Destiny: A Hunter's Novel, Book 3 (11 page)

“I can’t remember anything, Can’t tell if this is true or dream, Deep down inside, I feel the scream, This terrible silence stops with me.”

-
Metallica
, One

We were waiting for the unknown. The weight of that burden was heavy. It had been two days and there were fights breaking out amongst ourselves. It happened – on the same side, but still divided.

I walked amongst the people who’d gathered to help me and I felt guilt weigh like a lead brick in my gut. None of these people ever did anything to deserve to die, but some of them probably would. Would it be worth it? We needed balance back in the world. A little less pain, a little more peace. Not that there wouldn’t be something to take its place a few months from then, there’d always be something, but to me this fight was worth it.

Az walked next to me. Az hadn’t been able to sense or see Alewar since Az had seen him in Miami. He’d been worried about Alewar since. I feared for our Hellhound. I feared for my friend.

Cade had shown up a day ago, hung over as I’d ever seen him. He’d been with us ever since, waiting out the fight. Cade said that Anie and Michael had left on a walkabout. Whatever the hell that was. Whatever it was I guess there was no phone because I hadn’t heard from Anie or Michael since I’d left them all playing cards. I was okay with it though. If they were on a bender and that was what Anie needed, then more power to them.

I mulled many things over as we walked toward a bonfire a shifter/witch group had made. They were sitting around it, speaking quietly to each other. I slowed and studied the flames as they licked at the logs in the fire. What was to be loomed and hung over all of us, you could feel it in every one of us.

“What are you thinking about?” Az asked me.

“Just pondering if I’m making the right choice. Sad for Anie still. Pissed and missing Fitz, too.”

“What’ll make you feel better?”

“Sing for me.”

I hadn’t asked anyone but my Dad to sing to me, and that was when I had been little. Az had never outright sang for me before, but I’d heard him sing when he didn’t think I was listening…he had the voice of an Angel.

Az took my hand and then sang a soothing song that lent calmness to an incredibly acrimonious time.

“Over in Killarney, Many years ago, My mother sang a song to me, In tones so sweet and low…”

“…just a simple little ditty in her good old Irish way, and I’d give the world if I could hear that song of her today,” One of the men sitting around the bonfire finished off Az’s lyric. And then something beautiful happened. The song broke out among the entire encampment.

“Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush, now don’t you cry, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, too-ra-loo-ra-li, too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that’s an irish lullaby.”

By the end it seemed as though everyone had joined. Tears came to my eyes. It was the reminder I needed that we were all on the same side, and I think everyone else needed it too. There were cry outs of joy as well as the quietness of our reality echoing around us as we sat in a field next to the sea waiting for the Devil.

I looked over at Az and saw happiness shining in his eyes. He took my mouth with his and kissed me deeply. My eyes were still closed when he pulled back. I could feel his breath on my chin and wet lips.

“I love you Delaney Hinders. Even in the middle of battle, you shine.”

“You were the one singing,” I whispered back to him.

His heat was gone too soon. I opened my eyes, and found him on his knees, hands grasped around his head. I dropped to eye level with him, my knees wet from the damp ground.

“Alewar’s almost here.”

I ran to one of the stumps that had been gathered around the bonfire and hopped on top of it.

“Alewar is here!” I roared.

Az was now standing and everyone around us moving. I pulled him with me through the throng of semi-panicked supes as I B-lined to my Granddad’s house. Along with all the anticipation of what was to come, I felt a bit of relief and joy too. I would get to see Alewar again. If only all loss was erased so easily. As we approached the front porch, my Dad immediately stood, following us inside without question.

“Az saw Alewar, he’s almost here.”

“It feels like Alewar is trying to warn me of something but I’m not getting about what.”

I pulled out the leathers Anie’d made me when I’d gone to Hell for my first meeting with Mastema. Since they were fire proof, I figured it couldn’t hurt.

When I went to take my shirt off everyone turned around…everyone but Az. My Dad saw he wasn’t turned around and physically pulled his arm to turn him. I laughed. Even at a time like this my Dad was still protecting my virtue. If he only knew.

I slid into the leathers with ease, needing help with only one zipper. Serafine was the one to step forward and help me when I asked. My Granddad had made a holster for my swords to put on my back. He said it would be too hot to wear the jacket over my leathers, I wanted to point out I’d been to Hell in the outfit, but held my comment because he’d already made the holster. I slid my swords into my holster and strapped it onto my back. I patted my jacket pocket to make sure I had the red collar to put on Alewar. He was going to be so mad about it, but I knew he’d let me do it.

I felt ready. I just hoped that feeling was true. Az turned around and cupped my face. He rested his forehead on mine.

“You’re amazing Delaney Hinders.”

I pressed my lips to his in answer. I couldn’t have these glimpses of goodbye. I loved those around me too much to allow myself to think like that.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

My trusted circle followed me out into the mêlée of supernatural panic that awaited us outside. Az whistled through his fingers and everyone froze.

My Granddad came up behind me and took my hand. I looked down at our clasped hands. Over the last three days we had practiced getting rid of the camping gear and all the extras that littered the land. He nodded his encouragement and we put our clasped hands up, effectively combining our power.

I pictured the clean field in front of me. I thought of making sure all of the animals, people and supernaturals remaining safe and unharmed, as well as wiping the earth of what we had all created. Keeping all of the things that should be there and expelling the rest. I felt a rush of power with a hint of pain.

My Granddad had told me that when you practiced big magic, there was a possibility of pain that went with it. He thought I’d already known that since I’d experienced the dark magic of the book. I simply thought I’d experienced dark magic, not great magic. My Granddad had explained to me that it was both and I now understood what he’d meant.

There was pain but there was also the absence of that clawing want for the book and its darkness. I could feel the heaviness of the magic I was wielding. It was empowering and terrifying. I felt the magic swell and let go. When I opened my eyes everything was gone and it was only us and our supernatural allies.

“If you want to go now is the time.”

“Fiiiiiiight!” I heard the battle cry from a man I hadn’t yet met.

He continued to chant it. I almost felt as though I was back to being sixteen and watching the boys in the hallway fight. There was something more basic about what he was chanting, though. It felt earthy and honest. Maybe he was a shifter or a witch, but I could feel his magic radiating and helping those around him prepare. I took my sword out of its sheath, moved to the steps on the porch and held it high.

I didn’t join in the chant but that didn’t lessen the symbol. I was ready to raise my sword for what I thought was right. Not in the name of religion or bias as many past battles had been waged in – but in the name of truth and rightness. I was ready to fight alongside these allies of mine. Allies forged in the form of panic, circumstance and askance. But I would take it, because no matter the circumstance, they were still risking their lives because I asked and because they believed – in me or what we were fighting toward, I didn’t know.

I lowered my sword and returned it to its place on my back. I nodded to my Dad and Granddad. Serafine and Az joined me and we walked toward the open, clean field. Every one of the supes around us lined up as we passed through. The gap left behind as we passed was filled with bodies.

We were a well oiled machine. It eased my frayed nerves – as much as they could be, anyway. We finally reached the open field. I was hoping Mastema still had enough honor to come at me from the front and not drop in anywhere he wanted. I wasn’t stupid. I knew he made his own rules. But I could hope.

I turned around and saw Serafine crouch behind those I had arranged to cover her, not only physically but also magically. I could only see a whisp of her hair. That’s all it would take for Mastema, he knew her too well.

There was a man with striking dark features standing next to me with long black robes on. I turned to him and put my hand out. He looked at me like I was crazy.

“I need that black robe.”

“You need my robes? But –”

“Do we have time for this?”

Without further argument he moved quickly out of his robes and handed them to me. I moved to Serafine and helped her pull them on over her head. Luckily, the robe had a big hood that she could pull her hair under as well as most of her face. After she was securely tucked in, I pushed her back down to her knees.

“Better?” She asked me from behind the wall of people in front of her.

“Better.”

I moved back to my spot in the front next to Az. We were the front line.

I heard Alewar in my head before I saw him. He was panicked. I felt my heart flutter when I heard him in my head.

Ruuuuuun!

I knew from the look on Azrael’s face he had heard him, too.

“And for a while things were cold, They were scared down in their holes. The forest that once was green, Was colored black by those killing machines.”

-
Of Monsters and Men
, Dirty Paws

Alewar had Hell on his heels and he was running like it. Although, once he saw us and our backup he slowed his pace minutely. He made his way to us and barked a few times, then started speaking to me mentally.

He is going to kill you. You have no idea the state he’s in.

I didn’t say anything that bad. But it’s going to get better.

Alewar turned his body to stand between Az and I.

So the Land of the Unknown, eh?

What can I say? These are where my roots start.

Why am I not surprised?

Do you know Mastema’s plans?

Yes. He is going to kill you…unpleasantly. He reincarnated me to get to Azrael. He knows I am connected to Azrael in a way nothing else is. It was the fastest way to find him, and thus, you.

At least I knew how Alewar fit into everything. He was a means to an end. I didn’t think that bringing up Serafine would’ve brought this kind of hate for me that it had in Mastema. I fully understood his pain and the way in which he let it engulf him. Dealing with loss and moving on was harder than letting the pain take you.

He is, literally, right behind me. We only have a few moments.

Protect Azrael with your life.

I knew Alewar understood what I was asking of him: If I wasn’t there to protect my heart, then he needed to do it.

I will, always.

Thank you.

Anything for you, Princess.

Good. One last thing then.

I slid the red collar on his head and he huffed, but said nothing. I shook my head and laughed. I found Azrael’s eyes warmly taking me and Alewar in. I didn’t know if he had heard any of what we’d just said but his love was plainly written on his face. What I wouldn’t do for him. And the simple fact of it was there wasn’t a thing I wouldn’t do. I gave him a small smile and patted Alewar on the head.

Alewar barked at the open field. I followed his line of sight to a gaping hole that had been torn in the air. I could see the darkness and feel heat pouring out of it while I stood a good one hundred and fifty feet away from the opening. Demons of all kinds began pouring out of the tear. I thought I’d been ready for whatever Mastema had up his sleeve, but I was not.

There were so many Demons coming out of the hole, it made it look like an ant colony converging on a piece of bread left on the ground. Unfortunately, my people and I were the bread. There were Demons that I’d seen before and could identify, then there were a ton I had never come into contact with before.

There was a Demon that looked a lot like the spider/clown I’d seen in the water in Hell. It had a hairy black spider body and the head of a shark. There were also ones with spider bodies and heads of clowns. Then the truly terrifying ones: the ones that shifted. I watched as one Demon shifted into me with the same hair, eyes, face and body. Oh, we were in deep shit. If we couldn’t decipher the good guys from the bad, then how in the world would we be able to fight?

“What is that?”

Az followed my line of sight to where I stood, only it was Demon me. His eyes widened minutely.

“Never seen it. Must be a new one.”

“Are new ones normal?!” I shrieked.

“Nope.”

Az’s eyes assessed the Demon that looked like me.

“The fingernails. It’s the difference between us and them.”

The Demons fingernails were long and purple. Deciding that out of all the Demons I hadn’t been able to identify this was one of the most dangerous ones. I turned to those around us and told them to pass it on however they could.

I’d told the group standing in front of Serafine, as well. She was still crouched down. I peeked through and saw her nod at me. She’d heard me.

As I watched them further come out of the tear, the cacophony of Demons finally stopped. And then turned and knelt like the Pope was about to arrive. Mastema stepped out of the hole. Instead of keeping his real form, he’d opted for Jensen Ackles again and I was confused as to why. I thought he would want to incite fear in his opponents. I was immediately suspicious.

He nodded down to his followers and they stood. I imagined he was speaking to them telepathically.

“Ah, my dear Delaney and Azrael. Good to see you again. Friends,” Mastema had raised his arms, as though he had given this same speech a thousand times before, “I have no fight with you. My fight is with this one.” He pointed directly at me and before he finished I already knew what he was going to do. “Fight with me and I offer you protection.”

In an unimaginable moment, Serafine’s mother stepped forward.

“Says the Devil. Why should we trust you? You thrive on lies, pain and deceit.”

“That is true, but although I am the ruler of Hell, I am also a Demon of my word. Unlike some.”

Mastema was looking right at me. He was trying to discredit me. This flock of supes I’d gathered didn’t know me but they’d grown up with the Prophecy and I’d hoped it was enough. Alewar growled menacingly.

I looked behind me, half expecting to see those around me gone. No one had moved. My heart swelled for the kindness and faith they had shown me.

Mastema swept his hand across the sky and I could see his dark and menacing magic. Everyone froze. I turned to see everyone unmoving, not even breathing. I moved my hand in front of my face, I was still moving. Then in less than a blink Mastema stood in front of me.

Mastema took a lock of my hair and rubbed it between his fingers.

“I have done nothing to deserve your loathing. I had hoped we could be friends.”

“Oh, you deserve it. You killed Alewar and who knows how many other innocents.”

“That heart of yours is the problem. Calling a Hellhound innocent. It’s laughable. Ha, ha, ha.”

He laughed exaggeratedly and insincerely.

“All in the eye of the beholder?”

Mastema immediately sobered serious and studied me.

“If you join me, I will spare all the lives that will be lost today.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“I did not. I’ve never asked so how could I know?”

Mastema snapped his fingers and was back on his side of the open field, standing with his people. I had to give Mastema credit, he could’ve just killed me without effort, but he was giving me a fighting chance.

I looked around and everyone was moving again. I shook my head, wondering if I’d imagined the conversation I’d just had with Mastema. I knew I hadn’t from the smirk I could see from a mile away…literally.

“Perhaps, Mastema, only you and I should fight. Leave your minions out of this and my people. Let the battle be between us, as it should be,” I said loudly enough so everyone could hear me.

This was the first part of my plan. The part I hadn’t shared with Azrael. I knew he wouldn’t agree to it, but I also knew he wouldn’t argue with me while we were standing against Mastema. I knew if I could fight Mastema alone it would spare lives lost. If I lost just my own it was just one life for so many. However, I also knew I had Serafine and was hoping that she would be the shock I needed.

“Oh, sweet child, they’ve chosen to stand with you. So let them.”

I had anticipated he’d say that. I wasn’t expecting him, especially after he’d asked those standing with me to step down and they’d said no, to allow the fight to be between just us. We would battle.

“Very well.”

And then in a show of everything we had planned, the strongest witches separated from the convergence of supes, and we sang a spell.

“Avahche, suveche, marista newhak.” Our hands were raised to the sky. Asking for the earth to hold those that stood against us back, to allow us the moments we needed to converge on them. I could tell the Demons were unable to move and panicked about that fact. My people, the ones not helping with the spell surged forward. Everyone else kept their arms up but I lowered mine and urged the fight on.

I caught Mastema’s gaze and held my eyes to his. I pulled my blades from my back and flipped them around me, in a show that I was ready for him. He moved forward, completely unaffected by the spell we’d woven. As he walked it was as though the spell that we’d pushed at them was broken by each step he took. His Demons moved towards my soldiers and collided with thunderous hits to each other.

I studied the Witches, who were sweating with the effort to hold the spell in place. The one standing closest to me, Mina, who’d helped purge the dark magic from me, spoke.

“Do we go?”

“Yeah, higher ground. Stick to the plan.”

When she dropped her hands, it was as though a string had been cut, each set of hands dropping as though in a reverse wave. All of the others followed and they moved to higher ground, one close to my Granddad’s house pulled himself onto the roof. Resourceful.

The group that shielded Serafine still stood strongly surrounding her. I could tell the Witches around her had an invisibility/avoidance spell of some sort going because the Demons and those fighting around them weren’t interested in or touching them.

I focused on Mastema again. There was a circle around where he walked as though those around him had been pushed out, by power or aversion I didn’t know, but it followed him all the way until he finally stood in front of me.

Alewar and Azrael were fighting a shifter Demon near where I stood toe to toe with Mastema. Azrael was fighting himself, was more accurate. I could easily tell the difference, though. Azrael stood without a scratch and the shifter Demon had chunks taken out of his legs and torso. I could tell by the blood on Alewar’s face that it had been his doing.

Az saw me standing with Mastema. It was mere seconds, but he made a move to come toward me, and Alewar blocked him. I could tell there was a silent argument going on between the two of them. The Demon had come up behind Az and in a swift movement Alewar was on it. Az helping him a second later. I knew they’d be busy for a little while.

“I will gut you and soak up your screams,” Mastema whispered in my ear.

I swung my blade next to my ear and stepped back in a fighting stance, my tall black army boots easily finding purchase, nicking Mastema as I did so.

Mastema put his hand to his chin and pulled it away. He shook his fingers, trying to rid himself of the black blood there. I looked at his chin and saw the blackness seeping out of his chin onto the ground. The earth didn’t soak it up though. As his blood dripped, it moved into a single puddle and moved around near him, following him like a lost dog. The ground even refused Mastema. I hoped he would become the leader I knew he could be.

“Touché little Prophecy. I underestimate you at every turn.”

“Common error.”

“I try to learn from my mistakes.”

I watched in shock, and a little bit impressed, as two blades slid out from under his skin and looked as if they were made from his own bone.

He came at me with his bone swords in hand and not another word. He sliced down at me from right and left in a blur. So fast I had two bloody cuts on my arms and hadn’t even felt the sting. I moved as quickly as I could, blocking his hits as well as taking some in the process.

In a split second decision that would probably haunt and stay with me for the rest of my life, I decided to allow Mastema’s power to seep into me. I touched it apprehensively but decisively – since I didn’t have time left for anything else.

I could feel the dark magic, welcoming its warm embrace. It felt both like coming home and going to Hell. It was remarkable and horrifying. I knew it wasn’t a good idea, I had been through hell and almost died the last time I’d touched dark magic, but some decisions weren’t made to be easy. The awe was followed by excruciating pain but I fought the pain and controlled it.

I grabbed the thread of power and let it lead me to what I needed. I pulled back until the blur that was Mastema and I slowed to a normal speed. Everything outside of us froze and I figured that was Mastema’s doing. So while the world stood still we fought and parried back and forth at a normal speed.

Mastema stabbed out at me. His sword hit my right shoulder, staining his white bone with my crimson blood. I felt the burn of the cut but pushed past it. I wondered if I could slow down enough to get a good hit in on him. I pulled time to make Mastema slow further, and I brought my foot up, pushing him to the ground.

Once he hit the ground, I jumped over him so I was standing straddling his prone form and held my blade to his throat. I then let the time go, still yielding his power, and pushed the world to speed up again. I felt weary from having held the dark magic, but it was worth it.

“I see you finally caved to the darkness.”

“I took yours on loan. I’ll give it back.”

“Not what I was talking about.”

“The book, right.”

I wondered if he was simply letting me hold him in place with my sword, just so he could converse with me, or if he was as worn down as I was. From the glint in his eyes and the smirk on his face I could tell he was simply laying down, I wasn’t holding him there.