Lucca

by Karen Michelle Nutt

  Arizul swooped down from the sky and landed before him with his sword raised. Lucca once thought his father a fearsome warrior, but now he looked worn and used. His wings had lost their radiance, his hair looked matted and unwashed, and his eyes were dimmer, missing the usual piercing fire beneath his gaze.

  A scar on his father’s neck drew his attention. The raw flesh had yet to completely heal. “Who’s been sucking on your neck? I’d say your girlfriend’s been a little rough.”

  His father’s sudden vicious flash of hatred made him flinch. Yet he shouldn’t have been surprised. His father never looked upon him with anything other than loathing. “All we want is the book, Lucca,” his father said, as if all this mayhem was his fault.

  “Tsk, tsk. Everyone wants the book, but I believe I’ll give it back to the original owner.”

  “Raziel doesn’t need it,” he snarled, his anger simmering near the top, ready to explode. “In a few moments he’ll no longer exist.”

  Lucca frowned, but he didn’t have time to wonder what his father meant by those words.

  Arizul made a growling sound in the back of his throat and his fangs lengthened. “You’ve been a disappointment to me from the day you were born.”

  Lucca wasn’t a cowering little boy anymore and he didn’t need his father’s approval to be the man he wanted to be. His father sided with evil. He’d like to say he was surprised, but the argument remained tucked away since the truth was evidence enough.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Lucca saw Kasadya strode forward, his attention on Raziel as he lifted his arms. Words like a song, high pitched but beautiful, rose above the fighting. It was the language of the Angels, but the words were not a prayer, but a curse. Raziel fell to his knees, covering his ears. Lucca ignored his father and went after Kasadya. He swung his sword, but the Satan sensed his intent and turned his magic on him. The blast sent him flying back. He hit hard against the bleachers, but he ignored the pain and jumped to his feet again.

  Kasadya strode toward him. He was tall and dark in coloring, a being not to be crossed, but Lucca kept his sword poised anyway.

  Arizul flanked the Satan and waited there for him to give an order. Kasadya inhaled deeply, expanding his chest as he did so. “Your son is purer than you, Arizul. His aura is like breathing in clean air,” Kasadya said, surprising Lucca. Sure he could fit the bill of a purer person than his father, but so could a murderer on death row. “You didn’t quite beat the humanity out of him, did you, Arizul?” Kasadya’s voice dropped to a purposeful octave as he smiled.

  Not from lack of trying, Lucca thought, but he kept the information to himself. Terror was a new emotion for him, but looking into Kasadya’s eyes filled with the promise of torture made his skin crawl. He wanted to back away, but his feet felt as if they’d been encased in cement. He had a hunch Kasadya held him under his power, pinned him like a butterfly on a corkboard. If his wings hadn’t been bound, he feared Kasadya would find great joy in plucking each feather from his back.

  “Where is the book, Lucca?” his voice hissed like a snake.

  “Who conjured you from your prison?” Raziel demanded. The Archangel wasn’t free from his confines yet, but his attempt to draw Kasadya away from Lucca was commendable.

  Kasadya leveled his gaze at the Archangel. “Raziel, my dear brethren, I don’t believe it is any of your concern. You never called me after my sentencing. You never wrote.” He spoke in a singsong voice. “A true friend would have done both.” His jovial persona didn’t fool anyone when his eyes blazed to a cool red.

  Raziel took a step, but the magical cage barred him from continuing forward.

  Kasadya chuckled. “You’ve been witch trapped. Isn’t it utterly splendid? Don’t worry, I’ll deal with you next.”

  Lucca caught sight of Zaiden and Eli who had managed to break away from one onslaught, but came up short when four more demons took their place. Blaize fought two demons by himself. Gideon shot off arrows as fast as he could, but the shadows were moving in on him.

  The Shadow demons wore armor. Lucca hadn’t noticed it before, but now he could see the outlines of the breastplates. Their daggers gleamed bright in their hands as they slashed without remorse.

  Lucca had come here tonight believing Barachiel was the enemy. Now he would take the Archangel of Lightning over Kasadya, the angel of torture and death.

  Kasadya returned his attention back to Lucca. “You will join me. You have nothing left for you here. Your brethren only had your wings bound, but after this betrayal…” he let the unsaid words hang there like a gauntlet. Kasadya held out his hand.

  The restraints holding Lucca vanished as if the offer had released him, giving him the choice. Free will, he thought, and his gaze waivered over to Juliet, her face a mask of worry for him. Even when his loyalty hovered in question, she stood by him. He turned back to Kasadya and raised the sword to eye level. “I think not.”

  Kasadya let his hand drop as he threw back his head with a roar of laughter. “Do you think your little toy will harm me?”

  Lucca planned on finding out. He stepped forward with intent to thrust the weapon into Kasadya’s heart, but before the blade could make it’s mark, the Satan waved his hand as if he flicked an annoying fly aside. Lucca’s sword burned golden red, heat rising from it as if he’d thrust it into flames. He lost his grip on the weapon, his palms blistering from trying to hang onto it.

  Lucca cursed under his breath. He backed away, but came up short. His father had circled around behind him. He didn’t have to see it to know his father’s fine thin-tipped dagger pressed into his back. The blade could easily slip between his ribs and pierce the heart. He held still. His eyes found Juliet’s again. He wanted to see her face when his father ended his life.

  “Call Barachiel,” she shouted to him, but with the roar of the fight, he could only read her lips.

  His brows furrowed for a moment then realized what she meant. Why hadn’t he thought of this sooner? He grasped his arm, covering the tattoo as he commanded an audience. Lightning sizzled across the sky like a crack opening the heavens. Thunder clamored louder than the fight that ensued.

  The Archangel had heard the call.

  Kasadya glanced heavenward with a curse. He moved swiftly like a whirl of black silk and smoke. His hand took hold of Lucca’s arm in a crushing grip that made him cry out in pain. Kasadya uttered words Lucca didn’t recognize, a chant of some sort. He swung his free arm in hope of throwing Kasadya off guard and making him lesson his grip, but Kasadya only increased his hold, bringing him to his knees.

  Juliet screamed for him, but the roaring in his head drowned out her words. The bones in his arms snapped as Kasadya crushed them. His vision went in and out, the black taking over before he blinked it away again. He glanced up seeing a glimmer of hope, but as the sky opened up for Barachiel’s arrival, Kasadya shimmered Lucca away from the human realm. Lucca’s only triumph was that the Satan had left Owen behind.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  The Shadow demons slithered back into the crevice in the earth. Smoke choked the amphitheatre with a sulfuric glaze, making those left behind gag on their own spit.

  “The demons are leaving.” Blaize forced the words out between hacking coughs.

  Barachiel stood in a golden shimmer of light, his weapon poised. He had arrived swooping down to chase the demons back to the open portal. He closed the opening as the last Shadow demon disappeared within the void.

  Juliet ran to Owen, scooping him up in her arms. The boy moaned. His eyes fluttering open to stare up at her. “It’s okay,” she told him. “You’re safe.” Owen’s eyes opened fully now and he threw his arms around her in a fierce hug.

  Zaiden wiped his face with the back of his hand as he searched the amphitheatre. “Where’s Lucca?”

  Barachiel’s gaze swept the perimeter. “He is no longer here in this realm.” He then leveled a look on the Archangel in the witch’s trap. “You have been avoiding us, Raziel.”

&
nbsp; Raziel’s dark gaze didn’t lighten as he stared at Barachiel, but he didn’t defend himself either.

  Zaiden fumed in a pace of frustration. “Lucca tricked us.”

  “So it would seem,” Barachiel said, egging on the situation for no particular reason. “I am on your side, Nephilim. I want justice, too. Two humans unbalanced the portals.” He shook his head dismay. “Kasadya is free because of it. The timeline cannot be changed without consequences.”

  Raziel’s silver blue eyes frosted with anger. “You are wrong.”

  “Am I?” Barachiel lifted his brows.

  “Why should we believe you,” Zaiden countered. “You, or one of your Archangel friends, fried two Time Guardians. How do we know you weren’t responsible for releasing Kasadya, too?”

  Barachiel’s expression showed his annoyance at being questioned. “I have not fried the Time Guardians. That was Kasadya’s doing.”

  “Angel fire was used. Only Archangels possess it.” Zaiden lifted his brows. “Go ahead, talk your way out of this one.”

  “You know nothing, Nephilim. We knew the Time Guardians were jeopardized when the portal for the underworld opened. We traced the breach to Arizul, but Kasadya cloaked him.”

  “An Archangel tortured the Guardians for answers,” Gideon accused. “I read the imprint.”

  “You’re a clairvoyant,” he said with surprise.

  “Yes,” Gideon said not backing down.

  Barachiel looked away first. “Leroy had a vision of Arizul and Kasadya using them to free the other Satans. I was making sure he remembered everything before I released him.”

  “They do not know of Apparitions,” Raziel said. “And did you find out everything you wanted?”

  Barachiel turned his look on Raziel. “No, if I had, I’d know where your offspring is hiding.”

  Raziel shook his head. “Tell the Watcher why you had to free the Apparitions. Go on. Tell them how it was you who tipped off Kasadya who the Time Guardians were. You’re so obsessed in finding my child, you don’t care who you harm in the process.”

  Barachiel looked like he wanted to kill Raziel. His eyes blazed brighter and his hand rose.

  “Tsk, tsk,” Raziel shook a finger at him. “Michael won’t like it if you fry me.” He sat down on the stage, sitting with his legs crossed in a comfortable manner. “Finish the story.”

  Barachiel looked at the Watchers. “The Time Guardians inhabit human hosts, so that they grow old as the human’s do, but once they’re compromised they must be released to be reborn. We needed new hosts lined up and a quick extraction. I got to Leroy first, but Kasadya took out Purcible before I had the chance to release him. I’m sure Kasadya’s intent wasn’t to let the Apparition go, but his over zealous torturing accomplished the freeing process anyway. Leroy and Purcible are inhabiting new bodies.”

  “Did anyone see what happened to Lana? She’s gone.” Everyone turned toward Ryden. She’d come down from her perch, atop the bleachers to see if her cousin survived Kasadya’s attack. Apparently she had. Eli was covered in demon blood, but Ryden didn’t care as she eased into his embrace.

  “The witch slinked out without my notice,” Raziel said. “But I can assure you, Lucca did not go with Kasadya willingly.” He met Zaiden’s gaze and held it with a challenge.

  Zaiden’s nostrils flared, looking as if he wanted to say more, but Blaize interrupted him.

  “Raziel is right. Lucca gave the code that he was in trouble.”

  “What code,” Eli asked.

  “Poet was our code word back in the day. He told Kasadya the poet had the book.”

  “So he used a code word. What does that mean? Does Lucca have Raziel’s book or not?” Sarice demanded. Her hands were on her hips, her gaze pinning her brother down for the answer.

  “He has it. And before you ask, I have no idea where he hid it.”

  “I might be able to answer that.”

  All eyes turned toward Eli.

  “Lucca gave the book to me.”

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Zaiden, Sarice, Blaize, and Juliet returned to Gideon’s apartment. The Guard of Judgment, who had been in charge to watch over Owen was nowhere to be seen. Either he was in league with Lana or they had yet to find his ashes. Zaiden would do a thorough search later. They had more pressing issues at hand.

  While Eli and Ryden informed the elders of what transpired, they were planning their next course of action. The discussion ended up turning into a yelling match as the night wore on.

  Owen sat up, sleepy eyed. After his ordeal, he’d fallen asleep on the couch. He yawned before focusing his gaze on Juliet. “Why is everyone shouting, Auntie Jules?”

  The room fell silent as Juliet broke free of them and headed over to Owen. She sat down next to him, pulling him close. “It’s okay. We weren’t yelling at each other. We were discussing a plan.”

  “It sounded like yelling to me.” He sniffled and Juliet fished a Kleenex out of her pant pocket. Owen blew into the Kleenex then wiped the end of his nose. He glanced at the Warriors before looking back at Juliet again with a frown. “Where’s Lucca?”

  Juliet opened her mouth in surprise. Owen didn’t know. She turned her heated gaze on Zaiden. “Care to tell him?” she challenged him.

  Zaiden actually looked guilty as he stared at Owen. Zaiden cleared his throat. “You might as well face it, Lucca is probably d—”

  “He’s been captured,” Blaize interrupted Zaiden’s proclamation of doom. Of the preternatural beings present, Blaize was more human in his approach, which was humorous since he had not one ounce of human blood running through his veins. However, he had lived among the humans, befriended them, and understood them enough to give a tactful explanation to a young boy.

  Owen looked to Gideon his eyes lighting up with hero worship. “Are you going to save him, like how the brethren banned together in your graphic novel?”

  Zaiden raised his brows. “In your novel?” He threw up his hand. “What crap are you spewing in your kiddy drawings?”

  “Crap is right, but it’s not what Gideon draws. It’s all of you.” Juliet met each of their lethal stares head on. “Big strong warriors the bunch of you, but you let one of your own get taken and you want to do nothing.”

  “Listen lady,” Zaiden addressed her. “How do you expect us to find Lucca when we have no idea where Kasadya took him? Did you think we could snap our fingers and have all the answers?”

  “There must be something.” Juliet refused to give up. “Barachiel could help us. He could track Lucca with the tattoo he gave him.”

  “Oh,please.” Zaiden shook his head. “Barachiel has his prisoner and didn’t look back as he blasted his way back to heaven.”

  Barachiel had freed Raziel from the witch’s trap with a spell of his own, the ritual proving stronger than an inexperienced witch’s binding spell. Raziel went on his own accord with Barachiel to face his judgment. Juliet knew it was to keep Barachiel from looking too closely at her and Owen.

  Juliet looked away. A slow ache worked its way to her chest. For a moment she’d forgotten Raziel faced charges. She didn’t fear him betraying her and Owen, but he would pay for his silence.

  “Juliet does have a point,” Blaize spoke up.

  “Really? Please enlighten me.” Zaiden eyed Blaize in disbelief. “Why would Barachiel come to our aid? He got what he wanted and now he’s gone.”

  “Who’s Barachiel,” Owen asked.

  Juliet slid her hand over Owen’s hair, an affectionate caress, letting the silky strands slide through her fingers. “An Archangel who isn’t too pleased with us right at the moment.”

  “An Archangel like my father?” The boy’s eyes lit up.

  “How did you know that?” Juliet frowned. Owen knew his father was otherworldly, but she hadn’t told him he was an Archangel.

  Owen gaze found Gideon.

  Gideon shifted his weight and shrugged. “I didn’t think it was a secret. The boy knew he was going to sprout wing
s. I just assume…”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Juliet sighed, realizing this was the least of their problems. “You’re right. He should know about Raziel and how his father sacrificed everything to keep him safe. He should know about the brethren and what being a Watcher means for him. Why don’t you give him his first lesson by bringing back Lucca.”

  “Sarice and I are not one of the brethren,” Blaize announced. Sarice hissed a curse, but Blaize held up his hand as if he was warding off a verbal attack from his twin. “I’m just saying we’re not Nephilim, but I’ll do what I can to bring Lucca back.” He withdrew his dagger, the blade gleaming lethal as he held it up. “Just tell me how many weapons I should bring.”

  Zaiden rolled his eyes, but Juliet noticed his stance changed from one of indifference to one he must don when he went into battle. Juliet understood the process. As a detective, she readied herself when she entered a life-threatening situation and going into Kasadya’s lair may prove to be their last stance.

  Zaiden looked to Gideon. “Are you onboard?”

  Gideon gave him a curt nod. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Fantastic! We all agree to a suicide mission.” Zaiden turned toward Juliet. “We’ll have to take you and Owen somewhere safe.”

  “You can take Owen somewhere safe,” she corrected. “I’m going with you.”

  Zaiden clicked his tongue, his condescending gaze roving over her. “No, you’re not. This isn’t a human kidnap and rescue. We’ll be traveling in Hell’s realms. So unless you have the power to shimmer, you’re staying put.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “I can help.”

  Blaize snickered, winning him a lethal glare from both Zaiden and Juliet.

  “Let the human duke it out with Zaiden,” Sarice smiled, her eyes bright with mischief, too. “This I’d like to see.” She found the situation humorous at best, a form of entertainment. Juliet lifted her chin. The Darklin wanted a show; she would give her one.