“Kyle,” Alan said louder as he moved to stand next to him.
“He would do it to us,” Kyle said, pressing the blade so hard against Rolf’s neck that a trickle of blood stained his sword. “He did try to do it to us.”
“But we’re not him,” Alan said. “We’re better.”
“How can you say that?” Kyle said in anger. “How can you stand there and spare his life after he killed so many, after he killed Seraphim?”
Alan felt a stab of pain in his chest at the mention of her name. Like a furnace sparking to life, fury at the memory of her death overpowered him. If he hadn’t just seen her, if she hadn’t just spoken to him, Alan wondered if his wrath would win out. But her voice was still too fresh in his mind.
“She wouldn’t have wanted this,” Alan said in a firm voice. “We’ll give him to the angels. Look around, Kyle; it’s over.
Alan took his own advice. All around them, fighting was coming to an end. What demons remained were either running or surrendering. The dragon had stopped its death throes. As far as Alan could tell, even the conflict with Sodom had been resolved.
Rolf laughed out loud as Kyle breathed an angry sigh and stood from his victim. “I knew you wouldn’t do it,” Rolf said.
“If I can’t kill him,” Kyle looked over to Alan, “can I at least punch him in the face? Just once, one really good one.”
Rolf stopped laughing and looked to Alan for an answer.
“Yeah, I guess,” Alan said.
---
The days after the battle were a blur to Alan; great pyres were erected for the dead, prisoners had to be guarded until their trials, and the wounded were placed inside the Temple for recovery.
Alan found himself working beside Danielle as they cared for both the supernatural race of humans and the Nephilim, their human counterparts. Both the minotaurs and centaurs had declined the angels’ offer to cater to their sick. Each race had set up makeshift camps outside the Temple and were caring for their kind in their own way.
“Your friends can be so stubborn,” Danielle said, eyeing Alan as though it were his fault their allies weren’t accepting their offer for aid.
Alan was standing beside Danielle as the pair collected more fresh bandages from one of the many storerooms in the Temple.
“Hey, it’s not my fault. Besides, it kind of makes sense. I mean, they have their own way of doing things. It’s probably weird for them to have you lay your hands on them and heal.”
“I didn’t hear you complain any of the many times I healed you.” Danielle gave Alan a stern look and piled clean cloths high in his outstretched arms. “Especially the last time you decided to use your body as a human harpoon and go right through a dragon’s skull.”
“When you say it like that, it sounds weird,” Alan said as Danielle placed another stack of towels in his arms and obscured his head.
“How can you see where you’re going like that?” Artemis’s young voice asked.
Alan turned toward the sound of the voice, but all he could see was a mound of white. Before he could respond, Artemis continued, “Michael wants to talk to both of you.”
“Great,” Alan said, placing the mountain of bandages back in the shelf. “How’s he feeling?”
“Good,” Artemis said, bobbing her head and leading the way down the winding Temple hall. “He’s still sore and banged up, but it could have been a lot worse.”
Alan exchanged a knowing look with Danielle. The story of Michael’s return was spreading through the camp after the battle. Where he had been, how he was found, and the way the battle with Sodom had ended.
Artemis stopped at a set of double doors and ushered them in.
“You’re not coming with us?” Alan asked as he and Danielle stepped in and Artemis turned to go.
“Nope, not this time. The cycle is over. Soon, I’ll just be a little girl all over again,” Artemis said, trying to smile.
Alan had to remind himself the spirit of the prophet only revealed herself during the conflict of the Horsemen and then only until the struggle was resolved. She was right; soon her purpose would be over and Artemis would return to the human plane, once again a young orphan girl.
Alan looked to Danielle, unsure what to do. Danielle sank to a knee and placed her hand on one of Artemis’s shoulders. “Hey, don’t be too sad just yet. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I promise you when we get back to the human world we’ll find you. You won’t be alone.”
“Really?” Artemis asked, her face breaking out in a huge smile.
“Really,” Danielle said.
“Really?” Artemis looked at Alan for further confirmation.
Alan received a quick jab to his leg from Danielle’s kneeling position when his response wasn’t quick enough. “Oh, yeah, totally. We can hang out and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches together and play video games.”
Artemis was beyond words. She ran first to Danielle and almost knocked her over with a hug then turned to Alan and pulled him down to his knees so she could do the same.
Alan hesitated at first then hugged the girl in return.
“You’re the best Horseman of War ever, Alan Price,” she said in his ear.
“Thanks,” Alan said with a laugh as he let her go.
“Okay, okay,” Artemis said, clapping her hands and jumping up and down, “you have to go inside. I have to plan all the cool stuff our family is going to do together.”
In the wake of those words, she ran down the hall. Alan looked to Danielle as they both knelt, shocked. Danielle’s face reddened, and Alan could tell she was thinking the same thing.
“Come on, Turner,” Alan said, getting to his feet then reaching down and pulling Danielle up. “Let’s get inside and see what Michael wants before you start getting all weird and awkward.”
“What? I don’t get weird,” Danielle said, her voice full of indignation.
“Yeah, sure you don’t. I still remember our first meeting,” Alan said.
Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Eight
As Alan and Danielle walked into the large meeting room, it was obvious they weren’t the only ones who were summoned. Sitting on either side of Michael were Raphael and Ardat, the former wearing a sling, the latter dressed in white. Tracy, Kyle, and Kassidy were all there as well, sitting next to one another, talking in whispers. Angelica was leaning against the stone wall, speaking with Esther. Both women waved to Alan and Danielle as they entered.
“Good,” Michael said with a welcoming smile, “we can begin. Please, take a seat.”
Alan exchanged head nods and grins with everyone in the room as he followed Michael’s instructions. To his surprise, even Ardat gave him a tight smile.
“Thank you all for coming,” Michael started. “I know how weary you all must be, not only from the battle but from the mountain of duties that follow. I’ll spare you from any empty words and get right down to the point. The angelic order is reeling. We require time to heal and find a way to rebuild our ranks. In the meantime, we cannot leave the human plane undefended. Humanity needs their heroes and we cannot deny them their own.”
Michael paused to look at each of the Horsemen in turn. Alan could feel what was coming next and anxiety’s familiar touch prodded at him like an icy finger running down his spine.
“Alan, Kassidy, Tracy, Kyle, Danielle, and Angelica, I need you to return to the human world and protect them until we can join you with reinforcements.”
Alan’s mind was still racing with all this would mean, but before he could ask any of the many questions he knew he needed to, Kyle spoke first. “And we’ve found a way back? I mean, I heard rumors of showing up in a lightning bolt naked.”
“Yes,” Michael said, shaking his head as if he were remembering the experience. “Our planes won’t parallel one another as they did before, but we do have a way to transport back and forth fully clothed now. Gideon was given instructions by the Shaman before he departed.”
“Shaman?” Kassidy as
ked, looking around the table to see if she was the only one who didn’t understand the reference.
“He was,” Ardat said, speaking for the first time. Her eyes looked toward the ceiling as she struggled for the right word, “he was a guide sent to us when we needed him the most.”
“And where is he now?” Kassidy asked.
“I thought he died in the battle,” Ardat said. Then she corrected herself. “No, he was dead. I saw it. But since the fight, he has appeared to some like Gideon, imparting wisdom.”
The room sat quiet for a moment as everyone tried to understand and believe Ardat’s words. Alan found it simple to accept. In a world full of so many amazing and wondrous creations, why couldn’t the Shaman exist?
“So,” Tracy said, looking to Ardat instead of Michael as she asked the question, “we’re going back home, but what about our powers? If the cycle is over, then we’re not Horsemen and women anymore, right?”
Ardat gave Tracy a genuine smile, something Alan had only ever seen reserved for Michael. “You are right, Tracy,” Ardat said. “However, you don’t need the title of a Horsewoman to have powers. Nephilim have their own unique gifts that will serve you as you fulfill your duties on earth.”
“So we won’t be as powerful?” Kassidy asked with a hint of remorse.
“You’ll be powerful enough to battle anything you come against,” Raphael said to Kassidy with a reassuring smile. “Your gifts may change as you make the transition, but it will be painless and”—Raphael looked to the four with a twinkle in his eye—“you may even be able to keep your wings.”
Alan felt his heart surge with a joy he didn’t expect. He didn’t realize until now how much he enjoyed his abilities and wings. They were as much part of him now as his arms or legs. Thinking about never being able to fly again was not something he wanted to have to accept as part of his new life.
“Are there any questions?” Michael asked, searching the table around him.
“What happened to Gabriel?” Danielle asked. “Why isn’t he at this meeting?”
Michael cleared his throat, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “In the aftermath of the battle with Sodom, it seems Gabriel—with Triana and a few of the demons who deserted Sodom—slipped off unnoticed.”
It made sense to Alan; he hadn’t seen Bobby or Rana since the battle, and he didn’t expect to. If they had fallen in with Gabriel, he only hoped it would mark a turning point for them all. Perhaps they weren’t fully ready to embrace the Light, but there were other paths to follow rather than returning to their old habits.
“When do we leave?” Kyle asked, squirming in his seat as if he was adjusting something in his pocket. Alan thought he caught the slightest hint of a red feather before Kyle’s hands obscured his line of sight.
“Tonight,” Michael said.
Alan’s eyes widened and he could feel his mouth drop open. He expected the trip to take place soon but not this soon.
“Trust me, I wish I could give you more time for good-byes and to prepare,” Michael said with a frown. “But we need you on the ground, recruiting Nephilim. It’s only a matter of time before the demons find their own way back and the cold war between the forces of Light and Dark continues. They will be eager to build the ranks of the Dark Nephilim on earth, as well. Until then, you will have a chance to choose and find others worthy of the calling and do some work even in the absence of any supernatural enemy. There are plenty of humans up to no good who would merit a visit from any one of you.”
“You mean you want us to hunt down bad guys? Like superheroes?” Tracy asked with a tilt of her head.
“I can’t think of any better way to use your powers,” Michael said. “I’m placing Alan in charge, knowing he’ll lean on Angelica’s and Danielle’s wisdom.”
Alan wasn’t sure he had heard Michael right. He could feel his face redden as everyone in the room looked at him and smiled with nods of agreement.
---
“And that’s all there is to it?” Danielle asked Gideon uneasily. “We just step through it and we’re back in the warehouse district of Chicago?”
Gideon smiled with a toothy grin. “Yes, that’s right. You’ll show up in a lightning bolt. But don’t worry; as Michael has reassured you, you’ll be fully clothed without a singe.”
Alan chuckled. He had been examining the gate that would return them home; it looked like shimmering water. He turned to the friends who had gathered to wish them farewell.
Large tongues licked his hands, and depressed whines came from his dogs. “I know,” Alan said. “I’ll miss you guys too, but I’ll be back to visit; I promise.”
The dogs looked at him with gloomy eyes and pressed their muzzles against Alan, nearly knocking him over. Each Horseman had already said goodbye to his or her steed, with the exception of Kyle, who had dodged the question.
“You’ll be missed, little brother. Soldiers such as you are in short supply,” Cratos said, joining Alan. The minotaur was wrapped in so many bandages, it was a wonder he still stood on his hooves.
Alan smiled as he embraced the forearm of the minotaur, who in turn embraced his own in a firm grip. “Cratos, it’s been an honor,” Alan said. “If it wasn’t for you and your people—well, I don’t know if any of us would be alive today.”
Cratos snorted. “It was the least we could do. I fear our absence from the conflict has resulted in the wrong side gaining the upper hand. Queen Baymore has already requested a talk with Michael and the centaurs as to how our races might help each other fend off the Darkness in the coming years.”
“That’s great news,” Alan said.
“Go now, before sorrow makes us sputter like idiots,” Cratos said, clearing his throat and wiping his eyes.
Alan obeyed, not wanting to embarrass the giant warrior. He turned and caught the back of Danielle and Angelica as they walked through the glass-like surface together and disappeared with a resounding crack.
“Peace be with you, Alan Price,” Esther said with a wave.
“You’ve come a long way … even since you found me and shook an old man from his childish ways,” Raphael said beside her. “You’ll make a great leader.”
“Thank you,” Alan said. He wanted to say more, but Kassidy and Kyle were already stepping through the glass passageway. He continued to walk as if he were in a daze. His stay in the supernatural realm was coming to an end. He always knew it would, but he didn’t realize it would be this hard.
“You’ll be back,” Michael said as Alan reached the Archangel and Ardat.
Another crack lit the air as Kassidy and Kyle disappeared.
“I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done,” Alan said, searching for words to say to the Archangel who had saved his life from the top of a building so many years before. “If it wasn’t for you, I would never have had the chance to be the man I am today.”
“There is no thanks needed,” Michael said, embracing Alan in a hug. “Be the leader I know you to be. I’m here if you need me.”
Alan returned the embrace, feeling obligated to say something to Ardat. “If you hurt this guy, I’ll come for you.”
Ardat nodded with a sly smile. “And I believe you would.”
Another loud crack and Tracy was gone through the portal. Alan stood in front of the wall of shimmering glass that would take him back to the human world and the duties that entailed. Was he ready to lead? Would the others listen to him? What if he choked?
“Ready?” Gideon asked beside him as he stood at a panel of controls.
“I am,” Alan said, pushing back the thoughts of doubt and despair. Then an idea occurred to him. “Is this going to hurt?”
“Don’t know,” Gideon said with a shrug. “Never tried it myself. Be strong, Alan Price. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Thanks,” Alan said, not sure how to respond to the angelic inventor’s vague answer, coupled with the parting words. Alan took a deep breath and walked through the shimmering
wall.
One second he was speaking with Gideon, the next he was being sucked through space, as if a giant vacuum had power over him. Darkness spattered with millions of lights that looked like stars whizzed by him. Then he was home. His legs hit cement floor, horns honked in the distance with the familiar screams of road rage. Warm sun beat down on his head, and warehouses welcomed him in every direction.
Someone was throwing up beside him. Alan looked around, blinking. Tracy was vomiting while Kassidy held her hair.
Angelica and Danielle both had their arms crossed against their chest as Kyle tried to explain something. “He wanted to come. I couldn’t just leave him there. Look at how cute he is when he’s little.”
Alan wobbled over on shaky legs as steam evaporated off him. As promised, everyone was fully clothed and although he felt warm, none of his clothes were burned.
Alan stopped in his tracks when he saw what the debate was about. Kyle was holding a baby phoenix in his hands. It looked no larger than a baby chick covered in red feathers.
“I can’t send him back now,” Kyle was saying.
Angelica and Danielle looked to Alan for direction. Alan just smiled and shook his head. “There’s nothing we can do right now. We have an army to recruit.”
---
With a globe to cover, they decided that the fastest way to rebuild the Nephilim Corps would be to split up. Kassidy and Tracy were sent to Asia, Kyle and Angelica to Europe, while Alan and Danielle stayed in Chicago.
The first few days back had been spent deciding this strategy and setting up their headquarters. Alan and Danielle were sitting behind large monitors, waiting for the other offices to connect for their first meeting.
Alan clenched and unclenched his fists, wondering if his speed and strength had stabilized. He was nowhere near as powerful as he had been while a Horseman, but he could still lift a truck, and when he ran by the security cameras and reviewed it later, he was only a blur.
Most importantly, he had been able to keep his wings. The blue pulsing of the energy hadn’t stopped, and even now, Alan was fighting the urge to spread his wings wide and fly around the large conference room. Danielle’s voice reminded him of his position and the need to discuss other more important events.
The Complete Archangel Wars Series: A Shared Universe Series (The Archangel Wars) Page 75