The children are easy to entertain. They mostly just want attention, so I give it to them, and find that they make me laugh.
“Kai,” I hear Anna say. “I think someone wants to meet you.”
I look up to where I sense that I’m being watched. A little girl, maybe four years old, stands next to the door, staring so hard at my face that I go still. Her aura is powerful—much fuller than most children’s. Her negative emotions run deep, and I wonder what she’s been through. Orange excitement zaps like tiny lightning bolts through the gray cloudiness as she watches me. But the strangest part is the top of her aura. It goes fuzzy, then pink, like cotton candy.
She’s staring straight at me . . . and feeling love? I think she must be confused, but that stare of hers is potent, and I can’t look away.
“Hi there,” I say to her. “What’s your name?”
She points at me and says, “Bambo.”
I look up at Zania, whose forehead scrunches. Both she and Kope crouch on either side of the girl, but she pays them no attention. Her eyes are on me.
“Her name is Alile,” Zania tells me. Ah-LEE-leh. “It means ‘she weeps.’”
“Alile,” Kopano says to the girl. “Zikuyenda bwanji?”
“She speaks Chichewa,” Zania whispers. Anna scoots closer to me.
Alile’s guardian angel dips low to whisper, and the darkness in her aura lightens. It is highly unusual for most adults, much less a child, to be this open to the spirit. The girl walks toward me and I hold my breath, curious and a bit nervous.
I remain very still as she reaches out to touch my face with dry, dusty hands. Her face is close to mine, and it’s like she can’t get deep enough into my eyes. She keeps a small, cool hand on my cheek and climbs confidently into my lap, sitting. She speaks clearly up at me again. “Bambo.”
Something is happening here. I don’t know what, but it’s making me dizzy with anxiousness. I can’t look away from Alile, but in my peripheral vision I see Kope and Zania staring at each other.
“What does Bambo mean?” Anna whispers.
Kopano clears his throat. Pauses. “It’s a word for father.”
Holy mother . . .
If I wasn’t sitting down already I might pass out. Father? But why on earth . . . ? I look down at the delicate girl, who is now patting at my shirt, checking me over.
Zania begins to sign. She came to us from another orphanage that shut down because of sexual abuse.
My gut sours and tightens. I look at Anna, whose face is horrified. My teeth grind as I think about this poor little girl. She is so small. She’s been a victim of heinous acts in a world I’m all too familiar with. It’s no wonder her aura is so dark. I want to find and kill whoever touched her.
Kopano speaks to Alile in Chichewa, and Zania interprets.
“He tells her Kaidan is his friend and wants to know why she calls him Father.”
I hold my breath as Alile leans against me with complete comfort and familiarity, her head turned toward Kopano as she answers him. Again Kope clears his throat.
“She says, ‘In my dream, he was my father.’”
I can’t breathe. I . . .
This girl dreamed of me. It had to be an angel, or else she has a very special gift that few are given and few are privy to. My eyes dart to Anna and she seems to be holding her breath, eyes wide with wonder. This is huge. This cannot be brushed aside or laughed off or ignored.
I try to imagine leaving this orphanage with Onani and Mandala, leaving this little girl behind. A fierce, urgent, possessive urge rises up in me like a windstorm and I wrap my arms around her. I will not leave her. I will never let anyone hurt her again.
She’s my daughter. A gift. A blessing. Something I never thought I wanted, but now I’d fight anyone who tried to take her from me. My heart stretches wide to let her in, and I am full with the rightness of it. Alile snuggles closer, as if her home is right there in my lap. When the burn begins behind my eyes and the moisture builds, I’m too overcome to bother stopping it.
The tears are hot on my cheeks, and I wipe them away. I don’t feel weak. In fact, I’ve never felt stronger. Anna takes my hand and I hold tight to her. Onani and Mandala play at our feet, the baby patting Alile’s bare foot.
My wife. My sons. My daughter.
I will do right by them. I swear it. I am my father’s son, but he does not live in me. This, right here, is who I choose to be. I imagine the Maker, Belial, Patti, Mariantha, and all the angels smiling down on me, saying, “It is good.”
And I have to agree. It’s damn good.
Duke Names and Job Descriptions Index
Duke Name: Focus: Job Description: Neph Children (those mentioned in story)
Pharzuph (Far-zuf): Lust: craving for carnal pleasures of the body; sexual desire outside of marriage: Kaidan (Ky-den)
Rahab (Rā-hab): Pride: excessive belief in one’s own abilities; vanity; the sin from which others arise
Melchom (Mel-kom): Envy: desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situations; jealousy; coveting: Blake
Mammon: Greed: desire for earthly material gain; avarice; selfish ambition: Flynn (deceased)
Alocer (Al-ō-sehr): Wrath: spurning love, opting for destruction; quickness to anger; unforgiving nature: Kopano (Kō-pah-nō)
Kobal (Kō-bal): Gluttony: consumption of more than one’s body needs or requires. Sloth: avoidance of physical or spiritual work; laziness; apathy: Gerlinda (deceased)
Astaroth: Adultery: breaking marriage vows; cheating on one’s spouse: Ginger and Marna
Jezebet: Lies: being dishonest or deceptive: Caterina
Thamuz (Thā-muz): Murder: taking the life of another person: Andre and Ramón
Shax: Theft: stealing: Marek
Belial (Beh-leel): Substance Abuse: physical addictions, primarily drugs and alcohol: Anna
Sonellion: Hatred: promoting prejudices; ill will toward others; hostility: Zania
Glossary
aura: Each person’s emotions are given off in tiny particles around their torso region. Positive emotions are colorful, usually pastel. Negative emotions are shades of gray. Nephilim often refer to auras as one’s “colors.” Nephilim and Dukes can hide their auras.
badge: All Dukes and Nephilim have badges in the center of their sternums, signifying their sins. A badge is a supernatural starburst of color that represents the dark stain within the being’s soul. Only other demons and angels can see these badges, and they do not convey onto pictures or film.
demons: Angels who fell from heaven and now possess a dark stain on their souls. Most demons, including their leader, Lucifer, are confined to hell, but 666 are allowed to roam the earth in order to tempt humans. They are not allowed to kill humans, or force them into action. Demons can go anywhere, but they tend to avoid churches and places where people are praying.
Dukes: The demon bosses on earth. Of the 666 earthly demons, only the twelve Dukes are allowed to possess human bodies and masquerade as humans. Each Duke has a specialty sin. They rise to high positions in order to have influence over higher-up humans and the societies they live in. Over time, the Dukes change bodies and duty stations. When this happens, it is called the changing of the guard.
guardian angels: Each human on earth is given a guardian angel to watch over them throughout their life and whisper positive thoughts. When given permission from above, a guardian angel can interfere in events, unbeknownst to the human charges.
Legionnaires: Lucifer’s legion of demon spirits on earth. Of the 666 earthly demons, 654 are the legion of spirits who roam and whisper to unsuspecting humans, urging them to sin. Each Legionnaire is assigned to one of the Dukes and reports to him or her regularly (also known as whisperers).
Nephilim/Neph: Child of an angel (usually a demon, since angels of light are forbidden) and a human. Mothers of Nephilim cannot survive the childbirth. Nephilim are bred to further the demonic cause of influencing humans negatively. They can see auras in color, and their f
ive senses are heightened.
summit: A demon meeting. These can be regional or global, in different locations. Summits are usually for the demons only, but Nephilim are occasionally invited when a Neph is to be brought forward and punished.
Sword of Righteousness: A heavenly relic that can only be used by angels or Nephilim who are pure of heart. The sword can sense the heart of its beholder and if its user is in danger. The Sword of Righteousness was used in the war of the heavens and is the only known weapon that can extinguish a demon soul or send the soul back to hell.
whisperers: See Legionnaires.
Acknowledgments
This is the book I swore I’d never write. Funny how that happens. And funny how it happened at just the right time. I wrote this book when our family was in the midst of a major move, and it was a tough transition. Kaidan got me through it. Having him in my head was the best distraction imaginable. So thank you to all the Sweet trilogy readers who begged for this. And thank you to my agent, Jill Corcoran; my editor, Alyson Day; my marketing/publicity peeps, Jenna Lisanti, Abbe Goldberg, and Stephanie Hoover; my copy editor, Jon Howard; and the team at HarperTeen for allowing this to happen. Also a big thanks to the cover artist, Tom Forget, for stepping up to do one last Sweet creation—my fave yet!
It’s no fun chasing dreams alone. To my family and friends, as always, I can’t thank you enough for your constant support during this wild ride. With you guys at my side, I feel like I can do anything.
Gigundo thanks to my beta readers: Nyrae Dawn, Nicola Dorrington, Morgan Shamy, Chanelle Gray, Hannah McBride, and Jolene Perry!!
I want to thank my talented graphic artist friend, Jennifer Munswami, for all of her gorgeous Kaidan teaser images for this book! *drools*
With a bursting heart of gratefulness, I thank my readers, my “Sweeties.” You guys make me cry with joy and pinch myself every day. From your help with Kaidan’s playlist to your excitement at trying to get your names in the book, you make everything worthwhile. I wish I could meet and hug each one of you.
1 Corinthians 13:13. Love, love, love.
Excerpt from The Great Hunt
Read a teaser from Wendy Higgins’s new duology,
The Great Hunt
Chapter
1
A late summer breeze blew warm over the deep and wide Lanach Creek. Moonlight caught the shock of Wyneth’s red-orange curls as she let her fiancé, Breckon, lay her back on the end of the dock. She could scarcely see his face in the dark of night as he hovered gently above her, but she knew every angle and plane by heart.
Another breeze crested down the creek from the nearby sea, but the couple’s combined heat warded them against it.
“I don’t want you to leave,” Wyneth whispered.
“If it were up to me, I’d stay right here with you. But I have a duty.” He leaned down and kissed her gently at first, then deeper. Wyneth bent her knee, letting the silken layers of her dress fall back to expose her leg. Breckon’s hand cupped behind her knee, sliding up farther than she’d ever allowed him to touch before.
“Just think,” Breckon said, his breaths coming faster, “in three months, I’ll be back from the sea and we’ll finally marry.”
Wyneth moaned, not wanting his hands to stop moving. “I wish it were now.”
She pulled his face to hers again, feeling brazen and greedy for his soft lips. She hated when he left for the sea; it always filled her with a pang of worry and longing. Wyneth urged Breckon closer.
A rustle sounded from the nearby dark woods. They stilled, listening.
The noise came again like a crackle of dead leaves and brush. Definite movement.
In a rush, they sat up, Wyneth pulling her skirts down. Breckon readied his hand over the dagger at his waist.
All was quiet except the muddle of water bugs, frogs, and the splashing of tiny waves at the shore.
“Do you think someone’s spying?” Wyneth whispered. She imagined her young cousin Prince Donubhan and his gang of trouble seekers, but the queen would have his hide if he sneaked out after dark.
“No.” Breckon shook his head, a lock of hair falling across his worried brow. “It’s most likely a deer.” But to Wyneth’s ear, he didn’t sound so sure.
He relaxed and gave Wyneth a smile, but the mood had been broken by thoughts of anyone witnessing their intimate time together. It was impossible to find privacy within the castle walls with the royal family, servants, and naval guards running about. The private docks at night had been their only hope without leaving royal lands.
“Perhaps we should go back,” she said halfheartedly as Breckon leaned in to place a trail of warm kisses down her neck to her collarbone. “We can fetch Harrison and wake Aerity and sneak down to the wine cellars again.”
Breckon chuckled. “The only matchmaking I’m interested in tonight is you and I.”
“But that noise—”
“You worry too much. We’re safe and alone out here, I assure you. I’d never put your safety or reputation at risk.”
Or his own. As the youngest naval captain, Breckon Gillfin’s actions were under constant scrutiny. Gossipmongers said he’d risen the ranks quickly because of his long engagement to the king’s niece, but anyone who’d seen Breckon in action knew that wasn’t the case. King Charles Lochson did not play favorites. Breckon was brave, loyal, and driven. These were all reasons her family accepted Breckon’s courtship and offer of marriage when Wyneth was only sixteen. He’d waited patiently these two years since, working hard all the while, and after this next short stint at sea their long wait would at last be over. And if Wyneth had her wish, her cousin Princess Aerity would finally fall in love with Breckon’s cousin Harrison, and all would be right in the world.
Another abrasive rustle from the trees caused them to break away again. This time they both stood. Something or someone was surely out there. Breckon scanned the trees with a scowl.
In the darkness, a large shadow moved within the mossy trees as they swayed. Wyneth grabbed Breckon’s arm, and he stared intently into the trees. His dagger, which she hadn’t seen him unsheathe, glinted in the moonlight.
“Who’s there?” Breckon called. “Show yourself!”
The trees stilled. Even the bugs and frogs stopped their chatter. It was too quiet. Wyneth’s heartbeat quickened.
“What if it’s the great beast?” she asked, a tremor in her voice.
Breckon shot her a rueful smile and rubbed her hand, which was likely cutting off the circulation in his bicep. “You know the great beast is only a tale among the commoners to impose a curfew on their youth. Besides, the royal lands are protected by the stone wall and the seas. It’s probably a buck. Wish I had my bow . . .”
His voice trailed off as they stared into the dark woods.
Rumors of a great beast had arisen through the waterlands of Lochlanach over the summer. Four watermen villagers had been killed, all at night, leaving behind only scraps of bodies. Tale or not, the royal maids who did their shopping beyond the royal wall said they’d never seen such fear among the people.
Just as Breckon was about to sheathe his dagger, a deep snort rumbled from the trees.
“Oh, my lands!” Wyneth was frozen. “What was that?”
Breckon had tensed and lowered his voice. “Wild boar, perhaps?”
Wyneth had never heard of wild boars on royal lands. Only deer and small creatures.
“Stay here,” Breckon ordered. “I’m going to scare it off.”
“No!” She grabbed for his hand and he kissed her forehead, gently prying himself away.
Before he could take two steps from her, the dark shadow in the trees resolved itself into a brown mass on the sandy walkway. They both stared, not daring to move.
It was taller than any man, standing on its hind legs. Wyneth gasped and questioned her own sanity as she stared in disbelief. Its body was massive, the size of a bear, with wiry hair like nothing she’d ever seen. Its face was as ugly as a boar’s. Tusks cu
rled up around a dripping snout, sharp teeth shining. Its beady eyes eerily caught the moon’s reflection. Everything about its stance and posture screamed feral. Deadly. Impossible.
The length of the dock separated them from the thing, but it was not far enough for her. Not nearly far enough.
Wyneth couldn’t breathe. Her jaw hung open, poised for a scream, but not a sound escaped. She’d never known such crippling fear. Even Breckon made no move except the heaving of his chest from jagged breaths.
The great beast was not a carefully devised tale. It was real.
“Stay behind me,” Breckon whispered without moving. “If anything happens, swim for your life across the creek. Do you understand?”
For a moment Wyneth could not respond. Then her voice broke as she frantically whispered, “I can’t leave you! Come with me. We’ll swim together.” She wanted to reach for his hand, but she was stiff with terror and feared giving the beast reason to attack. Perhaps if they stayed very still and quiet it would go away.
When Breckon turned his head to her, insistence in his eyes, that small movement was all it took. The great beast let out a roar, forcing a startled scream from Wyneth. Breckon bit out a curse. The thing charged down the long dock, its steps shockingly quiet, for Wyneth had expected the thunder of hooves, not large paws. But then she felt its heaviness shake the wood beneath her feet with each landing.
“Go!” Breckon yelled.
At the same time, she grabbed for his arm and screamed, “Jump!”
But Breckon had no plans to run from the beast. He grasped Wyneth’s waist and pushed her backward with all his might. She felt herself flying through the air off the dock, all breath leaving her lungs as her body submerged with a crash into the cool water. All sound muted. Disbelief struck her once again.
This could not be happening. It couldn’t. It wasn’t real.
But when her wet face hit the air and she gasped for breath, it took only a moment for her to turn toward the growling sounds and see the monster reach Breckon, towering over him.
Sweet Temptation Page 37
