Marked, Soul Guardians Book 1

by Kim Richardson

  Kara blinked as she stared at the reflections rippling along the water. She wondered if this was her last time staring down at the shining waters of the pools. Or her last mission jump? The jumps were by far her favorite things so far. She would miss the tingling sensation she felt all over her body, right before she’d disappear. It reminded her of the crazy rides at La Ronde—the saucer-like ride that spun extremely fast, which pinned your back against the wall so that you were unable to move…and when the machine went into overdrive you felt as if your body was coming apart, piece by piece. It was really cool.

  The salt water smell filled her nostrils. The plops and splashes from the neighboring pools echoed in her ears. She tried to think positively about her assignment, even though the outcome was ninety-nine point nine percent sure to fail. She wondered what the Archangels felt about leaving Horizon in the hands of a rookie guardian angel. She was probably going to die today, which meant she’d be responsible for destroying the entire Legion…just a wee bit of stress on her life-quest.

  David had taken Kara to train for a few hours before her mission, so that she could practice a few moves before taking the big plunge. She wasn’t focused and she kept falling, missing her strikes and landing with her face three inches deep in the sand. Frustrated, she couldn’t concentrate on anything except David and how he still didn’t trust her. She just couldn’t get it out of her head.

  He put on a brave face for everyone else, but she sensed the suspicion; saw it flash in his eyes and in his body language. He tried to hide it, even now, with the fake training…the fake caring. She felt betrayed…the kiss had meant nothing to him.

  It was a strange thing to fall in love in Horizon, without a heart to break…but a broken soul felt just as painful as a broken heart to Kara. She noticed that David never made eye contact with her either and he kept yelling out words to the invisible person above her head. She felt anger…she wanted to hit him hard in the face.

  Soon, David gave up. He sensed she wasn’t there in spirit. Kara stopped lifting her blade entirely. They walked back in silence to the big white tent. Kara received her new assignment. The oracle told her that the Scouts had only just arrived back. They had given one positive location of the elemental. She had only one hour to find the child this time. Time was of the essence, and she knew her own time was running out.

  To make matters worse, the entire Legion seemed to have come to Operations to see Kara off. She looked around at the hundreds of gathered guardian angels staring at her. She heard them whispering.

  “Look! That’s her, she’s the one…”

  “Is she really a traitor?”

  “Tom says he saw the demon’s Mark himself…she must be…”

  “Look! I can see the Mark on her…”

  “Strange how she was still chosen.”

  “Yeah, but she’s a rookie, she’ll never make it back.”

  Kara stood in silence for a moment, absorbing the stings from the words she had just heard. She wiggled her backpack and tightened the straps. She thought of her mother. If she succeeded, not only would Horizon be safe but she would have her life back. She would take care of her mother. For now, it was the only glint of hope she had left. Her mortal life would have to do.

  “You ready?” called David from below. He gave her half a smile, the one where the corners of the mouth stretch out and snap right back. He was joined by hundreds of onlookers. She felt like a celebrity, and hated it.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Kara answered, keeping her eyes on the shimmering waters.

  “If the elemental isn’t there, you come straight back! Don’t wait for things to happen.”

  Kara turned her head and met David’s eyes. She wasn’t sure if this was a charade or real concern. How distant they seemed from each other now, not how they had once been…that night at the club when they had kissed. She bit her lip and wiped that thought from her mind. She might never see him again. She gazed into his brilliant blue eyes, stepped off the ledge of the pool, and plummeted to the bottom of the water.

  Kara stood in the shadows of Sources Boulevard. She looked up at the brass letters hanging from a black metal gate door: Birch View Cemetery. She glanced at her watch. It was almost midnight, and the eerie garden of dead bodies glowed in the moonlight. Tall dark shadows edged the length of the rock walls around the cemetery. The front gate was padlocked and topped with barbed wire. Through the spaces between the metal gate, Kara could see hundreds of gray headstones with withered flowers lying at their feet. The night air was cool against Kara’s mortal suit. The place looked sad and creepy.

  Perfect for demons, though Kara.

  She couldn’t squeeze through the front gate, so she walked around the stone border of the cemetery until she found a spot where she could climb over. She pressed her hands against the cold rock and pulled herself up. She crawled over the edge and jumped down on the opposite side of the wall. She pushed herself up and dusted off her jeans.

  She strained her ears for any sudden sound and watched for movement. The park, it seemed, was holding its breath. She walked in the silent darkness, trying to fit parts of a plan together, like a jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece.

  Then she heard muffled voices in the dark.

  Kara slid behind a large headstone and dropped her bag. She pulled out her soul blade and threw her bag back onto her shoulders. She followed the voices. Sneaking from headstone to large bush to more headstones, Kara edged her way deep into the cemetery until the demons came into view. She counted three higher demons sitting in a circle. The odds weren’t good. She recognized the demon, Urobach—Brooke’s murderer. She felt her body shake with hatred as she remembered how he killed her. Revenge would be bittersweet.

  Kara sighed. How the Legion believed she alone could do this was beyond insane.

  She scanned the area and saw the small cage with the elemental child inside. The cage rested at one of the higher demon’s feet.

  “We should be moving soon, Asmodeus…the angel Legion will have sent Scouts by now,” said a voice in the dark.

  “Let them come…I’m in the mood for a little excitement,” answered another voice. “Soon, my friends, when the elemental’s power has reached its full potential, we will be invincible! And we will crush the Legion and take back what is ours!”

  Kara heard grunts of agreements.

  One of the demons kicked the elemental’s cage. Kara’s soul ached as she heard the little child whimper. She crouched in the dark, thinking.

  She needed a diversion.

  She felt the ground and wrapped her hands around a stone the size of a softball. With the rock in her hand, she crawled out of her hiding place and sneaked behind the demons. With all the strength her mortal suit could muster, she threw the rock past the demons and into the darkness behind them. The rock landed with a loud crash.

  The three higher demons jumped up. “Zanu, stay with the elemental…Urobach, take the left side. I’ll take the right.” With their weapons drawn, the demons ran into the darkness.

  Kara grabbed another rock and threw it close to the ground near the one they called Zanu. He whirled around and began searching the ground. Kara threw her soul blade. It hit the demon’s chest. The demon cried out in pain, as he fell to the ground convulsing.

  She only had seconds to react before the others came back.

  Jumping over the body, Kara ran to the cage. The elemental child’s eyes were wide and wet. She wondered how a thing so cute could be so deadly.

  “I’m here to help you,” she said, hoping he understood.

  There was a lock on the cage’s door. Kara searched the ground and grabbed a large stone. She hit the lock over and over until it broke. She yanked open the cage’s door. The little child trembled uncontrollably. She knew she couldn’t touch him. She dropped her bag and searched inside it for her Sparks. Seconds later, she pulled out the shinning gloves.

  “Ahhh!” Kara cried out as something hit her hard in the back. />
  She fell over the cage and landed on the ground. The gloves flew out of her hands.

  Crying out in excruciating pain, she rolled over and pushed herself up on her elbows. The cage was empty.

  Something moved in the darkness twenty feet in front of her. The elemental’s bare limbs shone in the moonlight as he ran. He disappeared from sight behind a head stone. He was safe for now.

  Kara turned around and faced the demons. They walked casually towards her. Urobach picked up the metal cage as they approached.

  “You think you can run away with my prize? You stupid little angel!”

  Kara blinked. She could feel the poison of the death blade in her back. The demon leader’s face shone in the moonlight. He looked exactly like an Archangel…unbelievably handsome, with short black hair framing a strong jaw. His gray eyes glimmered in the moonlight. He wore a dark tailored suit. He pulled out a long sword from under his black leather trench coat. He then snapped his fingers and glanced at the other higher demon. “Urobach, take care of this monkey!”

  Urobach dropped the metal cage. He brought his death sword up to his mouth and licked the blade. Grinning widely, he walked towards Kara, his long leather coat trailing behind him. “I’m glad we meet again, my little angel. You won’t escape me a second time.”

  Kara wrenched the death blade out of her back, and sick with the pain, wincing, she threw it ineffectually at Urobach. She scrambled for her backpack, digging frantically inside for her soul blade. She pushed herself up and planted her feet. With her body bent, she was ready.

  The demon lunged. He stroked downward toward her head, but she wasn’t there. She jumped over him, slashing as she came down. But Urobach was quick. He twisted away from her and blocked her blade with the end of his hilt.

  His face twisted into an evil grin. “Not bad, little angel. I’m almost having fun.”

  He came at her again, slashing with force…and cut her in the chest. Kara cried out in pain as she sidestepped, backing away from his killing strikes. She felt her energy drain from her body, as the death blade’s poison spread through her core. He slashed again, outmaneuvering her as she desperately concentrated on not getting cut into tiny little pieces…like an angel shish kabob. The poison burned her from the inside, and Kara began to see double. Urobach grinned as he licked his lips when he sensed that Kara’s strength was fading.

  You’ve got to put your blade into his head, said the voices inside her head. Get in closer and strike. Do it now, Kara.

  Kara felt energy surge inside her body, as the voices spoke to her again. Under normal earthly circumstances they’d lock her away in a loony bin, but Kara didn’t care. The voices inside her head were like invisible sidekicks, enabling her to see opportunities that she might have missed.

  Kara backed away from Urobach, trying to find an opening. And then she saw it. Urobach came forward, grinning confidently as he swung his blade up towards her head. Kara sidestepped, whirled around, and jammed her soul blade into his chin…pushing it right into his head. Black blood spilled around the hilt and down his throat. The higher demon dropped and lay motionless on the cold ground.

  Asmodeus screamed with rage. “YOU’VE KILLED MY LIEUTENANT!”

  In one rapid movement Asmodeus lifted his arms, and a large jet of black electricity shot out of his fingers. The brute force picked her up and threw her hard against a large headstone.

  CRUNCH!

  Kara crashed against the hard rock and slumped to the ground like a rag doll. She winced in pain and pushed herself up on her elbows in search of the child. She spotted him crouched in a corner, shaking. His big watery eyes glistened in the soft light. Blinking, she felt dizzy, as her vision blurred. She wasn’t sure she was going to make it.

  Have faith, Kara, said the voices inside her. Take the child into your arms. Kara turned around. “Those gloves! Where are they?” she breathed.

  Asmodeus roared with laughter. “Where’s who? No one is here. Now, little angel…you are going to die. And I’m going to enjoy it immensely. But I think I’ll start with the kid. Why wait? I can feel his power strengthening.” He took a step forward.

  Kara turned towards the child. Her body prickled as she felt a wave of energy wash through her.

  Take the child, Kara. Don’t be afraid . . . he will not harm you.

  Without a second thought, Kara jumped to her feet and ran towards the elemental. She reached out her hand and touched his face.

  “What the…? Nothing’s happening? I’m…I’m still here!” She held his face with both of her hands. “I can touch you?” She opened her arms. “Come,” she said smiling, “we have to go.”

  A tear escaped the little child’s eyes as he stretched out his tiny arms towards Kara. She lifted the little boy in the air and clasped him tightly against her chest.

  “Well, well, well…what do we have here?” Asmodeus strolled towards them, a confused look on his face. “How is that possible? You are touching an elemental…and your angel soul is still intact! This is very, very interesting.”

  The warmth of the child felt good against Kara’s cold mortal suit. She felt him shivering and held him tighter.

  “I would never have believed it possible, but yet here you are … with this child against your breast. Only mortals can survive the touch of an elemental. So how can this be? You are an angel, no doubt, and yet you can survive his touch. Tell me, little angel…what is your name? You seem … familiar.” Asmodeus edged closer.

  “Stay back!” she yelled. “Don’t you touch him!”

  The demon lord laughed. “Touch him? I certainly don’t want to touch him . . . I want to kill him and use his power! With the elemental’s energy, I will become invincible! I will destroy the Legion!” His forehead came together in a frown and his evil eyes mocked her.

  Kara narrowed her eyes and made fists with her hands. “You will never hurt him!”

  “My, my, aren’t we motherly…tell me, what is your name, little angel?” Asmodeus walked slowly towards Kara. Pain spilled inside her core, but she wouldn’t give up the child.

  Asmodeus flashed his white teeth. “No name? Perhaps I can guess. Let me see…” He closed his eyes and lifted his eyebrows. Kara sensed a sudden chill forming inside her forehead behind her eyes, the same kind of brain freeze she’d feel when drinking an iced coffee too fast. And then the brain freeze faded. She felt lightheaded, with a tickling sensation as though hundreds of tiny fingers were going through the files inside her brain, reading all her thoughts.

  “Ah, of course. Kara … Kara … Kara … tut, tut, tut. We meet at last.”

  “What?” Kara backed away, she didn’t like anyone prying inside her most intimate thoughts. “How…how do you know my name?” She shook her head, trying to rid it of the awful tickling.

  “Kara Nightingale…rookie in the famous guardian angel Legion…on a life-quest,” said Asmodeus. “Hmm. This is very interesting.”

  Kara saw his lips curl. “You’re in love with someone called David…how very mortal of you,” laughed Asmodeus. “And he is not returning your amour anymore, is he?” He rolled his eyes at the sky. “Romance is so overrated. So many insignificant feelings get in the way. It’s too distracting. Who has time for love nowadays, anyway?”

  He closed his eyes and raised his eyebrows. “Ah, yes…you want your life back. I can feel it…yes, very strongly. You want to be with your mother again, don’t you?” Asmodeus’s gaze searched Kara’s face. “You were going to become a famous painter before the bus hit you, were you not?”

  Kara pressed her mouth shut.

  Asmodeus closed his eyes again. “Ah…what is this? I feel something else inside you … something different from anything I’ve ever felt before. I feel a sense of power…of a wild power.” He opened his eyes and smiled. “It feels almost … elemental.”

  “That’s impossible. You’re lying!”

  “But it’s the truth, my dear.” The demon lord cocked his head to the side. A stran
ge eagerness flashed in his eyes and his hands trembled. “Such a pity you’re playing for the wrong team.” His face twisted in disdain as he shook his head. “But you’re still so weak…look at you! Getting emotionally attached to the job! Regardless, with your power and my power combined … we could achieve greatness!”

  “No thanks, I think I’ll pass,” she hissed.

  There was a short pause, and then Asmodeus continued, a sly smile forming across his face. “You see…you were supposed to be on my team, Kara. I had chosen you to be part of my army.”

  Kara’s jaw dropped to the ground. This couldn’t be true. “W…what?”

  “It’s true,” continued Asmodeus, his voice pleasantly soft. “Who do you think gave you that Mark?”

  “What?” It was as if a ton of bricks had fallen on her. “You … you gave me that Mark? You did this to me! Why?” She felt paralyzed by his words.

  “You have the potential to become a great warrior…the greatest perhaps.” Asmodeus placed his right hand on his chest. “I can feel it…just like I felt it before. You are destined for greatness!”

  Kara saw him lift his shoulders and then let them drop.

  “Some guardians beat me to you. When we got to the crash site, your dying body was already protected. But not before I grazed your leg with my hand. Half a second earlier . . . your soul would have been mine.”

  “I would never have been yours!” said Kara, her voice shaking.

  Asmodeus twisted his face in a smile and chuckled. “Either way, you have something of mine. I’ll give you what you want, if you give me what I want.”

  Kara shook her head like a stubborn child.

  Asmodeus took a step forward.

  “I can give you your life back, little angel. Just like that…” He snapped his fingers.

  Kara frowned. “No…you can’t. You’re lying!”

  “Oh yes, I can. And all I ask in return,” he kicked the metal cage between him and Kara, “is that you put this silly little boy back in his cage.” Asmodeus’s beautiful face creased into a smile.

  Fragments of her past life flashed before her eyes. She felt her grip on the child loosen.

  Asmodeus spoke softly. “I was an Archangel once…the most powerful angel in all of Horizon! They resented me for it, and that’s why I left.”

  He paused for a brief moment and then held out his arms. “I can give you back your life, Kara, I promise. All I need from you,” he said, his voice as smooth as silk, “is to put the child in the cage, and…” he snapped his fingers, “…you’ll be back on Earth, in your old body, without any knowledge of your angel experiences. Your life will be as it was. As it should be.”

  Kara felt sick and confused. She looked down into the child’s wet blue eyes and cringed at his tears. She knew the demon would kill the little boy. She couldn’t live with that. She might never remember any of this once she was inside her old mortal body again, but she believed in karma. And karma would eventually bite her in the ass. She wouldn’t give him up…not even for her own life.

  “No … I will never give him to you. I would rather die.” said Kara.

  Asmodeus’s eyebrows lowered dangerously.

  “NO?” he repeated as he came rushing towards her. “PUT HIM IN THE CAGE—OR I’LL KILL YOU!”

  She stepped back shaking her head.

  “I—SAID—PUT—HIM—IN!” Asmodeus scooped up the cage and threw it at Kara. It hit her hard and then bounced on the ground. He edged closer. He was nearly on top of her.

  Kara tightened her grip on the child, cradling him. “Don’t be frightened. I’m here with you.”

  An image of David flashed suddenly before her eyes. She trembled. She was ready.

  In a frightening rage, Asmodeus lurched forward and charged. He moved with lightening speed, striking out at her with lines of black electric current.

  Kara threw out an open hand protectively in front of her. Her palm hit his chest and golden light exploded from her hand. Asmodeus was propelled back in the air and landed hard on the ground. He rolled over, howling in pain. A golden glow emanated from his chest and spread slowly all the way around his body until he was covered in golden light.

  Kara stared at her hand. Traces of gold light hovered over her palm and fingertips.

  She backed away and watched as the demon lord convulsed uncontrollably. He spit up a thick liquid that showered the floor in black puddles. He wailed as he clawed at his own flesh, scratching bloody holes into his body and face. He let out an ear-piercing scream. And then his body twisted, bent inwards and with a pop…he vanished.

  Kara blinked several times. She walked over to where Asmodeus had stood seconds before. There was nothing left of the demon lord, not even a burn mark. Kara searched the ground with her shoe, brushing away clumps of dirt and dry leaves. The ground underneath was bare.

  She stared at her hand again and made a fist.

  Pursing her lips, she turned her attention to the little boy. Kara lifted the child by its armpits and searched his grinning face.

  “You know, we were really lucky…you’re like my good luck charm. But how come I can touch you and no one else can, eh?” She lowered him into her breast. “I guess you don’t know either. Boy, do I have a lot of debriefing to do!” She laughed. “I’ll be in there for weeks! But the important thing is…you’re okay!”

  The child grinned and clapped his tiny hands together.

  Kara laughed. “We make a good team! Good job, little one. High five…” she held out her hand, palm facing the little boy. He smacked it and giggled.

  She studied the boy for a moment, her eyebrows low. “You need a name.” She bit her lip and squinted. “From now on, I’m calling you … Lucky. You like that?”

  The child smiled and wrapped his small arms around Kara’s neck. His cool skin brushed against the nape of her neck. She felt a shiver. She knew that Lucky was part human and was probably cold.

  “Here…let me put this over you.” She took off her jacket and wrapped him in it. “There you go. I don’t want you to catch a cold, now.”

  Lucky looked up at her and smiled. His big fat cheeks wrinkled his face.

  “Okay. Let’s get out of here.”

  She held him tight in her arms as they walked out of the cemetery.

  Chapter 17

  Level Seven