Blood Sworn

by Lauryn Evans

  “No,” Azazel pleaded. “Lelahel, please, have mercy.”

  Renata took a step towards him.

  Azazel backed away from her with fear in his yellow eyes. “No. Don’t do this, Lelahel.”

  “I will not make the same mistake again.” Renata leaped into the air, thrusting her blade into Azazel’s chest.

  “NO!” he screamed, his voice hoarse. With Lux’s tip embedded in his chest, Azazel grabbed her blade, silver blood oozing from his hand as he fought to stop Lux from penetrating any deeper.

  Azazel vanished, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of black mist.

  Like a coward, he fled.

  Renata had weakened him—that much she knew for sure. But, he was still out there, and his depleted power would restore itself. The kind of power they both had could neither be created nor destroyed—it just was.

  Renata returned Lux, the light of the world, to its scabbard, where it belonged. She was an archangel—Lelahel, the Light Bringer. She was Aurora Courtenay, the Lightblood witch. She was Renata Courtenay, Mistress of the Newport House.

  It all came flooding back to her, in bits and pieces. She knew who she was. All of who she was. She knew where she came from, what she was created to do.

  She was created to bring light to the world.

  An elderly man took form, appearing out of the mist, and walked towards her.

  “Lelahel, the Light Bringer.”

  Renata fell down on one knee, dipping her head. She was in the presence of the Creator.

  The Creator’s voice boomed. “Rise, archangel.”

  Renata did so without a single word.

  “You have proven your loyalty. An act that I cannot ignore. I have watched over you since your fall. Time and time again, you have proven yourself. The time for your return has come. Soon, I fear heaven will require your strength.”

  The Creator waved his hand, and a glimmering round portal appeared beside him. “And so, I offer you your place in heaven, besides your brothers, where you belong. You will take up your rightful duty—to bring light to the universe. Come,” he said beckoning to her.

  Through the Creator’s portal, Renata could see heaven—a fortress of gold and white marble, standing majestically above her. Part of her desperately wanted to go back. Part of her felt like she couldn’t fulfill her sacred duty anywhere else.

  But that was just a part of her.

  “No,” Renata said, shaking her head. “Thank you for your offer, but I can’t accept it.”

  The Creator turned to look at her, shocked. “What did you say?”

  “I’m staying on Earth.” Renata thought of Jackson, Adela, Mariel, Wyatt, and the others, and how much she missed them. “With the ones I love.”

  “You must fulfill your duty, your divine purpose.”

  “I can,” Renata said, “and I will. I will bring light to the world, on Earth. I’ll bring light through my kind words to strangers or acts of charity.”

  The Creator nodded his head with pride. “You have made your choice. But I hope you have not forsaken us this day.” He turned and walked away, fading into nothingness with each step.

  A flash of bright white light consumed her.

  She opened her eyes and found herself outside the house. Inside, the house members were scattered around the common room and kitchen, with long faces.

  Jackson lit up when he saw her. “Renata?”

  Renata threw her arms around him, her lips connecting with his. Jackson’s hands sat on her waist, holding on to her, making sure she was really there.

  “What happened?” he asked. “Did Azazel—”

  Renata placed her index finger on his lips. “It’s all over now. Everything’s fine.”

  Jackson held her face, kissing her again.

  Adela rushed to her side, searching her body for wounds. “Are you okay, Renata?”

  “I’m fine. Everything’s fine now.”

  Adela arched a brow, looking unconvinced.

  “Really, Adela,” Renata assured her, “I’m okay.”

  Clarissa waved with her free hand, holding Adela’s with the other. “Nice to see you back in one piece, Renata.”

  “Thank you,” she replied. Renata made a face at Adela, raising a brow. She’d have to hear all about the hand-holding situation later.

  Alice pulled Renata in for a hug. “We were so worried about you.”

  “Yeah,” Edwin added, patting Renata on the back. “You gave us a real scare.”

  “Seriously,” Veronica added. “You couldn’t have given us a heads up or something?”

  Renata shrugged. “I’m sorry?”

  “Damn right, you’re sorry,” Mariel said, tightly embracing Renata.

  Heather smiled relieved. “We’re just glad that you’re back, and you’re okay.”

  “Good to see you all haven’t changed a bit in my absence.” That made Renata wonder. “Speaking of which, how long was I gone?”

  Good lord, she was tired. The constant ringing in her head wasn’t helping either.

  “Two days,” Wyatt said solemnly, his crossed arms falling to his sides.

  “Two days?”

  Renata’s brows shot up, shocked. She was gone for a whole two days? No wonder she felt so drained. In the spirit realm, it felt like minutes had gone by. Not days.

  Wyatt nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Yeah.”

  “But you’re back now,” Adelaide said, wrapping her arms around Renata. “That’s all that matters.”

  Renata smiled against her shoulder. “Indeed.”

  14

  About two quiet weeks had gone by, and life at the House was almost back to normal.

  “If she doesn’t get up soon, I’m waking her up.”

  Renata opened her eyes, stretching her arms out over her head. She recognized Mariel and Heather’s hushed voices outside of her bedroom door.

  Probably scheming, no doubt.

  Renata stretched her hand out towards Jackson, but there was nothing but empty sheets. She usually woke up before he did.

  Strange. She must have been tired after her encounter with Azazel in the spirit realm. It had taken a lot out of her.

  Renata reached over to pick up her phone from her nightstand.

  10:30 a.m.

  “Whoa,” Renata said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She never slept in this late—she was usually up around nine. Spending all of that time in the spirit realm must have taken a toll on her.

  “You will do no such thing,” Heather scolded. Renata could practically see the stern expression on her face, her hands probably resting on her hips. “Let her sleep. She’s been through a lot lately.”

  “Ugh,” Mariel groaned like a stubborn teenager. “Fine.”

  Renata’s curiosity pulled her out of bed. She opened her bedroom door, and Heather and Mariel froze dead in their tracks. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” Heather blurted out suspiciously, like she had something to hide. “Did we wake you?”

  “No, not at all,” Renata lied, not wanting to make them feel bad. Well, she didn’t want to make Heather feel bad. Mariel probably didn’t care if she woke Renata up.

  “That’s good,” Heather said, relieved. “When you’re all set, Edwin’s baking chocolate chip cookies downstairs.”

  “We thought you’d want some before they’re all gone,” Mariel teased.

  “Of course I want some!” Renata’s mouth watered. “Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite.” She poked her head out as she closed her bedroom door. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  She quickly threw some clothes on, and dashed down the stairs, following the scent of freshly baked cookies. Edwin must have been bored, or someone asked for them. Why else would he go out and buy the ingredients to bake cookies?

  Regardless, she wasn’t complaining.

  Renata practically leaped into the kitchen where Veronica, Mariel, Wyatt, and Adelaide sat at the breakfast bar, waiting to dig in. Standing by the staircas
e, Adela typed on her phone, grinning down at the screen. Alice and Heather leaned on the couch, deep in conversation, while Edwin was busy in the kitchen.

  The only one missing was Jackson.

  “Morning, Renata,” Veronica called.

  “Good morning,” she replied, sniffing the aroma. “What’s the occasion?”

  Veronica shrugged, her eyes trailing behind Renata.

  Renata turned around, looking where Veronica’s eyes led her.

  Jackson knelt in front of her, down on one knee.

  “Good lord,” Renata inhaled, breathless. Her mind whirred, trying to process what was happening.

  “Renata,” he said, clearing his throat. “I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, however long that may be.” He reached for his pocket, pulling out a small, black, velvet box.

  “Oh my god,” Renata clutched the back of her head.

  He opened the box, revealing a simple yet elegant diamond ring. “Will you marry me?”

  Renata’s breathing quickened. “Yes, good lord, yes!”

  Jackson stood, taking Renata’s left hand and sliding the ring onto her finger before enveloping her in his embrace.

  “You know,” he said sheepishly, “I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time, but I never found the right moment.”

  “This is perfect,” Renata assured him. “And there are freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to celebrate,” she winked, taking a bite.

  “That was the plan,” Jackson laughed. “I know they’re your favorite. And,” he added, snatching a cookie, “now I get to see how the whole eating as a vampire deal works first hand.”

  Renata let out a chuckle, salivating as she took another bite. Still, part of her felt guilty. He was a vampire now because of her.

  Because he was close to her.

  Jackson slid his arm around her waist, his yellow eyes bright, with a wide grin on his face.

  He survived. She survived. The House survived. Renata shed her worries, her guilt, and allowed herself to enjoy this moment. To enjoy her happiness. She deserved it.

  All of it.

  Azazel was still out there, but she could handle him. He was nothing more than a thorn in her side.

  Rowena told her that something bigger was coming. Renata knew these carefree days were numbered, but she was confident she could handle anything life threw at her. Besides, now she had a wedding to plan.

  And for now, that was much more important.

  Renata pushed herself up onto her tiptoes and kissed Jackson on the cheek. Something bigger was coming, but Renata wasn’t afraid. She celebrated this small victory, celebrated her engagement. And she celebrated the time spent with the people she loved. She would give everything to protect them, no matter the cost. It was her duty, as Mistress of the Newport House.

  Whatever was coming would have to get through her to hurt the people she loved.

  And when the time came, she’d face it head-on.

  Renata Courtenay knew she’d make it through. And she knew the Newport House would make it through.

  Just like they always did.

  Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Blood Sworn as much as I loved writing it. I’m excited for you to follow Renata into the final installment of the Newport House series, Blood Siege.

  Read on for a sneak peek or grab your copy now!

  Blood Siege Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Michael shifted his weight with unease. He leaned over the battle plans, supporting himself on the table in front of him. The tide of the war was turning to the enemy’s favor.

  Something Michael couldn’t allow.

  In the beginning, there were ten archangels, all bound by duty to serve their Creator and heaven—Michael, the Protector, Gabriel, the Messenger, Raphael, the Healer, Uriel, the Wise, Raguel the Justice Bringer, Remiel, the Avenger, Suriel, the Death Bringer, Lucifer, the Morning Star, Azazel, the Keeper of Knowledge, and Lelahel, the Light Bringer. Each archangel played a role and was at their strongest when all ten combined their unique talents. No foe stood in their way while the ten archangels stood before the heavens, united as one.

  Now, there were only seven of them that resided in heaven. Only seven of them left to defend it.

  The seven remaining archangels stood around the room in a circle, facing each other. A gold-accented cathedral ceiling topped the white marble walls, and bright, ethereal light filled the space. The entrance to the room was an open, door-less, archway. There was another large arch on the other side of the room, where the balcony was, overlooking the portal to the mortal realm. Blue skies were visible outside the room, filled with large, fluffy white clouds that surrounded the heavenly fortress. Unlike the mortal realm, heaven was forever in this state of tranquility, never to darken.

  “Uriel,” Michael said, cocking his head towards the archangel of wisdom. “What course of action brings the best outcome of this war?”

  Uriel sighed, crossing his arms. He had no good answer to give. “I see no good outcome without their assistance.” He paused. “You know we are weak without them.”

  Of the three fallen archangels, there were only two who could be of assistance to them. The first to fall, Lucifer, was the very enemy Michael sought to destroy, even though it brought him no joy to do so.

  Michael kept his gaze focused on Uriel. “Can we succeed without their aid?”

  Uriel said nothing and shifted his weight uneasily, giving Michael his answer.

  Michael rubbed his temples. It seemed there were only two ways this conflict would end. Their desired outcome, the prolonged existence of the heavens as they knew it, depended on two fallen archangels. Michael sighed.

  The Creator help them.

  “They were two of our strongest warriors. This war will soon affect the mortal realm if we do nothing.” Remiel rested his hand on the hilt of his blade, Ultor, the Avenger. “We need them, Michael. More than we ever have.”

  “Unfortunately, we will not be able to recruit both of them,” Gabriel said with a sigh, ever the bearer of bad news. “Azazel has already sided with Lucifer. His knowledge will do us no good being used to aid the enemy.”

  Michael wasn’t surprised. Azazel always had a rebellious streak, starting with his refusal to accept the Creator’s decisions without question. Still, they’d lost him to the enemy. Azazel’s legion of Watchers only supplied Lucifer with more soldiers. And if he’d already pursued Azazel, Lucifer’s next move would be to recruit Lelahel.

  Or try to, at the very least.

  Michael sighed. “What of Lelahel? Where does her allegiance lie?”

  Gabriel’s arms fell to his sides. “Lelahel has decided to remain on Earth, with the vampires.”

  Raguel rustled his stately wings. With careful consideration, he suggested, “Perhaps she can be swayed to our cause.”

  “All of Lelahel’s incarnations possess angel blood,” Raphael said, supporting Raguel’s assertion. “Even as a vampire, she will be able to access her true form because of it.”

  “Meaning, she can fight with us,” Remiel said, following Raphael’s train of thought.

  “We’re strangers to her now. She will do us no favors if she has no memory of us,” Suriel said, doubtful, balancing the weight of his blade, Mors, on two fingers. “If there’s anything Lelahel is, she’s loyal.” He tossed the sword up before catching the hilt with a firm grasp. “And I hate to break it to you, but, at the moment, we do not possess her favor.”

  “That can be amended, can it not?” Raphael countered with a hopeful attitude. To Michael, he proposed, “Surely we can do something to help her remember, to bring her to our cause. Once she understands the gravity of our situation, she might be willing to help us.”

  Michael considered Raphael’s proposal. If persuaded to their cause, as Raphael suggested, Lelahel’s mortal form’s angelic ancestry would allow her to take up her heavenly blade.

  He cast a glance at the Messenger. “Gabriel, can it b
e done?”

  “I believe so,” he replied, flaring his white, feathered wings. “With your permission, I can bring her visions of her past, in the form of a dream. Seeing as she is bound to an earthly form.”

  Michael narrowed his gaze on the battle plans. When the Creator allowed her to return, Lelahel had declined and chose to stay on Earth. She decided to abandon this life, as Michael had abandoned her all of those years ago when she’d plead her innocence, and he’d refused to believe her.

  After all this time, the guilt still wore him down.

  “You have my permission,” Michael said. “But when the time comes, the decision to take part in this war will be her choice alone. We will respect her decision, regardless.” He scanned the room. “Do I make myself clear?”

  The other archangels nodded, each bowing their head solemnly. Each prayed Lelahel would offer her aid, for, without her help, Michael feared all would be lost.

  Lelahel was the only one who could bring back his hope.

  Gabriel unfurled his glorious, white wings, and dove down through the heavens and through the portal, down to the mortal realm where Lelahel led an earthly life.

  Michael turned away from the battle plans, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword, Praesidio. Out on the balcony, he rested his hands onto the gold plated ledge in front of him. The outline of the portal to the mortal realm glimmered with divine power, rippling across its diameter. Earth was partly visible through the portal, bits of green and blue poking through.

  “Lelahel will side with us, Michael,” Uriel assured him. “It is in her nature. She will not deny our plea for help.”

  “I am not so sure,” Michael said, looking down at the portal. Down at Lelahel.

  “She has forgiven you, brother,” Uriel told him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “Now, you must forgive yourself.”

  The other archangels joined Uriel and Michael on the balcony. They stretched out their wings, taking flight and leaving Michael alone with his thoughts.

  Even though it did not seem it, heaven was darker without the Light Bringer. Unseen, this darkness dwelled about the halls like a ghost and reminded him that he failed.