Ascension of Evil (Battle for Souls Book 3) (14 page)

Alexander straightened to his full height. “You knew, too?” he demanded of Boon before quickly turning back to Grace. “What kind of relationship did you have with Herak? I thought he’d been married and betrayed his wife.”

Grace wrung her hands. “It’s a long story, but Herak became fixated on me about halfway through the war. I’m the one who lured him here. Boon sealed it. Once he was trapped, Boon was able to convince him to entomb himself to save humanity. You have to remember, it was dark times and angels had to resort to…colorful tactics to save many.”

The story somehow seemed familiar, as if told from generation to generation, but Gabby couldn’t recall the exact plot or where she’d heard it.

A light flickered far above on the side of a rocky ridge. “Look,” Gabby pointed.

“That’s Herak. He lives in that cave.” Alexander tugged her hand to follow him. “Over here is the pathway up the side of the mountain. I remember it from last time.”

Alexander had told her the story of how he had to beg Herak for the serum to save Sammy’s wing. The man spoke in riddles and Alexander said he’d spent frustratingly long hours working out what he meant. She wasn’t in the mood for half-truths or cryptic speeches, not today.

They followed the trail up a steep incline. Gabby’s thighs burned with fatigue. She’d only been an angel for a short time, yet in this place, she already missed the feeling of being stronger and more attentive than a mere human. She couldn’t imagine how the rest of them felt since they’d always been angels.

Grace palmed the side of the mountain along the path and bent over, breathing heavy. “I’m not sure my old body is meant for climbing. Glad I was released from the rift a few years younger or I’d never make it.”

Gabby released Alexander’s hand and patted Grace on the back. With the comfort of his touch gone, the world felt a little darker. “Why doesn’t he just come to us?”

Alexander huffed. “Herak? Make it easy? Not going to happen.”

“Great, we have to grovel to some over-inflated former human with a God complex. This is going to be fun.” Dust and dirt invaded her mouth with each breath she took. The chilly morning air and arduous climb left her throat dry and raw.

Grace pushed away from the wall and continued ahead, her feet shuffling up the dirt trail.

Gabby smiled at Alexander and forced herself to continue. If Grace, at the old age of… actually, she wasn’t sure how old Grace was, but it was older than someone should be to climb this mountain, so Gabby continued without complaint.

After what felt like an hour, they finally crested the top and stopped, each of them panting from exertion. Weird. She’d probably had it a little easier since, as a mere human, she’d had to work so hard the last year to keep up with the others. Not that she didn’t long to collapse onto the ground and curl into a ball.

“I hope he’ll help us,” Gabby mumbled.

“He has to. It’s our only chance of locating the warrior angels at this point.” Grace’s tone held a note of desperation.

Gabby paused. She’d never heard Grace speak about anything but hope, love, and faith.

Now, she sounded dismal. No matter the reason, it was more than disconcerting.

A shot of fear ran through Gabby. She pivoted and spotted a hooded figure standing in front of a dark hole in the side of the mountain. So many emotions flooded her. Relief they had found him, hope that he could help locate the warrior angels and lead them on the battlefield, fear that this hooded figure, who had once ruled over all the Earth and had been the BFF of Satan, would not only refuse their request, but turn on them.

The figure waved his arm, summoning them to follow, before he disappeared back into the cave. Her pulse thudded against her neck and she took two deep breaths before following Boon and Grace. Alexander held her tight against his side. Even in human form, he wanted to protect her.

She glanced up and offered him a reassuring smile, but he stared ahead with blank eyes and a set jaw.

A musky scent mixed with the odor of damp earth greeted them at the cave entrance. Something was different inside. She could smell, hear, and taste things again, not to mention feel Alexander’s presence.

Smoke wafted from a long thin stick, held up by a decorative box on a small table in the far corner. Incense. That explained the musky, almost sandalwood smell.

A large man sat on a bench at the far end of the room and gestured for them to take a seat in chairs surrounding a pit fire. “Nice of you to pay a visit after all these years, Grace-Kathryn.” Her name rolled off his tongue with hidden meaning and a hint of sadness.

Grace blinked a few times. “Yes, it has been a long time.”

Alexander led Gabby to the chairs and sat down, never letting go of her hand.

“Ah, you must be Gabriella Moore.” Herak’s silver and white beard moved upward with the tightening of his lips into what she assumed was a smile. “I’ve heard many…interesting things about you.”

Alexander tensed at her side. “We need your help.”

Herak chuckled. “Yes, the boy who has no patience. I remember you.”

Grace sat on the edge of her chair, looking as if she were ready to bolt back down the mountain at the first sign of trouble. “We need for you to tell us where the warrior angels are, and why they haven’t joined us.”

Boon’s chair creaked as he shifted nervously. “No time for games.”

“Games? Me? I dare say I am not the one who plays games here.” He chuckled again. “It is obvious that these two love birds are still in the dark. Why haven’t you told them the truth? Are you worried history will repeat itself?”

Boon bolted to his feet. “Enough.”

Grace inhaled sharply then exhaled in a long breath. With sagging shoulders, she motioned Boon to retake his seat. “Herak is right. It is time for everyone to know what happened and what is yet to come.”

Herak gave a wry, knowing smile that sent chills through Gabby.

Boon paced the floor. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Grace nodded. “Alex, Gabby, you should brace yourselves. There is a lot for you to hear.” Gabby’s heart thrummed in her ears.

Alexander narrowed his gaze at Herak then Grace. “I have my memory back. What could you possibly tell us that I don’t already know?”

Grace paused for a minute then glared at Herak. “You don’t have
all
your memories back. Only the ones from Heaven.”

“Right, but I’ve never been… Wait, are you saying I was on Earth before?” Alexander leaned forward, his left elbow resting on his knee, his eyes wide.

Herak chuckled. “Yes, that is what she’s saying.”

Alexander’s mouth hung open. Gabby tried to process what they were talking about, but it only confused her. When would Alexander have been on Earth? Why didn’t anyone tell him before now?

Herak rose from the bench. “I think we should have some tea.”

Alexander dropped Gabby’s hand and shot up from his chair. “You are not dragging this out again. No tea. Start talking.”

They all looked away, not one of them wanted to make eye contact with Alexander or her. A sting ruffled her trapped wings, creating the strangest tickling sensation. “You’re scaring me. What happened to Alexander before, and what does that have to do with me and this war?”

Boon ran his hand through his hair and paced around his chair. “You were there, too. All of us were.”

“What?” Frowning, Gabby searched for the clue she was missing. “When? How? You aren’t making any sense.”

“You were both here, on Earth, during the last war, Herak’s war.”

Gabby shot from her chair. Her stomach churned and the cave tilted around her. Alexander quickly wrapped his arm around her waist. “That’s impossible. A human could never live over two thousand years. Well, besides Herak. And she can’t be an angel because I don’t remember her from Heaven.”

Grace’s lips curled up into a smile. “You both need to listen. It’s going to be tough, but you’ll understand why you’re here and why this war is happening again.”

Alexander sank back into the chair, tugging Gabby down with him. Her legs buckled and her butt landed on the hard seat. She shook her head, trying to free the myriad of thoughts shooting through her mind all at once. Was she an angel? Did she fight during the first war? Was she involved with Herak somehow? She pressed her hand to her belly before she nodded for Grace to continue.

Gabby leaned against Alexander. Something told her this was going to be shocking and would impact them both. She clung to him tighter, hoping no matter what words were uttered, he would still love her.

Herak picked up a stick and stirred the fire. “I think I will begin. You see, I fought each of you, including Samantha during the war, but I was once friends with some of you. Boon, for instance, was a messenger from Heaven. You need to understand I started as a man wanting to help others. It wasn’t until all the power I’d accumulated corrupted my intentions that I became who you believe me to be. I was a man of wealth, a husband, a strong-minded individual who wanted to change the way things were done. At first, it was for the greater good. However, when challenged by the powers that be, I thought I knew better and disobeyed their laws. When they discovered my treachery, they tried to strip my powers. But I had other plans.”

The fire crackled and Herak moved to a long table and retrieved a pot. Hanging it on the iron rod stretching over the fire, he then ambled back to his seat.

Alexander furrowed his brows. “We already know most of this.”

“Yes, well, humor me. I turned to Satan to restore my powers, which he did gladly. This time, I ensured no one could strip my abilities. I made a deal with Satan that I’d forever maintain the gifts if I were to take down the two most powerful warrior angels.”

Nervous energy surged through to Gabby’s hands, and she knew if her powers worked, she’d probably blow up the entire cave. “Boon and Grace, right?”

Grace reached over and patted Gabby’s hand. “No, dear. Forras and you.”

****

Alexander inhaled, choking on shock. He fought the seizing in his throat and managed to croak out, “But Gabby wasn’t…and I wasn’t even… No way could Forras—”

Boon wiped his brow and stood behind Grace, his hand on her shoulder. “Yes, Gabby was an angel and yes, you fought in the war. Forras was Gabby’s Guardian and Warrior. You were the healer and confidant of the one who commanded all armies.”

Alexander dropped his head in his hands. He squeezed his temples, trying to rid the pounding. What were they talking about? He’d remember if he were there, and he’d certainly remember Forras being her Guardian. The thought sent shivers down his body. No, it had to be some sort of mistake.

Herak grabbed a cloth, removed the pot from the iron hanger, and poured some hot, brown liquid into four cups.

“I told you, forget about the tea and tell us what the hell is going on.”

“Impatient as ever I see.” Herak offered a cup to Boon who returned to his chair and sipped. Grace took hers and rested it on her lap. Herak held one out for Gabby, but she shook her head.

Herak returned to his seat and slurped some before he directed his gaze back on them. “Now, you need to understand, I was consumed by the drug of power.” He shook his head. “I wasn’t in my right mind.” He shot a glance at Grace then looked back down at his drink. After a poignant pause, he lifted his chin at Alexander. “During the war, you were destined to give your life to protect the warrior. It was a given. If I took you down, then there would be no one left to protect the planet. Heaven would have sealed their gates and given Earth to me. I would’ve ruled over all of mankind.”

Grace wrung her hands in her lap. “Alexander, it wasn’t our decision to keep this from you. I know you must hate me, but we couldn’t tell you before. It was forbidden.”

His fear and sense of betrayal exploded. What could be so bad that they had to keep the truth from Gabby and him? “By whom? Herak? Heaven? Keeping secrets has done nothing but supply Hell’s minions with more ammo. Tell me! What are you still keeping from me?” A twinge of guilt gnawed at him for raising his voice at Grace.

“You were going to sacrifice yourself to save Earth and the Chosen One, the one that was destined to end the war. Your sacrifice would save everyone, including the high commander of all the angels. We never suspected…”

“What?” Alexander clutched the side of the chair to keep from slamming his fists against the cave wall.

“That you two were in love, and that she would make a deal with the devil to save you.”

Gabby pressed her hand to her mouth. “Me? You’re talking about me, aren’t you?”

Grace nodded, tears spilling from her eyes. “Yes, my dear.”

“No, it isn’t possible.” Alexander gave into the urge and slammed his fist against the wall, blood tricked from the torn skin. “She wasn’t an angel. I would’ve remembered her.”

Boon sat stiff, watching them. “You weren’t allowed to remember. Once Gabby made the deal, it was sealed with her death. She sacrificed herself to save you.”

Gabby worried her bottom lip, her eyes distant. “It doesn’t make sense. If I made a deal with Satan then Earth would have become part of Hell and Heaven would have sealed the gate.”