Chapter 38 — I will find you

Kell:

“It’s over here,” I say, pointing to an old church hidden by a cove of trees. After I tracked Amara’s phone, Azazel and I drove until we were in the deeply wooded area a few miles from Arcata. The area is deathly dark and unnervingly quiet. You can’t even hear the song of crickets. Which is odd in this part of California. It seems that every animal has left the area. In the center of the wooded area, there’s an ominous-looking church that has seen better days.

The church is old and unkempt with crumbling cement and brick walls painted in garish mud colors. There’s a bell tower centered on the top, and most of the stained glass windows are cracked or boarded up. The wooden front door looks like it is falling off its hinges. As we near the church, I remove my jacket and tie. The air is almost oppressive the closer we get. An ominous feeling seizes me as I step out of the car and take a few heavy steps.

Azazel follows behind me and utters with a sense of urgency. “Do you feel that?”

I look back at him and nod my head and try to take a few more steps. It’s nearly impossible to take a walk. It almost feels like I’m wading through quicksand. Azazel struggles as well and says with a concerned frown. “Be careful, mate. This feels like some kind of trap. This place is definitely bewitched.”

I continue to struggle through whatever force is keeping us from moving faster and use all of the angel strength I have to push through it. I had never been so desperate to get to Amara. I strain my ears for any sounds that might indicate that Amara’s in the church, but no sound reaches my ears. I don’t let that deter me, though.

That’s when it happens. The sky lights up with a molten flame. The flame twists and turns like a funnel over the bell tower of the church. Whatever magic was keeping me from moving disappears, turning into a vacuum instead. Azazel and I are suddenly inundated with flying debris that is being sucked into the funnel. The funnel begins to expand, nearly covering the church’s perimeter. The ground begins to shake, and balls of flame begin to shoot out from the funnel, like cannonballs. We both drop as one of the fireballs crashes on the ground near our feet. We are being pelted from both sides as branches from the trees and flying garbage flutter by us, and the flaming rocks hit the ground.

I rush towards the door, ignoring the danger around us, when Azazel’s hand stops my descent. I look back at him to see him covered in dirt and scratches from the flying debris. His clothing is torn and bloodstained too. I’m sure I don’t look any different. “YOU CAN’T JUST RUSH IN THERE! MATHIAS AND THE ENFORCERS ARE ON THEIR WAY! LET’S WAIT FOR THEM!” He shouts out from over the torrential wind.

I shake my head and look back. “I CAN’T, AZAZEL. I CAN’T LET HER DIE!”

After a moment, he releases my arm and says with as much calm as he can muster under the hammering current of air and dirt flying around us. “THEN LET’S THINK THIS THROUGH! IT WON’T DO HER ANY GOOD IF WE DIE BEFORE WE CAN RESCUE HER!”

I look at the door, then back at him hesitantly, and nod my head. “OKAY!”

Azazel points to a large tree stump in a shadowy corner and nudges his head towards it. It takes us minutes of struggling to get to it, but we finally reach it. We both jump behind it and rest our backs on it breathlessly. Azazel covers his face with a dark kerchief in order to keep the debris from cutting into his face. Keeping my cover behind the log, I turn quickly and gaze at the church. “How are they able to make such strong magic?” Azazel shrugs. “It must be all of the power they stole from those girls. Who knows what else they have out here? See if you can get to that window… but be careful.” He mutters through his muffled kerchief as he gestures to an open window a few meters away.

I nod my head and crawl slowly towards the window. My ears ache as the pressure in the air increases, and my eyes burn from the fragments of dust flying around. I close my eyes, try to clear my vision, and continue to struggle through the deluge of fireballs.

We finally make it to the window and pry it open. That’s when I almost lose it. My eyes home in on Amara’s prone body lying on a stone altar. Taylor, and who I believe is, Marael, are both chanting on each side of her. Their eyes are closed, and their hands are pointed to the sky as if in supplication. I can’t tell whether she’s dead or not from this angle. However, since Marael is holding a bloodless knife over her head, I’m going to assume that the ritual has not been completed.

It’s as if my body has taken over. Before I know it, I’m flying over the window and running towards the macabre scene. I can hear Azazel yell something from behind me. But I’m too intent on saving my mate’s life to listen.

Marael and Taylor’s eyes snap open, glowing a bloody crimson color. Seeing my charging figure, Marael waves her arm towards me and strikes me with a magical orb. My body flies back and slams into a nearby pew breaking it in half. Azazel stops next to me in full demon form. His leathery wings and claws are retracted, and even though his face is obscured by the kerchief, I can see that his eyes are glowing red. “I’m fine! Get Marael. Taylor is mine!” I grit out through my sharp fangs as I rise from the floor and let my angel form overtake me. My wings retract, and my eyes sharpen into an electric blue glow. Then I release my claws and fly up into the air full throttle.

Azazel rushes to Marael, who is now shooting more glowing orbs towards us. However, this time, we’re prepared. We both maneuver around her assailing orbs, ducking and weaving in the air until we reach our quarry. Taylor and I crash into the ground and slide across the wooden floors, our limbs entwined in a grisly battle. I rake my claws over his arm, making him cry out in a chilling scream, but he’s undeterred. He manages to kick out my knee and elbows me in the throat, making me fall back onto the floor.

My wings stiffen and help me back on my feet. We’re now standing face to face. Taylor removes a knife from his back and aims it at my heart, but I manage to twirl and kick him on his back before I stomp on his head. He grunts, falling face down and loses his grip on the knife, then turns on his back and kicks out at my chest. I stumble back and kick my boot at his face, but he ducks it and manages to get up again.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Azazel and Marael fighting. However, my mind is focused on the task at hand. Taylor aims a punch at my face, but I duck and punch him in the chest with all the strength I have. His body sails back and crashes into a nearby column cracking it. Keeping his eyes on me, he rises from the floor and gives me his most twisted smile. “You can’t beat me, Kell. Just give up, and I’ll give her a quick death!” He says arrogantly.

His words enrage me. How dare he think he could hurt my mate? Pulling my chest out, I roar out with fury and charge towards him with an intent gait. “I’m going to kill you, you little shit!”

His eyes go round with surprise, but he’s not out of the count. In a desperate attempt, he raises his arm in front of him and begins to chant. My pace slows with every word he says. It’s just like the feeling of wading through quicksand that I felt outside. However, I can feel the magic wearing off as soon as it starts. He must be expelling too much energy with the fight.

Taylor continues to chant and places a glowing palm on his chest. The glow begins to expand and overtake his whole body. My feet struggle against its forced sluggishness as I try to get closer. But his body is no longer visible under the intensity of the illumination. I blink my eyes, trying to see through the light and stagger back when the light fractures and shoots out towards me like slinging arrows whizzing through the air. The light smashes into my chest, making me stumble, but I remain on my feet.

Turning back to Taylor, I narrow my eyes with shock when I end up facing some kind of grotesque monster. “Taylor?” I ask.

What the hell?

The monster—Taylor—opens its mouth and gives me a glimpse of sharp rotting teeth before he lets out a booming roar. I can’t believe it. How is it possible that Taylor can turn into a monster? Taylor is massive, with a gaunt pallor and a bald head. His whole body is bursting with overinflated muscles. It looks like his skin is so tight that all you see is what is underneath. His eyes are still glowing, and in his left hand, there’s a large metal ax. His chest is heaving under the strain of what looks like a bloody robe. And his nostrils are flaring like a bull's nose when it’s about to charge. It looks like the monster Amara described from her visions.

Straightening my spine, I prepare for the attack that is about to come. Taylor wields the ax effortlessly as he twirls it over his head and aims at my stomach. I spin around, avoiding the ax by mere inches, and twist my leg to hit him in the knee. Before he can recover, I flutter my wings and ram against his back until he stumbles and loses his ax, but he doesn’t fall. We both face each other determinately and circle around the church floor, never taking our eyes off each other.

We circle each other like two predators trying to find their prey's weakness. I want to check on Amara so bad, but I know that it would be a dangerous move.

Taylor extends his clawed hand and grazes my chest. I fall to my knees, feeling the burn of his claws sear my skin. Placing my hand on my chest, I look down at my shredded shirt in disbelief. There’s blood gushing from the blistering wound as the pain becomes unbearable. That’s not the part that worries me, though. Being a supernatural means that I should heal from any weapon other than a sacred sword, but my skin is not healing.

Taylor sees his advantage and aims his clawed hand at my neck. I pull back, avoiding his clawed hands and kick him hard in the chest. Before he can right himself, I fly over his head, grip him by the neck, and wrap my forearm around it in hopes of cutting off his oxygen. But he’s not fazed by it at all. Reaching over his head, he grabs me by the neck and flicks me off like a pesky fly. His strength is outstanding. My wings bend, and my head throbs as my body crashes against one of the walls.

I slide to the ground with a groan. My left wing hangs lifelessly on my side. I try to move it, but the only thing that I feel is an agonizing pain course through me. I take a few breaths trying to stave off nausea that is rolling through me with every movement. Taylor uses this advantage and takes me by the neck, cutting off my air. Spots dance before my eyes, and my vision begins to fade. But I don’t give up trying to remove his hand from my throat. I kick out at his chest as hard as I can and break off a few of his fingers in the process. He howls in anguish and stumbles back, holding his broken hand to his chest.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I pull his head between the palms of my hands and jab my thumbs into his eyes. He screeches loudly and blindly wraps his hands around my legs, trying to debilitate me. But I have the advantage now. Raising my knee up, I slam it against his nose hard. Taylor falls weakly and slides back on the floor. What shocks me is that instead of blood coming out of his wounds, there is a strange blue liquid pouring down his face.

I watch his retreating form recoil away from mine and reach for his abandoned ax. The ax is heavier than I thought it would be. I twirl it around my hand, adjusting to its weight and raise it over my shoulder with purpose. I don’t give him a chance to recover before I bring the ax down his head. Unfortunately, the Council chooses to show up at that very moment. They all rush in and launch an attack. Taylor uses the Council’s appearance as a distraction. Before I can do anything, he skids across the floor and pulls Amara’s unconscious form in front of him.

I watch helplessly as he uses Amara’s body as a shield to protect himself—the coward. Everyone’s eyes are focused on Taylor now. I take a few relieved breaths when my wing heals and detracts into my back and watch as a very ragged looking Marael flanks Taylor. I guess Azazel didn’t kill her. Too bad. We are all at a standoff. Marael and Taylor have an unmoving Amara on one side of the altar. While the rest of us are on the other.

Marael smirks condescendingly at our predicament. “It looks like we’re at an impasse, Mathias.” She lifts her ceremonial blade and places it under Amara’s chin. “I suggest that you back off right now, or I’m going to kill this girl.”

My body tightens furiously at the thought of them hurting my mate. I flex my fists and look at Mathias, who gives us an imperceptible nod and lowers his guns. I can tell by the flaring of his nostrils and the tightening of his jaw that he’s pissed beyond belief. His Auburn colored hair glows like a flame in the light of the moon, and his golden eyes shine like amber. “You know that the Council will not let you get away with this. Just let the girl go and turn yourself in, Marael.”

Marael’s eyes dilate into sharp points. “And why should I do that, Mathias? You and I both know that the Council will destroy me.”

I almost throw up when she runs the blade up Amara’s jaw in a deadly caress. Amara’s eyes gaze into mine in horror, then tear up. My heart aches at her terror. All I want to do is snatch her from Taylor’s arms and take her away from this place.

Mathias takes a cautious step forward and raises his palms up in supplication. “What if I promise to let you live?”

Marael snorts and tilts her head to the side with disbelief. “Let’s say I agree with your proposition. How is this little scenario going to play out? Am I expected to live in a locked cell for the rest of my life?”

Mathias opens his mouth to answer; however, before he can, Marael throws her head back with a cackle and viciously spits out, “Screw you, Mathias! I will not be your little prisoner!”

Before Mathias can collect himself, Marael raises a clawed hand, pushes Amara onto Taylor, and shouts through clenched teeth. “Kill her and finish the ritual!” To my horror, she begins to chant and unleashes hell. It’s as if all of the power she was holding within her has exploded out of her body.

The floor begins to quake like a ten on the Richter scale, and the roof starts to shudder as it breaks apart. The chandeliers on the ceiling fall to the floor with a loud crash, and the bell slams into the side of the roof with a clatter. Mathias and the others try to battle their way through the crumbling room and attempt to reach Marael. Taylor uses Marael’s distraction to his advantage and runs off with Amara’s form thrown over his shoulder. Stumbling across the room, I avoid the falling stucco roof and trail after a retreating Taylor. A cloud of dust descends upon us as the roof continues to crumble. Taylor’s massive monster body stumbles a few times as he tries to avoid the shattered floor.

Unfortunately, his body is too bulky for the fragile floor, and within a few steps, the floor breaks apart, and they both fall through it. A scream lodges in my chest as I watch Amara and Taylor fall through the floor. I try to push forward in hopes of saving my love, but I’m too late. All I can do is search helplessly for any sign that she’s alive. Using my wings to propel myself, I get on my knees and use my Nephilim sight to look through the pitch darkness of the basement floor. But all I can see is empty, bottomless darkness. I gaze around the floor, being careful to not jar any boards, when my eyes land on an ancient door off to the side.

It must be the basement door. It takes me a couple of minutes before I can get the door open due to its old rotting hinges. The door finally opens with a loud squeal, nearly falling off its joints. I push through the door and slowly descend the crumbling cement steps. The darkness envelopes my senses, making the hair on my arms stand on end. The church steps are deceptively long. From the looks of the carvings on the stone walls, this part of the church must be older than the rest. Perhaps centuries older.

Eventually, I make it to the bottom of the steps and find myself in the middle of some cavernous, gothic-looking hallway. The walls are lined with what looks like human bones, and the floor is littered with sewer water. The sounds of dripping water and wind permeate my senses. I take a few cautious steps as I keep an eye out for Taylor and Amara. But I don’t see any sign of them. Worry etches my mind. Where are they? I continue to walk, unaware of where I am going, until a shaft of light beams down upon me from the broken slats where Amara and Taylor fell through.

I gaze around the eerie light, but all I see is emptiness. I take a few deep breaths trying to clear my air passages from the floating dust and soil. The air is nearly oppressive in its density. The hairs on my neck stand on end as I gaze around the grim-looking opening and push forward. Just then, I stumble back from an invisible force. I look around the room cautiously, but there’s not a soul in sight. However, all of my senses tell me that there’s a presence in the room. I raise my hand towards the area and hiss when a sizzling current flashes through my hand. I pull back my hand and gaze at my palm, but there’s no sign of damage. This is definitely some kind of magic at work.

However, I know that I have to be careful of whatever is bewitching the room. As cautiously as I can, I extend my wings, and with all the Nephilim power I can muster, I push through the invisible barrier. A brilliant light explodes around me and rips through my body like a lightning strike. My mouth opens in a wordless scream as my body contorts with every painful strike. Suddenly the light fades, and the world disappears.