by Kim Loraine
"I'm sorry, Izzy. It was one of the rare times we were together. The lifetime immediately following the Trojan war. We hadn't found you yet, but Helena and I stumbled upon each other shortly after all our memories returned." Tears pool in Gwen's large copper eyes. "She was so broken. The guilt of what she'd done, of the war she started out of the crazed urge for revenge. The lifetime before, she'd only been fourteen when her father sold her off to Agamemnon who, in turn, married her to his brother, Menelaus. The man was vile. He beat and defiled her. Kept her at his heel at all times like a dog. Until she woke up one morning with the knowledge of all her past lives and the power to change her life."
I don't want to hear this. Knowing I could have found her sooner, possibly saved her from all this pain, kills me. But, there's something important coming. Gwen wouldn't betray Helena's confidence like this if not. I motion for her to continue.
"She wrapped a spell around Menelaus' heart, binding him to feel her pain with every lash of his whip and forceful invasion of her body. He changed and his need to possess her changed with him. But it wasn't enough. She wanted to hurt him as he'd hurt her. When the handsome prince Paris of Troy arrived, she used her siren song on him. Convinced him to love her madly and take her away. But his soon turned from love to obsession and he attempted to own her in the same way her husband had. Before long, Helena had a deadly war on her hands."
"Gwen, why have you never shared this with me?" Izzy asks, her voice desperately heartbroken.
"We all have our own tragedies, don't we? None of us wants to relive them."
I step forward and put my hands on her shoulders. "Finish your story, Gwen."
She takes a long breath and two tears run down her cheeks. "This is where I come in. Her next life was filled with heartache and guilt. From the moment her memories rushed back she couldn't bear the pain. Every beat of her heart was a constant reminder of what she'd done, of the people who died because of her. She said all she felt was pain. I didn't know how else to help."
Apprehension sings in my blood. "What happened?"
A sob rolls through her. "I made her a sleeping potion and waited until she was deep in her dreams. Then I searched her aura."
I tense. That's a severe invasion of privacy. Looking into someone's aura is painful for both parties.
"You didn't," Izzy whispers, her tone chastising. "There's not a single reason you should've done that to her. Not one, Gwen."
Gwen straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin. "The night Paris brought Helena back from Sparta, his mother set a curse on her heart. Paris' mother beseeched Aphrodite to curse Helena so her heart would never feel love as long as it beat." Her eyes blaze with a defiant flame. "The moment I touched Helena's aura, I saw it all."
"No. Why would his mother do that?"
"Who knows? Maybe she was trying to prevent the prophecy that was told on Paris' birth. It doesn't matter. She must've sacrificed something of great value because the goddess used her blood to seal the curse in the molten gold of the diadem Paris had made for his new love. The moment Helena placed it on her head, the curse was set."
"There is no goddess Aphrodite," Izzy sneers. "You know that. So who was it that cast this curse?"
Gwen cocks an eyebrow. "Who do you think?"
"Calista. That cocksucking whore."
"Helena knows all this?" My chest tightens. "Why wouldn't she have told me after I confessed my love?" I almost mutter the words to myself rather than address the room.
"You told her you love her?" Gwen asks.
"I did. But she won't…can't admit she loves me. Bloody Calista has ensured we can't break her original curse." Anger burns within me. "I need you to break this second one."
"I…I can't. I spent years trying to work it all out." She's gone deathly pale. "It's a catch 22. The only way to break this curse is true love's sacrifice. You'd have to give your life for her."
"I'm fucking immortal. I'm an angel! I can't die."
"Exactly."
I drag my hand through my hair and growl in frustration, stepping away from her. "Either way, I'm not leaving her with Calista. I'd rather she be alive beyond her twenty-seventh birthday and unable to ever truly love me than dead and lost to me forever in purgatory."
I hold out my hands and wait for the two witches to link theirs with mine. Then I cock an eyebrow at Grant. "Coming?"
His brow is permanently set in a scowl and the tension rolls off him in waves. I don't blame him. If I were marching into a battle with demons and an all-powerful witch with my pregnant woman, I'd feel the same. But, he nods and comes around until he's behind Izzy. Gripping my forearm, he mutters, "If anything happens to my mate or my child, know that you'll wish for death before I'm through."
I don't bother to remind him that even if I weren't here, Izzy would insist on saving her sister. He needs someone to focus the blame on. I can be that man. But if I have my way, we'll be leaving with one less demonic coven leader on this earth and one more witch in our group.
15
Tamiel
The Statue of Liberty glows in the horizon, the oxidized green patina making her appear even more striking than if she'd remained her original copper color. I'm still holding the hands of Izzy and Gwen as the chilly wind bites our skin. The ferry isn't running any longer tonight, but that doesn't matter. I'm here to find Kit. He's our ticket in, and if I'm right, there's a doorway to Hell hidden somewhere nearby.
"Where is this demon?" Izzy asks. "All I see is an empty park."
She's right. We're standing in the darkened path of Battery Park with no one around, save a homeless man curled up on a bench fifty feet away. "Patience, witch."
I walk to the center of the pathway, where the paved surface forks and, using my grace, I etch a containment circle into the ground. Then I stand outside of the glowing ring and close my eyes.
"What are you doing?" Grant's rough growl hits my ears, but I ignore him.
"Christopher Marlowe, I summon you to my circle." I'm not taking any chances with formality this time. I'll do this properly with no chance of his escape.
The shape of a man comes into view, battered and bloody—defeated. "What now, Tamiel?"
"Kit, you've gotten yourself into quite the situation. Who did that to you?"
He smirks, but the action obviously causes him pain. "I think you know."
"That's what happens when you disappoint the leader of Hell."
"But she's got what she wants now. Helena will join her before the night ends. I've seen the kind of torture Calista is capable of. Your woman's mind will break and her will with it."
"You should know better than that, Prince Paris. Helena is the strongest woman I've ever encountered. She won't break." I say this with all the conviction possible, but there's fear behind my words.
"Do you know what her greatest fear is? Calista does. She'll use it against her. She did the same to me."
I laugh. "What's yours? Losing that pretty face of yours? Looks like she went right ahead and took it from you."
"Death. Endless nothingness,” Gwen murmurs. She’s crept closer, her gaze trained on the demon. “You’re afraid of what we’re all destined to find. With the exception of those who go to Heaven.”
“Shut your mouth, witch. You know nothing.”
“I know more than you like. I can see the jealousy in your heart. You wish you never had let Helena go. Your pathetic mind still wants her even now, centuries later.”
“You’re wrong. I want revenge. Why else do you think I made a deal with Calista in the first place to become what I am? I lay dying because of Helena. Of course I jumped at the chance to join Calista and live forever as a demon. But now that she's Lucifer's whore, she turned on me."
"What do you mean?"
"She was mine for centuries. But Lucifer took interest in her. She left me for him and when he was imprisoned I stupidly thought I could win her back. Finding Helena through you seemed like the best option. But now, all she wants is Helena's powe
r to help her free her lover."
My skin crawls. Gabriel was worried about Lucifer finding his freedom. If Helena joins Calista…No. That won't happen. She's devoted to her sisters, to me. Helena will not betray any of us.
"Tell us where the doorway is," I order.
Kit lets out a bitter laugh. "And risk her finding me again? Because I assure you, she will find me."
"She won't find you if she's dead. I promise you that's exactly what she will be after we're through with her."
"Good luck. She's about as close to immortal as possible without being an angel."
I spread my wings and stand tall. "Well, I am an angel. And I have the power of my Father on my side." Holding out my hand, I will Michael's sword to appear. "I will smite her and any who stand in my way."
"Ah, I see now. The angel is in love. Aren't you supposed to be pure and chaste? How is that sensual creature of ours going to handle being denied her carnal desires? I remember my nights between her thighs. Wildcat, I believe is the word. She really could give up being a witch and do something more fitting, like run a brothel."
He's goading me. The demon wants me to step through the circle as I had in Times Square. It's not going to work this time. "Tell us and I'll see that you're protected from Calista."
He cocks an eyebrow, the movement reopening a gash in his forehead. "I have your word?"
"You do. I'll ensure Calista can't find you."
Izzy and Gwen shift in my peripheral vision, both of them uneasy.
Kit glances from them to me and frowns. "They don't trust you. Those two want me dead."
"I'm sure a lot of people want you dead."
"Fine. I'll tell you where the doorway is. But I want protection immediately. No questions asked."
I nod. "Done."
"Let me out of this circle."
I smirk. "Not until we have the wards down."
He sighs. "Oh, fine. It was worth a try. You'll find the doorway at the entrance of the SeaGlass Carousel."
Closing my eyes, I will away his sight and begin walking in the direction of the carousel. "Let's go save her," I say to my group, but the women are already ahead of me, focused on their goal.
"Wait!" Kit screams. "What did you do? I can't see. You said you'd protect me. You can't leave me here."
"I kept my word. As far as the world is concerned, you don't exist. Only I can see and hear you."
"The circle will break at dawn. You can't keep me here forever."
I chuckle. "I infused that circle with my grace. I'm nearly at full power. There's no getting free. Enjoy oblivion."
I walk away with his scream of rage echoing in the night. Gwen, Izzy, and Grant don't even turn. They truly can't see him, but the witches know I wouldn't let him go.
"How did you punish him?" Gwen asks.
"Eternal blindness and imprisonment. He'll hear the world move around him, but no one will know he's there."
"Brilliant." Gwen’s eyes sparkle with approval.
We stand in front of the glass building that encloses the SeaGlass Carousel. I've seen this place during the day, filled with children and parents all enjoying the amusement ride. But now, in the middle of the night, the gigantic fish seem eerie and ominous.
"It looks like…an enormous shell," Grant says, his voice holding a hint of incredulity. "Those fish are bloody terrifying."
"Sounds about right for a portal to Hell." Izzy steps forward and places her hand on the locked door. "I can feel the wards."
She takes Gwen's hand and the two of them begin chanting. Gwen pulls the moonstone out of a pocket and holds it in the palm of her free hand. Without needing prompting, Izzy places her own palm over the glowing stone. I exchange a look with Grant and the two of us watch as the women take on a white glow and the power flows through them. Their magic washes over the exterior of the building bringing to light the lines of protection drawn over the doorway which should lead into the carousel.
Then, with a surge of power that makes my hairs stand on end, the magic appears to melt in a rush until it's absorbed into the ground. Izzy and Gwen drop their hands and sigh.
"Beauty, are you all right?" Grant runs to her, gathering her into his arms.
"I'm fine, Beast. Let's go." She gently pushes him away, but a smile turns up her lips.
We all stand at the door, ready to walk inside and take back what's ours.
"Do the honors," Gwen says, staring at me. "She's your soul mate, after all."
Gripping the handle, I open the door and step into the room.
Helena
"Where the hell are we?" I ask, staring around the empty white room. It seems never ending, just a vast floor of white marble with no walls in sight. Almost as though it's another illusion. "You really need to consider hiring a decorator, Calista. This place is…bland."
"Still as spiteful as ever, I see." She runs a hand through her long hair and snaps her fingers. An honest-to-God throne appears behind her. When she settles herself into the carved wood chair, everything in the room changes. "Better?"
Dark stone walls with torches mounted in iron every few feet come into view. There's a fireplace so large I could stand inside, burning high and making the room too warm. Calista seems completely at home and downright cozy. It reminds me of a medieval castle. Rugs made of animal skin are tossed on the stone floor, a great oak table lines one wall, complete with flagons of some sort of drink scattered across the surface. But then I look up.
A shudder ripples across me. The ceiling isn't what I would have expected, with high arches or strong wood beams. It's black and endless with the exception of the chains and razor wire crisscrossing from corner to corner. Hanging from these, suspended by hooks are naked men and women, whimpering softly as though they've given up screaming.
"Marvelous, aren't they?" Calista's voice is right in my ear, the feel of her breath on my skin making me sick. "Punishment was always my forte." Then she leans closer. "But my favorite is crucifying the men of God who've done terrible things. Isn't it poetic?"
"What did they do to earn this?" I gesture above.
"Oh, these are just my demons who've disappointed me. I had your prince up there a few days, but he begged me to let him try again. So, I freed him. But I'll just find him again. Idiot."
I can't let her continue this charade of chit-chat. I'm tired. "You said something about making a deal. What's this all about?"
The loud click of a lock followed by a door creaking open turns my attention from her. She squeals and claps her hands like a child who has just been given a present. "Oh, they're here! I do love a good dinner party."
"Get your scaly hands off me." Izzy's annoyed voice fills my ears and sends terror lancing my heart. They came after me. Of course they did. I'd been an idiot to expect anything else from them.
Izzy, Gwen, and Grant are all ushered inside the room looking no worse for wear aside from their bound wrists, thank God. But I don't see Tamiel. My heart leaps with a glimmer of hope at his absence. If he's not here, that means he can still come for them. He can save them all.
"Sit, sit. I've had the menu all prepared." Calista gestures to the table and the three are shoved across the room by their guards until they take their seats. "Now, perhaps we can settle a few things over a drink."
"I don't think so, Calista," I say through clenched teeth.
"Oh, Helena, you were always the most spirited of the three of you. It's why I had to add a second curse to yours. I never could break you."
"I knew it was you. Why would you curse us? Was it really so terrible of us to help Sariel?"
Her eyes blaze with fury. "Yes!" Her fingers curl and extend into razor sharp claws as what little sanity she has slips away. "You three ruined everything I'd been building. The angels had no interest in us. No focus on witches and the power we'd been amassing. If not for you and your ridiculous need to meddle, we would have ruled the world before the century was out. Instead, God sent the Flood and we had to start from the beginning."
"So instead of killing us, you forced us to live forever. That doesn't make sense."
"In hopes that we'd one day reach this point." She spreads her arms wide and smiles. "We are standing on the precipice of change. Lucifer is caged, but I have the key to his release. He just has to be given the power he needs." Then, she holds out her hand and one of the demons brings a crimson cloth to her. "I have to thank you for collecting all this, Helena. It certainly makes it easier for me."
My gut clenches the moment I realize what she has. She pulls the black moonstone free of the cloth and lets it dangle from the chain. It glows brightly with our combined magic. This is all my fault.
"But wait! Our guest of honor hasn't been seated." Her sing-song voice makes me feel ill and I can only assume she means me, because I'm still standing.
I step forward, wanting to get this over with, but also hoping I can get close enough to free the dagger around my thigh and plunge it straight into her throat while she's distracted.
Calista laughs and shakes her head. "Oh, no, not you. Silly girl, you're the entertainment for tonight."
She juts her chin and one of the demons who brought in my sisters steps forward. "Bring our final guest. He won't want to miss this."
Dread sits heavy and bitter in my belly as the tall door creaks open once more and Tamiel is brought inside. Bound in chains that glow blue with powerful ancient magic, I know he's struggling. These are the kinds of spells used to destroy beings of grace. She won't be able to kill him, as he's truly immortal, but eternal suffering and the slow siphoning of his angelic grace will be a fate worse than death for him.
"Stop," I say, my voice wavering at the sight of him.
"What was that? Oh, you care for this fallen angel. Helen of Troy, the woman who brought down an entire city because of her disregard for her husband, cares for a man?" Calista is mocking me, but I don't care. All I want is for Tamiel to be spared.
"What do you want from me in exchange for his freedom?"
She lets out a low laugh. "It's simple, darling. I want your soul."
