I shrugged. “It’s worth a shot.” I pointed the bat at a man sitting next to the window a few feet from us. “You. Where is the nearest church?”
“Two blocks that way,” he said, pointing.
Ryker walked over to him. “Thank you, sir. Looks like you don’t need to finish that sandwich, so I’ll take it off your hands,” he said, taking the rest of his food. We walked out onto the streets. I chunked the bat to the ground. “That dude looked like he shit his pants when you asked him that. That was so freakin’ funny.”
“I can’t believe she ran from me,” I said, ignoring him. “All I wanted to do was help her.”
“I know that, but she doesn’t. She was a baby back when that happened. Honestly, her memories might be a little faded. She just knows your face at one of the worst times of her life, so it’s only natural she’d be scared. You would be too if the roles were reversed. You crushing on her or something?”
I stopped and stared at him. “No, I’m not crushing on her. She was a little girl that I saved. I don’t think about her like that. How can I?”
“Umm because she’s hot that’s how,” he replied, swallowing his last bite. “I saw her through the window when you were talking. I thought about coming in there, but I figured if I sat down it would be too much hotness for her to handle with the news you just dropped on her. It might mess with her head too much at once.” We started walking. “Besides, my heart belongs to someone else now.”
I cut him a look. “Who?”
He started to grin. “My beautiful Lady Shiloh. I know she’s waiting for me to come back. I think I’m in love.”
“I’m sure she feels the same way,” I said, stopping to look up at the church in front of us. He said something else, but I couldn’t hear him. All I could do was hope she was inside; otherwise, I had no idea where to look next. Gray bricks built the old walls leading up to the soaring spires of the cathedral. A shiny brass plate hung above the arched overhang with the numbers 1928 inscribed on it. We approached the large red door and pushed. “I hope you’re right.”
The inside was lined with stained, wooden pews that had dulled with time, and across the front were two tables full of candles. In the middle of the aisle, dropped to her knees with her head low, was Izzy. A few of the candles were lit, and she was mumbling something softly, rocking back and forth.
I hesitated. She ran away from me. How could I get her to trust anything I said? “Izzy?” I said softly.
She jerked around, falling to her backside. “Wh…how…?” she stumbled over her words. She pushed herself back as I walked closer.
I stopped when I noticed her shaking. “We guessed you’d be here. Well, actually, Ryker did. I guess those Star War movies make him more intuitive with humans than me.” I was trying to lighten the mood to make her more comfortable.
“Damn right they did,” he said. Although I didn’t turn to look at him, I could hear the smugness in his voice.
“Why did you run away?” I asked, kneeling a little ways from her. I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.
She cast a look to her sides and one behind me at Ryker. I knew she was looking for a way to run from us. There was no way I was going to let her leave my side whether she liked it or not. “The last time I saw you bad things happened. I grew up alone after my grandmother died. I had to raise myself. Moving from town to town, just so I could feel safe. Hell, no one even knows my real name. They only know me by Izzy. I learned not to rely on anyone, no matter who they are or what they tell me. You’re the reason for that. I don’t want anything to do with you, your friend, or whatever else you plan on bringing here. I don’t want to relive what happened back then. I can’t. Just leave me alone.”
“Honey, we’re just trying to help you. Regardless, if we’re here or not, something will find you. Your sister wanted him to help you. Do you think she would’ve sent someone to you if they were going to hurt you? No, I don’t think so. The man escaped a prison cell that he’s been sitting in for over twenty years because of you. The least you could do is believe him,” Ryker said, coming up behind me.
Her eyes dropped to me. Sympathy seeped off her. She knew I had turned my life upside down for her. What she didn’t know was I would do it again, no questions asked.
“I’m sorry. I know you say you’re here to help me, but I’ve been doing fine all these years. I really don’t think I need your help.” She sat back up, still tensed and ready to run.
Before I could say another word, the windows crashed in, sending glass spraying over us. I leapt forward, covering Izzy with my body to protect her. She trembled underneath me, screaming.
Fourteen
The screeches were loud enough to make ears bleed. Instinctively, I covered mine, trying to block them. Tremors seeped over my limbs. My body was confused by the unnatural frequency of the sounds coming from above us. After a few moments, it seemed quiet, although it was hard to tell due the constant, shrill whistle that coursed through my ear canal. The sound seemed to carry on as if it were echoing against the walls of my mind. I didn’t want to look up, despite knowing I needed to face what was over me. There was no need to panic. It was completely useless against the oncoming horror we faced. I froze when a shadow blanketed us. Warm drool hit my neck and rolled down the side until it dripped onto Izzy, still below me. She let out a small gasp, but said nothing and didn’t dare move.
I tilted my head, peeking up. One of the Guardian’s heads cocked to the side as it stared down at me. Massive creatures sent by an Angel. All Reapers knew about them, and feared them. They were protectors of only the highest-ranking Angels, molded from their essence and inhabited with their master’s brute strength. Normally they guarded their owner, never leaving their side. With one of them towering over us, it was clear some, if not all, Angels were working with Fate. So now she was coming at us from three sides: Reapers, Demons, and Angels. Why was Izzy so important?
Its nostrils broadened and exhaled heavily, blowing my hair. Staring into its eyes, it was impossible to look away. They were the richest blue that seemed to move like crashing waves. It blinked, seeming to release me from a trance. I closed my eyes, squeezing them, trying to clear my mind. It looked back toward the other head. I inched off Izzy, causing pieces of glass to rain across the floor, which caused its head to snap back in my direction. Now both studied me as if silently communicating with each other. How were we going to get out of this? I had no idea where Ryker was. I didn’t want to chance the movement to search for him.
This was the first time I had encountered these creatures. It was covered in thousands of scales that sparkled brighter than any diamond. Giant wings hugged its body. It walked on fours, with two heads on the end of stretched necks.
The ground beneath me rumbled, as the plaster cracked across the ceiling. The brass chandelier swayed back and forth, threatening to come down. Another one came closer to us. Obviously, Ryker was hiding somewhere since the other one wasn’t watching him. Why weren’t they attacking us? I swallowed what felt like a brick. They were holding us, waiting for someone to get here. Think, Cade. Think! There was no way we could be here when whoever got here. I wasn’t going to let that happen. But how could we get out of this?
“Hey! Over here, asshats!” Ryker bellowed across the church from behind the last pew. His voice echoed against the walls as he flung his arms from side to side. They tore through the pews toward him as he ducked out of sight. I jumped to my feet, shuffling for a moment, trying to let my brain catch up. I only had seconds. I grabbed Izzy by her shirt, yanking her to feet beside me. From the twist of her features, I could tell I hurt her. Ignoring the apology I wanted to say, I shoved her toward a side door. It was only a few feet away. Only a few feet. When you’re life was at risk, a few feet seemed like a million. One was closing in on us, its footsteps pounded back in our direction. The solid top of the Guardian’s skull hit my back, I lurched forward into Izzy, who fell and hit her head against the piano. Whirling around, I face
d it, preparing for my fight. If only I had a weapon.
A burning sensation crept over my hand, starting like small pinpricks in my palm. Soon, at any moment, I expected flames to melt my flesh. I grimaced, confused at the sudden pain. The door to the church burst open, sending splinters of wood in every direction. A scythe sailed through the air, straight into my grasp, the smooth coolness of the wood soothing my skin. I’d summoned a weapon. How was this even possible? I lacked those abilities. Despite being completely dumbstruck by what had just happened, there was no time to wonder how I got the weapon. I twisted it around, faster than my eyes could follow. I didn’t need to see what I was doing. My body was in sync with this weapon like I had never felt before. Each nerve seemed to come alive with excitement, filling me with a burst of adrenaline.
A head of the Guardian darted at my midsection, its snapping teeth ripping my clothes along with slicing into my skin. With the base of my weapon, I hit the top of the skull, cracking it. Before it could move, I flipped the weapon around, bringing the blade into the under belly of the chin straight through the head. Momentarily, I stared into its blue eyes, feeling bad for what I was doing. Soon, they darkened until black. I pulled it forward, leaving it in two mauled pieces. The blade of the weapon was covered and dripping in blood the same color of the Guardian’s eyes before death. Before the other head could attack, I twirled around, slicing through the neck. Blood sprayed across the broken pews. It twitched and hit the ground with a loud thud, sending blue light from the body through the ceiling.
I stopped for a second, trying to calm my ragged breath. Izzy still lay behind me. A large bruise was already forming across her cheek. Her body was limp, her arms awkward above her head. I wanted to check on her, but there was another one of these things tearing the pews apart searching for Ryker. Sprinting around pieces of wood, I raced toward the Guardian. Both heads were focused on something lying on the ground in front of it. My protectiveness over Ryker kicked into high gear. He was here because of me. It was because of me his life was in continuous danger. I will be damned if I let him die.
Jumping onto the pew, I rocketed into the air. My body felt weightless, like gravity turned off just for a second so I could reach the beast before it ripped Ryker apart. Startled, it lifted both heads and started to buck, using its powerful hindquarters. Frantically, my hand searched for something to hold onto. The scythe fell out of reach as I was hurled over its head into a wall. Spots shielded my vision as a nagging ache crept up the back of my neck. White flashes flickered in front of me like lightning popping across a dark sky. Its breath was hot across my face. It couldn’t have been more than a foot from me.
My eyes rolled to the side, catching a glimpse of the dark base of the scythe. Barely, without notice, I lifted my fingers. The weapon shook as I called to it. The beast pulled back, releasing a scream from deep within, making all the scales coil back as the muscles rippled. I concentrated harder, feeling the weapon as if it were still in my hold. Come to me. It shot across the floor. I pushed off the wall, ignoring the pain, and grabbed it. Turning it in my hands, I caught both heads as it came back down. The curve of the deadly, sharp blade cut through them like hot butter, spilling blood across the floor. Instantly, blue light radiated from the body, causing me to shield my eyes with my arm.
The weapon fell from my grasp as I closed my eyes, breathing hard, although I could still feel it pressing against my thigh. I needed it close. I wasn’t sure why I felt this undeniable possession over a weapon I had no idea where it came from. It was more than the fact it just saved my life and those with me. This weapon felt like it was a living, breathing part of me. That concept confused me beyond reason.
“When in the hell did you learn how to summon a weapon?” Without opening my eyes, I knew Ryker’s mouth was hanging open.
“Didn’t know I could. Guess it would’ve been nice to know when those Hellhounds were after us, huh?” I winced as I used the wall to stand, finally looking at him. I was right. His mouth still hung wide open. Not to mention his eyes bulged as he stared at the beautiful piece lying on the ground at my feet.
“You got that right. May I?” He motioned toward it with a bloody finger.
I shrugged as I pushed past him. “Just don’t get any blood on it.” A high pitch whistle escaped his lips when I reached Izzy. He mumbled praise as he examined it. She still lay in the same position. Her cheeks had a slight pink hue. I pushed back strands of blond hair, trying not to seem too touchy, but I needed her to wake up. As gently as I could, I tapped her cheek. “Izzy.” My voice came out hoarse. I wasn’t used to having to be gentle with people. I tried again. “Izzy.” Much better. Her eyes slowly opened, staring at me like she didn’t know who I was. She jerked away from me. Pain registered from the fall as her face twisted, her blue eyes wet with tears. I sat back on my heels waiting to see if she would run.
“Are they dead?” she asked, looking toward the body crumpled on the floor a few feet from us.
I nodded.
She exhaled a sigh of relief, pulling her knees toward her chest. “My face hurts.” She opened her mouth wide, stretching it. The bruise was now a dark purple, running along her cheekbone.
“You hit the piano. That thing hit my back, pushing me into you.” I looked away. I was ashamed. It was because of me she got hurt. “Sorry about that.”
She didn’t reply.
“We need to get out of here.” I was desperate to break the silence before it drove me crazy. I stood, waiting on her to join me.
“Where are we going?” Her eyes were wild as she stared up at my outstretched hand like I had a flesh eating disease. I dropped it, glancing back at Ryker, hoping he was walking over for help. No luck. He was still in heavy-duty fan club mode.
“I’m taking you somewhere to find out what’s going on.”
She crossed her arms, letting her legs fall to the side. “I’m not going anywhere.” She pursed her bow- shaped lips.
“You have to come with us. Can’t you see you’re in danger?” I motioned toward the dead Guardian lying a few feet from us.
She followed my line of sight, rolling her eyes. “The only thing I see is you bringing me more trouble. I’ve taken care of myself just fine all these years until you show up, then boom! My life is thrown back into a shit storm. What, it wasn’t enough for you to kill my sister and mom? Needed to come back and finish the job?” The intensity of her voice was harsh. The floorboards creaked behind me, indicating Ryker had joined us. “Why don’t you go back where you came from? Rot in prison another twenty years until you die?” My body went rigid. The pain I felt earlier during the fight had nothing on this. I inadvertently stopped listening, even though her hateful comments continued.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but I’d get my mouth in check before he decides to do something bad to you,” Ryker threatened.
My focus was riveted on his next words, curious to see what this bad thing was. Truthfully, I don’t think I could ever hurt her, no matter what she said to me.
“What do you mean?” she asked, attempting to sound annoyed, but there was a faint shakiness to her voice. Her eyes darted between the two of us.
“Don’t worry about it. Just get your ass up, and let’s move,” he said.
She stood, placing her hands on her hips before tapping her foot against the floor. “Like I said, I’m not going anywhere.” She paused, narrowing her eyes in my direction. “I don’t think he’ll do anything to me.” She smirked, nodding as if agreeing with herself.
If she was going to come with us, it was up to me. I rolled my shoulders back, locking them into place, and marched in her direction. My face was expressionless as I stopped within an inch from hers. She tried to take a step back, but the piano was blocking her path. There was nowhere for her to go. “I can tap into your greatest fears and feed on them,” I told her, making my voice low and deep. She seemed to be holding her breath, not moving a muscle. “How about I lock you in a room with the drunk that ki
lled your family?” Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated. My words were getting to her, so I continued. “While you battle that in your mind, I can just walk your body to where I need you to go, and you’ll never know any different.” It was a hard blow. I hated bringing that memory up, but it was the one thing I knew would terrify her.
She shook her head, unable to speak. A tear ran down the side of her face. I forced myself to act as if I didn’t care, like it disgusted me. “No,” she finally said, finding her voice. “Please, don’t do that.” She looked down. “I’ll go with you.” So much for being the good guy. I felt terrible for what I’d said. It was too late now. If she thought any different, she wouldn’t come.
“Good. Now move.” I let her walk out in front of me, falling into step beside Ryker. He handed me the scythe. I folded the blade in toward the handle, and then doubled the handle over. I slid it into place on my back, using a strap on the suit.
“Damn, dude. You had me about to shit my pants.” He quietly chuckled. “Impressive. I was wondering if you were going to go with it or I was going to have to do all the work.”
“What other choice did we have?” I stared at Izzy’s back as she walked through the busted church door. A group of people were outside, huddled together gawking at the building, whispering. The stories of this incident would create new terror in this city, not like they didn’t already have enough with witchcraft and haunted buildings. New Orleans was definitely the city that would roll with something like this. I didn’t want to leave the bodies there, but I didn’t have time to properly dispose of them. I wasn’t entirely sure the Guardians would have killed us even after we attacked. They may have injured us to prevent any further actions, but death wasn’t on their agenda. Someone was coming. I didn’t know who. I didn’t want to stick around to find out. Whoever it was could clean up the mess. Sirens sounded in the distance. People stared at us as we passed, but none dared to stop us. They were no doubt trying to remember every characteristic about our faces to tell the police. It didn’t matter. Shortly, we would be back in Nekroun Earth, away from everything here.
Defiance Page 14
