Marked, Soul Guardians Book 1

by Kim Richardson

  Humid air brushed against Kara’s face. The hot sun beat down on her head. Exhaust fumes moved in clouds of grey, choking out any fresh air. The aroma of roasted meat and the tang of smoke drifted from the streets. The concrete megalopolis of São Paulo was overwhelming. Millions of mortals flocked to and from their jobs and lounged at nearby restaurants. Loud conversations in a language she didn’t understand surrounded her. She didn’t know one word in Portuguese, but the language sounded exotic and beautiful. Endless stands of skyscrapers defined the horizon from every angle.

  They passed many lush green parks, and the avenues were all landscaped with tall leafy trees that swayed in the breeze. Remembering lessons from her high school geography class, Kara knew this was the largest city in South America, and São Paulo even made New York City seem small in comparison. She felt claustrophobic, small, and very insignificant. Much to her own surprise, Kara realized she preferred quiet small-town life, where she could hear herself think.

  Peter held a square contraption that looked like a television remote control with wires sprouting from the top. A flash of green electricity flowed through it. After reading it for a moment he gestured to Kara and David and led the way through the surge of humanity. Kara was relieved to see that the sidewalks were large enough to accommodate so many people at once. But she still got nicked and pushed by the mortal mob. After ten minutes of fighting the crowd, she was grateful when Peter took a sudden turn and led them down a quiet street. He stood in front of a beige stucco building with a large bay window that displayed a variety of female mannequins. He raised his hand and pointed.

  “It’s in there. Come on, follow me.” Peter climbed up three steps and pulled open a large green door. Kara and David followed quickly behind.

  The smell of mildew and cigarettes hit her on the way in. She gagged and covered her nose. They followed Peter through a multitude of racks crammed with dilapidated clothing. The fluorescent lights on the low ceiling hummed incessantly. Kara avoided stepping on large brown stains. Small black burn marks peppered the beige carpet that ran the length of the shop. After passing a selection of half-naked mannequins dressed in clothes from the seventies, they moved to the back of the store and down a hallway.

  A door stood at the end of the hallway. Peter wrapped his hand around the metal handle and pulled. A staircase lay beyond the threshold. Together, they climbed down four sets of stairs to a basement. Boxes were stacked all the way to the ceiling. Clothes spilled out of open crates. The air was stale, and a musty smell of incense surrounded them. Large black beetles scattered across the walls and disappeared into crevices as Kara ducked around a half-fallen halogen light fixture that flicked on and off and covered the room in eerie flickering shadows.

  “It’s over here.” Peter pointed to a spot on the wall that shifted and wavered as though the wall was made of liquid plaster.

  Kara crossed the room and stood by Peter. “So—now what, Dr. Frankenstein?”

  Nerves fluttered around inside her. She folded her arms across her chest, hid her trembling hands beneath them, and tried to look calm.

  Peter pocketed his contraption. “We begin. Let’s start with our special cocktail.”

  He lowered his green backpack to the floor. After rummaging through it for a moment, he pulled out a tiny silver dagger. The blade had a curve in it like a hook. He shared a sidelong glance with David and smiled.

  “So what are you planning on doing with that knife?” Kara didn’t hide her skepticism. She eyed the dagger suspiciously. “Seriously, what are you going to do? Skin yourselves?”

  “This is where the fun begins,” said David proudly. “Give it here.”

  He took the dagger from Peter and held out his hand. “Give me your hands, Kara.”

  Kara pressed her hands on her hips and glowered. “Excuse me? You can’t be serious. You’re going to…bleed me? No way. This is not happening.”

  “We can’t bleed you. You have no blood, remember,” replied Peter, a little hesitantly. “But we do need to cut through your M-suit to get some of your essence.”

  Kara backed away. She pointed a finger at David. “You are going to bleed me! I thought you were joking! Forget it. There’s no way I’m letting you do this. This is nuts.”

  “We each need a cut, not just you,” said Peter. “For our plan to work, your essence has to pass through our hands and into our bodies—from yours. Your essence needs to mix with our own for this to work.”

  Kara considered his words briefly. She wiped her brow. “You’ve gone mad—the two of you have gone completely mad—you know that. This is never going to work.”

  Kara watched David nervously. Whatever essence roamed inside her body, she knew it was dangerous. It was the darkness she felt sometimes in the corners of her mind. It could be poison to another angel. What if her essence made him sick? Or worse…killed him.

  “Kara, listen. We think it’s going to work.” David approached her carefully. “You have to trust me on this. You’re going to need our help on the other side. I’m not letting you go alone this time. Forget it. This is going to work. I know it will. Just give it a chance.”

  “And if it doesn’t? What then?” Kara clenched her jaw.

  “Then we’ll both go back. Promise.” David’s eyes shone with concern. “But I have to try first. If it doesn’t work, then we’ll go.”

  Kara was touched that David thought himself her protector, but she was afraid for him. Afraid of what might happen once they stepped into the demon’s realm. Having allies was a plus—she could most definitely use their help—what harm could it do? If they could pass unharmed, then it was worth a shot. Jenny’s soul was worth a shot.

  She sighed loudly. David cupped her hand in his and stared at her expectantly. Their eyes locked for a moment.

  Reluctantly, Kara gave David both her hands. “This better work.”

  He turned her palms over.

  Carefully, David pressed his blade into Kara’s right palm. With a twist of his wrist, he sliced through. A sting pained her, but she showed no emotion. Immediately, light poured from the wound and illuminated their faces in a golden glow. The cut was deep. Golden droplets fell to the ground at her feet. With another sting, David sliced Kara’s left palm.

  Satisfied, he then pressed the blade in his own hand, and sliced his palm. His M flesh parted slightly and rays of white light showed through his wound. White liquid poured down his wrist. After he cut his other palm, he turned and grabbed a petrified Peter.

  With a small moan, Peter closed his eyes, and David cut both his palms. Peter’s face was illuminated in rays of white light.

  “And now we all hold hands,” said David.

  The three of them clasped their hands together and formed a circle.

  At first nothing happened, and then Kara felt a soft tingling in her palms. Her eyes met David’s momentarily, and he gave her a reassuring smile. A surge of warmth passed through her chest and escaped through her hands. She felt a cool release flow through her like a stream. Tiny golden sparks danced around Kara’s hands. They coiled around her arms and circled around David’s arms first and then Peter’s, until the three of them were covered in spirals of gold. Her elemental power rose without summoning. She felt it pass along her arms and escape through her hands. She heard Peter and David laugh. Her head fell forward slightly, and she felt the energy drain from her a little, as from a virus from when she was mortal. But it wasn’t enough to alarm her. Slowly, her energy flowed from her body.

  A violent jolt shook them. Golden wires of current spiraled and twisted around them savagely. With a loud crack, the golden tendrils tightened their grip. Kara’s face and clothes were buffeted violently in the strong winds. With a sudden boom, the lights above exploded and showered them with pieces of hot glass. A blast of golden light lit the air around them. The ground trembled and Kara’s hair stood on end.

  “Something is wrong!” shouted Kara over the raging winds. She tried to pull her hands aw
ay, but she couldn’t. It was as though they were crazy-glued to each other. Peter looked towards the ceiling. His eyes widened. Kara followed his gaze.

  A dark cloud formed above their heads. It swirled and closed in on them. Blinding lightning bolts flicked and struck the ground at their feet. The entire structure shook and rattled. It threatened to collapse on them at any moment. Thick chunks of plaster fell on their heads and exploded from the walls. Floorboards creaked and shot up in the air. Kara heard Peter cry out above the whistling of the wind. Another lightning bolt struck directly in front of them.

  Kara groaned. This was wrong. She shouldn’t have let them talk her into this.

  The dark storm was all around them. Lightning crackled through the darkness. It howled and threw another volley of lightning bolts.

  “Kara, it’s burning!” shouted David above the howling wind.

  Kara staggered forward as David wrenched his arms in the other direction. Their hands wouldn’t come apart. He cried out in frustration.

  Desperately, Kara gave a sharp tug of her hands. Nothing.

  Peter’s face was screwed in agony. She watched his lips move in a silent cry. Kara pulled at their hands with excruciating force. Nothing. They were all cemented together. She felt if she pulled anymore, she would rip off their arms. The smell of burning flesh rose to her nostrils. Mist coiled around Peter and David’s bodies. They were being roasted.

  Kara closed her eyes and concentrated. Blocking out Peter and David’s howls, she searched for her power. She called it forth. At once, a warm energy surged within her. It drew back in, as though her body were a vacuum and sucked the remnants of her power through her hands. It rippled through her palms and down inside her.

  Suddenly, a ball of white-hot power formed in the middle of their circle. The ball grew. With a sudden explosion, Kara, Peter, and David were propelled into the air and crashed against the walls.

  Stillness. Kara rolled over and looked around. She blinked through a haze of light smoke. Tiny fires burned in the cardboard boxes and clothes on the floor. Scorch marks painted the walls with ugly black stains. She hauled a piece of broken drywall off of her legs and looked over to Peter and David.

  “You guys okay?”

  David pushed himself up and wiped his jeans. Clouds of white dust rolled off his clothes. “I still have all my parts. Peter? You okay, man?”

  Peter pushed himself to a sitting position. He nodded and adjusted his glasses. “What the heck happened? Did you guys feel that?” He spit out dirt from his mouth.

  Kara jumped to her feet. She scowled at them for a moment before her expression cooled. “I’m guessing a side effect to your master plan—I knew this was a mistake—and by the looks of everything, I’d say it was a very big one.”

  “Oh, come on! It was awesome,” beamed David as he stretched. “I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was as if I could feel you guys pass through me. Man, that was freakin’ weird.”

  “Yeah,” said Peter and his eyes widened. “But I’m not sure what the whole cloud thing was…and the lightning? What was that all about?”

  Kara pressed her hands on her hips. “Maybe it was a warning that this was a bad idea.” She put out one of the fires with her boot. “But how do you feel now,” she asked nervously. “Do you feel any different? Sick? Weak?”

  “I don’t feel sick. But I do feel a little light headed…as though I’ve had a few too many drinks.” David laughed.

  Peter was silent for a second, and then he lifted his brows. “Not what I expected. But I feel surprisingly well. Hopefully it’ll still work. I’m not sure though…after the whole lightening attack.”

  “It’ll work. I’m telling you.” David rubbed his hands together. “Ok. Let’s get this party started—”

  An elderly woman stormed into the basement. Her heavy chest rose and fell as she gasped for breath. Her red and white flowered print dress swayed and settled around her large middle. Her white hair was pulled back into a bun. Her large grey eyes were frightened. She lifted a bony finger and pointed. “Demônios! Vocês são demônios!” she howled.

  “What did she just say?” whispered Kara. She watched the old woman intensely. Something dark gleamed behind her in her other hand.

  “My Portuguese is a little rough. But I think she just called us demons,” said Peter, and he gave Kara a shrug.

  “Great. That’s all we need now.” Kara approached the woman carefully. “Please, I don’t speak Portuguese. But we’re not demons.” She pointed to herself and shook her head. “See, we’re angels…no dominoes.”

  The woman recoiled. She raised her other hand. A dark object rattled in her grasp.

  “Oh, man! She’s got a gun. This is so not good.” David slapped his forehead with an open hand.

  “David, quiet!” Kara lifted her hands up. “Please…we mean you no harm—”

  BANG!

  The woman’s hand jerked back. Smoke rose from the barrel. A little throb of pain vibrated in Kara’s chest, and then it was gone. She staggered back. She pressed her hands on her chest. The woman shot her.

  At first she started to panic, but then she realized that she couldn’t die from a gunshot as she was already dead. She heard something hit the floor behind her. Kara knelt and picked up a brass bullet from the gun. It felt warm against her palm. She stood up and lifted her shirt. Slowly, she moved her hand over her abdomen. Her skin was whole except for a tiny whole above her belly button. There was no pain. The bullet had gone right through.

  “Diabo! Diabo!” The old woman threw up her hands and wailed. The gun fell to the ground with a soft clang. She turned on her heel and ran up the stairs at a speed Kara thought would be impossible for such an old woman with such a large belly. Kara heard a few crashes, a deafening scream, and then silence.

  “Well, that went well,” laughed David. He walked over the staircase and shouted. “Any more old ladies care to take a shot at us? There’s a senior’s special—two for one—if you hurry.”

  Kara pressed her hand against her chest again. The hole had disappeared. “Wow. I’ve never been shot before. It felt really weird.” Kara examined her stomach again. The wound had already healed.

  Peter walked over to the staircase and peered up. “We better hurry up before her entire family comes back with shotguns and demon repellent powders.”

  David bobbed his head. “He’s right. We don’t want to make the five o’clock local news—although I do enjoy my five minutes of fame—just not mixed up with grannies and guns.”

  Kara eyed the Rift cautiously, “Then, let’s get out of here.”

  Peter crossed the basement and stood before the Rift. “Well, it’s now or never.”

  He glanced nervously at the shimmering wall. “Who wants to go first?” He began to smile.

  David took Peter by the arm and pulled him away. “Sure. I’ll be the guinea pig. Let’s find out if this worked.” David stepped in front of the Rift. He lifted his right hand and pushed it through. After a second he retrieved it. His hand was unscathed.

  “It worked!” Peter danced on the spot, his face beamed. “I knew it! I knew it! I’m a genius.”

  Kara shifted uncomfortably. Part of her was glad their scheme had worked, but another part dreaded what would happen next. She didn’t want them to risk their souls with her. “Guys, before you get too excited—you know Lilith’s leading us into a trap, right? We might not make it back.”

  David took Kara’s hand gently. “We know…and we’re going. I’d do anything to save Jenny, even if it meant we might not make it back. We owe her. She’s our friend, too.”

  Kara sighed. “I know. I’d probably do the same if I were in your shoes. Okay, let’s do this. Jenny may not have very long. Remember, I’ve got to get information for the Council, too. I’m going to need some time to figure out if there are other Liliths.”

  “Any ideas how you’re going to do that?”

  “No. But they’re depending on me. I’ll figur
e something out. Now, be careful and watch your backs. This place is foul, really foul. Never let your guard down—ever.”

  “We won’t.” Peter shoved the dagger back into his backpack. He swung his pack over his shoulders and planted his feet. “We’re ready.”

  “Good.” Kara gave Peter a smile. Whatever adversities waited for them on the other side, she prayed that Jenny would still be in good enough shape to make the trip back. Who knew what Lilith had already done to her? She would find out very soon.

  Kara stepped forward and teetered. A spell of dizziness washed over her suddenly. She pressed her hand on her forehead. Her vision blurred and then sharpened.

  “Kara? Are you okay?” David grabbed her elbow and steadied her. “What’s the matter? How are you feeling? Kara?”

  Kara strained to open her mouth, but it was like trying to force open a brick wall. A wave of sickness rushed through her. A cold ache spread to her limbs, like from the symptoms of the flu virus, but worse. “What is happening?”

  “Kara?”

  The spell lessened. Her strength returned gradually. She pried open her mouth with great difficulty. “I—I’m okay now. It passed.”

  “Are you sure?” David’s expression was a mix of concern and regret. “You don’t look so good. You look a little sick. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

  “No, no. Don’t worry about it.” Kara straightened. “I’m feeling much better. It was nothing. I’m fine, seriously.”

  “It didn’t look like nothing.”

  “I’m fine really. I promise.” Kara forced a smile and averted her eyes. She yanked her arm, but David wouldn’t let go. “I’m okay, David, really. We should get going. You don’t want to keep Lilith waiting.”

  Remnants of the dizzy spell still lingered inside her, but she ignored them.

  David studied Kara’s face for a moment. Finally he released her arm and brandished two soul blades. Their glimmer reflected on his grinning face. “All right then.”

  David jumped up and slashed the air in front of him. “Come on people! We’ve got some demons to cut up!”

  And with that, Kara, David, and Peter stepped into the Rift.

  Chapter 11

  The Demon City