Before Josiah went back in, I thought about G.I. Jane.
“Hey,” he turned around, flinging his dreadlocks behind him. “What’s Georgie’s story? Why is she locked up?”
He looked around the dimly lit alley and whispered, “It’s the only way I can keep her safe—she’s Nephilim.”
I couldn’t believe what he just said. G.I. Jane is Nephilim and she wouldn’t help me. She sat there, listened into our conversations, and didn’t say a thing. Why do these people not believe in sticking together?
“What?! We have to go back in there, she needs to help us!” I said as I inched closer to Josiah. At that moment I knew, he really did pity me. It was written all over his face.
“I can’t let you in. She’s there for her own protection.”
“You have her locked up like an animal! That’s not protection,” I couldn’t help the tremble in my voice and I definitely could not leave her there to rot.
“You know nothing, Nephilim! She came to me to lock her up! She is in there by her own free will and can leave whenever she wants,” he said. His pointer finger aimed in my direction and I could see the veins popping out of his neck.
“Well since she can leave at her own free will, then let’s go get her. I’m sure she’d like to get out,” the anger in the pit of my stomach was bubbling and I just wanted to free her by force. Who would choose to get locked up like that?
“You don’t get it, kid…if she steps one foot out of this Lair, they’ll snatch her up so quick—she’ll never even see it coming.”
“Who?” Jones asked.
“I can’t say. Once I speak his name, he’ll know—and no one will be safe.”
The terror in his voice was evident. His paranoia was getting the best of him as he surveyed the alley more frequently.
“What are you so afraid of?” I relaxed a little and took a step back, not wanting to overwhelm him. The Josiah we met before was completely different from the one we saw now. His face glistened with sweat, he took the sleeve of his shirt, and wiped his upper lip just before he whispered, “The one who cannot be killed.”
He ran back into the Devils Lair so quickly, we only noticed as the door slammed shut. I was stock still, as I stared at the door he just went through and repeated what he said, “The one who cannot be killed.”
“Come on Max, let’s get back to the car,” Jones said as he tugged at my arm.
I mindlessly followed him as we tried to walk through the congested streets that were overflowing with tourists. The lights were so bright, I must have been staring at them for too long because my sight was covered with black spots. I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision but flinched at the sting of my swollen eye.
In the short time Jones and I have been on our own, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and they were telling me something. I closed my eyes and opened my senses as a burst of energy exploded in my mind like I could finally see clearly. I could feel the heat and energy of the people around me and I walked around blindly without bumping into anyone. The buzz around me awakened my mind—giving me a mirage of emotions. I felt alive; a rare feeling in the middle of all the turmoil that had consumed my life.
“Max?” I opened my eyes to find Jones watching me as he opened the door to our SUV. “Are you okay?” I hadn’t realized we’d made it to the parking lot already. Or that I had stopped walking.
“Yeah, have you checked your phone?” I asked.
He grabbed the cell phone from the glove compartment and skimmed through whatever missed calls we might have had.
“Xavier called twice. Let me see what’s going on,” he said as he dialed my dad’s number and went inside the SUV, closing the door behind him.
I stayed outside to give him privacy since my father and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms. But it doesn’t necessarily mean I can’t eavesdrop. I opened my hearing and concentrated on Jones’ voice and the voice on the line—I closed my eyes and I could hear them clearly.
“Xavier.”
“Loran, why didn’t you answer? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, we just got a little…held up.”
“Oh, okay. Well I think you should both come home. Things have been pretty quiet and it’s time for us to tie up loose ends…Emily’s funeral is this weekend—Saturday—and I’d like for Max to be there.”
There was a pause in the conversation and I could hear Jones breathing accelerate.
“Tie up loose ends? You’d like for him to be there? You haven’t even bothered to speak to him in over a month! What the hell is going on? We’re running around blind, risking both our lives and for what?”
“I’m figuring things out, I just need more time, Loran. Be patient with me.”
“This isn’t right, Xavier. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, you’re choosing Angela over your own son. The only thing you have left of Emily’s. You’re going about this all wrong,” Jones said in a whisper and I could feel the conflict in his voice.
“I know. I’ll see you this weekend.” The line went dead and then there was complete silence.
I looked around the empty parking lot for answers that I knew wouldn’t be there. How had I been able to hear them?
The sound of a car door opening and closing echoed into the stillness of the night.
“I could hear you,” I whispered.
“You were listening?” I nodded without looking at him. “You took out the ear plugs?”
“No, they’re still in. I don’t know how, but I was able to zone in on your conversation,” I said. I tried to get my emotions in check before I asked about what my father said. But I should have known Jones wouldn’t skirt around it.
“We won’t go if you don’t want to. I still think we should keep looking for Nikolai. If anything all we’ve done is get more questions instead of answers.”
I didn’t disagree with him there. Josiah only added to our confusion and we only had more questions.
“Josiah said Georgie was there for her own protection—from the one who cannot be killed.”
“Yeah, I think he’s been watching too much Harry Potter. We’re all pretty much immortal so that doesn’t really narrow down the field,” Jones said with a snort.
“I feel like I know who he’s talking about, but I can’t place it,” I said. My brows were scrunched up in confusion as I tried to recall what I’ve read in the Origin of the Nephilim.
“Don’t go drinking his Kool-Aid, Max. Let’s go get a room for the night and do some research on the Casinos around here.”
“Casinos?”
The sly smile that spread over Jones’ face was creepy but funny at the same time. He had something crazy planned and I really didn’t want to know.
8
Nikolai
The dreadlock ringleader of the most ridiculous underground fights I’d ever witnessed in my life, stood before me—practically crapping his pants. I hadn’t had to deal with this imbecile in many decades, but he begged my assistant for a face to face meeting. Which I normally don’t do but considering what he is and what I am—I thought I’d make an exception. I’ve also been dealing with humans for far too long and a break from there stupidity would be nice.
He had walked in to my office with buckets of sweat seeping out his pores and that peaked my interest. What does this warlock have to be nervous about?
Josiah looked around as if I’d have someone pop out of the walls and attack him; his paranoia and jitteriness was making me uncomfortable. With a bored look on my face, I waited for him to speak, but I wasn’t going to bite my tongue much longer.
“What do you want Josiah? My time is precious and I have better things to do then watch you perspire on my Turkish rug.”
He squirmed around some more and cleared his throat. “Sorry Nikolai,” he diverted his eyes and I was seriously losing patience.
“Get to the point already!” I yelled as I slammed my fist on my desk; it caught his attention.
“They’re looking for you,” he
stuttered and I felt my whole body tense. That was too broad, and I needed him to explain.
“Who?”
“A Nephilim, his name is Max.”
“There’s no Nephilim by that name,” I said with a roll of my eyes and relaxed at his ignorance. He had me get worked up for nothing. I thought it was…never mind, no use in stressing myself out.
“Nik-Nikola—,”
“Come on, warlock, speak up. I don’t remember you being so weak.”
“The boy is Wrath and he is looking for you with a companion,” he blurted out and I stared long and hard at him before responding. This could be a possibility. No one’s heard from Wrath in over twenty years. Still…I couldn’t trust this warlock, he’s known to be a snake and that’s not a good attribute.
“That’s not possible, I know Wrath—,”
“I saw the fire, Heaven’s Fire! Nikolai, it was just like the prophecy predicted,” he squeaked.
“Just because you saw the fire, doesn’t mean he’s the prophecy.”
“He has no Shomera. He’s the Fledgling.” I realized why he was panicked. I would be too.
“Did you tell him anything?” I got up from my chair—muscles wound tight—and he took a hesitant step back.
“I didn’t tell him where you are, I swear to Go—,”
“Shhh,” I put my pointer finger in front of my lips, “We do not say his name in vain, do you understand?” He quickly nodded and I casually leaned against the front of my desk.
“Now, did you tell him anything about the prophecy and the parties involved?”
“N-no. I just told him to get as far away as possible and start a new life.” That I believed. While he may think he has everyone fooled, he drastically underestimated me. I know who he’s hiding—I feel her every time I go into the Devils Lair. And from what I’ve gathered, she’s a Seer—a very powerful one.
“Hm…interesting,” I scratched at my five o’clock shadow and reached over for my phone. I dialed the extension for Glenn—the head of my security and hellhound.
“I need you in my office,” I hung up and within seconds the six foot five inches of demonic canine was walking through my office doors.
“Sir,” he said in his deep gruff voice as he posted slightly behind Josiah.
“I need you to dispose of him,” I nodded my head towards Josiah, whose eyes had grown as big as saucers.
“Wh-what?! Why? I came straight to you with this information, I didn’t tell anyone!”
“Make sure you save his hair, we can donate it to one of my charities for cancer patients,” I said as I went back around to my desk and turned on my laptop.
“Sir, they’re dreads, I don’t know how much we can salvage.”
“Figure it out, Glenn. Now go,” I dismissed them.
“Wait damnit! Nikolai please, I have a Nephilim in my care, you can’t kill me!” Glenn had a firm grip on his arm and Josiah struggled to break free from his grasp.
“I know you have Sloth underneath the Lair, that’s nothing new. The real question is why?” Before he died, I might as well feed my curiosity. I had always been intrigued as to why she stayed locked up for so many years, when she’s stronger then all those idiots that hold her captive.
“She is unable to distinguish the past, present or future—she can no longer blend in with the humans,” he said and I could hear the sorrow in his voice. They were close—closer than I thought.
“Very well. Find out exactly where this Max and his companion are and I want to know everything. I want you to dig up so much dirt on this boy that you’ll be able to tell me what toothpaste he uses,” I barked out the order and he frantically nodded and scurried out of my office before I could change my mind.
“Sir, do you want me to follow him?”
“No. Fear is a great motivator. He’ll be back.”
I dismissed Glenn and stared at empty space. Josiah was right to be scared and if what he says is true—then this is only the beginning.
9
Maximillion
After looking through a tourist guide, we decided on the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, located on the strip. Not sure if that’s where we’ll find Greed, but it’s a start. It’s supposedly one of the most popular casinos for high rollers. And if what we were told about Greed is correct, then he’s loaded.
Jones booked us a suite on one of the top floors and it felt good to finally have some privacy. I was tired of sharing a room all the time. Sometimes I needed to just space out for a while without him worrying that I was having a total melt down. Because I wasn’t. All I wanted was to get lost in thought and numb out the rest of the world; not to think about my mom never taking me to the Coffee Bean ever again. Or the fact that the one person I trusted the most, betrayed me the way she did. That my father abandoned me for her—for Angela.
Her name tasted bitter in my mouth and it was a reminder at how much she disgusted me now. To never forget what she did and what I have to do, in honor of my mother. She won’t get away with it. Even if I had to go against my own father, because unlike her, I would, as long as it meant doing the right thing. The mere thought of going back home terrified me.
Having to see them sooner than I thought made my palms clammy. It’s not like we’ll be going home to a funeral and my mother in a coffin. No, not even ashes. What had my father told people? I didn’t know how good of an actor I really was. And then, there was Jeremiel. He was the Angel of Prophecies we’d went to for help. He was the one who told me I was Nephilim, that I was Wrath. We didn’t get to spend too much time together, but the time we did get, I treasured it. Jeremiel was like the grandfather I never had, and he was gone. Samuel, one of the Archangels who promised to protect me, told us he’d been kidnapped. I’m ashamed that I haven’t done a thing to rescue him, much less find out what happened. My eyes got teary and I had to steady my breathing to control my emotions. I refuse to break down, I’ve become stronger, and I can overcome this.
A knock at the door got me to compose myself and I walked over to open it.
“It’s two in the morning, so if you want to wait till tomorrow night and get some rest now, we can,” Jones said.
With our small capture in the Devils Lair, we really hadn’t had the time to rest.
“I don’t think we can afford to waste any time. We should head out,” I said, walking past him towards the living room.
If I closed my eyes, I wouldn’t be able to stop the images and memories that would surely consume my mind. No, we couldn’t rest. I grabbed my duffle bag and emptied its contents on the nearest sofa. I dug around for some clean clothes and almost didn’t find any.
“We need to do laundry,” I said over my shoulder.
“I’ll put in a laundry ticket here at the hotel,” Jones yelled back.
I walked into the bathroom of my room and stripped from the dirty and soiled clothes I’d been wearing. The swelling was going down on my right eye, but I had a busted lip and dried blood everywhere. I didn’t even know how long we’d been underground, but there was no salvaging these clothes. Straight to the trash they went.
After a much needed shower, Jones waited for me in the living room of our suite. Since we didn’t have much with us, we wore our nicest jeans and a plain t-shirt. Hopefully they won’t say anything about our boots, but aside from our ratty sneakers, it was the most acceptable footwear we owned.
We took the elevator down to the casino and this place was huge; you could easily get lost. I mean they had their own lake in between the casino and the strip. It’s amazing. But Jones walked around with ease and familiarity as if he’d been here before. I’ll have to remember to ask him.
It’s almost three in the morning and the casino was alive with people and no plans to close anytime soon. The intensity of everyone yelling was overwhelming—I had to double check my plugs were still in—but I stayed in step with Jones as he maneuvered his way through the crowd to the blackjack tables.
“I know someone who deals at one of the
tables, he can probably help us,” Jones yelled into my ear and I nodded in understanding. But luck wasn’t on our side—or at all since we arrived in Vegas—two very big security guards stopped right in front of us. Dressed in all black from head to toe, bald headed, and mean looking, one of them put their hand out to stop us.
“I’m sorry, you’re going to have to come with us,” he said, his voice gruff. I had to crane my neck to get a good look at this guy and while I might have been able to take him on, I couldn’t without exposing myself. This was too much of a public place to do so and I was not that stupid.
“What seems to be the problem?” Jones casually asked.
“No one under the age of twenty one is allowed on the floor, please come with me,” he said as the other silent guard moved behind us and we were left with no choice but to follow them out. How could we forget about the age requirement? Whether we’re angels or not, doesn’t mean we can get away with everything. This might just be tougher than I thought.
They escorted us to the elevators and that’s when I started to feel uneasy. Shouldn’t they have just walked us out? We didn’t need to be taken to our room like children either.
“I think we can get to our suite from here, thank you,” I politely dismissed them, but they stoically stood there until the elevator dinged open. Mister Deep Voice walked in first and I silently begged Jones to look at me, which of course he didn’t. As we all crammed into the small space, the silent guard pressed a blank button next to the one for the thirty sixth floor. Now I felt on edge—keeping my face neutral, I peered over at Jones, who looked as calm as ever, and I wondered what was going through his mind.
The sound of our arrival snapped me back to attention and I was on high alert. Except we didn’t arrive to a lobby or hallway. We were deposited into a suite or penthouse, not sure but the place was immaculate. All white and shiny—a little too sterile—but what really caught my attention was the floor to ceiling window, giving me the perfect view of the Vegas strip.
Greed (Sins of the Fallen Book 2) Page 5
