The Redemption Series

by Melynda Price

  As Gahn stood at the dimensional threshold, he vowed this would not become his fate. For the first time in centuries, he glimpsed the possibility of a shift in prophesy, and Olivia’s young was the key to turning the tides. A Nephilim alone was a powerful weapon, but a sighted one at that…

  Olivia’s death was no longer his single-minded goal. If he could change the rules, shift the battleground, her sight would become an irrelevant threat. Ironically, after years of trying to kill the female, he now needed her alive—or more specifically, the Nephilim child. But at present, they were a package deal. He would use the Neph to gain entrance to the kingdom of Heaven and lay siege against the High Court. Taking the capital city and destroying the Tree of Life was his only chance to usurp the Living God and escape an eternity of hellfire in the Abyss.

  But, unfortunately, he couldn’t do it alone… He needed an army, an army that had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

  “Gahn…”

  The airy voice behind him bore the rasp of seared vocal cords. He turned and grimaced, failing to disguise his disgust at the approaching vision.

  “Hades...”

  “I’m surprised to see you here. I wasn’t expecting your soul for a while yet.”

  The gatekeeper was nothing more than a skeleton shrouded in a hooded mantle resistant to flame. Skin seared to the bone; his ruby eyes seemed to float in the sockets of his skull but were no less sharp than the keenest warrior’s gaze. Gahn knew better than to mistake emaciation for weakness, for this warrior may appear frail, but he possessed the power of the underworld, second only to the Creator himself.

  “You know as well as I that is not why I’m here.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  The skeletal hands poking from the dolman sleeves of his cloak came together. Long, bony fingers interlaced, locking in feigned serenity. Were the creature to possess brows, Gahn was certain one would be arched in interest right now.

  “I have come to offer you a proposition. A partnership that will restore all we have lost since the Great Fall—a chance to return to Heaven.”

  Hades chuckled. “You are a fool, Gahn. It is that piteous thinking that’s gotten you where you are today and me bound here. I want no part in your schemes. Your end is inevitable, you cannot escape death.”

  “If this is to be our end, then what do you or I have to lose in trying to stop it?”

  Hades watched him in silent contemplation. After several breathless moments, he unlaced his fingers and reached up, pushing back his hood to reveal a head of sulfurous blue flames licking across the white bone surface of his skull.

  “What exactly is it that you want from me?”

  Gahn swallowed the arid click scraping against his ash-dry throat. He met Hades’ eyes with bold confidence and arrogantly announced, “Your army. When the time is right, relinquish the dead to my command. Together, we’ll storm Heaven’s gates and take the Holy City for ourselves.”

  “And just how do you plan to pass through those gates? They’re impenetrable.”

  “Let me worry about that. For now, all I ask of you is a gesture of good will.”

  “Such as?”

  “Release to me Maximus Octaine.”

  Haden pulled around to the patient pick-up area and made no move to relinquish the driver’s seat. Liam opened the passenger door, slid the front seat forward, and helped Olivia inside. It surprised her when he climbed into the back beside her, moving with graceful agility that seemed to defy the laws of physics. His tall, muscular frame took up most of the back seat, not that she minded. It just surprised her that he’d forgo the comfort of sitting up front to be back here with her. As if on command, the door slammed shut, and Haden wasted no time putting the Camaro into gear and taking off.

  Despite the brooding silence growing between the two guys that seemed to suck all the oxygen from the car, Olivia refused to let it steal her happiness. The sight and sound of her baby’s heartbeat left her in a state of awestruck bliss. That fast little whoosh, whoosh…whoosh, whoosh…was the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard. Just thinking about it made her own pulse quicken with joy.

  She glanced at Liam and nudged him with her shoulder, trying to break the tension. She smiled, unable to contain her joyous grin. He glanced down and the hard sculpted lines of his face instantly softened as he returned her smile and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tucking her against his side.

  She’d be glad to get home and have Liam to herself. She didn’t feel comfortable speaking freely in front of Haden, and they had a lot to talk about, starting with the conversation she’d overheard this morning. Unfortunately, since leaving Landaketa, they hadn’t had a lot of time together. In truth, she missed the simplicity of the plantation. It was surprising how quickly a week could pass in a place frozen in time.

  She missed Rebecca and Henry more than she’d ever imagined possible. Although her stay in Landaketa had been brief, the friendships she’d forged there had taken deep root in her heart. Hell, it was hard to believe, but she even missed Niall—a little bit. Despite his arrogant, devil-may-care attitude, the dark-winged angel had proven himself a faithful friend to Liam. Oh, and there was that time he’d saved her life, too...

  Ever since they’d returned to Evercrest, it seemed as if they’d been surrounded by tragedy and drama. If one obligation wasn’t pulling Liam away from her, it was another. They needed time to be alone together and talk—to celebrate this pregnancy and to plan their future. Despite their shared joy, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that Liam was keeping something from her, and vowed to discover the truth before it became another obstacle to overcome.

  Speaking of obstacles, there was a very big, irate one sitting in the front seat. She didn’t realize she was staring—lost in thought about how she’d get Haden alone to propose her offer of trading the stone for his absence—until his sharp, icy eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. They locked and held gazes for one breathless second, but that was all the time she needed to realize she had to do something now, before it was too late and irreparable damage was done to them all.

  The opportunity to act presented itself a moment later when Liam leaned forward and told Haden, “Stop by the pharmacy on the way home. I need to pick up some bandages for Olivia’s wrist.”

  Haden didn’t respond. The only indication he gave of hearing Liam’s command was when he flipped on the turn signal a block later and crossed lanes, turning into the Walgreen’s parking lot. As the Camaro pulled to a jerking stop, Liam gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. You want anything else while I’m in there?”

  “Some ginger spice tea if they have any.”

  He nodded and climbed out of the car, shooting Haden a warning glare before he slammed the door. Olivia wondered what that was all about, but took it as reinforcement she was doing the right thing. She waited a moment before speaking, wanting to make sure Liam was well beyond earshot.

  As Olivia watched him walk toward the pharmacy, she couldn’t help admiring the fluid grace in which he carried himself. His dark hair, almost touching his wide-set shoulders, reflected hints of burgundy in the sunlight. She didn’t think he intentionally wore it that long, but rather it was a result of neglect. She didn’t mind it longer, finding it gave him a rather dangerous, untamed flare. The Henley he wore molded to his back like a second skin, outlining his shoulder blades and the tapered muscular curve of his back. He truly was a magnificent sight to behold...

  As Liam pulled open the door and stepped inside, Olivia could delay the inevitable no longer. Drawing in a breath for courage, she tried to tamp down her racing pulse by telling herself she was doing the right thing here—the only thing.

  “Haden…?”

  He turned in the seat and looked at her, his expression classically neutral—except for the narrow glint in his eyes. Shit… He wasn’t going to make this easy, now was he? Then again, did she expect anything different? Nothing about this infuriat
ing male was ever easy.

  “Haden, we need to talk.”

  His arched look said no shit.

  That she could read him so easily was just one more confirmation this needed to be done and gave her the courage to force the difficult words past the lump of dread in her throat. “I’m not sure what brought you back here, but you’re clearly miserable. And I think it would be best if—.”

  “What happened to your wrist, Olivia?” He cut her off as if she hadn’t been speaking—hadn’t been about to tell him he needed to leave—for good this time.

  Caught off-guard, she stammered, “I…I already told you I slipped. I stepped in a puddle of merlot and cut myself when I fell on the broken bottle.”

  “How did the bottle break?”

  Now it was her turn to level him with an arched glare, one he met boldly, daring her to answer. “What are you getting at?” she demanded, notching her chin defiantly.

  “Only that your saintly angel might not be as perfect as you think. He has a temper, Olivia—.”

  “Oh, and you don’t?”

  He continued on as if she hadn’t issued the challenge. “Seeing you get hurt, as a result, of his actions sits ill with me.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’m not your responsibility,” she snapped defensively.

  A muscle in his tightly clenched jaw twitched. He looked as if he were about to say something more, but she cut him off this time. “Liam would never intentionally hurt me, which is a hell of a lot more than I can say for you.” He winced as if her barb had struck home, but she hardened her heart to what must be done. “I will not sit here and listen to you bad-mouth him. You goad his temper—always—and you did it this morning. I heard you. As far as I’m concerned, if anyone’s to blame beyond my own clumsiness, it’s you.” Something flashed in his eyes, a warning she probably should have heeded, but if she didn’t get this off her chest now, she might never get the nerve to do it again. “I can’t continue to do this with you, Haden. Whatever this is, it has to stop. I need for you to leave—for good this time. I can’t have you in my life. It isn’t healthy for me. It isn’t good for Liam. It—.”

  “—isn’t your decision, Olivia.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as the sharp edge of his voice sliced into her heart. She knew it was impossible, but it was almost as if she could feel his rage and frustration boiling inside her veins. What in the hell was he talking about? Of course, it was her decision. Before she could demand an explanation, the car door opened and Liam tossed the sack into the front seat before climbing in beside her. Perhaps he felt the palpable tension crackling between them, because as the door slammed shut, he turned to her, and then pinned Haden with an amethyst glare and demanded, “What the hell did you say to her?”

  “Nothing you shouldn’t have,” came the snarled reply.

  Olivia could have sworn she heard a hint of accusation in that icy response. Haden swung back around and threw the Camaro into reverse, pulling a one-eighty that would have impressed Parnelli. She sensed Liam was about to rip into him for his careless driving, and put her hand on his leg, shaking her head, imploring him to just let it go. Besides, the heavier his foot, the sooner she’d be home and out of this car.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Really, Liam, it’s my wrist that’s injured, not my legs. I can walk,” Olivia protested as he carried her up the steps. The front door swung open as he approached, welcoming them home, and then promptly slammed it shut the moment they passed through. She wasn’t certain if Haden had been behind them—she hoped not—but the resolute slam of the heavy wooden door sent a clear message to stay out.

  “You’ve lost a lot of blood, Olivia. I just don’t want you to get dizzy and fall.”

  Lost a lot of blood… Holy shit! That was an understatement. She looked around as he carried her through the entryway and into the living room. A crimson trail marked a path from the kitchen, down the hallway, and into the living room. Liam sat her on the loveseat across from the carnage on the couch and she grimaced. “Well, this carpet has certainly seen better days. It’s hard to believe a little cut could make such a mess.”

  Tension bracketed the lines near his mouth. By his lack of response, she knew Liam held himself to blame for her injury, and no doubt Haden had been quick to pile on the guilt. When he moved to stand, Olivia caught his wrist and tugged him backdown beside her. “Hey, I know you blame yourself for every little thing that happens to me, but not everything is your fault. You can’t put me in a bubble. Shit happens. I heard the glass break in the kitchen and I should have been watching where I was walking.”

  Liam exhaled a sigh and dragged his hand through his hair before turning his amber-flecked eyes on her. “It’s not as simple as that, Olivia.”

  When he didn’t elaborate, a knot of dread tightened in her gut. “What do you mean? What’s really bothering you, Liam? Something happened in court, didn’t it? You haven’t been the same since you got back.”

  He took her hand and tenderly brushed his thumb over her bandaged wrist. His silent contemplation only increased her nagging sense of foreboding. “There was a time when I could have healed this. I could have protected you better than I have, kept you safe from Gahn. I’m failing you, Olivia. I am a warrior who possesses untold supernatural power, yet I’m helpless to use it to protect the one I love the most. I finally have you, but in so many ways, I’ve lost you. I just can’t help but wonder if, in our battle to be together, the universe is still conspiring to keep us apart.”

  “How can you say that? Okay, let’s say the worst happens and I die, it’s not like we still aren’t going to be together in Heaven, right?”

  When he didn’t answer, the invisible band around her chest began to tighten, her pulse quickening.

  “Right?” she pressed again, her voice hitching an octave.

  “Olivia, you are saved, and that salvation can never be taken from you. If you died, you would go to Heaven, but I would not be there. I’ve been cast out. Sephat has given me a choice—you, or my position as an officer of the High Court. I cannot have them both.” His beautiful violet-marbled eyes locked on hers, and she forgot how to breathe.

  Oh God, no! Don’t say it…

  “I chose you.” He placed his hand on her stomach. “I chose our baby.”

  Her hand lifted to cover her mouth, open in shock. Tears filled her eyes as her mind reeled with the gravity of what he was telling her. “So that’s it? You can never go home? Is that what you’re telling me?—together in life, separated in death?” That hardly seemed a fair trade, considering the average human lifespan was roughly eighty years.

  “Not forever. The End of Days draws near. At the Second Coming, Heaven and Earth will pass away and all will be made new.”

  “When will that be?”

  “I don’t know. But it’ll be soon.”

  Not soon enough as far as she was concerned. The thought of Liam exiled, of all he’d sacrificed, all he’d given up, for her… It broke her heart. Olivia sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face against his chest as she fought to hold back the well of tears rising up inside her. She inhaled his sandalwood scent, and waited for his ever-present peace to envelop her.

  When it didn’t come, the soul-deep ache of their fractured bond pierced her heart. There had been a time when just the smell of him was powerful enough to calm her troubled heart, when the energy of his touch would bring supernatural heat flooding her body and leaving her healed in mind, body, and soul. But it was all gone now. Spiritual bonding sacrificed for the physical—everything had a balance, and for every give there was take. But this time the cost was just too great. Olivia knew that, given the chance, Liam would trade it all in a heartbeat to have her back, the way they used to be, and knowing he lived with such bone-deep regret broke her heart.

  “Oh, Liam, you can’t do this. You’ve already sacrificed too much for me.”

  “There’s nothing more to do, Olivia. It’s done.”

>   She could no longer quell the dam bursting inside her, and let the tears come. Her heart ached for him, for all he’d given up, for all he’d lost because of her. Liam wrapped his arms around her, holding her in the shelter of his protective embrace as he whispered promises to her that everything was going to be all right.

  She thought he couldn’t lie…

  Chapter Thirteen

  Haden was relatively certain he’d entered Sheol without being seen—until something slimed his hand. Yanking it back, he spun around, ready to face his assailant, and found himself face to face with a two-hundred pound hell-hound that crashed into his chest. The blow sent him off balance and took him down—hard, knocking the air from his lungs—air that refused to enter his chest because the massive beast was standing on it.

  The animal’s jowls hovered mere inches from his face, revealing a set of fangs that could tear him to shreds had the hound a mind to attack, and by the look in its crimson eyes, it was trying to decide just that. Haden’s reluctance to draw attention to himself, coupled with a genuine fondness for the mutt, were the only things preventing him from driving his dagger into the beast’s heart. He just hoped the dog remembered him before it tore his throat out.

  Foamy drops of drool pelted him in the face and he turned his head a second before taking a glob of slime in the eye. “Get off me, Kyro,” he wheezed, cautious not to make any sudden movements that could be perceived as threatening by the temperamental beast.

  The animal dropped his massive head and sniffed his throat, shoving its cold nose against his carotid. Exhaling a sneezing snort, the damn beast peppered his face in snot. Oh, for fuck’s sake! Deciding to take his chances with the demons—and the dog—he rolled onto his shoulder and shoved the lard ass off him. Before he could get to his feet, Kyro chuffed a friendly greeting and dragged his goober-coated tongue up Haden’s cheek. “Knock it off, dammit,” he scolded the dog with a whispered growl, grabbing the hem of his shirt to dry his face.