Guardian Of Fate (Fate Series)

by Kentowski, L. J.

  "Yeah... okay," I told him, turning around.

  I was jerked backward into his chest by my upper arm. His mouth was in my hair, near my ear. "I mean it, Cassandra. I will not lose you."

  "I got it, Hunter! Now let's go before it's too late to do anything for her."

  He released my arm and we both walked across the street, dread filling my body with every step I took towards the restaurant. Could this be the last mile for me? Was I walking towards my death sentence? I had no idea what lay in store for us behind those doors, but I knew that I would do just about anything to save Nora.

  ***

  We reached the restaurant without another word said. I was too wrapped up in trying to picture how this would all play out and Hunter was...Well, I'm not quite sure what Hunter really thought about at any point in time. I reached for the handle of the door and his hand clamped down over mine, preventing me from opening it.

  "I go in first. You stay behind me." I didn't argue with him because I knew I couldn't win, and I must admit, I was secretly relieved. My bravado lessened as we walked over, to the point that fear had pretty much won out by the time we reached the diner. Fear of what may have already happened to Nora, and selfishly, what would become of me.

  After nodding my agreement, he let up on my hand and I removed it from the door. Standing behind him now, I held my breath as he opened it slowly. I followed him into the dimly lit room and was unable to see much of anything besides booths set against the walls on either side of me. Hunter blocked my view of what was beyond.

  "Ahhh, Hunter!" I heard Caleb say happily. "So nice to see you again. I knew you'd come. It was so good of Anael to help set you free so you could join my little soiree."

  There was a pause and I tried to step to the side and see what was going on, but Hunter anticipated my move and pushed me back behind him before I even got a peek. He knew about Anael? Oh my God! My body quaked with fear for what might have been done to her.

  "Surprised that I knew she was your liberator? Don't be. I've watched you for quite some time now and I've seen... everything." Bile rose up in my throat at the thought of him watching Hunter and me together. My heart dropped as his face peered around Hunter from across the bar, locking his gaze on me.

  "Hello, Cassie," he said seductively with a small wave. The courtesy cooled my skin, making me want to cozy up closer to Hunter. "Oh, now, don't worry your pretty little head about your great, great, great... well, whatever. You don't have to worry about Anael because your secret is safe with me. Well, I guess I can't really say that, since her fate really depends on you."

  I quickly stepped back and to the side of Hunter before he could stop me again. Caleb was in clear view now, sitting on a diner stool in front of a long laminate countertop. There were several empty stools lined up along the counter, but I gasped as I saw Nora seated on the one next to Caleb. She didn't look injured in any way. There were no ropes, tape, or anything else holding her in place, but the look of terror on her face told me they weren't needed. Caleb must have been holding something over her to keep her there.

  Caleb noticed the direction of my eyes and looked over at Nora. "Oh, right. Then there's her," he waved in her direction as if she were a pesky fly to be swatted. "See, I like to give myself a lot of leverage. You can never be too detailed in the ways to achieve your goals."

  "I'm so sorry, Cassie! I never meant—"

  "Shut up!" Caleb stood and grabbed her up by her throat. I screamed and Hunter took a step towards them, but slowed when Caleb looked back at him, his eyes glowing.

  "Don't even think about it, Hunter, or I'll snap her neck before you even get halfway over here," he warned with a deadly calm.

  I pulled at Hunter's arm and pleaded, "Hunter, don't, please."

  "Let her go, Caleb. You can take me to Nergal. You'd be promoted to second in command for bringing me back. I'll go willingly, no fight. Just let the girls go."

  Caleb set Nora back on the stool, none too gently, and laughed. "You're kidding, right? I don't give a shit about you, Hunter. You're his enemy now, so where do you think that leaves me? I'm already there, brother! I already took your place!"

  "There's no way I'm letting you do this, Caleb," Hunter told him with steeled determination in his voice.

  "Well, now, the way I see it, you're not really going to have a choice." He turned his attention to me. "Now, you, Cassie have a choice. It's really pretty simple. All you have to do is take Nora's place here," he used his hands to indicate where Nora sat, like he was presenting a display. "Drink this little concoction I've made, and I let her go." I hadn't noticed until now that there was a wine glass sitting on the counter in front of Nora. Remembering what Hunter told me about turning Guardians into Seekers, I had a feeling the red liquid inside the wine glass was Caleb's blood.

  Caleb continued with his theatrics, "And if you act now, I'll even throw in my complete discretion over the fact that dear old grandma, or whatever she is, let loverboy here go. That's it! Easy peasy, right? What'dya say, Cassie? Do we have a deal?"

  I stood, motionless, except for my trembling hands and my rapid heartbeat. This was it. This was my fate. I was to sacrifice my soul for them. Eight years ago, I was getting over the fact that I had a role to play in saving people's souls, and having to sacrifice living my life as an ordinary woman to do my duties as a Guardian. I accepted it and made it a part of my life. Never could I have imagined that I would be so detrimental to the fate of others that I would have to sacrifice my own soul.

  I was terrified of what I was about to become, but I didn't want those I loved to suffer anymore. It was me they were really after; my mom, Nora, Anael – they were just casualties in this war. The words of Anael prevented me from running over and chugging down Caleb's blood. What if, by giving over my soul, they ended up being casualties anyway? She told me that having me in Hell would tip the scales enough for evil to win this age-old war. It was hard to believe I held that much power.

  This was a no win situation, but at least, if I took Nora's place now, she had the chance to fight what Anael thought was inevitable. Hell, maybe I'd even have a chance. There was no way I could stand here and watch her die right in front of me. I had to do something.

  "How do I know that you won't go after them again if I do this?" I asked Caleb. Hunter snapped his head to look at me, eyes wide with shock.

  "What the hell are you doing, Cassandra? You can't—"

  "I can't just let her die here, Hunter!" I felt my eyes start to well up with tears. "I just... can't."

  He was quiet as he stood there facing me, looking into my eyes. A tear started to fall down my cheek and Hunter reached his thumb up to catch it. I closed my eyes, reveling in the feel of his touch, knowing this the last time I'd probably ever feel it.

  "Awww... How sweet. While I'd love to let you guys finish this sappy goodbye scene you have going on, I've had my fill of bare tender moments from the two of you. Well, maybe not so much from you Cassie," he said with a smug smile.

  I heard a growl come from the whirr of motion that Hunter created as he charged Caleb, but he wasn't fast enough. Caleb quickly grabbed Nora and held her body against his, using her as a human shield from Hunter. His arm crossed over her jaw as his hand was placed strategically at the back of her neck.

  "Any closer and this is all over," Caleb sneered.

  Hunter stopped, but I used his preoccupation to my advantage, running up to Caleb and Nora. Caleb's eyes looked nervous as he moved so that they were facing me. I put my arms up in surrender.

  "Let her go, Caleb, like you promised. I'm here now. I'll drink it. Just let her go." I could hear Hunter's protests, but I was focused on Caleb. I looked him in the eyes so that he knew I was telling the truth – I was giving in. I could see in my peripheral vision that Nora was watching me, terror in her eyes. At first, I thought it was the fear of dying that had her looking that way, but then she said quietly, "Cassie, don't do this. Save yourself."

  I couldn't look at he
r. I knew if I did, I would lose my composure. I needed to be strong. I needed to swallow my fears and do this. It couldn't wait any longer. I wasn't sure how long my resolve would hold up.

  "Call off your dog, and I'll let her go."

  I looked over at Hunter, who stood only a few feet away from all of us and was, in fact, still growling. His eyes were fixed on Caleb as if he could kill him with their piercing glare. It took me several attempts at calling his name for him to break from the spell and acknowledge me.

  "Hunter. Back. Off. I'm doing this and there is nothing you can do to stop it now. If you want to help me, you'll look after those I love when I'm gone."

  He turned towards me. The hatred in his eyes that he'd directed at Caleb softened on me, but not completely. His chest pulsated in tune with his hard, rapid breaths. I could see that he was restraining himself from acting, his body extremely tense with the effort. Silently, he shook his head and I thought for sure he'd argue with me, but he surprised me when he let out a sigh and stepped away.

  "More!" Caleb demanded.

  Hunter's lip curled as he glared at Caleb, but he continued to step back a few more feet.

  "Enough, Caleb! Let's just get this shit over with," I said, my voice filled with hatred. "Let her go."

  As if it were one continuous motion, Caleb pushed Nora away from him and grabbed my wrist, roughly pulling me into him. I turned my body around quickly in his arms, my back up against him, so I could watch to make sure Nora escaped.

  "Hunter," I called out. "Take her back to Eric."

  Nora looked at me, tears and regret in her eyes. "I don't want to leave you, Cassie."

  At the same time, Hunter said firmly, "I'm not leaving."

  "It would be so much easier if you guys just left. Please, it'll be easier on me."

  They both stood unfazed by my desperate pleas.

  "Hunter, just get her out of here!" I screamed.

  Hunter grabbed Nora by the arm and forced her to the door. "Okay, okay! I'll go!" she cried as she opened the door. With one last look at me, she said, "I love you, Cassie," and walked out the door.

  Caleb continued to use his arms across my chest to barricade me into him, as his lower body got intimate with mine, grinding against me. I cringed as he nuzzled my neck, before his lips came up to my ear. "I can't wait to be inside of you, Cassie," he whispered. I let out a guttural sound of disgust, and he laughed. "I've fantasized about the day that you would drink my blood."

  An agonized roar came from Hunter and he started to prowl towards us like an angry panther ready to pounce.

  I put my arms out as much as Caleb would allow, palms out, warding Hunter off. "Hunter, no! I'm okay."

  Looking over my shoulder at Caleb, I said with disgust, "Let's just get this over with before I lose my nerve... or my dinner."

  He laughed again, not put off by my insult. As we were, he led me over to the stool, forced me to sit, and picked up the glass filled with his blood. He lifted it in Hunter's direction, "Here's to the best man winning, brother."

  I could almost feel Hunter's rage from across the room. "Damn it, Caleb!" I grabbed the glass from his hands, spilling some of it onto the floor in my haste. Wanting to put an end to Caleb's torture, I quickly put the glass to my lips and tilted it up. The blood was thick in my mouth as it slowly slid down my throat. I expected a metallic taste, but it was more bitter, and almost burned, making me gag from the pungency. I looked at Caleb and his blue eyes glowed back at me.

  I had only taken a few gulps when I heard an angry cry and a loud crash from across the room. Instantly, I knew it was Hunter, but before I could even turn my head to see what he had done, the glass was thrown from my hands, crashing against the wall at the end of the counter, the white tiles streaked with red.

  For a moment, I was too shocked to do anything but watch those little red rivers stream down the wall. I finally came out of my trance from another loud crash next to me. Hunter had Caleb up on the counter, leaning over him, as the electronics of what I assumed was the computerized cash register hung ruined over the side, stretched wires the only thing keeping it from crashing to the floor.

  "It's too late, brother!" Caleb laughed. "I watched her swallow me. It's done. You were too late."

  Hunter looked back at me and I saw the fear in his eyes. He watched me intently, staring directly into my eyes, as he continued to hold Caleb down. Caleb lifted his head and strained to see me around Hunter's broad shoulder.

  Hearing Caleb's words and Hunter's reaction, a chill came over me as if a million icicles made their way through my body. I shook violently, not from anything internal changing, but from the fear of what I knew was now inevitable. I waited, anticipating something painful as I transformed into my demon state, but I felt nothing.

  Caleb's arrogant smile vanished, his eyes squinted and a grim line set on his lips. I looked back at Hunter, my face apparent with all the questions I had, but he stayed as he was, merely eyeing me curiously. I think I was more nervous about their scrutiny at that point than my ultimate fate.

  Impatiently, I asked, "So, what the hell? Am I a demon now or not?"

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  They both stayed as they were, staring at me with the same confused look on their faces. Finally, Caleb let out an angry growl, causing me to jump, and shoved Hunter off him. With murder in his eyes, he lunged at me, but Hunter quickly blocked the attack.

  I was crouched behind Hunter, afraid and confused. Why didn't I feel any different? Shouldn't I have some evil thoughts going through my head? And why was Caleb coming after me now? He'd gotten what he wanted. Didn't he?

  "You know what this means, don't you?" Caleb said to Hunter.

  For a few minutes, I only heard the sound of their heavy breathing, then nothing; an eerie nothing. Hunter was still standing in front of me, guarding me from Caleb, or so I thought, until I stood up, looked around him, and saw that Caleb was gone. I stepped away from him, looking around the rest of the room. Caleb was nowhere in sight.

  I gasped when Hunter suddenly grabbed onto my upper arms, squeezing so hard, it made me wince.

  "What were you thinking?" he yelled, shaking my entire body in rhythm with his words. "Did what we share mean nothing to you? Hell, I shoul—"

  Before I knew it, his mouth was on mine, his tongue violently forcing its way in as if punishing me for how he thought I'd wronged him. My fervor matched his once I got a taste of what, moments ago, I thought I'd never have again. Our desperation for each other was frantic, and the world around me became lost again, until Hunter violently pushed me back from him. His jaw clenched and relaxed over and over again as he glared at me, his breath still heavy. "We will discuss the hell you just put me through, Cassandra, but right now we have to get out of here." He pushed me towards the door, "Now get moving."

  "What's going on, Hunter?" I asked, struggling against him. "Where's Caleb? What just happened?" I tried digging my feet in, but it was no use. He was too strong for me. Moving in front of me, he grabbed onto my arm and started to pull me through the door.

  "It didn't work," he said flatly.

  "What do you mean it didn't..." I didn't bother finishing, knowing it was no use trying to get him to answer my questions. He was dragging me towards the street in the direction of the motel. I yanked my arm so hard from him, that I thought I'd ripped it right out of the socket. It hurt like hell, and I screamed to prove it, but I was free. Hunter had already entered the deserted street in his stride to get us to the motel, but my feet remained planted firmly on the curb. He looked back at me and I could tell that he was surprised by my will not to follow him.

  "I'm not going anywhere near my mom and Nora until you tell me what you mean by it not working. How could it not work?"

  He stood below me on the street, his eyes level with mine and I could see the impatience clear on his face. Brushing his hand through his hair, he let out a sigh of resignation.

  "Caleb's blood didn't work. He couldn't turn you with it a
nd now he's really pissed off, so we need to get your mom and Nora to the Elders right now. I have a feeling his next step will be to visit Nergal and tell him everything."

  "But how could it not work? I drank it! That's all it takes, right?" I asked, still confused.

  He cupped his hand on my cheek, and his eyes softened. "Cassandra—"

  "Hunter!" Eric yelled, running towards us from the motel.

  Hunter turned toward him quickly and started giving orders to get my mom and Nora in the car right away. Eric never questioned him. He simply ran back into the motel room faster than I'd ever seen a man run before, back with my mom and Nora in tow within minutes.

  They started running towards me, calling my name, both of them crying. I ran to meet them on the other side of the street, Hunter alongside of me. They hugged and kissed me, bombarding me with questions I didn't know the answers to. I turned to Hunter for help, but he was quietly talking with Eric. I saw Eric nod his head before they both looked over. From the looks on their faces, I knew we had to hurry and get to the Elders. They were our only chance, even though I wasn't sure if even they could protect us against the evil that would soon be headed our way if Hunter were right.

  I ushered my mom and Nora towards the car, promising to tell them as much as I could once we were on our way. I started to get in the back when I looked over and saw Eric disintegrate into the darkness. He just vanished into the night.

  Hunter walked over to the driver's side of the door where Nora was getting in.

  "Nora, you and Sara, in the back. I'm driving. Cassandra," he said to me, "you're up front with me."

  "But where did Eric go? He's not coming with us?" Nora asked as she moved to the back of the car, where my mom was already getting in. I noticed the concern in her voice. Was she worried that we wouldn't be protected enough? Or was she worried about Eric and where he'd gone?

  "He's going to try to warn Anael. Caleb won't hesitate to tell Nergal about her betrayal now. If he finds out, he'll kill her. I asked Eric to find her and convince her to go to the Elders."