Mystery's Choice (Vengeance Of The Fallen Book 1)

by Tanya Simon

  Smiling and humming to himself, Cain tossed the heart on the ground and went down the hall to find his grandson. The heart slowly dried to dust and blew away.

  Sam staggered and went to his knees.

  “What is it, Sam?” Ryan knelt down beside his friend.

  “Lily’s gone.” Sam whispered desolately.

  “I’m sorry, Sam.” Ryan got to his feet, his heart aching for them both. “Can you stand?”

  Sam pushed to his feet and took Jeremiah from Ryan. “Give him to me so you can fight if you need to. Let’s get this little guy out of here.” He stumbled down the hall, tears streaking down his dirty cheeks.

  Ryan closed his eyes, bowed his head and said a prayer for Lily. “Go with God, my friend. Go with God.” Ryan whispered and followed Sam down the hall.

  Ryan and Sam came to another dead end, and Sam handed Jeremiah to Ryan. He wiped his brow and looked down at his feet.

  “I think we should split up. You take Jeremiah and go right at the passage back aways, and I will take the one to the left.”

  “It won’t do any good Cain would just follow me.” Ryan said.

  “You can make him think I have the baby.” Sam whispered.

  “It might work, but if Cain finds you and you don’t have Jeremiah, he’ll make you suffer before he kills you.” Ryan said as he took out his cross and prayed for guidance.

  “I’m going to die, either way. If Jeremiah doesn’t get out of here the whole world will suffer.” Sam said as he sat down on the ground and leaned against the wall.

  “Okay.” Ryan pulled Sam to his feet. “Good luck and God bless, my friend.”

  “Same to you.” Sam said as he went back down the hall.

  Ryan watched him go and he prayed the plan would work.

  Cain stood still and tried to feel his grandson’s presence, but all he felt was the chaos and terror of the Roodmasi as they tried to get out of the aerie. Mystery had performed a spell keeping the Roodmasi from being able to leave the aerie. The witch had set off a series of fires as she had made her way to the nursery. And now the Roodmasi panicked as the fire grew. The only part of this night, which was salvageable so far, was Samael’s strumpet had managed to get Kasdeya out of the inferno and was taking her to safety.

  Cain centered his thoughts and brought Dante to him. The huge hellhound growled a greeting to his master.

  “Find me the human child.” Cain ordered. Dante lifted his head and scented the air, and with a deep rumbling growl, he trotted down a set of stone steps on his left. Cain smiled and followed.

  Sam moved quickly down the dimly lit corridor, as if he were hurrying to get Jeremiah out of the aerie. He could hear the screams of those trapped in the chambers above. Sam turned down another corridor and stopped. Lily’s ghost hovered over the doorway at the end.

  “Go back, my love. This passage leads to Malcolm’s dungeons.” Lily blew him a kiss and was gone.

  Sam turned to go back when the door opened and a man who dwarfed Simon Thomas stepped out. In one of his huge hands he held a giant machete. He swung it through the air a couple of times, as though he was testing its weight. With what for him passed as a smile, he started down the corridor towards Sam.

  Sam got off a shot and the giant knocked his gun from his hand.

  “I’ll bet your Malcolm, huh?” Sam said as he backed up.

  “Yes.” Malcolm’s deep voice echoed in the corridor. He swung the machete and Sam jumped back.

  “I don’t suppose you would consider putting that thing down and going at it like men, you know hand to hand?”

  “Yes, I would find extreme pleasure in crushing you with my bare hands.” Malcolm said as he put the machete down and advanced on Sam.

  He swung one of his massive fists at Sam and Sam ducked and grabbed the torch lighting the corridor. He touched the torch to Malcolm’s huge back and Malcolm howled in pain and rage backhanding Sam in the process. Sam went flying into the wall. He felt his head hit and the darkness closed in on him. Malcolm walked over to Sam’s unconscious body, his steps thudding loudly on the rock floor. He stopped and checked to make sure there was a pulse. He grunted there was a strange pain in his chest. When he looked down he saw the machete sticking out of it. He turned slowly and saw a tall woman, standing behind him and he fell to the floor dead.

  Felicity squatted on the floor and checked Sam’s pulse. She was relieved when he moaned and moved. His eyes finally opened and focused on her. He looked over to where the giant lay dead.

  “Thanks.”

  Felicity helped him up. “No problem.”

  “I am supposed to be decoying Cain so he will follow me and not Ryan.” Sam said as he wearily got to his feet.

  “Good. I am heading to see how Mary Kate did with the charges. You be careful, Sam. And hopefully we will see each other again in this life.”

  “Likewise. Thanks again.”

  “I am sorry about Lily.”

  “I’ll be with her soon.”

  “Very true my friend, Blessed Be.” She turned and ran silently toward the tunnel entrance.

  Sam watched her go and he continued out and went the opposite direction. Sam looked at his watch and saw they had less than thirty minutes before the tunnels blew. He prayed the others were already out; he caught himself. Just whom was he praying to? The god he had forsaken or the god who was going to torture him for eternity for participating in the Roodmasi’s demise. Chuckling at himself, he shook his head and kept moving.

  Sam had gone the long way to the tunnel entrance and he was almost out. Sam heard someone behind him, so he jogged down the corridor; it took a turn and dead-ended. He cautiously made his way back where he had come from. Sam screamed as a huge dog lunged from the shadows and pinned him to the floor. Sam fought to keep the razor-sharp teeth out of his throat.

  “Dante.” Cain stepped from the shadows and with a growl the dog sat and waited patiently. “Where is my grandson?”

  “I don’t have him.” Dante growled and licked his chops. “I have no idea where he is.”

  “One last chance, Detective. Where is Jeremiah?”

  “It was a trick so you would follow me, while Ryan escaped.” Sam was tired and he missed Lily.

  “I can see you are telling me the truth.” Cain turned and walked away. “Dante.”

  Sam’s screams echoed through the aerie as Dante fed.

  Ryan placed Jeremiah gently on the ground behind the boulders outside, he raised his hands and raised a shield around the child, so he couldn’t wander and no one would be able to take him. He kissed his nephew and went back inside to finish Cain.

  Ryan made his way down the tunnel and back into the aerie. He stepped out into a main corridor and was knocked into the wall hard enough it crumbled and rained bits of rock down on him. He shook his head and pulled himself up until he was standing.

  “Cain.” Ryan held onto the wall, while the dizziness passed.

  “Ryan. I would like you to meet, Dante, my friend and companion.”

  Ryan finally got a good look at what had knocked him into the wall. The huge black dog growled and Ryan could see flesh in his fangs. The dog stalked slowly towards Ryan, and bunched his powerful muscles to leap. Ryan pulled one of Felicity’s vials and popped off the lid. When the dog leaped, Ryan shoved the vial in its mouth. The dog fell to the floor shaking and howled in pain. The contents ate away at him like acid. Finally, it gurgled and went still.

  Ryan took another vial and threw the contents on Cain, he screamed. He concentrated on his arm and chest where the liquid had landed and they returned to normal. Cain chuckled and backhanded Ryan. Ryan went sprawling and slid into the wall. He kissed his crucifix, said a prayer and flung it at Cain. Cain caught it reflexively and went up in flames. While he burned, Ryan got to his feet. Cain stopped the flames and charged Ryan. Ryan met him halfway down the corridor and each man started swinging. The loud thuds of the blows rebounded in the smoky air as they each landed punches. Cain stepped back a cou
ple of steps and Ryan followed. Cain put his hand into the air and a smoking arrow appeared, he jabbed it at Ryan and managed to scrape his arm. Ryan groaned, wobbled and fell, fighting to breathe.

  “I borrowed this arrow from, Leonard, an old friend. I assure you the poison is quite lethal.” He bent over Ryan. “Where is Jeremiah?”

  Ryan tried to think of a witty comeback, but he could feel the pain coursing through his body. He thought of Mystery. “Go screw yourself, Cain.”

  Cain reached down and squeezed Ryan’s windpipe. “One last time, preacher man. Where is he?” He let go so Ryan could speak. Cain threw back his head and shrieked. Turning he saw Raevanne standing over him with The Spear of Destiny in her hand. “I am sorry, my love. I cannot let you kill Jeremiah.” Cain fell back against the wall.

  “You traitorous bitch.” Cain raised his hand and Raevanne slammed against the wall. He slammed her into it twice more. She slid down the wall and went still. Her pupils dilated until they dominated her green eyes.

  “You can’t kill me, Father.” Mystery came down the corridor. “The Roodmasi are destroyed. With mother’s death, their power went. In a matter of days, they will be no more.” She raised her hand, her eyes glowing with power. “You never understood the love of a mother for her child. You underestimated my mother’s love for me and mine for Jeremiah. A mistake you will pay for with your life.” Cain began to writhe. “With your death there will be no one powerful enough to perform the Ascension. You have failed.”

  “I might have lost this particular battle, but I promise you Father will win the war.” Cain said as blood foamed out of his mouth.

  Mystery smiled, a mirror smile of her father’s usual amused sneer. “I doubt, grandpa, will allow you to be around to see the next battle.” She concentrated and there was a squishy sounding explosion deep inside Cain’s body. Blood poured from his ears, eyes, nose and mouth, he writhed trying to scream but no sound would come out.

  “Goodbye, Cain. Tell Satan hello for me.” She flung her hand in his direction and he exploded into a million pieces of dust.

  Mystery hurried to Ryan, he was rasping and clutching his middle. He reached for her and she took his hand. “I thought the mark, made it impossible to kill Cain?”

  “I didn’t kill him, I banished him to Hell, I made him suffer for killing my mother and Seth and then I banished him. The prophecy came to pass. When mother died, I inherited all the power of the Shivana, but without the ceremony being performed, it didn’t infuse the Life Force of the Roodmasi. I was already powerful, but he was no match for me, once I got mother’s gifts. Hurry, drink this.” Mystery took a vial from her cloak. Ryan managed to swallow it. “Mother made sure I would have the anecdote to give you.” She struggled to pull Ryan to his feet and with her help he was able to slowly pull himself up. Together they fought to get him down the corridor and out into the main tunnel shaft.

  Felicity looked up when she sensed them and only Mystery’s abilities shielded them from the power that Felicity flung their way. “Sorry. I didn’t have time to look to see who it was.” Felicity finished checking the charges and stood. “Mary Kate managed to set the charges, so, we should go.” Felicity turned and began to walk away, but she came back and put her shoulder under Ryan’s arm and together she and Mystery helped Ryan out into the smoky night air. They had almost made it to the boulders when the explosion shook the ground and sent them flying. Debris rained down and Mystery used her body to cover Ryan. The three of them watched in awe as the aerie collapsed in on itself. The screams of those trapped inside seared into their memories.

  Felicity stood and tried to move Mystery back, Mystery fought her. “I need to tend to him and make sure he is alright, Mystery. Just let go for a minute.” A huge smile split Felicity’s usually solemn features when Mary Kate appeared on the other side of Mystery and tried to help pull her back.

  “I wasn’t sure you made it. I knew you made it back past the tunnel, but then I couldn’t feel you anymore.”

  “I almost didn’t make it out. It was way too close for comfort.” Mary Kate hugged Felicity and Felicity hugged Mary Kate back as Felicity wiped tears off her own face. “I am glad to finally be wrong.”

  They both laughed.

  “Now that you two are reunited. I can heal Ryan, I got my mother’s powers when Cain killed her.”

  “I am sorry, Mystery. I know you loved her.”

  “Yes. I did. Very Much. And she loved me, enough that she betrayed her people, her husband and her god, to save me and her grandchild.”

  “Then I will say a prayer for her to have peace, wherever she is.”

  “Thank you.” Mystery wiped at her own tears and turned towards Ryan. She lifted her hands over him and winced as she took in his injuries and he healed.

  “Ryan?” Mystery gently touched his cheek. “Ryan?” He moaned and slowly sat up. He fought to his feet and looked at the smoky crater where the aerie had stood. Debris and burned bodies filled it.

  “You actually had me scared for a minute there, Ryan.” Felicity almost smiled.

  “I had me scared for a moment there. I didn’t know you two had made it.”

  “I shielded myself, so, if I was needed at the Eleventh hour, I would be a surprise. I figured it was the only way I could hope to take Cain or Raevanne out.”

  “I hid.” Mary Kate smiled.

  “Good move.” Ryan smiled at her.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you were wrong, Felicity.” Mystery said as she came to stand beside them.

  “Me too.” She looked at what had been the entrance to the tunnel. “I just wish I had been wrong about everyone.”

  “Sam and Lily are at peace. God does not punish those who fight in his name, especially those who think they have no hope of salvation.” Ryan put his arm around her shoulders.

  “May we meet again my friends.” Felicity whispered and turned to walk back to the cars.

  “Hold on. Is this over?” Ryan asked.

  “Yes.” Mystery and Felicity said in unison.

  “Can’t you feel the change?” Mystery asked him.

  “I feel something. It’s kinda like being on shrooms. Not that I would know anything about that, of course.”

  “Of course.” Felicity said and smiled.

  “Everything is changing.” Mary Kate said in awe. She walked up the path to stand with them.

  Ryan stood still; he could still feel evil seeping from the ground where the compound had been. He put his hands on Mystery’s arms. “I need you to do something for me.” She looked at him, puzzled.

  “Okay.”

  “I need you to ask Jesus Christ into your heart.”

  Mystery closed her eyes, bowed her head and said, “I ask Lord, please forgive my sins and come abide in me and be my savior. I also ask Lord, you take care of our loved ones who did not make it through the battle. Amen.” Tears ran down her face as she felt the warmth and light of her soul again. She raised her face, her eyes twinkling at Ryan. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

  “I hate to break up the love-in, but can we please get the heck out of here.” Felicity said pretending to be cross. “Actually, all the goo-goo eyes are making me nauseous.” She smiled and went up the trail.

  Mary Kate laughed. “I think it is beautiful.” She smiled mischievously at her partner.

  “Ack” Felicity said as she moved up the trail.

  Mary Kate burst out laughing and followed Felicity up the trail.

  “She’s right. Let’s get Jeremiah out of here.” Ryan walked up the trail, went into the cropping of boulders where he had hid Jeremiah and gathered him up. Mystery ran to them and gathered her son into her arms. He wrapped his chubby finger in her hair and pulled her to him for a sloppy kiss. “Mama!” he said delightedly.

  Ryan smiled and turned to face Felicity, his face going somber.

  “What is it?” Felicity asked.

  “I want you to keep this. So, when the next battle comes you
will have it.” He pulled The Spear of Destiny out of his shirt. “You are the only one who can use it.”

  “How is that possible, I am not even Christian?”

  “Exactly. You are not fighting so your religion will prevail, you will not fight for revenge, you will not fight just to protect your friends, the only reason you would be at whatever battle is because you would be fighting so darkness cannot triumph over light.” He placed it in her hand, where it glowed for a minute and went back to looking like an ordinary dagger. “You came today, not to save Jeremiah, or to make Cain pay, or even because you wanted to help your friends. You came because, you could not stay away, you came to make sure the dark was held at bay and you were willing to die, to insure evil did not win.”