Pariah (The New Covenant Series) (32 page)

I nodded, comforted by his
kind words and reassurance. We grabbed our bags, exited the barn, and returned down the path, past the house with the boy and into the forest. We didn’t need to climb the mountain. We just skirted the bottom until we were on the other side and headed back through the briary path we’d carved earlier toward Cain’s boat.

Night fell just as we’d made it to
the beach. Cain and I were both exhausted physically and mentally, so we decided to make camp, and we would depart by boat in the morning, traveling close to shore to find somewhere I could stay. I didn’t know how it would work unless I stayed in isolation. Word seemed to travel quickly that I was the chosen—a threat because of those attracted to the idea, of those who would try to yield me as the key, of those who would unleash hell onto the earth. I refused to let that happen.

The fire crackled, sending sparks
into the clear night sky. Stars were scattered across the blackness—tiny dots of light in a sea of darkness. I guess I felt like one of those stars. Then I realized that though they likely felt surrounded by darkness that smothered them, they weren’t completely alone. There were other stars nearby fighting the darkness along with them—bringing beauty into an otherwise dismal world. I was very thankful for my friends, my family. I missed the others so much.

Cain went hunting as we w
ere unable to even grab food on our way out of town. The stares of the outpost residents revealed that they knew not to help us anymore. I was starting to worry. He’d been gone a long time, and it was dark. What if he got lost and couldn’t find his way back?

I
heard footsteps coming toward
me from the forest beyond.
Thank goodness. He’s back.
I looked in the direction of the sound in anticipation. I hoped he caught something to eat. I was shocked when Cain didn’t step out of the darkness.
Riven.
“What are you doing here? How did you find me this time?”

He sat down to my right and smiled. “
Is that any way to greet someone who is trying to help you, Solara?”

“Look, Riven, I told you to leave me alone.” I glared at him.

“Well, today’s your lucky day,” he said, grinning. His eyes flashed a sickening yellow-green color. “I am not Riven.”
Oh no! The dreams!

He grabbed my wrist a
nd jerked me to him. He clamped his arms around mine and started dragging me into the forest. I screamed, kicked, and writhed, fighting him with all of the strength I possessed. Without a word, we shot into the air, enormous pitch-black wings flapped forcefully from Faric’s back.

My stomach fell as we sank do
wn just before each giant beat. Obsidian. Evil. My ring. It was burning my skin. I felt sick. Did he have Cain? Did he have Riven, Lil, and Rachel? Before I could think about anything else, we began to descend rapidly, much too rapidly. I pinched my eyes together, waiting to slam into the ground. One more beat of his wings, and he placed me on the ground.

Rebekah was waiting for me, scowling.
What the heck?
I had been so stupid, thinking they were nice and in love when in fact, they were evil. Possibly still in love but evil nonetheless.

“Welcome back, dear.” She sashayed over to Faric,
and the two collided, mixing tongues and flesh in what should have been a private way. “Bring her inside,” ordered Faric.

“With pleasure, dear.” Rebekah stalked toward me with a
satisfied look on her face. Before I could run, she grabbed me by the hair and dragged me forward, up the steps of a dilapidated wooden cabin, and inside the door. A fire raged in the corner fireplace. Cain was seated in an old chair, upholstery torn and stuffing spilling out. He was bound at the wrists, knees, and ankles and gagged. “No! Cain!” I tried to lunge toward him but forgot that Rebekah still had my hair in her hands. She jerked me backward, and I cried out as my back and hip hit the hard wooden floor. Cain tried to free himself, his eyes wild, but I shook my head, warning him to stop.

“Bind her,” Faric ordered.

“What
are
you? His servant? Lap dog, maybe?” I goaded.

She jerked my face close to h
ers as she leaned down with the rope. “You would be wise to watch your tongue. I may decide to cut it out of your head and eat it.” She licked her lips.
Gross.
She placed the cloth gag in my mouth and had my hands tied before I could blink. She was so fast. I guess evil angels, if they were called that, had super speed or something. Definitely a power I could use right about now. Hint, hint Lord. Before she could bind my knees and feet, a gust of wind blew the front door open, sending it ricocheting into the wall behind it.

In stepped Riven, folding his
white wings back behind him to fit in the door. Behind him came Rafe, Aniya, and Athena—all white winged also. Faric and Rebekah’s dark wings flew out from behind them in response, and they hissed, their eyes glowing that feline green. The wind rushed and swirled through the room.

“Brother,” hissed Faric.

“Brother,” Riven said calmly, “we’ve come for her.”

“She is mine.” Faric ste
pped toward me, placing himself between me and Cain and our saviors. Rebekah followed his lead.
Yep, lap dog.

Rafe winked at me and whispered something to Riven to
which he nodded. Rafe and Riven sprung forward. Riven grabbed his brother, and the fighting commenced. Rafe grabbed Rebekah and backhanded her, sending her flying across the room into the far wall. Her body left a large dent in the wood as she peeled herself off, sliding to the floor and springing back on her feet. Riven and Faric exchanged blows, seemingly anticipating the moves of the other.
Was it an angel thing or a twin thing?

I hadn’t even registered the
fact that Aniya and Athena had made their way over to us. Athena untied my hands and removed my gag while Aniya unbound Cain. “Back door,” said Athena.

We rushed to the back while the f
ighting ensued. I turned to see Riven with his elbow around Faric’s throat, Faric on his knees below him. He winked and nodded for me to go. Rebekah was on Rafe’s back, trying to claw at his eyes. Athena yanked my wrist.

“Let’s go. Now.” I ran outside.

Athena scooped me up, and Aniya carried Cain. We flew through the cool summer night air, the forest below blurred below us. I shut my eyes to keep the dryness out.

We landed at
Ruth and Jacob’s house only a few minutes later. Ruth, Jacob, Lil, Rachel, Matthias, and Annette ran out to meet us. Ruth grabbed me and hugged me. Her belly was hard and round against my flat one. She was crying. Jacob came running and hugged us both. Lil and Rachel crashed into me next, and Matthias slapped my back as I made my way over to Annette. A man stepped out of the shadows behind her. I gasped.

“No. Solara. Don’t worry. That’
s John. He found his way back to me.” My eyes stung from the tears that formed.

“I’m so glad, Annette. I’m so sorry for everything.”
I sobbed into her shoulder. She patted my back and said, “Shhh. It’s okay, Ladybug. You’re safe now.”

I introduced everyone to Cain. Athena appraised him as she
would a fine pastry, but I couldn’t help notice that he and Aniya kept exchanging stolen glances, and I saw hope for them both.

Moments later, Rafe stepped onto
the sand in front of us, a big grin on his face.

“Where is Riven?” He just laughed.

“Is he okay? Where is Riven?” He laughed more heartily.

“Rafe, where’s—”

I felt a tap on my should
er as Riven stepped down behind me. I turned around, and his lips crashed down onto mine. He pulled me close, and I returned his kiss with all of the passion and hunger that I’d felt for him for so long but had tried so hard to deny.

I
t had been three weeks
since we arrived back at Jacob and Ruth’s house. Days were spent relaxing in the sun with friends and family, resting and recovering from the crazy events that had so recently defined my life.

Watching the sun sink below t
he horizon leaving an explosion of oranges, pinks blues, and purples in its wake, I snuggled into the crook of Riven’s arm. His head nuzzled my own. I looked up at him. “What now, Riven? What am I supposed to do?”

I loved
him. Really loved him. My back, and God, said I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to fight it anymore. I guess it had started when he was paired with Lil. I couldn’t stand the thought of him with anyone else—even my best friend. I felt guilty about those feelings. Wesley was so nice to me and given enough time, I could have loved him, too. His death was on my hands. I should never have left him in the kingdom that day.

Riven smiled. “Not sure, but
maybe we need to research this prophecy further. Maybe it can lead you in the right direction. I think I know a guy we can talk to. It’s a few days journey from here by land.” He smirked. Of course by land. However, with wings, he didn’t have to worry about such human methods of travel.

“When do we leave?” I dusted the sand from my legs and stood up, pulling him with me.

“Let’s enjoy a few more days of rest and then head out. You’
ll need it.” He smirked, water droplets still clinging to his dark chocolate hair. He kissed my temple. I smiled at our plan and relaxed again into the safety of his arms, enjoying this time with him. How long this peace would last remained to be seen. An unsettling feeling had infiltrated my stomach the last couple of days, hinting that it wouldn’t last much longer. Nor would our love, I feared.

Thomas had begun pacing
the
damp, slick rocks underfoot weeks ago and had only stopped when his humanity left him no alternative. Sleep and hunger weren’t something he was accustomed to on the ethereal plane. He had felt her presence from the day she’d been born on the first day of summer seventeen years ago and felt her come of age. He felt the pain course through her body as she was marked. He felt her apprehension, loneliness, joy, sadness, fright, and every emotion that coursed through her heart. Thomas clenched his fists as he felt the fallen twins surround her, wishing with every fiber of his being that he could run to her, help her, save her from them. His Master never mentioned them, but he could feel them, and the feeling in the pit of his stomach could no longer be ignored. He paced back and forth. The torches on the walls cast shadows back and forth along the walls, and their natural mineral flowed. He had to think of some way to warn her, some way to keep her safe—safe from the fallen and safe from herself. He had to go to her. He could wait no more.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and
declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

—
John 1:5

I couldn’t take it any
longer. Seeing them together. Happy. Him kissing her the way I’d always hoped he’d kiss me. Passionate and heated. Hungry, even. I’d hated her from the moment I laid eyes on her. I hated her more when I saw how Riven looked at her, even as I kissed or caressed his body. His rejection was more than I could handle. We were supposed to be betrothed when he transitioned. It was what I’d been told my whole life. Riven was supposed to be
mine
. Not hers.

I knew I had to do s
omething. And then tonight, the opportunity presented itself.

“I have to get some supplies
from one of the towns. Lara and I are going to be taking a trip,” Riven confided.

“Where are you lovebirds headed?”
I asked, smiling sweetly at him.

“Just a trip,” he replied not
giving anything away. I needed a hint.

“Do you have a lot to do here to prepare?”

He sighed and said, “Yeah. I do.”

I brushed his forearm and smiled seductively at him. “
I could help you, Riven. I can go gather your supplies so that you can prepare everything here and spend some time with Lara. She just got back, and I know you haven’t had much alone time with her now that you are finally together.”

He eyes sized me up.
Yes, idiot, I’m lying, but I hope you are too stupid and gullible to realize it.
I raised my brows and smiled.

“You’re okay with me and Lara?”
he asked, quirking his dark brow.

I laughed. “Yes. I knew you weren’t that into me. It became
even more apparent when Lara showed up. I’m happy for you. I really am. Let me help.”
Yes, Riven. Let. Me. Help. I would love to help bury her six feet under.

“If you’re sure, I’ll make a list for you. It’
s mostly food. I don’t want to take too much from Jacob and Ruth.” I nodded, and he went inside to write out a supply list. When he was finished, he came back outside and handed it to me. I unfurled my white wings and stretched them.

Sometimes they got cramped if I didn’
t let them out for a while. I winked and smiled at him and then shot into the air, soaring in the direction of the settlement. I just needed to make him think that’s where I was headed. I veered farther into the land, across the forest canopy toward the kingdom where I could gather the supplies needed and let Altair know where he could find the chosen.

Pain screeched across my body
as I was dragged through the tunnel. The decaying souls scratched and gouged, bit and tore at me. I screamed. Though I’d been dragged through it so many times I’d lost count, it was designed for terror. And, its designer had perfected the art. The two demons threw me forward into the black void, my face bumped off the floor in a sickening crack. The stench of fire and burnt flesh pervaded the space. Lucifer stepped forward.

For centuries, humans had
drawn him to be a beast, horned and ghastly. They believed him to have both a tail and a forked tongue. Reality was different. He was beautiful. Ebony hair flowed in waves to his chin. Strange burnt orange eyes seemed to glow from within, fueled by the souls he had trapped almost since the beginning of time, since his fall. An obsidian suit, tailored to perfection, accentuated the power of his shoulders and couldn’t mask the strength in his legs. He was magnificent, which made him all the more frightening.

He had appeared to me during my life, w
hen I was a disciple of Jesus. Spouting lies, he convinced me that my Lord was money-hungry, greedy and that I should do something about it. I betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver, and the moment I sealed that betrayal with a kiss upon my Lord’s face, I’d been tortured. Demons began taunting me in that moment and never let me rest. Ultimately, I’d ended my life to try to get some sliver of peace that would never be found. Death had only been the beginning.

Hel
l was designed for torture, and the tortures I’d endured there had been nothing as bad as I’d experienced on earth. Nothing like the things that drove me mad caused me to hang myself from that branch. His polished shoes stopped in front of me. I could see my reflection in them and didn’t even recognize myself. In death, we looked the same as when we died in life. I’d died young, but no longer looked it. “I have a special job for you, Judas. The chosen has been found. Thomas has been brought back by Christ to guide her. Per the covenant forged with God, we have the right to bring someone back to life as well. I’m sending you.”

“Can’t you send a demon?”

He laughed heartily. “No. He didn’t send an angel, a being created for service. So, I cannot send a demon. He was a fool to send Thomas. He was always meek. He is no warrior. And, this is war. I will send you back. You will win the trust of the chosen and deliver her to me. With her, we shall unleash hell upon the earth. I will reign there for eternity, with your help. Come through and you will be rewarded richly. Fail and the past years you’ve spent here will seem like a vacation. Understand?”

I shook in fear. “Yes.”

“Good.” He clapped his hands and pulled me up. I shuttered violently just looking at him.

“Let’s get you back. You have a job to do.”