What could possibly be worse? The shrieking moans from those on the other side shot into his mind. And even now their tenor leeched the blood from his veins. No, there were things worse than a broken heart.
Maybe tonight would be the night. Maybe he’d awaken with the Dark Prince whispering a soothing lullaby of revenge into his ear. Maybe he’d be the one to hunt the Halflings …
Raven clamped his arms around his head and shut his eyes tight, interlacing his fingers and squeezing out the demonic influence. With solid intention, he threw his eyes open and stared up. The North Star again, once a symbol of a promise, was now a small-but-guiding drop of radiance. “Help me,” he whispered.
He’d prayed on many occasions. Hey, he served the Throne. When you’re packing fully automatic weapons, you don’t reach for the hunting knife. But Raven had never prayed for himself. It felt weak, somehow, to petition the One who’d commissioned him. A lack of faith in the omniscience of the Great Stabilizer.
A fisted hand fell to his heart; the physical pain, dull but constant, surprised him. Could he talk about Nikki to the quiet sky? Would his voice hold or shatter like ice under too much pressure?
She’d be at Viennesse by now. Will had moved the group there once again, opting to keep them in Europe until the dust cleared around Vessler. Another week, maybe two, then they would probably head back to Missouri. Raven hadn’t gone with them, but he’d felt her leave; a strange sensation, one he could only liken to having a section of skin ripped from his body.
And so he’d followed. But he stayed at the castle ruins rather than go home.
“Look, I try not to bother you too much.”
Silence.
“I, uh …” He was surprised at how hollow his voice sounded, how spent. “I just need to know that she’s going to be okay.”
Nothing.
His lungs filled and emptied. Filled and emptied. “So, is Nikki going to be okay?”
A dazzling light whirred before his eyes, and for a moment Raven thought someone must have snuck up and whacked his head, though he felt no pain. He leapt to his feet, hoping the blood would move with him.
In the center of the light, a being took shape. It was clothed in layers of glory, and he knew it had been at the Throne.
For once, Raven’s voice was gone.
The angel was the size of Will, but smelled like the place where life particles danced until the One called each to an individual purpose. He’d only dreamed of such a location, but knew of its magnificence and power somehow inherently. For Halflings, the midplane was the closest they’d ever get to heaven. For most, it was enough.
The angel stood toe-to-toe with him, eyes alight with the fire of the One he served. He was … waiting for something.
“Uh,” Raven uttered. “Why are you here?”
“To answer your question.” There was little emotion or inflection in the being’s voice, just pure, smooth, and resonant words.
A question? What had he asked? What was he even thinking about? Nikki. “Is Nikki Youngblood going to be okay?”
The angel’s answer sparked and ignited a fire of fear throughout Raven’s being. “No.”
Raven’s mouth dried instantly, as if all moisture had been drawn from his body with the single word. He needed more information, but the angel was turning away like he intended to go.
Raven leapt forward and seized him, arms closing on the angel’s waist. But the magnificent being flicked him off. This was not an evenly matched confrontation. New plan. “Why not? Why won’t she be okay?”
“Because a Seeker has been released from the pit.”
Raven’s knees buckled and crashed against the rock-strewn ground. Fear and urgency pinched his lungs into crumples, making him unable to pull even the smallest of breath.
A Seeker.
Released to hunt Nikki.
Suddenly, the angel was offering the same hand that moments ago brushed Raven from his garment. Powerful golden fingers drew him to his feet.
Still, Raven was too stunned to speak. The angel turned once more, this time slowly, as if awaiting another ambush.
“Wait,” Raven finally mustered, throwing his remaining oxygen into the plea. “Why did you tell me?”
Was that a slash of a smile that appeared? “Because you asked.”
And then the angel was gone.
Raven was left with one hammering thought. He had to get to Nikki before it was too late.
Table of Contents
Guardian
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Guardian Page 26