Hope (The Descendant Trilogy Book 2)

by Theresa M. Jones

  I tried to hide the sudden insecurities I felt. Was she not happy there? Was she not happy with me? No, of course she had to be happy, she just married me. I could see the happiness glowing from her.

  “David,” she crooned as she placed her hand softly on my cheek. I stifled my sigh. “You know that I want to be with you forever, right?” Apparently I hadn’t hidden my insecurities well enough. “It’s just, I miss my mom. Sam misses my mom.”

  I nodded, how could I have missed her meaning. Of course she would want to be with her mother, and since her mother could not be with us, she would want to go with her. I didn’t hide my sigh this time.

  “I know you do. And you are right, you do have full control of your Power. But we are…we have responsibilities. Rick has already hinted at me joining the Council. I would be the youngest member, but I am, by far the most Powerful. And you as well. We are both too Powerful to sit by idly, while the world crumbles in ruin. Where would we be safe, anyways?” How did we end up talking about impending doom on our honeymoon?

  She nodded, “I’m not saying we should. You know I want to get rid of those monsters, but…” she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. In that moment, she looked like an angel, so peaceful and beautiful. She opened her eyes, and they were shining purple. She spoke fervently, “I will not sit by and allow them to control my life. I want to be near my mother, I want to live, and not live in fear.”

  I grabbed her hand, “We will do it together. I swear to you, we will.” The honestly in my words surprised even myself. I had not seen this happen, but it felt true. We would somehow, live a safe life. I would give her and Samantha, her mother, and Rick, and everyone a safe life. Somehow it would happen.

  She held my hand, then leaned forward for a kiss. We kept it chaste; we were both too raw from the discussion of evil in the world.

  “It’s an island.” I told her, deciding it was the perfect time to change the subject.

  “What’s an island?” Then realization dawned on her and she looked up at me with curiosity smoldering in her eyes. “An actual island?” She asked, changing her question.

  I smiled wide.

  “No, a fake one.” I teased her. She rolled her eyes, but I could still see the excitement in them. I knew that there were so many experiences she hadn’t been able to enjoy yet. So many things that she would want to do. Like riding a plane, that alone was an awesome experience for her. I remembered her first time on a plane, when we took her to the Compound. I think I was already in love with her then, just didn’t know it yet.

  But this place was not only exciting because it was an island. But because of what was on the island. I knew that she would forever remember our trip here.

  She looked away, toward the window out at the blue ocean beneath us.

  “An island…” she whispered in awe to herself.

  ***Allison***

  After the plane landed, we got in a car. So far David had been very secretive about where we were, but I felt that he would soon fill me in on the significance of this place. And there was definitely some significance. The island was small, from the plane I could see from one end to the other. It didn’t look very inhabited from above, though, mostly just green everywhere, which I was ok with.

  The plane landed on a very small airstrip that had only one building next to it. The building wasn’t just the average warehouse type building you might expect, though. No, it was a grand two-story, red brick building that resembled a five star hotel, Victorian style, with long, thin windows, and pointed arches. We didn’t even go into the building though, we just watched John go in. David waved at him and said his goodbyes, before leading me around the side to a large garage.

  David stuffed our bags into the trunk of the car, and then drove us away from the building that I had then decided was more like a mansion than a hotel. We drove on a paved road that wove through trees on both sides of the road. I felt like I was in the middle of a tropical forest. The fat green leaves were the biggest and brightest I had ever seen, and loomed high overhead. They wove together, the branches and leaves, to create a tunnel of nature and green life, almost the same color green as David’s eyes.

  I tried to look up through the branches, to see what treasures I might notice, but we were driving too quickly to really point anything specific out. I guess David was just as ready to get there as I was.

  I almost forgot we were on an island until the trees opened up to reveal a gorgeous sight. It was another large mansion, even bigger than the first, also with several windows, all with intricate window frames and designs. There was a large front yard, covered in rich, thick green grass, and to the left of the house was a beach, which opened up to a cove in the ocean. I could feel my jaw drop at the sight.

  I could see David smile out of the corner of my eye, he had been waiting for my reaction, and I hadn’t disappointed him.

  “Where are we?” I asked, no longer able to contain myself.

  “This is a safe house.” As if that was answer enough. I made my eyes tear away from the stunning scene before me to look at him, my husband. My tummy did little flips at that thought. I encouraged him with my eyes to continue.

  “Before we had the Compound, most of the Order came here to train and prepare.” Wow, no wonder everything was so beautiful. I closed my eyes to remember the giant doors at the entrance of the Compound, the intricacy, the detail, the beauty. It made more sense now.

  He drove the car down the pebble path that curved around to the front of the giant, gorgeous house, where he stopped and parked the car. As soon as the car was off, the heat from outside seeped in, making beads of sweat appear on my forehead. He walked around the car in less than one full second, no longer able to maintain a normal pace. He opened my door for me and pulled me out and into his arms.

  I wrapped my arms above his shoulders and nuzzled into his neck. I could smell his unique scent and feel the muscles beneath my arms, bulging from his shoulders. He placed his hand at my lower back and pulled me closer, then lifted my face with his other hand, so he could place his lips to mine. This kiss was not chaste. I could taste him deep inside me as our tongues danced together.

  I could no longer think about where we were or what was going on. I only thought of him, of David, my husband. I couldn’t believe it had happened. That he was mine and I was his, forever.

  His right hand was still on my back, now beneath my shirt, boiling my blood beneath the warmth of his hand. His left hand was on my neck, then face, then neck again, moving and constantly trying to pull me closer.

  My hands were everywhere. I felt as though I no longer had any control of my muscles. They moved of their own volition. First on his face, pulling him closer to me…though I didn’t think it was actually possible to get any closer. Then on his back, thrusting my body against his. Then on his arms, as they wrapped around my body.

  We had moved, though I barely noticed, to where my back was now pressed against the car, David pressed his chest against mine. I had the urge to lift my leg around his hips, and as if he was reading my mind, he reached down, grabbed ahold of my thighs, and lifted them easily to rest on his hips. He was now holding me like a child.

  I didn’t care. He was closer, right against me now. But no longer kissing my lips, which was probably a good thing, since I felt like I was getting light headed. I didn’t know if it was the lack of oxygen, or just his affect on me, but I needed more air.

  His lips didn’t leave me though, they only left my lips. Now they had moved down my jaw, down my neck, to my color bone, back up to the crook in my neck. I felt shivers all over me, but hot at the same time. I felt goosebumps pop up all over my exposed flesh caused by the tingling sensation that ran across my skin. It was a burning dip in my belly, a yearning for more.

  I tried to say his name, but I couldn’t form any coherent words, just a moan of pleasure.

  He pulled away and looked at me.

  I had seen his eyes change so many times before that moment, but n
othing could have prepared me for how they looked then. I had seen his eyes a mixture of green and brown, a perfect hazel, with just a twinkle in them when he is happy, almost like his eyes were laughing with him. I had seen them glow emerald fire when his Power was surging through his veins. And I had seen them throw daggers at his enemies, offering looks that could almost kill.

  But this time, they were scorching, burning deep with love and desire. It was rolling off him in waves. I could feel it all around me. Neither of us spoke as we tried to steady our breathing.

  It was like so much had changed in such a short amount of time. He was unguarded. He was more passionate, no longer holding back. It was thrilling to know that he wouldn’t have to hold back anymore. He could love me just as any man loves a woman. We are one now.

  He looked down, then leaned his head against mine, and whispered, “Sorry.”

  I wasn’t sure why he was sorry, I know I wasn’t sorry. I was only sorry he stopped. I don’t think I would have cared if we had gotten naked right there, in the middle of the yard, with nothing shielding our bare bodies.

  “I didn’t mean to get carried away like that,” he said, and now I understood. I can’t really imagine what he was going through, to always have this strong conscience holding you back from being to close and intimate with a woman, to now have that gone. We are married and there was nothing holding him back now.

  Nothing.

  Chapter 5

  Lilith

  There have been times in the past that I have thought myself god-like. Not like God, but worthy of being called a god. I am stronger and more Powerful than any other female in this world, and now that Damien is gone, even stronger than any male. I am the strongest and most Powerful human being ever.

  Though, being a human is a weakness, it was not something I dwelt on. I knew what I was, what my origins were. And it meant nothing to me. Because, despite my weak body, the Power boiling in my blood gave me dominance. I would rule this planet, as Damien should have.

  It had been four months since he perished. I spent the first several days trying to find a way to bring him back. After the Order members left that filthy field in Kansas, I sent several men to retrieve Damien’s body. I could immediately feel the lack of life in him.

  I did not cry.

  I tried to bargain with Him, the one true Leader, the Mighty Lucifer. I tried summoning him and attempted every known way to communicate with Him, but I could not. He did not answer my calls.

  I spent the following weeks refusing to feel any sadness. Love is a weakness. I did not love him. But I aspired to be him, to rule beside him. And then the bitch took him from me.

  I would kill her.

  Then he was gone, and soon she would be gone too. But that wasn’t enough. They would all die. Every single Order member would die beneath me. And the puny Powerless humans would be mine to command. There was no one alive strong enough to stop me.

  I remembered in perfect detail the day I rummaged through Damien’s office, to claim it as my own. I found a number of things that would shock people, but not me. I knew the evil that lived within Damien. I felt it on my tongue sizzling like bacon. So delicious.

  When I ascended to the role of Leader of the Rising, I opened myself to the Power that came along with it, and thus was able to walk inside the office. No one other than the Leader of the Rising is able to walk inside that room without expressed permission from the Leader. When a Leader is killed usually the killer is the one who assumes the role, as we take the Power from those we kill.

  But that situation was different. Damien’s Power was lost to us, though I did receive more Power when I was assumed his successor and took my rightful place on the throne, so to speak.

  As I sat at my desk, I realized again how the office was the best feature in the entire sky-scraping building. It was equipped with a bedroom with a four-poster bed, a walk in closet big enough to house my three matching couch set, a desk the size of a kitchen table, and a dresser that I would barely use. It had a bathroom the size of a regular living area, with a Jacuzzi style bathtub. And those were just the rooms off to the side of the main office. In the center, sat a large, deep cherry wood desk, with a matching file cabinet off to the side.

  The entire office was perfect. It was regal and sophisticated, and was drenched in dark Power.

  Now that I had the Power of the Leader, and had access to that office of mine, I had found more than I bargained for. I found Damien’s file on her. I knew of his vision that she would kill him, though that was basically his only proof of her being the one. She is descended from several of the Primitus, but not all of them, as far as he could tell. It was just his fear that she would kill him, his confusion that anyone could kill him, that made him believe she was The Descendant. He was arrogant. It was his own fault he was dead now. But I would still kill her anyway.

  I also saw what Malachai, his predecessor, told him. That The Prophesy is true and that the time would come for her to rise to Power. That Damien had to destroy her before she could find out who she was and what she was capable of, if she were to appear while he was still the leader. Damien also noted that he was bound by decree to pass this on to the next leader before he died. And that we couldn’t have The Rising believe that we would inevitably lose, so the truth of the prophesy had to remain a secret.

  That had been the most troubling information I had ever received. Damien noted that he wasn’t convinced that it was true. He didn’t believe that anyone could possibly be stronger than him, until he had his vision of her. His vision just proved to him that what Malachai said was fact, though we still didn’t know if she was the one.

  Everything was now muffled and confused in my head. I didn’t have Damien to go to for clarification and advice. I had no one except myself.

  A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts.

  “What?” I demanded. I had no time to deal with the maggots beneath me. I had to get things straightened out. Building an army of evil humans is not as easy as it sounds, not to mention continuing the end of the freakin’ world.

  “My Leader.” Nigel addressed me as he opened the door to let himself in. And then he bent at the waist and bowed before me. I liked that practice, the act of bowing before a leader is very humiliating and fit well with the type of relationship I wanted with my subjects. And I truly enjoyed enforcing it. It was an unreal feeling that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t tried to enforce. Being a leader or not, I still could have people bow to me. They would have anyway, because of my natural appeal. People naturally adore me. Being a Leader of the Rising, I no longer had to worry about it though. People would bow to me. Eventually everyone would bow to me.

  “What?” I asked again. I had no urge to let him think I had the time to chat with him.

  He stood tall then, straightening out his long, lean body. Nigel was one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen. Almost as beautiful as Damien. Almost. He had dark skin that rounded at the top of his bald head, as deep and dark as the night sky, with deep brown eyes, thick rounded lips, and a large, wide nose. He exuded strength and terror. He was gorgeous. But so opposite of my pale Damien.

  “We have captured another five Order Members for you. Three are from Ireland and are definitely a fiery bunch, the other two are from Australia. I would like to kill them just so I never have to hear their annoying accents again.”

  I ignored his last comment. I didn’t give a damn why he wanted to kill them. As long as they died. All of them.

  “Wonderful. Take them to the basement. I’ll be down there shortly.”

  He nodded once, then left.

  It was only the start of my war, just the beginning. My army was being gathered and organized. I was giving The Rising a purpose. We would no longer sit idly by while those damn Order Members continued to think they could ravage away at us and kill our leader. We would continue to make leeway on the goal of opening the Seals. They would not win this war.

  They would lose. I would win.
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br />   The Horsemen roam free already. We only had to keep them out, which was harder than it sounded. We had to continue to open the Seals, in order for them to remain here. The problem was that the next Seal is the Great Tribulation. Well, it is opened from this Tribulation anyways. The death toll has to be high enough to create a Cry of Martyrs. This Cry is what opens the Fifth Seal.

  But our normal amount of killing would not be enough. We had to do more. We had to kill more.

  I stacked my files and put things in the correct places before standing up from my desk and walking to the bathroom. I walked toward the mirror to look at myself again. I was gorgeous. Long flowing blond hair, with several high light and low lights. Believe it or not, it was even natural. It was thick and flowing and fell down below my shoulders blades to the middle of my back.

  My large blue eyes shone like sapphires beneath long dark lashes and full, high brows. My nose was perfect, many times described as cute or petite. It was small and thin, but fit my face perfectly. My lips were the best of all. Deep red, even without any gloss or lipstick, with two peaks that made every man whimper with desire. I licked them, just to get the full effect of my seduction.

  I looked down across my body then, it too was perfect. Full breasts that craved attention, and try to peek out from beneath the blood red shirt that hugged my narrow waist. A black pencil skirt that tried to squeeze my wide hips to a smaller size. The typical hourglass figure that every woman wanted. My arms were toned and my legs went on for miles before being strapped in some black four-inch stiletto heels.

  I was the epitome of perfection. Aphrodite had nothing on me.

  I looked a while longer, just admiring my excellence before leaving my office and walking to the elevator that would take me to the basement.

  I walked in and to the front of the room, where my chair waited for me. The room was dark, only lit by a few lamps along the walls. Everything was gray here. The floor was gray cement, as were the walls and the ceiling. This was only a basement before, but it now acted as my dungeon. I laughed inwardly at the sound of it. So medieval, and I was the crazy villain.