Marked, Soul Guardians Book 1

by Kim Richardson

Kara watched helplessly as Michael and Raphael carried the archangel Camael to one of the wooden tables. Raphael folded a bundle of cloth hastily and used it as a pillow. She took Camael’s hands and placed them at her side, whispering to her softly. Her wounds were severe, and Kara wondered if she would survive.

  She watched silently as Raphael pressed her hands together in front of her and closed her eyes. As if in prayer, she stood there for a moment without moving. Her skin gave off a soft white glow.

  Raphael opened her eyes suddenly. They had become glowing white spheres. She stared down at the injured archangel, with eyes like tiny suns. With open palms, she placed her hands on Camael’s chest. Rays of light poured from her touch, and enveloped Camael’s body in a coverlet of white light. Kara watched as Camael’s body absorbed the light like a sponge. After a moment, the lesions on Camael’s body grew smaller until the skin sealed itself. Soon every last cut was mended. Raphael helped Camael to a sitting position and kept her arm wrapped around her shoulders. Her face still held traces of agony, but otherwise Kara thought she looked well enough. She sighed in relief.

  “She’ll be fine, Raphael is an incredible healer,” said her mother.

  “Asmodeus is a monster. He can’t get away with this—with everything he’s done.” Kara’s voice rose unintentionally, and she lowered it when she saw the grave expression on her mother’s face.

  Kara’s mother gave her a weak smile and spoke to her softly so that only she could hear. “About your father … I’ve been told you know who he is.”

  Kara stared into her mother’s big brown eyes. Sadness reflected in them. “Mom … when you met him, couldn’t you tell he was a demon?”

  Her mother shook her head. “I didn’t know he was a demon. If I had known … I would never have married him. How could I? I was in my mortal body when I met him the first time. He was tall and so handsome. He told me his name was Samuel. I fell in love with him that very first day—don’t look at me like that—he was good to me, Kara—and to you, too. He wasn’t this evil thing that he has become. I believe he wasn’t always evil … he changed.”

  “And not in a good way. He’s evil, mom. The worse kind of evil you can imagine.”

  Her mother twitched uncomfortably. “I know. And it’s hard to believe I ever felt anything for someone so cruel.”

  “And being a guardian, couldn’t you tell he was a demon? Couldn’t you see demons back when you were a mortal? Why couldn’t you see through him, mom?”

  “It wasn’t like that. I never saw demons when we were together. I only saw him as a mortal man, with mortal flesh. And then I got pregnant with you, we were happy. And then five years later … he died suddenly … well, his mortal suit died. I had no idea that he had been planning this all along, Kara—believe me. Then a few months ago, I was in the kitchen and three higher demons attacked me. I don’t remember anything else after that.”

  Kara put her hand on her mom’s shoulder tenderly. “It’s okay, mom. I get it.”

  “The last thing I do remember is waking up in the Healing-Xpress. Raphael had a towel ready, and she told me everything. She told me who Samuel really was, and how he had used me. She also told me that you were a guardian, too, but with a special talent. After she explained about your elemental power, I was terrified for you. This elemental power is dangerous. I’m so angry at what he’s done to you.” Danielle embraced her daughter. “I’m so sorry, Kara. If I could take it all away for you, and give you a normal life … I would.”

  “I know, mom. It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. Besides, I like being a guardian. It has its moments.” Kara laughed softly into her mother’s shoulder. “I just wished I could have stopped this somehow. Stopped the killings.”

  “Don’t worry. The Legion is stronger than you think. We will survive this.”

  Kara hoped her mother was right. She felt a presence behind her, and looked up to see Michael approaching the table. He hovered above the injured archangel. He took Camael’s hand in his gently. His beautiful face was transformed into something terrifying, almost feral. His eyes were wild. Kara felt suddenly cold. But when he spoke his voice was gentle. “Camael. Can you tell us what happened?”

  The archangel Camael stared at the table for a moment before answering.

  “It happened so fast.” She shook her head. “We never imagined the High Council could be under attack—never. We weren’t prepared.” She stared at her trembling hands, and wrapped them into tight fists. Kara wanted to reach out to her and comfort her, but she feared what Michael would do. Perhaps it wasn’t her place. So she took a step forward instead.

  “Do not fret, Camael. You cannot blame yourself for what happened,” said Michael, his voice was full of compassion. He pressed his hand over hers kindly.

  “The doors burst open,” continued Camael, her voice wavering. “So many of them … so many of them.” Her eyes were filled with terror. Her body shook uncontrollably. Kara wondered if she had gone mad with what she’d witnessed. She wouldn’t blame her if she had.

  Michael squeezed her hand tenderly. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Please, Camael—tell us what happened, it’s very important. Don’t be afraid.”

  Kara and the rest of the team waited patiently as the archangel composed herself and started her story once again.

  “We were taken by surprise. At first, hoards of lower demons ravaged the chamber, destroying everything. Then the higher demons came.” Camael stared into space. “And then … he came.”

  “Asmodeus,” said Michael.

  “Yes.” Camael raised her head and met Michael’s eyes. “He just started killing council members—ripping them apart. Their screams … their screams.” She covered her ears with her hands and shook her head.

  “He drank in their essences, Michael! Like a beast! How could he have done that? He took their life forces into himself and strutted around the chamber laughing. Uriel tried to stop him. He really tried. He was the strongest of us. But Asmodeus just laughed at him. He mocked him, and then he … he killed him. He killed Uriel!” Camael screamed his name and collapsed into Raphael’s arms.

  Kara felt numb. Uriel was dead. Asmodeus had killed him. It was unreal that someone so powerful could be gone. He had been kind to her at times. Her soul mourned his loss.

  Camael pulled Michael closer to her. “He tortured him, Michael! Tortured him! They held him down and cut off pieces slowly. Asmodeus laughed and danced as Uriel cried out in pain. It was horrible. He took his essence, and then came after me. I … I thought I was going to be the next.” She closed her eyes. “He hurt me. It—burned. I wanted the pain to stop. I wanted to die. But then he stopped. He said he wanted me to get out … to deliver a message to you.”

  “What’s the message?”

  “That it’s over. The Legion has lost.” Camael opened her eyes and terror flashed across her face. “To join him now … or die. He said he would gladly fight you.”

  Michael let go of Camael. “If it’s a fight he wants, then a fight he shall have. He will taste the bitterness of true death. He will die at the hands of an inferno blade.”

  Michael’s silver and gold robes rippled out behind him as he crossed the chamber. He stood before the parcel wrapped in golden cloth. Kara watched as Gabriel eyed it suspiciously. She shifted her weight nervously. What was wrapped in that piece of cloth? And what exactly was an inferno? The tension was driving her nuts.

  After a moment, Michael reached out and removed the cloth. Kara gasped. Flames rose from the spot where the item lay. And for a moment, the table was bathed in a soft golden color. Kara crossed the room. She could see yellow flames reflected in Michael’s eyes. She looked down. A single golden dagger rested above a piece of cloth. Flames flickered and danced around the handle and around the blade. The blade shimmered. It was a blade made of fire.

  Michael lifted the dagger in the air. Golden flames wrapped around his hand and spilled towards his arms. His entire arm was aflame in golden fire. With
his face tightly determined, he looked taller and more fearsome. Kara wondered if that was an after effect of the blade. He looked terrifying. She realized she was more fearful of him, than any demon. Kara felt herself stepping back. If anyone could defeat Asmodeus, she was certain it would be Michael.

  Michael lowered his arm and examined the blade more closely. “A weapon built by the creators from the flames of the heavens, for one purpose only—to bring the true death to an archangel. The blade that kills archangels will eliminate the demon Asmodeus.”

  Kara watched the fire licking around Michael’s hands and down his arms. It came as no surprise now why Gabriel had eyed it with a reproachful glare. He knew it could kill him.

  “Wait!” Camael threw her arms in the air. “You don’t know what he’s done. You don’t understand the power he has now—”

  “No archangel can survive the strike of the inferno. He will die.”

  Camael shook her head. “I don’t think … you don’t understand. He’s not just a demon anymore. He’s changed.”

  Raphael exchanged a look of concern with Michael, but he ignored it. She brushed a long lock of hair from Camael’s face. “What do you mean, Camael? In what way has he changed?”

  Camael struggled with what she was about to say. “He has ingested the souls of archangels. Their energy flows inside him. Their strength—is now his strength. He will not be easily defeated.”

  “He will be defeated, nonetheless.” Michael’s eyes blazed with hatred.

  “He has been planning this for a very long time. He’s always wanted to control Horizon—”

  “He has?” blurted Kara before she could control herself. All eyes were on her, and she wished she could disappear.

  Camael turned and regarded Kara for a moment. Her voice was calm when she spoke. “Yes. Even as an archangel, I could see his lust for power, and it worried me. His soul slowly corrupted itself. His charm and his natural ability to lead created a following. Angels and archangels alike listened to and adored him. It was too easy for him, and his hunger for power grew. He contemplated a takeover with a group of our most powerful and talented angels. He nearly succeeded, you know. But in the end, he didn’t have enough members, and the Legion vanquished them. Asmodeus and his followers were banished to the Netherworld.

  “He didn’t take being banished lightly. Asmodeus was a proud archangel, and the strongest amongst us. I saw the hatred in his eyes when he departed. I knew then, it wouldn’t be the last we’d see of him. I just never imagined it could be like this.”

  Gabriel slammed his fist on the great table. Kara and the others jumped. “He will pay dearly for what he has done!”

  Camael shook her head. “I cannot understand how he could consume all those archangels’ souls—and still live. His body shouldn’t be able to withstand it. We creatures were not created to endure so much power. He must have learned something that we are ignorant of. It makes no sense to me.”

  Michael turned to Gabriel. “Get the troops ready. We leave in fifteen minutes. We must act now, while there are still some of us left who can.” He sheathed the blazing blade in a leather sheath wrapped tightly around his ankle. Kara couldn’t see the flames anymore. He straightened and shared a look with Gabriel. “We know where he’ll be. It’s time.”

  Gabriel nodded in silent agreement. He turned and addressed the others. “Guardians, follow me. We’re going to meet with the rest of the troops in the atrium—no, not you Kara.”

  “What!” Kara’s voice rose before she could control it. “I’m a guardian. I’m coming too.”

  “No, you will stay with Raphael—”

  “I’m not staying behind!” Kara’s temper flared. She saw the irritation in Gabriel’s face, but she couldn’t control herself. She had risked her life to get here and fight alongside her friends. This was her fight, too; they couldn’t take that away from her. “I’m going.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? This is crazy!”

  “Because we know Asmodeus intends to kill you. You’re safe here.”

  Kara clasped her shaking hands into fists. “He intends to kill everyone! I’m not going to stay here and hide like a coward.”

  “We need you safe, Kara—”

  “I’m going! He used me to kill all those mortals, and now angels. And you expect me to sit tight? You don’t know me. I’m not staying behind.”

  Michael pushed past Gabriel. His eyes fixed on Kara. “Can you imagine what would happen if he killed you and ingested your power? Camael tells us that he is absorbing the essence of archangels. What if he is planning on embracing yours? What would happen if he succeeded? Can you think of the devastation he could cause with elemental power surging through him? He would become a creature that no one would be able to vanquish. Not even an inferno blade could harm him. We would all perish.”

  Kara could only stare. She hadn’t thought of that. Although it hurt to hear it, she knew Michael was right. She would have to stay behind. Kara pressed her lips into a hard line. She caught David staring at her. He gave her a weak smile. Kara stared at the floor.

  Satisfied, Michael walked past her without another word and vanished behind the chamber’s door.

  Gabriel stood by the doorway. “Danielle. David. You’re coming with us. It’s time we paid a little visit to my long lost brother.”

  Kara’s mother went to her and embraced her. “Don’t do anything stupid,” her mother whispered in her ear. “I know you, Kara. Be careful. I’ll see you soon. Promise.”

  Kara hugged her mother tightly for a moment, and then let her go. She forced a smile.

  David tried to catch Kara’s attention, but she didn’t look at him. She was angry and ashamed. It wasn’t fair.

  With tightness in her chest, Kara watched them disappear behind the door.

  Chapter 16

  Down Under