Lucca

by Karen Michelle Nutt

  Blaize swooped down and landed at Lucca’s side. He folded his wings against his back as he kept pace with him.

  As they approached, Zaiden growled at the Darklin. “What’s he doing here?”

  “We need him.” Lucca said.

  “We don’t.” Zaiden bared his teeth, the low guttural vibration a threat.

  Lucca stared at Zaiden and shook his head. The Watcher’s icy blue eyes were bright, his pupils dilated. “When’s the last time you let Sarice suck on your neck?” He raised an eyebrow in challenge, his gaze shifting to Sarice, who had the decency to look away. “Just what I thought.”

  Zaiden stood down, his fangs disappearing within his gums. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “You’re compromised.” Before he ended up bristling Zaiden’s feathers further, Lucca held up his hand. “And so am I. I have my glamour to heal, but I’m not up to full strength with my wings bound. I figure with Blaize’s help, he’ll make up for our deficiencies.”

  Blaize’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his violet eyes. “I’m here for backup only. Since you’re with my sister, I’ll look out for you. I have no wish for her grief to become mine.” He looked at his twin. “You’re looking healthy.” The jibe didn’t go unnoticed if her hiss of warning was any indication.

  “If you’re done sparring, the gates are open,” Juliet announced with a wave of her hand.

  They had decided on the Amphitheatre for the showdown. Juliet knew the place well and it would give her an advantage if things turned ugly.

  “Just stay out of my way unless we need you, Blaize,” Zaiden spat, walking ahead, leaving behind a frosty chill in his wake.

  Blaize saluted Zaiden’s back in mock reverence.

  “Always the child,” Sarice jibed as she pushed away from the wall to follow Zaiden inside.

  Lucca forced himself not to smile. “Watch it,” he warned Blaize. "Let’s save the fight for later, shall we?”

  Blaize snorted. “I’ve been sparring with Sarice since the womb, but you’d think Zaiden would show me a little respect, he is in a blooding relationship with my sister. We’re practically related.”

  Lucca shook his head as he glanced up at the sky. It was painted the colors of orange and dark blue as the sun dipped below the horizon, giving off the appearance of tranquility. Unfortunately, he knew it wouldn’t last.

  Lucca let Blaize go in ahead of him. He took hold of Juliet’s hand. “Remember, stay out of sight once Barachiel arrives.”

  “Don’t worry, Lucca. I’ll be all right. You take care of yourself.” She turned her head as Eli swooped in for a landing, his wings a magnificent blend of beige and cream colors.

  “Lana and Ryden should be here any moment.”

  “I’m here,” Ryden announced, but she wasn’t with Lana. Gideon strode in with her. His bow and green gold tipped arrows strapped to his back.

  Lucca frowned, his eyes narrowing in on Gideon. “Who’s watching Owen? You were to guard him.”

  Gideon held up his hands. “Owen is safe. One of Zaiden’s Guard buddies is there and Lana stayed behind, too. With a Guard of Judgment and a witch at Owen’s side, he’s in good hands.”

  Juliet sighed with relief. “Thank you.”

  Gideon gave her a lopsided smile.

  “Looks like the whole crew’s here then.” Lucca’s gaze found Juliet’s again. “Are you ready? 'Cause you’re on, Juliet.”

  “I’m ready.” Juliet headed up the stairs of the stage. When she stood in the center of it, she opened the black bag she had with her, retrieving Raziel’s dagger. Lifting the jewel hilted dagger heavenward, she recited the words Lana had taught her to say for the spell. The words were of an old language, guttural and beautiful at the same time. It bothered Lucca that he didn’t recognize the language, but Lana assured them the words would keep an Archangel witch-spelled.

  Juliet took the dagger driving it into the stage, piercing the wood. The dagger vibrated with a hum of power until a burst of light expanded from the hilt. Juliet yanked the dagger out, moving to the North to repeat the ritual, then to the South, East, and West, commanding all the elements to do her bidding. When she was finished, her gaze found Lucca’s. He never thought she looked more beautiful with her sunlit strands standing on end, the electricity in the air buzzing like an impending lightning storm.

  The ground rumbled and the clouds formed above at a frightening speed. Juliet glanced up in horror. The sky split open with a roar of displeasure. Juliet dove for safety as lightning struck the stage.

  Lucca sprinted forward, intent on reaching Juliet and making sure she was okay. The sounds of the brethren withdrawing their weapons hit his ears next before a keening sound splintered the night.

  Lucca reached Juliet as she stood to brush off the dirt from her jeans. “I’m all right,” Juliet assured him.

  Smoke swirled on the stage, taking shape within the witch’s trap. The crouched figure rose to his full height. Silver blue eyes beneath a crop of black hair stared at them in unspoken hostility.

  “Raziel?” Juliet spoke as she took a step forward, but Lucca held her back.

  Why had the spell conjured up Raziel. Something was wrong.

  “What have you done?” Raziel’s eyes blazed with anger and betrayal. He took a step toward her and came up against the invisible bars holding him within the trap.

  “I…” she stuttered in response, not having an answer. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

  A heaviness settled on them, the ground shifting again as another surge of power, rippled through the earth. A thick ozone layer penetrated the air along with something putrid, rotten garbage and the sickening smell of roses like the popular scent elderly women doused themselves with. Two dark winged figures emerged from the smoke, apparitions materializing in corporeal form. Lower level demons flanked them, demons who hadn’t seen the light of day in centuries, if ever. Skin so black they appeared as shadows with red pinpoint lights for eyes.

  Lucca stiffened as the winged figures came closer and their features became discernable. “Father?” His voice was a raw mixture of confusion and apprehension. What the effin’ hell was going on?

  Raziel spoke, his voice full of venom. “Kasadya, I thought not to see you ever again.”

  Kasadya’s thin lips slid into a smile, but the laughter in no way reached his ink colored eyes. “So good of you to join us, Raziel.” His eyes focused on Lucca next. “You’ve been so much help, son of Arizul.”

  Zaiden’s gaze riveted to Lucca. “You son of a bitch, you betrayed us!” Zaiden’s wings spread, his intent obvious, but Eli held him back, demanding him to stand down.

  Lucca ignored the dagger-like looks from Zaiden. Trying to deny his involvement with Kasadya would be useless anyway. Zaiden had already made up his mind that he betrayed them. How long would it be before the others took his side, too? He leveled his gaze on Kasadya. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I most certainly did not help you.”

  “Oh, but you did.” Kasadya’s voice hissed, echoing around them as if he whispered the words in their ears. “Come on boy, don’t be modest. Without you and Lana, we would have never captured Raziel so I could eliminate him. I can’t have the master of time portals alive when I want to control them.”

  “Lana would never help you,” Ryden defended her cousin, but Lucca saw she didn’t have a defense for him.

  Lucca frowned. The little things that bothered him before seemed to make sense now. At Lana’s shop, the Hashasheens showed up like they were customers. They hadn’t been there for Ryden. They were there to see Lana.

  The Brethren moved their positions, keeping Lucca in their line of vision as well as the other demons. Well, that didn’t take long, Lucca thought bitterly.

  A noise caught his attention as the doors to the amphitheater opened. Out of the shadows, Lana strode in, her long blonde hair flying behind her, her blue eyes standing out bright against the paleness of her skin. She wore
a red sequin top and black pants as if she was going dancing later tonight. Nothing made sense about her being here until she threw Owen in front of her. The kid stumbled, but somehow managed to stay on his feet. Juliet gasped and made an attempt to go to him, but Lucca held her back.

  “Don’t,” he warned. He wondered what happened to the Guard of Judgment who was in charge of keeping Owen safe. Had Lana killed him before she kidnapped Owen? She had fooled them into believing she was on their side and now she had the advantage.

  “Lana?” Ryden looked at her cousin in disbelief. “What are you doing?”

  Lana shifted her gaze to Ryden. “I did this for you, to save you from them.” She said 'them' like the word burned her tongue.

  “No,” Ryden shook her head. “Stop this, please,” but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

  “No,” Lana spoke with finality. “Look at them. Open your eyes and see.” She pointed to the brethren as if Ryden had yet to notice the group of winged warriors. “Eli corrupted you into thinking this was normal. He’ll take you away from your family and friends. You told me yourself that he changed you.”

  “He changed my life for the better. I love him.”

  Eli had moved beside Ryden now, his weapon poised to protect her.

  Lucca didn’t quite grasp how siding with a Satan had been a good deal, but it was obvious Lana felt her sacrifice was worth it. She believed she was saving Ryden from a horrible fate. Humans weren’t always rational in their thinking. As if Lucca’s father read his mind, Arizul looked at him with a triumphant smile. Lucca turned away.

  Ryden stared at her cousin for a long moment, before her expression turned hard, her eyes glossed with tears she would never shed as she pulled her shoulders back, standing a little taller. “I see perfectly for the first time. You’re the one who is misguided. You’ve made a pact with evil for nothing. I’ll never leave Eli.”

  Lana’s nostrils flared as she stared at her cousin in disbelief. “You would choose him over your family?”

  “Every time,” Ryden ground out.

  Blaize took a step toward Lana, but she waved her hand at him. “Don’t come any closer, Darklin.”

  “And I thought we had something special, Lana” Blaize’s sarcasm dripped from his words. His dark wings fluttered behind him.

  Lana smirked at him, her gaze sliding over him with indifference. “You were a means to an end.” Lana’s harsh laugh only deepened Blaize’s frown. “Remember when I asked to see your wings?” She let the implication sink in. When it did Blaize blanched and Lana’s lips curved. “The summoning spell didn’t have preference on a species of demon’s blood. Yours worked just fine.”

  “Normally, I don’t mind being used.” Blaize’s eyes turned more red than violet as he slid his gaze over Lana, suggesting they had been intimate. “But honey, I draw the line when you use me to take down my friends.”

  Lucca glanced at Blaize, wondering why blood was exchanged, but he didn’t think it a good time to ask.

  Lana shrugged as if she didn’t care what Blaize thought, but Lucca noticed the shadow pass over her features before she could mask it. He recognized the shield. He used it often enough himself. Lana might want to pretend her time with Blaize meant nothing, but her fleeting look of dismay told a different story.

  While confessions proved to be the theme of the evening, Lucca had edged his way closer to Juliet and closer to the stage. They were seriously out powered here. They needed a Seraphim on their side of the fight. It looked like Raziel was it.

  Lana addressed Kasadya then. “You promised if I captured Raziel and brought you the boy, you would spare Ryden.”

  Kasadya nodded. “So I did, but dear witch, I have no say over free will.”

  Her smile faltered. “What do you mean?”

  “If Ryden will not turn away from her Nephilim lover, I cannot guarantee her safety once the fighting begins.” His massive shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Truly, I am sorry.”

  Lana’s gaze riveted to Ryden in a silent plea. She must have read the answer in her cousin’s stance. “Noooo!” Lana wailed. She turned her attention toward Kasadya, pointing a finger at him. Ancient words flew from her mouth. Power surged around them, the wind coming to her aid as she controlled the element to her will.

  Kasadya’s eyes blazed to red fire. “You dare defy me, witch, and with my own spells?” With a flick of his wrist, a force surged from his fingertips, blasting into Lana. She was lifted off her feet and was flung like a ragdoll against the back wall of the Amphitheatre. She hit with a sickening crack before her limp body slid to the ground in a heap of black clothing. Her blonde hair hid her face, fanning over her features as if to shield them. She lay still, unmoving, either unconscious or dead, but no one moved to find out which.

  In the corner of his eye, Lucca saw Owen burst into action. He ran blindly, fear making his judgment rash. Lucca charged forward trying to reach the boy before Arizul did, but his father was closer. Arizul’s hand snaked out, grabbing Owen by the shirt and yanking him off his feet. Owen screamed, struggling to be free, but Arizul was stronger. He backhanded Owen so hard, the boy’s head snapped back. “Silence.”

  Juliet cried out, but Lucca’s warning glance kept her rooted. She returned to her task of releasing Raziel. If she failed, they didn’t stand a chance.

  Owen whimpered, but stood still.

  Lucca’s hands clenched at his side. He’d kill his father for touching Owen. “Let him go,” Lucca demanded, meeting Arizul’s gaze.

  “Oh no, my son,” Arizul chuckled. “We need the boy.” He walked toward Kasadya, dragging Owen behind him.

  Kasadya turned his cold eyes on Lucca and his lips slid into a smile of triumph. The Satan’s plans unfolded like a bad horror flick and all of them were players in this demonic enterprise.

  “What do you say for yourself, Lucca?” Zaiden asked. The deep, rough edge of his stance was the warning before the deadly storm.

  Lucca weighed his options. Talking his way out of this didn’t appear to be one of them. Lana’s betrayal and Kasadya’s arrival and assumptions made it seem as if he planned this whole event. Lucca shook his head. “Does it matter, Zaiden? You’ve already made up your mind.”

  Kasadya’s low rumbled laughter seemed to come from the ground, giving a good imitation of awakening a giant. “Lucca, you’re being modest. Kasadya leveled his gaze at Eli then. “How’s Ryden’s arm? Hmm? Lucca does know how to party.”

  Eli’s eyes turned a murderous blaze of golden brown.

  Lucca swallowed hard, but remained silent. Surely, Eli realized Kasadya was goading him. His insinuations were underhanded jibes to make him doubt Lucca’s honesty.

  Kasadya concentrated on Lucca again. “You can give me the Book of Magic now.”

  Lucca felt the vise tightening on his neck.

  “You did tell your brethren you have the book, didn’t you?” His father chose to add to the conversation, his voice sickly sweet and sounding innocent as he revealed the last piece of evidence to convict him.

  Blaize swore under his breath, furthering his guilt in the Watchers’ eyes.

  Juliet stared at him, her gaze meeting his. “Lucca?” The hurt was evident in her voice, but still held out that maybe he had a good explanation.

  He had plenty, but no one would listen. “I don’t have it. The poet does.”

  Blaize shot him a glance, but remained silent.

  “The poet?” Kasadya snapped. “Where is he?”

  Lucca needed to draw Kasadya away from the group and he couldn’t think of a better way than to antagonize the Satan to make a move on him. He lifted his shoulders in an arrogant shrug of superiority and gave a good imitation of locking his mouth with a key. His taunting seemed to be the right button to push.

  Anger splintered and flashed like a warning beacon in Kasadya’s eyes, the red growing brighter like a fire being stoked to a full blaze. He barked orders to Arizul. “Give me the boy.”

  “No!” Lucca and Juliet screamed a
t the same time, but it was too late. Kasadya moved swiftly, grabbing Owen, pulling him against him in a chokehold. Owen grabbed at Kasadya’s arm, trying to pull his arm away.

  “Stop it, you’re killing him,” Juliet screamed at him.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t kill him. Yet. I need his pure blood for the freeing ritual.” Owen finally went limp and Kasadya let go of him. The boy slipped to the ground, but the rise and fall of Owen’s chest proved the child was only unconscious, not dead.

  Kasadya turned and barked orders at his minions. “Kill everyone standing.” He looked at Arizul then. “Get your son.”

  The mass of dark demons came at them like swarming shadows ready to consume, sucking out the light around them like devouring beasts of doom. Eli and Zaiden were already in a lethal fight, back to back as the circled horde of demons closed in on them. Lucca remembered when he fought with Zaiden in the same manner. It was a lifetime ago. Zaiden and he may not have been the best of friends in the way humans defined it, but they understood each other. They knew each other’s moods and their weaknesses. They knew how to take down an enemy better than any of the other Watchers, but this fight had pin-wheeled out of control. Zaiden didn’t trust him.

  He glanced toward Gideon. His arrows were finding their mark. Ryden was doing her fair share of killing too, with her spear gun, but how long before they were overrun?

  Gideon glanced at Lucca. Of all the Watchers, Gideon stood up for him, had faith in him the longest, but Gideon’s eyes were shadowed with doubt. None of the Watcher’s truly trusted him. All Kasadya had to do is drop a few incriminating words to make them question his loyalty and they fell for it.

  What did he expect? He had been banished from the Watchers’ realm, and with good reasons.

  Lucca turned away. He couldn’t join their fight. He had his own to contend to. He withdrew his sword and waited for his father to come at him. He’d keep Juliet safe as long as he could. She stood on the stage doing her best to reverse the spell and release Raziel. He heard the Archangel speaking to her. Maybe he had a plan of his own to break the spell, but with the clanking of metal and screams of the injured and dying, he couldn’t make out what the Archangel was saying to her.