If I kissed him, it would cause weirdness. I lost Wesley and had discovered feelings for Riven despite the warning etched across my back. I needed time to deal with those feelings. How could something that felt so right be forbidden? “I’m sorry. I think we should go back to the loft, Cain.” He nodded and followed me back.
Cain lay on his half of the mattress, snoring lightly. I couldn’t sleep, so I sat with my back propped up against the hay bales. My arms crossed over my knees. How had Riven found me? It was so strange. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. Would he be back? Or had I convinced him to leave me alone. My heart clenched at the thought of him with Athena. I might have driven him right into her arms. I remembered the warning as translated from my mark. Beware the twin fallen. Which was Riven? The one who fell to earth or the one who fell into the pits of hell? And why did my heart hurt when I thought about him.
Cain nudged me awake. “Lara, wake up.” I squinted my eyes open. Rain pelted the ceiling of the barn, and the sound of water dripping could be heard in different areas around us. I groaned. I’d fallen asleep, sitting up against the hay bales. My legs, arms, and neck ached from my sleep position. Luckily, there was no weirdness this morning. Maybe he’d forgotten about our dirty dance and almost-kiss. A girl could hope, right?
I had found Solara at the pub last night and convinced her that I was Riven. Not a hard task. I just had to imitate my brother’s sappy feelings for the human. Was she human? She was Chosen.
I supposed she was human. The man she was with sure was pissed. I put on the performance of my life. A jealous lover. Now that she believed me gone, I could come in for the proverbial kill. I would lie in wait, capture her when she least expected it.
Rafe’s lessons had been helpful. We found Solara but stayed out of sight. Faric had approached her, posed as me and led her to believe that he was now gone. He was laying his trap for her. Rebekah, whom I learned was another dark angel, and my brother’s mate, lay in wait in a remote and long-deserted cabin deep in the forest.
I had no idea that Rafe and his sisters were angels. Thank goodness they were light angels or so they call us. Though fallen from heaven, they never followed Lucifer into hell. They realized their mistake as they were cast out of heaven, and chose instead to stay on earth in an attempt to redeem themselves to the Maker in hopes that He would be merciful and allow them entrance back into paradise. Rafe explained that my brother and I were different. Most fallen appeared immediately as adult humans when they hit the surface, but the Maker cast us into bodies of infants and made us grow up as ordinary humans. Faric and I were reborn to fulfill the prophecy—which also predicted our betrayal of the chosen.
Rafe and I followed Faric as he stalked Solara. I could smell his every move, his stench of sulfur and burnt flesh permeated the air, like a trail of burnt bread crumbs for me to follow. Aniya and Athena stayed behind to keep an eye on Rebekah. They could certainly handle her. Faric’s transition was complete but so was mine, so we were evenly matched. I had no idea how, but I needed to convince Lara to come with me that I would keep her safe and that I would never harm her.
Something Martus said to her about her mark must have spooked her. She seemed genuinely afraid last night when Faric posed as me. She clung to the human male next to her for dear life. I cringed seeing her so nervous and frightened at the thought of being near me. I needed to convince her that the prophecy was wrong. I would never betray her. Never. I loved Solara and would punish anyone who tried to harm her—even if I had to forfeit another chance at eternal life in paradise.
Cain and I had the talk, and I left the conversation feeling better. We were friends and would remain that way. He remembered last night and tried to apologize.
“Solara, I’m so sorry about last night. I was drunk and wasn’t thinking. I think I just...well, I really like you, and you’re the first woman to make me feel anything at all since Cora, so—” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Cain, you know that you and I can’t happen, right?” He gulped.
“I am the chosen. I don’t even know what that means. God, this is so hard. Everything is so screwed up. I really like you, and you’ve quickly become one of my very best friends, and trust me when I say that is a very big deal for me because I haven’t had many friends at all in my life. I know I’m rambling, but...just know that I feel like your friendship is everything to me, and I don’t want to cross the line, making it more than that. I don’t have those types of feelings for you.” I hung my head, unable to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Lara, I love you as a friend as well, and if that’s the only way I get to be in your life, then it’s good enough for me.” He smiled and lifted his brows. I peeked up at him and returned the smile.
“I need to find a more permanent place to stay—away from Jeremiah. You should probably go back to your home. Although you’ll know where to find me, and I expect you to come and visit whenever you can, Mister!” He laughed and grabbed my hand. “Breakfast and then we’ll search for a place, okay?” I nodded, and he pulled me up.
We had spoken with several people today, and only one offered a semi-permanent solution to my homeless situation. An older woman, Mae, offered to rent her sister’s home to me in exchange for daily cooking and cleaning at her own. I accepted her offer without hesitation.
Today was the last day we had the loft rented, and we grabbed dinner and headed back to pack our things. Cain said we could take mine to my rental home, and he would pack his up to travel home. While we were gathering our belongings, the barn door opened. Jeremiah, crazy looking as ever, strode in.
He cleared his throat and nervously looked back and forth from me to Cain. Cain had undoubtedly put the fear of God in him after their last altercation. Ha! Take that, Pervert! “Justice has requested to see you, Lara.”
“Um, okay. Who is Justice?”
“Justice is our leader. Sort of the king of the outpost, if you will.”
I exchanged look with Cain. He spoke up. “What does he want with Solara?”
Jeremiah looked annoyed and rolled his eyes. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him yourself. I’m just delivering his message.” And with that, he turned and shut the barn door behind him.
I shrugged, and we climbed down to catch Jeremiah. We didn’t even know how to find Justice. He told us to go into the town’s main square and look for the large wooden building. It was Justice’s home, and he would see me there. He told Cain that Justice had asked to see me, not him so he would likely have to wait outside. That didn’t sit well with Cain, and he was agitated the entire way into town.
“It’s okay. He just wants to talk to me. Probably to see who’s moving in to his territory, you know? Welcome me to the neighborhood.” I smiled, trying to reassure him.
He inhaled and exhaled deeply, giving me a sharp look. Cain was pissed.
I knocked on the heavy wooden door of the biggest wooden structure I’d ever seen. I thought Cain’s house was huge. This was a wooden palace. I’m not sure how I’d managed not to notice it thus far. It was three stories high, and amber beams of wood crisscrossed its exterior intricately, weaving a unique wooden pattern unlike any I’d seen before. Cain seemed to marvel at the woodwork himself, which surprised me because of his obvious talent.
A middle-aged man with medium-length midnight-black hair and cloudy brown eyes answered the door and ushered me inside. He glared sharply at Cain, expressing that I was the only invitee. Cain nodded at me, and I nodded back, and I knew he would stay put until I exited.
“You are Solara,” he stated. His voice was nasally and seemed higher than I’d expected.
I nodded. “Yes. You’re Justice?” I asked.
He laughed and nodded. The inside of the palace was richly appointed. Deep crimson fabric draped the chairs, couches, and even composed the curtains. Wood crackled in the fireplace inside. It seemed odd as it was summer and not cold outside, but it provided light. There weren’t but a few windows, keeping the space bathed i
n partial darkness. Justice and his home were unsettling. I thought of the vampire legend, and he certainly fit the bill. Creepy.
He motioned for me to take a seat in one of the crimson chairs, positioning himself across from me in a similar chair of his own. He stared at me for the longest time, making me squirm in discomfort. I tried not to let him see how he was affecting me, but I think he figured it out anyway. He smirked and said, “You plan to stay here.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.” I explained the arrangement I’d made with Mae, and he raised one brow at me, placing a fist under his chin.
After a few moments of awkward silence, he said, “No.”
“No?” I questioned.
“No. Solara, you are not welcome in the outpost.” I felt as if the breath had been knocked out of me.
“What? Why? Isn’t this a sanctuary for the exiled? The banished?” Un-freaking-believable!
“Yes. Most exiled or banished are welcome here. You are not. It’s as simple as that.” His smug face made me sick to my stomach.
“Can you at least explain?” My face was hot with anger.
“I know what you are, Solara, or should I just refer to you as Chosen? Anyway, you are aware that Altair has taken control of the kingdom?” He waited for my answer. I nodded. “I am aware of his...affection...for you. It would be very difficult for the outpost should his attentions fall on us because of you. Therefore, in order to protect the people here, you must leave. Immediately. Your presence puts all of us in danger.” He straightened his posture.
“I understand.” It was all I could manage in response. “Can you please let Mae know that I had to leave and will be unable to fulfill our agreement?” He nodded, and I stood and rushed out the door. Cain caught me in his arms as soon as I exited. Hot tears spilled down my face. I didn’t even bother to wipe them away. “Loft,” I croaked. He grabbed my hand, and we rushed back.
Sliding the barn door shut, he climbed the ladder after me. I rushed to get my things together. “What’s wrong?” He sounded so worried. “What did he say to you?” My plan to get him to return home was quickly unraveling. I felt so bad for taking him from his home. He agreed to get me here for what I could give him. He stayed to ensure my safety because he was a gentleman and my friend. My heart was aching. I wouldn’t be able to survive it if he were hurt because of me. I couldn’t see a way to lie my way out of this now though as I had been so bluntly asked to leave.
“We have to leave,” I said. “Justice said that my presence here places everyone in danger. Should Altair hear about me living here, he would...”
“Shhhhh. It’s okay. I get it.” He swooped over and hugged me. I cried on his shoulder, our arms wrapped around each other.
I tried to get it together, wiping the tears away. “Why?” I croaked.
He smiled lightly. “Why what?”
“The outcasts won’t even take me in. Why do I have to be the pariah among pariahs? Why did He have to choose me? I’m not strong enough for this.”
He took a steady breath. “Lara, you are no outcast. You are exceptional, which is why Altair and Martus and the twins want you. The covet you. You are coveted, not unwanted. It’s why harboring you is so dangerous. You are the chosen because God likely saw your heart and strength. You’ve handled yourself well, and I’m honored to be your friend along this journey. I’ll help you find a place to belong. I might even find one for me.” He smiled.
I nodded, comforted by his kind words and reassurance. We grabbed our bags, exited the barn, and returned down the path, past the house with the boy and into the forest. We didn’t need to climb the mountain. We just skirted the bottom until we were on the other side and headed back through the briary path we’d carved earlier toward Cain’s boat.
Night fell just as we’d made it to the beach. Cain and I were both exhausted physically and mentally, so we decided to make camp, and we would depart by boat in the morning, traveling close to shore to find somewhere I could stay. I didn’t know how it would work unless I stayed in isolation. Word seemed to travel quickly that I was the chosen—a threat because of those attracted to the idea, of those who would try to yield me as the key, of those who would unleash hell onto the earth. I refused to let that happen.
The fire crackled, sending sparks into the clear night sky. Stars were scattered across the blackness—tiny dots of light in a sea of darkness. I guess I felt like one of those stars. Then I realized that though they likely felt surrounded by darkness that smothered them, they weren’t completely alone. There were other stars nearby fighting the darkness along with them—bringing beauty into an otherwise dismal world. I was very thankful for my friends, my family. I missed the others so much.
Cain went hunting as we were unable to even grab food on our way out of town. The stares of the outpost residents revealed that they knew not to help us anymore. I was starting to worry. He’d been gone a long time, and it was dark. What if he got lost and couldn’t find his way back?
I heard footsteps coming toward me from the forest beyond. Thank goodness. He’s back. I looked in the direction of the sound in anticipation. I hoped he caught something to eat. I was shocked when Cain didn’t step out of the darkness. Riven. “What are you doing here? How did you find me this time?”
He sat down to my right and smiled. “Is that any way to greet someone who is trying to help you, Solara?”
“Look, Riven, I told you to leave me alone.” I glared at him.
“Well, today’s your lucky day,” he said, grinning. His eyes flashed a sickening yellow-green color. “I am not Riven.” Oh no! The dreams!
He grabbed my wrist and jerked me to him. He clamped his arms around mine and started dragging me into the forest. I screamed, kicked, and writhed, fighting him with all of the strength I possessed. Without a word, we shot into the air, enormous pitch-black wings flapped forcefully from Faric’s back.
My stomach fell as we sank down just before each giant beat. Obsidian. Evil. My ring. It was burning my skin. I felt sick. Did he have Cain? Did he have Riven, Lil, and Rachel? Before I could think about anything else, we began to descend rapidly, much too rapidly. I pinched my eyes together, waiting to slam into the ground. One more beat of his wings, and he placed me on the ground.
Rebekah was waiting for me, scowling. What the heck? I had been so stupid, thinking they were nice and in love when in fact, they were evil. Possibly still in love but evil nonetheless.
“Welcome back, dear.” She sashayed over to Faric, and the two collided, mixing tongues and flesh in what should have been a private way. “Bring her inside,” ordered Faric.
“With pleasure, dear.” Rebekah stalked toward me with a satisfied look on her face. Before I could run, she grabbed me by the hair and dragged me forward, up the steps of a dilapidated wooden cabin, and inside the door. A fire raged in the corner fireplace. Cain was seated in an old chair, upholstery torn and stuffing spilling out. He was bound at the wrists, knees, and ankles and gagged. “No! Cain!” I tried to lunge toward him but forgot that Rebekah still had my hair in her hands. She jerked me backward, and I cried out as my back and hip hit the hard wooden floor. Cain tried to free himself, his eyes wild, but I shook my head, warning him to stop.
“Bind her,” Faric ordered.
“What are you? His servant? Lap dog, maybe?” I goaded.
She jerked my face close to hers as she leaned down with the rope. “You would be wise to watch your tongue. I may decide to cut it out of your head and eat it.” She licked her lips. Gross. She placed the cloth gag in my mouth and had my hands tied before I could blink. She was so fast. I guess evil angels, if they were called that, had super speed or something. Definitely a power I could use right about now. Hint, hint Lord. Before she could bind my knees and feet, a gust of wind blew the front door open, sending it ricocheting into the wall behind it.
In stepped Riven, folding his white wings back behind him to fit in the door. Behind him came Rafe, Aniya, and Athena—all white winged also. F
aric and Rebekah’s dark wings flew out from behind them in response, and they hissed, their eyes glowing that feline green. The wind rushed and swirled through the room.
“Brother,” hissed Faric.
“Brother,” Riven said calmly, “we’ve come for her.”
“She is mine.” Faric stepped toward me, placing himself between me and Cain and our saviors. Rebekah followed his lead. Yep, lap dog.
Rafe winked at me and whispered something to Riven to which he nodded. Rafe and Riven sprung forward. Riven grabbed his brother, and the fighting commenced. Rafe grabbed Rebekah and backhanded her, sending her flying across the room into the far wall. Her body left a large dent in the wood as she peeled herself off, sliding to the floor and springing back on her feet. Riven and Faric exchanged blows, seemingly anticipating the moves of the other. Was it an angel thing or a twin thing?
I hadn’t even registered the fact that Aniya and Athena had made their way over to us. Athena untied my hands and removed my gag while Aniya unbound Cain. “Back door,” said Athena.
We rushed to the back while the fighting ensued. I turned to see Riven with his elbow around Faric’s throat, Faric on his knees below him. He winked and nodded for me to go. Rebekah was on Rafe’s back, trying to claw at his eyes. Athena yanked my wrist.
“Let’s go. Now.” I ran outside.
Athena scooped me up, and Aniya carried Cain. We flew through the cool summer night air, the forest below blurred below us. I shut my eyes to keep the dryness out.
We landed at Ruth and Jacob’s house only a few minutes later. Ruth, Jacob, Lil, Rachel, Matthias, and Annette ran out to meet us. Ruth grabbed me and hugged me. Her belly was hard and round against my flat one. She was crying. Jacob came running and hugged us both. Lil and Rachel crashed into me next, and Matthias slapped my back as I made my way over to Annette. A man stepped out of the shadows behind her. I gasped.
Pariah (The New Covenant Series) Page 28
