Cataclysm (Alternate Earth Series, Book One) (24 page)

“You be careful,” Gabe tells JoJo as he tugs the front of her coat together. “Stay close to Malcolm in case something unexpected happens, and he needs to get you out fast.”

“Do not worry about me so, mi amour,” JoJo says, cupping Gabe’s face in her hands and kissing him on the lips. “I will not be harmed.”

“You have my word that nothing will happen to her,” Malcolm promises Gabe.

“Then I won’t worry,” Gabe tells Malcolm. “You’ve always kept your word to me.”

Malcolm nods once, acknowledging Gabe’s faith in him.

“Is everyone ready?” Brand asks.

“Where exactly will we be phasing?” Mason questions.

“From what I could see through the phase trail,” Ava says, “they should be inside the temple itself.”

“The temple was damaged during the earthquake when the first seal was opened,” Brand tells us. “The last time I was there, I noticed that only portions of the walls are still standing, but just barely, and it no longer has a roof.”

“Will the place be guarded?” Mason asks.

“I don’t think so,” Ava answers. “They don’t like to have very many people around during their meetings.”

“God told us that since the seals are being forced open,” I say, “that they might work differently. Maybe they’re not quite sure what will happen to people who are too close.”

“From what I know,” Ava continues, “only the princes, Will, Ravan, and their inner circle of Watchers are allowed to be at their meetings.”

“I think we need to do a quick survey of the situation first,” Brand says, “just to make sure we know what we’re up against. Baruch and I will go scout out the location. It won’t take us long.”

Brand is true to his word and returns only a couple of minutes later.

“They’re all standing in a circle on the rock face, inside the temple,” Brand tells us.

Baruch phases back.

“Did you see anything around the perimeter that we need to be concerned about?” Brand asks him.

“No. It was eerily vacant,” Baruch reports. “Even the dig site is empty of people.”

“Good. Then we’ll phase near the outer perimeter of the temple,” Brand says. “Nina and Isaiah, phase everyone behind the east wall. I’ll take Malcolm and JoJo to the west wall so they can position themselves behind Gabriel, using their invisibility. I’ll give them a little while to get into place before I phase over to the rest of you. We’ll all walk into the temple together to draw their attention to us. JoJo, when you see us walk in, stab Gabriel with the dagger. Malcolm, you need to phase her to the safe house immediately afterwards. As we discussed before, Desmond will be waiting there for you, and he’ll make sure JoJo is returned here safely.”

“And then we play hot potato?” Isaiah asks.

“Yes,” Brand confirms. “We do what we planned earlier. We’ll use the people Sophia already has set into place and pass Gabriel around while making false phase trails to hide his true location. Just be careful. Whoever comes after him won’t be in a good mood if they happen to catch up to you. And I think we all owe JoJo a debt of gratitude for ensuring we don’t have to worry about being turned to ash by any of the princes.”

“You are most welcome,” JoJo says cheerily. “I am just glad to be helpful.”

“That’s as far as we can plan, I’m afraid,” Brand says. “I’m not sure what their reaction will be after we take Gabriel. Just be prepared to do whatever needs to be done.”

“As long as we capture Gabriel,” I say, “nothing else really matters.”

“Agreed. Is everyone ready?” Brand asks, walking over to stand between JoJo and Malcolm.

“Let’s get this done,” I say for the group.

Nina and Isaiah phase us all to the outside of the east wall of the temple. I soon learn for myself that Brand wasn’t exaggerating about the dilapidated state of the structure. The wall we’re concealed behind has so many cracks in it, that I’m surprised it’s still able to stay upright.

I can faintly hear Lucian speaking inside in what’s left of the temple, but I can’t make out his words.

After about thirty seconds, Brand phases in to join us. I take a deep breath as we all walk around the wall together to confront our enemies in this war. Everyone who is facing in our direction scowls at us. Those who have their backs to us turn around so they can face us as well.

Just as expected, we find the seven princes of Hell, Ravan Draeke, Will, and three other Watchers present. Naturally, I recognize this world’s Jered. The black man is most likely Micah, Ava’s husband, but the last man isn’t someone I recognize from this reality or ours. His face is hawkish, with a slim nose and predatory eyes. His black hair is slicked back neatly, and he’s wearing a finely tailored blue suit with a pale yellow vest and long red tie. He has to be Robert.

I catch a flash of silver as JoJo plunges the dagger into Gabriel’s back. Before Gabriel falls to the ground, Baruch and Isaiah phase over, grab him, and quickly phase away. Malcolm immediately phases JoJo to the safe house.

“Asmodeus and Amon, follow them!” Lucian orders. “Get Gabriel back!”

Asmodeus and Amon automatically do as Lucian orders. The rest of them keep their eyes on us.

Malcolm phases back in, not too far away from where Gabriel was standing on the rock face.

“Well, this is certainly disappointing,” Malcolm says, walking around the outer perimeter of the rock to join us on our side. “I thought there might be a bit more fanfare at the opening of a seal; at the very least some food and wine. I can’t believe all I’m seeing is a gathering of buffoons standing together on top of a rather ugly- looking rock. It almost makes me wish our Lucifer was in charge of this apocalypse. I’m sure he would at least make it more of a spectacle.”

“Your Lucifer is a bit…tied up…at the moment,” Lucian says snidely, his eyes narrowed in on Malcolm.

“What have you done to Gabriel?” Ravan demands, every bit the worried fiancée. If I thought she had a heart, I might actually believe her act.

“He’s safe,” I tell her. “We’re not as bloodthirsty and cruel as the lot of you.” I turn my attention to Lucian. “Unfortunately, you no longer have his seal to open.”

Lucian stares at me for a moment before he starts to laugh uncontrollably. As he continues to cackle in glee, his followers begin to either smile or chuckle also.

I know this can’t mean anything good for us.

“Oh my,” Lucian says, wiping at the tears at the corners of his eyes from laughing so hard. “Of all the princes to choose from, you thought Gabriel was the key to stopping us from opening any more of the seals? That’s…well…that’s just priceless! If I had known you were going to be this amusing, Jessica, I would have sought you out earlier.”

I feel the cold hand of dread squeeze my heart.

“Sought me out?” I ask, fearing we may have just stepped into a trap.

“Micah,” Lucian says, turning his gaze from me to Ava’s husband, “I believe you have your answer now. Why don’t you go take care of that traitorous wife of yours?”

With a grim look of acceptance, Micah nods and phases away.

“And here I was worried about you people from the Origin,” Lucian says, sounding greatly disappointed, while shaking his head. He continues to stare directly at me. “Obviously, you’re not as powerful as your Lucifer was trying to lead us to believe. Or perhaps he was just trying to protect you, Jessica. Are the two of you lovers in your reality? I can’t imagine what else would make him so enamored of you except for maybe the magic you must possess between your legs.”

I pull my sword from its sheath on my back, holding its flaming blade in front of me. Following my lead, my friends do the same with their own weapons.

“Why don’t you come down here and say that again?” I challenge, feeling my temper flare at his crude suggestion.

Lucian stares at my angelic blade warily.

“Did my father truly imbue that sword of yours with the power to kill Archangels?” Lucian asks doubtfully. “I have a feeling that was just another lie spouted by lover-boy. In fact, I’m willing to bet my life on it. Since you’re here, I feel as though I should provide you with some entertainment. I believe Baal has something he wants to show all of you.”

Lucian walks over to Baal and the others follow his lead, forming a protective circle around that particular prince.

“You see, it isn’t Gabriel who has the next seal that needs to be opened. It’s Baal. I wonder, what will happen? It’s always exciting to see if what was prophesied will actually take place. I doubt a pale horse with a rider on it will emerge from some nether realm, but I am curious to see what transpires. Aren’t you, Jessica?”

“We’re not going to let you open that seal,” I say, tightening my grip around the hilt of my sword.

“Oh, this should be fun. It’s been a while since I had a challenging fight,” Lucian says, calling his sword to his hand.

Lucian’s sword is black, with a gold hilt and scrollwork along the blade. I watch as its blue-black flames ignite ominously along its edge. I know his weapon well. I’ve fought against it twice now, and I have intimate knowledge of how cold the blade actually feels when it pierces flesh.

The other three princes of Hell call to their individual weapons as well.

Baal holds a double-bladed staff sword with decorative silver blades on either end of an ebony rod. Belphagor’s weapon almost makes me want to laugh it looks so absurd in his hand. It’s a mace with a silver skull that has gold spikes along its center and sides. It looks ridiculous in its desperate attempt to be menacing. In contrast, Mammon’s weapons look elegant. He’s holding silver-bladed katars in each hand. The short, wide, triangular blades look razor sharp and have golden leaf-shaped handholds.

Robert, Will, and this world’s Jered all phase out and back in with their own swords, ready to fight. I watch as Jered hands Ravan the extra sword he brought back.

“Just in case you need it,” he tells her. “For now, I think you should stand off to the side. We’ll take care of them.”

Ravan does as Jered suggests and walks off the rock, a safe distance away from where the action will take place.

“Too bad I can’t fight you one on one,” this world’s Jered says to ours. “It would make for an interesting match.”

“Yes, it would,” Jered agrees with more grit in his voice than I’m used to hearing. “I wish I could repay your gentle handling of me when I first arrived. I always try to give a proper thank you to my host.”

“You should really leave here while you still have the chance, Brand,” Will says with a cocksure smile. “There’s no telling what might happen.”

“Funny,” Brand replies. “I was just about to suggest the same thing to you, Will. Your body is human, after all.”

“You would think,” Robert says, looking between Brand and Will with an expression similar to that of a disappointed father, “that after all these years the two of you would have worked out your grudges against one another.”

“Betrayal is a hard pill to swallow when it comes in the form of your best friend,” Brand replies.

“I chose a side,” Will tells Brand unapologetically, “just like you did.”

“You chose the wrong side,” Brand says, with great deal of disappointment.

“That’s your opinion,” Will counters.

“Enough squabbling,” Lucian complains. “It’s time for the show to…”

Before Lucian can finish his sentence, Nina phases to the circle of angels meant to protect Baal while he prepares to unleash the fourth seal. She attacks Mammon to draw him away, and gets this reality’s Jered as a second opponent. Our Jered attacks Robert while the inevitable pairing of Brand and Will takes place.

Malcolm groans in disappointment, “Ugh, Belphagor. I was hoping for more of a challenge.”

Malcolm phases in front of Belphagor, and strikes at the prince of Hell with his sword. Belphagor blocks the strike with his idiotic mace, but just barely. I guess I shouldn’t have expected more from the harbinger of sloth.

Lucian stares at Mason and me. “Well, what are the two of you waiting for, an engraved invitation? Don’t you want to defend the honor of your wife, Samyaza? Honestly, how did I get so lucky to be given the chance to kill you twice in my lifetime?”

“Lucifer didn’t kill me in the war in Heaven, and you won’t be killing me on this Earth,” Mason informs Lucian tersely.

“Especially not with me by his side,” I add.

Suddenly, Lucian phases in front of Mason and me.

“We’ll see about that,” he tells us.

Lucian raises his sword, slashing its edge at us. We both block his blade with our swords and work in unison to push him backwards.

“
Jess
,” Michael says to me, turning my head to see the opening Lucian has left to reach Baal, “
go!
”

I hesitate because I don’t want to leave Mason to fight Lucian by himself, but I know I have to take advantage of the opportunity to stop Baal from releasing his seal. I fall back from the fight and allow Mason to use his skill with a sword to keep Lucian distracted. I know he won’t find my husband as easy an opponent as he thinks.

With everyone busy in their respective fights, I’m able to run up onto the rock and head straight for the open space Lucian left. I see Baal with his head bowed and his hand over his heart, like he’s waiting for something. I raise my sword as I run for him, but my way is unexpectedly blocked by Ravan Draeke, the sword Jered brought her pointed straight at me. She grips the hilt it in a way that makes me think she might actually know how to use it.