Alaine was the first to wade into the water and swim for it. She quickly climbed a few rungs and then motioned for the rest of us to come.
“Climb on my back,” Dominic said. I was about to jump on, when Kade came up from behind me, put his hands on either side of my waist and effortlessly lifted me up. His touch made me tingle, as it always did. I turned and he smiled at me, making my heart skip a beat.
As Dominic waded into the water, I fastened my arms and legs around him. I was already freezing. I groaned in pain as the frigid water froze me to my core. My body quickly became a trembling mess.
“Hey, you okay back there?” Dominic asked.
“Yeah, just freezing to death,” I responded through clattering teeth.
“I’ll get you outta the water in a few. Hold on,”
A few? Seriously…a few? In a few, my body temperature could drop drastically, and I could get hypothermia and die.
Think warm, Emma! Warm, sunshiny thoughts! I tried to urge warmth through myself, but it was too damn cold. Warmth was not a word in my dictionary right now.
We made it to the waterfall, and things went from bad to worse. Ice water was now hammering down our heads. Dominic grabbed a hold of the rope ladder.
“Hold on, Emma,” he said turning back.
As he started to climb out of the water, my body felt extra weighted, like tons of lead were hanging from my appendages. My hands and fingers were numb, and my arms and legs were extremely tired. The trembling didn’t help, and only made my limbs extra weak. The rope was unsteady; swaying every which way as Dominic quickly climbed up. I tried to hold on as tightly as I could, and fought to keep my grip on him, but the constant, frigid water beating down on me was taking its toll.
We were half-way up when my arms suddenly gave. I slipped from Dominic’s neck, and fell backward. My right arm, which was still tied to Dominic’s, jerked me to a halt. I heard him cuss after catching himself from falling. I was dangling, halfway up the falls. Dominic’s rope saved me again.
“Emma!” Kade shouted. I looked down. He was below us, battling his way up the ladder. He finally got close enough to reach my legs, and pulled them to rest on top of his shoulders. Even his touch wasn’t enough to warm me. I needed to get out, quick. Dominic climbed quickly with one arm, and Kade stayed right behind him, resting me on his shoulders. I was too weak to do anything but keep my balance and try not to fall off Kade.
When we finally reached the top, Dominic pulled me up, and I collapsed. Alaine’s muffled voice yelled. “Get her to dry ground, quick! Someone look for wood to start a fire.”
Someone scooped me up, while another pulled my wet hoodie off. I opened my eyes. It was Dominic. As soon as I was on the ground, I felt the rope release from my arm.
“We need to get her warm, or she’ll go into shock,” Alaine’s voice was strained.
I struggled to speak, but managed to say one word. One vital word.
“Kade.”
“What was that sweetheart?” Alaine bent down, putting her ear to my lips.
“I need - Kade,” I breathed.
She paused. Her brow furrowed and her eyes had a deep look of concern and knowing.
I felt myself fading in and out of consciousness.
“Kade,” she called.
I couldn’t keep my eyes open. They shut tight, my body violently trembling from the cold, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Seconds felt like an eternity of suffering. Then suddenly, I was lifted from the ground and warmth rushed throughout my entire body.
I opened my eyes, and Kade’s beautiful face was inches from mine; his hazel eyes beaming as he held me tight in his arms. He’d taken his shirt off, making our connection even stronger. The shivering started to subside as heat cascaded in waves over me. I was in heaven, in complete and total bliss. If I could, I would stay right here, in his arms, forever. I closed my eyes, hugging him closer, not caring what anyone thought or said, and he hugged me back.
“You’ll be alright, now” he whispered, quietly in my ear. “I need you to drink some of this,” he said, placing the same blue flask to my lips. I drank and then snuggled closer to him, burying my face into his bare chest. His scent took me on a high I didn’t want to come back from, and as the magical brew made its way through my system, I began to feel even more warmth and strength.
A voice broke the silence.
“There are no Darkling in sight, and no signs of James or Caleb,” Malachi reported, returning from his reconnaissance mission.
“James has to be here…unless,” She paused, and I knew exactly what she was thinking…unless, he was injured or dead. “This place should be crawling with Darkling.”
“Maybe, James took them all out,” Alex said.
“He’s good but not that good,” Malachi answered.
“No, they’re still here. Somewhere. I can smell them. They’ve probably gathered somewhere, and are waiting for us. If Lucian is here, then he’ll know we are near. They won’t leave knowing that Emma and I are here. We are the last of the Nephilim, or at least I am.”
“The last?” I blurted.
“Yes, Emma. They’ve hunted and killed every other Nephilim, and now…we are all that’s left. That’s probably why Lucian is here. He wants to make sure that the last Nephilim is dead,” she sighed. “I tried to send help to the last few, but when the help arrived, it was already too late. That’s why I needed to get you back here with me, as quickly as possible. I’m so sorry you were dragged into all of this.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said.
So that was it. We were the last. Every other Nephilim…slaughtered because of revenge. It made me sick. How did one have the power to put a death sentence on others who weren’t even given a choice? They were born Nephilim, they didn’t choose it. And then I remembered something my mother told me about. The Holocaust. Thousands of innocents were gathered and slaughtered. They weren’t given a choice or a voice. All because one evil man thought they were inferior. The thought made me sick, because now, I was experiencing it.
I hoped that I would survive this night, and live to see eighteen. Then hopefully, if the prophecy was right, I’d help to make a difference.
“I don’t want Emma to come with us, any further. It’s too risky, especially if Lucian finds out who or what she really is.”
No way! I was NOT going to be separated from them again. Kade’s touch was already making me stronger. The shivering was already down to where I could manage it, and even though I was weak, I could dig deep and pull myself through.
“You’re not leaving me here. I’m going with you, whether you like it or not,” I said, turning to Alaine.
“Chip off the old block. Huh, Alaine?” Dominic laughed, nudging her arm. She turned and shot him an evil eye, shaking her head.
“And one more thing,” I blurted.
“And what’s that?” she sighed.
“I stay with Kade for the rest of this mission.”
Her eyes were weary, and although I knew she disapproved, she consented.
“Fine, but I’m only allowing it because you’re still too weak,” she said in a motherly tone.
Perfect. I needed Kade’s touch to keep me alive. It was his touch alone, which kept me from dying, and there was no one else who could offer me that. I knew Alaine knew it, too. I could see it in her eyes. She saw in us, what she had with my father, and it scared her.
“I’ll carry you as long as you need to,” Kade said, loud enough so the rest could hear.
“Oh. So now you’re all copasetic?” Dominic snickered. Kade turned to him and gave him a nod and a wink.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled, knowing that I was getting stronger with every second we were together. His life force was healing mine.
Chapter 15:
We started into the darkened tunnel; the very one I ran out of not too long ago, as I was being chased by the Darkling. Malachi stripped a torch from the wall, while yielding a sword in the o
ther. The rest also had their weapons ready, except Kade, who had me. I laid my head on his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart. Warmth radiated from him like a heating pad.
“I know they’re here,” Alaine whispered, “I can feel them. We need to be extra careful, and be prepared for an attack.”
“I can walk,” I whispered to Kade.
He shook his head. “I’ll put you down when I have to. Until then…rest up.”
I didn’t argue. I wanted to stay wrapped in his strong arms as long as possible.
Alexander grabbed Kade’s shoulders and peered over at me.
“Don’t worry guys. I’ve got your back,” he said with a wink.
“Thanks man,” Kade said with a grin.
“Yeah, thanks Alex,” I said with a wide smile.
“And I’ve got his back,” Dominic added, smacking Alex’s shoulders really hard.
“Whatever dude. Get your own back,” Alex smirked, shrugging Dominic’s hands off.
I smiled and closed my eyes, tightening my arms around Kade’s neck, and pressed in as close as I could. As I did, I could hear his heart beat a little faster, and it made me smile.
The faint stench of the Darkling hung in the stale air as we moved quietly through the tunnel. We passed several empty rooms and stopped every once in a while to listen.
Every second I was with Kade, the stronger and stronger I became. Maybe it did have something to do with my special gift to heal quickly, which I was still having a hard time wrapping my head around. But, there was definitely a connection that we both had. I know that if it wasn’t for his touch, I’d be suffering or dead from hypothermia.
I thought about Jeremy and Lia, and wondered what they’d think if I told them about my new life. I knew they wouldn’t believe me, and Jeremy would probably give me some long lecture on lying.
“What’s so funny?” Kade asked. I didn’t realize I’d laughed out loud.
“Oh, sorry. I was thinking about my friends, and how they’d never believe all of this.”
“The ones I met at the hospital?”
“Yes, Lia and Jeremy. I forgot that you’d met them.”
“They seemed really nice. I could tell they care a lot for you.”
“Yes. They do. They’re just as bad as my parents.”
My parents. Mentioning them was like pouring a gallon of salt on an opened wound.
“I’m so sorry about your parents,” Kade whispered, probably noticing my change of emotion.
“Thank you.”
“Hey! Do you guys smell that?” Malachi stopped, sniffing the air. In a few seconds, it hit. A nostril burning stench. Darkling. They had to be close.
There was a small hollowed out cavern about ten yards back, so we backtracked and piled in. Malachi put out his torch, and we waited in the dark.
“How many do you think there are?” Dominic whispered.
“I don’t know but we’ll find out soon,” Malachi answered. “You guys ready?”
“Are you kidding… we were born ready. Bring it!” Dominic answered, in a loud whisper.
“Hey Dom, I bet I get more kills than you.” Alexander threw out another challenge.
“Whatever little man. You’re on,” Dominic replied.
“Pffffft… Well, whatever you have in brawn, you lack in brains,” was Alexander’s come back.
“Would you two shut-up,” Alaine scolded. “They’ll come in here and kill all of us, while you two are yapping away.”
“Alaine…shhhhhhhh. You’re making more noise than both of us,” Dominic whispered loudly.
Alaine huffed loudly and they all laughed quietly.
Were Angels really this immature, or was it just our Angels?
Wicked cackles echoed down the corridor. They were coming.
Alexander pointed to himself and made a motion that he was going. Dominic gave him the “cut throat” sign and pointed to himself. While they were playing their little game of charades, Malachi and Alaine slipped out. Within seconds they were back.
“Now, that’s how you take care of business. Fast and furious,” Malachi teased.
“Wha—?” Dominic squeaked.
“Move,” Alaine scolded.
As we made it down the hall we dodged the carnage left by Malachi and Alaine. Three heads, three bodies. Which head belonged to which? No one would ever know.
I should have been freaking out, running around, losing my mind, but I’d already seen too much of it. I was either becoming numb, or slowly becoming used to and molding into my new life. These were creatures that tried to kill me, and I was glad it was their heads on the ground, instead of mine.
What was I thinking? This whole damn thing was a nightmare!!! My life had become one huge living nightmare.
Welcome to your new life, Emma. Instead of good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite… it was… make sure your doors and windows are bolted shut, and check your closet and under your bed before you go to sleep, or the Darkling and Fallen Angels will come out and kill you!
Oh God! I was even talking to myself in my own mind! That was a sure sign I was definitely - LOSING IT! But, since I was on a roll, I figured to give myself a pep talk.
No pansying out. Fight till the death, and definitely…no crying. If I should get caught and tortured… then everything I just said goes out the door.
Alright…I was fine with that.
My heart started to beat wildly because it knew we were headed into the lion’s den. I knew that if I ran into Danyel again, he’d definitely NOT be happy to see me back…him and my nameless rescuer. If we were all captured or killed, then everything they did would have been in vain. That would suck. Completely.
“You can let me down now,” I whispered to Kade. As much as I wanted to stay in his arms, I knew we’d have a better chance if he could fight.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you,” he whispered back.
“I know. But I’m fine now. Much stronger, thanks to you. I think that you can protect me a lot easier if I was out of your hands.” He hesitated, his lips turned up into a smile, and then he carefully set me down.
My legs were still weak, but strong enough to run or kick something if I had to. And then…something was running at us. Malachi pushed Alaine backward and swung. Who or whatever it was stopped and caught Malachi’s hand in mid-flight.
“Swing happy?” he asked.
“James, where the hell have you been?” Malachi blurted.
“Undercover,” James replied. “I know where they have Caleb. He’s fine, but terrified. And…” he paused and faced Alaine.
“And what?” she asked.
“Alaine, I think you’d better brace yourself for what I’m about to tell you,” he said, with a furrowed brow, and a deep look of concern in his eyes.
“What?” she asked completely baffled.
James paused and looked at the others.
“James, just tell me!” Alaine demanded. “What is it?”
“It’s Samuel. He’s alive and… and he’s here.”
She froze. She stood there as if dissecting his words, speechless for a few moments.
“Alaine?” James asked, waiting for a response.
She began to shake her head in disbelief, and her eyes began to pool with tears. “No, no, no. It can’t be, Samuel. You’re wrong,” she stammered. “It must have been someone else.”
James grabbed her by the shoulders and steadied her. “Alaine, it was Samuel. I’m certain of it. I saw him with my own eyes. I didn’t believe it at first, but one of them even said his name. Lucian has captured him and Danyel. They’re pretty messed up, and I have a feeling that they’re going to kill them soon.”
“How? How could this happen? I don’t understand?” Alaine’s face went pale. She grabbed hold of James, and then fell to her knees, sobbing.
I stood there, confused, watching Alaine crumble to pieces. Kade stepped next to me and grabbed a hold of my hand. I looked at him, helpless. What was I supposed t
o do? How could I console her?
“Where are they?” Malachi asked James.
“About two-hundred yards down, in a large cavern off a small tunnel to the left. There are three Fallen and eight Darkling. They’re alive, but barely. The Darkling are torturing them while the Fallen watch.”
James looked to be the oldest of the bunch, maybe mid-to-late-twenties, with clean-cut, dirty blonde hair. He was around six-foot, but muscular like Kade and Alexander, not massive like Dominic or Malachi. His face was handsome and flawless like the others, but he had sharper, more mature features.
“James. Are you certain? Are you one-hundred percent positive it was Samuel?” Alaine questioned again.
“I’m positive, Alaine,” he said looking directly into her eyes.
“What do we do?” Alaine gasped and grasped her heart. This was the first time I’d seen her lose her composure. Her eyes had a blank, lost look in them. She’d led them with confidence up until now, and ever since the mention of this Samuel guy, she melted into a worthless mess. I stepped up and grabbed a hold of her arm.
“Who’s Samuel?”
She turned and looked at me. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Emma. Samuel is your father.”
I froze. My brain tried hard to process her words.
“I thought you said my father was dead?”
“I thought he was. They told me he was killed by the Fallen,” She stared blankly through me, shaking her head.
She looked so weak and hopeless, so I hugged her. She wrapped her arms tightly around me and pulled me close. “I thought he was dead. They told me he was dead,” she repeated.
James and Malachi each laid a hand on her. Kade and the others just stood back, and watched quietly.
“If they’re killing them, then shouldn’t we be doing something?” I urged, pulling back from her. “They need our help!”
“Three Fallen? And Lucian is one of them?” Malachi questioned James.
“Yes.”
“Holy crap,” Dominic barked. The rest mumbled discouragement and expletives under their breath.
Our strong unit was crumbling. This couldn’t be happening.
“We need to go,” I urged Alaine. I needed to do something to shake her out of her funk. And then it hit me…