Awaken (Divine Hunter Series)

by L. J. Sealey

  He looked into Alethia’s unusual golden eyes. She was strong, more powerful than he’d ever seen a woman. Yet she couldn’t help them out of this. With her father refusing to help, he was all on his own.

  He knew what he had to do. He couldn’t allow Lacy to suffer any more than she already had. He’d nearly lost her once when Varesh had abducted her, he wasn’t about to lose her now.

  Alethia’s despair over Evo quickly turned to concern. She knew what he’d decided. He hadn’t needed to say the words as she’d seen them in his mind. She began to shake her head. “No. I won’t let you destroy yourself like that. Lacy and Evo need you.”

  “That’s why I have to do this.” He took both of her hands in his. “Don’t you see? If we exorcise that demon from Lacy she’ll almost certainly die. I won’t allow that to happen, Alethia. She means too much to me.” He inhaled deeply then blew out his breath on a shaky exhale. The thought of Lacy dying was too hard to even allow it to enter his mind. “Nothing they do to me down there can kill me because I’m already dead.”

  “And Evo?”

  “If there’s a chance of me finding him at all then it has to be while I’m in Hell.” He’d already thought about how being down there would mean he had a better chance at finding this place, Mathrah. Knowing the name of the place where Evo was being held was a big start. Plus, Varesh had wanted him to join them, whoever they were. He didn’t know what that demon was up to but he seemed to have plans for Michael. He doubted he would spend his time being tortured like the last time.

  This was his only chance to save both of the people he. . . loved?

  Oh, shit! Do I love her?

  He wasn’t sure he was even capable of such a thing. But it sure felt like it.

  Michael felt Alethia’s hands tighten around his. “You are,” she said softly.

  “Are you in my head again?”

  “I’m sorry.” She smiled at him. “But I’m right. You are capable of love. I can feel that that’s what’s in your heart. Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I do know that you returned to earth for a reason. I believe that. I sensed something good in you the moment we met at the airport.

  “Fate, Michael, that’s what brought you back. You do believe in fate don’t you?”

  He thought back to the conversation he and Lacy’d had not so long ago and smiled a little. He nodded his head.

  “Good. . . Because I know of three very powerful females who would be hard to convince otherwise.”

  Michael raised his eyebrow in a questioning glance.

  “My great-great aunties. . . The Fates,” she explained casually, like it was perfectly normal to have powerful goddess’s for relatives. Well, he supposed it was for her.

  “I want to love her.” He felt his chest tighten around his heart, or was it that his heart had swelled to twice its size, either way he knew that what he felt for Lacy was deeper than anything he’d ever felt before, in this existence or his last. Whether or not it was actual love, he didn’t really care.

  “Then isn’t that your answer?”

  They both stood in silence for a few moments until Jaret’s head popped around the door. “Uh, she’s making some strange noises in ‘ere. I think you should come back in.”

  Michael rushed away from Alethia but before he went back into the living room he turned to her. “I need you to promise me something.” There was no more time. He had to make the deal and he had to do it now. “Will you make sure she’s doing ok? I mean, after I’ve gone? Check on her from time to time for me?”

  Alethia didn’t say a word but it was clear by her face that she wasn’t totally on board with the idea of him making the trade. After a moment of silence she nodded.

  He let out a sigh and grabbed her hand. “Thank you.” Knowing Lacy had someone to look out for her would appease him a little. He had no idea what his fate was, or where−even if−his future would lie, as long as she was safe, that was all that mattered to him now.

  “Michael! You need to get in ‘ere mate.”

  Michael didn’t like the concern in Jaret’s voice and rushed into the room. What he saw made his stomach turn. Jaret was battling with Lacy to try and stop her from clawing at her arms but he was losing the fight. She had blood and open scratches trailing down her forearms.

  “Shit!” Michael knelt down in front of her and while Jaret grabbed one arm, he grabbed the other and together they managed to stop her. “Stop it you fucking asshole. Just STOP!”

  When her eyes met his, he gasped. Crimson had begun to replace the green of her irises and she looked at him with such ferocity that it caused him to step back a little.

  “Oh, by the way, don’t worry that your girlfriend is unconscious in here. She’s aware of everything that’s going on. Wouldn’t want her missing all the fun now would we?”

  No! “You bastard! I’m going to fucking kill you,” Michael growled

  She fought against both men but they managed to keep her arms spread enough so she couldn’t do any more damage. “Alethia, I need something to restrain her with.” No sooner had he said the words than she’d disappeared into thin air.

  “Bloody ‘ell, she’s strong. . . Woah!” Lacy tried to bite Jaret while he wrestled with her arm. He struggled to push her snapping mouth back away from him. “Shit!”

  Alethia appeared with a pair of silver hand-cuffs and a piece of rope. She rushed towards them and climbed behind Lacy on the couch.

  Michael saw Jaret eye her with one of his brows raised. “Should I arsk?” The guy nodded towards the cuffs.

  “Do you really need to?” She rolled her eyes. “The sheriff’s office, where else?” She helped them to pull Lacy’s arms around her back.

  After Alethia had secured the cuffs around Lacy’s wrists, Michael tied the rope around her arms just to make sure it held, and also to stop the cuffs from cutting into her skin. She still thrashed her body and was now spitting at him.

  “Stop hurting her asshole! I’ll do the fucking deal. I’ll go with you!”

  Lacy stilled immediately.

  She sat panting along with the rest of them; her eyes−well, the demon’s eyes−lifted to meet Michael’s. They were full-on crimson now, as red as blood, and his stomach tightened to see her that way.

  Alethia and Jaret stood either side of him while he remained crouched in front of her.

  “I’ll trade. Me for her. But you leave her alive and unharmed.”

  He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Alethia looking at him with unshed tears.

  The tension was thick in the room as he waited for the bastard to speak.

  “Deal,” was the demon’s only response before Lacy closed her eyes and tilted her head back.

  “Wait!” He couldn’t leave like this. Not without saying goodbye.

  Lacy’s neck straightened and her crimson eyes returned to his while the demon sat waiting for Michael to speak.

  He felt his heart racing. It was a strange feeling. Not like anything he’d ever felt before. “Before you take me, I want to speak to her.”

  That same sadistic laughter that made his skin crawl started up again from deep in Lacy’s throat.

  Michael was done playing games with this asshole. “I’m not going anywhere with you until I speak to her.” He turned his head to look at Alethia and Jaret. “Alone.”

  They immediately left the room and closed the door behind them. Michael turned to Lacy. “NOW! Asshole.”

  The demon leered at him. “Five minutes. That’s all you get.”

  Before Michael could argue, Lacy closed her eyes and remained still for a couple of seconds. Michael leaned in to her and placed his hand on her knee. In the next instant her eyes flew open and she dragged air deep into her lungs as though she’d been struggling to breathe underwater and had just reached the surface. It startled him but his hands flew to each side of her face. He held her head and looked into her eyes.

  “Lacy?” The crimson was gone, replaced by her own wo
nderfully green colored irises.

  “NO! Michael!” she gasped.

  His arms flew around her back and he quickly freed her from the rope and then the cuffs with the key Alethia had given him. She flung her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder. He held her tightly, dragging her scent deep down into his lungs where he planned to keep it for as long as possible.

  “Don’t do it. Please. . . Michael, don’t do this,” she begged. Her breath on his neck was like soft kisses on his bare skin. He fought back his anguish, locking his teeth together so hard he was in fear of them crumbling under the weight of his bite. “Please,” she repeated.

  He kissed her on the mouth, her chin, her cheeks, holding her face in his hands and tasting her salty tears. How could he do this? How could he find the strength to leave her?

  When he pulled back and saw the tears that he’d just tasted trailing down her cheeks, his heart shattered into pieces. He wiped them with his thumbs and bit down on his jaw in an attempt to keep his own at bay.

  “We both knew this would happen. We knew that we’d be parted from each other. It’s just happened a lot sooner than I’m ready for.”

  “I’m not ready either.” Her voice trembled. Her eyes closed tightly.

  “Lacy, Look at me.” When her eyes met his again he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. His face was close enough to hers that he could feel her warm breath. “I will find you. . . in this life or the next. I promise you that one day we’ll be together again.”

  He leaned in and kissed her on the lips−her warm, soft lips−the ones he would crave for the rest of his days, however he would spend them. He pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. The pain in his chest was too intense, a fire that burned deep into his very soul. The only solace he had through all of this would be the knowledge that she was safe. This was his way to make things right and even though she would hurt from losing him−grieve for him, as he would for her−in time she would heal. Then she would get to live the rest of her life. That was all that mattered.

  As for him, he knew where he was going. He’d been there before and survived it. This time it would probably be for eternity but he knew his sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain: He was doing it to keep Lacy safe and he would find a way to free Evo. Then his best friend would continue on with his life too.

  Evo and Michael had fought together, saved each other numerous times. He owed a lot to his buddy. For the short time in which he’d known him, Evo had proved himself to be a true warrior, passionate in his beliefs, and though he worked for the enemy some times, he was honourable to his very core. But most of all he was a true friend. If. . . no, when Michael freed him, he would ask him to check in on Lacy from time to time. Then, at the very least, Michael could go to his grave−if ever he did−knowing that Evo would keep his word.

  The time for stalling was over.

  “I want you to promise me something,” he said to Lacy as he took both of her hands in his−cringing when he saw the scratches and dried blood on her forearms−while trying to stop the onslaught of emotions that were almost breaking him apart. His voice broke. “Promise me you won’t try to find me−to save me. Please.”

  She inhaled sharply, about to speak, but he placed his finger over her mouth to stop her. “Shhh. Just. . . Give me that. I won’t survive down there if I thought there’d be a chance of you putting yourself at risk for me. Knowing you are safe is the only thing I need.”

  He placed his hand on her racing heart. “The pleasure of knowing your heart, no matter how brief, is what will make my memories of our time together stronger. I love you, Lacy, and until we are together,” he took a deep, shaky breath, “I will always be here.”

  She choked back a sob and he felt her pain as his own, like acid stinging through his veins.

  “I love you too,” she whispered and the last tears fell down her cheeks before her eyes widened and panic overtook her. “NO! Michae−” Her words were cut off and her eyes glazed over before closing. When they flicked back open he knew she was gone, replaced by the blood-red eyes of the cock-sucking demon that would one day pay for putting her through this.

  They’d all pay.

  He would do whatever it took to exert revenge on Varesh. Whatever the demon had planned for him, he would not make it easy. Knowing the power that Michael seemed to possess now, he would use it against Varesh, and his minions, again and again. And when he was through with them, and after he’d found Evo, he would return to Lacy. It was a promise that he intended to keep.

  A sinister laugh crept out of Lacy’s mouth in a voice much deeper than her own. Michael shot to his feet. His fists were clenched at his sides as he fought to keep his ever present rage under control. It was something he’d gotten quite used to doing over the last hour.

  The door opened and he saw Alethia’s head pop around for a minute, he assumed, to check that everything was ok.

  “She’s gone. Come in. Both of you.”

  Alethia must have sensed the dejection in his voice because her brows pulled down and she looked upset as she walked over to him. Jaret followed.

  “I don’t like this at all. Surely there’s another way.” She looked at Lacy and then back at Michael.

  “No,” he shook his head. “It has to be like this.”

  Michael turned to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. It was time for his final goodbyes. He knew the demon would be getting impatient and he didn’t want to risk anymore hurt for Lacy.

  “Thank you, Alethia. I hope you know how grateful I am that you saved Lacy and me when you did. I’ll never forget that.” He saw her eyes begin to water and she threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her back and then she pulled away.

  Looking down at the floor she said, “Ahh,” she shrugged her shoulder, “It was nothing.” She looked at him with a hint of a smile. “I’m glad we met, Michael. And I know I’ll see you again soon.”

  Michael hoped so.

  Alethia stepped back. “Oh, hey. . . one more thing,” she said as she stood twisting her fingers together, “Give Evo a nice kick in the balls for me when you see him, yeah?”

  She was smiling but Michael knew she was putting it on to try and lighten the mood.

  He nodded his head. “Sure.”

  Michael turned towards Jaret who stuck out his hand.

  He felt sorry that he’d almost killed the guy but was impressed that Jaret hadn’t held it against him. Michael took hold of Jaret’s hand and they shook a firm, meaningful shake. “Thank you.”

  Jaret smiled. “No worries mate. An’ if you need anythin’. . . ”

  “Yeah.” Michael smiled back. He would hold him to that. The fact that Jaret could enter Hell whenever he liked might come in handy one day.

  Finally, he walked over to Lacy and knelt down in front of her. The demon’s eyes looked at him with distaste and it was all he could do not to slap the thing. But instead, he leaned in and placed a kiss on Lacy’s cheek. He heard a low growl come from the demon but ignored it. He knew she was in there. Knew she could probably feel him.

  His chest ached at the thought that this might be the last time he’d ever see her. He tried to ignore those blood-red eyes.

  He reached up and ran the back of his fingers down the side of her face then softly whispered, “I love you. . . ” only for her to hear as a single tear ran down his cheek.

  “Time to go,” the demon said. Then all he heard was Lacy’s screaming voice before he blacked out.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Michael’s eyes opened slowly. His head pounded like he’d overdone it with the liquor the night before. Through his blurry vision he saw an orange glow and followed the light to the far corner of the room. He blinked a couple of times, trying to focus, and when his sight began to clear he noticed there was a silhouette of a man sat in an arm chair across the way.

  “Finally, you’re awake. Thought I was gonna have to come and shake you,” a rich, husky voice said.

  Michael sat
up abruptly, realising he was in a. . . motel room? He tried to focus his groggy eyes on the large figure.

  “Who the hell are you?” he managed to say even though his throat was as dry as a bone. “And where am I?”

  “Now. . . is that any way to talk to someone whose just saved your ass? And not for the first time may I add.”

  “What..?” Michael cleared his throat, “what are you talking about?” As he moved to sit up, he gripped his head in his hands as it pounded. Jeez! He felt like he’d been hit round the head a few times.

  All of a sudden the room came into view as a few candles that were mounted on the walls flared of their own accord, lighting up the stranger and making it easier for his eyes to focus. Thick, blond, wavy hair was slicked back from a rugged face that had a strong, chiselled jaw shaded with stubble. He was dressed in leather trousers and a black turtleneck sweater that showed off the size of his wide shoulders. He looked huge from Michael’s vantage point, which he soon realised, was on the floor. The guy had his ankle propped on top of his knee; one arm hooked on the back of the chair and was staring down at him.

  He waved his hand casually in Michael’s direction. “Uh, Yeah. . . the head thing. That’s just temporary. It’ll clear soon enough.”

  Michael shuffled himself back to sit against the wall. With a huff he said, “Never mind my damned headache. What the fuck’s going on?”

  The stranger shifted himself forward and propped his arms on his knees. “Relax buddy. And take a look around you before you fly off at me. You might just realise you’re not where you should be.”

  Shit! That’s right. This wasn’t Hell. His eyes scanned the room, which could have been a motel room but, no. . . the beige carpet was far too clean, and so was the rest of the room by the looks of things. There were a few sconces on the walls, which made Michael wonder about the candles, and dark framed pictures hung randomly from a picture rail. Next to him was a dark wood vanity and across from that was a double bed, also made from heavy dark wood. Now that he thought about it, the furniture looked expensive, antique even.