Hidden Wings (23 page)

“The last?” I blurted.

“Yes, Emma. They’ve hunted and killed every other Nephilim, and now…we are all that’s left. That’s probably why Lucian is here. He wants to make sure that the last Nephilim is dead,” she sighed. “I tried to send help to the last few, but when the help arrived, it was already too late. That’s why I needed to get you back here with me, as quickly as possible. I’m so sorry you were dragged into all of this.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said.

So that was it. We were the last. Every other Nephilim…slaughtered because of revenge. It made me sick. How did one have the power to put a death sentence on others who weren’t even given a choice? They were born Nephilim, they didn’t choose it. And then I remembered something my mother told me about. The Holocaust. Thousands of innocents were gathered and slaughtered. They weren’t given a choice or a voice. All because one evil man
thought
they were inferior. The thought made me sick, because now, I was experiencing it.

I hoped that I would survive this night, and live to see eighteen. Then hopefully, if the prophecy was right, I’d help to make a difference.

“I don’t want Emma to come with us, any further. It’s too risky, especially if Lucian finds out who or what she really is.”

No way! I was NOT going to be separated from them again. Kade’s touch was already making me stronger. The shivering was already down to where I could manage it, and even though I was weak, I could dig deep and pull myself through.

“You’re not leaving me here. I’m going with you, whether you like it or not,” I said, turning to Alaine.

“Chip off the old block. Huh, Alaine?” Dominic laughed, nudging her arm. She turned and shot him an evil eye, shaking her head.

“And one more thing,” I blurted.

“And what’s that?” she sighed.

“I stay with Kade for the rest of this mission.”

Her eyes were weary, and although I knew she disapproved, she consented.

“Fine, but I’m only allowing it because you’re still too weak,” she said in a motherly tone.

Perfect. I needed Kade’s touch to keep me alive. It was his touch alone, which kept me from dying, and there was no one else who could offer me that. I knew Alaine knew it, too. I could see it in her eyes. She saw in us, what she had with my father, and it scared her.

“I’ll carry you as long as you need to,” Kade said, loud enough so the rest could hear.

“Oh. So now you’re all copasetic?” Dominic snickered. Kade turned to him and gave him a nod and a wink.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled, knowing that I was getting stronger with every second we were together. His life force was healing mine.

Chapter 15:

We started into the darkened tunnel; the very one I ran out of not too long ago, as I was being chased by the Darkling. Malachi stripped a torch from the wall, while yielding a sword in the other. The rest also had their weapons ready, except Kade, who had me. I laid my head on his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart. Warmth radiated from him like a heating pad.

“I know they’re here,” Alaine whispered, “I can feel them. We need to be extra careful, and be prepared for an attack.”

“I can walk,” I whispered to Kade.

He shook his head. “I’ll put you down when I have to. Until then…rest up.”

I didn’t argue. I wanted to stay wrapped in his strong arms as long as possible.

Alexander grabbed Kade’s shoulders and peered over at me.

“Don’t worry guys. I’ve got your back,” he said with a wink.

“Thanks man,” Kade said with a grin.

“Yeah, thanks Alex,” I said with a wide smile.

“And I’ve got
his
back,” Dominic added, smacking Alex’s shoulders really hard.

“Whatever dude. Get your own back,” Alex smirked, shrugging Dominic’s hands off.

I smiled and closed my eyes, tightening my arms around Kade’s neck, and pressed in as close as I could. As I did, I could hear his heart beat a little faster, and it made me smile.

The faint stench of the Darkling hung in the stale air as we moved quietly through the tunnel. We passed several empty rooms and stopped every once in a while to listen.

Every second I was with Kade, the stronger and stronger I became. Maybe it did have something to do with my
special
gift to heal quickly, which I was still having a hard time wrapping my head around. But, there was definitely a connection that we both had. I know that if it wasn’t for his touch, I’d be suffering or dead from hypothermia.

I thought about Jeremy and Lia, and wondered what they’d think if I told them about my new life. I knew they wouldn’t believe me, and Jeremy would probably give me some long lecture on lying.

“What’s so funny?” Kade asked. I didn’t realize I’d laughed out loud.

“Oh, sorry. I was thinking about my friends, and how they’d never believe all of this.”

“The ones I met at the hospital?”

“Yes, Lia and Jeremy. I forgot that you’d met them.”

“They seemed really nice. I could tell they care a lot for you.”

“Yes. They do. They’re just as bad as my parents.”

My parents. Mentioning them was like pouring a gallon of salt on an opened wound.

“I’m so sorry about your parents,” Kade whispered, probably noticing my change of emotion.

“Thank you.”

“Hey! Do you guys smell that?” Malachi stopped, sniffing the air. In a few seconds, it hit. A nostril burning stench. Darkling. They had to be close.

There was a small hollowed out cavern about ten yards back, so we backtracked and piled in. Malachi put out his torch, and we waited in the dark.

“How many do you think there are?” Dominic whispered.

“I don’t know but we’ll find out soon,” Malachi answered. “You guys ready?”

“Are you kidding… we were born ready. Bring it!” Dominic answered, in a loud whisper.

“Hey Dom, I bet I get more kills than you.” Alexander threw out another challenge.

“Whatever little man. You’re on,” Dominic replied.

“Pffffft… Well, whatever you have in brawn, you lack in brains,” was Alexander’s come back.

“Would you two shut-up,” Alaine scolded. “They’ll come in here and kill all of us, while you two are yapping away.”

“Alaine…shhhhhhhh. You’re making more noise than both of us,” Dominic whispered loudly.

Alaine huffed loudly and they all laughed quietly.

Were Angels really this immature, or was it just our Angels?

Wicked cackles echoed down the corridor. They were coming.

Alexander pointed to himself and made a motion that he was going. Dominic gave him the “cut throat” sign and pointed to himself. While they were playing their little game of charades, Malachi and Alaine slipped out. Within seconds they were back.

“Now, that’s how you take care of business. Fast and furious,” Malachi teased.

“Wha—?” Dominic squeaked.

“Move,” Alaine scolded.

As we made it down the hall we dodged the carnage left by Malachi and Alaine. Three heads, three bodies. Which head belonged to which? No one would ever know.

I should have been freaking out, running around, losing my mind, but I’d already seen too much of it. I was either becoming numb, or slowly becoming used to and molding into my new life. These were creatures that tried to kill me, and I was glad it was their heads on the ground, instead of mine.

What was I thinking? This whole damn thing was a nightmare!!! My life
had become
one huge living nightmare.

Welcome to your new life, Emma. Instead of good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite… it was… make sure your doors and windows are bolted shut, and check your closet and under your bed before you go to sleep, or the Darkling and Fallen Angels will come out and kill you!

Oh God! I was even talking to myself in my own mind! That was a sure sign I was definitely - LOSING IT! But, since I was on a roll, I figured to give myself a pep talk.

No pansying out. Fight till the death, and definitely…no crying. If I should get caught and tortured… then everything I just said goes out the door.

Alright…I was fine with that.

My heart started to beat wildly because it knew we were headed into the lion’s den. I knew that if I ran into Danyel again, he’d definitely NOT be happy to see me back…him
and
my nameless rescuer. If we were all captured or killed, then everything they did would have been in vain. That would suck. Completely.

“You can let me down now,” I whispered to Kade. As much as I wanted to stay in his arms, I knew we’d have a better chance if he could fight.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you,” he whispered back.

“I know. But I’m fine now. Much stronger, thanks to you. I think that you can protect me a lot easier if I was out of your hands.” He hesitated, his lips turned up into a smile, and then he carefully set me down.

My legs were still weak, but strong enough to run or kick something if I had to. And then…something was running at us. Malachi pushed Alaine backward and swung. Who or whatever it was stopped and caught Malachi’s hand in mid-flight.

“Swing happy?” he asked.

“James, where the hell have you been?” Malachi blurted.

“Undercover,” James replied. “I know where they have Caleb. He’s fine, but terrified. And…” he paused and faced Alaine.

“And what?” she asked.

“Alaine, I think you’d better brace yourself for what I’m about to tell you,” he said, with a furrowed brow, and a deep look of concern in his eyes.

“What?” she asked completely baffled.

James paused and looked at the others.

“James, just tell me!” Alaine demanded. “What is it?”

“It’s Samuel. He’s alive and… and he’s here.”

She froze. She stood there as if dissecting his words, speechless for a few moments.

“Alaine?” James asked, waiting for a response.

She began to shake her head in disbelief, and her eyes began to pool with tears. “No, no, no. It can’t be, Samuel. You’re wrong,” she stammered. “It must have been someone else.”

James grabbed her by the shoulders and steadied her. “Alaine, it
was
Samuel. I’m certain of it. I saw him with my own eyes. I didn’t believe it at first, but one of them even said his name. Lucian has captured him and Danyel. They’re pretty messed up, and I have a feeling that they’re going to kill them soon.”

“How? How could this happen? I don’t understand?” Alaine’s face went pale. She grabbed hold of James, and then fell to her knees, sobbing.

I stood there, confused, watching Alaine crumble to pieces. Kade stepped next to me and grabbed a hold of my hand. I looked at him, helpless. What was I supposed to do? How could I console her?

“Where are they?” Malachi asked James.

“About two-hundred yards down, in a large cavern off a small tunnel to the left. There are three Fallen and eight Darkling. They’re alive, but barely. The Darkling are torturing them while the Fallen watch.”

James looked to be the oldest of the bunch, maybe mid-to-late-twenties, with clean-cut, dirty blonde hair. He was around six-foot, but muscular like Kade and Alexander, not massive like Dominic or Malachi. His face was handsome and flawless like the others, but he had sharper, more mature features.

“James. Are you certain? Are you one-hundred percent positive it was Samuel?” Alaine questioned again.

“I’m positive, Alaine,” he said looking directly into her eyes.

“What do we do?” Alaine gasped and grasped her heart. This was the first time I’d seen her lose her composure. Her eyes had a blank, lost look in them. She’d led them with confidence up until now, and ever since the mention of this Samuel guy, she melted into a worthless mess. I stepped up and grabbed a hold of her arm.

“Who’s Samuel?”

She turned and looked at me. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Emma. Samuel is your father.”

I froze. My brain tried hard to process her words.

“I thought you said my father was dead?”

“I thought he was. They told me he was killed by the Fallen,” She stared blankly through me, shaking her head.

She looked so weak and hopeless, so I hugged her. She wrapped her arms tightly around me and pulled me close. “I thought he was dead. They told me he was dead,” she repeated.

James and Malachi each laid a hand on her. Kade and the others just stood back, and watched quietly.

“If they’re killing them, then shouldn’t we be doing something?” I urged, pulling back from her. “They need our help!”

“Three Fallen? And Lucian is one of them?” Malachi questioned James.

“Yes.”

“Holy crap,” Dominic barked. The rest mumbled discouragement and expletives under their breath.

Our strong unit was crumbling. This couldn’t be happening.

“We need to go,” I urged Alaine. I needed to do something to shake her out of her funk. And then it hit me…

“Mom!” I said, shaking her. “Mom!”

Her eyes snapped up at me, at first with a look of shock, and then with a tiny glimmer of hope. A smile then formed on her lips. Thank God. That magical word actually snapped her out of her despair.

Everyone stared with mouths gaping open. “We need a plan,” I said, pronouncing each word slowly.

Alaine wiped her face, closed her eyes, and took in a long deep breath.

“Yes,” she said, placing her palm on my cheek. “I’m sorry. My behavior was inappropriate and unprofessional. It-It’s just been so long. It’s like he’s back from the dead.”

“Well he won’t be if we don’t rescue him,” I urged, pulling her up to her feet.

“Emma’s right. We have to do something or they’ll die,” James added.

“Lucien must know that we are here, and he’ll be ready,” she said.

“Why is everyone afraid of Lucian?” I questioned.

“Lucian is one of the oldest of the Fallen. He’s been around since the beginning. Since the
fall
. He was Lucifer’s right hand man and commander of his army; that is…until they had their own falling away. Lucian is one of the strongest, most cunning Angels alive, and it was he who issued the decree to kill
all
Nephilim.”

“Which is why we need to get Alaine and Emma out of here,” Malachi urged.