Fallen Angels (14 page)

I looked at the clock on the wall, and then stared at Abby, wondering why she wanted my help since I apparently didn’t care about Kara. “It’s almost six in the afternoon Abby. Why didn’t you come to me sooner?”

“I had to wait for Devlin and Angie to leave. Devlin refused to let anyone ask for your help. He said you would kill Chloe. It was Angie who made me stay behind so I could tell you,” she explained.

The pain and sadness in her voice told me she was starting to doubt everything Devlin said. Soon she would know the whole truth about Devlin, but there was little time to waste. I knew what had to be done, so I dressed quickly, strapped my weapons on and pulled out my phone. I held my finger over my lips, instructing her to keep quiet, and hit dial.

“Hello my dear,” Lokie sang over the phone.

“Lokie, I hope my family is not being harmed under your care.” I said calmly.

“I am merely a pawn in this silly game, my dear. I do hope you will not waste any more time, for it is running short,” he said before hanging up.

Looking to Abby, I smiled at her beauty and determination. “You must listen and obey my every word if you come with me. Do you understand?” I said.

“Let’s go,” she replied with a cocky grin much like my own. 

The long flight allowed me time to prepare my mind for the task ahead. By how quiet Abby had been I knew she was also deep in thought.

“Why did you open the Arena?” Abby asked when the jet landed.

“It provided a much-needed outlet for my kind.”

“I watched you last night. You really wanted to kill Devlin. Why?”

“Devlin betrayed Kara’s trust and mine. He took advantage of her, and he lied to you. He brought you with to save his life if needed,” I answered honestly. 

“Wait? What happened between them?” Abby asked cautiously while she followed me off the jet.

Stopping at the bright orange Lamborghini that awaited us, I said, “Let’s just say their actions were more than friendly.”

“Oh my god! They didn’t?”

“What else have they kept from you, I wonder?” I said with a shrug, giving her something to think about.

Abby stared out the window while I drove, studying the new sights of Italy. “Ravyn?”

“Hmm?” I glanced at her.

“Are you addicted to killing or is it your demon’s need?” she asked.

“I’ve never really thought about it,” I confessed. I wondered if the question was actually directed at me or if she was asking about her own need to kill. 

“Killing a human is easy, not as thrilling. They are easy to lure, and they can’t put up much of a fight because our abilities make us superior. Killing a demon or even an angel is a powerful experience. It is challenging, a test of our abilities. The more we kill the more power we feel. This makes us cocky. I think the answer to your question lies within the reason for the kill. Is it simply for personal pleasure or for the greater good,” I explained delicately, trying to give her the answer she sought without being direct. “I have killed for both. I enjoy the kill, but I try to kill those who don’t deserve to live. Though some would say I don’t deserve to live, it is a thin line that we killers walk. Tread carefully, child.”  

Abby pondered my words for a few moments before turning away from the window to look at me seriously. “Have you ever lied to me?”

I thought about her question for a moment, trying to recall if I had ever outright lied to her.

“Maybe I should have asked how often you lied.”

“Never assume the answer to your questions Abby. I have never lied to you; however, I have kept things from you. Personal things, never anything pertaining directly to you. I would never lie to you. And I’m sure your mother, as you call her, has done the same. I’m sure discussing her sex life with you would be a little awkward. Would you like to know about mine?” I teased.

“God no Ravyn! I get it. You don’t want me to assume Mom kept things from me to hurt me when she actually did it to protect me.”

“That’s right. I’m glad to see you learned something from your time with me.”

Abby burst into laughter at my ridiculous comment. “If you had let me fight you in the arena you would have been proud Ravyn. I still train every day, just like you taught me.”

“You have no business seeking a fight you are not prepared for. You need to learn when to walk away. Not everything is about the here and now. Time is on your side, be patient,” I advised. I knew her behavior was because of my own cockiness, but I had far better reasons to be so foolish. I wondered if her reasons were the same as mine.

Abby’s hand slid into mine and she squeezed ever so gently. “I don’t want to die Ravyn. I know that’s what you wanted when you saved Kara and again last night. I want you to teach me to be the best, so I can live, and save people from ever suffering like Mom did,” she confessed softly.

“Then you must assume that every fight will be your last. You must fight like death is begging to take you every time,” I said, hoping she would drop out of the killing business altogether.

“Will you teach me?” Abby asked with excitement.

“You could go to college Abby. You could have a normal life. One filled with joy. Don’t follow this path, it is not for you. You can do so much better.”

“That’s not what I want,” she argued. “You could hunt with me and help me, watch over me.”

“Abby, whatever you do, I will always watch over you. Regardless we must deal with one battle at a time, and if we make it out of this we will discuss your path further.”

We pulled up to the gates of Vatican City. Abby stared at the massive wall surrounding the city in awe as the guards approached the car.

“What is your business here?” the guard by my window asked. The other two walked around my car with long mirrors, checking for bombs.

“VDA business,” I replied, holding up my old badge. The Vatican had made the mistake of never collecting it.

The guard gave a curt nod. “Lokie is expecting you in the Sistine Chapel. I’d hurry,” the guard whispered while the gates slowly opened.

“You follow my lead, and don’t do anything until I make a move, no matter what happens. Do you understand?” I said to Abby.

“I got it. Is this normal?” she asked, nodding to the dozen armed guards marching toward our car.

“Yes. They will escort us to the Chapel, and then they will stand guard. If things don’t go well we will have to fight them.”

“They’re human, how hard could that be?” Abby smiled.

“These men have trained all of their lives to face both Angel and Demon, never underestimate them.” I shook my head at her cockiness. 

Showing my hands to the guards that now surrounded the car I slowly opened my door, then showed my hands again. “Gentlemen, my friend is new here. She doesn’t know the drill so go easy on her, please,” I announced while stepping out of the car.

I watched the guards instruct Abby to show her hands. Abby raised her hands, wriggling them at the guards while staring at them in anger.

“Abby, listen to the men and get out of the car slowly,” I ordered, not hiding my irritation with her. Abby listened and calmly walked beside me while the guards led us to the Chapel.

“You two are just in time. The blonde has been putting up quite a fight.” The head guard chuckled.

“Just in time for what?” I asked.

“For her scheduled punishment this morning,” he replied.

“Where is she being held?”

“The barracks. She killed the professor while trying to escape.”

I knew then Lokie wouldn’t be in that chapel. I had to get to the barracks, but that meant getting rid of the guards.

Looking down at my feet as we drew closer to the doors of the Chapel, I noticed Abby’s shoelace low to the ground. I looked around and stepped on it, causing her shoe to untie. “Her shoe is untied, we need to stop for a minute,” I said to the guards. 

They stopped just before the doors. “Hurry up.”

When Abby bent down to tie her shoe, I smiled at the guard next to me before snatching his halberd and going on the attack. The guards all lay dead within seconds.

Abby stood with her dagger in hand, glaring at me. “I could have helped you!”

“I’ll remember that next time. Follow me and be quick about it.”  

We reached the basement of the barracks with only a couple problems that I let Abby handle. I nodded my approval and left her to guard the door on her own.

The room was brightly lit, and there in the middle were two small glass rooms. The glass was thick, bulletproof, with only an electronic door that needed a code to be opened. Too bad I didn’t see this before Abby killed the guards.

“Mommy, the black bird is here,” the child whispered weakly, waking Kara from her slumber.

Kara rubbed her eyes and turned to her daughter. “You’re dreaming again baby, there is no black bird.” 

I approached slowly, never taking my eyes off Kara. Her beauty still had ahold of me even though she wore a thin blue hospital gown and a dark bruise graced the side of her face. “Kara?” I whispered as I rested my hand against the thick glass.

When her eyes found mine she scrambled to her feet, hesitating before she moved to the glass, pressing her hand against it. “Ravyn? I didn’t think I’d see you again. I didn’t do anything with Devlin, you have to know that,” she said.

I nodded dumbly before moving to the glass cage next to hers. “Hello Chloe,” I said. I crouched down, and Chloe rushed to the glass without hesitation.

“You’re the bird I see in my dreams,” the little girl whispered.

“Is that so?” I asked, looking at her in wonder.

“You save us.”

“That’s why I’m here.” I laughed. “Back up and cover your head little one.”

Chloe moved to the back wall while I stood and slid my coat off. Kara stared at me. The worry in her eyes shined brightly when I pulled my fist back and released it with all my strength. The glass crunched and cracked but did not break. I hit it again; the blood from my fist splattered against the glass. I hit it several more times before it gave way. The glass around the hole had been weakened, allowing it to break easily. Stepping into the room with Chloe I motioned her to come to me. I could feel her hunger when she hugged me tightly.

“Ravyn be careful with her, please!” Kara cried, still trapped in her cage.

Her plea made me smile and shake my head at her mistrust. Dropping to one knee I studied the child for a moment while she studied me.

“What are you doing?” Kara asked, but Chloe kept her eyes locked on mine.

“Can you control it?” I asked softly.

“Yes,” Chloe replied.

“Good. Let it out and take only what you need to revive your strength.” I offered my wrist to her.

“Mommy will be mad,” Chloe said, worried.

“She will understand. Remember, only what you need.” Chloe’s small fangs quickly sank into my wrist.

I stared at Kara as her daughter drank my blood. “Chloe, stop!” Kara yelled.

“She needs it Kara.”

“Not from you!” she snapped.

Did she really think my evil would sink into her daughter by feeding her? How upsetting. “Chloe, only what you need child,” I whispered, smoothing her hair.

A moment later Chloe stopped and looked up at me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Stand back while I free your mother.” I smiled.

“Are you going to get me out of here Ravyn?” Kara railed in the next room, pounding on the glass wall between us.

I cocked my fist back and hit the glass without giving her any warning, causing her to jump back. When the glass crumbled I stepped into the room, watching Kara back herself against the wall. I walked toward her with purpose. Sweeping my fingers gently across her bruised cheek and down her neck, I watched desire swallow the fear in her eyes. “Are you all right?” 

Kara nodded. “Chloe knew you would come for us,” she said.

My lips brushed tenderly against hers, putting her fears to rest. “Let’s go home,” I said before leading her out of the room, reuniting her with Chloe and Abby.

Chapter Twelve

Kara

Bad Ideas

The family was waiting for us when we returned home. Even Devlin had the nerve to try and welcome us. Chloe ran to her grandmother and Nebiros first. Angela hugged me tightly, apologizing profusely for going along with Devlin. I insisted it wasn’t her fault, but I could tell she didn’t believe it.

“Show me what happened,” Angie said, taking my hands in hers.

I showed her everything that happened to us, including Chloe’s vision of Ravyn saving us. Angela’s own power was the only reason I was able to show her my memories, perks of being one of the Fallen, I guess. She smiled and hugged me again. “I’m so glad you’re safe!”

I didn’t know how long we would remain safe though. I knew Peter wouldn’t let us just walk away and live happily ever after. He would want us all dead after Ravyn’s audacious rescue.

“Are you all right?” Devlin asked.

I stepped away from him. “Stay away from me Devlin.”

“I did it for you! To set you free,” he growled.

“You did it for you. You betrayed our friendship and then you stabbed the woman I love seventeen times! Lilith would be so disappointed in you. You can’t stay here anymore Devlin,” I said sadly.

Nobody argued with my decision, which meant they agreed with it. I was surprised that Ravyn didn’t add anything. She didn’t even grin; instead she looked sad. I made a mental note to ask her about it later. Right now I just wanted the comfort of a long hot shower in the privacy of my own home, after Chloe was cleaned up of course.

The peace and quiet of the shower only left me with my dangerous thoughts, which were very confused after everything that happened. Ravyn always had a way with actions and timing.  Saving me and Chloe again without any acceptable reason. I thought she would hate me, I thought she would leave us there because of my mistake; instead, she fed her and kissed me like nothing had happened between us. 

I needed to be cautious with Ravyn; she was dangerous and unpredictable. She also proved her love for me, and all I did was constantly throw it back in her face when I didn’t get my way.