Avenger

by Heather Burch

  Cold first, then a burning sting as the blade sliced her arm. It didn’t hurt that bad, but emotion welled in her. Maybe because these two were putting their lives on the line while she tried to stop them—just like a bratty kid would stop her mom from pouring peroxide on a wound to clean out the infection. Tears stung her eyes and her nose tingled. Ugh. She hated that. She looked away, off to the left, as if courage was hiding in the corner and she only had to make eye contact to possess it. But no courage came, so she bit her bottom lip while Kaylyn held the bottle to the edge of the cut, where a fine line of blood flowed.

  Kaylyn’s voice was annoyingly soothing. “I’m sorry we held you down, Nikki. But if you’re anything like the girls Raven usually goes for, it was the only way.”

  Just when I figured I couldn’t possibly feel any worse …

  Kaylyn pressed her shimmery lips into a straight line. “I appreciate that you’re worried about my safety. But believe me, I can handle myself, and I won’t take any stupid risks.”

  Not trusting her voice, Nikki gave a quick nod and uttered a thank you.

  “Okay, you guys need to go.”

  Raven bent and kissed Kaylyn on the cheek. The whole exchange made Nikki’s world tilt. Kaylyn was trying to help, but again, Nikki’d been bullied into doing what she didn’t want to do. Was she ever again going to have control over her life?

  Yes. One day she would. Deep in her soul a promise bloomed, and she knew with absolute certainty that one day she’d choose her own destiny. Awareness filled her. She didn’t deserve the people she’d been given, and yet here they were.

  She didn’t deserve the unmerited favor that surrounded her on every turn. And yet, it sought her like flowers seek the sun.

  The sensation overwhelmed her. Something deep within her was changing. Her gaze trailed to Raven first, then to Kaylyn. It gurgled in her stomach and rose to settle in her chest.

  A bit confused by it, she stood statue still as waves seemed to flow both outward and inward at the same time, washing over her flesh and splashing through her system.

  The green room looked a little brighter. Had someone turned up the light?

  “What is it?” Raven’s voice reached her through the veil.

  She whispered, “Faith.”

  Kaylyn clapped her hands. “Raven, she’s tapping in.”

  By the time they made it to the church in Philadelphia, Kaylyn had contacted her friend Pastor Layton. The forty-something man ushered them in and closed a massive door behind them. Nikki recognized his face, especially the dark hair and green eyes, from TV, although she hadn’t known his name. He was probably on some church show she’d flicked past a thousand times on Sunday mornings.

  A gargantuan sanctuary swallowed them, lit only by some dim overhead lights, and she took it in as they walked. At the edge of the chair-filled room a door was propped open, spilling bright light into the space.

  Nikki chewed on the inside of her cheek. Guess they didn’t have such a great turnout for the prayer meeting. But as they moved to the door, a low rumble of voices grew louder. Pastor Layton turned and addressed Nikki with a smile. “I’d like you to meet your intercessors.”

  “My intercessors?”

  Pastor Layton grinned. “Yes, they’ve been praying for you for months. But yesterday I felt an unction from the Throne to call them together. I also called Kaylyn. Can’t say why, just felt like I needed to talk to her. I mentioned we’d be having the prayer meeting.”

  “Kaylyn knew we would come here?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Sometimes with the Throne, we’re on a need-to-know basis. You just pray and listen and do what you see yourself doing. Often, you don’t know the details. I had no way of knowing Raven would take you to her. But the prayer warriors here have been keeping you covered with prayer for some time.”

  She frowned. Had they just entered some weird alternate reality? “How—How would they know me?”

  “They didn’t know you in the flesh, but the Throne placed you on several of their hearts. It will be nice for them to have a face to put with the name.”

  “My name?” she asked, which felt like the stupidest thing she’d ever uttered. But really, spiritual stalkers?

  “Yes. Nikki Youngblood. They also sometimes refer to you as Freedom.”

  Nikki’s gaze shot to Raven. “Did you put him up to this?”

  Pastor Layton placed a hand on her shoulder. “Freedom is your Halfling name.”

  It was also the nickname Raven had given her. She hated it, now more than ever before. Because of all the things she felt right now, free wasn’t one of them. She opened her mouth to speak, expecting words to form as she did, but none materialized.

  “I’m sorry, Nikki. Perhaps I shouldn’t have revealed that to you.”

  Raven tossed his hair from his face. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s so stubborn, she probably won’t believe you until she’s heard it about a dozen times.”

  Pastor Layton threw his hands in the air. “In that case, no harm done.” He turned and led them into a room where about fifty men and women were praying. Warriors, Kaylyn had called them. Hearing the fervency of their prayers, Nikki agreed.

  For the first time since the angel arrived and announced that a seeker had been sent for Nikki, Raven was able to rest. Nikki was safe here. Even if the seeker came, it couldn’t gain entrance to the church as long as the intercessors were praying. Raven leaned back on the dark leather couch in Pastor Layton’s office and was almost asleep before the next breath left his lungs. His eyes burned from too many hours awake and watching, refusing to wonder what would happen if he let his guard slip.

  A gentle rapping at the door pulled his attention from the drowsy haze. “Come in,” he said, but the words were thick with sleep.

  It was Nikki. She pushed the door open and slipped inside, then stood there for a moment, leaning her back against the door frame and giving him a smile that would fill his dreams. A blanket was hanging over her arm. “I need to apologize.”

  Ahhh. That was nice. He closed his eyes, imprinting her image. “Then do it so I can get some sleep.”

  “Raven, you’re not being very gracious. I’m trying to say I’m sorry.”

  He tilted his head and peered at her through one open eye. “Trying. Not succeeding.”

  She tossed the blanket at him hard. It landed in a heap on his gut and an unexpected oomph followed the thud. “Wow, you really need more practice at this apologizing thing.”

  She crossed the room and he scooted just enough for her to sit on the edge of the couch. “I know you would never do anything to hurt me.”

  Why hearing her say that caused the icy-hot sensation through his body, he didn’t know. He opened his eyes fully, because, seriously, with her so close, filling his nose with her scent, it wasn’t like he’d be able to sleep now. His hand reached to the soft skin on her face, fingertips memorizing every curve, every smooth line. He paused at the edge of her mouth. Soft lips, waiting to be touched. But he didn’t run his hand over their smoothness. Instead, he reached to either side and squeezed gently. His voice came out in sync with the motions of his hand, ventriloquist style. “I’m sorry, Raven. You are always right and I am always wrong.”

  This elicited a true smile on the mouth he held, encouraging him to say more. “Raven, you’re awesome and amazing and the bravest guy I’ve ever met. And did I mention hot?”

  Nikki giggled and grabbed his hand in hers. “Okay, that’s enough. Seriously, I’d hate to vomit on you after such an elaborate apology.”

  Raven’s face slowly dropped the smile he’d worn as her fingers twined with his. And for a while the two of them stayed there, staring into each other’s eyes. They really didn’t need words. She had this kind of closeness with Mace too, of course, one they’d both built with her while facing the threat of death over and over, experiencing the effects together. But with Raven, it felt more like a mutual connection. He needed her as much as she needed him. Mace nee
ded no one. By nature, Mace was the quintessential leader — the kind people followed, the kind that never wavered. Hadn’t she seen that so clearly at the train crash? The day she fell in love with him all over again. His very personality bred loyalty. Mace was whole. And Raven was damaged. Like a broken flower pot, still working to hold the flowers, trying to keep up, hoping to hold it together — at least until roots worked their way through the clay and caused it to crumble.

  And weren’t people always drawn to help what’s broken? Nikki was. She’d proved it when they’d first connected in the art gallery, shown it through the painting she’d created. She needed Raven. He needed her.

  Chapter 10

  They were readying to leave when the first bits of apprehension trickled over her shoulders. Raven was unfazed, so Nikki cast her unease aside. “You look rested.”

  He smiled. “Yeah, I had sweet dreams. You?”

  She didn’t try to hide the smile. “Yes. Pastor Layton’s wife let me sleep in an ultra-comfy recliner in her office after they gave me some instruction about faith and how to fight the seeker.”

  “Great, you can fill me in on all the details after we go.” He gave her his full attention. “What’s the main thing you learned?”

  “To pray for peace. Peace is a major key in defeating the seeker.”

  “Pray for peace, got it.”

  “I wasn’t finished. Pray for peace. But prepare for war.”

  Raven nodded. “Sometimes war is the only way to peace.”

  Didn’t she know it? Rough roads often had the best scenery. And what she’d learned on this difficult journey was fast becoming the framework of who she was becoming. That girl who liked drawing and karate felt so far away from her, except, on some deep level, that girl was still there. Not dead, just … transformed. It was as if she’d been reborn, and because of that everything looked different, like the world was spinning in a new way. Pastor Layton and his wife helped to make sense of the craziness and in listening to them, she’d found a new kind of clarity. And maybe a new kind of determination. Faith was no longer the foolish thing she’d imagined it to be earlier — now it was like air.

  Relationships with boys, however, was another matter. Raven was busy folding the blanket he’d used. It smelled like him, a scent she loved. She couldn’t deny that. Last night, sitting at his side, holding his hand … it all felt so right. But Mace felt right too. Always. How could this be so hard to figure out? Maybe she never would. Maybe there’d never be a clear picture, and the only answer would be choosing neither.

  Pastor Layton met Raven and Nikki at the door to his office. Bags rested beneath his red eyes and he looked like he hadn’t slept all night. Oh yeah, prayer meeting. He probably hadn’t.

  “Time is of the essence,” he said, rushing them toward the door that led to the large parking lot they’d entered through the night before. “The intercessors are sensing …” He paused in the hallway, swallowed, and gave a weary shrug. “Well, I don’t know what they’re sensing exactly, but —”

  Raven pulled the door open and they stepped outside. A bright morning sun greeted them, offering the promise of a beautiful day. Which — considering their current dilemma — was a pretty unlikely possibility.

  Nikki heard the sound immediately. A deep, guttural howling noise that cut through her flesh and straight into her heart. For a moment, all three looked at one another as if waiting for one to ask the question none of them wanted to answer. Raven led Nikki to the edge of the portico where he could leap. But it was too late.

  Something dropped near them from the sky. The massive black creature landed close, grunting and screeching. But there wasn’t just one creature; other beings soon intertwined with the monster. Here and there, its form was interrupted by slashes of color and wings.

  Nikki started screaming and couldn’t stop. In the mess, she recognized Mace, Vine, Winter, and Glimmer, all woven with and fighting the creature and its multitude of long, slithering arms. There was a commotion behind Nikki, and hands closed around her. First just one, then others. The intercessors had undoubtedly rushed to the door and were now dragging her back toward the church. She fought to get free.

  “Get her inside,” Raven yelled and ran straight for the seeker and the mass of Halflings fighting it.

  Nikki yanked against her captives. “I can help them,” she said, stretching toward the fight, but she couldn’t move. The intercessors were lead shackles holding her steadfast.

  Tentacle-like appendages stretched from the horrid black creature. He used two of them to lift his body to a standing position, and once it was planted against the asphalt Nikki noticed the razor-sharp blades on the end of each arm. The Halflings rose in response, Glimmer backing away slightly then drawing an arrow from her quiver and readying her bow.

  But the seeker caught her movement and lashed out with one long swipe, slicing her cheek. She reeled back, falling on the ground, while the same razor claw hovered over Glimmer’s body, aimed at her chest.

  Nikki screamed and finally broke free. She ran toward Glimmer. “Get back,” she yelled at the usually fearless girl who’d become frozen on the ground, clutching her cheek.

  Nikki stopped in her tracks when the seeker turned its full attention to her. She instantly felt vulnerable. There has to be something I can use as a weapon. Her eyes shot to the ground and rested on Glimmer’s bow, lying forgotten beside her friend. Nikki grabbed the weapon, but rather than try to shoot it, she tilted the bayonet-like sharpened end at the seeker. When Mace drew the monster’s attention by jumping onto its back, Nikki ran forward and planted the bow in the seeker’s chest with all the strength she had.

  The creature reeled back, staggering a few steps while a thick, black liquid oozed from the wound. Its eyes settled on Nikki like a homing beacon, and before she could move, a long, serrated arm slashed at her. She felt the burn of tearing flesh as it sliced across her throat.

  She fell backward as she watched the seeker disappear beneath a frenzied mound of Halflings.

  Nikki gasped for air. The wound across her throat felt endless, and each breath she took caused the excruciating sensations to seep deeper into her system. Suddenly Pastor Layton was above her, his hands clamped around her shoulders. She was vaguely aware of being dragged toward the door of the church, and watched in shock as Glimmer rose and retrieved her bow. From a safe distance away, Glimmer shot three arrows into the seeker’s chest while Nikki continued to struggle for air.

  “Raven,” Mace said, when the seeker staggered again, this time from Glimmer’s attack. “Take Nikki and leave. Get away from here.”

  Raven paused only long enough to consider the consequences of the words he was about to speak. “I’ll stay here and fight. You go.”

  Mace stopped moving, but only for the briefest moment. “You’ve kept her alive this long. Go. Find somewhere safe. We can hold the seeker here until you’re far enough from its range.”

  Pastor Layton ran to the boys, who were now a few steps away from the battle. He directed his words to Raven. “You have to come with me immediately. Plan to stay away for several hours, give your friends time to reroute the seeker. Then bring Nikki back here. We’ll pray for that wound when you return.”

  Layton led Raven back to the portico. He followed, reluctantly, half ready to flee with Nikki and half wanting to battle the seeker with Mace and Vine at his side. “Is she going to be okay?”

  Pastor Layton’s eyes dropped, and he studied a spot in the concrete sidewalk. “I don’t know. Despair has been released into her system by the seeker. It will take over if you don’t keep it at bay.”

  “How do I do that?” Raven said.

  “I’m not sure, son, but we’ll pray for you to have wisdom.” Some of the intercessors carried Nikki out to Raven while the Halflings continued to fight.

  Raven took Nikki in his arms and leapt. With her this close, he could see the fresh wound, a smooth slice across her collarbone just below the hollow of her throat. If it had
been a little higher … He stopped that thought, because the blinding pain it caused made it impossible to fly.

  He concentrated on the objective. Get her somewhere safe, somewhere safe. The midplane. He had to get her to the midplane. Raven rocketed skyward with Nikki in his arms. The gash below her throat, nearly shoulder to shoulder, had started oozing a dark reddish-black fluid. Her blood, mixed with the poison from the slash, appeared to be burning her flesh where it leaked onto her skin. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and streams of tears trailed her face. He’d hoped she would be unconscious by now, have a respite from the pain.

  She’ll be safe in the midplane. Raven repeated the words in his head over and over. Partly because he so desperately wanted to believe it.

  A lock of her hair caught the wind and fell across the wound. Nikki jolted and let out a howl. Raven took hold of the renegade strands and dragged them away from the cut. He couldn’t tell how deep the wound was, and wasn’t sure if it mattered. The skin around it had gone from peach to charcoal. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was being seared with a torch from the inside out.

  The chills began and he prayed he’d get to the midplane quickly. Anything was better than this. “Hang on, Nikki,” he whispered, as much to reassure himself as to encourage her. He tuned into the sound of his wings pumping feverishly.

  Nikki’s flesh had become clammy and he had to readjust her in his arms to anchor the slick hold. Every movement was excruciating, but her cries had become moans as strength left her.

  She was paralyzed until they reached the midplane.

  As soon as they entered the heavenly atmosphere, Nikki bucked, practically slipping from Raven’s grasp. A long solid scream released from a throat tightened with strained muscles.

  He nearly panicked when Nikki — writhing in his arms — reached for her wound in an attempt to claw at it. He wrestled her hands away from the cut and dropped out of the midplane. She calmed almost instantly.