A deep frown formed on Gabriel’s forehead. “What kind of an attack? Did he say anything else?”
“—a portal He said that they would come through portals.”
“What kind of portals?”
Kara shook her head. “I don’t know. He didn’t say. All I know is, he said that all the homes around the Earth would have a deadly midnight visitor.”
“This is bad.” David ran his fingers through his tousled hair. “Gabe, man—you have to warn the council.”
Gabriel paced around with his face pulled into a tight scowl. He appeared to be mumbling to himself. Kara strained her ears to hear what he was saying, but she couldn’t make it out. He stepped back towards them.
“David,” said Gabriel, “I need you to be my eyes and ears on this, you understand? I can’t afford for you to screw up—you hear me?”
David put on an innocent look and pointed to himself. “Me? Screw up? Never! I’m your man—uh, angel—tell me what you need me to do.”
Gabriel focused on Kara. “I want you to take Kara and get out of here. I need you both to look for these portals.”
“And what are you going to do?” Kara knew what was at stake here. Gabriel believed her. And now he was disobeying the council.
“I’m going to have a word with the council, if they’ll listen to me. I need to try and convince them of the truth.”
“Uriel will believe you,” said David. “I know he still believes in Kara.”
Gabriel raised his head. His eyes searched the red desert. “You need to get out of here now. Get some weapons—fast—and get to the pools. Quickly.”
The three of them raced to the weapon’s tent. David and Kara quickly filled their backpacks with every weapon they could wrap their hands around. Once their bags were full, they followed Gabriel down towards the pools.
Suddenly, the air around then darkened. The red desert lost its brilliance.
“Stop them!”
Kara whirled around.
The archangel Zadkiel appeared in a dark mist. A team of guardian angels stood close behind him. Kara trembled.
“What are you doing, Gabriel? Treason means death amongst the angels.” Zadkiel’s grey robes spilled behind him. “You are going against the council’s wishes and aiding and abetting an enemy.”
“The council is wrong,” growled Gabriel. “I need them to listen to me—to hear the truth.”
“The truth?” laughed Zadkiel. “The truth is that your helping that demon spawn! Have you lost your mind, Gabriel? She is the enemy! She must die!”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Big Z.” David stood in front of Kara and hid her from view. “It’s like Gabe said—there’s been a terrible mistake. Kara’s not the enemy.”
Zadkiel raised his great hand. “Fool! You are a worthless fool, David McGowan. Your eyes betray you. I can see your mortal lust for that demon. You will pay with your life!”
Kara lowered her eyes. Part of her was glad David still cared for her. But she knew the laws. The fact that an archangel knew about how they felt, could only make matters worse.
Gabriel raised his voice. The air cracked around him. Tiny white sparks emanated from his body. “Kara deserves a fair trial, and right now the council is blinded by the fact that she is part demon.”
“She is the demon lord’s progeny!” roared Zadkiel. Large clouds blocked the sun. “A sworn enemy! If you will not take her to the prison—I will.”
Gabriel turned to Kara and David, “Run!”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” David grabbed Kara’s hand and pulled her with him.
“Stop them! Kill them if you must!”
At the word kill Kara’s hopes fell. But her sadness quickly became a surge of rage at the unfairness of it all.
Kara and David ran down the slope towards the pool. Kara looked back. The guardians were right behind them, running like a pack of wild dogs. She began to panic that the pools were too far away. She didn’t think they would make it.
David was faster than their pursuers, and Kara felt herself almost flying behind him.
She heard a swish, and in the next second a dark grey star landed in the sand beside them. To Kara it looked like a fancy ninja star with deadly sharp edges. It exploded in a cloud of smoke
“Faster!” David yanked on Kara’s arm and pulled her with extraordinary speed.
Swish.
Another star flew past them and exploded a few yards away.
The pools came into view. Hundreds of angels milled about, waiting to jump into the waters on their next assignments. David ploughed through them and ran to the front of the line. He pulled Kara before him and pushed her up the ladder.
“Duck!”
A star grazed the top of Kara’s head and punctured the side of the pool.
“Hurry!”
Kara pulled herself up on the ledge of the pool. The water rippled inside the round basin. A hand clasped around hers. David stepped onto the ledge beside her. She chanced one last look towards Gabriel and Zadkiel. The ground trembled, and the sky cracked. The once beautiful red desert was now in shadow. Lightning exploded around the two archangels. She wondered who would be the victor.
“Do you know where we’re going?” asked Kara.
“London.” said David as he and Kara jumped into the glistening waters. She saw a volley of stars pass above them as her head sunk below the surface.
Chapter 16
The Rift
KARA WALKED ALONG VICTORIA STREET with David at her side. He had told her that they were to meet up with Jenny and Peter in front of the Westminster Cathedral. The majestic stone architecture of the great byzantine structure shone in the afternoon sun, towering above the other buildings surrounding it. Its striking beauty and intricate design of red brick and stone left Kara in awe. Flocks of tourists came and went from the great doors, like busy ants.
Kara sat on the stone steps, watching the pigeons coo and pick at bits of crumbs on the ground. Her mind was still fresh with images of Gabriel and Zadkiel fighting. She didn’t want Gabriel to suffer because of her. She decided that she would try to make it up to him when she got back.
“What time is it?” asked Kara.
David pulled the sleeve from his leather jacket. “It’s two o’clock. We’ve got ten hours before midnight.”
Kara let her head fall. “We don’t even know where to look? The portals could be anywhere.”
David threw a small stone down the steps. “Well—we have to figure something fast. Ten hours is not very long.”
“What do you think will happen to Gabriel.”
David shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. He’s an archangel. I doubt they’ll throw him in prison. Let’s just hope he got their attention.”
A young Asian couple climbed the steps beside them, their hands tightly joined in one another’s. Kara stared at their blissful expressions. She watched them until they disappeared behind the great doors. She envied them.
She turned and met David’s gaze. Her mortal body tingled at his nearness. He took her hand and edged closer. He was close enough to kiss. She felt her body leaning in without thinking—
“Hey guys!”
Kara moved back as Peter and Jenny ran up to them.
Jenny grinned as she eyed Kara and David. She raised an eyebrow. “Sorry we’re late. We had to sneak in…out…well, you know what I mean.”
Jenny clapped her hands and jumped on the spot. “Boy, do we have something for you!”
“What do you mean?” Kara swept her bangs out of her eyes, wishing she could disappear under a wall of hair.
“Spit it out, Jenny. We don’t have all day.” David got to his feet.
Jenny twirled on the spot. “Peter, explain it to them.” Her purple hair gleamed in the sun light, and Kara thought she looked like a combat fairy.
“Well…you asked me to look for something out of the ordinary before you left with Gabriel,” said Peter, looking nervous. “I believe I found something
. From the readings I got—it’s big. I mean, real big. A huge portal, right here in London. And it’s still open.”
Kara’s eyes widened. “A portal? A portal to where?”
“An opening to the freaking demon realm, baby.” answered Jenny, and she knocked her heels together, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
Kara looked at David. “Maybe this is what the demon was talking about.”
Jenny cocked her head. “What demon? What are you talking about? Hey, you can’t keep stuff like that from us—we’re your friends—remember?”
Kara placed a strand of her hair behind her ears. “I met a demon when I was at the police station—long story—and he told me that tonight at midnight portals would open all over Earth, and that all the mortals would die.”
“But how?” asked Peter. “That’s like billions of portals opening at the same time? It’s not possible. Earth can’t withstand that kind of energy. It would destroy the entire world. There’s nothing out there with that kind of energy to do this. How is this even possible?”
“I’m not sure. All he said was a visitor would come through these portals…and kill all the mortals.” She looked up at a passing family with toddlers, running happily towards the cathedral. “We can’t let that happen. That’s why we must find these portals and close them somehow. Our only lead is this portal in London.”
David swung his backpack on his shoulder. “Then let’s go, ladies and gents. We have eight and a half hours left before this world crumbles.”
Kara looked at Peter. “I hope you’re wrong.”
Peter gave her a side smile. “I’m never wrong—hey!” Jenny punched him on the arm.
“Don’t be a wise ass. Let’s go.”
The four of them left the Cathedral’s steps and continued on Victoria Street. Tall metal and glass buildings surrounded them on either side and disappeared into the blue sky. Gleaming black taxi cabs rushed through the traffic and honked at pedestrians. Tomato red city buses hurtled down the street. Kara thought they looked like mad bulls.
They passed a newspaper stand.
“Oh my god, Kara! Look, it’s you!” Jenny whispered. She pointed to the newspaper rack. Kara’s photograph was on the front page.
Kara hid behind her hair. She hoped no one would recognize her here. She had always dreamt of having fifteen-minutes-fame, just not like this, and especially not as a mass murderer.
“Let’s keep moving.” David pulled Jenny away from the papers. The owner, an older gentleman with wispy gray hair that moved in the breeze and a belly the size of a beach volley ball, eyed them suspiciously.
“How far do we have to go?” Kara looked behind her. The owner of the shop was still staring at them, his eyes lost in a wave of thick brows.
“It’s about an hour walk,” answered Peter. “The portal’s beneath the eastern side of the Westminster Bridge.”
“Let’s go,” said Kara.
A group of men with hats and uniforms appeared as they made their way to the portal. Kara lowered her head and hoped the London police wouldn’t recognize her. She kept it down most of the way.
The Thames rippled below them, and Kara watched the boats drift away along the river, likes leaves in a stream. The murky waters gleamed in the sun. It occurred to Kara that if she and her friends got into demon trouble, they could easily escape into the river. Her nerves lessened. Thank God for the river, she thought. She wondered why the Rift was located next to water.
A long hour later, they reached the eastern root of the bridge. A great lion carved of white stone stood on a concrete block at the eastern entrance to the bridge. She thought of Asian, the lion in the Chronicles of Narnia. She would have loved to touch the statue, but she knew it wasn’t the time to go sightseeing.
Three sets of concrete steps brought them down to a lower level. The three of them marched down the steps. Kara’s feet touched a small concrete platform. She looked around. The bridge’s belly was enormous. It looked bigger from the bottom, she realized. They found themselves facing a shadow filled tunnel. Small wall scones illuminated the way. They were a lot closer to the water’s edge—an easy escape.
Peter took out a square contraption that looked like a television remote control, except that it had more buttons, and a wire with green electricity flowing through it sprouted from the top. After reading it for a moment Peter looked up. “It’s in there,” he pointed towards the tunnel.
David was the first to move. He sauntered through the entrance of the tunnel. “How far is it?”
Peter followed David, but stopped in front a thick concrete wall. He stood there for a moment “This is it—who wants to go first?”
Kara saw the bricks waver as though the stones were made of water. The Rift covered most of the wall, and it was large enough to let out new breeds.
“I will.” David stood beside Peter.
“So…I just walk through this area?” He motioned with his hands.
“Yes.”
“Wait!” Kara grabbed David and turned him to face her. “You don’t even know where you’ll end up? We need to make a plan.”
“The plan is—I’ll wait for you on the other side, cutie.”
Kara threw up her arms. “This isn’t funny. Be serious for once. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” David turned and faced the wall. “It’s a doorway, right? So it has to lead to the other side.” He grabbed a Soul Blade from inside his jacket pocket. “I’m ready, baby. Let’s do this.”
He stepped forward. The concrete wall shimmered, as though it were made of liquid. He pushed his arm into the wall.
“Ahh!” David jumped back and fell to the ground. Black smoke coiled from his hand and arms, like black snakes. His mortal skin had melted away, revealing the brilliance of his true angel self. His dagger fell from his blistered hands.
Kara wrapped her arms around him. “Oh my god, David! Your arms!” She took off her jacket and wrapped his arms with it.
David frowned. “What is this? Why would a portal melt my skin?”
“Because it’s a portal to the Netherworld.”
Kara heard something and turned to see a white English bulldog watching them with his head cocked to the side.
“Thor! What are you doing here? How did you find us?”
The dog sat on down his behind. His stubby back legs squished flat under a large belly. “I followed your smell—there’s a certain stench to you, you know.”
Kara frowned and smelled herself. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Thor bared his sharp teeth. “But you, my friend, cannot pass into the Netherworld.”
David pushed himself off the floor. “What do you mean, dog?”
“What I mean, is that only demons can pass through their portals. No regular angel can travel to the demon realm. If you try, you will die.”
“Maybe we should just go back and tell Gabriel.” Peter put his device back into his bag. “Hopefully the council will listen.”
“This sucks.” Jenny plopped herself to the ground and began twirling her purple hair between her fingers.
Kara stared at Thor. He was looking up at her, his brown eyes glimmered.
“What do you mean by regular angel?” She had a feeling she knew what the dog meant. But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. If she said it, then it would make it true.
“Glad you asked.” Thor scratched himself with his hind leg. “Regular angels like your friends here would surely die if they tried to pass through the portal. But an angel with demon essence might go through. It might even survive.”
“He’s right.” David walked towards Kara. “You might be the only one who can pass.”
Kara glanced at the Rift, a single spot shimmered where David had been burned. She walked towards the spot and pushed her hand into the portal.
Nothing happened.
Kara pulled her hand back and examined it. There were no burn marks or lesions. Her M suit was int
act. She knew what this meant.
“Told you.” Thor trotted over to Kara. “Now listen, no angel knows what lies on the other side. But we all know it’s full of demons. Be careful, and trust yourself.”
Kara started to feel nervous. She had never imagined that she would have to do this alone. She always thought David would be by her side.
“I know this is what they want. I know it’s a trap. But it doesn’t matter. I won’t let my mother’s soul die—I don’t care what I have to do—I’m going to stop them. I’ll make things right. The council will have to believe me.”
“No!” David grabbed her. “I’m not letting you go alone. This is suicide! This isn’t a plan. You’re not going in there alone!”
Kara looked into David’s eyes and wondered if she was doing so for the last time. “I have to go. I’m the only one who can pass through the portal. You heard Thor—I must do this. I’ll see you when I get back. I promise.”
“No. This is madness!”
“I’m going, David. And you can’t stop me.” She gave him a kind smile. “I’m stronger than any of you. You know what I’m capable of. My elemental power might save the mortals. I have to try.”
“Let her go,” said Thor.
David backed away, but he was clearly distressed to let Kara do it. “I’ll be waiting for you,” he said softly.
“You guys have to warn the Legion,” said Kara. “Tell them what’s happened, and what I’m about to do. I hope their stubborn heads will listen for a change.” She threw her backpack over her shoulder. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Good luck, Kara.” Jenny jumped up hugged her. “Be safe.”
“Be careful…and watch your back,” said Peter. He was more nervous than she was.
“I will.”
“Say hi to your dad for me.” David’s lips curled into a crooked smile.
“Moron.”
Kara readied herself. The portal shimmered expectantly, as though waiting for her to enter.
She stepped through.
Chapter 17
Mr. Cockroach
KARA FELT A SUDDEN PULL. She was sucked into the portal as if it were a vacuum.
Elemental, Soul Guardians Book 2 Page 15