The Damned and The Pure Series: Books 1-4 (The Damned and The Pure Series Box Set)

by J. D. Stonebridge

“No, I do not think she meant it in that way. As I see your soul right now, I can see that it is struggling to fuel your vessel. It is far weaker than that of an ordinary mortal.”

  “I’ve been told so,” Caelum said. “However, it doesn’t matter. We have more pressing matters to attend to. So, if you please, direct your attention to our goal rather than to me. It is quite flattering, I admit. But I’d rather focus on the world ending right now.”

  “Perhaps.” Daniel still studied him. “But I wonder how you will be able to fulfill your goal when your energy is depleting?”

  Caelum frowned. He detested how the angel belittled him, but he knew he was right. Even as they stood there, he could feel the weariness in his bones. He had never truly loved being a demon, but it would have been more convenient if he had remained damned rather than mortal. That fact was slapped in his face when he couldn’t do anything to protect his daughter from the archangel. Ariel had held him back from rushing to Mikaela’s aid, warning him of the risks. Most would have said he was lucky to be alive after facing Lucifer, but he’d rather have power while he was trying to go against the league of Heaven’s cruelest.

  “I still have to try,” Caelum told him. He shook his head, laughing at himself. “I really can’t just sit around eating popcorn while the whole world is caving in and everyone I even remotely care about is out stopping that from happening. Maybe I am weak.” He shrugged. “But even just a nudge is a push towards a destination, isn’t it?”

  The angel was confused by the decision, but in the depths of his mind, Daniel could relate to him. Even he was admittedly powerless against the archangels, he was still fighting to do something, anything, to help a cause.

  “Okay,” Daniel finally said. “I understand your determination. But I intend to lessen the damage to you if possible.”

  Caelum smiled. “Come on, I can handle it.”

  Chapter Eight: The Reluctant Hope

  The first place she thought of was the most obvious escape she could have cursed herself with. Mikaela and Ariel stumbled on grassy ground where just a few meters away stood a red brick house that blocked the setting sun from their eyes. Mikaela steadied herself and turned to look at the house that stood in the center of the meadow, shrouded in illusion to hide it from any who may come along. She fumbled with her crimson hair that blew with the cold wind that caressed her skin and looked around the area. It was as though time had stopped since she’d left it. Even the energies around it were still the same.

  “Where…” Ariel meant to ask, but Mikaela was already answering.

  “My house. Used to be at least,” she replied. “Can you see anything dangerous around?”

  “No,” Ariel confirmed. “We are safe here.”

  Her eyes went to the weapon she held in her hands. Ariel had lived for so long in Heaven that she knew the archangel had not wielded such a weapon before. It was gleaming white, the silver shining in the faint light of the setting sun. It was as beautiful as it was frightening. The weight in her hand oozed with power, so much more power than she had ever carried. It terrified Ariel, but it would terrify her further if it had remained with the archangel who’d meant to kill them.

  Perhaps he had it forged recently, for the coming battles, Ariel thought. She did not wish to lug around the weapon; she had always found more comfort with broad swords. The angel closed her eyes and concentrated on the weapon. Her energy focused at the tip of her fingers, and with a flick of her wrist, the spear vanished.

  “That’s a nice trick,” Mikaela commented.

  When Ariel looked at her, she could read so many emotions in the witch’s face; worry, exhaustion, dread, and disappointment. The angel looked away, a pang of remorse in her heart. “Mikaela, I am sorry for what happened. And I am sorry for not being able to strike Raphael.”

  “You were scared,” Mikaela said flatly. “I get it.”

  She walked over to the house and Ariel hurried to follow her. Mikaela’s steps were heavy on the grass, and her shoulders were tense as she walked. It worried Ariel.

  “We will find Caelum,” Ariel assured Mikaela. “But perhaps it’s best that we are separated. Our collected energies were attracting too much attention. First that demonic soul, and then the archangels.”

  Mikaela tugged at the wooden door, and it opened with a loud creak. The scent of old wood and fire enveloped them as they entered. Ariel didn’t have any reference for what a witch’s home would be like; she had encountered a few old stories passed down by humans, most of which were highly inaccurate. And now that she stood inside the red brick house, it looked like the ordinary home of a mortal, except that it didn’t have many electronic devices aside from a laptop. Shelves took up most of the walls of the home, and more books littered the coffee table at the center of the living room and the study desk in one corner. Her eyes traced each item as if all were new to her, until her eyes fell upon a red journal settled on the couch. While Mikaela fetched something for herself in the kitchen, Ariel went to the journal, somehow drawn to it. She opened the first page and her heart sank as she recognized the handwriting.

  “This is…” Ariel whispered to herself. Her fragmented memories flashed before her eyes: of the man who had waited for her and welcomed her with open arms. His smile was familiar and his voice was warm and smooth like honey. The angel flipped through the pages of the journal, a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes. She had been separated from him again, and she worried for his sake. The lock of dark hair fell from between the pages and nestled on the couch. Ariel reached down to pick it up and immediately knew it was hers.

  “I don’t suppose they’d expect us back at the scene of the crime, right? Your angel buddies, I mean.” Ariel spun around upon hearing the voice. Mikaela leaned against the doorframe to the kitchen, looking at her with suspicion.

  Ariel hesitated to correct her. “What do you intend to do?”

  “I want to find David and Jenny,” Mikaela revealed. Her eyes were scanning her living room. She walked to the desk, passing by Ariel and reaching for something on the table.

  “Mikaela…” Ariel began, worried. But Mikaela cut her off.

  “I know they’re still alive,” Mikaela turned to her, her eyes fierce but still bearing her worry. She looked down and added, “I know it.”

  The angel exhaled deeply. Her eyes bore sadness for the witch, though she did not know how to speak of it. She clutched the journal in her hand and hoped to somehow absorb her answers from it. The angel still found human emotions peculiar, and Mikaela was part human.

  “Look, I’m not crazy, okay?” Mikaela argued. “There was an escape hatch in the archives room; I saw it. David said it led to a tunnel that opens in the middle of the forest, for emergencies like what happened earlier. So if there’s even a sliver of chance that those two got out of the fire through that, I’m taking it.” She abruptly turned to Ariel, her eyes piercing as if challenging the angel to speak against her. But Ariel kept her silence, even while concern gnawed at the back of her mind.

  Instead, Ariel asked, “What is your plan then?”

  “I want to go back to the house,” Mikaela said, stuffing a few items into a pouch as she spoke. “When we got there, we didn’t sense their energies, so they’d most likely gone far already. We need to track them down. If I can get anything that still contains a part of their essence, I can use that.”

  Ariel nodded, uncertain on how to speak to her at that moment. She had seen Mikaela with the siblings, and though she acted distant with them – and to everyone else, for that matter – Ariel couldn’t help but believe that her camaraderie with them had grown into a friendship. Ariel couldn’t completely comprehend human relationships, however, she had come across many humans in the past to compare the behavior she saw.

  And Mikaela’s behavior was of one in a panic. Ariel could almost hear the frantic thoughts in the witch’s mind. She had been separated from her father and her friends while battling their greatest enemy. Ariel was unsurprised by Mikael
a’s reaction.

  She is still human at heart, despite being a powerful witch. Ariel felt a sense of pride for her. But that pride was washed away by the memories of the recent battle. The witch’s immense ability had alarmed the angel, and when she’d peered into her soul, she saw the growing demonic energy inside. Ariel focused on Mikaela again, taking a peek at the energy inside her body. Even now, she saw the dark energy overcoming the human part of her soul.

  “Mikaela,” Ariel decided to speak about it. Mikaela looked at her from over her shoulder, raising a brow inquisitively. “Have you been feeling strange since…?” She hesitated. “Since you absorbed that demon?”

  Mikaela’s eyes flickered uncertainly at the question. “Why are you asking?”

  “Because your soul is becoming more demonic,” Ariel said flatly. “It is the reason you have grown stronger. However, I fear that if it continues…”

  “I’ll turn into a demon, is that what you’re afraid of?” Mikaela said, dark humor in her eyes. She faced Ariel, bearing a weak smile. She let out a soft laugh at the surprised look on the angel’s face. “Don’t act surprised. Of course I knew that already.”

  “Then, why?”

  “Because I knew I could control that demon better than that stupid boyfriend of yours could,” Mikaela said. “And I know souls, Ariel. I told you already, I have been studying souls for so long, I should probably send in my resume to be a reaper!”

  “But, Mikaela, as I see it now, the demonic soul is taking over yours,” Ariel said.

  “I’m letting it,” Mikaela explained, her smile fading. “Just enough so that I can harness as much of its power. Don’t worry too much; the world would have already burnt out before that damned soul could overpower mine, anyway.”

  Ariel sighed. She looked down at the red journal in her hand, holding it tightly. Mikaela’s eyes also lingered on the journal and knew what the angel was thinking. “You guys aren’t the only ones who can sacrifice something for what we’re doing, you know,” she told Ariel. “I know Dad got his soul damned to see you, risked his life to save you, and you lost your wings and turned your back against your home because of him. I can do something, too. Right? To protect what I care about?”

  The words echoed in Ariel’s mind. She thought of the journey she had embarked on and how everything now threatened those she wanted to protect. Images of the cave flashed behind her eyelids. She saw Caelum’s lifeless body and the bridge that had been created through his sacrifice. How fiercely did she want to escape with him, even though she thought he had gone? How fiercely she desired to claim justice for him and for her home that she let go of her fear and flew through the hellfire.

  “I understand,” Ariel finally said. “I understand how you feel, Mikaela. However, please promise me you will fight it. I have no desire to lose you too.”

  Mikaela felt warmth in her cheeks. It was a soothing feeling she was not familiar with. Her eyes studied the angel before her, as if seeing her for the first time. She was beautiful, indeed. Smooth face, striking blue eyes and long dark hair. She was clutching the journal Caelum believed to be his when he had been human, where it told of his romance with an angel. Mikaela still found it hard to believe that their paths had crossed after centuries, only to be reminded how it had all been part of the plan to free Lucifer.

  They fell in love because they were being led to that moment. Mikaela still wondered if that was truly the case.

  After rechecking to make sure all the items she needed were in the pouch, Mikaela headed for the door, Ariel following suit. Just before she stepped over the threshold, Mikaela paused. She couldn’t remove herself from the wondering thoughts about the angel and her father, along with everything that had happened over the past few days. She has focused for so long on only one thing, one purpose. Now she was willing to do the exact opposite of her previous goal.

  Sacrifice, huh? Mikaela thought.

  Ariel looked to the witch curiously. “Is everything alright?”

  Mikaela turned to her. Sapphire eyes met her emerald ones, and for a moment, Mikaela felt a strange connection with the angel. She looked away and headed for the door. Under her breath, she added the word, “Thanks,” but was not certain if the angel had heard her.

  Angels had been united since the creation of Heaven. Such harmony was the heart of their home, where all had their place and all had their duty. And they had never been divided as they were now.

  “Father entrusted us to protect our home,” Gabriel reminded them. Her voice was filled with pride and authority as one of the archangels and one of the first angels God created. Her golden eyes met countless more that bore the fear and doubt she wished to abolish. This is not the time to question what you know.

  “Father created the law that kept us in harmony for so long. And with His word broken, so does the peace amongst our brothers and sisters!” Gabriel’s voice rose. “With the return of our fallen brother, the balance between the worlds stands on the brink! We have been tricked. We have been toyed with for so long, believing that the one Father had appointed to lead us was just. I have never wished to consider that He was mistaken in his choice, but perhaps it is only that His beloved sons had been lying to Him for too long.

  “Stand with me, my dear brothers and sisters! The time for our Father to return is nearing, and we must prepare. We will not let those who believe themselves to be on the same level as our Father desecrate what we have been building for so long!” Gabriel raised her fist in the air, earning shouts of approval from the crowd she’d gathered. Angels of different positions had heeded her call, and it was up to her to prove to them that they could stand strong against the hypocrisy of her brothers.

  Hope was in her heart, and her faith fueled that hope. Gabriel believed in what was right, and she held on to the belief that her goal could be achieved. With more of the angels standing by her side, the time to strike may come sooner than she had calculated. And she was delighted.

  But a pitchy laughter echoed above the cheers and shouts of the angels. All fell silent, letting the laughter fill the hall of Gabriel. When she located the source of the noise, all turned to a slim, tall angel standing near the great doors, a female seraph with golden brown hair spilling in curls over her chest and reaching to her waist. She smiled at Gabriel.

  “Jeliel…” Gabriel stared at the angel in utter shock. “What are you doing here?”

  “Forgive me, my sister,” Jeliel said sweetly. “But matters that are discussed regarding the archangel are my responsibility.” Her hands touched the great doors behind her, and with a small push, the doors opened.

  Outside Gabriel’s hall was an army of Michael’s seraphim, carrying holy blades and shields, ready for battle. The angels she had gathered gasped and cowered in fear; few showed the courage they had shown only moments ago.

  “I do not permit your presence in my hall!” Gabriel announced to them. “Leave!”

  “My dear sister, that simply cannot be done,” Jeliel said. “I am extending an invitation to all of you to come in the presence of our lords.”

  Michael and Lucifer stood tall as Gabriel was escorted into the great hall. Lesser angels guarded her, as if protecting her, when Gabriel knew she was being treated like a prisoner. Such blasphemy had spread since Lucifer’s return, and the female archangel did not wish to let it go on any longer. She looked around the room where her followers had also been gathered, as well as the others who either approved of Michael’s orders or were too cowardly to choose a side. She gazed at them all, reading each of their faces. You have all been blinded by centuries of lies! Gabriel wanted to scream at them, but she pursed her lips and kept her silence.

  Disappointment and controlled anger was in Michael’s face, while Lucifer’s was a strange mix of curiosity and glee. Both looked down on her as she was positioned to stand before the raised dais they stood on, and the disrespect to her position as one of them was unbearable to Gabriel.

  “My poor lost sister,” Lucifer called h
er. “Have the days of war made you hungry for the battlefield?”

  “No. But the image of you does,” Gabriel spat back.

  “Do not speak to him in such a manner!” Michael warned Gabriel. She looked at him with narrowed eyes. I can hardly believe I followed your orders.

  “Reports of your plan of a coup have reached us, Gabriel. What do you say about these claims?” Michael asked her.

  “I say they speak the truth,” Gabriel answered him. “I am highly disappointed that one such as yourself cannot determine which are true and which are lies, considering you have been telling so many of the latter for centuries.”

  Michael raised his chin at her, breathing deeply. “I expected more from you, sister.”

  “I can say the same for you, Michael,” Gabriel returned. “But at least I still tell truths while you continue to spread lies.”

  “And what lies do you believe are being told, Gabriel?” Lucifer challenged her.

  Gabriel glared at Lucifer, her eyes dripping with rage. “You, for one.” She turned to Michael and continued. “You have claimed for centuries to be working under our Father’s command, yet you have been conspiring with the one son he banished for disobeying him. What does that say about you, Oh Great Michael?”

  A wave of surprise washed over the angels who witnessed the exchange. Gabriel’s ferocity was known by all angels, but none had ever challenged Michael the way she did. Her eyes pierced through Michael’s, unyielding and burning with anger. She turned her head to address the other angels that filled the room, her voice reaching out to all of them.

  “Remember our Creator, our Father! He who loved us and guided us all! He created the worlds to nourish all souls that He created. Remember how Lucifer defiled His creations. Remember why He banished his first son from this land! For centuries, we have worked hard to keep the peace between the worlds, and now the one who once destroyed that peace has returned to our home without His permission. I ask you this, my brothers and sisters, are you willing to let them lay waste to our home? To lay waste to what we have been building for so long!