Sacrificial Lamb (The Other Angels Book 1)

by Ashley Nicole

Matthew doesn't respond.

  I begin to fear that I've upset him too much and that he's going to leave so I change the subject. “When we all died why did we come here? I know I’m not perfect, but I thought I’d go to Heaven.”

  You didn’t die when you were supposed to. We sort of rerouted your death and therefore your destination.”

  "Where is the destination exactly? Is the Kingdom a part of Hell?"

  "We're outside of Hell but it still belongs to Cain. He created this replica of Heaven for his followers to live in so Hell itself could be used as a punishment place for bad people. Cain has chosen to share this place with the humans he has gained from Earth."

  "It’s so strange."

  "What is?"

  "The way you call Michael and the others angels. They're essentially our idea of demons, but they're not at all what I imagined demons would look like."

  "What did you expect? Did you think moving from Heaven to Hell would automatically make them ugly and grow horns? They're angels, Katie. They just live in a different place and have different ideas."

  "I'm still not convinced that they aren't evil. I think a part of you knows it too, Mattie, but you’re too afraid to admit it. My friends and I will stop them and set things right. Maybe then you'll see who's side you should be on."

  Matthew’s eyes grow cold. “Have you stopped to think why your dear Scott is still acting like a jerk? You might think you have this all worked out with your friends but remember who’s in charge here. Just because he’s dead doesn’t mean I can’t still mess with his emotions. I do enjoy playing matchmaker.”

  Anger starts at my core as a slow burn, then ripples through my body filling every extremity with heat. “Leave him alone! Leave all of us alone and go to hell!” I turn away from him and glare at the wall. How could he make me question Scotty all this time? I knew there was something up.

  Matthew sighs and stands up. "I think you’re the one who is going to start seeing things differently." He walks across the room and out the door. I listen for the sound of the bolt, but it doesn't come. I sit quietly and wait for someone else to enter but no one does. Did Matthew give me the chance to escape?

  Don’t leave yet.

  I shouldn't leave. If I'm caught, I don't even want to think about what kind of torture I'll be put through.

  There're so many thoughts in my head. Angels from Heaven, angels from Hell, Cain, Abel, it’s so much to take in. Hopefully I can remember it all when I see Scotty and Amanda. This information could help us.

  My biggest question now is why does Cain think Abel is leading an army here against him? To stop him from killing the humans? But isn't Cain only taking humans to combat Abel? Who's right and who's wrong?

  I hadn't noticed at first but I'm pacing the room. My feet stop when I hear the door creek open. I turn to face it. It must be time for my surprise. Standing in front of me is a surprise but not one I was expecting.

  Scotty and Amanda enter the room. We all three stare at each other for a moment, unbelieving. Then Scotty rushes over and throws his arms around me. "Katie! You're alright! We've been searching rooms for you! Please tell me you still remember us?" He pulls back to look at me and puts his hands on my face.

  "Yes, I remember you. They didn't take my memories. I'm so happy to see you!" I lean forward and kiss him, relieved that I'm finally getting out of this place. He kisses me back and I feel that this is the Scotty that’s been here the whole time, not the one Matthew has been manipulating to toy with me.

  "Come on guys, you can make out later. We need to leave now." Amanda leans her head out into the hallway, scanning for any threat, then motions for us to go through. Scotty takes my hand and we leave the room. Amanda falls in behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Glad you're okay."

  "Thanks." I say as we start down the hallway.

  Take them out the back door. Turn around.

  I should be able to find the back way, and it sounds safer than walking out the front. Hopefully Scotty and Amanda will trust me. "Guys let's go out the back way, follow me." I keep a hold of Scotty's hand and turn to go the other way.

  "Wait. This way is quicker, and it’s the way Lover Boy and I came in. It’s all clear.”

  My head starts to pound as the anxiety grows in me. I have to find a way to convince them.

  Lie.

  If I can come up with something, they might believe me and follow without question. "I don't want to go back down that hall. I can't. Too many bad things happened." It’s not a total lie at least.

  Scotty looks at me with concern filled eyes. Amanda sighs and gives in. "Okay, lead the way."

  But I don't know which way to go. I creep down the hallway until it opens up. There's three ways we could go, and the angels could be anywhere. Why did I insist on going this way?

  Make a right. The back door will be at the end of the hall.

  I didn't realize we were that close. That must be why my brain told me to go this way. I motion for Scotty and Amanda to follow and we quickly reach the door that will lead us to freedom.

  The late evening sun feels refreshing when it hits my face. I was locked in that room with no windows for too long.

  We make our way into the forest and when it seems like no one is following us the tension eases. Finally, I can't hold it in any longer. "What took you guys so long? I was there for at least two days. What have you been doing?" The tears threaten to come but I can't cry now.

  No one answers at first, but then Amanda speaks up, avoiding the question. "It’s been over three days."

  Has it really been that long? I spent so much time asleep it’s all a blur. I look at Scotty with questions pouring out of my eyes. Finally, he sighs. "We were told not to go after you because of fear that they were going to turn you into a weapon to be used against us."

  That hurt. Am I not worth that risk? "Who told you that?"

  "The real Michael."

  "The real Michael? I don't understand."

  "I'll explain what I know on the way. Then, when we get back to David's house, Michael can explain the rest."

  I nod slowly. The real Michael. Does that mean the angels from Heaven are here? Or is this one of Cain's tricks?

  "When you didn't come back to the gate, we didn't think much about it. We thought that you were more comfortable at David's or that you were helping to calm everyone down. So, we continued to gather people and have them pass through the gate. When we had six more, we were starting to head back to David's but then the gate started flashing and everything got bright. When it all faded there was an angel standing there and I thought we were busted for sure. He told us his name was Michael and that we shouldn't be afraid."

  "How can you so easily trust him though after you've seen what this Michael has done?"

  "We can’t, but he answered our questions and told us things the other angels wouldn't want us to know. He also didn't try to take our memories away which is a bit of a big deal here."

  "I guess you're right." I still feel skeptical.

  "We took him to David's and showed him what we had been working toward. That's when we found out you weren't there. I knew there was something wrong. Amanda and I were ready to go get you right then, but Michael warned us that it was probably a trap."

  "But you did come after me. What changed his mind?"

  "He doesn't know we went after you." Amanda chimes in.

  "What? What's he going to do to me when I show up?" I start to feel scared, panicked even.

  Scotty stops to face me and takes my hands. "Katie, you have nothing to be afraid of. I’m positive Michael is a good angel. As soon as he talks to you, he'll see you're not a threat."

  I focus on slowing my breathing back down to normal. I shouldn't have anything to worry about. I'm not a weapon. I am away from Cain and whatever he was doing to me in the conference room.

  We start walking again. I can see David's house from here and I feel my nerves rising inside of me with each step despite the reassurance I jus
t had. Everything's going to be okay, I keep repeating to myself. A man in an angel's cloak stands outside the door. He has black hair and light grey eyes, a striking combination. There's stubble on his chin and jawline. He's tall and has broad shoulders, nothing like the Michael who is sided with Cain. His wings are folded down making him appear less intimidating and more approachable.

  When we stand before him, he lowers his gaze and makes eye contact with each of us. I avert my gaze quickly. When he speaks his voice is soft but full of authority. "Scott, I thought I was clear when I said it was too dangerous to go after Kathryn until we knew what was happening."

  "You were. But I thought I was clear when I said I loved her and couldn't leave her there alone. She's the same old Katie. Talk to her and you'll see they didn't turn her into anything evil." Scotty, who is standing in front of me, blocking most of Michael's view, steps aside.

  Michael's eyes look me over, not in a checking me out sort of way, but I still feel self-conscious. His gaze stops at my face where he holds my eyes in his. "How do you feel, Kathryn?"

  "Physically I feel okay, but I'm really confused as to what's going on and who you are or how you got here."

  He nods. "Let's go inside and maybe I can clear some things up." We all file in through the door. The living room is full of chattering people. Michael weaves us through and we make our way to an empty back room. Sitting cross legged on the floor Michael begins. "I am the true archangel Michael from Heaven. The angel here pretending to be me is Samael. He followed Cain when he chose to form Hell."

  "So, Hell wasn't formed until after Cain died? When I was held captive by Cain, I learned that Satan and God are ideas not real beings. Is that true?"

  "There wasn’t a need for Heaven or Hell until there were humans to separate the ideas of the two sides. And calling God and Satan only ideas drastically downplays their presence. They are ever flowing telepathic beings always speaking in my ears. Just because they don’t have a physical form doesn’t mean they’re not powerful.”

  "Why have you allowed Cain to take all these people? And what is the war between the angels from Heaven and the angels from Hell really about?"

  "For a prisoner you learned a lot." Michael raises an eyebrow.

  I blush and avert my gaze. "I sorta made a friend."

  "Well I hope that we can free your friend when this is all over. Since the angels that followed Cain were the same as those of us who chose to stay with Abel, our power is matched. Abel and I made it impossible for Cain’s angels to step foot onto Earth so they couldn’t corrupt the humans. It seems they have found a way around that and Cain had Samael create a shield around this place which he calls the Kingdom so we could not get passed it to stop him from killing innocent humans. That is, not until you weakened it by using the gate in reverse. That is how I was able to get through."

  "And the war?"

  "Cain convinced the angels that followed him that they were superior to humans and deserved to live in luxury with humans as their slaves. We who followed Abel, of course, didn’t agree and told Cain he would have to leave Heaven. We gave him Hell and the authority to rule over those humans who couldn't be allowed to enter Heaven due to their actions of Earth. They turned part of Hell into a replica of Heaven for themselves. That’s where we are now."

  "Where’s Abel now?"

  "He’s waiting just outside the Kingdom for when the nearing battle begins. We need to end this and take away what power Cain and his angels have."

  "I agree. How can I help?"

  "Anything you learned when you were held prisoner could greatly help."

  Lie.

  "I didn't learn anything other than what I told you."

  "That was more than I expected. Let's hope we can use it to our advantage."

  There must be something else I can tell Michael. I scrunch my eyebrows together and try to think through the confusion. Just then David pokes his head in. "I'm sorry to interrupt but there's an angel out here saying he needs to talk to Katie. I don’t think he’s on our side, but he says he’s not leaving until Katie comes out."

  All eyes in the room fall on me. I stand slowly. It’s hard to move because every bone and muscle in my body is trembling. It has to be one of Cain's angels. None of Abel's know me. Am I going to be taken away again?

  Step by step I walk back to the living room. The buzz of conversation has dulled to whispers. I look around the room at the people sitting in chairs and on the floor all of whom are looking back at me. Then some turn their heads and I follow their gaze.

  Matthew stands in the doorway, dressed in white and frowning with a darkness shadowing his green eyes. "We need to talk, Katie Cat."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  I walk to Matthew. Despite everything I am not afraid of him, but still angry. "Okay Mattie, let's talk."

  His eyes dart around to meet all the stares he is receiving. "I'd feel better if we did this outside." He leads me out onto the porch. As the door is about to shut a hand catches it. Matthew glances up. "I'd prefer this to be private Scott."

  I turn to look at Scotty and Amanda who have followed me outside. Michael tentatively stands in the doorway halfway concealed by the door.

  "There's no chance we're letting her out of our sight with you. Why don’t you just get out of here?" Scotty's words are dipped in hatred.

  "Look, I'm only here to tell you that Cain and his angels are coming." Matthew puts his hands up.

  "What? You're warning us out of the kindness of your heart?" Amanda scowls.

  "I just care about Katie, okay? I thought she deserved to have a heads up before Cain dealt his wild card. If you want someone to blame for all this, you might want to turn around." Matthew nods his head toward Michael who lifts his chin as if to accept the challenge.

  The tension grows thicker when Scotty takes a few steps closer to Matthew. "You care about Katie? What the hell are you playing? You're the one who kidnapped her! You're the one who made her kill herself in the first place!" Scotty's glare hardens his entire face.

  I take a deep breath and step forward until Matthew and I are only inches apart. I can feel Scotty and Amanda ready to pounce behind me and I'm sure this situation hasn't made Michael too comfortable either, but I reach my hand out and touch Matthew's arm. He looks at my hand then back at my face. I try to look as open and sincere as possible. "Mattie, everything Cain has told you is a lie. The reason he and his angels left is because Abel would not let them turn the humans into slaves which was always his plan."

  Matthew goes rigid. "I don’t believe you." His voice is strained.

  "Look at what they’ve turned you into. The Mattie I knew wouldn't want to kill these people that Cain has picked for his army against good."

  Matthew's face twists. "Just stop!" He takes a couple steps back. Scotty tries to grab his arm to stop him from leaving but he shrugs him off. Matthew turns to run down the stairs. "You're wrong about Cain."

  I watch Matthew leave with a heavy heart. Even after that I hope he can be saved.

  "Is that the friend you mentioned earlier?" Michael's voice isn't mocking just simply curious.

  "Yes." My voice is barely above a whisper and I haven't looked away from where Matthew was standing only moments ago.

  "Well, good riddance. I should have stopped him from leaving. Now he’s going to tell Cain to come faster or something." Scotty's bitter tone brings me back and I turn to face him.

  "Matthew risked getting caught to tell us that Cain is coming and you're still going to say bad things about him?"

  "Kathryn is right. The extra time that we gained thanks to Matthew gives us an advantage. I don’t think capturing Matthew would have changed anything." Michael waits for Scotty to nod and then turns his attention to me. "Kathryn, what is the wild card that Matthew was talking about? Do you know any of their plans?"

  "I remember that Matthew said Cain now had his wild card. I also remember Cain talking about a girl who would lead his army. Someone who has their memories
and who is shy and quiet but observant, clever, and charismatic. Someone that everyone would follow without question. I just can't figure out who she is."

  Scotty and Amanda stay very quiet and look at me. I look back and forth between their faces, uncomfortable under their stares. "What?"

  They exchange a glance then Scotty steps forward. "Katie, that has to be you."

  "No, it’s not me." I at least know that much.

  "How do you know that? Who else could it be?" Scotty approaches me cautiously as if I'm an injured dog that might attack at any moment.

  "I just know it isn't me!" My head starts to hurt.

  "There's no other girl with her memories that the angels have been watching other than Amanda and we both know it isn't her."

  "And why not?" Amanda puts her hands on her hips.

  "You're anything but shy and quiet."

  "Fair point. I knew it had to be Katie anyway. Look at how we followed her lead at the gate and back at the mansion. She's a leader hiding as a follower."

  An alpha wolf disguised as a lamb. I start to tremble.

  Michael's eyes look very sad. "If the wild card has been dealt and Kathryn is the wild card then we could all be in a lot of danger right now."

  "Katie isn't dangerous!" Scotty now glares at Michael.

  "Maybe we should discuss this in private just in case. I'm sorry, Kathryn." Michael ushers Scotty and Amanda inside then turns to look at me apologetically.

  I give him a half smile. He's right though. I can't be trusted. I am the wild card, the alpha wolf, the weapon. I could probably destroy everyone here. I don't even know what Cain did to me.

  But I know who does.

  I jump off the porch and set off in a sprint. I know Matthew will help me. I know he's not all bad. If I can convince him of that, maybe we can save each other.

  Halfway through the forest my legs refuse to run anymore so I slow my pace. What am I going to do if Matthew can't or won't help me? What if I'm caught by Cain?

  Lost in the swirls of my fears, I almost miss Matthew leaning against a tree off to my left. He picks at the bark on a twig in his hands and doesn’t notice as I approach. “Mattie?”