by Lynn Rush
Beka’s harp-like laughter ricocheted off the trees surrounding us. “I’ll never tire of hearing that word from your lips, husband.”
“Good.”
Beka stutter-stepped. “Wait. Let me see something.” She bent over. Just as she did, a knife splintered the tree where her head had been.
“Beka.” I turned. Two Elite Guards barreled toward us. “Up.”
She grasped a handful of the dead leaves and let her wings unfold. Mine fired out of my back with a burst, and knocked me forward. I jumped. Beka lunged, but didn’t gain altitude.
“Beka.”
A dagger fastened her wing to the tree. She leaned over and plucked the blade tacking her radiant feathers to the trunk. Another one sunk into her shoulder.
“David, catch.” She threw the contents of her hand in my direction.
A shiny object surged toward me while leaves and clutter flittered down. A subtle black glow encased the weapon rushing my direction. I darted to it, but something collided with it with a clank, and both fell to the forest floor.
“No,” Beka yelled. “David, get it.” She reached for the dagger in her shoulder.
The demons had come with many weapons. Hovering fifteen feet above ground, I did a full circle. They’d crept up on us from behind. Only two?
Beka grunted. Her wing was free. Blood starkly contrasted her snow-white feathers. She hurled the weapon in the direction of one of the demons, but he ducked and it drove into the trunk of another tree.
She jumped, but faltered, her right wing doing most of the work. I darted toward the two demons, nails extended. They would pay for hurting my wife.
I hurled the dagger I’d extracted from my stomach, and it speared his chest. He reached to his forearm holster, which held many weapons, and pulled two out. He launched one after another. I jutted left, then right, dodging both, and rammed into him.
I clapped hands on his ears and rushed upward. I cranked his head and slid a talon across his throat. I banked toward the other one still pursuing my wife.
She moved to where the daggers had fallen and stumbled. Her legs bent, and she launched into a summersault. She flopped over and crawled on the ground, her hands sifting through the forest debris.
Mere feet separated her from the demon. Too close for her to dodge any weapon thrown at her quickly. Sure, she would heal, but I didn’t want her bleeding more than she already was.
I folded my wings close to my back and dove at the demon. A quick glance around me showed no others approached. Strange to have only two forge an attack. Maybe they were scouts or survivors of yesterday’s battle.
But if some remained, they would have seen where we had gone. My heart cramped at the thought. What if demons found Jessica and Russell?
“Beka.” The demon wound his arm back, ready to throw the dagger. She dove behind a rock and crouched. The blade clanked off the rock.
I sunk my nails into the back of the demon and lifted him off the ground. “Are there more of you coming?”
“Traitor.” He reached back and raked his wicked claws across my forearms. “Master will kill you and your white-winged Angel.”
“Who cursed the dagger?”
He snarled.
I approached a hundred year old oak tree and slammed the body into the trunk, sending bark raining onto the cluttered ground. I soared up and flipped my feet over my head and landed next to the demon.
He stood and grabbed my neck. His asphalt eyes bulged, and his fangs descended. “I can kill you now, traitor.”
“You can try.” I flashed my hand. His eyes widened. I stuck my forefinger in his jugular and tar-black blood spurted. He flinched but kept his hold. I would buy my sweet wife time to locate the dagger. “Who cursed the dagger?”
“I’ll never tell. I hope your girl dies a slow, agonizing death from the darkness consuming her organs.” Rancid, sulfur-tainted breath spewed from his mouth.
Rage jolted through my body. I swiped my nails across his jaw. Must have been deep enough, because he released his grip.
“Got it.” Beka’s voice rang out.
The demon looked to his left. I, however, did not. I yanked him close, my nose nearly touching his. “It is Master who will die.”
CHAPTER 41
We broke through the trees and dove off the cliff. I’d never experienced anything so liberating as a free-fall. The cliff rocks blurred into hues of copper and tan as I plummeted to the ground.
We got the dagger. Jessica would soon identify the one who cursed it. We would save her. Had to.
Streams of heated wind whipped through my hair. Finally, I eased out my wings. They caught my weight with a tug across my ab muscles.
“What are you doing?” Beka smiled, hovering near me.
“Tell me you didn’t do that once or twice after you got your wings.” My chest heaved as I gulped air. Such a rush.
Beka’s cheeks flushed. “I’ve had my wings thirty-five years and still do it.”
“Besides making love to you, jumping off a cliff is the biggest rush I’ve known.”
She toyed her wing against mine. “Boy, you know all the right things to say, don’t you?”
I darted in front of her and pointed down. “There we are.”
She tucked her wings in and dropped. Hair flapped behind her like a blond cape. She flipped her body and faced me as I torpedoed toward her. She brought the cursed dagger to her chest and winked, then rolled over and dove.
The ground rushed us. My nerves fired into overdrive. My skin prickled. Beka opened her wings and darted up. I followed, and we flew next to one another.
“Amazing,” she whispered.
I glanced to the riverbed, where the campfire burned but didn’t see anyone. “Where is Jessica?”
Beka slowed her wing cadence and glided. I scanned the area and saw no sign of her or Russell. No evidence of a struggle either.
I closed my eyes and zeroed in on Jessica, asking myself where she was. I didn’t sense much other than a weak blip to the north. Beka nodded to her right, and we veered together.
“I do not sense her pain,” I said.
“Me neither. But I don’t feel her very intensely like I normally do.”
“She must be fading.”
I caught the tremor in Beka’s lips. “We’ll find her, figure out who cursed the blade and go rip their throats out. Okay?”
Her body trembled.
“What?”
“You were just a demon, weren’t you?” She smiled. “I forget that.”
“Sorry?”
“Rip their throats out?”
I grinned. “Four hundred years. . . hard to wash away in just a couple of days.”
She grinned. “Let’s go find our charge, then go rip some throats out.”
“Not quite as vicious coming from your sweet lips, though.”
“Good, because to say it makes my mouth taste like ash.”
So pure. I do not deserve her.
We veered around the bend, a quarter mile from the campsite and hit the ground lightly beside the water.
“Nice landing,” Beka said.
“Finally.”
She chuckled and crept toward a cave. “Russell?”
A glimmer of silver sliced the darkened entrance. I snatched Beka’s arm. “Hello?”
Russell’s image formed as he emerged from the entrance, sword drawn.
Beka ran forward. “Russell. What’s wrong?”
“It seems some demons may have fallen off the ledge as I did, because three came up on us.”
“Jessica?” I asked.
“She’s in there, but she’s not looking well, David.”
Beka flashed the dagger. “We found it. Is she awake?”
“No.” He stepped toward me. “David, let’s go get some wood. We need to warm the cave.”
“I’ll stay with her, cover her with my wings. They are warm.”
“Good idea.” I offered her my open hand.
She slid her fingers
into my grip and smiled. I followed Russell toward a patch of trees before us. The stream flowed nearby but was out of sight.
“Why do we seek out wood? It is warm.”
“She’s cold. It’s the poison. When night draws near, she’ll be even more chilled.” He bent over and grabbed a handful of twigs.
“She must survive . . . .”
“What will you do if she can’t see who cursed the dagger?” Russell asked.
“Original plan, I guess.” I commanded my wings inside me. Not quite used to skin ripping in such a manner yet.
“Suicide.” He clutched a bundle of branches to his chest and kicked at a trio of stones.
“It was your idea, remember? What alternative would you suggest? Let Jessica die?”
Russell stopped. “I suggest you send me, instead. We can’t lose our leaders.”
“Alone, you could do nothing.”
“You and Beka could fly to a phone and call for reinforcements. They’re in Utah. They’d be here within hours via airplane. In the meantime, I would go ahead.”
“Go where? You think they are still in the building in California where they kept me?”
“Yes. No time to leave yet. Plus, I believe this has been the plan for them all along. If you converted to the Light, they would come and get you and Jessica. That old master of yours has probably wanted you dead for centuries. Just could never do it with the contract hanging over his head.”
“But now my contract is gone, of course he wants me dead. And why not lure me to him with the being who converted me.”
“David.” Russell grabbed my shoulder. “You know it’s not her who converted you, don’t you?”
“I do not understand.”
“You made a choice when you didn’t kill her. When you refused to turn her over to your former master. That’s where your conversion started. That’s when you stepped into the prophecy.” He released his grip on me.
I snatched some twigs. He had a point, yet it was still difficult to believe.
“You doubt that, but it’s true. Search your heart, David. You may have been part demon for all those years, forced to kill all those people, including your wife’s family, but it was never you. You never wanted that.” He toed a rock embedded in the sand. “Anyone else, a bit weaker than you, would have given up. Would have given into the temptation and converted. You gutted it out for centuries.”
“Thank you, Russell.”
“I say all that for two reasons, King.”
I sent a glare at him, then resumed snapping brittle twigs from a dying bush for kindling.
“One, you are an inspiration to all Guardians. Look what you endured. It gives us all hope. And two, you deserve to live with and love your mate for a long, long time for all that you’ve endured. Let us other Guardians handle this.”
“Jessica needs action now. Other Guardians will not be to you in time. You, yourself, said she fades quickly.” I shook my head. “No. Once she wakes and identifies who cursed the blade, we go after them.”
“At least let Beka stop by a phone, since our cell phones have been destroyed, and call headquarters so they can send help anyway.”
“Of course.”
With my arms full of kindling, I turned toward the camp. Russell hurried after me.
“Where do you think this demon or witch is?” he asked.
“If it’s not one of Locien’s, then I have no idea. I just hope Jessica can tell us something helpful. Our time runs short.” The cave came into view. “I fear the demons we found near the remains of the cabin, have relayed our location. But with only three after you, I can’t imagine it was because they know where we are. I’m sure what you said was true, that they fell over the ledge and stumbled across you.”
“Let’s hope. Because when you guys leave, we’re sitting ducks here.”
I stopped. “You are right. We should fly you out of here and get you to a secure place. Can you bless another location, like a hotel room?”
“Sure. I can bless the cave as well.”
“But your Guardian friends will have difficulty getting to you. I can carry you out of here and Beka can carry Jessica.”
“Our Guardian friends. And you’re, my k— yes, right. We should do that.”
Panic seized my gut, cramping it into boulder-sized knots. The kindling scattered to the ground, and I darted into the dark cave. Beka lay sleeping beside Jessica. But Jessica’s eyes were wide, her hand resting on the weapon lying between Beka and her.
“Jessica?” I whispered.
Beka jerked awake.
“What is it, honey?” Beka petted the girl’s wild hair.
Her face glistened with sweat, and her chest heaved with each labored breath. Beka retracted her wing, and Jessica pushed herself up, gripping the dagger to her chest.
“You see who cursed it,” I said. “Tell us. We will go kill them to save you.”
She moved her head from side-to-side.
“Please. That’s the only way we can save you,” Beka said.
Jessica fixed her stare on me. “I’m not worth the risk you will face.”
“Yes, you are.” I fell to my knees beside her. “You will help many people as you helped me. I will not allow you to sacrifice that. What is it you see?”
Her gaze danced between me and Beka. Her eyes narrowed and dropped to her fingers. In that instant, I knew she’d seen Locien. Of course he would curse it himself. He knew I would challenge him. It would be his chance to kill me.
I leapt to my feet.
“What, David?” Beka stood.
My hand navigated to my throat. “Looks like we are charging the compound after all.”
CHAPTER 42
Beka’s hand tugged at mine as I stormed to the stream. “David.”
My heart cracked at my ribs. I’d finally rid myself of the collar yet Locien still cinched a leash by harming Jessica. He lost me, so he went after her.
I peeled my hand from Beka’s grip. It wasn’t her I was mad at, but I was angry. Rage bubbled within my heart. Reminded me of the demon swirling.
My wings blasted out of my back, and I rocketed into the air. The sun hung high above me, and I aimed right for the light. The brightness seared my eyes, but I stared until I could no longer bear the pain.
I slammed my eyelids shut and neon dots spotted the darkness. My blood pulsed, strumming my inner ear like a drum. I slammed my hand against my thigh.
I knew having to face the demon who raised me was a likely possibility, but the look in Jessica’s eyes when she told me, not to mention her hesitation to, made it worse. Like she worried for me. Her fear confirmed the sense of dread I wouldn’t survive this encounter.
Locien was too strong for me to kill. He hid behind a vast wall of elite guards I would never penetrate.
“David.” Beka’s soothing voice serenaded my ears. “Not so high.”
I opened my eyes and slowed my ascent.
“You’ll show up on radars soon.” She grabbed my toes, then my pockets, guiding herself up my body. Her wings flapped in time with mine until she reached my chest. Her feathersmot retracted, and she clung to me.
“He planned this,” I said.
“I’m sure. Locien lost you, now he wants you dead, along with Jessica. The one responsible for your Angel status.”
My heart sunk. I am no angel.
Beka’s soft fingers traced my jaw, urging me to face her. “Come on. Free fall with me so we’re not so high.” Her wide eyes pleaded, the skin around them crinkling.
I dipped my head. She touched a kiss to my chin and pushed away, her intense gaze fixed on me.
Her face got smaller and smaller as she dropped. Locien’s building was to the west. I should go there now. On my own. They’d see me coming alone. Locien would meet me. As much as I hated him, I knew his sick mind. He would want to kill me himself. Would need the pleasure of staring into my eyes as his cold blade or black nails detached my head.
He’d done it countless times wh
en I was under contract, but only sparks resulted. His loud, frustrated howl echoed in my brain.
He was ancient and strong, rich with magic. Tough to kill. Maybe I was created for that reason. Part Light, part dark, but stronger than both.
A gust of wind stirred my feathers. I snuck a peek at Beka. If I left, she would follow, but my speed exceeded hers. She couldn’t catch me, but she would give chase, nonetheless. I couldn’t allow that. Harm would come to her if she did.
I brought my wings to my body and fell. My stomach plunged from the sudden altitude change.
Beka and I should go together. I might have a chance if we fight as a team.
Locien could not survive my nails. But he would have many Elites surrounding him. I could feign offering myself back into his servitude.
A bluff would never work. He’d see through it.
The wind from the free fall howled in my ears, jerking me back to the moment. Beka’s blanched wings expanded, and I approached her like a rocket. I spread my wings, stopping three feet above her.
“I’m glad you didn’t go, David. I didn’t want to chase you down.”
“You knew?”
“Our connection is deep, Mate.” She pressed her palm over her heart. “Your struggles are my own.”
I fluttered to a dead tree with thick branches below us. It supported my full weight without cracking. Beka joined me, standing only inches from me.
“You are no longer alone, David. We will fight him together. We are strong.”
“He is stronger. We cannot beat him.”
“Alone, no.” She pawed at my mark. “Together, yes.”
“He is Lucifer’s right hand man. You cannot saunter up and kill him. Even an Elite Guard demon is no match for him.” I shook my head. “I cannot get to him.”
“You must. Or Jessica dies.”
My body tensed at the thought.
“He has many who could have cursed that dagger, does he not?” she asked.
“Yes. Many dabble in the dark magiks. He surrounds himself with mystics yet knows more than most.”
“He wants you to come to him. That’s the only explanation as to why he, himself, cursed the dagger. You’re meant to fight him. Defeat him.”
“He knew I would go after whoever did it to save Jessica, you’re right. Jealousy, rage and the inability to kill me has driven him mad.” I clasped my hand to Beka’s. “But it has also strengthened his resolve, making him more dangerous and vicious.”