by Lynn Landes
In tiger form now, he leaps back through the wall and faces the panting female. Magdalene is whooping loudly and jumping around on her toes as the adrenaline forces its way through her body. When the tiger leaps inside of the room with her, she backs away in terror and her teeth elongate.
“Don’t make me hurt you,” she snarls, and they circle each other.
Brody shifts and holds up his hands in peace. Naked, the man is magnificent. Any other time and Mags would have enjoyed the show, but she can’t breathe very well. Brody pushes a hand through his long blonde hair and snaps at her. “You must locate the toxin and push it out of your body, Magdalene. The adrenaline will only keep you alive for a few more minutes.” She stumbles backwards upsetting the tray on the cart and falls to the ground.
“I can’t do that, I am a vampire, not a witch!” He runs to her side to help but she snarls at him.
“Stay back!” Magdalene grabs a scalpel on the ground and slices her wrist before he can stop her. Then turns to the other wrist and slices it too. “Sorry about the mess, Brody.”
“What the hell are you doing?” He demands. The concrete floor is built with a drain, her blood runs freely through the grate.
“Only way…” she struggles to sit up, but her blood makes her slip. “Flush it… from my system.” Brody picks her up and stomps over to the gurney. Placing her gently on it, he is disturbed to see her lips beginning to turn blue. When her blood slows her wrists clot and begins to scab over.
“Brody,” she whispers… he leans closer to hear. Magdalene latches on to the long hair with a grip of steel and jerks his head to the side. “Sorry for this,” she sinks her sharp teeth into the juicy vein and drinks his powerful blood. It strikes her system so fast that she can’t resist the images. All his memories join hers and she is too weak to stop it.
Brody is stunned by the feeling of her hot mouth on his throat. Magdalene is a powerful vampire, which he expected, but he is not prepared for the lust that strikes him when she drinks from him. He doesn’t fight it, hell he doesn’t ever want her to stop. Mag’s pulls back and their eyes meet for a second before he ravishes her mouth with his own. The taste of his blood on her lips is intoxicating.
Magdalene leaps at him and he catches her as she wraps her legs around his naked waist. They tear at her clothes, “Faster Brody,” she growls, and the lights go out.
All movement stops and they realize what they are doing. Quickly, Magdalene ties her ripped shirt together at her waist.
“Damn, we need to go, now!” Brody states and slides her down to stand on her feet, he pulls her along by her hand.
The room is empty, cold and quiet. “Which way, Brody?” She whispers back. Gripping tightly to his large hand, he wonders at the feel of her.
“These cells are beneath the building, there is a service elevator leading outside. If we’re lucky, they’ll be too busy to worry about us.” He snarls. They leap through the opening where the council watched earlier and ignore the glass and chairs. He slowly pushes open the door and finds another empty room. This room has scrubs in varying sizes. They both dig through them and he watches as she rips her blood-stained clothes off. He rumbles in his throat at the sight of her pale breasts.
“Right back at you, tiger,” she snaps pulling on a shirt. They move silently through the rooms looking for a way out.
Office after office they find empty rooms. Magdalene is shivering and struggling to maintain her body temperature. She knows that even with his blood, the poison is only diluted. “Brody, you have to find my… Sebastian.”
He stares at her with his yellow eyes and snarls, “You have held on this long, stay with me.”
“Where is the elevator?” She murmurs staring up at him. She is fascinated by the color of his eyes, and strength of his body next to hers. His yellow eyes dilate when he catches the scent, vampires.
Two, she holds up her fingers, indicating two guards watching the elevator. Brody shifts and leaps away. Mags leans against the wall, sliding down to a crouch. He will need her help and she could use more blood. Just as she is about to go after him, he drops an unconscious vampire at her feet.
“Feed, I will check the elevator to see if it is clear.” Brody stomps away and she grins in appreciation. The vampire is knocked out cold, so she drinks quickly and searches him. Keys and cash, exactly what she was hoping for. She drops his wrist just as Brody reappears.
Mag’s is rejuvenated for the moment. Standing up on steady feet now, she murmurs, “You taste better,” and stalks to the elevator swinging the pair of keys. Brody steps into the elevator and she realizes how huge he is. His form fills the door and he has to duck while stepping inside. Her eyes follow his massive hand as he pushes the button for the ground floor, and she notices every minute detail. “Just who are you, Brody?”
Brody keeps his back to her trying to avoid touching her. His nostrils flare and her scent torments him, tempting him to take her for his own. The door opens and he ignores her question. Dark cold air greets them and he searches the night for enemies.
Magdalene rushes past him, grabbing his hand, and pulls him into the parking lot to the left of the building. She pushes the button on the keys to set off the alarm and the car responds with blinking lights and a car horn. “Hurry, Brody. I’m not feeling well and they’re coming.”
“I’ll drive,” he struggles to fit into the car. “Could it be any smaller?”
“Brody, I need to go... Please!” He pulls out quietly and looks at her with concern. She is sweating, panting and pale. The vampiric blood is fighting against the poison, but she is not sure it will be enough.
Magdalene curls away from him and leans against the window. “Where will I go? The whole council was there. I have to warn Sebastian.” Her eyes close against her will and the tremors take over. “I’m going to rest for a moment…” she closes her eyes and passes out.
Driving off, he decides to ditch the small car. He pulls into a darkened car lot and switches the plates to a large SUV. He breaks the ignition lock with a twist of his hand and a few sparking wires later has it running. Magdalene doesn’t wake up when he switches her to the new seat. His thoughts linger on his passenger, ‘Just who is this Sebastian she keeps worrying about, and where the hell was he when she needed him?’
“I know where to go. No one will touch you again,” Brody promises her unconscious form.
Caius glares at the mess made by their escape. “Clever, Brody. Very clever.” He’s impressed. Is it possible that Brody was more than he let on? Stepping through the glass and into the chamber he notices the cabinet open and the empty epi-pen on the ground. “No matter, Magdalene will be dead within two hours. Search for her body!” He orders the vampires to search the surrounding area.
“They will need a way to escape and she will be in no condition to travel.” He stomps out of cell nine and down the hall. He presses the speaker on the door. “I have a job for you.” Glancing through the glass door, he watches a mass of small silver snakes twisting, writhing and swirling all over each other. They begin to take shape and the mass shifts into the form of a man and two red glowing eyes appear in the face.
“Find and kill them and you will be free,” he pushes a button and a tray pops open. Caius places a piece of torn shirt from Magdalene and using a dropper he ejects two dots of Brody’s blood. The tray is sucked inside the room and the snakes react instantly. The mass shifts once more, forming a large writhing mass of a demonic wolf. It sniffs the sample and opens its mouth as if to lick the blood. One long silver snake shoots out and sucks up the drops. The mass responds by drawing back its head and howling.
“Excellent.” Caius presses a series of keys on a keypad and the back wall of the chamber opens. The demonic wolf leaps out into the night in search of its prey. It will return by morning and he will claim whatever is left of the bodies.
Chapter 20
Algeria (Gate 2)
Ahaggar National Park
Orifiel scans the jagg
ed, volcanic, craggy mountains for a sign of his brother. It is beautiful here if one considers the deserted surface of the moon, beautiful. This part of the desert is remote and uninhabited, except for the occasional nomad. Glancing across the landscape he can’t help but stare in wonder. The setting sun breaks through the clouds painting the tops of large sand dunes and mountains in the dancing light.
Zachariel should return to relieve him soon. The gates are guarded by three archangels at a time. One works the gate, while the other two rotate in and out. They relieve each other and work whatever assignments are given to them from those inside of the realms.
“Zach is always late.” With a flap of his angelic wings, Orifiel leaps into the air, soaring across the jagged tops before passing over the tallest mountain, called Mount Tahat. The Gate is located on the other side, in the valley, between the mountain ranges and inside of the woodland refuge. Most of the animals who endure the hot summers and freezing winters, do so by finding refuge here.
Lush, green, grass, cools the bottom of his bare feet and he sighs in the relief that the setting sun brings. Small animals take their chances and scurry through the tall grass away from the angel. Beautiful flowers with a creek running by provides hydration for a fennel fox that desperately needs it. She is quick to run away when the sound of his beating wings reaches her ears.
Zachariel beats his massive, silver, wings and laughs out loud at the look of irritation on his brother’s face when his long blonde hair blows in all directions.
“Could you be any louder, Zach? I think the Nomads on the other side of the mountain didn’t get your exact location.” Orifiel stomps off expecting him to follow. Just beyond the trees is the entrance to the cave they seek. It is more of an overhang, an outcropping of rocks used six thousand years ago by the nomadic people who wandered the country. They left behind stunning rock art which still exists. One such piece of art is of a cheetah chasing a gazelle.
“Orifiel, it is good to see you too, brother. You’re in a jovial mood as usual.” He follows him beneath the vegetation making sure to watch his step. Though younger in age, Zachariel once held the position of ferrying souls to be judged.
“You are late… again. What kept you this time?” He asks as he searches for the gate. Each gate is unique. This one is known to move, hiding behind the different scenes left on the rocky wall. It frustrates him every time.
“Nothing much. I went back to the realm and visited with the newly appointed Angels. They need to be mentored, much as you all have mentored me. Just paying it forward.” Zach frowns and looks where the gate used to be. “Let me see if I can find it… there! Beneath the people or are they gazelles?” He touches the rocky surface and the gate snaps into place, visible beneath his hand. “You just don’t have the touch,” he teases.
Deep rumbling of the ground beneath their feet wipes the smile from Zach’s face. Pressure builds from beneath the key to the gate in an ominous glow. The power surge explodes outwards, throwing the two angels backward out of the cave, sending them skidding across the grass and dirt outside.
Orifiel struggles to his feet and turns to look for Zach. He finds his friend holding his ringing ears and attempting to stand. Blood seeps from the corner of Zach’s mouth and he ignores it as he looks in horror at Orifiel.
“What was that?” Zach groans out. Orifiel rushes to his side and helps him to his feet.
“I don’t know.” He falls quiet and rubs the back of his neck.
“You must go, Orifiel. Open the gate and get help!” Zach pushes him backward towards the entrance and prays for direction while hoping the gate doesn’t attack them once more. He pulls his sword and it instantly flames to life. Orifiel doesn’t move and falls oddly quiet.
“I’m afraid little brother, it’s much too late for that.”
Zach turns to look at Orifiel and is stunned by a blow across the face. He slams into the mountain wall containing the gate and rocks tumble down about him, pelting his wings and torso. Caius steps from the shadows, flanked by two more Guardians of the Gates. Nakir and Gadriel smile as they move forward to join Orifiel.
“Brothers, I have been waiting for this day,” Orifiel says in welcome. They move in on Zachariel and Nakir stoops to pick up the now dormant sword. Its keen edge gleams in the light as Nakir swings it, testing the balance of the holy blade.
“Zachariel, I will offer you the same chance Balthial was given and I pray you take it,” Orifiel implores. Dual swords hiss and spit as they flame to life in his hands and he smiles wildly as his wings spread out to their fullest width. “The Vampire King has provided us our freedom with all the abilities of an Angel, save one.”
“No.” Zach pushes back against the wall. His wings are broken and his head is pounding. He touches the back of his neck and feels the blood seeping through his long blonde hair. Still, dizzy from the shocking blow he leans back against the rocky wall of the mountain. “Brothers?” His eyes show the horror his heart feels. “How many of you have fallen?” he asks.
Gadriel cocks his head and stares with pity at Zach. “Four remain, including you little brother,” he answers.
“Why?” He groans struggling to his feet. Stumbling once more he reaches out a bloody hand to balance his body and the moment his hand touches the rough rock face, the gate snaps into position beneath his hand, instantly pulling him into its safety. Zach uses the gate to propel himself to the next location. His only thought is to warn his brothers. They must be told of the Fallen.
Orifiel screams out, enraged that he was tricked by the younger angel. Caius watches from the shadows of the night and steps into view. They must be dealt with as quickly as possible.
“You must go after him, immediately. You will have help on the other side. Move quickly.”
Orifiel turns to do as his new King bids and searches for the gate. The bloody handprint of Zachariel causes his head to pound and his own hand trembles when he places his larger hand over the top of the smaller print. The gate responds instantly. It snaps to beneath his hand just as before, except instead of opening to allow him passage, the images on the wall all turn to stare at the betrayer. Nakir makes a motion forward to help but he is stopped by Caius.
“I wouldn’t do that, Nakir.” Caius backs up and watches with a grim smile.
He ignores the warning from his new King and reaches for Orifiel. Gadriel grabs him by the shoulders and holds him back. “Zachariel left us a warning, brother. Remember who he was before, Nakir.”
Nakir goes still and grows pale. “Orifiel is still our brother,” he gasps in horror as the stone images begin to move.
“This ought to be good,” Caius murmurs.
The animals begin to creep towards the angel, watching as he shouts and struggles in terror. “Brothers, help me!” He roars in pain as the first clay-colored spear shoots across the rock wall, and sinks into his skull, followed by hundreds more. The animals leap from the wall, ripping, tearing and shredding the angel. The mountain above reacts to the struggle of heaven’s own being judged for his transgression. A rumble is felt for miles as the red stone rocks tumble crushing its prey and destroying the gate in the process.
“He has been judged.” Gadriel states and turns to Caius. Relinquishing his hold on Nakir he points his swords at the Vampire.
“You knew that would happen. Two of the four gates are destroyed now! You are nothing but the king of lies!” He rages. The blades in his hands tremble from the force of his fury.
“Of course. The one truth that you have discovered, brothers,” he sneers, “is that you have all been judged. The moment you chose to fall your domain was sealed off from you.” Caius disappears and moves with the speed of the wind. The once strong Archangels shift to face the threat, moving back, too, back, to face their enemy.
“I offered you power and freedom. You knew the price.” Caius laughs and his voice seems to come from multiple sources. With the barest of movements, Caius lifts his hand and whispers a spell. Pain strikes Nakir
so fast he is unable to scream. All the blood in his body bursts forth from his eyes, nose and mouth shooting straight into the open mouth of the Vampire.
Gadriel spins in time to watch the dried husk that was once Nakir lifted into the sky and engulfed in flames. “I JUDGE YOU!” Caius roars. The blood of the archangel fuels his power, increasing his strength’s and abilities.
“What manner of creature are you? You are no vampire?” Gabriel asks.
Caius now faces him and smiles. “I am more!” His eyes glow with a ruby flame and his body is covered in Nakir’s blood. He snaps out his leathery black wings, tipped with claws and leaps for Gadriel.
Gadriel swings his dual blades aiming for Caius’s throat only to be batted aside by the powerful wings. The blades snap in half and one falls to the ground when Caius seizes the angel by his throat and leaps into the air. They are a blur of claws, and wings, as the two immortals battle for supremacy.
The sound of wings impacting against each other echoes across the night until finally with a grunt of satisfaction, Gadriel sinks the broken blade deep into his enemy’s throat. Caius screams out and releases the angel. The frantic beating of Gabriel’s wings echoes against the mountain face as he flies into the darkness.
Caius lands heavily on a rocky cliff overlooking the valley and jerks the sword from his throat. Hissing in pain he tosses it into the darkness. Quickly the wound begins to heal, aided by the angelic blood pulsing through his body.
Gadriel is powerless to stop Caius and realizes he is lucky to get away from the monster. He will not heal as quickly now that he is fallen and without his access to the gates, he cannot reach his brothers.
“I will hunt you down soon. Savor your freedom, for now. Now then, on to gate three.” Caius whispers and shimmers to dust, leaping into the wind, he travels across the top of the earth, seeking the third gate.