Reaching with her ghost-like fingers, she touched her dead body. Her soulless eyes opened, and she pushed a message into it. When she finished, she felt cold, substanceless tears tracking down her cheeks.
As long as her body was found in time, the people she loved would be safe.
She closed her eyes and prepared for the afterlife, but minutes ticked by and nothing happened. More tears flowed down her cheeks.
Even in death, she couldn’t find peace. There was still something left for her to do in this world. But what?
Chapter Two
The Present...
Sharen’s feet pounded against the pavement as she ran, fiery rage burning through her veins with each step. She looked up and spotted a white-winged angel flying lazily across the city. She would catch the bastard and tear every feather from his wings until he told her where she could find her people.
And my demons.
Her heart lurched at just the thought of her demons. All she could picture was the blood-stained room she’d returned to after jumping through the portal. If they weren’t safe—
Don’t think of that. It’s not possible.
Her demons hadn’t wanted this life. They’d just wanted to return to earth and lead a peaceful existence. She was the one who couldn’t just forget the truth about her world. She was the one who couldn’t focus on anything but saving innocent lives.
They didn’t deserve an ounce of pain. And yet, she had no control over that now.
I was willing to die for this cause. I just never imagined my demons might be the ones to pay for my obsession. Would I have done this if I had?
Her stomach turned.
People shouted at her as she ran through them, knocking into bags and shoulders. A truck honked as she darted out into traffic, and she rolled over the hood of a car that nearly hit her.
But she didn’t slow. She couldn’t. Because she had no idea where her demons were. She had no clues as to who took them. She could only hope this angel knew something, anything that could help her find her missing people.
Even as I child, when I was afraid, I would run like this, run as if moving fast enough would turn back time.
Someone grabbed her and pulled her roughly into an alley. Her back slammed against the wall and for a second, she couldn’t breathe.
“Don’t say a word. There isn’t time.”
Marval. She recognized the ancient vampire's voice before she spotted him. Then, her gaze focused on his face, and she gasped. He had been injured. Badly. His entire face was swollen, bruised, and streaked with blood. It was like a grotesque mask of pain so bad it hurt to see.
How is he still breathing?
“What the hell—?”
“Stop!” he ordered her, glancing behind them. “They’re following me. There’s no time.”
Prickling moved down her spine. Who’s following him? Who did this to him?
She wanted to ask a million questions, but she forced herself to remain quiet, even while her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Marval had seen a lot of awful things in his life, and until that moment she couldn’t imagine one thing that could frighten him. But right now, he looked terrified.
“You need to go. Now! Listen to me... there’s a place you’ve dreamed of. A place you thought wasn’t real. You’ve seen it, in the forest, surrounded by angels. Go there, and you’ll be safe.”
My dream? The image of a place glowing with golden magic came and disappeared in a flash. She shook her head to clear away the picture.
Hide? Like hell! “My demons—“
“Doesn’t matter!” he hissed, his voice frantic. “All that matters is that you get to safety.”
She stood straighter, putting force into her words. “What happened to you?”
He squeezed his eyes closed. “You have to believe me. The fate of everything relies on you leaving town right this instant and going into hiding, do you understand me?”
Images flashed in her mind of her headquarters, of the evidence that a fight had taken place.
“No!” Her voice rose. “No, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. Everyone in headquarters is gone. There was blood everywhere.”
His eyes popped open. “Their lives mean nothing compared to yours. If they die, they die. But you need to live.”
“Like hell!” she snarled.
“Sharen, at least go to the refuge. Stay behind the protective barrier. They won’t be able to catch you unprepared.“
She stood taller, shoving his hands off of her. “Do you really think I’m just going to run and hide?”
He shook his head and winced. “You have to know if any of them are still alive, they’re only keeping them that way to get to you.”
“I don’t care.”
“But—“
“I’m going to save them, and nothing you say will change that.”
He stared back at her, and suddenly, it was as if her words really sank in. His expression crumbled, and his shoulders sank. “I risked everything to tell you. To get you to safety.”
“Why?” Her pulse raced. “Did you find out what I am?”
He nodded. “Listen to me. Your powers, they’re tied to hope. When you feel hopeful, when you feel connected to the faith of others, you become strong. And when you feel defeated, your powers wane. You’re influenced by the emotions of others around you. It’s a weakness and a strength, because you’re capable of impossible, amazing things.”
She took a small step towards him. “What am I, Marval?”
His mouth opened.
A shadow darkened the sky above her. The flurry of angel wings blocked out the sun.
“Go!” Marval shouted. “I’ll distract them!”
“Not a chance!” She reached for the sword at her back and pulled it free. “Let the bastards come!”
He grabbed her shoulder and shoved her back. “There are things worse than death, and they’ve planned those things for you. Run, now!”
Her hands tightened on her sword. “You should know me better than that!”
In moments, the angels shot down toward them. Hitting the ground, the massive angels surrounded them. She slipped Marval a dagger and was grateful when he took it. They stood back-to-back, staring without speaking at the angels. They were all men, wearing normal clothes, but even without their massive, white wings, they wouldn’t have looked human. Something about the angels marked them as immortals... they were too beautiful. And there was a dreamlike quality that made them seem unreal.
“Sharen.” The one directly in front of her spoke, cocking his head to the side in a movement that was strangely creepy. His deep brown eyes glistened as his gaze ran over her, and his long brown hair fell almost delicately around his shoulders. “You will come with us.”
She grinned, even though her stomach turned. “Where to?”
The angel raised a brow. “To a place you’ll never escape from.”
“Well now, that doesn’t sound like a place I want to go, so I think I’ll pass.” Her grip tightened on the hilt of her sword.
The angel’s mouth pulled into a frown. “I wasn’t giving you a choice.” Then, he looked to the others. “But first, let us kill the troublesome vampire.”
A glowing soul-blade appeared in the hand of an angel with harsh features, and he took a step toward them.
Please let my powers be here. She thought she felt stronger, but she was never entirely sure. And she had no chance if she had only the strength of a normal human.
Marval slashed his dagger in front of him, but even the movement was weak.
The angel swung back his sword, and she acted. Moving in a flash, she severed his head from his shoulder. His body hit the ground with a thump.
Silence surrounded them.
That’s right assholes, look who has super strength and speed too! She almost grinned. Almost.
“How the hell did you do that?” the first angel growled.
She looked at his angry face, but to her surprise, she also saw a t
ouch of fear in his eyes.
“What are you?” he whispered, holding her gaze.
Show no fear. “I’m the woman who’s going to kill all of you, if you don’t let us go.”
He laughed and a soul-blade appeared in his hand. “I’m not afraid.” Looking over her shoulder, he gave the orders. “Kill the vampire. Leave her alive.”
Time seemed to speed up, and blood rushed into her ears.
The angel dashed toward her. Their swords clashed. Behind her, there was a shout.
She spun away from her opponent, and plunged her sword into the stomach of one of the angels behind her. There was no time to think. Two angels were playing with Marval. He had a slash on his arm and one on his leg. And both the bastards were grinning like it was Christmas.
A roar filled her ears, and she attacked, catching them by surprise.
She knocked one of their swords away. It flew, clattering against the alley wall. Before the angel could react, she kicked him in the chest. To her surprise, he went flying back, hitting the ground on his back. Spinning to the other angel, their swords connected. Once, twice, a third time. Sweat trickled down his forehead.
He moved to strike again and she sensed movement behind her. Darting to the side, she just barely avoided the blow from behind, while at the same time, avoiding the sword from the opponent in front of her.
Both angels suddenly struck at once. She moved again, but the painful burn of metal caught her arm.
She hissed as blood poured from the wound, and held her blade in front of her. Four angels stood looking uncertain, their gazes darting between her and Marval.
Keep them focused on you.
“So the great Caine didn’t tell you what I am?”
The leader of the group glared. “He doesn’t need to tell us anything. We’re his soldiers; our job is to obey him.”
“And you’re such good, mindless soldiers,” she mocked, sickly sweet.
She felt wind on her head one second before the angel descended behind her. A massive arm wrapped around her throat, choking her. Someone knocked her sword away, and then she was being lifted into the air.
Digging her nails into the arm at her throat, she struggled, her legs kicking at the air. Below her, the angels surrounded Marval. He banished his dagger, and a second later, an angel behind him severed his head from his body.
No!
The angel carrying her flew higher and higher. Passing the top of the building, her thoughts cleared. If she didn’t escape now, there would be no escape. Grabbing her other dagger, she pulled it free of her sleeve and stabbed it into the arm that held her.
A scream came behind her. The arms released her. And suddenly, she was plummeting to the ground. Reaching out, she grasped the ledge of the building as she fell past. Hitting the brick, she gasped in a deep breath and pulled herself to the top of the roof.
I’m so sorry, Marval!
She had no weapons and powerful enemies who wanted her dead. She had no choice. Turning, she ran.
Chapter Three
Sharen climbed down the fire escape on the side of the building, watching the skies, even though she’d seen no sign of the angels for over an hour. When she hit the ground, she started running once more. Not looking back.
No matter how much she wanted to.
She raced down the sidewalk, the city a blur of colors around her. Marval was dead. The angels were searching for her, and she had no idea where her demons were. She had to... she had to do something, but what?
Take a deep breath. Think. Don’t just run blindly.
She froze. A car honked. Turning slowly, she realized she was standing in the middle of a street. She moved without feeling her feet. When she reached the sidewalk, she stared numbly.
I have to save my demons. I have to save my people. But how? What can I do?
Closing her eyes, she willed her terrified thoughts to calm. And it hit her. The first thing she needed to do was get weapons. Without weapons, she was far too vulnerable. After that she could figure out her next move.
I need help. And I know just who to call.
Pulling her phone out of her pocket, it took her three tries with shaky fingers to dial Lily’s phone number.
“Yello.”
“Lily.” Sharen couldn’t seem to find the words.
The teasing note immediately left her ex-student’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
“Someone... someone attacked headquarters while I was in the portal.”
Her words were met with silence for a brief moment. “How bad is it?”
She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “Everyone was gone. And there was blood.”
“Fuck. Any idea who did it?”
Sharen shook her head until she remembered the woman couldn’t see her. “Maybe the angels.”
“Where are you?”
“A street. I don’t know. The angels attacked. They killed Marval.”
“Shit. Okay. Can you get to your place?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Go there and wait for me. Do you understand? You’re in shock. We’re going to take care of this together, but we can’t be stupid.”
“Okay.” She felt the smallest stirring of hope within her.
“Whoever took them is going to pay. I promise you that.”
“Thanks, Lily.” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.
“Get to your place. I’ll see you soon.”
The phone grew quiet. Slowly, Sharen stuffed her phone back into her pocket. Blinking, the world came into focus. The street was busy. And loud.
Her gaze moved to the street names. Damn it. She was halfway across town from her apartment. She flagged down a cab, and when he pulled over, she got in. She muttered her address and sat back in the seat.
She couldn’t stop from shaking. And she hated how much of a mess she was. How was it that even after all she’d been through, she still couldn’t handle death?
Her parent’s faces flashed in her mind, and she shuddered. Did it ever get easier?
Why the hell couldn’t she be the kind of person who just told the world to fuck off and faced things like a bad ass? Because you’re only human.
She laughed.
The cabby looked back at her, raising one brow.
Better be careful, or he’s going to think I’m nuts. Hiding her smile, she felt a sense of resolve come over her. She could do this. She may not know what she was, but she knew that she wasn’t human. And even though she wasn’t good at handling death, she’d handle it too, because she had to do. Her people were counting on her.
And because if I stop fighting for one second, I’ll lose my demons forever.
Her heart constricted as she thought of Kade, Alec, and Ryder. She felt like such a fool. Like this was karma for not appreciating them more. They’d done everything in their power to support her and her cause, even when it came at the price of their own happiness. Had she showered them with gratitude? No. At times she might have even acted like an ungrateful bitch.
But I’ll make it up to them. The second I find them.
“We’re here,” the driver said.
She looked up and handed him a bill from her pocket.
He took it, frowning. “You got blood on the seat.”
Glancing beside her, she saw that her bloody arm had soaked the seat on one side. How had she forgotten about the wound?
“Sorry,” she murmured. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the entire wad and shoved it toward him.
His look of annoyance vanished. “No problem at all!”
She nodded and opened the door.
“Are you okay?”
Meeting his gaze, she forced a smile. “I’ve had worse.”
She slammed the door and hurried to their penthouse suite. Now not only did she need to suit up with weapons, she needed to wrap her damn wound. Her sporadic powers might help her heal, but even they had their limits.
As the elevator opened onto their private floor, she
froze. Someone was lying on the ground at her door.
Heart racing, she ran to the man and knelt down, pulling him back to see his face.
Gasping, she fell backwards. Shit! The man was beaten so severely that there was no chance he still lived. Blood coated his shirt, his pants, and the carpet beneath his body.
And there was something stapled to the bare skin beneath his ripped shirt. Hand shaking, she reached for the blood soaked note and opened it.
Running from the angels was a mistake. We’re going to get you. How many dead bodies will it take? Tick Tock.
Bile rose in the back of her throat. And then, she saw the slightest movement. Reaching forward, she touched the man’s chest. There, so slow she almost missed it, was the lightest rise and fall of his chest. She felt for a pulse and found it, weak and slow. She didn’t know who the hell he was, but he was still alive!
Typing in the code on her door, she dragged the man inside of her apartment, leaving behind a smearing path of blood. Unsure what else to do, she dragged him all the way to their shower and put him inside. Turning it on, she watched as the blood washed from his flesh and turned the water to a dark red.
In seconds she had another shock. “Alderon?”
The fae Hunter said nothing. His eyes remained closed. Kneeling down, she pushed back his blood-stained pale hair, overwhelmed by the sight of his many, many wounds.
What should I do? Could she bring a fae being to a human hospital? Did he just need time to let his own body heal? Or should she try to stitch his wounds closed?
She felt... lost.
And then, her doorbell rang.
Jerking to her feet, she looked between the Hunter and her bedroom. God, she hoped that was Lily, but what if it was yet another enemy?
Moving through her room, she felt steel run through her blood. Taking a sword from off their dresser, she drew it from its sheath. She walked with sure steps toward her door with determination rising within her.
Mates of the Realms: The Complete Collection: A Paranormal Reverse Harem Box Set Page 24
