Redemption (18 page)

“Open your eyes, siren,” he says, his minty
breath crossing my lips.

“It worked.” I smile, meeting his gaze.

“It worked. Very clever.” He smiles proudly
at me.

The black room begins to fall away and we’re
standing in a woodland scene, shrouded by evening. The moon is
bright and unusually full. It looks larger than life. A cool night
breeze floats over us, bringing with it the smell of spruce.

“You’re not going to ask me to get naked and
dance, are you?” I ask with an arched brow.

Asher laughs. “You, dancing naked in the
forest, bathed in moonlight? I’d pay to see that, siren.” He
wiggles his eyebrows and wraps his large arms around my waist,
pulling me closer.

We both startle when a ring of violet fire
appears out of nowhere with eight women surrounding the flames.
Each is covered in various colored silk robes.

Asher grabs my hand tightly, pulling me
behind him in a protective stance.

Lunette approaches us with a smile. “Well
done, dears. You have proven to the Sorceresses of the Black Circle
that you are, in fact, the divination bloodlines.”

My eyes meet Asher’s. “Those rooms were a
test?” he accuses.

Lunette’s focus shifts to me. “The souls of
the daughter of light and the prince of dark shall join together.
United as one, the two souls will conquer the end of days and bring
redemption to the universe and its people.”

I turn toward Asher. His jaw is ticking and
working hard. I exhale roughly.

“It’s why I had Eve light the white candle,
representing the light, and you, Asher, the black candle,
representing darkness. You both have the bloodlines, the daughter
of light and the prince of darkness. The prophecy has been
fulfilled.” She beams as if this is the greatest concept ever.

“Lunette, you’ll forgive our wish to read
the scrolls for ourselves,” he demands, paling.

“Of course. First, dear, the sorceresses
desire an introduction,” she instructs.

“Wait-” I’m cut off by Lunette’s
whispers.

“Each sorceress is named after an equinox in
our Wiccan lunar calendar,” she explains and hands me a small
cloth, motioning to my nose.
Awesome.

I wipe away the dried blood, hoping I got it
all even though I’ve already begun to heal.

“Sisters, it is with great honor that I
present the daughter of Heaven and the prince of darkness,” Lunette
booms to the circle of ladies.

In unison, they all bow their heads and
chant, “Blessed be.”

Asher and I just tilt our heads politely in
response. I’m not sure what I expected from a circle of sorceresses
but these ladies are a wonderful collection of women of different
nationalities, shapes, sizes and ages.

“We’ll begin with Yule.” Lunette motions to
the mature, beautiful woman on her right. “Sorceress of the
Northern Light.”

“Blessed be,” Yule offers to Asher and
me.

We nod our head in respect.

“Imbolic, Sorceress of Fire.” Lunette
gestures to a younger woman with fire red hair.

“Blessed be,” Imbolic says.

“This is Ostara, Sorceress of Fertility,”
she continues to the stunning woman.

“Blessed be,” Ostara returns.

“Beltane, Sorceress of Blessings,” the
sorceress introduces the older woman.

“Blessed be,” Beltane says in a quiet
voice.

“Litha, Sorceress of the Summer Solstice.”
Lunette squeezes the whimsical woman’s hand with affection.

“Blessed be,” Litha offers with a warm
smile.

“Llughnassad, Sorceress of Prosperity.”

“Blessed be,” the youngest of the
sorceresses rasps and bows her head.

“Mabon. The White Sorceress,” Lunette
introduces.

“Blessed be,” the woman with snow-white hair
responds.

“And finally, the circle’s elder, Samhain.
Sorceress of Souls.” Lunette bows to her.

“Blessed be, daughter of Eve and son of
Adam.”

Asher bristles next to me. “I do believe you
are mistaken. I am Asher St. Michael, son to the late king, Garrick
St. Michael, and next in line to the gargoyle throne.”

Samhain nods her understanding. “Your
bloodline and soul say differently, young prince.”

Asher goes rigid. “You’re incorrect, witch.
I’m a gargoyle. We do not have souls.”

Samhain’s eyes meet Lunette’s. “He has not
been enlightened.”

“No,” Lunette answers in a quiet voice.

“I see,” Samhain offers solemnly.

“As the guardian of the scrolls, I wish to
petition the circle to allow the daughter of Heaven and the prince
of darkness to view the divination for themselves,” Lunette
requests.

Samhain turns back to the seven other
sorceresses surrounding the fire. In unison, they all bow their
head in approval. “Granted. Blessed be you, Sorceress of the Moon,”
the elder offers and returns to her spot in the circle.

“Come, dears. It’s time to see the scrolls.”
Lunette motions us toward a mausoleum.

We walk into the cryptic burial chamber,
which is covered in webs and dirt, and blanketed in darkness.
Wonderful.
Lunette lights a candle as we make our way
through the cold tomb.

“Not creepy at all,” I joke quietly.

Asher squeezes my hand in reassurance.
Lunette pushes on a stone and a hidden door opens as she motions
for us to continue walking through the catacomb.

“I’ll lead.” Asher’s voice is deep and
authoritative.

“No offense, but you will get no argument
from me on that,” I reply.

He scoffs. “That’s a first.”

I roll my eyes and follow him as we come to
a dead end. I turn back to Lunette and she smiles knowingly before
closing her eyes and speaking in Latin.

“Aperi, ex imperio auguratricis Lunette,”
the sorceress chants.

At the release of her words, the wall shifts
and opens into a grotto. In the middle is an old crate which
Lunette approaches. “Ego praecipio tibi, ut liberare custodia
clausum invernerunt,” she continues.

The chest opens to reveal an aged tube.
Carefully, she passes Asher the candle and pulls the cylinder out
of the case. Turning, she hands it to me with an encouraging
smile.

“I present the divination of redemption,
daughter of Heaven,” she says and curtsies.

My eyes shift to Asher and then back to
Lunette who nods her head in support. I pull the old parchment out
of the case and lay it carefully on top of the crate, only to find
there are no words written on it. It’s blank.

“It doesn’t say anything,” I say, sliding my
glance to Lunette.

She face plants again in her palm. “My bad.
One second, dear.”

Asher rolls his eyes.

I smile politely.

“Venit hora, et filius hominis, ut ostendat
divination Evae filia redemptionis,” she chants as words suddenly
appear.

“Thanks,” I manage to squeak out and return
my focus to it. “I’m sorry, I don’t read Latin.”

Asher steps forward. “Let me, siren.”

I watch his lips move while he reads the
scrolls. For a moment, I actually have to close my eyes and try to
focus on why we’re here and not how good those lips feel against my
own.
God, Eve, focus.

Asher turns his ashen face to me.

“So,” I question. The anticipation is
driving me insane.

“It’s true,” is all he says.

“Which part?”

“All of it. The bloodlines. The prophecy.
Our connection. It’s all predestined.” He swallows roughly.

I inhale through my nose. “Oh shit.”

“Everley, the cherub angel of ancestry, was
ordered by Archangel Michael to touch our bloodlines at the time of
conception. Yours was touched by Eve, a light of Heaven, and mine
touched by Lilith, a demon of darkness, and both were intertwined
by Adam. Our souls have been predesigned to unite. Together, we’re
supposed to conquer the end of days and bring redemption to those
in need,” he says in a quiet tone, assessing me.

“Souls?” I question, pulling my brows
together.

“Souls,” he confirms with a slow nod.

After a bit, it sinks in. “Asher, does this
mean you have a soul?” I ask in disbelief.

“It’s impossible. A gargoyle does not have a
soul.” He looks to Lunette for clarification.

Lunette’s face is bright. She’s excited and
animated. “Yes, Asher dear, you have a soul. It only shines when it
is connected to Eve’s. You see, you need light to infuse the
darkness and allow it to breathe and live. Without her, your soul
cannot exist,” she offers.

“Are you saying the only way for Asher to
have a soul, and redemption, is if he loves me?” I ask Lunette,
trying to follow.

“The divination has been predesigned so that
your souls are mates. In order for his to be, it must be connected
to its other half. Its lifeline. That is the only way his soul can
survive,” she offers solemnly. “If your soul is not linked with
Asher’s, his sits dormant. Nonexistent.”

“How is that even possible?” I exhale and
study Asher’s face. It’s tight. His brows are knitted and he looks
like he’s about to puke.

“The whys are not important, dear. The fact
is, you and Asher are the truest form of soul mates. Isn’t that
romantic?” she coos, her eyes dreamy.

“Lunette, what of the blood link?” Asher
questions.

“The blood connection you share with Eve, as
protector and charge, is not enough of a lifeline for your soul to
awaken. You must become one, body, mind and spirit. Once that
occurs, your soul will thrive in Eve’s light.” Lunette smiles at
us.

I shift my focus to Asher. He’s breathing
with difficulty. “Ash?”

“It appears, siren, that you are my
redemption.” He smiles weakly.

13
Chosen Path

I walk into the kitchen,
and at the scene in front of me, I’m immediately reminded of how
Asher got his piercing.
Damn
. Callan has his apron on and
he’s pulling blueberry muffins out of the oven. Sensing my
presence, he twists his head and offers me his brightest smile.

“Hey, cutie. How was your visit with
Lunette?” He grins knowingly.

“Fine.”

His eyebrows lift. “Fine? Visits with
Lunette are rarely ever just, fine.”

I give him my best, pointed stare. “I know
about the nymph and the piercing.”

“Don’t judge, human. It was a good wager.
She was always naked. There was no way he was going to win.” He
gives me his boyish grin.

I roll my eyes. “Gross.”

“What is?” Abby asks, skipping into the
kitchen and planting a peck on Callan.

“Eves knows about the bet.” Callan bites
back a laugh.

Abby’s eyes go wide. “The one we made about
the mate mark?” she squeaks.

Callan’s expression falters as he shakes his
head. “The one about the piercing.”

“Wait. What bet about the mate mark?” I ask,
narrowing my eyes at Abby.

She flips her red hair over her shoulder and
looks everywhere but at me.

I fold my arms and patiently wait her
out.

“Gah…fine. Callan and I put money on when
you’d get Asher’s mark,” she comes clean.

“What?” I ask in astonishment.

“Again. Another easy way to earn a little
cash, cutie,” Callan explains, amused.

“I expect this from him,” I point to Callan,
“but you’re supposed to be my friend, Abby.”

She sinks into herself. “I am your friend.
It’s just that I think you and Asher are great together. I know he
loves you, and you love him. So it’s bound to happen. If it makes
you feel better, I was planning to use the winnings to buy you a
mate ceremony dress.” She bats her lashes at me and goes all
Abby-cute.

“I can’t believe you two,” I admonish.

“What’s going on, love?” Gage questions from
behind me.

“Frick and Frack over here are making bets
on when I’ll get Asher’s mate mark.”

Gage takes out his wallet and a pack of
cigarettes and places them on the island. “I’m in.”

My mouth falls open. “Seriously?”

He smirks. “Come on, love. It’s the easiest
bet I’ll make.”

“McKenna is right. You are a traitor,” I
scold.

Gage’s lips tilt. “Do I need to remind you,
I don’t pick sides, love.”

“Odds are now four to one. A hundred bucks
gets you into the action,” Callan says.

“Who is the one against?” Gage asks, placing
a hundred on the granite.
Asshat.

“Keegan,” Abby answers, picking at a muffin
top.

“Hello. I’m standing right here,” I remind
the group.

Callan’s face goes soft. “I’m sorry, cutie.
It’s not really fair but did you want in?”

I girlie growl and stomp out of the kitchen
while their laughter follows me.
Damn gargoyles.
When I
enter the
tension room,
I come to a complete stop at the
site of Keegan in deep concentration at the pool table. I stand
there awkwardly for a moment because, well, it’s just Keegan and I,
and damn he’s unapproachable.

Just as I’m about to turn and run, he
notices me standing quietly, and repositions himself to his full
height then offers an uncomfortable smile.
Yep. No awkwardness
here.

“Eve.” My name is a curt hello.

“Hey.”

“Asher isn’t here. He’s at a council
meeting. Checking in,” Keegan offers roughly.

“I know. I was, um…just going to relax and
watch some TV,” I lie.

Keegan’s eyes shift to the flat screen and
then back to me. “If you’d prefer, you’re welcome to join me at
pool. I’m not sure if you play or not?”

I chew the inside of my cheek, causing him
to pull his full eyebrows together. He is probably realizing we
know nothing about one another—at all—and this is a bad idea.

“Um.” I fidget. Really, I want to say no and
leave. Apparently, my mouth has other plans.

“It’s just pool, Eve,” Keegan comments.

“I play a little.” I shrug and walk over to
the wall to pick a stick.