James smirked. “Aww, look how sweet your family is Dorian. This is definitely a picture-worthy moment.”
Eager to get away from the clique, I rushed over to Lucy and swept her into my arms. “Thank god you’re safe. Where’s Hali?”
She shrugged. “She was still packing when Bob pulled his tough-guy angel crap and dragged me and Aunt Marmie up here.”
“It’s Blaze. And I didn’t drag you,” Blaze muttered.
“Oh thank goodness. They found you,” Aunt Marmie said, pushing her way through. “You’re amazing, Hunter.”
“Just being neighborly, ma’am,” he said when Aunt Marmie pecked his cheek.
Jo whispered into my ear as she hugged me. “I heard about Tristan. Maybe it’s better you found out now. I told you Hunter was the one.”
I pulled back, confused, and hurt. I couldn’t believe what she was saying—but it was true. Hunter was the one who brought me back to Lucy and assured our safety to the haven.
As we stepped onto the exit, my breath hitched. Archangels lined along the sides of the wide gangway, watching over the exiting crowd. Ian stood at the bottom of the dock, directing them.
An ominous feeling swept over me, and I took Lucy’s hand.
“Ouch! Watch the bony fingers,” Lucy said, ripping her hand from mine. “I’m not a baby you know.”
“Sorry. So what’s the plan after we get off?”
“They’re going onto a separate ship,” Lucy said.
“What other ship? There are others?”
“That’s right, you missed Remi’s briefing,” Dorian said with a slightly smug expression.
I scowled as the clique behind him snickered. He couldn’t last two minutes being civil or without being a complete moron. “What did Remi say?”
“He said other survivors are heading to the haven,” Nacho said as he lifted Neto onto his shoulders. “One ship will be arriving tomorrow, and they will board on that ship.”
“They?”
“Everyone except us, dear,” Aunt Marmie said, patting my hand.
“But I thought…” I looked toward Hunter, confused.
“I may have failed to mention that was part of the deal, for you to board another ship,” he said.
“We’re going with you too.” Jo weaved her arm into mine.
“We? As in all of you?”
Dorian arched an eyebrow, making my stomach roll.
“Yes! It was all Dorian’s idea. Isn’t he sweet?”
I shuddered. Something was wrong, very wrong. Even Nacho thought so. He shook his head, his lips a thin line.
“The plan totally blows,” Lucy said, darting her eyes between Dorian and Hunter. “At least Bob’s coming with us.”
“Blaze,” he said under his breath. “We thought it would be safer for all if your group was kept separate. There are also plans to take you to a separate part of the haven, away from the others.”
My chest lurched. That meant no Tristan.
“Now hold on there a minute,” Hunter interrupted. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
Blaze shrugged. “Not my call. Take it up with Remi.”
Exiled. That’s what we were now. I had no one to blame but myself for falling for Tristan’s deception.
“It’s okay, Hunter. If you want to change your mind about going with us, I understand.”
He frowned. “I gave my word. I’m going with you. Maybe the place will have a beach as sweet as this one.”
Waves lapped onto the pristine sand with calming tones. Sunlight shone on the black boulders scattered along the beach, giving them a sleek sheen.
“Hmm, that’s strange. I didn’t recall seeing boulders like that the last time I was here,” Aunt Marmie said. “Although that was ages ago, and my memory isn’t the best anymore.”
“Ooh, I’ve seen those rocks before. I think it was on Dorian’s screensaver.” Jo walked to the ramp’s railing. Squinting, she placed a hand over her eyes. “I think they were called the Moeraki Boulders.”
“Moeraki Boulders? Aren’t those in New Zealand?” I asked.
Dorian’s eyes darted nervously to Hunter. “Josette, love, I’ve never used a screensaver.”
“But I swear I saw—”
He kissed her, silencing her protest. He then whispered something in her ear, making her giggle.
I groaned. Was Jo ever going to shake off Dorian’s hold on her?
As we made our way slowly down the gangway, I spotted Gracie with her parents up ahead. They were with some of the other Gibbor families we’d traveled with.
I thought I heard someone calling out my name. I paused, wondering if I’d imagined it. It was a whisper floating in the wind. When I heard it again, I craned my neck, looking behind me. My heart skipped a beat.
Tristan and Calder stood on the deck above.
I desperately wished I could see Tristan’s face. Was he sad to see me go? Did he have any regret for what he’d done?
Knock it off! Tristan may not be a loyal friend to me, but he was to Calder. He was there to support his friend. There was no doubt in my mind why Calder leaned against the railing, looking down at the crowd on the ramp.
“Karenna! Karenna, wait!” Hali waved frantically as she entered the gangway with her girls in tow.
I paused, relieved to see her. With the thousands of people disembarking the ship, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to catch her before we left. I couldn’t disappear without letting her know what had happened and thanking her for watching over Lucy.
“Hold on, Hunter. It’s Hali.”
Hunter’s lips pressed into a white slash, catching me off guard.
“Of course,” he said, giving me a forced smile.
“I was hoping I’d catch you,” Hali said breathlessly as she pushed her way between James and Mrs. Carmichael.
Mrs. Carmichael wrinkled her nose at Nisha and Hazel as they clung to Hali’s legs.
“Excuse me! There are people besides you trying to get off the ship.”
“Sorry ’bout that, ma’am,” Hunter said, his hand pushing me forward and away from Hali. “Come on. Let’s keep the line moving.”
The ominous feeling swept over me again, much stronger this time. Hunter’s hand was firmly on the small of my back, forcing me forward. What was he nervous about?
I looked up at the sky. It was clear for miles around.
“Are you okay?” Hali asked when she finally reached me.
“I don’t… something’s off.”
A hard gust blew making the wind whistle. It made a musical sound, like a familiar tune. Lucy turned to me, her eyes widening. She’d heard it too.
Tears pricked my eyes as the haunting tune of “You Are My Sunshine” wafted through the air. Through my blurred vision, standing off on to the far corner of the dock, I saw her.
Her bright yellow dress fluttered wildly around her ankles. A delicate arm held onto a floppy straw hat to keep it from flying off. A male figure walked along beside her. Slowly, she turned and doe-like eyes, so much like Lucy’s came into view.
I blinked. My feet were frozen to the gangway. How…? Where…? Was this a dream?
“Mom! Dad!” Lucy cried. She took off like a rocket, shoving people out of her way.
The expression on Blaze’s face was unadulterated panic. “Don’t, Lucy! Come back!” he cried, taking off after her.
There was a tremble and the gangway swayed. Hunter caught me as I fell forward.
“Whoa, there! We can’t have you getting hurt now. I’m going to have to hold onto you just to be safe.”
“Let go of me,” I said, struggling to get out of his firm grasp. “My parents. They’re—”
Another tremor surged through the gangway, making the ramp sway wildly. People screamed as they frantically reached for the rails. Others shoved their way forward, desperate to get onto land.
The entire landscape shook. Glass shattered as buildings swayed. Water slapped against the dock. On the beach, the boulders vibrated furious
ly.
“Damn it! I told them to wait,” Hunter growled.
“Told who to wait? What’s going on?”
He cupped my face, gazing deeply into my eyes as he brushed his thumb across my cheek. “I understand what he sees in you. In another time…maybe…” He let out a heavy sigh. “Oh well, duty calls”
“Hunter? What’s going on?”
He tossed off his cowboy hat. The wind caught it, and it swirled in the air before landing in the water below.
The gangway shook harder, making his body vibrate. He groaned, holding onto me tighter as he dipped his head.
“Hunter, let go. You’re hurting me!”
Slowly, he lifted his head. I gasped. His face was gone. It was a whirling blur.
I writhed, trying to get away from him. His arms were like steel clamps.
I watched horrified as his face morphed. His dimpled chin disappeared, replaced with sharp edges. Black streaked through his golden hair. Flecks of green danced in his amber eyes.
He moaned, dropping his head until all I could see was a head full of black hair. When the trembling finally stopped, I found myself in the dark warrior’s arms.
Ari.
22
Karenna
I squeezed my eyes shut. This wasn’t happening. It was Hunter who held me. Hunter, the charming cowboy who’d won over everyone’s hearts from the day he’d stepped onto the bus. The one who had made me laugh and smile when my heart was breaking.
“Surprise,” Ari’s voice whispered in my ear.
“No, it’s impossible,” I moaned, opening my eyes. My stomach went into freefall.
Ari, Throne of the House of Sariel, filled my vision. His pale green eyes danced with delight. Behind him, the sky darkened with a flurry of black wings. Caim and Thalos swooped low, their marked wings soaring. They flew down the ramp, sending the crowd into a mad panic to get off the gangway.
White noise pulsated, muffling the chaos. My brain refused to register what was happening. It was all a blur of contorted faces and opened mouths. Were they saying something? Screams? Were they screaming?
Nacho’s dark eyes widened then slowly narrowed. Determination swept over his face as he squared his broad shoulders. Neto wailed, clawing at Nacho’s neck as he tried to set him down. Aunt Marmie, unusually so calm, took Neto from Nacho and grabbed Javi’s hand.
Hali shoved her girls toward Aunt Marmie before she could leave. Tears streaked their sweet little faces as Aunt Marmie peeled their fingers from Hali’s arm.
A couple of trench coats surged through the crowd, following Aunt Marmie. Nacho’s body blocked them as Hali, pushed her way back up the ramp. She looked directly at me, her lips repeating the same word. Her muted yells barely registered.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, her voice cracked through the haze making everything surge into warp speed.
“Eljo! They’re Eljo!”
Carmichael’s clique closed in, their eyes changing from normal shades of blue and green to an unearthly onyx.
Dozens of Guardians and Powers flew overhead and landed halfway down the ramp. They tossed swords to the Gibbor and men before marching up the gangway to join the Archangels.
James gave out a battle cry, thrusting his sword into the air. The clique followed his lead, charging at the Gibbor.
Gracie’s father was the first to meet them. He fought James, his face straining to keep up with the younger man. Swords clanked like thunder with each of James’ mighty blows. Gracie’s father took a step back, and his face suddenly twisted as he dropped to his knees. Red blossomed over his torn shirt. The tip of an Archangel’s sword protruded out of his chest.
“Daddy! No, Daddy!” Gracie’s voice screeched in the distance.
One by one, the Archangels joined the Eljo, striking down the Gibbor and humans.
“Nacho!” Jo shrieked, pounding her fist against Dorian’s chest. His gray eyes were now black.
James tossed Dorian a sword. In the blink of an eye, black wings sprouted from Dorian’s back as he leaped into the air, clutching Jo with one hand and catching the sword with the other. Jo screamed as he headed for Nacho. He made a guttural sound. Words I’d never heard before came out of his mouth before he slapped Nacho with his wing. Nacho screeched, clutching his face as he tumbled over the railing and into the harbor.
“No!” I sobbed, fighting against Ari’s hold.
“Don’t worry. It’s almost over. I admit I had my doubts about that Eljo. He failed to get a nibble out of you, but it worked out in the end. Taking control over your friend took no effort at all,” Ari murmured, his eyes following Dorian as he and Jo headed toward Diamond Head. “Now if Blaze would stop trying to protect your sister, this would move along much faster. Too bad he has to die for her. What a shame. I was starting to like him.”
“Run, Lucy!” I cried helplessly, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hear me above the crowd’s screams.
Blaze crouched low with a sword in hand as the fleeing crowd rushed past him. Lucy stood behind him, keeping hold of Hali’s girls, when Aunt Marmie finally reached them.
My parents rushed to them, both carrying swords. Blaze turned, swinging his sword at Dad.
Dad’s sword met Blaze’s with the loud crash of metal against metal. Dad pressed against Blaze, the cords in his neck straining as he spoke. Mom held onto Lucy, who kept screaming at them.
“Blaze, no!” I slammed my fist against Ari’s chest, desperate to get out of his grip.
“Hmm, for a Gibbor, you’re pretty strong…but not strong enough. Hold on.” Ari’s wings flicked open as he bent his knees. We’d lifted a foot off the ground when a flash of silver sliced through the tip of a wing. He howled, cursing, and dropped me.
Hali stood over me with a bloodied dagger in her hand. “Let’s go!”
A hand clamped down on Hali’s wrist. The tip of a sword pressed against her throat. Panicked eyes looked at me as the dagger slipped from her fingers.
“How dare you strike a Throne,” Mrs. Carmichael seethed.
Without thinking, I lunged for the dagger and then blindly swung. Mrs. Carmichael screeched. Her sword clanged to the ground as she clutched her eye.
We were in the middle of a war zone, and a battle between angels and demons, of brother against brother, raged all around us. Archangels who once stood with the Guardians and Powers were now the enemy. The sky was a blur of wings and swords, and I couldn’t tell who was determined to take a life and who wanted to save one.
A group of majestic wings rushed over us. Remi and Zac led the pack as they hunted down Ian and Ari. My heart leaped when I spotted Tristan with Calder.
Suddenly, Calder veered to the right, flying toward Diamond Head while Tristan plunged into the Harbor, emerging with Nacho.
“He’s okay. Nacho’s okay,” Hali breathed with relief.
They landed on the dock near my parents. He said something to Blaze, who immediately put down his sword.
There was a loud rumble as the Earth trembled again. Everyone stopped, heads turning slowly toward Diamond Head. Then the impossible happened. The once dormant volcano erupted, shaking the ground violently. Smoke and ash mushroomed into the sky.
“Get down!” Hali yelled.
Hot air slammed against my back, and I was suddenly lifted off the ground.
“This time, you’re not getting away from me,” Ari growled.
I gasped, barely able to breathe as he rocketed through the sky. Before I knew it, we were flying into a thick mist. I coughed as hot air, contaminated with ash and thick smoke, filled my lungs. Heat seared beneath me, and I knew exactly where we were. The mist dissipated and then I saw it, lava flowing like a river directly below my feet. I latched tighter onto Ari's shoulders.
“Aw, now ain’t that sweet, loving on me like that,” Ari’s said, sounding like Hunter with the familiar Texas twang. “Sorry, but I’m not Tristan. It’s duty before pleasure for me.”
The sound of frantically flapping wings passed over me,
fanning the heat against my cheeks.
“Hey, a little help here, Ari.” Dorian flapped his wings uncontrollably as he tended to a wound on his thigh.
Calder shot through a cloud, swinging his sword through the air. Dorian yelped, dodging the sharp blade as it whipped over his head.
“Where’s Jo? Dorian, you ass! What did you do with Jo?”
Ari sighed as Calder assailed Dorian like a seasoned soldier. “I take back everything I said about that Eljo.”
“This isn’t funny! You’re…you’re pure evil! Where’s Jo?” I punched his chest, demanding an answer.
“She’s alive!” Calder cried, closing in on Dorian. “Ari, you are a Throne, a holder of all that is righteous. You don’t have to do this.”
Ari shook his head. “Ah, but I must.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Nothing. Everything. Hold on, Eljo. I’ll take care of your little problem.” Ari circled over the molten rivers at top speed until all I could see was a blur of red, black, and green. Suddenly, he ripped my hands off him.
I screamed and then landed with a hard thump on a small hill of rocks.
“Karenna, don’t move!” Jo cried from the distance.
I got up, brushing sharp pebbles from my bleeding palms and knees as I made my way to her. “Oh my god, Jo. What—?”
I came to a grinding halt. My arms flailed as I frantically tried to regain my balance and not fall into the pool of lava separating us. The ridge crumbled and my left foot slipped, pushing me further off balance. This was it. This was how it would end. I closed my eyes to the death waiting below.
Something firm and warm hit against my chest, pushing me back to safety. I felt a powerful yet gentle embrace. A caress. A fluttering of wings.
“Don’t move,” Tristan said before whirling around his sword to meet Ari’s with a clank. Tristan shoved him back, sending Ari high into the air.
Ari beat his wings, stopping himself, and then turned to face Tristan. Ari’s circlet shimmered as they circled each other. Ari tossed his sword from one hand to the other, a move I’d seen him do before when his army had invaded Vegas.
Reign of Angels 2 Page 16
