It was due to this unearthly stillness that Michael picked up on the motion approaching from behind them. It wasn’t the flap of wings that met his ears. That meant it was a member of the Fallen. Stripped of their wings after their defeat in heaven, they were left to find alternate means of quick transportation. “Seraphim,” Michael said to the Death Angel that stalked in front of him.
Seraphim stopped her forward progress and looked over her shoulder with an annoyed expression. The disdain disappeared from her face as soon as Michael made a motion from his ear to the sky.
The two stood in silence for a moment before they both could not only hear but also see a figure flying towards them. Whoever it was flew low and steady. After a second of watching, Michael could recognize the lone silhouette. There was no mistaking the woman his to whom his heart had belonged for centuries.
Ardat soon landed by Michael’s side. A flirtatious grin ran across her lips as she ignored Seraphim and focused on her love. “Did you miss me?”
Michael couldn’t help his own grin despite their situation. “Always.”
Seraphim’s words cut through their moment like a sharp blade through paper. “Why have you come, Ardat? What is it that you require? You were supposed to accompany Alan to the Statue.”
Michael witnessed a flash of anger travel across Ardat’s eyes. He braced himself for her response. Instead of wrath, he was surprised to hear Ardat’s level report. “Alan and I have been to the Statue. It has been remade as well as the Temple of Artemis, and I suspect the other Wonders. Raphael made an appearance.”
Michael took in a breath and held it at the mention of his mentor. The Archangel hardly stepped a foot from his home on the coast. Since the Greek wars and after renouncing his allegiance to the Light, Raphael had become a hermit. Michael still remembered the moment, the disbelief that followed in the wake of the Archangel’s action.
“And?” Seraphim pushed.
“And,” Ardat repeated with a raised eyebrow, “Raphael is as much a ray of sunshine as he has been since he stepped down from his title. He’s refused to help us as I anticipated. Alan is safe with him. I could be of no more use there.”
Michael moved to speak his mind but instead was cut off by the tirade of indignation spewing from Seraphim’s mouth. “That was not your order. You were instructed to stay with the Horseman.”
Venom seeped its way into Ardat’s words as she took a step towards Seraphim. “Even if I did report to you, my job was done. You forget, Death Angel, not all of us bow to your title.”
Seraphim’s hand fell to the blade that rested on her hip. Michael took that as his cue to step in between the women before they killed each other and carried out Gabriel’s plan for him. “Peace, both of you. Ardat was right in leaving if she could not be of any further use.” Ardat looked past Michael and gave Seraphim a smirk. “And,” Michael continued, “Seraphim was right in saying Alan should not be left on his own. Gabriel has tried once to seize him, he may try again.”
Seraphim took no joy in Michael’s light chastisement of Ardat. Her hand still clutched her sheathed blade.
“Well, if Seraphim is so worried about Alan, let her go to him and see that he is safe,” Ardat’s lips twitched and Michael new the words to come would not bode well for the stressed situation. “After all, Seraphim must feel some kind of responsibility to the man who allowed her to fly again. The mighty leader of the Death Angels may even have feelings for the Horseman of War.”
Michael readied himself to bring the argument to an end. To his surprise Seraphim only nodded. The Death Angel ignored Ardat completely and addressed Michael in a calm, even tone. “I will go to the Temple and inform them of our progress as well as consult with my Death Angels. Then I will ensure our Horseman is safe. You may stay here with this piece of filth that betrayed your love and spat on your emotions for centuries.”
Without another word, Seraphim’s wings sprouted from her back—one black, the other metal-grey. She hovered in the air for a moment just above Michael and Ardat’s heads, sure to stay low to the ground so that Kyle and Triana would not notice her and then left the same way Ardat had come.
“Well, I think that went well, don’t you?” Ardat asked with a hint of laughter in her voice.
Michael shook his head as a weight dropped from his shoulders. “I was sure I was going to have to tear you two apart. Ardat, please for my sake, would it kill you to be cordial with our comrades. We are all on the same side.”
Ardat walked to Michael and wrapped him in her arms. “I don’t know. It might kill me. Besides we should be happy, we’re almost there.”
Michael turned his body to press against Ardat’s as he draped his arms around her. Whenever they touched, Michael felt whole again. A tingling sensation threatened to send goosebumps to the surface of his skin as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. “What do you mean?”
Ardat opened her eyes after their kiss with a smile. “I mean, if Kyle and Triana stay on this course, we’ll have found Gabriel. The path ends in a few miles at the Black Sea. Unless they grow fins, their destination must be somewhere on the coast.”
Chapter 5
Alan and Raphael approached the terrified girl. Alan had to step over Trubic’s body on his way. The demon’s chest rose and fell in time assuring Alan he was not dead. Alan knew he should care about the demon’s well-being but he didn’t.
The girl quivered as Alan came closer. Alan lifted both hands in the universal sign of surrender. “Hey, you’re okay. No one is going to hurt you now. I promise. We’re here to help.”
The girl trembled and began rocking back and forth in her seated position. “This is just a bad trip,” she mumbled. “I’m going to wake up soon.”
Raphael and Alan looked at one another. Alan was looking to the man for help but all he saw was a blank stare as if Raphael was seeing a ghost. The Archangel’s face drained of all color: he stood motionless.
Alan ignored him for the time being. Understanding the momentary shock Raphael was experiencing would have to wait. The girl needed assistance. If she was a Horseman, it was imperative they get to her first and explain her new reality. Alan dropped to a knee beside her. “Listen, I know this is a lot to take in but let’s start with something simple.” Alan extended his right hand, “My name is Alan Price.”
The girl stared at him with wide eyes. Her pupils were dilated and she smelled like sweat and grime. “Am I dead?”
Alan shook his head stunned she would even ask such a question. Sympathy soon filled him. She didn’t have the option like he did to be weaned into her destiny. If she was in fact a Horseman then she was ripped from the human world and dropped here when Gabriel used the spell. “No,” Alan said shaking his head from any thought but the girl’s well being. “You’re not dead or imagining any of this. It’s a long story in but for now just know that you’re safe.”
The girl looked at him and nodded. Her head wobbled for a moment as if she were fighting the grip of sleep. Her eyes glazed over and she fell to the ground unconscious.
---
Alan made her as comfortable as he could. She was nestled fast asleep in a nest of soft nets in Raphael’s house. The Archangel had not said a word since they rescued the young girl, which would not have seemed that unordinary for him except the way he stole glances at her caused Alan to wonder if Raphael already knew her. As much as Alan wanted to ask Raphael, he first and foremost had to tend to the girl’s well-being.
She was skinnier than Alan realized. Tattoos ran across what seemed half her body. Track marks from needles punctured both sides of her arms and told stories of their own. Alan stood over her wondering how else he could provide comfort when Raphael appeared next to him holding a pillow and blanket. Across his face a look that spoke of deeper sadness than Alan had ever seen.
Alan remained quiet as the Archangel knelt beside the girl. Like a loving father, he lowered the blanket until it covered her body and lifted her head with all the care of som
eone holding their most prized treasure as he maneuvered the pillow beneath her.
A thought came to Alan that he wished he had realized before, “How did you make it to us so quickly? It took us half a day to walk here, yet you made it to the Statue of Zeus’ temple in minutes.”
“I relinquished my supernatural power that distinguished me as an Archangel, but things like speed, strength and even my wings are part of me. I choose not to use them however they are still present,” Raphael said.
“You’re sure she’s a Horseman,” Alan asked.
Raphael stood nodding, “If you dreamed about her, then yes. The only other possibility is she could be a Nephilim but her entrance into your dreams would rule out that possibility.”
Alan decided to push his luck, “And you—do you know her?”
Raphael broke his gaze from the girl for the first time since they found her. He stared at Alan with a blank look. “Why would you ask that?”
Alan shrugged, “I don’t know. The way you watch her. It’s like you’re seeing a ghost or someone you know. You haven’t stopped staring at her since we brought her back to your house.”
Raphael didn’t speak, instead his gaze returned to the girl nestled in the large pile of nets. She looked like a baby bird still too weak to make the initial flight from her perch. “She—she just remains me of someone I once knew. That’s all.”
Alan sensed the finality in his words and decided not to push the subject further. Alan could guess Raphael was referring to someone he had once known and lost. Either during the war or perhaps someone he even killed himself. Instead, Alan changed the subject remembering his own actions during the conflict with the two demons. A wave of shame washed over him as he recounted the events. “Thank you, Raphael.”
“For what?” the Archangel asked.
Alan struggled with the right words, but there was no other way to say it. It sickened him to think he was about to kill both the demons that had claimed the girl for their own. “For stopping me. I would have—I don’t know what came over me.”
“I know.” Raphael said, “War fury. Each Horseman of War before you has dealt with the same thing. It’s a blessing and a curse. It will grant you power in battle unmatched against any other Horseman. However, it takes an iron will to control your lust for violence.”
“Great,” Alan said shaking his head. “On top of everything else going on, I’m my own worst enemy.”
Raphael nodded, “Aren’t we all?”
The girl mumbled something bringing both their attentions back to their visitor. Her eyes blinked open. Once again fear crept over her face claiming its territory over any other emotion. “Where, where am I?” she asked struggling to sit up. “Am—am I in a pile of nets?”
Alan took a kneeling position beside her and tried his best at a soothing smile. “Yes, we rescued you and brought you back here where you are safe. You passed out and we tried to make you comfortable.”
The girl nodded. “I’m not imagining all of this, am I? This is real.”
“Yes,” Alan said. “What’s your name? What’s the last thing you remember?”
“I’m Kassidy, I—” Alan could see how hard Kassidy was trying to bring back the events of her past. “The last thing I remember, I was shooting up at Logan’s house then—then I passed out on this trip. The next thing I was running from some black-eyed freaks and trying to wake up. But—but there’s nothing to wake up from, is there?”
“No,” Alan said trying to keep the regret from his voice. “No, you’re awake. When you’re ready I can start explaining things to you. Do you need anything? Water? Food?”
Kassidy massaged her temples. Half joking she eyed the two men, “Yeah, you wouldn’t happen to have a hit or two I could bum off you, would you?” When she saw their faces she tried to explain. “You know, just something to even me out.”
Raphael remained quiet letting Alan field the question. “No, I’m sorry. We don’t have anything like that.”
Kassidy moaned. “This is going to suck. How about some weed or a cigarette? I’d settle for a cigarette right now.”
“Out of luck again,” Alan said. “We aren’t exactly able to walk to a store either.” Kassidy’s look of confusion was enough for Alan to explain further. “Do you want the long version or the short version?”
Kassidy looked from Alan to Raphael and back again. “Let’s keep it short.”
Alan took in a deep breath, “Every thousand years the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are chosen at random. They are given the choice to bring about the end of the world or not. Angels and demons try and recruit these Horsemen to their sides. As long as one Horseman chooses to side with Light, then the apocalypse is delayed to the next thousand-year cycle. We are part of the sixth cycle.”
Alan was tracking Kassidy’s facial expression as he related the news, which sounded like a madman’s tale in his own ears. When she looked like she was following, Alan continued. “So, those are the basics. Except now we have Gabriel, who is a rogue Archangel on the loose changing how this one thousand year cycle is evolving. He has a spell that allowed him to alter the very fabric of fate. He’s separated the human world and supernatural world so we’re still on earth but all the humans are gone.”
Alan winced. He wished he could have explained their situation better but that was the best he could do with no notice. Silence fell between the group as Alan and Raphael watched Kassidy struggle to accept her new world. “Okayyyyyyyy,” Kassidy said licking her lips. “And what’s his deal?” She asked motioning to Raphael who had remained quiet their entire conversation. “He can’t talk or something?”
Alan looked to Raphael. The Archangel moved his mouth as if he were about to speak. Instead he closed his lips like a steel trap clamping shut and walked out of the room.
“He’s an Archangel who has lost his way but I’m working on trying to get him back. He’s been through a lot.”
Kassidy’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “An Archangel, huh?”
“Yep.”
“And what are you? An angel? I saw your wings.”
“No, I’m just like you, a Horseman,” Alan though back to his own actions and the war fury that took hold of him only hours before. “I’m the Horseman of War.”
“And I’m the Horseman of what?” Kassidy asked searching her memory banks for the possible answer, “Death or Famine or Disease?”
“I wish I knew,” Alan said. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon when your powers manifest. Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat or drink?”
Kassidy rose from her seated position to wobbling feet. Alan stepped forward to assist her but she motioned him away with a calm tone. “I’m fine. I can walk on my own and, no, I don’t need anything.”
Alan took a step back letting his arms fall to his sides.
“Are you sure you don’t have anything?”
“What?”
Kassidy slumped against the house’s wooden wall as she dug through her pockets. “Coming down from this is going to be brutal. I can’t do this cold turkey. You really don’t have anything?”
Alan realized what she was asking. “No, I’m sorry. It’s probably better for you anyway.”
Kassidy shot him a look of disgust. “Yeah, I’m sure you know what’s better for me.”
As Alan moved to apologize Kassidy stalked towards the door. “Wait,” Alan said. “Where are you going?”
Kassidy reached the door and stepped outside. “I’m going for a walk to clear my head. What, am I a prisoner now?”
“No, of course not. It’s just that—it’s not safe outside.”
Kassidy disregarded his words as she continued to walk outside. “Listen, I don’t need another parole officer. If it makes you feel better, I won’t go far.”
Alan wasn’t sure what to say. He wanted to build trust yet at the same time he was worried for her safety. “Okay, stay in eyesight.”
If Kassidy heard him she showed no sign as she walked ac
ross the peninsula of rocks Raphael’s house sat on and towards the beach.
---
Kassidy walked up and down the length of the coast remaining within eyesight. Alan tried not to stare however he knew he couldn’t allow her to fall into danger again. An hour passed before Kassidy chose a spot far down the beach with her back towards Alan. She sat starring out into the ocean.
The sun was making its descent down past the frothing waves. Seagulls spoke to each other in their tongue. The smell of salt rode the soft breeze. Alan could only imagine what was going through Kassidy’s mind. If he was blindsided with the truth like she was, he could only hope he would handle it half as well as Kassidy. If all she asked was for a few hours alone, he could afford her that much.
While Alan was wrestling with his own behavior during the confrontation with the two demons who had been chasing Kassidy, he heard a rush of wind at the door.
Adrenaline and the possibility of another physical confrontation quickened his heart rate. Excitement gripped his stomach as he felt the urge to fight rise within him. The door to Raphael’s home opened without a sound. Alan crouched behind the door and held his breath. If it was another demon, he was ready.
Instead of someone walking into the room, a familiar voice filled the air around him. “I can hear your heartbeat even over the sound of the waves and gulls, Horseman.”
Alan recognized the voice; it was Seraphim. He was surprised at himself as a feeling of disappointment at the lack of a battle fought his happiness at seeing the Death Angel.
Seraphim walked into the room. Her wings were folded on her back, her red hair wild and windblown. Alan thought not for the first time how beautiful she was. Physically strong with a strong character to match, the Death Angel looked at him with a stone gaze.
Alan Price and the Statue of Zeus (The Nephilim Chronicles Book 3) Page 4