Gods and Mortals: Fourteen Free Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Novels Featuring Thor, Loki, Greek Gods, Native American Spirits, Vampires, Werewolves, & More (266 page)

“Well then, here we are,” said the oracle as he pushed open the doors. “The Minister will see you now.” He disappeared behind them, leaving Kara and David standing alone.

Kara gasped.

Fourteen eyes stared back at her. She blinked. A group of seven determined-looking Archangels sat upon a dais at the opposite end of a large round chamber. The room had a rounded glass dome, and Kara could see the blue sky and hints of other tall buildings floating around them. Rays of light spilled through the glass. The Archangels sat around a black half-moon desk, which sparkled in the light like a huge black diamond.

Kara staggered behind David as they walked through the majestic doorway. Her skin prickled all along her back, as she felt the entire room go still around her. The only sound was the echoing patter of their feet.

Rows of wooden seats were angled along and around the chamber, like seats in a stadium, but this time they were all empty. She started to feel extremely cautious. A long bench was placed ten feet away from the dais, anticipating their arrival. David walked casually to the bench and faced the group, mouthing to Kara to do the same. She flicked her hair behind her ears and waited. And as she looked up, seven pairs of eyes were still watching her every move. Kara bit her lip, feeling small and insignificant.
I’m so dead.
She couldn’t remember feeling this nervous before, even when she first presented her paintings. She wished she could throw up.

The largest of the Archangel males, who sat in the middle, stood up and spoke.

“Welcome, guardian angels, to the Council of Ministers. I am Uriel, the Minister of Ministration and Peace.”

Uriel’s voice was soft and almost musical, not at all like the booming voices of Ramiel and Gabriel. His dark brown wavy hair sparkled in the light. There was something very soothing about his presence. Kara felt herself relax a little. He was also very easy on the eyes. A long golden robe swished and swayed as he lifted his arms.

“Let us begin,” he called back. “Please, sit down.” He threw out his arms, gesturing for Kara and David to take a seat.

Kara fell into the chair with an echoing
thump
. The sound cut through the thick wall of silence like a knife. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She felt the energy of the council focus upon her. Kara flinched.

“Ahem…members,” said Uriel, “there are two matters to be discussed regarding guardian angel, Kara Nightingale, of the class order # 4321. First, let us begin with the delicate subject of the demon’s Mark.”

Kara lifted her eyes and gazed at the speaker. Uriel sat back down and brought his hands together in front of him. For a moment, he considered the council, his face stained in discountenance.

An Archangel with a shaved head and dressed in a long grey robe pushed his chair back and stood up, his hands clasped together in front of him. “Let me be the first to object to bringing her to the council. She is a demon spy! She wears their
Mark!
We should cast her out to join her filth!” He turned his attention to Kara and glared at her with deep-set eyes.

Kara bit her lip. “This is not so good,” she whispered.

A woman stood up. Her curly red hair rippled all the way down her back. Her robes were green, and her skin gave off a milky glow. “We understand your concern, Zadkiel. But under these new circumstances, I feel it is our obligation as elders to this council to seek the truth and believe in our guardians. From what Gabriel has told us, she had no previous knowledge of the Mark. There is no evidence that implicates her in any demon activity. The demons could have Marked her without her knowledge. Without any proof, I must believe she is innocent.”

There were a few mumbled consensuses amongst the council members.

Zadkiel pressed his lips together. “Camael, do not be fooled. The Marked are best at concealing themselves…they are true chameleons. She is a danger to us all. Having her here will only bring death to our world! Can you not see this? Her soul is evil!”

Those last words rang in Kara’s brain. She felt herself sinking on the bench.

Camael lifted her hand in a calming manner. “There’s no need to shout. I understand the dangers involved if we are wrong. But I believe she is innocent. There is no evidence that points to her deceiving us.”

Kara’s anxiety rose to an uncontrollable level; her head was spinning. She rocked back and forth on her chair, fumbling with her fingers.

“This is against all High Council laws. Never before have we permitted a Marked angel to stay in Horizon. This cannot be! I forbid it!” bellowed Zadkiel. His lips trembled as his face was cloaked in a scowl.

Another member of the Council stood up. His night black skin contrasted against his blood red robes. His face was twisted in contempt. “I agree with Zadkiel. Letting this angel stay amongst us will only result in our
ruin
. She should not be permitted to stay!”

“She will be killed if we cast her out. She must be allowed to stay!” protested Camael.

Kara heard some members gasp.

“Members,” said Zadkiel. His tone had changed into a soothing melody of words. “How can we trust this angel? We know nothing of her. Who is to say she is not a spy? She might not look evil, but do not let your eyes deceive you … evil has many faces.”

“I’d like to hear what Petty Officer David McGowan has to say about this,” Uriel’s voice silenced everyone in the room. Kara felt its power. His eyes darted over to David. “He’s been with her since she arrived in Horizon, some short time ago. He’s watched over her. I’m sure he can give us a better understanding of her temperament. David?”

Wide-eyed, Kara shot a glance at David. His expression was unreadable.

David stood up. “Um…she seems to be a regular sixteen year-old girl—a bit of a loner at times—but I haven’t seen her do anything suspicious … or against our ways. I don’t sense any evil in her heart.”

Kara frowned. Did he just call her a loner? She searched David’s face.

“How can you be sure? You cannot know what’s in her heart! No! We cannot allow this!” Zadkiel hit the table with his fist.

“This angel is innocent!” said Camael. “There is no proof supporting your claim!”

“She is a
traitor
! Have you already forgotten that she was Marked?!” shouted Zadkiel.

“ENOUGH!” said Uriel. His voice thundered through the great dome. “Let us vote on the matter now. All those in favor of banishing Kara Nightingale from Horizon, raise your right hand.”

Panic moved down her body slowly. Kara counted the hands. Three.

“All those in favor of keeping her in Horizon so that she may continue to excel as a prominent GA?” continued Uriel, and he raised his hand. He pulled back the corners of his lips and showed her his teeth.

Kara waited patiently as she watched the hands go up. Four.

“The council has spoken…Kara Nightingale will stay in Horizon. Without conclusive evidence, we find no fault in her actions, nor do we find any in her Petty Officer.”

Uriel looked at Kara, his deep-set eyes searching. She felt as though he was trying to see through her. Uriel lifted his brow. “And so, the council has closed this matter…let’s move on to the next.”

Kara had only just begun to feel calm again when she realized it wasn’t over yet. The Archangels who were standing seated themselves. She looked at David for help. But he wasn’t looking at her. He stared at the floor.

Another woman Archangel from the council stood up. Her long blonde hair covered the front of her white robes. She was looking at Kara.

“The council has been informed about a grave matter. An elemental child, born of mortal and angel parents, has gone missing. The elemental are very powerful creatures. They possess power of great magnitude. The mixing of mortals and angels is forbidden, but unfortunately it has happened, and we have to deal with the consequences. And to make this serious matter worse, we have now learned that the child has been taken.

“This child is
very
special, both to us and to the demon ruler, Asmodeus— for the power it can give the demons is unimaginable. Asmodeus and his kingdom of demons could perpetuate their stay in the world of the living. He wants to create havoc and take possession of Earth. It is our belief that the child is being held by some demon troops, hidden in the mortal world. When the time comes, Asmodeus will kill this child and use its power to rule the mortal world.”

There were a few acknowledgments among the council.

Kara’s head was spinning. An elemental child?
Was this the same child Benson had mentioned? Twisted images of demons torturing a child flashed before her eyes, as a faint echo of a baby’s cry made her shiver. A feeling of dread crept inside her. She looked across at the council members. Her eyes rested on Uriel; his face was unreadable. Amongst all these wise men and women she felt insignificant, as if her body had melted into the bench.

The Archangel Uriel glanced over at the speaker and motioned her to sit. “Thank you, Jophiel,” he said, as he placed his hands flat in front of him. “And now, at this time, you have been summoned to the council, Kara Nightingale, to be given a
life-quest
.”

At these words she heard David gasp. She turned to see his eyes bulging out of his head. He mouthed the word, “
What!”

She heard another gasp behind her, then a
thump
. And when she turned, she could see that the oracle had fallen off his orb. He clambered back up on his crystal and threw his arms around it.

Kara shook her head. “David!” she whispered, “What’s a life-quest?”

David spoke with the side of his mouth. “It’s a special assignment. If you succeed, you get your life back…your mortal life back as it was before you died!”

Kara could only blink.

“It’s very rare,” he continued whispering.

Kara’s jaw dropped as she let David’s words sink into her brain. “
Your mortal life back…are they serious…?”

“Kara Nightingale,” said Uriel quietly. “Your life-quest will be to retrieve the elemental child. We have called upon you to fulfill your duty as a guardian angel and to complete the life-quest which is now appointed to you.”

His dark eyes glittered, and he waited to meet Kara’s eyes. “Will you accept this quest?”

Kara had lost her voice. She stared at the council, wide-eyed, with her lips glued together. She looked up at Uriel. His face was lost in shadow. Visions of her past life came crashing down upon her, nearly knocking her off balance on the bench.

“I…I can have my life back? Is this for real?” her voice cracked.

“It is very real,” answered Uriel. A hint of a smile reaching his lips.

“And I can see my mother again?” She hoped for the chance to make up past wrongs.

“Yes. You’ll have your whole life ahead of you.”

As crazy as it sounded, she had already made up her mind. She just couldn’t utter the words. She forced open her mouth and stammered, “Y…yes? Yes. I’ll do it.”

Uriel nodded, apparently pleased with her decision.

“Good. And for your information, this life-quest has also been appointed to five other guardian angels. This will be a
difficult
challenge, and we will need as many chosen angels as possible. Each guardian was chosen for their specific skills.”

“Elementals are very rare—and very dangerous,” he continued. “They are not born evil, but their power tends towards the darkness, unless we can prevent it. But I must warn you: Elementals can only be touched by mortals. If an angel or a demon touches an elemental, they will die. You will be given a pair of silver gloves to wear. With these gloves, the elemental’s touch cannot harm you.”

All eyes were on Kara. She hated being the center of attention. She felt like a mutant. She cast a quick glance in David’s direction, but he did not meet her gaze. She did not know what would happen next. She felt her body jolt as an electric shock burned from the tips of her toes to the top of her head.

Uriel cleared his throat.

“As the appointed minister of this council, I call this meeting adjourned. We will look forward to your progress on this quest, Kara Nightingale. You will report to the Archangel Gabriel for your briefing with the others. That is all.”

Kara watched David stand up. She heard the echo of an oracle’s orb rolling towards them.

“Well now, that wasn’t so bad. This way please,” said the oracle with his tiny arms outstretched, “no point in hanging around…the meeting is over.”

He pointed towards the door. “Let’s get going, angels. There is work to be done!” The oracle rolled away.

Kara pushed herself off the chair and followed David. Before she left the room, Kara turned around and stared back at the council one last time. Uriel fumbled with some papers, but did not look up.

As silent as a grave, the threesome walked and rolled back down the hallway leading to the landing zone. Kara stole a sideways glance at David. She could see that he was preoccupied with thought. And she was doing some thinking of her own. Dizzy with the events that just happened, Kara’s mind was on but one thought only…to be with her mother again.

O
n the ride
back to Operations, travelling by sky-car and then the elevator, Kara relived the events from the council in her head. If she succeeded in her new mission, she would be with her mother very soon. It was her only chance to make things right. Failure was not an option.

But some of the events with the High Council had left her feeling less than perfectly happy. Clearly, some of the members didn’t believe her and wanted her
dead
, which meant a big part of the Legion was also in doubt. But Kara was even more determined to prove her innocence. She wasn’t a liar, or a traitor. Her new mission, this life-quest, was the perfect opportunity to show them all…including David.

Kara thought of all the possibilities that having her life back again would offer her: She’d be with her mom again. She’d have a chance at her career as an artist, and she could maybe even slip into a little love? She stole a look at David and felt herself go limp. He had accused her of playing with his emotions—of using him—did that mean he cared for her? Now he was giving her the cold shoulder again. And something was different about the way he looked at her. She thought she saw fear flash behind his eyes a few times. But why? What was he so afraid of?

They strolled along in the ruby sand on their way to the large white tent. Gabriel hovered over a table and examined some documents. Five other guardian angels lingered around and talked amongst themselves. None of them turned to greet Kara and David. They all ignored her. Some smiled at David, but most of them avoided eye contact with Kara.

She felt a sting in her chest. “Does the entire Legion know about the Mark?” she asked David.

“Words travel fast here. I’m sure everybody knew about it before we were called to the council meeting.”

“Great,” she sighed. “They’re all treating me like I’m guilty. But I’m not!”

“Don’t waste your time with them…you need to stay focused on your new mission.”

She stared at the small gathering of angels. “Hey? I’m the only rookie…everyone here is a Petty Officer? Is that normal?”

“I don’t know.”

“And look…Benson is here.”

David scowled. “Well, well … my favorite douche bag. What were the odds of him showing up?” Benson looked at David with contempt. He puffed out his chest and squared his shoulders.

Kara bit her lip and followed David towards the group. Gabriel lifted his head as they approached and met her eyes. She looked quickly away and stood next to David.

“Kara Nightingale,” said the Archangel, “glad you could join us.”

He waved a large hand over to the group. His attention then turned to David. “You don’t have to stay with Kara, David. She will be well taken care of.”

David kicked some red sand and looked up. “I’m here for
moral
support, Gaby,” he grinned. He met Benson’s glare and blew him a kiss.

A moment later, Benson sneaked away from the group and moved closer to David so that only he and Kara could hear what he had to say. “Didn’t know you liked your women
dirty,
David?” Benson cracked a smile.

Kara saw David’s jaw tighten. “You’ve got five seconds to get lost.”

“I would have never pictured you
frolicking
with the enemy,” said Benson, as he cocked an eyebrow and stared at Kara, before looking back at David. “I didn’t think it was your
style
.”

A cool smile curled David’s lips. “My
style
is my foot up your butt if you don’t leave.”

Kara sensed a rush of anger spilling inside her. “Stop it! Why are you doing this? I haven’t done anything…”

“I don’t speak to traitors…I kill them.” Benson smacked his fist into his hand and his face twisted in an almost animal expression. He looked at David. “I’d watch my back if I were you.”

Rage flashed in David’s eyes. “Thanks for the advice,
dumbass
, why don’t you run along now…I hear your mother calling.”

“She’ll have you killed, you know.” And with that, Benson walked back to the group.

It was worse than Kara had hoped. If Benson openly loathed her, who else did? David looked in a worse mood than when they left the council. His expression was livid as he stared at the ground.

“You’re…you’re never going to believe me, are you?” Kara’s voice started to crack. “You still think I’m a traitor … don’t you?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” said David softly.

What was more frightening than the dangerous life-quest was losing David’s friendship. Kara felt him drifting away from her. She forced herself to look away from David. Gabriel was about to begin his briefing.

Gabriel straightened himself, a scowl on his brow as he pursed his lips. He placed his two hands on the table facing the angels and addressed them. “Listen up, guardian angels! You are gathered here now because you have all been chosen to carry out a life-quest. Do not be mistaken. This is no
ordinary
assignment—and some of you will not return…”

At that moment there was a sudden collective silence. Kara looked around at the five guardian angels’ looks of bewilderment spread across their faces as they gawked at Gabriel.

“We have acquired information regarding the whereabouts of the elemental child,” continued Gabriel, his dark eyes darting from face to face. “Our Scouts inform us that the child is in the hands of some higher demons and is being held in one of their many demon safe houses. They move the child around from house to house…and they use decoys, so we’re not sure in which safe house the child could be.” Gabriel paused as he concentrated.

“You will be put into pairs and assigned to three different locations,” continued Gabriel after a short moment. “All of you will be geared up with the weapons and tools you will need to survive. We know this is probably the hardest assignment of your GA careers, but remember, you have been chosen out of thousands because we
know
you can succeed. You all have what it takes.”

The last time she checked, Kara didn’t have any special talent. Could she paint a demon to death? Drown it in some gouache?

“Keep in mind that you are responsible for your partner. Let’s not make this harder than it already is. Good luck.” Gabriel stepped back and folded his hands in front of him.

An oracle steered his great crystal ball to the front of the table carrying a folded piece of paper. He opened the paper and cleared his throat. “The groups are as follows,” he called, holding the file in front of him.

“Benson Henderson and Ravi Aruna!” Kara watched as Benson walked over to stand next to a thirty-something East Indian man.

“Lindsey Steel and Carlos Lopez!” Lindsey was a thick, forty-something brunette who stood at about five foot ten. To Kara, she looked more like an Amazon than a guardian angel. She turned her head as Carlos walked over to Lindsey, his five-foot-five frame appearing fragile beside hers.

Kara blinked as she looked around, realizing that this meant there was only one guardian angel left to be paired with her: a twenty-something woman, who was probably regretting her acceptance of the life-quest right about now.

The oracle’s eyebrows shot up on his forehead as he continued. “And for our last group, Brooke Miller and Kara Nightingale!”

Kara bit her lip and shot a glance at David, who gave her a reassuring nod. Fidgeting on the spot, she moved towards her new partner who was walking towards her. Kara saw a reflection of disappointment in Brooke’s eyes, for just a second, but it was long enough for Kara to see. Then Booke’s face cracked into a wide smile and she extended her hand. “Hiya! I’m Brooke,” she said. Her long blond ponytail bounced behind her.

“Kara.” The two girls shook hands and turned to face the oracle.

Kara blinked as she watched Gabriel stepping forward.

“And one more thing,” declared Gabriel. “As you know, if you succeed in this life-quest, you will indeed get your mortal life back as it was. But if you decide to stay in Horizon, the Legion will promote you to First Officer. So, you will have a choice.” He stepped back, clasped his hands behind his back, and lifted his chin.

The oracle fidgeted on the spot and cleared his throat again.

“Guardian angels…each group will have
precisely
two hours to complete their mission. If you stay longer than that — pay attention now— your M suits will
expire…
did you all hear me? Good.” His blue eyes glistened with unease.

For a moment he studied the three groups, and then he grabbed three separate files which were piled on top of one another on the table. He opened the first file and glanced quickly inside before shutting it.

“Group 1—Benson Henderson and Ravi Aruna. Here is your assignment,” said the oracle, as he stretched out his tiny arm and waved the closed file in their direction. Ravi walked up to the oracle and took the file from him, opened it, and read it while returning to his spot. Once Ravi had finished reading the file, he handed it to Benson. Kara watched Benson’s eyes widen as he kept on reading.

“Group 2—Lindsey Steel and Carlos Lopez!” he called. Lindsey broke away from Carlos and took the file from the oracle. She opened the file only when she was back beside Carlos. Their heads nearly touched as they absorbed the information on the file.

One group left
, thought Kara. Her eyes flashed to David. He stood with his arms crossed, scowling at the oracle.

“And lastly, Group 3!” the oracle called as he opened the remaining file. He took a quick look inside before closing it again.

“Brooke Miller and Kara Nightingale…here is your assignment.”

Kara couldn’t move. Brooke gave Kara a nod and then hopped over to the oracle. She grabbed the file and came bouncing back, her large blue eyes glistening, as she settled beside Kara. She and Kara opened it and read:

G
roup 3
: Life-Quest

Guardian Angels: Brooke Miller, Kara Nightingale

Rank: Petty Officer W-2, Rookie 1
^st
year, W-1 Guard squad

Assignment: Rescue Elemental child, from Demon safe house #3;

1228 Pine Avenue West. 9:00 pm.

K
ara pulled
out a blueprint of a house.

“Please report back here within two hours,” the oracle told the groups. “You will be debriefed and sent out again if the child is still missing. Quickly now…report to the weapons tent for gearing right away!”

The old man clapped his hands. “Off you go! Off you go!”

Kara watched the other groups breaking away and marching towards the weapons tent. David jogged over to her.

“So … do you know what to do?” he said, as he jammed his hands into his front jean pockets, avoiding her eyes. “You think you can handle this?”

“I think I can manage.” Kara watched David as he eyed the file in her hands. “Uh…you want to take a look?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Gabriel came striding behind them. “This isn’t your assignment, David. And the location isn’t of your concern.”

David turned to face Gabriel. “It is when
I’m
her Petty Officer, Gabe!”

“You’re not on this assignment.” Gabriel towered over David, his dark eyes threatening as he tightened his jaw.

“Um…it’s okay.” Kara lifted her hands in protest. “I don’t mind David taking a look…seriously, it’s fine.”

David took his hands out of his pockets and made them into fists. “You know as well as I do that this is an
impossible
mission!” he yelled at Gabriel, his face cracked in contempt.

“
You
shouldn’t even be here, David.”

“YOU’RE SENDING THEM TO THEIR DEATHS!” said David angrily.

Kara thought it strange that he was pointing only to her at the mention of
them
. She could see that David was really concerned.

“What?” asked Kara, puzzled. “What are you saying, David? The Legion wouldn’t send us on a suicide mission, would they?”

Gabriel pulled out a massive hand and grabbed David by the arm with such force that he lifted him off his feet, as though he were a toy soldier.

“I’ve had enough of you today! It’ll be a pleasure to escort you out personally.”

Kara took a step back as Gabriel started to emanate a golden glow. The air around them tightened and the light dimmed.

David kicked his legs and shot Gabriel a dangerous look. “Go ahead,
Your Holiness
… I’d like to see you try.”

“Enough!” shouted Kara, her eyes wide, shocked that the words had actually escaped her lips. “Uh, sorry…Mr. Archangel, sir, uh, Your Majesty,” she stammered. “Um…I’d like David to help me choose my weapons … please?” Kara pursed her lips, scrunched her forehead and tried her best to make sad puppy eyes.

Gabriel studied Kara for a moment, still holding David off the ground with one arm.

“If you think
he
can help you…then I will let him stay.” He dropped David to the floor and bent over him. “Open your mouth again, and I will rip out your tongue.”

David stuck out his tongue in Gabriel’s face when he looked away for a second.

Kara walked over and pulled David back on his feet. “Very mature, you know that? You’d think you were twelve.” She looked across to the weapons tent and could see that Brooke was already gearing up. “Let’s go, I need some weapons…and I’m running out of time.”

“Sure,” David said. He and Kara marched up to the weapons tent, with Gabriel following closely behind.

Kara could see that the GAs from the first group had finished gearing up and were headed down towards the pools. She watched Group 2 stuffing blue arrows and daggers into their duffel bags. And over at the far end of the tent, Brooke was trying out a long silver dagger. She sliced the air with it. She looked up and saw Kara and David approaching. Her face broke out into a grin.

“Hiya, what do you think of this one?” Brooke jumped into the air and stabbed the invisible foe in front of her. She landed with a slight
thump
and looked up at them, eyes blazing. “I think I can cut me up some shadow demons with this little baby!”

Kara had a strong feeling that she and Brooke were going to get along just fine.