Etheria (The Halo Series Book 1)

by Melody Robinette

  “Those are demons,” Aurora whispered as they approached the glass, “falling overboard.”

  At that moment, one of the ugliest and most evil looking of the evil creatures fell right past the window, twisting and writhing as the salt burned it into nothingness.

  Aurora looked over at him in disbelief. “Do you think we did that?”

  Gray reached over and grabbed her hand, satisfaction and relief flooding through him when he realized she was going to let him.

  “I think we did.”

  Forty

  CHORD

  “Nice one!” Chord called to Sev after he sliced the heads off three Sabnock demons in a row.

  Sev flipped his long hair back in a playful manner. “Why, thank you.”

  Chord stared blankly at the Brit for a moment. “You’re adorable and all…but don’t ever do that again.”

  They battled their way to the end of the ship where apparently a giant wooden swing set resided. “Hey, I had no idea this was here," Chord said. "This would be a great hideout. We should tell Aurora about it so she can get the hell away from us sometimes.”

  “What are you talking about?” Sev stabbed through the skull of a Datal demon, which tumbled overboard into the salty water, immediately bursting into flames. “Aurora comes here all the time. This is her hideout.”

  “How do you know that?” Chord asked.

  “I read more than books, you know.”

  Wiping his brow with the back of his equally sweaty hand, Chord turned to throw a smirk at Sev. “Ah, so when you’re pretending to study your surroundings intently, you’re really just studying us?”

  “Well, no,” Sev said through gritted teeth, barring a blow from a winged demon. “Sometimes I truly am studying the surroundings. But a lot of the time I’m—” He ducked to avoid a face full of talons. “I’m studying people too. Er, are you finished fighting? Because I could use a little help over here.”

  “Oh, sorry.” Chord hopped off of the swing and moved to Sev’s side. “There are just so many of the little bastards.”

  With a flourishing blow, Chord’s sword connected with the skull of the winged demon—of whose name he wasn’t sure. Sev collapsed back against the railing brushing his long, dripping hair out of his colorless eyes. “Which is why you should be killing them rather than leisurely swinging.”

  “My, my, Sevastion. Nagging already?”

  Sev flashed Chord a half-annoyed, half-amused look when suddenly a great tremor traveled through the ship—stronger than when the mulciber stone portals were opened. The quake knocked Sev and Chord off of their feet, and they landed in a mass of tangled limbs and heavy weapons.

  Chord pushed himself into a seated position once the ship had stopped shaking. “What the—?”

  “Look.” Sev took a hand to Chord’s chin and turned it in the direction of the railing over which the demons were now leaping.

  “Are they…killing themselves?” Chord asked in confusion.

  Sev arched his left brow. “It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?”

  “Why the hell would they do that?”

  Sev frowned in concentration and then Chord saw the figurative light bulb illuminate above his head. “Aurora and Gray.”

  “Where?” Chord swiveled his head around, expecting to see the two Stellars.

  “No. I think that’s why the demons are taking their lives. Aurora and Gray must have done something to make their spiritual connection unbearable for the demons to experience.”

  “Oh, they totally banged,” Chord said, causing Sev to shake his head and sigh in exasperation. “Bet you a pound of sugarclouds they banged.”

  “The sugarclouds have now either been completely devoured or are covered in demon blood. Either way, I don’t think I’ll take that bet.”

  Sev pushed Chord off of him and climbed to his feet before offering out his hand.

  “Oh, right… Man, that sucks,” Chord said dejectedly. “Still. Aurora and Gray totally smashed.”

  “Banged and smashed? How very thrilling that sounds,” Sev said scornfully. “Or perhaps terribly painful.”

  “I’m sorry,” Chord said with false commiseration. “Would you prefer I said ‘made beautiful, magical, sweet, sweet love?’”

  Sev shrugged. “I have always been fond of the term ‘shag.’”

  “Like shag carpet?”

  Sev laughed, a rarity from the brainy Brit. “I believe my IQ has dropped several points in the last thirty seconds.”

  “Well, you could stand to lose a few of those. Either way, Aurora and Gray totally shagged.”

  Forty-One

  AURORA

  “I thought I might find the two of you here.” Michael spoke from behind Gray and Aurora, making them whirl around in surprise. “You two may very well have saved the lives of not only countless Halos but countless innocents as well. You truly are heroes, and I apologize for misjudging you.”

  Aurora let go of Gray’s hand and folded her arms across her chest, acutely aware of precisely how cold it was in the belly of the ship. “Misjudged us?”

  “Perhaps we should take this conversation to my office?” Michael waved a hand in the direction of what Aurora assumed were the elevators. “We shall soon arrive at Arx Isle, but you deserve an explanation of precisely what has happened tonight.”

  Aurora and Gray followed Michael to his office. The warm and calming beach was a shock after the frigid air in their holding cells. If she ever became an angel, Aurora wanted one of these rooms. Choosing the theme would be the most difficult part. She thought she’d like something like a forest of sequoias or a tropical island or somewhere in Europe. Maybe she could have the room shift with her moods. In which case, she would probably have a different location every time she walked in.

  Michael waved a hand at the two chairs they had occupied only a few days before. Aurora felt like it had been years.

  Gray sat in one of the chairs, half-buried in sand, and leaned wearily forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “Why were we locked in those rooms?”

  “I gave those orders, actually,” Michael said solemnly, sinking into a chair as he offered them a bowl of starberries, which they both declined. “Samuel had us all fooled.”

  “But you’re angels,” Aurora said after a beat of silence. “Couldn’t you have just read his mind?”

  “We cannot read minds of other angels. Only humans. Since Halos have angel blood, we cannot read your minds either, nor would we, if we could. We do not break through such immensely personal boundaries as those. And, because it has been foretold that a Halo will betray the Light in a time of importance, we had no reason to believe that an angel was the traitor. Samuel had always been one of those who liked to live on the edge of the rules, but he’d never exhibited hateful actions or desires. Until now, that is. He had been one of Aurora’s Guardians as well. I made appearances in your life,” Michael said, looking only at Aurora then. “But Samuel was always there.”

  Despite the pleasant warmth of the imaginary beach, Aurora wrapped her arms around herself, feeling exposed and broken. Once again, a man she’d let herself trust had turned on her and shown he was nothing more than a dirty coward. No better than David.

  “Now, I suppose, it is clear how the Horns and Beasts received all their information,” Michael said, more to himself than anything.

  Gray turned tired eyes on the angel. “What are Horns and Beasts?”

  “Horns are half humans, half demons. Beasts are humans injected with demon blood,” Michael answered darkly. “Be sure Caducus has an army planned as well.”

  Aurora shuddered. “So…Horns are like anti-Halos?”

  “Precisely.”

  “I don’t understand why Caducus is allowed to do all of these things.” Aurora shook with anger. “Why doesn’t God—the Light—just banish him now? Before anyone else gets hurt.”

  “Because He wants to spare Earth as long as possible. Lucifer has hell. The Light has heaven. And Caducus will
have the Earth. That’s why we are here. Why you are here. The Light is intervening, but indirectly. Through you.”

  “Why not intervene directly?” Aurora asked. “He’s supposed to be all-knowing, the creator of the universe. The creator and ruler of everything. Why can’t He just dig a hole in some galaxy far, far away and put Caducus in it forever?”

  “Leave that to Luke Skywalker," Gray muttered with a chuckle.

  Aurora stared at Gray blankly for a moment before turning back to Michael who smiled. He looked tired, his tanned skin still glistening with the sweat of battle. Aurora didn’t realize angels could look any way other than radiant and glowing.

  Michael looked skywards, at the imaginary beach sun. “People seem to think of the Light as this grand puppet master, pulling the strings of everyone’s lives. But, they are mistaken. We weren’t created to be ruled or controlled or manipulated like lifeless dolls. We were created to live. To experience. To love. And, as I’m sure you’ve both witnessed, love can be even stronger than anyone realizes. You have shown us that today.”

  Aurora’s mouth dropped open, and she looked from Michael to Gray, who was blushing slightly, his gaze on her. “We aren’t— I mean, we don’t—” Aurora began, stumbling over her words.

  “Love comes in many forms, Aurora,” Michael cut in. “Not just romantic love.”

  “I know, I just—”

  “Don’t overthink it,” Gray said to her in a quiet voice. “He’s just thanking us.”

  Aurora stopped her stuttering and looked over at Gray, really looked at him for the first time since everything happened that night. Sincerity, and something she couldn't quite discern, filled Gray's kaleidoscope eyes. It was a look she’d never seen before.

  “He’s right.” Michael smiled warmly at Gray. “Whatever you did to flood Etheria with your Stellar energy saved many lives. You will be more vital to winning this battle than any of us realize.” Michael stood then, indicating Gray and Aurora do the same. “But even heroes must sleep. Don’t worry about cleaning any messes. Angels are particularly good housekeepers.”

  He winked then and ushered the two Stellars to the palm tree door leading back into the cold, dark passageway.

  “Good night, Stellars. Or good morning, I should say. Dawn is nearly here.”

  With this, Michael closed the door behind him, leaving Gray and Aurora alone in the darkness. Aurora chewed at the inside of her cheek and moved from one foot to the other, unsure of how to act now. The heat of the moment when Gray kissed her had gone with the light, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do about their situation.

  “Do you feel like sleeping?” Gray asked, remaining distant from Aurora.

  “Not really.”

  “Me either.”

  “Well…” she said lamely.

  “Wanna get some coffee and sit on the swing set?” Gray asked. “The sun will be rising soon. And we would have a great view of Arx Isle.”

  Aurora smiled crookedly at him in spite of herself. How was it that he knew exactly what she wanted before she did?

  “I could go for some coffee.”

  GRAY

  “Aurora! Gray!” Aella came running around the counter of the coffee bar to wrap both of them in a tight hug, her platinum hair covering both of their faces. “I heard about what you did.”

  Gray and Aurora exchanged a startled glance and Aurora said, “What we did?”

  Aella wore a bewildered look now. “You used your power as Stellars to save Etheria…?”

  “Oh, right. That.” Aurora let out a breath, looking relieved, which made Gray snort with laughter.

  Aella flitted back around the counter, pulling out two mugs and a container of brown sugar. “The usual for both of you?”

  “Yes, please,” Aurora said gratefully. “Only can you make mine a large with a shot of espresso?”

  “Absolutely! How about an extra-large?” The cup in Aella’s hand grew as if by magic.

  “Whoa. Okay, I need you to come live with me in my house and make me jumbo sized lattes every morning.” Aurora laughed, but then her face fell just as quickly. Gray figured she’d just realized she probably wouldn’t be going home anytime soon.

  None of them would.

  “Fine by me!” Aella said, playing along.

  Aurora remained quiet, her eyes on Aella's busy hands. Gray's eyes were on Aurora, of course. When wasn’t he watching her? He wished he could reach out and grab her hand again, but he knew the moment had long since passed. Their kiss had been nothing short of magical. So magical, in fact, it rid the entire ship of demons, turning them suicidal.

  He could tell, though, a part of Aurora wanted to forget it ever happened because that was just how she was for some maddening reason.

  Too bad for her, the kiss was etched perfectly in Gray’s mind. But, rather than satisfy his desire to know what her lips tasted like, it just made her that much more irresistible to him. He had wanted to know what kissing her would be like, and, now that he did…he wanted more.

  Aurora accepted her jumbo coffee with cream and brown sugar and waited for Aella to pour Gray’s black coffee while she sipped at her scalding drink.

  She closed her eyes and smiled. “Who needs sleep when you have coffee?”

  Yes, who needs sleep? Who needs love or affection or closeness when you have your precious coffee and no cares in the world, Gray thought with only a hint of bitterness. Okay, he was super bitter. Like, grapefruit status. But he hid it well as he took his drink from Aella with a grateful smile.

  They both thanked her and made their way to the back of the ship. The destruction caused by the battle was in the process of being cleaned and mended by the angels. Soon it would look as though nothing happened.

  Gray and Aurora strolled down the deck for a while before Aurora broke through the silence. “You’re mad at me, I know.”

  He shot her a surprised look. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because you know how I am and you know that I’m already pulling away from you again.”

  Gray wasn’t going to admit to what she’d said. At least, not outright. “For someone as dark and twisty as yourself, you sure are self-aware.”

  “Yeah, I am. My mom likes to talk through problems.” She sipped at her coffee. “I always hated it, but eventually it rubbed off on me, and I started listening to her.”

  “I’d like to meet this magical woman who gets the indestructible Aurora Coel to talk about her feelings,” said Gray.

  “Yeah, she’s pretty incredible. So is my brother.” She sighed then. “And I’ll probably never get to see them again. Not as a human, at least.”

  “Aurora, we just made an entire ship’s worth of demons jump to their deaths because we kissed.”

  Aurora threw a finger up to her mouth and said, “Shh!”

  “Seriously?” Gray shook his head at her. “We’re all alone.”

  “No, we aren’t. They’re here too.” She nodded towards the angels who were returning the deck to its original state with their ethereal powers.

  “They don’t care what we’re saying.”

  “Didn’t you hear what Michael said? We’re important,” she stated seriously. “You and I are different because we’re Stellars. And different people are looked at. Listened to. Nowhere is safe for us anymore.”

  Gray laughed. “You’re being dramatic.”

  “No, I’m not, Gray,” Aurora insisted. “You know, I used to want to be famous, once upon a time. Shut up. I know it was stupid,” she added as an aside to his ill-covered grin. “Anyway, when I was younger, I wanted to be a rock star or a movie star or something glamorous like that. But then, I started reading what the magazines said about them and how they took pictures of them grocery shopping and going to the beach and analyzing what they wore and everything they said. Picking apart their flaws. Then I was glad I wasn’t famous. It’s like being under a microscope. I’m not saying we’re famous to the Halos or that we’re going to have angel paparazzi following
us around or whatever. But we are being watched. I can feel it.”

  “Or maybe you’re just paranoid.” Gray laughed. “Is that why you’re pulling away from me again? Because you think people are watching us?”

  Aurora rolled her eyes. “You just want to fall in love with me because you think you’re supposed to,” she said brusquely. “You think because we’re Stellars that must mean we’re soul mates, and that’s why we’re supposed to be together.”

  “What if it’s the other way around?” Gray murmured.

  Aurora took another sip of her drink, which was still nowhere near empty. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, what if our Celestials crashed into each other because they were supposed to?”

  Aurora quirked a brow at him. “Is that not what I just said?”

  “No. You’re thinking of it as two Celestials that just happened to crash into each other by accident and, because of that, we have this strong connection in every single way a person can connect. What I am saying is…what if our Celestials specifically sought one another out? What if the universe or God or whatever knew we belonged together. Therefore, we became Stellars.”

  “Everything has to have a reason with you, doesn’t it?” Aurora said, sidestepping what Gray was implying. “There are no coincidences in the world of Grayson Cross.”

  “Okay, remind me how many ‘coincidences’ have occurred in the past few weeks?”

  Aurora pursed her lips to the left, but didn’t say anything because Gray knew she knew he was right. Maybe there were no coincidences in life.

  They walked forward in silence, passing by a handful of Powers who were assigned to the deck to clean up. Gray felt bad for not offering to help, but there was no way he would be as efficient as they were. The congealed blood and ash that would have taken him hours to scrape off the deck took them mere seconds. As Aurora and Gray moved leisurely to the end of the ship, the deck became increasingly cleaner—progressively less covered in demon and Halo blood. Red and Black. Like their armor.

  Gray wasn’t sure he wanted to know how many Halos lost their lives due to Samuel’s treacherous actions. And he wasn’t certain he wanted to know what the angels had done with their bodies. Even as a firefighter, he’d never gotten used to death. He’d never numbed to it. Especially when young people died. And the Halos were all young.