“He has his reasons.”
I look deep into the child’s eyes, and yes, I see the suffering. Why not just put her down? Surely, no one on either side of the cosmic veil would want this sweet child to suffer.
I snap my fingers and the lock pops. I open the door to the cage and reach in. The child clings to me and looks at me with hope.
“Sorry, kid. This is for the best.” I pick her up and she throws her arms around me. I push her head back and slice the blade across her neck. Blood spurts onto my face and I try not to recoil. It’s a mercy killing. It’s for the best, I remind myself as I watch the light fade from her trusting eyes. Startling blue eyes that I suddenly realize look exactly like Zane’s.
Nyx laughs. “This is your baby, Glory,” she says. “Why do you think I wanted her so badly? There’ll never be redemption for you now. You’re damned forever and ever, amen.”
I scream.
* * *
I screamed, the universe tipped on its side, and then I was screaming somewhere else. My shrieks echoed off the bathroom walls.
The door crashed open, and Jesse burst through. “Glory?”
Lying on the floor, I cowered and crossed my arms above myself in a defensive gesture. “I’m sorry I screamed. I had a nightmare. Don’t hurt us.”
He knelt and reached for me, but I tried to beat him off.
“Stop it, Glory,” he murmured. “It’s okay now.” He bore the storm of my fists and picked me up. “Come on. Let me take care of you.”
He carried me to the bed, laid me down, and peeled away what little remained of my clothing.
Terrified, I couldn’t catch my breath. Finally, I managed to say, “Don’t rape me, Jesse.”
“What?” He glanced down at himself. “No, I fell asleep without my pants and your scream woke me.” He tried for a smile, but failed. “This wasn’t how I pictured our first time naked together.” He grabbed a pair of clean jeans and put them on.
I watched him warily and tried to cover myself with a blanket, but before I could untangle the mess of bedding, he manifested a nightgown and helped me into it.
Then he snapped his fingers again, and a bowl of warm water and a washcloth appeared. Sitting down beside me, he wiped the dried blood from my lips and face.
“Any broken bones?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“How’s the baby?”
“I’m cramping.”
He dunked the cloth in the water and rinsed it. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
I was confused. “What? None.”
He nodded. “Now let me look at your head.”
I turned to show him the wound and winced at his prodding examination.
“Head wounds hurt a lot and bleed more, but this looks better than it probably should.” He gently cleaned it and manifested an ice pack for me to apply. Then he went to his dresser, poured from a decanter of wine, dumped a vial of something into the cup, and offered it to me. “Drink this.”
I pushed it away. “Don’t turn me tonight. Not tonight.”
“No, that’s not how it’s done.” He put the glass in my hand. “This is wine laced with opium. It’ll help your pain.”
“It’s not good for the baby.”
His jaw clenched. “Drink the damn wine, Glory.”
Scared he’d lash out at me again for disobeying, I drank it. It didn’t take long for me to start feeling the effects. “Why did you do this to me?”
“Like I said before, being demonized changes you.”
My nightmare remained vivid, filling me with horror. It had been so real, like I had actually lived it. “I don’t want to become a demon, Jesse. Please don’t make me.”
“Not an option, babe. You have to trust me. I’m not doing this to be mean.”
“I know you’re not, but it’s not worth the price. Being human is flawed, fragile, and uncertain, but it’s beautiful. Being demonic is only about pleasure and power. It’s ugly.”
“It’s about being safe.”
“I’d rather die than become a demon.”
He shook his head. “You’re confused. You’ll understand when I take you there. I’ll make sure of it.”
Rearranging the bedcovers, Jesse managed to tuck me inside the sheets, however when he caressed my cheek, I shuddered and pulled away.
He held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Fine. I can’t change what happened tonight, but I’ll back off. That’s the best I can do.”
I’d take what I could get.
)o( )o( )o(
Dawn was breaking when Rory and Kaia picked up Jinx and Jezebel at Denver International Airport.
“We left Jasmine and Jade behind to protect Joy,” Jinx said in greeting. She had a businesslike attitude, and Rory was grateful the volatile vamp had stowed her mysterious hostility. Rory had chosen not to psychically probe the underlying problem—she had zero patience for drama.
The four of them rendezvoused with Raven, who had rented them a hotel suite near the high-rise from Hell. Together, they studied the building schematics Barry had sent and formulated a plan.
* * *
I fought a whirlpool to find air. As I broke through the raging water, I heard Rory’s voice inside my head. We’re coming, Glory. We’re coming this morning. Do you copy?
Help me, were all the words my mind could manage.
Glory, can you hold up your end?
I’ll do my best, but get me out or let me die. Even if that means Gen does too. Hell isn’t an option.
Copy that. I’ll keep you updated with sitreps. Hold on, sweetie.
I opened my eyes and saw Jesse sitting on the bed next to me. Fully dressed, he just sat there watching me.
Startled, I gasped. “What are you doing?”
“You’ve slept a long time, and I was worried. You okay?”
“How could I be okay?”
“Still cramping?”
I assessed my body. “No.”
He nodded. “The opium settled things down. You’ll come to trust my judgment. Sooner rather than later.”
The implied message was clear—he was going to move up the demonizing timetable. A wave of dread washed over me.
“Today, I plan to stay home and take care of you,” he said.
But if he left, that would make the rescue much easier.
I narrowed my eyes and threw my anger at him. “You can’t make this better by suddenly being nice. Just get the hell away from me. Go. Do your precious demon thing.”
He bore my attack, and I saw deep regret in his eyes, but he said nothing. I suddenly realized that he had never once apologized to me for anything since going demon. I figured that, like begging, it went against demonic personal code.
He shook his head. “I’m not leaving you alone with Nyx right now. She’s not as crazed as last night, but she’s still riding a high from the slaughter.”
Well, that was definitely something to look forward to. “Get out of here so I can get dressed.”
He started to reach for me, but I flinched, and he drew back. “Don’t be afraid of me, Glory.”
How could I not be afraid of him?
“Soon you’ll have nothing to fear anymore,” he said and then left me alone.
Suddenly, I remembered the rosary. It had been in the pocket of my ripped jeans. I sat up and frantically looked around the room, but didn’t see them. I scrambled out of bed and searched everywhere, but they were gone. Jesse’s bloody clothes were gone, too. Panic threatened to toss me into the whirlpool once again. No, no, no. Despite my massive belly, I managed to get on my hands and knees and poke around. I found the rosary under the bed. Overpowering relief caused a brief squall of tears. Then a sense of urgency set in. I had to get ready to face the end, whatever that might be.
If we die, Gen, we die together. It’s the best I can do. Forgive me for not being a better mom.
)o( )o( )o(
The rescue team parked Kaia’s BMW and Raven’s Mustang around the corner fro
m the high-rise, and they hiked to the back of the building. The snow had stopped falling, but the wind blew bitter and froze the marrow in Rory’s bones. There is nothing to fear in life but not seeing clearly, she reminded herself. Then she visualized the prize.
Glory, her mind transmitted, we’re almost there.
* * *
When I walked into the living room, Jesse handed me a bowl of fresh fruit salad. I trembled so hard it slipped from my fingers. Looking down at the mess, I started to cry again.
Anguish crossed his face. “What can I do?”
“Big, tough Glory is certainly big, but not so tough anymore, is she?” Nyx said.
“Shut up, you stupid bitch,” Jesse said.
Nyx grinned. “Oh, I love it when you talk dirty.”
Jesse snapped his fingers and the mess I had made disappeared. “What can I do, babe? Tell me how I can make you feel better.”
I groaned. “I don’t know.” Then I realized this was a perfect opening. Manipulative, but honest. “Sometimes when you play the piano, it helps.”
“Done.” He sat down at the piano and began playing the hauntingly beautiful blues that invariably had a hypnotic effect on Nyx and me. We both gravitated to the piano.
I stood behind Jesse and put a hand on his shoulder. I felt his relief at my touch, and he apparently felt my inner storm.
He whispered, “Don’t be afraid.”
Slowly, my other hand palmed the rosary in my pocket and pulled it out. However, the more Jesse played, the less my will wanted to cooperate with the plan.
)o( )o( )o(
Raven’s affinity with energy worked to their advantage. She used energy balls to short out the surveillance camera at the back door and the electric lock on the door itself. The women slipped inside the building and headed toward the service elevator.
* * *
We’re in, Rory told me.
I took a deep breath. You need to talk to me because he’s casting a spell. I need distraction.
Sure, sweetie. Dominic sends his love. Sasha told me to remind you that you’re her hero. And Lailah’s message was that Winston Churchill once said, ‘If you’re going through Hell, keep going.’
I felt my tears fighting for control.
After a moment, Rory asked, You okay?
I thought about the risk to Gen in the upcoming battle, and the risk to her if we didn’t win. I considered the fact that some of my friends might die trying to get us out. And I knew that despite everything that had happened, I didn’t want to break Jesse’s heart. I’m so scared, Rory. I’m no kind of hero.
Heroes are scared all the time. What makes them heroic is doing the job anyway.
Rory’s mind drifted away from mine, so I closed my eyes and imagined wrapping the rosary around Jesse’s neck. I ran through the plays.
)o( )o( )o(
Raven shorted out every camera they encountered and soon they found themselves, apparently undetected, in the long hallway that led to the front door of Hell’s penthouse.
Rory’s mind said, Glory, when I give you the signal, wrap your rosary around Jesse’s neck and tie it. That’ll buy us a little time to get you out. Kaia and I will take on Nyx. Jinx will shield you, and Jezebel will shield us. Do the rosary thing on three, Glory.
Rory said aloud, “Ready ...”
Glory, the vamps will kick in the door on three. One.
“Set...”
... Kaia, Raven, and I will be on their heels. Two.
Glory’s shock transmitted to Rory like a jolt of electricity. Raven? She’s a traitor!
“Crap,” Rory muttered. It was too late to stop now.
“Go!” Jinx and Jade shouted, and charged the length of the hallway. With perfectly choreographed precision, they went airborne together and kicked in the front door.
Three!
Rory, Kaia, and Raven raced into the penthouse.
* * *
As the front door exploded inward, I wrapped the rosary around Jesse’s neck and tied it.
Jesse’s fingers left the keyboard, flew to his neck, and he turned to look at me. “What have you done?”
“I’m sorry.”
He jumped to his feet, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me to shield him as Raven ran to us brandishing a knife.
Certain that she was going to kill me, I used my free hand to try to protect my belly.
)o( )o( )o(
Rory and Kaia rushed toward where Nyx stood by the large grand piano in the middle of the living room. Upon seeing them, Nyx launched an energy ball from her hand and Jezebel leapt to intercept it. It struck her full on in the chest and fire consumed her. She fell to floor and rolled to smother the flames. As the scent of burnt flesh filled the air, Jezebel mumbled, “Bloody hell.”
Nyx smiled. “I just love the smell of infernal fire in the morning.”
* * *
Raven’s knife sliced Jesse’s hand; he released me, and Jinx yanked me behind her. While shielding me, she kicked Jesse and he flew toward the far wall, slamming into the big bookcase. Books showered down on top of him as he struggled to pull off the rosary.
Jinx pushed me back toward the door, but Jesse was too quick in removing the rosary. He snapped his fingers.
Jinx slammed to the floor, groaned, and then cursed. “Carajo!”
Raven moved to shield Jinx and threw a swarm of knives. She was relentless, her speed practically supersonic. It appeared as if she had knives stashed everywhere on her body, and her hands blurred. My mind blurred too—why was she protecting us?
)o( )o( )o(
Rory and Kaia held hands. Rory drew lightning from the center of the earth, up through her body, and gave it to Kaia. In turn, Kaia held her right palm out and blasted fire in Nyx’s direction. Nyx threw energy balls toward Kaia, and the two energy fields met in the middle. The wall of light grew brighter by the second and Rory held her breath as she wondered which direction the wall would fall.
* * *
Jesse, obviously still weak from the effects of the rosary, was more intent on deflecting the knives than attacking. Finally able to stand, Jinx said to me, “Go with Raven.”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t trust her.”
“What?” Jinx asked.
Raven spun around and looked at me with confusion, but didn’t hesitate. She tossed her car keys to Jinx. “Get Glory out of here.”
Blood coated Jesse. He wiped it away from his face and then stared at his hands. When he looked up at me, he was crying. “You realize this means I have to kill you now?”
My tears rose to meet his. “I understand.” I felt the intensity of his heartbreak and knew his soul was truly forever lost. “I’m so sorry.”
As Jinx dragged me out the front door, she asked, “What the hell was that all about?”
“Jesse was my best friend.”
Jinx gave me a bewildered look. “You are one complicated human.”
“Please get me home. I have to have my baby before he kills me.”
She shoved me into the service elevator ahead of her and punched buttons. “The angels will protect you.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. They couldn’t before.”
“Why don’t you trust Raven?”
“Someone compromised our wards.”
“She didn’t fight like a traitor.”
“No, she didn’t, did she?”
“Then who else could it be?”
I didn’t know.
)o( )o( )o(
The wall of fire between the demoness and witches grew and morphed. One moment it was literal fire burning with hot flames and smoke. Then the next it became a pulsating field of sizzling blue spirit fire. For a time, wild crimson demonic energy dominated.
Discussion, threats, and gloating had stopped. All three warriors simply focused on their intent to vanquish. Rory’s body trembled from the seismic power she pulled from the earth. Next to her, Kaia absorbed her energy, but seemed to be also accessing a supernatural force Rory had never before experience
d. It felt dark and primordial. The word fae flashed through her mind.
Rory’s consciousness circled everyone in the room in slow motion, and she saw them clearly.
A badly burned Jezebel teamed up with Raven to keep Jesse subdued.
Nyx suddenly flinched, like she was reacting to some kind of glamour or illusion thrown over her.
A hint of a smile crossed Kaia’s face. Then a fierce wind struck, chased by rolling thunder. The luminous wall shuddered, erupting like a volcano, and a shimmering lava-like substance coated Nyx. Agonized shrieks filled the worlds as supernatural fire consumed her. The last expression that Rory saw cross Nyx’s face was one of utter disbelief.
Kaia collapsed.
Jesse disappeared.
Fire engulfed the room.
Raven ran for the door. Jezebel scooped up an unconscious Kaia and followed.
And Rory covered their backs as they escaped Hell.
* * *
Jinx and I were halfway to my home when her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her leather jacket and answered. “Batphone.” She listened for a few moments, then disconnected and gave me a report.
“Nyx was slain, Jesse escaped, Kaia’s hurt—I don’t know how bad—Jezebel’s burns will heal fast once I get some of my blood into her. Rory and Raven are good. They’ll all meet us at your place.”
Profound relief filled me at the news Nyx was dead, but my stomach twisted in worry over Kaia’s injuries. She had finally achieved her goal of vanquishing the demoness who had slain her parents, but at what cost? Little Rory had faced what I understood to be her greatest nemesis and was victorious. My heart surged with pride at her demonstration of courage.
With Nyx out of the picture, it suddenly became clear to me what alliance Jesse would form next. A fit of uncontrollable trembling seized me, and I struggled to breathe. I had never before felt so certain of anything—Jesse would be able to make good on his promise to kill me. Nothing could stop him now.
Genesis (The Legend of Glory Book 3) Page 19
