Archangel's Fire

by L. G. Castillo

  “Maybe it’s in there and we just can’t see it,” I said. “You know, like the Sanctuary. It’s there, but hidden by magic.”

  He paused, looking excited. “You have a point. But how do we open it? There doesn’t seem to be an opening.”

  He ran his hands over the box. It hung suspended in air with nothing below it or above. I walked around it, looking for a hint of an opening.

  “Maybe I can break it open.” I took out the dagger and tapped against the box, testing it. It clinked. “It’s made of real glass. It should break.”

  I tapped on it harder. Nothing. Not a crack. I ran the dagger along the sides, then jabbed it as hard as I could. There was not even a scratch.

  “Here, let me see try.” Taking the dagger out of my hand, he flapped his wings, lifting himself a few feet off the ground. “Stand back.”

  Hurling himself forward, he brought the dagger down onto the box. It bounced off, sending him flying back. He crashed against one of the red seats.

  I ran to his side. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m going to try again.”

  “Wait,” I said, quieting him.

  There was a muffled sound of yelling in the distance.

  “They’re here.” I looked wildly at the box. There had to be a way to open it.

  “Come on, Senna. I have to get you out of here.”

  “We can’t go. We have to get this open.” I slapped my hand against the box. This was our only chance. There was no way we would get another. The box would be moved. Or worse—destroyed.

  “Why won’t this open?” I beat the box with my fists until they started to bleed. “Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why me? I don’t know any magic to open this.” I beat even harder.

  The yells grew louder. I glanced in the direction it was coming from. The white door leading to the roof bulged. The hunters were behind it and for some reason were having a hard time getting through it. It had to be Nevada’s doing. She was using her magic to give me time. I had to find a way to use mine.

  I stared at the empty vessel, willing it to open and for the book to reveal itself. Then I placed my hands against both sides. Its heat seared through my skin. I snatched my hands away.

  “Damn it! Stupid sun burning my—that’s it!”

  The screech of warping metal reverberated through the air. The door was breaking.

  “Senna,” Cade’s voice warned.

  “I can do this,” I said with dogged determination as I searched the empty space just above the box. I’d done this before. I could do it again.

  There was a glimmer, and I finally saw what I was looking for—a ray of sunlight. Then another appeared and another. I swiped my hand over the box, gathering the strands of light. They bent and twisted to my will until they were in place, all focused on one spot on the box. It began to tremble.

  “Senna! Look out!” Cade flung himself over me, his wings shielding me from the exploding glass.

  When Cade lifted himself off me, I looked up. It was there. The book.

  The metal door gave way with a squeal of hinges.

  “Hurry, Senna.” Cade snatched the book, opening it.

  The moment I touched it, something took over me. It was as if a spirit filled my entire being. Calm swept over me and I knew exactly what to do. My fingers flipped through the ancient book to the page where I knew I’d find the spell to break the curse.

  Time seemed to slow as the hunters headed to us. Their boots pounded against the roof. Each step reverberating minutes in between the other.

  Our lips moved in unison as Cade and I read a short passage written in a language I’d never seen before. Somewhere within the deep recesses of my mind, the strange shapes on the pages formed into words. Our voices intertwined into a mesmerizing song, his baritone to my soprano as we read.

  As we read the last line, I glanced up. The hunters were so close I could see Cade’s and my reflections on their swords.

  And as one of them snatched Cade’s dagger and the book, we uttered the last word together.

  Ah’ava.

  It didn’t work.

  When we read the last line, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Maybe the hunters would suddenly disappear or somehow Cade and I would find ourselves back in the Sanctuary. Nothing happened. Everything was exactly the same, except now the hunters had us.

  Cade looked at me with worry as we headed down a long hall toward a pair of ornate arched doors. Etched on it was a snake wrapped around a pair of gold and silver keys.

  “Don’t say anything when we’re inside. I’ll get you out of this,” Cade whispered.

  “But—”

  “Please, Senna.” He held my eyes, pleading.

  Before I could say another word, we were shoved through the doors into a large room. It looked exactly like the guardian’s temple with its cool marble floors and ornate pillars. The only difference was the floor-to-ceiling windows that circled the room. In the far corner was a large table filled with so much fruits, meats, and sweet cakes they could feed the entire city two times over.

  There were sets of plush white couches every dozen or so feet. Some of the fallen clustered around the couches, softly talking to each other, enjoying their meals.

  The hunters shoved us to the center of the room. The fallen quieted, looking at us in shock. Some whispered to each other, pointing to Cade and then to an archangel near the windows. Reddish-brown hair waved down to the tips of his broad shoulders. His wings were so large they covered several window panes.

  As all eyes turned to the archangel, a force jolted through my entire body. Then came a wave of yearning so powerful it made my stomach roll with repulsion. It came from every direction in the room. Even the image was the same—the archangel standing in front of the wall of windows. There wasn’t a single person in there who didn’t covet the archangel’s place.

  The heart of the curse was in the room and at the window was its center. I staggered back, pushing against the assaults that threatened to blacken my very soul. The wave finally subsided, and I could see the archangel again. There was no doubt in my mind that this was Rahab.

  Standing on his left was Niamh. She was so still I almost missed her. The only movement was her finger lightly stroking the gold locket resting on her chest. Her pale eyes gazed in my direction, but she didn’t seem to be looking at me. She was thinking of something or someone else.

  Seemingly out of nowhere, Nimrod’s massive body appeared beside her. He handed her the ancient book we’d fought so hard to get to. He looked from her to me and then to Cade. His eyes narrowed when Cade protectively shifted closer to me. “You continue to surprise me, Cadriel.”

  “I can say the same about you.”

  I whipped my head up to Cade. His jaw tensed as he glared at Nimrod. He knew this killer demon? Why didn’t he tell me?

  “So they sent you, my brother,” Rahab said as he continued looking out the window.

  “Let the witch go, Rahab. It’s me you want. She’s useless. Pathetic. Her own kind shunned her out. She’ll be of no use to you. She couldn’t even break the curse.”

  Cade’s eye flicked down to me nervously. Even with all the hunters and fallen who loathed witches watching us, he couldn’t help but make sure that I didn’t believe his lie. He didn’t need to worry. The warm pressure of his fingers brushing against my arm told me how he really felt. He was trying to keep me from being one of the bodies lying in Rahab’s barbaric labs.

  “She’s not as useless as you think.” Furling his wings into his body, Rahab turned to face us and I gasped. He looked exactly like Cade. I knew they would since they were brothers, but I thought he would look more like Nimrod with wrinkling skin and black eyes. Instead, he was like the guardians with their perfect unmarred skin. He was beautiful.

  Rahab glided to me with that same fluid grace as the guardians. Sapphire eyes, so much like Cade’s, held mine as he moved. When he neared, I saw how different he actually was. They were not warm, caring windows that reflect
ed love and tenderness. They were hollow glints of ice. “So, you’re Diana’s daughter.”

  “Leave her alone,” Cade growled as he took a threatening step. The hunters were instantly on him. They shoved me aside and surrounded him. A dozen swords laced with enough purple paste to kill an angel a hundred times over pressed against his chest and back, ready for Rahab’s command.

  Rahab glanced at Cade with disgust before turning back to me. “Answer me, witch.”

  I gazed up at the stunning face glaring down at me. His body towered over mine in an attempt to intimidate me. This was the archangel who broke his promise to his own people. He betrayed my mother, his family, his brother. He revolted me. I wasn’t afraid anymore. He didn’t deserve my fear.

  Pulling my shoulders back, I lifted my chin in defiance. “Yes, I am.”

  He snorted. “Nimrod, I believe I’ve won the bet. Didn’t I tell you that they were still alive?”

  Nimrod marched to me, pulling out his sword. “I’ll rectify that now, Master.”

  Rahab lifted his hand, motioning him to stop. “No. Let’s have Cadriel get rid of her, shall we? After all, she’s just another—how did you put it, brother?— useless witch.”

  Rahab motioned to the hunters to drop their swords. They stepped back, leaving an empty space between Cade and me. His lips curled into a wicked smile as he waited for Cade.

  Cade’s face paled for a split second, but then he quickly schooled his expression. “It’s beneath our royal house to do such a mundane task.”

  “Now, now, brother. I’ve learned that sometimes angelic royalty should lead by example.”

  Cade swallowed nervously. “Still, she’s not worth the effort.”

  Rehab smirked. “Hmm, you don’t think so? Look outside there, what do you see?”

  Cade gazed out the windows and blinked, confused. “The city.”

  “Look closely.”

  “I see nothing unusual.”

  Rahab pointed to a far corner in one of the windows. “There are two stars in the sky. Evening stars. It’s been almost two decades since those stars have appeared.”

  It worked! We did it! The curse was broken. It was over. I let out a slow breath, thinking of Lily and the others in the Sanctuary. They were going to be all right now.

  “Don’t look so pleased, witch,” Rahab growled. “The curse wasn’t entirely broken. I was told that the spell wasn’t completed and there’s still time to fix this. Isn’t that right, Niamh?”

  Niamh stood silent against the wall of windows, still clutching the locket. She closed her eyes for a moment as if she were in pain. Opening them, she stared out into empty space as she spoke, “Yes, Master.”

  “Take heed, Cadriel. Skill and loyalty will always be rewarded, even for a witch. Because you are my brother, I’ll give you one final chance to prove your allegiance to me.” He motioned to the hunter who had taken Cade’s dagger. He handed it to Rahab.

  “Don’t do this, Rahab,” Cade pleaded. “You’re still my brother. Return to us, to our mother. It’s not too late. Remember why you chose to take down the demon lord before you. Don’t be like him.”

  “Oh, but I’m not like him. I’m better.” Rahab held out the dagger to Cade. “I knew you would come just as I know you will take this out of my hands and kill the witch despite your fondness for her.”

  Cade’s eyes locked with mine. In them, I saw all the unspoken words that were wasted when we’d fought against our feelings for each other. Archangel or witch, angelic royalty or commoner, none of that mattered because love transcended it all. I was a part of him now and he was a part of me.

  “You’re wrong. My loyalty is to her. And it always will be,” he added in a low whisper.

  Rahab’s nostril’s flared. He whirled around, motioning to Niamh. “So be it.”

  Niamh hesitated. Her head tilted as if she were listening for something. I held my breath, wondering what was happening, when I heard it too. It was a muffled roar of people yelling and metal clashing against metal. My heart skipped a beat when I thought I heard Lukas and Nevada’s voices barking directions.

  I looked around the room. Everyone was focused on Cade. Why couldn’t they hear it?

  Niamh gave me a faint smile. Pressing her back against the wall, she took a breath and closed her eyes. Her body shook for a few seconds before it sank slowly to the ground. There was a cold breeze and a gray mist darted across the room, disappearing into Cade.

  Cade’s hands flew up to his throat. His face turned red and the veins along his neck strained as he gasped for air.

  “Cade!” Nimrod’s hand went down on my shoulder like an iron clamp when I tried to run to him.

  The gray mist swirled in and out of Cade. Each time it went into him, he cried out in pain. I strained against Nimrod’s hold. What were they doing to him?

  Suddenly, Cade stilled. His hands fell to his side. The gray mist appeared to be holding him up as it swirled around him. In one final swoosh, it entered his body, making his eyes roll back, before turning him to face Rahab. Then his body went into convulsions.

  “Stop it! Don’t do this to him,” I yelled at Rahab.

  Rahab looked at Cade, his lips curling with satisfaction. He nodded at Nimrod, who finally let me go.

  When I reached Cade, I didn’t know what to do. His body shook like a fish on dry land. I was afraid touching him would make it worse.

  His body stilled. His back was to me, and I couldn’t see if he was conscious or if somehow the mist within him was still holding him up.

  The noise outside the room grew louder. I glanced over at Niamh, but her body was motionless on the floor. Everyone inside gave no indication they could hear what sounded like an entire army right outside their door. I sighed a breath of relief when I heard Nevada’s voice yelling at Ely to stand back. She would know what to do with Cade.

  “Cade, are you all right?”

  Slowly, he turned to face me. His face was blank. The pupils of his eyes were large and empty. The moment I reached up to caress his face, I caught a glimpse of silver glinting from the corner of my eye.

  There was no time to move. When Cade plunged the dagger deep into my chest, I placed my hands over his, touching him one last time.

  31

  A heavy weight slowly built in my chest as I clutched Cade’s hand, refusing to let go. I felt something warm and wet spreading, and I looked down. Red blossomed around the dagger.

  “Cade,” my voice rasped. His empty eyes gazed right through me.

  The room began to spin, and I could feel life draining from me. I had to tell him that I knew it wasn’t him. He had to know.

  “Break the chain. You’re not them,” I gasped as I slowly started sinking to my knees. “I know you, Cade. I know you.”

  There was a sudden crash. The sound of crushing metal echoed throughout the room.

  Cade didn’t respond. His eyes remained empty as the hunters and fallen ran with swords drawn to the front room. Swords clanked against swords behind us but all I could do was stare at Cade as I fought against the darkness that threatened to take me under.

  His face blurred and morphed, empty eyes turning to sapphire and then back again. His head lolled back and forth. He was fighting it.

  “Senna.” I crumpled to the floor when he breathed my name.

  “No, Senna,” he cried. He took a step toward me and jolted back. He tried again. This time, he couldn’t move. It was like invisible bands were tied around his arms and legs. He looked at me, helpless, his eyes filled with remorse.

  “Watch out, Deeth!” Nevada yelled as a hunter swung his sword. Ely rushed past her, lifting his hand. A spark of lightning flew out, sending the hunter crashing against the wall.

  “She’s taken possession,” Deeth said as he swung his sword, fighting against two of the hunters. “Do it now, Ely.”

  Ely headed to Cade, his hand held up.

  “No, don’t hurt him.” My voice was so low against the roar of the room I was surprised
when he stopped, hesitating.

  “Hurry, Ely,” Nevada shouted.

  I struggled to get back up and stop Ely. I could barely lift my hand.

  “Mother, I’m sorry.” Holding up both hands, Ely pointed them directly into Cade’s chest. Lightning flew out, whirling all over Cade’s body. His eyes rolled back and his body jolted and shook. Ely was killing him.

  “Cade!” I wanted to shout. Instead, it came out in a whisper.

  There was another jolt. Energy surged from Cade’s body and went into Niamh. Her body shuddered and then stopped. Ely rushed to her side. He pressed his cheek against her chest and wept.

  Cade laid motionless.

  “Damn, Lukas was right.” Nevada dropped to her knees beside me. She yanked the dagger out, and I gasped. “You’re one tough cookie.”

  “No, Cade.” I pushed her hands away when she pressed them over my wound. “Help Cade.”

  “He’ll be fine. It’ll take a minute to recover from being possessed. Hold still.” She pressed harder, muttering the familiar ancient language Cade and I had read from the book. Her voice was melodic, and I felt myself giving into the darkness. I was tired. So tired.

  “Senna? No!” Cade’s voice sounded over me. I couldn’t see him. It was too dark. “Tell me I didn’t kill her. Senna?”

  “Pull yourself together,” Nevada barked. “She’s alive. Barely. You have to take her. Now.”

  I felt myself being lifted into strong arms. Soft lips pressed against my forehead. “Forgive me.”

  “Nothing…to…forgive.” My breathing was more labored.

  “Senna, hang on. I love you. Please don’t die.”

  “Yeah, yeah, its true love. Now go!” Nevada spun around, flashing her sword out just as one of the fallen attacked.

  Cade tucked me deep into his chest. It felt like we were moving in slow motion as his powerful legs moved across the room. Through a pain-laden haze, I could see Nevada’s fierce face as she swung her sword. Sylas leaped through the air, his sword slicing through the air before plunging it into a hunter’s stomach. Then there was Ely, his pale blue eyes glistening as he held his mother’s lifeless body against his thin chest.