I hardly breathed. Samael knew a lot more than I expected. I was both relieved and worried at the same time. “So he is alive?”
“Alive is a relative thing in this place, and I believe his time is running out, along with the lost souls of millions.”
“What do you mean?”
“The barriers are breaking everywhere, even here. A short time ago, a creature escaped from the pit and took up residence near the lake. It survives on living and dead souls and has been gobbling them up by the score.” He crossed the room to stand directly in front of me. I had to crane my neck to look up at him. “I guess you can say I have a finger on the pulse of Purgatory and its goings-on.” He tapped his chin with his long fingers.
The hair rose on the back of my neck, but I ignored the chill. “Will you help us rescue him? We don’t have much time.”
“Help you? Now that’s an interesting idea.” The corner of his lip twitched. “For a price, love.”
“No!” Insepth finally found his voice. He stepped forward as Samael’s head snapped his way. When he spoke again, it was with a level voice. “I don’t think your help will be necessary. We’ll just be on our way now. Your hospitality has been much appreciated.”
Horas sidled up beside me. When he placed his hand on my arm and I felt his sweaty skin, my heart raced even faster. I couldn’t recall ever seeing Horas afraid, and we’d faced sinister situations before.
I reached out for Sawyer in my mind and felt nothing. Then I called on my fire. Nothing. I glared at Samael. “What have you done?”
He laughed and the sound of it was deep and rich. “I couldn’t allow you and your friend here—” he flicked a finger at Insepth “—to use your primitive powers in my home, now could I? Who knows what you might have blown up or flattened?”
I followed his gaze upwards. Angelic writing covered the plastered ceiling and I recognized several markings that looked like hex symbols. “This room is warded?” I said it more as a statement than a question.
“One can’t be too careful.” The dark Angel smiled sweetly.
I tried once again to grasp any of my elements, and came up completely empty.
Insepth shook his head. “We won’t negotiate with you.”
“I’m really not all bad. There are two sides to every story. Perhaps I’ll tell you mine,” Samael offered.
“That’s quite all right. As Ember said, time is of the essence.” Insepth swallowed. “Be truthful. May we leave?”
Samael inclined his head. He opened his mouth, but a loud knock on the door interrupted him. “Enter,” he called out.
Another Angel, this one with brown wings and hair, strode up to Samael. They spoke quietly back and forth in an unrecognizable language that had an almost soothing quality to it.
When Samael turned back, the skin over his high cheekbones was flushed and his eyes sparkled. “It seems the cracks I mentioned earlier have turned into fissures. Hell’s host is entering Purgatory. Azriel and his Angels have fled.”
“I thought you were...with Azriel,” I stuttered.
“Alas, there was a time when we were on the same side, but not now.” His gaze sharpened, and I had a vision of a dark shadow wrapping around him—the kind of darkness that never saw the light of day. “As entertaining as this has been, I must attend to more pressing matters, love.” He glanced at Insepth. “To answer your question—yes, you are free to go. It will be amusing to watch your attempt to rescue the Growler while Hell’s beasts flood in. I suppose there’s a slight chance you’ll succeed. And if you do, I’m sure we’ll meet again.” He bowed. “You don’t have much time. Purgatory is one of Hell’s territories now.”
Samael winked at me and left the room, with the other Angel on his heels. The door was ajar and sounds of screaming and banging reached my ears.
“Let’s get out of here,” Horas urged, tugging on my arm.
I pulled back. “Wait. Who was that Angel?”
I already had a bad feeling about what the answer would be, but when I saw the grim look on Insepth’s face, my heart jumped.
“He was the first and the mightiest of the arch Angels. Samael was the name given to him by God, but later, he took other names: Abaddon, Beelzebub, Mephistopheles and—”
“Lucifer.” Our heads turned in the direction of the voice.
Sawyer stepped out from behind the tapestry of Armageddon.
Chapter 20
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is not truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
John 8:44
I ran across the room and jumped into Sawyer’s arms. He smelled like woods and leather, and his muscled arms were strong when they wrapped around me.
“Have you been here the entire time?” I looked up, still pressing my face against his leather jacket.
He stared over my head at Insepth. “I came inside to investigate, then discovered it’s easier to enter than it is to leave.”
“Damn,” Horas cursed. “There’s something wrong with my watch—it says we have only two hours until our rendezvous with the dragons.”
“That’s impossible,” Insepth hissed, reaching for Horas’ wrist to pull the watch closer for his inspection.
“Time works differently inside this building.” Sawyer released me. “Minutes are hours here.”
I squeezed his hand and motioned for Insepth and Horas to come closer. “Was that really the devil? I didn’t know he was an Angel.”
Insepth rubbed his face. “The moment he said his name, I knew who he was.” He looked at Horas. “And I assume you did also.” When Horas nodded, he continued, “Samael was God’s favorite Angel. He surpassed the angelic mass he commanded in grace, subordinate to only his Father. But Samael was prideful and considered himself equal to God. He gathered his loyal contingent and confronted God, demanding to receive equal standing with the Lord. When God refused him, Samael led a revolt against Heaven. Michael called on the Heavenly host at God’s command and battled Samael and the rebellious Angels, casting him and his followers into Hell.”
“Sir Austin and I have discussed Samael’s possible location and assumed, if the story was even real, that he was chained in Hell.” He lowered his voice. “I never dreamed he’d be in hiding in Purgatory.”
“Not hiding—invading,” Sawyer said. When my eyes narrowed, he quickly went on, “I overheard talk that Samael had his corrupt Angels working day and night to tear down the barrier between Hell and Purgatory. It’s the first step to reaching earth.”
My mouth became dry and I looked at Insepth for confirmation.
“It makes sense,” he admitted.
Something about Sawyer’s overly casual attitude about the entire situation put me on edge. He wasn’t being entirely truthful with me. What was he hiding? I lifted my chin, stepping away from him. “Samael said a creature from Hell was by the lake.”
“That’s where we’ll find dark particles. A beast directly from Hell will be loaded with the matter,” Insepth said.
A scream erupted right outside the door. There was a flash of a black cape, then a splatter of blood on the door. A growl erupted, then a thunderous bark. Sawyer shoved me behind him as the giant square-shaped head of a monster dog squeezed through the doorway. Another head of equal size appeared below the first. The wooden frame around the door splintered and the rock wall broke into pieces as the monster fell into the room. A third head lurched forward, snapping at Horas.
“A Cerberus!” he screamed, dodging the fangs, dripping with blood and with chunks of meat clinging to them.
Sawyer slammed the closest chair onto the floor, breaking it apart. He threw a jagged piece to Horas and another to Insepth, then leaped forwa
rd, striking a swiping paw with a chair leg.
I watched helplessly as one of the recliner-sized heads snapped at Horas. He was quick, rolling out of the way. Insepth fell onto the head, shoving his sharp piece of wood into its skull. The monster roared with pain and blood spurted from the wound. It reared its blocky body, taking Sawyer, who was clinging to its side, with it. It came down on top of Horas and for a moment, black fur obscured the Roman entirely.
Insepth jabbed at the eye of the injured head with repeated stabbing motions. Sawyer climbed higher until he was perched on top of the beast’s back. One of the heads threw back, knocking the weapon away. He continued to pummel it with his bare hands, although his strikes didn’t seem to affect the three-headed-monster dog at all.
The dog dropped and rolled, trying to shake Sawyer loose. Its long tail struck me, slamming me into a tapestry covered wall. I saw a flash of light and looked up. A glowing ball floated for an instant, swooshed down and disappeared into the wall. I pushed up on my wobbly legs and went to the spot where the light had vanished. A lion gazed down at me and where its jaws were being held shut by an Angel, I found a seam.
Shouts, roars and crashes sounded behind me as I stood on my tiptoes to reach the place with my hands. Finding the groove, I pried the tapestry apart and found a hand shaped depression. When I thrust my hand into place, the stone wall trembled and a piece dropped back, revealing a narrow opening. A cool breeze stirred the loose hairs from my ponytail.
“Over here!” I cried out.
Insepth saw me. As I slipped into a hallway, he swatted at Sawyer fighting beside him and pointed my way. Sawyer’s eyes widened and I thought I saw a faint smile touch his lips. He hoisted Horas onto his shoulders and raced after Insepth, who was a few steps ahead of him.
Insepth went sideways through the opening, pausing to reach for Horas and pull him through. When Sawyer cleared the room, I filled myself with wonderful Gaia and used its power to push the doorway shut just as one of the heads tore into the wall.
The wall began to tumble from the repeated slamming heads and I embraced my fire. When a large part of the wall gave way, flames rushed to greet the dog’s head. It yelped and fell backwards. The smell of charred fur and meat flooded my nose.
“Come on!” Insepth snagged my hand, while Sawyer picked up Horas, carrying him over his shoulder.
Blood trickled from Horas’ mouth and his eyes were closed. More shouts filled the air, followed by an explosion. There was no time to heal Horas. I had to stretch my legs to keep up with Insepth as he dragged me down the corridor. I held a small flame on my fingertips to light the way in the darkness. The sound of Sawyer’s heavy breathing echoed in my ears.
We came to a fork in the hallway and slid to a stop.
“Which way?” Insepth looked at me. It crossed my mind as odd that he was completely relying on my sense of direction when I was just as lost as he was. Then I caught a glimpse of sparkling light ahead. My gut clenched.
“This way.” I pointed to the right.
Insepth didn’t hesitate and Sawyer didn’t question how I knew where to go. We ran again and the crashing sounds grew fainter and the breeze turned into wind. The strange glow disappeared again and when we reached the spot, I shouted, “Stop!”
I shot a burst of flames from my fingertips until the rocks were hot and red and I found the handprint. Flattening my hand into the mark, I pushed, opening the doorway. Dim, dusky light and the silhouettes of massive tree trunks met us as we stumbled outside.
We wasted no time, running full out until we reached the cover of the ancient forest. We weren’t the only ones running. Many of the same Demons, Growlers and humans I’d seen partying in the building earlier were passing us, not even slowing to look our way. They were running for their lives.
The blonde who’d shown us to the warded room came abreast and our eyes met for an instant—recognition and terror looking back at me. A beam of white light shot downward, striking her. Her eyes lit up until the light dripped down her face like burning liquid. She melted into nothing, and I tripped.
Insepth jerked me up and we kept running. Sawyer raced ahead of us, turning into a cluster of trees. We followed him without looking back. A horn blasted, then a battle cry shouted from above.
“Don’t look,” Insepth cried, pulling me behind one of the trees. I wanted to turn my head, but he grabbed my face, holding it against his chest. “No—don’t. You’ll die!”
Wind swept in between the trees and there was another explosion. Insepth held my head too tightly for me to move, but I could see Sawyer. He still carried Horas over his shoulder, and he was staring back the way we’d fled from.
“Noooo!” I screamed.
As the light touched him, his eyes turned black and then red. The flash lasted a few breaths. When the world went dim again, Sawyer blinked.
Insepth released me and sagged against the tree. I stumbled forward, grabbing for Sawyer.
“Are you okay?” I whispered, forcing the words out of my mouth.
He stared at me—no, through me.
“Their destructive light won’t turn me to salt as it will those who still have souls,” he replied.
“This happened before—Sodom and Gomorrah. Have you heard of it?” I whirled at Eae’s voice. In a blur of colors, Ivan became human and ran to me. I braced as he fell against me, hugging me tightly.
“Ila led us here, but I could hardly believe that it was really her,” he said, huffing.
“Ila—you saw Ila.” My throat constricted.
“At first she was a ball of light, and then I heard her.” He dropped his voice. “She’s a ghost, Ember, and she said she was going to get you out of that place.”
The corners of my mouth lifted. “I thought it was her, but wasn’t sure.”
“You’re lucky she showed you the way before Azriel destroyed it.” Eae eyed me.
“He came back?” Insepth asked, pushing away from the tree.
“I never left.” Azriel dropped from above and landed beside Eae.
“Brother,” Eae grasped Azriel’s arm. “The sight of you chases the chill away in this dead place.”
Azriel’s black cloak covered most of his face, but I caught a glimpse of gray eyes and a round face covered with tattooed symbols. A flash at his side drew my gaze to the golden scythe there.
“Purgatory is lost. Hell is flowing in and Michael commanded us to leave.”
“Why don’t you fight to push the beasts back and close the barrier?” Eae asked. His brow was furrowed.
“It has begun. The seals are broken, the end approaches.” Azriel waved his hand. “Our place is in Heaven until the time arrives to sound the trumpets.”
“But what of the souls here—the ones that might still have redemption?” Eae asked.
“They must be sacrificed. There is no other way.” He lowered his voice “Samael is stronger than we thought and his followers are numerous. He managed to escape his bonds in Hell and disguise his presence here—something that should never have happened. I stayed hidden, hoping to strike him down when he went to the breech, but he didn’t go there.”
“Where is he then?”
Azriel shook his head. “I don’t know—he could be anywhere.” Azriel inclined his head as if he was listening. “I am summoned. Eae, you must come with me. I am your only escape.”
“What of my charge?” Eae nodded at me and I stood up straighter under Azriel’s scrutiny.
“Uriel spoke of her. She will not succeed. You would be throwing your life away for nothing if you stay with her.”
“The Prophesy isn’t complete—there are gaps, you know this. Can’t we hope all isn’t in vain?”
“That is not for me to say.” Azriel’s voice hardened. “Will you return to Heaven with me?”
I swallowed. “Go Eae. We’ll be okay.”
E
ae frowned back and then turned to Azriel. “I will stay with the girl, but I hope to see you again, old friend.”
Azriel placed his hand on Eae’s forehead. “The Lord be with you.”
“And also with you,” Eae said.
With a powerful flap, Azriel surged upward. A gust of wind stung my face and black feathers fluttered down around us.
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Insepth’s arm was around Horas’ shoulder as he healed him. Horas raised his head. “Perhaps we should have asked the Angel the way to this creature who’s eating the souls.” He looked at his watch. “Only twenty minutes left.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Everyone’s brows shot up, except Ivan, who was smiling. He could see her too. “We have a guide.”
I squeezed Ivan’s hand, then jogged into the mist after the ball of light.
Chapter 21
Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His Word.
Psalm 103:20
A growling, trumpeting noise pierced the gloom and I slowed, then stopped, tilting my head. My heart thumped harder when I recognized the sound. Thick, rancid smoke drifted around us and Ivan doubled over, coughing. Horas placed a hand on his back and blinked at me.
“He’s as weak as a newborn pup. I doubt he can even make the change into a wolf.”
“Take him to the rendezvous point,” I ordered.
“But you’ll need me—” he protested.
I shook my head vigorously. “No. This is a fool’s mission—and Samael knew it.” I touched Ivan’s messy hair. “Please, Horas. Take him home.”
Horas’ face twisted and he groaned. “I wish to be by your side, but I’ll do as you say. You’re the leader I’ve chosen to follow.” His gaze was steady. “I’ll see you again.”
I turned to join Sawyer, Insepth and Eae, who were a few steps ahead, when Ivan called out. “Wait!”
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