by Kelly Hall
Chapter 5
Rebekah made it to her office and closed the door. She walked over to the phone and was prepared to make a call when one came through. She looked at the screen, and while she didn’t recognize the number, she knew it was from the states.
“Hello?” She narrowed her eyes and listened, not sure what to expect.
“Well, hello, Huntress,” said Brock Barnes with a seductive tone. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as they had the last time he’d breathed into her ear.
“Brock, it’s not really a good time.” She didn’t have time to deal with him or how they’d left things.
“Is something wrong? You sound exhausted.” He was suddenly genuinely concerned from the way his voice changed.
Rebekah knew he could be sweet when he wanted to be, but she just wasn’t in a good place. “I am. I also have a very short fuse at the moment.”
She could hear his breath through the phone as he let it out. “How may I help?”
“You can’t. There was an attack. Katie Kelly was killed. She died in Canter’s arms. We had her service last night at sunset.” She still couldn’t believe the nightmare had happened and how fast time had passed since.
There was a heavy silence on the other end for a moment, and she imagined he was stunned, with nothing to say. Finally, he broke the silence. “Shit. I’m so sorry for your loss. How are the kids?”
“Jarreth and Delilah are heartbroken. Canter has taken off in search of revenge, and I’m plotting my next move.”
“Which is to go after the bastard who killed that sweet girl? Was it the stigmata or one of our usual enemies?” The anger in his tone burned deep. He wanted revenge as much as Canter.
She didn’t want to tell him it was Ignis and put everyone on fucking alert. There would no doubt be a bounty on his head, and then the entire race of hunters would be in jeopardy more than they already were. “Look, I was just about to call the nearest hunting camp. I’m going to see if they could come and help out.”
“No need. I’m on my way.” The tone of his voice told her that he wasn’t going to be easy to talk down. Once he had his mind made up, that was it for Brock Barnes. Which was why he’d broken away from the camp and gone off with the 2K rogues. “We’ll camp out in your courtyard. Jarreth tells me it’s nice. We won’t be a bother at all. I’ll make sure we do not impose on you.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. Really.” She knew it was a long trip to Ireland.
“I know I don’t have to, Rebekah. But I want to. Besides, after the attack on the camp, I had to send away most of the hunters until I found another place to set down roots. It’s just me and a few of my men, but we’re strong, and we’ll stay out of the way until you need us.”
She knew he still had hope for the two of them, but she needed to make sure he knew there could be nothing between them. “You’re aware that we can’t be together, right? I mean, if you do come, you can’t be your usual flirty self with me. What happened before, it’s best left alone.” The last thing she needed was him assuming they could have a relationship when she had made that terrible bargain with Kayne.
A little voice in the back of her head asked her, why do you keep making out like it’s the worst thing in the world, when you know you want him so badly? Another part of her cursed herself for thinking that way. Now is not the time. There is never a time for those thoughts with the enemy.
“I understand,” he said with a solemn tone. “We’ll keep it on the down low.” And there was that flirty tone that always made her tingle yet somehow also made her uncomfortable.
Dammit.
No matter how mixed her feelings or the amount of attraction, Rebekah knew it couldn’t be. Not even a fling. Not only would Delilah continue to hate her, but Jarreth wouldn’t approve either. Not to mention that a certain Vampire was sure to rip out his heart and eat it in front of her, the way he’d threatened poor Liam.
“No, Brock. Never mind.” She couldn’t get him involved. “You don’t get it. It can’t happen with us. It’s best you don’t come. You’re just as persistent as Jarreth when you want something.”
“No, he’s as persistent as me,” he said with a chuckle.
“Not funny. I mean it.”
“Fine. I understand. We can’t be together, but I would still like to come that way. We could be of some use, and I’d get to see the kids. I’ve missed them.”
Rebekah had a feeling she was going to regret letting him come, but it would be nice to have people she was more acquainted with in her home. “Fine. You’ll stay in the east tower and be ready for my command. I’m going to be in charge, Brock. I’ll tell you more about our mission when you get here.” Mostly because she wasn’t sure what she had to do yet.
“I’d like that.”
“Don’t talk to your son or Delilah about it.” She wasn’t going to keep it a secret, but she didn’t want them telling him about Ignis. Not until she had the chance.
“Sounds good to me. We’re on our way. We’ll be there tomorrow.”
“I’ll make preparations.” She hung up the phone and hoped she hadn’t made a huge mistake. She had to get things ready if they were coming, and then they’d have to organize a mission to go after Canter and Ignis. Ignis would have to be brought to justice, but hopefully, she could make a bargain with him.
She would use some of Brock’s manpower to get the castle’s prison up to snuff. She would have to come up with an airtight room to keep him in, but at least she’d already learned how to keep Ignis from escaping. She had promised she would never use that secret against him, but now, she had no choice.
She went upstairs where she found Delilah’s room empty and Jarreth’s door closed. She rolled her eyes and knocked. She hated to be that person, but they had too much to do.
“Go away,” said Jarreth.
At the same time, Delilah’s voice called out, “Just a minute!”
A moment later, Rebekah heard the rattle of the lock, and the door opened to reveal Delilah’s flushed face and a shirtless Jarreth, who wore a frown. “Sorry to both of you, but there is work to be done.”
“Have you decided to let us go after Canter?” Delilah asked.
“No, Mace is on her way to get him. I couldn’t stop her.”
The two exchanged a look. “Great. She’ll probably kill him if he says he wants to go after Ignis.”
“She couldn’t beat her way out of a wet paper sack when it comes to going up against Canter.” Jarreth laughed at the idea of it. “She’s not even a huntress.”
Rebekah and Delilah exchanged a look before turning their eyes on him. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
Jarreth knew he had misspoken. “Nothing. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean that huntresses weren’t badass or anything, just that Mace isn’t one.”
“She’s highly skilled. Trust me. I’ve seen her in action.” Delilah knew better than to underestimate the woman. “So, what did you want us to do?”
“You might not like it, but I’m afraid it has to be done.” She hated to ask them, but they were the only two she could count on. “I need the east tower cleaned and ready for guests.”
“Are you fucking kidding?” asked Jarreth. “What am I supposed to do? Scrub the toilets?”
“Yes, actually, if that’s what it takes. I need all hands on deck, and well, in case you haven’t noticed, our numbers have dwindled. Besides, you’ll still be close if there is a threat, but we’re in no immediate danger.”
“Can’t you call your old caretakers to do it. Or what about Lulu?”
Rebekah knew she was going to piss them off. “Lulu is working hard enough feeding you. And now I get to go and tell her to expect a hungry team of hunters.” She hated the idea of going to do that. “I can’t ask Frankie. She’s pregnant and tending to Timms.”
“Yeah, I bet she is. Those two are sure getting more than their fair share of alone time, unlike some of us.”
“I’m sorry. But
it’s the way it has to be. Besides, I’ll let you in on a little secret if you promise you won’t tell him I told you.” She waited for them to agree. “It’s your father and his men who are coming.”
“The whole camp?” Delilah’s eyes widened. There was no way the whole camp was going to crowd into the living area of the east tower. It would take half the castle, and they’d probably destroy the courtyard with their camp. There were still a lot of them, even after the attack killed a great number of his men.
“No, just him and few of the hunters. The rest are scattered for now since the attack, and he found himself with some time before setting up a new camp. He’s going to help us figure out what to do about the stigmata and Ignis. I’ll have his men get the prison ready when they arrive.”
“Can’t they just clean the house when they get here?” Delilah knew how bad the other house was. Not only was it way outdated, but the dust bunnies had probably formed their own army.
“No, I’m sorry. Consider this your next mission. Besides, if you don’t find him a room in the east tower, I’ll have to put him next door in Delilah’s room, and then you really won’t have any alone time.”
“Dammit. So, does this at least mean you’re going to capture Ignis?” Jarreth reached for his shirt on the foot of the bed and pulled it over his head.
Delilah spoke up before Rebekah could get a word in. “Ignis can’t be captured, though. He’ll just turn to mist and get away.”
“I know how to keep him in one place. It’s the only way. Killing him is not an option. Not for the future of the Hunters. I think if I can convince Canter of that, maybe I can retrieve his journals from the rubble and they’ll tell us something. I’ll have to bargain with him.” She thought of how horribly wrong the last bargain she’d made had gone. “Then maybe we find a new mage and figure it out. I don’t know.” The future looked bleak to her. She held out hope that she could somehow make things right with Ignis. That he wasn’t gone forever.
Jarreth reached for Delilah’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get this shit over with. I sure as hell don’t want the old man staying next door.”
“You and me both.” She took his hand, and they hurried past Rebekah, who had a feeling they’d see it her way.
She let out a long breath and closed her eyes. She still had to check on Liam, and then there was that little matter of making arrangements with Kayne. She had tried not to think much about it, but looking over at the twisted sheets that hung from Jarreth’s bed, she wondered where Kayne would take her. To the room off of the one he’d obviously kept Talia in? Had he made love to her there? Had they even had that type of thing together?
She hoped that he would choose another place. One he’d never used before. She thought of all his experience and wondered if it rivaled Ethan’s.
Then there were other matters to consider. Would he want to bite her again? She felt a coil of heat deep in her core. “Damn it.”
She took a deep breath, trying to focus. Her bodies betrayal was too much. She didn’t have time for these thoughts. She had to make sure everything was ready for her guests and let Frankie and Timms know about her plans. If anyone could give her advice on what to do, it was him.
She only hoped she didn’t burden him with too much, considering he was still injured. She headed to their room and hoped she’d find them in better spirits than Jarreth and Delilah.
Chapter 6
Aziel had done his task with Katie, and while he had assumed that he would be called back to Etherean, he sat perched on the high mountaintop in the middle of a vast ocean. Sparkling olivine crystals shone on the surface of the lava rock around him, and although some would think they were beautiful, they were nothing in comparison to Etherean where he longed to be.
Michael was not going to make this easy, and he had a feeling he was angry with him again. But that was to be expected. He hadn’t exactly followed through with the task, at least not in its entirety. And the delay for Michael seeing him must have been his way of punishing him.
He raked his finger over the fine peridot pebbles and collected them in his hand. Delilah would get a kick out of this. He wondered if he would ever see her again and put the pebbles in his pocket just in case. It was a silly idea, but in a small way, it gave him hope.
“Hope is not going to help you, I’m afraid,” said a voice from behind him.
He knew better than to turn around. “I know I didn’t exactly fulfill the agreement, but—”
“There are no buts this time, Aziel. You pleaded your case before, and I listened. I allowed you to leave the warrior’s program and to go help the Huntress. You were supposed to collect the two souls and see them to Etherean. Instead, you were one short.”
“I couldn’t take Canter too. Rebekah needs him. He’s one of her best, and I saw what that power could do.”
“You also chose to use your light. Again. That was not part of the agreement.”
“The darkness of the stigmata is more powerful than they think it is. I had to do something. It would have taken Canter. They would all be dead. Jarreth and Delilah could not face off with him.”
Michael’s voice boomed out with a harsh tone. “You went against your direct orders. And now there is an upset in the balance. You should know how important that is.” For the first time since he arrived, Michael stepped in front of Aziel, and the disappointment was clear in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I do know.”
“Sorry is a human emotion, Aziel. You have learned too much about regret and petty drama from that bunch. You were given a chance to go in and do your part and get out, and instead, you flirted with a creature from Esper, and you bucked your duties. You let your ego get in the way.”
“I will make it right.” He figured if he could go back and do it over, perhaps he’d be able to take Canter this time.
“I’m afraid there will not be another chance to make it right. You have broken your vow, ignored my orders, and gone against the will of God.”
He realized that the punishment would be swifter and much worse than he thought as Michael pulled out his flaming sword. “Please, I’ll make it right!” He trembled with fear.
“You will. You will be the balance, Aziel. You chose the Huntress, and now you must pay for it.”
“You’re going to take my light, aren’t you?” He couldn’t believe that Michael, who he looked up to and greatly admired, was going to do this to him. It would leave him weak and useless.
“You’ve done this to yourself, Aziel, and yes, I’m going to take your light. Turn around and kneel.”
“Can’t I even go back one last time?” He looked to the heavens, knowing Etherean was just beyond the earthly sky.
“Never. You’re hereby banished from Etherean, effective immediately.”
Aziel knew that once Michael spoke, it was law. There was no sense in fighting him. Aziel did as he was told and turned his back on Michael, taking a knee as he closed his eyes tightly and awaited his fate. He would not fight against him dishonorably. He would accept the punishment that would come, no matter how much he’d hate the outcome.
Suddenly, a surge of energy went through him, and all around, the light shone brightly. He screamed in agony as Michael drew it out of his body until every last drop was drained. He sagged to the ground, planting both hands to the porous rock around him which bit into his skin.
“Your gift will be given to another.”
He took comfort from the words, knowing a part of him would live on in someone else. Then suddenly, his wings expanded as if he had no control over them.
“No, please.” He knew Michael was about to take them. He tried his hardest to fight, but Michael was too strong. He grabbed Aziel’s wing at the base, and with one blow of his mighty sword, the left wing disconnected, and the wound closed. Aziel clenched his jaw to fight the searing pain.
Then Michael drew back his sword again.
Aziel cried out in agony as the other was taken, and soon, he found himself just a
man with no wings and no purpose. “What will you do with me?”
“Your days will be numbered, but you will live. And while I’m willing to grant you one mercy, you will not remember me or any of your Etherean existence.”
One mercy.
In the last moment, he had a flood of questions, none of which would be spoken or answered. But he realized if he would no longer remember who he was, he would be dead in a sense. He wouldn’t remember his friends or where to find them. He would be completely alone. He just needed to go back home, just one more time. Then he would do everything right. “But I—”
Michael’s voice rose above the beating of Aziel’s heart. “The balance is complete. So be it.”
Aziel felt as if he were falling, and then he felt nothing as everything faded from his mind as if it had been extinguished.
Hours later, he woke up face down in the middle of a dirt road with the sun beating down on him. He rolled over and sat up, spitting out the grit that had gotten in his mouth, and he looked around and tried to remember how he got there. His mind was solid. He understood he was lost, and he could even stand on his own two feet. He just couldn’t remember who he was or anything of his life before that moment.
Who am I? He tried to remember his name, but it was like there was a fog deep in his mind preventing anything from coming to the surface. “What happened to me?” he whispered.
He looked back and forth and decided one direction was as good as any. If he were on a road, then surely a car would come along soon. He could ask someone for help.
He began to walk, putting one foot in front of the other, thankful he didn’t seem to be injured in any way. He did bear a scar on his forearm, and while it was big, he had no idea how it had gotten there.
He wasn’t bleeding, but his jeans and a black T-shirt were dirty. Had someone dumped him out of a car and left him? Had he been mugged? He patted his pockets and couldn’t find a wallet.
I did have a wallet, didn’t I? For some reason, it seemed like a strange thing for him to have, but in another way, why wouldn’t he?
