Wasteland (28 page)

She slid her fingers into my grip and smiled. I followed Russell toward a patch of trees before us. The stream flowed nearby but was out of sight.

“Why do we seek out wood? It is warm.”

“She’s cold. It’s the poison. When night draws near, she’ll be even more chilled.” He bent over and grabbed a handful of twigs.

“She must survive . . . .”

“What will you do if she can’t see who cursed the dagger?” Russell asked.

“Original plan, I guess.” I commanded my wings inside me. Not quite used to skin ripping in such a manner yet.

“Suicide.” He clutched a bundle of branches to his chest and kicked at a trio of stones.

“It was your idea, remember? What alternative would you suggest? Let Jessica die?”

Russell stopped. “I suggest you send me, instead. We can’t lose our leaders.”

“Alone, you could do nothing.”

“You and Beka could fly to a phone and call for reinforcements. They’re in Utah. They’d be here within hours via airplane. In the meantime, I would go ahead.”

“Go where? You think they are still in the building in California where they kept me?”

“Yes. No time to leave yet. Plus, I believe this has been the plan for them all along. If you converted to the Light, they would come and get you and Jessica. That old master of yours has probably wanted you dead for centuries. Just could never do it with the contract hanging over his head.”

“But now my contract is gone, of course he wants me dead. And why not lure me to him with the being who converted me.”

“David.” Russell grabbed my shoulder. “You know it’s not her who converted you, don’t you?”

“I do not understand.”

“You made a choice when you didn’t kill her. When you refused to turn her over to your former master. That’s where your conversion started. That’s when you stepped into the prophecy.” He released his grip on me.

I snatched some twigs. He had a point, yet it was still difficult to believe.

“You doubt that, but it’s true. Search your heart, David. You may have been part demon for all those years, forced to kill all those people, including your wife’s family, but it was never you. You never wanted that.” He toed a rock embedded in the sand. “Anyone else, a bit weaker than you, would have given up. Would have given into the temptation and converted. You gutted it out for centuries.”

“Thank you, Russell.”

“I say all that for two reasons,
King.
”

I sent a glare at him, then resumed snapping brittle twigs from a dying bush for kindling.

“One, you are an inspiration to all Guardians. Look what you endured. It gives us all hope. And two, you deserve to live with and love your mate for a long, long time for all that you’ve endured. Let us other Guardians handle this.”

“Jessica needs action now. Other Guardians will not be to you in time. You, yourself, said she fades quickly.” I shook my head. “No. Once she wakes and identifies who cursed the blade, we go after them.”

“At least let Beka stop by a phone, since our cell phones have been destroyed, and call headquarters so they can send help anyway.”

“Of course.”

With my arms full of kindling, I turned toward the camp. Russell hurried after me.

“Where do you think this demon or witch is?” he asked.

“If it’s not one of Locien’s, then I have no idea. I just hope Jessica can tell us something helpful. Our time runs short.” The cave came into view. “I fear the demons we found near the remains of the cabin, have relayed our location. But with only three after you, I can’t imagine it was because they know where we are. I’m sure what you said was true, that they fell over the ledge and stumbled across you.”

“Let’s hope. Because when you guys leave, we’re sitting ducks here.”

I stopped. “You are right. We should fly you out of here and get you to a secure place. Can you bless another location, like a hotel room?”

“Sure. I can bless the cave as well.”

“But your Guardian friends will have difficulty getting to you. I can carry you out of here and Beka can carry Jessica.”

“
Our
Guardian friends. And you’re, my k— yes, right. We should do that.”

Panic seized my gut, cramping it into boulder-sized knots. The kindling scattered to the ground, and I darted into the dark cave. Beka lay sleeping beside Jessica. But Jessica’s eyes were wide, her hand resting on the weapon lying between Beka and her.

“Jessica?” I whispered.

Beka jerked awake.

“What is it, honey?” Beka petted the girl’s wild hair.

Her face glistened with sweat, and her chest heaved with each labored breath. Beka retracted her wing, and Jessica pushed herself up, gripping the dagger to her chest.

“You see who cursed it,” I said. “Tell us. We will go kill them to save you.”

She moved her head from side-to-side.

“Please. That’s the only way we can save you,” Beka said.

Jessica fixed her stare on me. “I’m not worth the risk you will face.”

“Yes, you are.” I fell to my knees beside her. “You will help many people as you helped me. I will not allow you to sacrifice that. What is it you see?”

Her gaze danced between me and Beka. Her eyes narrowed and dropped to her fingers. In that instant, I knew she’d seen Locien. Of course he would curse it himself. He knew I would challenge him. It would be his chance to kill me.

I leapt to my feet.

“What, David?” Beka stood.

My hand navigated to my throat. “Looks like we are charging the compound after all.”

CHAPTER 42

Beka’s hand tugged at mine as I stormed to the stream. “David.”

My heart cracked at my ribs. I’d finally rid myself of the collar yet Locien still cinched a leash by harming Jessica. He lost me, so he went after her.

I peeled my hand from Beka’s grip. It wasn’t her I was mad at, but I was angry. Rage bubbled within my heart. Reminded me of the demon swirling.

My wings blasted out of my back, and I rocketed into the air. The sun hung high above me, and I aimed right for the light. The brightness seared my eyes, but I stared until I could no longer bear the pain.

I slammed my eyelids shut and neon dots spotted the darkness. My blood pulsed, strumming my inner ear like a drum. I slammed my hand against my thigh.

I knew having to face the demon who raised me was a likely possibility, but the look in Jessica’s eyes when she told me, not to mention her hesitation to, made it worse. Like she worried for me. Her fear confirmed the sense of dread I wouldn’t survive this encounter.

Locien was too strong for me to kill. He hid behind a vast wall of elite guards I would never penetrate.

“David.” Beka’s soothing voice serenaded my ears. “Not so high.”

I opened my eyes and slowed my ascent.

“You’ll show up on radars soon.” She grabbed my toes, then my pockets, guiding herself up my body. Her wings flapped in time with mine until she reached my chest. Her feathersmot retracted, and she clung to me.

“He planned this,” I said.

“I’m sure. Locien lost you, now he wants you dead, along with Jessica. The one responsible for your Angel status.”

My heart sunk.
I am no angel
.

Beka’s soft fingers traced my jaw, urging me to face her. “Come on. Free fall with me so we’re not so high.” Her wide eyes pleaded, the skin around them crinkling. 

I dipped my head. She touched a kiss to my chin and pushed away, her intense gaze fixed on me.

Her face got smaller and smaller as she dropped. Locien’s building was to the west. I should go there now. On my own. They’d see me coming alone. Locien would meet me. As much as I hated him, I knew his sick mind. He would want to kill me himself. Would need the pleasure of staring into my eyes as his cold blade or black nails detached my head.

He’d done it countless times when I was under contract, but only sparks resulted. His loud, frustrated howl echoed in my brain.

He was ancient and strong, rich with magic. Tough to kill. Maybe I was created for that reason. Part Light, part dark, but stronger than both.

A gust of wind stirred my feathers. I snuck a peek at Beka. If I left, she would follow, but my speed exceeded hers. She couldn’t catch me, but she would give chase, nonetheless. I couldn’t allow that. Harm would come to her if she did.

I brought my wings to my body and fell. My stomach plunged from the sudden altitude change.

Beka and I should go together. I might have a chance if we fight as a team.

Locien could not survive my nails. But he would have many Elites surrounding him. I could feign offering myself back into his servitude.

A bluff would never work. He’d see through it.

The wind from the free fall howled in my ears, jerking me back to the moment. Beka’s blanched wings expanded, and I approached her like a rocket. I spread my wings, stopping three feet above her.

“I’m glad you didn’t go, David. I didn’t want to chase you down.”

“You knew?”

“Our connection is deep, Mate.” She pressed her palm over her heart. “Your struggles are my own.”

I fluttered to a dead tree with thick branches below us. It supported my full weight without cracking. Beka joined me, standing only inches from me.

“You are no longer alone, David. We will fight him together. We are strong.”

“He is stronger. We cannot beat him.”

“Alone, no.” She pawed at my mark. “Together, yes.”

“He is Lucifer’s right hand man. You cannot saunter up and kill him. Even an Elite Guard demon is no match for him.” I shook my head. “I cannot get to him.”

“You must. Or Jessica dies.”

My body tensed at the thought.

“He has many who could have cursed that dagger, does he not?” she asked.

“Yes. Many dabble in the dark magiks. He surrounds himself with mystics yet knows more than most.”

“He wants you to come to him. That’s the only explanation as to why he, himself, cursed the dagger. You’re meant to fight him. Defeat him.”

“He knew I would go after whoever did it to save Jessica, you’re right. Jealousy, rage and the inability to kill me has driven him mad.” I clasped my hand to Beka’s. “But it has also strengthened his resolve, making him more dangerous and vicious.”

“He’s probably relieved you didn’t fully turn, you would have taken his place,” Beka said. “He can kill you with blessing from Lucifer since you’re an Angel now.”

“Russell suggested we carry him and Jessica to a hotel. He will bless it, notify the Guardians at headquarters, then hide there until they arrive.”

“Logical. There are many Guardians, possibly near us to help. We have been out of contact for a few days now since our phones were destroyed. I would guess they’d started sending some our way anyway.”

“We do not have time to wait.”

“I agree.” She took a seat and dangled her legs over the edge of the branch. “Jessica says the cursed dagger will help in killing Locien.”

“How do I do it?” I sat next to her and scanned the sea of treetops before us. The blue sky went on forever without a cloud anywhere. 

“If the dagger is jabbed in the heart of the one who cursed it, its evil intent will take him tenfold.”

“So, behead or stab him with the cursed dagger. But stabbing means a more torturous death.”

She rested her hand on my thigh. “I could be the one with the dagger. You attempt to behead or expose his chest, and I’ll throw it. I’m a crack shot with those things.”

“Indeed you are.”

“He would expect you to carry the weapon, he knows your anger, does he not? And your will.”

“Yes. I think he would expect I show up on impulse, like I almost just did.” I covered her hand with mine. “You want to know something demented?”

“What?”

“He is the only father I’ve ever known. He raised me.”

“That
is
sick.” She patted my thigh. “You are not his kin, David. You are a Light in this dark world. You are my husband, my mate for our entire existence.”

“I am both dark and Light. Jessica said as much.”

“You have a touch of darkness, held only in your wings and nails. Your heart is pure, that is what makes you the Dark Angel.”

“Dark Angel.” I straightened my back. “Then you are my White Angel.”

“Indeed.” She hopped to her feet. “Come, let’s hurry and
rip some throats out
as you would say.”

“Leave that kind of talk to me, okay?” I spread my wings. “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 43

“She hasn’t moved in a while,” Beka said as she flew next to me.

I regarded the girl in Beka’s arms. She seemed to have shrunk five inches in the last day. When she’d held me during my transformation, she stood tall, filling her small five-foot-two frame with such confidence.

Now, she curled up in a ball close to Beka’s chest as we flew toward town. We followed the winding road down the side of the mountain. The last sign indicated only seven miles left to a town.

Russell shifted in my grasp. “I feel like such a girl being carried like this.”

“I do not particularly enjoy carrying you like this either,” I said with a snicker. “We are almost there.”

“It’s amazing flying, though,” Russell said.

“You could say that.” I stared ahead, nerves on end. “I cannot go very fast holding you, though, and Beka and I need to speed to California. Jessica fades quickly.”

“I’ll call in the troops, they’ll be here quickly.” He craned his head toward Jessica. “She does not look well.”

“Has she indicated how long she thinks she has?”

“No. The aloe slows the poison, I think. I will continue to take care of her. I just wish Abraham would have made it, he knew the healing arts very well.”

“I am sorry.”

Russell’s body stiffened, and his arm straightened. “There. Motel 6. See it?”

A structure, resembling a small strip mall sat shrouded by trees. Two stories, ten navy doors on each level, and only four cars parked in the gravel lot. Perfect.

We banked right and set down near the timber across the street. A road sign showed amenities one quarter of a mile down. “Should we move more toward the city? It is isolated out here.”

“We’d have to walk. Russell will bless the room and bless the perimeter. Should work fine,” Beka said. She pulled Jessica close.