Zero Rising: Soldier of Light Chronicles Book 3

by Ireland Gill

  Unexpected tears started to fill my eyes. I hadn’t even realized it before blurting those words out. “There’s light in you, and you’ve forgotten you always had it. It was lost. And you don’t want to admit there’s any good left in you.” My heart was pounding. I could hear it over the crashing waves behind us. “But it’s there. I see it. And if you have any mercy in you, even just for me, you will let my angel go.”

  Alysto held a pensive expression. I felt a newer confidence grow within me now. I loosened my grip on the creature's skin, my hand still on the trigger. “Please. Let him go.”

  Alysto glared at me, then started smirking.

  “No ideas, Alysto. Gently!” I commanded.

  Alysto loosened his grip around Hayden's neck, dropping him. Hayden rolled onto the sand, coughing and catching his breath. I finally remembered to breathe once I saw he would be safe. Luka darted over to him and carried my limp angel to a clean area in the sand, away from the enemy.

  Alysto's expression hardened when I glared in his eyes. I released my grip on his throat and pulled the gun from his head, throwing it to the side. I didn't need it anymore. I didn't even want it anymore. I still felt he could be a reasonable being if he just found it within him. Why I kept giving him these chances was beyond everyone. Even me.

  “Thank you,” I said to him.

  Alysto narrowed his eyes at me.

  “You are foolish to think you see any light in me,” he huffed as he composed his position in the sand. “You are quite unaware of what will become of your fate...and of others.”

  “What are you talking about?” I was frustrated.

  He threw his head back, animatedly, as he bellowed a laugh even louder once again. I knew then that his cooperation would be an impossibility. His laughing only gave me more frustration, and then he slowly lowered his mouth to my ear, just as he'd done the first time I'd ever spoken with him. I trembled as I felt the cold diffuse from his skin.

  Alysto sighed. “Tenebrae,” he whispered. “It will always be there.”

  I narrowed my eyes, trying to keep them on horizon in front of me as he kept his face so close to mine. “Why do you constantly have to talk to me in riddles?” I asked quietly into his ear. “Why can't you just answer me? It's all I ask of you,” I pleaded with him.

  He studied me for what seemed like forever. “Once you let the Phantom in, you’ll have to save the Seeker from within yourself...without the guidance of your Guardian.”

  He laughed deeply again, moving his gaze from my eyes to my shoulders, then to my stomach. He held it there for a long moment, then said his last words to me before withdrawing his close. “Fortuna protegens gravida, Fortis,” he whispered.

  He then danced his way to the shore and into the shallow water. He turned and kept his eyes on Hayden, who was now sitting up in the sand, and winked at him with a smug expression.

  I stared after him, befuddled as he'd always seem to leave me. I watched him slowly submerse into the dark ocean waters and felt the presence of peace fall upon me. I turned to find Luka standing directly behind me, almost slamming into him when I turned.

  I hadn't realized I was panting so hard. I hardly had any breath in me. I glanced behind him to see Hayden lying on the sand, now unconscious.

  “Oh, no! No!” I darted over to him, falling into the sand next to him.

  “Evika,” Luka’s hand laid on my shoulder. “He will be fine. He’s just knocked out. He’ll be okay. I promise.”

  I felt panic leave my body, which surprised me. But something about the way Luka assured me just made me sure.

  “Luka, are you okay? Hayden attacked you out of nowhere.”

  The angel waved his hand. “Not the first time I’ve been socked in the face. First time I was ever knocked out cold though, but I’ll be fine.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I swear.”

  Relief set in, but at the same time, I felt despondent. “Luka,” I whispered, still in shock, “Alysto could have killed me...could have killed Hayden. What the hell is wrong with him?” I gestured to my injured angel.

  “Hayden is learning to be human, Evigreen. His strength isn't what it used to be while he is still Fading. It will take time for his emotions to even out.” Then he chuckled. “A little roughing up did him some good, I think.” Luka smiled at me. “Although, he seems to be developing a temper.”

  I moved a piece of hair from Hayden’s forehead, smiling at the irony. “I guess we deserve each other.”

  Luka winked at me, then gave me a solemn look, swallowing hard. “Evigreen, there’s something Alysto said to you. I heard it since I was near you right before he vanished.”

  He sighed. “You’ve made a bond with him somehow, one that gives him a lot of insight about you.”

  He looked down at my wrist, directly at my birthmark. “I believe he feels he already has a part of you, and you of him. He doesn’t need force with you to know things.”

  Deep concern flooded through me, but it wasn't just regarding my fate. “Are you referring to the darkness he always mentions? That’s always been a thing.”

  Luka shook his head. “No. There’s something else he knows. And I don’t think you’re aware of it yet.”

  “What is it?”

  “Fortuna protegens gravida,” he repeated Alysto’s phrase, to which I gave no regard earlier. Always riddles.

  Luka scratched the back of his neck, pausing, as if what he had to say next was uncomfortable. It made me uneasy.

  “You can tell me, Luka. What is it?”

  He was very still for just a moment, as if realizing it was the very last moment he’d have a little secret of his own that wasn’t his anymore. “Could you be pregnant?”

  My stomach dropped. The very stomach that had been feeling nauseous and disruptive for many days. I thought about the time that had passed. Time to which I paid no attention to consider the length of the days that had gone by while I was saving souls, living in a house full of mythical beings, making up lost time with my twin brother. It was clear. Time: weeks that had gone by without my realizing I’d missed a certain time of the month nearly a month ago. My back straightened as I sat in the sand next to a recuperating Hayden lying next to me.

  “Oh, my God,” I whispered. I met Luka’s eyes again. “I can’t believe it.”

  He laughed. “Well, I mean...Hayden is almost completely human now. These things can happen.” I could tell he was feeling giddy.

  I placed my hands over my stomach and looked down. Smiling. Filled with an overwhelming sense of joy.

  “I have to go make a call to be sure the crew got to the House of Council with your brother. And I’ll check the flight plans for you guys. We can grab a test for you before we get to the airport, just to be sure.”

  A joyful tear escaped my eye as I looked up. “Okay.” And then Luka walked to the side to make his call.

  I looked over at Hayden, finally sitting up in the sand and rubbing the front of his neck and coughing. All I wanted to do was leap into Hayden's arms and hold him as he held me, but after knowing he was going to be alright, it was hard to suppress the true feeling coming forward.

  I was angry with him. Angry that he'd almost broken his promise to me. He put himself so close to danger and I'd almost lost him tonight. My emotions started running high once again as I thought about the losses that could have been.

  “Hayden!” I ran over to him, panting. I lunged at him, pushing him down into the sand on his back, but he was too quick. He looked at me, knowing fully well that I was infuriated with him. In one quick movement, he grabbed my swinging arms, spun me around, pulled me down and locked them against my body as he held me against him.

  “Evika, no!” he squeezed me harder. “Please don't do this!”

  I struggled, yelling at him. “You promised me, Hayden! You promised you would never let anything happen to yourself before it was my time to go! You promised!” I started crying. Mad that I was letting the tears fall, I thrashed my legs, kicking his as we were o
n the ground, rolling in the sand. I hated that he was restricting my arms. I hated that I'd even let things get this far. I was so angry with him, but I knew I was to blame for all of it.

  “Evika, stop!” he yelled at me. And just as he'd done once before, he managed to pin me on my back down to the ground, straddling me and holding my arms next to my head. They sank into the sand, but his grip didn't hurt me this time. “I'm sorry,” he said, exasperatedly. I cried harder, and his grip loosened as the fight in me started to die out. “Please, don't make me do it,” he said, panting. “I'm so tired right now.....please.”

  I saw the fatigue in his face and his tired eyes. I relented to his request and I lay in the sand, motionless. I didn't want any of his antidotes. I didn't want him expending his energy on me when he needed more of it for himself. I huffed a loud breath and he rolled off, sitting next to me, exhausted. He looked down the shoreline. He turned to me and I saw his face. The moment happened so fast, yet played in a slow motion. Tears had filled his eyes-his deep, emerald eyes. The hurt poured from my heart and pumped throughout my entire body after seeing this and my mouth went agape. I was paralyzed.

  “Evika?” Hayden's voice sounded so small as his head sank. He tugged at my arm to pull me over to him and held me close as I crawled into his lap.

  I squeezed more tears from my eyes, shocked that I even had any left in me. “Hayden,” I choked out. “I...”

  “I'm so sorry about tonight,” he said, lifting my chin.

  “The crap you pulled tonight was borderline demented.”

  He nodded. “You're right and I'm sorry.” He sighed, staring into me. His expression loosened and he gave me a look of concern now. “Evika-” he broke himself off as if he wasn't ready. I could tell he was trying to censor his wording. I just knew it. I could see him struggling not only with what to say, but to hold back the tears I'd caused him before all of this started. He breathed deeply once again and started over, calming his voice. “We’ll find another way. You can’t go through with saving Jaxon the way he told you.”

  “Hayden, all of this is my fault. There is no other way.”

  His head lowered as he spoke to me. “He knows you all too well now. He knows how he can get to you.” His face tightened. “It's like you are....connected. You've made a bond with him now. He knows more than he should after you called to him,” he said, his jaw flexing at the thought.

  I lowered my head and cried once again, but this time it was because I was proud to say the words. “Hayden, I have to tell you something.”

  My hands slowly made their way into his. I laced our fingers together and looked up into those emerald pools. “I’m not totally sure yet, but I think you’re gonna be a dad.”

  Hayden gasped, bottom jaw dropping. His eyes widened. “Y-you’re pregnant?” He asked in a quiet, yet hopeful voice. His face was beaming.

  I sighed in relief that he felt the same joy I had. “We’ll need to get a definite answer, but...all signs point to ‘yes.’”

  Hayden smirked as he laid his forehead against mine and spoke softly. “You remember tandem, don't you? You jump, I jump?”

  I nodded.

  He looked into my eyes solemnly. I could see him again as I stared back, my angel. The angry man was leaving him. “Evika, I vow to protect you. And I vow to keep you and our future family safe for the rest of our lives.”

  I sighed. “I know you will, Angel-man.”

  He grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest, holding it there. I felt the rapid beats of his heart and gave him a smile. “You are my heart, Evika Jade Stormer....and I cannot live in this world or any other without my heart.” He gave a deep, solemn stare into my eyes. “You are going to be my wife,” he whispered. “Don't you ever jump without me.”

  My hand went to his cheek. “Tandem. I promise.”

  Although we were both elated with the possible good news, we still had a looming matter ahead of us. One that was deemed more complicated now because of it.

  “Hayden, we have to get Jaxon back...no matter what.” I said.

  “And we will.” Hayden gave me his determined look, the one I always knew. “I promise. We'll get Jaxon back. This isn't his fate. We'll make sure of that.”

  I looked out into the waves and watched what was left of the sun set into its final moment of rest before the brightness faded just a little more by the minute.

  “You’re right,” I told him. “It’s not Jaxon’s fate. Because it’s mine.”

  “No, Evika. There are other ways.” The conviction in his voice was prominent.

  I turned to him to meet his eyes. “My father warned me about this. I’m the only one who can save my brother. And now I get why.”

  “No,” he shook his head. “It’s way too dangerous now. Especially now that you’re...” He paused, looking down at our hands. “We’ll find another way. You’re not putting yourself in danger.”

  I breathed a laugh. “That’s all my life is anymore, Hayden. Every chapter is just a new danger. And I’ve even managed to rope new people into it.”

  Maybe he knew in his heart I was right. Or maybe he was just tired of arguing with me. He knew that I’d somehow finagle a way to do what I had to do in order to execute what I thought was right, whether he agreed with it or not. He just brought his hands to his face, grunted in frustration, then sighed in exasperation.

  “It will never matter what I say, will it?”

  Before I could answer and burst his bubble even more, Luka cleared his throat next to us. I'd been completely oblivious to his return. “I suppose you would like to know that your brother and Indigo made it to the House of Council safely. Trevor had to sedate him once more, but they have him held safely at the House under around-the-clock guard.” He forced a smile at Hayden. “Oh, and your flight to Los Angeles has been booked. First Class. You’re welcome.” He winked. “You'll need to be at the airport in one hour to get through all the security and lines in a timely manner.”

  “I appreciate it, Luka. Thank you,” Hayden said, finally standing up. He offered his hand. “I’m really sorry, man. I really hope that you can forgive me.”

  Luka stood still, letting the anticipation fester. Finally, he offered Hayden a warm smile. “It’s all good, Darkwing.” He shook Hayden’s hand and shrugged. “Already healed up anyway.”

  Hayden yanked Luka into him. The two shared a tight hug.

  As I watched the two best friends set themselves free of any wedge that may come between them, I thought about what would become from that moment on.

  I searched within myself to find any feeling of doubt. But I found none.

  I searched for fear that should paralyze me, given that we may be parents soon. But I found none.

  I thought about how happy my mother would be to hear the news. And I had no doubt that she was smiling down on me, wherever she was.

  What I did feel was a peace, and a bliss, and a hopefulness that I'd been longing for. I was getting my signs tonight. My mother, always in my thoughts, gave me strength. My dark knight, my angel, my love.... gave me life. And this new life within me....gave me hope.

  I looked up at Hayden to see him smiling at our hands together; a happiness in his expression that was new to me. My heart swelled at this sight, but then, I narrowed my eyes thinking about what Alysto said. I felt more determined than ever before. I wanted to believe that I had the upper hand; the control to fix this situation and make everything right again.

  I looked down at our hands. “We have more to protect now.”

  Hayden grinned. “Evika, I love you more than words could ever describe. You are the spirit that completes me and always will be.” His smile widened as he thought for a moment. “We are going to be a family, and I will protect us from anything and everything that is wrong or harmful.”

  He embraced my face with his warm, soft hands and pressed his lips against mine with such urgency. He threw in all of his passion in that kiss, and I felt the electricity buzzing inside me as it always
did when he touched me. I laced my fingers through his hair. I loved running my hand through it when he kissed me and I'd always lose myself in the moment, but there was another thought that came to the forefront as our lips touched. My happiness would have to be put on hold until I brought Jaxon back. I wanted my brother safe again.

  Hayden took my hands and we stood together. “I promise you, we will get through this, Evika. Come what may.” He kissed my forehead. I wanted to search for the faith within me that would let me believe him and I didn't have to search long. It was there. I trusted that, whatever may come our way, Hayden's and my love for each other could conquer anything.

  I held his face between my hands and looked up at him. “Hayden, I love you, no matter what.”

  He smiled my favorite smile. “Let's get home to pack a few things.”

  “You know, man, you're not completely Faded yet,” the forgotten audience behind us said.

  I looked over to Luka who was staring at us with one of those I-know-something-you-don’t-know looks. “You do know what this means, don't you?”

  My stomach dropped again. “Wait. What do mean? What's wrong if he isn’t completely Faded yet?”

  Both angels smiled, almost deviously. Oddly putting me at ease again.

  Luka sauntered over to me. “Oh, it just means that your little cherub is going to have a gift is all.”

  I felt a smile grow on my face as I thought about it. “A quirk,” I said proudly.

  “Something to look forward to.” Luka winked.

  Hayden leaned down to kiss my hair once again, lacing his fingers in mine to lift me from the sand. “Are you ready, Pony-girl?”

  Ready. Was I ready? It was a pivotal moment as I thought about everything for which I would need to brace myself; everything for which I would need to be ready. I wasn't sure if I was, but I did know that everything up to this point had a reason, and I was determined to believe that. I felt it in my heart. My life was going to change all over again. Scared and elated, I embraced it. I would be ready.

  I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes as I stared into the darkness of the road that was ahead of us, knowing there was light ahead.