Angel's Messiah (14 page)

11.
Rescue Mission

“Everyone is clear on their instructions?” Drake asked.

The nineteen vampires who had accompanied Drake to hell nodded.

“You there,” Drake pointed to one of the clean and presentable suicide vamps, “what are you to tell anyone at the great dining hall who might enquire after my presence?”

“That you changed your mind, but as you’d already accepted the invitation you sent us in your stead. You thought it would be
educational
for young vampires to learn of hell firsthand.”

Drake nodded. It was exactly what he had told them to say.

“You two,” he pointed to the suicide vamps that were not to attend the conversion, “what are you to do?”

“Remain here in case anyone comes looking for you. We’re also to tell Grazia you were detained on other business after the conversion, that you’ll return as soon as you can, and we’re to keep her entertained in the meantime,” one of them replied.

One of the specialists signed and Drake watched the rapid hand movements, reading what he was saying.

“Correct,” Drake said, “you will all follow me and protect my back, and that of Helena’s, at all costs.”

Three gongs reverberated throughout the Pleasure Dome. The witnesses to the event were being summoned to the great dining hall.

“Well my friends, it’s time.”

Drake raised a closed fist in the air and called out, “To the victor the spoils!”

The suicide vamps replied in kind, and the specialists bowed, as they could not voice the rallying cry.

“Go, now,” Drake said.

After the eight suicide vamps had left the room Drake sat for a while. When he could stand it no longer he stood and paced the length of the room, waiting for the second series of gongs that announced the great dining hall was now locked — none would be able to enter, and none could leave.

It was a tortuously long time before the gong sounded another three times. Satan was now ensconced within the walls of the great dining hall, along with the one who was to be converted, ready to perform for his audience. If ever there was a time that Drake and his specialists had a chance of being successful at liberating Helena from hell, it was now.

Drake opened the door and looked up and down the corridor, which was deserted, as he’d expected it to be. The ten of them ran quietly to the west wing — to the rooms Helena was occupying. The halls were eerily silent. Everyone who was anyone would be in the great dining hall, except Helena — if the rumours were true — and of course Drake.

He knocked on the door and stood to the side. Two of the specialists took up position, ready to attack if Helena’s rooms were guarded from the inside. When they heard the bolt slide back they raised their hands in readiness. As the door opened they kicked out quickly, and Creature went flying backwards. They set upon him savagely and his body lay limp within seconds of the door opening.

“
Creature,
” Helena called out.

When the specialists indicated the room was secure Drake stepped in and bolted the door behind him.

“Drake?” Helena said in surprise. “Is it really you?”

“Of course it’s me. Who else would be fool enough to come to the depths of hell to snatch you away from Satan himself?” he snorted.

Helena was sitting up in bed with a sheet pulled up to her shoulder. From where Drake stood it looked as if she had her knees drawn up to her chest.

“We’re in luck,” Drake said. “Most of hell is watching the final conversion of a cardinal. Many are betting he’ll not break, and will be cast into the pit. Not that it matters to us.”

Helena groaned softly and Drake noticed a pained look cross her face briefly. There was a light sheen of perspiration on her forehead. Admittedly it was hot in her rooms.

“How do you know what’s happening, with me?” she asked.

“News travels fast when something
special
is going on in hell. Eventually I would have heard you were here, if Danizriel had not contacted me.”

Helena’s eyes widened. “Danny? He sent you?”

“
No,
” Drake said tersely. It irked him that she thought the angel would be able to
command
him. “He
asked
me to come and I agreed. We have little time. You need to get dressed now.”

Helena let the sheet drop, revealing her swollen belly, and Drake gasped, taken aback by the sight. This was something he was not expecting. Was it possible in such a short time for this to have happened?

She climbed out of the bed just as her blood pressure began to drop. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her body gave a small shudder before collapsing to the floor. Drake knelt beside Helena, trying to rouse her, but she was in the grip of a blackout and could not be revived.

“What has he done to you?” Drake whispered, though he knew she could not answer.

He placed a cold hand on her belly and the baby reacted by kicking him. Her stomach glowed red when the baby kicked. Drake pulled back his hand.

“So, Satan wants a child,” he mused. “This complicates things.”

Drake pulled the sheet off the bed and wrapped it around Helena’s body. He would have to carry her out of hell, all the more challenging. If Danizriel saw Helena like this he may not allow her to live, knowing what was growing within her. Judging by her size she didn’t have long to go.

“My friends, a change of plan,” Drake said. “We do not return to the training grounds. We head to Gorema.”

One of the specialists signed a question.

“Gorema is my
other
residence.”

Drake picked up Helena, cradling her body to his chest and resting her head on his shoulder. She was heavy, but not so heavy that he could not manage the treacherous journey back to the surface. It would simply take time, time they could ill afford.

He travelled as quickly as he dared to the exit of the Pleasure Dome. There were no guards here now. The doors would not allow anyone to enter, but any could leave. Four specialists ran ahead of Drake to ensure the way was clear. The remainder followed, watching their backs.

The path Drake chose when they were free of the Pleasure Dome was well concealed and had not been used in a very long time. Before he set foot on it he commanded three specialists to stand guard at their original path. If none appeared from the Pleasure Dome to challenge them within two hours of the three gongs that announced the event had concluded, they were to return to the training ground.

One specialist led the way, ensuring the path was clear of
all
obstacles. As their footsteps stirred the dust in the air, Drake commanded two of their group to take up the rear and hide the trail after them. It would be a beacon to all who saw it if it wasn’t obscured, like a neon sign flashing
they went this way
. The remaining specialists shadowed Drake closely, ready to take over the burden of carrying Helena if it became too much for him.

During the long journey back to the surface they walked and ran as they could. Helena groaned and her body shuddered. Perspiration formed on her brow, even though it was cooler in the tunnels than it was in hell. Drake feared she may not survive the journey, or birth.

The red glow of Helena’s stomach, as the baby kicked relentlessly, was visible through the thin sheet. Drake had to concentrate hard to focus on the task at hand — getting away safely.

One of the specialists running at Drake’s side tapped him on the shoulder. Drake shook his head. He did not want to hand Helena over. The specialist gripped Drake’s arm firmly, causing him to stop. The specialist signed a message that startled him. He hadn’t known the specialists shared a psychic bond, and until now they had not chosen to reveal it. Their three comrades had fallen to overwhelming numbers that were now surging upwards through the tunnel they had guarded. No one had paid attention to the path Drake and the remaining specialists were on, at least
not
before their comrades had died — they would have sent word if that were the case. Four of those accompanying Drake wished to turn back, to pursue those that were heading towards the surface. If the specialists could reduce the number of attacking demons from the rear, the topside vampires would stand a much better chance.

Drake felt a pang of regret that he not better prepared Marcus for what may eventuate. He had not wanted to think too closely on the consequences of his actions. Now it was possible his entire clan would be wiped out because of his emotional attachment to the woman he carried in his arms.

“Go,” Drake said, “and may the luck of the devil be with you.”

Only two specialists remained — one to blaze the trail and one to guard the rear. Now was a time for speed.

Helena’s eyes fluttered open. Everything was dark and blurry. It took a few moments for her to realise that she was being carried.

“Drake?” she murmured.

He stopped, yet still held her close to him.

“You can put me down,” Helena said.

Drake gently set her on her feet, holding her arms as she steadied herself.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“A bit dizzy,” she replied. “Where are we?”

“In a tunnel, heading to the surface. We must keep moving. If they find us, there’ll be hell to pay.”

Helena gave a weak laugh, and said, “So what’s new?”

One of the specialists tugged on Drake’s arm, urging him forward.

“Can you walk?” Drake asked.

“As long as I’m not expected to walk on razors, yes,” Helena replied.

They set off at a much slower pace, walking in silence. Helena’s bare feet were soft, from years of wearing shoes, and the footing was treacherous in some places. Drake didn’t want her to fall. They couldn’t afford to stop here if something happened to the evil growing inside her.

When he could stand it no longer, Drake broke the silence. He wanted to know exactly what had happened, yet didn’t know how Helena would react if he directly asked the question that was burning within him —
how is it you’re pregnant with Satan’s child?

“How did you come to be in hell?” he asked, hoping that was a safe enough question to ask.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Helena replied. “I was hunting werewolves and blacked out. When I came around, I was in hell.”

“You’ve blacked out before?” Drake asked.

“Oh no,” Helena whispered. Her eyes rolled back and she collapsed. The blackouts were getting worse.

The specialists doubled back to see what was causing the delay. They were keen to get topside.

“I shall have to carry her again,” Drake told them. He bent down and slid his arms underneath Helena, before pulling her close to his chest and standing up. The small group set off, knowing that a delay of even a few minutes might mean the difference between freedom and probable death, even though they were much closer to the destination now. The air was not as stale as it had been only hours before — a sure sign their journey was almost at an end.

Before they reached the surface Drake stopped. He handed each of the specialists a dagger. If there was something waiting for them topside he would not be able to fight, being burdened so by Helena. If it came to a fight he would have to trust that the specialists would be able to provide enough of a distraction. He could then slip away with Helena into the woods surrounding Gorema, and the hidden tunnel beneath it that would take them to safety.

As they neared the light at the mouth of the tunnel, they heard voices — two distinct voices, both male. Helena groaned and Drake spoke soothingly into her ear, trying to get her to quieten down.

“Did you hear something?” one of the voices topside said.

“Yeah, sounded like moaning,” the second voice said.

“Should we check?” the first voice asked.

“That’s what we’re here for, ain’t it? That’s why Satan has everyone watching all the entrances to his domain, to catch the one that got away.”

Drake cursed silently. Satan was not gullible. It stood to reason he would not believe Drake foolish enough to exit by the same entrance, although that
was
his original plan.

The two specialists were signing, and Drake followed their conversation. They were going to head back down the tunnel, making a fair amount of noise, as though they were running away from the demons on the surface. Drake was to hide as best he could, to the side of the entrance, then run out as soon as the demons had passed by. If Helena made any noise it would be all over for them.

“Helena,” Drake whispered into her ear, “if you wish to live, please stay quiet.”

He didn’t know if what he said made any difference. She had begun to tremble uncontrollably and he tightened his grip on her body. The muscles in his arms, shoulder, neck and back were aching. It was the first time they had ached in years. The last time, once again with Helena, when they had been caught up in the lust. Prior to that it had been thousands of years since he’d felt such an ache. It reminded him of what it was like to be mortal, a weakness he could not afford now.