The Guardians: An Urban Fantasy Romance (6 page)

BOOK: The Guardians: An Urban Fantasy Romance
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“I’m not going to lie to you, Addison.” His voice sounded low and strained. “We don’t always understand, either. This job isn’t easy, and just because we know all that goes on behind the scenes doesn’t mean we like it or understand it.” He sighed. “The fact of the matter is, the angels are stretched thin and can only do so much. The Guardians are an order governed by the warrior angels, who fight alongside us. They work just as hard as we do to keep people safe. But, this is our fight … humans, that is. We are the ones who have to decide in the end … Good or Evil. From the beginning of time as we know it, since the fall of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden, two sides have fought for the allegiance of man. We are the ones who decide how much power the demons have in our lives. It’s our world, and we have to protect it.”

Addison mulled that over for a moment. It seemed a bit harsh, but it also made sense. She could remember being a little girl and walking with her mother to the tiny, dilapidated First Baptist Church just about a mile from their dusty trailer park. Sitting on a hard pew with ribbons in her hair, she’d let her mind wander during the long, droning sermons. Even though she hadn’t paid much attention, sometimes pieces of them would come drifting back to her at the strangest times. Just now, she could remember the preacher railing about how the sins of man had destroyed the direct bond between them and God. That was why He didn’t interfere in the way the Bible taught He’d been known to back in those times. Man had made it clear that His interference wasn’t welcome, so He left them up to their devices and offered them a choice.

Of course, these memories were few and far between. Once drugs had taken a hold of her mother, they’d stopped going to church altogether. They’d stopped doing much of anything.

“How does any of this involve me?” she asked. “Elle didn’t really get to that part. She only told me that as a Naphil, it’s my choice if I want to get involved and which side I choose. She also told me that Guardians were tasked with protecting people like me because demons sometimes like to come after them.”

Jack nodded. “That’s all true. Naphils, no matter who their parents are, can choose any side. It’s because demons were spawned of angels, so even a demon Naphil also has the potential to do good with their power. Their abilities make them targets for demons who want to use that power for their own gain. They try to temp the Nephilim, and influence their decision.”

“That isn’t all, though, is it?” she asked, unable to help the edge of exasperation in her voice. There was so much to take in, and she still didn’t know how it all affected her. “Elle told me that I was special, that I’d been chosen for something.”

“That’s exactly it. Addison, you’re the key to bringing down the ten demons that have opened the forbidden portals and restoring the balance.”

She couldn’t help but laugh at that. “You’re kidding, right? Me?”

He shook his head, huffing in annoyance. “It’s not a laughing matter. As the daughter of a very powerful demon, you’re not just a prime target for other demons. You’re a strong Naphil with the potential to do great things. You’re also the only one who can wield the sole weapon we have to use against the kinds of demons we’re up against.”

“What’s the weapon?” She kept her other questions to herself.
Why me? Do you have any idea what kind of person I am? Do you really think I can do this?

“It’s called the Seal of Solomon,” he answered. “It’s actually a ring, one worn by King Solomon.”

“The one from the Bible? The really rich one?”

“The very one. A lot of people believe it’s a myth, but it’s been confirmed that the ring does exist. The mystical properties are more than just legend. The ring was given to Solomon because he possessed the wisdom to use it, but when he lost his way, it fell out of his hands and was assumed to be lost forever. We were just told where to find it and how to use it, but we need you.”

“To get a ring back?” Had she gone to sleep and woken up in an Indiana Jones flick? What the hell had she gotten herself into?

“We need you to
wear
the ring. You are one of the few Naphils with the power necessary to channel the might of the ring.”

“What does it do?” she asked, growing serious now. Her palms began to sweat at the implications of this. It all sounded dangerous and she had never wanted anything more than a stable and normal life. It seemed like normal would never happen for her now.

“The ring has the power to command demons, to destroy them … you would have the power to pretty much bend them to your will.”

Thinking of the three men she’d injured the night before, she frowned. Those thoughts led her on a path to her past, and the monster that lived inside of her, just waiting to be unleashed. Her heart began to pound and her palms broke out in a sweat. Swallowing past a lump in her throat, she wiped her hands on her jeans and tried to take a deep breath.

“No,” she whispered.

Jack scowled. “I’m sorry, what?”

She shook her head. “You don’t want to give me that kind of power.”

“I’m not the one giving you anything,” he insisted. “You’re a Naphil, and that means there is already power inside of you. I didn’t choose you; God did, and He has His reasons. My job is to protect you, get you to the ring, and help you harness its power. I’m a glorified bodyguard; nothing more.”

Addison stood, and her chair scraped the linoleum as she pushed it back from the table. “You don’t understand, Jack. You don’t know what kind of person I am.”

“He does,” Jack insisted.

“Right, which is why I don’t understand why He’d choose me. You said we have free will, right? Well, I’m turning this down. I’m sure He can hear and see everything, but just so we’re clear, you should go back to whatever angel you answer to and tell them I can’t do this. There’s something inside me. It’s a kind of darkness. That’s the best way I can describe it. I have these thoughts and feelings … well, I don’t think you need to hear all of that. Trust me, I am not the one you want carrying this ring or using its power. I’m sorry.”

Jack stood, as well, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Listen, I know this is overwhelming but—”

“Um, excuse me.” Micah had been silent through their entire conversation, but he spoke up now. Standing at the window overlooking the street, he parted the blinds and stared out into the night. “I don’t wanna interrupt, but we got company, and it ain’t the kind you invite in for tea.”

Jack was across the room in a few strides and at Micah’s side to peer out through the blinds. “Damn it,” he muttered.

He and Micah traded glances before looking back at her.

“What?” she asked, staring back at them in confusion. “I’m not expecting anybody.”

“You should be,” Micah said. “You’re the chosen one, which means you got a big ole target on your back.”

A shiver ran down her spine as an ominous sound filled the room. At first, she couldn’t figure out what it was, but as the seconds passed, it became clear. Several whispering voices warbled together, mingled with what sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. Adrenaline surged through her and her hands began to shake. Jack’s eyes glittered as he gave her a solemn stare and said the one word that struck fear into her core.

“Demons.”

Chapter 7: Fight or Flight

 

“You’re going to have to come with us.”

Jack watched as Addison twisted her trembling hands together, her eyes darting around the small front room of her apartment.

“I ... I don’t understand,” she stammered.

“It’s real simple,” Micah said, clearly out of patience. “Demons are comin’ here to take you out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to stand here and wait for ’em.”

She nodded, seeming to understand.

“I have to get something,” she said before turning with a swish of her long ponytail and dashing toward her bedroom.

“God a’mighty,” Micah huffed, pulling on his wild curls in agitation. “That girl’s gonna be the death of us,
podna
.”

“Cut her some slack!” Jack snapped as he glanced out through the blinds again. He knew why Micah had so little sympathy for the girl, but that didn’t mean he should be so rude to her. “Life as she knows it is over. Whatever she needs to make her feel better about the situation, we’ll let her have it and shut up about it.”

Micah’s response came through a clenched jaw and narrowed eyes. A few seconds later, Addison came barreling from the bedroom with a bag thrown over one shoulder.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

“Well, what a coincidence,” Micah snapped. “So are they!”

Addison stood between them and looked out between the blinds. A sharp gasp tore from her—she was seeing the same thing he’d seen. Small, black shadows crawled over the sides of the buildings lining the street, hanging from roofs and balconies. Their metallic voices whispered out, the sound scraping at his eardrums. It didn’t matter how many demons he’d dispatched; that sound never ceased to send a chill down his spine. Beside him, she trembled, as well, and he placed a firm hand at the small of her back to steady her. The touch seemed to help, and she turned to face him, her gaze filled with terror.

“It’s okay,” he reassured her. “We’re going to run. They know we’re in here, so there’s no need to be covert about it. These are minor demons, little minions. They’re nothing compared to some of the others I’ve fought before, so don’t be afraid. Micah’s going to open the door and go out first. I want you to get behind him, and stay as close to him as you can. I’ll be right behind you.”

She nodded. “Got it.”

Jack reached into his waistband and pulled his gun free. Beside him, Micah had already retrieved his knives. If Addison was surprised by their weapons, she didn’t let on. She stood back as Micah stomped toward the door, his heavy tread loud on the carpeted floor.

“Watch your hair,” Micah grunted at her, hand on the doorknob. “These little sons-a-bitches got claws and they like to pull.”

Before she could answer, he jerked the door open and barreled out onto the balcony. She followed close, and Jack fell in behind her. The jarring sound of the small demons’ wings flapping was a dissonance that, when mixed with their grating whispers, made Jack want to take a drill to his temple just to chase the sound away. He reminded himself that it was all psychological. Demons reveled in emotions like fear; creating it in people gave them their strength, and they fed off of it.

They ran for the staircase, keeping their heads low. The demons took flight, swarming toward them in a black mass that would appear to be no more than a large flock of birds to the untrained eye. As they got closer, they’d appear in their true form—long, skinny claws, chimp-like bodies with swishing, barbed tails, and bat-like wings covered in the armor that caused the metallic sound.

One of them issued a high-pitched screech, causing a chorus of identical sounds to ring out through the swarming cloud. They barreled toward Micah in one large mass, long, pointed teeth bared and dripping saliva. Micah lifted his knives and twirled them with expertise before swinging both his arms out in a wide arc. The blades cut through at least ten of the little demons, causing them to disappear in a burst of white light and a shower of black blood. Micah appeared heedless of the inky goop staining the front of his t-shirt as he continued descending the steps, his oversized arms swinging the knives so fast, they were a golden blur.

Another swarm of them came from the right, but Jack turned and let loose with voice waves strong enough to drop them all mid-flight. He repeated the bellow as they neared the bottom of the steps; one burst from his burning throat large enough to take out a cluster of demons. Black blood splattered to the pavement before disintegrating into puffs of curling black smoke.

Once they reached the street, Micah took a left and squeezed down the narrow alley between her building and another. The demons followed, some still flying and several climbing alongside them, their nails grating against the bricks. Addison cried out and swatted at two of them as they swooped down on her, one landing on her shoulder and the other on her head. With a vicious yank of her ponytail, one of them threw her off balance while the other tried to sink its teeth into her neck. Micah turned and put his knife through its gut, while Jack swatted the other off her head before putting a beam of light between its eyes.

The alleyway opened up into a small courtyard, which housed an outdoor café. As luck would have it, it was closed for the night with no one there to watch as Jack shoved Addison beneath a table and joined Micah in fighting off the little beasts. It seemed like a never-ending swarm that multiplied almost as fast as Jack and Micah could kill them. Three of the little creatures landed on Jack’s shoulders, their sharp talons digging into the fabric of his shirt. He shrugged them off before shooting, taking out all three in a single burst.

“Time to hit ’em with the light,
podna
,” Micah called out, his shoulder brushing Jack’s. They stood back to back, cornered on every side in what seemed like an impossible situation. They both knew better. Every Guardian possessed what could only be described as an inner light. It sapped a great deal of strength, so Jack always exercised caution about when he used the ability. A horde of demons surrounding him fit on his list of acceptable times to apply the power.

“Agreed.” He fired another shot into the fray, taking down five of the tiny demons flying at him from the same direction. A sixth one avoided the shot and landed against his chest, digging its claws in. Despite the small size of the minions, their claws were sharp and barbed. They dug into Jack’s skin, causing him to roar as a burning sensation exploded through his chest, almost paralyzing him. Forcing himself to breathe through the pain, he closed his eyes and pulled his inner light. He pictured it—white, bright, and glorious, reveling in the vibrations building inside until they hit a crescendo. The mark on his chest began to burn and he opened his eyes, his vision filled with the vibrant light emanating from it.

The demon shrieked and fell away. The light flickered and then a burst like a lightning flash emanated from first him, and then Micah, sweeping throughout the outdoor café and dropping the demons like flies. Their black blood rained down over them, splattering his face and clothing, and the putrid stench of sulfur invaded his nostrils. Still, the demons were gone and the café had gone quiet around them.

Jack swiped a hand over his eyes, flicking a handful of the black demon goop away with a huff of disgust.

“Ugh!” Micah grumbled, swiping one hand over his face and sending more of the globs splatting to the cobblestones. “This stuff is always a real
crapeau
to clean.”

“Guess I can kiss this shirt good-bye,” Jack muttered, staring down at his black-spotted top.

Micah laughed. “Don’t I always tell you not to wear your fancy clothes for demon huntin’?”

He rolled his eyes. “Micah, a clean t-shirt is fancy to you.” He turned away from his partner and searched the courtyard for Addison. “You can come out.”

At first, he couldn’t make her out in the darkness. Then, a dark shape shifted and appeared from beneath a table. She was clean, having avoided the shower of demon blood that had rained down on the two of them. Her questioning gaze darted between the two of them as she approached.

“What was that?”

Seeing the fear and confusion in her eyes, Jack stepped forward. “It’s okay,” he said, trying to reassure her. “We would never hurt you. Our mission is to protect you, remember?”

She nodded, seeming to relax a bit at that reminder. “Micah is freakishly strong, and that thing you did with your voice …”

“All Guardians possess gifts,” he answered. “Mine is my voice; Micah’s is his strength.”

“That burst of light … it was coming from your chest.”

He nodded. “All Guardians have an inner light, which we can use when we need a large bust of power in one sweep.” He sagged and sank down onto a nearby chair. “It’s exhausting, though, so we don’t do it often.”

Addison’s brow wrinkled in concern as she stepped closer, peering down into his eyes. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Nothing a few hours of sleep won’t help.”

“Speakin’ of which,” Micah cut through. “If you two don’t mind, I’d like to get home and wash the stink of demon guts off me.”

Jack stood, gripping the edge of the table as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Micah being stronger, it took more to sap his strength than one burst of inner light. Jack could curl up in a ball right there on the ground and sleep the rest of the night away.

“Sounds like a plan. It’s not a long walk from here,” he added, turning to Addison.

She nodded and fell in step with them, glancing back over her shoulder at the scene of their little fight in a bout of paranoia. She probably half expected another wave of demons to come crawling out of the shadows. The blood was disintegrating, vanishing in puffs of curling black smoke. Jack breathed a sigh of relief as the stench dissipated, though the dark stains remained in his clothes.

Silence dominated the walk home. He watched her from the corner of his eye. She was holding up well considering all she’d heard and seen during the last couple of days. He’d had other people cry, scream, and object in stubborn disbelief when faced with the truth of the world that existed right under their noses. He wondered what had happened to this woman in her life that caused her to adapt to unforeseen circumstances with such ease.

When they arrived at their place, Micah preceded them up the back stairway and straight to the door leading through their kitchen and into the apartment. With Addison there, turning in circles to observe her surroundings, Jack became very aware of how messy the place was. Her sparse, yet clean, apartment seemed like a palace compared to their little nook above the diner.

His face heated as he took in the rows of empty mason jars on the kitchen counter, dirty clothes piled up around the washer and dryer in the corner of the kitchen, and the random junk strewn around the living room.

“I call first shower,” Micah declared, making a beeline for the bathroom. A few seconds later, the sound of his off-key warbling drifted out to them, mingling with the cadence of water hitting the bottom of the tub.

Jack cleared his throat when he realized he and Addison had been standing in the living room, staring at each other for a full minute without speaking.

“I’ll sleep on the couch tonight,” he told her. “You can have my room.”

Compared to the rest of the house, his room passed for somewhat clean. Clearing the bed of a few books, he stripped the sheets from the mattress. After replacing them with a set of clean ones he kept in his closet, he stepped aside and gestured toward the small, twin bed.

“It’s not much, but the mattress is comfortable and with the hallway separating you, you won’t even be able to hear Micah’s snores.”

Addison giggled at that, coming toward the bed and plopping down on it. Her bag slid from her shoulder and landed on the floor with a soft thud. “He doesn’t like me, does he?”

Jack leaned against the dresser, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s nothing personal.” Micah would kill him for revealing too much about his sister, and it wasn’t his place to tell. Aside from that, he also had no desire to talk about Tracy. To anyone. Ever.

“Sure does feel personal,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Reaching up, she pulled the rubber band loose and allowed her curtain of fiery red locks to cascade around her shoulders. The dim light of the lamp caused the strands to catch fire and for a moment, he was hypnotized by the shades of amber highlights dancing in the glow.

“What, does he hate strippers or something?” She glanced up at him, her gaze locking with his.

Jack lowered his eyes, realizing she’d caught him staring. Embarrassment flooded him. “Micah loves strippers,” he remarked with a dry snort. “Maybe one day, he’ll tell you about the one he used to date.”

“And what do
you
think about strippers, Jack?” She arched one titian eyebrow at him.

He shrugged. “I think people do what they have to do to make a living. I just saw a few seconds of your performance but, uh …” he cleared his throat again and jerked at his collar. “You, um, seem like a … talented dancer.”

She laughed. A deep, throaty sound, almost like a purr. “I’ve gotten a lot of interesting feedback about my performances, Jack, but I have to do say most guys don’t tell me what a good dancer I am.”

“Well, I turned away before you started taking your clothes off, so there isn’t much to go off of here.”

BOOK: The Guardians: An Urban Fantasy Romance
3.33Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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