Tethered Wings (Hidden Wings Series) (24 page)

I carefully stepped down into the box and untied the gag.

“Thank you,” he said, coughing and taking in large mouthfuls of air. His dark black hair was streaked with white, so I knew he must have been older.

“Who are you?” I asked, but he didn’t answer. “Who did this to you?” I could smell the smoky aroma associated with the Fallen. “Do you work for Lucian?”

He exhaled, closed his eyes, and laid his head back on the floor.

“I am a member of Lucian’s Fallen, and was assigned to be a Watcher. I have no intention of harming anyone, especially you. I’m not a warrior.”

“Then why are you here?” I asked.

“A dozen of us were ordered to keep watch over this place. We would report back any and all movement. I had been returning from my watch when I was hit from behind. Next I knew, I was gagged, tied up, and tortured for information.”

“Who did this?” I asked.

“The one with Lucifer’s eyes. They call him Ethon.”

“Ethon?” I whispered to myself. My heart twisted and then anguished. Everything in me began to shake. “Ethon did this to you?” I had to hear it again because my mind just couldn’t accept the fact he was capable of doing something like this.

“Yes.”

“What exactly did he want from you?” I pressed.

“Information. What Lucian knew about you.”

“About me?” My mind was spinning.

“Yes,” he paused and took a couple of labored breaths. “He seemed particularly upset when he found out about Alaine being your Nephilim mother. They know of the prophecy.” He coughed and his eyes rolled back.

I started hyperventilating. This was worse than I could have ever imagined. Now, I would have both Lucian
and
Lucifer after me. And what side would Ethon take?

“I honestly didn’t mean to put you in danger. Ethon has developed cunning ways of torturing information from his captures. You need to leave, and warn the others. You are in grave danger. Lucian will try to get to you before Lucifer does. If he cannot, he said he will kill you. Lucifer will want you alive.”

I needed to get out of here, but I wasn’t going to leave him here to die. The chains they had bound around him were too tight, and there was no key.

“I need something to help get you free. I need to get you out of here.”

“Don’t. Get out before they return.”

“I won’t leave you here to die.”

He grabbed my ankle, forcing me to look him in the eye.

“Save yourself. You need to live. You are the one who can end this senseless war, once and for all. Lucian needs to be stopped. He’s gone mad. His murderous spree is fueled by revenge, but once he’s had it, he will continue. He wants power, and you’re the key.”

“Lucian has been gathering his army. Once they have assembled, they will strike. You are his end goal. He believes you are the key to him ruling the Otherworlds. Yes, Lucifer may be just as dark and evil, but at least he has a method to his ways.”

“Well, I hope they realize I am worthless for the next eight months,” I said.

“Which is why he wants to capture you now, while they still can. Because once you transform…you will have an even greater power.”

“Look at me, I can’t even get you out of here,” I said, helpless.

He squeezed my leg a little tighter, and steeled his swollen eyes on mine.

“I’m done for, child. Go now. Save yourself.”

I sobbed. I didn’t want to leave him, but I knew there was no way I could break the chains, or carry him out of here. Knowing Ethon did this made me sick.

“Hurry. They will be back soon.”

“I’m sorry,” I cried.

“I’ve lived a hundred lives. To die now will be setting me free. Now, give me the knife, close the door, and run.”

Tears streamed down my face as I took the knife and placed it in his hands.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

I closed the trap door, bolted it shut, and quickly threw the rug back over it. I turned to run when I saw three figures flying fast toward the tower. I froze as my eyes locked onto Ethon’s red gaze.

I ran for the stairs, but he was too fast. In seconds, he was at the glass door on top of the tower. I wished my feet could run as fast as my heart was beating. My breath quickened to the point I thought I’d pass out.

“Emma!” he called out. “Emma!”

“Stay away from me,” I yelled, my feet started pounding down the stairs.

“What’s the matter?” He sounded concerned.

The bottom door suddenly opened and Bane’s twisted, angry face stared up at me. He stepped in and closed the door, and started up the stairs.

“Leave me alone!” I screamed.

“Emma, please come back up here and tell me what’s wrong. I have promised to never hurt you.”

I knew I was trapped, and I didn’t want to take my chances with Bane, so I reluctantly made my way back up toward Ethon.

I stood there, shaking.

“What were you doing here?” he asked.

“I came to bring you cookies.” My voice trembled.

“You did?” He grinned. 

“Yes, but I dropped them down the stairs on the way up.”

“Are you okay? Did you fall?” he asked, stepping closer to me.

My pulse started to race.

“Ethon,” Azzah called. Ethon turned back, and he gave him a look. “She knows.”

Ethon sighed and closed his eyes.

“Emma. Why did you lie to me?” His eyes furrowed with concern.

“About what exactly?” I questioned.

“Alaine…who you really are,” he said softly. Stepping forward, he looked like he was going to hold my hands, but decided against it at the last minute.

“I never lied to you. I just didn’t tell you. There’s a difference. And, believe me, I’m nothing special. Just a simple girl trying to stay alive in a crazy, murderous world.”

“All I have wanted to do is protect you, since the moment we touched. How can I do that when you keep such things from me? This information
changes
a lot of things.” He was starting to get upset.

“Why? Why would it change things? And why the hell do you have that person chained and gagged under the floor, Ethon?” I asked, getting a little emotional.

“He works for Lucian. We found him snooping around the property. He was watching your every move, Emma. We were only trying to protect you.” Ethon looked confused as to why I’d be so upset.

“Protect me by
torturing
him?” My voice became shrill near the end.

“He’s immortal. He’ll heal in a few days.” 

“Holy crap, Ethon,” I exhaled. 

I had a hard time trying to wrap my head around torturing someone for information. And by the look of things, he had absolutely no issues with his methods. I suddenly began to wonder why the bond had connected us.

I saw the damage he did to that man, and it was wrong. He beat the man to a bloody mess, and broke both of his legs. I would maybe be a little more understanding if the person tried to kill them, or had intentions of harming anyone, but he was a Watcher. At least that’s what he said.

“Emma, listen,” Ethon said, hesitating slightly before grabbing my arms. The shock caused me to jump, but I fought the bond. It was trying to subdue my fears, and I needed to keep my mind strong. The facts could not be muted.

“First, I’m sorry about touching you. I’m not trying to control you, the bond is just begging me to calm you down – soothe your soul. Second, my father found out about you, and it wasn’t by me, or Bane, or Azzah. He has a damn network of reliable and not-so-reliable sources. Because you
failed
to tell me the truth, I had to find out for myself. I’m sorry if the method seems brutal, but I needed to know everything before I met with my father. He can’t believe I was oblivious to everything going on around me. I needed to have answers to save you, Emma. I told you, before, and I will say it again, you can trust me. I live now for only one reason, to keep you safe and happy. If you would have told me, we wouldn’t have resorted to this.”

I shook my head. I was so confused. One part of me wanted to trust him; to believe he really wanted to save me, and actually possessed good inside of him. The other part felt Ethon was evil and there was no escaping it. I just had a hard time seeing past the blood and broken bones. 

“He’s coming.” Ethon said, ominously.

“When?” I gasped.

“Right now.”

“Shit. Is he going to kill me?” I asked.

“No. Of course not. I would never allow him to harm you,” he said, pulling me close.

I fell into his arms, and was comforted - but didn’t hug him back. My heart was aching, and my head was turning in a mad whirlwind, tossing and bashing me into confusion. I wasn’t ready to see Lucifer. I knew he was coming for a purpose. He wouldn’t leave the Underworld to see me if it wasn’t something worth his time.  

Without my Guardians, I was left with the only other person I knew who could keep me from Lucifer. I had to put trust in him. At this point I had no other choice.

I wrapped my arms around Ethon, resting my head on his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and I instantly felt protected.

“What does he want?” I asked.

“I don’t know, Emma. I would tell you if I knew. He wanted us to find a way to bring you, but to my surprise, you were already here and alone. I guess it was fate.”

Yeah, and it sucked to be me right now.

There was nothing I could do. If I tried to get away, scream for help, or fight…things would end badly. I didn’t want to put any of the others in danger. Especially, Kade. I knew for a fact he would rush to my rescue, and die fighting for me. 

I had only been missing for about ten minutes, and everyone thought I was safely in my room. So, everyone should be fine.

Danyel once told me if Lucifer ever found out my past, he would use me as a pawn. But ultimately, if the prophecy was true, I’d be the one with the power. Why should they be able to use me, if I had the power to defeat them?

I’d need to be smart and play his game. I would make him believe I was going along with whatever plans he had.

“Why is he coming here?”

“Because I wasn’t
going
to take you away from the barrier, especially with Lucian’s swarm out there,” he said.

Ethon was still looking out for me, like he said he would. I wondered if it was just a part he was playing, or if he was sincere. Right now, it didn’t matter. I’d take his protection anyway I could get it. 

Knowing I would be face to face with Lucifer made me feel like I was suffocating. This whole nightmarish dream was never-ending.

I squeezed closer to Ethon and closed my eyes, preparing for the inevitable.

“I’m here. He won’t harm you,” Ethon whispered. His words brushed past my ears and I held them tightly in my heart. He was my only hope...
again.

After a few seconds, a cold wind started wrapping around us, and smoke started to seep in from the bottom of the door.

“Is that—?” I whispered.

Ethon nodded and then closed his eyes with an aggravated look on his face.

The smoke became heavier, and started to billow upward into a large spiral. Suddenly, from behind – or maybe out of - the smoke, Lucifer stepped forward. His dark crimson eyes landed on me, safely caressed in Ethon’s arms. They narrowed, taunting and tormenting, without even speaking a word.   

Bane and Azzah bowed and stepped out of the room.

“Emma, dear. It’s quite nice to see you again,” he said, insincerely.

“The feeling isn’t mutual.” 

“I shall get straight to the point then, no idle chit-chat. His eyes narrowed on mine. “You and your father kept one major detail from me during your quest in the Underworld. I sensed something was counterfactual, especially concerning your mark. You should know by now, you can never deceive the Deceiver.”

I pulled my arms from around Ethon and stepped back, separating myself from him. I didn’t want to use him as a crutch anymore. I needed to find my own foothold, even if it meant stumbling and falling.

“If we told you the truth, would you have let us leave?” I questioned, trying to steady my voice.

He stepped closer, brushing his goatee between his finger and thumb. “That would have been highly improbable.”

“Then do you blame us for doing what we did to survive?”

“Not if it’s at my expense,” he growled.

I kept my mouth shut. Trying to reason with him was like talking to a steel wall. Cold, hard, and impenetrable. I knew things could get heated and turn deadly, very quickly.

“My son has also made me aware of a flaw with the bond. It seems there is a
hindrance
. This poses a great problem for us, so I’ve come up with a solution.”