Wreathed in Flame (Faith of the Fallen Book 3)

by Cassandra Sky West

  “Then, one day, a man and woman showed up at our shores. They had been cast out of their home and they were looking for refuge. Dominus was fascinated by them and he found a place in the south for them to live. However, time doesn’t flow for us as it does for humanity. For us, a few days passed and suddenly there were thousands of humans.

  “Wait,” Savanna interrupted, “Are you saying that Adam and Eve were real?”

  Tink smiled. “Every myth has a basis in reality. Aren’t I proof of that? I didn’t know them as Adam and Eve. We called them Michael and Mary. They were sweet, kind, and wonderful, as were most their children. I remember one time… sorry, like I said, time is different. For me, this is something I can think of as if it were yesterday.

  “We gave them space as they spread out. Even though their industry angered some of us, Dominus adored them. In hard winters, he would bring them food. During droughts, he would bring them rain. He made no secret of his affection. Tamlin, however, resented and despised them. She would see them all dead if it were up to her.” Sudden sadness fell over her face. Savanna couldn’t help but feel it too, as if Tink unconsciously broadcast her emotions. A sniffle from Marta, a slight heave of breath from John. They all felt it.

  “We were not always two councils,” she continued. “This happened after we…left here. Even now we have a degree of unity. Humans… unity is hard for your people. One day a terrible war broke out between the children of Michael. There was death, killing, and burning of the land. It broke Dominus’ heart but he wouldn’t interfere. He said they had to make their own choices. I think he regrets his decision now.”

  Listening to Tink speak was akin to the faerie having a tuning fork for her emotions. When she smiled, Savanna smiled, when her thoughts turned to sad things, Savanna thought of sad things. It was infuriating for her to know her emotions were being manipulated but to have no way to stop it.

  “I don’t know who started it, but I know it was about land and power. Once the war started to go badly for one side, they resorted to… unspeakable rituals. The first demon appeared. It was… horrible,” she whispered.

  “More and more of them came until they were killing, plundering, raping their way across the land. Whatever the war had been about, it was over at that point, but those that had created the demons lost control of their creations. The demons had no allies. They killed those who summoned them along with those they were summoned to fight. Dominus wanted us to fight, but since we were our own people, it required a vote. A few of us felt as Dominus did. We didn’t want to sit by and see our adopted children slaughtered. Tamlin felt differently, she wanted the demons to kill every human then go home. We knew they wouldn’t leave, though. They would turn on us, eventually. On the eve of the vote…” She turned to Alexi, a slow, soft smile building on her face, “your kind arrived.”

  “Vampires?”

  “No, angels. They came sweeping down from the sky and they fought the demons. There were more demons than angels, but they didn’t care. They were worth a hundred demons each. Brave, selfless and beautiful. As strange as the humans were when they first arrived, the angels were stranger still. We had thought we knew everything about the universe, but at each turn we were shown how wrong we were.

  “Dominus had hoped the angels showing up would encourage us to fight. It didn’t. The vote went badly and we abstained from getting involved. The majority of fae decided the angels could champion the humans. They did, but the fighting went on and on. After years on earth, some of the angels fell in love with humans. They married, had children. Over time, these children came to fight alongside their parents. Over the years these children became known as demi-gods. They built a fortress atop a mountain and called it, Olympus.

  “After several millennia, the demi-gods wanted to end the fighting forever. They combined their power and brought forth a storm unlike the world had ever known. They made it clear to the demons, the fae, and the angels, they were willing to destroy the Earth rather than see the war continue. So, we all met in their home.

  “There we were, the three primary forces in the land, gathered together to decide the fate of man. Zeus proposed a treaty—an accord. We would all retreat to our respective planes, only to come when called by the humans.”

  Tink shook her head. “Warren knew that it wouldn’t work. He spoke out against it. He had thought others would too, but in the end, he stood alone. For his defense of the humans Tamlin made sure he would be left behind when we found a new home. Her anger knows no bounds, and she will hate Dominus forever for losing the Earth.

  “The agreement was set, our own power would enforce it. The entire time we negotiated and fought over terms, Zeus let the storm rage on. When it was finally over and we retreated to the Emerald Isle, the angels to Heaven, and the demons to… well, we call it Hades, but humans and angels call it Hell. The humans, though, had nowhere else to go.

  “Zeus suspected the demons and the angels would try to sneak agents on the Earth to circumvent the accord. He had never intended to let the storm subside. Together they washed away the land, killing everything and everyone. The demi-gods had hand selected a settlement of humans to carry on.”

  Savanna couldn’t breathe. This was the story. The one that was a part of every creation myth going back to beyond Gilgamesh.

  “How old are you?” Savanna asked in awe.

  Tink smiled, her little lips turned up and she twisted her body ever so slightly, “As old as time. We have always existed and will always exist.

  “Dominus hoped that humanity would rebuild. He would watch them with the Well, helping when he could. However, the demons have always played a long game. One of the settlements’ newly married women had been plundered by them before they left. How they knew Zeus’ plans, and which settlement they were going to save, was beyond me. In her womb lay a child of Hades. One day, long after the child had grown up, she was drawn to ancient objects of power. From that moment, witchcraft was born. Only women of her line can wield the power of Hades—”

  “What?” Savanna’s heart leaped. She stumbled up, looking at her own hands in mortification. “What? I’m—I’m a demon? No, you’re lying!”

  “How else do you think you can summon them? They wouldn’t come for anyone else. Your blood calls to them. It’s why they were able to return. By seeding humanity with their own spawn, humans drawn to the dark powers, they guaranteed their return one day.”

  Savanna swayed, her heart threatened to pound out of her chest.

  “No,” she said, over and over, as though the repetition would change what she had heard. The world went sideways. Soft hands grabbed her and eased her to the ground.

  “It’s okay, hon. It’s okay,” Alexi whispered to her.

  Alexi rapped her knuckles on the back door of The Book Fairy, loud enough that Warren would be able to hear her even from the front.

  He opened the door and smiled, “Alexi, I’m glad you’re okay. Tink!” he wrapped the smaller fae in a tight hug.

  “Inside, please,” Alexi said. She’d ridden here with Tink. John was on his way with Savanna and her coven. He said everything with her parents had gone all right—they were incredibly upset, of course, but reassured that the police were going to find their granddaughter.

  “They wanted to know why there weren’t any CSI in the house, or any other officers,” John had told her over the phone. “So, I told them we already had a suspect—but that it would be dangerous if they knew the police were involved, and they needed to keep it really hush-hush.”

  “Clever,” Alexi said, approvingly.

  “Thank you, I hoped you would like it,” John said. She could almost hear him beaming with pride through the phone.

  Alexi hated to think of what her parents might be going through. After what had happened with her…

  A terrible thought struck her. She had seen her father not long ago. Would he think that it was somehow connected? Her appearance, and Sydney’s disappearance?

  Once Ale
xi and Tink were inside the shop, they didn’t have to wait for long before John showed up with Savanna and the other witches. Warren closed the store early and set up some chairs and a table in the backroom for them to talk.

  John came to find her almost immediately. He didn’t reach for her hand though.

  “You okay?” she asked. Things felt weird, between them. He had been acting strange since he showed up at her parents’ house. Needy, clingy, his usual confident self seemed… diminished.

  Had she done this? Victor had remained unchanged… but John… in her mind she felt for him, could sense him standing next to her. There was more though, she knew she could command him. His will was utterly broken. He wouldn’t act on his own with seeking her permission first.

  She might as well have killed him.

  She wanted to run. There was nowhere to go but the storefront. She stood up with such force it knocked her chair over. She looked to John, the full impact of what she had done falling over her. Alexi turned and left without explanation. She heard Savanna speak as she entered the front and walked all the way to the windows.

  “One sec everyone, Alexi and I need a moment,” she said.

  She put her hand on the glass and closed her eyes. Immediately John’s mind popped into existence. Every detail of his being laid out, plain for her to see.

  Savanna moved to stand next to her, she pulled on her shoulder to turn Alexi to face her.

  “Alexi, feed on me,” Savanna whispered.

  “What?”

  “I don’t wish our conversation to be over heard,” Savanna stepped close, with her neck to the side. Automatically Alexi leaned forward, letting her fangs slice through delicate skin to seek the vein below. Everything happened so fast she didn’t have time to think about it. Blood and essence roared into her mouth and she swallowed once, twice, three times… Savanna fumbled weakly as her breaths came in short heaves.

  “Enough, that’s enough,” she whispered. Alexi heard her and took one more swallow.

  She turned away to wipe her mouth, not wanting Savanna to see the desire on her face. Even now, her nature tortured her. She had hoped with time the urge to kill everyone she fed upon would fade—it hadn’t. It was as strong as ever. With the feeding came a sense or power. It burned through her, clearing her head and leveling her emotions.

  Better? Savanna spoke in her mind.

  Yes. Thank you. Did you mean to do that?

  We’ve been through a lot together. I can read you like a book. I knew a couple of gulps at chez Savanna would clear your mind.

  Show off.

  Savanna shrugged, if you’ve got it. Flaunt it. Now, I suspect what’s bothering you is in the other room?

  What have I done? He’s not…him anymore, is he? Alexi asked.

  Savanna’s face fell, her eyes cast down. The slump in her shoulders said volumes. I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner, I just assumed you would never want another thrall.

  Victor wasn’t like this, he remained his own person. We were just… connected.

  Human as he might have appeared, Savanna said, Victor wasn’t. He was a werewolf. His wolf would not submit. You gave him the choice and he volunteered for it. I suspect John’s will isn’t as strong as Victor’s. There is nothing in him able to resist. On top of that, he was mortally wounded. Alexi, you saved his life, but it at the cost of his free will.

  Alexi dropped her head in sorrow. She should have let him die. He wouldn’t want to live like this.

  Is there no way to sever our connection? I broke the enthralling of Bella’s thralls.

  Can you do the same now? Savanna asked.

  Alexi closed her eyes and searched for the magic that connected her to John. She couldn’t see it. The same way she couldn’t see her own glamour. She tried for several minutes but all she could feel was the detective in the other room.

  I’m sorry Alexi. I’ve never heard of a thrall being separated before, unless by death.

  If we survive this, we have to try. Alexi said, more to bolster her own resolve.

  Alexi moved close to wrap her friend in a much needed hug—for both of them. She pulled Savanna close and cast warm thoughts at her. For Savanna, the knowledge that she descended from demons terrified her, and for Alexi… she had effectively destroyed John. She could feel him, feel his love, and just like Victor, she could point to him wherever he was. Feed off him at a distance, and heal him as well. But his will broke with the enthralling. He would never be his own man, and the longer he stayed enthralled, the worse it would be.

  Visions of that poor kid in The Den, arms and neck full of scars, shuffling to Bella, begging her to feed on him ran through her head. She shuddered at the memory.

  I’m sorry Alexi, I’m so sorry.

  So am I. He’s a good man, he doesn’t deserve this. He loved me and this is how I repay him. I couldn’t even bring myself to love him. I kept him at arm’s length, terrified I would kill him, or he would be killed because of me.

  You saved his life. He would be dead. Savanna squeezed her arms around her. Alexi smiled, now that she fed and talked, things didn’t seem as bleak. It hurt— badly and would for some time. The pain of Victors loss haunted her for months. John wasn’t dead, but he was gone.

  We should go back in, and talk to the others, Savanna suggested.

  “Go ahead, I’ll be right there,” she said. She watched the witch leave, admiring the woman Savanna had become. She was confident, powerful, decisive. Since they returned from the Fae, she had grown. Alexi hadn’t. If anything, she felt like she had backslid. She moved to the far corner of the room, she didn’t want them coming in to see her.

  John’s concern peeked through her link when Savanna returned without her. Had he not been her thrall, he would’ve immediately come to check on her. Instead she felt his hesitance, waiting.

  Waiting to be summoned.

  Alexi banged one hand flat against the glass and stared at her reflection.

  “I hate you,” she whispered. She let her forehead fall against the window and the tears that she was so desperate to let out, came. Her body wracked with silent sobs as she hunched against the window. Her hand alternating from flat to fist as the pain of what she’d done tore through her.

  “I hate you,” she whispered. “I hate you. You promised, Victor! You promised.”

  An hour later, they were crowded into Warren’s back room, trying to decide how to go about rescuing Sydney. Savanna, along with her coven, had erected a ward that would stop even the fae. By herself, she could never do such a thing, but with a coven… ritual magic was indeed powerful.

  “This still leaves the burning question of what we’re going to do,” Alexi said for the third time. Warren sat across from her at the conference table, and behind him, Tink hovered with her hand on his shoulder. The witches crowded in behind Savanna, and John stood close to her. She felt him. Felt his loyalty. She wanted to scream. She balled her fist up and ground her knuckles into her leg to keep from smashing something.

  “How long did they give you to show up?” Asked Warren.

  “Until the full moon tomorrow night. How do we stop them? I’m not even sure I can kill them, but even if I could, the second I show up they’re just going to use Sydney as a hostage to get me to do whatever it is they need me to do.”

  “Which is what, exactly?” Caitlin asked. Next to Savanna, the tall brunette had become the de facto spokesperson for the coven. Keisha, Marta and Bethany nodded as if they wanted to ask the same question.

  Every head in the room turned to Tink, except Warren who dropped his.

  “He’s going to use your Mount Rainier’s natural power to translate to Olympus. There he will release the Titans and destroy all life on Earth.”

  “That’s a thing?” Caitlin asked in a whisper.

  “In myth, the Titans are who killed the Olympians, right?” Savanna asked.

  Warren smiled. “I love how much truth is in myth, and yet how little. No, the Titans aren’t the childre
n of Olympians as myth says. The Titans are in fact a weapon of tremendous power. One they built to safeguard their home, should the demons ever return.”

  Alexi nodded. Of course, these people would have a failsafe end-of-the-world machine. They already killed every human on Earth once, why not again? If the Olympians were descended from angels, how did they get so horrible?

  “That’s his plan then? Take us to Greece, blow up the world? How does this failsafe work?” she asked.

  Tink shrugged her shoulders. Alexi looked to Warren. He held up his hands. “I have no idea. We only know about it because we’re two of the fae who can go anywhere we want, without restriction. I don’t even know how Shaughn and Thaughn were able to breach the barrier without triggering the accord. Our own power polices us, it binds us, that’s part of the deal. Angels can no more come here to fight demons than the fae can.”

  “But people seem to find ways around this all the time. I mean, the two of you…”

  Warren frowned. “It seems so. Perhaps something has weakened the bonds of magic. Either way, I see where they’re going with this. Once humanity is wiped out—completely this time—the Accord will be abolished and we can return to Earth to make it our home again.”

  “But why do they need me? What do I have that they don’t?” She ran her hands over her face and through her hair. “It’s because I’m an angel, isn’t it?”

  “You’re a what?” The witches asked as one.

  Warren raised an eyebrow.

  “You might as well tell them,” Savanna said in support.

  “When the vampires turned me, it was after my body died,” Alexi said. “My soul went on to Heaven. I guess I’m some sort of soldier angel. One of them referred to me as a seraphim. Once Dupree’s men turned me into a vampire, it forced me back to Earth. The other angels did nothing because they assumed I would be dead within seconds of returning and therefore, I would be right back in Heaven.”