Killian's Hope

by Elyzabeth M. VaLey

“No, Killian.” Prudence flattened her palm against his chest. Her eyes filled with tears.

  “I trust you with my life, Killian, or we wouldn’t even be here, but what’s happening in this temple is greater than you and I. If I had told you, you would have stopped me from coming.”

  He clenched his jaw.

  “The balance is all that matters,” he murmured.

  “It is. It always is. We are mere pieces on a much larger game, but sometimes we can make a move which can create a domino effect and help us regain the board.”

  Killian’s chest tightened. He rubbed his face to hide the tears building up behind his lids. The balance. Like everything in their lives as mates, this day had been about their work. He had been a fool for hoping things were changing.

  “There is evil here. I can sense it. The whole structure breathes doom,” he said, hating the crack in his voice.

  She nodded. “It is embedded in the stones, waiting, but don’t worry, we’re only going to have a look.”

  Killian lifted his brows. “Why would we? If this is what you have been searching, we have found it. Let’s leave now before something happens.”

  Prudence smiled. “Killian, it is broad daylight in a place teeming with people. Nothing will happen.”

  “I have no weapons, Prudence. I cannot protect you.”

  “You won’t need any and I don’t need your protection. I’ve got my magic. Besides, I just want to see what’s inside and then we can leave. Nothing is going to happen.”

  Killian pressed his lips together. His chest ached. Betrayal and disappointment rang in his bones. She wasn’t wrong. Her magic was almost as powerful as his maul hammer but she had never had to use it to defend herself. He glanced around them. Throngs of people gathered everywhere to stare in awe at the building. The place was mysteriously devoid of Inferum and yet a sense of ruin and catastrophe lingered in the air.

  “If you would rather stay here,” Prudence said.

  “No,” he firmly replied. “I’m going with you.”

  “Then let’s move. The guard is eyeing us weirdly.”

  Giving him a million-watt smile, she spun around and led him into the Sagrada Familia.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Inside and out, the Sagrada Familia was a work of art in all its glory. Outside, the visitor could spend long minutes contemplating the tall spiraling arches, the detailed stonework, and the lively sculptures.

  Within, Gaudi, the master designer of the temple, had created a forest of glass and stone. Each column resembled trees whilst the sunlight streaming through the colorful window panes created a canopy of colors which brought the whole building alight.

  Prudence stood at the central nave, trying to take it all in. Every step she took brought a different angle to the surface which begged to be admired. She shut her eyes for a brief instant, allowing the building’s energy to wash over her. Prayer, peace, anger, frustration, beauty, evil, greed. It swept over her, bringing goosebumps to her skin. This was the Sin’s home. Evil lay dormant within, waiting, craving. It was a work of art which would never be finished. Its due date would forever be postponed, for Greed would always want more. More light, more gold, more height, more admiration.

  Prudence stopped to read a sign. She skimmed over the words and shook her head.

  “The Sins have had their hand in this,” Killian whispered.

  “Yes,” she replied. “The original architect must not have been infected, but Gaudi certainly was.”

  “He died an untimely death,” Killian pointed out. “Run over by a tram.”

  “As do most who are infected,” she replied. “Especially, the greedy ones. Greed cannot wait for them to join his forces and brings them to him. Let’s go down there.” She pointed to some gaps on the floor of the apse.

  “Why?”

  “There’s something there I’d like to see.”

  “Pru.” Killian shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Haven’t you seen enough?”

  Prudence pressed her lips together. She was torn. Her heart ached for her mate. He had no desire to be here, but he did not understand the need. He was a warrior, bent on fighting for the greater good. He worked on plans and tactics, death and destruction.

  She was a priestess, focused beyond the mere battle. Coming here and confirming her suspicions proved her worth as one of the Spell Casters. She could detect a Sin and really help in their mission to reclaim the balance. It would make a difference.

  She wished she could tell Killian it was all good and they could return home now, but it was not possible. There was something more lingering in the atmosphere and she had to find it. It spurred her on, pushing her to search further.

  “I want to see it all,” she said, hating the detachment in her tone. She ducked her head and pulled him toward the area. When had she become so good at being such a bitch? She’d make it up to him, she resolved. After she reported everything to the Council, she’d ask for a break and spend some time with Killian in earnest, away from war and Sins.

  They descended the steps to the crypt. The hubbub of voices died and silence seemed to wrap them in its embrace. They arrived at the area. It was mildly lit, giving the stone blocks surrounded by velvet rope a sinister glow. Glass cases held different objects which she didn’t recognize.

  “I thought this was supposed to be the crypt,” Killian commented.

  “We must have taken the wrong staircase,” she replied, glancing around.

  Killian tugged her in the direction of one of the displays. “This seems like an exhibit of some sort in honor of the pilgrims who come here.”

  “How strange,” Prudence murmured.

  “Yes. Let’s go back upstairs. This place gives me the creeps. It’s too quiet.”

  “Okay.” She started to turn around when the glint of an object caught her eyes. “Wait, what’s that?”

  “What?”

  She headed to the back of the room in quick strides. Her mouth dropped and giddiness rushed across her limbs. The object before her vibrated with the song of the unfulfilled.

  “I found it,” she cried.

  “What have you found?” Killian peered at the object. “It seems to be nothing more than a key. Strange that there’s no sign or glass protecting it.”

  “Because it doesn’t belong here.” Prudence grinned. She reached for it, fingertips skimming the metal surface. Heat exuded from its surface and she gasped in shock. Killian grasped her wrist.

  “What do you mean?”

  She stared up at him. “Greed’s key.”

  Killian’s eyes widened and his hold on her slackened. “You can’t be serious.”

  She smiled. “I told you coming here would be worth it.” Prudence grasped the key. “Imagine the difference this will make. We have found his lair on Earth. We will be able to obliterate him.”

  “Prudence, what are you talking about? We have access to Greed’s lair from the Hall of Portals and there is no killing a Sin. Return the key immediately.”

  “I know we can’t kill a Sin, but the balance will tip in our favor dramatically if we are able to destroy a Sin’s home on Earth. It’s obvious he’s taken over Barcelona. The entire city is a monument to him. What I don’t understand is how the Human Guardians didn’t see it before.”

  Prudence yelped as the ground shook violently beneath her. The room began to spin, a dark shadow rushing toward them in the distance.

  “Because it’s a trap.”

  Killian entwined their hands tightly together. Darkness swallowed them, the air turning oppressive to the point she could hardly take in a deep breath. Sweat slithered down her spine and the song of the unfulfilled thrummed in her mind.

  “Don’t panic,” Killian whispered, his tempered tone grounding her. “Just breathe slowly through your nose. This will fade.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I have seen this before. The key opened the door to a portal and we stepped right through it.”

&n
bsp; “The key? Do you mean to say Greed did this on purpose?”

  She heard Killian sigh, the tension in his body slipping for an instant.

  “Probably. He is a Sin, Pru. Those beasts don’t play fair. Battle is a game for them, toying with us is a pastime.”

  “But why?”

  “We destroyed his Spanish front in Madrid, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just plain old retaliation.”

  “On us?”

  “I lead the Guardians and you opened the portal. Why not?”

  “Wouldn’t it be better to collect more human souls? That’s what the balance is all about.”

  Killian snorted. “This is war, love. You stand on the political side, magic, decisions on how to move each piece. I’m out on the field. The Sins are not looking for balance. They are looking for chaos, destruction, power. Everything we abhor. He—”

  A loud clatter drowned out the rest of his sentence. She flinched at the metallic sound repeatedly ringing in her ears.

  “Killian,” she screamed.

  Slowly, light began to reappear and she stared in horror at the panorama.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Killian clenched his jaw. He wanted to go off on a rant, scream at Prudence for being a fool, and berate himself for being a weakling and succumbing to his overpowering need to be with her. He should have stopped her from the onset. He ought to have physically picked her up and forced her back to Veritas. Screw the fact she would hate him forever, because the outcome was now a hundred times worse. They were trapped in Greed’s lair. He had no weapons and no reinforcements. They could die. Killian ran his fingers through his hair, tugging at the strands. The sharp sting of pain brought him hurtling back to the moment. He glanced at Prudence. Her face had lost all color and her mouth was pursed. His mind cleared. He had to take care of her.

  “Pru, love.”

  She looked at him. The fear in her eyes tugged at his soul.

  “Everything is going to be okay. We just need to figure a way out.”

  “Killian, we’re surrounded by enormous piles of gold which are still rolling in. We are going to drown in here.”

  Killian’s jaw ticked. Gold coins shone as if sunlight were dying to burst through them from within. Souls. Each and every coin had once belonged to a creature who had succumbed to Greed’s power. Greed didn’t have Inferum, infected minions, working for him. A man who lost to Greed became that which he craved. It was the reason why the mmamonár collaborated with the Sin. They were greedy demons who did anything for blood.

  “We are not going to die here, Prudence,” he said. “I promise you we’re going to find an escape route.”

  Pru lowered her gaze and stared at her hands. “Maybe I can magic us out of here?”

  “You can try, but I doubt it. If it were that easy, Spell Casters would be fighting, and the Guardians wouldn’t exist.”

  “We are too little a number,” she said.

  “With great power. Hold it. Do you hear that?”

  “I don’t hear anything.”

  “That’s right, which means the coins have stopped falling. Let’s move.”

  “Where to?”

  “Do you see the giant pile there?” He pointed to a large hill further within the room.

  “Yes.”

  “I want to get closer. Then I’m going to fly up there and have a look at where we’re at.”

  “Fly? But we’re on the human plane.”

  Killian chuckled. “Love, we stopped being on the human dimension a long time ago.”

  Killian shrugged off his coat and shirt. He chanted the words to free his wings, groaning in pleasure as they spread out behind him.

  “Show off,” she muttered.

  “I know it turns you on,” he replied with a wink, hoping some humor would help ease the tension.

  “I will neither deny nor confirm such a claim.” She gave him a small smile, spurring his confidence. If she could smile through this, they’d definitely find a way to escape.

  The walk toward their target was not easy. Their feet sank into the gold or slipped at every stride. After a while, Prudence threw her hands up.

  “Why don’t you just fly there? We’ve hardly made any progress.”

  “I don’t want to leave you alone.”

  “I’ll be fine. There’s no one here and it’ll only be a minute. Besides, I’ve got my magic.”

  “I’m not sure, Prudence.”

  “Just go. I’m going to try and magic us out of here and I can’t focus if you’re standing so close and you’re half-naked.”

  Killian smirked. “All right. But don’t move from this spot, okay?”

  She nodded and removed her coat.

  Killian snapped his wings open and bent his knees for momentum.

  “Wait.”

  Prudence threw herself into his arms, smashing her mouth to his. His heart skipped in his chest and he hugged her closer, pouring his love into the moment.

  “I love you,” she panted against his neck. “I’m sorry I haven’t said it before. I was afraid we’d grow closer and it would make things more complicated, but, Killian, you have to understand,” she blurted, her words running over each other. “Don’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Prudence.” Killian clasped her face between his palms. “You don’t need to tell me you love me for me to know. Why do you think I always call you love? To remind you there’s a connection between us which transcends the superficial. You are my mate, Pru. My woman. Even if you had never told me you loved me, I would have known you did.”

  “But you thought I hated you.”

  Killian grimaced. “Not really. Not deep down. But, maybe we should postpone this conversation for some other time. We have to get out of here first.”

  “I, yes, of course.” She chuckled self-deprecatingly. “You’re right. I’ll wait here.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Killian brushed his lips over her forehead, then, with a snap of his wings, he took off. Gold dazzled across every surface in the room. There were no windows and even the ceiling seemed to be gold-pressed. Killian glanced back at Prudence. A white spark surged between her hands and just as quickly dissipated. Finally, he reached the summit of the hill. There was nothing but gold in all directions. He frowned. There had to be an opening somewhere.

  “Killian.”

  He spun. The sound of metal grinding against metal reached his ears. Prudence shrieked and the ground beneath him started to tremble and grunt.

  “Killian,” Prudence screamed his name again. She was on her feet, a solid ball of flame swirling in her hands. Taking a step forward, she lunged it at the creature growing beneath him and disappeared into the ground.

  “Prudence.”

  Killian’s heart sank to his stomach. A wave of nausea washed over him. He leaped to the sky, searching for the hole through which his mate had fallen. The monster behind him growled. A giant hand swatted to his left.

  “Fuck,” he swore. “Prudence, where are you?”

  He spotted her coat. After rapidly descending, he landed with a thud. His knees bent awkwardly at the impact and he slipped. Tumbling forward, he fell into darkness.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The fall was not far but it still knocked his wind. Slowly, Killian rose. Pru. There was something, a connection between mates which he knew to be there at the back of his mind. He envisioned Pru’s face. Her brown eyes, her smile when she wasn’t frowning, the soft curve of her neck. Her lips on his. Her scent, sweet, fresh, like almond tree blossoms. The fragrance caressed his nostrils. Gentle, barely a whiff, but present nonetheless. He opened his eyes and found himself staring into a dark tunnel. She was in there and by the gods, he would bring her back.

  Clenching his fists, he entered. Darkness swarmed him. Suffocating in its intensity, it clawed at his being. Killian growled low in his throat. He pressed his lips together and trudged ahead. His vision cleared and his ears pricked. Prudence. He couldn’t see her yet, but
he could hear her breathing steadily. Just a little further.

  There.

  He rushed forward. His mate was on the floor, unconscious. He kneeled at her side and touched her face. She was cool.

  “Fuck. Prudence.” He dragged her into his arms, wrapping his wings around her and hoping it was enough to give her warmth. “Wake up, love.” He rocked them back and forth, kissing her temple every few seconds. Finally, her eyelids fluttered.

  “Killian?” she murmured.

  “That’s right. I’m here.”

  “I can’t see you,” she said, her voice trembling as tears began to tumble down her face. Shock hit Killian in the face. In all the years he’d known her, he’d never seen her cry, not even when they said goodbye, unbeknownst if they would see each other again. Pru always put on a brave face. She was always ready to face the worst. His heart ached. He couldn’t show weakness. He had to put on a brave front and convince her they’d make it out of here alive or who knew the psychological consequences this would have for her.

  “It’s very dark in here, love. Don’t worry, I can see for us both.”

  “I’m so happy you’re alive. I thought that monster was going to get you.”

  Killian brushed her hair from her face. “I was faster, as usual.” He tapped her nose. “We’re going to find a way out of here.”

  “Where are we?”

  “I don’t know. Somewhere in Greed’s lair. We’ll find a way out.” Killian unwrapped his wings and helped Prudence to her feet.

  “How are we going to get out of here?” She sniffled.

  “The direction of the wind. Hold still and focus. Can you feel it?”

  After a minute, she nodded. “It comes from there.” She pointed to her left.

  “Let’s go, then.”

  In one swoop, he picked her up. Prudence shrieked but didn’t complain. To his delight, she rested her head against his chest. Killian tightened his hold and strode forward. He didn’t have to go far before there was a shift in the air around them. The breeze grew stronger and the smell of varnish filled his nostrils.

  “It smells funny.”