Netherworld, Soul Guardians Book 4

by Richardson, Kim

  Then the images stopped suddenly. A black ominous haze rose in her mind’s eye. The haze lifted slightly. An image of an unconscious Jenny wavered in the black mist. She was bent over, and a large iron chain was fastened around her middle. Her skin was white and sick looking. The black mist thickened, and Jenny disappeared.

  Kara released the soul and staggered back. Numbness spread through her body. Her head spun. A dull throb sounded in her ears. A shiver rolled through her, and it took a moment for her to gather herself.

  “Sh-she’s alive! She’s alive!” Kara jumped into the air and grabbed a fistful of the cherub’s robes. She pulled him into a tight bear hug and kissed him repeatedly on the forehead. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Kara released the confused and staring cherub.

  “Uh…you’re welcome.” The cherub smiled nervously, flattened his robe, and scurried away touching the spot on his forehead where Kara had kissed him

  Kara danced and skipped her way back to the elevator. She extended her arms and ran through walls of brilliant souls as if she were running in the fields by her grandmother’s cottage. Her fingers grazed the soft globes. Tiny shocks of electricity pricked her fingertips, and she waved joyfully to the puzzled cherubs.

  Kara left the hall of souls feeling more hopeful. Jenny was still alive somewhere in the netherworld, and Kara was determined to find her. While she was required to gather information for the Council—it was her job to do so—deep down she knew her own selfish priority was to save her friend’s life. She couldn’t deny it. She wouldn’t leave Jenny to rot in the bowels of the demon realm. She would save her, no matter what, even if it meant going back to Tartarus—she didn’t care.

  In the vision, Jenny had looked sick, and Kara knew she didn’t have very long. Her mission to discover if there were an army of Liliths could wait until another trip—that is if she made it back at all. Kara knew that telling the Council that Jenny was alive would be a mistake. They would force her to ignore her friend—or worse—wait until Jenny’s soul had died before sending her out. No. She decided to keep this piece of information to herself. There was no reason to alarm the Council since they all believed Jenny was dead anyway.

  Kara strolled into CDD an hour later. She made her way through the desks and chairs and noticed a few new faces she didn’t recognize. A few angels glanced her way as she crossed the room. They mumbled to themselves, and she heard her half-sister’s name whispered along the way. CDD was worse than a local high school when it came to keeping secrets. It appeared that her mission was on everyone’s mind. Kara glared at the onlookers, and they quickly turned around and pretended to busy themselves with their work. But she still caught the murmurs of her name once or twice. Her freak status was still an ongoing topic of gossip.

  She made her way slowly towards the large desk in the middle of the chamber. All but one of the chairs sat empty now. Apparently, David and Peter had not come straight back to level five. Kara wondered briefly what they were up to. She had a strange feeling—David was set on coming with her. She hoped he wasn’t doing anything stupid or careless. With David, it was almost always reckless, whatever it was. It was his motto. He was always getting into trouble. And now he had dragged Peter with him. Ariel sat alone at the desk. She looked up as Kara approached.

  “Hello, Kara,” said Ariel. She gestured with her hand. “Please, have a seat. I’m sure you’re anxious to get going, but I have a few things to go over with you before you depart.”

  Kara pursed her lips and nodded. She took a seat opposite the archangel. She folded her hands in her lap and waited. With her fingers twitching, she contemplated telling Ariel about Jenny’s soul, but decided against it at the last minute. She hardly knew Ariel; she wasn’t sure she’d keep her secret. She couldn’t take that chance.

  “The Council explained to you how important this mission is to the legion. Are you mentally prepared for it?” Ariel leaned forward. Her big toffee-colored eyes watched Kara carefully. “Do you have everything you need? Weapons?”

  “Yes, I think so.” Kara wiggled in her seat and returned the archangel’s gaze. “Apart from a few weapons, I don’t need much else. If I’m to spy—then I should be more invisible than anything else, right?”

  “Yes, you’re quite right.” Ariel looked along the table and then back to Kara. “Do you know where to find the Rift that leads to the netherworld? Any ideas where it could be situated?”

  “Well, I was hoping Peter would help me with that.” Kara glanced behind her. “I thought he’d be back by now. I wonder where he is—”

  “I’m sure he’ll turn up to see you off. Don’t worry.” Ariel looked serious.

  “Kara, listen to me. You’ll need to be extra careful. We know nothing of this Lilith. All we know is what you have told us—that she claims to be Asmodeus’s daughter—although we have no proof. Her anger towards you seems to be proof enough for the High Council now, but it smells rotten to me. And I don’t like you going in there alone.”

  Kara shrugged. “I don’t have a choice. No one can come with me.” Jenny’s pained face wavered in her mind’s eye. She leaned forward and placed her hands on the table. She sighed impatiently.

  “I know that,” said Ariel, “It just doesn’t feel right. You should always be with your team.”

  As she wiggled in her seat, Kara drummed her fingers on the table. “Right. Listen—if that’s all, I really have to go. I don’t have much time.”

  Kara started to get up but froze as she met Ariel’s frightening glare. She sat back down.

  “We need to know if there are more of these offspring.” Ariel lowered her head a little, her hair bobbing gently. “The idea that Asmodeus has been breeding can have catastrophic consequences. You, for example, you inherited powers from demons, fallen angels and mortals. What powers would other offsprings have?”

  “Lucky me,” blurted Kara. “I’ll do what I can. I promise. But she’s pretty powerful. Did I mention that she can take on different shapes? I can’t do that. I know she won’t be an easy opponent. I’m not even sure how to handle her. Hopefully, I won’t have to. We don’t even know what she is.”

  “From what you’ve told us,” answered Ariel, “we know she’s part demon, mortal, and something else. I know it’s not much, but it’s all we’ve got. You are our eyes in this matter, Kara. You’re the only one of us who can enter the netherworld. You must succeed. We will not survive another attack. Asmodeus was cunning and merciless. He cared nothing for the souls of mortals and angels. He had more than one plan in action. Lilith may be even more dangerous!”

  Kara shifted in her seat. Faces of dead mortals wavered before her eyes. Their dying wails filled her mind. She suppressed a shiver. Jenny wouldn’t be one of them. “I’ll do my best. Well, if that’s all, I really must be going. Thanks for the pep talk.”

  Ariel leaned forward and caught Kara by the arm. “Kara. I know you think your friend’s soul still lives—but don’t let your emotions get in the way of your mission. Don’t get sidetracked with the possibility that Jenny is still alive. She’s not. Lilith only wants you to think that she is, for a reason. Kara, be on your guard. She probably wants you to suffer. Revenge is an ugly emotion.” Ariel let go of Kara’s arm gently.

  “I know.” Kara pushed her chair back and stood up. A slight feeling of guilt welled inside her chest. She understood the importance of her mission, but she couldn’t let Jenny down either. She gave Ariel a sober nod. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry—”

  “We’re here!” David sauntered towards them. “You can start now.” He smiled cheekily. Peter came up behind him looking smug. Kara did a double take.

  “What’s up, queen Ariel? Miss me? Has the fort collapsed in my absence?” David smiled at the archangel, who despite Kara’s shock, smiled back.

  “Actually, we’re done here.” Kara interjected, “I’m just about to go. I just need the location of a Rift to the demon realm. Peter, you think you can help me with that?”

  “Al
ready done.” Peter beamed at her. His voice rose with pride. “I know where it is. I found it. It’s in Brazil. And we’re going to accompany you there, you know, to see you off,” said David. It was more of a statement than a suggestion. The blue of his eyes still mesmerized her. A jolt of electricity rippled through her body. She tore her eyes away from him.

  “Seriously, guys?” Kara shook her head and smiled in spite of herself. “Thanks, but there’s really no need. I can manage on my own. Besides I’m sure the archangel Ariel has other jobs for you.”

  “We insist!” David grabbed Kara by the elbow. “Let’s weapon up, shall we?”

  Ariel eyed them suspiciously, and David steered Kara towards the weapon wall.

  “David, what are you doing?” whispered Kara. She yanked her elbow out of David’s grip.

  David lowered his voice. “We have something to tell you. Something to do with your mission.” He grabbed a golden blade and inspected it closely. He raised his voice dramatically. “This one is very good! Yes! Can do some real damage! Easily cut through some ugly demons!” He yelled over his shoulder to make sure Ariel heard him.

  Kara watched Peter pretending to be interested in a glowing silver net that looked strangely like a large spider’s web. “What are you guys doing? Whatever it is you want to tell me—you better make it quick, Ariel is watching us. She’s not stupid. She won’t be fooled for long.”

  “We’re coming with you.” David continued to eye the gleaming dagger in a nonchalant manner.

  Kara frowned. “Seriously, David. You know you can’t. Remember the last time you tried to go through a Rift—you nearly lost your arm. It’s impossible. I really don’t have time for this. Jenny needs me. I have to get out of here.”

  David smiled and placed the blade back on the shelf. He took her right hand in his. “There’s no way I’m letting you go alone again. We’re both coming with you to the netherworld—brain boy has figured it out.”

  “What?” Kara’s voice rose. She glanced back at Ariel who still regarded them skeptically, and then lowered her voice. “That’s crazy. You know you can’t. You’ll both die. This is stupid, stop this right now.”

  Peter squeezed in beside them and lowered his voice. “It’s not stupid. We figured out a way. And it’s going to work. I’m positive.”

  Kara studied their faces. They didn’t seem to be joking. They had their serious faces on. “And how do you suppose to do that? You guys don’t have any demon essence in you. Only those with some demon spirit can travel into the demon realm. You already know this. I won’t let you go on a suicide mission. I won’t. Forget it.”

  Peter nodded, still wearing a smile tight with excitement. “But it’s not a suicide mission. I overheard the archangel Raphael talking when I was coming back from the Healing-Xpress. She said that if only they could take some of your strength and give it to the others, it would make them more resistant to demon threats. So it gave me an idea.”

  Kara lifted an eyebrow. “And what’s this crazy idea of yours?”

  Peter looked over his shoulder. “If we can somehow take some of your essence and put it into us…then we might have a chance of getting through to the other side.”

  Kara’s stared at them bewildered. Had she heard right?

  “I really think this could work,” said David, flashing his handsome smile. “I think we’ve got a real shot. We’d be a team again.”

  “You two are insane!” Kara’s voice rose, and she lowered it immediately when she saw Ariel looking over their way again. “It’s not going to work. There’s no way I’m letting you do this. How can you take some of my essence?”

  “It is going to work,” pressed David. He squeezed her hand. “Kara, listen. I’m coming with you this time—no matter what. You can’t stop me.”

  Kara studied David’s face. She had seen him this determined before, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it. The last thing she wanted was to lose Peter and David. They didn’t seem to understand what a dangerous, diseased, vile, and treacherous place the netherworld was. Angels weren’t safe there.

  “And how are you planning on doing this, Dr. Frankenstein?” Kara imagined herself pinned to a metal bed with tubes protruding all over her body while Peter, draped in a white lab coat, loomed over her with wide eyes and a crazed face.

  David whispered, “We’ll show once we’re out of here.” He looked over to Ariel who was still staring at them distrustfully. “Let’s get out of here before Ariel figures out what we’re up to.”

  With reluctance, Kara selected her weapons. “All right. Let’s go then—Sherlock, Watson.”

  David and Peter shared a smile, and the three of them moseyed towards the elevator. Kara doubted whether their outrageous plan would work. She had a bad feeling that this was only the beginning of a very eventful day.

  Chapter 10

  A Cocktail of Angels

  Humid air brushed against Kara’s face. The hot sun beat down on her head. Exhaust fumes moved in clouds of grey, choking out any fresh air. The aroma of roasted meat and the tang of smoke drifted from the streets. The concrete megalopolis of São Paulo was overwhelming. Millions of mortals flocked to and from their jobs and lounged at nearby restaurants. Loud conversations in a language she didn’t understand surrounded her. She didn’t know one word in Portuguese, but the language sounded exotic and beautiful. Endless stands of skyscrapers defined the horizon from every angle.

  They passed many lush green parks, and the avenues were all landscaped with tall leafy trees that swayed in the breeze. Remembering lessons from her high school geography class, Kara knew this was the largest city in South America, and São Paulo even made New York City seem small in comparison. She felt claustrophobic, small, and very insignificant. Much to her own surprise, Kara realized she preferred quiet small-town life, where she could hear herself think.

  Peter held a square contraption that looked like a television remote control with wires sprouting from the top. A flash of green electricity flowed through it. After reading it for a moment he gestured to Kara and David and led the way through the surge of humanity. Kara was relieved to see that the sidewalks were large enough to accommodate so many people at once. But she still got nicked and pushed by the mortal mob. After ten minutes of fighting the crowd, she was grateful when Peter took a sudden turn and led them down a quiet street. He stood in front of a beige stucco building with a large bay window that displayed a variety of female mannequins. He raised his hand and pointed.

  “It’s in there. Come on, follow me.” Peter climbed up three steps and pulled open a large green door. Kara and David followed quickly behind.

  The smell of mildew and cigarettes hit her on the way in. She gagged and covered her nose. They followed Peter through a multitude of racks crammed with dilapidated clothing. The fluorescent lights on the low ceiling hummed incessantly. Kara avoided stepping on large brown stains. Small black burn marks peppered the beige carpet that ran the length of the shop. After passing a selection of half-naked mannequins dressed in clothes from the seventies, they moved to the back of the store and down a hallway.

  A door stood at the end of the hallway. Peter wrapped his hand around the metal handle and pulled. A staircase lay beyond the threshold. Together, they climbed down four sets of stairs to a basement. Boxes were stacked all the way to the ceiling. Clothes spilled out of open crates. The air was stale, and a musty smell of incense surrounded them. Large black beetles scattered across the walls and disappeared into crevices as Kara ducked around a half-fallen halogen light fixture that flicked on and off and covered the room in eerie flickering shadows.

  “It’s over here.” Peter pointed to a spot on the wall that shifted and wavered as though the wall was made of liquid plaster.

  Kara crossed the room and stood by Peter. “So—now what, Dr. Frankenstein?”

  Nerves fluttered around inside her. She folded her arms across her chest, hid her trembling hands beneath them, and tried to look calm.


  Peter pocketed his contraption. “We begin. Let’s start with our special cocktail.”

  He lowered his green backpack to the floor. After rummaging through it for a moment, he pulled out a tiny silver dagger. The blade had a curve in it like a hook. He shared a sidelong glance with David and smiled.

  “So what are you planning on doing with that knife?” Kara didn’t hide her skepticism. She eyed the dagger suspiciously. “Seriously, what are you going to do? Skin yourselves?”

  “This is where the fun begins,” said David proudly. “Give it here.”

  He took the dagger from Peter and held out his hand. “Give me your hands, Kara.”

  Kara pressed her hands on her hips and glowered. “Excuse me? You can’t be serious. You’re going to…bleed me? No way. This is not happening.”

  “We can’t bleed you. You have no blood, remember,” replied Peter, a little hesitantly. “But we do need to cut through your M-suit to get some of your essence.”

  Kara backed away. She pointed a finger at David. “You are going to bleed me! I thought you were joking! Forget it. There’s no way I’m letting you do this. This is nuts.”

  “We each need a cut, not just you,” said Peter. “For our plan to work, your essence has to pass through our hands and into our bodies—from yours. Your essence needs to mix with our own for this to work.”

  Kara considered his words briefly. She wiped her brow. “You’ve gone mad—the two of you have gone completely mad—you know that. This is never going to work.”