Forged by Fate (32 page)

“He is very strong,” Paxon said. “Very strong indeed.”

“Of course he is. He’s a friend of God. Close ties to The Great One. With complete dedication and loyalty.” Abby smiled, her blue eyes focusing on Sadie. “And loyalty to his Mate as fierce as to The Great One.”

“What am I?”

“Batya.” She nodded. “You are exactly what it means. Stronger than anything earth has seen.”

“Not stronger than Theo.”

“Not yet.” She smiled.

Theo approached them, and Sadie turned to face him, reaching forward. He stopped abruptly and pounded on an invisible barrier. He yelled her name, though only a muffled sound penetrated what encapsulated Sadie, Paxon, and Abby.

She stepped toward him.

“You have yet to consummate your union with your Mate. Why is that, child?” Abby asked, facing Theo. Pride beamed from her smooth, opalescent face.

“Everything was happening too fast. I just wanted to slow down. Figure things out.” She glanced at the two angels before her. “And wait until I found my parents.”

They both looked to her and smiled. “Fiercely loyal to your convictions,” Paxon said. “Admirable.”

“But you know you’re mated, correct?” Abby asked.

“I do.”

“That it’s binding, more so than a human wedding, correct?”

Sadie nodded.

“Yet you seek out the approval of your parents.” Paxon eyed Abby.

Theo’s voice trickled through the barrier again.

“Theo,” Sadie whispered.

“Invite him in, if you so desire.” Abby stepped to the side. “According to the human laws, he would be our son-in-law, yes?”

Paxon laughed. “Indeed.”

“How do I let him in?”

“Simply reach out and touch him.” Abby smiled.

“But the barrier.”

“Things are not always as they seem, Sadie. You are new to the supernatural world, but you’ll learn.” She gestured toward Theo. “Go on. Reach for your Mate.”

She stepped forward and stretched out her hand. Nothing blocked its motion, yet Theo pounded against something as if it were a brick wall. Sadie glanced back at Abby and Paxon. They both nodded.

Turning back to Theo, she made contact with his hand. Warmth enveloped her and traveled up her arm and to her shoulder.

“Sadie.” Theo squeezed and stepped through. “What’s happening?”

She tugged him to her and glanced over her shoulder. Theo immediately moved in front of her. “Who are you?”

Paxon smiled. “No need for your weapon, Theophilus. There is no threat here.”

Sadie stepped beside Theo, but he held his hand out, keeping her close.

“Strong, indeed,” Abby said. “Theophilus, I am Abby, this is Paxon.”

“Heavenly Hosts,” he whispered.

Sadie looked up at him. “My parents.”

Chapter Forty-nine

Theo’s body stiffened. So Sadie was a full angel? How was that possible? He looked down at her but found no fear or anxiety. He sensed the feeling of finality, completion, closure. Her feathers ruffled, and she squeezed his hand.

“Why do you not have wings?” he asked. “Yet she does.”

“Sadie is not an angel. Only The Great One can create those. She is a…hybrid, if you will,” Paxon said. “Abby and I gave portions of our angelic heritage. We combined them with The Great One’s energy, and she was created.”

“As in created like the Gatekeepers?”

“Similar.” Paxon nodded. “Only a different creature. More human in the sense that she was but a baby. A newborn when she took form.”

“You dropped her into the human realm, defenseless, alone, and abandoned.” Theo’s heart hammered. “How could you? How could The Great One?”

“You know the journey, Theo. It forms the soul. The character. Even you, though you were created in your current form 911 years ago, your experiences molded you. Your choices determined your paths for the most part.”

“Because of free will,” Sadie said.

“Very wise, sweetheart.” Abby smiled. “All beings, heavenly or not, have choice. And times called for an even more unique creation than the Gatekeepers.”

“My wings?” Sadie shrugged her shoulders.

“They appeared when most needed. To preserve life. Yours in particular, but your dear friend Dasha’s, too.” Abby motioned to Sadie’s friend.

Justin, Halena, and Dasha remained frozen. “What’s happening to them?”

“They’re catatonic for a bit while we chat. You broke free, Theo.” Paxon offered an outstretched hand to shake. “Your strength abounds, and for that I’m grateful you were chosen for Sadie.”

Theo accepted the hand and shook, then released, focusing on Sadie. “How is Sadie connected to Aggie?”

Abby’s shoulders slumped. “She is the answer to that unique creature.”

“Meaning?” Sadie asked.

“Evil evolves. Adapts. That adaptation is Agares. Our adaptation is Sadie.” Abby smiled. “And you, of course.”

Theo broadened his shoulders.

“The strongest of the Gatekeepers. Nearly a millennium of wisdom, experience, and devotion.” Abby focused on Sadie. “She needs you as much as you need her.”

“I give him more strength, yet also sign his death warrant.” Sadie slouched. “How is that good?”

“Oh, dear. His neck is a vulnerability, yes, though you must understand, no one is truly immortal. Beings pass on as they’re meant to. Why, he could meet his demise by merely being separated from you long enough. Even now, before you’ve mated.”

Sadie twined her fingers with his. “He could die if he doesn’t touch me for a long time?”

Theo nodded. He’d known that, but had been taught it was only after they’d mated.

“Your connection is a bit different because of what you are, dear.” Abby cupped Sadie’s face. “As they would say on earth, you’re a Mate 2.0.”

Sadie laughed. Really? Laughing? How could she? This should be scaring her into a paralyzing panic, yet there she stood, tall and confident. Radiant.

“Her wings?” Theo asked.

“Simply command them inside of you, child,” Abby said. She stepped away, and in the next breath radiant white wings protruded from her back.

“I’ve tried. It doesn’t work.”

“It will if you have the correct word.” Paxon’s brown wings curled into his body and disappeared behind his back. “And soon, you won’t have to verbalize it, only think it.”

“The word?” Sadie asked.

“
Abeo
.”

“Sounds Latin,” Theo said. “And to let the wings out?”

“
Claudo
, and yes, they have Latin roots.” Paxon nodded. “Try it, Sadie. Our time runs short.”

“You can’t stay? I mean, you can’t come to my realm with my friends?” Sadie asked. “I want to know you more.”

“You will, child. The ring is the gateway to our realm. Use it sparingly, though, as those around you are rendered immobile.” She gestured toward Justin. “Time slows within the vicinity of our splice, but those around are still very aware.”

“That would be quite a few memory alterations should this be done in a group,” Theo said.

“You were wise to wait with the ring and try it in the safety of your home, Theophilus.” Paxon slapped his shoulder. “It’s best used in private.”

“Are my friends hurting?” Sadie asked. “Are they okay?”

“Oh, yes, dear. They are moving, just too slow for you to notice right now, yet they can see you.”

“And how was Theo allowed to enter the realm with me?”

“Because he is your Mate. You share the lifeline. Once consummated, he will not slow down at all if you open the splice to us. And since you touched him, he was allowed in. To share this with you. Support you.”

“Try your wings, dear,” Paxon said.

She drew in a deep breath and looked at Theo. He nodded, willing her his strength as he released her hand and stepped back. “You got this.”

“Abeo.” She jerked forward but stayed upright. He reached for her, but she waved him off.

And then the wings were gone.

“Ow.” She palmed her thighs and sucked in a deep breath. “I think my back ripped open, and the feathers turned into razors on their way in.”

“The first time is a bit…jarring.” Abby stepped toward Sadie, arms open wide. “You will practice. Ready yourself to battle Agares.”

“What are his plans?” Theo asked as he watched Abby embrace Sadie.

“We are not privileged to know that as of yet. Nor may we ever. Just know, only you, Sadie, can truly vanquish him.”

“Me?” She jabbed her finger into her chest. “How? I’ve said the words.”

“The Great One provides.”

“How do we find the new words to end Aggie?” Theo stepped toward Sadie, arm outstretched for her to take.

Abby smiled and leaned forward, mouth to Sadie’s ear. He heard whispers, yet couldn’t make out the words. After several seconds, Sadie turned and clasped his hand. Her face beamed. Eyes flickered. A sense of peace washed over him. What had Abby said to Sadie?

“See you again soon, my child.” Abby raised her hand in a slight wave. “
Valete
.”

In the next breath, Theo and Sadie stood, hands clasped, before Justin, Dasha, and Halena. They fell into motion, Dasha stumbling to her knees.

“
Merde,
” Halena yelled, arms flailing to stay upright. She turned a circle, dagger up and at the ready.

“Theo?” Justin asked.

“We’re okay.” He turned Sadie to face him. “Right?”

She nodded.

“Your wings,” Dasha said. “Where’d they go?”

“What the hell is going on?” Halena yelled.

Sadie rested her hands on Theo’s chest and pushed to her tiptoes. Less than an inch separated their lips before she whispered, “I think it’s time we got married.”

Chapter Fifty

“Are you sure, Sadie? I mean, really, really sure?” Dasha brushed the dangling strands of hair from Sadie’s face. “This is huge.”

“I’m sure.”

Sadie watched her reflection, her cheeks flushed bright with anticipation. Marriage. Sex. Love. Demons. Wings. All these thoughts flurried through her mind.

“Tell me more about what happened in that little time bubble of yours.” Dasha dabbed some blush on Sadie’s cheekbones. “I could see, but couldn’t hear anything, or move for that matter.”

“I met my parents.” She shook her head. “Well, they’re kind of my mom and dad.”

“You mentioned them giving part of their angelic essence…what exactly does that mean?”

“I’m not entirely sure, other than part of their spirit. So, I’m part of both of them, yet a little human, too.”

“Two angels made you; wouldn’t that make you fully angel?”

“That’s not how The Great One wanted it. He’s part of this, too. The glue.” The words came from her mouth as if she knew, yet she didn’t really. She only felt it as true.

“I’m so going to need eons of therapy after all this. For realz.” Dasha stepped back. “So, did they know anything about where this Aggie jerk is hiding?”

“No.”

“Halena said her contact found him snooping around some tombs somewhere crazy for an artifact or something.”

“Hey. No more talk about Aggie and demon stuff. It’s my wedding day—er—night.”

“So, what are you wearing to your wedding,
missy?
”

A wave of anxiety swarmed her stomach, but as quickly as it came, it left. “White, of course.”

“Figured. You nun…” Dasha went into the closet, but Sadie stepped into the bedroom and glanced out the window. Streaks of purple spread out over the horizon like fingers clinging to the last of the daytime light.

“
Claudo
,” she whispered. With a small jolt of energy striking down her back, her wings shot out. Only a few shifts and pops that time.

“Holy shit,” Dasha said from behind her.

She whirled around, and her wing caught the edge of a vase on the wall table. It toppled to the side, but she lunged, palming it before it met the carpet. “
Abeo
.” The wings slid into her body, and it might have been the distraction of the vase almost toppling over, but she barely even felt them folding into her back.

“Okay, that’s just freaking crazy,” Dasha screeched.

“Sadie?” Theo called out from behind the closed door.

“It’s okay. Practicing my wings and knocked over a vase. I’m okay.”

“He’s going to be the protective-type hubby.”

“Oh yeah.” But that was okay by Sadie. She’d been on her own for eighteen years. It felt nice to have someone at the ready to take care of her. To be her strength when it waned.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to freak. Still getting used to those things popping out randomly.” Dasha smiled.

“Tell me about it,” Sadie said with a laugh.

“Getting easier?”

She nodded. “What’d you pick out for me?”

“When that guy of yours got your stuff, he did good. I’m just sayin’.” She held up a long white tank dress.

It looked as if it would hug her body until it met her hips, then flare out slightly. At least she didn’t have to work around the wings.

“Did your folks mention what you’d become when you did the deed?”

“No. I only know what Theo has told me.”

“You ready for fangs?”

“Maybe I won’t get them since I’m not the typical Mate. You know?”

“Nothing would surprise me now. Or ever again, thank you very much.” She grinned. “There’s another skirt and shirt that’s kinda cream and white, but I think this one is best. You have a rock-solid bod, and this’ll look good on it.”

“This one for sure.” Sadie held it against her body.

“So, where’s the honeymoon?”

Sadie laughed and pointed to the bed. “I’m assuming here.”

“Hey, can’t he breach time? I’m thinking Cayman Islands or something. Bahamas? No, wait,
France
.”

Sadie headed into the bathroom. “You don’t like Halena much, do you?”

“No. I don’t know. She’s all tough and
do this
and
do that
.”

Sadie kept the door cracked open. “I know. But she’s really proven herself. The way she scrapped with all those demons at Richard and Nicole’s. She saved my ass a few times.”

“Begrudgingly.”

True, yet Halena had taken a dagger for Sadie. Even if Halena didn’t like her, the French beauty took her responsibility of protecting Theo’s Mate seriously.

“Oh, and by the way, Theo can’t breach time at will. There has to be a demon coming through a gate or splice or something.”