Descent (A Hidden Wings Novella: Prequel) (11 page)

Samuel l
eaned over and wrapped Alaine in his arms. She wept and wept, and he held her tight, whispering how proud he was, and how much he loved her.

After cleaning the baby, Abigail
wrapped her in a blanket and walked her over to Samuel and Alaine.

“Would you like to hold her?”

Alaine lifted her arms toward the bundle and brought her to her chest. She gasped, and the tears continuously flowed down her face.

She was perfect, and so tiny. Her little
nose was so sweet, her lips were bright pink and perfectly shaped, and her little cheeks looked like they were brushed with pink blush. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a split second, she smiled.

Alaine
looked at Samuel. She could tell he was torn.

Alaine put her nose down to her little head an
d breathed in her scent. She smelled so sweet. She was sweet in every way imaginable.

“She’s beautiful, just like he
r mother,” Samuel whispered. He wrapped his arms around Alaine and the baby, and then leaned over and kissed his daughter on the cheek. She scrunched her little nose, and for a moment there was laughter. For a moment, they were a real family. But, that moment was not going to last long, and everyone in the room knew it.

They were i
nterrupted by one of the Watchers, who came to the door. He motioned for Samuel to come, and they quickly disappeared into the hall.

Alaine could hear their murmurs echoing off the walls, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of her beautiful daughter. She studied the details of her soft face. So amazingly perfect.

But when her heart should have been happy, it started to break when she realized she had to give her away.

Samuel ca
me back in with a deep furrow in his brow. He eyes looked concerned, but as soon as he laid them on Alaine, he smiled. “I’m sorry Alaine. We need to say goodbye.”

“Are we in danger?”

“No. It’s just a precaution. The Watchers spotted one of the Fallen a few miles away.”

Laura gasped and
immediately went to Alaine’s side and held out her hands to take the child. Alaine’s world suddenly became hazy. She ran this day in her mind over and over, but was still not prepared for it. This was something she could never prepare for. Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.

She glanced down at her
newborn daughter through tear-filled eyes.

This precious
, sleeping, baby girl had no idea of the events going on around her; no idea she was in danger, or that her mother’s heart was breaking. She had no clue that she was going to be whisked away in a few moments to a new set of parents. 

Alaine
whispered softly in her ear. “I love you so much my precious daughter, more than every single breath I breathe, more than life itself. I’m so sorry. I wish I could keep you, but always remember that I will be here should you ever need me.”

Alaine’s eyes flooded with
tears. She kissed her precious daughter on the forehead, breathed in her scent, and handed her over to the midwife.

She
carried the child to Samuel, and placed her in his arms. His eyes sparkled as he stared at his daughter’s beautiful face. He leaned down and pressed his lips on her cheek, whispered something into her little ear. Then, he gave her one last kiss goodbye.

Abigail headed toward
them, and Samuel carefully handed her the child. She turned one last time to Alaine, but Alaine was curled up, sobbing. Her heart was breaking, her body aching.

Samuel sadly gave
Abigail a nod, so she quickly took the baby---so innocent, so oblivious to the dangers of the dark world around her---and fled into the night.

T
he next few months were very difficult for both Samuel and Alaine. Alaine was hard to console at first, but it was Samuel’s constant love and commitment which helped to pull her together. 

Although their daughter was now in the
loving care of Victoria and Christian, there could be no physical contact and very limited correspondence. This was to assure that the Fallen would have no leads or connections to the Wise family, and keep them safe.

But Abigail Reed did find out the name
she was given. Her name was Emma. Emma Wise. The day Alaine learned Emma’s name, it took residence in her heart and mind, and there wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think about her.

Her heart ached knowing she would miss
watching her grow, cutting her first tooth, taking her first step, and saying her first word. But if all that heartache meant that Emma would be safe, then it was worth it.

Chapter Ten

The Tragedy

Samuel:

My inner voice was warning me that someone had found out about my relationship with Alaine. I just hoped with all my being that they didn’t find out about Emma.

I
had no doubt that Alaine could take care of herself, especially with her gift of invisibility. I taught her everything I knew about Angels and the Fallen, and how to recognize the signs when either was near. That gave her an edge, and a fighting chance of survival.

But our daughter was helpless. There was no way a
ny mortal who surrounded her could win a battle with an Immortal, or live to tell about it.

But I was curious. Why would they send two of their best to collect me
? I wasn’t afraid to die. Death had no sting, especially to many of the Fallen who wished for it.

I no longer wished for death.

I had finally found happiness, and found the one my heart had been searching for my entire existence. The one I wanted to share the rest of my eternity with…regardless if we were star-crossed lovers sharing one forbidden love.

“Samuel.” My though
ts were broken as Abaddon spoke my name.

I nodded
and let them take me.

W
e entered the porthole into the Underworld, a place I never pleasured in returning to. Desolate. Dry. Dead. The ground was parched, and steam rose from large crevices within its surface. Not one sign of life. A colorless, foul, cursed world, much like most of the hearts that dwelt here.

Althou
gh I was one of the Fallen, I preferred to stay in the mortal world as to not become too accustomed to this one. Regret of past decisions was a heavy weight to bear, and I was doomed to spend an eternity carrying it.

As Abaddon and Apollyon flew me east towards Montem Mortis, the Mount of Death, I realized I was in grave danger. This was the place traitors and those who disregarded the laws, were brought for execution.

I couldn’t help but notice the corpses of
all my Fallen brothers on the rocks below. Bones of some I knew personally. Some who stood up against this senseless war and wanted it to end. They were executed because of it. This leadership was tyrannical: wanting to make war when there was no cause for one.

Hum
ans had a choice. It was something given to them. We, on the other hand, did not.  

We soared higher, to the top of the mountain.

Alaine.

Emma.

Their names filled my heart as we drew closer, giving me strength and some kind of hope to hold on to.

We landed on
a small area at the top where the dirt had become blackened from all of the previous blood spilled. Lucian was waiting. His white hair was drawn back, and his wings were folded behind his back, which meant that whatever was going to happen, wasn’t going to take long.

Abaddon walked toward him and bowed, showing his allegiance. “We’ve brought Samuel.”

Apollyon stepped behind me and whispered something so soft, at first I thought it was the wind. “I’ve heard about your mortal love. I also have one. Trust my sword.”

Were my ears deceiving me?
How could he have known about Alaine? I turned my head to the side and he gave the slightest nod. Apollyon was a master swordsman. The best I’d ever come across or had seen in battle. He was so quick, so precise, and each one of his swings was deliberate and fatal, never missing its target.

Lucian’s eyes fixed on me, pitch black, with evil intentions.
But I wasn’t afraid of him. Yes, he was an ancient, almost as old as Lucifer, but other than that he was no different from any of us. He was just handed his leadership and authority.

I could sense his intentions, and they were evil.  

Immortals could die one of two ways. Take off the head, or pierce the heart.

If my arms weren’t bound
, I would have fought him till the death. But with my arms secured tightly behind me, there wasn’t much I could do. I couldn’t fly, because if I called my wings, they would tear my arms off. The only thing I could do was trust in a whisper. It was all I had.

I
steeled my eyes on Lucian, and he gave me a wicked grin.

I
suddenly envisioned my sword in my hand, slicing the smirk off his face, then his head. I would smile as I watched it fall face-first into the dirt, hopefully hitting a rock on the way down. Then, I would rip out his heart, just to be certain of his death. That would be a beautiful sight.

I usually
had a nice disposition, but I was still a Fallen Angel. One that most didn’t mess with.

**********

“So, you are Samuel?” Lucian huffed. He still had a smirk on his face.

Samuel stood still, firm
, and said nothing.

I’ve received word that you’ve been
keeping intimate company with a mortal. Is this true?”

“
Where did you come by this information?” Samuel questioned.

“T
hat does not concern you!” Lucian growled. “Don’t you know that breeding with the mortal insects is forbidden?”

“
Yes, and that should not concern you,” Samuel smirked.

“Oh, but it does.
Lucifer has placed me in charge of the Fallen, and I will make sure they do not breed and create bastard abominations, and future enemies to us.”

Samuel’s heart
began to fill with hate for Lucian as he thought about his Alaine, and their beautiful daughter Emma. They were the furthest things from abominations.

“I
have done nothing wrong,” Samuel said in defense, and with all honesty.

“
Well, I’m here to make sure of that.”

Samuel glared at him.

Samuel knew that Lucian had brou
ght him here for one purpose and one purpose alone. Execution. And he wasn’t going to leave until it was carried out. Once brought to Montem Mortis, you never returned. That was Lucian’s way. Guilty or innocent, it didn’t matter. Each visitor met their fate, and he was there as a maniacal spectator.

Lucian spoke
one word, and Samuel knew it was the beginning of the end.

“Abaddon.”

Samuel stood tall and closed his eyes. His thoughts went to his Alaine. His love. His world. The pain might be bearable if he could keep his mind on her. She gave him strength.