Eternity

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  “But you should be stone. You looked at Phanuel when he lifted the veil and uncovered his true being.”

  The flame danced on her palm, casting shadows across her face. “It must have been all four elements blending together that protected me. I don’t know. I just couldn’t turn away.”

  Her voice quivered and I pulled her into my arms. The light went out and blackness pressed in against us. The only sound was that of our breathing.

  “You came for me. Why?”

  She exhaled and dust stirred in the cramped space. “We’ve had our differences in the past, but you’re my friend now. We need each other to face what’s to come.”

  “Friend? Is that all we are, Ember?” My fingers wrapped into her long hair and I brought her face closer to mine. She didn’t pull back.

  My Earth element filled me, probing at her Gaia, which came to life.

  Waves of pleasure rolled through me as my lips brushed hers.

  “Ember, I—”

  The huge slabs of stone above our heads were lifted away, spilling moonlight on us.

  Gabriel peered down into the opening, laughing. “I found the little mice.”

  Hundreds of Angels filled the sky beyond his form, their weapons drawn.

  I was afraid our luck had finally run out.

  Chapter 17

  Cricket

  I clung to War’s back as he streaked over thick, billowing clouds. His power, along with the other Horsemen, created the storm we were riding on. When I lifted my face to peek over the red horse’s neck, wind pelted me painfully, and I quickly dropped back down. War’s muscles worked between my legs and his loud snorts filled my ears. I was cold, but I tried to ignore the discomfort. I was astride a horse, instead of the one being ridden. It was something that never should have happened, but the world had gone mad.

  I felt weak and small on War’s back, a feeling I didn’t like at all. I wasn’t one of the Horses of the Apocalypse. Thundering over the clouds wasn’t something I had the ability to do. But I could ride on War, and to get to our destination, I’d have to suffer the humiliation.

  There! I heard Conquest shout to the others in my mind. He turned and the other three horses went with him. I grabbed War’s mane tighter to keep from falling with the sudden change of direction.

  Conquest slowed and War came abreast with the white horse. Death and Famine were right behind us.

  There are a hundred of them, Conquest said. He tossed his head.

  The clouds obstructed my view, and I risked leaning out from War’s wide back to see better in the darkness. The storm calmed as we slowed, thinning and finally breaking apart as War’s hooves struck solid ground.

  I’d caught a glimpse of what Conquest was talking about. Angels hovered in the sky above the ruins of an ancient city. There were too many of them to count.

  “What are they doing?” I asked out loud.

  They are on a hunt. His nostrils flared and he stomped a front hoof in the sandy dirt.

  Stars peppered the now clear night sky, and a nearly full moon shined down on the scene. The broken city was on a tall hill, and all around it were croplands and smaller hills. Lights twinkled in the distance, indicating that there were human settlements nearby. I wondered if those people had any idea an army of Angels was so close.

  “What are they hunting?” My muscles tensed.

  Watchers. Death lifted his head, flashing a brown eye my way.

  I squeezed War’s sides. “We must help Ember!”

  None of the Horsemen moved. They stood quietly, like statues, surveying the situation.

  Finally, War mind spoke. They are part of the Celestial Host. We will be attacking Heaven’s Angels. He snorted, his breath jetting into the cold air. It will be war with the Angels. Is this what we want, brothers?

  Their actions are inexcusable. They no longer follow the path of righteousness. We are in our right to drive them from this land. Conquest’s voice was high pitched in my head.

  Don’t forget what they are, or the power they possess. The four of us versus a hundred of them are not good odds. Death said softly.

  Yes, it won’t be easy. There are no guarantees, but if we stand back and do nothing, we betray our nature and our purpose. War stepped in front of the other horses. None of this is sanctioned by our Creator, and therefore, it is against the original laws. Angels were ordered to protect man, not destroy them.

  These are not ‘men’ they seek out. They are abominations, Famine finally spoke.

  “They are still part human, and Ember fights to save the world of men. She is my friend. I will not let her die at the hands of the winged ones.” I leaped from War’s back and opened myself up to my true form. When I turned back to the horses, I was one of them. I will fight them, even if you don’t.

  What a mare, War said in admiration. He stepped forward and nuzzled my face. You have much courage to go against an army of Angels, but it is a death wish. I am the Horseman of War. This is what I was created for, in one form or another. He reared up, striking out at the air. When his feet touched the ground again, he swung his head toward his companions. Are you with me, brothers?

  Conquest strode forward, touching War’s nose with his. He looked back and nickered. Death and Famine stretched their necks and snorted together.

  When the clouds began forming at their feet, I tossed my head and pranced in place. The Horsemen were with me, and my skin prickled. The rumbling of the building storm rattled my insides, and I couldn’t stand still any longer.

  I jumped forward, galloping onto the plain that stretched to the hilltop ruins. Faster, I pumped my legs, lengthening my neck and whinnying in defiance. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed in the sky. The sound of hooves pounding rang in my ears.

  We had the element of surprise. The Angels would never imagine the Horsemen would attack. I only hoped it would be enough to offset the great numbers we were up against.

  Because we were going to need a miracle as it was.

  Chapter 18

  Ember

  Raindrops hit my face as I huddled against Insepth’s chest. Gabriel’s head snapped sideways. He called out in the Angel language and darted away. Several of his black feathers that fluttered down were caught by the breeze.

  “Now’s our chance,” Insepth whispered into my ear, pulling me beside him.

  Dark-rimmed clouds appeared in the sky that was clear a moment ago, and the wind gusted, blowing dust into my eyes.

  My legs were wobbly from the energy I’d used to draw all four elements. I swayed and Insepth caught me. My stomach rolled. I fought to keep the bile down. He bent and grabbed my legs, helping me up. With Insepth pushing, I cleared the opening and rolled to the side, reaching out to him. He took my hand and scrambled up next to me. Phanuel swooped down and caught one of our shoulders in each of his hands.

  The Angel only managed to get about ten feet off the ground when fire streamed out of my hands, striking his wings. Insepth focused his Earth on the pile of debris below us. The ground erupted, sending boulders flying at the Angel. He let go and we dropped, hitting the ground hard. Two more Angels dove at us and Insepth grasped my hand, jerking me into a run.

  “Can you weave the four elements again?” he called out, trying to be heard above the gathering storm.

  I struggled to stay even with his long strides. “I don’t think so. I can barely manage my Fire.”

  We dodged bolts of lightning from the Angels who pursued us, taking shelter behind a sprawling, bent tree. Insepth used his power to rip it from its roots and hurl it at the nearest Angel. The gray-winged Angel was struck and did a somersault in the air, but quickly recovered and came after us again.

  “The air, Ember!” He whispered into my ear. Rain poured from the sky, thunder boomed, and a dazzling claw of lightning streaked across the inky sky. The plain lit up, illuminating Angels in flight and the rolling, billowing clouds that nature couldn’t have made. I’d seen those clouds before, and the breath caught in my throat
at the brilliance of it. Insepth held my face between his hands and forced me to look at him. His blue eyes were wild. “It’s all around you—can’t you feel the raw power that’s waiting to be harnessed. You can save us!”

  Not harnessed, but asked. My heart leaped with joy when I connected with the element immediately. The exhaustion left my body, and I felt the power leave me, pushing into the thick clouds. The wind gathered momentum, reminding me of the tornado Ila had summoned to destroy the Demons. I realized that Air might just be the deadliest of all the elements.

  The spiraling cyclone crashed into the two Angels, sending them careening through the sky. Phanuel came into view, brandishing his golden sword. His platinum hair was blowing wildly around his head, and his war cry echoed across the valley. I reached out, touching the Air, pressing it faster, and it responded. Water cried out from inside of me and I directed the downpour toward the Angel.

  But the storm elements weren’t enough to stall his momentum. He broke thought the tempest, diving at me and Insepth.

  Insepth pelted the Angel with branches, but the objects merely bounced off the glow that was building around the Angel. He was an arch. We’d been lucky to escape him before, catching him off guard, and his own arrogance at complete superiority, but not now. Phanuel wasn’t underestimating us anymore. He was coming for us with everything he had.

  Insepth shoved me behind him, gripping me with one hand, while his other hand continued to work the earth.

  The sound of Phanuel’s approach drowned out all other sounds, and the halo around him widened until there was only light.

  Insepth faced me. “We gave it our best shot.”

  Galloping hooves drew my attention behind Insepth. A black horse skidded to a stop, bumping into us.

  “Cricket!” I couldn’t believe my eyes. I didn’t hesitate and jumped on her back. Insepth scurried up behind me in a dream-like moment.

  Her shrill whinny broke through Phanuel’s war cry. Her muscles gathered and she was away, propelling me back into Insepth. He held onto her mane, wrapping his arms tighter around me. From the corner of my eye, I saw flashes in the sky and heard more battle screams. Shadows of beating wings stretched across the landscape, and the earth trembled.

  Another whinny rent the air, but it wasn’t from Cricket. I glanced up and saw them. The Horses of the Apocalypse slammed into Angels in the clouds.

  Cricket was fast, but she couldn’t outrun an arch Angel. Phanuel was gaining speed and I felt the heat of his Heavenly brilliance on my arms.

  I turned in Insepth’s arms, loosening his hold enough to extend my hand and send a stream of fire backward. The flames hit the light and fizzled, turning to smoke on the wind.

  Phanuel was radiant, and his sword gleamed gold. It was so close to Cricket’s hindquarters, I could see Angelic writing on the blade. He raised it above us and I dropped my head into Cricket’s mane, squeezing my eyes shut. I’d done everything I could possibly do to save us, and I’d failed. The bitter taste of defeat dried my mouth as I waited for death to come.

  The blade fell, but somehow Cricket managed a last minute burst of speed, skirting away from it. The force of the storm slammed into us, knocking me and Insepth from Cricket’s back. I heard the sickening crunch when my arm made contact with the ground. I clutched it to my chest, opening to the little bit of Gaia I could wield.

  A fiery chestnut jumped from the clouds, striking Phanuel with front hooves, sending him spiraling sideways. His light disappeared and he flapped his wings furiously to regain control. War didn’t slow, though. He stomped at the Angel in the air, knocking Phanuel back down to earth.

  Insepth jerked me to my feet. “We’ve got to find cover! We’re powerless in this battle.”

  I pulled away, pointing at Cricket. She had charged into the fight, joining War. “I can’t leave her!”

  Insepth sighed and rubbed his forehead. Rain pelted our faces and the wind from the Horsemen pummeled us. I had to spread my legs to brace against the torrent. “Then we must link. It’s the only way.” His eyes narrowed, darkening. “But I must warn you. If we use what little power we have left, we won’t be able to create a loophole to escape this place.”

  I nodded wildly. Insepth grasped my hands and I let my elements meld with his Earth. The Angel slashed at War and Cricket with his long sword. Blood spurted from a slash across War’s chest, and Cricket jumped away just in time to avoid having her front legs hacked off.

  Anger flooded my insides and the Fire awakened. I gave Insepth the surge of raw power and he took it, directing it into the ground below Phanuel. War joined our assault, rearing up to his full height. As he came down, he stretched out his mighty neck and went for the Angel with his teeth barred. He grabbed Phanuel by the neck and shook him back and forth. Blue blood spurted from the gaping wound and his wail came out as a wet gurgle. War tossed the Angel into the air and Insepth shook the earth, opening up a sinkhole that swallowed Phanuel up. A hollow scream followed, and Insepth frantically drew more power. He folded the soil back together, burying the Angel. War’s victory squeal pierced the valley, sending shivers through me.

  The rain came down harder, blurring my vision. But the beating of wings was still unmistakable. The sky lit up with the dozens of Angels that descended onto the place where Phanuel was buried.

  Conquest and Death galloped out of the clouds and struck the ground with flying sparks next to War. Famine came more slowly, and when I blinked the water from my eyes, I saw a swath of blood on his heaving side.

  Cricket trotted to me and her nose pushed into my chest. I clutched her face and pressed my cheek to hers. Keep faith, Ember.

  I pulled back enough to gaze into Cricket’s brown eyes. There are too many Angels. We must leave here, or we’ll all die, I told her with my mind.

  The explosion made Cricket leap away from me and I turned to see Gabriel drive his sword into the dirt where Phanuel was. “You’ve killed him—an arch Angel!” he screamed.

  Insepth tried to tug me away, but I planted my feet in the saturated clay. “I won’t leave Cricket or the Horsemen. They came to help us.”

  “Then we’re all going to die,” Insepth warned.

  I barely heard him. The beating wind made it difficult to stand upright. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the horses as they pranced and pawed, courageously facing the Angels’ wrath.

  “It is your own doing Phanuel is dead! Do not blame us for your arrogant disobedience to our Creator.” War’s neck bowed and steam blew from his nostrils.

  Gabriel took flight, stopping in front of the Horsemen. His pounding wings pushed back the force of their storm. His black hair curled around his head and his face was pale stone. When he spoke, it was with Angel power, carrying his words over the plain and through the driving rain with volume. “I am an Angel of the Lord. You will not defy me or my kind. We will ruin the four of you, strike you from this earth forever.”

  The horses reared up, mounting higher on the clouds of the tempest they’d created. The gust knocked me down, pinning me to the ground. Insepth rolled onto me, trying to cover my eyes with his hands. “You mustn’t look!” he shouted.

  But I shoved his hands away and opened my eyes more. Fire, Earth, Water and Air rose up to protect me, but I doubted they would be enough.

  Gabriel charged upward, becoming light, and the rest of the Angels joined him.

  The sky shuddered when the thundering storm crashed into the brilliance of Heaven.

  The rain stopped and the wind died down. Cricket neighed and tears streamed down my face. The light magnified until the world was glistening white.

  Pain exploded in my head, and then there was only cold blackness.

  Chapter 19

  Horas

  There was nothing left of Sawyer’s humanity. I could smell the evil taint even from this distance. The creatures that loped beside him were from the very depths of Hell. They struck down the wolves, tearing chunks of meat from their victims in a feeding frenzy as they c
ontinued forward, heading directly for us.

  Sir Austin’s wind was gobbled up by the fires that erupted wherever the evil soldiers stepped. Smoke covered the hillside and I gulped when I reached pockets of fresh air. Even Youmi’s Water had no impact on the Hellish flames. The blasts of liquid only seemed to provide fuel, fanning the inferno higher.

  “Ivan, take Lord Quintus’ daughter and Angus to safety!” I ordered, but the three continued to fight, biting at the monsters that came out of the haze.

  A Demon rose before me, her head bent to the side and her eyes glowing. Like Sawyer, any connection she might have had to this world had vanished, having been replaced by the instinct to destroy everything in her path. I swept around her and buried my dagger into her neck. I’d already learned that killing wounds to their bodies didn’t stop the Hell beasts. The removal of limbs slowed them, and taking off their heads brought them down for good.

  I sawed away until the Demon’s head fell into the mud, and then I moved to another and another. I was fast, agile, and strong. I’d fought in many battles over the thousand years I’d walked the earth, but nothing had prepared me for this kind of an onslaught. The attackers were mindless in their bloodlust. There was no reasoning with them and they didn’t fear their own deaths. In a way, they were already dead. Their souls belonged to Samael.

  When Sawyer crested the hill, I let out a ragged gasp. Fire moved with him, and it suddenly occurred to me that his one-time connection to Ember had made him impervious to it. His red eyes shifted from me to Ivan, and he changed course.

  “Nooo!” I shouted, running to intercept the Demon who had once been my friend, slashing creatures down to clear a path.

  Sir Austin and Youmi got there first. I saw them combine their powers, but they were exhausted, and Youmi had to hold Sir Austin steady while they directed a torrent of air and water at Sawyer.

  Time slowed as I watched the devastating force moving with purpose. Sawyer motioned and three Cerberus leaped in front of him. They were each as large as a pickup truck and their bodies took the force of the Watchers’ blast. The center hound was hit directly, severing one of its heads and ripping a hole in its side. The other two heads howled out in pain. Another hound bolted forward, and I watched in horror as one of its mouths crunched down on Sir Austin, ripping the Air Watcher from Youmi’s grip. Blood splattered, and the Watcher hung limply in the jaws of the beast as he was shaken violently like a rag doll.