It was the first time Cole did not wrap his shield around me, numbing the pain. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and I wanted it to stop but I needed so badly to feel my own crazy emotions for once. I needed to be able to let go and feel something. I needed to let it out, not lock it away until I picked up some charcoal. Cole lifted me off of the ground and walked away from the crowd of gawkers to the back door. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, burying my face in his neck, trying to breathe in his cool ocean waves to soothe my heartache.
I heard the door close behind us, jolting me out of my hysterical state. I began to calm down as I felt him set me down on the warm hood of his car. Cole unlocked me from him and went into the car, bringing back a cigarette and a lighter. I let out a slight laugh, taking them from his hand. He took my face in his hands and kissed my forehead. “I’m always here for you, whatever you may need. I’ll be right by your side until the end.” He climbed next to me on the car, pulling me close to him. I lit the cigarette and leaned my head onto his chest.
CHAPTER 16
ONE DAY LEFT
At Paul’s request, all of the Fallen and nephilim except for Cole and myself had been loading cars with swords and went over the battle plans for the following day. We didn’t know for sure when they would show so they decided we would go to the field of the damned on this night to ensure we at least got to choose where this all went down. It seemed appropriate, since all of those souls were trapped there because of all angels, not just the Fallen. Paul wanted us to attempt to relax before tomorrow, to try and clear our heads. I know he felt our relationship was already enough of a distraction, even against his efforts to block his emotions from me. We tried to argue, feeling as we should be helping, but I suppose he was right. Though there was no way to relax at this point.
Cole and I took a walk along my property line, wrapped together like an old married couple out for an afternoon stroll. Silence filled the space around us as everyone else tried to get some sleep before we headed out. We stopped behind the house, hidden from everyone, and laid in the grass watching clouds go by. Even though we were about to go into battle against an army of angels and there was a high probability we would die, there we were lying in the grass like teenagers, laughing until we cried, unable to keep our hands off of each other.
The sun began to set and our anxiety elevated. We stood up, watching the sky transform and slowly walking back around the house. A few nephilim were strewn over the cars, itching for us to head out. It was strange to me how some were nervous and others seemed oddly excited. It was disturbing.
“They want to talk to you two inside,” Jake said.
“Alright,” Cole responded. I was still so frustrated about him and Camille, I couldn’t even look at him. I had been doing my best to ignore him for the last two days.
“Alice?” Jake asked rudely.
“I heard you,” I replied with my own edge.
“Just because they think you are the answer to their prayers does not mean you can talk to me like that.”
“Excuse me? I can talk to you however I please.”
“Alice, we are all going through a lot and we are all stressed. Do not push me right now.”
“Says the guy who is a part of the creation of this mess.”
“I did not father any of these nephilim. Just go inside. We have enough to deal with. We are on the same side. We don’t need to be fighting each other.” That was the last straw I was going to take from that cocky Fallen. I survived a Fallen blindside attack and an angel I didn’t even try against. I knew I could take him. I felt Cole gripping my hand, trying to not allow me to shake it off. I did anyway and stepped a few feet from his grasp.
“So you think Camille’s soul is any less dammed because you didn’t knock her up yet?” That did it. I felt the anger rise in him as he lunged at me. I ducked out of the way, ignoring the Fallen filing out of the house to see what the commotion was about. He got up and stepped mere inches from my face. Cole tried to pry in between us but we both looked at him fiercely and he backed off.
“Get in the house.” Jake demanded.
“I do not take orders from you, Fallen.” He grabbed my wrist and walked me toward the house, a mistake on his part after all the training I’d had lately. I took a deep breath, releasing myself from his grasp and moving behind him. I exhaled, watching him slowly turn around toward me. I leaned back so far my face brushed the grass as I swung my leg with every ounce of force in my body. I kicked him straight in the face, launching him over twenty feet in front of me. He landed with a thud that echoed through the silence of everyone watching. “Now I’ll go inside.”
I turned back to Cole and waited for him to walk toward me. I reached my hand out to him; he took it and we walked to the front door of the house. Never once did I look back, knowing Jake got the point and it was over now.
“Feel better?” Kokabiel asked with a smile in his voice.
“Much.”
“It’s time to go. Go change. We will wait for you outside,” Paul said. I heard him laugh at Jake as we left them in the yard.
Cole and I headed into the bedroom, removing our clothes as he kicked the door shut behind us. “How long have you been wanting to do that?” he asked.
“Awhile,” I beamed. I put on a fresh, black beater while Cole changed into a clean, black t-shirt. We shared a laugh at our simple wardrobe styling. We stopped at the door, staring into each other’s eyes.
“I love you,” we said in unison. He leaned down to kiss me, lifting me off of the ground and pressing me into the door. I wrapped my legs tightly around him, running my hands through his hair one last time. Our lips let go and our bodies felt defeated wanting more.
We can continue this when we come home, he said. I smiled but there was uncertainty even in the voice in my head. He set me back down onto the floor and we left our space of joy, heading to the center of Hell.
CHAPTER 17
FINDING ALICE
We stood on the field watching the Fallen gather the nephilim together, issuing which Fallen were to protect them during the fight. I looked around at the dead grass that was once filled with vibrant golden hues and sadly now looked wounded by all the swords standing tall throughout it. Cole and I watched the Fallen as their wings emerged. Dark gray wings, wings that looked dusted in silver, wings black as night, all of them completely different but strangely complimenting one another. They looked at peace when it happened but I could feel the pain they tried to hide. It was just as painful for them as it was for Cole, though it seemed to give them peace releasing them. They stood strong together, covering the nephilim with a shield built of wings. It was remarkable how the Fallen barely moved while we waited for what seemed like hours.
Thunder crashed through the sky louder than I had ever heard before. The second line stood thick between us and the nephilim shield, mixed with Fallen who had wings and those who did not. Cole and I stood in the front line with Paul and Kokabiel on either side of us, followed by Old Gray and Jake. We all drew our swords, awaiting their final descent to the ground. The ground began to vibrate violently as the first angel landed thirty feet in front of us. I felt the growl like a rabid dog climbing out of the Fallen at the sight of the angel.
“Rogziel,” Paul hissed through his teeth. He was more beautiful than the angel I had the misfortune of meeting. Every part of him was stunning and unsettling. I stared at him, trying to get a read on him, but all I could feel was Paul’s hatred and everyone’s anger toward the angel who was allowed to enter into heaven. They must’ve been close though. I could feel their bond, which I was sure was why he was sent. The thunder rumbled through the field and lightning flashed throughout the sky. The ground shook like an earthquake as at least one hundred angels with wings like clouds landed behind Rogziel. I watched Rogziel’s hungry eyes as they tried to consume me.
“Come and get it,” I said, mocking his attempt to frighten me. He ran, lunging toward me and expecting me to do the same. I st
ood patiently waiting, allowing Paul to step in at the last second. I turned myself toward that familiar excitement I felt approaching me from my left. The tip of my sword slid across the bounty hunter’s arm. He fell to the ground with shock across his face. Another angel ran toward me and Jake ran crashing into him, knocking him back forty feet into another angel. As angry as we were with one another, on this field we were on the same side. More angels attempted blindsided attacks against me and were blocked by a Fallen each time. I tried to center myself, pushing everyone’s pain outside of me as Old Gray taught me. The agony on this field was more than I ever imagined it could be. If I didn’t push the chaos away from me, it would be more than easy to kill me. The bounty hunter swung his sword at me; I blocked it and swung back.
Back and forth, swing after thrust, we finally had our rematch. He backed me into another angel and I ducked, jolting into the other direction in a panic. I heard Cole scream in agony, distracting me as the bounty hunter knocked my sword for my hand, cutting down my forearm. I felt across the grass as I backed away, searching for my sword. I felt my back tighten as if someone was digging a sword into it. Cole! I searched for him, finding him in time to watch his wings outstretch and flex. The agony I heard and felt was his wings emerging. My relief was short-lived when I turned back to the bounty hunter as he raised his sword with a grin. I could see Kokabiel running toward him but I knew he was too far to save me. I tried to breathe in but the bounty hunter stood on my chest, stopping me. My panic grew rapidly and the anguish, pain and fury on this field crawled up my body, threatening to take me. With eyes wide open, I watched his sword rise before he slammed it toward my chest. With no air left in my lungs, I forced myself to move, curling around his foot as the sword sunk through my shoulder. Screams erupted from and I searched for Kokabiel, who was stuck behind two angels only a few feet away. I thought I was stronger than this.
I watched Cole fly over us and land behind his great-grandfather. I saw rage in his eyes as he grabbed a hold of his wings and shredded them off of his body as if he were merely a moth. The bounty hunter, his great-grandfather, yelled in anguish and I watched stunned as he fell to the ground, blood oozing from the nubs on his back. Cole threw the wings aside and lifted me off of the ground onto my feet. He covered me with his shield to numb the pain of my wounds. I stared at the blood-stained wings crumpled next to the limp body of the bounty hunter. I turned back to Cole and lifted my sword with my foot, launching it into the air into my hand while never looking away from him. Thank you, love.
“You’re welcome. Behind you,” Cole said with a newfound calmness.
We belonged here; this was exactly what we were born to do. I turned around to see a glowing blade coming down on me. I blocked it, feeling the electrical current surge through my sword and into my hand. It was as if they plucked lightning bolts from the sky as swords. Cole and I stood back to back to defend the very ground we stood on. I felt his calmness washing over me like a waterfall, numbing the pain to my wounded shoulder and forearm. Kokabiel finally made it to us with an approving grin on his face. He tossed Cole a sword and continued to pass us toward an oncoming angel.
Angels began to swarm the nephilim behind us. Feathers begin to fall from the sky like tears as the battle resumed not only on land but above us. I watched as they switched directions, cornering Paul and Kokabiel six to one each.
“Cole! Help them!” I screamed behind me.
“I’m not leaving you!”
“Jake is right here! Go!”
I heard a snarl escape him and the wind from his wings stung my skin as he glided to help our fathers. I watched as Old Gray made his way to them as well. Jake, seeing me vulnerable, backed up to me protectively. Most of the angels were preoccupied trying to get through our Fallen shield around the nephilim. I glanced at Cole worriedly as he ripped another set of wings off of an angel. He was stronger than any of us had assumed. Our fathers watched and then did the same to those near them. I turned back to see Rogziel coming toward me through the bodies.
Panic ripped through me, gnawing at my bones. I screamed as an excruciating pain scaled my spinal column, rattling my bones under my skin. I felt Jake’s arm wrap around my waist and pulled me back toward the nephilim. “Jake, no!” I barely managed to yell.
“I’m not letting him kill you!”
“You’re doing what he wants. Keep me away from the nephilim. Fight with me or get out of my way!”
I tried to steady my breath and push through the pain. I pushed Jake off of me. He took a stance in front of me, preparing to die for me. He was the last Fallen I ever expected to do that. My lungs constricted as I attempted to draw more than shallow breaths in. I held my weight up on my sword, reaching for my back. Cole’s shield always made me feel invincible, as if I fed off of his energy. I knew he wanted to protect me and wanted me to have the boost against Rogziel.
Cole, if you can hear me, I need you to back your shield off. I felt his gaze hit me and heard his heart breaking. It was possible the sound I heard could have been the sound of my own bones breaking. Cole, now! I turned to look into his eyes; we both knew the pain I felt was nothing compared to what it would be like once he lifted this piece of himself away from me. Paul turned to me, stealing my gaze, and glanced past me to see his brother coming straight for me. He grabbed a hold of Kokabiel and turned him toward Cole. Kokabiel, like a guardian angel, protected his son’s back as Cole made his way toward me, slowly releasing his shield. I love you Cole. I need you to trust me. If you don’t let me go I will die here. I felt the salt drown my face and his as well.
I felt his shield run off of me like the last few drops of a rain storm. The last drop fell to the ground and my knees slammed into the dead grass. I saw Rogziel only about ten feet in front of Jake. I saw them all watching me. My body felt as if it was set on fire and I felt the flames dancing under my skin. I felt what I could only assume was my soul climbing up my spine in an attempt to hold my body together. I felt the bones in my back snap apart. The sound of a hundred cries screamed from my lips. Please survive this, I begged myself, willed myself. I inhaled deeper than I ever had in my life and held my breath. The pain stopped suddenly. I stood, leaning on my sword again, and looked around the field at so many dead; Fallen, angels, and nephilim. Everyone alive was completely frozen like statues. Even those in flight hovered above, stuck in the air like static. I could barely believe I managed to immobilize every being; even the elements were still. We were outnumbering the angels but it didn’t feel like a victory at all. I looked up into the sky, searching through the darkened clouds to where I presumed Heaven might have been. If this was against God, it wouldn’t happen. My lungs grew tired and I knew it was time. I lifted my hands in the air and began to slowly exhale.
The pain rushed back, ripping through me. I felt everything around me pick up speed as my feet began to lift off of the ground. A whirlwind of chaos tore through my body. I felt everyone’s eyes on me. No amount of screaming dented the torture coursing through me. My soul beamed with a radiant burst of blinding light, seeping out of me in all directions. My flesh peeled away from me and my bones cracked out through the wounds as my wings unfurled in beautiful darkness. I opened my eyes and saw myself hovering about the battlefield. I looked to my side as blackness filled around me. The blackness came into focus and my tears dissipated and I could see the blackness was a wingspan of over fifteen feet. I looked to my other side and watched the feathers flex. I could feel every feather just as you would feel down to the tips of your toes. The pain subsided as did the glow from my soul as I gracefully descended to the ground. Something that should not have been possible had in fact happened to me. I stood as an angel with a human soul, human emotion and angel strength. I tucked my wings in tightly to see Cole. His face was full of surprise and love. You’re beautiful, he said. I felt his blanket wrap around me, protecting me and strangely still making me feel even stronger.
I smiled at Rogziel, inviting him to attack me. I felt his hes
itation and let out a laugh that echoed through the emptiness around us. I lifted up my sword waiting for him to attack me, knowing he had to. The Fallen and angels around us had resumed the battle more fiercely in a final attempt to win. What were any of us really winning here? Cole stood behind me, protecting the blind spot my wings created but allowing me to fight this one alone without argument. Our fathers roamed the field, attempting to take out the last of the angels. Rogziel lifted his lightning bolt and thrashed toward me. I extended my wings out with a force that knocked him back a few feet. He struck again and I blocked it, knocking his sword from his hands. He swung his fist toward my face; I used my right wing to swat him away.
I felt Cole struggling behind me and turned to an angel practically on his shoulders who was trying to rip off his wings. I grabbed the angel’s left wing and saw Jake on his right wing; we practically tore the angel in two, dropping his body at Cole’s feet. “Alice, look out!” Cole screamed.
I turned to find Rogziel flying inches above the ground at me with his sword pointed straight at my very human heart. I inhaled quickly and only enough to freeze everything one last time. I held my breath with his sword inches from my chest. I reached out and placed my hands on either side of his blade. I exhaled as I swung my wings into his side as hard as I could. His blade snapped in two as he crashed to the ground.
“This isn’t possible,” Rogziel choked out.
“Unfortunately for you, it is,” I said as I reached behind him and ripped the wings off of his body. His scream was piercing at first with his mouth so close to my face, until it died down to nothing more than a whisper. Part of me knew I had only killed his body and he could return for me someday.
Finding Alice (Alice Clark Series) Page 11
