Terminus (26 page)

She waved her hand at one of the walls, and the area before them was illuminated with crimson light. 

“We’re ready,” she called out, and a man in a business suit with eyes and hair black as night appeared, smiling subtly. 

“You’re looking well, Lena.”

“As are you, Morloch.”

“I see you’ve assembled your crew.”

She glanced over her shoulder then back. 

“The very best.”

“Are they, now?”  Like a panther, Morloch circled them slowly, scrutinizing each of them one by one, head to toe.  He now bore the appearance of a military leader in combat attire.  The candidates towered over him, but it had no effect on his stark demeanor. 

“Are you sure you can succeed with so few?” he said.

“They’re not the only ones.  But you’d be surprised how much I can do with so little.”

“And you’re sure they can be kept under control, once it begins?”

“Absolutely.  I
am
an authority on their kind.”

“So you say.”  Morloch stopped pacing and regarded her with interest. 

“To the humans, we’re the stuff of folklore, to the rest we’re little more than unsubstantiated rumors.  The less that’s known about us, the less anyone is prepared to deal with us.”

“I like the way you think.”  He came and stood at her left side, hands crossed over his chest, feet spread.  A commanding pose.  “Are they all the same?”

“None of us are,” Lena said.  “Each Nephilim possesses a unique  combination of qualities, from one end of the spectrum to the other.”  No need to tell him that some were born completely human, while others could be more powerful than most angels or demons.  “Since this operation is to take place here on the physical plane, I’ve chosen the ones with the greatest physical abilities.”

“You’re aware that our interests lie well beyond the physical, I trust.”

“Of course,” she said. “And I trust
you’re
aware that you and I are here to help each other.  The more effective I am in this realm, the more ground you’ll gain in yours.  Once I’ve established control of my territory, we’ll simply round the humans up and send them straight to you
en masse
.  It will be...symbiotic.”

“I prefer the term synergistic.”  He stepped behind her and whispered into her ear.  “But you
are
a crafty one, aren’t you?”

 “You’re a great teacher.”  She regarded him with reluctant respect.  “Now, I need some assurance that after I’ve proven myself, I’ll be given the resources necessary to follow through with the new order.”

“Have you any doubt?”

“I’m full of doubt.  But I’m banking on our agendas being mutually beneficial.”

Morloch placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage them.  It released so much tension that she started losing that sense of urgency over her concerns. 
Damn him.
  He always knew how to disarm her.  As much as her body responded to his touch, she felt uneasy because her lieutenants were still there, though standing as motionless as monuments. 

“Lena, Lena, Lena,” Morloch said.  “Don’t let yourself be distracted by minutia.  I personally guarantee you’ll be given the resources you need to maintain your new global order if you’re successful at the Cabrillo Stadium event.”

“It’s as good as done.”  The stadium event was an easy target, disproportionate to the payoff in which she would finally set things right.  With legions at her command in both the physical and spiritual realms, nothing could stop her from establishing the new order.

“Oh, and Lena.”  He took his hands off her shoulders, turned her around to face him.  “There’s the matter of that angel...what was his name?”

“You mean Nikolai?”  She said his name casually, not letting her apprehension show.

“Our records indicate that some of the assignments we issued haven’t been completed.  Why is that?”

Her stomach clenched.  “I’m not sure what happened,” she said, “but I’ll make certain they’re completed.  I’m sure you can understand how menial tasks can  get overshadowed by something as significant as this operation.”

“Menial?”  He regarded her with a glacial look.  Lena backed away, but Morloch reached out and clutched her throat, holding her in extreme discomfort.  “You ought to keep better tabs on your recruits.”

“I...know, I—” His grip on her throat was so tight it was all but impossible to choke out a word.

“What do you know, really?”  He tightened his grip, seemed amused as she struggled to speak.  She couldn’t.  Finally he released her and let her fall to the ground gasping for air.

“Nikolai had no intention of joining the Dark Dominion, as you presumed,” he said.  “In fact, he’s already begun his fall.”

Lena had to cough out her words between gasps.

“This has to be a mistake.”

“Your mistake.  Without his supernatural abilities he’ll be useless to us.”

“I didn’t know.  I’ll fix this, I swear!”

Morloch lifted her chin.

“
You’ll
have to deal with him, Lena.”  She tried to stand, but the best she could do was get up on one knee. 

“You said so yourself—he’s of no use.  So as a powerless mortal, he’s no threat.”

“All the same,” he said as he pulled her to her feet, “if there’s any chance he might still influence an unfavorable outcome at the event, I want him dead.”

The thought of killing Nick caused her a puzzling degree of regret.  But she mustn’t let it show.

“Can you handle that,” Morloch said, “or do you need me to step in?”

“No!  I mean, yes, I can handle it and no, you don’t need to step in.”

“You’re not likely to be entrusted with a large scale operation if you’re unable to accomplish something this simple.  Because those ‘menial’ tasks have not been completed, the event is still at risk for us.  You’re losing sight.”

“I assure you I’m not—I just need a little more time.”

“Terminating him is just one part of it.  Because of his failed assignments, you’ll have to try harder to stop the outbreak that will happen as a result of the Cabrillo event.  That’s the greater concern.”  He narrowed his eyes.  “I trust you know I’ve stuck my neck out for you on this.”

And without his help she’d never be able to carry out her plan. 

“You have my word, it will be done.”

“It had better, Lena.”  He pulled away and stepped back into the wall lit with the hue of blood.  “Because if you fail at this event, I will disavow any involvement.  Expect no protection from me, you’ll be on your own when the accounts are settled.”

65

THE TAXI HAD A CREDIT CARD SWIPER which Nick used to pay his fare and tip.  It wasn’t certain that an attempt to teleport would fail, but the pain and nausea were sufficient to discourage it. The driver pulled up and let him off at the corner in La Jolla where he’d left Hope.

She wasn’t there.

A quick glance at his phone told him he’d missed a call and two text messages from her, the last of which said she was going back to the Broadmore.  He called her and was instantly relieved when she answered.

“Nick?  Where are you?” 

“Back here by the shore.  I’m sorry, they just took me away before I could tell you.”

“Who?”

“My supervisor.  She can be really inconsiderate.”

“Everything all right?”

“Just a few loose ends.”  More than a few, actually. 

“When will you be back?”

He thought about Lena’s mysterious proposition and Johann’s odd reappearance.  If he were to let his guard down now, as his supernatural abilities drained away, might he be endangering Hope by associating with her? 

“I’m not sure.  Soon.” 

“It’s all right, Nick.  I’m exhausted and ready for bed.  If you still have some work to do, go ahead.  Just make sure to come for me in the morning.”

“I’ll try to get back before you fall asleep.  But in case I don’t make it in time...”

Hope let out the sweetest, most endearing yawn.  It sent a warm rush of affection through Nick’s ever-thickening blood. 

“Good night,” she whispered.

“’Night.”

“Oh, and Nick?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”  And she hung up, gently.

How many times had he heard humans utter those three words—casually, carelessly, emptily?  But when Hope had said them, they nearly robbed him of his breath.  Now he understood why, at the dawn of humanity, Father had said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”

To ensure that nothing from his life as an angel would affect his new mortal life with Hope, Nick had to clear things up with Lena, make a clean break.  But did he have to figure it all out right this minute?  Right now, he’d much rather be with Hope.  As he thought about her lying in bed waiting for him, the issue was decided for him.

In the blink of an eye, and to his pleasant surprise, he found himself standing at the edge of the bed in Hope’s room at the Broadmore.  She was breathing evenly in a deep slumber while hugging an oversized pillow.  Taking care not to wake her, he knelt and pushed an errant strand of hair from her face.  Still asleep, she smiled.   Nick kissed her forehead lightly.

He wasn’t sure he could still whisper into her spirit, especially in her sleep.  But he had to try.

// I LOVE YOU, HOPE  //

“Mmmm...”  Her expression changed—ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly, but in all the time he’d known her he had never seen such contentment on her face.  He
had
seen that expression on humans who’d been redeemed, been touched by grace.  Would he ever know such peace?

For now, he would enjoy it vicariously through her.

Resting his head close beside hers, he kept looking at her even as a sharp pang impaled his chest.  How was it possible?  How could he love someone so much that it actually hurt physically?  If only he could capture this moment, put it in a bottle and keep it for all—at least, for the rest of his natural life, anyway.

Still deep asleep, Hope murmured something he couldn’t make out.  She stirred and began to whimper, her brow pinched together.  “It’s all right...”

Not wanting to stir her from her dream, Nick remained still and listened.

A tiny sob broke through her words.  “Don’t be afraid...it’s just a dream, it’s all just been like a dream.  We’re going to wake up one day and laugh about it.”  She sniffed and tears drew glistening lines down her face.  Was she dreaming of Chloe?  “I’ll see you soon...I love you.”

And with that, she began to weep aloud.  Nick got into the bed, wrapped his arms around her, held her close.  Hot tears seeped through his shirt and onto his chest.  And then she opened her eyes. 

“Oh, Nick!”  Sorrow laced her features.

“I’m here, love.” He held her tight.  “There, now.  Just a dream.

“I’m so sad…don’t know why.” 

“Can you remember anything?”

“No, I just woke up crying.”  She leaned away from him so she could look right in his eyes.  “Please, Nick.  Don’t let go of me, not till I fall asleep again.”

“I won’t.”  As he pulled her back into his arms, his wings unfurled from behind whatever remained of the construct of his mortal form.  With them, he enveloped her while she returned to her slumber.  “Ever.”

For the rest of the night until the dayspring he hid her there—under the shadow of his wings.

66

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT HUMANS THAT MADE THEM turn into idiotic tools the minute they had hold of power?  Lena stood in a boardroom with Miguel Suarez, Roberto Hernandez, and sons of the Hernandez branch from the Guzman syndicate.  She couldn’t let her contempt for them show—in light of what she’d just learned about Nick’s botched assignments, she was going to need their help.

“This better be good, Miguel,” said Roberto Hernandez, who was wearing an expensive Italian suit and a lot of jewelry.  “I got a good mind to call this whole damn thing off.”

“It’s good, just listen to what the lady has to say.”

Lena stepped forward.  “We all want the same thing.  I’m offering you something greater than you can ever imagine, if you help me with one meager annoyance.  Something you’ve wanted for a long time.”

Miguel lit a Cuban, leaned back, set his feet on the table and puffed. 

“We just want all the Guzman territories.  That little
hijo de puta
Carlito is messed up.”

With a wave of her hand, Lena dismissed the Guzmans. 

“Forget them.  When this is all done, they and everything you know will be gone.  If you want in on the new global order, you’ll have to prove your usefulness.”

“Stakes just got raised, bro,” Roberto said with a wink at Miguel.

“What are you talking about?”  Miguel said.

“You’re sitting on your fat butts, thinking too small,” Lena said.  “I’m talking national and soon after that
global
control.  You want in or not?”

Miguel grabbed Roberto’s shoulder. 

“Of course he does.”  Smiling at Lena.  “We all do.  Ain’t that right, Roberto?”

Roberto shrugged his hand away and glared at the others. 

“Some hot chick in leather shows up and now you’re her lap dog?”

That did it.  Lena’s patience, paper thin to start with, had now worn through.  She walked over to Roberto, who kept puffing on his cigar even when her hand reached his shoulder and slid down over his chest.

“I better be getting a lap dance soon,” he said as he puffed a cloud right into her face, “or I’m outta here.”

Lena opened her right hand.  A KA-BAR appeared in it.  She pressed its razor tip right into one of Roberto’s chins. 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Where the hell did you—”

She snapped the fingers of her left hand and pointed the Baretta 950 Jeftfire that appeared in it at the other Hernandez men. 

“You boys done screwing around?  I’m getting tired of all this.”

Miguel wagged his eyebrows at Roberto and shrugged. 

“I suggest you listen to the hot chick, eh?”

“O-kay,” Roberto squeaked.

Lena took the knife from his throat and set it down on the table.  She did the same with the gun, then slid both weapons over to the other two Hernandez men for examination.