Darkness Wanes (21 page)

“And what would you offer?” he asked, not appearing the least bit amused.

“A free tattoo?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Now perform the same ritual as Lucas.”

“You’re no fun, are you?” When he didn’t respond, she pointed the blade tip at her palm and cut it without flinching. Lucas didn’t know many humans who could do that.

Bartol scowled as he watched her move about the circle dripping her blood. As soon as she finished and returned the knife, he began chanting again. Melena must have sensed the rise in magic because she rubbed her arms where goose bumps arose. Wind swirled around them, disturbing their hair. Lucas tensed when the air began to crackle with electricity. Beneath his feet, he almost could have sworn the earth throbbed with a surge of power.

Remiel appeared inside the circle. He didn’t look any better than the last time Lucas saw him. If anything, his robe had deteriorated further, and his forehead was creased with lines uncommon to his kind. He used to appear about thirty years old, but now he could have been pushing forty—if one discounted the countless millennia he’d already lived.

“What is the meaning of this?” The archangel scowled.

Melena took a few steps toward the circle. “We need to talk.”

“The answer is no,” he said emphatically.

“I haven’t even asked you a question yet,” she argued.

“It is not necessary. I am aware of what you want.”

She pointed a finger at him. “We can’t leave Ariel to rot in Hell.”

He stared down at the rocks and studied them. “Come closer.”

Had Bartol’s spell trapped Remiel? Lucas had spent so much time trying to discourage the summoning that he hadn’t asked how it worked.

“No.” Melena crossed her arms.

“Sensor,” he said, dragging out the word. “I am not playing games with you.”

“Good, because I’m not playing games, either. This is serious. We have to fix what you did before it’s too late.” There was desperation in Melena’s voice. She’d asked Lucas the day before how long he thought an angel could last in Hell before they were completely lost. He couldn’t be for certain, but he doubted it would take very long.

Pain flashed in Remiel’s eyes. “There is nothing I can do for her. She is far beyond my reach now.”

“What about Yerik?”

The archangel shook his head. “We sent him away for good reason. After all he has done, you cannot expect us to shorten his punishment.”

“Yes, I can.” Melena narrowed her eyes. “Every one of his crimes was committed to protect him and his family, and you damn well know it. Pick a punishment that lets him stay on Earth.”

“I have no wish to return him,” Remiel answered.

“Which tells me it’s possible. What do I need to do? Appeal the case to your court or something?” she asked. It was then that Lucas wished he hadn’t told her anything about how archangels run their affairs. On the other hand, he had to give his mate credit for not backing down from Remiel. She had the distinct advantage that she could not be silenced the way the rest of them could.

“It would be up to the council to decide whether to hear your case. Not mine alone.” The archangel stepped closer to the edge of the circle, but not over it. “It is unwise of you to draw attention to yourself again, Melena.”

“What are you going to do? Have me beaten and thrown in solitary again?” she asked.

Remiel’s eyes glowed. It was not in a benevolent way.

Lucas took hold of her shoulder. “Do not push him.”

“I have to,” Melena said, shrugging him off.

Remiel’s lips thinned. “Even if I could convince the council to consider your request, it is not a good idea.”

Melena cocked her head. “Why?”

“There is a human saying. I am unsure of the proper way to phrase it, but what I will tell you is that if one domino falls so will another. Freeing the daimoun will only bring danger to you that I would not wish to see happen,” Remiel replied.

It came to Lucas then what the archangel meant. How he hadn’t seen it sooner, he did not know. No wonder they shipped Yerik off to a distant planet where he could not interfere.

“Let it go, Melena,” Lucas said in a warning tone. “They will not free him this soon no matter what you say or do.”

Remiel’s gaze met his. They exchanged a look of understanding.

She shook her head, still not seeing the ramifications, and pleaded with the archangel once more. “I don’t care. Do whatever it takes to get me a meeting with the council—please.”

Remiel was quiet a moment. “It would be better for you if I didn’t, but I will do as you have requested. We will convene again in three days. If they are willing to hear your petition, I will return for you then.”

“Thank you.” Melena swept her foot against one of the rocks, breaking the circle.

“Do not thank me yet,” Remiel said. A moment later he flashed away.

She turned to Lucas. “What did he mean about Yerik?”

There was no way he’d provide her with such damning information. “Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me, Lucas,” Melena warned. “You know I’ll figure it out eventually.”

She would, but knowing the truth would only make her more desperate to free Yerik. Lucas could see the chain of events now. Melena would have to put her life on the line if she continued down this path. He leaned down and stared into her eyes, showing her his own desperation. “Leave it alone. If not for me, do it for Emily.”

Cori snapped her fingers. “I’ve got it.”

“What?” Melena swung toward her.

Lucas hoped the human hadn’t managed to put it all together.

“An archangel doesn’t become a demon overnight, right?” Cori waited until Melena nodded. “It probably takes many months or years to fully darken their soul, so Ariel’s not evil yet. If Yerik is half demon…”

“He could break into Hell to save her if he comes back in time,” Melena finished, excitement in her voice.

“You’re missing one important part,” Bartol said, glaring at the human woman.

“What?” She threw her hands up. “Convince him to go down there and get her? Weren’t they friends before?”

“If that was all there was to it, we might support the plan.” Lucas cast a hard look at Melena and Cori. “The problem is that new arrivals to Hell are placed in a segregated place with heavy wards around it. As a half-demon, Yerik can get her into Hell, but he cannot access the secure part.”

Bartol picked up one of the summoning circle stones and tossed it into the woods. “The only person on this planet that we know of who could possibly survive entering Hell and get past those wards is Melena, but she’d have to go into the new arrival area alone because the protection magic on it is too strong for her to break. Yerik won’t be able to join her on that part. Do you think the demons guarding the place are going to let her waltz right in there and grab a prize like a former angel? Never mind what Melena would have to do to get Ariel back out—which will be another difficult task altogether.”

“Also, if she’s captured or killed, she’ll never be able to leave,” Lucas added. Melena might not be considering going yet, but he knew her. She’d talk herself into it and with the band around his ankle keeping him confined to Alaska, he wouldn’t be able to go with her.

“Oh, shit,” Cori said.

“Exactly,” Bartol replied.

Chapter Eighteen

Melena

Demons chased me. They all looked similar to Kerbasi except their skin was burnt-orange, and they had black horns on top of their heads. My heart raced as their growls grew louder and more ferocious. I had to get away from them before they reached me, but how? The barren landscape I sprinted across only had rocks and dust. No mountains or forests where I could hide. Lightning flashed in the sky, practically shining a spotlight on me.

My legs seemed as if they’d been weighted down with lead. No matter how much I pushed, I couldn’t go any faster. If anything, I was slowing down. I dragged in a breath of air, but couldn’t seem to fill my lungs. The heavy footsteps came closer. What was I going to do? I looked to the left and right, but the flat terrain offered me nothing.

Hazy figures appeared up ahead. As I drew closer to them, their faces came into sharp focus. More hellish beings, except these looked like demon versions of Dannia. I skidded to a halt, swinging my arms to keep from falling. They blocked my path. I twisted around in circles, finding myself surrounded. The demons closed ranks, growling and reaching out for me with razor-sharp claws.

I woke up screaming. Lucas was by my side in an instant, pulling me into his arms. He whispered words of consolation I could hardly understand. The images from my nightmare still flashed in my mind and I had the near-overwhelming urge to run as far away as possible. When I began to shiver violently, he held me even tighter.

“It’s okay, Melena. You’re safe now,” he said, rocking me gently.

The deep timbre of his voice was comforting, but it was hard to believe him after what I’d just seen. For a few minutes, I lay in his arms soaking up his strength. There were no demons, and I was back in Alaska now—home. I reminded myself of this over and over again until the terror ebbed away. This wasn’t me. I would not let bad dreams incapacitate me or rule my life. Given enough time, I would conquer them.

Lifting my head, I caught sight of the dark landscape outside the window. “It’s already nighttime?”

“You slept the entire day. The sun set a few minutes ago.” I could sense his worry and concern. He ran his fingers through my hair, continuing to soothe me.

“Is this what it was like for you every time you came back?” I asked.

He was quiet for a moment. “Yes, but it does get easier. The first few days are always the most difficult, especially when you return to circumstances such as ours.”

I remembered tossing and turning the night before. Thoughts of Ariel kept racing through my mind. I could hardly blame Lucas for insisting I not rescue her. Invading Purgatory had been dangerous enough, but Hell was an entirely different matter, and he wouldn’t be able to go with me. The demons would have no mercy, and I’d risk losing my soul.

As soon as I’d decide against it, though, Ariel’s ethereal face would pop into my head. A moment later it twisted into a demonic version. How could I continue living a long immortal life knowing I hadn’t at least tried to save her before it was too late? The guilt would eat at me every day. If the archangel council did decide to release Yerik, I needed to consider my options.

All those thoughts and more prevented me from sleeping until sometime in the early morning. My body must have shut down after that. I was still recovering from my stay in Purgatory and my injuries from the forest fire. It would take time to return to fighting shape.

I rested my head against Lucas’ chest and listened to his heartbeat. There was something ridiculously comforting about hearing it. “Did anything happen while I was asleep?”

“O’Connell stopped by. I sent him away.”

I tilted my head up to meet his gaze. “How many broken bones does he have?”

“Regrettably, none.” Lucas scowled. “We need him whole too much.”

“Why?”

He worked his jaw, and I admired the faint stubble growing there. Lucas was usually well-groomed, but he’d let himself go in my absence. He’d had to slick back his hair just to keep it out of his face because it had grown so long. In a weird way, I found his recent grunginess rather endearing. No one was perfect—not even him.

“I believe your missing brother has formed a cult—one that is targeting supernaturals. O’Connell has more resources than I do at the moment to track him down,” he finally answered.

“What?” I pulled away from him. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?” He’d updated me on the recent attacks and the fallen peace spell, but not this.

“You had enough to handle without adding more before you were ready.” He reached out and traced the line of my jaw.

Normally, I loved it when he did that, but this time I grabbed his hand and shoved it down. He was not going to distract me with soft touches or tender looks. “How do you know my brother is behind it?”

Lucas sighed. “I believe it is best you question Patrick about that yourself. You must come to your own conclusions.”

“Patrick? What does he know about this?” Here I was questioning him the other morning, and I didn’t even have all the facts. If Emily’s father knew about this cult, he could be involved. I was half tempted to kick Lucas for keeping me in the dark.

“He is the one who told us about the group and its activities,” Lucas replied. By the expression on his face, he must have wished he could have put this conversation off a little longer. “I provided O’Connell with the details, but he will only work with you.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” I rubbed my face. Couldn’t the world have just paused while I was gone? If it wasn’t one thing hitting me, it was another.

“What was that screaming?” Kerbasi’s voice came from the doorway. “I heard it all the way in my modest little dwelling and thought someone must be dying.”