Three heads nodded in consent. Alan took a long breath and began quietly jogging down the dirt path. Back hunched to provide any guards a smaller target, Alan moved down the hall as fast as he could. Cells soon began appearing on either side of the path. Each of them was empty except one.
“Hello? Hello, is someone there?”
Alan flinched. The voice sounded familiar. It was coming from a cell he was passing on his left. Alan paused, looking into the darkness of the room. A shadow approached. He couldn’t see the figure under the rags, but the familiar female voice came again. “Alan, is that you? Oh, it is. You have to let me out of here.”
Triana’s sleek figure came into view just as the other three members in Alan’s escape party reached him. “Hey, what’s the hold up?” Bobby asked.
Alan was lost for words as he struggled with the right thing to do. He knew Triana as one of Gabriel’s right-hand soldiers. It was she who had led Kyle to Gabriel in hopes of stopping him. She had betrayed the forces of the Light, offering Kyle to Gabriel instead. The events following had proven painful for Kyle, as Gabriel tortured and twisted him, revealing him as the Horseman of Death.
“You,” Kyle said in an emotionless voice.
“Yes, it’s me,” Triana said, summoning her best smile. “Now let me out.”
“We should leave her here to rot,” Kyle said, his expression blank.
“Ahhh, we had some good times, didn’t we?” Triana said.
“How did you get here in the first place?” Alan asked.
“Sodom’s forces picked me up after I fled the battle with Gabriel. But never mind that—you must free me quickly; the guards have a timed rotation. They’ll be back soon.”
“And why would we do that?” Kyle asked.
“Well, that’s simple, isn’t it? Because I know the way out.”
It would have been hard to leave anyone behind. Turning your back to someone in a place like this was sentencing them to death. Now with the extra incentive of finding a way out, Alan looked to Kyle for consensus.
“Hey, what’s the hold up?” Rana asked, looking into the cell then back into the deserted hall.
“Nothing,” Alan said, still searching Kyle for some kind of response. “We’re taking her with us.”
Kyle sighed. “Don’t believe a word she says.”
“I’m not.” Alan motioned for the guard’s keys Rana still held in her hand. “But she won’t lead us into a trap as long as she wants to get out of here herself.”
Triana nodded eagerly as Rana found the correct key and opened the cell door. “I can show you the way; follow me quickly.”
Triana wasted no time in running down the maze of halls beneath the coliseum. Alan followed close behind with Kyle, while Bobby and Rana brought up the rear. A voice in his head began nagging at him the longer it took to find the exit. What if this is nothing more than another of Sodom’s sick games? What if Triana was planted for you to find?
Alan’s thoughts drifted off as Triana rounded a bend and came to a halt in front of a large wooden door.
“What’s this?” Alan asked. “Are we here?”
“Yes,” Triana said, “inside is the force that is impeding our supernatural powers. Through the room is the exit. I caught a glimpse of the chamber as they brought me in.”
“Great, let’s go,” Kyle said, reaching for the handle.
Triana caught his wrist in her hand before he could touch the door. “Caution, there is a contingent of soldiers guarding the stone that is inhibiting our abilities.”
Kyle shook off Triana’s grasp with a look of disgust.
“It’s a stone causing all of us to turn back into humans?” Alan said.
“Yes.”
“Well then, let’s get in there and destroy it and teach these suckers a lesson,” Rana chimed in.
“We’ll have the element of surprise,” Bobby added, “and if we don’t have powers, that means they won’t either.”
Alan readied himself for another fight. “All right, Triana goes for the stone and destroys it since she knows where it is. The rest of us make sure she gets there.”
A series of head bobs followed his words as they prepared themselves to crash through the door.
“One...” Alan said, reaching for the door handle. “Two…” Alan’s palm tightened on the door, every muscle in his still aching body poised and ready to explode through the door. “Three!”
Alan ripped the door open and rushed inside. Bright light momentarily blinded him. He blinked a half dozen times, trying to gain his bearings as he ran forward. Shouts and yells from guards around the room accompanied his returning vision.
The room was a massive circle with a podium in the center, where the source of the light sat. A huge stone that looked like it was made out of glass was shining as bright as a star.
More yells, and Bobby’s figure dashing past him to collide with a group of armored warriors brought Alan back to the present moment. Soldiers were pouring into the room from all directions.
Kyle hurled himself into a large guard carrying a club. They were still more than twenty yards from their target. Alan chanced a glance behind him and wished he hadn’t. Triana and Rana were still following, but now the room was thick with guards.
One of the soldiers reached out to catch a handful of Triana’s dirty blonde hair as she passed. Rana wasted no time in catching the extended arm with both her hands and twisting it in a quick motion that popped. Rana fell on top of the guard, who was screaming in pain by the time he hit the floor.
Ten yards from their goal, a wall of soldiers formed to protect the stone. Alan caught sight of Trubic organizing the defense. Alan recognized him from their multiple encounters. As Sodom’s nephew, he was a leader in his uncle’s army. Alan seriously doubted he had actually done anything to achieve the status.
“Here, stand here,” Trubic yelled to his men although Alan couldn’t help but notice he stood behind them.
Five yards from the pedestal the stone rested on, Alan collided with the wall of soldiers. The impact made Alan’s teeth chatter as he boiled over two guards and reached for Trubic.
The demon’s eyes were wide in horror as he backpedaled, falling on the pedestal steps. A second later, Alan felt a heavy foot on his back. He looked up as he fought with the guards around him. Triana had used his back as a springboard to reach the stone.
Looking away and squinting under the stone’s brilliance, Triana lifted the rock with both hands until it was high overhead. Then she slammed the rock onto the stone ground below.
To Alan’s dismay, the rock didn’t shatter; it actually bounced. He had a chance to exchange a shocked look with Triana, who looked just as confused as he felt. A heavy fist from one of the many guards dragging him to his feet brought blackness.
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine
A few miles from the scene of the battle, Ardat had chosen a hill to make their camp for the night. Tracy sat beside Ardat and her own horse, eating a meager dinner of human food the Shaman had brought with him. As a supernatural being, Ardat had neither the need for food nor sleep. They were luxuries she enjoyed; however, tonight would not be one of these times.
“Hurry and finish your meal,” Ardat said as she stared into the deep shadows the night brought. “We’ll need to practice into the early hours of the morning to prepare you.”
Tracy looked up from her meal of bread, cheese, and dried meat with a grimace. “It’s bad enough I have to eat this stuff, now no sleep?”
Ardat looked at Tracy with a hard stare. Although the lighting was poor, it was enough for Tracy to wish she hadn’t spoken. “Okay, okay.” Tracy stood up, wiping crumbs from her hands. “I’m willing to learn, but how are we going to train in the dark? Maybe we should just go to sleep and wait until morning?”
Even as the last words escaped her lips, the phoenix landed on the ground next to the pair and lit a small bush with fire. The dry wood sparked into flames and burned bright against the ebony darkn
ess of the landscape.
Tracy fixed the mythical bird with a hard stare of her own. “Great, thanks for that.”
The phoenix rustled its feather and took a seat next to her horse. The two animals stared at Tracy as if to say, “There you go. You have light now; no more excuses. Get your booty in gear, lady.”
“Your exploits today are not without merit,” Ardat said, hiding a smile as Tracy stuck her tongue out at the phoenix in case he missed her sarcasm. “Still, you’ll need a basic knowledge of spear strikes and blocks. We really should go over an assortment of weapons but, given the time we have, we’ll only be able to study the spear.”
Tracy raised a hand.
“Yes?” Ardat said.
“Why a spear? I’d like to use a sword or knives or something cool like that.”
“I’m sure you would. A spear, however, is the weapon of a Horsewoman. Seated on your animal, you’ll need a weapon that will provide you reach. The safest place for you, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, is on his back,” Ardat said, motioning to the large horse who watched the women with interest.
“Fair enough,” Tracy said.
Ardat studied a group of trees that lay just within the reach of the fire’s light for a moment before selecting two branches and breaking them from the trees with her mind. The long pieces of wood snapped with loud cracks and began to float to the teacher and student. As they came closer, Ardat pulled any stray branch or twigs from the wood until they were smooth poles. Ardat grabbed one from the air and directed the other one toward Tracy.
“I’m still getting over the fact that you can do things like this,” Tracy said as she gripped the pole floating in front of her. As she studied the weapon, a look of remorse crossed her face.
“What is it?”
“What?” Tracy said.
“You look like you’re regretting something you haven’t done yet.”
“Oh, sorry. It’s just that—I—at least I think I killed those people—er—demons in the fight today. Everything happened so fast, but I’m sure I killed a few.”
“You did what you had to do.” Ardat’s tone was firm. “They would have captured you and killed you when they were done with you.”
“Oh, I know. I know we didn’t have a choice. It’s just scary how fine I am with it. How natural the battle seemed.”
Ardat realized then the issue Tracy was struggling to come to grips with. “You’re not just anyone, Tracy. You are the Horsewoman of Disease. The power that has been trapped inside of you your entire life is alive and finally released. You’ll process things faster and accept things that would numb most people’s minds. I mean, look at you now. We’ve just been through a battle on the supernatural plane.”
“Fair point,” Tracy said.
“Now, no more questions. We reach Sodom’s camp tomorrow. I’ll help you as much as I can, but ultimately, it will be up to you and the other Horsemen to quell the rising Apocalypse and defeat Sodom.”
The two women sparred into the early hours of the morning. Ardat could see the strain the practice was taking on Tracy after the already long day of travel. Despite this, Ardat was pleased with her protégé’s performance.
You’ll need it, Ardat thought to herself. Everything we’ve done has led to tomorrow. You’ll be ready; you have to be.
---
“And this—” Gabriel eyed the piece of technology with amusement on his lips. “This collar is going to keep me in check, is it?”
Danielle exchanged a nervous look with Gideon. Raphael was the only one who seemed unfazed by the Fallen Archangel’s tone.
“Gabriel,” Raphael said, “it’s only a precaution until you prove yourself trustworthy. I think you can understand there are those who would rather see you stay here and rot than receive an opportunity at redemption.”
“Whatever you say, Poseidon.” Gabriel shrugged. “Let’s get this over with then.”
Gideon looked to Raphael for instruction.
Raphael nodded to the angel.
“Miss Turner, would you assist me?” Gideon asked as he cautiously made his way to where Gabriel stood, still chained to the cell wall.
Danielle’s brow furrowed as she tried to make up a reason to say no. The last thing she wanted to do was move even an inch closer to the deranged murderer. Before she could think of something to say, Gabriel eyed her with a piercing stare. “Don’t be scared, Nephilim; I won’t bite.”
Instinct kicked in and Danielle began to move forward. “I’m not scared of you,” she lied.
Danielle stood next to Gideon and Gabriel. The Fallen Archangel looked her up and down, laughing. “You’re terrified of me.”
Anger boiled inside Danielle as Gabriel’s laughs rang through the cell. “Gideon, how do we put the leash on our animal?”
“Yes, of course,” Gideon said jumping as if he was being interrupted from some deep thought. Gideon lifted the silver collar over Gabriel’s head and lowered it gently around his throat. The green indicator light shone bright in the dark interior of the prison cell.
“If you would close the clasp on your side, Danielle,” Gideon said.
Danielle reached forward with trembling hands. Gabriel smelled horrible. The lack of a bath in the days he had been held prisoner had created an aroma around him that smelled like a mixture of sour milk and sweat. Danielle cringed as her fingers touched the cool metal around Gabriel’s neck. With one solid push, she felt the collar lock in place with a click.
A similar click came from the other end where Gideon locked the choker in place and pressed a button on a handheld device, activating the collar.
Both Danielle and Gideon took a few steps back as Raphael approached with a ring of keys. Raphael began unlocking the bonds holding Gabriel in place one by one.
Danielle turned her head to the side to make sure the guards stationed at the open door to the cell were still there. It was a meager relief to see them standing ready. A dozen warriors led by Esther stood fully armed and ready should anything happen.
Esther caught Danielle’s eye and gave her a firm nod. Danielle returned the gesture, although not as firmly, before turning back to Raphael.
As Raphael turned the key in the last lock holding Gabriel to the wall, he moved in close to whisper, “You can be better. I’ve seen it. Telling yourself it’s too late to change your path is only a lie you’ll tell yourself to avoid the long journey of absolution.”
Gabriel looked into Raphael’s eyes without a word.
Danielle and Gideon were the only other two besides Raphael and Gabriel close enough to catch the interaction. The hope and love Raphael still had for his fellow Archangel moved Danielle in a way she didn’t think possible, redefining her definition of forgiveness.
The last chain fell from Gabriel’s wrist. The Fallen Archangel stretched and groaned as he was able to move in positions foreign to him for so long. Everyone except Raphael flinched as Gabriel strode out of his cell. His tattered black robes fell around him like a shadow. “Well, what is it we do next?”
“Next we fight,” Esther said from the doorway.
“Good,” Gabriel said, walking past Danielle and Gideon then past Esther and the guards at the door as if they were some kind of annoyance. “I feel like killing someone.”
Chapter One Hundred Thirty
His head pounded like never before. Even as Alan opened his eyes he thought to himself, How many times have I been knocked unconscious? This can’t be healthy.
With a groan, he lifted himself from the rough floor. He was in another dark cell, this one made of grey stone on every side. There was no light in his prison, the only glimmer coming from somewhere outside his chamber through a small barred window in an ominous wooden door.
“Alan, is that you?” Kyle’s voice asked from somewhere in the darkness.
“Yeah, yeah I’m here.”
Alan worked his way on his hands and knees toward the sound of Kyle’s voice. Alan’s skull continued to throb as he crossed the room i
n darkness.
“There you are,” Kyle said.
Alan could barely see Kyle’s outline. He was propped in a sitting position on the cell floor.
“Is anyone else in here with us?” Alan asked, squinting into the dark.
“No, I think it’s just us. They must have taken everyone else and divided them into different cells. What happened? I couldn’t see much. Did … did Triana betray us?”
Alan thought back to the events that landed him in the gloomy cell with Kyle. It came back to his aching mind in a flash. “No, she reached the stone and threw it to the ground to break it, but it just bounced off the floor. She was as stunned as I was that it didn’t work. I could see it in her face.”
“Great. Well, at least we don’t have to feel like total idiots for trusting her. So, what now?”
Alan let a long sigh escape his lungs. “I don’t know, but I’m not giving up. Whatever happens next, we have to believe that the others will come. Cratos is coming back, and Esther and Angelica will strike when he does. We just have to survive. We have to find a way to stay alive.”
“I’m with you,” Kyle said.
The two sat in silence, each lost to his own thoughts. Alan’s throat was raw, his head in agony, but past all of this he was thinking of Seraphim. He remembered her last words, how she looked so small, so helpless lying on the bench of their previous cell.
Anger rose within him, a rage he knew he had to subdue if he was going to honor her last request. Not vengeance, Alan thought, his hands balling into fists, justice.
Alan wasn’t sure how long they spent in the cell … hours, maybe even a full night. Sleep was still far from his mind when he heard the sound of marching feet.
Alan struggled to a standing position, weak from the lack of both food and water. Kyle did the same beside him. Soon, keys were being turned in the locked door and a large group of Sodom’s guards entered, carrying torches.
The lights from the flames were blinding. Alan blinked a dozen times before his eyes adjusted and he was able to see who stood in the room. Accompanying the guards stood Trubic, wearing a bright-orange suit of gilded armor more befitting a parade leader. “Feeling well, Horsemen?” Trubic asked with malice in his voice. “Thought you could flee this place with that traitor, Triana?”
The Complete Archangel Wars Series: A Shared Universe Series (The Archangel Wars) Page 67
