“You’re up early,” I said, picking a lone daisy that had survived the fire and frost. I began mercilessly plucking the petals without looking up.
It was harder to ignore the Watcher when he dropped into the grass, bumping into me.
“I’m grotesquely bored,” he said.
Fire spurted to life in my veins. “I bet Sir Austin would like being bored right now.”
Insepth chuckled, and the sound made me face him.
“Quite right. But he was a soldier at the heart of it all. He died a warrior’s death in a time when others won’t be so lucky.”
“How can you be so casual about your friend dying? I only knew the man a few months, and you’d spent centuries with him.”
Insepth cast me a sideways glance. “We all don’t mourn the same way, Ember. His loss means a lot to me, but life goes on for the living. Sir Austin understood that.”
“So you’re going to just go on living while the rest of the world burns around us?” I snapped.
He exhaled and dropped his head back against the tree. “It’s always black and white—live or die—with you, isn’t it.”
He sounded tired, but my heart was racing when I rested my chin on my knees. “How long do you think this blissfulness is going to last—a week, maybe two? Then we’ll face the same fate as everyone else.”
“Not necessarily,” he said.
I didn’t miss the wicked tone to his words, as if he knew something I didn’t.
“Spit it out,” I demanded.
His eyes were bright and his lips trembled. “The warding that protects us was created by two arch Angels. It might very well protect us long after the collapse of the world as we know it.”
My brow knitted as I processed what he’d said. “You believe that after the Devil overruns the earth, we’ll be safe and snug in our own little utopian world?”
He shrugged, smiling timidly.
I barked out a laugh and jumped up, placing my hands on my hips. “When the Devil is done destroying the beautiful earth that we love so much, he’ll be more powerful than ever, and he’ll break through the warding to kill us, or maybe to torment us forever.” I narrowed my eyes. “I didn’t take you as a fool, Insepth.”
He rose and ran his hand through his hair. “There’s nothing else we can do! If the Horseman hadn’t come to our aid, Samael would have ripped us in two. I’m all for fighting when the odds aren’t completely absurd,” he thrust his arm out, “but going back out there is suicide. If I only have weeks to live, I’d rather I wasn’t spending them on a fool’s errand.”
I grimaced when he’d thrown my words back at me, but the anger I’d felt a moment ago lifted. Who was I to dictate how anyone should live their final days?
“You’re a walking contradiction, you know that?” His brows lifted and I plowed on, “You say you’re bored, but you choose to stay and do nothing here.”
Insepth stepped closer. His eyes darkened and my heart thumped harder.
“There are things we can do to occupy ourselves, Ember.” He touched my cheek.
My Gaia was begging me to walk into Insepth’s embrace and kiss him. Warm honey spread through me and I swayed toward him, my mouth parting. A hawk screeched and the sound was a jolt to my senses. There were still birds and animals and people who needed help. I ducked away from Insepth and out of his reach.
He snorted, a smirk rising on his lips. “I never took you for a tease.”
I rounded on him. “Oldport was destroyed! I had friends there, I don’t know if they’re alive or dead. No ones’ cell phones are working and I haven’t been able to get a hold of my brother.”
Insepth strode to me. “I know it’s going to be hard—”
I swatted his hands away. “I will not stand by and do nothing while they all die!”
“You can’t save them. It’s beyond all of us!” Insepth shouted.
“So the worst thing that happens is I die along with my family and friends. What’s wrong with that?” Hot tears welled in my eyes.
“Everything! You don’t have to die at all, Ember—and neither do I. We’ve got the blood of Angels in our veins. We might be able to eke out an existence in the new world.”
“New world? You really are delusional. The Angels aren’t going to save us.” I shook my head. “You were the one who wanted so desperately to stop the Angels and the Apocalypse, and now you’re okay with it?”
He looked away and then back again. The tension had left his face. “I was arrogant to think I could make a difference. After witnessing the tower fall in Los Angeles and coming close to death several times in a matter of hours, I’m humbled.” He paused. “I was wrong.”
Insepth’s admission touched me and I released my Gaia. It intertwined with his Earth and my insides sighed when I stepped into his arms.
I stared into his passion-filled eyes, and felt the pounding of his heart against my palms. His lips touched mine with butterfly softness and I leaned into his kiss. He groaned with me and our mouths became more urgent. I wrapped my arms around him, savoring the life that pulsated through me. Soon it would be yanked away. This moment with Insepth was all we had.
He suddenly broke from the kiss and pulled back. “Don’t do it, Ember. Please don’t go off and get yourself killed,” he said with the fierce intensity of a caged lion.
I forced a smile and sniffed, feeling a tear make a trail down my cheek. “I have to go.”
Insepth pressed his face against mine and whispered, “Then I’m coming too.”
CHAPTER 26
EMBER
“How do you know where to go?” Ivan implored.
The sun had set a few minutes earlier and the sky was the dull gray of dusk. A few birds still whistled their calls and the breeze had picked up, bringing cooler air.
Everyone was gathered in front of Ila’s cabin. The group had worked hard to clear debris out of the yard and a pile of branches was pushed to the side. The mounds for Ila’s and Riley’s graves were undisturbed and I stared at them, wondering where they were. I’d done everything I had known to contact my mentor the night before, even traveling into the dream world. But my prayers and calls for help went unanswered.
I lifted my gaze to Ivan. “I’ve known for a long time where it would happen—where I need to go.”
“You saw those monsters. There’s no defeating them!” Ivan’s eyes bulged and his face was red.
A strange calmness had filled me when Insepth had told me he was going with me. It seemed fitting that he be there at the end. He had his own demons to face, and not in the literal sense. He also had the uncanny ability to escape peril with his life. I was betting that even if I died, he would find a way to plug on, and that made me feel better.
But seeing the distraught looks on everyone’s faces, my chest tightened. This would be the last time I’d see any of them.
“The pup is right. You cannot hope to stop them. It would be madness to try,” Lutz said in his bellowing, loud voice. He had worked alongside the others in human form all afternoon. His sleeves were rolled up his arms and soot smudged his face and shirt.
I held up a hand, growing impatient. “You’re all right. It’s a suicide mission, I know. But one I have to do. My family is out there. I have to help them.”
Horas pushed away from the porch railing. “Why are you taking Insepth and Cricket, but forbidding the rest of us to accompany you?”
I faced the Demon. “I’m not taking them, I’m letting them come along because there’s nothing I can do to stop them. But it’s different with the rest of you.” I looked around. “You’re safe here in the valley, and you’ve all risked your lives enough for my causes.”
“But it’s okay for Insepth or Cricket to give their lives in your service?” Horas defiantly lifted a brow.
Cricket snorted, stomping her hoof, but I ignored her. “Cricket has her own business where we’re going, and I’m sure War won’t let anything happen to her.” I glanced at Insepth, who stood with his
hand resting on Cricket’s shiny black shoulder. His smile made my insides tremble. “If things get bad, Insepth is going to make sure Samael doesn’t take either of us alive.” My eyes hardened, landing on Ivan. “That’s something I know you wouldn’t be able to do.”
Everyone fell silent. The only sound was the wind rustling the dry leaves.
Lutz cleared his throat. “I will remain here and care for the other animals. It is a small thing to do, but I’m proud to help you in that way, Ember.”
I gave him a quick hug. Even in human form, he had a musky scent that reminded me of what he really was—an enormous bear.
I chewed on my lower lip and looked at Ivan, who stared at the ground with his ball cap pulled down low on his forehead. “You’re the best friend I could ever have. You’ve done everything I’ve asked and nearly died for it. I have one more favor to ask of you, something only you can do for me.”
Ivan slowly raised his head and met my gaze. “You know I would do anything for you.”
“Please stay here with Angus. Take care of him—and let him be a part of your pack.”
Emotions passed swiftly across Ivan’s face. He looked honored and resentful at the same time. I waited, holding my breath.
“I will do this for you, but I do not like staying behind.”
I breathed easier, hugging the wolf girl tightly before throwing my arms around Ivan. He buried his head in my hair. “You must come home, Ember. A pack needs a leader,” he muttered.
I grasped his shoulders and nodded firmly, but I didn’t answer him. I wasn’t going to make promises I couldn’t keep. And I knew if I opened my mouth, I wouldn’t be able to hold back the flood of tears that threatened to break free.
Youmi formally saluted me, but I stepped up and squeezed him in a quick embrace anyway.
“I will not be here if you return. I’m going back to my people. That’s where I will wait in these final days,” Youmi said.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done and for being loyal. I’ll never forget you,” I said through clenched teeth, hating goodbyes.
Youmi nodded and passed by, striding over to Insepth who already had the loophole open for him. The Japanese warrior paused only long enough to raise his hand to us before stepping into a green land that met the sea.
I heard a seagull’s shriek and caught a whiff of salt water when the opening blinked out.
I turned to Horas with a lump in my throat. “You’ll stay, won’t you? I need you take care of everyone,” I forced the words out.
“If this is truly what you want, I will honor your wishes.” He looked around the yard. “I never thought that my final days would be in such good company.” He kept his voice level. “I don’t believe your greatness has been fully revealed, young Watcher. Until we meet again.”
I couldn’t keep the tears from falling any longer when Horas wrapped his arms around me and patted my back.
Angus pushed against my leg and whined. I saved the last goodbye for my furry boy. He licked the tears from my face and barked at me when I rose and gently shoved him toward Ivan.
I swallowed a shaky gulp of air and didn’t turn back. If I did, I was sure I would change my mind.
As darkness settled over the valley, I pulled myself onto Cricket’s back. Insepth already had the loophole waiting and I squeezed Cricket’s sides.
Tears blurred my sight as we trotted through the opening and away from my friends for what I knew was the last time.
“I think it would look odd to the locals if the horse was walking about on its own without saddle and reins,” Insepth commented as he stopped beneath the trees next to the high school stadium—at least, what was left of it.
The turf was torn up as if a burning plow had been turned loose. The goal posts were down and the remnants of the carnage still smoldered. A handful of military personnel wandered over the terrain, and several police cruisers’ lights flashed at the end of the field. The rest of Oldport was dark. The electricity was still out.
“No one’s here to ask about my friends. We might as well move on.” I muttered. Cricket dropped her head and I rubbed her neck.
“I wonder what he’s up to.”
I followed Insepth’s gaze. An elderly man was talking in the parking lot. He stood on top of something I couldn’t see and a small crowd was gathered around him. Some of the people held lit candles and others used battery powered lanterns. I couldn’t hear the man’s words exactly, but his voice was comforting, almost mesmerizing.
“Maybe we should find out.” I left the cover of the branches. “Stay here, Cricket. We’ll only be a minute.”
Cricket nickered and I stretched my legs. The stench of Hell was strong, and seeing the school grounds destroyed made it difficult to think clearly. A soccer game was going on when the attack had happened. Colby was on the team. That meant Lindsey would have been here, and maybe even Maddie and Randy. I quickened my pace when I thought about Preston. He rarely left Randy’s side. They all could have been killed.
I stopped when we reached the back of the crowd and glanced at Insepth. His lips were pursed, but he didn’t say anything.
“Our Lord tells us in Revelation 3:10, ‘Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.’” He raised his face to the sky. “The time has finally come, friends. Our Lord will call us home, and how glorious it will be.”
“When, Pastor Holt—when will it happen?” a woman called out.
Pastor Holt—Maddie’s grandfather?
He smiled at her. “It is written in Mark 13:32, ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Murmurs rippled through the crowd and hands shot up, and the Pastor raised his palms. “Please, we must be patient as our Lord has directed us.”
“There were monsters! I saw them killing people—friends and neighbors!” A middle-aged man cried.
“The authorities are denying everything, even though we saw it with our own eyes!” an older man shouted.
Pastor Holt nodded and everyone quieted. “Of course they would deny it. It takes faith to recognize the evil that’s coming forth. For some of those who have faith, but are still in denial, they are simply trying to stop the chaos that will surely arrive in time.”
A small, gray-haired woman called out in a thick southern accent, “What if He’s forsaken us? The people of Oldport didn’t deserve to be mutilated and murdered. There were believers that died, Pastor. How do you explain that?”
The pastor rubbed his eyes, suddenly looking tired. When he lifted his gaze, his voice came out strong and steady. “Some things are not able to be explained. Without faith in our Lord, all is lost. I’m talking about your eternal salvation, not the short time you spend on earth.”
People nodded and there were many “Praise God” and “Amens” called out. Pastor Holt’s focus landed on me and his eyes widened in recognition, but that was impossible. I’d never met the man before.
“Go back to your families—be with them while you can. And pray, friends. Pray for guidance and mercy!”
In a more fluid movement than I expected of the aged man, he stepped down from what I could now see was a wooden box. He touched hands and kissed cheeks as he made his way through the crowd that was breaking up. Men, women, and children dispersed onto the dark street, their quiet conversations a sad drone in the evening the air.
“He’s got a way with words,” Insepth said, but I ignored him, watching the pastor come straight toward us.
Pastor Holt stopped a few feet away. His eyes shifted to Insepth and then rested on me.
“In the presence of Angels,” he said softly.
Insepth chuckled and I shook my head.
“Why would you say that,” I asked.
He laughed, showing white teeth. His dark eyes sparkled and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened. “I can see the glow ar
ound both of you.”
I glanced at Insepth and he shrugged, suddenly looking uncomfortable.
“You’re my dear Maddie’s friend. She’s waiting for you, you know,” he said in a persuading way.
His words replayed in my mind. “You are Maddie’s grandfather!”
He opened his arms. I went into his embrace without hesitation. The scent of his cologne was familiar and reminded me of my own grandpa who’d passed away when I was ten. The smell blocked out the odor of death in Oldtown and made the world seem normal for an instant. But what he said rested heavy on my heart.
I stiffened against his shoulder and inclined my head. “Where is she?”
His smile broadened even more. “Don’t be afraid, child. The Lord is with you—always with you.”
“Ah, are you sure of that? He seems to be missing,” Insepth said a little too condescendingly.
The twinkle disappeared from the pastor’s eyes and impatience crept into his voice as he looked at Insepth. “It’s your arrogance that keeps Him away,” his eyes shifted to me, “and your confusion.”
Fire flared in me, flushing my face. “I’m sorry, but if you’d been through everything we have, you wouldn’t be so confident that He’s coming to help, either.”
The pastor licked his lips. “You were born for a reason, child. One that only He understands at this time. But if you don’t trust Him and give yourself to Him fully, we will all be lost.”
I stepped away from the pastor. “The end of the world isn’t my fault,” I growled.
Pastor Holt’s hardy chuckle brightened the dark and empty street. Everyone had left without me noticing. The silence made my heart drum faster.
“Of course not. We’ve all contributed to this—men and Angels. You have a part to play, as does my Maddie and the boy who went with her.”
“Preston?” He nodded and I plowed on, “Where did they go—tell me!” I demanded.
“You already know—” he poked my chest with his bony finger “—in here.”
Eternity (Wings of War Book 4) Page 16
