“Chayah.” Zander moves to my side, placing a hand on my waist. His emotions force my own fear now, punching me in the gut.
“If they used Azrael’s blade…” My heart pounds. As my cheeks heat up, I wrack my brain, recalling healing the injuries.
Nova. My heart sinks a million miles into my stomach. Helena and Azrael were always close. What if they… “Do we know who attacked Nova?”
“Helena had blood on her hands,” Zander says, “But I didn’t keep track of who she struck.”
“Helena would never hurt Nova.” I say the words – I want to believe them – but the truth is it’d been so long since I’d seen or spoken to Helena, there was no way to know what she was doing there, much less what drew her out of hiding in the first place.
“I realize she’s your…” Zander starts, but I shut him down.
“Stop.” I nearly yell. “Helena may be many things, but she would never attempt to kill my family. Are you even sure about this weapon?”
“No.” Raz admits. “As of now, it’s all hearsay but even a threat of this magnitude is keeping us on guard. Spies say it could all be rumor, a distraction, as they draw for power. Rumor or not, the prophecy states Genesis will fall, turning light to shadows. We think…”
“What do we know?” I ask. “What does it say, exactly?”
Raz stares at me with little emotion. I can usually read Celestials given how long we’ve worked together but either Raz has nothing, or…or like Nova, he’s hiding something.
My anger sparks. “So, which is it? Is everyone keeping things from me or do you not know a damn thing?”
Again, crickets.
Son of a… “How the hell can you even speculate at this point?”
“Confirmation.” Raz finally admits. “From the Mother.”
My jaw drops. Gaea hasn’t spoken to any of us in millennia.
“No.” I adamantly deny his claim. “If something like this could happen, She would inform me.”
Raz’s expression softens. Pity. He feels sorry for me.
My heart’s in my stomach. On the floor, even. “Who did She talk to?”
“I don’t know, Chayah. You should speak with the EMC.”
“I am the EMC.”
Prophecies come and go, but we always discuss them. I know of every prophecy because Raz and his scholars alert me. My council would never betray me like this. Mother would never betray me. Would She?
“Why would She keep me in the dark? None of this makes any sense.” My hands instinctively press to my head as I wander in circles, my erratic thoughts spiraling out of control.
Firm hands brace my shoulders, and Titus stops my spinning. Letting go, he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. Every ounce of me wants to let go, but I won’t. Not when my family needs me to keep it together. While Titus holds me, calming my nerves, Raz begins to speak. I don’t bother looking up.
“What I do know is this prophecy is real, and the Mother has confirmed it, not to me, however. Hell, Chayah. I don’t even know the details, which makes my job ten times harder. They won’t tell me, either. When the time is right, you must trust She’ll alert you. That’s all I know.”
“We’re all here for you, my love,” Titus whispers.
My cheek is pressed to his chest, listening to the rhythm of his beating heart – the only thing that calms me.
“I can’t lose my family,” I whisper it again and again until I’ve convinced everyone I’m losing it.
“Shh, relax my love. You won’t. I won’t allow it.”
“Neither will I.” Cas stands behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
“Me neither.” Zander grasps my fingers that were holding onto Titus’s waist.
“None of us will, but there’s no room for self-doubt. We must remain vigilant,” Cas says. “The rumor is by killing an Eternal, it will tip the scales in their favor and initiate the next Phoenix Cycle. Then with you out of commission, they have twenty-one years to take over the realms.”
“They can’t do that.” I growl, pulling away, now standing straight. “It’s not up to them.”
“Looks like Demons and Fallen are trying to play god this time,” Zander mumbles.
“Gaea makes that call based on Humanity. Look at what’s become of the realms.” Cas peers over at Zander. “Consider the recent onslaught of newborn Shadow Walkers.”
I look from Cas to Zander. “Explain.”
“In the past five years, their numbers have tripled,” he says. “The continents are at war with each other and within themselves. More and more humans are Demonizing.”
“Tell me more about this prophecy,” I say. “What has Gaea confirmed?”
“We have one confirmed detail,” Raz says. “Viveka’s death.”
“No…” I look at Titus, my chest rises and falls heavily. I turn to Cas and Raz. “That wasn’t our deal. Gaea promised. I’ve done nothing but follow Her rules. I’ve died. Two goddamn times now, for fuck’s sake.”
Everything is spinning. I’m walking in circles again, and everything is spiraling out of control. The room, my head. My thoughts.
She can’t do this. I won’t let Her.
Cas sets his hands on my shoulders, trying to calm me. He and Raz share the calming gift, however, in this state, their powers of persuasion won’t help me.
“Viveka holds the future of Humanity. It can’t be destroyed.” I swallow hard, my gaze meeting Titus’s. “Can it?” I turn to Raz now. If anybody would know, it’d be him. “Raz?”
“I don’t know. It’s something to ask your Mother.”
“Ask Mother?” Eyes wide, I scoff. “Yeah. Why don’t we ask the EMC? Apparently, She’ll talk to them, but talk to Her daughter? Hell, no.”
“It’s worth a try. You have the Ring of Chayah,” Raz says. “Your relic keeps your connection to the Mother and your Gemini. While She may not speak to you directly, you still share Her blood.”
I look down, running my finger over the ring on my left hand, spinning it around my ring finger. The stone in the center is glowing today. The stone glows for many reasons, with many different colors. Today, it’s amethyst, the color of the divine. So yes, Mother is listening, though She still refuses to speak. For a few millennia now. Truth is, I’ve lost count.
“How long have you been sitting on all this?” I narrow my eyes, peering around the room. Every nerve, every ounce of me is seething. “This prophecy. The influx of Fallen and newborn Walkers. Uprisings. Who the hell do you think you are? Have you all forgotten your places?”
My gaze scans the room. Unlike other Genesis, Celestials don’t generally kneel before me, but right about now, they all should. They should be thanking Gaea I can’t kill them because if I could, they’d all be on my list.
My focus moves to Zander now, my pulse slowing, settling back into a normal rhythm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
His gaze falls to his feet; Zander’s disappointment is palpable. But after all he’s been through today, he doesn’t deserve the total fallout from the rest of their fuck-ups.
“I’ve had it under control up until now,” he says. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
Zander is the Elder rookie, still trying to prove himself and figure things out. In this case, causing some dangerous learning curves.
“Your job is to bother me. I’m the Matriarch of this family. That’s my job.” Glancing around, I make sure to look each of them in the eye and press my authority into them enough to get my point across. “Any other secrets you need to share?”
Zander peers up, then tilts his chin back down and stuffs his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.
Their silence is deafening.
Pacing the floors is the only way to work off the incensed energy bursting inside. “Any idea how to find this weapon? Does Azrael still have it?”
“We believe so,” Cas says.
“Okay, so how do we find it?”
“We can use hunters to infiltrate their inner
circle,” Raz says. “Perhaps make a deal with Fallen Celestials and Shifters who want their grace returned.”
“Is that possible?”
Falling from the Mother’s grace is a choice. Not only do Celestials and Demons choose to serve Luxe, if they leave, they choose that, too. Rules are clear to all immortal beings that serve the realms. Breaking them and not seeking retribution is one way they fall.
Free will is paramount in Eternal life, whether good or evil, light or dark. Luxe or Tenebrous.
“It’s possible.” Raz straightens his shoulders. “Just as you chose to be the Phoenix, so can Fallen choose to return to the fold. Should they earn it, redemption is possible.”
Earning back a place in the Summerlands was never something I thought possible. Times like these though, it’s comforting to know Mother’s heart hasn’t turned to stone.
“Raz and Titus, make a deal with any Fallen or Shifters who’d like a second chance. Cas, I need you to assist Zander. A mission of this importance will require your assistance.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.” Wrinkles cross Zander’s forehead as he pulls his hands from his pockets, crossing them over his broad chest.
“Your brother’s not your keeper.” I set my hands on his cheeks. “This isn’t a hunting mission, it’s a sensitive issue, and I need Cas to help.”
“What about you?” Zander asks.
“I’ll be seeking council with the EMC. They have some explaining to do. Then I’ll see to Helena’s whereabouts. Figure out what she’s up to, and how she’s involved in all this.”
“I’m happy to do my part, Chayah, however you see fit.” Cas bows, his ever-gallant posture giving the air in the room a boost.
Unfortunately, Zander isn’t as easily swayed. “If this weapon can kill an Eternal, what about you?”
“While I appreciate your concern, no one can extinguish the soul of a God except another God.”
Pushing out a breath, I step over to Zander and lift his chin. With my fingers, I push his dirty blond hair from his face. His green eyes are remorseful, as are his emotions.
“I want to make you proud, but I’m failing,” he says, eyes downcast. “Miserably.”
Letting out a laugh, I pull on his hips a little. “No, my soul. I am proud of you.” I lean in and give Zander a kiss, not a long, lingering one – as much as I want to, that’s for later – just a little affection to remind him how much I love him.
“Titus, you and Raz get a list of names who might make a deal. Zander and Cas will find the weapon.” I look to Zander. “Use your spies. In the meantime, I’ll deal with the EMC.”
They all nod as I take a breath, preparing for the battle ahead.
The door opens then and two Archs of my EMC, Gabrielle and Micah, come inside.
Micah’s deep red hair and crimson eyes seem more fiery than usual. The contrast between raging reds and ebony skin is remarkable, even for a Celestial. “Azrael’s weapon has been reforged in the Shadowlands. The prophecy is coming to light.”
My arms cross over my chest. “Is Mother speaking to you?”
Micah’s gaze is unforgiving. “We need to focus on Nova.”
Arms falling to my sides, my heart picks up its pace.
“Go to her.” Gabrielle’s tone is solemn. Disturbing, even. She takes a breath and lets it out, the light breeze of her exhalation blows single strands of her honey blonde hair around her face. “She was indeed, injured by Azrael’s dagger. We know not what complications await.”
Wrapping his arms around my waist, Titus’s muscles clench tightly with mine.
“If Nova was injured by Azrael’s blade, could we lose her soul?”
I look to my sisters, waiting for their answer. Unravelling nerves give way to trembling.
Gabrielle’s gaze, her words – everything is about to push me over the edge.
Silently, I plead with her not to hear the words spoken aloud that are rattling around inside her head. “Please. Please, don’t say it.”
But just as quickly as I beg the messenger not to, the words escape anyway, effectively crushing my soul.
“Yes, Chayah. We could.”
4
~ Zander ~
Seraya bolts, and all I can think is how losing Nova could destroy her.
One by one, we trail down the slate colored trails through Aravot. Normally the lush gardens the paths snake through would calm me. Not today.
“I’m begging you, Mother. Please. Don’t let her die.” Seraya’s thoughts unintentionally escape as she heads toward Nova’s place. Seraya’s an expert at hiding her thoughts, rarely letting them slip.
Nova is special.
Mortals and their stories of creation humor us. See, the story of the original humans? Fiction. Bestsellers, even. The mythos of the woman falling from grace, two humans kicked out of paradise is just that. A myth. What really happened is the first truth an Eternal learns after Eternalizing. The first human wasn’t a guy at all, but a girl.
It was Nova.
Within minutes, we reach Nova and Remliel’s home. Seraya’s inside now, holding a thick towel to Nova’s chest. Seraya’s pain is immersing us all. She turns her head, looking at me, Cas, and Titus. “Her aura’s fading.”
Remliel’s face falls at her words. His pain has to be overwhelming given all he’s sacrificed for her. My heart hurts for all of them.
A moment later, Lailah, another of Seraya’s girl squad shoos us all out of the room. After some time standing outside waiting for answers, Micah emerges.
“We’ve never lost an Eternal soul, and we’re not sure what to expect.” She looks to us. “We need you. We know nothing of how this weapon could kill the child. You must retrieve it. That’s our only hope of saving her.”
Every Gemini knows how important Nova and Remliel are to their own story.
Nova’s not just any Eternal, she’s the original. At the time of her mortal death, and in honor of Seraya’s Eternal Sacrifice, Remliel offered up his soul to save Nova.
Initially, the Eternal Sacrifice was Seraya’s alone. When the Tree was empty, she was willing to sacrifice herself to refill it. But Titus didn’t want to lose her, and Gaea probably didn’t either, so they compromised. Seraya would be reborn, her memories wiped clean, and she’d have to fall for Titus all over again to save the souls of the Tree. But there was an even bigger catch. In order to ensure her rebirth, she had to take a soul from the Tree. Not willing to sacrifice any soul, instead, she agreed to share it. She got a new Gemini in return.
That’s the kind of mother Seraya is.
Eventually, the Tree ran dry, and Cas came along. A borrowed soul, part his, part Seraya’s. Gemini. Complicated, but pretty fucking cool. Next came me, and I suspect someday, we’ll add more.
This inspired Remliel’s sacrifice and here we are. Each Eternal has a Gemini soulmate.
These eternal sacrifices changed Genesis history. We all owe them.
“She won’t die,” I say. “Not happening.” I turn to leave when Nova’s door opens, and Seraya emerges.
Cheeks flushed, she seems distraught. Amethyst irises are darker now and wet with tears.
“Titus, Nova’s asking for you.” Her voice cracks as she wipes her eyes. Seraya never cries. Ever.
Titus disappears inside as Seraya moves toward Cas and me.
I want to hold her. Wipe away her tears, but Cas gets her first.
Seraya collapses into him. Not that I’m judging, it’s just strange watching her crumble. Hurts.
Our instincts are to protect her, to ease her pain but with three of us, getting time alone is one of the biggest obstacles. Times like this, I don’t even know where I fit.
Nova is, by all rights, Titus’s child. And Cas has been with them since Humans began keeping track of time, but me? I’m new, so if Seraya needs support, I’m never the one she comes to.
My heart hurts watching her cry, knowing there’s nothin’ I can do. There is something, just not here.
Seraya
breaks her connection and comes to me, probably listening inside my head. “I need you too. More than you know.” She wraps her arms around my neck, burying her nose. Sometimes she surprises me.
“How is she?” I ask, keeping my head together. There’s no room for emotion now.
“Hanging in there. She’s so fierce. Even in the face of Eternal death, she’s worried about everyone else. About Remliel.” Seraya pulls back and looks at me. “You.”
“Me? Why?” I narrow my eyes, but I know what she means. “What can I do?”
“Find that dagger.” Seraya’s gaze holds mine, pinning me in place. She wants that dagger more than anything in all three realms. Right now, I do too. Nova needs it if she’s to have a chance to live.
“On it.”
Matching her gaze, I let her see the truth in my eyes, feel the resolve in my soul. She knows I’ll walk through the Shadowlands alone and naked if necessary.
“Be safe, Zander. Come back to me.”
Striding through the doors of the Arcanum, my voice echoes off the dank, bare walls. “Yo, Cas. Let’s go. We got daggers to find and Demons to banish.”
Cas peers up from his book, a flash of annoyance fading as quickly as it appeared. No idea why I tweak his shit like this.
“I need to read a few more pages. We need some information before jumping this time.” As always, Cas sees something a trillion light-years in the distance, even while he’s fully present in the conversation. It’s fucking eerie, but also kinda cool.
“Yeah. Just read fast, ‘kay?”
“I’m making sure we’re moving efficiently. A little foreknowledge goes a long way. I need to understand a few more points of this tome. It’s older than both of us put together. Trust, Zander. I love her, too.”
Leave it to Number Two to hit the mark in one shot. He knows what’s on my mind. It annoys me as much this time as it did the last. And the first. And the 4,782 times in between.
Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection Page 125