The Awakener (The Watchers of Men)

by Amanda Strong

  She screeched, not only for the searing pain in her back, but at the insane speed at which it dashed deeper into the trees. Frantically searching for her guardian, she was thrown to the ground. Stumbling back, she saw the demon she’d ridden on lose its legs to the flaming sword. Once she was out of the way, her guardian sliced through its skull.

  Her guardian moved to stand over her. She was amazed and horrified at the fluidity and accuracy of his movements; she’d never seen someone so outnumbered fight off so many. She knew it was vital to escape, but was too afraid to leave his side.

  The ground shook beneath her.

  She scrambled to her feet.

  A massive man appeared and unlike the other demons’ tight skin stretched over bones, this one had a face with flesh. His hoodless, black robe revealed his bald head and forearms, both blood red with swirling, black patterns on it.

  His mouth opened, unnaturally elongated, as he uttered moans and chants.

  It had rhythm; every time a deep, drum-like noise sounded in his throat, the demons bowed their heads. In horror, Eden realized, the scurrying black bodies were moving as one and they were all advancing towards her.

  Her guardian raised both of his arms above his head, and then lowered them.

  A blast of warm air hit her as men appeared, lining both sides of them. She gasped as they drew their swords—every single blade was on fire. She counted twelve standing to her guardian’s left and twelve on his right. Their swords were shorter than her guardian’s, and didn’t burn as brightly, but they were impressive. They’re all Cherubim!

  For a moment, everyone held their ground.

  The chanting demon scowled at her guardian and then cackled. It echoed off the trees, surrounding her.

  “Is that all?” his gravelly voice asked.

  “Oeillet, Prince of Dominions, I would ask you the same thing.”

  Oeillet growled, spewing black smoke from its mouth. In unison, the demons roared back and charged forward.

  Micah’s mind was falling deeper and deeper into the earth, past layers of mud, clay, stone, silt, sediment, his mind delved on. He could feel something was near, something old, ancient, and evil.

  He strained against the rough earth, trying to clear his vision. That’s when he entered a black crevice. At first, he saw nothing in the inky black, but then, as his eyes adjusted, he made out a face, only a nose and mouth appearing in the shadows. The pale lips moved, white teeth contrasting with blood-red gums.

  “Worthless demons, must I do everything for you? You failed in the forest with the Seer.”

  “But Master, he wasn’t alone,” a muffled voice whined back.

  Micah searched the black space but saw no one else.

  “Of course he wasn’t alone, you idiot. He has a guardian. I allowed several through; the guardian was outnumbered.”

  “Yes, my Master, but she’s a Seraph. Nothing can withstand her flames.”

  “Then how did he escape unscathed? Pathetic,” the white face growled.

  “Yes, Master,” the mystery voice graveled.

  “And what is your excuse for the girl? One helpless girl who’s guardian was gone.” The white face contorted into a scowl as he spoke the word guardian.

  Micah’s gut sickened. One guess who the girl is.

  “I giftwrapped her. Her guardian went to the council our ploy had caused. You had one slice of time, she was alone, and you failed.”

  There was a grumbling sound. “Master, the demon wasted too much time; her guardian returned before he could secure her.”

  “Why?” the white face roared.

  “She touched it, Master. It affected it, stunned it.”

  The pale mouth pursed together. “How interesting,” he muttered.

  Then his lips snarled. “I’ll give you one last chance to redeem yourself and then I devote my energy to freeing Azazar; he’ll destroy the Seer and all his gifted. And he’ll tear the Awakener into bite-size pieces for me.”

  Micah’s fists clenched.

  He knew who he was seeing—the Leader of the Watchers, Semjaza.

  He is the one orchestrating the demon attacks.

  “Send a prince, one with enough ranking to be a worthy opponent for Gabriel. I will open the channel to let thousands, tens of thousands, through. The woods are deep and thick; there will be plenty of places to hide and wait.” The lips lifted into a sneer, “Get me the girl; I want her tonight.” A crimson tongue licked the pale lips. Micah shuddered.

  Eden’s guardian stood center with guardians flanking both of his sides. She gaped as angels fought demons; so far, none had broken through the line.

  Peeking around her guardian, she shuddered. Oeillet’s black eyes stared back at her, as he strolled forward in a leisurely gate.

  She ducked behind her guardian, but to her horror, he strode forward as well. She shrunk back, trying to hide behind the other angels. One angel with black hair pushed her behind him. She gratefully used him for protection.

  The twenty-four fought like lions, but there seemed to be a never-ending supply of demons. She panicked as she felt claws grab her. The angel with dark hair fought the demon back.

  She stared at her guardian, who was running straight for the red-faced demon, his sword whirling in tight circles, killing every demon in his way.

  Oeillet sneered, producing a long, golden staff; one end formed the head of a viper.

  He hefted it up. “I may be only a Prince of Dominion but you recognize this, don’t you?” He snickered. “I have the staff of a Prince of Cherubim!”

  “Am I supposed to be impressed by that?” her guardian retorted, as his sword soared into the air. He slammed it down on the demon, but Oeillet blocked the blow with the staff.

  It was the first time she’d seen something actually stop the sword of fire. Could he defeat her guardian? Should I make a run for it?

  Her guardian was undeterred by the staff, as he continued to slash at Oeillet, but the demon dodged and escaped. More arms grabbed her. One began dragging her, but the angel with black hair sliced it down. The longer her guardian fought Oeillet, the more hysterical she became, the terror of the situation overwhelming her.

  Then it happened. Claws sunk into her flesh, she flew into the air, and landed on a cold, bony shoulder. The speed at which it carried her away from the angels made her screams useless. Plunging into the dark forest, she knew no one would hear her.

  Demons flanked both sides of them, roaring with victory.

  Straining to see over her captor’s shoulder, she made out a pinpoint of light in the distance. Within seconds, it grew larger and brighter. She craned to see clearer. Is it him? The light’s diameter stretched further, closing the gap, leaving no doubt. She could smell the charred flesh as he blazed a path with his sword through the demons. My guardian’s coming!

  The demon’s body was ice to her skin; she tried shifting her weight to relieve the burning sting. When her torso and legs remained dead weight, she realized she was completely numb, except for her arms. Scared by the loss of sensation, she sent her fingernails deep into the recesses of its skull-like face, hoping to gouge its eyes.

  It was a mistake.

  The demon howled and snatched her flailing hand, sinking its fangs into her forearm.

  Shrieking, she tried to free her arm, but it held it in its mouth, gnawing at her flesh and bones. The pain was too much. The forest went hazy.

  Don’t pass out!

  She tumbled to the ground, the demon finally spitting out her arm. She cried out at the impact of hitting hard earth; it shattered her numbness into thousands of painful splinters.

  The demon was decapitated before her, its black head sent hurtling away. She attempted to stand, but her legs refused to obey. Her guardian planted himself over her, fighting demon after demon.

  Her head touched the dirt, and she watched in a stupor, counting the demons he killed. Even cradling her wrist against her chest, she was losing too much blood. Her vision was hazy; she focus
ed on counting. Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine…

  A piercing pain burst through her heart and lungs.

  Eyes bulging, she could only make strangled gasps.

  Her guardian slashed at something behind them; at the same time, she felt a pulling, sucking release in pressure. Something had been withdrawn from her back. Now the burning was replaced with an odd, draining sensation, leaving her cold.

  She heard the demon’s chortling and then her guardian thundered, “Now you die, Oeillet!”

  The battle shifted in front of her, and she caught sight of Oeillet’s staff, the sharp end covered in blood.

  Her stomach lurched. Is that my blood?

  Her eyes riveted on the weapon that had stabbed her, the viper’s fangs menacing. Her guardian reared back and, with both hands, came down hard, splitting the staff in two, the snake head remaining in Oeillet’s trembling hand.

  The demon’s sneer disappeared as her guardian immediately repeated his motion, this time slicing Oeillet from skull to feet, his two halves falling to the ground with a deafening thud.

  Barely conscious, she wondered why he hadn’t turn to ash like the others. She felt her guardian’s arms reach for her, but countless demons piled on top of him. She heard him roar as he fought them off. The angrier her guardian became, the more powerful he seemed to be. Now he was clearing twenty, thirty demons with one slash of his blade of fire.

  Her eyes closed again. She tasted something metallic and salty in her mouth.

  With her body numb and tired, the thought of falling asleep was welcoming. Detached, she gazed at her guardian, who continued to fight as his twenty-four joined his side. Feeling safe, thinking no other demon would get her, she decided it was a good time to sleep, but the black night suddenly blazed brighter. Heat warmed her body, and she felt a desire to stay awake. Forcing her eyes open, she peered up to see a woman in a red dress standing next to her guardian. Grappling with what was happening, Eden recognized who she was. The woman was on fire.

  “Micah sent me,” she said, her black eyes staring down at Eden. “We don’t have a lot of time; it’s more important to get her help. Leave these to me.”

  Immediately, she felt arms lift her and pull her close. He held her tight against his chest as he ran. The numbness ebbed as his body warmed her, but then the pain returned. The agonizing throbbing in her half-eaten wrist and forearm, paled to the terror of struggling to get in air. It was like inhaling under water, her lungs burned, and her eyes rolled back. Again, the temptation to fall asleep came; it sounded warm and inviting.

  “Stay with me, Eden,” her guardian commanded.

  How ironic he’s finally talking to me and I can’t talk back.

  She nestled her face into him and closed her eyes.

  “Eden, I’m getting help! Stay awake!” he shouted at her.

  She struggled to open her eyes, but they felt sealed shut.

  His lips pressed into her ear. “I’m Gabriel. Eden, my name’s Gabriel.”

  She tried to open her eyes and smile, but couldn’t. Finally, I know what to call you.

  He’d stopped running and was sitting down on the ground, holding her still.

  Oh good, he’s going to let me sleep.

  As she drifted, he pleaded, “Eden, stay with me.”

  Micah focused his mind on Eden, as he paced his bedroom.

  Trent, sitting on the leather recliner, jumped to his feet. “Do you see anything yet? What’s happening?”

  “Nothing yet. Give me a minute. I have to concentrate,” Micah said through gritted teeth.

  After telling Sage what he’d seen, Micah had demanded Sage go to them. She’d hesitated and then commanded them to stay put and together. She said Trent’s guardian would watch over both of them while she was away, and then she was gone.

  He felt desperate to make sure Eden was ok. That she was alive.

  He took long, deep breaths, steadying his jumbled thoughts.

  Then he saw her, cradled in Gabriel’s arms. He was rocking her against his chest, his hands covering her gaping wounds.

  Micah cringed at her condition, but remained focused. He didn’t want to lose sight of her. Her skin’s so white…

  In his mind, Sage approached. There was smoke flowing from her body. Her black eyes were infuriated; he could see her chest was heaving.

  “I failed. I failed her,” Gabriel moaned.

  “You didn’t fail her. It was a calculated ambush. You did everything you could,” Sage replied in a low voice.

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter, there’s no excuse for this!”

  Sage’s onyx eyes swept over Eden’s body and then she exhaled. “He’s coming.”

  Micah looked around; he didn’t see anyone else.

  “Come on, Gabriel. We have to go,” Sage urged.

  But he didn’t move, his arms clutching Eden still.

  “Gabe,” Sage’s voice was soft, as she placed her hand on his shoulder. “She’s going to be ok, he’s here. But you have to let her go now.”

  Gabriel gazed down at Eden curled up in his arms, her face so still it terrified Micah.

  He pressed his lips into her hair and whispered, “Don’t leave me, Eden.”

  Micah watched as he carefully laid her on the ground, and then the two angels disappeared. He moved closer to Eden in his mind, crouching down next to her.

  He reached out, hoping to touch her face, but his fingers fell through the space, feeling nothing.

  I was too late. She’s not going to make it. His throat closed up at the same time he heard a masculine voice yelling her name. Micah turned around, spying someone running in the woods, not far from them.

  In that moment, the young man saw Eden. Micah had already guessed who it would be. He was relieved, yet saddened, to know he’d been right.

  Andrew was sprinting towards them, falling to his knees once he’d reached Eden’s still body.

  Micah stepped back, knowing logically he couldn’t possibly be in Andrew’s way, but wanting to give him space nonetheless. Perhaps it was a symbolic gesture.

  I need to move out of the way so she can be with who she’s meant to be with. Andrew, who can take care of her, keep her safe. Not me, all I do is put her life in danger.

  Andrew was surveying her injuries; Micah peered down. It was like her red dress covered her entire back and chest, instead of her skin completely bathed in her own blood.

  Andrew held his ear over her mouth, at the same time checking for a pulse. He straightened, and gingerly examined her hand, which looked barely attached. He pressed his own hands down on bluish skin. The tissues began coming together, bones filling in, and arteries and veins mending slowly.

  Micah gaped at it, amazed. He’d suspected this was Andrew’s gift, but to see it in action was something else.

  Andrew’s moves were frantic. He muttered, “Too slow; it’s too slow!”

  He turned Eden’s body slightly, and then fussed over the large hole in her back, shoving his hands over it. A sheen of sweat covered his face. Healing her is taxing him.

  “Come on, stay with me.” He thrust his hands deeper into the wound.

  Micah wrung his hands together, and then shoved them through his hair and down his face.

  A person brushed past him, female, with light brown hair and a velvet, blue dress. She reached out, touching Andrew’s shoulder.

  He heard Andrew gasp, but he didn’t turn around.

  The gaping hole in her back immediately sealed shut, and Eden’s chest began rising and falling again. Andrew turned his attention to her hand next, the damaged flesh healing under his fingers. Once her hand was again a normal color, he worked on the cuts covering the rest of her body.

  “Amazing,” the girl breathed out.

  Andrew spun around, apparently forgetting he wasn’t alone. He was totally engrossed in healing Eden. Good man.

  “Caitlyn?” Andrew blurted.

  She seemed to hesitate. “I saw you go running off and followed.
I’m not sure why, but I thought you might need my help. How’d you do that?”

  “I don’t know. I heal people by touching them. But you did something too.”

  Micah stared at Caitlyn.

  She shook her head. “No, I just watched. Does Eden know?”

  “No.” When Caitlyn cocked an eyebrow at him, he added, “Not yet, I’m going to tell her. Don’t say anything.”

  Caitlyn nodded and Eden coughed.

  Andrew turned and pulled her into his arms.

  Micah jumped forward as well, wishing he could take her hand in his. She’s ok!

  “Andrew?” Eden breathed out. Her eyes darted back and forth. “What happened?” Her voice was hoarse.

  “Kind of hoping you could tell us, but let’s get out of here first.” Andrew lifted her up.

  Micah swallowed. Knowing she was all right now, a different feeling slinked in, replacing the awe he felt over Andrew’s gift with sheer envy. She’s cradled in his arms now. Micah shifted his gaze to the trees.

  “I’m ok. I can walk,” Eden mumbled.

  “What’s that?” Caitlyn asked. “Is that fire?”

  Micah peered into the distance, where Caitlyn pointed. Sage’s flames.

  He glanced back at Eden as she stuttered, “Please, let’s just go.”

  Then it was all gone. He was back with Trent.

  Micah collapsed to his knees, exhausted both physically and mentally.

  “She’s ok, she’s alive. Sage got there in time.” He paused. “She was hurt pretty bad, but Andrew healed her.”

  Trent’s eyebrows lifted but, for once, he said nothing.

  The three of them darted away from the light and into the dark woods. Together they made it back to the bathroom, where Willow was pacing.

  “There she is!” Willow rushed to Eden, giving Chase a stern look. “I told you Andrew would find her.”

  Chase’s mouth dropped open as he gaped at Eden. “What the—?”

  Andrew removed his arm from around her waist, and took off his dress coat. “Here, you’re shivering to death,” he urged.