by D. N. Hoxa
Holy shit. I couldn't believe something like that could even be done. A shiver ran down my body at the thought of what this knowledge could mean. But I pushed that away for later.
“Why didn't they just make you do it?” Aaron’s voice came from behind me. He had recovered from the surprise faster than I had.
“We can't be forced into performing it. The Nephil has to willingly agree to it,” Arturo explained. “Seriel said that she would give me twenty-four hours to think it through, right after she advised me not to say no to Master Samayan. Ever. I knew they were going to punish me. That much was clear to me when Seriel came back the next day, and I told her that my decision hadn't changed. She told me that it didn't matter, that she was going to teach me a lesson for the next time. And then yesterday...” He stopped like the words he was speaking were killing him. But we waited. I still needed to discover how he’d escaped.
“Yesterday, they left the envelope on my bed. As soon as I saw it, I knew what was done. And I knew I had to get out of there. So I made my plan and waited for the night to fall. I knew the exact time and exactly which guard checked which perimeter. I waited for the perfect opportunity and stole one of the cars. I drove it down without turning the ignition or headlights on. By the time I heard the other cars coming down the road, I had already abandoned the car and was running in the woods. I ran all the way to the airport from there,” Arturo said, and I thought, no wonder he smelled bad.
“I paid a fortune to buy a ticket from an American for a flight leaving in the next hour, and I was on my way to Chicago. You are the only person I know other than my…that isn't involved with the Council, and I had your address. The rest you already know.”
To call the Council monsters was indeed hilarious coming out of him—or me. He had been one of them for the last two hundred years. But things could change in no longer than a second. I had lived through it myself. I turned to look at Aaron, who was watching Arturo with his brows narrowed, deep in thought. He gave me a nod but didn't look at me. It seemed that the Nephil was telling the truth.
So it was settled. I had to trust Arturo and take his word for it. Confusion attacked me again, but I pushed it away for the moment. Aaron was right. The information that Arturo gave us was priceless. I made myself accept it and hoped I wouldn’t regret it.
“I’m going to trust you, Arturo, but make no mistake—it’s not because I feel sorry for you. I don't feel sorry for any of us who have been part of the Council for longer than a day. God knows we don't deserve it.” I would argue with anyone who claimed differently, right before breaking their teeth. “But I need detailed information about the Binding Ceremony. I want to know your thoughts on what is going on with the Council. I want to know everything you know about the potion and about the whereabouts of anyone you can think of. I'm going to help you if you help me. But you’re going to have to make a blood oath to me right now and swear on your Angel that your loyalty lies with the Red Rebels alone and no one else from now on. Is that clear?”
I didn’t want to be a bitch, but I’d dealt with too much shit in my life to trust without taking precautionary measures. And if Arturo meant what he said, he would have no problem swearing on his Angel. And if he refused, then at least I'd know he was playing us, and I could kill him right then and there.
Arturo studied my face for a few seconds and then nodded. He had no other choice if he was determined to take revenge for his dead daughter. The feeling did have the power to completely blind you. Maybe he would regret cooperating with me—with us—and maybe he wouldn’t, but it wouldn't matter then. I pulled Bob from the back of my waistband and handed it to him.
But before he could take it, Thomas was at the door, knocking on it with what sounded like a freaking hammer, not his fists.
Aaron opened the door immediately and a very messy looking Thomas walked inside. He didn't bother with small talk. He just looked at me and said: “The Elders want to see you, now. Alone. They said it’s urgent.”
What the hell?
Without another word, I stood up and followed him across the hallway to his room. My heart had already picked up the beating, and blood was rushing in my ears. This couldn't be good. Urgent was never good, I could feel it.
Thomas gave me a golden coin, and I didn't wait for him to close the door when he walked out of the room. I squeezed the coin in my palm tightly and closed my eyes for a second. In the next, I was standing in front of the Elders.
22
——————————
Everything was the same as it always was whenever I met the Elders in the fifth dimension. The only thing different were the Elders. They all had a wild look on their faces, and Eleanor was even standing with her arms folded in front of her chest.
“Star.” Grandmother’s voice invited my eyes to hers. The unusual green color of them still surprised me like the first time. I looked at them expectantly. “We just got word about Illyon,” she said, and my heart skipped a beat.
“I located it just this morning. Unfortunately, the Council found out because of one imbecile,” Eleanor hissed next, and I felt pity for the sorry soul she was calling an imbecile. I also wondered what exactly he was going through right that second…that made me shiver because the look on the vampire’s face was terrifying. “Now, they are relocating it,” she finished, dropping her hands to her sides.
“Where?” I’d go to the end of the world if I had to, but I needed that book.
“New Mexico,” Eleanor said. Not the end of the world but across the fucking country. Before panic captured me entirely, I inhaled deeply and reminded myself that I had means of transportation now. Really fast transportation.
“When?”
“Tonight,” Eleanor said through gritted teeth. “In three hours.”
“Shit,” I thought, but I must’ve said it out loud because they raised their brows at me. “Sorry. I need the exact address and anything else you can give me,” I said to Eleanor, my mind already working on the plan. “Numbers, names, even the kinds of creatures that will be there. Anything at all will help.”
Eleanor didn’t start cursing me like I expected her to. Instead, she only nodded.
“Someone important is going to be there. My source tells me that royalty is taking matters into their own hands. Expect at least six to eight Guards. The book is currently located inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis in Santa Fe. You have less than three hours.”
“That will have to do,” I said. “Grandmother, I’m going to need Kyahen.”
“He’ll be there,” Grandmother said.
The concern on their faces was alarming because they didn’t look like people you could scare easily. The night was obviously not going to end like I’d expected it to. For a second, I thought of Ella. I was going to have to call her. I might not make it back to her, after all.
“I’ll do my best. We’ll get the book tonight,” I said because I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d already broken enough promises. I wouldn’t allow myself to break the one I made to my sister again.
A ghost of a smile appeared on their faces. I didn't know if my exaggerated self-confidence amused them or reassured them. I didn't care either way, so long as it kept me going.
“We’ll be watching every step of the way, Star,” Arlion said. Every step of the way was an exaggeration, too, but I didn’t waste time in clarifying it. They could watch me all they liked.
Still, while I was there, I thought of something else to ask them.
“The Binding Ceremony,” I started, and a look of surprise and a little shock registered in all their faces. “Is it real?”
Grandmother was the first to nod. “Yes. How do you know about it?” Damn it. It would have been so much easier if Arturo had lied to us.
“I found a Nephil in my apartment in Chicago today. He used to be a trainer in Lyndor. He ran away after the Council killed his daughter because he wouldn't agree to perform the Ceremony.” Five sets of eyes grew wide. I smi
led a bitter smile. “I was thinking the same thing. But for now, I’m going after the book.”
“You think he is trustworthy?” This came from Azazel. He looked skeptical, naturally. None of the stories between demons and Nephilim ever had a happy ending.
I nodded. “I believe so. But he’s going to swear an oath on his Angel, just to make sure.”
Azazel seemed to be satisfied with my answer because he nodded.
And the next second, I found myself staring at the empty wall of Thomas’s hotel room.
A chill ran down my spine as my thoughts fought a battle in my head. It had been so unexpected that I felt dizzy when I made my way back to my room. The three men were all standing and pacing with their heads down when I walked in. They took all the space in the room, and suddenly I felt claustrophobic.
“What happened?” Aaron was the first to ask.
“Illyon. It's being relocated tonight. We have to move, now.” I stepped behind him and once again handed Bob to a very confused Arturo. “This is your chance. Make the oath now. We don't have time,” I said to him and was glad when he nodded without hesitating.
He took Bob and stepped away from me. He closed his eyes and started chanting something that sounded heavenly, but I had no idea what it was. Probably the language of the Angels. He stood like that for more than two minutes, and we stared at him like he was some kind of a wonder. We couldn't help but be drawn in by his words. Then, he started in English.
“I give my blood to Israfel. May my words bind my soul forever,” Arturo finished.
My arms were in goosebumps, and a chill washed over the room. I'd only experienced the ritual of an oath by the Angel once with a Nephil who became a Royal Guard. I killed him the last time I was in Lyndor. And this was as powerful and as breathtaking as the first time.
Arturo opened his eyes without looking at any of us and immediately headed for the bathroom to clean the blood off his hands. I sighed loudly. This was going to be a long night…
“Touching.”
A sound of a voice came from behind us, and we all jumped.
“Kyahen,” I breathed. What a fucking nasty gesture to just pop up behind me like that. And I had been too caught up in other things to even feel his energy.
Still, as pissed off as I was, I smiled and gave him a curt nod.
“I’m glad you came.” My voice was strained, but it was the words that mattered.
“Always a pleasure, my dear Star,” he said with a plastic smile on his beautiful face that made him look even more otherworldly than normal. His energy, without wasting any time, pulled at me like it wanted me to fall down on my knees in front of him. Telling him to cut the crap wouldn’t have been a good start since I really needed him, so I pretended to not even notice.
“I need your help, Kyahen. I need to be in New Mexico, asap.”
Kyahen raised two perfect brows. “Why, if I may ask?”
“Of course you may. The White Book of Wisdom was located in New Mexico by the Elders. It’s going to be there for the next three hours only. I’m sure you understand my haste.”
I seemed to have caught him by surprise. The words are you sure were at the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t dare ask from fear he’d offend the Elders. That was exactly why I’d mentioned that they had found Illyon in the first place. We didn’t have time to talk.
“I see,” Kyahen finally said. “I shall send a fairy right away for this favor.”
Favor, he said. As if I was going to ever forget that this was a favor. And even if I did, he would be there to remind me, every day if necessary.
“Actually, there are four of us. We are all going,” I said, but Kyahen didn't even turn to look at any of the men behind me. I was surprised he hadn't mentioned the presence of Aaron. They hadn’t parted on the best terms the last and only time they’d met.
Another perfect set of raised brows.
“I shall see what I can do, my beautiful Star.” His voice was filled with mischief, as was his wide grin. Good thing he disappeared before I had the chance to reply because Aaron’s teeth had already started clenching. Now that I knew he did that, I could hear the annoying sound clearly. Ignoring it was my best bet so that was what I did.
“Grab as many weapons as you can hold on your person. Be ready in two minutes,” I said to the others with a loud sigh, and I went for my own set.
My mind worked quickly as I searched for the best knives and the best places on my body to hide them. Cursing under my breath, I realized I hadn’t bothered to check everything Jack had prepared for me in the leather pack before leaving the Base. But it hadn’t occurred to me that I would be going after Illyon so soon. Now that the opportunity had presented itself, I couldn’t let it pass. Having the book meant having answers to questions I didn’t even know how to ask yet, and those answers could make the whole difference in this mess.
Yes, I was aware that we were unprepared and going in blind, but I would think of something once we got there. Nothing was undoable, that much I knew, and I had Bob and my two katanas. I didn't know how good Thomas was—if he was any good—but I trusted Aaron, and even Arturo, who hadn’t protested about joining us. His oath was already made. I just hoped the four of us would be enough.
Eleanor said that the book was in a Cathedral. All that did was give me a general idea of what the territory would be like—not much, but I trusted my instincts. I had to. Another opportunity such as this might never arrive again.
“Star…” Aaron whispered my name, and it sounded like his voice came from a dream. Confused, I turned to look, and my breath caught in my throat.
The room was glowing with a soft golden light, and the energy in the air sizzled with electricity. I couldn’t believe what was in front of my eyes. I was looking straight at three fucking miracles.
The fairies were tall and slender, perfectly curved in all the right places. There were two blondes and one brunette, all three with extremely long hair that seemed to float around their faces. Their smiling eyes, green and brown and blue and every color that existed, made you want to lose yourself in them, and their red lips made for perfect bows. Their glowing golden skin under their one-piece dresses mesmerized me. And I wanted to touch them, so badly…
Arturo, as if reading my mind, stepped forward, reaching both his hands out to the nymphs. Thomas looked like he wanted to cry with joy. And Aaron looked like he’d seen all the beauty of the world, like he’d surrendered completely to it.
A sick feeling I didn't understand at first pulled at my insides.
Jealousy.
Why the hell was he looking at them like that? He could barely breathe, for God’s sake! Yes, they were more perfect than perfection, but come on! My fascination with the fairies disappeared into thin air. If I’d ever had any doubt about how strong an emotion jealousy was, that was gone now, too.
Kyahen, who practically hid in the corner of the room, watched it all with a victorious grin on his face as the guys drooled all over themselves. He’d done this on purpose.
Who was to say he couldn’t?
He most definitely could.
Cursing under my breath, I slapped Arturo’s hands away before he could touch the now giggling fairies. Their glamour worked like a charm on the men, especially Aaron who couldn’t seem to look away from the brunette. Ugh.
“Kyahen, do you think you could stop this?” I asked him, knowing full well what I was getting myself into, but the look on Aaron’s face was something I definitely couldn't handle for much longer. I wondered what would happen when he actually got married to someone? I won't be there, I decided. “I would consider it a personal favor,” I added, before he could speak.
There was the ice-cold smile that I knew was going to be on his face. I pulled my fingers into fists, and I made myself smile back. I knew that was going to cost me one hell of a lot. And fairies never forgot to collect their favors.
Kyahen nodded and turned to look at the three fairies. Just one look and the spell broke l
ike a switch had been turned off.
The guys sighed and gasped and looked around the room at each other and back to the fairies. Finally, their balls seemed to be their own again. Idiots.
“We have to leave now,” I said to Kyahen. With a nod, he offered his hand to me.
“With pleasure,” he said. “Tell me the location, and take my hand.”
“Near Cathedral Basilico of St. Francis in Santa Fe, New Mexico,” I said because, unfortunately, fey couldn't step on holy ground without being specifically invited, and without another thought, I took his hand. He gripped my fingers with his, and I thought my hand was going to freeze completely. He was so damn cold.
The guys eagerly took the hands the nymphs had extended to them. I did my best to ignore them and concentrated on Kyahen, who was too close into my personal space now. “Let’s go.”
His smile was the last thing I saw before it started.
I had heard before about transportation by fairies and how it affected other supernaturals. It was often described like a real life nightmare. I’d imagined it as such, but my imagination had nothing on the real thing. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was feeling. It was like someone was in the process of ripping my skin from my flesh and then ripping my flesh from my bones. It stung and burned and hurt like a mother.
In front of my eyes, there was a tornado. Wind and darkness and light at the same time. The scenario and the colors in front of me changed with each split second for what felt like an eternity. Dizziness made controlling the urge to throw up difficult. I was dying for some air. I couldn’t even close my eyes…
