Hunted

by S W Vaughn

  She soon discerned the source of his anguish. A metal rod extended from the center of the door. After the first few inches cleared the wall, the rod was coated with thick silver liquid that beaded and dripped like syrup. His blood.

  At last, Lorin wrenched the door free. A strangled cry erupted from the depths of the closet. Lorin staggered beneath the weight of the slab for an instant. She heaved it aside, gasped for breath and approached the unseen Silver.

  Grace summoned her remaining strength and began to crawl toward Megan. If she could reach her, maybe she could find enough power to move them. Even a short distance would afford precious minutes.

  She gained a foot, two. Megan stirred. Evidence that the girl still lived lent Grace renewed determination. She rose to one knee, stood and lurched the remaining distance.

  A macabre screech split the air. Grace glanced back just in time to see Zane appear behind Lorin. He grabbed her by the hair and threw her across the ravine as though she weighed no more than a pebble. Lorin hit the far wall, landed upright. Zane leapt over the rocks splitting the center of the chasm, and Lorin flew at him before his feet touched the ground.

  Wild hope bloomed in Grace's chest. Maybe they'd keep each other busy long enough for her and Megan to escape. She dragged the girl off the branches, slung a limp arm around her shoulder. Almost instantly, she realized the futility of attempting instant transport. She could barely stand.

  Moving away from the warring angels meant passing Silver, who still hadn't emerged from the stone structure. All that blood ... maybe Lorin had killed him. He hadn't made a sound, aloud or telepathically, since she'd taken the door off.

  Determined, Grace forged ahead pulling Megan alongside her. Megan regained consciousness by degrees, and her feet began to stumble across the ground in an attempt to walk. Grace slowed a bit, allowing her to find a rhythm. Don't look, she commanded herself as they neared the closet. Keep moving. Don't look...

  She failed to take her own advice. She looked. And halted.

  Silver stood rigid as a statue, his breathtaking eyes open and alert. He wore only pants, and what looked like gallons of impossibly mercurial blood. The stuff was everywhere. Splashes and streaks coated his chest, his arms, his hands and feet. The walls bore trace amounts and the floor was a gleaming puddle. Still, he didn't appear to be injured—despite having been impaled on a thick metal spike just moments before.

  She looked closer. Two leather bands lined with glistening barbs dangled from short chains attached to the back wall. Two more trailed limp in the fluid gathered on the floor. Had he been restrained with them? Lorin must have been attempting to free him when Zane arrived ... and Grace suspected she'd put them on him in the first place. The monstrous idea brought tears to her eyes, even as she wondered how she could have sympathy for a man—or whatever he was—who regularly slaughtered Nephilim with apparent abandon.

  "Grace,” Megan slurred. “Don’ know what's goin’ on, but I bet stopping's bad."

  "Yes. We should..."

  Run.

  Grace flinched and stared at Silver. His eyes met hers. Nothing else moved. Why was he just standing there? And why did he want her to escape Lorin, when he'd already killed hundreds ... or thousands?

  I do not wish to kill.

  A thunderous crash sounded somewhere in the distance. Megan stiffened at her side. “Grace? We should move..."

  "Wait.” Then why do you?

  Lorin demands it.

  Why listen?

  She is ... my mother.

  Grace reeled. You ... you're Nephil?

  Silver didn't reply.

  She forced herself to study him. His eyes—brilliant, but not glowing. His skin—golden bronze, inviting and warm, but not flawless. Unlike any other Nephil. But what else could he be?

  A fresh stream of blood trickled down his chest. Grace finally noticed the strap cinched around his neck, the fluid welling steadily along the lower edge. Horror shriveled her stomach; bitter bile scalded her throat. She knew instinctively the band contained the same barbs as the ones hanging from the wall. Why haven't you taken that off?

  Lorin has forbidden me.

  Screw Lorin. She hasn't forbidden me.

  Grace eased Megan to the ground. “Just a few seconds,” she whispered. “I have to do this.” She moved hesitantly toward Silver, reached for the collar.

  Grace! Are you insane? Megan screamed in her head. Her features reflected her terror.

  Maybe. Grace slid her fingers around the back of the collar, searching for a release. The movement brought her so close to Silver, she felt heat radiating from his body. He made no move to touch her, but his eyes remained locked to hers.

  She found the clasp. Pulled the strap through. Silver's jaw clenched visibly, but he remained silent as the barbs ripped free of his flesh one by one.

  The gashes they left healed almost as rapidly as Grace removed them.

  She dropped the collar and stepped back. “Are you going to kill me now?"

  "No."

  His spoken voice embodied what angels should have sounded like. Deep and melodious, so beautiful it almost hurt her ears. Grace managed a tenuous smile and bent to help Megan stand. “That's good to know."

  Silver emerged from the blood-soaked structure. He stopped, cocked his head as though he couldn't comprehend her words.

  Another tremendous commotion sounded, this one much closer. Panic replaced the calm Grace had imposed on her shattered nerves. She glanced back. Lorin and Zane rushed through the air toward them, impossibly fast, limbs locked in a mutual death grip. The pair veered and crashed to the ground scant feet from the standing stone.

  "Silver!” Lorin screeched. “Take care of him!"

  With a deep frown, Silver approached the brawling duo.

  Don't listen ... Grace implored him.

  He shook his head and turned away.

  Silver reached down and ripped Zane clear of Lorin with one hand. The furious angel squirmed, struggled, pummeled him with fists that gashed skin and dented bone. Silver didn't flinch. He slammed Zane into the stone box, and held him against the back wall with a knee while his hands fastened the restraints.

  The angel's thrashing increased, punctuated with pained gasps as the barbs bit his flesh. Silver tightened the collar and stepped back. He stretched an arm out from his side. The discarded door rose and floated toward him. He gripped one edge, sidestepped and slammed the door in place, spike and all.

  Zane shrieked. The sound carried through stone and drew out for endless seconds. At last, the scream dwindled to a bubbling moan, then silence.

  "Useless bastard!” Lorin snarled from the ground. “You will beg for death every remaining moment of your existence. I'd start now, but you will finish the task I've set for you first. Get over here and heal me."

  No! Silver, please...

  Silver looked at her. His eyes shone with despair.

  I must.

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  Chapter 30

  Grace watched with dull despondency as Silver knelt beside his mother.

  We're dead.

  She kept the thought to herself. She'd been certain Silver wouldn't hurt them. She still believed it. Lorin, on the other hand ... well, Grace didn't expect an apology and a warm welcome when the woman came around.

  She linked her arm through Megan's. Closed her eyes, tried to move. Nothing.

  Grace ... I'm tired. Megan folded to the ground. Grace huddled next to her. She couldn't carry her. Couldn't even hold herself up. She held the girl, and waited.

  The healing happened quickly. Lorin stood. Wrath twisted her features and blazed from her eyes. She whirled and struck Silver with a brutal backhand. “Wretched creature! Did you not see Zane? Even you should have realized he meant to destroy me, stupid as you are."

  "You did not tell me to stop him."

  "I was busy staying alive!” Lorin's hands clenched into fists, relaxed. “Fortunately for you, I am pleased enough with the mules to fore
go punishment at the moment.” She pointed to Megan. “Kill it. Let the other one watch."

  "No!” Grace crab-crawled in front of Megan, attempting to shield her. “Leave her alone. You wanted me, and you've got me. Let Megan go."

  Lorin's lip curled in a vicious sneer. “Do you honestly think you're an exceptional prize, Nephil? You are a cockroach. You and your kind. Nasty, skulking insects, pathetic and infinitesimal mockeries of the pure Host. I will exterminate you all."

  "We never asked to be what we are.” Grace glared at her. If she had to die, she'd do it with dignity. “And if I'm nothing special, why did you go out of your way to hunt me down?"

  "You irritate me more than most. If not for Zane, I would have finished you at first sight.” Her sneer became a dark smile. “And I needed you, to teach Silver a lesson in obedience."

  Silver stiffened, stared at the ground. Lorin slapped him again.

  "I told you to kill it. Now, Silver."

  No! A sob caught in Grace's throat. She met Silver's eyes. You don't have to listen. You're stronger than her. Better than her. Don't let her use you.

  I am unclean.

  "Silver! What are you waiting for?"

  Silver stepped toward the girls. Stopped.

  Please ... Trembling, Grace tried to drape herself over Megan. She knew it wouldn't hold him back. You're not unclean. You're not the monster. She is.

  Silver glanced at Lorin.

  "Kill it!” Her face twisted, a rictus of hatred.

  Another step brought him within reach. He bent and lifted Grace gently from Megan. She felt him shaking violently. He meant to comply with Lorin's command.

  Fine. Then kill me too.

  Silver settled her on the ground. I will not harm her. Or you.

  He hunkered beside Megan, bending his body to shield his actions from Lorin's view. She is fading. I will revive her. He placed a hand on her chest just below her neck. A faint shimmer surrounded his palm.

  Megan opened her eyes. Drew a startled breath. And screamed.

  Lorin's laughter transcended the shrill sound. “You see, Nephil? Silver obeys me. Wait until you hear what I tell him to do to you."

  Grace's mind raced. Lorin thought he was killing Megan, but the girl was just frightened. An idea formed.

  Megan. He won't hurt you. Play dead.

  Wha...? Despite her troubled response, Megan immediately fell silent and limp.

  Silver's brow furrowed. I have injured her.

  No! She's just ... sleeping. Grace suspected Silver wouldn't understand the concept of a ruse. She'll be all right now.

  "Get that one on its feet."

  Grace met Silver's troubled gaze. Do what she says.

  Silver stood. He circled Megan and pulled Grace upright.

  I will not harm you.

  I know.

  "Good.” Lorin offered a triumphant smirk. “Keep it up, Silver, and I may go easy on you. Now break its arm."

  "No."

  "What did you say?"

  "I will not."

  "Insolent pest!” she hissed. “You will, and you'll do it now!"

  "No.” Silver stepped in front of Grace. “I am ... stronger than you. B ... better. Than. You.” He struggled to speak the words. “And I do not wish to kill. I will not kill again."

  Lorin's eyes narrowed. She raised her arms, turned her palms upward. A series of sharp, splintering cracks echoed through the ravine. “Abomination,” she whispered. “I will send you to oblivion!"

  Two long, thick tree limbs with fractured ends flew through the air and settled in Lorin's hands. She gripped them together and drew back as though she were about to swing at a baseball.

  Silver whirled and shoved Grace away. The branches met his back with a massive, sickening thud. He hit the ground face-first. Moving with inhuman speed, Lorin dropped one of the limbs and drove the other between his shoulder blades, through his body, into the ground. His blood spurted from the wound and splashed his skin. Within seconds, more seeped from beneath him. Lorin snagged the remaining branch and plunged it into the small of his back.

  "You!” Teeth bared, Lorin straightened and advanced toward Grace. “How dare you speak to him? And put such ideas in his head? Stupid, filthy, ignorant Nephil!” She paused to drive a foot into Silver's side. “He has no thoughts of his own. He can't. Do you know what he might do if he were allowed to think for himself?"

  Grace swallowed the fear rising in her throat. “He might live, you horrid bitch. How could you do this to your own child?"

  "Child!” Bitter laughter spilled from Lorin's lips. “Silver is no child. He's a monster. But he is mine. My instrument to do with as I please.” She glanced down at his motionless form and approached Grace again. “Once you're gone, he'll obey me again. So I'll simply destroy you myself."

  Grace stumbled back and sat hard on the ground. Lorin lunged. Grace closed her eyes, grateful that at least Lorin was too furious to draw out her death. It would be quick.

  A rush of air caressed her face, as though Lorin had lashed out and missed. Grace risked a glance. Lorin stood scant feet from her, wide-eyed and unmoving.

  Silver loomed behind her, still impaled by the branches. He gripped her neck with one hand, his fingers pressed into her flesh like claws. A thin stream of bright red blood drizzled from beneath his thumb.

  He forced Lorin to her knees and rested a palm flat between her shoulders. Her mouth opened in a silent scream. Streaks of light formed and pulsed beneath her skin, spreading and intensifying until a golden glow engulfed her body. Beneath the shimmering aura, her flesh shriveled and darkened, became brittle black leather. The glow coalesced at the base of her throat. Her head fell back and a thick stream of light flooded from her lips to ascend skyward. The remaining husk shattered into a pile of ash.

  Silver met Grace's eyes for an instant, and collapsed.

  * * * *

  Megan let out a piercing shriek. She sprang to her feet and ran to Grace. “What the hell happened? Did he ... Is she..."

  "Gone.” Grace winced and struggled to view Silver. He lay on his side, his back to the charred remains of his mother. His blood flowed copiously from the massive rips in his body. He didn't appear to be breathing. “We have to help him.” She started to rise.

  "Wait. Let me heal you first."

  "Hurry."

  Nodding, Megan pressed a hand against her. The constant pain in her shoulder, which she'd ceased to notice, flared briefly and ebbed to nothing. Her quivering muscles stilled. Fatigue fell away like shedding skin, allowing her to breathe.

  "Thank you.” Grace stood, skirted the pile of ash and rushed to Silver's front. She crouched near his head. “Silver?"

  So still. Lips slightly parted, lashes lying like dark feathers on his cheeks. Blood pouring from him to saturate the ground.

  Please wake up.

  Grace reached for the nearest limb, the one protruding from his shattered breastbone. She wrapped both hands around the slick surface, hitched a breath. Pushed. It didn't move.

  "Don't..."

  A broken whisper. His eyes fluttered open. “You do not have ... the strength."

  "No.” Grace sobbed her relief. “No, I don't."

  Silver sat slowly, teeth clenched in a grimace. He glanced down. Gripping the top branch, he pulled it forward, hand over hand. When the opposite end cleared his chest, a startled cry burst from him. He hurled the branch away.

  "Holy shit.” Megan hung back, pale and trembling. “There's a hole straight through him. I think I'm gonna...” She turned away and retched.

  Silver repeated the process with the second limb. By the time he tossed it after the first, the upper hole had closed. Ugly wounds remained on his chest, stomach, and back, but the bleeding had stopped.

  He shifted and stared at Lorin's remains. “I destroyed her. My mother.” His voice cracked and wavered.

  "Silver,” Grace whispered. “Don't blame yourself. You had no choice."

  "I could not let her...” Moisture fil
led his eyes. A tear streaked from one, then the other. “My eyes burn. They are bleeding."

  For a long moment, Grace couldn't find her voice. Thann kew. His confusion began to make sense. Lorin must have kept him isolated every moment she wasn't using him. He'd never experienced emotions, didn't even know what they were. She moved closer to him. “You're not bleeding,” she said gently. “You're crying.” She brushed the wetness with her fingertips, to show him.

  He flinched at her touch. Her heart broke. “She never touched you without hurting you, did she?"

  Silver said nothing. His gaze moved to the mound of ash behind him and back to Grace.

  "We'll take it slow.” She stood and waited. He joined her.

  Megan approached them cautiously. She went around Silver and stuck close to Grace. Is this guy for real?

  Seems pretty solid to me. Grace smiled. “We probably shouldn't stick around here for long. It's nice and all, but sooner or later we're going to get hungry. And even though Megan here is a Girl Scout, she isn't a very good one."

  Silver stared at her, expressionless. “I will build another crypt."

  "You'll what? Crypt?” Grace looked at the stone structure, currently full of mangled Zane. “Why would you do that?"

  "To stay in.” He regarded the burnt pile. “I have no purpose."

  "No. Silver...” Renewed sorrow flooded her. Lorin had crushed him so thoroughly, he wasn't even aware he had options. “When I said ‘we,’ I meant all of us. Megan, me and you. I'd like you to come and live with us ... wherever we're going to live."

  "Live?"

  "Yes. There's a whole world out there you haven't seen. Full of people who are nothing like your mother."

  "I see.” Silver scanned the moonlit ravine slowly, as though committing every rock and bush and blade of grass to memory. At last he said, “We will go and live."

  Grace took his hand. He didn't flinch this time. “You won't regret it. Trust me."

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  Chapter 31

  Once she climbed out of the ravine, Grace regarded the dense forest surrounding them and realized she had no idea where they were.

  Megan emerged immediately behind her. Silver trailed at a distance, glancing back occasionally as though he expected to find someone following them. Grace watched him mount the steep incline she and Megan had struggled to climb, and ascend with a languid stroll. He made it look effortless.