by Susan Illene
How much had the archangels known of their activities? Lucas was beginning to suspect they’d been aware all along, but had chosen to allow events to play out. They’d told him once they couldn’t punish him until after he committed a crime—even if they knew he was about to do it. Under their laws, there still had to be a certain amount of freedom of choice.
“Then where would you send me?” Yerik asked, confused.
“Your punishment for Zoe inspired us. We selected a livable planet in a different solar system that is far beyond where even you could flash away. It contains no humanoid life, but does have wild animals and plants. You and Zoe will be relocated there where you will contemplate your reprehensible behavior for the next ten years.”
Zoe was finally getting what she deserved. The greatest punishment they could give that woman was forcing her to be alone without her creature comforts. While the moon served a similar purpose, this was better. They didn’t have to worry about her eventually hitching a ride on a passing ship or other mechanism. They’d have ten years of peace from her. He’d also be rid of Yerik, who had dared threaten his mate and caused trouble between them.
For once, Lucas approved of the archangels’ choice.
Lorna turned in Yerik’s arms. “I will miss you so much.”
“I will return.” He held her tightly. “Wait for me.”
“I promise,” she vowed.
“Melena,” the archangel addressed her. “If you could hold out your hand.”
The sensor didn’t hesitate to do as told.
“Lorna, if you could step this way,” Remiel called her.
The older woman shuffled over to them. The archangel took a small blade from the folds of his robe and cut into Melena’s palm. She winced, but didn’t jerk away. Then he bid Lorna to drink the blood that welled up. Hesitantly, she bent forward and took Melena’s hand, pressing her lips to it. Everyone in the room held their collective breath.
Lorna finished and wiped the red from around her mouth. It took a few minutes, but then a change came over her. The age spots on her face went away and her wrinkles smoothed out. She still looked older, but it was as if she’d regained twenty years of her life and could pass for fifty. There was a slight spring in her step, too, as she returned to Yerik and hugged him.
Remiel gestured for a female archangel Lucas had never met before to come forward. “You will take the daimoun to the planet we selected and then bring Zoe there as well.”
She nodded and moved toward Yerik. It took Lorna a tearful moment to pull herself away, but she did. If Lucas was going to feel sympathy for anyone, it would be her.
In a flash of light Yerik and the female archangel disappeared.
“Melena, step forward,” Remiel commanded.
Lucas tensed. He’d hoped they’d leave her out of this. He clenched his fists as she stoically moved to the middle of the room.
“You have several crimes to answer for,” the archangel began. “More than the others—aside from Yerik.”
“I only did what I thought was right,” she answered, emotionless.
“Do not play the innocent. You know right from wrong. When you made your decisions you did so knowing there would be consequences. Breaking your contract with us, giving your blood to Emily without permission, and invading Purgatory are all crimes for which you must answer.”
Lucas ground his jaw. He wracked his mind for some way to protect Melena from whatever was coming, but there was nowhere to run or hide. He couldn’t even flash her somewhere safe.
“You might wonder why Lucas and Micah have received light punishments, all things considered,” the archangel said, looking down at Melena.
She nodded. “The thought crossed my mind.”
“It is because the greatest punishment we could level at them is to punish you.”
Lucas leaped forward. Remiel sent a flash of light out and in the next moment he was frozen, unable to move. All he could do was blink his eyes. He struggled against the spell, but to no avail. The archangel had been prepared for this.
Remiel gestured another angel forward who produced a pair of shackles and chains. Lucas shook inside at seeing them. They couldn’t mean to do what he was thinking. It was ludicrous. She wasn’t a nephilim and shouldn’t be punished as one.
“Rather than sending the brothers to Purgatory, you will be going for a period of three months instead. While there, you will contemplate your actions and hopefully learn to avoid any ill-advised decisions in the future. And anyway.” Remiel glanced at Lucas. “Someone has to mine the ore now that the nerou are remaining here.”
This time Micah leaped forward.
“Take me instead,” he demanded. “It’s my fault she got into this mess.”
The archangel froze him in place and stared at him where he stood with one leg cocked forward. “We both know sending her is the greater punishment. Perhaps you will all learn a valuable lesson in this.”
Melena looked at Lucas. “I’ll be okay. It’s only for three months. That’s nothing compared to the time you’ve spent there.”
He’d rather be burned alive for a hundred years than see her confined to Purgatory for a day. If he could have broken from Remiel’s magic, he would have. Instead, he had to watch as an angel wrapped shackles around her wrists. His heart bled from the sight of it.
“Wait. You can’t do this!” Emily pushed through the crowd. “She’s all I’ve got left.”
The teenager’s voice was desperate and she was crying. She fell to her knees before Remiel and clutched at his robes. “Please, Remi. I’ll do anything if you just let her stay.”
He put a hand to her head. This was the first time Lucas had ever seen such a soft expression on the archangel. “You are the innocent in all this. I am sorry the choices of others will cause you further suffering, little one. If it were within my power to give you a better life, I would do so.”
Emily’s lips trembled. “Please, I need her. Don’t take her away.”
A soft glow emanated from his hand as he gently caressed her head. Lucas suspected if the archangel could have used calming magic on her he would have.
“It is decided, but you will not be apart from her for long. Take comfort in that.”
His head lifted and he looked at Lucas. “If I lift the freezing spell, will you take her?”
“Please, Lucas. Focus on her, not me,” Melena begged.
He was torn. She was forcing him to choose at a time when all he wanted to do was save her. But Emily needed him as well. The teenager was falling apart and needed someone she trusted to pick her back up.
Lucas blinked his acceptance and the spell was lifted. It took every ounce of strength he had to walk past Melena and take Emily instead. The teenager fell into his arms, crying. He rubbed her back and tried to comfort her. Hell, he didn’t know how to console himself at the moment. What was he supposed to say to a girl who’d lost so much in her short life?
The archangel was taking the woman they loved away from them. He fully understood the pain Emily felt. In that moment, he wished he had the power to kill every angel in the room. He’d rip them to pieces and burn their flesh until there was no trace of their existence. How dare they make Melena pay the greater price for their crimes?
“You may give your farewell before I take the sensor away,” Remiel said.
Lucas let Emily to go first.
Chapter Forty-one
Melena
The shackles weighed my arms down, but I did my best to hug Emily. It was hard enough when I’d seen her wracked with grief over Hunter, but this was worse. Now it was me causing her pain. I didn’t want to leave her, but fighting the sentence would only make matters worse.
Micah and Lucas had gotten a great deal—one that I thought would be good for them and the nerou. My patrols over the last few days proved they needed more support, people who could slowly introduce them to this strange world and all its customs and mannerisms. And it would keep everyone busy and out of trouble.
W
hat were three months, anyway? I’d spent more time in the Middle East. I could survive this—if Emily could pull herself together. And if I could hold myself together long enough to leave her.
“Sweetheart, it’s going to be okay,” I tried to reassure her, patting her arm awkwardly. “You’ll have Lucas and Uncle Micah and now his daughter while I’m gone. You won’t be alone. Plus I’ll be back before you know it.”
“But I need you.” She cried into my shoulder. “You promised you’d always be there for me.”
“My heart will be with you, Em. I promise you that.” I kissed her head.
“I love you, Mel.” She finally pulled herself away, but tears continued to streak down her face.
I gave her a brave smile. “I love you, too.”
Lucas had his arms around me next. “Damn you, sensor. I told you there would be consequences.”
He was angry, but he was also in a great deal of pain. Being forced to watch me taken away was beyond what he could handle. If not for Emily he’d probably be fighting harder. I wanted to hug him back, but the shackles wouldn’t allow it.
“It’s not for long. Just take care of Emily for me.” I gave him a stern look. “She’s going to need you.”
His expression turned resigned. “I know.”
“Now kiss me before the big, mean archangel takes me away,” I demanded. “He needs to see a nice heartfelt goodbye so he can feel good about himself.”
Several throats cleared at my words and there might have been a snicker from Kerbasi.
Lucas put his hands on either side of my cheeks and leaned down toward me. I closed my eyes and felt the feathery soft touch of his lips. He took it slow, just enjoying the sensation, then made it deeper. We kissed like it would be the last time ever. He pulled me tightly into him, trapping my shackled hands between us. I put everything into that kiss. All my love, affection, hopes, and dreams. After this was past we'd be together again. Then nothing would ever keep us apart.
“I believe you’ve made your point,” Remiel said from somewhere nearby.
“Makes you feel sick inside, doesn’t it?” Kerbasi asked.
The archangel grunted.
Lucas let the kiss linger a few seconds longer before letting go.
His golden eyes stared into mine. “Give them Hell, sensor.”
“You know I will,” I said, eyes starting to grow misty.
I blinked the moisture back. Everyone present needed to see me strong and accepting of my punishment. It was the best way to leave, letting them think nothing could hurt or break me. Not even a stay in Purgatory.
Lucas and I said our final goodbyes and then Remiel guided me away. The other archangels followed closely behind as we walked to the entrance doors.
“Make them improve the food quality while you’re there,” Kerbasi called out from behind us. “It’s positively dreadful.”
At least the guardian still had his priorities straight.
As soon as we stepped outside Remiel took me into his arms. He spread his wings and we lifted off into the air. It was dark by now, but a few people caught us as we flew over the city. He couldn’t cloak me so he didn’t bother hiding himself. Not that it mattered now that the humans were aware of everything.
The city lights faded away as we headed east. Cold air blew in my face, but the archangel’s body was surprisingly warm so I didn’t mind it so much. Eventually, we touched down at a location about two miles from Chena Hot Springs. The portal had moved again.
No other angels were with us. They’d parted ways as soon as we left the clinic. Remiel held out his hand and light streamed from it to the portal that opened up. I wanted to run but kept my feet planted firmly on the ground.
The archangel took my arm and guided me to the entrance. Once again, I had the presence of mind to keep myself upright as we zoomed through. Our feet landed in the familiar salt water, but he had me up and out of it in no time. We lifted back into the air and flew the rest of the way to the tunnel entrance.
The guards scowled at me as soon as we reached them. Their animosity was easy to pick up, which was not reassuring. I’d blown up or stabbed half the people in this place. Something told me I wasn’t going to be a welcome presence.
“They really hate me,” I said, glancing up at the archangel.
“Do not concern yourself with their feelings. They know their duty and will not harm you as long as you do not fight them.”
“That’s a comfort,” I said and ground my teeth.
We reached the confinement area where the nephilim were kept. It was nearly full this time. I’d sensed them as I got close, but seeing them was another thing. Bartol sat in the same cell as before, but now he had company in the neighboring ones. Nearly a dozen nephilim had been locked up since I’d last come through. I didn’t recognize any of them except Eli.
Remiel led me to a cell next to the psychologist and stopped me in front of it.
“Fancy seeing you here,” I said while the archangel removed my shackles.
They had to be for show. It wasn’t like they could weaken me the way they did other supernaturals and I couldn’t take on an archangel, regardless. Without explosives, knives, or guns I was out of my element. My physical strength alone would do little damage against opponents thousands of years older than me. All I had were my wits.
“They said you’d be coming,” Eli replied. The dark-skinned nephilim had moved to the front of the cell so I could see him better. “I’m sorry you got drawn into this.”
He acted like he hadn’t tracked me down in New Orleans last year and attempted to talk me into joining Yerik’s cause. Maybe he felt regret, but he’d wanted me to participate.
“No, you’re not.” I walked into my cell and turned to watch the thick metal bars clang shut. “You’re glad to see me here so you have someone to keep you company.”
Eli didn’t say anything to that.
Remiel leaned close to the bars and gave me a warning look. “Do not cause trouble while you’re here, sensor.”
A smile played on my lips. “Not to worry. I’ll be a model prisoner as long as they feed me and treat me right.”
He looked up at the cave ceiling. “That’s what concerns me.”
Before I could reply he flashed away.
I turned in a circle and took a closer look at my cell. During my last visit, I’d noticed they’d made them bigger, but this time I saw they’d also dried them out. It was only mildly freezing in our section of the tunnels and they’d left a mat and wool blanket tucked in the corner. I supposed it could have been worse. Before the cells were so small the prisoners couldn’t stand or stretch their legs and water constantly dripped on them.
Pulling my mat out, I sat on it and caught sight of Bartol in the cell across from me. He was huddled into himself, completely unaware of his surroundings. For over ninety-nine years he’d lived in this place and look what it had done to him? He was a shell of a man, emaciated and wearing nothing but torn and stained pants.
My shoulders slumped. It had been easy to put up a brave front when I had an audience, but how did I do it for myself? Would this place change me? Remiel had promised the guards wouldn’t treat me harshly, but he wasn’t going to be here. Who knew what they might do now that the archangel was gone?
Already I could hear footsteps coming down the corridor. It was a guardian, older and much more powerful than Kerbasi. The crackle of his malevolent emotions sent my alarm bells ringing. Was he coming for me?
I braced myself against the wall, readying myself for anything. Three months. That’s all I had to get through, but if they wanted a fight…I’d give them one.
About Susan Illene
Instead of making the traditional post high school move and attending college, Susan joined the U.S. Army. She spent her eighteenth birthday in the gas chamber — an experience she is sure is best left for criminals. For eleven years she served first as a human resources specialist and later as an Arabic linguist (mostly in Airborne units).
Though all her duty assignments were stateside, she did make two deployments to Iraq where her language skills were put to regular use.
After leaving the service in 2009, Susan returned to school to study history with a focus on the Middle East at the University of Oklahoma. She no longer finds many opportunities to test her fighting abilities in real life, unless her husband is demanding she cook him a real meal (macaroni and cheese apparently doesn’t count), but she’s found a new outlet in writing urban fantasy heroines who can.
For more information visit: www.darknesshaunts.com
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Acknowledgments
As usual I’m typing this up just before I put the book out. Please forgive me in advance if I forget anyone.
The first person I have to thank is Mary for working so tirelessly with me on edits. Every time I am putting a book out she sets aside everything in her life to put my manuscript first (though internet outages are out of her control). Her enthusiasm and support mean so much to me.
I also appreciate my cover design team helpers (Sarah, Rachel, Kristy, and Heather) not just for the many hours we spend planning photo shoots for cover designs, but also for being awesome beta readers. Big shout out to Debra Dunbar for helping me with plotting and spotting holes in the storyline, along with doing the occasional beta read or book summary help.
Thanks to my family for their support. Especially my father who gets stuck reading at least some of the chapters in every book I release. There are probably some things he’d be better off never knowing I wrote, but he reads what I give him anyway. I have to thank my grandfather, too, for talking plots with me and brainstorming ideas when I hit an area where he has some expertise.
My husband also spent many hours with me on this book discussing the plague. His medical background was invaluable to me, though I did have to alter some aspects due to the magical elements involved. He did his best to help me guess how it would work under the unusual circumstances. I truly appreciated his taking time to talk things out with me.