Ascension of Evil (Battle for Souls Book 3)

by Ciara Knight

  Hope. Fulfillment. Love. A sweet, protective type of love that grew into something more.

  His heart thrashed against his ribs and he thought it would jump free to be with Gabby. She sat up and he tugged the sleeves from her arms. Her tanned skin gleamed in the lantern light. Her soft touch, warm smile, beautiful eyes, breathtaking body.

  Unable to keep from physically touching her one more second, he captured her lips, and lost himself for what he dreamed would be forever.

  ****

  Gabby couldn’t distinguish where he began and she ended. They dozed in and out for hours, holding each other with only a thin blanket over them. It didn’t seem possible that after all this time they’d finally been intimate. They were one. Minds spoke together, souls shared, bodies locked in an earth-shattering embrace. Never had she dreamt life in this godforsaken world could be so beautiful.

  Her body still hummed with pleasure, and she tugged the thin blanket to cover them. She captured his lips once more. For a few more minutes, she needed it to only be the two of them. It was different between them now, less tentative.

  He released her lips and panted, holding her flush against him. Sweat suctioned their bare bellies together. Tears spilled down her cheeks and he kissed them away, The way he had over two thousand years ago when she’d lost Elianna in battle.

  She remembered the day she left him. The day she lied to make her way to save them all. Satan hadn’t tricked her. It was the opposite. Sometimes you had to be devious to beat a demon.

  For over two thousand years, she had walked the Earth alone—well, except for Patronus—never knowing if she’d find happiness again. But now, she held the man who inspired her to sacrifice herself to save mankind in her arms. Before they’d met, it was all strategy and war plans. She’d never expected emotions would give her courage to face eternity without him.

  He’d loved her more than any man had loved a woman on Earth. Yet, they kept their love a secret. Even after her fall, no one was supposed to know. Because, during the first war, she knew there was a traitor. Now, the angels were lost and they faced insurmountable odds. Nothing was certain, except she couldn’t lose him again. They’d loved one another too much last time and it had made them weak. This time it was her. She was weak. If she had a choice, she’d return to Heaven with Alexander and seal the gates this second.

  No, you don’t mean that. Alexander’s voice was husky and full of emotion in her mind.

  Gabby shot up, clutching the blanket to her chest. Yes, I do. If the warrior angels have forsaken us, and Appius is the traitor, what hope do we have? I-I can’t bear to let you leave my side, let alone my soul.

  “That’s why you did it last time. There was no hope of us winning. You appeased Satan by ridding the world of Herak and agreeing to send me back to Heaven.”

  “Yes,” Gabby mumbled, recalling the horrific details of that day. She’d tricked Alexander into thinking she was injured then ordered Boon to force him back to battle and not waste time on her. It was the only way she was able to get away long enough to make the deal.

  You lied to me?

  Gabby couldn’t face him.

  Was everything we were a lie?

  She gasped and leaned on her elbows, severing the connection. “No! Never!”

  “Why didn’t you come to me and tell me what you had planned?”

  Gabby shook her head. “You wouldn’t have agreed, and you all would have been killed. Sent to darkness for eternity. I couldn’t let that happen.”

  “So you sacrificed yourself.” Alexander clung to her, but would he still want to touch her when they discovered the truth? She didn’t want to remember. Not now, not ever.

  “I love you, but everyone will die if we don’t figure out what happened.”

  Gabby closed her eyes and tried to ignore the vision pounding at her skull.

  Alexander brushed his lips across her ear and whispered, “Tell me.”

  “I-I remember leaving to meet someone, the person that brokered the deal.” Her hands shook, and he clasped them tight in his own. Appius. He’s the one who brought the deal to me. He told me we were losing the war. That everyone would die if I didn’t do something to save them.

  Alexander tensed but didn’t let go. Go on.

  You and I had to remain apart. So, I told Appius to take you back to Heaven. He said it would be best if you had no memory of us. I agreed. Visions of silver eyes staring from under a robe’s hood, tight thin lips, and a menacing deep tone to his voice filled her. She took a shuddered breath. A cool tingle meandered up her arm and she knew Alexander soothed her, but she didn’t deserve it. I couldn’t save Boon. The only way to imprison Herak was to have Boon remain on Earth as the keeper.

  “Boon will hate me,” she said, her voice shaking. “I-I cursed him to be apart from Sammy for all those years. He thought Herak had cursed him, but it was me. I knew they loved each other, but I had to make sacrifices.” That’s what Appius said. Elianna was released from darkness, Grace was sent back to Heaven. Herak would be caged. Satan would return to the Underworld. I was told Herak betrayed Satan and he only cared about revenge.

  Her body trembled with warning. The vision continued, her memory returning at an alarming rate, but something deep inside warned her to stop.

  “What is it? There’s more?” Alexander studied her eyes and she looked away.

  “I’m not sure.”

  This is our chance to make things right. You have to remember, so we can win this war once and for all. Please, tell me.

  Thousands of souls screamed. A searing pain ravaged her skull. “No!” she cried out and held her head between her hands, rocking side to side. He clutched her arms to still her. “No, I couldn’t have. I wouldn’t have sent the angel warriors to darkness.”

  He gasped and pulled back. “Satan only made the deal so he could return now and conquer the world. The angels are gone,” he whispered in horror. “We’re doomed.”

  Acid crawled up her throat at the realization she had betrayed everyone and everything she valued. If she’d actually sealed all the angelic warriors in darkness forever, there was no chance they’d win the war. She’d saved mankind and her friends at the expense of her warriors.

  Tremors turned into spasms as she lost control of her body. One look at Alexander, and she knew he thought she was the most evil demon that ever walked the face of the earth. She’d betrayed her loved ones and sealed humankind’s fate. How could she have been so stupid? Now, not only would Satan rule the planet, but Grace, Sammy, and Boon would never forgive her, the warrior angels were gone, and Alexander hated her.

  Steam rose from the floor and off the tent. The world spun. She couldn’t catch her breath.

  She clutched the side of the cot, trying to force the panic down, but it wouldn’t listen.

  Alexander pulled her back into his arms. “Shh. You need to be calm.” He sounded distant, foreign, his body stiff with anger and resentment. She didn’t blame him. She cursed herself for what she’d done. It would have been better to fight and fall to the darkness with honor.

  “Gabby, tell me the exact wording of the deal. We still might be able to retrieve the warrior angels.”

  Gabby tried to swallow, but her mouth and throat were too dry. “I know you hate me. I’m so sorry, Alex. I don’t know why I—”

  You were betrayed by someone you thought you could trust, an angel on the high council. For whatever reason, he led you down the wrong path. Somehow, we are all back together, so that has to mean something.

  You don’t know that.

  I know that I love you, and that means everything. Alexander lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “Gabriella Lohr, you are and always will be my one true love. Unconditionally. Nothing will change that. I will never leave you and I’ll love you until the end of time…no matter which realm we exist in.”

  Sobs threatened to break free and overtake her, but she shoved them back. She leaned her head against his shoulder and took one long brea
th to steady herself.

  She laced her fingers through his and clutched his hand tight. “The angels were sent to darkness. That was the deal. I had to betray them. Satan knew that if I betrayed everyone, I’d no longer be the Chosen One who led the angels. We’re alone. No angels will follow me to war after I betrayed them. There is no hope for us. Satan will rule over all of mankind because of me.” A sob broke free and her body trembled. “How could I have been so stupid?”

  Alexander held her and let her cry. An old familiar darkness crept in, but she knew he kept it at bay. All those months she had been buried in sadness, taking pills to survive the pain of her mother’s death. The loneliness of her father checking out and turning to the bottle. None of it compared to this.

  We need to speak with Grace. There is always hope.

  Shame filled her. How could she face them? She couldn’t even look at Alexander.

  He leaned down, lifted her chin, and stared at her, eyes wide. “Listen to me. You were and always will be the Chosen One. That hasn’t changed. Why would Heaven have brought all of us back together, have you born again as a product of all worlds—a hunter, demon, and angel—only to have us fail? Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes we need help getting out of them. I love you. As for Grace, she won’t judge. She loves you, too. Sammy and Boon love you. Heaven above, even Forras loves you.” At her arched eyebrow, he grimaced. “So, it’s a little—okay majorly screwed up, but we’ll get through this together. You just have to have faith.”

  Gabby wanted to believe, but why would anyone follow her after she’d committed such a treacherous act. Why hadn’t Heaven struck her down and sent her straight to darkness? Of course, it did no good to question. She’d learned that long ago.

  Alexander was right, for whatever reason, she was meant to do something in this war.

  She sat up, hanging her legs over the edge of the cot. “I’ll go and tell the others.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll go together. Remember, we’re stronger as a team.”

  “I can’t believe you still want to be with me after—”

  He leaned down, his nose almost touching hers. “Always and forever.” He pressed his lips to hers, and the world tilted once more. Soothing calm with a mixture of hope and excitement filled her.

  She lightly tapped his shoulder. “You need to stop trying to heal my sadness.”

  Eyebrows raised, he quirked his head to the side. “What do you mean?’

  “Just now, you were—”

  “I was kissing you. Nothing more.”

  “Oh.”

  His lips curled into a triumphant smile. “I’m glad you like kissing me.”

  She tugged her clothes on and for a brief moment sat on the edge of the cot, watching the man she belonged to fully. He smiled and took her hand, leaning in to kiss her. She put a finger up, stopping him. “We’ll never leave here if you start that again.” She chuckled and led the way out of their tent, the whole time dreaming of returning to his arms and—

  “Yes, that and much more.”

  Heat flooded her cheeks. Stop reading my mind.

  Don’t have to. You’re shouting it at me, he teased.

  They walked between some army vehicles and a few tents before a guard appeared at their side. “Where are you going?”

  Alexander stepped between the guard and her. “To find our friends.”

  “You need to return to your tent, sir,” warned the twenty-something, brown-haired guy with “Mitchell” written on his chest.

  “Mitchell, I’d advise you to move out of our way. We have urgent business with the others. Although if it would make you feel better, you’re welcome to escort us.”

  Mitchell’s eyes shifted. “Okay, but to your friend’s tent only.”

  Gabby glimpsed the command center a few tents straight ahead, but Mitchell stepped in her line of sight and gestured for her to move. I’m getting a strange feeling. Why would he block us from the command center?

  I was thinking the same thing. Let’s speak to Grace first. Then we’ll investigate what’s going on.

  They went the long way around, almost to the far end of the compound. Grace’s tent had a light on and the flap was open. “Grace?”

  “Yes, child. Come in. I didn’t expect to see you or Alexander here so soon.”

  Alexander nodded and remained in the doorway. “We got that feeling from Mitchell here.”

  “I’ll wait to escort you back to your tent. There could be demons lurking about.”

  Alexander chuckled. Is he serious? Who stands a better chance fighting a demon? “Please wait outside. When we’re ready to return, you can escort us.”

  Mitchell’s eyes shot wide, and his mouth dropped open, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he pivoted on his heels and left the tent.

  Grace gestured for them to sit in some chairs and lowered into one herself. “What was that about?”

  “Don’t know.”

  Grace folded her hands in her lap. “By the looks on your faces I assume this isn’t a social call.”

  Gabby straightened and took a deep breath. “I’ve remembered a few things about the last day of Herak’s war. I’m afraid I did something terrible.” Her voice shook, and she cleared her throat.

  “Go ahead,” Grace prompted.

  “Well, um, you know that I made a deal so that you all could return to Heaven, and I remained on Earth as penance?”

  Grace nodded. “Yes.”

  She swallowed hard. “I remembered that Boon was also part of the deal. He remained on Earth with me so that he could be Herak’s keeper.”

  Grace lifted her eyebrows. “It wasn’t Herak that sealed his fate? Have you told Boon?”

  “No, not yet,” Alexander said.

  Gabby picked up a pen off the table and rolled it between her fingers. “There’s more.” She flicked the top on and off. “I-I, well…”

  He covered her hand with his. “It’s okay.”

  She took a deep breath. “As part of the deal, the warrior angels were sent to darkness. You see, they won’t be returning to fight. Even if they were released, I’m not worthy for them to follow me. I betrayed them.”

  The plastic pen snapped. Alexander tugged it from her grasp and squeezed her hand tight.

  After a minute of silence, Gabby snuck a peek at Grace. She sat there, expressionless. “I’m so sorry, Grace.” Only a whisper escaped her lips.

  “I’m not sure it is entirely your fault,” Grace muttered.

  “No, it wasn’t.” Herak’s deep voice startled her and she glanced over her shoulder to see him in the doorway.

  Standing, Alexander moved to the tent flap and scanned the area around them. “Where’s Mitchell?”

  “He’s taking a nap.” Herak’s beard moved up with the curve of his grin.

  Alexander shook his head. “What do you want?”

  “I think it is you who wants something. To return the warrior angels to your side. Well, I believe there is a way. It’s risky, but I think there is a more pressing problem at the moment. Did you know General Beck is meeting with a master demon as we speak?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Alexander listened to the sounds of the night and sniffed the air, searching for the taint of demon. Nothing. And that was strange. He should have at least smelled the orange blossoms that perfumed the air around Kemp.

  Herak smoothed a hand down the front of his ill-fitting fatigues. “Why do you think they routed you so far around the command tent?”

  Bruce sauntered through the opening dressed in fatigues of his own. Unlike Herak, his uniform fit right, and he looked like one of the guards. Sammy and Boon filed in behind him. “Bruce.”

  “Alex.” Bruce nodded then kissed Gabby on the cheek and sat down. He looked between both of them, and Gabby blushed.

  She pulled her long hair over her shoulder and sat next to him. “At the very least I should’ve sensed if a demon was near, shouldn’t I?”

  “Not if you were otherwis
e occupied,” Herak snapped.

  Bruce ran his boot back and forth on the floor and didn’t look up.

  Great, everyone knew she and Alexander had been intimate. It didn’t matter, they’d done nothing wrong. They were married and over two thousand years old on Earth. Besides, now wasn’t the time.

  Bruce adjusted his belt. “Why would the hunters’ general be conspiring with a master demon? That doesn’t make sense.”

  Herak opened his mouth, but Grace waved her hand to interrupt. “We can speculate that he is making a deal to turn over the Chosen One in exchange for Satan calling off the war on Earth.”

  “General Beck would never be stupid enough to agree to that.” Boon leaned against the edge of a desk and wrapped his arms around Sammy, clasping his hands together in front of her. “Who would do such a thing?”

  Alexander froze. Gabby toyed with the ends of her hair, her anguish palpable.

  “Well, actually—”

  “Satan is a powerful being,” Alexander blurted out, “the universe’s most talented liar. Anyone could be sucked into something when they believe all is doomed.”

  Gabby gave a half smile. “It’s okay, Alex.”

  He wanted to spare her from having to tell the story all over again, from reliving the worst mistake of her existence. That was what it was, a mistake. He went to her side and stood behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder.

  “What is it?” Sammy turned in Boon’s arms to face them. “Gabby, you okay?”

  “Yes, well, no. I mean, I did something horrible.”

  “During the last war, there was an angel who manipulated Gabby.” Grace leaned forward with her elbows on her thighs. “When an angel comes to you and suggests a plan that will save all of mankind and everyone you love, it isn’t unreasonable to trust them, right?” No one moved, standing there in complete silence.

  Gabby covered Alexander’s hand on her shoulder. “I made a deal at the end of the last war.”

  Herak threw up his hands. “Yes, we know that.”

  Alexander squeezed her shoulder in encouragement. “Let her finish.”