“What have you done?” Ardat asked the Shaman with a mixture of surprise and scorn. “Send me back. Tracy needs me.”
The Shaman kept his eyes averted. “You need to dress and follow me. Any hope we have of defeating Sodom lies with our actions now.”
Ardat was practically shaking with anger as she thought of Tracy fighting Sodom alone. Reluctantly, she grabbed a pair of jeans and a tank top from a rack of clothing. She would dress, but if the Shaman thought she would follow him blindly yet again, he had another thing coming. “I can’t help but notice you managed to keep your clothes intact,” she said, buttoning her jeans.
“Yes, well, perks of the job,” he mumbled.
“So I’m guessing you found a way to take us to the human plane. Impressive, but I’m done having my chain jerked. First, defeating Sodom was the only way to unite the planes and find Michael. Then you want me to train some kid and protect her, now you bring me here, and what? You think I’m going to go run another errand for you? Well, I’m done playing your game. If you did manage to bring us to the human plane, then I’m going to find Michael and be done with this whole thing.”
Ardat took a heavy breath as she adjusted her top and flung her long dark hair behind her. It felt good to vent and tell the Shaman exactly what she was thinking.
To her surprise, the Shaman was nodding along with her words. While she spoke, he walked down an aisle of shoes and picked out a pair of the ugliest wool boots she had ever seen.
“Are you decent?” he asked with his back still toward her.
“What?”
“I mean are you clothed. When I answer your outburst, I would like to look you in the face so you know I am not lying,” the Shaman said in a calm, even tone.
“Yes, I’m dressed,” Ardat said.
The Shaman turned and walked toward her, handing her the boots.
Ardat didn’t take them and instead looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “If you think I’m wearing those, you’re crazy. Answers, now.”
The Shaman screwed up his face and examined the boots. “I think they’re fine. What’s wrong with these?”
The look on Ardat’s face was enough to make him drop the boots and clear his throat. “Everything I have told you and everything you have done has led us to this point. It has been for a reason and because of your actions, the Light still has a chance. I have brought you to the human realm to bring Michael back. With Sodom harnessing the power of The Four, I’m afraid our Horsemen and women are in for a desperate struggle. With Sodom’s forces, Rolf, and his undying soldiers, the battle may be all but lost. That is why we are here. Right now, Raphael and Gabriel are fighting on the same side but even their combined power may not be enough. They need their brother.”
Ardat was listening with her arms folded across her chest. She didn’t want to believe what the Shaman was saying was true, but in a confusing kind of way it all made sense.
“So you want me to find Michael and take him back so the forces of Light can win?”
“No, my dear,” the Shaman said, taking the boots back to the shoe rack and studying the remaining options. “Even if you bring Michael back, there is no guarantee of a ‘win.’ No one truly wins at a war; a side just loses less.”
The Shaman picked up a pair of pink sandals and lifted them for Ardat to see.
Ardat rolled her eyes and shook her head before saying. “And what’s keeping me from finding Michael and taking him away? In fact, what if I refuse to take him back with you. I don’t owe you anything. I don’t owe the Light. What if I just walk out the front door right now and find Michael on my own?”
If she thought her words would faze the Shaman, she was wrong. Instead of looking at her, he continued his examination of the women’s footwear. “You are correct in saying you do not owe me anything. However, I don’t think you will walk out that door.”
“Oh, really? And why not?”
“Because,” the Shaman pursed his lips and selected another pair of shoes, this time hiding them behind his back and returning to Ardat, “deep down, you are still that same woman Michael fell in love with before the world was created. As much as you deny the fact, there is still more good in you than you would like to admit. You’re not a bad person, Ardat. You’ve just done the wrong things for the right reasons.”
For a brief moment, Ardat was speechless. She wanted to tell the Shaman how wrong he was. She wanted to scream in his face to leave her alone and let her follow the path she had already chosen, but there was a kindness in his eyes she couldn’t deny. He was offering her redemption, a chance to continue righting her wrongs, a chance for a future with Michael.
“But I guess we’ll see what path you choose,” the Shaman said with a smile. “Free will is the beauty of both human and supernatural beings alike.” He brought his arms from his back, revealing a pair of Tiffany-blue running shoes. “Michael’s right outside the side doors. He’s lost all memory of who he is, but something tells me you’re the right person to bring him back.”
---
Ardat walked through the dimly lit retail store to the side exit the Shaman had shown her wearing her new shoes. Her mind was reeling with the coming joy at seeing Michael and the weight of the decision she still had to make.
“The electric storm when we arrived will have shorted out the alarm,” the Shaman’s voice drifted toward her.
She nodded without turning as her hands touched the cold metal of the release bar that would open the door. With a deep breath, she walked outside.
It was dark, the air was crisp, and the moon shone down between the building roofs. She was in an alley and as far as alleys went, this one seemed typical of its kind.
There were dumpsters lining the walls with trash overflowing and forming piles on the ground. The scene smelled of urine and moldy food. Ardat wrinkled her nose. To her left, the passage ended into a sidewalk then street. To her right, it continued until it was lost in shadows. Ardat turned to her right.
Fear, not for her safety but for the decision she would make, tugged at her mind. Her eyes caught movement up ahead and to her left. In between two large dumpsters was an alcove leading to what looked like an abandoned building. The space was covered in the gloom that accompanied the night, but Ardat could make out the form of two people sitting side by side.
Slowly, she walked forward, anticipation building with every step. As the figures came into view, Ardat’s heart skipped a beat. The first man was a stranger, but the second, the second was her Michael.
Remembering the Shaman’s words that Michael had lost his memory, Ardat took tentative steps forward. Restraining herself was one of the hardest things she had ever done. Every fiber in her being told her to rush forward and fling herself in his arms.
Ardat held herself in check as she approached the men. They were both sitting, staring at her as she walked forward. It pained her as no hint of recollection crossed over Michael’s eyes when she stood in front of him.
“Uh,” grumbled the older man sitting next to Michael, “are you lost? Can we help you?”
“No,” Ardat said, not taking her eyes from Michael. “I’m not lost. I’ve come to take him home.”
The old man looked from Ardat to Michael and then back again. “Oh, so you know our forgetful friend here? I’m glad someone came to collect him, but I’ll miss him, to tell you the truth.”
“Do … do I know you?” Michael asked, standing from his seated position.
Ardat nodded. “Yes; can you remember? Can you remember anything?”
Michael scrunched his forehead in thought. His eyes became almost invisible just like they did when he smiled. “I—I don’t think so. I don’t remember anything past a few days ago when Sean here found me naked and wandering the alley.”
Ardat took another step forward, checking herself yet again and reminding herself not to embrace Michael. Instead, she extended a hand.
Michael slowly reached out with his own hand with an awkward embrace and shake.
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“Our favorite place was a hill overlooking the ocean. It had this perfect tree that we would sit under and play with the animals,” Ardat said in a whisper.
In that moment she was terrified. As Michael struggled to remember, Ardat was left with the possibility that if Michael’s memory did return, he would not be able to forgive her for her past actions. So much had happened over the course of their relationship. She had done so much that caused them to be at odds. She wasn’t sure how he would react to seeing her again, if he could remember her at all.
“I think I remember,” Michael breathed as he gazed into her eyes. “We—we belong together.”
Ardat’s heart leaped inside her chest.
Michael’s lips transitioned from a slight smile to an open-mouthed gape. He looked past her shoulder as if he could see into the past. “More than that,” he said, “so much more. We’re angels, the war, Ardat!”
Ardat braced herself for what would come next. Michael’s memory returning meant he would either shun her as he had done before for her crimes or be able to forgive her yet again. She wasn’t sure which outcome would pain her the most.
Michael’s chest was heaving up and down as he winced, remembering the events of a near eternity. Without a word, he stepped forward and encompassed her in his arms.
Ardat didn’t care he was covered by a layer of grime. She didn’t mind the odor that wafted from his unwashed clothes. All she could concentrate on at this moment was the overwhelming sense of joy she felt at being held by the love of her life, again.
The moment ended far too soon. Michael gently released her. “But you, you left me in that hole where we found the Shaman and …” Michael’s voice trailed off as he stared at someone behind Ardat.
Ardat’s mind was racing as to how to explain all that had happened since she last saw Michael. She turned to see who Michael was looking at; to her great relief, it was the Shaman.
“Much has happened, Michael,” he said with a smile. “And I will answer every single question you have as soon as the war is won. Your brothers and sisters, Alan and the Horsemen, even Raphael and Gabriel are united fighting against the rising Apocalypse and they need your help.”
Ardat turned to Michael, trying to hide a wince. Yet again, she found herself waiting to see how Michael would receive the news.
Michael slowly nodded. “Well then, let’s go. We have a war to win.”
Chapter 18
The scale of the battle boggled Alan’s mind. They were pushing through rank after rank of Sodom’s forces with no end in sight. Vastly outnumbered, the Angelic Army was only able to drive forward through the efforts of Raphael and Gabriel. Now aided by the centaurs, the forces of the Light were pushing deep into Sodom’s camp.
Seeing the Fallen Archangel Gabriel was chilling, whether he was fighting on their side or not. Alan flexed his wings. It felt great to have them back and be at full capacity once again since Sodom had drained him of his abilities. Alan turned to see Danielle with both her hands on Kyle’s shoulders, restoring him as well.
“There you are,” Kassidy said, swooping down on her gryphon.
Alan took a step back from the massive beast. His three dogs, who were still overjoyed at seeing him, gave low growls as the gryphon ignored them and folded his wings on his back.
“I was so worried about you,” Kassidy said, gripping Alan in a hug. “After you sacrificed yourself to save me, I trained so hard to be ready to go get you. I was so scared I was going to be too late and you …”
“Hey, I’m okay,” Alan said, hugging her back before releasing her and taking a moment to examine the Horsewoman of Famine in her glittering armor of silver and yellow. It was hard to imagine this was the same young girl he found running from Trubric. Kassidy looked as though she could take on Sodom himself.
“Seems like you transitioned well. I’m so proud of you.”
Kassidy smiled under the adoration of an older brother figure.
“Well, I think it’s about time we enter this fight,” Kyle said, joining the two. He was already searching the battle area for a weapon to his liking. Angry red energy was swirling around him like a tempest.
Danielle caught up with the group, panting. She looked tired and weak from the energy it took her to restore both Alan and Kyle.
“Are you okay?” Alan asked.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Danielle said, taking in long breaths. “What’s the plan?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be watching Gabriel to make sure he doesn’t step out of line?” Kassidy asked, turning to look at the front lines that were so far away now, only small figures could be seen in the distance.
“I gave my control brace to Angelica,” Danielle explained. “She and Gideon have it under control.”
“Well, I’d love to stay here and chat with you all about the demon Archangel we have on a leash, but we have a fight to win,” Kyle said, picking up a curved sword from the ground.
“I agree,” Alan said, “but we do this smart. Not just rushing into Sodom’s arms. He knows we’re here. He’ll have a plan.”
Alan turned to Kassidy. “Can you get in the air and let us know what you see? I—”
“What is that?” Kyle’s voice cut into Alan’s orders with a sense of awe and wonder.
All eyes turned skyward. A bright burning red form was growing larger by the second. Alan shaded his eyes against the sun’s rays; it was some kind of flaming bird.
“I think—” Danielle started. “Is that a phoenix?”
No one spoke as the creature grew in size. As the bird landed, everyone gasped. In its talons, it held a person. Gently placing its cargo on the ground it chirped to the gryphon and Alan’s dogs and took a place beside Kyle as if the two were longtime friends.
Alan moved forward, watching the steady rise and fall of a young woman’s breathing. She was alive but either unconscious or trying to catch her breath. Alan knelt beside her, something in him was telling him who she was. A connection he couldn’t explain told him everything he needed to know.
Before he could extend a hand to comfort her, the sound of galloping stopped him. Alan raised his eyes to see a green unicorn approaching almost as quickly as the phoenix had done moments before.
Alan stood back on his heels as the unicorn ran to stand over the body of the young woman. The massive horse was breathing hard, sweat glistening off its back. With stone eyes, it said a silent challenge to anyone daring to touch its master.
“It’s okay,” Alan said, shushing his growling dogs with a wave of his hand and easing forward. “It’s okay, big guy; we’re here to help.”
The unicorn eyed Alan with a look that said, “I’ll give you a chance, but if you hurt her, I’m going to impale you with this spear I call a horn.”
Slowly it stepped back from over her body. Alan sank to his knees, keeping a wary eye on the unicorn. He gently lifted the woman’s head in his hands. She blinked, her eyes straining to take in her new surroundings. “Where am I?”
“You’re safe; it’s okay. Your phoenix and unicorn brought you to us.”
She looked up, squinting at Alan as her mind connected the dots. “You don’t look like a demon to me.”
Alan smiled despite the situation. “I’m not. My name is Alan Price. I’m the Horseman of War. You … you’re a Horseman too, aren’t you?”
“Horsewoman,” she corrected. “My name is Tracy. I’m the Horsewoman of Disease, but none of that matters anymore.”
Alan could feel the others crowd behind him, listening to his conversation. “Why?” Alan asked. “What’s happened?”
“Sodom’s drained my powers. He’s won.”
Alan felt panic grip his heart.
“And that’s not even the worst part,” Tracy said, her eyes glistening as she fought back tears. “I think he killed Ardat somehow.”
“Ardat?” Alan, Kyle, and Danielle all repeated at once.
“Yes,” Tracy said, “and he has a dragon and the minotaurs need ou
r help.”
Alan was eager to hear the story of how a Horsewoman had found Ardat and fought Sodom next to her; however, the details would have to wait.
“Dragons? The minotaurs are here?”
“Yes,” Tracy said to both questions.
“Well, let’s go,” Kyle said. “Danielle, can you get her back in shape?”
Alan turned to look at Danielle, who was still flushed from her latest exercise in healing. She clenched both hands into fists. “I’ll try.”
Alan knew better than anyone else what they were asking her to do, and he wouldn’t allow it. “You need time to rest,” Alan said as Kassidy leaned down next to Alan and helped bring Tracy to a sitting position.
“There’s no more time, Alan,” Danielle said.
Alan left Tracy in Kassidy’s care as he stood to shake his head. “No, you’ve done enough. After you rest, then—”
“There may not be a then,” Danielle said. “She needs to be with you when you face Sodom. You four are the ones who are important, not me.”
“I won’t lose you too,” Alan said much louder than he anticipated. “Sera died because she tried to help us. Not you too.”
A quiet passed over the group. Even the animals halted in their sniffing of one another to see what was causing the commotion.
Danielle walked forward and took Alan’s hand in her own. “I’m not going anywhere. I have enough in me to get Tracy back on her feet. You have to trust me.”
“But then what?” Alan asked as tears burned his eyes. “I’m not going to just leave you here helpless.”
“We could have your dogs or my phoenix take her back to Artemis at the Temple,” Kyle said in a non-characteristically even tone.
Danielle was already nodding her head along with Kyle’s words. “I’m not a great warrior like you, but I can do this. Let me do this.”
Alan nodded dumbly.
Danielle’s hand slipped out from his own. She walked over to Tracy’s lying form and placed both hands on the woman’s shoulders. The strain it was causing to Danielle’s body was obvious. She winced with the effort as she struggled to return Tracy to a fighting state.
Alan Price and the Horsemen of the Apocalypse Page 14
