by Paula Weston
‘GO!’ one of the demons calls, his voice so loud I feel it in my ribcage.
A few seconds later, the wings are gone, along with the white-blue light. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. After the brilliance of Nathaniel’s light, everything else is dark.
Rafa is beside me, breathing heavily and favouring one leg as he helps me up.
Nathaniel waits until he has Rafa’s attention.
‘There are humans here?’ he asks him.
‘Two idiots with guns,’ Rafa says. ‘Hell-turd bit one. Ez and Uri went after them.’
‘Please call him Uriel, Rafael. You know he is a member of the Council of Five now.’
‘Fights like it too.’ Rafa’s all attitude with Nathaniel, but he can’t quite maintain eye contact.
‘Do you not think you should find these humans?’ Nathaniel asks.
Rafa straightens. ‘I’m not the one—’
‘I’ll go,’ Zak says before Rafa can finish. No doubt he’s more concerned with helping Ez than stopping an argument between Rafa and Nathaniel. He jogs along the boardwalk and vaults over the rail. It’s quiet again, and I can make out faint sounds of fighting, deeper in the trees.
Nathaniel signals for Micah to step forward.
‘Please fetch the healers.’
The tall blond Rephaite disappears.
The other Rephaim haven’t moved from their positions. Even Daisy stands waiting for orders, despite the fact she’s bleeding heavily from her punctured sides.
Finally, the fallen angel turns his attention to me. I crane my neck to meet his gaze. Those flickering eyes, there’s something strangely soothing about them. I have to remind myself he’s sanctioned everything that’s happened to me in recent days.
‘They will not stop coming for you, Gabriella.’
‘What just happened?’ I ask. ‘Why did they leave like that?’
Nathaniel regards me for a moment. ‘Demons cannot stand to be in an angel’s presence when we reveal ourselves in glory. In full glory, abyss sludge like Belial would combust at the mere sight of me. Sadly, I no longer wield that power.’
‘But when you showed your wings—’ I stop. Nathaniel has wings.
‘It’s enough to banish bottom-dwellers like Belial and Leonard.’
I dab at a cut on my face. ‘Zarael is their, what, boss?’
‘He is their lieutenant.’
‘But didn’t he manage to keep you chained up? How long were you down there?’
‘Thousands of years.’ He doesn’t look away. ‘There is no glory in hell, so we were without weapons. That is no longer the case.’
Rafa is watching me closely, tense, like he’s waiting for me to fall at Nathaniel’s feet or something.
I take a long, deep breath. The air is heavy with eucalyptus. ‘What would they have done to me?’
‘Tortured you in ways you cannot imagine.’ Nathaniel speaks without hesitation, bringing goosebumps to my arms.
‘Because they think, like you do, that I know where the Fallen are?’
He doesn’t answer.
‘I thought demons were trapped in hell. Why are they in such a rush to go back? And if someone down there has the power to toss them out, why aren’t they all running around up here?’
Nathaniel’s gaze as he considers the question is unnerving. ‘There is no simple answer,’ he says at last. ‘It is true that Lucifer and his followers are imprisoned in the Pit, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have influence in this realm.’ He scans the silent forest for a moment. ‘There are many types of demons, and it is more difficult for some than others to leave hell, but not impossible. There are portals, possession…You must remember, though, this world is a shadow playground for demons—one they can only experience in a limited physical form. It’s not until the end of time that they will be able to fight the Angelic Garrison in their true form. In the meantime, they have their own dark kingdom in the abyss. It’s the only home they know. And while they are in this world, they are vulnerable. Especially against my Rephaim.’
My fingers are wet with blood, and I wipe them on my clothes. ‘But aren’t demons just fallen angels too? What’s the difference between them and’—I catch myself—’your brothers?’
It’s Daniel who answers, still holding his position with the others. ‘Demons fell because they believed they were equal to God. They grew arrogant and despised creation. The sin of the Fallen was that their profound love for God’s creation was poisoned by lust. In every other way they were loyal Watchers and holy warriors.’
Nathaniel remains impassive. I can see where Daniel learned his emotional control.
‘Gabriella,’ the angel says, ‘there’s much you need to relearn, and you can only do that safely under my protection. Return with me and allow me to watch over you.’
I let out a startled laugh. ‘Are you forgetting what happened the last time I was there?’
‘Now that you have a hint of what we are up against, you must understand why we used certain methods to try to reclaim your memories. It did not work, and I give you my word it will not happen again.’
‘What’s the point? I can’t give you what you want. One of your so-called bottom-dwelling demons just said he cut my head off. He knows more than I do. Maybe you should put your efforts into torturing him.’
A tiny crease appears between Nathaniel’s eyebrows. ‘Which one?’
‘Bel,’ Rafa says.
‘Did he claim you were alone when this attack took place?’
‘No. He said Jude was there. Begging for my life.’
Nathaniel looks to Daniel. ‘Is this true?’
Daniel discreetly straightens his shirt. ‘So Belial claimed.’
The darkness changes. Micah reappears on the deck with six new Rephaim. Like the others, they’re in black, but they’re not armed. They all do a double-take when they see me.
‘Taya first,’ Daniel says, and two of the women go to her.
‘They’re the healers?’ I ask Rafa.
He nods. ‘Soldiers not on rotation get healing duty.’
Of course. No down time at the Sanctuary.
Micah goes to Daisy. There’s not much left of her black t-shirt. Her torso is smeared with clotting blood and grass. She puts her thumb and little finger up to her ear, and mouths, ‘I’ll call you.’ Micah nods a farewell to me, and the two of them disappear.
‘Look,’ Rafa says, and I turn to see Ez and Zak coming along the boardwalk. Zak is carrying Mick and Ez has her fingers pressed to his bearded throat. In Zak’s arms, Mick almost looks small. And he’s so still.
‘Can they shift to help him?’
‘No,’ Rafa says. ‘That only works on us.’
Uriel is trailing behind them. He has Rusty over his shoulder and is swinging something big and grey in his left hand. Bile rises in my throat. It’s a hellion head. Uriel tosses the macabre trophy to Malachi, who uses his good arm to catch it.
Rafa nods his head at the cabin and they take Mick and Rusty inside. We follow to see Zak laying Mick on the daybed. Ez takes her hand away to check on the wound. His neck is chewed up like it’s been through a grinder. Blood seeps from multiple bites, so at least his heart’s still beating. But he’s a mess: his beard is matted and one eye is swollen. The blue singlet is soaked in blood.
I grab a tea towel from the kitchen and take over applying pressure on the wound. Ez checks Mick’s side, gently probing for more damage.
‘I think it’s just the neck.’
‘That’s probably enough,’ I say. Rusty is propped up in a chair at the dining table, his head lolled forward. ‘How bad is he?’
Zak scoffs. ‘Big hero fainted and smacked his head against a tree going down. He’ll survive. He’s got nothing to worry about.’
‘Except that his brother’s been mauled by a hell monster.’ I rearrange the tea towel to find a dry section and put pressure back on Mick’s wound. ‘He needs to get to a hospital.’
‘We can treat him at the
Sanctuary,’ Daniel says, over my shoulder.
‘Uh-uh.’ I turn to face him and find Nathaniel has come inside too. ‘There’s a medical centre in town,’ I say. ‘He’s not going anywhere but there. Rusty’s going too.’
Daniel doesn’t need to argue for me to know he doesn’t agree. ‘What if he tries to explain how he got those injuries?’
‘Who’s going to believe them? Everyone in town knows what they do up here. They’ll sound like the pair of stoners they are.’ My muscles are aching now, and a slow throb has started in my cheek. ‘Let’s get Mick patched up. Right now, before he loses any more blood.’
‘Enough of this,’ Rafa says, stepping between Daniel and me. He signals for Ez to take over tea towel duty and sends Zak in Rusty’s direction. ‘Where’s the medical centre?’
As soon as I tell them, Zak and Ez shift with the Butlers.
‘That was a mistake.’ There’s an edge to Daniel’s voice I haven’t heard before. He’s about to lose his cool.
‘This whole thing was a mistake,’ Rafa says. ‘So why don’t you all piss off back to Italy and let us clean up your mess.’
‘Do you really think you can keep Gabriella safe?’
‘Not your problem.’
‘But it is hers.’
Nathaniel doesn’t interrupt their bickering. He’s only interested in me.
‘Gabriella,’ he says quietly, ‘Rafa is an exceptional fighter, but he alone can’t hold back those who will come for you.’
I meet his eyes. ‘Do you remember my mother? My real mother?’
He blinks. ‘No.’
‘Really?’
‘Like all the other women my brothers seduced, she did not survive the birthing.’
I watch the lying, the smoothness of it.
‘Every single one died?’
‘Yes, Gabriella, all of them.’
I move to stand beside Rafa. ‘I’m staying here.’
‘In that fishing village down there?’ Daniel says.
I straighten my spine but it’s all bluff now. I’ve got nothing left. ‘That fishing village is my home.’
‘Gabriella.’ Even Nathaniel’s stillness demands attention. ‘I understand how confusing this must be, so I will allow you some latitude. You may stay. For the moment.’
Like I need his permission.
‘But I will assign Rephaim to watch over you.’
‘No.’
‘That is not negotiable.’
‘Who?’
Nathaniel’s lips curve a little. Possibly a hint of a smile. ‘Taya and Malachi.’
‘Fuck. Off.’ I might not want Taya dead, but that doesn’t mean I want her in Pan Beach either.
‘Language, Gabriella.’
‘They’re injured,’ I say. But, of course, they won’t be for long. ‘Well, they’re sure as hell not staying with me.’
‘They can look after themselves.’
I lean back against the table. I am so tired. I want to get cleaned up and fall into bed. But first, I need to see Maggie.
‘I have to go.’
‘As you wish.’
I turn to Rafa. ‘Now?’
Rafa looks at Daniel when he answers. ‘Sure.’
His hand slides around my hips. I think I see Daniel’s nostrils flare before he gets himself under control.
‘Come near my friends again and I’ll cut your head off myself,’ I say to him.
Daniel opens his mouth, as if to respond.
‘Let’s go.’
The cicadas start up again as I lean into Rafa, so anything Daniel may have said in parting is lost in their noise.
And then we’re in that icy wind again. Rafa’s arms are around me. Warm. Snug. His fingers in my hair, his heart beating against mine. Usually it’s me clinging to him.
This time, he’s holding me just as tight.
PRICE TO PAY
We find Jason alone at the bungalow, sitting at the table with his head in his hands. My heart misses a beat.
‘Where’s Maggie? Is she safe?’
He nods, not looking up.
‘Where is she?’
‘With Simon.’
I’m holding my breath. I let it out. ‘But she’s okay?’
‘She’s fine.’
‘Why aren’t you with her?’
He lifts his head. His blue eyes are exhausted. ‘She doesn’t want to be around any of us right now.’
‘You just saved her.’
‘I’m still not human.’
Rafa shakes his head, and mutters something I can’t catch. I push him out the way so I can sit down.
‘What happened?’ I lay the katana between us on the table.
‘I asked her if she trusted me before we left the cabin. She said she did, and then I shifted with her. When we got here, she couldn’t get away from me quickly enough.’
‘Didn’t you tell her you’ve never been a part of the Rephaim?’ I ask.
‘I didn’t get a chance. She wanted me to go back and get Simon.’
‘And then you let her walk out? After what just happened?’
Jason rubs his forehead. ‘What else could I do? I wasn’t going to force her to stay here with me.’
Rafa wanders over to the sink. ‘Man up, Goldilocks. She’s had a big couple of days.’
Coming from him, that’s almost sensitive.
‘Do you know where they went?’ I ask.
Jason shrugs. ‘Rick’s, probably.’
So that’s where we’re going. I stand up as Zak and Ez walk through the door. They were polite enough to arrive in the hallway, on the off-chance we’re not alone.
‘Where’s your friend?’ Ez asks.
She’s still covered in Mick’s blood and is sporting a fading bruise on her cheek, above her scar. I touch my own face. The split skin has mended and my cheek is nowhere near as tender. Rafa must have healed me on the way here. He, on the other hand, is still bleeding from the shoulder.
‘Gone out for a drink.’
‘I don’t blame her,’ Ez says. ‘I could go for one myself.’
‘What happened with the Butlers?’
Ez rubs her right shoulder, and Zak absently begins to massage the muscle. ‘We dropped them off at casualty,’ he says. ‘An ambulance pulled in as we got there. Ez told them we’d been hiking and found them in a gully. Then we got out of there.’
Rafa breathes out heavily. ‘Those two are going to be a problem.’
‘What do you want to do about it?’
‘Nothing tonight.’
Zak nods. ‘We might head back to Mexico for a few hours.’
I find the energy to stand up. ‘Thanks, guys. I really appreciate what you did tonight. I know Mags does too.’
Ez is tired, but her smile reaches her eyes. ‘It’s just good to be on the same side again.’ She gives me a quick hug.
Zak holds out his hand as if to shake mine, but when I reach for him, he hauls me to his huge chest and slaps me between the shoulderblades. ‘Hang in there, kid. We’ve got your back.’
I’m glad they shift quickly, because I’m so tired and emotional right now I might cry. Again.
I pull myself together. ‘Are we safe?’ I ask Rafa.
‘For a while. Nathaniel’s backed off for tonight, and the demons won’t come into town.’
‘Why not?’
‘They lost another hellion tonight and they’ll think you’re under Nathaniel’s protection. They won’t be in a hurry to face him again so soon. Not without reinforcements anyway.’
‘I need to go to Rick’s and see Mags. Will you come with me?’
‘Sure.’
‘And you?’ I ask Jason.
‘I can’t take seeing that look in her eyes again tonight.’
‘Jason—’
‘I’m going to respect Maggie’s wishes. I’ll go back to the hotel so she can come home.’
‘I’d rather you were here.’
The pencil that Simon used to draw the map is still on the ta
ble. He reaches for it and sets it to spin.
‘I mean it,’ I say. ‘We’ve still got a few things to sort out.’
He looks at Rafa and then back at me. His shoulders sag. ‘I’ll go to the hotel and shower,’ he says. ‘Then I’ll come back.’
‘Tonight?’
He sighs. ‘Tonight.’ But makes no move to go.
I run my fingers through my hair and find the claw marks on my scalp almost healed. The cuts on my neck and arm are pretty good too, no seeping blood. I clean myself up at the kitchen sink. My fingers linger on the hellion bite, and I look around for Maggie’s scarf.
‘Just wear your hair down,’ Rafa says.
I take it out and let it fall to my collarbone, check myself in the reflection of the microwave. ‘Got another plan?’
‘It’s fine.’ Rafa turns me towards him and tousles the ends of my hair so it sits over the scar. ‘It’ll be fine.’
I grab a handful of tissues and gesture to his bleeding shoulder. He looks downs and shrugs. I gently dab at the wound. He watches me, his eyes dark in this light. Then he takes the bloodied tissues from me and tosses them into the bin. I catch Jason’s attention one last time.
‘See you back here in an hour.’
He nods.
‘I don’t care if Mags is talking to you or not. You and I are finishing that conversation.’
Rafa raises his eyebrows at me.
‘Later,’ I say and head down the hallway and out the front door.
DON’T FREAK OUT…
I pause at the top of the steps and lean on the post. The hill looks steeper than it did a few hours ago.
‘Do you want to cheat?’
Rafa is so close I feel his breath on my neck. I lean against him. I feel his heartbeat as he wraps his arms around me, and then the deck is gone, and I’m crushed again by cold and noise. And then it’s over. We’re behind a recycling skip out the back of the bar, stale beer and rum in the air.
I disentangle myself from Rafa, surprised at how little dizziness I feel this time, and walk up the narrow alley between the bar and the neighbouring shop. I straighten my clothes before I step out onto the street. And then I’m breathing in that wonderful salty air. The surf is rolling in beyond the lights and poincianas. Lorikeets still chatter in the trees. The hoodie brigade are laughing and smoking on a bench across the road. At least some things are constant. The smell of wood-fired pizza from Rick’s kitchen reminds me I haven’t eaten.
