Inception (The Reaping Chronicles, 1)

by Haviland, Teal

  Ugh … I don’t know if I can take much more.

  The one thing she tried not to think about, and had to continually evict from her mind, was the last thing she always saw in her visions—Lucas’s lifeless body. But the merciless image was slipping through again at that moment, creating a feeling of dread that settled heavily on her.

  She needed to find out what was in the Book. But with no history passed down about the Great Battle Amaziah had told her about, she had absolutely no reference to figure out what it could be used for. Knowing what was in it might make Javan’s intentions clear. If he intended on obtaining and using the Book himself, she had to find out if he had a real chance to succeed.

  The morning passed quickly, and when Gabrielle looked up at the clock again, it was twelve ten. The only reason she even thought to look was her stomach grumbling about being empty. She made her way to the kitchen.

  She’d had no epiphanies that morning and found herself irritated, having accomplished nothing.

  What did I expect to happen? I can’t put a puzzle together with only a fraction of the pieces.

  Yet she just spent hours trying to do just that.

  Frustrated, Gabrielle slammed the door to the refrigerator she’d been standing in front of; glass bottles clanged together inside in protest. Regardless of her stomach, she had no appetite. She went to get more coffee but found the pot almost empty.

  After spending more time harassed by questions she wouldn’t find answers to at the moment, she decided to call on Sheridan to take care of her work before Lucas came over. She hoped karma would have a better day. She’d hate to try and get through school with a mood resulting from two back to back days of mostly negative karma.

  Sheridan showed up promptly.

  They got to work and finished quickly. The day’s lot came out to be pretty even, so at least tomorrow would be no worse than today. Instead of dismissing Sheridan, as she typically would, Gabrielle asked her to stay. She needed information.

  The two sat opposite each other at the kitchen counter’s bar. Sheridan looked perplexed and a little apprehensive about Gabrielle’s request. She’d never asked her to stay before, and after what had happened between them, Gabrielle guessed Sheridan wasn’t sure why she was now.

  “I need to know what’s been learned about the Book, Sheridan. I don’t want to bother anyone who’s helping to search for it if you can tell me.”

  “There was a Cherubim speaking of it before I came to you. He was telling the story to a troop of angels. There’s a tremendous amount of interest since it is one that’s been lost to most of us, and many of our brethren are mourning as if it just happened. It must have been terrible, Gabrielle.

  “The battle happened after Lucifer fell and became the Dark Lord, Ramai. It’s believed the that the Book everyone is searching for is his creation and, in fact, Yahuwah was not betrayed at all. But instead, that there was a copy made.

  “Lucifer, blessed and granted by Yahuwah with knowledge, wisdom, power, and authority that was far superior to all other angels, eliminates all others with the ability to have brought such a book into existence. The Cherubim said it’s basically a blueprint of our eternal home and everything Yahuwah created. Only it’s a word blueprint. Those same words that breathed life into this world and ours can be reversed and used to destroy any of His creations. Whoever wields the power of the Book will hold everything created at their mercy. No one seems to know how the holy information came to be known by Lucifer before his falling, or how the copy of the book was lost to him, but it’s crucial one of us finds it before any other being gets a chance to use its power.” Sheridan stopped as though she was trying to decide where to continue.

  “The Cherubim also said the words have to be spoken from the Throne of Yahuwah to work. That was what the fierce battle Amaziah spoke of was fought for, to protect the Throne, and why the Seraphim were involved. Michael and Raphael managed to gain possession of the original Book before the Throne was reached, and so the battle was won. However, the book in your vision is still being sought. Of course, we aren’t the only ones searching for it. Ramai and other fallen angels want it badly because they know ultimate power could be gained.”

  Sheridan stopped speaking, seeming not to want to continue for some reason.

  “Is there more, Sheridan?”

  Sheridan took her time to answer before continuing cautiously.

  “There is more, Gabrielle, but you should know it won’t be easy for you to hear.” She hesitated. “As you know, the reason Javan was cast from our home was known to few.”

  Gabrielle nodded, now understanding Sheridan’s hesitation. Javan was a touchy subject when she was in the best of moods, and Sheridan knew she was dealing with an already edgy angel.

  “The reason has been shared now because of the circumstances. Yahuwah wants all to be known to us so we can look for the Book with full knowledge of everyone we may encounter in its retrieval.

  “Javan went to Yahuwah and challenged His authority. He demanded to be granted powers to do as he chose. He was removed and was to be punished by taking away his rank in the Cherubim and placed in Choir Three of the Third Triad. Javan was infuriated he would be put into the lowest of the Angelic Orders. He vowed he’d find the Book and destroy all Yahuwah created and loved, unless Javan deemed it worthy of surviving. It isn’t known why Javan thought it existed, but he was convinced he would be able to have its power. Even though it wasn’t Yahuwah’s desire to do initially, He cast out Javan after Javan’s threat.”

  Silence held the space between them for a long moment.

  Gabrielle let everything she’d been told settle into her mind. Studying each new puzzle piece, deciding how it fit. So much more made sense now. Javan actually believed he was going to be able to control Yahuwah along with everything and everyone He created—including Ramai and his legions of demons. It all seemed surreal. How had she not seen the Darkness in Javan? How long had they been together while those thoughts consumed him?

  Could I have stopped him?

  Sheridan spoke again, interrupting the stillness between them.

  “There’s one other thing you should be aware of, Gabrielle.”

  “Yes?”

  “Information was given to Ramai by a human Seer. For some reason, Ramai intended to kill the Seer and his family. The Seer offered to tell him the full prophecy concerning the Destroyer coming into power, which he had received the night before, if Ramai spared their lives. We are trying to find out exactly what Ramai was told because it will make what we already know of the prophecy more clear. That’s all I know, but I’ll keep you informed about anything else I learn.”

  “Thank you, Sheridan. You may go.”

  Gabrielle was immediately alone again. Her thoughts were swirling in her mind. Things would become dire if the Book was found by anyone other than those still in Yahuwah’s fold. With all the new information in her head, she found it difficult to keep her mind on one thing. Sheridan was right; it had been very hard to hear about Javan. Gabrielle was devastated by what he’d become, and she knew it would never be any easier for her. He would always be a part of her, and she would always miss him.

  What had become of their relationship didn’t matter, though. The last pieces of the puzzle were still out there, and she had to find them.

  And I need to know exactly what the prophecy predicts.

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Javan ~ A Seer

  Javan went to the kitchen and poured another glass of whiskey as Cecily walked a few steps behind him, softly purring to show her satisfaction.

  “I’d ask if you want some,” he said as he poured his drink, “but I know what the answer will be.”

  Cecily smirked. “Not my cup of tea. Thanks bunches, though.” She slowly meandered through the large room, stopping to study vari
ous pieces of art and to run her finger over the bindings of books scattered around the room.

  Javan walked over to one of several windows that stretched almost the entire height of the loft and stared out into the darkness, wondering if Cecily could really take him to the Book. The night was slipping away. He knew he needed to wrap up the evening’s fun and have the conversation they’d put off. There would be no hope of getting rid of her once daylight reached into shadows. Not that he minded her company. He was enjoying it thoroughly, but Mara could be back any time. Even though he didn’t have to answer to her, he imagined she wouldn’t take the situation well if she discovered Cecily there. He didn’t want to alienate Mara. Not when she will be so useful later.

  Cecily came to the window and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Her hands began to wander again. Javan stopped her and turned to meet her gaze. It was terribly difficult to resist her.

  “Now that we’ve had our pleasure,” he said as he fought the urge to give in, “it’s time for business.”

  Cecily’s expression cooled. “You’re no fun,” she said flatly as she walked away and sank into the corner of the leather couch.

  “If you say so.” Javan flashed a knowing glance. “You say you can take me to the Book. How do you know it’s the right one? How do I know you aren’t wasting my time?” He sat down on the couch next to her. “And what’s the price you referred to earlier?”

  She waited to answer him as if heavily considering the words she was about to speak.

  “I know this book is the one you seek because I’ve seen it.”

  “Just because you’ve seen a book doesn’t mean it’s the right book.”

  “No, sweetie.” She looked at him with disgust. The annoyance in her tone matched her expression. “You’re not getting it. I’ve seen it in a vision. I’m a Seer.”

  Javan didn’t concern himself with her sudden shift in the charm department. He found it intriguing. She was similar to him in many ways—the fallen angel and the Qalal—they were both damned. They just acquired the status in different ways. He laughed to himself at the comparison.

  “As far as if I’m wasting your time … I don’t care about your time, Javan. I care about mine.” She laughed humorlessly. “You should try to have a little faith.”

  “I have faith I will get the Book with or without you. Can we get on with this? Your price?”

  “Mmmm … I guess the honeymoon’s over,” she said with a wink. “My price isn’t monetary. I have more than enough money. I have eternal life, so I’m good there. I can have any man I want. Or woman, for that matter. What I don’t have, what I want, is power.”

  Javan felt a smile tug on one side of his mouth again. I like her more and more.

  “I’m a young Qalal by our standards. I’ve only been turned for a little over three hundred years. It would take me hundreds, and hundreds, of years to be considered an Elder. Even then, I have to try to put myself into the position to become one, and that could take hundreds more years. After all that effort and time … it still might never happen. I want the power the Elders have, and patience isn’t a virtue I’ve ever possessed.”

  Javan had to admit he was intrigued. “How, exactly, do I assist you in your endeavor?”

  “You see, Javan, I have a little faith, too. In you.”

  Javan half-smiled at that statement. He liked having fans—especially ones as desirable as Cecily. His own smile prompted one from her that seemed Knowing. He wasn’t sure how to interpret it, but it made him wonder how much she knew about him and what she might be up to. Before he could ponder the questions for very long, she continued.

  “To be more precise … I have faith in you becoming the Destroyer.”

  “Why do you think I’ll become the Destroyer?” he asked as nonchalantly as possible. Her assumption made him wary. He’d never verbalized his belief to her.

  “I’ve seen that your reason for wanting the Book is to bring the prophecy to pass.”

  He studied her intently.

  “That is what you want the Book for, Javan. Don’t deny it.”

  “Yes, it is,” he said, still cautious.

  Cecily sighed and rolled her eyes. “Javan, I’m growing weary of you. Let me get to the point, and then I’ll leave you to consider my offer. I want you to grant me power over the Elders when you become the Destroyer. It’s that simple.”

  Cecily stood and made her way toward the door. She had less than an hour before the sun came up and obviously had no more desire of keeping his company during the coming day than he did hers. At the door, she turned to face Javan who was still sitting on the couch surveying her. “I’ll be back in a few nights. You can give me your decision then.”

  “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

  “Oh … I know you will be,” she responded.

  He heard her purr playfully, then she was gone.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Gabrielle ~ Differences

  Gabrielle moved time forward again and heard a knock at the door. She could feel it was Lucas. He must have been about to knock just as she and Sheridan started working. She hurried to the door, realizing he would have been unable to move and fully aware, once again. Like the night before, guilt washed over her. She had the same lurch in her stomach and pain in her heart. Gabrielle opened the door to the face she yearned to see whenever he was away.

  Lucas pulled her to him and held her snugly in his arms. “Haven’t you heard it’s rude to keep a guest waiting at the door?” he asked with a smile and pressed his lips to hers.

  “I’m sorry, Lucas,” she said when they released each other. “I’ll figure out what I can do to keep that from happening to you again.”

  “Yes, please do that.”

  They continued to talk as they walked to the kitchen. Gabrielle was still hungry even though she didn’t feel like eating.

  “What did you think was happening over the last couple of months when I paused time and you didn’t know anything about why you were suddenly, randomly, unable to move?” She asked.

  Lucas laughed.

  “I actually thought I was slipping into a trance or something. It only happened a few times, but I have to admit, I was getting pretty concerned. If I hadn’t learned that you were pausing time to explain it, I would’ve ended up at the hospital getting brain scans.”

  “It would’ve been scary when they didn’t find a brain.” Gabrielle stopped in the living room and faced him, then winced playfully like she was going to be attacked.

  Lucas raised a brow and smirked. He had her on the floor before she knew it. She had never been tickled before, and it made her laugh so hard that tears began to trickle out of her eyes, landing warmly in her ears. It was torturous, in a strange, fabulous way. When he finally stopped, he gave her a quick kiss and then sprung back to his feet. She lay there smiling and catching her breath, drying the path on her face that her tears had taken.

  “That’ll teach ya!” Lucas said as he learned over and offered his hand.

  She reflected on the day they had first met when he offered it to help her out of her car. She had blamed her response on her unfamiliar human body. Now … she knew it meant much more; this human was significant to her.

  Life is funny, she thought as she reached for his hand. Before he could pull her up, she put her feet against his torso and pulled. His smirk quickly rearranged to a slack jaw and his eyes widened in surprise as he sailed over her and landed with a thud on the floor behind her.

  “Ow!” he said through a laugh.

  Gabrielle stood over him with a smirk, her hands on her hips. “Let that teach you!”

  Lucas smiled as he got up, then wrapped his arms around her waist. She loved the way he made her feel—warm, peaceful, content, safe. Safe to be herself—safe to let her burdens go, to rela
x. Lucas leaned toward her, pausing before kissing her to look in her eyes, then his lips met hers.

  “Lesson learned,” he whispered through a light kiss.

  They held onto each other for a while before finally moving to the kitchen, still holding hands.

  “So, it only happened a few times—feeling suspended in time?” Gabrielle asked, puzzled he noticed it so rarely.

  “Yeah, as far as I know. I had dreams sometimes where I felt like I was awake but couldn’t move. I remember how quiet it was when I had that feeling.”

  “That makes more sense,” she said. “I start my work late in the evening most of the time. So, if you were asleep when I paused time, you wouldn’t have even noticed.”

  Gabrielle grabbed things from the refrigerator to make a sandwich and then bread from the pantry.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.