Megan screamed for her Guardian, “Elizabeth, go get Roy.” Elizabeth fled immediately, just as a horde of demons swept into the home, snatching each child and then Meagan while others destroyed their home, their sanctuary. Megan had looked around desperately for the sentinels that were supposed to be guarding the house. They had been overwhelmed by the mass of demons that had poured into the breached security of their sanctuary. The last she had seen Gabe was in the arms of a white haired woman with black eyes. She had screamed for her children, fighting for all she was worth, before being struck in the head and losing consciousness.
Now, as she stirred awake, she began praying for Roy to come help. Meagan got to her feet slowly, feeling weak and nauseous. The room was mostly dark with just barely a hint of light from a small lantern hanging from a nail near a rough wooden door. The room was made of carved rock and as her eyes adjusted, she could see the crumpled forms of two small bodies on the floor near her. Going to one, she discovered it was Raphael.
Quickly, she checked to see if he was breathing and sighed when she felt his breath ever so slightly against her ear and felt his heart beating beneath her palm. The other child was Michael and he stirred as soon as Meagan touched him, but Gabe and RJ were missing. Panic swelled up in her. She trembled, steeling her nerves and doing her best to calm herself. No need to panic, she told herself. Roy will be here soon to rescue us. Perhaps her other two children managed to get away. Perhaps Roy arrived just in time and the kids were with him.
Megan looked down at Raphael who she had pulled into her lap and held close. She prayed Raphael would awake soon and be able to use his gift to heal them. If there was another thing she was very grateful for, it was that the demons couldn’t take away her prayers.
***
Quabin looked down at the child that she held in her lap. He had been especially fussy and inconsolable the whole time since Satrin had brought him in. He now slept peacefully in her arms, thanks to the herb she had given him. Quabin stroked his cheek and smiled.
“He’s not so much different than my own child,” she said softly to Kema who stood nearby gazing down on the toddler.
Kema looked at Quabin curiously. “You have a child?”
Quabin smiled. “I had a boy child, but,” her face darkened and her tone changed, dripping with hate. “He was taken from me. And killed. That is when I died inside and I vowed revenge on the people who caused his death. Mortals are weak stupid creatures and have no business ruling this world. They pollute and destroy everything, even their own bodies.” Quabin looked up at Kema and said, “That is why we must take control of this world and set it in balance and subdue the stupid Mortals. Make them serve us. We must force them to obey the natural laws of the world so there is beauty and balance again. Mortals are so stupid.” Quabin stroked Gabe’s cheek. “And we’ll start with the young ones since they are so easily influenced. We will groom a new generation of mortals to serve and protect this world. Everyone else, if they do not comply, will be culled.” Quabin stood and lay the baby down on a large pillow near her chair. She turned to her Third and said,“Kema, the woman, she is with child. When is the birth expected?”
“In 7 months time.”
“End of October. How interesting. About the time of All Saints Eve. Interesting coincidence?’
Kema chuckled. “We don’t believe in coincidences.”
“That’s right, Kema. This unborn child is special.”
Kema was about to respond when a commotion in the hall caused both women to look toward the outer chambers as Drogo came bursting into the room, looking wild eyed and upset.
“What have you done?” He demanded. Quabin tilted her head to one side and narrowed her gaze.
“What have I done? You question me, imp?” Drogo felt the barb of her words. He, a god and she referred to him as an imp? He chose to ignore it.
“Do you realize what you have done? Do you know the wrath that is going to fall upon your head for attacking the family of a Host Aligned Nephilim? This wasn’t part of our plan.” Drogo said forcefully as he strode closer to her.
“This wasn’t part of OUR plan,” Quabin agreed. “This was MY plan. And our plan is unchanged, Drogo. Now go back and do your part or OUR plans will be ruined. Do you understand?”
Drogo gritted his teeth, barely able to control his anger. “I don’t think you understand! The HOST is gathering as we speak. They’ll be here and crush you all.”
Quabin looked unconcerned and with a flick of her wrist, sent Drogo sprawling across the floor. He lay there stunned. Quabin looked down at the baby to make sure the child hadn’t been disturbed by Drogo’s outburst.
Quabin glanced at Drogo. “You are a fool. I will replace you if you challenge me again, oh god of 3 million. Don’t you know who I am? The power that I have?”
Drogo got to his feet warily. Perhaps he had underestimated this woman. He was confused and glanced about him as the room began to fill with more she-demons. Quabin lifted her arms, brandishing her golden braceleted wrists, “I was a slave. I suffered abuse at the hands of a False One, but it only made me stronger and the day came when I dispatched him and took his place as god of the ten-million and counting lost souls. My army of Nephilim’s, imps, Furies, Ensnarers and more grow by the thousands every day. Do not test my patience again, Drogo. Depart.”
Drogo scrambled out of her presence.
Kema turned and looked at Quabin. “My Queen, what he says about the Host gathering...”
Quabin raised her hand to interrupt her. “It’s nothing to worry about. Not yet. We have time. They won’t risk the mate of an Aligned Nephilim. They will wait to see what my demands are first. We have time.”
Chapter 23
“Matthew isn’t himself, and says things that are hurtful and full of hate,” Nibilis warned Julia.
Julia drew in a deep breath and nodded in understanding as Nibilis led her down a corridor towards the Prison Wing. Julia glanced up at the sentinels that stood guard on either side of the doors. They stood at least three feet taller than her and were very similar in appearance. They nodded at Nibilis as she led the way inside to greet the Prison Matron.
Without delay, the Matron herself led the two women to Matthew’s Cell. Julia felt nervous the closer they approached their destination. She could feel Matthew’s familiar energy, only slightly tainted by the darkness of Quabin. She wondered if he could sense her energy as well. She approached the cell alone as Nibilis and the Matron stopped just outside of the line of site so that Matthew wouldn’t see them.
Julia stepped to the crystal partition slowly. Peering in, she saw him sitting in the corner of the room, with his back toward her and his head resting against the adjoining walls. He still wore the demon skin, but it looked pale and mottled, like it was fading away. His wings were flimsy, wilted and shrunken. She stared at his back wondering what to say. What could she say? Maybe there wasn’t anything to say. She glanced at Nibilis who stood patiently nearby, her face expressionless.
When she turned back to the cell, Matthew was standing right at the partition peering down at her. Startled, she stumbled backwards, instinctively reacting as if she thought he could touch her. He loomed above her, his face contorted in pain. His eyes were flaring red and his fists clenched.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“I wanted to see you, Matthew.” Julia said, regaining her nerve.
He flinched. “Do not call me that. Matthew is dead.”
Julia felt her heart constrict. “No he isn’t,” she insisted. “Matthew is standing right in front of me. I see you, Matthew.” Matthew’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed, his gaze burning into hers.
“You know nothing, Nephilim,” he snarled. “You know nothing about me or what is really going on.” Matthew said in a low whisper, glancing at Nibilis.
The other woman calmly clasped her hands before her. Julia felt something stirring in the energies around them from Nibilis, a warm comforting feeling. She
was ready to protect her against whatever Matthew would say next.
“I know you are Matthew.” Julia said softly and stepped forward. Matthew stood his ground and she stepped forward.
Maybe it was because she was still smarting from the revelation that Nathan had been untrue to her. Maybe it was her pain that she did this. Did Nathan reject her? Did he do that because he rejected her? She couldn’t bear the thought. She couldn’t bear the thought of being rejected by him. SO why come back to this former lover? Would he reject her too?
“Remember when we first met?” She asked. Matthew stared down at her, nothing in his eyes.
“Do you remember fourth of July on your motorcycle?” she asked. Her hand went up to the crystal partition and laid it against the surface about level with his chest, where she hoped his heart could still feel. Mathew’s expression remained unchanged.
“You remember – don’t you?” She asked.
“That Matthew died, Julia.” he said, losing the hardness in his voice. He swallowed. He had said her name.
“No, he didn’t.” she insisted. “You’re right here, Matthew.”
“Go away,” he said.
“Matthew, don’t do this. You’re on the wrong side. Did you know that Quabin has attacked the Parker’s Ranch? She took Meagan and the boys!” Matthew stared at her, his expression unreadable. “Did you know Meagan is expecting a baby? Matthew, think about the children. They’re innocent. Don’t you care?” Matthew lifted his chin, a slight grin coming to his face.
“Victory to Quabin!” he said and then laughed. Julia shrunk away from him, horrified at his response. Matthew stepped closer to the partition and said in a low tone, “You’re on the wrong side, Julia. It’s not too late to join us. Quabin would welcome you amongst her elite and the power and freedom you would have is unimaginable.”
“Power and Freedom?” she said, repulsed. “Who is in prison right now, Matthew? She abandoned you, because she has no power to help you.”
Matthew shrugged. “Some must sacrifice in order for others to succeed,” he said lightly.
“You could have true freedom and power. The light will always prevail over the darkness, Matthew. Always.” Julia said passionately, feeling tears burning. Where the passion for fighting against the darkness Matthew represented came from, she didn’t know, but the longer she stood there arguing with him, the more determined she felt to do something about the threat to her friends and new home.
Matthew’s grin vanished. “Not always, my sweet one,” he leered at her. “Agency is a powerful thing. Mortals have a power they do not understand and the course of their lives is heavily influenced by the darkness. The true darkness. Look around you, Julia. The world is in chaos. Quabin isn’t the darkness you fear. Quabin is the answer to the darkness that rules this world.” Matthew shifted his stance, and stared hard at her. “Those who claim to follow the light are actually servants of the darkness. They would stand by and let the world destroy itself and do nothing about it. Quabin is bringing order and peace to Mortals.”
“You’re messed up.” she whispered. Matthew blinked, and she saw doubt flash in his eyes. Suddenly, he lifted his hand as if he wanted to place it on the partition where hers had been. He held it there for a moment, remembering the shock he had gotten the last time he touched its surface. She turned to go. He wasn’t going to say anything she wanted to hear anyway.
“Julia?” he said, his voice wavering. She glanced over her shoulder at him. He dropped his hand and lowering his head, he stared at the floor.
“What?”
“This isn’t what I meant to happen.” he said softly. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. She was startled to see they had shifted from black to the blue she had known and fallen in love with.
He stepped away. Turning his back to her, Matthew retreated to the corner of his cell where he sat down and seemed to transform into a dark lump of stone.
Chapter 24
“Mom?” Raphael called out softly.
“I’m here,” Meagan comforted as she went to him in the near darkness and enveloped him in her arms. “You okay? You hurt anywhere?”
“No. You?” he asked, but she could feel his hands on her back begin to warm. He was already sending healing energy through her body and that of the baby.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his ear. He nodded, but still clung onto her.
“Where are we?” he asked.
“I’m not exactly sure, but I’m guessing we’re in one of the caves in the park,” she said.
She heard a whimper come from her other son. “Michael, I’m here,” she said, reaching for him. He quickly grabbed her hand and she pulled him into her lap.
“Shh. We’re alright,” Meagan soothed him.
“What happened?” Raphael wanted to know.
Meagan smoothed his hair and assured him. “There was an attack on the ranch, but don’t worry. Daddy and Uncle Nathan will make everything alright. So, don’t fret. I need you to be strong, ok?”
Raphael nodded. “Where’s RJ and Gabe?”
“I think they’re safe,” she whispered. But she didn’t know for sure. She reached out and stroked Michael’s hair.
“Sweetie?” she said. Michael turned and looked up at her.
“Can you talk to Daddy?” She asked. When her son nodded in agreement, she instructed, “Tell him we’re here, but RJ and Gabe are missing.”
“Ok,” he said. His eyes were wide with fear. Meagan leaned down and kissed his forehead. Raphael whimpered. Meagan stroked his hair. “It’s ok. Daddy will be here soon.”
A door opened and a tall slender woman walked in, long black hair and dressed in dark tight fitting clothes.
“Come with me,” she instructed.
Meagan got to her feet shaking, grabbing the boys hands and following the woman, obviously a demon. It made Meagan’s skin crawl. Into a wide open room they went that overlooked that box canyon below. She didn’t have demon site, but she could feel the enormous energy of darkness welling there. She shuddered, it made her sick.
At the entrance overlooking the valley, she saw another dark haired woman with golden bands about her ankles and wrists. She wore a black robe with a hood. She turned and Meagan cried out. Gabe was asleep in her arms.
“Welcome Meagan Parker,” Quabin said as she strode over to a cradle nearby and lay the baby inside it. Meagan hoped and prayed her baby was merely asleep, and not dead.
“I want my baby,” Meagan said.
Quabin nodded, “Of course you do.” she said and turned to Meagan, “I’m not without heart. I once had a child too, but he was killed. I know the heartache of losing a child. It is a horrible thing and no mother should have to endure it. Come and sit, eat.” Meagan turned where Quabin motioned and saw a table laden with a feast. The boys huddled close to their mother.
“We’re not hungry,” Meagan said. Remembering the fare of demon kind was an illusion, for she knew what they feasted on and everything about them was false.
“As you wish,” Quabin said and sat herself down to partake. A glass of blood red wine was poured for her as Meagan and the boys were forced to stand and watch Quabin eat her meal before she continued.
Once the table was cleared, Meagan and the boys were invited to sit. Raphael and Michael refused chairs of their own and flanked their mother.
“What do you want with us?” Meagan said.
Quabin shrugged. “It’s nothing personal. You’re my insurance policy against an attack from the host is all. You needn’t worry that you will be treated unkindly. So, be at ease. We have comforts arranged for you during your stay.”
“I want to go home,” Raphael said.
Quabin chuckled, “Oh, little one. This is your home for a while.” She arose and went toward Raphael, leaning over to look him in the eye and finger his thick dark hair, “You are precious, you’ll be safe here. There is lots to do and see. Come on, you’ll be fine.”
Meagan pulled Raphael closer to her. “Don�
��t touch him,” she warned.
Qaubin quirked an eyebrow then straightened. “As you wish. I mean no malice to you and yours. You are free to explore and stretch your legs about my domain. You will be closely guarded at all times. Kema will show you to your rooms during your stay with us.”
“Not without my child,” Meagan said forcefully.
“He’s my insurance that you don’t try anything stupid,” Quabin replied calmly.
“No,” Meagan cried. Instantly there were two guards on her pulling her away. “No!” She screamed as they dragged her away. Meagan and the boys were taken to new rooms to wait out their captivity. The roomer were richly appointed and comfortable, but Meagan took no comfort in her surroundings as she gathered her two sons to her and tried not to cry.
***
Quabin stroked the baby’s cheek then turned to her view of her growing legion. The host didn’t dare attack. The time was drawing close. So close. Just a few more things. She looked up towards the sky. She wished she could feel Mathew and communicate with him. He was taken from her too soon. But it didn’t matter, she had Drogo now and he could finish what Matthew couldn’t.
To Be Continued…
If I Fall...: Will You Remember Me? (Angelore Saga Book 3) Page 12
