Despite her fear, Tracy laughed. With a tentative hand, she stroked the horse’s wet neck.
“I wish we could afford you more time to connect with your steed,” Ardat said from behind Tracy, “however, the Shaman would be warning us of haste if he were here.”
Fear was quickly melting to wonder as Tracy continued to stroke her steed’s head and mane. “I understand.” Tracy shuddered at the thought of having to once again submerge herself in the cold black water and swim back to the surface.
She was saved by Ardat’s next words. “I’ll swim back. Your steed will take you wherever you want to go now that you have found him.”
Tracy looked up at her green horse again in disbelief. She was still in shock that a beast of this nature existed. She hadn’t even connected the dots that led to her riding the animal. “How—and how do you suggest I go about riding him?”
There was no response.
Tracy looked back to catch Ardat’s form disappearing around the cave corner. “Great,” she said to her horse. “I guess it’s just you and me figuring this one out.”
The horse tousled its mane before kneeling on all fours. It let out a loud nicker that reverberated off the cave walls. Tracy stood with large eyes. Somehow, she knew the animal wanted her to climb on its back. Hands shaking with anticipation, Tracy moved to obey. The horse’s back was so wide, even with it kneeling on all fours, Tracy still had a hard time getting her right leg over the animal. Her bare feet dangled a yard off the ground on either side.
“Wow!” Tracy shouted as the horse sprang to its feet. It rushed through the cave and straight for the water.
Tracy clung to the horse’s wild mane that slapped her in the face. Along with Tracy’s screams echoing in the cave, the horse’s heavy footfalls sounded like gunshots as he ran.
Rider and horse approached the water in a sprint. Tracy managed to find time to let out one last scream before taking a huge gulp of air. The horse seemed to be enjoying the event as it launched itself through the air and into the dark water below.
Icy pinpricks touched her skin as Tracy leaned close to the horse and held on for dear life. If it was possible, it seemed the horse was traveling faster through the water than on ground. The darkness of the cave passage was behind them in seconds. Light from the sun above welcomed Tracy as she chanced a look at her horse’s tail and feet.
In the place of the legs and hooves she had seen only moments before, strong whale-like flippers protruded from its body. Instead of a long tail made of hair, a tail like a dolphin beat the water behind them.
Tracy was trying to understand what she was seeing when they broke the surface. What had taken Tracy what seemed like minutes to travel to the cave was now over in the course of seconds.
“Ahhhh, there you are,” the Shaman said with a wave. “I see all is well.”
Tracy gave the Shaman a half nod as she looked at the horse’s legs through a tangle of her wet hair. Without missing a beat, the horse swam to the water’s edge. As soon as walking on ground was an option, flippers and tail reverted back to their natural states with a shimmer.
“This is crazy,” Tracy said as the horse trotted toward the waiting Shaman and phoenix by his side.
“Just wait.” Shaman smiled. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
---
Traveling down to the Temple dungeon beside Raphael was nerve racking. Danielle wanted no part of a conversation with Gabriel, neither did she want to witness the first conversation between the two Archangels since their conflict.
“Are you sure I need to be part of this?” Danielle asked. “I mean, it seems pretty personal and I’d hate to get in the way.”
Raphael turned to her with a shake of his head. “No, please come. Two heads are better than one. Besides, either way the decision lands, it should be decided by both an angel and a human. We are in this together now, one race as much as the other.”
Danielle gulped as they continued to travel down the long corridor. Torches lit on either side of the hall casting sinister shadows on the walls didn’t help alleviate the dread she felt in the pit of her stomach.
As Danielle was considering quietly slipping into one of the many halls they passed, they rounded a corner and stood in front of a heavy door with a pair of guards on either side. Raphael’s position didn’t even require him to give an order. Both guards gave stiff salutes and rushed to open the door for them.
Each guard removed a key from a chain around their necks and inserted it into a thick lock. The two locks stood feet apart on either side of the closed door. With a rough grating noise that made Danielle stuff her fingers in her ears, the tumblers opened. The door swung slowly toward them, revealing a second cell within.
Raphael didn’t hesitate even the slightest bit as he entered the stone prison. Danielle took a deep breath and followed.
Much like the hall leading to Gabriel’s prison, the cell was lit by blazing torches set on either side of the wall. A dozen yards into the chamber, a steel gate separated them from their prisoner.
Bound by long chains that attached to both his ankles and wrists, Gabriel stood with a smug smile. One of the collars Gideon created to cancel out the use of supernatural powers was firmly attached to Gabriel’s neck. “Well, look who it is,” Gabriel said. “The Archangel who said he would never be again … and here he is again. Retirement not treating you well, brother?”
Raphael ignored the question. He stood with arms crossed over his chest, examining Gabriel up and down. “You’ve fallen a long way, Gabriel.”
Gabriel shrugged. “One has far to fall when he has positioned himself atop the mountain. If it weren’t for your little reentry into the conflict, I would be sitting the victor. I thought you were beyond being convinced to reenter the fight. Tell me, who was it that persuaded you otherwise? Certainly not Michael.”
“A Horseman reminded me of someone I lost and others I could still save,” Raphael said as if he were remembering a particularly painful memory from his past.
“Ahhhh … Alan Price; I have greatly underestimated that young man,” Gabriel said, pursing his lips. “Well, what is it that you want? I have walls to stare at and curses to yell at the guards outside my door.”
“I want to know if you are past saving,” Raphael said simply.
“You what?” Gabriel asked.
Raphael motioned to Danielle. “We are here to speak with you and decide if you merit another chance or if we should leave you here in your cell with all your stones to number.”
Gabriel looked at Danielle for the first time. A shudder ran down her spine as his eyes met hers. “Why the girl? She’s a human, isn’t she?”
“That’s right,” Raphael said. “We’ll have to stand together and both our worlds deal with the aftermath the next few days will bring. Her name is Danielle Turner and she’s been a Nephilim for a very long time, if I’m not mistaken.”
Gabriel took a few steps forward. The chains connecting him to the wall would only afford him a few feet. Danielle forced herself to stay put and not retreat from his advance.
“And what do you think of me, Danielle? Do you think I’m worth saving?”
“I think, I think whatever you did to Michael should be enough to condemn you. He was a good man.”
Gabriel gave Danielle a twisted smile. “Oh, you think I killed him? No. I sentenced Michael to a life so much worse. What good would killing him do? His eternity is already guaranteed with the Creator.”
“If you didn’t kill him, then what did you do with him?” Danielle asked.
“If I told you that, I wouldn’t have any leverage, now would I?”
Danielle looked from Raphael to Gabriel, confused.
“Enough of your games, Gabriel,” Raphael said. “Sodom is at our gates with an army. He seeks to bring about the end of times for the Usurper. We stand a chance even without your help; however, your assistance could be the first step in a long road to gaining back trust within the Angelic Army.”
/>
Gabriel let a loud puff of air escape from his lips then rolled his eyes. “Please don’t try to position your offer as helping me. Besides, I have no desire to mend burned bridges. I know what I have done. I know how the others see me.”
Despite his words and actions, Danielle saw a hint of recognition in Gabriel’s eyes. It was there for only a moment when Raphael had first offered a chance to help.
“I won’t abandon you, Gabriel,” Raphael said with a heavy voice. “I abandoned everyone before, and I have realized how wrong I was.”
Gabriel stood quiet, not sure how to respond.
“If I merit a second chance, then I think you do as well. I’m offering you a way to prove that the man I once knew is still alive inside you. You can brag about not killing Michael and setting him up for a fate worse than death all you want, but I know why you really spared him.”
Gabriel broke eye contact with Raphael. His chains clinked as he retreated a step.
Silence covered the cell. When it was clear Gabriel was not going to engage Raphael further, Danielle decided to step in. “What do you mean?” she asked. “DO you know what he did with Michael and where he is now?”
Raphael answered Danielle’s questions without removing his gaze from Gabriel. “There was a time Gabriel loved Michael like a brother. Yes, time has changed, but I refuse to believe Gabriel could ever kill him. Remove him from the equation, yes, but he would never strike his brother down.”
“What do you know?” Gabriel roared, lunging toward Raphael.
Danielle took a step back even as Gabriel’s chains grew taut and kept him anchored to the wall. “You left us. You abandoned us all. At least I was still in the fight. At least I chose a side.”
“You’ll find no argument from me there,” Raphael said. “Everything you say is true. But I’m back now. I’ve chosen my side and I’m standing with my brothers and sisters to do the right thing. Can you find it inside yourself to do the same, Gabriel?”
Danielle could practically see the anger boiling inside Gabriel.
“I know you don’t serve the Usurper anymore,” Raphael said. “I heard you were brining the events to a head, placing yourself at the top of the food chain. Your move from serving the evil one is a step in the right direction. Now take a step further and stop serving yourself.”
Danielle couldn’t tell if the tears in Gabriel’s eyes were from rage or sorrow. “This is what I am now,” Gabriel said. “Even if there was a chance that we could somehow work together, what agreement could be met that guaranteed I wouldn’t turn around and burn you alive as soon as you freed me?”
“Telling us where Michael is would be a good first step. Then you have my word I will do everything within my power to see you are given another chance. That is,” Raphael paused and looked over to Danielle, “if Danielle agrees you can be trusted.”
Danielle could feel heat build in her face as both Archangels looked to her.
“What, you want me to convince the human I can be trusted?” Gabriel asked.
“Convincing her with Michael’s location would go a long way. However, we have to see if she has it inside herself to forgive,” Raphael said.
Danielle watched Gabriel nod slowly. The realization was registering in his eyes just as Danielle knew it must be in her own. “Raphael is right,” Gabriel said, “I couldn’t kill Michael.”
There was a long pause as Gabriel searched for his next words. “I constructed a spell that would both erase his memory and send him to the human plane. He’s there somewhere, wandering with no memory of who or what he is.”
Danielle felt her heart skip a beat at the thought of Michael still being alive. At the same time, anger pulled at her emotions for her mentor being placed in such a position to begin with. How alone he must feel, how lost.
“Well,” Gabriel said, looking to Danielle for a response, “there you have it. That’s the truth. Now what do you think?”
Danielle sighed with a heavy heart. “As much as I wish I could condemn you to your death … I can’t. That wouldn’t make me any better than you.”
Danielle paused, surprised at the words coming from her mouth. Raphael and Gabriel, likewise, waited for her to finish with rapt attention. Neither one of them had ever heard her speak with such determination. Truth be told, Danielle was even surprised by her firm tone.
“And Raphael’s right when he says we could use your help. Alan and the others will need every advantage they can get when the fighting starts. We just have to figure out a way to give you a chance while still being able to control you—if you decide to renegotiate the terms of our agreement.”
Gabriel looked on, the corners of his mouth twitching at the mention of him being controlled. He held his tongue, however, as Danielle continued. “I think I know who may have a solution to our problem.”
Chapter 11
“Here, here, lay her here,” Kyle said to Bobby.
Alan followed, half supported by the female demon whose name he still didn’t know. Their cell door slammed closed behind them. Alan ignored the noise of the closing gate, just as he ignored the laughter and comments from their departing guards. All he could concentrate on now was Seraphim.
Kyle and Bobby gently placed her on the only piece of furniture in their small prison, a beaten wooden bench. Alan fell to his knees beside Seraphim’s unmoving frame.
“Kyle, Rana,” Bobby said, “we should give them a moment.”
“Of course,” Rana said.
Alan felt a hand on his shoulder before Kyle moved away. The pain in his body was nothing like the pain Alan was feeling tearing his heart apart. Seraphim’s breathing was so slow Alan thought there were times she had stopped altogether.
“Alan,” she whispered.
“I’m here,” Alan said, gripping her hand in both of his own. “I’m here, Sera.”
A weak smile touched her lips as she stared toward the dirt ceiling above. “You know why I was afraid to be with you? Remember I said there were things from my past?”
Alan’s throat constricted as tears fell down his eyes. “I remember.”
“They were only my own insecurities. I was afraid you wouldn’t like me. I was afraid I’d live forever and you’d die and I’d be alone again. I was so afraid. Now … now when fear seems so far away, it’s too late.”
Seraphim winced in pain as tears began to flow from her eyes, mingling with her own blood as it slid down her face.
Alan fought back the uncontrollable sorrow he felt in his chest. He wanted to respond, but he was afraid if he opened his mouth only sobs would come out.
“Promise me something, Alan.”
“Anything,” Alan managed.
Seraphim turned her head so her watering eyes met his own. “Promise me you won’t let your anger consume you. I know that’s ironic coming from me, but there’s still hope for you. Be better than I was.”
Alan nodded. “I promise.”
Seraphim gripped Alan’s hand tighter. “I mean it. Control your rage. I don’t want you to avenge me. Bring justice to those who deserve it, yes, but don’t let it rule you.”
“I won’t,” Alan said. “I love you, Sera. I wish we had more time. I—I would have really liked to take you on a date.”
They both managed weak laughs as Seraphim blinked a few more tears. “I’ll see you again one day, Alan Price. You can take me on a date then. I love you.”
Seraphim’s smile faded along with the life in her eyes. Her hand fell limp in Alan’s grip.
Alan wasn’t sure how long he knelt there. Time was meaningless to him. Tears and sobs overwhelmed his best efforts as he buried his head in Seraphim’s shoulder. She was gone. She was gone and he was alone again, just like he had been for the better portion of his life.
Alan wasn’t sure when he fell asleep. One nightmare turned into another as he found himself walking down a dark hall. Somehow he knew he was in a dream. He was alone. There was no sound, only the deep feeling of loss that ate away at his i
nsides and left him feeling empty.
Alan traveled down the path until a fork came in the hall. One side was wide with a slight decline and grey light. The other was narrow, slopped up at a steep angle and promised a long, arduous journey.
The voice he heard wasn’t booming, neither did it come from overhead or around him, instead it came from within him. “The path to hate and revenge is an easy road. Choosing justice without allowing anger to devour you will be a much harder journey.”
Alan stood, looking down both paths as memories of Seraphim’s dying words echoed in his mind.
Alan woke with a start. Kyle was standing beside him, his hand gently closing Seraphim’s still open eyes. “I’m sorry, I don’t really know what to say.”
Alan’s throat was dry and itchy as he looked up into Kyle’s face. It was clear his fellow Horseman had also been crying. “You don’t have to say anything,” Alan said.
“I shouldn’t have given up,” Kyle said in a hoarse whisper.
“We’ve all made mistakes,” Alan said, struggling to his feet. He was reminded of how serious his injuries were as physical pain once again joined his emotional agony and sought to overwhelm him.
“I’ve made enough mistakes to last a lifetime,” Kyle said, shaking his head. “I joined Gabriel; I killed my fair share of angels.”
“You were confused and you were being manipulated,” Alan said. “We can’t change the past. Those decisions have been made. All that matters is what we do now. We can’t let Sodom get away with this.”
“I agree. I’m with you, Alan,” Kyle said with fire in his eyes.
“We’re all with you,” Bobby said as he and Rana joined the conversation, “but you’re not going to get far without having those wounds cleaned and bound.”
Alan looked down at his bloody state and had to agree. The next few hours found Bobby and Rana cleaning Alan’s injuries with the questionable water provided for them by the guards.
No food accompanied the late hours of the night as the prisoners planned their next move. “More than likely, we’ll be forced into another round of games in the coliseum,” Bobby said, slouched against a corner of their cell.
Alan Price and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse Page 8