A killer... an avenger.
Not for him.
Not for his family.
And certainly not for God.
For Manny, because that's what he would have done.
Avenge the ones you love at all costs.
Chapter Forty-Four
Zach
Zach shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto his desk chair. He sat on his bed and ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed, trying to ease the tightness in his chest that hadn't let go since Manny died a few days ago. His head fell forward, still astonished by that horrible night's events. Zach dropped his hands between his knees, flipping them back and forth, looking for changes. But the changes he was searching for weren't on the outside.
The burst of power had come from within him.
Zach jumped up, jolted by a nervous energy crawling through him. He pushed his concerns aside. Sergio was the most important person to worry about, not himself. He stepped out of his dress shoes and pants, needing to get out of his "funeral" clothes. He hated them. The last time he'd wore them was for Cody's funeral. Another senseless death, another person he had tried to save but failed, another memory only half-buried.
Dark water, swirling rapids, blond hair…
He yanked opened his dresser drawer and grabbed his favorite jeans. Manny's funeral had left him spent and anxious. Watching Sergio's family was like a helpless dog getting brutally kicked repeatedly. He slammed his palms against the dresser, frustrated by the waste of both lives. A soft knock interrupted his internal turmoil.
"Zach, can I come in?" his mom asked.
"Yeah, hold on a second."
He pulled a shirt down over his head and opened his door. Mom's too-bright smile greeted him. She held out her hand for him just as she had done when they arrived at the church. She had kept his hand in hers throughout the service. It felt foolish at first, but Zach drew much-needed comfort from her. His eyes never left the front pew, where Sergio and his family grieved for Manny. Javier was stoic, comforting his wife, who sobbed silently on his shoulder. They clung to each other like lifeboats in a storm, trying not to drown in their overwhelming sorrow. Sergio's grandma had her arm resting on the pew around Sergio's shoulders while Lucia clutched her other hand. But Sergio didn't seem to notice. His head never turned away from the polished wood coffin alone on the altar.
"I made a late lunch. Come downstairs and eat, honey."
Zach followed her downstairs, knowing it wasn't a request.
Dad sat at the kitchen counter, dunking his hoagie roll into a small bowl of steaming brown broth. Zach wasn't hungry, but he loved French dips. Mom handed him a plate when he sat next to his dad.
"Thanks."
She smiled at him before she made herself a plate. Silence fell over the family, each wrapped up in their own thoughts, exhausted by today's events. Zach took another bite, the sandwich bland in his dry mouth.
"Olivia will be here soon. We're going over to Sergio's." He placed the half-eaten sandwich on the plate. His stomach knotted, knowing a talk with Sergio would be difficult.
"Olivia and I decided we need to start training right away after what happened." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "We aren't sure Sergio is ready or will even continue." He shoved away from the counter, too antsy to sit. He paced, catching his parents exchanging worried glances.
Zach faced them and slapped a hand against his chest. "I don't even know if I'm ready! Who am I? How can I protect anything or anyone?" His voiced cracked. "I couldn't save Cody, and I couldn't save Manny! I can't..." He shook his head, trying to hold back the tsunami of emotions. "I can't have another friend die." His head fell forward as his shoulders slumped. He looked down, his blurry sneakers against tile.
Arms encircled him, but they weren't the slim arms of his mom. Instead, Dad's broad chest and muscular arms gave Zach the shelter he needed to let go. His forehead fell against his Dad's shoulder. They exchanged no platitudes, just comfort and no judgment. Zach let the bitter tears flow, fisting his Dad's T-shirt. Zach didn't realize how much he had needed the release until it had passed. He took a shaky breath, rubbing the palms of his hands against his scratchy eyes. Dad stepped back but kept a firm grip on each of his shoulders.
"This is a terrible time for you, and it has dredged up memories that need to stay in the past. Cody's death was not your fault." His dad gave his shoulders a reassuring squeeze. "And you may not have been able to help Manny, but you saved Sergio."
"But−"
"Don't do that to yourself. There will always be self-doubt and recriminations after a tragedy happens. I've done it many times to myself after I lost a friend in war. But you"−he shook Zach again−"and this journey... destiny... will have no room for doubt or second-guessing. That will get you killed." His eyes held stern truth.
"What if I fail? There's so much at stake!"
Mom came forward and stepped between them. "I want to show you something." She pushed down the corner of her pants. There lay a jagged red scar above her hipbone.
"A sword."
She turned and lifted her shirt. Pink scars crisscrossed over her back.
"A whip."
She lifted her hair away from the side of her neck. A thin silver line curved behind her ear.
"A knife."
Then she pointed to the bump on the bridge of her nose.
"A punch."
"Most of the battle wounds I received, and that you'll receive, heal because of our angelic powers. But I kept these scars as a reminder to stay tough, stay humble, and stay focused. You need to keep these ideals first and frontmost in your mind."
Zach was stunned and respected her on a completely different level. Why had he never noticed these scars or appreciated her understated strength? He'd always saved that sentiment for his dad, the soldier, but before him stood his mom, the warrior.
"I will.... I promise," he whispered.
She cupped his face, demanding Zach look at her. "God isn't looking for you to fail. He's given you exactly what He knows you will need, even when things go bad, for you to be successful. Your self-doubt and worry will only distract you and get you hurt.
"We love you." Mom's face lit up with her dazzling smile. "We have complete confidence in you and will always be here to help you heal when you return." She pointed to his heart. "Your heart"−she tapped his forehead−"and your brain. Use them both wisely."
He grabbed her and engulfed her in a hug. She laughed and squeezed him back.
"Thank you." His eyes landed on each of his parents. "I... I guess I needed that wake-up call."
The doorbell rang, breaking the moment. "I love you." Zach waved goodbye. He walked to the door feeling lighter, with a newfound confidence, because of his parents’ encouragement. He opened the door, and there stood Olivia, her long wavy hair framing her beautiful face, still raw from the funeral. Reaching over, he tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling at the four twinkling rhinestone studs running down her earlobe, ending with a silver dragonfly hanging from the bottom loop. Her body stilled at his touch.
"Hi, Liv," Zach said, liking how he'd caught her off guard.
"Hi yourself. You seem better?" Her eyes held questions he didn't want to answer right now.
"Much better now that I see you."
Olivia didn't resist when he brought her in for a hug. "You're so corny," she mumbled against his shirt. He chuckled but didn't let go. "I'm worried about Sergio. I hope he finds the path to peace now that the funeral is done." Olivia bit her lip, looking up at him.
"He will with our help. Let's go. We have lots to discuss with him. I hope he's ready."
Chapter Forty-Five
Olivia
Quiet murmuring, discreet sniffles, and a gurgling coffee maker greeted Olivia as she stepped into the Mendes entryway. The kitchen counters and table overflowed with food, their tantalizing aromas of spices she usually found mouthwatering. But not today. There was little solace in food for her or the visitors. The platt
ers were left untouched under the shiny plastic wrap. She and Zach entered the living room hoping to find Sergio. Instead, Javier stepped forward with open arms. His strong embrace did little to hide the devastation stamped on the lines of his face.
"Thank you for coming to the funeral today." His voiced cracked. "And for coming here." His eyes darted down the hallway. "He stays in his room most of the time. We're giving him some space, but the look in his eyes worries me." He shrugged as he stepped away. "Go on back. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you." Olivia nodded, trying to hold the dam of tears threatening to overflow again.
"Hey, Zach. Thanks for what you did for Sergio." Javier’s voice lowered as he held out his hand. "Your powers saved him."
Surprise crossed Zach's face as he returned the handshake. "You’re welcome." Zach cleared his throat. "I don't even know how I did it. I was so mad and wanted to push the Fallen away, and then he went flying backward." Olivia remembered the same sensations within her when she used her powers.
"In training, you'll hone your skills and rein in your powers. I hope you start soon... all of you," Javier said, his worried eyes lingering on Sergio's closed bedroom door.
"That's why we're here. We want to talk to Sergio about starting tomorrow, but only if he's ready," Olivia said, but she was determined to get Sergio on board.
"Good luck." A guest tapped Javier on the shoulder, and he turned away.
Olivia reached Sergio's door first. She knocked but got no reply.
"Hey, it's us." Olivia knocked harder.
His steps shuffled across the carpet before the door opened. Sergio turned back to his bed without so much as a hello. Olivia and Zach glanced at each other with raised eyebrows. Olivia walked over to Sergio while Zach stayed back, closing the door.
"Can I sit?" Olivia waved at the space next to him.
"Sure." Sergio's voice was hollow as he stared at the picture he held in his hand.
"Can I see it?" Olivia's request sounded loud in the quiet bedroom.
Sergio handed it over, not looking at her. It was a picture taken at Christmas. Sergio and Manny had their arms slung around each other's shoulders, laughing into the camera.
"That's a great picture of you two." She placed it between them, their beaming faces shining up from a different time.
Sergio nodded with a ragged sigh. "I can't believe he's gone."
Olivia startled when Sergio's normally kind eyes turned to her, holding such tormented rage. Dark shadows under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights; his face had a greenish tint under his brown skin. "I'm so sorry−"
Sergio threw up his hand between them. "Don't. It's not your fault." He glanced up at Zach. "Or yours."
Sergio jumped off the bed and paced with his hands clenched. "But I know whose fault it is." His eyes blazed with a darkness she'd never seen in him. "And I'm gonna kill every single one of them."
Olivia stole another glance at Zach's concerned face.
"Maybe you need more time−" Zach started.
"Don't tell me what I need, Boy Scout," Sergio said. "I know what I need. I need to start training. I can't just sit around here anymore." His body was rigid as he pointed at them. "We need to go to the Magi, learn whatever they'll teach us, and fight!"
Sergio picked up a book on his dresser and launched it at the wall. The book slammed against it, landing in a heap. He kicked over his book bag. He yanked out notebooks, tossing them like Frisbees, bombarding the same wall. Olivia moved toward Sergio, but Zach put his arm out, shaking his head.
Sergio's chest heaved after the last notebook landed with a thud on the floor. He ran his fingers through his hair and fisted the ends. Olivia closed the distance between them, sliding her arms around his waist. She leaned her head on his back, hearing his racing heartbeat. Everything was still, as if the house and its occupants had held their breath while Sergio released his fury.
"I miss him so much." Sergio’s ragged whisper cut through her as his body sagged.
Olivia could only nod from behind, wishing she could do more to absorb his pain. She hadn't heard Zach slip in front of Sergio but saw his long fingers clasping his shoulder.
"I can't imagine your pain, but you're not alone in this. We're here and want to help you. We'll learn, train, and fight... together... do whatever it takes to get ready, so nothing like this happens again."
Olivia came around to face Sergio. "We want to start tomorrow." She took his hand. "Do you think you're ready? I mean, really ready to do this. We can hold off till−"
"No!" His intensity lit up. "I need to start now. It'll help me work out my feelings about Manny, and I can release this energy that has no place to go." He blew out a breath.
Olivia nodded. "All right.... You might talk to Balthazar or Gabriel−"
"No. I've got my family and you guys." His quick response surprised her. "Sorry about the fit, but it kinda felt good." A smirk tugged at the corner of Sergio's mouth.
"It looked like it felt real good!" Zach slapped Sergio's shoulder.
"So, let's meet at my house after school tomorrow," Olivia said. "Dad said the Magi come to us the first time and take us through the portal to their training grounds."
"Awesome. Tomorrow it is," Zach said.
Olivia squeezed Sergio's hand, but he held on tight.
"Thanks, both of you, for coming here. I feel better now knowing we'll start training. I needed that." He released Olivia’s hand, smiling. "I better clean up my mess and head to the living room before Abuela pounds on my door."
"Anytime." Zach opened the door, the corner of his lips lifted as he waited.
"See you tomorrow," Olivia said.
"Yeah, tomorrow," Sergio said, closing the door behind them.
The afternoon sun peeked through the gray clouds as Olivia and Zach slipped out the front door. But it only reached skin deep. With Sergio riding the edge of his emotions, combined with her own frayed nerves, uncertainty set in Olivia’s bones. What tomorrow or the days following held brought a sense of excitement, but doubt wedged its way in too. Olivia pushed it away, lifting her face to the sunlight. She couldn't sabotage herself with negative thinking. She must focus on the light, not the dark trying to steal it from her.
Her life depended on it.
Sergio
Starting tomorrow....
Good.
Sergio picked up the picture of himself and Manny. He ran his thumb over Manny's smiling face, but his dead face replaced it. A raw ache throbbed in Sergio’s chest as he moved to his dresser. He slid the picture between the panels of the dresser mirror's wooden frame, never wanting to forget how his brother had looked before they killed him.
His eyes flickered to the closet reflected in the mirror. He could visualize the axe, still wrapped inside his jacket, tucked inside an old backpack lying on the dark closet floor.
His hands ached to touch it, to caress the steel handle and skim his fingers over the sharp blade. He closed his eyes, imagining himself, body vibrating with excitement, raising the axe at his target.
Zar.
He hurled the flaming axe aimed at Zar's chest, but his face blurred into another. Someone who said he'd protect him.
Gabriel.
Sergio's eyes snap open, seeing himself in the mirror. Hard, golden-rimmed brown eyes looked back, the same as the angel in the vision.
He's the real reason Manny is dead.
Horror snaked up his spine, appalled he even considered such a horrendous thought. It was Zar's fault. He was the one who wanted them dead, not Gabriel.
But it whispered to him, tickled the dark recesses of his mind, which were still tormented by Manny's death. His eyes darted back to the closet. Shame pushed its way through his anger.
You cannot kill an archangel.
You'd be damned to Hell.
Shame your family and friends.
But...
I'd avenge Manny... keeping my promise to him.
He tumbled on the bed and curled up in a fetal position. Sweat b
roke out on his brow as his fractured emotions raged inside him, hurtling him over a cliff into a dark void of pain, anger and revenge.
Chapter Forty-Six
Delilah
The Throne Room was steamy, ripe with uncoiled anticipation. Water lapped against the edge of the dark pool as the serpent skimmed the water. A chill tingled her feet as Delilah remembered its fins slicing her heels as Lucifer dangled her over the pool, wondering if the next time the serpent surfaced, she'd go down with it. But events had taken a different course... just as she had so deviously planned.
Delilah laid a possessive hand on Lucifer's knee. She stood next to him while he lounged on his dragon throne, but looks were deceiving. His evil power and granite hardness radiated in her hand. Delilah's heart jumped when Lucifer's hot hand touched hers. She sent a coy smile over her shoulder, teasing him with a sultry promise. The corners of his lips lifted as his eyes traveled down her body, which was dressed in a tight one-piece body suit.
A thrill of desire sparked inside her. She'd never known such intense passion and had never planned on it happening with Lucifer. But he had unleashed a dark yearning within her. Her body and mind had awakened during her Fall, now greedy to satisfy her dark cravings and thirst for power. This was precisely what she wanted.
Total freedom of mind and body.
Delilah needed to hold Lucifer's undivided attention and complete trust to remain safe. His tastes were depraved, and his determination to destroy mankind was his obsession. Handing out punishment was a playful diversion for him as he plotted out his self-proclaimed destiny for his Seven Realms of Hell. Their Master's demands drove the Princes, knowing the consequences, to please at all costs. She had to be careful, or she'd be Lucifer's next victim.
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