Knowledge Hurts (The Nememiah Chronicles Book 3)

by D. S. Williams

  “Thank you.” My relief was a tangible feeling in my soul.

  A long pause and then, “Is there anything else?”

  “We must fight demons and I'm the only one who can utilize the weapons. The others need the ability to use them. How can I make that happen?”

  He was silent for a long time again, pondering the question and I waited patiently. “There is a way, child. But the use of the angel weapons must be earned. My weapons, which were created for my Children alone, are extraordinarily powerful. You must find a way to discover who amongst you have the strength to use them. Be warned, not all will use them for the purest intentions. Not everyone surrounding you can be trusted, child. Fear, suspicion, anger, distrust and bigotry are all strong emotions and can be as destructive as the foe against whom you align yourself. Give only to those you trust the power of the weapons themselves. The answer is within you.”

  I frowned, wondering if I had the courage to ask my next question, the temptation to do so almost overwhelming.

  “You have another question, child,” Nememiah stated calmly.

  “Can we win?” I said it aloud and the words echoed down the empty street, bouncing off the buildings.

  “You are young. You think in terms of light and dark, fire and ice. I cannot give you the answer you seek. It depends on the courage within yourself. I told you that only one of you, one of my children can survive this war. Can you willingly accept death, if that is your destiny? Can you readily accept the deaths of those around you, in this fight you are destined to battle? The answer is cast in a future that even I cannot readily interpret.”

  “I kind of expected that,” I agreed dryly.

  “I have faith in you, child. You have already come far and in you there is the gift to love deeply, to care for others as equals. It is this ability which convinced me to give you some of the answers you sought. But I can only guide you, as can the spirits you harness. Ultimately the decisions must be yours. You will lead your people, you will fight the battles. You will make the sacrifices which will either achieve your goals, or see you fail. I am merely a spectator. I will be watching.”

  I knew he was gone instinctively and wouldn't answer any more questions. Slowly gaining an awareness of my surroundings, I opened my eyes. It wasn't surprising to find Lucas sitting on the step, watching me in silence.

  “Hi,” I breathed softly.

  “Hi yourself.” He slid across the stone step, wrapping his arms around my waist. “We were worried about you.”

  I sighed. “I'm okay. I needed to clear my head, think things through.” I straightened out my legs and leaned against him, drawing from his strength. “I had another conversation with Nememiah.”

  “I figured that was who you were talking to. You can locate him?”

  “No, but apparently he can contact me if he feels the urge,” I answered ruefully. “I had some questions and he agreed to answer them.”

  “Anything helpful?”

  I repeated the discussion I'd had with Nememiah. “So he's given me permission to bring the children in without them needing the mark.”

  Lucas was silent for a few seconds, digesting this news. “Well, I guess it's better than nothing.” He kissed the top of my head. “I know how difficult this is for you, Charlotte, don't think we're dismissing your feelings. We all know how much you hate what we're asking you to do.”

  “Now all we have to do is figure out how to allow others to use the weapons and guess what 'complete the circle' might possibly mean,” I said. “That should give us plenty to think about.”

  “Oh, I think there are some other things to think about,” Lucas remarked, his voice deepening. He tilted my chin and kissed me, his lips forceful against mine as he molded me against his body. I was immediately overwhelmed by the potent desire he ignited and a soft moan escaped my lips. Lucas pulled away a little, his lips resting against my cheek. “For instance, now you've come back to me, I have to deal with the overwhelming force of my desire for you. All I can think about is making love to you. When I look at you, I envisage you as you were last night, lying on the ground, my body pressed over yours…” His voice had dropped to a husky whisper as his mouth found mine again and I clung to him, dissolving into a puddle of rampaging hormones.

  He released my lips and traced his fingertips across my back. “You know, there are a multitude of houses around us, all unlocked and every single one of them appears to have a perfectly serviceable bed,” he suggested throatily, before adding, “and I keep imagining plunging into your sweet body and making love till the sun rises. And beyond.”

  I giggled softly, dragging myself up onto my feet grudgingly. “Come on. We'd better go and tell the others what's happening. And we need a plan to get everyone through the portal to Zaen.”

  “I'm willing to make do with a couple of hours,” Lucas suggested hopefully.

  “While that's an admirable offer,” I agreed with a smile, “I'm voting for the all-night-long-until-the-sun-rises theory.”

  “I'll hold you to that, my love,” Lucas growled. “And I hope to God it will be sooner, rather than later.”

  Chapter 22: Disbelievers

  Stepping out of the portal, I wavered on my feet for a couple of seconds, the familiar wave of queasiness washing over me. Conal gripped my elbow to keep me from keeling over. “Not getting any better?”

  “Nope.” I breathed deeply for a minute or two, waiting for the nausea to subside. “How are we doing here?”

  Conal led me through the camp and I was conscious of the murmurs and stares as I walked alongside him. “Good. We've talked to everyone and the majority have decided to join us in Zaen. Any trouble at your end?”

  “No. Archangelo was put into the induced sleep about an hour ago. As soon as the spirits warned me, I took off. Didn't even glimpse a demon.”

  “So we've got what? Five days to get everyone through?”

  I nodded my agreement. After much discussion we'd agreed we needed the biggest window of opportunity to get the group marked and transported through to Zaen. The men had portalled back to camp after our reconnaissance to prepare everyone and explain the plan. I'd taken off on my own, travelling to another area and hunkering down to wait for Archangelo's potion-induced sleep. Once he had my location and the spirits warned of the imminent arrival of demons, I'd portalled back to our previous campsite, contacted Lucas via cell phone and Epi had provided the instructions to allow me to return to the group.

  “Where's Lucas?”

  “He and Ripley are interviewing another group of weres who turned up this morning, wanting to join us. They took a hammering a couple of nights ago, lost fifteen members,” Conal explained. “Ripley's proving handy at gaining information from the groups, vetting them and making sure they're okay before we agree to them joining us.”

  I looked at him sharply. “Has his mind-reading ability come back?”

  Conal shook his head. “No luck yet. He's just damn good at getting them to open up to him.”

  I shrugged, disappointed with this news. “Having him talk to the new people sounds like a good plan anyway.” I glanced up into his handsome face, ignoring the increased pace of my heartbeat. “Any problems with cooperation? How are these people getting along with one another?”

  “Not much trouble between our original groups. There's a certain level of trust developing between the blood su…” He saw my eyes narrow and corrected himself with a twinkle in his own eyes. “…vampires, my pack and Nick's, but some of the new ones are still wary.”

  “They need to get over it.” I announced, flicking my hair back from my shoulders. “There's no room for fighting amongst ourselves if we're going to survive this.” We reached Epi's tent and Conal stepped back, allowing me to go through the doorway first.

  “Ah, Charlotte! Good to have you back with us, child.” Epi's step was sprightly as he marched across the room to hug me. “No trouble?”

  “No.” I turned from him to greet Rowena and she held me
tightly for a long time.

  “You look so tired,” she fretted, studying my shadowed eyes with concern.

  “I think it comes with the territory,” I responded quietly. “Sleeping isn't my favorite activity these days.”

  “Are you aware of any further attacks?” Ben greeted me with another affectionate hug and I relished being back in their protective embrace. Ben and Rowena had taken it upon themselves to act as my surrogate parents and it was deeply comforting.

  Nodding glumly, I passed on my news. “A group of shape shifters somewhere in Portugal – the majority of them appeared to escape. And a werewolf pack in China were slaughtered outright when they fought back,” I confirmed heavily. “About forty five men, women and children. The Consiliului appear to be upping the ante.”

  Rowena's dismay was apparent, her smooth forehead creasing into a worried frown. “Charlotte, I'm so sorry you're witnessing this through the visions. It's little wonder you're so exhausted.”

  “There's nothing we can do about it now,” I responded. “Our biggest prerogative has to be getting the group through to Zaen.”

  “Epi and I have prepared a list of everyone who needs the mark and transport,” Ben announced. “We've agreed on groups of ten, starting with the women and children.”

  I dipped my head in acknowledgement, grateful for Ben's outstanding organizational skills. “Sounds good. Let's get to work.”

  Epi eyed me suspiciously, one hand perched on his narrow hip. “Wait a minute. What happened to 'let's eat first'?” There's always a 'let's eat first'.”

  “Beat you to it, Epi.” I turned to leave the tent. “I grabbed breakfast at Burger King before I portalled.”

  Conal grinned and followed me back outside, with Ben. Looking around the crowd of people in front of Epi's tent, it was obvious word of my arrival had travelled swiftly.

  “They don't look like they trust me,” I stated to Conal in an undertone.

  “They're scared, Sugar. They hardly know you, and we've told them what this entails. It's bound to make them anxious.”

  “You've shown them the mark?” I eyed the crowds cautiously.

  “Yes, we've explained everything. We have about twenty people who are refusing to go,” Ben answered, pointing to a cluster of people in the throes of packing their belongings. “And perhaps fifteen others who have elected to go, but don't want the mark. They intend to camp in the forest outside Zaen.”

  “We can't protect them out there,” I protested. “They'll be at the mercy of whatever the Consiliului throw our way if they aren't inside the gates.”

  Conal squeezed my shoulder, his hand warm. “We can't force them, Sugar. We can only offer them the option. After that they have to make up their own minds.”

  I knew he was right, but it bothered me to think they would be out there, unprotected by Zaen's heavily fortressed walls.

  Conal cursed, his heated words startling me and I glimpsed a posse of men striding towards us, people I didn't recognize. “Some of our rabble-rousers,” he muttered under his breath. He addressed one man who stepped forward from the group. He was of medium height with a stocky build and dark wavy hair. “Marrok, what are you doing here?”

  “Ensuring you're doing the right thing for the pack.” The man stared at Conal sullenly, his grey eyes cold. I didn't recall meeting him, but obviously he was a member of Conal's pack and none too happy about the decision Conal had made on behalf of their group.

  “You've had everything explained to you.” Conal's anger was substantial and his energy washed over me in uncomfortable waves. “The pack elders agreed to this decision.”

  “And as a pack elder I want further explanation from the one ordering this evacuation.” Marrok's tone was insolent and a brush of energy from him raised goose bumps on my skin. “Surely you have no objections?”

  I touched Conal's arm, ignoring the static it created against my fingertips. He glanced at me and took a deep breath. “No objection, Marrok.”

  Marrok stepped back into line with his compatriots. The emotions seething from the five men was palpable. They were big, strong men and the shortest of the five, apparently the elected spokesperson, abruptly stepped closer, no doubt an attempt to intimidate me. His ruddy features were filled with anger and frustration.

  “You're the angel?” he stated without preamble.

  “Yes.” I stood my ground, a warning hand on Conal's arm, aware he'd attack this man if he said anything Conal considered inappropriate. “I'm Charlotte Duncan.”

  “These people tell us the only way to get sanctuary in this Zaen is by having that mark burnt onto our skin. Why can't we get in without taking this mark?”

  “We've already explained why, Reynolds,” Conal growled. “Without the mark, Zaen itself will prevent you from entering. It's protected from anyone who carries demon blood in their bodies.”

  “Shut up, Tremaine. I'm speaking to her, not you.” Reynolds response was belligerent as he eyed me with contempt.

  I caught hold of the back of Conal's shirt, hoping to stop him from reacting to Reynolds. “Conal's right. You can't enter Zaen without the mark of the wing,” I answered patiently. “It's the recompense you must make for the sanctuary Zaen will provide.”

  The crowd was increasing, no doubt drawn by the tense atmosphere and most likely wanting answers to the same questions Reynolds was asking. “If you're an angel, why can't you just let us enter without the mark?”

  “I'm following the rules given to me by Nememiah,” I explained calmly. A reassuring hand clasped my shoulder and Lucas stepped up beside me, his eyes blazing with fury. Ripley stood beside him, jaw tensed as he watched Reynolds warily.

  “Did you have the mark burned onto your skin?” This question came from a short, dark woman who'd stepped up to join the men.

  I shook my head. “The mark was already on my skin, like a birthmark.”

  “You see?” Reynolds turned his attention to the crowd, his dark eyes scanning them to ensure he had their attention. “We all have to be tattooed, but she doesn't have to suffer at all! She doesn't have to endure the burning of a mark onto her skin to give her entrance to this magical Zaen!”

  “You're being unreasonable, Reynolds,” Ben responded, his voice calm and his tone measured. “Charlotte has suffered more than enough since this began. More than you could ever imagine.”

  “She looks fine to me, bloodsucker!” Reynolds yelled. “Where was she when my pack were attacked? Where has she been while we've been hiding out here?”

  “She was providing you with safety,” Lucas snarled. “By staying away, she ensured your sorry ass was out of harm's way while she was being chased by demons.”

  “Safety? We've been hiding here like a bunch of scared rabbits! This is safety?” He shook his head, laughing mirthlessly. “And what if we don't want to fight? What if we want to live our lives as they were before?”

  Reynolds' rounded face was flushed with antagonism. I was struggling to decide whether he was blustering because he was frightened, or aggressively angry about being marked. Or perhaps a combination of both. Either way, I was sure I didn't like the man. “That's up to you,” I responded quietly. “You said your pack were attacked. How do you expect to go back to living your life as it was before? Do you think that the Consiliului will forget about your existence? Do you imagine they'll leave you alone?” I shifted my gaze from Reynolds to the other men around him, saw them shuffling uncomfortably. I prayed they were taking into consideration the uncertainty of their future and realizing there would be no hiding from the Drâghici. “If you join with us and accept the mark, you'll be given sanctuary in Zaen. I won't force anyone to fight, but you'll be expected to cooperate with one another.”

  It was immediately evident that they weren't thinking about what I'd said as carefully as I hoped. “That's easy for you to say, you consort with the bloodsuckers and shape shifters! They've been our enemies for thousands of years,” one of the men sneered, his hands clenched. “And you
want us to believe that you're going to be our savior? That you'll lead us in this fight? You're a woman!”

  The first wave of anger swamped any well-meaning intentions I'd had of keeping my cool. The past few days hadn't been easy, I was tired and in desperate need of a long, hot shower. Frustration welled up as I considered the stupidity and discrimination of these men and their petty arguments. “You all have a choice,” I announced grimly. “I don't. My intention is to provide you with equality, safety and the opportunity to live in a world where you have the freedom of choice to make your own decisions. I won't compel any of you to come with us to Zaen. I won't coerce you to have the mark of Nememiah's wing. You can all make your own decision. But let me warn you – nearly all of you have lost someone, watched them murdered by the vampires and demons. The Drâghici Consiliului intend to take control of your world. They are creating a colossal army of vampire – at least two thousand that I'm aware of. On top of that, they have the power to summon demons from the Otherworld, to reinforce those younglings. If you think you can fight against that on your own, protect your families and packs – go ahead. I'm not going to stop you.”

  “So this is the leeches against the rest of us!” Reynolds shouted, completely bypassing the point I was trying to make.

  “That's not true,” Lucas pointed out. “We stand at Charlotte's side. You know we're vampires who don't hunt humans. The Drâghici consider us an aberration and intend to kill us as surely as they'll kill you.” His energy was washing over me as much as Conal's was, and I resisted the urge to rub my hands over my arms.

  “You need to make this choice,” I said loudly, determined to end this conversation one way or the other. “Nobody will force you to go. You're all free to go to your homes and wait for the Consiliului, the youngling vampires, the demons. You can decide to work with us, to fight with us, or you can choose to take your own path. To be honest,” I announced in a cool voice, “I don't really care what you decide to do. If you can't work with us, then we're better off without you. For now, I have more important things to do – getting the people who want to help themselves transported to Zaen.”