by Tamsin Baker
I should never have asked this of Jasmine and her family.
“No.” She shook her head, tugging at the zipper. “No, it’s fine. It reminded me just how lucky I am to have survived what I did. And that’s all because of you. You forget how much you’ve done for me, Gabriel. For my family. So, don’t worry, I won’t let them have him. I won’t leave the house. None of us will, until you come to take him back.”
“That’s definitely the smartest move.” I did not know what else to say to that. She was willing to do so much for me, for my son. I did not know how I would ever be able to repay them. Jasmine seemed to imply I already had, but saving her from Demons was my calling. It did not seem like it was enough.
Not when they were all vulnerable to attack. My son the most of all.
I really had brought my son to the best person. Jasmine could not only feed him, but was fiercely protective, and equipped to deal with this unique challenge. She might be afraid, but she would not cower. She would stay strong, no matter the cost. No matter what. Was there a reason she had been my Target in the first place? Was this fate, as though God knew I would need her for this purpose and helped me forge a relationship with her to ensure she would be ready to take care of my son when the situation called for it? The more information I knew, the less informed I was.
“Hopefully I will be able to get him later today, or early tomorrow,” I said. “As soon as Kadie is well enough, I’ll be back. I promise.”
I did not know if I was telling her this to be informative, or if hearing it out loud was enough to be reassuring to me. Kadie had to get well so she could look after him. There was no other option.
I lifted my son up to my face and pressed a kiss to his soft forehead. He smelled of good health and happiness. Like flowers in the rain. Everything I wanted in this world for him. He smiled in his sleep and my heart melted.
I was so lucky.
I handed the baby back to Jasmine, who promptly swaddled him back up again and tucked him into her arms. She was skilled. When all of this was over, I would have to ask her for a few pointers.
“What is he, exactly, Gabriel?” she asked in a low voice. Her gaze was still on the babe, making sure he was still comfortable wrapped up so tightly in the blanket. “I can’t help feeling that he is someone very special.”
I lingered. Seeing Jasmine hold him made me want to stay and hold him as well. However, I knew if I did not leave, I wouldn’t be able to. As much as I wanted to be selfish, I could not. Not when I still had to take care of the threats imposed on my loved ones, on those innocent Witches.
“He is going to become very important,” I agreed. “I just have to keep him alive long enough for him to grow into the man he’s meant to be.” I did not know how to explain further than that so I made no attempt to do so.
Jasmine held the baby tighter within the cradle of her arms, her face set with determination. I was glad my answer appeased her. Jasmine wasn’t the sort to push when I explained something. I was grateful for that.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then, Gabriel.” Jasmine said, her voice soft and fragile.
I smiled, unable to do anything else. “Thank you, Jasmine.”
I left her brownstone building, my heart lighter than it had been only moments before. My lips tugged into a smile. It had been incredible to see my son again. The sunshine in the storm we were currently wrapped inside.
My son is healthy and growing. I could not help but cast to Tabitha. I felt my cheeks heat as I cloaked myself in invisibility before spreading my wings. I reminded myself of one of those humans who constantly shared photos of their children whether others cared or not.
Thank the Lord for that. Her voice was stronger than when I left. A sense of relief flooded my body.
Kadie? I cleared my throat, shaking my head. Any change?
No. I’ll let you know when there is.
Tabitha’s tone sounded ominous and despair began to fill me. She made no effort to mince her words or lie to me. It was something I appreciated about my Angel Agent, but every now and then, there were moments – like this one – where I wished she would just let me hope. Before I could feel the pain such a loss would cause me, I switched off our conversation and took to the skies once again. I didn’t want to dwell. It would distract me, and that was the last thing I needed right now: a distraction from my mission.
It was daylight. The sun warmed my skin but couldn’t seem to break through to my insides. I felt cold, despondent. My lips pulled into a tight line, brow furrowed over my eyes. It was a beautiful day, the sky painted a beautiful blue that instantly reminded me of the color of my son’s eyes. My heart panged. I longed to hold him again. I longed to press his tiny body against my chest and hope that some small measure of enveloping him in my arms would make him feel safe against me.
Don’t.
I couldn’t let myself think about things that made me sad. Sadness made me weak, and I could not be weak right now. Not when it was time to search out the Demons who’d kidnapped and tortured Kadie.
I flew over the city of New York and headed in the direction my instincts had taken me last time. To the overgrown hedges and barren earth of the Demon castle. I had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to return, knowing this was where I needed to be to finish everything.
I landed where I had last time I was here. The stilted air was cold, despite the warmth of the sun on my back. My entire body was tense, filled with a knowing that things would end soon. What bothered me was the fact that I did not know what that ending would entiail. Before, I used to revel in such an uncertainty. I did not need to know specific things and I appreciated the fact that I did not have to be responsible for everything. Now, I needed to know everything or else I somehow felt unprepared, as though I could not sufficiently do my job. I wished I knew more. I wished I knew that being here was right. I wished I knew that Kadie and my son and even Tabitha would be okay after this was all over.
But I knew nothing other than the fact that I needed to be here.
I slipped beneath my invisibility knowing my magic wouldn’t work on any Demons in the area, but it would conceal me from their daytime human watchers. The human watchers were more surprising than the Demons. I hadn’t expected them the last time I was here but I would not make that mistake again.
I crept up to the castle this time, not rushing as I had when I was here to rescue Kadie. There was no urgency the way there was last time. I needed to take it all in. See what I had missed before. My insides bristled at such a thought, but I reigned in my patience. This was important. This was what needed to be done in order to sufficiently complete my task – the right way.
I searched the exterior building and saw nothing of real note. Crumbling blue stone and rock kept the huge building afloat. Each tower was peaked with a flag of black. There was no modern security I could see.
Good.
I moved around to the huge double-door entry and extended to my full height as I pulled my sword from my back scabbard. The feel of it in my hand eased my tension albeit slightly. However, it reassured me and at least gave me a tool I could work with if I needed it.
I hated killing humans. It was part of our code that we never harmed a mortal.. But those who were working for the Demons, here in this evil place, would not be completely innocent. I need not bear the burden of guilt if I had to take one of them down. That was for God to decide. Whether they were corrupted and still had a sliver of hope for redemption or whether they would be sent straight to Hell for their wicked crimes was not up to me.
I knew, in that moment, I would not hesitate to do what I needed to do in order to ensure the safety of myself and my loved ones. Even if it meant killing humans.
I reached for the large metal door handle and pulled hard, expecting resistance. It gave way easily and swung open. A loud creak ripped through the silence. I froze and waited. Had I revealed my location?
I tilted my head to the side and waited, hoping to catch any sound of scuffl
ing feet or low murmurs. Anything I could do to see if I could pinpoint their location.
I looked back at the door I just opened once I determined no one made a noise. Something was strange to me but I could not put my finger on it. The breeze ruffled my hair and another squeak – this one smaller – touched the daylight. Suddenly, I was slapped in the face with how obvious it all was. Why wasn’t this place locked up? Shouldn’t it be heavily guarded by Demons or, at least, human watchers? Shouldn’t it be difficult to enter? I shouldn’t be able to walk in without repercussions.
I stepped back and held up my weapon, waiting for the attack to come. Silence filled the air. I hated it. It was worse than any kind of threatening noise. I knew how to handle a threat. I was less certain about silence. Gripping the hilt of my sword, I stepped inside and swung the blade in a wide arc. Perhaps I should have thought before acting, but I did not want to take any chances.
Nothing.
There was nobody here except the standing ancient armor of knights who served their king, decorating the halls as though it were 1155 BC.
Chapter 7.
Inside, every part of me screamed, this is a trap. But I took another step forward.
A chill shivered along my arms, making the hairs stand on end. There was pure evil in this castle. Part of me couldn’t believe that my beautiful Kadie had made it out of this place in one piece. The other part couldn’t believe I had not realized just how deadly and dangerous this place was beforehand. Without thinking, I crossed myself – a silent show of appreciation that we made it out alive the first time.
I wasn’t so sure I would be able to say the same for this time.
I took a cautious step forward, expecting a trap to fall from the ceiling. I looked up, then around me. Nothing happened. No one revealed themselves. There was nothing to see, nothing to hear.
Coldness chilled the air. Instead of being filled with the promise of restoration and growth, it was empty and hollow, the sort of feeling that came with death and decay. The sort of feeling that one got when the situation was utterly and completely hopeless.
I continued to move forward when no attack came, through the huge double-height entrance and around the ground floor. I took the time to search every room, always mindful of where the windows were in case I needed a hasty escape. I also kept my eyes out for any information I might need, any clue on what was happening and how to solve the conundrum I was in.
I saw nothing of consequence. Felt nothing unusual besides that feeling of pure evil. Not even the tingle of heat that should be here if a Demon was nearby. Disappointing, to say the least. Not to mention confusing as hell.
I was certain I should be here. And yet, there was nothing for me here. Nothing I could work with, anyway.
As I moved back into the foyer and took my first steps up the large, winding staircase, I began to re-think my conclusions about this place. Perhaps the Demons had abandoned it now that they’d found Kadie. Had they retrieved what they’d needed from her when they’d brought her to this place? If that were true, why did it still feel as though a heaviness permeated the place? Why did I feel such a strong sense of evil here? Was I imagining things? Was I making it worse than it really was because I could not come to a place like this and not feel angry because of all that transpired?
And if they had left, if they had taken what they wanted from Kadie and did not need anything more, why were they still attacking young Witches like Simone? Why were Witches disappearing? None of it was making any sense.
I crept up the stairs, holding my sword erect and ready to use. Despite the fact that it seemed empty, I could not ignore that something was off about this place. I could not let my guard down for even one second. I shifted my eyes back and forth, straining to sense anything that looked out of place or foreign.
I finished my climb and finally reached the first floor, where the stained carpets caught my attention. Were they splattered with blood as the patterns indicated? If it was blood, was the blood fresh or ancient? Or simply a horrible choice in décor? I got closer to the stains, but unfortunately, couldn’t be sure.
I continued to move along the hallway, spotting the familiar doors I’d witnessed last time. Kadie had been held on this floor. My mouth went dry. I tightened my grip on my sword.
I glanced down a hallway to my right, where the human guards had been last time. There was nothing there now. Nobody to be seen at all, no demons, no humans. The only thing in the space was silence.
This isn’t good.
Anger swirled in my gut like the beginnings of a storm. I did not like this emptiness. I did not like the uncertainty. I did not like the confusion. Most of all, I did not like this puzzle I’d been presented with and could not seem to solve.
I wanted an enemy to fight. A resolution found. I wanted a constructive outlet for releasing my pent-up aggression. I wanted something to do besides wait around and see if Kadie and Tabitha got better, to see if a Demon would attack, to see if another Witch disappeared. I wanted to do something.
I marched faster along the hallway and opened the first heavy door. It was dark and I could barely see a thing in the gloom. But there was a smell I could not deny. The reek of fear. A woman’s blood, sweat, and tears ran in this room. Or they had, not so long ago.
I took a breath and surged into the inky blackness, looking for a sliver of light. When it called to me, I raced forward, grabbed hold of the old curtains and wrenched them open.
I twisted back around and vomit rose in my mouth at the sight of the girl on the table in front of me. I was nearly brought to my knees.
Oh, God.
Please let this girl be in Heaven where she is meant to be.
She couldn’t have been more than sixteen as her face still held the fullness of youth. She was held in chains, and cut up like a piece of meat on a butcher’s table. The putrid scent of her remains buried itself in my nostrils. I did not think I would forget the smell as long as I lived, and I expected to be alive for a very, very long time. I looked down at my hands, suddenly worried that blood was stained on my fingers the same way blood seemed to stain each room in this castle. Nothing. And yet, I had this sudden urge to wash myself, this sudden urge to cleanse myself. It was as if this evil had found a way inside of me and no matter how hard I scrubbed, it wouldn’t matter. Faded crimson would forever be under my fingernails, on my fingerprints. It would show up in everything I touched.
My shoulders heaved forward but I held back my guttural response. I would not desecrate this room more than it already had been.
I took a deep breath. I needed to control myself. I was a Guardian, a warrior angel for goodness’ sake. One body – no matter how badly savaged – could not unhinge me. I could not possibly be that weak.
I forced myself to look at the body once again, trying to get a hold of my coherent thoughts. It would do me no good to allow myself to get caught up in my own weakness – a weakness I did not realize I possessed. A weakness that filled me with shame.
Focus, Gabriel. The voice in my head sounded like Kadie. It helped me push forward. It helped me overcome the helplessness I felt in the pit of my stomach.
My eyes went over the injuries inflicted on this human. I tried to pick up any tell that would help explain what I was looking at. More than that, I could not help but wonder what the demons were looking for within this beautiful girl? Why did they need to torture her in such a way that caused her blood to run over the table and drip down the sides and into the carpet like a fountain of blood overflowing.
I walked forward and tried to assess her for information to take back. Anything I could use to help my woman. The scent nearly had me reeling back. I stopped, bent over, and tried to breathe in fresh air. I pushed out a sigh and straightened. Anger surged through my body. I could not be this vulnerable. I could not be this weak.
The scene from Kadie’s torture tore through my mind. The poison had been her main instrument of agony, and yet this room was very different. There were n
o drips, no needles nearby. Had they simply tortured her to death by the human instruments of pain? Or had they taken something more useful from her? Were they looking for information? Or did she possess something they desired, something they deemed as absolutely necessary to take?
I looked closer and saw that her belly had been almost entirely removed. Bone and gut spilled out around the gaping hole. The blood already clotted, a dark, disturbingly blackened color that did not resemble human blood in the slightest.
Had they been looking for a babe? Or perhaps a power that could not be found in mere flesh?
This could have been Kadie, a voice told me.
Knowing that, I was going to be sick. The thought of Kadie enduring such torture, such pain, more than she had already faced, was enough to bring me to my knees.
And yet, it was not, another voice reminded me. Do not martyr your memory simply to force yourself to feel things. You do a disservice to Kadie and to this poor soul.
I pressed my lips together. The voice in my head was correct. What-if scenarios were not going to help me right now. If anything, they would only make things worse. I needed to get back on track.
My stomach churned once again, my gaze drawn to the twisted grimace of pain upon her face. I didn’t want to leave her here, but I needed to find more answers to the new questions that popped up. There was no choice.
I picked up a blanket from the old bed in the room and draped it over her. It was all I could think to do to keep her warm in this evil place. It was ridiculous, more sentimental than logical, but I did not care. Just because it seemed a moot point did not mean the gesture was unimportant. If I was being honest with myself, it felt wrong to leave her exposed to the elements. It felt wrong to leave her out in the open where anyone could stumble upon her. It was what little respect I could offer her. It might not be much, but I hoped it was enough.
I stepped back and shook my head of compassion. Instead, I had to start deciphering what I was looking at and what it could all mean. My first assumption was that the victim had to be a Witc. Demons did not seem to focus such awful attention on mere humans, especially since it was much easier to inflict pain and terror on humans than on Witches.