Redeemed In Shadows

by Tigris Eden

  “You and me Jes are on the same team,” she heard him say, but his voice was muffled. Her power growing exponentially as she tried to reign in what control she had. In front of her Solon was still talking, but she couldn’t hear, she was focused on the Angel up on the dais with the amber eyes and black hair. He was talking to the other Angels, and they all looked worried. When sound finally returned she could hear Solon cursing as he backed away while the crowd was going absolutely bat-shit crazy. She knew her eyes were cold, lifeless. Standing, she lifted her hand, and she could feel the energy rushing forward to the tips of her fingers as her power tossed Solon up and away from her. He hit the ground with a hollow thud, dirt sprayed around in a plume of brown smoke. She walked toward her intended target when she was grabbed from behind. Jerking forward, she wrenched from her would-be captor and turned to see a not so small group of Death Walkers advancing.

  Fucking zombies!

  She knew this was Enri’s doing, and as soon as she was able, she was going to rip him apart, slowly and then gut out his insides. The Death Walkers approached her calmly, although some of them didn’t look rotted or grotesque like your typical zombies, they were just that. The living dead. She might as well have starred in her own version of Resident Evil, with a side of Spartacus Blood and Sand, only immortal style. Death Walkers were not only advancing on her, but they were attacking Solon as well. Part of her wanted to help him; the other half of her could care less. She had her own shit to deal with.

  Three Death Walkers came at her and Jes wished she’d taken the guns. Now she would have to get up close and personal. Palming the sword at her feet, she picked it up, and in a swinging motion clipped a zombie on the shoulder. It was a woman with blonde hair. Blondie moved to the side and back to avoid being sliced in half, but caught the sword in her hand yanking it away.

  Fucking bitch.

  The other two zombies were huge ass linebacker types who rushed her. Linebacker one grabbed her by the throat lifting her in the air and linebacker number two stumbled forward smiling, he stood there and watched as her feet dangled as the other zombie shook her back and forth like a rag doll. She grabbed his wrists with both hands trying her best to get free. From her peripheral, she could see Solon taking down zombie after zombie as she struggled with her three assailants. Air was leaving her quickly making her weak. Black spots crowded her vision almost taking her under. She stopped struggling long enough to use her legs, wrapping them tight around the waist of the zombie currently trying to choke the life out of her. Squeezing as hard as she could with her thighs, she tried taking him down, but Mr. Smiley went to his friend’s aid, grabbing her sharply by her hair and jerking her head back. His black eyes alight with death as he pulled making Jes scream out in pain. She refused to let go of the other zombie and was rewarded when he finally let up on her neck. She saw her opening and used it to her advantage when the zombie pulling her hair leaned over her face, his breath rancid with decay. She used her head, jerking forward. He released her tearing roots of her hair from her scalp. The pain alone made her eyes water. As her body was dropped, her back cracked loud against the dirt floor. She was being dragged around the arena by her hair.

  Fuck but that hurt.

  She wouldn’t have any hair left if he dragged her any further. Gathering up more strength, she let loose a large burst of power that knocked both linebackers away, but not before Blondie was there, kicking her in the side. Jes curled into a ball as the kicks continued to descend. She felt as well as heard the distinct sound of one of her ribs cracking. Her lungs turned to fire and the pain in her chest intensified. Something cold was against her arm and Jes realized it was the sword she’d dropped earlier. Turning to her side, she grabbed the sword, chopped Blondie’s legs from her, and watched as blood bathed the dirt floor and the front of her shirt as the woman went down. Still alive, Jes made her way over to the Blondie, and severed her head. More blood sprayed in all directions misting her face. Jes didn’t have time to be grossed out. She still had two more Death Walkers to deal with and then she’d kill Solon.

  

  Black watched his mate take down every Death Walker in her path. She hadn’t seen him yet, and the fact she was not able to sense him bothered him a little. She was merciless when she took out the broker demon and her ancestor on the council. Now she was fighting Solon. A part of him was delighted when Solon had gotten the better part of her, but another side, one that tried to school his malevolent emotions and replace them with warmth and longing, wanted her to win so she could return to his arms. That was the weaker version of him. He was in agreement with his master. Total annihilation of the human race. There were screams coming from the crowd as well as chants of, “kill…kill…kill.” The Elite and Elder council were there looking on, but not really paying too much attention to the action. They were conversing among themselves about prophecies and other things he wasn’t too interested in. He picked out pieces of their conversations, but nothing was of interest to him. There was one Elite Angel that took too much interest in Jesminda. Enri said his name was Dacio.

  Angels on the Elite council were known for their lack of morality, all they cared for was their own agenda. They were always right and never wrong. Black didn’t like the way the other man fixated on his mate. He looked down on her with blatant interest that had his wolf growling in protest. Black looked down to where his mate and Solon now circled each other now that all the Death Walkers were gone. Their dance was one of death. Solon had taken off his leather gloves, holding two long swords in each of his hands. Jes had short knives in her hand, her legs, chest, and arms all bleeding, blood soaking through her clothing from all the fighting. Her eyes were black, like his own and why did that make his dick hard?

  Solon swept out with his swords but Jes countered spinning out of the way and nailing him in the arm. He faltered for a moment before going on the attack again. Dacio still watching the fight only served to piss Black off further. What was the other man’s fascination with his mate? Black’s wolf couldn’t help but go on the defensive. Dacio turned to address Black, a knowing smirk on the Angels face.

  “You’ve nothing to fear Stone. I only admire her form. She is not the one for me.”

  Something malicious flashed behind the arrogant man’s eyes and Black new it for what it was. He was the same way. When he wanted to break someone’s will, he studied them, and after he was done learning all he could, he systematically broke his prey down until there was nothing left. Sometimes it was hard figuring out who a person really was. Darkness came from all sides. Black understood that more than most people. He struggled with his darkness all the time. Even as Draven, he fought back the emptiness that festered inside. It seemed Dacio was a kindred spirit, because there was definitely a battle going on behind the other man’s eyes.

  The crowd roared as Solon dropped to his knees trying to avoid a blow from Jes, but she was quicker bending with him and catching him in the throat. Her face was already covered in black blood, and now bright reams of red joined the canvas of her face as Solon’s lifeblood spurted from his neck. The man let out a gurgled cry as he fell forward clutching his throat. Black moved to the front of the dais where she could see him.

  “Sever the head! Do it now Jes! Strike him down!” Black roared.

  She looked up into the dais and caught his gaze. It was her downfall. Solon had one last surprise. He slashed violently at her stomach, tearing clothing and slicing through flesh. The male placed his bare hand on her skin and Black’s mate let out a blood-curdling scream that silenced even the crowd. Both of them fell, laying in pools of their own blood. Their bodies trying to recuperate from blows that would be fatal to humans. Blacks’ heart pumped furiously against his chest, piping large amounts of adrenaline through his veins making him wince. If he could have completed the change, he would have, but he was completely bound in this fucked up realm. Jes reached for a scythe laying an arm’s length away, and slowly pulled herself up, usi
ng the weapon to support her weight. She stood to her full height just as Solon was on his feet, clutching a broadsword in one hand while holding his throat in the other. Metal clashed with metal as they both advanced on each other making them both stumble. Only Jes recovered faster swinging the scythe in a sweeping motion a taking Solon’s head clean off his body.

  The crowd stood and cheered. Black watched as his mate collapsed, he released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Enri walked to him and clapped him hard on the back.

  ‘Never doubted her Draven.”

  Just like that, Black was pushed to the recesses of Draven’s mind and he was himself again. Not caring about what anyone thought, he leapt into the arena. He hit the ground running dropping to kneel beside his mate, staunching as much of her blood flow as he could. Black was still apart of him. He could feel the darkness, but it seemed all three of his personalities were in agreement when it came to caring for their mate.

  “Draven?” Jes weakly lifted her hand to capture his face and he turned into her bloodied palm, nuzzling her hand.

  “No talking, Petal.”

  Her beautiful eyes were spilling tears like a fountain, breaking his heart further.

  “They took our baby. The fuckers took our baby.”

  He shushed her again. As Black and as Draven he’d known. Black had only allowed them to mourn for a short period of time. But as Draven, the barrage of emotions he’d blocked as Black came crashing down in a deluge of rage. Cuddling Jes’ crumpled body into his arms, he cried. He cried for Jes, and he cried for the loss of his unborn child. A momentary weakness he would allow only this once. Jes had killed those directly responsible. But there were others and Draven looked to the Elder council and committed every last one of them to his memory. Every last fucking one.

  Chapter 24

  Gabe’s wings were cramped in the tiny hallway. His powers fully restored now, he flexed his should and quickly locked his wings away. He would be exposed to his friends at any moment and one in particular would never forgive him. Two if he included Xee in his scenario. She’d wake up alone and surely hate him for not saying goodbye. He was happy that Jes had overcome her obstacle with Solon. Cyrian and Odessa were a different matter, but their deaths were justified. He remembered when she’d been on the verge of dying back in the warehouse before she was who she was now. He’d gone to his brother in secret, knowing Michael was doing a thing that was not usually permitted. Somehow, his request had been granted. It was Michael who’d unlocked her powers, securing her immortality. Everything that had happened to her was his fault, although it would be Enri who’d suffered the most. He didn’t fully understand the extent of Enri’s plan, but he knew that the Fallen Angel had reasons the council saw fit to grant. So the Fallen had gotten his wish, Solon was dead.

  His brothers had come as well to witness his shame. He could feel them now and knew his two younger siblings had kept tabs on him during his exile. Things were about to take a turn for the worse and although he knew it needed to be done, he didn’t want to go through with it. His escort appeared dressed in ceremonial garb. His brothers would be up on the dais as well as the Seraphs. It would be Isiah and Grey that would escort him back to the Black Veil, where his brethren resided. Some days he missed the lushness of the veil, but there were days like today when he wished his sentence were longer.

  Out of respect for the Elder and Elite Council, he didn’t put up a fight when he was escorted out into the opening of the arena. Once clear of the halls he let his wings appear, flexing them as he stood out in the open to have his sins read aloud for all to hear. There were twelve guards all standing around him as if he were going to attempt escape. If he were any less of man, he’d kill them all on principle alone just to establish his dominance. But he’d known this day was coming, knew all his shit was going to be laid bare. It sucked. Sucked big time to have his dirt be put on display but it was the only way for him to ascend.

  The arena was empty save for the All Seeing Eye, The Elite and Elder council, The Seraph’s and his brothers, and of course everyone from his unit. Xee was the only one not present and that was because she was still sleeping. Dacio approached the dais while everyone else remained seated. Draven tended to Jes, her head lay lifelessly on his chest, blood layering every inch of her face and hair. The twins were both holding on to Belinda’s hand. It looked like they’d barely survived the battle with their life. Their clothes were tattered and pink skin formed over flesh that had been shredded. He didn’t see Dietrich there, but he could feel him there, in the shadows observing.

  “Gibril, Angel of Death, Shroud of the Black Veil. You stand before the Elite and others so that your transgressions may come to light.”

  “I understand.” Gabe said, bowing his head. His true form took shape as he spoke. His hair grew longer reaching past his shoulder blades to rest half way down his back. His muscle mass expanded as his body grew to accommodate his size. No one said a word as he became the true Angel of Death.

  “You may ask your forgiveness.”

  Here goes nothing.

  He addressed Draven and Jesminda first, keeping eye contact the entire time he spoke.

  “The Fates never rewrite history. Your lives were never meant to cross paths, but I interfered. I unraveled the threads unintentionally putting the two of you on a path that is now cataclysmic. I can’t change that path and for that I’m sorry.”

  “What the hell are you talking about Gabe?” Draven asked still cradling his beloved.

  Damn. This was harder than he thought.

  “I knew you were going to die, so I made it so Dravaggio would send you to Belmopan. I did it so you’d live.” Gabe swallowed but continued. “Because of my interference you were captured, changed, as was Jes. Michael, my brother unlocked her dormant powers. Powers that were never meant to be unlocked. Your daughter Faith is safe, she was not affected by my meddling, but your unborn child was to never be born. Even if your wolf recognized her as your mate, you were still meant to die.”

  “You of all people should know not to fuck with the fates. They’re nasty bitches.”

  Draven of course, was right. But it wasn’t this interference that led him to exile. It was only a minor infraction, a hiccup that was being rectified by a thread here and a thread there.

  “I am truly sorry my friend. But I did what I had to do in order to keep you safe. You have to believe me when I tell you, had I fully understood the damage that it would have caused, I would have let your story unfold as it should. Please forgive me for my part in the current state of your affairs.

  Draven held Jesminda closer bending low to whisper in her ear. His voice strained as he looked into Gabe’s eyes.

  “You did what you thought was right. I have my mate, my child, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. The fates will just have to start a new thread.”

  Little did Draven know, they already had.

  Gabe looked to his longtime friend, his confidant in so many things and straightened his shoulders, he would not cower from his mistakes, and he would take his punishment with no ill feelings towards Dravaggio.

  Stefan, my friend. Out of all I’ve done to bring shit to the Unit's doorstep. I’ve wronged you the most.”

  Dravaggio’s purple eyes cut quickly to Gabe and he could see forgiveness starting to build in their depths. His friend was a true believer in second chances. Only once Gabe revealed his malice, his unkindness and the hell Stefan had suffered at his hands, would his friend see him for what he truly was.

  “There is nothing you could say Gabriel that we could not mend.”

  Oh but there was.

  “Two hundred years ago, I destroyed a family’s life. I was out on a routine pick up when my brother approached me about a demon that was out of control. He remembered that day well. He’d been standing among the dead at Karnack, collecting and transporting souls of the newly departed.

  “I have problems Gibr
il.”

  Gibril grunted as Azrael commented. When didn’t his younger brother have problem. He made problems and then he compounded them until he lay waste to anyone in his path.

  “It’s nothing I’ve not heard before.”

  His youngest sibling approached cautiously as he continued sifting through the bodies that lay before him. No one had survived. Bodies soaked in blood made for a nasty cleanup. He was fortunate that it was not his job to clean the physical, but to only transport the spiritual.

  “But I love her and she’s been taken from me. Raped and force to bear the demons seed. She’s already given birth to his son and a daughter. Now my woman is with twins.”

  A true crime committed among their kid was to take ones mate. Love was sacred in the Black Veil. Any transgressions were punishable by death or worse. But how did a demon get hold of his brother’s mate?

  “We had no officiated ceremony for your mating?”

  “I intend to mate her upon her safe return.”

  “Even though she carries another male’s offspring.”

  His brothers’ eyes closed briefly.’

  “Yes, even still.”

  “Who is the demon, and why have you not rid yourself of the problem?”

  Azrael stepped closer and whispered in his ear as if the dead would be shocked to hear what he had to say.

  “An Incubus demon seduced Leya, tempted her with words and soft kisses. She succumbed to his torment. But I am unable to get to him. Brother of the Black Veil, he has been granted asylum by the most high.”

  The most high was an Elite order of Angels that were watched over by the fates. Maybe Leya was pre-destined for doom. It had been done before. Not many Angels would challenge the fates and live to tell the tale.

  “The most high will step in and intervene if her tapestry is on a course to be altered.”