Guardian

by Marnie Leighton

  His gaze devoured my body. ‘I will give you anything you want—an empire to rule, as many dark ones as you desire—anything, as long as you join me.’

  Uninvited lust purred in my pelvis, hoping it might soon meet gratification. Holding my breath, I tried to concentrate. This had to be torture for Aydin, and it would only get worse. ‘Then consider me yours,’ I replied.

  Moving with unnatural grace, Joel strode towards me, his crystalline eyes locked on mine. I felt dizzy as he drew nearer and I pressed my fingernails into my palms hoping the pain would distract me.

  He stopped a few feet away, his own desire etched in his features. ‘You do realize I will have to destroy this form so your soul can bond with mine,’ he said gently. I nodded. ‘But I am sure we can create a suitable replacement, and I will of course, keep your wings. They won’t be able to touch them once you are mine. Though there is one thing, I will ask of you first.’

  His words flamed the growing heat. ‘Anything my Lord,’ I replied a touch too convincingly.

  He bit his bottom lip. ‘Would you permit me the pleasure of this body?’

  The request nearly broke me. I fought to keep thoughts of Aydin in my mind, but as Joel’s presence soaked into every pore, they began to slip away. ‘Of course,’ I whispered.

  Joel stepped forward, having him so close was undefinable—like a black hole dragging me into its depths. My head tilted as I instinctively leaned towards him. He stood motionless, so close yet not touching me—it was blissful torture. Blood rushed to my cheeks as I felt every pulse in my limbs. Unable to restrain myself any longer, I leaned that tiny bit further joining our lips. He responded with a gentle, yet commanding kiss. A wave of immense satisfaction overran my willpower, and I felt myself melt into him.

  He eased back; triumph lit his face. He ran his hand over my hair, taking a moment to admire his new possession. ‘You are mine,’ he breathed before crushing his lips back down.

  A fire raged through my veins and I knew I could no longer exist without him. I threw my arms around his neck entwining our bodies. I tore at his shirt, and a deep moan rumbled in his throat as the material gave way, exposing his chest. The heat of his flesh seared through my dress. He pulled away.

  ‘No,’ I begged, following.

  ‘Wait, Callie, there is no rush.’ He held me back. ‘We have all the time in the world. I want something.’

  ‘Anything,’ I replied, desperate to taste him again.

  ‘I want to see you fly.’

  I nodded dreamily as he withdrew his touch. Instantly a glimmer of sanity returned. Memories of the hidden sword flowed back, quickly followed by fear. Thank God he’d broken the contact. My mind cleared by the second, but I couldn’t let him realize. I had to do as he asked, but I didn’t know if the sword would hold if I expanded my wings. This wasn’t something I’d practiced. Looking into Joel’s eyes, I saw the expectation stirring. I couldn’t hesitate any longer, I eased my wings outwards.

  Soft light fell over Joel and my desire dulled further, allowing Aydin back into my thoughts. I wanted to look for him, but I still couldn’t risk it. My wings reached their full span, and I started to lift. Suddenly Joel leaped, his own wings extended. He embraced me mid-air, his powerful arms crushing my chest. Eager hands tore at the strap of my dress, and he bit into the soft skin of my neck. I cried out as his hand slid up the inside of my thigh. I clung to Aydin’s image for as long as I could, but it soon began to fade, till once again I’d forgotten his name. Joel possessed me body and soul, and I wondered briefly if he was stripping my memories, but that thought was soon gone too. All I knew and cared about was him.

  Drifting into confusion, a dark flash caught my attention. I glanced past Joel’s wings; a shadowy figure stood at the back of the church. His presence was puzzling. Who was he? Why was he staring like that?

  The figure stepped forward, his face revealed by our glow. There was something familiar about him. I watched as he crouched and his lips withdrew. His red eyes, so piercing in the darkness, disturbed me—like there was something I had forgotten. I stared and stared till suddenly I knew.

  ‘Aydin,’ I gasped.

  Joel stiffened. The sword—I had to strike before Aydin did. I grabbed at my wing, and our mid-air embrace turned to a tumble. We hit the floor, and Joel landed on top of me. He looked at my wing; his pupils dilating as my fingers found the sword. I ripped it free and swung as fast as I could, but he caught my wrist. I cried out in anguish as I tried to fight, but it was useless, the sword just hung there, the tip tantalizingly close to the skin of his chest. A deafening roar shook the building, and Joel’s head shot up. He bared his teeth when he saw Aydin charging. He flicked my wrist sideways, snapping the bones in my arm. The sword flew from my hand, and before I could even scream, Joel picked me up and threw me. I hit the wall and slid to the floor; a heavy sensation enveloping my limbs.

  Aydin crashed into Joel, he hit the ground and rolled, bringing himself upright again. They ran at each other, Joel grabbed Aydin around the waist driving him into the furniture piled against the wall. There was a massive crash, and pieces of wood rained down. The noise drowned my scream, and I struggled to get up but couldn’t. I looked down and froze in horror; I was completely bound by chains. Joel must have used his angel abilities to create them when he threw me—I was helpless.

  Aydin freed himself of the mess and kicked Joel in the chest. He stumbled but did not fall. Joel grabbed a piece of wood from the floor. He leaped, swinging at Aydin’s head, it connected with a sickening thud. Aydin stumbled, and Joel caught him by the neck, lifting him till his feet dangled in the air. Aydin’s head lolled to the side, and blood trickled from his ear. Everything went still, and Joel reached up, calmly wiping blood from his own bottom lip. He regarded his fingers for a moment and his wings flapped a few times before settling. His gaze returned to Aydin, and his head tilted as he examined his semi-conscious form.

  ‘How dare you touch your leader,’ he said with poorly restrained venom.

  ‘Leave him alone!’ I screamed fighting the chains.

  Joel’s head twisted, and madness narrowed his eyes. He regarded me curiously, a smile slowly forming. ‘And how exactly are you going to stop me?’ My chin shook, but I couldn’t find the words to answer. A sympathetic frown thinned his lips. ‘Oh dear, it seems you can’t. Don’t worry Callie, we will continue our conversation shortly.’ His attention whipped back to Aydin. ‘I just need to deal with this one first. It seems he’s forgotten who he is.’

  Joel’s hand tightened, his fingers digging deep dents into his throat. Aydin gasped, and his legs twitched.

  ‘Hurry back to me, won’t you Aydin,’ Joel muttered.

  ‘Stop, please, stop it,’ I pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears.

  I looked around, my mind scrambling for ways to help. Fire, water, weapons—there were so many things I could create, but all of them could also hurt Aydin—it was hopeless. I looked back; I could feel Aydin’s life force fading. His barely open eyes locked on mine.

  ‘Please Aydin, you have to fight,’ I implored.

  A strange calm smoothed Aydin’s face, his eyes closed, and the world went horribly quiet.

  ‘Goodbye my friend, I will see you soon,’ Joel said, dropping Aydin’s body to the floor.

  ‘No!’ I screamed.

  Joel turned and walked towards me. ‘So angel, it seems it’s just you and me now.’

  Suddenly Aydin came to life, he leaped up and charged, tackling Joel. They skidded across the floor, stopping just short of my feet. Joel’s arm shot out as he reached for me, but Aydin grabbed his wing flinging him upwards. Several roof beams tumbled as he hit the ceiling.

  Joel landed awkwardly, but Aydin’s fist slammed into his chin before he could stabilize. Joel skidded across the floor but he didn’t stay down. They ran at each other again; the collision rippled through the floor. I sat there watching, numb with fear, till a silver flash caught my attention. I looked over and saw the sword only
a few feet away. Once again I fought to free myself; pain ripped through my ribs, and my broken arm screamed in protest.

  Aydin threw Joel against a window, shattering the glass. Blood poured from deep cuts on both of them. Aydin’s torn shirt revealed a jagged gash in his side. Their faces were unrecognizable, distorted in snarls. I had to do something; I had to get rid of the chains, but I didn’t know how to destroy objects. In my desperate attempt to free myself I lost balance and tumbled sideways. My hand touched the floor, suddenly everything went dark, and thick silence filled my ears.

  Sight returned gradually, and I was shocked to see the church peaceful again. All the furniture was in place, and Aydin stood in the middle of the room waiting for me to create new clothes. It was the memory of the time when I changed his outfit, and I watched as my eyes closed, and I concentrated. I relived the tingle of relief when I saw my success, and I enjoyed the beautiful smile he’d rewarded me with. He surveyed my work, and I felt the memory ending. But I didn’t want to leave; I didn’t want to face reality. I fought the need to go back; I wanted to see the memory one more time, to see me change his clothes again… Wait—I’d changed them, I didn’t create new ones; I changed the ones he was wearing.

  A sharp rush of hope opened my eyes, returning the chaos of Joel and Aydin fighting. I looked down at the impossibly thick chains. I didn’t know how to destroy objects, but I could alter what already existed. I could change the chains to something else, but what? Rope? Surely I’d be strong enough to break that. Without hesitation, I imagined the change, and the chains transformed. Soft white rope now encircled my body, and the weight dissolved along with the cold steel.

  I tested the rope; it flexed. Gathering all the strength I could, I pushed outwards, breathing in the satisfying sound of snapping. I was free. I lunged for the sword grabbing it with my good hand. Aydin and Joel were at the far end of the church, neither of them had seen me. The fight felt like it had raged for an eternity. I ran towards them as they continued to wrestle each other, oblivious to my approach. My soul ached to help Aydin, but they were moving so fast. How could I possibly do this without hurting him?

  Spreading my wings, I soared above hoping to see an opportunity. Joel flung Aydin to the floor and straddled him. He clamped his hands either side of Aydin’s head. Aydin reached up and grabbed Joel’s wing, then he saw me hovering above. Our eyes met, and his expression changed. The white-hot rage drained, replaced by a slow, sad smile. He was my Aydin again—the man who loved me without question; the man who owned my heart. I could see it in his eyes, in his face, in his every breath. He relaxed, and I couldn’t understand what he was doing, and then I realized—he was giving up. Aydin went limp, and Joel struck.

  I don’t remember dropping onto Joel, but I do remember the dull crack as he drove his hand through Aydin’s sternum. Next thing I knew I was crouched on the floor holding Aydin’s head in my lap, my hand pressed against his chest trying uselessly to stem the flow of blood. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I rocked back and forth. ‘You will be okay; you’re going to be okay. Don’t you leave me… Don’t you dare leave me.’

  He was pale and unnaturally calm. He opened his mouth, and I brought my ear to his lips. ‘Hold the sword…for Joel to see…as he passes,’ he whispered.

  I pulled him closer. ‘I won’t leave you,’ I sobbed.

  He reached up, touching my cheek gently. ‘I will find you again Callie… I always do.’

  Then he was gone. His hand dropped to the floor and his eyes stared into a place where I could not go. I sat there numb, clinging to his limp frame.

  Anger trickled into the pit of my stomach quickly turning into a raging volcano. It rose upwards, surging through the ruins of my soul, erupting with a deafening scream.

  ‘No!’

  I had failed him, again. This couldn’t, it just couldn’t be happening. I waited for his soul to rise, to leave his earthly body but it didn’t happen. Why couldn’t I feel him? Was it the church masking him, or was it something else? It should have happened by now. I glanced around seeking an answer but a voice deep inside my head distracted me.

  ‘Finish Joel,’ it whispered.

  The words dissolved but left their mark. My resolution firmed, and I lay Aydin down. I had to do this for him. I stood up and scanned the room, taking in the inconceivable damage. The stone floors, walls, roof—nothing had escaped the battle. Scars carved every surface, but where was Joel? I couldn’t see him anywhere.

  A soft groan came from the corner and I turned towards it. He was huddled against the wall with his back to me, wings wrapped around his body. A flash revealed the sword wedged between his shoulder blades. Frozen with rage, I didn’t know what to do; I was blinded by paralyzing heartache. Joel shifted, and a claw-like hand reached over his shoulder fumbling with the sword. He tried to remove it but couldn’t. I felt sick. Was this pitiful creature really the same person I’d been touching only minutes before? Disgust rolled my gut.

  His flailing hand fell from the sword and his head twisted—he was unrecognizable. Skin like ancient leather clung to his face, the top of his scalp was bald and his arms were so thin I thought they would break. He saw me and grimaced revealing broken teeth.

  ‘How did you get my sword?’ he snarled, his voice like sandpaper.

  ‘You have your enemies.’

   He lowered his chin and glared. ‘So I have, as do you.’

   A shiver of fear made me unsteady. ‘You are my only enemy.’

   He grinned. ‘Look and remember this Callie, because one day, this will be you.’

  ‘I’ll never be like you.’

  Wry amusement flamed the glow in his eyes. ‘Then help me, show me you are different. Take the sword from my back so I can see it one last time.’

  I stepped back confused. Didn’t he know I was going to bind him to it? Why would he ask that? My fingers raked my blonde hair. It didn’t matter I had no other choice.

  I walked over and he dropped his head as though ashamed. I extended a trembling hand but repulsion got the better of me. I glanced back at Aydin’s lifeless body, I still couldn’t feel his soul and I wondered if maybe Joel could. My turmoil surged. ‘Tell me where Aydin is,’ I demanded.

  Joel’s eyes traveled around the church before returning. His mouth pulled into a slit-like grin. ‘He’s left you,’ he whispered with unmistakable joy.

  ‘He wouldn’t.’

  ‘Then why can neither of us feel him?’

  I wanted to yell at him, tell him he was a liar, but I wasn’t sure he was. My scream of agony filled the air, and I sprang, seizing the sword. Joel screeched pitifully as the blade slid from his flesh. A trickle of blood oozed from the wound and he slumped forward onto all fours.

  ‘Look at me!’ I screamed, terrified he would die before seeing the sword.

  He didn’t respond. I grabbed at his wing, and my fingers sunk into smooth, black feathers but failed to grasp anything solid. Joel spun with lightning speed, and talon like claws dug into the soft skin of my throat. He grabbed my hand forcing it and the sword to my side.

  ‘No Callie, you look at me!’ he yelled, flecks of spit hitting my face. ‘Did you really think you could beat me? I am Beloar. The most powerful demon that ever lived. Or did you forget that?’ I stood motionless unable to tear my gaze from his pulsating, ruby eyes. His rancid breath cooled my skin. ‘Let me explain what is about to happen,’ he continued calmly. ‘I am going to kill you slowly. I am going to take your soul, and I am going to send every tracker I have to find Aydin. Then when I have you both, I will condemn you to an eternity of hell, where you will never see each other again.’

  His menacing stare bore deep as his fingers crushed my windpipe. I had nothing left; I wanted to struggle but couldn’t. Then I heard the voice again.

  ‘Fight Callie. He is not Beloar. You are stronger than he is, stronger than he will ever be.’

  The whispered conviction awoke something deep within. Suddenly the idea of being stronger
than Joel seemed so easy to believe. I felt strength seeping back to my limbs, and his grip on my neck didn’t feel so tight. The hand holding the sword hung limply by my side with him still clutching my wrist. Without hesitation, I tightened my grip and pushed it upwards. A look of fear darkened his face as he fought to hold me. He grunted and his lips retreated revealing his gritted teeth. The sword’s gradual journey came to its end as it slipped effortlessly into his chest. His hand fell from my neck, and I sucked in a lungful of air. I thrust the sword further, and his look of hate turned to shock as he glanced down.

  ‘You are done Beloar,’ I whispered hoarsely. ‘You see it, don’t you? The sword that belonged to Michael. The only weapon that can destroy you.’ His jaw quivered as he reached for the hilt, his bloodied fingers scraped weakly at mine. I wanted to take my hand away, but I was scared he would see the missing inscription. Pitiful whimpers dribbled from his throat as his legs collapsed and the sword took the weight of his body. ‘Look at this object I bind you too,’ I commanded. His body convulsed. ‘I pray you find peace.’ He looked up, and I gave him a satisfied smile. ‘I will ask them to take special care of you.’

  A faint hiss came from him, and after one final struggle his body went slack. I lowered his twisted form; it turned into fine dust as it touched the floor. I sensed his soul hover and move towards the sword. A strange tingling ran through my palm as he attached himself to it. It was over. I exhaled painfully, my whole body aching to go back to Aydin, but I had to finish this.

  ‘Isaac,’ I cried into the static air. ‘Please, I need you.’

  I’d barely finished speaking before a soft shuffling came from behind. I turned to see unmistakable gray eyes. Isaac looked wary but calm. His presence unleashed my mounting sadness, and I began to cry. The sword felt so heavy. I held it out to him, my eyes imploring him to take it.

  He stepped forward and seized it. ‘You are hurt,’ he said, his rich voice soothing. He reached down and placed his hand on my wrist. A small burst of golden light emitted from his palm and I felt my bones realign. The pain in my arm faded but the ache in my heart did not.