Daria stiffened in shock. Alastor wanted Jason to come? A cold sweat washed over her. God. Did Alastor lay a trap for his brother?
“Don’t think about it,” Alastor advised lightly as he clapped his hands.
Two guards surrounded Daria in a flash. They towered over her and she was sure if they unfurled their wings, that alone would knock her down.
“Perhaps you’d like a little tour of your new home?” Alastor motioned for the guards to follow him.
They didn’t leave through the large double doors. Instead, they went through a back door behind the throne chairs and stepped outside.
Birds chirped and flowers bloomed in the garden as they strode down the long stone hallway. A simple, circular fountain sat in the center of a large rectangular atrium. Water cascaded down from the third tier and sunlight glinted off the pool. A wren flew down, splashing in its eagerness to enjoy a bath.
They passed by flowering vines winding around the circular columns. The lavender petals softened the hard lines of the building, surrounding it in a cascade of greenery. Given different circumstances, she would have wanted to take some time to sit in the lovely atrium. But she knew Alastor didn’t bring her here for a vacation.
As they neared the edge, she could almost picture Jason as a child, sitting near the fountain. Perhaps he read a book while playing with the water or maybe he basked in the sound of the falling water as he gazed up into the sky.
Alastor stopped for a moment to stare at the fountain. “Jason used to have trouble sleeping as a baby. Mother tried everything to get him to sleep but nothing worked. One afternoon, she took him out here and he fell asleep instantly. From then on, we always took him here to listen to the water.”
They rounded the corner and to the left, Daria saw a long drive paved in loose gravel lined with vibrant green hedgerow. Flowers and small trees dotted the sides.
“We used to race our horses here,” Alastor said. His lips quirked into a smile. “He bet me he could jump onto the horse while flying. He failed and scraped his legs up badly. He was stupid to try since he was only half the size of the horse at the time.”
As they continued through the house, Alastor shared little stories about their childhood. Occasionally, they included Candy. But mostly, they were about Jason.
A curious wonderment formed in Daria’s mind. She didn’t hear hatred in his voice when he talked about Jason as a child. Instead, endearment framed each memory, adding charm and intimacy. That meant at one point, the brothers got along well as normal siblings. What had happened to change everything?
But she didn’t have a chance to learn more as they continued through the villa. Everywhere she turned, she saw angels. It was a walk through a storybook fairytale if one didn’t notice the chains.
When they finally arrived at her room, she was surprised to see Alastor didn’t leave her at the door. Instead, he entered behind her and said, “This is your room. Or prison cell. However you want to think about it.”
“I don’t get it.” She turned to him, head tilted to one side, trying to understand. Over the last few minutes, Alastor seemed like a different man.
His face suddenly became guarded, as if expecting she’d say something that he needed to prepare for.
“You bring me here, say we’re going to get married, but all you’ve done is talk about Jason. Why?”
“You asked me once why I didn’t like Jason. Remember what I told you?”
Alastor had never directly answered that question. Luke and Alastor seemed to have the same reasons for pushing Jason away—he didn’t accept who he was.
“Jason has chosen a different path. You said you wanted the best for your family. How is this good for anyone? If anything, it just creates bad blood.”
“One can only hope.” And with that cryptic remark Alastor left, locking the door behind him.
Daria stared out the window at the amazing city before her. For all intents and purposes, the city was the same as any other from a bygone era with cobblestone walkways, thatched homes, and horse-drawn carts. Yet this city was filled with angels who carried chains with them wherever they flew.
Surreal. That was the only word to describe it. She wondered where all the other angels came from. Were they the same ones who revolted against God with Lucifer? Or were they like Jason, second-generation angels who had always lived in chains?
When Alastor had left her alone, she had scoped the area immediately, wondering if there was a path to escape. The front doors were guarded so she went to her balcony. When she stepped outside, she was surprised to see this entire side of the castle stood against a bluff. The sheer cliff couldn’t have been scaled by anyone without wings. The land lay far below, shrouded in fog. The townsfolk that she had seen through the windows couldn’t be found here.
She discovered nothing that would allow her to escape, short of jumping to the neighboring balcony. But what then? If the doors were locked, would she keep jumping until she found one that was open?
With nowhere to go, Daria had begun pacing her room, trying to think of another solution. Still, no answers came to mind. It wasn’t just escaping from here that plagued her. It was the question of what would she do once she got out.
That was an hour ago. Now, she had resigned herself to gazing out the window. How much time would pass before Jason came for her?
All day, she had searched for newfound power and felt nothing to speak of, except for some small changes. Where once she’d wonder about the hidden meanings behind people’s words, now she didn’t have to because the answer seemed obvious. Maybe this new and clearer mind wasn’t the true beginning of her ‘gift,’ but it helped her keep fear at bay. And it helped her wait for Jason.
The sun dipped behind the mountains in the distance, throwing golden rays across the room. And suddenly, she felt the need to stand by the window. Something was out there. Waiting for her.
The force pulling her to the window grew stronger as she marched to the balcony, pulled apart the glass doors, and stepped outside. A gust blew her hair back and she squinted as her eyes watered.
Out in the open sky, a black speck marred the clouds streaked in orange. The speck grew closer and larger. Her hands gripped the railing and she narrowed her eyes harder against the glare.
Jason.
He flew high, away from level sight of the other windows before dropping in front of her. His wings flapped gently, barely making a sound, and his chains dangled from his wrists to disappear into the darkness below.
As soon as he alighted on the balcony she threw herself at him, stopping his words. His arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
“Let’s get out of here,” he murmured into her hair.
“I knew you would come.” She pressed her lips against his chest.
The bedroom door clicked open behind her.
And a familiar voice said, “So did I.”
Chapter 23
Jason had guessed where Alastor would keep her. The villa sat on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the populace. But on the southern end, the rock fell to nothingness. His family kept unwanted guests and prisoners here. Jason knew this was where Alastor would bring Daria.
The moment he arrived, Jason had sensed her easily enough and had hoped they could escape before Alastor was alerted of his presence. But it seemed that was wishful thinking.
Jason gazed down at Daria with love. He gently brushed aside her hair and held her to him for a second longer. Alastor glared at him from across the room.
His brother was deceived. Like all of them. I have to explain.
Releasing Daria but retaining hold of her hand, Jason led her back into the room to face Alastor. “I’m leaving with her,” Jason stated firmly.
Alastor pulled out his sword and pointed it at Jason. “Then you’ll
have to go through me.”
Daria’s hand tightened in his. At her gasp, he glanced down and saw her eyes flare, her face grow pale. “No,” she whispered.
“What is it?”
A cold sweat lined her brow and her hand felt clammy. Her glazed eyes locked onto his brother. ”You can’t do that, Alastor,” she breathed.
From the look on Alastor’s face, his brother seemed just as confused. What’s going on?
No time to worry about that. He had to explain first. “Alastor, Uncle Mike was trying to kill Daria when you saved her. It’s a scheme from Heaven. Father’s law makes it so Heaven retains control.” Jason tried to convey his urgency to his brother.
“I didn’t do it to save her,” Alastor answered woodenly. “You think this was about her? This was always about you and me. If you want to leave with her today, you will have to go through me.”
Jason suppressed a sigh. It was going to come to a battle after all. Where were his parents at a time like this? They should be here to stop it. But their father also agreed that if he wanted to marry Daria, he should kill Alastor. Was this still what Luke wanted even after everyone knew the truth?
Determination gleamed in Alastor’s eyes, some twisted resolve to destroy him. Perhaps it was already too late to get through to Alastor. Fine. So be it.
Jason pulled out his sword. The blade gleamed as it always did and he smelled the blood of thousands.
“I don’t care about ruling the House,” Jason tried for the last time. “I will leave with her and you never have to see us again.”
At that, Alastor gave him a strange little smile, one that Jason had never seen before. It was as though Alastor had finally found peace.
“My poor baby brother. You just don’t get it.”
Alastor struck with his sword and Jason parried. “Stay back,” he ordered Daria. When she didn’t move, he pushed her aside. She stumbled, her eyes never straying from Alastor. But she didn’t look at his brother, he realized, so much as through him.
He had forgotten how good Alastor was with the sword. The last time they fought, he had been a child with a wooden weapon. Alastor had stood two heads taller with his golden hair flashing under the sun. That golden hair would separate them forever. Perhaps appearances alone really were enough to segregate him from his family. Or maybe their blood just didn’t run thick enough.
Alastor thrust his sword and kicked at Jason’s legs. Jason jumped back to avoid getting knocked down. Then his brother grinned and swung his sword at Daria.
Before he knew what he had done, Jason slashed at Alastor, cutting across his body from gut to shoulder. His brother’s sword hovered, mere inches from Daria. For a second, Alastor stood paralyzed with his arm outthrust, his weapon ready to kill.
Then he turned to Jason and that odd smile lit his face. “Finally, little brother.”
And he fell.
Jason froze, horrified by what he had done. A thin line of blood trailed down the sharp blade. He dropped the weapon as though it burned his hand. Blood poured from Alastor’s chest and that strange little smile still played on his lips.
“Why didn’t you dodge it?” Jason whispered. Burning fury exploded in his chest. “You could have avoided it!”
“Alastor wanted you to kill him,” Daria said in a small voice, falling to her knees next to them. “He wanted to complete you as a fallen angel.”
Her words pummeled him like the waves of a tsunami. He collapsed, his legs no longer able to support his body. Tears streamed down his face as he cradled Alastor in his arms. “Is that true? Why? For something so stupid . . .”
Alastor laughed weakly and pressed his hand over Jason’s. “Now you are worthy.”
“No.” Jason shook his head in denial. He placed his hands over the wound. A blinding white light began to glow but Alastor’s next words made him falter.
“Fallen angels don’t heal their enemies.”
“You’re my brother.”
“They don’t heal family, either.”
Refusing to reply, Jason focused his thoughts and energy on closing Alastor’s wound. He couldn’t let his brother die. This was just a sick joke. Alastor had never liked him. Why would he do something so stupid? Why would he think that forcing Jason to kill him would complete him as a fallen angel? Even their father had said he was always more angel than fallen. Perhaps Luke was right.
“I don’t want to be saved,” Alastor wheezed.
“Shut up!”
“Make him stop,” Alastor begged Daria.
“Does that mean you have come to a decision?”
Jason turned to the doorway at the sound of that voice. Mike stood there with his father. Blinded, that was how Jason felt. Absolutely blinded by the light emanating from the two. Any brighter and he’d be burned, the way he’d been at Miller’s house.
His eyes locked on his father, whose face filled with disappointment and sadness. Bitterness rose in Jason. Was Luke upset that Alastor couldn’t finish the job?
“Come help him,” Jason pleaded. “He’s your son!”
Anguish lined Luke’s forehead and his indecision was transparent for all to see as his gaze flickered back and forth between his children. “If I save him, I will lose you.”
Daria didn’t understand why Luke thought he’d lose Jason, but she felt everyone’s emotions and motivations as clearly as though they voiced them aloud. And the inner voice that spoke the loudest came from Mike.
She stared at the angel, trying to sort through all the information running through her head. He intended to take Jason away if he chose to heal Alastor. To Heaven, perhaps never to see his family again. He’d never be allowed to see her again, either.
No way in hell. She would not let anyone take him away from her. Daria’s mind raced through alternatives. Jason had to stay with her and Alastor had to be saved. She had promised to protect her friends, had promised no one else would risk their lives. Now came the time to prove it.
When Mike averted his eyes, she sensed something else. He was afraid of her and what powers she would gain. If her powers surpassed them all and she married into the House of Fallen Angels or any of the other Houses for that matter, then Heaven would lose control over the realm. That must have been the reason he tried to kill her. He would have rather fallen than allow her to live.
Alastor’s hand on her arm jerked her away from her thoughts. She clutched his fingers tightly as if that alone could give him life.
“You’ll take care of him?” Alastor rasped.
Daria glanced at Jason, his countenance one of torment and misery. She shook her head. “No, I won’t. Not in the same way as you have. You two need each other.” She turned to Jason. “You must heal him. Concentrate. Focus.”
Not waiting for a response, she stood and strode to Luke and Mike. Adrenalin flowed through her and her hands balled into fists. She would never let anyone take Jason from her. The day they parted was the day one of them died. And even then she was sure they would meet in the afterlife.
She stopped in front of the two men and instantly discovered Mike was the more frightening of the two. Luke had always stabbed her with fear but Mike had appeared congenial. All a façade. At least everyone knew what to expect with Luke. With Mike, all had been fooled.
But she wouldn’t be intimidated. He was just an angel. She was the auspicious one. Her flesh and blood granted immortality and power. Within her was the ability to develop powers beyond everyone’s imagination. She alone determined who ruled the supernatural realm. And she had chosen Jason.
Michael should be the one intimidated.
Daria glowered at him, her lips curling back with scorn at his underhanded methods to get rid of her. “You’re not taking Jason away from me.”
As Mike flushed at her domineering tone, an amu
sed smile touched Luke’s lips.
“That’s not your decision. Someone upstairs wants him,” Mike told her.
Ire ripped through her and her blood boiled at his insinuation. A foreign energy began to course through her veins. Her fingers tingled. Daria leaned in close and added in a dangerous whisper, “Then I’ll have to speak to the guy upstairs. You tried to kill me because you’re frightened of my powers. Well, let me tell you, I’m not like Jason. I won’t have any qualms about killing you if you try to keep us apart.”
Mike lifted his chin and stared down at her. He stood over a head taller and it wasn’t easy to look down her nose at him. But somehow she managed.
“You’re bluffing. You’re scared of taking a life.”
That new power within her churned and magnified with his challenge, begging for release. It was like a wild beast, banging against the prison of her restraint. How satisfying it would be to show him how wrong he was.
She fisted her hands at her sides, tightening the control over the powers warring inside her.
“Are you sure about that?” she seethed. “You dare touch Jason and I’ll make you sorry.”
“You don’t have any powers,” Mike asserted.
She heard his voice quaver and she dove in for the final blow. “Then you’d better kill me to make sure it stays that way.”
Mike glared at her, his face purple with rage. A tic pulsed in his cheek and for a brief second, she thought for sure he’d reach out and strangle her in front of everyone. She dug her nails into her palms as the energy continued to snake inside of her, wrestling for freedom. Get it under control.
Precious seconds trickled by as they stared each other down. Mike narrowed his eyes, lips pursed in contemplation. Could he sense the power inside her?
Then it passed. He stepped back with a short nod. “There will be no killing today.” His eyes swept the room one last time before turning to leave.
Blood In The Stars Page 25