“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Met replied.
I rolled my eyes.
“Anyway, darling,” Clover hugged me. “I’ll see you back here in a few days, or at Palm Cove, if the leak isn’t under control.”
“Take care, Clover. Be safe.” I hugged her fiercely. I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to see her again, and somehow I felt like she was taking some of my hope with her when she left. With her, she had the memory of the whole world, so if this one died, she would still hold some of it in her heart. I pressed my face into her warm cheek and kissed her.
She giggled, and hugged me back. “Now don’t go pushing out my little friend before I get back, you hear me?” She waggled her finger at my bump, gave Met and Alex a cheery wave, and got into the Ferrari.
It took off with a screech.
“Well,” Margot said. “That was rude.”
I looked at her blankly. “What was rude?”
“She never said goodbye to me.”
“Margot, you still look like Anuk-sun-Amun,” I said absently, staring into the distance. “She didn’t recognize you.”
“Oh.”
“Come on,” Alex tugged at my hand. “We need to get ready. We’ve only got a couple of hours before Vane’s army will be here.”
I nodded, feeling a sharp claw of fear deep in my belly. I’d been doing a good job of ignoring it up until now, but the terror resurfaced, bringing with it a visceral, bowel-clenching squeeze. Taking a breath to try and calm my panic, I let Alex lead me back inside.
We walked slowly. I wasn’t capable of moving fast anymore. My breath was shallow; my chest hurt.
The army was coming for me, and they knew exactly where to find me. Thanks to Connor, we knew that Vane had already got a fix on my scent, and he’d be following that as soon as he hit the resort. On the bright side, that gave us somewhat of an advantage - we could arrange it so we could meet them in battle in a place more suited to us.
We were going to meet them in the small fields just in front of the stables. There was plenty of room to maneuver, and Alex told me that they needed a lot of room. He wanted to be able to see the enemy coming, and not have them sneak through the trees where we could possibly lose track of them. It would just take one - one insane rogue angel to get past, and I’d be dead.
I didn’t let him dwell on that.
It had been decided that I’d be positioned in the guest lookout on the ridge - a one-story platform built in the small clearing with the highest elevation.
Margot would be staying with me. She insisted. We’d argued about it for days, but she stubbornly refused to go anywhere else. I even appealed to Alex, and asked him to take her far away, shove her in a portal, anything, he ended up being just as stubborn as she was. He said I needed all the support I could get. Besides, he reasoned, it was me they were after, not her. They weren’t likely to harm her.
It wasn’t much comfort, yet he wasn’t wrong. At the very least, I got a promise out of Met that he’d make sure Margot came to no harm.
So it was Margot and me in the guest lookout on the ridge, guarded by Alex, who, like Margot, refused to leave me. He and Nate would be trading off, he explained, to rest and heal by my side, as the fight would probably go on for a long time.
The lookout was not too far from the resort, only a hundred feet or so, and it backed onto a cliff on the other side, so there would be little chance of anyone sneaking up on us from behind. No humans, anyway. The Percuitait could probably scale mountains easily.
Panic took me by surprise again, and I had to stop for a moment, until the pain and fear subsided. “Are you okay?” Alex’s eyes were worried, and he cradled me like I was a precious object.
I nodded. “I’m fine.” But my chin wobbled. I looked down before Alex could see, but it was futile. Without a breath, he swept me into his arms and cradled me against his chest, carrying me into reception.
Met and Margot followed, pulling off the wig and bald cap along the way.
“Snacks!” Met declared, veering off towards the kitchen. “We might be waiting a while. We’ll need snacks.”
My belly was so heavy now; my baby had been quiet these last few days. I rested my head on Alex’s chest as we walked through the resort. Margot peeled off to run into our bungalow to pick up a bag of medical supplies and rejoined us on the path towards the lookout. Alex carried me gently, as if I weighed nothing, even though I had the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Halfway up the ridge, Nate joined us. Alex shot him a look. Nate shook his head, a tiny, barely noticeable gesture, keeping his lips shut.
I might be pregnant, but I wasn’t stupid. “What was that look for?”
Alex sighed, and glanced down at me. “Still no sign of Dale and Zel.”
“Where are they?” I breathed out in wonder. I was barely worried though. If they weren’t here, there was less of a chance that they’d be hurt or killed in the war. I was hardly going to be concerned that a couple of friends of mine weren’t going to show up to defend me from an entire human and supernatural army. We were dead anyway, that much was undoubtedly clear.
To make things easier for me, for their mini-honeymoon they’d chosen to head through a portal, apparently visiting one of the rougher Fae realms. So if we lived through this war and I ended up giving birth, they’d be safe from the apocalypse that was sure to follow.
No, I wasn’t going to worry about where Dale and Zel were. As long as they were safe and far away from me, I was happy.
We reached the lookout. Metatron was already there, at the top of the platform, making himself comfortable on one of the camping chairs he’d magicked up.
Alex lowered me gently down into one, but I got up immediately. There was no way I was going to be sitting still anytime soon. Besides, I was very uncomfortable. The fear and anxiety were positively gnawing at me now; every time I thought about the coming battle, it was like a knife in my belly. I rubbed my baby bump absently as I stared out around the resort.
We could see the whole place so clearly from here. This was the highest point on the ridge, and on the platform, we were poking out above the canopy. Revelations had been built to take advantage of the bushland, to enhance it, not conquer it. The scene before me was mostly jungle, lush, green, and vibrant, but there were a few clearings around. To the south, I could see the rooftops of the bungalows poking out here and there; and I could count all ten of them.
Further south was the main reception building, and the suites above that were clearly exposed. It was the biggest building around, but it looked so small from up here. To the south-east, I could see the small clearing that marked the entrance to the Develian caves. The entrance was simple - a small clearing within the jungle, a perfect circle of carefully cultivated emerald green grass stretching over slightly undulating ground, no bigger than a tennis court. In the middle was the cave entrance, a yawning maw. From the outside, it looked like a simple big hole in the ground. The Revelations designers had wanted to create the feeling of delight and discovery, as if a guest had just stumbled upon one of the natural wonders of the world. Of course, once you walked inside, you were on sturdy stone steps, with unobtrusive lighting all the way down.
The guests loved it. It made them feel like they were explorers, discovering something incredible. It made them feel important.
Further along from the caves, I could see the staff quarters building. It would be completely abandoned now; lonely and desolate. There wasn’t ever a time when there wasn’t a drunk staff member idly floating in the pool or sunning themselves on the deckchair. The place was such a vibrant hive of activity, day and night. Now it was deserted. The thought made me sadder than ever.
Reluctantly, I dragged my eyes away towards the east, where the small field sprawled out next to the stables. It was empty. Usually, a couple of the horses would be hanging out in there, resting, chewing on some grass, or having a good roll-around. The stablehands had set off with all of the horses early in the mo
rning. They were in more of a hurry to get out of Revelations than anyone, even before Met and Margot showed up with the evacuation order. I suspected that the big creatures could sense what was coming, and were anxious to get the hell away from here.
So now, the stables were empty, and the field next to them was bare. This was where we would be meeting Vane’s army. The only way into the resort was from the east, and Nate had already set down a bundle of my much-loved and slept-in pajamas near the entrance of the Develians, covered with my scent. Hopefully, the Percuitait tracking me would assume that I was hiding in the caves down behind the fields, and think that my friends were in the field blocking their path.
That was the plan, anyway. I didn't approve. I had little choice though - as much as I would be willing to sacrifice myself to save my friends, and to save the world, I wanted my baby to live.
I needed my baby to live. I needed it like I needed air to breathe.
For a moment, I wrenched my eyes away from the field that would soon become a battlefield, unable to take the anticipation. Behind me, to the north, I could see the place where the ridge dropped sharply away, falling in a cliff about forty feet lower than where we were. From there on, there was jungle for as far as my eyes could see. Just to the west was exactly the same, except I could just make out a tiny bit of clearing not too far away - the staff clearing where we’d called the souls of Hannah and Godric.
There was no escape. I rubbed at my belly as the fear clawed through me again, making me wince in pain. After a moment, I had it under control. I turned back to the east and faced the field where the army would come.
There was a shimmer in the distance. Far to the east, I could see them.
The human army spread out, some traveling on the road, some bashing through the jungle, all creeping closer. They were too far away for me to see their expressions, but I could almost taste the menace emanating from them. They were hunting, searching for blood, my blood, zig-zagging in towards the jungle, heading back on the road, then marching up the paths that wove around the resort.
I could see the enormous figures of the Percuitait dotted amongst them. They looked like normal men, although they were a good third bigger than the rest of them, and their air of malice and determination knocked the breath out of me. I took a sharp breath in and looked away, as the terror hit me again.
There were hardly any shadows on the ground. The sun was almost at its zenith. There was no going back.
Down in the field, I could see the figures of Malach and Nimue, hands on hips, standing close together but not touching. They were shining in the sunlight, both glorious figures. An angel and a demon, standing together, united against the force of an entire army coming towards them.
That was Alex’s mother. And Nate’s father. My child’s grandparents. I didn’t want to see them struck down to vapor.
Alex, seemingly understanding for the first time that his mother was in danger, leaned close to me and drew me into his warm embrace.
“I’m going down there. Vane will want to parlay first. We might be able to talk our way out of this yet,” he said, a steely tone of determination in his voice. “Nate will have to come too, so we can show their army that we stand together.
Nate nodded, his dark eyes flashing.
"Metatron,” Alex turned to where Met was sprawled out on a camp chair, sipping pinot gris from a giant wine glass.
“Met,” Alex repeated, his tone reproving.
“What?”
“Will you guard Eve?”
Met looked disgusted. “What in the name of Fate’s saggy left tit do you think I’m doing up here?”
Alex opened his mouth, and shut it again. Met took a leisurely sip of his wine.
“I’ll be okay, Alex,” I murmured softly, touching his lips with my finger. “I know you can be back here in a heartbeat.”
He placed his big, hot hands over my belly, and the clawing pain eased for a second. I could breathe easier, so I filled my lungs with air, relishing the tightness.
“It will be okay,” Alex said forcefully. “It will.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
Nate’s cool hands rested on the small of my back. “We’ve got you, Eve,” he murmured. I managed a watery smile.
And suddenly they were gone. The next time I looked, there were four figures in the field, facing the east. Facing the creeping, darting humans that were on the way.
Vane's army had regrouped in front of the reception building. The Percuitait had caught my scent. The big creatures were now leading the ragged pack of humans, as they marched with purpose up towards the fields.
I counted. There were twenty-five huge figures that I could see marching at the head of the path. Twenty-five rogue angels, coming to kill me. I tried to count the human army behind them, but they were moving too quickly for me to get a handle on. A hundred, Connor had said. Maybe, with him defected, it was only ninety-nine.
Ninety-nine human men were coming to kill me.
It seemed it was only a second later that they reached the clearing and the west entrance of the field.
I held my breath as they filed out of the trees. I could see the point in which they all spotted Malach, Nimue, and the boys. They didn’t hesitate, but their movements became more calculated, more formal. The humans gathered in three rank and file lines, waiting at one end for the order to proceed.
One large, white-haired figure, head held high, walked forward. Vane.
“Where is the girl?"
The words came from behind me - it was Met. Met’s voice was flat and inflectionless. He was translating for me.
Alex, his golden hair shining in the sun, took a step forward. “You will never get close to her.” Met lowered his voice and growled, in a perfect imitation of my lover’s voice.
“I will not deign to argue with you, Cambion,” the flat, cold voice said again. “You are unworthy. My only mission here on Earth is to ensure God’s plan continues. The girl must die.”
“You are evil.” I could see Alex shaking his head, his fury palpable. “How can you not see the evil in your actions?”
“We are the creatures of the light. It has always been this way. We are made in His image. It is you that were cast out of Heaven.”
I saw Nimue step forward. “We fell, you imbecile,” Met’s voice snarled. “We chose to help the humans, to protect them. We created a realm for them so other humans could be safe from them while they worked through their pain and suffering. You stayed on Earth and tormented them. You are killing them. And you are here to kill an innocent girl.”
“And her child,” Met’s voice turned softer. Nate was speaking. “You would kill an innocent child.”
“The child will destroy the world!” Met didn’t even need to translate it for me. I heard Vane’s bellow from the field below. His face was contorted with fury; his red cheeks stood out in his pale face, his white hair blew around his shoulders. “This is God’s will. It must be.”
Nimue put her head to the side. “You don’t know, do you?” her voice was soft and quiet, and Met relayed it perfectly. “You aren’t sure. You’re just desperately hoping that it is. Because what does it mean for you if it’s not?”
Vane had gone deathly still.
Nimue took a step forward. “What would it mean, Vane? What would it mean if she’s been put here for a reason? If she’s been tormented and hunted for a reason? And we’ve protected her, my son has fallen in love with her? What if it’s all part of the greater plan?”
I could see Nimue's slow, sardonic smile. “That would mean you have been wrong. It would mean you’ve been tormenting humans for centuries, bombarding them with misinformation, causing them even more pain and suffering. That would mean you have been wrong. And God will not be happy.”
Vane’s face was rigid with anger. “God wants the plan to continue. The only way for that to happen is if the girl is destroyed. Now, we delay no longer. Where is she?”
Alex’s fists cl
enched. “You will never get near her.”
“We will go through you,” Vane inclined his head towards the human rabble that stood motionless at the edge of the field.
“Then so be it.” Malach’s voice boomed, louder than any other in the clearing. There was a challenge in his voice, and he flexed his mighty wings out wide. “You have chosen your side, Percuitait. We have chosen ours. Let it begin.”
Oh, no.
Vane’s eyes narrowed. With one last, vicious snarl, and in a gesture of contempt, he turned and walked a few steps back towards his army.
When he spoke next, I heard every word. His deadpan, colorless voice boomed out across the field, magically enhanced.
“The infidels refuse to hand over the girl,” he shouted at his army, and paused to let it sink in. “They await the end of the Earth with open arms.” He ran his eyes over the ranks of his fanatical, bloodthirsty soldiers. Their eyes were wide, and they panted in anticipation of the fight ahead. “They are lovers of Satan. They revel in sin!”
The pitch of Vane's voice hurt my ears, causing the vicious claw of fear to stab through my belly again. I took a sharp intake of breath, and bent over, panting.
“Ohhhh,” I moaned.
Margot put her arm around me and pressed her face into my hair. “It will be okay, love. We’ll be okay.”
The army was stirring. They started to stomp their feet, slowly, in time, a tattoo of a death march. One of them tilted his head back and let out a bone-chilling warcry.
“God will strike them down!” Vane bellowed, swishing his white cape as he turned. “We will be rewarded with riches in Heaven.”
The army screamed back their assent. “For God!”
“The Path must continue!”
“For God!”
“We will strike down these infidels!”
“For God!” The army screamed, barely holding themselves back. They were whipped into a frenzy, like a pack of wild dogs, set upon my scent so they could find me and rip me to shreds.
My breath sounded so shallow in my ears.
“Percuitait!” Vane screamed. “Take the demons. Soldiers! Kill these boys.” He stabbed a finger at Nate and Alex.
Revelations: The Last War Page 17
