Zeriel ran to him. "Jaylen! Are you okay?"
"Ugh . . . what happened? My head feels weird. I don't feel very good."
Zeriel helped him to his feet. "Come on. It's okay. We'll get you back into your cabin."
Xair growled as he watched Jaylen closely. "I can't believe this. Do you know how sacrilegious it is for me to even be in the company of such a-"
"Nuh uh." Jaylen turned to Xair with orange eyes. "Don't go mentioning me around Jaylen, remember. If you keep talking like this, I will have to teach you a lesson, Ka'taylin."
"I have a name."
"Or I could just call you a dirty purple-eyed rune-skin."
"Racist name-calling? Really? I thought this world had evolved past such ignorant insults." Xair's hands tightened into fists as he took a deep breath. His incredible level of anger only grew and became evident on his face. "Say it again, demon. Say one more thing about my people and I will exorcise you."
"It won't work, rune-skin. Because I'm not a true demon. Now, be good. Oh, and take care of Nimiel for me."
Brinx frowned and smoothed her pink wool skirt. "Take care of Nimiel for me? What did he mean by that? Can Divinus be a clue in solving Nimiel's past?"
Liam smiled at her. "You've been quiet, Brinx."
"Me?" Brinx asked with a bright smile. "Oh, I've only been thinking about recipes. I want to make so many cakes. Do you like raspberry cake, Jaylen? I can make you one. Or I'll make many different cakes. We will have to hide them from the zombies, though. Everyone knows how much they love to steal my cakes."
"You're not right in the head, you know that?" Xair asked.
Trevor glared at him. "Don't you dare insult her. I love her. She is carrying my child."
"Then I hope that child inherits his brains from your side."
"Enough. We need to get Nimiel warmed up." Zeriel picked up the tiny angel in his arms and started back down the mountain trail. "Let's just get out of here. I will carry him."
A white bird glided down from the sky and landed on Xair's arm. "Meet my snowy owl. She is one of my familiars. This one only comes when there is an important message."
"What does the owl have to say?" Jaylen asked.
Xair turned his back to them as the owl flew off and the snow picked up in the howling wind. "Jaylen, there is something you need to know."
"What's wrong? Go ahead and tell me. They can know as well."
"First of all, I'm sorry, Liam. Karix is missing. This is why your telepathic communication hasn't been working. According to my sources, he was last seen being forced down below Ilyan into the compound where the other dragons are being held. Your dragon was too, Gavin. Now for the big news. We don't have a home to go back to."
"What do you mean? Xair, just tell us!" Jaylen nearly shouted, his anticipation surpassing his limits to contain it.
"Vilyron has fallen to Wolfekin control. Ilyan has been sacked and pillaged. The remaining citizens, who are now refugees and the few squads of soldiers that survived, blame you, Jaylen. Even if they do manage to take back the kingdom, they are calling for your execution."
"I don't know what to do."
There wasn't much they could do, at least nothing that was favorable or easy. "You go into hiding. Everyone will do what they have to do until they find a way to get your kingdom back. Face it, Jaylen. You are the number one enemy on everyone's list. Wolfekin wants you dead. Your own fallen country wants your head on a pike. Hell and the archdemons are drooling over their thoughts of eating you. And to top it all off, Heaven's angels are just waiting for the pristine chance to smite you and make you into an example for all of humanity. From here on, your only friends are the shadows and the few of us you can trust beyond any doubt. You are a wanted man with bounties on your head bigger than the coffers of the elven city of Tivareshen and Cilona combined. It's time for Jaylen Corrifus to disappear."
"Where do we go?" Trevor asked.
"That will be your decision to make without me. I will stay here and deal with Carvael and the angels once they wake up. And don't worry, Gavin. I will not kill Carvael. I know about your contract with that Wolfekin girl." Xair took his wife in his arms then gently kissed her forehead. "I love you, my Ili-Anan. Never forget that. But you know what I must do. Oviel?"
"Yes?"
"Can I entrust Amari into your care until you find her a place to stay and be protected?" Xair asked. "I will not return to the northern continents with you all. I will be staying here. I need to be here in my homeland and pay for the crimes I committed against my people."
"You can't stay here and die." Jaylen said. "We need you. Nimiel needs you."
Xair placed his hand over his heart. "Nimiel will be better off without me. He should recover shortly and be back to normal. Trevor will be able to take care of him and keep his abilities under control. I do apologize for leaving you without much notice, but you do have my gratitude."
"No!" Gavin ran up to Xair and dropped to his knees in the snow. "Ata-Lin, no! I need you, Master. Don't leave me. Don't abandon me."
Xair smiled and pulled him to his feet then ran his fingers through Gavin's messy red hair. "Oh, Gavin. You have been a good demon for me." He drew his knife from his belt, unbuttoned Gavin's coat, then pulled up the incubus's shirt. With one deep cut, he sliced through the rune on the incubus's stomach, leaving a glowing wound behind. "There. You are no longer leashed to me. You have your freedom again. Now go. All of you. Leave me here."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" Zeriel asked.
"I am sure. Jaylen, listen to what I'm about to tell you as these words may very well be the final ones I ever speak to you. Forget about this. Forget about Heaven, Hell, angels, and demons. Leave it all behind and move on. Find a normal life for yourself. Find a wife and have children of your own. Go into hiding. Fake your death. Please. Do this for yourself and maybe far in the future, you will think back to this moment and thank me. Farewell, the only people I have ever called friends. I hope I never hear your name again, Jaylen Corrifus. Disappear and find your own freedom. Your life depends on it."
Oviel herded everyone towards the mountain path while guiding Amari. "Take care of yourself, Xair. Please don't do what I fear you're going to do."
Xair didn't respond. Instead, he turned his back to them and stripped off his clothes, tossing them onto the ground. He slipped his boots off then walked through the ruins of his home, the rubble and shards of glass cutting into his bare feet. The wind picked up as the snow circled around him, but he continued towards the ice-slicked remnants of the temple. This was his time to atone. If the Arcanas demanded a payment for slaughtering his entire race of people, then he was determined to pay it with his life.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mackenzie Morris writes fantasy and science fiction novels as well as short stories and poetry. She lives in Arkansas with her husband. She has a degree in Creative Writing from Arkansas Tech University.
Other Works by Mackenzie Morris
Paradise of Lead Trilogy
M.A.G.E.
T.I.M.E.
W.A.N.D.
Paradise Awakened Trilogy
Android 43
Archon
Heaven's Chains
Paradise Forgotten Trilogy
Zodiac
Nova
Troy
The Lights of Agramont Trilogy
The Lullaby Blade
Tide of Treason, Storm of Slaughter
Song of Ocean's Peace
Wings of Onyx Shadow
Dr. Calafey
Widow's Kiss
with friends
Angel of Darkness Books 1-5 Page 65