Speaking with Liam had been a colossal disappointment. Shattered were his hopes of escaping and searching for Anya. Of course with enough time, his gift would have aided him in his search, but his chances of finding her before the angel found him were slim, and his flight would only delay Liam’s return to Olivia, placing her at greater risk. So, once again, the infernal female was effectively ordering his steps. He wondered how she’d feel to discover she’d led him to his demise. No doubt Liam would conveniently forget to tell her that part.
No, he wouldn’t run. In the eyes of the court, it’d be seen as an admission of guilt—of cowardice—and he’d not be known for either. He’d committed those crimes against humanity because he’d believed in the Dark Court’s cause. Well, that and he hadn’t had a choice if he wanted to live. He’d been raised with the ideology that his Creator was a cruel and unloving God—why else would he have abandoned him to the clutches of Gahn? He believed the sighted humans were a threat to his existence, and in truth, they were. They possessed the ability to see the realm in which angels and demons walked. A threat such as that couldn’t be allowed to exist.
Demons—and Nephilim—lacked the ability to block the gifted sight, putting them at risk of exposure to the human world. As the End of Days grew near, his job had been to eradicate these blessed beings. A task he took great pleasure in, until he’d met one such woman who’d stolen his heart and opened his eyes to the depravity that had become his existence—Anya.
Anya had taught him what it was to truly love and truly hate—the former he’d learned in her life, the latter he learned in her death. Love…a useless emotion, and one he’d believed long dead and buried, along with his wife and unborn son.
But then he met Olivia, and she’d turned his world upside-down, awakening something in him he’d believed no longer existed. For the first time in over a century, he’d found himself wanting to live again. She inspired him to be something he wasn’t—good. And for some damn reason, she believed he wasn’t beyond the reach of God. She believed there was still hope for his tarnished soul. Well, that remained to be seen. But today was his day of recompense, and Haden’s fate would finally be decided.
Even now he felt the crushing weight of judgment in the eyes of the twelve elders pressing down on him. In defiance, he stood a little straighter, boldly meeting each of their gazes—unabashed and unapologetic. They watched him from across the room with dispassionate disapproval. Their furrowed brows suggested they only held their tongues out of respect for Liam as he honored his promise to Olivia and spoke on Haden’s behalf.
Not even Liam sounded convinced of his plea for leniency. But, being unable to lie, Haden and the elders couldn’t deny the angel spoke true, even though he wasn’t happy about the words coming out of his mouth. By the looks on the elders’ faces, they weren’t too pleased about it either. If you asked Haden, the angel missed his calling. He should have been a defense lawyer.
When Liam finished speaking the noise in the chamber was deafening—or perhaps that was the thundering of his heart pounding in his ears. It was no pleasant thing, standing under the oppressive stares of the elders. It felt as if their all-seeing eyes bore into his very soul, exposing his sins and the darkness living inside him.
As much as he hated Liam, he had to admit the way he handled the court was impressive as hell. Leaning toward him, the angel growled under his breath, “Twice you saved Olivia’s life. Twice, I have saved yours. Her debt is paid in full.”
There never had been a debt to settle. And if there were, that was between him and Olivia. He was about to tell the angel as much when one of the elders, Sephat, Liam had called him, stood to take a stand behind the podium.
“Haden,” the elder addressed him, gesturing him forward with a wave of his hand.
Numbly, Haden rose, leaving Liam’s side and stepping into the middle of the courtroom to finally face his judgment. He could still see the angel from his left periphery and wondered why he stayed. What did it matter to him whether Haden lived or died?
“By what name do you call yourself?” Sephat asked him.
“No name. That birthright was stolen from me before I ever drew my first breath.”
Something briefly flashed in the elder’s eyes. Surely he imagined it, because it looked akin to regret. “You are not known as Gahn’s son?”
“Perhaps by some, but to no claim of my own. Just Haden is fine.” The formality and questioning of his name was unexpected. Though it seemed inconsequential, something told him the elder’s actions were never trivial.
Sephat acquiesced with a subtle dip of his snow-white head and addressed Haden as such. “Just as you cannot earn your way into Heaven by good works, there is no sin too great to separate you from the love of God once you have repented and claimed the Blood Covering of Christ for yourself. I think I speak for us all when I say were anyone to become the exception to this law, it would be you, for your sins span as far as the east is to the west. Yet, nevertheless, here you are, Haden—Son of Gahn—a testament, that despite your boasts, your God has most certainly not forsaken you.”
Had he done that? Had he claimed the Blood Covering of Christ for himself? Thinking back, he realized, yes…yes he had. He’d made such a claim when he’d gloated over Liam’s inability to kill him. And then, when he’d pushed the angel too far and the asshole had tried to kill him anyway, he’d cried repentance to get that ruthless warrior to release his death-grip on Haden’s neck. Even now, he could still feel the Shadows of Darkness seeping into his flesh, paralyzing him as they waited eagerly for death to claim him.
How ironic was that? The one person that stood in his way of having a chance with Olivia was the same male responsible for saving his eternal soul. No doubt, Liam was having second thoughts he’d done that, right about now.
“However, the council of the High Court is in agreement that some sort of atonement must be made—a test of faith, so to speak. You have certain…gifts…that have been used for evil, and we feel that it is far time those gifts be used for good. Your skill-set as a hunter will aid you in your new line of work.”
Well, this ought to be interesting. Even Liam seemed to perk up with curiosity. Work, huh? Not in a million years had he ever considered he’d be gainfully employed by the High Court. Truth be told, he wasn’t particularly interested in a new job. He already had a job—killing Gahn. Now, if they were hiring someone to assassinate the officers of the Dark Court, then he was your guy—otherwise, no thank you.
“You, Haden, will join the elite division of warriors that are serving as Guardians.”
Say what? Him…? A guardian…? No fucking way! Who in the hell did they want him to protect? This had to be a joke. But the staunch look on the elder’s aged face held no glimpse of a jest.
His shocked choke of laughter was drowned out by Liam’s chair scraping against the marble floor as he shot to his feet. Haden glanced over his shoulder at him, surprised to see the look of defiant fury carved into his stone features.
What was he getting all upset about? But before the angel could speak, Sephat held up his hand. “The mortal you will be assigned guardianship of is Miss Olivia Norton.”
The bellow of denial sounding behind him rattled the chamber windows. It must have startled the elders, because a few of them jumped back and Sephat, the spokesman lost some of his color. Holding up his hand for silence, he addressed Liam with a patronizing now-calm-down-and-let’s-be-reasonable voice, which only seemed to incite the warrior even more—can’t imagine why.
Sephat rapped his gavel on the wooden plate several times, weathering Liam’s snarls and feral spew of oaths. Each epithet only seemed to shock and offend the council more, which would have had Haden laughing his ass off, except, holy shit, were they really expecting him to become Olivia’s guardian? Why didn’t they just drive a knife straight into his heart and be done with it already? As much as he hated to agree with Liam’s colorful declaration of why Haden was unfit to guard a toad, in this ca
se he couldn’t agree more, though not for the reasons Liam vehemently claimed.
True, he was a murderous bastard—and manipulative…and conniving…and untrustworthy... Oh, come on, enough already. They get the point.
No, Haden could not become Olivia’s guardian, because it would absolutely kill him to spend every day with a woman he was hopelessly in love with, someone that could never love him back, because her heart belonged to this psychotic angel bellowing beside him. They claimed he wasn’t going to Hell, but did these assholes realize they’d just sentenced him to a fate worse than Sheol?
“I cannot become the female’s guardian,” Haden protested, raising his voice above the chaos. That and only that seemed to silence the uproar in the courtroom.
“And why is that?” Sephat questioned. “You’ve proven yourself more than capable of doing so. Even Liam has attested to the fact. And being as the female has used her love for this warrior”—Sephat nodded at Liam—“to block us from binding her to another guardian, it seems we all have very little choice in the matter—including the both of you.” He pinned Liam and then Haden with a try-my-patience-anymore-and-you’re-both-going-to-get-a-lightning-bolt-up-your-ass glare.
Haden was desperate. Desperate enough to tell the truth and hope to God these elders saw reason and relieved him of his “duty.”
“I cannot be her guardian because…I am in love with her.”
Now, that raised some eyebrows. A few shocked gasps echoed from the semi-circular table. The low-menacing growl rumbling behind him promised a swift death would soon come the moment they exited the courtroom, which might actually be preferable to playing third wheel to these two for the rest of Olivia’s mortal life.
“Now, this is an unexpected development. Tell us, does she also return your affection?”
“She does not,” Liam growled before Haden could answer the question.
“Well, we shall see,” Sephat replied.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” they demanded in unison.
“We could not bind her to Tate because she loves Liam. But if, by chance, she returns a measure of your affection and loves you, as well…then perhaps we can circumvent her emotional block and bind her to you.”
Oh, hell no… She’d denied having feelings for him over and over again. He’d felt the sting of her rejection enough to know that he cared not to ever feel it again. Deep down he’d harbored the suspicion, the hope, that secretly, she loved him. But if they did this, if they attempted to bind him to her and failed, he’d know, beyond a shadow of doubt that her claims had been true—she could never love him because he was just too damaged.
But if it worked, and he found himself bonded to Olivia, he’d know she lied—that she did love him after all, and along with that, he’d feel her love for Liam. He’d be aware of her constantly, feeling her emotions, sensing her moods, and her desire for another male…
Aww fuck, he was going to be sick.
There was no doubt in his mind that even if she felt some affection for him, that female was in love with Liam. She was carrying his young, for crissake. Anyway he looked at it, this was a lose-lose situation. If she didn’t love him, the loss of that hope was going to kill him. If by some miracle she did love him, the knowledge that she loved Liam more would turn the knife already sticking in his heart.
“Don’t do this!” Haden pleaded.
“Please, do not do this!” Liam begged.
It was the first time Haden had ever seen the angel cow, and he was certain it would be the last. Haden knew, without a doubt that if they broke this warrior, these elders wouldn’t like the one that rose up in his place. Liam had been skating on the razor’s edge for a while now, and it wouldn’t take much to shove him over the edge.
“It is done.” Sephat exclaimed. The gavel came down with a sharp rap, the ear-splitting crack echoing the finality of his words. It might as well have been a gun blast aimed straight at Haden’s heart. He was dead either way.
Chapter Six
This can’t possibly be happening… Liam glanced left, then right, noting the additional Hunturion guards suddenly filling the room. They all stood at the ready, their gazes trained solely on him. They were prepared this time, his last court hearing having ended in an eruption of violence and chaos. Of all the retribution he’d been prepared to shoulder for violating Olivia’s free will, he’d never expected the elders to sever his bond to her. Truth be told, he believed it to be an excuse to separate them.
The elders hadn’t anticipated his violent reaction then, but they were more than prepared for it now, which meant they’d been planning this all along. The knowledge released another wave of fury flooding his veins. If he didn’t rein in his temper, this hearing would end no different than the last and he’d find himself cooling his heels behind bars again. And that was the only thing that kept him from flying across the table right now and strangling Sephat, elder or not.
He could only imagine the lies Haden would tell Olivia if he returned alone and informed her he was her new guardian—bonded or not, that was still to be determined. Just the thought that this murderous piece of shit might even now be able to feel Olivia’s emotions, or know the secrets of her heart, filled him with such blinding rage he was tempted to cut the bastard’s throat right here and now. Let his blood pour upon the elders’ hands. Let it stain their untarnished floors and splatter their pristine walls. They had done this; they should bear witness to the consequences of their actions.
Liam’s dagger hand moved reflexively to his hip, readying to unleash his fury. When his palm grazed his empty sheath, he muttered a nasty curse. Too late, he recalled Anders had relieved him of his blade before entering court. Liam spared Haden the briefest glance. The Neph looked no more pleased than he was. Haden stood so rigid he nearly matched him in height. His hands were clenched, held tightly to his sides as if he, too, wanted nothing more than to spill Sephat’s blood—a certain death sentence for them both. His jaw was clenched so tight, a muscle in his cheek ticked.
Liam wished he knew the source of Haden’s rage. Had the bond failed and he now knew with certainty that Olivia didn’t love him? Was he angry that his plans for vengeance were derailing before his very eyes? God help them all if the bond had taken, for the elders would have just signed this bastard’s death warrant and Liam would soon be facing murder charges.
“You are dismissed,” Sephat said, rapping that damn gavel until the room echoed over and over with the sharp clap of self-righteous thunder. The elder turned to join his court and the Hunturions moved forward, standing between him, Haden, and the twelve. They were taking no chances.
Snarling a foul oath, he turned and stormed from the courtroom. With a mental command, the doors flew open as he approached and slammed into the wall, the rattling bang proclaiming his unleashed fury. As Liam descended the steps of the High Court, he caught a flash of movement from the corner of his eye and was surprised to see Haden hot on his heels.
“If you value your life, I suggest you depart from my presence, right now.”
“Gladly,” Haden snarled. “I want to get out of here as much as you. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble getting my bearings. Just point in the right fucking direction and I’m gone.”
They stormed through the streets of gold, past the epicenter bearing the Tree of Life. When St. Peter’s gate came into view, Liam could stand the waning silence no more. He had to know the truth. If Haden confirmed his worst fears, if he was truly bonded to Olivia, he swore to the Almighty this Nephilim wouldn’t pass through these gates alive.
“Well…?” Liam demanded, coming to an abrupt halt.
“Well, what?” Haden growled, casting him a sideways glower.
“Are you bonded to her?”
“Why don’t you ask me what you’re really wondering?”
“I just did.”
“No. What you really want to know is does she love me.”
“And...?” he snarled, his hands clenching into fists as Had
en’s top lip tugged into an arrogant grin. “Does she?”
“I’ll not tell you the answer to that. If you want to know the truth, ask her yourself. But I will tell you this, and count it a boon, for I’ll not offer one again. The most pressing question on your mind should not be is she bonded to me, but do I want this job? And the answer is, ‘no,’ I most certainly do not. I have plans, plans that do not include playing babysitter to your knocked-up girlfriend.”
“What did you say?” Liam grabbed Haden’s shoulder, stopping his retreat.
“You heard me,” the Neph snarled. “I didn’t stutter, did I?”
No, he most certainly did not. “How the fuck do you know that?” Liam demanded.
“How the fuck do you not?” the bastard lashed back.
The loathsome burn in Haden’s pale green eyes would have surprised him if he weren't already rocked by the revelation that Olivia was pregnant. Did she know?—and if she did, why hadn’t she told him? Had she confided in this son of a bitch? Or was he indeed bonded to her?—either answer made him want to throw up.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Haden mocked. “And no, she didn’t tell me. I knew before we left.”
“Why are you telling me this?” The airy words forced past his lips as his lungs refused to draw air.
Haden’s brow arched. “Because, misery loves company. If I’m to suffer this dastardly assignment, I’ll not agonize alone. I’d rather taunt you with the possibility that she loves me.”
“I’d rather just kill you and then it wouldn’t really matter.”
“True, but then you’d leave her vulnerable and you’re not that selfish. Whether I’m bonded to her or not, you know I’m more capable of keeping her alive right now than you are.”
The Redemption Series Page 106