Forged by Fate (24 page)

“But we haven’t done the deed yet. Your Mark— I can’t believe this is happening.” And right when she was about ready to seal the deal with him. She fell harder and harder for Theo with each breath she took. But knowing what she knew now, how could she make love with him? It could kill him.

“As you’re starting to change I, too, will become more than I am. I’ll gain my full powers to guard the gates better than I ever have.”

“But you can die now. You’re guarding gates now and not ever able to die.”

“Yes. My protection ends when we Mate, but with you by my side, I’m that much stronger, faster, and wiser. Like you are. Battling beside me, as one with me, we’re a formidable force for The Great One. Even more so than me on my own.”

“You’re doing all that already, with Justin’s help. He’s been helping you for over nine centuries, Theo. And you’ve been doing just fine. Why throw me into this equation and make you vulnerable?”

“Because you make me powerful, too. Even more dangerous and lethal to the demons.”

“This sucks.” No, Halena sucked. Stomping into the picture, screwing with her head. It was finally starting to come together in her mind. Theo had been the only thing she was sure about. Confident. Secure. And Halena had blasted through that with a few words.

She faced the window, overlooking the desert landscape of Theo’s compound. His hand rested on her shoulder, and she pressed her cheek to it. “Just give me a minute, ’kay?”

His warmth slid away, and she heard footsteps fade as he went back to his French guest. It took all of her energy to not turn around and follow, but as Theo had taught her, she needed to shush her mind, her soul.

She closed her eyes and silently asked,
Who are you?

Why do you resist me, child?

She snapped straight at the foreign voice in her mind.

Have I not shown the Truth several times?

She turned around, looking for Theo. But it wasn’t his voice. This one was deeper, more commanding. Yet gentle.

I created you for a purpose, my child. Your time draws near.

“But he could die.”

You all could die. Only one is truly immortal.

She closed her eyes, letting the tears well, unrestricted. Her shoulder pulsed. Her heart quickened. Doubt seeped in. Hope quickly chased it away. Hope at a life with someone. Unconditional love. Peace.

But it could all be taken away in a heartbeat, and she’d be alone. Like always.

“What will you have me do?”

A flash of light ignited within her mind, and her knees weakened. Darkness tugged her into unconsciousness.

“Finally, child. You have come before me.” The voice boomed. “You were created for a specific purpose. The one whom you call Aggie has been tasked with master destruction. Starting with the only person who can eternally destroy him.”

She stood in the dreamlike darkness, save for a small light up ahead. She stepped closer.

“One person? Theo, right?”

“No, my child.” Up ahead, a slender figure in the shape of a tall man came into sight. More an orb of light in the shape of a man. “It is you who will do it.”

“Me?” She jabbed her finger into her chest. “But Theo. He’s the Gatekeeper.”

“And with him, I am well pleased. Darkness gathers strength. Lucifer has created something new. More devastating to the earth.”

“Aggie. Because he can’t be banished.”

“He can be. By you.”

“I’ve said the words to him. He’s come back.” She turned a circle. Darkness engulfed her, and the floor beneath her was soft. No, airy. As if she hovered.

“You will receive new words. For Aggie alone.” The voice got louder. Deeper. “If he is unleashed, the Gatekeepers will be no more. That would allow the flow of evil to overtake the world, creating a level of chaos even beyond what Lucifer can control.”

“How can I help?”

“You must find your parents. They will guide you on the right path.”

“Easier said than done,” she whispered.

“With me, all things are possible.”

The light flashed again, and she found herself in Theo’s arms. He held her tight, lips pressed against her forehead. They sat on the floor of the sitting room, and he rocked her back and forth.

“What’s wrong with her?” Dasha asked.

“I sense no injury. I’m not sure,” Theo said. “Sadie?”

Finally, she blinked. It felt like sand laced her eyelids.

“There,” Dasha exclaimed. “She moved. Sadie?”

A gentle nudge entered her mind, and she felt Theo’s presence there. Searching things out. Making sure she was okay.

“Sadie, what happened?” Justin looked down at her with wide eyes.

Theo cupped her cheek. “What’s happening, love?”

She swallowed hard. “I think I just talked to God.”

Chapter Thirty-seven

“You found a special one, didn’t you, Theo?” Halena’s voice grated on his nerves.

Sadie sat on the chair beside him at the kitchen table, her eyes closed and her fingers rubbing her temples.

She’d repeatedly denied she was in pain, but he felt it as if it were his own. Above his left eye, there was pressure. Her jaw and neck were tense as well.

“Sadie?”

“I’m okay.” She offered a weak smile, her face ashen.

In addition to her strength, speed, seeing Heavenly Hosts, and already developing senses, now The Great One spoke to her. What would happen when Theo and Sadie made love?

“Why haven’t you mated?” Halena asked, picking at her middle finger with her long forefinger nail. “You’ve been together for many days.”

“Halena, that’ll be enough,” he said, drawing himself to his full height. She backed down, but only after another defiant look.

If he needed to, he’d bare fang at her. It was ridiculous how she was behaving. What was her issue? He had over a hundred years on her, and that alone demanded respect. And since Sadie was his Mate, that grandfathered her in, commanding equal respect.

“
Désolée
. It would help. The darkness is at unrest. We must fortify,
non
?”

“Is that why you’re here? To form an alliance against Aggie?”

“What’s Aggie?” Halena straightened in her chair, capturing his gaze again. Her evergreen eyes flared, revealing that she was preparing for battle. Strategizing.

“Agares—we call him Aggie—has returned despite the vanquish.”

“
Merde
.” Halena leaped to her feet. “Why have you not notified the other Gatekeepers of this? What if—”

“Relax, Halena.”

She pointed her finger and stepped toward him. “Don’t you dare tell me to calm down. What if more demons can do this? We must prepare.”

“It happened only four days ago.” He glanced at Sadie, who’d stepped closer, her fists tightened. “Things have been very…difficult since then.”

Halena glared at Sadie. “What’s so difficult about mating,
chéri
?” She huffed and rolled her eyes. “I find it quite pleasurable.”

“Enough,” he yelled. “You will show my Sadie respect.” His fangs eased down in warning.

“And you’ll show Theo respect.” Sadie’s voice was tight, just above a whisper but nearly a growl.

Halena held Sadie’s gaze a hair longer, then shifted her focus down.

Sadie took her place beside Theo. “Now. What’s the big deal going on here that’s not being said?”

“Nothing, love.”

But Theo was sick of Halena’s challenging stares. She took her job as a Gatekeeper seriously. Almost to a fault. Like Justin, she didn’t fully buy into the concept of a fated Mate for each Shomrei. She hyperfocused on her Shomrei duties with a more aggressive, purist style instead of outward sex and relationships.

Plus, she had lost her Companion four centuries ago…and she’d never been the same.

Sadie looked at Theo, then to Halena.

“Halena, why are you here?” Justin asked, in what looked like an attempt to break through the tension.

“I sensed Theo’s distress and called you. You’re his Companion, yet you let a
human
answer the phone.”

He rolled his eyes. “You know what happened there. And she’s no human, so—”

“Justin,” Theo said.

“Sorry. But she’s not. She can do things only a Mate should be able to do
after
they’re mated. That doesn’t make sense.” He shrugged. “Oh, and not to mention we have a demon who is resistant to vanquishing. What if he’s only the first? We’ll lose this fight in a hurry if they can multiply their comrades.”

Sadie gulped. “When I was in that….um, trance thingy. The voice—”

“You mean The Great One,” Halena interrupted.

“
The Voice
addressed that with me. He said Aggie wanted to kill me because I was the only one who could truly kill him. Once I’m dead, he can take out the Gatekeepers and cause chaos that even Lucifer couldn’t manage. Or something to that effect.”

It felt like something kicked Theo in the gut. Halena gasped.

Justin smirked and said, “I knew you were trouble. Trouble comes in the tiniest packages.”

“Not so tiny anymore, am I?” Sadie stood and stepped even closer to Theo. Dasha did the same, on his other side.

“I’ll give you that.” Justin dipped his head. “So, Obi-Wan, what say you?”

She huffed and said, “Okay, I know what to do.”

Everyone went silent, staring at her.

She turned and looked up at Theo. “We’re going to Colorado.”

“And why would we be doing that?” Halena asked.

“That’s what the Voice said.” Sadie flicked her hand. “Not exactly. But He mentioned I needed to find my folks to learn my fate, for lack of a better way to put it. And since the only lead we have is in Colorado, I say that’s where we go.”

Halena huffed.

Sadie glared at her. “Huff all you want, but Colorado is our best bet right now.”

Theo’s chest swelled with pride the way she stood up to Halena. “It’s a good idea.”

She winked at him.

“When can you be ready?” He tucked a curl behind her ear.

“I can come, too, right?” Dasha asked. “I’ve always wanted to visit the Rockies.”

“This isn’t a vacation,
connasse
.” Halena stomped toward the kitchen entryway as if she owned the place.

“Well, isn’t she a bucket of sunshine?” Dasha said. “I don’t know what she just called me, but I’ll assume it’s something not so nice.”

“She’s a nutcase.” Justin waved his hand in the direction Halena stormed off. “But she’s here for a reason. We must need her in some fashion.”

“Yeah, to test our nerves.” Sadie nodded to Dasha. “Dash, I’m not sure you should come. Seriously.”

“Oh, I’m going.” Her brows furrowed. “Can’t sit around here by myself while you guys are out having all the fun.”

“Fun.” Justin cracked his knuckles. “That wasn’t the word I would have chosen.”

“We don’t have much to go on, unless Justin can crack through what Dasha found yesterday.” Sadie exited the kitchen and headed to the stairwell up to their room. Theo siphoned some of the sadness radiating off her, hoping to ease her discomfort. “And don’t forget the small fact that I’m not really human. My parents could be some freak—well, what else is there besides angels and demons?”

“Plenty,” Theo said. “The Great One has many supernatural creations.”

“Lovely.”

Theo rested his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, love.”

“Easy for you to say. You know what you are. I could be a freaking vampire or werewolf or something.” She offered a crooked smile. “I’m doing my best to keep from freaking out.”

“You’re doing pretty well, I might add.” Justin stepped to the small closet beside the front door and grabbed a black duffel bag. “Seriously. A lot has been thrown at you. Lesser people would have cracked by now.”

“Wow.” Dasha hurried over to him and punched his shoulder. “That’s the nicest thing I’ve heard you say.”

“Don’t get used to it. Come on. If you’re going, I need to get you coded in.”

“Um, huh?” She stepped back. “I’m not sure I’m liking the sound of that.”

“Relax.” He grabbed her hand. “Just going to prick a needle here and there. Get you a secure phone. Things like that.”

“Prick?” She regarded Sadie with wide eyes.

Sadie laughed and put her hands up. “Hey, you’re the one who wanted to go.”

“Go relax for a bit, love. I’m going to get some things together and have Justin do a little digging before we bolt up north.”

“Are we breaching time to get there?”

“No. Can’t unless there’s a demon splice. We’ll take my plane.”

“You really do have a plane?” Her voice cracked.

“Doesn’t everyone?” He grinned. “Let me guess. You don’t like to fly?”

She coughed into her hand. “Um. That’d be an affirmative.”

The pulse in his Mark skyrocketed, but he didn’t need to experience that to know she was beyond anxious. Terrified. She’d gone into a breach of time with him without a thought, but the idea of getting on a plane sure got her upset.

He reached for her cheek. “Here. Let me take some of that anxiety—”

“No. No. I’m good.” She dodged out of reach. “How long do I have to get packed?”

“Give me about three or four hours to make arrangements.” He felt a grin take over his mouth. He had a guess as to how she’d work through the stress, and he needed to let her. A simple touch could make it go away, but she was tough that way. Wanted to work through things herself.

And he loved her even more for her strength and determination.

He had four hours to make headway on searching out clues to find out who—or what—her parents had been and how they were connected to Aggie.

Chapter Thirty-eight

Sweat poured down Sadie’s face as she swung at the kicking bag with her gloved hand. A quick spin and roundhouse sent it flying back. The tunes blaring through her earbuds drowned out the fatigue settling into her muscles. The burn, the ache, the fear.

She hammered out her frustrations in time with the rocking drum solo rattling through her brain.

A hand clamped onto her shoulder, and it might as well have been a ghost for how much it scared her. She turned, swinging.

Halena ducked and pushed back. Her lips moved, but the words didn’t make it through the music.