Redeemed In Shadows

by Tigris Eden

  She’d opened herself to the hurt they both knew was coming, even though they loved each other, there was no future for them.

  Fall.

  There was that word again. But if he deflected, Isaiah and his asshole brothers would be forced to hunt him down and give him the true death. No, falling wasn’t an option. He’d take with him her taste, her warmth, and her comfort, but above all, he would take her love. Even if he couldn’t leave a piece of himself behind, they’d have this. He wouldn’t subject her to a life with the two of them constantly looking over their shoulders. She’d be punished just because she was in his presence, and he couldn’t live with that.

  No.

  He wouldn’t fall.

  Not that she wasn’t worth it; his love for her was unending. He wouldn’t dishonor her by making her go into hiding with him, because the only place he’d be safe was beneath the fire, in the deepest pits of hell and she’d never survive. He’d do the right thing for once. He’d give her up.

  Gabe watched her as she slept. He allowed his wings to materialize and he enfolded their bodies in the warmth of his wings. He’d never imagined he’d have to face this kind of dilemma. Never truly understood humans and their fickle fascination with the opposite or even same sex relationships. So many varieties to choose from, why would anyone want just one person to be tied to? Now he recognized what real love was. It was one soul calling out to another in kind. A connection that could never be severed no matter the distance. Their souls would forever remember the other, he was sure of it. A low growl vibrated deep within his chest at the thought of her moving on with some mortal not fit enough to earn her smile. They were his smiles and he wasn’t giving them back!

  Gabe pulled her tighter in his arms. He kissed the top of her head and tried to beat back the craziness he was feeling. He needed to mark her, infuse himself inside her cells.

  Fall. Make her yours forever.

  For her he’d sacrifice everything, everything but her safety.

  Dammit. He just wanted more time with her. There were so many things they didn’t know about each other. Relationships sometimes worked better if talking was involved and the one time they did talk wasn’t enough. He knew there was no relationship; this would be the last time he held her... He’d have to make do with what was given to him. Any minute they’d come for him. Slowly he untangled their limbs, careful not to jostle her awake. Lightly he kissed her lips, a ghost of a touch just so that his breath would mingle with hers one more time before covering her and reaching for his clothes.

  Grey appeared out of thin air, and Gabe was glad he’d covered Xee up in a blanket.

  “It’s time. The Elite have arrived and you are to stand during Jesminda’s trail. Among other things.”

  Gabe turned to take one last look at Xee and slowly walked out of the room. He didn’t want to wake her, and in the end, he didn’t have the heart or the courage to say goodbye.

  

  Jes was carried out into the middle of the arena and tossed onto the dirt floor. Head hurting from all the tears she’d shed at the loss of her child, she didn’t bother to get up off the floor. Instead, she chose to stay curled up in a ball on the ground. She didn’t even bother to lift her head as a voice high above her spoke.

  “Jesminda Zealand Stone, you are hereby found guilty on the following charges.”

  She didn’t care about their trumped up charges. Her baby was gone.

  “Abuse of your powers, giving birth to an abomination, as well as attempting to do the same again. I was told your second child has been removed. How do you plead?”

  She didn’t respond.

  The voice repeated itself. “How do you plead?”

  This time Jes pushed off the ground using her hands while locking her arms in place to hold her upper body off the ground.

  “Fuck you!” She spat.

  She could see them all now, starring at her absent of emotion. The Elder Council along with three new figures up on the dais. One of them she was sure was the All Seeing Eye.

  “Careful how you speak to us Earth Bound.”

  “I don’t care, you moronic piece of shit. Bring that motherfucker Enri out here, Cyrian too.”

  Enri and Cyrian stepped forward from behind the barrier of Elder Angels.

  “I’m here Jes. Are you willing to agree to my terms?” Enri asked.

  Agree to his terms? She was going to fuck them up, that’s what she was going to do. She didn’t care how she went about doing it. Jes just knew that when all was said and done, they would think twice before they messed with her or her family again.

  Jes got to her knees, finally able to stand. She eyed both Enri and Cyrian with all the hatred she had inside of her and focused it. Her power was starting to tingle down her spine and she knew if she didn’t tamp it down, things wouldn’t go the way she wanted.

  “What terms Fallen?”

  Enri smiled wide, flashing fangs.

  “End Solon’s life.”

  “Why?”

  Cyrian took a step forward, before jumping over the balcony of the das to land in front of her. She held her anger, looking past him to Enri.

  What was so wrong with Solon? Sure, he fought for the wrong side, but so had Draven.

  “Because I wish it so. Don’t question my actions, just do what you promised.”

  “Draven will be back to normal?” She took a shaky step toward the dais. “He will remember me and his child?”

  Odessa stepped forward; she looked so much like Jes it was like looking into a mirror.

  “You will turn Faith over to the council, or suffer the consequence.”

  Over her dead body, and still she’d fight even in death to protect her little girl.

  “You can go suck a dick! I’ll kill all of you before I allow you to touch one hair on my daughter’s head.”

  The other council members showed some emotion then. Good. She was just getting started.

  The power that was on a slow buzz throughout her vein, sparked to life at the thought of her daughter being in danger. She looked to Enri again and gave the Fallen Angel what he wanted.

  “I’ll end his life.” His and two others. If anyone interfered, more blood would be shed.

  Enri moved closer, leaping over the dais to approach her, his gait calm and steady. Whispering in her ear, he said. “I can sense your powers, just like the others can. Here in this place, all Angels have use of their full powers, while the others do not. End Solon and I’ll guarantee all will be well.”

  “You’re a liar, I don’t believe you.”

  Cyrian stepped to her left, to stand guard but she again held him off with her hand.

  The Fallen eyed her, smiling tightly and through thin lips said, “I play to win, that’s all you need to trust.”

  She watched him as he walked back to where the others stood. There was one Angel in particular that stood out, his penetrating amber gaze assessing her as if she were an insect to be squashed. It was now or never. Her actions were warranted. She dared someone to interfere. Ronin taught her to always come prepared. To be ready for anything, and she was. She didn’t have much time before Solon was escorted to the arena. Jes dropped to a knee in an effort to appear weak. Cyrian hadn’t left her side. He knelt beside her, his hand a heavy weight on her shoulder. She wanted him to suffer, wanted to take her time carving out his insides, but her thirst for vengeance would be short lived. She’d have to settle for a quick end to his life.

  The serrated knife in her boot would do.

  Grabbing his shoulder for support, her other hand went to her boot where she pulled out the knife and went to work on first his gut, slicing him open and quickly going to work on his neck. She couldn’t sever his head completely, not with what she had, but she’d put him down long enough to detach his head partially. She’d use Ronin’s brute strength to rip it from him completely.

  It all happened so fast she couldn’t believe s
he was able to accomplish things so quickly. Cyrian’s gut emptied to the ground at her feet, she twisted away from him when he slumped forward holding his gut as if that would staunch the blood flow. With a roar, she embedded the knife into his neck while changing into Ronin. She took her bare hands and off flew his head. It wasn’t as easy as she envisioned, but once she separated the neck from his shoulders, it was child’s play. Jes felt a woman’s clawed hand at her throat and she knew it was Odessa. Although she and Cyrian couldn’t be together in life, maybe they could be together in death.

  The other woman sunk her claw like hands into Jes’ throat, her blood warming her skin and soaking her shirt. Jes didn’t care; she had more reason to live than Odessa did.

  “Your family will be slaughtered! Slaughtered!”

  It was the most emotion she’d seen from her ancestor.

  Jes struggled stepping forward. Odessa’s claws were deep but she’d heal, and it would take time, but this was necessary to avenge the life of her unborn. They’d taken the baby from her and now they would suffer the consequences. Gathering her powers, she lifted both of them into the air. Odessa not expecting her move loosened her grip giving Jes the advantage she needed. The other woman screamed as Jes released them both and sent them crashing to the ground. Jes landed on her knees and Odessa on her feet. Clutching her neck, Jes stood toe to toe with her ancestor.

  “I’ll end you and show no mercy to your child.”

  That wasn’t going to happen. Earth bound Angels could heal, unless their heart was damaged. That was one thing Cyrian told her about her kind. Jes held no love for the woman in front of her. A ruthless need for vengeance carried her fist forward. She hit Odessa once in the chest, twice, she heard her ribs crack. The third hit was enough to punch through flesh and bone. Jes grabbed the organ in her hand and without waiting to watch the other woman fall; she yanked pulling her hand and the heart free of Odessa’s chest cavity. She turned and walked away, crushing the heart in her hand.

  Enri smiled.

  The All Seeing Eye laughed and clapped her hands. The others all stood in silence, some still emotionless, others curious.

  “Fuck with my family. Lose your life.”

  No one contested her; no one made a move to avenge either of their deaths. Shoring up what energy she had left she looked to Enri.

  “Produce Solon.”

  From the far end of the arena, a gate opened and Solon walked through. Dressed in leather a black tank top, black jeans, and his signature leather gloves that covered his hands. To have skin on skin contact with him was death to the person who dared to touch his bare skin. But for Solon it was also painful. He was a hybrid. Half Vampiri and half Phoenix. His father Vivek had taken Belinda’s mother Surelle captive and raped her repeatedly until she was with child. Solon was a result of their union. His ice blue eyes tracked her every move as he neared her.

  “I was surprised you agreed to this after everything Jes. After that display of carnage are you sure you want to do this now?”

  He’d been the one there for her during her daughter’s birth. At the time he’d work for her now dead ex, Marcus, but he’d always been nice to her. She’d had no reason to doubt his intentions until he showed up claiming to be coming to her aid, when he’d been using her all along from the start.

  “You tried to kill my best friend’s mates, and you used me.”

  Solon shook his dark head of hair.

  “I didn’t use you Jesminda. I had no idea you’d be with Royce. When I did finally figure it out, I simply modified my course of action. I could have gone in for the kill then, but I didn’t. Out of respect for you.”

  “Out of respect for me?”

  He nodded again. But she didn’t believe him. There was no way. Lies. They were all lies. Solon worked for the Red Hand Organization. He was on the wrong team.

  “Are we doing this or what?” She said instead. She was done talking. She just wanted to get on with the killing so they could all get the hell up out of the realm of the crazy and insane.

  “Jes, I can end you with one touch,” Belinda’s half-brother said. The fact he was her best friends sibling didn’t truly register. Sometimes people did bad shit to get the happiness they were entitled and she was fucking entitled to a slice of happiness. Life owed it to her. She’d gone through hells fiery pits of agony, stomped through the seven gates with no powers what so ever and now she was an Angel. One of the powerful ones at that, with the ability to protect herself and her family. She’d ask for forgiveness later, provided she felt bad for killing Solon. But she was in the right for killing Cyrian and Odessa, two for one. That was the deal for today. She wanted her man back, and if Enri and the rest of the Angel brigade so much as sniffed in her direction she was taking them all out.

  “Choose your weapon,” The amber eyed Angel said. His voice was double layered, filling the arena as if on a microphone. Weapons appeared out of thin air. Some scattered on the ground, others hung high up on the walls of the arena. Broadswords, staffs, knives, and her personal favorite guns. The twins had taught her to use her entire body when it came to a fight, but she was still partial to pulling the trigger. It was easier; less of a mess for the shooter, and it ensured she wouldn’t get her hands dirty. Too late for that now, you’re neck deep in dirt.

  The roar from the crowd jerked her back into the moment. She’d completely forgotten the audience but it seemed they were looking forward to the spilling of more blood. Solon turned his back to choose his weapon of choice, and although she was no expert on ancient weaponry, she was sure she could use it. Turning she grabbed the first thing she found, a set of knives that lay on the ground, then she walked further until she found a short sword that was a bit on the heavy side, but not too heavy she couldn’t swing it over her head. If it didn’t work, she’d just morph into someone who could hold it. She wasn’t sure if there were rules or not, but since she still had full use of her powers she wasn’t not going to use that to her advantage. She booted both knives and palmed the short sword in her left hand. Things would be over faster if she could get to one of the guns and shoot a few holes into his head and then separate it from his shoulders. Ronin of course, would say she’d taken the easy way out.

  Fighting to the death was no easy task. It was going to get a lot dirtier before it got better. She was already low on energy from killing Cy and Odessa. Her strength wasn’t at one hundred percent, but it was enough to get her through this. Solon was twice her size and the best strategy was to ensure he didn’t touch her, period. She couldn’t think with all the yelling, her heart was racing. Her chest and throat hurt. This was nothing like fighting in the cages. Beneath her the ground rumbled, confusing her footing. An image of Faith and Draven filled her head and quick on its heels was a faceless person. A small person with dark hair and green eyes. Ten perfect toes and fingers that would now never see the light of day. Jes’ eyes were blurry as she tried to fight back the tears that threaten to cloud her vision further. She’d avenged her baby and now it was time to fight for her family. Solon took the advantage and lunged forward swinging his staff towards her head. She ducked at the last minute feeling the air whoosh by as the staff sliced through the air.

  The roar of the crowd was deafening but she saw the large stick coming for her again and jumped back, but not before the end of the staff cut through her shirt piercing skin.

  “Shit!” That hurt like a son of a bitch. Pain shot through her side and she breathed through it, calming her racing heart so that she could get a handle on the fight in front of her. Eyes focusing on Solon she noticed his feet weren’t planted properly, so she kicked out taking him to his knees. Before he could right himself and his staff she turned swiftly, sword held high and sliced the staff in half. But Solon was ready for her; he scrambled back on his arms and legs and stood quickly reaching for a broadsword that miraculously appeared next to him. Cheating bastards!

  He advanced lunging forward with his front foot, blad
e pointing towards her as if ready to pierce her chest. Jes deflected the incoming attack with a sharp striking motion, making sure she stepped back as she did, otherwise she’d come into direct contact with the tip of his sword. She quickly countered beating him back with her own sword in a series of strikes to the middle of his blade, until his sword was no longer protecting his frame.

  “This isn’t going to be over you silly broad. The twins, Draven, this, “he swept his sword in an arc encompassing the entire arena. “ We’re nothing but pawns in the grand scheme of things. I know how today ends, but be warned. You won’t like it. This will forever fester and rot in the deepest parts of your subconscious.”

  That’s where he was wrong. It wouldn’t fester, because after today. After she killed Solon, she would be free of Enri. She’d get Draven back and this would be a blip on a long list of blips she’d to forget. At this point, she just wanted him to shut up and fight her.

  Solon distracted her with his sword hand while stepping forward and punching her in the stomach with his free hand, knocking her off balance. The wind was taken from her, as she tried to remain standing but fell to one knee. She could see Solon quickly advancing and there was no time to react properly. Reaching into her boot she quickly grabbed her dagger, palming it only for a second before she threw it over hand, watching as it went end over end slicing through the air and landing square in his chest. He dropped his sword, and used both hands to pull the blade free, but not before she sent the second blade sailing into his gut. It didn’t stop his momentum as he pulled first the one blade and then the other, out of his body. Blood spilled from his open wounds onto the dirt floor of the arena. His ice blue eyes narrowing, his face split into a wide grin, giving view to his Vampiri fangs. Vivek’s clan were warriors. This would only help Solon, not hinder him. His fangs were longer than most Vampiri’s, thicker too.

  Disconnecting momentarily from the scene in front of her, Jes dug deep inside herself gathering all of her powers. Enough of the bullshit, Solon was playing to win, and she needed to adopt the same mentality.