Also By Isaiyan Morrison

Deamhan Chronicles

Deamhan. Deamhan Chronicles #1

Kei. Family Matters. Deamhan Chronicles #1.5

Dark Curse. Deamhan Chronicles #2

Maris. The Brotherhood Files

Ayden. Deamhan Minion. Deamhan Chronicles #2.5

Deception. Deamhan Chronicles #3

Hallie. A Tit For A Tat. Deamhan Chronicles #3.5

Divination. Deamhan Chronicles #4

The Dead Series

The Not-So Dead

The So-So Dead

Stand Alone

Old Farmer's Road

Copyright © 2012-2024 by Isaiyan Morrison

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Cover art and design by Masoumeh Tavakoli

Come back. Even as a shadow, even as a dream.

-Euripides

Contents

1.Ruby

2.Anastasia

3.Remy

4.Anastasia

5.Remy

6.Anastasia

7.Remy

8.Anastasia

9.Anastasia

10.Hallie

11.Anastasia

12.Hallie

13.Anastasia

14.Remy

15.Anastasia

16.Remy

17.Hallie

18.Anastasia

19.Remy

20.Anastasia

21.Remy

22.Remy

23.Anastasia

24.Remy

25.Anastasia

26.Anastasia

27.The Deamhan Chronicles Continue...

About the Author

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Ruby

Her pursuers pinned her between the two buildings and with her back against the brick wall, Ruby slid further into the corner to avoid their beastly eyes.

She felt that she could sink further into the cold concreate and disappear within its cracks if she willed it. Everything moved too fast and she needed a moment to come up with an escape plan, but they would have none of it.

This wasn’t the first time she found herself cornered with no escape.

When word spread that she had taken one piece of the Dark Curse tablet from the researcher, suddenly she found herself being hunted. Deamhan’s network rivaled any other in the supernatural world. After two years these supernaturals never grew tired and they never hesitated.

This group of Deamhan chased her for hours, days, and weeks through the suburbs of Madison, and then Milwaukee with the chance of capturing the most wanted Dorvo vampire in the Deamhan world.

There wasn’t anyone she could turn to; no one who’d risk their lives to save her. The werewolves and any other supernatural creatures she came across in the past two years; many who despised and loathed Deamhan, shut their door in her face. You made your bed now lie in it became their motto. Gone were the days of these creatures cowering at her status, fearing Dorvo vampires. She failed everyone. She failed herself.

What would my sire think of me now? Poor Ruby! Poor, dreadful Ruby! Stuck in a rut with no place to go.

And the regular, run of the mill vampires? They cheered on her downfall. They celebrated! This only made her angrier. They had forgotten that Deamhan were their enemies. Now that title belonged to her.

Hand it over.

Her multicolored eyes watched their every move. The piece of the Dark Curse tablet didn’t belong to them. She would never hand it over.

You are beneath me, she hissed at her two attackers. You will never find it.

Give it to us or we’ll make you give it to us. One of them, a Ramanga, approached her. His fangs glistened in the darkness.

You inexperienced dizzards. Her insult flew right over their heads, just as she expected. From their pungent odors, she figured that they were between three and seven, in Deamhan years. They were new to the world and like most of their kind at that age, they had the desire to prove themselves. What better way to do so by killing the most famous Dorvo vampire to have ever existed. You know nothing about what will happen next.

The taller one, a Metusba Deamhan, began to punch his balled fist into the palm of his hand.

Pugilists. She sneered. That’s all you Deamhan are. That’s all you’ve ever been. You think you scare me? I’ve faced far worse than you.

The Metusba laughed. I doubt that. He pointed to his accomplice. You see my man over there, he took down two Dorvo dudes last week on his own and I raided a house full of them about a month ago.

They begged me to let them go. The Ramanga finished the story. You should’ve seen them.

Oh! Don’t forget about that researcher you ate too, James. He was a handful.

But his blood tasted so damn good. James laughed along with his friend.

With no way to escape and nowhere to go, she prepared to make her last stand. If they somehow managed to overpower her, they wouldn’t kill her outright. Torture was the name of this game.

But suddenly all of that changed when the two Deamhan went on high alert. They weren’t alone. A scent Ruby had never smelled before crept into the alley. It was no scent she had ever smelled before.

A stranger appeared; her face hidden behind a gray mask with a solemn expression. Her body language looked non-threatening and her long brown hair rested on her shoulders. Barefoot, the individual made her way toward them and Ruby’s attackers didn’t approve.

Who are you? James asked and received no response. This is our catch. We got to her first! Get out of here.

As the stranger closed the distance between them, the Metusba stood in her way. You heard my man. Get out of here.

But Ruby knew who this person was. Who didn’t? Her name spread like wildfire among the lips of many supernaturals she came across in these last two years. Do not let The Defiler catch you...

The woman ignored the Deamhan and instead, she reached her handout to Ruby. My dear, you’re a hard vampire to find.

She’s ours! James grabbed the stranger by her collar and revealed his fangs which he sunk into her right shoulder.

Ruby struggled to her feet and watched. James would kill the woman if he didn’t stop, but what did it matter to her? This gave her a small window to make a dashing escape.

James pulled back and immediately hunched forward. Dude, I don’t feel so good. He dropped to his knees and began to spit the blood onto the pavement.

Unaffected, the woman then turned her attention to the Metusba. I do like it when they underestimate their prey.

As do I. Ruby had never witnessed anything like it. James began to hyperventilate and his body shook.

Panicked, his friend began to step away from the mysterious woman. What did you do to him? James made a move that even stunned Ruby. In a quick speed, he jumped up, placed his right hand on his friend’s shoulder and punched through his chest, obliterating his heart.

The Deamhan’s skin shrunk over his bones and mummified. His eyes dropped deeper into his skull until they disappeared altogether, leaving nothing but empty dark holes. His body collapsed into a pool of blood, bone, and dust.

I know who you are, Ruby said. And I know what you want. She didn’t know whether the woman would use James to come after her next.

The woman held out her hand again to her and Ruby hesitated. Don’t worry. I have no intention of harming you.

Ruby adjusted her soiled clothing and straightened her knotted hair. What do you want?

You know what I want. She flicked his wrist at James who ran to her side.

It’s mine. She had no intention of handing over the one thing that could end the Deamhan species. She craved their demised since a Deamhan killed her sire centuries ago. No one was going to take that desire from her.

It doesn’t belong to you, the woman replied.

"Oh? Is that right? Then who does it belong to. You? Through the eye slits in the stranger’s mask, Ruby saw her bright and colorful green eyes. The Defiler. I’ve heard about you. You’ve made a mess of plenty of Deamhan these past two years."

To find you.

If you wanted to impress me, all you had to do was kill the Deamhan in Minneapolis.

I’m not here to impress you.

Ruby felt her body jump just as a swift and unseen force pushed itself into her mind. Images she’d never seen before appeared to her subconsciously; images that answered every question and solved every problem she had. The green-eyed woman wasn’t there to take what Ruby believed to be hers.

"You will go back to that city. That is where I need you. That is where she needs you."

No. You will not force me! Ruby fought back against the mental attack. I am a Dorvo vampire. You’re nothing to me.

You will. As The Defiler spoke Ruby felt her body and mind relax. The woman’s suggestions began to replace her desire to be as far away from the city as possible. She fought against the pain she felt in her eyes and her ears.

When it passed, she grasped her head in pain. The thoughts and the memories which entered her mind against her will suddenly disappeared. She remembered nothing. How? What …who are you?

A concerned citizen, the woman placed her hand over James’ chest, who wants to see this world burn. She ripped through his chest bone and slowly pulled out his dark heart. She has great plans for you. She crushed the heart in her grasp as James’ body deteriorated in front of them. She has plans for all of us.

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Anastasia

The smell of wet garbage and old oil floated on the breeze off the sea’s shore. Anastasia stood alert and eyed the huge cargo ship docked at the pier. Its red rusted hull contrasted against the moon’s pale glow. The clear star-dotted sky accompanied the sounds of dock workers and machines working in an even tempo.

Her offspring, Maris, stood to her right, eying the spectacle without saying so much as a word. Sia, her new confidante, stood to her left. Both women remained silent but it was Maris who fidgeted and looked for any signs of Ayden aboard the ship. Anastasia sensed her offspring’s concerns and she wanted to comfort them but she knew that Maris wouldn’t take any comfort nor would she want anything from her.

They had waited in their shitty hideout for a week. It was a large condemned building with boarded windows and rat colonies that even they found annoying and troublesome. In that time Maris avoided any conversation with her. She found comfort in Sia through midnight private conversations while waiting for any word from Ayden. Every night she asked Sia, who would disappear, only to return before sunrise with no news to report. Sometimes Maris wanted to leave their hideout, seeking to escape the darkness and mild odors and of course, Anastasia’s presence, but Sia told her that she was too important to step outside those doors.

This disturbed Anastasia greatly. After all, Sia was an Adze. She moved within the shadows, using them to travel great distances, track her prey, and kill her enemies. These were useful traits, yet also dangerous for any other Deamhan.

Once Sia received word of the ship’s arrival, she used her unusual shadow traveling skills to get them from Chicago to a dock in New York City within a moment’s notice. There they waited out of sight from humans. Sia kept her head low to hide her intimidating appearance. Before leaving she sewed her eyes shut like she did every night. Anastasia couldn’t understand why and how a Deamhan could purposely put themselves through so much pain. Sometimes Sia whimpered and other times she growled, forcing herself to swallow her physical suffering. With a large thick needle, she interwove the thread, and near the end she jerked. Blood trails traveled down her cheeks and left dark stains.

They watched the humans descend the metal stairs from the large cargo ship and to the pier. Many of them were older men, clueless to what traveled with them on their voyage to New York. The dock workers turned to their machines to move the metal crates. Maris pulled down the hood from her sweater and her short dark hair, which she had cut the previous night, lifted in the breeze.

I don’t see him, she said. Do you see him?

Anastasia concentrated her sight. When that didn’t work, she used her keen sense of smell. Unable to pick up Ayden’s scent, she shook her head. No. Are you sure that he’s arriving tonight?

Yes. He’ll be here. He has to be. It was the first time Maris had spoken and replied to her in weeks. She tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing her scar on her left cheek. Anastasia couldn’t help but stare and, when Maris noticed, she moved forward.

Two years ago, Ayden traveled to the Old World to look for a Kashshapu. The trip was meant to be short but he sent word that the search would take longer than expected. Since no one knew exactly what the Dark Mother, Amenirdis, planned next, it made sense to Sia and Maris to search for humans who practiced the same dark magic responsible for the creation of their species; Deamhan. According to lore, they no longer existed. Wiped out centuries ago these humans were the only individuals who could harness the dark energy. To Anastasia, it felt idiotic to think they could’ve survived after all this time without being seen or heard from. However, Sia remained adamant that they existed and Anastasia believed the Adze Deamhan embedded these fraudulent thoughts inside Maris’ fragile and young mind. For her, things felt simpler if they could come up with a solid plan that didn’t involve Kashshapu.

In the meantime, the Dark mother disappeared into thin air. No one had heard or seen her since then. Many Deamhan thought that the worst was over. There would be Revelation—the ritual that would release the Pure Deamhan from Limbo. This also meant that Maris no longer had to worry since her blood was the key to the entire fiasco.

However, another face in the dark took the Dark Mother’s place. Rumors spread about a woman who killed Deamhan with dark magic. She was first spotted near the Texas and Mexico border. Afterwards they heard of another slaying in Nebraska and then Utah. At first, they perceived the rumors to be just that; rumors, until Ayden sent word that this woman did exist and she had Deamhan from all over the world scrambling in fear. This woman was strong enough to stand up against Deamhan and no one knew who her identity.

Any Deamhan she came across, she slaughtered without hesitation. She defiled their bodies and propped them up as a warning for others in the area. Hence, they began to call her The Defiler. To Anastasia, it was a silly name.

Sia pulled down her shawl. He’s here. I’ve got his scent

Anastasia sniffed the air. I don’t smell him.

Believe me. He is here.

Soon Anastasia saw Ayden standing on the top step next to an unknown female dressed in a black leather jacket, black shirt, and dark jeans. As the wind picked up, it carried the stranger’s aroma and Anastasia tried her hardest to decipher it but failed. Ayden cut his dark hair short and he looked tired as if he hadn’t eaten in days. He wore a slightly discolored shirt and stained jeans.

He descended the metal steps with the female following him and they reached the pier. He trotted toward them and, with his eyes, dissected Anastasia.

Ayden! Maris ran into his arms.

He looked her over. "Are you okay? He asked in an uneasy voice.

Yes, I’m fine.

His soft eyes glanced at Anastasia. Why is she here? I thought you said you wanted nothing to do with her?

Maris pulled back. Things are different now. We need all the help we can get.

We don’t need her, now that we have her. He thumbed at their human guest who didn’t bother to make eye contact. The girl, who looked no older than eighteen to Anastasia, viewed the pier and the immediate area with wonder in her eyes.

No matter the excuse, Anastasia knew that Ayden would never accept her or stand by her. Their tangled and dark history extended decades back. She was responsible for the death of his sire and that wasn’t something he would forgive so easily. In fact, he wasn’t looking for forgiveness. He wanted revenge.

And who is this human that you so desperately need? Anastasia asked rudely.

She is our protection, Sia answered. Thank you for coming. She held out her hand to female. I know this must be …difficult and weird for you.

The teenage girl titled her head to the side and with her bright green eyes she gazed at the thread sewn in Sia’s eyelids. Yeah …uh, it’s not what I was expecting.

I’m Sia.

I know. She nodded. And that is Maris, she pointed to Maris, and of course, I met Ayden already. She stood in thought. You …I think I’ve heard about you.

Who hasn’t? Bothered, Ayden rolled his green eyes. This is Anastasia.

Anastasia! Her eyes lit up. Yeah, yeah …I’ve heard about you. She held out his hand. Krerina.

Anastasia glared at her palm. And I’ve never heard of you.

Oh yeah, no one has. She dropped her hand. We kind of remain hidden …you know …not known because well …if we didn’t Deamhan would just try to kill us again.

The teenage girl spoke with such uncertainty that Anastasia didn’t know whether to think of her as shy or as a human who purposely tried to hide something from them. It was easy to read the mind of a human in such situations, but she didn’t want to cause drama by invaded her thoughts.

Aren’t you a little too young?

Sia quickly moved things along. I understand. The history between both factions hasn’t been the best. But this time we have a common enemy. Let this be the beginning of a well needed relationship.

I hope so, Krerina replied. It took a lot of convincing but the others—

There are more of you? Anastasia questioned.

Oh yes. She said with enthusiasm. They all agreed to help and they gave me some items that I can use.

Items?

Yeah. She pointed to a wooden crate on their left. They’re in there.

They quickly approached the large crate a few feet away from the other supplies the humans had taken off the ship. The box smelled of weathered wood and old dirt. Sia rubbed her hand along its surface and smiled. Come. We must get this inside.

They helped to carry it a few feet and inside a large warehouse. Ayden broke the lock on the door and, once inside, Anastasia surveyed the interior to make sure they were alone.

Sia easily yanked the top of the crate free. The wood shattered, leaving large shards on the floor. The contents inside made everyone pause.

Some of them weren’t really eager to part with it, Krerina said.

Sia nodded. Of course. I understand.

The interior of the box was filled with old dirt. Sia began to dig like a mad, wild dog, tossing the dirt over her shoulder and to the floor. Some of it floated in the air, creating a brownish mist around them. Soon the dirt revealed its hidden contents. It was a small chest decorated in faded gold and white colors. Small gems adorned the hinged lid. There was also an emblem of an unknown female’s face on the front.

She opened the lid and revealed a sharp, long knife with a wooden handle, and what looked like a small crude bowl with etched spiral writing from the rim to the center of the object.

What is this? Sia asked.

Incantation bowl.

There was also a brown, thin leather vial which, when opened, contained a tightly bound scroll. Anastasia also saw small ruby-quartz-colored vials with corked lids. She gently picked one up and studied it.

Vials? Ayden snatched it from her. I don’t get it. What does a Kashshapu need this for?

Nothing because Kashshapu don’t exist, Anastasia answered.

We do exist. Krerina moved quick to correct her. Who do you think I am?

Sia placed the chest on the ground.

They just sent you? Anastasia stood face to face with her. You’re just one girl.

I’m twenty and yes, they only sent me she replied. Most of them are still skittish, especially around Deamhan. Not to mention the rumors about the other person out there, killing your kind.

Yes, the woman. Sia jumped in.

The Defiler. The name felt like hard stones in Anastasia’s mouth. What a ridiculous name.

I bet you don’t she exists too, Ayden joked.

If she does, she isn’t anyone to fear. But I do know that Kashshapu don’t exist, Anastasia continued. If they did, they would’ve shown themselves moment Amenirdis was released from Limbo.

Wow, you do know how to scare the help away, don’t you? he grumbled. You should be thankful we found someone who practices dark magic to help us.

I would be grateful if she was a real Kashshapu.

Anastasia that is enough. Maris put her foot down. You’re here because Sia thinks you’re viable but so far I haven’t seen one thing from you to support that. She pushed her back.

Anastasia swallowed her discontent with the situation as Ayden’s smuggled smile only made her feel worse.

He continued to eye the vial. This feels light. He popped the corked lid.

No! Krerina snatched the vial from his hand. You can’t open it. Not yet!

The vial looked empty; however, a fragrance expelled from it. It smelled distinctly different and it rattled their noses. A sharp pain in Anastasia’s head made her stumble back. It was a powerful headache that struck them all at the same time. Ayden squinted in agony and Sia dropped to one knee. However, Maris remained unaffected. She stood, enthralled at what she witnessed around her.

What is that!? Anastasia’s eyes turned dark and her fangs extended from her gums. Fear pushed her.

Items infused with dark magic forged centuries ago and now it’s wasted. Krerina quickly replaced the lid.

The pain slowly subsided and Anastasia retracted her fangs. Whatever escaped from the vile gave her a terrible headache and sent her senses on fire.

You know, creating Deamhan isn’t the only thing that dark magic has been used for, Krerina said. Dark magic has been around since the beginning of time. It has its uses and misuses of course but our extreme loyalty to our culture and practices remains the same.

So, was that proof good enough for you? Ayden egged Anastasia.

Maris grabbed the knife from the box. I can stab Amenirdis with this and it’ll be over? Sounds too easy to be true.

And it can be, Krerina replied. All Deamhan have dark magic in them. That’s what keeps your bodies from rotting away. This can suck it out. Jab it into her chest and that’s it.

And what happens to Amenirdis? Sia asked.

She’ll die.

If she dies, the entire bloodline of Ekimmu Deamhan die as well. Maris handed the magical object to Krerina.

Correct, she replied. Kill the Pure Deamhan and Deamhan from that same bloodline die with them.

Then the knife should be our last resort.

Krerina placed the knife back in the box, closed the lid, and placed it underneath her right arm. We have what we need. We should go.

Where to now? Maris asked.

A place to rest for the remainder of the evening. I need to perform an incantation or two, just to be on the safe side.

Anastasia huffed under her breath.

Sia took Maris’ hand and they walked out of the warehouse with Krerina close behind.

Now alone with Ayden, he locked eyes with Anastasia and she knew that look. She’d seen it from him before, back in Minneapolis at the sanctuary, Blind Bluff Manor, and many other times.

You know, you shouldn’t be here, with Maris, he said. You don’t deserve to.

How many times do I have to tell you? I’m not your enemy.

And how many times do I have to tell you that you are?

Ugh, what you think doesn’t matter. Her headache continued and she desperately wanted to rid herself of it.

Doesn’t matter? His eyes turned black in color. You, along with one of your sired maniacs, killed my sire with a smile on your face. I do not trust you. I do not like you.

Once again, what you think of me doesn’t matter. She rolled her eyes. I’m here for Maris. That’s it.

He folded his arms. Maris—the offspring that you sired because it only benefited you. Maris—the one you abandoned…

Are you that blind to not see the real issue here? she asked. We’re putting our faith in this girl’s claim that she is a Kashshapu. There’s no proof of that, besides a magical vial that anyone can obtain. Can’t you see the flaw in that?

Of course, I see the flaw. His body stiffened. But it’s better than anything you have to offer.

You can’t seriously think that.

I do.

No, you’re blinded by your hate for me; for what happened in the past.

You killed my sire for fun. So excuse me for not letting the past stay in the past while your actions continue to glorify all the horror you’ve done to not only me, but to countless others, including Maris.

She found it hard to explain her actions. Her plan to be a perfect predator was the main reason she caused so much harm to him and countless others. Everyone else, including his sire, meant nothing to her. At one point Maris also fell into this category. I’m not the same person from that time, Ayden. I’m different.

Then act like it. He pointed his finger in her face. If Maris thinks what we’re about to do will help then I’m with her. I’m willing to do what it takes to protect her with my life. The same thing can’t be said about you.

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Remy

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The branch from a nearby tree scraped against the basement window glass as the wind whistled outside. The smell of old grass and the coming precipitation seeped through the cracks and infiltrated the air inside the basement.

Remy pulled back the small rotted curtains, gazing out at the night. Using his superb Deamhan sight, he saw the headlights of vehicles on the freeway in the far distance. He grew increasingly annoyed with his current living conditions. His assigned room contained only one queen-size bed with dingy sheets that smelled like old dust. The mattress was stiff and the pillows were flat. He missed his own room back at Blind Bluff Manor. He couldn’t wait to go back, but it wasn’t safe as long as one Dorvo vampire still remained out