by BJ Sheldon
Lillith and I avoided each other most of the night, staying silent. I preferred it that way. It was clear she didn’t like me, although I still couldn’t be sure exactly why that was. Her brother was easygoing and likeable while Lillith was the complete opposite. She was strong and a tough warrior, someone I’d want by my side in a fight. But she certainly wasn’t someone I wanted to be alone with for an extended period of time.
The evening was uneventful. I kept watch on top of the closest formation and surveyed our surroundings intently, staying vigilant to ensure no one got the drop on us.
With sunrise minutes away, I was relieved the night had gone off without incident and anxious to see Dorian again. I soared down off the rock edge and landed on the other end of the site, keeping my distance from my unwitting partner.
I finally broke the silence.
“The guys should be here soon,” I said.
“Yep.”
“You’ll probably want to head back and get some sleep.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets and stared Lillith down. “You really don’t like me, do you.”
Lillith appeared to smirk in my direction and pushed herself up off the ground and dusted off her rear.
“To be honest? No. I don’t.”
“Why?” I asked.
Lillith seemed a bit put off that I’d asked the question out loud. She sighed with exasperation and rolled her eyes.
“You really want to know?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
“Fine. I think my brother’s faith in you is misplaced. I don’t think you have the ability nor the mental fortitude to take on Azazel. My brother and I have a better chance at saving the mortals and fending off the Fallen with the rest of the Hybrids than you do. I don’t think you’re ready. I don’t think you’re strong enough, physically or mentally, to take on that kind of challenge. And I think Raja will tear off your wings before you even have a chance to scream.”
I nodded my head out of derision, lips pursed as I thought about what she’d just said.
“Sounds like you’ve thought about it a bit,” I replied.
“And if I’m really being honest here, I hate that my brother seems to have fallen for you. Even way before we met you in person, all he could talk about for years and years was the beautiful girl in his visions. He’d go on and on about how you were going to save the world. And then he met you, and now all he does is follow you around like a lost puppy. It’s pathetic.”
“I have no control over how your brother feels about me,” I said. “I never asked for any of this, you know. It’s not like I knew any of this was coming.”
“Well, you sure don’t seem to be discouraging him, either.”
I shook my head. There was no arguing with her.
“Did he tell you that our time here will be over soon?” she asked bluntly.
“Yeah. He told me.”
“Did he happen to mention that we turn a hundred and twenty in less than a week?”
My breath caught rigidly in my throat. I couldn’t respond. I’d known his life was forfeit soon, but I hadn’t realized it was that soon.
“So he didn’t tell you then,” she stated definitively. “Interesting.”
“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry that you don’t have faith in me? I apologize profusely that your brother likes me? Sounds to me that all of the issues that you have with me are your own personal issues. It sounds like you’re jealous that I’m the Protector and the keeper of the Spear of Azazel, and that it burns you that your brother is now paying attention to someone other than you.”
Lillith charged at me, stopping herself a few feet short. Her chest rose and fell with obvious ire.
“What are you going to do? Attack me? Why don’t you get over yourself and focus on the task at hand? You can either help me defeat Azazel’s Army and keep the Fallen from rising, or you can act like a jealous child and throw a tantrum.”
“Listen, you bitch—”
Suddenly, a portal opened up a few yards away. Dorian leapt through and landed hard on our side, completely out of breath.
“Skyy!” Dorian rushed at me and grabbed my arms. “They took him. They took Sean!”
Chapter 13
My body tensed and my heart stopped.
“Wait. What? Who took Sean?” I asked, panic rising in my voice.
“Raja and two of his cronies. They came before sunup and grabbed him from the tent. He decided to stay in Lillith’s tent by himself since you guys were here. Said he wanted room to spread out.”
“He stayed in my tent? Who told him he could do that?” Lillith barked.
“Focus! There are more important things right now,” scolded Dorian as he shot his sister a look of reproach. “Sam and I heard him yelling, but we were too late. I’m sorry Skyy. I should have kept a better eye on him.”
“Where’d they take him?” I asked. My breathing accelerated, worry taking over every thought.
“I don’t know. But if they want what they think you have, they won’t hurt him. Not yet, at least. My guess? They’ll use him as a bargaining chip to trade.”
My anxiety level rose. My best friend was missing, and it was all my fault.
“I knew something like this was going to happen. He shouldn’t have come. I should have made him stay behind,” I said as I paced back and forth.
“Look, Skyy. I’m the one to blame here. I should have kept a better eye on him. I should have known that Raja would pull something like this. It’s his M.O.” Dorian threw his hands on top of his head.
“He said seventy-two hours. It’s barely been twenty-four!” I shouted.
“I know. This is what he does. Sean is his insurance. He’s making sure you don’t double-cross him.”
I began to hyperventilate, the tears forming in my eyes. The emotion was overwhelming. Sean hadn’t done anything to deserve any of it. A simple act of making a wrong turn down an old, dirt road fifteen years ago had now resulted in him being captured by a rogue angel hell bent on purging the earth of all mortals.
The emotion of it all shocked me. I didn’t cry. It just wasn’t something I allowed myself to do. But Sean was in danger, and it was my fault.
Dorian rushed over and threw his arms around me. I fell apart and sobbed until there were no more tears. I backed away. Dorian used his thumb to wipe the tears from my face.
“Oh my God. Is she done, yet?” Lillith blurted out.
“Lil! Shut the hell up.” Dorian had become suddenly angry, lashing out at his sister. “Now isn’t the time for your heartless sarcasm. For once, try to have compassion for someone other than yourself.”
Lillith appeared shocked. Her jaw dropped, her mouth agape as her eyebrows scrunched up with confusion.
“Don’t give me that look. You’ve been acting like a bitch since we met Skyy. You’re done. There are more important things in life than hating someone because you’re jealous of them,” he said.
“I’m not jealous!” barked Lillith.
“Don’t give me that crap. You’ve been acting like a jealous little brat from the moment we arrived. Actually, longer than that. As soon as I started to tell you about my visions. Why are you jealous? Is it her wings?”
“I said I’m not jealous.”
“Why are you jealous, Lil? Tell me!”
“I’m not!”
“Tell me!”
For a moment, there was utter silence as I stood back and watched the sibling rivalry come to a head. Dorian’s face was red with rage. His shoulders stiff and his posture fierce.
Lillith’s face went frighteningly blank. Her brother’s anger appeared to have wounded her shallow pride.
“She’s all you talk about. She’s all you’ve talked about for years. We were supposed to be a team. You and me to the end. But then this girl with wings swoops in and draws your attention away from the one person who’s supposed to mean more to you than anyone. And now our days are numbe
red, literally, and it seems as though you’d rather spend them with her.”
Dorian’s shoulders relaxed, and his face softened. He walked toward Lillith and took her hand.
“You think Skyy could replace you?” he asked. “The feelings I have for her don’t contradict my love for you, sis. We’re a team. We’ve always been a team. And we’ll be a team right up to the end. We’re family, right?”
Lillith nodded. She looked as though she was about to cry, but I knew better. She’d never allow it.
The two of them stood quietly, taking in the moment.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I began, “but what about Sean? We don’t know where to find him. And we can’t give Raja the sword. What are we supposed to do? Just sit around and wait?”
“There’s something else. I wasn’t sure I should tell you or not,” said Dorian. “But I can’t keep something like this from you. Not anymore.”
“And?”
“You’re not going to like it.”
I wasn’t sure I could take any more bad news, but I braced myself.
“I had a vision. About Sean. It wasn’t good.”
“Just spit it out, Dorian.”
“In the vision, he dies, Skyy. Raja kills him.”
I began to shake my head.
“No.”
“Skyy.”
“I said no. No! That’s not going to happen. I’m not going to let it!”
The siblings exchanged nervous glances, and Dorian tossed up his hands.
“Okay. Fine. What’s your plan? What do we do?”
My gaze darted between the twins as I gathered my wits.
“We don’t know where they are,” I said. “So, how about we make them come to us?”
Lillith stepped forward.
“We’re listening.”
“I can talk to other Hybrids now, right? Even those on Raja’s side?” I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly hanging from my side.
“Yeah? What are you getting at?” Dorian asked.
“I tell them I have what they’re looking for and see if they’re willing to trade.”
“So, if we aren’t really going to give him the sword for Sean, what are you going to trade?” Lillith asked.
“Nothing. We figure out a way to rescue Sean and do it in a way that won’t get him killed.”
“Brilliant plan. Come up with that yourself?” Lillith’s temporary moment of sensitivity was over. She was back to hating me again.
“I need one of you to back me up and the other to keep an eye on Sam and keep him safe.” I suddenly had a thought. “Wait. Where’s Sam?” I said, my skin growing cold with fear.
“He’s fine. He’s a tough kid. He knows these Badlands better than anyone. He’s hiding out until we get back,” Dorian replied.
I let out a loud sigh, relieved to hear he was okay.
“Lillith, you stay with me. Dorian, you go back and take care of Sam and keep him safe.”
“You want me to have your back against Raja?” Lillith seemed a bit shocked at my choice.
“Seems to me your anger toward Raja could come in handy. Plus, I’ve seen you in a fight. You’re more than capable.”
“Fine. But I’m only doing this because I want Raja dead. Not because I like you or Sean.”
“Noted,” I replied. I turned toward Dorian, whose expression seemed uncomfortable with my plan. “We’ll be fine. You just keep Sam safe.”
He nodded, telling me he understood. His arm extended out, and he opened up the portal, stepping through it and disappearing on the other side. The vortex vanished, leaving Lillith and me alone once again.
We waited a few hours before contacting Raja’s Hybrids which gave us time to go over our plan multiple times. I wanted to make sure we considered every eventuality—there could be no mistakes. Sean’s life depended on that.
Finally, I closed my eyes and concentrated. I called out to Raja’s people, letting them know I wanted to talk and make a deal. Within a matter of moments, three Hybrids, all dressed in black leather, stepped through a portal directly in front of me.
They took a battle stance, apparently ready for a fight.
“Whoa boys,” I said irreverently. “At ease. I’m not here to fight. I’m here to deal. But first, I need to ask you all a question.” I stared them down, my jaw clenched. “Where in the world did you guys find those leather pants? I mean, how many cows had to die for you to look that ridiculous?”
They remained silent and completely unfazed by my obvious sarcasm.
“No? You’re not going to tell me?” I sighed dramatically. “Fine. Be that way. Now where’s Raja?”
Their eyes darted around nervously.
“Come now. Not one of you has the balls to call your boss? What? Afraid of him or something? Poor leadership if you ask me. Lead by example I say, not fear. But then, what do I know? I’m just a Gibborim with a bad temper and no one to lead.” I shot them all a forced, toothy grin. “Now call him.”
The Hybrids again just stared at each other. They appeared confused. Perhaps no one had ever demanded to see their boss before.
I was losing my patience. The thought of Sean in their clutches incensed me. I slowly slid my sword out of its scabbard and spun it forward in my hand to show them I meant business. I extended my wings outward, stretching them to their full capacity from tip to tip and did my best to look intimidating.
No one moved.
I took a step closer and raised my sword, aiming it forward, pointing it in their direction.
“Call him,” I said calmly. “Now.”
A tall, redheaded goon to my left glanced over at one of his cohorts and faintly nodded in his direction, who in turn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I watched his chest expand and retract slowly, his breathing clearly controlled. He appeared to be concentrating extremely hard, his forehead furrowed deep and low.
It didn’t take long to figure out what he’d done. I saw something in the sky flying in my direction from over the Badlands. As it grew closer, I could see the red flames of Raja’s wings glow bright against the blue of the sky. He landed hard and crouched down between me and his henchmen. His fiery wings matched mine as they splayed out broadly on either side.
“You called?” he asked, standing fully upright.
“Where’s Sean?”
Raja cocked his head and gave me an amused look. “I’m sorry, who?”
“You know exactly who I’m talking about.” My voice cracked just a little. I’d hoped Raja wouldn’t notice or see it as a sign of weakness. But I knew it was already too late. The side of his mouth curved slightly upward.
“Oh. You mean the old guy? Faded jeans? Oversized t-shirt with some superhero on the front?”
I said nothing. I wasn’t about to play his game.
“You know. I’m completely willing to give him back to you, for a price of course. Actually, I will be more than happy to give him back. The sooner the better. I mean, how on earth do you put up with his bravado? I swear, all he talks about is how you’re going to kick my ass; the man hasn’t shut up since we grabbed him.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s safe for now.”
“I want to see him.”
“The spear for the bore. Then you can have him back.”
I began to laugh. It grew louder and louder until I could barely contain myself.
Raja just smiled, but his eyes held confusion.
“What’s so funny, if I may ask?”
I swallowed hard in an effort to restrain myself and brought it down to a minor giggle.
“You. You must think I’m an idiot. Do you think I’m an idiot?” I asked.
“No.”
“No? You don’t think I’m an idiot? Then why are you treating me like one. You get nothing until Sean is here and I know he’s safe. Otherwise, no deal.”
Raja shrugged.
“Then we’ll just kill him,” he said calmly.
I knew I needed to stay composed and not l
et him see me flinch. My voice needed to stay level and my posture, strong.
It was my turn to play.
I stood up straight and focused on Raja, staring him down.
“Go ahead. You kill him. Then you can be guaranteed you’ll never see the spear. It’ll die with me, and Azazel will never get what he wants. And whose fault do you think that would be exactly? Hmm? Yours, maybe?”
Raja’s eyes searched my face for any sign of deception. He would find none.
Sean had spent hours teaching me the fine art of the bluff. He’d begun to teach me how to play poker a few years after we’d met. At first, it was a way to unwind—forget about the world around me. But I grew to love it and all the deception that went with it. He taught me the importance of taking risks and the poker face.
Who knew it would come in handy in the real world?
“Not to mention, if you kill Sean, you’ll never shake me. I’ll be the shadow that follows you around. I will be so far up your ass twenty-four-seven that you’ll need to open your mouth so I can breathe.” I raised a curious eyebrow and tilted my head back slightly. “So, what’s it going to be?”
Raja looked pissed. It was clear he didn’t like being told what to do. Especially by someone like me.
He turned his head and nodded at one of his leather-clad sidekicks who dutifully walked off and around the corner of a large rock formation. A few seconds later, he came back with Sean blindfolded, his hands tied behind his back. He stumbled along as the thug pushed him ahead at a brisk pace.
“Sean. You okay?” I asked, trying to maintain my poker face.
“I’m good. But one of these guys seriously needs a breath mint.”
He was fine.
“Here he is. As you can see, he hasn’t been harmed,” said Raja.
“Actually, a couple of your guys used my gut as a punching bag earlier. And you can’t see it under this blindfold, but I’m pretty sure I have a black eye from someone’s elbow accidentally on purpose smacking me in the face.” Sean was calm. But I knew him. He became a sarcastic asshole when he got scared.
“Seriously. How do you put up with him? He’s insufferable. I should just go ahead kill him anyway and do us all a favor.”