by Mary Ting
I sighed with relief and watched them meander to the row of sunflowers. Enoch’s Mother seemed happy to have company, and that pleased me. This strange feeling of belonging and the warmth of mother love made me soft inside, and a bit vulnerable.
Mayra weaved around the massive swimming pool to reach the other side of the garden.
“Why do you trust Samyaza?” I asked, thinking about how Mother spent the day with him. It made me sick to my stomach he had been nearby all these years. “He’s one of the original watchers. They can’t be trusted.”
“We had no choice. Demons have been rising the past century. When they heard the archangels had gone, they slowly came out of hiding. Not only did we have to watch our backs with the watchers, but the demons as well. Besides, Samyaza has proven he can be trusted. He came to my aid when I was surrounded by the monsters. I would have been butchered had it not been for him. In times of war, we need all the allies we can get, past enemies or not.”
“I suppose you’re right. Just be careful. They’re like humans. They know how to manipulate, lie, and cheat. They will stab you in the back if it benefits them.”
“Don’t worry. I will. I have been.”
“How secure is this home?” I asked.
Enoch’s Mother and Mayra had followed a trail to a fish pond. The backyard was too immense and I felt something tug, as if in warning. Perhaps my body needed more time to align with the new me.
“I’ve assigned some nephilim. We are not a strong group, Uriel. In fact, it’s just you, me, Mayra, and a handful of Neps.”
“What happened to our soldiers?” My heart sank to the floor. Were they all dead?
Jonah rubbed the back of his head, his eyebrows forming a high arch. “Well...let’s say the Neps formed their own group. You have to remember, you’ve been gone a long time. And things change when beings are afraid. There’s an organization called Nephilim Unification. They’ve tracked down most of Neps around the world and trained them to be warriors, loyal to themselves rather than archangels. Keira, if you can recall when you were Enoch, she tried to take you. They are afraid if you awaken the archangels, the original watchers will arise too. So if they ever capture you’ll, they’ll either kill you or hold you hostage forever.”
I lightly slammed the glass door, frustrated. Steam from my warm breath fogged the window. I drew a line through it. A simple trick made me snort and I did it again, but this time I drew wings. I wiped it quickly when I realized Jonah’s lips were wide with amusement at my childish act. When I let out an annoyed growl, his shoulders stiffened and he turned away.
Jonah muttered about the weapons in the vault and asked if he could use one. He then changed the subject. I listened halfheartedly as he advised me to try out my wings before I actually took flight. And then the rest of his words muffled as I narrowed my eyes on something moving in the trees.
Before I could register that those images were real, bodies dropped from the sky. My heart jumped into my throat. Several figures with black wings soared toward Enoch’s mom and Mayra.
Instinct took over and my wings spread like a paper fan. My right wing slammed into Jonah, causing him to collide with the kitchen wall. I gasped at my strength when Jonah not only went through the plaster and wood, but crashed through another wall. Shit! I should have taken his advice.
I unlocked my sword by pressing the handle. It opened to my handprint the same way the book had. Layer upon layer, it molded together like towering Lego pieces until the divine steel clicked.
“Hello, Uriel. Did you miss me?” Marcus gave me a mocking grin with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. About ten of his soldiers hissed like poisonous snakes beside him.
“How did you find me?” I pointed my sword at him with a trembling hand.
“It’s not so hard when you have untrained nephilim wandering around like idiots.”
Out of practice, I didn’t know if I could use the sword skillfully. So I rummaged through Enoch’s memory to find he had never been trained with a weapon. He didn’t even know how to fire a gun. What the hell had I been thinking, choosing him as my vessel? Then I recalled his mother. His mother’s family collected biblical treasures, and I ensured the Book of Watchers would go to her.
“I’m not Uriel,” I said. I was ashamed as soon as the lie left my mouth.
Marcus would have to be blind to not see my massive wings lazily flapping like a new bird learning how to fly.
He cocked his eyebrows. “You must think I’m stupid. First, Enoch would not have wings. Second, you have wings. Come with me freely and your human mother won’t be harmed.”
I hadn’t panicked until he’d threatened Enoch’s mother. At least Mayra was with her. She could hold her own. I hoped. I had to hurry. Be clever. Find a way to get to Mother.
“You wouldn’t hurt an old woman, would ya?” I said. I didn’t want to expose myself, but I had no choice now. “Besides, she doesn’t mean much to me. She’s not my mother.”
“No, she isn’t. But she’s a mortal, and you seem to care about all of them for some reason. Now give me that book.” He sneered and showed me his sharp teeth.
“You really ought to brush your teeth or at least use mouthwash. Your breath stinks.”
He lunged, darting like a shot arrow from a crossbow. I had no time to move, let alone blink. As his body collided with mine, we smashed through the window. Just before I fell, I saw Jonah near Marcus’s soldiers, swinging his sword and bringing down a chunk of wall.
As Marcus and I tumbled on the wet grass, I closed my wings and held firmly to my sword. When I released myself from the tangle, minions surrounded me. Not a problem.
“You dare to challenge me?” I roared. I thrust my sword in one swift move through the demon closest to me.
It bellowed. Gripping its chest, it dropped and burst into black ashes. I moved on to the second nearest to me, every swing of my sword became easier, my fighting skill returning. They were brave to raise their weapons as I doled out killing blows. But the last few backed away when they saw Jonah by my side.
“Took you long enough,” I said, half-jokingly. “I thought you were supposed to watch my back.”
“I am. You would have more on your tail had it not been for my ass kicking in the house. Enoch’s mother is not going to like the mess. I believe we’ve broken everything in sight.”
“She’ll get over it,” I said, and then wondered why Marcus hadn’t attacked me.
Why had he cowered away? But he hadn’t. He had flown away to Mayra, who battled on her own. Mayra’s wings were expanded to protect Enoch’s mom.
“It’s a trap,” I said and dashed, Jonah behind me.
I realized Marcus had sent his low-ranking soldiers that could be easily killed because he wanted to distract me. He had kept me busy while he...
No, no, no. I had to get to Enoch’s mom. Enoch loved her, and that love stayed with me. My pulse pounded in time with my feet. And though it took me merely a second, I was too late.
Marcus plunged his sword through Mayra’s chest. As he pulled out the sword, he gave me a nasty grin. “Meet me at the cemetery by tomorrow midnight. You know where.” Then he vanished with Enoch’s mother.
“Marcus! I will find you. You hurt her, and God help you I will tear you into pieces.”
“Mayra!”
Jonah’s cry reeled me back from my anger.
“Mayra. I’m so sorry.” On his knee, he caressed her cheek, tears in his eyes. “We were supposed to live a long life. See things. Have amazing adventures.”
Had she been a pure-blooded angel, she would have faded into golden ashes. Instead, she bled. Crimson liquid streamed out of her mouth and soaked into her white wings.
“Jonah. I’m sorry too.” Mayra raised her hand, but it dropped heavily. “Angel statues. Look.” Her eyes closed, and her chest fluttered and then deflated.
Jonah roared. Anger and pain—I knew that sound all too well. Enoch hadn’t cared for her, but something in my heart tugged. I pu
shed that ache away.
I’m no longer human. I do not welcome the feeling. Go away.
Even as I thought those words, it was hard to ignore Jonah’s sorrow, his body hunched and trembling, and his hands covered in blood—his lover’s blood.
“I need to bury her,” he said, wiping her tears.
“I’ll help you.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked at Mayra. “Thank you for everything you have done. May you find peace. May your soul find home. Jonah, if you need time off, I’ll understand.” I searched for human comforting words, but none came. Archangels were not affectionate.
Chapter 23
Monsters
Keira
After we finished the ridiculous interrogation, we were dismissed. I was glad to leave. Because of the demon’s accusation, I felt like I was being grilled. No, thank you. Worse, the way Ezekiel had looked at me made me want to recoil and hide.
Instead of flying or taking a taxi, I walked. Walking helped me sort out my thoughts. I didn’t do it often, but I really needed to get away, to think of nothing but being a normal human. Was there such a thing as being normal?
The sun faded into the clouds and the cool breeze tousled my hair, tickling my face. Street lamps glowed brighter and the crescent moon shone faintly.
Sweetness, like a honeysuckle flower mixed with something earthy, spiraled through my nose. Then a warning sensation pricked my skin and the hair on my nape rose. Light footsteps echoed in my ear. I ran, but the faster I ran, so did my echo. So close. Whoever it was really wanted to catch me.
“Who’s there? What do you want?” I shouted. “I have a gun.”
I shuddered at my last word. I had no gun, but a sword. My claim seemed childish now that I thought about it. But guns frightened humans. Guns didn’t frighten demons.
Maybe I should have taken the stupid taxi home. But nooo. I had to be an idiot. An idiot who couldn’t control anything, not even my own life.
I took a quick turn and found myself in an alley. A metallic scent overwhelmed me. Shit! Countless demons emerged from the shadows. They were hunched down...Eating. Chomping. Devouring.
Blood on the ground. Blood on their hands. Blood dripping down their chins. Oh...dear...God. I’d walked straight into a feast party.
No worries. They were so busy demolishing their meal they hadn’t seen me.
Slowly. Ever so slowly, I took one step back at a time, holding my breath. Toe, heel. Toe, heel. Toe, heel. Almost out of there until...my cell phone chimed. Freakin’ hell.
Every head turned, glaring. Some eyes blazed with accusation and others widened in shock. As if their bodies were connected, they stood in unison. A challenge. Perhaps I looked like dessert.
I gulped as blistering fear weakened my muscles. They could easily crush me. For the first time, my knees shook. For the first time, I was frightened out of my mind.
So many humans nearly eaten to the bone. I gagged. And no amount of courage would help me in my dilemma, especially when demons fell from the second story and blocked my only way out.
I was a nephilim. My blood was mixed with pure angelic blood. The advantage—I was faster and stronger compared to most demons, so I shouldn’t be afraid. Besides my ability, I had over a hundred years of experience.
Get yourself together, Keira. You’re not just a nephilim. You have archangel blood. You know what you can do. Now kill all those freakin’ demons.
Well, it looked like I had to fight my way out. I squared my shoulders and tightened my muscles, mentally going through all my weapons. Too pissed off, I had forgotten to check them in at the institute before I left. Good thing I had been too angry to give them back.
“Hello there. Having a party without me?” I furrowed my brow and inched my right arm behind me to palm shooting stars in my pocket.
The demon nearest to me shifted to his left and I about puked. I had seen plenty of mutilated bodies, but the strip of limp flesh dangling from the bone in his mouth unraveled me.
The being he’d just eaten had a name, a family. Their loved ones waited for their return, but there were too many missing reports at the police station. No one questioned why there were so many unsolved cases. Did the police know? Did they know that supernatural beings existed?
Ezekiel worked for the police. Had he told them what was happening around us? Too many deaths. If this continued, we might as well declare the end of humanity.
The demon snarled, showing me all its hideous fangs. His pushed back, skeletal nose actually looked like he had none. And his eyes, like shiny onyx, showed no mercy and no remorse, only hunger for death.
“I know. I know. I would want to die if I looked like you too. So let me fix that for you.” I hurled my shooting stars one after the other to the closest to me. They embedded smack in the middle of their foreheads. Black blood oozed, covering their eyes. I pulled out my pen. As it transformed into my sword, I whirled to decapitate the ones I could reach.
Two leaped for me on either side. When I ducked, they collided. Another lunged. I kicked its gut and somersaulted to swing my weapon across its belly. It bellowed a horrible ear-piercing sound. At that moment, a demon flung a trashcan at me. As I leaped over it, I slipped on something slippery.
I flipped over, unable to spare a second, and realized I was bathed in blood. To my left, a head with its brain removed stared back at me. Its body was chopped in half, guts spilling out. My stomach heaving, I quickly got up only to be punched.
I slammed into a brick wall and another demon caught me as I fell. It yanked my hair, dragging me toward its master. I winced as pain ripped through me.
“Are you a spy?” His voice was so low and rough I barely heard him.
I spat blood on his face.
He roared, his eyes turned bloody red.
“No, I’m not.” I tilted my head, trying to seem confident while my heart hammered mercilessly. “Why would I want to look at something as ugly as your kind?”
My head whipped to the side from the smack and my cheek burned. I stretched my jaw to make sure it wasn’t broken. “You’re going to pay for that.”
He let out a genuine, throaty chuckle. “You’re so little. I could break you in half and eat you for a snack.”
“I don’t think so. Enjoy your trip to Hell.” I plunged my hand through his chest, pulled out his beating heart, and tossed it behind me.
Some demons chased it. They would eat anything, even their own kind. The master demon widened his eyes with horror, stuck his hand through the hole where the heart had once been, and dropped to the ground.
I’d thought when the master died, they would scram. Instead, they all came at me. Time to get out.
I extended my palm, and light as bright as the sun shot out like the birth of a new star. Such power only those with archangelic blood possessed. I waited to use this power because it drained me faster.
The closest to me exploded into ashes. For the others, their leather skin peeled to show muscles and bones. But the farthest ones still ran toward me.
As I ran, I fished marble-sized spheres out of my pockets and tossed them at the demons. Smoke puffed from the trinkets, confusing the demons. Even with my tricks, I couldn’t get far. Relentless creatures. Why couldn’t they cut their losses and let me go?
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
The demons behind me thumped to the ground. Crossbow arrows had struck them right through their heads and some to the heart. I peered up, looking for the person who helped me, but the stranger disappeared into the shadows.
The power of two gave me my courage back, so I spun with my sword ready and eliminated the five after me. Only one remained and it...it was sitting on the ground clutching a bone covered in raw flesh.
Though every other demon I’d seen had no hair, this one did—red as the blood dripping between his fingers. And those green eyes held me imprisoned.
It seemed to have a kind face and it looked at me as if it knew me. Had it just smiled and winked at me? I shook my head
, thinking I had hallucinated. When I raised my sword, it curved its body inward and turned away. What in the world? An unthreatening demon?
I ignored it and peered up to the roof.
“Hey,” I shouted, hoping my help would still be there. “Thank you!”
When I transformed my sword back to a pen and stuck it inside my waistband, the shadow emerged. I couldn’t see a face. It was covered by a red hooded cape. But a strand of long brunette hair appeared golden under the moonlight.
“I wasn’t helping you. I don’t know you.”
I scoffed. “Then why are you here?”
“None of your business.” Her wings appeared and carried her to the dark sky.
Chapter 24
A Surprise Visitor
Keira
Forget walking home. Forget waiting for a taxi. None would come any time soon anyway. So I flew. I couldn’t wait to soak in a bath, get this stench off me, and sleep. Or maybe read a few chapters before slumber. I rarely had time to do what I enjoyed—rarely had I had a chance to be a human girl.
By the time I arrived at the front of my apartment, I had stopped making red footprints, but I couldn’t say the same for my bloody clothes.
I lowered my head and got inside the elevator. Most of the residents had come home from work and thankfully, not a neighbor in sight. When I got out of the elevator, I turned the corner and slowed when I saw a figure by my door.
Daniel turned, holding a grocery bag and nearly dropped it, wrinkling his nose. “Kei-Keira. Are you okay?” His eyes grew wider the closer I approached, and he looked like he was trying not to breathe.
I didn’t blame him. Demon blood stinks like horse shit.
“What happened? I called you but you didn’t answer. You should have answered. I would have come.”
I frowned. Too tired, I hadn’t checked to see who had called me. “I guess I should have answered the phone.” I rolled my eyes. But it wasn’t fair of me to get upset at Daniel. He didn’t know. And I should have called in a distress call.
“Keira, you didn’t answer when I called you on the phone.”