Origin of Angels: Elemental Legacy Book 1 (37 page)

Uriel’s lips pursed as if in thought. “I do, young woman, and you should, too. Much of the present is related to the events of the past. If we are not careful, something far more detrimental could occur.”

Faine stiffened. Her vision pulsed into my mind. The world lay in devastation. Both humans and Elementals fought against an evil I had never imagined. Giants once again roamed the Earth. The battle raged for centuries until only a small band of humans remained. Elementals hadn’t fared much better, and fae power faded with every killing. The Giants thrived. The face of an old man I’d seen millennia before surged to my memory, overriding Faine’s thoughts. He’d told me of the end of days. What were his words? If Ainessa hadn’t scrambled my journals, they would be easy to recall. The last of the vision ended with the world dying in a blaze, having been cleansed by fire. And my people were left without a home.

It all happened in a flash. When I looked to Uriel, he gave a quick nod. How could current events lead to such destruction? Rayla had gone pale. She stared at Cassie, who held tightly to her mother’s hand. Horror dis-played on both women’s faces. Had they seen the same thing?

My bondmate spoke without preamble. “We must rescue the girl. She is the key.”

Cassie and Amy nodded. Luke said, “Jett and Taylor have gone to collect Travis. He won’t likely leave without the woman he loves.”

A pang of regret sliced through my heart. My sister had brought pain to our house, once again. If there were ever a time to deal with her, it was now. I stood. “We will fight.”

Faine grabbed my hand, keeping me here. “You mustn’t go to Faeresia.” We needed reinforcements. The majority of our army remained behind. She shook her head. “Ill winds follow you.”

Why couldn’t she speak English? “Valen will have his men at the ready, Faine.”

“His goals are loftier than the girl.”

I twisted my hand until I had hold of hers. “What does he seek?”

“That which he has always wanted: Power.”

Uriel stepped to the map of the UK. “Evil is at work in this land. Someone is seeking to restore the old religion, and I believe the one you call Valen has allowed it.”

Luke grew restless until he pounded his fists on the table. “We will not be judged by the man’s choices.”

William’s brows lifted. “It is not up to you to determine your fate, Luthais.”

Luke turned a hateful gaze to the man.
“Who then, if not us?”

Clearing his throat, Uriel gave a warning glance to William. “We will discuss trivial matters later. For now, we must devise a plan.”

Travis burst into the room. His frantic eyes searched until they found me. “We have to get her out of there.”

I swallowed, wondering how he’d escaped Valen and Ainessa. “Where is my sister?”

His mind offered the view of space. “I dropped her off where she can’t hurt anyone.”

Uriel stared at Travis. “You dropped her off?”

Travis grunted. “I don’t know who you are, but we don’t have time. Valen has Emily and Blade, and if we wait, I could lose them. I’ll go by myself if I have to, but I hoped you’d help.”

He’d shown no ability to wield spirit, yet he’d taken Ainessa to the out
er realms. Was the boy truly nephilim? He showed no signs of the evil race. His power surged stronger than I’d ever seen in him. Rayla stood and went to her brother’s side. “Where are they?”

Heath followed, smiling in the way only an Ignisian could manage. Finn held a similar bloodlust. Cassie and her mother rose, too. Only Uriel remained seated in the end. “More is afoot than you understand. We need to strategize.”

Travis sneered, his gaze surveying the room in seconds. “I’m not hanging around for you to stick more pins in those ridiculous maps. We’re talking about the woman I love and my son. Either come with us, or shut your hole.”

ZACH STARED AT ME AS IF I’d insulted the queen. If Rayla wouldn’t lambast me, I might if it would get things going. “How did you find us?” Zach asked.

I shook my head. “No idea. I was thinking about you, and then I was here. We can talk about it later. Who’s with me?”

Everyone but Amy Lambert agreed. I couldn’t blame her for not wanting to risk seeing her husband again. He’d been a bastard to me, but he’d done unthinkable things to her. It wasn’t as if she’d really be helping. She didn’t have any power to help me free Emily and Blade.

“I think we should enter through the forest. If we approach from the side of the estate, we’ll have cover most of the way.”

The dark haired guy who butted in before snagged my shoulder. “We have yet to make a plan, boy. Preparation is important when dealing with evil.”

I shrugged out of his reach. “Look, Valen is planning something. I can feel it. If we don’t act fast, Emily will be gone. I’m not willing to take the risk. If you have powers, you’re welcome to come. Our goal is to get in and out without Valen even knowing, so I understand if you think you can’t handle it. It’s probably better to take a small team anyway.”

The guy gave me a smirk. It was all I could do not to break his nose. My fists ached to punch something, and he was softer than the wall. He exchanged a look with the other guy in the room I didn’t know. Both stared at me as if I was their long lost cousin. Better to ignore them.

Rayla stepped closer. “You found her?”

“Yeah, I guess Ainessa did me a favor, after all. You know, sis, I wouldn’t be upset if you blast her the next time you see her.”

She laughed, but then her expression fell. “I can’t believe she betrayed us again.”

The maps on the wall blurred as I thought about it. “I don’t think she can be anything but selfish.” I leaned closer, not wanting everyone to overhear. “She tried to bond with me.”

Rayla’s big eyes bulged. “What did you do?”

“Her compulsion seemed to work at first, but the more she used it ... I don’t know. It was like I adapted, or something. So are you ready?”

She pulled me into a hug. “What are sisters for?”

I patted her back and said, “Then hang on.”

Rayla gave a sharp yelp when the drift started. I caught half a curse from Heath, but I didn’t care. He’d have to follow, and so would the others. They would do anything to keep her safe, and I’d do anything to protect Emily and Blade.

We materialized on the east side of the estate where the forest was thickest. I hadn’t paid attention to the time of day when I’d found Rayla, but it was still morning here. Thankfully, when the others came, they didn’t start yelling. I motioned toward the house, but the dark haired guy stepped in front of me before I could move. His frown ate up his face. “I’m not used to having orders ignored, Travis.”

I straightened until he and I looked eye-to-eye. “You’re not my commander. Hell, I don’t even know your name. If you’ve got something to settle with me, I’d rather wait until after we’ve found Emily and find a safe place for her and my son. You probably think I’m rude, and I won’t argue. Either help me or get out of my way.

Jett and Taylor came from the side of us with a group of about forty. My little in and out plan was starting to look like a full out attack, which made my heartbeat pulse harder. The last thing I wanted was to put Emily in danger by attempting to rescue her.

Since Jett was the one who usually orchestrated battles, I looked to him, if only to let him know this time would be different. He motioned me onward, and I didn’t hesitate. It only took a few minutes to find the edge of the lawn. It would be much better if we split up and searched by teams, but in the end, it would be safer to have backup.

A voice sounded in my thoughts, which I soon recognized as Jett’s. I agree with your strategy. Have you pin-pointed her location?

What do you mean?

Has anyone other than you interacted with the girl?

I don’t think so. Why?

He sighed. It would take too long to teach you. We’ll have to find her the mortal way.

Good to know now. I grunted and moved to the edge of the trees. With the light behind us, it was easy to scan the lawn. I nearly ran when I saw Emily. She sat with Blade in her lap. When she stood, I wanted to yell for her to come to me, but movement behind her caught my attention. Valen emerged, and he wasn’t alone.

Emily stumbled as the girl with Valen came into view. I barely heard her ask, “Rose?”

VERTIGO MADE ME FEEL AS IF I walked at a forty-five degree angle. Nausea hit me next. Normally, drifting affected me for a while, but not this much. I was going to kill Travis.

A figure bolted for the yard, and I sent a plea to Heath for help. He intercepted my brother before he made it half way. I ran to catch them but crouched when Heath yanked Travis to his knees. When Travis opened his mouth to protest, Heath punched him.

I stared, wondering if I’d been transported into another dimension. Heath was a warrior, but he wasn’t especially violent. I shrugged. Who was I kidding?

Travis had a hold on Heath’s shirt by the time I crawled to them. “Stop it,” I said, hoping my voice wouldn’t carry. “Remember why we’re here.” I’d yell at Travis later. We had a mission to complete, and I needed them both to do it. I turned to Travis. “We need a strategy. How are we going to get Emily away from Valen?”

Rolling his eyes, my brother said, “We take her.”

I gave him a pointed look. “Not the best plan. Do you think Valen is alone?”

He scratched the dirt off his jaw. “He’s got backup, but we need to snatch and grab. It shouldn’t take long.”

Nice. He’d put us all in danger and didn’t even have a decent plan to get out of here safely. What a moron.

Heath had remained silent until now. “If we have any chance of retrieving ... what is her name?”

“Emily,” Travis filled in.

“Right,” said Heath, peering above the bushes toward our target. “We’ve got to think about both her and your son. Do you have a priority if it comes to it?”

Travis’ teeth clattered before he said. “I’m not leaving without both of
them. Don’t even think of abandoning either of them.”

Heath shook his head. “Valen didn’t become king of the fae by leaving his flank open. He’ll have a plan once we attack, and it will most definitely include keeping your family.”

“Forgive me. I haven’t had centuries to devise my ascension to the throne ... or to think of how I can save them without starting a war,” said Travis in a biting tone.

Zach and Faine appeared behind us. With her skin as white as fine china, she was nearly as pale as Cassie had been recently. Faine had the look I’d seen on my best friend for years without knowing the cause. Could she see something I couldn’t?

Heath gave a slight shake to his head, as if I shouldn’t pursue the line of thought. It didn’t matter right now, anyway, but I filed it away for later. I needed to focus on Travis and getting us out of here in one piece. Even though I was surrounded by immortals — and technically I was one of them — I didn’t like our odds. Valen had an army to defend him and his recent prize. I only allowed myself a moment to worry about Travis’ family. The idea he was a dad hit me sideways. That made me an aunt. I swayed, but Heath righted me.

I had so many questions. I’d been told by the angel that once we had children among us, we would know we had been accepted into the Creator’s eternity. Did the stipulation include Travis, too, or did he not count?

Travis whispered something under his breath. “Look. I don’t care what you people do. I’m here to get Emily and Blade and leave. That’s it. I have no other goal, and if you do, you’ll have to do it without me. I’m not waiting for Valen to take them inside.”

Heath nodded. “Good man. Simple plans are always best, but how will you retrieve your lassie with the man close enough to grab her and vanish?”

Travis shrugged. “I suppose charging in to get her is not exactly subtle. Maybe we should drift.”

Zach gave a grunt. “Do not think you have mastered elemental travel because you’ve managed to use it a time or two.”

“You want to go in?” asked Travis. “Be my guest, but I’ll be right behind you.”

Jett approached us from the rear and clamped a beefy hand on Travis’ shoulder. “If you care for your lady, you will not let your pride lead your actions.”

MY BREATH CAUGHT IN MY THROAT and refused to move. Valen had my sister.

When Rose smiled, it looked genuine. She ran to my side, squealing.
“Emmie!” As she hugged me, I stared at the fae. His jaw clenched. It would be my only warning. Rose laughed and gave Blade a kiss on the cheek. “I can’t believe it! I never thought I’d see you again, and here you are with my nephew.” She took hold of Blade’s fingers. Speaking in the way she always did, her words came like rifle fire. “And such a handsome boy. I had no idea you were pregnant. How did it happen ...” She winked. “Never mind. We’ll catch up later.” This time when she hugged us, Blade protested with a shriek. She gave a shaky laugh. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m so happy to see you.”

I pulled her close, savoring the scent of her floral shampoo. It’s funny the things you miss when you are away from loved ones. “How are you?” I asked, hoping my voice didn’t reveal the terror I felt.