Cayne snorted. “Hell, no. Not physically, anyway. As a spy, maybe.”
Julia felt the tension in his body, leaning against hers, and frowned. “You don’t like it here, do you? Does it worry you that they don’t want me to leave?”
Cayne shrugged. “I’m not ‘worried.’ I could get you out of here anytime.”
“I don’t think you’ll need to. I really think that Jacquie has my best interest at heart.”
Someone knocked on the door, and Cayne turned.
“Hey, man. It’s Henry.”
“How’d you find us?”
“Uh…I can do that. You guys wanna come on? We’re getting started.”
*
It only took about fifteen seconds of Henry’s talk for Julia to realize she didn’t know as much as she thought she did about WoW. She had Nathan’s character name committed to memory, and on the inside of her hand she’d written the rest of the instructions necessary for them to meet up in the game. It seemed like a lot of work for a conversation she didn’t even want to have, but she needed to hear what Nathan had to say so she could tell him she didn’t want anything to do with it.
Originally she hadn’t planned to tell Cayne she was contacting him; again, she wanted some element of privacy. But she ended up getting totally lost, messaging Cayne, and letting him help her—all while he murmured warnings in her ear about what not to say to Nathan, and Henry walked around helping their little crew of newbies with various WoW-related issues.
Julia finally found Nathan’s realm and set up a party (with herself as the leader) so they could talk. She glanced around the real world room, feeling nervous that she was doing this in front of so many of the Swosen—some she knew and others she’d never even seen. Did this make her a traitor? Would they be kicked out if Jacquie found out about their ties to Nathan? How had he even gotten in?
This was her best chance at peace. With the Swosen, she actually had a fighting chance of getting rid of the leash and going on to live a normal life.
She frowned as Nathan’s first message came in, and Cayne bumped her knee with his.
IT’S OKAY, TINIOTHIEL, he messaged, smiling a little as he glanced her way. YOU CAN DO THIS.
Julia nodded, and Nathan’s first message rolled in.
JULIA?
Julia’s temper made it difficult to type. Be cool, J, be cool.
YEP, IT’S ME. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT? I DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME AND I DON’T WANT TO GET CAUGHT TALKING TO YOU.
WE NEED TO DICSUSS YOUR FUTURE. I KNOW YOU DON’T KNOW WHO TO TRUST, AND I DON’T BLAME YOU. SOME SHITTY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT I THINK IF YOU KNEW MORE ABOUT YOUR ROLE AS THE ONE, YOU WOULD CHANGE YOUR MIND.
O REALLY? I DOUBT IT.
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE THREE?
Julia held her breath. A LOT.
DID YOU KNOW THE OLDEST OF THE THREE IS METHUSULA? HE WAS AN ANGEL WHO CAME TO EARTH ON A MISSION FOR THE ALPHA. WHEN THE ALPHA ERECTED A BARRIER TO KEEP DEMONS IN HELL, HE AGREED TO STAY HERE AND RID THE WORLD OF THEIR SPAWN.
That wasn’t the story Julia had heard, of course, but she didn’t even bother telling Nathan that. She just wanted the conversation over as soon as possible, so she could play a little of the game and make up an excuse to go back to her room. She was exhausted, and she wanted some time alone with Cayne.
AND?
WE ARE CLOSER THEN EVER. DID YOU KNOW THE NEPHILIM KING SAMYAZA IS DEAD.
YEP. CAYNE AND I KILLED HIM.
There was a pause, long enough for Julia to write: I GUESS NO ONE BOTHERED TO TELL YOU. LOOKS LIKE MY JOB IS DONE.
IF THAT'S TRUE I WASN’T AWARE, BUT KILLING NEPHILIM ISNT YOUR TRUE PURPOSE. YOUR TRUE ROLE IS THE HELP METHUSELAH BRING DOWN THE BARRIER. HE IS ANCIENT, AND HIS BODY IS WEAK. BUT WITH YOU HE CAN REOPEN THE LINK BETWEEN THE ALPHA AND ALL CHOSEN. YOU WOULD BE THE CHOSEN’S BENEFACTOR.
WOULD. Julia dropped her head into her hand and rolled her eyes, then glanced around, hoping Henry’s brother didn’t see her and think she needed more healing. Luckily, everyone seemed to be staring at their computer screens.
THE IMPORTANT THING IS YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO IT! THE THREE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO ARRIVE. THEY NEED YOU AND SO DO WE.
SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS NET IS REMOVED? WOULDN’T THAT LET THE DEMONS BACK ONTO EARTH?
YOU HEARD THAT HERE, DIDN’T YOU?
YOU DIDN’T ANSWER MY QUESTION, she typed.
THE THREE HAVE A PLAN FOR THE DEMONS. THEY HATE DEMONS. YOU DON’T KNOW THIS BUT THE LEADERS HERE CONSORT WITH DEMONS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
I DON’T THINK SO, NATHAN. YOU ARE WRONG.
I HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE THREE. I TRUST THEM. YOU DON’T KNOW ANYONE AT THIS PLACE. I MEAN THAT, JULIA. WE ARE YOUR PEOPLE. AND YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO OPEN HEAVEN’S GATE.
“How’s it going?” Cayne murmured.
Julia shook her head, feeling tired and overwhelmed. She had to admit, she wasn’t really even giving Nathan the benefit of the doubt, but even so…everything he said sounded like total garbage. Like cult stuff. It sounded like a line, fed to sheep. And Nathan was a Shepherd, after all.
THANKS FOR THE TALK, NATHAN. I APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION. BUT I THINK YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO THE THREE.
DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT, JULIA?
I’M AFRAID SO. I’M SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU. I’M GOING TO STAY HERE FOR NOW. PROBABLY FOREVER. BUT I CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE, I’M NOT COMING BACK TO WHERE THE THREE ARE. I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH OF THEM TO KNOW THAT’S NOT WHERE I WANT TO BE AND NOTHING YOU HAVE SAID HAS SWAYED ME.
There was a long ‘silence’, in which Julia’s stomach tied itself in knots. She glanced across the small room, to where Meredith and Carlin were laughing about something. Cayne squeezed her hand, and Henry, leaning over Drew’s computer, gave her a perfectly timed wink. It gave Julia the strength to end her conversation.
PLEASE DON’T HOLD THIS AGAINST MEREDITH. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, NATHAN. PLEASE LEAVE SOON, SO I DON’T HAVE TO TELL ANYONE THAT YOU ARE HERE. At the last minute, she added: THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ALSO BEING KIND IN RESPECTING MY DECISION. IN THE END, IT’S MINE TO MAKE. -JULIA
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Carlin was in such a hurry to get wherever she was going, Edan had to clear his throat to get her notice. Her curly head jerked left, and when she saw him leaning up against the wall, she frowned. Ouch.
“What are you doing here?” Her delicate brows scrunched. “Shouldn’t you be with some girl?”
He held his hands in surrender. “I came to see you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true.”
She glanced down the empty hallway, eyes lingering for a second on the door she was walking to. The group of Chosen playing WoW. “Why?”
“I wanted to talk to you.” He grinned his Cheshire cat grin, and Carlin couldn’t resist. She smiled back, just a little, before her face became a mask of incredulity.
“Where have you been?! Why didn’t you help Julia? She needed you!”
Edan tried to look upset. Like there had ever been an option. “I couldn’t. I wanted to, and I told Cayne that.”
He used half-truths, a story similar to the one she’d probably heard, but with his sad puppy dog face.
She wasn’t buying it, but she did hesitate.
Edan reached into the pocket of his ratty ass jeans, pulled out a chocolate bar, and held it out. “Vending machines, right?”
She nodded slowly. “The sign says they’re down here.”
“The sign is wrong, Carlin.”
She caught her lower lip between her teeth, and Edan wanted to devour her. What Edan wanted, Edan always got.
Except when he had other duties.
Most women were immune to his true nature. Some, like Julia, were able to see through him, a frustrating weakness he’d given up trying to understand. Others, like Carlin, were affected more strongly. Drawn to him. He could make them crave him if he wanted. Sure, the effect
wore off over time, but Edan didn’t need much tonight.
“Car,” he murmured softly, “I’ve missed you. I know it’s not smart, but…” He stepped closer to her, inhaling her sweet perfume and savoring the feeling of her soft skin under his fingertips.
“God, I’ve wanted this.” That part was true. And again, the right amount of truth went a long way.
She was flirty as he led her to the van. She even called him a man-whore, which really got his blood pumping. He sneaked them out the discreet back gate, pausing only to dispatch the lone guard. He was in a room, and Edan didn’t even need to leave the driver’s seat to kill him.
“I know just the place,” he murmured, as he jetted to a sledding monument half a mile down the road.
“Edan, this is so bad!” Carlin grinned anyway, and when he led her to the back seat, his human gladly followed.
He kissed her soundly into sleep and locked the doors, whistling “Shepherd’s Hey” as he dropped the keys in his pocket and jaunted back toward the gate, eager to watch things play out.
*
Cayne seemed to enjoy the WoW-athon, but Julia convinced him to sneak away. Walking the second floor, they found a tiny private deck on the back of a deep tissue massage studio. The deck was enclosed with glass, and it was heated just enough to be cozy without being stifling.
Cayne stretched out in one of the longue-style chairs, and Julia knelt beside him, running her fingers over his bare arm.
“I can’t believe you don’t get cold.”
He was looking drool-worthy in a hunter green t-shirt and his old, beat-up jeans, with some brown hiking boots Carlin had bought for him and Drew.
(“Every man needs his own hiking boots.”)
“I can’t believe you do.” He smiled at her, and within seconds, had her in his lap. He kissed her gently on the neck.
“Feeling any warmer?”
She giggled. “Yes.”
She’d gone all warm and fuzzy when suddenly Cayne’s mouth stopped. Near her ear, he rumbled, “Do you feel okay? About Nathan?”
She nodded, turning around to face him. This left her basically lying on top of him, but there were worse predicaments.
She placed her hands on each side of his face, using her fingertips to play with his soft, short hair.
“It’s weird…the whole thing. I feel like Luke Skywalker, trying to choose a side. And what I really wish is that I didn’t have to choose one at all. That we could just be. Do whatever we want.”
Cayne ran his thumb over her lips. “Maybe we can. One visit to Heaven’s gates, and you could be fixed up. You said you trust Jacquie. Maybe you’re right.”
“I’m surprised to hear that coming from you.”
“Me too. But they’ve been decent. If not straight-forward.”
She rested her cheek on Cayne’s scarred throat, and he locked his arms around her. She was enjoying the view, savoring Cayne’s body next to hers, when the slope, with its green lights, started flashing blue, and from the far corner of the resort, near the hostel and the parking lots, a line of cars filed in.
“Did you know there was a gate back here? I had no idea,” she murmured.
And just like that, Cayne was out from under her. Grabbing her hand and pulling her inside. Watching from the window as the slopes turned truly blue and the lights raced closer.
“Those are Chosen,” he said. And the first light bomb exploded somewhere above them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“No Cayne, back to the game room! The others are there!”
“I’m sorry, but I won’t.” Cayne had his arms locked around Julia, and as he spoke he tossed her over his shoulder and set off. “We’re going to your room. That’s the easiest, most discreet point of exit. We’ll fly away and if I find a safe place for you, I’ll go back.”
“You have to come back! I can hide out anywhere!”
“I’ll do my best. You know I will.”
She nodded tearfully, her torso bobbing uncomfortably over Cayne’s shoulder, until she thought she might get sick but ended up having an attack of temper instead. “Meredith trusted Nathan!”
“That was stupid.”
“She’s not stupid!”
“Julia—” He clutched her legs more tightly, not even panting as he raced up the stairwell— “I didn’t say she was. I said she made a stupid choice.”
“She loves Nathan! That bastard! I wish that I could go and freakin’ kill him!”
She waited for Cayne’s response, but he seemed somewhere else. “I think we’ll go to Russia. It’s cold, but there’s so much uninhabited land there.”
Julia was gasping, panting as Cayne burst onto the fifth floor, where she heard his swift intake of breath and twisted in his arms.
Adam, Thierry, and Dizzy waited for them, along with another brown-haired man, who waved. “Hello. I’m Strong.”
Julia saw Monte on the ground behind them, red blood pooling below his head.
“Oh, shit!”
Cayne took off the other way, barreling back into the stairwell. “The men’s room on the fourth floor had a large window,” he grunted. “We’ll go out that way.”
He wrapped both arms around her body and used his shoulder to burst through the door. They came face-to-face with a familiar face: Charles!
He was one of those reanimated zombie things!
And there were others, some faces she recognized, a dozen reanimated Chosen no doubt all killed in the battle at the compound.
Before Cayne could even react, Charles pulled out a gun and shot him twice.
The blast knocked him back, buckled his knees. Julia heard a grunted curse, and then Herbert was on her, and two others joined him, grabbing her arms and legs and hoisting her up, like they were ENTs carrying a gurney.
She shrieked as she fought them, but their grips were right. They were carrying her down the hall, she was screaming, and then Cayne was there. He ripped Herbert’s head right off then cut through a dead woman’s right arm.
Julia fell, landing on her butt as Cayne wrestled with two more. She was up, looking for some kind of weapon, when Strong burst from the stairwell.
“You asshole!” She ran into him with a head butt, releasing a burst of energy without even meaning to. It knocked him down, and Julia jumped on top of him, ignoring the grasping hands of— oh God Anise! Her face was ghastly, and Strong took advantage of Julia’s distraction. He smacked her across the face and she crashed against the wall.
Cayne took care of Anise, but Strong took care of him with a powerful blow.
I guess that’s why he’s called Strong.
Julia tacked him, sat on top of his stomach and smashed her fist into his face, shocked to watch his dirty aura flare around him as he curled in on himself, his light—oh, God—extinguished.
Good, she told herself, spinning, but it wasn’t good and her heart stopped because Cayne was on the ground and they were all on top of him.
“Cayne!”
Her voice brought him around, and he staggered up, arms outstretched, glazed eyes looking for Julia. Pain lit up his eyes and blood ran down his chest, but his arms encircled her, and though he groaned, he lifted her and rammed through the nearest bedroom door. He dropped Julia onto the rug, pushed a dresser in front of the door, and stood over her, trying and failing to lean down; blood soaked his green t-shirt and turned his jeans crimson, making her stomach churn and her lips quiver.
“Julia…?” He panted. “Are you…okay?”
She nodded. “Yes! Are you? What can I do?”
He shook his head. “Be fine.” His mouth pulled up on one corner, and she felt heartbreakingly sure he was trying to give her a reassuring smile. “Just…come with me. No…arguing.”
He took her hand and led her to the window, and he just stood there, breathing labored, face pained.
“Will you heal?”
He nodded.
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah.”
Finally she got t
he blasted window open, inviting in a burst of freezing air; she could hear the terror-stricken shouts of resort guests as blue light flashed outside and fists banged on their door and suddenly Dizzy’s voice was there out in the hall, shouting Julia’s name.
Cayne’s huge wings came out, and they were fine and unhurt—of course!—and he already seemed a little less winded as he scooped her up, leaned through the window, and pushed out into the night.
“Fly over the resort first! Don’t leave!”
But Cayne was swooping across the snow-covered lawn. He spun in place briefly, giving Julia a horrifying glimpse of the resort going down like a sinking ship. One of the domes had collapsed; below them, dozens of people were moving like angry ants in the snow.
“I’m sorry,” Cayne said, and Julia felt him reposition so he could carry her away. But before he could get far, she heard a mighty boom and felt a whoosh of air as Cayne’s left wing folded, and they crashed into the snow.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Cayne? CAYNE?!” Julia’s voice came back and with it a horrifying panic. His blood was in the snow and his wing was crumpled and he wasn’t moving. “Cayne,” she sobbed, grabbing his warm face and leaning over him. “Cayne? Please be okay! Please wake up!”
“Julia!”
She glanced over her shoulder, saw Meredith was running to her. She turned back to Cayne. “Cayne! Get up!”
Meredith pulled her off of him and grabbed her arm. “Julia! Everyone saw you! They saw you fall! You need to go!”
“No way! I have to heal him!” Why wasn’t she already healing him?! She put her hands on his chest and pushed a burst of energy into him. It left her weak and shaking but his eyelids fluttered.
“Meredith! I didn’t know!”
That deep, insistent voice was Nathan’s, and hearing it made Julia’s adrenaline kick into overdrive. She laced her fingers through Cayne’s and tugged. “Wake up,” she screeched. “We need to leave!”
He groaned. “Julia?”
“I’m right here.” She caressed his warm forehead.
“I swear I didn’t know! I didn’t order this!” Meredith was blocking Nathan, waving her arms wildly and shoving at him when he tried to touch her. “I don’t believe you! Liar! Go away! I won’t let you hurt my friends!”