Taking Angels (The Angel Crusades)

by CS Yelle

  A movement off to our left drew Kendal’s attention and he turned. I could see a man heading down an alley between two older office buildings. I still couldn’t place the neighborhood as Kendal followed the man into the alley. As we came closer, Kendal froze and then he flattened himself against the wall of the building.

  The man turned abruptly and Bastion’s face smiled back at us, the streetlight reflecting off his silver tooth.

  “I’m getting closer,” Bastion sneered. I felt the tingling and we shimmered to another location. I lost contact with Kendal and woke in my bed, screaming.

  “You’re okay, you’re okay.” Gabe held me in his comforting arms as Trish and Elisa looked on curiously.

  “No, I’m not.” I pushed him away. “Bastion found Kendal again, right away.”

  “Did they capture him?” Gabe sat up straighter.

  “No, he shimmered and then I woke up.”

  “Did you recognize Kendal’s location?”

  “No, but I think it might be another town nearby.” I looked at Gabe with fear pulsing through me.

  “Not good.” Gabe turned away.

  “What do we do now?” I asked.

  “We need to get to Kendal before Bastion,” he stated the obvious as he paced, hand to his chin in thought.

  I looked at Trish and Elisa, their faces full of worry. If Bastion found me I felt certain he would try to eliminate anyone who knew about him, about Eternals. Allister told me their kind demanded secrecy. Bastion would kill off my friends to keep his secrets.

  As I stared at Trish and Elisa, I decided what I needed to do. I didn’t have a choice. I needed to protect them.

  “What are you thinking?” Gabe said, leaning down so he could look into my eyes.

  “Nothing.”

  “You’re not a good liar, Britt,” he sighed.

  “I’m tired.” I turned away and pulled the covers up over me as I lay down.

  The next morning Trish, Elisa, and I headed off to school. At least we wanted Gabe to think that. As we got ready in the bathroom, I filled the girls in on what I needed to do today. Find Kendal.

  They looked at me like I’d lost my mind. I insisted I hadn’t, that this was a good idea.

  “I need to find him and see if he can disappear.”

  “What about Gabe?” Trish asked.

  “Why don’t you let him take care of Kendal?” Elisa agreed.

  “Because he hasn’t so far,” I said. “And Bastion is getting closer. If he finds me, he’ll take me to Greece so they can sentence Allister to death.”

  “And you too,” Trish added.

  Elisa put a hand to her mouth, her eyes open wide.

  “Who told you that?” I asked.

  “So it’s true?” Trish said.

  “Yes.” I shook my head knowing Gabe must have filled them in.

  They didn’t have any more air in their lungs to make additional sounds and they didn’t need it; their expressions of horror said it all.

  We headed out, driving around in the Jeep to every location in town I’d seen through Kendal’s eyes over the last month. We cruised by Allister’s house on a hunch, it being the last place I saw him.

  We drove past, slowing so I could look between the houses. Nothing. I motioned for Trish to take the side road by the house and we crept past. Nothing. I noticed the alley and I pointed. She gave a nod and pulled down the dusty road. We passed the detached garage, nearly as large as my house, when I noticed movement in a window over the garage.

  “Stop,” I shouted.

  Trish jerked the Jeep to a stop, looking at me questioningly.

  “I saw something up there.” I pointed to one of the windows over the garage.

  “Shouldn’t we get Gabe?” Elisa questioned.

  “No, I need to do this myself,” I said.

  Elisa and Trish began to get out, but I put a hand on each of their arms, stopping them.

  “Stay here. He hasn’t hurt me yet. I can’t say that about my friends.” I stared at each until they nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

  I hopped out of the Jeep moving around to a side door. I grabbed the handle and gave it a twist, locked. I pressed against it with my shoulder. No good. I stepped back, looking up at the window where I noticed the movement.

  “Kendal,” I shouted. “I know you’re up there. I need to talk to you.”

  I heard a click of the lock and walked over to try the door again. The handle turned and the door swung in. I stepped into the darkness broken up by beams of light filtering in through the garage door windows. Taking the stairs leading to the second level I stumbled slightly as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. Finally reaching the door at the top of the stairs standing ajar, I pushed it in and it squeaked under my touch.

  Kendal stood looking out a window as I entered, not bothering to look at me. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked.

  “I need to talk to you.”

  “So you said. Then talk.”

  “I need a favor,” I said, the word catching in my throat.

  “Oh really?” He turned to glare at me. “Why should I do anything for you?”

  “Because you love me.” I played the only card I had up my sleeve, maybe not the best opening move.

  “Ha, I think that approach is a bit worn out, don’t you?”

  “I guess.” I shrugged. “But have your feelings for me changed?” Touché.

  He glared at me hard, his lip curling up cynically. “What’s the favor?”

  “I want you to kill me.”

  His face lost all muscle control and went slack. His mouth gaped open and his eyes stared so wide I could see the red sockets around them.

  “You what?” he whispered.

  “I. Want. You. To. Kill. Me.”

  He put a hand over his eyes and then ran it down his entire face, his mouth still hanging open when he finished. “No, no you don’t.”

  “Yes, I do. I don’t want to live without Allister anymore and I don’t want to be the reason Allister is killed.” I tried to sound confident.

  “Then come away with me,” he pleaded.

  “What about Bastion?”

  “Screw Bastion.”

  I pressed my lips together and exhaled heavily through my nose.

  “We can keep ahead of Bastion,” Kendal offered. “Like you’ve been doing?”

  “You eavesdropping again, Britt?”

  “Not by choice.”

  “So you know he’s getting closer.”

  “That’s why I’m here. Sooner or later he’ll get you to tell him or he’ll find me some other way. Either way, it can’t happen.”

  “I’ll go away, lead him off far away from here,” Kendal reasoned.

  “Do you really think he’ll give up, even if you’re gone? He already knows the general area to look. It’s just a matter of time.”

  “But Britt, to kill you, you’re asking too much.”

  “Am I? Am I really? You took part of my guardian angel from me and started this. I’m offering you the rest. Doesn’t that appeal to you?”

  He licked his lips. “I can’t lie, it does, but …”

  “I know you’re not as bad as you seem.” The sincerity behind my statement surprised me. “You’re out of control, but now you can do something good. You can make a difference.”

  “By saving Allister?” he hissed.

  “Yes, by saving Allister. For me.”

  He spun back to the window, shaking his head. “When?” he asked, not turning back.

  “Tonight, at my house.”

  “What about your angel friend?”

  “I will be alone. You kill me and run. Don’t stop running because I know Gabe will come after you… forever.”

  “Got him wrapped around your finger too, huh?” Kendal glanced over his shoulder at me.

  “I need you to do this and then be gone so Bastion has no reason to come to Grand Rapids, ever,” I continued, ignoring his jibe.

  “I will do it, but I d
o it for you, not Allister.”

  “I know.” I walked to the door, stopping as he started to speak.

  “You must love him a lot.” He looked at me, sadness in his eyes.

  “More than I can explain.” I nodded. I walked down the stairs as my cell phone vibrated. I opened it up, seeing a text from Angelina, the only one I’d gotten in days.

  Allister wants me to tell you he loves you, no matter what happens. If you wouldn’t be in peril, he would sacrifice his life to see you one more time.

  I stopped on the stairs, contemplating going back and telling Kendal it was off. The thought of seeing Allister one more time before I died appealed to me, but I couldn’t let my desires outweigh my love for him. With me gone he could live on and I would be where I should have been since that day on the river’s edge, dead.

  “Is he leaving?” Trish asked as I jumped into the Jeep.

  “Yeah.”

  “For good, he’s leaving for good?” Elisa couldn’t

  hide her enthusiasm.

  “For good. You don’t need to sleep over anymore,

  unless you want to.” I forced a smile. “Can you drop me

  off at home, I’m kind of tired?”

  Gabe sat waiting on the hood of his car as we

  pulled up. He slid down and walked over as I jumped out.

  Trish pulled away and I waved.

  “Not staying here tonight?” he asked.

  “No, no need.” I walked past him without

  stopping.

  “Why is that?”

  “I told Kendal to leave Grand Rapids.” “You what?”

  “I told him to leave.”

  “And he listened to you?”

  “Yep, sorry but you’ll have to hunt him down on

  your own now.”

  “No problem, although I’m a little surprised he’d

  listen to you. Even if he is in love with you,” he added

  when he caught my expression.

  “So that’s it.” I stopped at the base of our porch

  steps and turned to him, extending my hand.

  “What’s it?” he looked at my hand as if it was

  some hideous tentacle.

  “You can go and chase down Kendal on your

  own. I’m done with it.”

  “You don’t care he nearly killed Cassie?” “Of course I do, but I have to get him out of here

  so Bastion doesn’t find me and hurt everyone I love.” He stared at me, incredulous, then turned and

  stormed off. He slammed his car door and sped, as much

  as a Focus can speed, down the street.

  Chapter 27 I rushed inside. Details, details, I needed to get the details for tonight set so I didn’t forget anything. I started by taking out some paper and sitting down at my desk.

  Dear Three Amigos,

  I know you will be upset with my decision, but I hope someday you will understand I do this for love. Love of you and Allister. Bastion is closing in and if he finds me, he will surely want to eliminate you three to keep his secrets.

  I do this for Allister, to keep him alive, not giving Bastion any evidence to use against Allister to put him to death. He created me out of love and I am giving up my life out of love as well. I don’t regret the past months he allowed me to feel alive again. I treasure every minute the three of us spent together, time I never could have had without Allister’s gift. So please, don’t cry for me, my life is what I always hoped for. I have the love of someone I love with all my heart and I have the love and friendship of the best friends any girl could wish for.

  Eternally yours, Britt. I wiped the tears from my eyes and cheeks, dabbed them off the paper, and folded it in half. I planned to ask Kendal to leave this at Trish’s house afterwards.

  The rest of the evening I gathered some things together, placing them out for easy discovery. Lockets, rings, and other jewelry I deemed precious. I held the locket I picked out for Angelina on that fateful shopping trip to Duluth, in front of my face. The intertwined hearts with the words sisters forever gleamed back at me. I sadly set it on my dresser. I took the ring I bought for Allister and rubbed my thumb against the shiny surface of the black onyx stone set in gold. On the back it said: Eternally Yours, Britt. I set the ring next to Angelina’s necklace and turned away, not wanting to feel the agony looking at them brought me anymore.

  I stared out my window waiting for Kendal as the sun set, bringing my last day to a close. Much calmer than I thought I’d be.

  “So you’re really going to go through with it?” Kendal’s voice came from behind me.

  I jumped out of my chair, spinning to face him. “Yes.”

  “Allister is a lucky man to have you love him so deeply you’re willing to sacrifice your own life to preserve his.”

  “I’m the lucky one,” I said truthfully.

  “Are you ready for this?”

  “One thing.” I held up my letter to the girls. “Could you leave this at Trish’s house once it’s over?”

  “Now I’m a delivery boy?” he raised an eyebrow.

  I looked at him, unblinking.

  “Fine.” He took it and shoved it into the front pocket of his jeans.

  “Okay.” I stood, inhaling deeply.

  “I need one thing first,” he said.

  I looked up at him, my nerves creeping closer to the surface, threatening to break free and shatter my stoic facade. “What?”

  “I want a kiss.”

  “Huh?”

  “A kiss. I want you to kiss me first. Then I’ll do it.”

  I looked away from his expectant gaze. Did I want the last lips I touched to be those of a killer? My killer?

  “If you don’t, I won’t.” He sensed my hesitation.

  “Fine,” I sighed. “But just a little one. Don’t get any big ideas.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he nodded.

  Uneasy, I stepped close to him. His breath brushed against my forehead as he stared down at me. I looked up. His eyes were dark and hard, nothing like Allister’s brilliant blue. I closed my eyes, trying to push away the reality of who I kissed, thinking only of Allister. His lips touched mine, soft and gentle, not like I expected. They pressed harder against mine, his passion pushing into me; his desire washing over me. If it were anyone else maybe it would be pleasant, enjoyable, but the knowledge that the lips pressing mine belonged to Kendal sent any hints of those feelings into an empty abyss inside of me, never to have meaning or purpose.

  After long enough, I opened my eyes and pulled away. Kendal stood motionless, eyes still closed, not willing to come out of his moment. He finally opened his eyes to look sadly at me.

  He nodded. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” I whispered. I closed my eyes as Kendal drew his hand back to plunge into my chest and rip my heart from me. “I love you Allister,” I whispered my last words to him.

  “No,” a voice cried out.

  My eyes flew open in time to see Gabe shoot a bolt of energy from his hand into Kendal’s chest. The Eternal convulsed and staggered backwards. Kendal regained his balance, lunging for me where I stood frozen in shock. As his thrusting hand grew closer to my chest another blast of energy hit him, driving him into the closet doors. The doors pulled off their hinges on impact and toppled to the floor with Kendal.

  Gabe shoved me out of the way, rushing to the fallen Eternal as he struggled to get up. Gabe raised his fist over his head and it glowed with energy. With incredible force he sent it down, plunging it into Kendal’s chest. Instead of pulling Kendal’s heart out like I expected, Gabe kept his fist inside the man’s chest. Kendal looked at me with eyes filled with sorrow. Even as he faced his end, I somehow knew he sympathized for me and what I needed to face now that he could no longer help me. I watched energy glowing within Kendal and then he shimmered and was gone, though not before a glowing mist-like vapor rose from him.

  The vapor from the Eternal rose above me, settling over me as my back arched convulsively, my toes comin
g off the floor as I floated above the ground. The mist hovered above me for a moment and then drove straight into me violently. I screamed in pain. Slowly my body lowered back to the floor and I lay panting for air as the pain echoed through me.

  Gabe knelt by my side. “Britt, what’s wrong, did he hurt you?”

  I couldn’t respond, the pain so enveloped me my thoughts couldn’t form into whole words. I gasped for air, my lungs burning. My breath came in short siphons instead of the large gulps I needed. A flash of light blinded me and then the room went dark. I lay still, the pain gone, but afraid I’d bring it back with any sudden movement. I looked around, trying to discern any identifiable shapes. A moan came from across the room and I saw a figure rise up. I knew Kendal was gone; it had to be Gabe.

  Gabe inched closer on his hands and knees until he reached me. Putting a hand on my arm he leaned close enough I could see his face in the pale light filtering in through the window from the street below.

  “What did you do?” I was crying.

  “What?”

  “Why did you stop him?” I sobbed. “He was my last chance to save Allister.”

  “What are you saying?” He leaned away from me.

  “I wanted him to kill me, to keep Bastion from taking me to Greece and sentencing Allister to death,” I said between jagged sobs.

  Gabe didn’t make a sound. Not a sigh, not a gasp, nothing to indicate he still sat there.

  “Gabe?” I said when my cries subsided.

  “I’m here,” he answered.

  “I’m sorry I disappointed you,” I whispered.

  “Is that what you think?” he inched closer to me so I could see his face again. Pain etched his features.

  “Then what?”

  “I’m saddened you would rather die to preserve Allister’s life, than perhaps eventually live a life with me.”

  “Gabe,” I started. He put a finger to my lips.

  “I pray someday I will find a love as pure as Allister has.”

  I reached up, put a hand behind his head and pulled him down to me. Placing my head next to his, I wrapped my arms around him and held him tight.

  When he pulled away there was a curious expression on his face.

  “What?”

  “Britt, you’ve changed.”