by Caleb Zane
They exited the city and returned to where they had left the angels and demon. It felt like a lifetime had passed since they’d arrived in the city, but it had only been two days.
Once they stepped out of the car, the angels landed, and Orlas appeared.
The demon spoke first. “What took so long?”
Desiree told the story of all that had happened, minus the lovemaking session they had. Ai and Ziva jumped in from time to time. Once the women had finished, the others all appeared impressed.
“The Crown of Thorns,” Zaphkiel said. He turned to Muriel and Dazielle. “Do either of you know where it is?”
Both the angels shrugged.
“No. It hasn’t been seen since we have been bonded. Long before that,” Muriel said.
Finding an artifact that none of the angels had seen in a long while was going to take some time. It was going to be hard. Kaiden needed to think and figure out what to do. Now more than ever, he needed a plan, one that would let him find both Lilith and the Crown of Thorns. Not an easy task.
Closing his eyes, Kaiden ran through all of his options. What could he do?
“Does anyone have any suggestions?” Kaiden asked, wanting to hear what his inner circle said. They were all here save Vincent and Layla.
“I don’t know,” Desiree said. She appeared to have a lot on her mind.
“What about the Holy Grail?” Ziva asked. “Could that help us? Could it be there?”
“I just want to find this,” Ai said.
None of the angels or demon spoke up. That really shouldn’t surprise Kaiden.
“We can camp here,” Kaiden said. “Then make plans tomorrow.”
That was a cop out, one Kaiden wasn’t happy with, but he did it anyway. Before going to bed, Kaiden asked Zaphkiel to fly back and see if they had located Lilith or learned anything. Hopefully, the others were making progress too.
Chapter Eighteen
Desiree wasn’t happy with the idea of the Crown of Thorns as she paced under the moon. She really didn’t want to die. Life was just starting to get good. It was finally starting to go her way. Her best friends were back in her life as much more than just friends as lovers. And Kaiden, precious Kaiden…
Dying now was just too painful to think about. Desiree had too much to live for. But if it meant ending the war, then she would have to. The demon-bonded woman wasn’t that cruel. Kaiden was kind and more gentlemany than she had ever expected. If he asked her to die and go to Hell, she would.
But that didn't mean she wasn’t going to try as hard as possible to stay alive, to live for as long as possible. She wanted to be that old woman with her man who people were jealous of. She wanted to make others uncomfortable. Desiree wanted to be walking around the streets with her cane and Kaiden at her side, touching his ass and him hers.
That made her smile, and she loved it. Ai and Ziva could join in too. They could be the old farts who were having some fun. That was what Desiree wanted. Not to die now to kill Lilith.
Time was important, and Desiree wasn’t going to sit idle and let herself die.
Ai and Ziva were in the tent.
Kaiden exited and walked over to her. “Are you going to join us?” he asked.
Up until that moment, Desiree had intended to join them, but she blurted out, “No.”
Desiree wasn’t sure why she’d said that. She didn’t want to sleep on this. She wanted to do something now. She had to make this work. She would find a way to fix this.
Kaiden stared at her, dumbfounded. “You aren’t?”
“No. I’m not. I don’t like this plan. I don’t like any part of it. I don’t want to die.”
Kaiden smiled sympathetically. “I get that.”
“Then let's find another way. There has to be another way.”
Desiree was being selfish and greedy, and she knew it, but she wasn't going to just allow this to happen. She didn’t want to let the people she loved die and purposely go to Hell. That was the stupidest thing she had ever heard of in her life. Sure, it was noble and selfless. Even she had a lot of honor, and this was just what a real hero in a video game would do. A MC in a game would do just that, but in the game, God would save him and bring him back at the last moment.
This wasn’t a game, and God would not save them. God had turned his back on them, even on the angels who he was supposed to love. Desiree just didn't see this working out.
“I’m leaving,” Desiree said. “I’m going to find a way to not have us die.”
“You can’t go,” Kaiden said. “I need you.”
“And I need you, all of you, alive. Not this dead shit. I won’t have any part of this dying.”
Desiree was hurt. Just the thought of losing her love, all her loves, was nearly too much to bear. She wasn’t afraid of death, but she also wasn’t going to jump into it. She was going to fight death and the grim reaper for as long as possible.
It would be one thing if there were a save point for her or if she had multiple lives to start over. But this wasn’t a game. This wasn’t a side-scroller or an action RPG. She was living this, breathing this. Just because the world had changed to be more like a video game didn’t mean it wasn’t life and death.
“Please,” Kaiden begged, pleaded. “Stay. I need you. We all want you.”
He was on the verge of tears, and that made what Desiree had to do even harder. She loathed being the bad guy here, especially since she was doing it for the right reasons.
“I can’t,” she said. “I won’t sit idle and watch you die. I won’t.”
Desiree had dug her heels in the dirt, and she was going to do this. The dark-skinned woman was no hero, but in this section of the game, she was going to step up and fill in. She was tagging into the wrestling match and taking the place of the hero for a moment. That was it, and Desiree was okay with that.
“Is there any way I can stop you?” Kaiden was crying. Never in her time with him has she seen him so hurt. So weak. So vulnerable.
“No,” she said. “I’m doing this for us.”
Kaiden howled, “So be it.”
Desiree closed the small gap between them. She hugged him tightly and pulled his head to her shoulder. She was going the strong one.
Then she cupped his face and pressed her lips against his. The embrace wasn’t long , but it was meaningful. She loved him. He loved her.
“Goodbye, my sweetheart,” she said.
“Goodbye, Desiree, my sweet, sweet demon girl.”
She smiled. Kaiden was just so hard not to adore. He always knew what to say and how to make her happy and pull her close. Sure, he could be arrogant and rude, but he was her love.
Desiree pulled away and started to walk away. Twenty paces away, she paused to look back. Standing there alone and dejected was Kaiden. She had broken him but only for now. It was needed.
Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, Ai woke. She rolled over to see Kaiden and Ziva in the tent. Desiree was nowhere to be seen. Kaiden’s eyes were red. Ai didn’t understand what was wrong.
Yesterday had been a good day. They had found a quest to get into Hell and a way to kill Lilith. They could end this bloody war and save the world. Ai was happy with all that. She was on cloud nine, and yet Kaiden appeared to have cried himself to sleep.
Whatever had happened was so bad that he hadn’t woke Ai up. That hurt, and she was tempted to ask him about it. If she could help in anyway, she would. Her love was hurt.
First, Ai wanted to see if Desiree knew what was wrong. Her best friend had not taken the demise issue with the Crown of Thorns well. Ai had seen her rejection all of her face when the demon had uttered that terrible news. Hopefully, a good night sleep helped had helped Desiree.
Ai exited the tent. She didn’t see Desiree anywhere. Off to one side were the angels but no Orlas.
Ai strode over to them. “Where is Desiree?”
“Come with me,” Dazielle said.
Ai didn’t like that one bit. Her angel r
arely pulled her off to the side to talk. The last time had been when she’d learned that Zaphkiel was here and that the prophecy was going to happen. Ai had been so happy then.
This felt different, and Ai was scared. She was worried that Desiree had died, and Kaiden hadn’t told them. That made her heart sink. Ai was hurting and in pain, and she didn’t even know what happened yet.
Like all of the other heavenly beings, Dazielle was one of the most dazzling women around with her bright white wings and her halo over her head. She was amazing. Ai could only hope to be viewed that way, but then, Kaiden regarded her that way. So did Ziva and Desiree. Ai was lucky to have them in her life, to be part of that fantastic relationship.
“What is wrong?” Ai asked. “Is Desiree dead?”
Just saying the words hurt and made her sad. Ai was on the verge of tears.
Dazielle shook her head. “No. She is not dead, but she is gone. She refuses to accept the death part of the Crown of Thorns.”
Ai couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t sure if it was worse or better. Part of Ai was happy her friend and lover was alive, but Desiree had abandoned them. She had left them to figure this out alone. She wanted to deal with this without them.
“She left?” Ai asked.
Dazielle nodded. “Desiree departed after talking with Kaiden. He tried to make her stay. Your lover is taking it hard.”
Ai expected he would be. Kaiden truly loved each of them in different and similar ways.
“I’ll make sure he makes it through,” she said.
Dazielle patted Ai on the back. “Yes. I know you will, but, Ai, you need to look after you too. You have to make sure you get through it too. You need to be happy. Don’t put others in front of yourself.”
Ai breathed in. “I won’t.”
She was torn inside. A part of her wanted to chase after Desiree and make her come back and show her just how selfish she was being. She would make Desiree see the light and accept death. Ai had accepted it a long time ago in her quest for the Chosen One.
“Good,” Dazielle said. “Muriel is telling Ziva. Go help her. Help each other.”
Ai hadn’t seen Ziva wake, but when she turned around, she saw her friend and lover.
Ziva was crying, and Ai ran over to her in a blink of an eye at her top speed. She pulled Ziva in close, hugging her, letting the woman’s presence, scent, and body overwhelm her. Ziva was soft and hard.
“I can’t believe it,” Ai said.
“I can,” Ziva said. “I love Desiree, but this is just the sort of stuff she did back in Kathill. She didn’t even say goodbye.”
Desiree then had been selfish and rash. She wouldn’t stop to think about what she was doing and how it would affect Ai or Ziva. Even so, Ai loved her, wanted her, missed her.
“I know, but still,” Ai said.
Ziva held her tightly. “Me too.”
Ai rested her head on her friend's shoulder and let her tears and pain out. Ziva held her tightly. It was just what Ai needed. She was better after the long intimate moment. Ai looked up to Ziva, and her friend lover was strong, powerful.
“Ziva,” Ai said. “Can we do this without her?”
“If we must,” Ziva said. “We can.”
“I hope you are right.”
Ziva hugged Ai again and kissed her cheek. “My innocent Ai, we can. I know we can.”
“I’m going to go get her,” Ai said. She couldn’t let her lover go. She was too important to the quest and to their lives, and if she died without Ai trying to get her, Ai wouldn’t be able to live with herself.
Kaiden exited the tent. “Do what you must,” he said. Kaiden pulled her close and hugged and kissed her. “Be safe.”
Ai knew they might not need Desiree, but Ai had this feeling that Desiree had a larger role to play.
Ziva nodded. “I understand. She can help us.”
Ai dashed off to find her friend and lover.
Chapter Twenty
Kaiden couldn’t believe the speed Ai had. There was no doubt in his mind that she would find Desiree fast and might just bring her back. She might be able to succeed where he had failed.
If anyone could talk Desiree into staying and helping, it was going to be Ai. That much Kaiden believed in.
Kaiden walked over to Ziva and hugged her. “I’m sorry.” It was all he could manage.
They remained in the hug for a while until she was no longer crying.
“I hope she is okay,” Ziva said.
“I’m sure she is.”
“Why did she want to go out alone to find another way?” Ziva asked. “Why didn’t she turn to us for help? Maybe we all could have found a different way together.”
“You know Desiree. When she has something in her head, she just goes and does it.”
“I do know, but that doesn’t make it right,” Ziva said.
Ziva gave him a half-hearted smile and went about busying herself. Kaiden was sure she was just trying to distract herself from thinking about it all.
Seeing that Zaphkiel had returned, Kaiden went over to him. Last night, Kaiden could only think about Desiree, and that meant he hadn’t slept well. He had thought about waking up Ziva and Ai, but they had been sleeping so well. That would have been cruel and selfish. He was in pain, and they would be too. Best to let them have their sleep.
Maybe Desiree would be back soon. She would be in his arms again, be part of his harem. Not that she left him and the others, but she was gone. Not here. Not loving him at the moment.
The fallen angel hugged him. “I’m sorry,” Zaphkiel said.
“Thank you,” Kaiden said.
“I’m sure that Ai will get her back and make you happy again.”
Kaiden loved his optimism and faith. At times, Zaphkiel could be the most faithful angel in the world. Then the next moment, he could be the least faithful and curse God, Jesus, and the rest of the angels. It was a strange thing to witness but understandable. He was a fallen angel after all.
“Did you learn anything?” Kaiden asked.
“I talked to Vincent and Layla.”
For the first time since Kaiden had bonded to the angel, Zaphkiel appeared tired.
“They had traveled far,” Zaphkiel said, “but I found them. None of the scouts have found Lilith. None have learned who her bond is.”
“Damn,” Kaiden said. “I was hoping.”
“Vincent and Layla are capable,” Zaphkiel said. “They will learn something. They will find her and her bond. One must have faith. One must trust in God.”
Kaiden nodded. “I am trying.”
“That is all you can do.” Zaphkiel patted him on the back. “I set up a way for us to talk to Vincent.”
“You did?”
“I didn’t think of it before,” Zaphkiel said, “but magic is powerful, and Layla and I worked out a way.” He pulled out a piece of paper. “This paper has a sister.”
Kaiden titled his head. “Okay. That means….”
Zaphkiel laughed. “I forget how little you know. How little most humans know about magic.”
“Well, we aren’t immortals like you.”
“No, you aren’t. If Vincent writes on his half, it will appear here, and if you write on this half, it will appear there.”
“That is amazing. Thank you.”
Kaiden was glad they thought of this. Flying the angels back and forth would have taxed them greatly. They wouldn't have been able to keep that up for long.
“You’re welcome. We needed a better method.”
Kaiden smiled. “We really did.”
With that settled, it was time to wait and see if Ai returned with Desiree or not.
Chapter Twenty-One
As Desiree was walking along the road, a demon appeared in front of the her.
This was a demon Desiree had never seen before. He wasn’t nearly as cute as Charlie. This one had a hammer for a head and a human body. That couldn’t be pleasant and left Desiree wondering how the demon spoke.
“Desiree,” the demon said, his voice coming from his hammer although nothing moved. “I’m bonded to Ginger.”
That was a blast from the past. Desiree had thought the woman was dead but clearly not. She was one who had run away from Pauline.
“What are you doing here?” Desiree asked.
“You are on a quest,” the demon said. “I have heard of this.”
Desiree nodded. “You could be a bit more specific.”
The demon laughed. “That is true, but you seek the Crown of Thorns.”
How the demon knew that already, Desiree didn’t know. Only a few people knew about the quest.
“I do,” Desiree said slowly. “Who told you?”
“That doesn’t matter,” the demon said, “but I know where the crown is.”
“How do you know that?” Desiree asked. Ginger had never mentioned it before. No one had. “Did Ginger send you?”
“So many questions, but yes, she did. I wanted to help, and so did she. She is tangled up at the moment. As for how I know about the crown, well, I was there when He died,” the demon said. “My form is based on my sin.”
Desiree thought she understood but wanted to make sure. “You mean when Jesus was slain?”
“I do.”
“You killed him?”
The hammer-head of the demon hung. “In a way.”
Desiree felt for the man. There was no way he could have known this would happen to him. He had just been following orders. She had a feeling he was one who had hammered in the spikes of Jesus. What an awful thing to do but still to be turned into a demon sent a chill through her.
“I’m drawn to the crown. I know it's location. Not the exact place, but I can feel it. It’s taunting me. Mocking me. Damning me. I can’t get much closer. It is dangerous. Be wary.” He eyed her. “I am telling you this because I trust you. I don’t know the Chosen One. I know you’ll tell him, but that’s on you. If he dies on the quest to find it…”
“He won’t,” Desiree vowed. “Where is it?”
“The mountains in Ashya.”
