“Seraphina.,” Darian’s voice broke the silence. He looked at her with an intense sadness, then turned his gaze to Eva. “Eva.” His voice faltered again. Whatever he needed to say would not be good. “Sara, Eva found your husband’s plane while we were in the bonding ceremony. Parts of it were scattered for a hundred miles from Salt Lake City to Vegas. They think it collided with another mid-flight. There is no way anyone survived.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and the faces of those in the room became blurry. How could he crush her hopes? Why couldn’t he just lie to her and let her live in that dream?
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I think the world is getting ready to steal all of our dreams.”
“You’re listening to my thoughts,” she hissed, realization washing over her.
“That’s why I wanted to see Raphael,” he said gently. “Your mind needs to be your own.”
“Damn right it does!” Tears of anger streamed down her face. And to think she was just amused by his reactions to her. “How dare you not say something sooner?”
“I think that’ll wait,” Mikel said, interrupting Sara’s next argument. “We have some demons to take care of. Adalina, I want two groups of ten in Rio as soon as possible. If they are more than you can handle, do not engage them. This needs to be an information-gathering mission, not just a demon hunt.”
“I’ll go,” Eva offered. “I’d really like Stephen to go too. He’s exceptional at recon, and he doesn’t allow his emotions to dictate his actions.”
“I agree,” Darian said. “But if we’re only engaging a single group, I think we should take at least six scouts to complement the warriors.”
“Good idea,” Adalina concurred. “I’ll collect the boys, and we’ll be ready to leave in ten minutes.”
Sara watched everyone stand and turn to leave. Fear paralyzed her, instantly replacing her anger. She suddenly realized the people around her were putting their lives in danger to fight against those monsters. The reality of it punched her in the gut, making it impossible to breathe. They were the only thing she had left. She knew it was pathetic. They’d only been in her life for a day, and unwillingly at that, but it was all she had. Darian knelt next to her chair, but she couldn’t look at him.
“Look at me,” he said, his voice low and soft.
She slowly turned her head until she met his eyes.
“This is not our first battle, and it won’t be our last.”
“Promise you’ll come back,” she whispered
She saw him hesitate and look at Eva. He wouldn’t make that promise? How dare he!
“I can’t lose anyone else today.” Her voice cracked and she barely held back her tears.
“I know.”
He stood and walked out with the others. She’d somehow convinced herself they lived in this bubble, safe from harm. When did she become so stupid? They tried to tell her they were the only thing standing between humanity and this threat. Now, they literally were. She stared at the open doorway for several minutes before Mikel placed his long fingers on her shoulder.
“Come on. We have work to do.”
Chapter 17
Seraphina
Sara allowed Mikel to pull her from the chair and lead her out of the tower, Raphael following close behind them. They arrived at Magdelin’s small hospital a few minutes later, and she felt herself being handed off to the healer and guided to a nearby cot. They talked. Maybe it was to her or about her, she didn’t know.
“I think she’s in shock,” Mikel said.
“I can’t imagine why,” Magdelin scolded. “She lost everyone who mattered to her, was exposed to one the worst evils possible, and then dragged here by a complete stranger.”
“But we had no choice!” Mikel argued. “Should Darian have left her there to die?”
“Of course, not you bloody idiot! But she should have had more time to adjust. Time to grieve for her family.” The healer took a deep breath. “We forced life, death, and destiny onto her all at once. Leave, both of you. I’ll come get you when she’s ready.”
“We don’t have time,” Mikel began.
“You better make time, or Darian will do this without her,” she hissed. “Now, get out.”
Sara listened to both men’s heavy footsteps move across the floor followed by the closing door. Magdelin guided her legs onto the cot and helped her lay down. A heavy quilt fell across her chest, and she stared at the ceiling.
“What can I do to help you?” Magdelin asked.
Sara’s head tilted to the side to find the healer’s kind eyes, and she took a deep breath. The people here were her friends, her family now. If there was anyone she could trust with her feelings, surely it would be the gentle Magdelin. Kindness and compassion radiated from the woman.
“I don’t know who I’m supposed to be,” Sara said. “Everyone keeps saying we’re supposed to save humanity, but I didn’t even know we were in trouble until yesterday.” She twisted the thick blanket around her hand, then untwisted it. The motion was soothing. Twist, untwist. “Is my family really gone?”
“Yes, I believe they are,” Magdelin replied gently. “Eva searched for hours. When she found the beginnings of the wreckage, she came back here and took five more scouts to the plane.”
“And she brought Julie here to me,” Sara finished, twisting and untwisting the blanket. Somehow, Eva knew she would need closure on something, and Sara hadn’t even thanked her for it. “How long have you been here, Magdelin?”
“A very long time. I haven’t always stayed here in Santuario, but I’ve been part of the Council since the beginning.”
A very long time, thought Sara. Of course, that made sense, but how long had the Council been fighting the demons? Would it ever get easier?
“How many times have you fought against these things?” Sara looked at the ceiling again, noticing the dark, wooden beams crossing at regular intervals. They weren’t painted white like the walls. If only her life had transitioned as cleanly between light and dark. Maybe she wouldn’t be on the brink of a nervous breakdown.
“I don’t really know,” Magdelin replied. “We’ve had several periods of peace, but our fight is always impending, there on the edge of our vision, waiting to ambush us when we least expect it.”
“Like now,” Sara said. “Can you defeat these things, or are you destined to fight them forever?”
She heard Magdelin’s chair groan as it scraped the floor. Sara turned towards the healer as she leaned back against the chair and rubbed her face.
“I’m beginning to think it’s forever,” Magdelin replied.
The two women sat in silence for several minutes, but Sara’s mind never stopped analyzing her situation. She didn’t really have any choices. She could go back to her farmhouse, but she wasn’t equipped to fight against those demons. She might have a chance if she joined the group at Smoky’s, but how long would they last trapped in his cellar? Or could she accept her destiny with this new group of people? Was she even in a position to back out? She’d already let them do that bonding thing. Why had she done it so willingly? At any other time, she would’ve taken days, maybe weeks, to analyze the pros and cons. Did her grief push aside all her normal instincts? Or did her mind already know where she was supposed to be? No, that couldn’t be the answer.
Magdelin stood, drawing Sara’s attention. “I know they’ve already told you too many times, but we can’t do this without your bond with Darian.” She took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes right now. I’m not sure I would choose this fight over an easy death.”
Magdelin’s words didn’t help. This beautifully kind woman suggested death might be better. But running from a problem never solved anything.
“I’m making a pot of tea. Would you like some?” Magdelin asked.
“Yes, but let me help you.”
Sara threw the quilt back and put her feet on the floor. Magdelin was already halfway across the room, and Sara appreciated that the woma
n didn’t coddle her. She needed the compassion and understanding she could only get from another woman, but she also needed to be reminded she was strong enough to get through this. Sara had to get through it, or she might as well forfeit her life now. There was no point in starting a fight she didn’t intend to finish. She thought of Darian’s memories, knowing they were only a drop in the bucket of pain he carried. It was a bucket they all carried. Magdelin’s retreating form, drooped with sadness and resignation, sealed Sara’s decision. She wouldn’t run away, not today.
An hour later, Mikel and Raphael tentatively poked their heads into the room.
“I didn’t call for you,” Magdelin said, not looking at either of them.
“We can come back later,” Raphael offered, backing out into the courtyard.
“Raphael,” Mikel hissed. “Clearly Seraphina is feeling better.”
He pointed at Sara as she took a sip of hot tea and smiled at the interaction.
“Will I ever be able to convince you to call me Sara?” she asked.
Mikel pushed Raphael into the room and closed the door. “Not likely,” he said. “But I’ll try my best. I’m too old to change my ways.”
Sara looked at him. He looked no older than any of the rest of them, maybe thirty at most, but she knew from her recent conversation with Magdelin that he was much older.
“Fair enough,” she said.
“Are you okay?” Mikel asked.
“No, but I’m better than I was.”
“Can we start preparations? Then some testing of your skills?” His voice was still tentative like he was worried she would have another meltdown.
“Yes.” Sara took another sip of her tea and glanced at Magdelin before continuing. “I realize my choices are limited and that my best option for survival is here.”
Mikel’s relief was visible, and Raphael smiled.
“I was thinking she would need the standard runic protections, at least to begin with until we establish what her abilities are.” Raphael rubbed his hands together and went to a nearby cabinet, retrieving a metal box, bandages, and peroxide.
Sara swallowed hard. What exactly did he have planned for her that would involve first aid supplies?
“We should assume she can play with fire,” Magdelin said, rising from her chair and opening several drawers in the cabinet next to Raphael. She collected a handful of towels and brought them back to the table.
Sara’s suspicions grew, and a heavy feeling settled in her stomach.
“Why is that?” Raphael asked.
“Darian’s fire danced across her fingers during the bonding ceremony,” she explained, then turned to Sara. “I assume you were kidding when you told him it hurt.”
Sara blushed. “Do you think he believed me?”
“You two amaze me. Why would you want him to think he hurt you?” Magdelin asked as she helped Raphael lay out a tattoo gun and several needles. Sara’s thoughts drifted to Darian’s tattoos. She must be getting ready to gain a few herself.
“I asked myself that same question. Well, a similar question about why I felt the need to irritate him,” Sara replied. She shrugged. “I think it’s because of the response I get. Have you seen how expressive his face is? He doesn’t even have to say a word because his eyes give it away, or the way his lips move or when his jaw clenches. It’s hilarious!”
Mikel shook his head and chuckled, while Raphael burst out laughing.
“This is not good,” Raphael said. “Now I’m going to be watching him when you two interact just to see his reaction. I always thought he hid his emotions well. I’ve never been able to read him.”
“The only thing you need to do is give this woman a few tattoos so Mikel can start her training,” Magdelin snapped.
“Yes, ma’am,” Raphael replied with a wink.
Chapter 18
Mikel
Mikel didn’t stick around to watch Raphael. Instead, he went to the arena and selected several weapons. He had to assume she had no skills with any type of sword. Her previous career as a federal officer provided her with some shooting skills, but that wouldn’t help her wield the sword of light he was certain she would summon.
He sat on one of the benches and rested his elbows on his knees. “How did we not see this coming?” he muttered to himself. He shook his head, knowing the answer would not come.
When he saw Raphael and Seraphina walking across the courtyard, he rose and met them at the entrance.
“How did she do?” Mikel asked. “Did we have any fire incidents?”
“Nope, the focusing rune activated without difficulty,” Raphael explained. “But the rune to protect her from Zar’Asur’s control didn’t want to stick.”
“That’s interesting,” Mikel said. “Do you know why?”
“I suspect she has her own natural shield, and it was repelling the rune. So, I changed it a little, making it an amplifier, rather than a protection.”
Mikel looked at Seraphina and nearly laughed. Her eyes glazed over, and it was obvious her mind was somewhere else. He thought for certain she’d broken earlier, but he shouldn’t have doubted God’s choice. He wouldn’t give them someone who couldn’t withstand the pressure.
“She didn’t get any of that, did she?” Mikel asked Raphael.
He grinned. “Nope. I tried to explain, but she said she didn’t care as long as it worked.”
“I can hear you, you know,” Seraphina said suddenly, her eyes focused again. “So, what’s next?”
“Let’s repeat the same thing we did yesterday with the sword,” Mikel suggested. “Watch my hands, and tell me what you see.”
He held out his hand, watching the tendrils of light twist around his wrist and race up his arm. He stopped when he heard Seraphina gasp.
“What did you see?” he asked.
“It’s hard to explain,” she said, biting her lower lip. “It was like bright, white snakes racing up your arm, but they didn’t have heads or fangs or anything.” She looked up at him, and he tried not to laugh. “Okay, not the best description,” she added.
“No, maybe not the best,” Mikel said, smiling. “But it was fairly accurate. The light starts in my palm, wraps around my hand, then snakes its way up my arm. When it obtains enough power, it surges back to my hand and forms the sword.” The sword in question burst from his hand, and he enjoyed her reaction. Magic was marvelous, and his sword was a perfect demonstration.
“That’s amazing,” Sara said, still staring at his hand. “And you think I can do this?”
“I think you can do more. Show me your hands.”
He dismissed his weapon, and she held her hands out to him. He turned them over, revealing the rough callouses along her palms. He suspected they’d been there even before she started working on the farm. Her time in federal service made her hard. He turned her hands over again, then looked at her.
“Do you see the glow around your hands? Not just one hand, but both.”
He watched her stare intently while she flexed her fingers.
“Sort of, but not like yours,” she finally replied.
“You know, Darian discovered his when he was forced to use it,” Raphael interjected. “I believe yours was the same, Mikel. Juana’s took almost a year to show itself.”
“You might be right,” Mikel conceded. “I guess we start with the basics, then.”
He dropped her hands and retrieved the wooden training sword from the nearby bench, handing it to Seraphina.
“Have you ever held a sword?”
“Yep, just now.” She grinned, and he couldn’t help but smile. A couple of hours ago, he was certain she couldn’t do it. He sent a silent prayer to the one who started it all, thanking Him for her strength. She would get through it, weathering the storm along the way.
“Okay, are you familiar with any type of weapon at all?” he asked.
“I’m pretty good with a twenty gauge and a crossbow, and I’m decent with handguns,” she replied. “I won the knife throw
ing contest at the state fair three years in a row.”
Mikel already knew about her firearms training. He hoped she’d developed others.
“And rifles?” Raphael asked.
“Oh, definitely!” she replied enthusiastically. “I’m not fond of semi-automatics, though. My finger likes the trigger too much.”
Raphael grinned. “Stephen is going to love you.”
“It’s good to know you are not helpless, but hand-to-hand combat skills will be required,” Mikel said, trying to redirect the conversation. He tapped his chin, suspecting he would have to force her to protect herself in order to activate her ability. The idea of scaring her so soon after everything she endured did not sit well with him. And as much as he wanted to rush her, he didn’t want to break her. He was certain she nearly reached that point earlier. “Have you taken any self-defense classes?”
“Yes, several,” she replied, then looked directly at him. “I understand what you’re trying to avoid, Mikel. I’ll be okay. I know I fell apart earlier, but I’ve accepted why I’m here. I won’t learn what I need to if you treat me like I’ll break. Fifteen years with the FBI and other federal agencies taught me that sometimes life sucks. They also taught me to defend myself.”
“Alright,” he conceded. “It would be better for Adalina to do this. She’s a much better instructor and motivator. The only thing I know is the sword, so we’ll start with that.”
She raised her wooden sword in front of her face, and he shook his head. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
“We’ll go over the basic forms first, then you can focus on a defensive strategy,” Mikel suggested. “Mimic my footing.”
He showed her how to place her feet, center her body, and stay balanced. Then, he demonstrated several basic defensive postures and blocks. She picked it up quickly and seemed eager to learn. Of course she did. In all the time the Council watched her, she never sat back and let someone else fight for her.
Sentinel's Rise: Book 1 - The Watcher and the Sentinel Series Page 12