The Helm of Darkness

by Kim Richardson

  There was something about Milo that drew her in. And she had to remind herself that he was here to spy on her for Metatron.

  He caught her staring at his chest again and a half-smile tugged at his lips.

  “You should lie down in the water,” she said, a little more roughly than she’d intended. “It’ll work faster. And the dark hands won’t stay down much longer.”

  Milo did as he was told and slid down into the water until his chest was completely covered and the water grazed his chin.

  He said, “You’re coming straight in right after me. Alexa?”

  “Of course I am. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Alexa watched as his hands, arms, and chest began to glow with miniature lights. When she met his eyes, she could tell he didn’t believe her.

  Milo cursed and then dunked his head into the water. The shower glowed in brilliant light, and Alexa watched as his body shimmered and then broke apart like oil in water.

  As soon as his body had disappeared, she stood up and walked out the door.

  CHAPTER 7

  ALEXA AVOIDED PAYMENT BY HIDING from the conductor, and it only took an hour on the Metro-North Railroad to reach Coffin Grove, New York. She would walk the rest of the way to Hallow Hall.

  At first, she’d felt guilty about lying to Milo and leaving him behind. She was also worried about what the Legion would say when Milo showed up without her. But all those feelings quickly disappeared when she thought about Erik.

  She had made up her mind to see him again long before they had been attacked. She had to see him. They’d been apart for about two months now, and she knew his beautiful smiling face was the remedy she needed. The thought of his warm lips against hers sent a flutter of excitement through her. Memories of their kiss flooded back: his strong arms wrapped tightly around her, his musky scent, the way his breath smelled of peppermint, and the feel of his glorious warm skin.

  A little voice still told her how foolish she was being, that there was no future for a dead girl and a mortal boy. But all her doubts disappeared when she thought about seeing Erik again.

  She smiled and quickened her pace. She knew she shouldn’t be smiling, especially not after Hades had told her that the piece of her soul she had sacrificed to save Erik had been the key ingredient for his return.

  Alexa had gone through the scene in which Erik had dangled helplessly in Hades’ grasp over and over again. And every time she’d come to the exact same conclusion—she would always give up her soul in exchange for his life.

  She also remembered the archangel Jeremiel’s injunction. You’re not to have any more contact with the mortal. Any physical contact will lead to a more severe punishment…

  Her death had made her bold. She liked this new defiant Alexa.

  She still worried that her soul had been scarred, however, and that perhaps she had always been broken and dark inside. She’d never thought of herself as a good person. She’d never gone out of her way to help the needy, volunteered at the homeless shelters, or even performed an act of kindness that had put others before herself. Maybe someone who’d been born good could beat the darkness that lurked inside her.

  Her boots crunched into the thin layer of snow, and the gusting wind blew thick flurries that swept away her tracks. The cool night air brushed against her face, and the stars burned icy white against the cloudless black sky. And when she crested the hill and saw the lavish English country manor that was Hallow Hall, she started running.

  She cried with joy as she bounded down the hill and tore across the grounds. She embraced her strength and felt like a cheetah leaping through the open fields. Her feet barely touched the ground when she switched to hyperdrive. She knew she looked like a fool, running and laughing, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was that she was going to see Erik.

  A thrill shot through her when she recognized Erik’s red 1969 Ford Mustang in the driveway. She raced up the steps and stopped in front of the large double oak doors. Yellow light spilled from the tall windows. She lifted a trembling hand to knock and then froze. She took a moment to collect herself, and then she reached out again, grabbed the handle, and pushed the doors open.

  The iron handle was cold against her skin as she closed the doors behind her. The air was warm, and the familiar smell of coffee and spices filled her nose. The lustrous marble floors, polished wooden doors, gleaming windows, and sweeping oak staircases were exactly as she had remembered them. And the brilliant jewel colors of the archangel sigils that identified the seven archangel houses still shone from the floor tiles.

  The Sensitives’ mortal blood had been mixed with archangel essence, and each had aptitudes that reflected the archangel who had created the houses to which they belonged. And they each wore the birthmarks of their individual house sigils proudly.

  The sigils were everywhere—on the drapery, the chairs, and the sofas. They were even carved into the handrail of the grand staircase. It was spectacular, and if she were still a mortal, she would have stopped just to admire them.

  As Alexa took it all in, she looked around and tried to identify what felt different. It came to her as she stood alone in the foyer. It was quiet. Too quiet.

  She could see a woman in a dark dress standing in the foyer. Her white hair was pulled back into a chignon, and her mouth was slightly open in the shape of an O. The woman blanched at the sight of her. Alexa hadn’t come on Legion business, and the last thing she needed was for Valerie, the Head of House Uriel to find her. Not until she’d seen Erik.

  Alexa rushed across the main lobby to the east wing. Her heart was pounding. She walked as quickly as she could without looking like she was running. She smelled a hint of salt as she hurried past the pool of sparkling, crystal-clear water.

  She was almost there.

  She nearly broke into a run as she neared the double doors of the gym. She recognized the A-like sigil of House Gabriel and the P-like sigil of House Michael, and she could hear the familiar grunts and shouts that came from inside.

  She pulled open the doors and stepped inside. Her chest was tight with anxiety, but she walked into the giant training room as calmly as she could. On the far side of the room a few Sensitives stood on mats that had been placed inside sparring rings.

  She saw his familiar head of dark curly hair right away. She blinked as if she needed to adjust her eyes to make him real. And when he heard the doors open and turned to see who was there, she nearly tripped at the shock.

  Her self-control vanished and she began to grin. Erik was here. He was real. His face was just as perfect as she remembered. It was the face that healed the missing part of her soul. She wanted to reach out and pull him to her so she could kiss him again and again.

  But Erik didn’t move. He wasn’t smiling. The sudden silence in the room was suffocating.

  Although Alexa felt the others in the room watching her, her eyes never left Erik.

  Why isn’t he smiling? Isn’t he happy to see me?

  She knew he’d be surprised, but he didn’t seem thrilled to see her. Then his expression changed into a forced and embarrassed smile, and Alexa’s hopes came crashing down.

  Erik broke away from his practice partner and smiled at her weakly, but Alexa didn’t smile back. She struggled for breath.

  “Alexa,” said Erik as he walked towards her. Something flashed momentarily across his face as he spoke. It was an expression that Alexa couldn’t pin down. It was gone in a moment, and when he smiled at her again it made her weak in the knees.

  “This is a surprise.”

  “A good surprise I hope?” she said.

  Her tongue was heavy in her mouth. “It’s not like I could have called ahead of time.”

  Her reunion with Erik wasn’t going as she had imagined. She would have preferred to have been alone with him. She saw a flash of blonde hair as Rachel bounded into view, but Alexa ignored her.

  Erik’s t-shirt was soaked in sweat and clung to his lean, muscled body.

 
“Right.” Erik let out a little laugh. “Of course it’s a good surprise. Why would you say that? I’m really happy to see you, Alexa.”

  His smile didn’t reach his eyes. He looked like he was cornered and wanted to bolt. It was clear that he didn’t know how to behave towards her with the others around.

  She knew that romances between angels and mortals were forbidden, but she didn’t care. She was quite prepared to break all the rules for Erik.

  A hot flush rushed up Alexa’s neck and face. She tried to smile, but the muscles of her M-suit wouldn’t respond. A strange, empty feeling began to grow inside her, and she remembered what Rachel had told her.

  Erik’s no saint. You’ll see. Whatever you think is going on, he’s not thinking the same. Trust me. He’s male and mortal. Don’t you forget what that means.

  Erik wiped the sweat from his forehead with his forearm. “I didn’t think you were coming back,” he said. She could see a muscle in his jaw tensing.

  “I told you I was coming back. Here I am. And what’s with the attitude?” Her voice rose, and she was aware that everyone in the room seemed to hold their collective breath.

  “Come.” Erik reached out and grabbed her hand. He pulled her with him and not too gently.

  She let him steer her away, glad for some distance from prying eyes. His grip tightened around her hand until she felt its heat singe the skin around her fingers. She didn’t want to let go.

  When they reached the far wall, Erik pulled her around to face him. They stood next to a tall window where the cold January air seeped through the glass.

  “When someone says they’re coming back, they mean like in a few days, not months.” Erik dropped her hand. His eyes were suddenly intense, and his face was red and getting redder.

  Alexa’s temper flared.

  “It’s not like I had a choice. You have no idea what I’ve been through, and what I had to do to come here. I’ve risked everything just to be with you. And now you’re being an idiot.”

  But Erik wasn’t listening. He threw up his hands and said, “I waited for months. Months and no word. Nothing. I thought you’d died—your soul—you know what I mean—because Hades had taken part of your soul. I thought you were gone for good, Alexa.”

  If she hadn’t been so touched by this sudden admission of affection, she would have punched him. Instead she said, “I’m not going to apologize for something that was out of my control. But I promise you, I did everything I could to come here. And when the first opportunity presented itself, I took it. In fact, I did something terrible just to be here. I left—”

  “Alexa, there you are,” came a familiar voice behind her.

  Alexa whirled around, and Milo strutted into the chamber. His face bloomed in a triumphant smile. He was nearly twinkling like a star. When she had left him he had been practically shredded to pieces, and now he showed no signs of any injuries. He looked…perfect, like a golden prince from the fairy tales. He strode into the chamber like the angel warrior he was. His black coat billowed around him, and he was armed to the teeth with swords that crisscrossed his chest.

  All the women stared at Milo as he approached. Even Rachel gazed at him longingly. The men and boys who’d been practicing straightened at Milo’s presence, too, as though he were royalty—an angel prince.

  Sneaky bastard.

  Alexa knew she shouldn’t have been surprised. She knew Milo liked to make a spectacle of everything, and he had turned pissing her off into an art form. And now here he was, exactly where she didn’t want him to be.

  “Nice place you’ve got here.” Milo stuffed his hands into his pockets and kept his swords and daggers in their sheaths. The remaining crowd backed away. Some of them even scrambled out the door to escape.

  Alexa glared at him, but he took no notice. “How’d you know I’d be here?”

  “Please,” said Milo. He angled his head, and his golden hair wafted in the air. “It was obvious you’d want to be with your mortal.”

  Erik’s expression darkened, and he faced the angel. “Who the hell are you?”

  Matt and some of the other operatives made to move forward, but they froze at the lift of Erik’s hand.

  Milo stared at Erik like he was a bug. It reminded Alexa of Ryan’s superior attitude to mortals. It was an attitude she hated.

  Milo’s eyes sparkled as he sized up Erik for the first time. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m here to collect my charge.”

  “Excuse me?” said Alexa, nearly spitting out her tongue. “Your charge?”

  Milo whirled on her. “Exactly.”

  His eyes narrowed slightly. “You forget that I’m responsible for you, Alexa. Might I remind you that you’re on probation. You were only allowed back into the mortal world on the condition that you were accompanied by our petty officer. Me.”

  Erik leaned over. “What’s he talking about, Alexa? Is this true?” He didn’t take his eyes off Milo.

  Alexa felt the sudden rush of humiliation. She clenched her jaw.

  “I was about to tell you when His Majesty here barged in.”

  She turned to Milo. “So what did you tell them? What did you tell your precious Metatron? The truth? Or did you give him exactly what he wanted to hear—that I had failed as a guardian?”

  She knew she’d gone too far, but she couldn’t help herself.

  Milo looked her over slowly and said, “I don’t think you understand our bond.”

  “Our bond? Are you kidding me?”

  Milo clicked his tongue. “Your actions reflect on me. To stay in the good graces of our Legion, we must abide by their rules, fledgling. Your selfish, mindless actions have become my selfish and mindless actions.”

  “Oh, now I get it,” growled Alexa. “This is about you. You’re just pissed off because I made you look bad in front of the Legion.” Her skin felt cold. “I don’t know what you did to anger the Legion, but don’t make this about me.”

  Milo stepped closer to her. “It is about you.” His smile dripped with venom. “You screwed up, Alexa. I warned you—”

  “This is ridiculous,” said Alexa, but her voice lacked conviction.

  She knew Milo was right. Of course he was. She had no business sneaking away to come see Erik. But she had wanted to see him, to explain why she’d stayed away for so long. For a moment, she even had imagined they could be together again.

  But now it all seemed ridiculous.

  “Get the hell out,” growled Erik.

  He stalked towards Milo. “You weren’t invited. You can’t just waltz in here whenever you please. I don’t care if you’re a high-ranking angel. It means nothing to me.”

  “Clearly.” Milo clicked his tongue again. “Oh, I wasn’t planning on staying in this lovely establishment.”

  He jerked his chin toward Alexa. “I gave you a chance to follow through. But instead of following orders, you chose to condemn yourself by coming here. You could have spared yourself a trip to Tartarus.”

  Alexa was shaking too badly to say anything.

  Milo’s eyes flickered with distaste. “I’ll be taking her now.”

  Rachel snorted in derision, and Alexa began to feel ill.

  “Just give me a second—”

  “I’m in no mood to bargain,” Milo said, “even though I’m sure I could work this to my advantage.”

  Alexa flinched at his iron grip on her elbow. “Let’s go.”

  Erik stepped in front of Alexa. “You’re not taking her—”

  Suddenly the lights flickered and went out with a pop. Everyone was in darkness.

  “What the hell?” Erik looked around just as screams broke out somewhere else in the hall.

  Alexa recognized the hysterical wails of children and felt her body go cold when she smelled the bitter stench of demons.

  CHAPTER 8

  EVERYTHING BEGAN TO MOVE AT ONCE. Erik and the other operatives rushed to the armory and suited themselves with all the weapons they could carry.

 
Alexa pushed past Milo and began gearing up with daggers, but Milo stepped next to her with a strange expression on his face.

  “I’m taking these,” she said defiantly as she jammed a second hunting knife into her belt. “And don’t even think about giving me a speech about how rookies can’t hold a blade. Because I don’t want to hear it.”

  Milo looked at her and then drew his swords from his sheath. The silver blades glimmered in the darkness like blazing stars. They reminded Alexa of a Jedi’s lightsabers.

  She grasped a long silver dagger and balanced it in her palm. It felt right. It had the same weight and feel as a soul blade, but without the supernatural properties. It would have to do.

  Erik and Matt disappeared through the doors and headed towards the noise. Without waiting for Milo, Alexa sprinted across the polished floors. The angel warrior bounded next to her. His presence provided her with comfort for a change.

  The stench of death and rot in the hallway was so thick it burned her throat and left a sour taste in her mouth. For a moment, it was quiet, and then the screams erupted again.

  Down the hall, dark shapes moved in the shadows. People screamed, operatives shouted, and crashes and bangs filled the air as people ran into things and into each other. It was chaos. Although Erik and his comrades couldn’t see the enemy in the darkness, Alexa and Milo could.

  Alexa’s boots slipped on the marble floors, and she slowed to a walk. Milo slowed down next to her. Erik and Matt were nowhere to be seen. She felt a terrible fear that she might never see them again.

  She had started to look for Erik when shapes moved in the shadows twenty feet away. They blocked her way. She blinked and could see them clearly.

  The shadowy figures that slipped through the hallways and in and out of doors were so dark and fluid that they seemed to be made from oil. Hundreds of the corrupted and sore-covered creatures stalked the darkness. They were man-shaped, and their heads lolled from side to side as they searched the halls. They hissed and cursed in some ancient demon language. Alexa could see rows of razor-sharp teeth in their mouths when their silvery forked tongues darted out. It was as if they were searching the air for prey like snakes.