Origin of Angels: Elemental Legacy Book 1, page 27
The backs of my legs hit the barrier, and I didn’t hesitate. I leapt to the ground. Since we were on the third floor, it stung, but I ran the moment I could steady myself. She materialized in front of me halfway across the yard. Damn woman and her power. My football training kicked in, and I spun out of her reach, eyeing the tree line, once more. When she appeared before me again, I attacked.
Fire erupted from my palm and encased her in seconds. A shrill yelp was her response. Then, the fire dis-appeared and surrounded me. My skin seared, and the tips of my hair singed before I could extinguish it. It was in this moment I realized she had the same power as Zach. For an instant, I froze. He’d taken my air and nearly my life. Nicco told me I was immortal, but the proof would come a little too late if he got it wrong.
The standoff lasted moments — me waiting for her, while her face lit up with an arrogant glow. I slowed my breath and focused on her face. I had no idea what I was capable of, but neither did she. All I had to do was get her off my back long enough to lose her. In fact, if I could use her power against her like she did me, I might be able to incapacitate her long enough to get away.
I might not have wings, but I did have my father’s blood. The man had drifted with me to some expanse of space. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t considered my ability with space. When Zach attacked, I’d been new to my power. The way Nicco told it, I had unlimited ability which was only as small as my imagination. What if I could use something other than the elements to fight her? What if I had something else inside which could overpower her?
She came at me in the blink of an eye. I let her get close, wanting her to think she’d won again. Her fingers clamped around my arm, and I smiled. A blue glow shone around us in the cool night air, illuminating the lawn and the tips of the pine trees near us. This time, I wrapped my arms around her.
She frowned. “What are you doing?”
I stared at her lips, hoping she’d bite. She wriggled, testing my hold. I cocked my head. “Don’t tell me the cat doesn’t like being trapped.”
Her laugh was shaky. “I have nothing to fear from you.” It was easy to picture the ledge on the edge of space. I closed my eyes, pulling her tighter. She tried to yank away. It was no use. We were already drifting. “Travis, no!”
Her words blurred with our fading forms. The moment we touched the rock, I released her. The void stretched ahead, pulling her gaze. Pure terror sunk her cheeks. It was hard to breathe, but I managed better than her. “Don’t think you can control me, Ainessa. I’m not your lapdog, and I’m sick of you. This has been the worst date ever. You can find your own way home.”
Her mouth fell open as I vanished.
Rayla
I THOUGHT I’D SEEN EVIL, BUT I’d never witnessed a scene so vile. Lisa Childers had been mutilated, and the image wouldn’t leave me. Her body was covered in symbols cut into her skin. Jessica wanted to explain the situation while we looked at the poor girl, but I couldn’t take it. I ran.
Heath followed right behind me, his thoughts mingling with mine. He tried to comfort me, but my heart ached for Lisa. Why couldn’t we have been there before she was killed? I didn’t know her, but I didn’t have to. She was not much younger than me. In fact, her bright blonde hair reminded me of Mom. Then, I thought about Jenny and Sarah. I lost it again.
“We’ll stop these people,” Heath said, as if he knew who the murderer was already. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know. The deeper into fae existence I traveled, the worse things became. When I went away to college, I thought it was the biggest decision of my life, but I had no idea what lay ahead. What was to say I wouldn’t be thinking this again in a few months? I pulled him into a dark corner. “I’m not fit to lead anyone. I can’t handle this stuff.”
His fingers traced my cheek, and he embraced me in his warmth. His hand brushed against my hair as he pushed me against his shoulder. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re not alone. No one expects you to have all the answers. You’ve already done more for my people than we ever thought possible.”
Tears of doubt and uncertainty flowed over my cheeks. “I don’t know what to do.”
Jessica touched my arm. “I’m sorry, Rayla, but I thought you should know what we are facing. We need a united front, and you’re the Nexus.”
How many times would I be told what I was supposed to be? I used the back of my sleeve to wipe under my eyes, but what I really needed was a tissue. Zach caught my attention, and I watched as Uri led him and the others up the stairs. I wasn’t too interested in rehashing what Jessica had to tell me, so I motioned to the group. Natalie and Lacey seemed to want to remain with the Elementals in the main room, but I didn’t want to miss anything. “It looks like they’re leaving without us.”
I moved to follow, but Jessica caught my wrist. “Wait. There’s something else I need to speak with you about.”
She looked at Heath, but he stayed put. She stared at the parquet floor and took a deep breath. We weren’t far enough away from the morgue to get a fresh breath, so I wondered at her ability. It took her too long, so I said, “Spit it out.”
She frowned. “You don’t have to be unpleasant.” The last thing I wanted was to get into one of our squabbles, so I nodded and waited as patiently as I could manage. “There have been rumors about an uprising within the Order. Some think the current events aren’t Lambert’s doing at all.”
I frowned. “Who then?”
She shook her head. “That’s the thing. No one can pinpoint his rival. Normally, when a change in leadership happens, it’s because there’s been a death. Sometimes they are a little premature, but he hasn’t had any op-position.”
“Is it some kind of mutiny?”
Heath jumped in. “It isn’t about the human leader of the Order at all. Their agenda is decided by a council. If Lambert needed a successor, they would make sure one came forward.”
There were so many things I didn’t understand. What I needed was a crash course in Order history. At every turn, I was reminded of my incompetence.
Heath stiffened behind me. “We need to join the others.”
I hadn’t been paying attention to the thoughts of the lords, but once I connected, I agreed. To Jessica, I said, “We’ll have to discuss this later.”
We rushed upstairs and made it in time to hear William declare he and Uri were watchers, whatever that meant.
Luke nearly came out of his skin, but it was Zach I watched. His complexion paled at the mention. Whoever these people were, Zach did not trust them — despite Uri’s insistence they were meant to fight evil. I had no idea what to think, so I looked to Heath, who sat beside me. He pulled his ankle onto a knee. As he listened, his foot shook so hard it jostled the table. When I touched him, flashes of his memories streamed into my mind. A cold, dark place filled with screams. A gigantic man with hands the size of watermelons. Long chains anchoring the man to a wall. Eyes so filled with hate, it burned my mind.
Like that, they were gone. I looked to my husband, but he kept his focus on Uri. “If you are a watcher, what is your true name?”
The man gave a wry look. “I should think it would be obvious.”
“Uriel,” said Zach and Luke in unison.
He bowed. “At your service.”
Emily
I EXPECTED VALEN TO ARGUE. HE left the room without another word. It wasn’t over. I wasn’t stupid enough to believe he’d let me go. Part of me wondered what kind of manipulation he was pulling, but mostly, terror shook my bones. I didn’t know what came over me. He needed to know he would never rule me, yet how would my decision change the course of Blade’s life? I no longer cared about what happened to me. If Valen shipped me off to Lambert, I would likely become one of the Elementals who disappeared and was never spoken of again.
Valen may have washed his hands of me, but I still had to worry about my son. I raced to the closet and pulled the nearest shirt over my head. Pants came next. I had no idea if they matched in this light, but it hardly seemed important. I took the time for socks and sneakers, because who knew what this day would bring? After I combed a brush through my hair, I made my way to Blade’s room. My heart pounded as I pushed open his door. The fae woman wasn’t in her usual spot. My swallow sounded like a pistol blast against the quiet of the moment.
The squeak of my shoes treading on the stone preceded a sharp intake of breath. Blade’s pudgy arm lifted as he turned away. I rushed to the crib and lowered the rail. He protested when I lifted him off the mattress, but he soon settled against my shoulder. Sighing, I pressed him to me tighter. Not knowing what else to do, I took him to the lawn. I’d never tried to wander past the perimeter, but I was tempted today. The morning was crisp, as if hinting of winter. When I’d speculated we were somewhere tropical, I had no idea what season it was. Time had lost all meaning. I chose a spot in the sun since I didn’t want Blade to catch cold.
I lowered to the grass, ignoring the cool dew seeping into my bright blue jeans. I lifted my arm to shift Blade and noticed the red and gray of my plaid shirt. I gave an inner shrug. It could have been worse. Finally, my son peeked at me. I smiled, ruffling his dark hair. It was strange how fast it had turned from peach fuzz to a thick mane. He laughed, blinking away the sleep. He was so beautiful I could hardly believe he was mine.
Sadness seeped to my core. If he came to harm because of my decisions, I’d never forgive myself. Maybe I should go find Valen and beg him to give me another chance. As much as I wanted to protect Blade, staying with Valen wouldn’t do it. With any luck, if I were out of his ever-watchful sight, perhaps he’d forget about me and my son. It wasn’t likely, but we didn’t have many other options. Lambert may be mad, but he at least had human emotions. The same couldn’t be said for Valen. He hadn’t expressed the rage outwardly, yet it pressed on me still. At some point, the man would blow. I wasn’t sure when, but I didn’t want to be around when it happened.
I touched Blade’s cheek and gave a slight smile. When the tears came, he lifted his little fingers to my face. “Mommy sad,” he said. I nodded, attempting to keep myself from a full breakdown.
A soft glow close to my nose made me jump. Blade laughed as he waved his lit up digits. His expression turned as serious as a two-year-old was capable. Then, he touched me. A jolt of joy sped up my heart. I stared in wonder and clasped his hand to study it. I gave him a smile — real this time — and kissed his fingertips one by one.
“What is happening here?”
I jumped, startled out of my skin. Quickly, I angled Blade away from Valen. Whatever magic Blade conjured had disappeared. “We’re playing,” I said. “Would you care to join us?”
Dark shoes came into my line of sight. I found Valen’s cold gaze, but he wasn’t staring at me. The interest in his eyes prompted me to hold my son tighter. “There is no point in lying to me, Emily. I saw him.”
Damn. My mind scrambled for a plausible explanation which would allow me to keep Valen away from Blade. If the fae were involved, the innocent wouldn’t remain so long. “He ...” No matter how hard I grasped for the right answer, it didn’t come. I hardened my stare. “Leave us be.”
Valen lowered to the grass and stretched his long legs until he lay beside us. His slender fingers picked at the grass until he had one plucked from the rest. His voice was soft. “What made you choose the name you did for your son?”
My reply was immediate. “I wanted him to feel strong.”
With a sharp nod, he looked at me. “It appears you chose well.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
His gaze swept the lawn, then traveled back to me. He held the blade of grass toward me and nodded. I took it, because there was no point in refusing. “How many do you think fill this yard?”
“Millions ... maybe billions.”
His hand covered mine, and he smiled. “And it all started with one.” His fingers brushed lovingly against my cheek. “Stay here. I have a surprise for you.”
27
Zach
I WAS IN THE PRESENCE OF the greatest archangel who ever lived. I couldn’t keep myself from staring at Uriel. For a moment, the façade he wore slipped, and I witnessed glory. A pang of regret filled me until I knew what it was to be damned. I glanced at Rayla, then to Faine. Did they know who stood before them?
Luke slumped. “We’re screwed.”
William laughed. Even Uriel gave a twitch of the lips. He sat, and so did his companion. I wasn’t sure if the gesture was to put us at ease, but the tension lessened. “Not so, young lord,” said Uriel. “We have need of each other.”
“What do you mean?” asked Rayla, her gray eyes sharp.
“Together, we can overcome the dark court. If we focus our efforts separately, we are likely to fail.”
“What do you know of our enemy?” asked Faine. She’d remained silent for so long I’d nearly forgotten she sat beside me.
“Ah, the Elemental.” He tilted his head, studying her. “What do you think of your handiwork now?”
I took her hand. “You are as much to blame as she.”
He shook his head. “‘Twas not I. My brother judged her and made the agreement.”
Rayla snorted. “Who the hell cares?”
I gave a secretive smile. Not long ago, she was ready to send Faine to the depths of the deepest pit for creating the Elemental race.
Uriel’s lips pursed as if in thought. “I do, young woman, and you should, too. Much of the present is related to the events of the past. If we are not careful, something far more detrimental could occur.”
Faine stiffened. Her vision pulsed into my mind. The world lay in devastation. Both humans and Elementals fought against an evil I had never imagined. Giants once again roamed the Earth. The battle raged for centuries until only a small band of humans remained. Elementals hadn’t fared much better, and fae power faded with every killing. The Giants thrived. The face of an old man I’d seen millennia before surged to my memory, overriding Faine’s thoughts. He’d told me of the end of days. What were his words? If Ainessa hadn’t scrambled my journals, they would be easy to recall. The last of the vision ended with the world dying in a blaze, having been cleansed by fire. And my people were left without a home.
It all happened in a flash. When I looked to Uriel, he gave a quick nod. How could current events lead to such destruction? Rayla had gone pale. She stared at Cassie, who held tightly to her mother’s hand. Horror dis-played on both women’s faces. Had they seen the same thing?
My bondmate spoke without preamble. “We must rescue the girl. She is the key.”
Cassie and Amy nodded. Luke said, “Jett and Taylor have gone to collect Travis. He won’t likely leave without the woman he loves.”
A pang of regret sliced through my heart. My sister had brought pain to our house, once again. If there were ever a time to deal with her, it was now. I stood. “We will fight.”
Faine grabbed my hand, keeping me here. “You mustn’t go to Faeresia.” We needed reinforcements. The majority of our army remained behind. She shook her head. “Ill winds follow you.”
Why couldn’t she speak English? “Valen will have his men at the ready, Faine.”
“His goals are loftier than the girl.”
I twisted my hand until I had hold of hers. “What does he seek?”
“That which he has always wanted: Power.”
Uriel stepped to the map of the UK. “Evil is at work in this land. Someone is seeking to restore the old religion, and I believe the one you call Valen has allowed it.”
Luke grew restless until he pounded his fists on the table. “We will not be judged by the man’s choices.”
William’s brows lifted. “It is not up to you to determine your fate, Luthais.”
Luke turned a hateful gaze to the man. “Who then, if not us?”
Clearing his throat, Uriel gave a warning glance to William. “We will discuss trivial matters later. For now, we must devise a plan.”
Travis burst into the room. His frantic eyes searched until they found me. “We have to get her out of there.”
I swallowed, wondering how he’d escaped Valen and Ainessa. “Where is my sister?”
His mind offered the view of space. “I dropped her off where she can’t hurt anyone.”
Uriel stared at Travis. “You dropped her off?”
Travis grunted. “I don’t know who you are, but we don’t have time. Valen has Emily and Blade, and if we wait, I could lose them. I’ll go by myself if I have to, but I hoped you’d help.”
He’d shown no ability to wield spirit, yet he’d taken Ainessa to the outer realms. Was the boy truly nephilim? He showed no signs of the evil race. His power surged stronger than I’d ever seen in him. Rayla stood and went to her brother’s side. “Where are they?”
Heath followed, smiling in the way only an Ignisian could manage. Finn held a similar bloodlust. Cassie and her mother rose, too. Only Uriel remained seated in the end. “More is afoot than you understand. We need to strategize.”
Travis sneered, his gaze surveying the room in seconds. “I’m not hanging around for you to stick more pins in those ridiculous maps. We’re talking about the woman I love and my son. Either come with us, or shut your hole.”
Travis
ZACH STARED AT ME AS IF I’d insulted the queen. If Rayla wouldn’t lambast me, I might if it would get things going. “How did you find us?” Zach asked.
I shook my head. “No idea. I was thinking about you, and then I was here. We can talk about it later. Who’s with me?”
Everyone but Amy Lambert agreed. I couldn’t blame her for not wanting to risk seeing her husband again. He’d been a bastard to me, but he’d done unthinkable things to her. It wasn’t as if she’d really be helping. She didn’t have any power to help me free Emily and Blade.
