Chosen Soul

by S Lawrence

  I wonder if my white ones had ever carried me like that. He lands a hundred yards ahead of me and kicks the door to the garage open, striding out like an avenging angel. The thought makes me smile because I know for a fact he is no angel anymore.

  I push myself harder to reach him, to reach her.

  Luc is right behind me. “Go!” I know he could be there in an instant.

  Instead his hands grip me and I’m lifted from the floor. For a moment, I’m blinded as his light bursts from him like a supernova and then I feel the wind of his golden wings.

  We are out of the hall in seconds, and he drops me down beside Torryn. Landing at my side, he leaves his wings free. I remember him from before, and he is even more glorious now.

  His fair skin hardens as he sees those that we face, making it look like marble, and he seems larger. Seraphina, Micheangela, and another I don’t recognize stand by Charlie’s car mirroring us.

  Except none of those bitches have wings. I raise my hands and my two middle fingers, smirking at them. Take that, you psychos.

  “Nathanae,” Luc growls.

  “Lucifer.” She smiles. “How is the favorite of God?” He says nothing. “Enjoying your new job?” She laughs, and the others join her.

  “It gets better every time we kill one of you,” he says calmly, and she narrows her eyes. “So it’s you who has been seeking the descendants.”

  “With help. But yes, I am the angel chosen by Him to rule over hidden things. They have been hidden very well.” She wants to tell him more I can tell by the look on her face, but Seraphina grabs her arm.

  “Help.” The word thunders through the garage, his voice layered with power sounding like a hundred voices. It demands an answer.

  Seraphina struggles to keep them from answering as Micheangela pulls Charlie from behind the car.

  “Charlie.” Just her name whispers from my lips, and he pulls his power back as a knife is brought to her throat.

  “It’s okay, Dagen. I told them I wouldn’t run anymore if they just leave everyone alone,” she cries out, holding her hand up to stop me from moving forward.

  “Of course we agreed,” Seraphina’s voice is thick with sugar as she smiles at me.

  “You can’t believe them, Charlie.” I shake my head.

  “I can’t let anyone else die for me.” She sounds resigned.

  “Oh yes, many have died because of her,” Nathanae goads, and tears start to run down Charlie’s cheeks. “She was very good at hiding. We weren’t looking for a man.”

  She runs a finger down Charlie’s cheek, scooping up a tear and bringing it to her mouth. Who is this crazy bitch?

  “Stop. Touching. Her.” Everything becomes a red haze as a rage like nothing I’ve ever felt burst from me.

  The temperature plummets. Snow and ice begin to fall all around us. Then heat blasts over me as Torryn releases his power. Turning my head slowly, I see his eyes are also blood red.

  Sweat runs down my temples before freezing on my jaw, proof of our powers battling each other.

  “It’s your fault, my girl. You know that, right?” The angel blade moves a millimeter closer to Charlie’s jugular when she flinches at the woman’s words. “If you had just not ran, all those people would still be alive.”

  She shakes her head slowly as Charlie whimpers.

  “Not your fault.” I stare into Charlie’s stormy eyes, trying to convince her. “They did everything. They made their choices, not you.”

  Charlie looks lost, smaller even as she wraps her arms around her middle. “I can’t. I just can’t be the cause anymore.”

  I feel my head shaking in denial.

  Nathanae and Seraphina both begin to grin, glee lighting up their evil faces.

  Suddenly I’m rushing to them, throwing all my power at them, and I feel my brothers at my side doing the same. From a distance, I can hear Lillian’s voice, screaming her denial.

  I see it as if in slow motion. We had been watching the blade at her neck, but it was another that would take her from me.

  Seraphina’s hand comes from the side, the blade tucked back and up against her forearm the whole time.

  Charlie doesn’t fight. I watch as she mouths ‘I’m sorry,’ a tear freezing on the top of her lip. It looks like a diamond sparkling in the dim light.

  They have won.

  The blade connects with Charlie’s sternum.

  Luc goes supernova beside me, and I lose myself to my demon rage as my one chance slips through my fingers.

  Chapter 13

  CHARLIE

  I can’t be who they need me to be.

  I can’t save the world but I can save them. Save him.

  I don’t fight. I don’t run. Locking onto his dark brown eyes, eyes the color of the brownies he smells like, I see the moment he realizes my decision.

  The denial. The rage. The heartache.

  That last one gives me a moment of hesitation, but it comes too late. The flash of the blade winks at me as the one to my right moves her arm in a single movement. Muscle memory carries the blade to my chest.

  I wonder how many times you have to kill someone for your muscles to do it automatically.

  That’s the last thought I have as the blade crashes into me.

  I expect pain, but instead, a light blinds me.

  Searing heat blossoms from the middle of my chest, bowing my back. I hear screaming. It’s my own.

  It sounds thunderous to my ears.

  The hands that hold me disappear. How am I still standing? The instant the thought skitters through my mind, I realize only the very tips of my Converse are touching the hard cement.

  My arms are flung out at my sides, and I imagine I look like one of those possessed girls in horror films.

  Maybe I am.

  Maybe I’m dead. The light could be taking me away from here. Heaven or Hell? Which will it be? I think of Dagen. Hell could be fun.

  A blink of an eye and the heat and light are gone. I’m down on a bent knee, head bowed, and as I open my eyes, I see a long, brilliantly green stone staff gripped tightly in my hands.

  Silence. It seems loud to my ears. So does my name whispered near me. I keep my head lowered, afraid. His feet come into view, and his cold finger touches my chin, the gentle pressure pulling my face up and forcing me to meet his gaze.

  My muscles go liquid when I see the relief in those warm chocolate pools. “Dagen.”

  He drops down, knees hitting the concrete hard enough that I wince. “You scared me.” I hear the underlying message.

  I hurt him, choosing death over him.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do,” I whisper, hoping to ease his pain.

  “Gabriel’s spear.” I glance up at Lucifer’s shocked face then back at my hands wrapped around just that.

  It is the color of the pendant my mother gave me. I claw at the chain around my neck, trying to find the weight that has been between my breasts almost all my life. The chain slides from my shirt, empty.

  Looking back at Luc, I feel a lifetime of tears boiling up. “She gave it to me the day they killed her. I’ve had it all this time.” Hurt and rage burst free from my very soul. “It could have saved her, saved them. All of them could still be alive. Why?”

  I drop the offending object, and it disappears. No one speaks. I rise in one motion and start to turn away.

  “No more running, Thea,” Luc’s voice rings out. The whole city might have heard him. “It came when you were ready. Maybe, like Lillian, all your latent powers were activated when you met your destiny.”

  Swinging around, I stalk right up to him. Devil or not, I don’t give a shit anymore. I let the rage free, giving it the control. “This prophecy isn’t my destiny,” I growl at him as I poke him in the chest. I have an instant of worry when I see Torryn’s eyes widen in shock and fear.

  Fear. The demon is afraid for me. Fuck.

  Lucifer looks down at my finger still pushed into his muscle and looking back at my f
ace, he raises a brow. I let my finger drop.

  “No, it isn’t.” He looks behind me. “He is.”

  I refuse to look behind me. Luc reaches out a hand, and a growl echoes from the man he had just been looking at. Something washes over me, and I realize I can feel his power now.

  “No,” I cry out. “Don’t hurt him.”

  “I’m not going to hurt him, Charlie.” He tries to hide the sadness in his eyes but I see it. Now I’ve hurt him too, great. “I wouldn’t, just like I wouldn’t hurt you. I just wanted to point this out.”

  He raises his finger, and my chain is draped over it, the pendant hanging from it again.

  “What the hell?” The words fall from my open mouth. It hadn’t been there before.

  “It returns to you, waiting until you need it,” he murmurs, letting it drop from his finger. “It protects you, just like the songs. She gave you life. Protection. We offer more.”

  Tears slide down my cheeks as I wrap my fingers around the pendant.

  “Charlie?” I turn to face Dagen. I had felt his coolness at my back as soon as he stepped forward. “We… I offer so much more.”

  I blink at the earnestness in his voice and watch as he swallows a couple times. He’s nervous. So sweet.

  “We offer family.” My gut tightens. “I mean… A new family. A place to belong. People to care about and who care for you.”

  I had thought he was going to say something else and I can’t lie, I’m a little disappointed he didn’t. A part of me is glad he didn’t though, because my heart wants to reject his offer.

  My head is screaming to listen to them, to take what is offered.

  “I can’t…” I shake my head, unable to voice the rest of my denial.

  He steps closer, almost touching me, and I lean into his palm as he brings it up to my cheek. I let the coolness wash through me and before I walk away, I decide to take something with me.

  Rising up on my toes, I bring my lips to his, pressing gently. His fingers slide around and cup the back of my head, pulling me closer. Taking control, he pours his frustration and longing into the kiss.

  He scorches me with arctic heat, stealing my breath and a piece of my soul. I wrap my arms around him and melt. He tastes like the most decadent dessert.

  On and on, he kisses me. He knows exactly what he’s doing - he’s branding me, making sure no one will ever be enough. He’s awakening needs and desires only he can feed.

  Finally, he breaks away, burying his face in my neck. I feel his breath puffing over my heated skin and relish the knowledge that I’m not the only one branded.

  “Umm, I hate to interrupt.” His head raises at Lillian’s words.

  “And yet you are,” he growls, and I look back over my shoulder at them.

  “Hey, watch your tone, brother.” Torryn steps closer, eyes flashing red.

  “I can take care of myself, babe.” Lillian pats him on the arm as she steps around him. “I was just going to suggest that maybe you could take her away for the day, Dagen. Like Torryn did me. You know, to explain everything.”

  I feel like I’m missing something, but Torryn is nodding and his eyebrows are raised. Glancing between them, I know I am.

  “Have you ever been to New Orleans?” Dagen whispers against my neck, and I shake my head. “Do you want to go? The Fallen won’t be looking for you there.”

  He is sheer temptation. What’s one day, my brain argues with my heart. One day and one night, my heart argues back. I let my imagination free at the thought of spending a night with him. Slowly, I nod.

  One night to keep me warm for a lifetime of loneliness.

  A hand falls on my shoulder and then I am nothing. Simply gone from the Earth.

  Blackness is choking me. I should have trusted them.

  Chapter 14

  DAGEN

  Gone.

  Vanished into thin air.

  “What the fuck? Where did you send her?” I glare at Luc.

  “I didn’t send her anywhere. I didn’t get a chance to.” He looks confused. “I had her. Had her in my hand.”

  “Who has that kind of power?” Lillian whispers. I agree with the fear that resonates in her voice.

  No one speaks. The sound of footsteps has us all turning and tensing.

  “Wow. Great timing. Right after it all went to hell.” They all stop in their tracks.

  “Sorry, traffic on the strip was a bitch,” Arkyn snaps.

  “We had her, and she literally disappeared from my hands.” I look down at the traitorous appendages. “I had her.”

  “We’ll find her, brother,” Victor declares.

  Quiet, stoic Victor. I didn’t miss the naked hunger on his face the night Lillian and Torryn showed us the shiny new wings on Torryn’s back or the longing in his eyes when he was told of the prophecy.

  Hell, we had all had the instant flare of hope. We could be loved. We were worthy of love. Most of us had let that hope burn down to just a tiny amount of embers, but Victor kept his stoked high, burning bright like a beacon for his other half.

  “Why don’t we return to the house and plan on how we are going to find her,” Luc urges.

  They all turn the way they had entered and do as he asks with him following.

  Torryn and Lillian stand at my side. I can’t move. Lillian’s fingers slide into my hand, and I squeeze them as I turn to look at her.

  “Can you still hear her song?” I’m afraid of her answer, but her face says it all.

  No.

  “This wasn’t the Fallen, Dagen,” Torryn murmurs.

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” The words are an understatement.

  “Come on, let’s go home.” I shake my head at Lillian’s words. I don’t have a home.

  Eden had been my home. Heaven was before that. Since my rebirth, I have only had places I stayed.

  “You guys go; I’m going to walk.” Torryn nods and pulls a very reluctant Lillian away.

  I’m left standing alone beside her ancient beat up car. Using my powers, I unlock the door and slide behind the wheel, letting the smell of her envelop me.

  It is a mixture of jasmine and frankincense and fits her perfectly, both feminine and masculine. I suck my bottom lip in and run my tongue over it, tasting her there.

  She reminds me of a black label whiskey, a little sweet until the hard kick hits you. Like the whiskey, she warmed me from the inside. Even now, I feel her inside me. Warming me.

  My fist hits the steering wheel, denting it. Shit. She’s gonna be pissed when we get her back. I start the engine, drive straight to the Venetian, and throw the keys at the confused valet.

  I could go upstairs but I find myself turning to the bar. I want to be close to her, near her, so I sit on the stool where I first saw her. Thinking about how she looked with her mint julep clutched in her hand, now I realize how upset she was.

  I’m still sitting there on the stool sipping a drink when Arkyn sits on the one next to it. His braids are adorned with silver and hang down, skimming over his thighs. He has silver rings on his fingers. One is a huge skull, and it covers his finger, knuckle to knuckle, with rubies for eyes.

  “Brother, they are waiting for you upstairs.” He nods at the bartender for a drink.

  “I just can’t right now.” This time, he nods at me just once.

  “We can still find her.” I just look at my glass. “She’s yours, right?”

  I shrug. How do I answer that? They have to choose us. “She was leaving, running. She didn’t choose me.”

  “Lillian saw it differently, I guess,” he murmurs, and I turn my head to stare at him.

  “What’s that mean?”

  “Just that she said Charlie sacrificed herself for you.” I open my mouth to speak. “Let me finish. Sacrifice is a choice, Dagen. That day, in Heaven, we could have all chosen to walk away. Many did. Hell, many still are. But we didn’t. We chose to sacrifice everything if we had to. We did; each of us gave our lives that day. And from what I
’ve heard, that is exactly what Charlie did.”

  I can’t respond because I already knew that but I hate it. I can’t deal with that right now.

  “I had hope, Arkyn, hope.” I shake my head. “For the first time in a thousand years, I had hope.”

  “Hope is a nasty bitch.” He swallows the drink that was set in front of him, and I have to wonder how the bartender even knew what he wanted. “I might have been hanging around town for a while.”

  “What? Why didn’t you come up?” I’m shocked I didn’t know he was around.

  “This is your time, man. I was just letting you do your thing.” He shrugs. “I was looking too but you know, just in the shadows. That’s where I’m best.”

  Arkyn rarely talks about his time here on Earth, and now that we know about before, I don’t know much about that.

  “I was in the Garden before. Where were you, Arkyn?” His muscles tighten. “You don’t have to tell me.”

  “I was sent to guard the First People. I failed.” He downed the second shot in front of him. “I’m still failing them.”

  “You didn’t know until a few weeks ago, brother.” I try to soothe him even though I understand his guilt.

  “As soon as he gave me back my memories, I checked.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know how to help them now.”

  “Maybe if we fulfill the prophecy...” I don’t know what else to say.

  He chuckles. “You don’t believe that any more than you believe that all those animals will suddenly reappear. We might stop the war, but this world will never be the way it was.”

  He’s right, of course. “So should we just give up?”

  The sound of the glass rubbing over the polished wood of the bartop is almost hypnotic as he turns it between his finger and thumb. Round and round, over and over. His eyes are locked on it but unfocused.

  The silence stretches, only interrupted by the sounds of the other people in the bar. The turning stops, and when he finally looks up into the mirror over the bar, I meet his gaze in it.