ROMANCE: SHAPESHIFTER ROMANCE: Dragon Baller's Bride (Dragon Shifter Alpha Male Romance) (Paranormal Romantic Suspense) (35 page)

“Ah there you are, little one,” Rone said smiling wickedly. He then said something and a portal opened right there next to them. He rolled with Remi and pulled him into the portal, both of them disappearing before Ana’s eyes. Without a second thought, Ana jumped through the portal too.

A
na landed
with a loud thud that jarred her head. She was having trouble focusing her vision, not quite sure where she was, or what she was seeing. She closed her eyes and found herself instantly caught up in what must be another “dream”.

Everything was grainy like before, nothing really making sense until plain as day, there was an image of Sam and Remi. Sam looked to be fighting some sort of creature, while Remi seemed like he was yelling something to Sam. All of a sudden, Sam fell to the ground and then the vision was over no sooner than it had begun.

Ana rubbed her eyes and this time was able to focus when she opened them. She sat up, taking in her surroundings. Everything was dark, except for the torches that lined the walls of what seemed to be a tunnel underground.

She was just standing up when she heard the sound of footsteps. Not wanting to see who it was, she tried to find a place to hide, which was nearly impossible since the tunnel was straight and empty. She had just started to run when the sound of snarling dogs filled the tunnel with their howls. She didn’t stand a chance when it came to outrunning the beasts, so when they caught up to her and forced her to stop, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Ana was surprised by what the hounds looked like. She had pictured them as normal dogs, but these creatures were anything but. Their coats were dark red and matted, almost like they had been signed by fire. Parts of their fur were missing, allowing the bones and muscles to be seen. Their ears were pointed and their tales had winged tips. Their razor sharp teeth reflected the light from the torches. And their claws almost looked as if they were oozing blood. Two of the beasts stood in front of Ana and she was frozen in fear.

Ana had completely forgotten about the footsteps that she had heard, until she felt the cold hand grab her elbow, forcing her to turn around. There standing in front of her was Rone, who was carrying a passed out Remi and a man that looked to be the grim reaper himself. Clouded in a dark black robe, his body was nothing but a skeleton and his hand was freezing cold as it held tight.

“There you are, little one. We were wondering where you had landed,” Rone greeted.

Ana didn’t say anything as Rone continued to smile at her. She tried to shake free of the bony hand, but the grip only tightened.

“This will be easier if you simply do as you are told,” the reaper warned. He let go of Ana, and when she didn’t move to run, Rone started to walk again.

“This way. Hurry now,” he said.

“Where are we?” Ana asked.

Rone laughed. “Haven’t you guessed yet?” When Ana didn’t say anything he went on. “This beautiful place is called Purgatory. Since your boyfriend over here is still an angel, I can’t take him to hell, so this will have to do.”

They made their way towards what looked like a stony outcropping that overlooked the vast space below. When they got close enough to the ledge for Ana could see over, they all stopped. The hounds sat down, one on each side of the reaper. Ana looked over the edge and was horrified.

Thousands upon thousands of people were down there, all yelling and screaming. Some were fully clothed, others completely nude. Some were trying to climb their way out while others walked in circles. There was so much dismay that Ana didn’t know where to start.

“Pitiful, if you ask me,” Rone said, coming up to stand next to her.

“Why are they like that? I thought this wasn’t hell,” Ana asked.

“This isn’t true hell, but it’s more like a waiting room. When people die there are three options. Hell, heaven and purgatory. Heaven is for those souls who are already purified before death. Hell is for souls with mortal sins. And this fine place is purgatory. This is where souls that need to be purified can go before being cleared into heaven.”

Rone went on. “Tell me, little one. Have you received your gift yet?”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Ana said.

“Come now. We both know you are smarter than that.”

“I’m normal and without any special gifts,” Ana defended.

“Believe what you want,” Rone said. “But when the time comes for you to choose a side, remember what you are seeing right now.” He spread his hand to encompass the mass of people. “This is how the light treat those who don’t measure up. People are sent here so that they can be cleansed and then sent to heaven. But why must these people be made to suffer before they can be saved? With the dark, everyone is accepted into hell, no questions asked. But to enter into heaven, the light’s sanctuary, one must be pure or suffer great pain to pass.”

“If these people are here, I’m sure there is a reason for it.” Ana said.

“Suffering. That is why they are here. Sent to spend unknown amounts of time here. Many give up the fight and are grateful to join the ranks in hell. It is only a select few who ever really make it to heaven,” Rone explained.

“Why am I here? What do you want with me?” Ana asked.

“That is simple. We, the dark, want your alliance. It has been foretold that your gift will be most useful and we want to help you become what you were meant to be.”

“And what exactly does it mean to have an alliance with the d-a-r-k-?”

“It would mean that your loyalty would be to us. You would still live your life as normal, but would be required to give your help when the time arises. And when we know what your gift is, you will be required to share it with us. There would be no secrets, only complete transparency.”

“And if I choose the light? Then what?” Ana asked.

“I’m not sure exactly what they would ask of you,” Rone answered. “But know this, if you choose the light you, will be hunted down and killed. We protect what is ours, Ana.”

“So, you’re saying it’s either join with the dark, or die?”

“If that is how you choose to look at it then yes.”

Ana was quiet for a minute. It seemed like everything had already been said.

Rone motioned with his hand to follow him. “Here, come this way.”

Ana followed Rone and the hounds and reaper followed behind Ana. They made their way through the darkly lit cavern until finally after many turns, they ended at what looked like a jail cell.

“Is that what I think it is?” Ana asked.

“It is indeed,” Rone answered. “You will be kept here for observation. We want to know when your gift arrives and until then this will be your home.”

“Now wait a minute!” Ana said, but it was too late as the reaper had moved to lock her in the dreary cell. The only good thing was that Remi was locked into the cell next to her.

Rone and the reaper left, but the hounds stayed. They lay down and couldn’t seem less interested Ana. Ana sat in the corner of her cell, hugging her knees to her chest. She couldn’t seem to think straight. When it came to choosing, the obvious choice seemed clear, but would it be the right choice?

She heard moans coming from Remi’s cell. She couldn’t see into the cell, but she could still hear him. “Remi? She called. “Remi, are you awake? Please Remi!”

“Ana?” Remi groaned. “Where are you?”

“In the cell to your right,” Ana answered. “Remi, are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“No, they didn’t hurt me. I’m fine. Where are we?”

“Purgatory.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Remi confirmed. “How long have we been here?”

“Not long, maybe an hour or two,” Ana said. “They want to keep watch over me until my gift reveals itself.”

“Did you tell them that it already had?” Remi asked.

“No. I told them that I didn’t know yet.”

“Well that’s good. At least now we have time to figure something out.”

Just then the hounds started to growl.

“Remi?”

One of the hounds rose to its feet and started growling as it ran towards the way that they had came earlier. The other hound was still lying down, but was on high alert.

“Ana, what are those things?”

“I’m not completely sure, but I’m guessing that they are hell hounds.”

“Should’ve known,” Remi laughed.

“How is that even funny?”

“Sorry, you’re right,” Remi apologized.

There was a loud yelping sound and it caused the second hound to get up and run towards the noise. It seemed that the constant drum of yells and screams had somehow managed to get louder, if that was even possible. Chaos was how Ana would have described it.

There were more shouts and creatures of all makes and sizes seemed to go running by the cells. Some had slime trailing behind them and others smelled so bad of burnt flesh that it burned the inside of Ana’s nose.

“Remi. What do you think is going on?” Ana asked.

“I’m not sure, but it seems like a good time to try to get out of here. Do you see anything that might be helpful?”

Ana looked around but came up empty handed. “I’m sorry, Remi, but there isn’t anything in here. Nothing.”

“Figured as much,” he said.

Just then someone appeared out of the darkly lit corridor. “Ana! Remi! Ana!” the voice yelled.

“Here! Over here!” Remi yelled back.

When the shape came into view it was none other than Sam. Ana’s heart wept with relief. Sam would save them; there was no doubt about it.

“How did you find us?” Ana asked.

“When I went to the safe house, the portal was still open. I knew that you guys must have gone through it so I called for backup and followed you through,” Sam answered. “Now, let’s see about getting you out of here.”

Sam lifted his hand in front of the lock so that he could say a spell. After a while, nothing happened. He tried again, this time saying the spell louder. After three times he gave up.

“It appears that my magic is useless down here.” Sam turned to see if he could find something to break the lock. “Be right back,” he said as he took off down the corridor.

His absence seemed to go on forever but he finally returned with a crowbar in hand. “Here, Remi, stand back,” he said as he lifted the wrench. He swung hard and after two hits the lock finally broke.

“Never have I been so happy to see you, friend,” Remi said. “Thank you.”

Sam patted him on the back and turned to open Ana’s lock. It took four tries to break the lock, but it finally gave way and Ana was free.

“We need to make our way back to the portal before it closes,” Sam said. “This way!”

Everyone ran in silence, trying to stay close to the other. There were light warriors everywhere battling with the dark’s gruesome crusaders. Ana tried not to look as they passed, but it was impossible. The stench of charred death made her want to vomit.

“There it is!” Remi yelled as he pointed ahead of them.

Ana looked to where he had indicated and sure enough, she could see the bluish white glow that came from the portal. She picked up her pace, trying to get there sooner. She reached the portal first and turned to see where the guys were at. Remi was close behind her and Sam was at the rear, not far behind Remi.

“Sam!” Ana screamed. “Sam, behind you! Look out!” she yelled. “Remi help him!”

Without a word, Remi turned back to help out Sam. There were four of the dark creatures closing in around Sam. Remi tried to say a spell as he ran, clearly forgetting that magic was useless down here. He looked down and grabbed a good sized rock, throwing it at one of the creatures. The hit was a success and the thing fell to the ground, not moving.

Remi looked for another large rock but all he could find were smaller, flat ones. Picking up 4 or 5, he threw them like ninja stars at the closest creature to him. Each rock landed on the creature’s back and after howling in pain, he too went down.

Sam was busy using the wrench to fight off the remaining two. He swung the wrench upwards and hit the biggest creature square in the jaw. The creature stumbled back and that’s when Sam hit him again, this time on the side of the face. Dark brown blood was oozing from the creatures face like a waterfall. With one last hit to the other side of its face, he fell to the ground.

Sam turned around to find Remi, who was busy pelting the last creature with rock after rock. The creature didn’t seem fazed and moved towards Sam. Sam lifted the wrench and went to swing at the creature, but the creature moved at the last second and Sam hit nothing but rock. Momentarily distracted, Sam tried to regroup.

It was then that the creature went to make his move. He roared and raised his hand in the air, which revealed his razor sharp claws. His hand was in a downward motion when all of a sudden Sam was knocked out of the way, Remi had replaced Sam with himself and the creature’s aim was true. There was blood flowing from Remi’s stomach, staining the stone underneath him.

“Remi!” Ana yelled. “Oh god! Remi! Please no! Remi!” she screamed. She tried to run towards him, but Sam stopped her.

“Ana! Go through the portal. Go home. Please. It’s too late, please!” he pleaded.

“But Remi!” she cried.

“I know-”

Sam was cut off by the creature hitting him in the back. Sam went down and before Ana knew what was happening, she found herself entering the portal.

A
na found
herself on the floor of the safe house. The portal was gone and the damage from before still evident. She couldn’t bring herself to get up. Instead, she decided to let out every emotion that was rolling through her.

Tears fell from her eyes in fat droplets and she knew her wailing sounded awful. But it was how she felt and she didn’t care about anything. Remi, precious Remi, was gone. Lost to the underworld, never to return to her. How was she supposed to deal with her new life without him at her side?

And poor Sam, who knows what happened to him. For all she knew he had met the same fate as Remi had. What was Remi thinking when he saved Sam? Ana didn’t know and guessed that it didn’t matter now, since they were both gone.

She cried for what seemed like forever. When she had no tears left, she still didn’t move from her spot on the floor. Instead she closed her eyes, trying to block out reality. It didn’t take long before her breathing evened out and she was finally asleep.

W
hen Ana awoke
in the morning, she was lost. It took a moment before reality sunk back it; Remi, Sam, safe house.

She got up and made her way to the bathroom, being careful to avoid the destruction. When she finished, she looked in the mirror and was horrified by the person looking back at her. Dark circles, pale skin and scarecrow hair made the vision complete. She was a mess and a hot one at that.

She looked around the apartment for her purse, which seemed surreal after what had happened the day before. Finding it on the kitchen counter, she grabbed it and left the safe house. She made her way back to the alley and then hailed a cab the rest of the way.

When she entered her apartment, she was suddenly at a lost for what to do. She could call Rachel, but what good would that do? Their worlds were vastly different now. Ana suddenly realized that she knew no one from her new life. Remi and Sam had been it and now they were gone. How was she supposed to know what to do, if there was no one to help her?

Feeling at a loss, she went to her bedroom and lay down on top of the covers. She started to think about her decision to choose the light or the dark and without a second thought, Ana chose the light. The dark had taken Remi and Sam from her and for that, she would fight against them until she died.

Instantly her heart felt lighter as if a huge weight had been lifted. The sun coming in from her window seemed to shine brighter and she felt free. There was a knocking on her door and with some caution she went to answer it.

She slowly opened the door, thinking that she needed to get a peephole installed, but when she saw her visitor, all her thoughts left her.

Remi, her precious Remi, was standing in front of her. In the flesh, smiling no less. She opened her mouth to say something but no words formed. Remi moved closer and pulled her into his arms for a hug.

“God, how I’ve missed you,” he said.

“Oh, Remi. I thought I lost you,” Ana said against his chest.

“I did too there for a while.”

Ana pulled back to look at his face. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the apartment. Once they had sat on the couch, she began to ask questions. “What happened? I saw your body, you should be dead.”

“I was dead, for a little bit anyways,” he explained. “It turns out that somehow Sam is my half-brother and neither one of us knew until very recently.”

“What!?!” Ana gasped. “Brothers? But how did you not know before?” she asked.

“We each had our own families and no one expected anything. When I died, I was saving Sam. In that instant I put someone else’s life above mine. It was an act of selfless love. It was because I saved my brother that I was granted back into heaven.”

“Oh my god! Are you serious? Remi, that’s huge! How do you feel about it?” Ana asked.

“It’s strange and amazing all at the same time,” he answered. “I had always felt a close connection to Sam, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I understood why. We had always been brothers by choice, and now we are brothers by fate. I’m not sure I could forgive my parents for not telling me, but at the same time, it’s hard to be mad since Sam and I were already so close.”

He continued on, “Being back in heaven was so unbelievable, but the more time I spent there, the more I knew that it wasn’t for me. I have spent so much time on Earth that I have changed. My heart might still be light, but I’m not made for the demands that come with living in heaven anymore. Now that I have my life back, I want to live, to find out who I am now. Sam decided to continue working for the council, just like before.”

“Wait, Sam is still alive?” Ana asked.

“Yes. He was given a promotion for guarding you and he will remain in the heavens until we need him for something,” Remi answered.

Tears started to fall from Ana’s eyes. She couldn’t believe what Remi was saying. It was all too perfect. He and Sam were both alive and she couldn’t have been happier.

“Have you thought about your decision?” Remi asked.

Ana shook her head, “Yes. I have chosen the light. And it might sound strange, but the moment I made the decision I felt lighter in every way.”

“I’m glad. Your decision was yours alone to make and you picked well.” Remi moved to brush a stray hair out of her face. “Ana, I chose to give up life in heaven to live on Earth permanently. I chose to be here with you, forever. When I thought about living a life without you, it was unthinkable. You are where I want to be and who I want to be with. I want to spend our days together, doing everything and anything. I need you to say that this is what you want too, Ana. I need to know that you are in this as deep as I am.”

Ana smiled and more tears fell. She took Remi’s hand a placed it over her heart. “This has always been yours. Even from the first time I saw you in the coffee shop, you seemed to tear down my defenses and plant yourself right here, not going anywhere. You are the person that I want to spend my every moment with. When I thought you were gone I felt so lost and lonely and I never want to feel that way again. I want you, Remi. More than anything in the world. I want you to help me master my gift and help me use it for good. So to answer your question, yes I am in as deep as you are.”

With that she pulled him in for a kiss, sealing their love for one another.