Faegen, Trinity - Mephisto Covenant, The

by BTKT

  Just before darkness descended, she heard him whisper, “I love you.”

  nineteen

  darkness slowly faded and kept fading until he was

  standing in light so bright, he had to close his eyes. A soft voice said, “Who are you?”

  “I’m Ajax.” His voice sounded strange, coming out in a whisper he didn’t intend.

  “Ajax was a mighty warrior. Did you live up to your name?” He shook his head slowly. “I lost the only battle that mattered.” “Who do you bring to Heaven’s gate, Ajax?” “Her name is Alexandra. It means defen . . . defender of

  men.” He choked on the words. “She lived beyond her name.” With her sweet, soft body cradled in his arms, he clutched her against his chest.

  “Will you leave her here?”

  He began to cry, helpless to stop. “This is where she belongs. I can’t take her . . . where I’m going. I can’t take her with me.”

  “If you could, would you?”

  Slowly, he shook his head. “She doesn’t belong where I’m going. She belongs here.”

  “Perhaps she’d rather go with you. When she wakes, she may want so much to be with you, she’ll be angry you left her here.” “It doesn’t matter. I won’t take her with me.” Bowing his head, he buried his face against her hair. “She’d be miserable. She’d see desperation and pain and regret and hate and rage, and

  it would break her heart, over and over. I can’t do that to her.” “So, Ajax, you’ll leave her here, with God in Heaven, even though you’ll never see her again. Why would you make this

  sacrifice, when she means so much to you?” He raised his head and opened his eyes. “Because I love her.” Moments later, something cool passed over him. “This is the

  hand of God.” The voice was closer now. “Take your defender of men and be at peace. For you, Ajax, son of Mephistopheles, child of Hell, the Mephisto Covenant is fulfilled.”

  Sasha stirred in his arms, and his heart skipped a beat. Looking into her beautiful face, he saw her open her eyes and smile. “Jax, I thought I died.”

  His eyes welled with tears again. “You did.” “And you brought me back to life.” “God brought you back.” Twining her arms around his neck, she moved her head to his

  shoulder. “I love you.” “I love you.” He glanced up and saw the icons of the

  Romanovs, hanging above their tombs. Turning, he saw the altar beyond the doorway of the Catherine Chapel. Looking into her lovely blue eyes, he saw his future, reflected back at him. “I talked to God, Sasha.”

  She blinked. “And he heard you?”

  “He came to me as an old Russian beggar, while I was waiting for you, outside.”

  “How do you know it was God?” “I don’t know for sure, but then again, I do.” She smiled up at him. “That’s called faith, Jax.”