by S. J. West
I’ve never liked killing, but I know it’s a necessary evil sometimes. Killing the host body of a rebellion angel is a last resort for me. In order for them to take on human form, they have to push the soul of the individual out of it first. Their thievery causes the premature death of the human, making them murderers of the worst order. Whenever possible, I only try to injure the body to a point where it’s ineffective in a fight. If I kill the body, I know the soul of the angel will simply depart and find another suitable host to inhabit. Whenever possible, I use Michael’s Archangel ability to kill lesser angels. It can be tricky though because I have to touch them, which isn’t always the safest tactic for me. Angels fight incredibly fast, and Mason made me promise him that I would only use that power when my safety wasn’t an issue. In this fight, I know it’s better to kill them quickly with my blade, because we have no way of knowing how many more are on the way.
When I look up from my kill, I see Mason lop the head off his last opponent. Brand has killed three of his five, and is working on the last two. I never had a chance to see the Brand in our reality fight, because he was human by the time I met him. As I watch this Brand fight with such sure movements, I begin to wonder if our Brand ever misses his angelic abilities. He gave up a lot when he decided to become human. Not only did he relinquish his ability to phase, but he also gave up his super strength and quickness. Mason told me that he and Brand were once generals in the Vanguard. They worked very closely with Michael during the war in Heaven, and led countless battles against Lucifer and his followers.
I glance in Nina’s direction just in time to see her stab her sword into her last opponent’s chest. She quickly turns to help Brand, taking one of his adversaries off his hands. They both dispatch their last opponents with little effort, which only leaves Malcolm and Baal as the last pair fighting.
They’re fighting in a way that I can’t. During the past few years, Malcolm has become adept at fighting similar to a War Angel, by using phasing as an extremely effective secondary weapon. Aiden would often go to Malcolm when he needed to let off some steam, in the years before his marriage to Caylin. During their sparring matches, he taught Malcolm how to use his phasing ability more effectively in a fight. With all that practice, Malcolm fought more like a War Angel now than a regular one.
The clash of swords and incredibly fast phasing makes the fight a little hard for me to follow. I see Baal’s hands burst into blue flames as he attempts to touch Malcolm. Malcolm sees Baal’s intentions and seems to allow the Archangel to grab his left arm. The look of shock on Baal’s face when Malcolm doesn’t disintegrate into black ash makes me wish I had a camera to take a picture.
“That’s not possible!” Baal screams, sounding identical to a petulant child. “How can you survive my touch?”
Malcolm openly laughs at him. “Do you honestly think I would tell you? I’m not from your reality. Not all of your rules apply to me.”
Baal takes a step back, looking unsure what to do next.
“This won’t be the last time we see each other,” Baal promises Malcolm just before he phases away.
“A coward in our reality and in this one,” Malcolm says in disgust. “I guess it’s just a natural character flaw.”
“Do you think they’ll send more?” I ask Brand.
“Definitely,” he replies, “but we’ve fought off the first wave. I’m going to grab some charges and blow this entrance. By the time the second wave gets through the rubble, we should be long gone. Nina, phase Jess and Mason to the evacuation site. If you don’t mind, Mason, I would appreciate it if you would come back and help us phase everyone out of headquarters to the new site. Then, we’ll set off the self-destruct in the tunnels.”
“I’ll do anything you need,” Mason says.
“I’ll see you both at Wieliczka after this is all over,” Brand says before phasing away.
I grab Mason’s hand, while Nina touches his shoulder and phases us directly to the new secure site.
There is already a crowd of people gathered in what looks like a fancy underground cave. There are three large chandeliers hanging from the center of the high ceiling, and two smaller ones hanging on either side of what appears to be a small chapel at the opposite end of the chamber. On each side of the main area, there are murals depicting certain scenes from the Bible that have been chiseled directly into the rock-face by skilled artisans. Nina has phased us to the top of a wooden platform with a dark, wood-stained staircase leading down to the floor of the cave. The floor itself looks as though it’s been tiled, but, as I study it, I can see that the octagonal and diamond shapes have actually been etched into the polished rock.
“This is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, in southern Poland,” Nina tells us. “Everything you see, besides the wood of course, is made out of rock salt; even the chandeliers.”
“It’s beautiful,” I say. “How are you able to keep this place a secret from Lucian?”
“The entrance to the mine was destroyed in the earthquake produced by the opening of the first seal. It’s completely covered with rock and dirt now. The only way in or out of here is by phasing. None of Lucian’s men has come here. I think we just got lucky, to tell you the truth.”
“Jess!”
I look down, and see Leah waving at me with a relieved smile on her face. All of my other friends are standing around her, also looking comforted by my arrival.
“We need to head back,” Nina tells Mason. “There are still a lot of people who need to be evacuated here.”
“I’ll be back soon,” Mason tells me, giving me a quick kiss before phasing away.
I walk down one side of the grand staircase to reach my friends. Leah hugs me first, but I eventually get a hug from everyone.
“Are you all right, Mon Cher?” JoJo asks me. “Did those little devils harm you in any way?”
“No,” I reassure JoJo and everyone else, “I’m fine. I just hate it that Brand has to destroy his headquarters.”
“I’m sorry, Jess,” Tristan says, shaking his head in dismay. “I didn’t even think about something like that happening. All I could focus on when I was in wolf form was finding Jered.”
“It’s not your fault,” I tell Tristan, attempting to set his mind at ease. “You had no way of knowing what you were doing, which is exactly what they were counting on. You were just acting on instinct. There’s no sin in that.”
“Still…” Tristan says, hanging his head in disgrace.
I place an index finger under his chin, and make him lift his head until he’s looking into my eyes.
“You shouldn’t feel any shame for wanting to protect someone you care about,” I tell him. “That type of caring is just an innate part of your personality, Tristan. Don’t feel any guilt over what happened. Understand?”
Reluctantly, Tristan nods his head.
“I’ll try not to,” he says, looking around at all the people who had to be evacuated because of his actions. “But it’ll be a little hard.”
“Jess,” Chandler says, gaining my attention, “I thought I might play a song to calm people down. What do you think?”
I smile at Chandler, “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
Chandler pulls his flute from his back pocket, twirling it between his fingers.
“I think the acoustics would be better at the top of the stairs,” he tells us before making his way up to the spot where I phased in.
Once in position, Chandler begins to play a tune that instantly makes me feel calmer. Almost everyone in the great chamber stops chattering; turning their undivided attention to Chandler. His ability to evoke emotions through his music is a natural gift. His love for music started at an early age. Simone, Chandler’s Guardian of the Guf, who made his soul, told me once that she gave Chandler his first musical instrument when he turned five years old. At the time, she was on Earth in the role of his nanny. All of our Guardians were allowed to stay with us for the first seven years of our lives. After that, they had to retu
rn to Heaven to resume their duties in the Guf.
In order to help my friends bring my soul back from Heaven, after Lucifer killed me in our duel when we sealed the Tear, the Guardians had to give their power to all of us in order to make it possible for me to return. Their sacrifice transformed them into humans, which seemed to be a fair trade to them. Now, my father was married to Simone, and they shared a regular human existence with one another. Having our Guardians back in our lives was a gift beyond measure for all of us.
Eventually, Brand’s group of ragtag resistance fighters become so relaxed by Chandler’s song that they begin to sit down on the floor and give him their undivided attention. The rest of us do the same. I know the instant Chandler begins to weave a second tune into the first one. His second tune fills my heart with confidence. I feel as though nothing can stand in the way of my goals on this alternate Earth. I will find a way to stop the princes and whatever plan Ravan alluded to being involved in with Lucian. I don’t welcome unknown variables, and know we will need to figure out what their strategy is as quickly as possible. I just can’t understand what a regular human has to offer someone like Lucian. What is so special about her? It’s something we definitely need to figure out in order to get the full picture of what we are fighting against.
As the Watchers continue to phase in all the people who live in the New York headquarters, each of them fall under Chandler’s spell and look instantly relaxed when they arrive. Eventually, Mason, Malcolm, and Jered complete their phasing duties and sit down with us to enjoy Chandler’s impromptu concert.
“Is everyone safe?” I ask Mason, taking one of his hands in mine, immediately feeling better just from touching him.
“Yes, we were able to get everyone out,” he tells me, tightening his grip on my hand. I can tell he feels the effects of Chandler’s music by the way his shoulders begin to lose their tension. “Brand and Nina are with Josh, making sure all the computers are wiped clean before they set off the self-destruct.”
“I hate that they’re losing that place,” I say, feeling a guilt I told Tristan not to feel just a little while ago.
“An unseen complication,” Malcolm says to me by way of comfort. “If my counterpart in this reality is worth anything, he’ll find Brand a new place to set up shop quickly enough.”
“I hope so,” I reply. “We’re supposed to be helping them, not causing more problems.”
“A few battles lost don’t make a war unwinnable,” Malcolm tells me. “It’s just part of what needs to happen. Who knows? It might be for the best in the long run.”
I decide to drop the subject when I see Brand and Nina phase in with Josh and Abby. They appear right next to Chandler. Nina’s head automatically whips in Chandler’s direction, as if his music has caught her off-guard. She seems instantly mesmerized by the tunes Chandler has twined together. Brand, Josh, and Abby walk down the stairs, but Nina stays where she is, watching Chandler. He has no idea she’s there, because he has his eyes closed as he concentrates on what he’s doing. Eventually, Chandler ends his song and opens his eyes to look out at all of us.
Everyone begins to clap for him, and he takes a modest bow. I see Nina say something to him, but, by that time, the people around me are talking, drowning out any chance for me to figure out what she’s saying.
“I concede,” Malcolm says reluctantly. “The boy has talent.”
Malcolm’s backhanded compliment reminds me to ask him a question.
“Why are you so hard on Chandler?” I ask him. “Every chance you get you put him down. Why?”
“Because you coddle him too much,” Malcolm says, not exactly harshly, but with a definite note of disapproval. “He isn’t a child who needs your protection, but that’s exactly how you treat him, Jess. I’m not knocking that, but you try to shield him from the real world, and it just inflates his ego. I’m harsh because I want to make sure he keeps a steady head on his shoulders. You just saw what he was able to do to a room full of scared people. What could he do to a whole nation of them? If he begins to think himself more important that anyone else, can you imagine the damage he could cause?”
“Chandler would never do that,” I say confidently.
“Maybe not,” Malcolm reluctantly grants, “but do you really want to take the chance? Do you want to see him turn into someone you don’t recognize?”
“I don’t think I can treat him any differently, Malcolm,” I confess. “He’s like my little brother.”
“You don’t have to change the way you treat him,” Malcolm tells me. “Just don’t ask me to. I’ll keep the boy straight, as long as you don’t interfere.”
I swallow hard because I know Malcolm is right. There isn’t any way I can know for sure that Chandler wouldn’t become power-hungry, and it doesn’t hurt anyone for Malcolm to voice his small jibes at Chandler’s expense every once in a while.
“All right,” I say, “I won’t say anything else about it. You do what you need to, and I’ll do the same.”
“Good. I’m glad we understand one another where the boy is concerned. I could tell the things I have been saying to him were causing you distress.”
“I understand your reasoning. I won’t interfere in it anymore. Well, unless I think you say something that goes over the line. Then, I’ll bite your head off.”
Malcolm chuckles, “As if I would expect anything less from you.”
“Brand!” I hear a familiar voice call out before I see the face that goes with it.
Desmond walks up to Brand and holds out his hand to him.
As they shake hands, Brand says, “Sorry for the invasion. This was the safest place I could think of to move everyone to quickly.”
“We’re glad to have you,” Desmond says in his distinctive Irish brogue. Desmond’s gaze turns to Mason. “Samyaza,” he says almost reverently, “it’s been a long while since I stood in your presence, brother. Brand told me about meeting you the first time you came to our reality. I was sad I didn’t have a chance to welcome you then. I’m glad we get to meet this time. Though, I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” Mason says, holding out his hand for Desmond to shake. “Your counterpart in our reality is a very good friend. Desmond, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Jess.”
Desmond looks in my direction, gracing me with one of his charming smiles, an expression I readily recognize. I’ve seen it on the face of the Desmond I know and care about countless times.
“It’s an honor to meet the vessel of Michael,” Desmond says, bowing slightly in my direction. I notice his eyes look at my friends gathered around me. “As I understand it, I’m standing in the presence of a host of Archangel vessels. I feel truly blessed to be able to meet all of you. From what Brand has told me, you’re here to help us win this war against Lucian. I hope you can, because we’re running out of ideas on how to combat his growing influence over the world. Things have been going downhill for us the past few years. I have to say that your presence has given us all a lot of hope for better days to come.”
“I think the first thing we need to do is get everyone settled,” Brand says. “I’ll talk to Xavier about establishing us in a new place in New York, but, until that time, what’s our best option for settling people here?”
“I’m afraid all of our rooms are occupied,” Desmond tells us, “but we can set cots up here in this chamber for the time being.”
“Sounds good,” Brand replies. “I don’t think we’ll need to stay here for very long; a few days at most.”
“You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need to,” Desmond says, as our gracious host. “We’re all in this together.”
“Desmond,” a man says from behind us.
It’s a voice I recognize, but not one I thought I would ever hear again.
When I turn to face the man walking up to us, I almost pull my sword out and end his life before he has a chance to cause any trouble. I have to remind myself that this
version of the man isn’t the one from our reality, because the one there is dead. Caylin ended his life out of mercy, even though he betrayed her loyalty as one of her chosen.
“Hi,” Slade says when he reaches us. “Welcome to our home.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I sense Malcolm’s body tense at the first sight of Slade. I know he’s working through the same logic I just did, which is probably the only reason he isn’t beating this version of Slade into a bloody pulp.
There’s definitely something different about this Slade, though. He’s…happy. The Slade we knew was sarcastic and a bit rough around the edges. This Slade has an easygoing smile, and his face is completely open, as if he has nothing in the world to hide. Perhaps he doesn’t. Since this reality doesn’t have hellhounds, he never received the bite that altered his fate in our reality. If that one, tragic event had never taken place, would we have had this Slade in our lives? In the grand scheme of things, I suppose it really doesn’t matter one way or the other. Our Slade is gone, never to be given the chance at true forgiveness.
“Samyaza,” Slade says, bowing to Mason respectfully, just as Desmond did, “it’s good to see you again. I know you aren’t the one we used to know, but you are the original.”
“Please, just call me Mason,” my husband tells him. “That’s the human name I chose. I have to say, it’s odd to see you here, Slade.”
“Really?” Slade says, sounding intrigued by Mason’s statement. “Why is that? Am I dead in your reality?” he asks jokingly, with a small chuckle. From our continued silence, he soon realizes that his joke is the truth. “Mind if I ask how I met my untimely demise there?”
“You betrayed us,” Malcolm tells him, rather harshly and bluntly. “I hope that isn’t a part of your nature here also.”