Chapter 19 — Dead Soul

Mathias:

My body strains as I run closer to the wailing cries. It takes us a few minutes to reach the cries. Have you ever felt your heart shatter? At first, you’ll feel a heavy pressure in your chest, then a painful ripping feeling in the pit of your stomach until you can’t breathe. That’s how I feel the moment I see my daughter, Nevaeh, covered in blood with my unconscious mate in her arms. Nevaeh’s cries echo through the barren grounds as she grips Cassia tightly to her chest. Falling to my knees, I swallow down my grief. Mikhail and Azazel reach Nevaeh and wrap their arms around her, their faces contorted with sorrow.

“Nevaeh baby, oh my god.” I hear Azazel and Mikhail call out with a horrified cry. As if in a trance, Nevaeh finally looks at Mikhail, a sad, shocked look in her tearful eyes. Holding her bloody palms out, she robotically mutters. “She did it for me. She’s dead because of me. Lukan said I was having a baby, and Cassia traded her life for ours.”

Mikhail and Azazel look at her, a shocked expression adorning her features. My vision dulls with pain as I gaze into my soul mate’s lifeless eyes. The sky resounds with an animalistic howl of pain. This time it’s me crying out for my loss. Reaching for her body, I wrap her in my arms. “Cassia…no…” I cry out my rage as her head falls to the side. I tuck it into my chest, caressing my hands across her silken lips and gently close her vacant eyes. Tears rain down my face, to fall on her cold cheeks as I let my grief overtake me. Pain, as I’ve never known, overwhelms me. It’s worse than what I felt when I thought I had lost Marael. And that’s when reality crashes down on me. I loved Cassia. She was my soul mate. Oh, how foolish I was to deny it when I felt it.

“Mathias, we have to go. We can come back later. Azazel will keep watch over the cemetery. We need to get them out of here.” I nod my head, unable to utter a word as I lift Cassias’ body and spread my wings to take flight.

Throat tight with tears, I turn to Mikhail, “We should go to the Council building.” Lips tight, Mikhail nods his head and takes off with a traumatized Nevaeh in his arms. Everyone stops and stares as I carry a lifeless Cassia inside. I’m running on automatic at this point. Everything inside of me is aching. I know that if I don’t clear my thoughts, I will fall apart.

Isaiah and Gadriel meet us as soon as we walk through the door, their expressions grim. Gadriel jaw clenches as he takes in the scene, “Mathias? What…”

Without a word, I walk past them to the council chapel and lay my love on the altar. As if all of my will is gone, I collapse and fall to my knees in front of my love’s altar. Mikhail and Nevaeh slump next to me, looking just as devastated.

Isaiah and Gadriel’s faces contort with pity. “Is that…Oh, my God?” Choking down my agony, I turn to both angels and manage to croak out. “Get all the enforcers ready. Lukan has his immortality back, and I know where he is.” I can see that they have a question, but neither of them asks it out loud. I’m sure that my closed-off expression is warning enough for them to understand that I do not wish to say more.

Once both men are gone, I rise from my perch, dry my face and turn to Nevaeh. “Tell me what happened.” Neveah wipes her tears as she chokes back a sob. “Lukan had us in this room. He gagged me, tied me up, and strapped Cassia to a chair. She…she told Lukan that she wasn’t giving him anything, but Lukan told her that I was pregnant. Cassia…somehow… Cassia knew. I don’t know how, but she knew. But I know that it wasn’t true. It’s not possible.”

Nevaeh's face darkens with desolation. “He told her he’d cut the baby and me to pieces if she didn’t do what I ask. Cassia told him she didn’t trust that he’d let her go, so she made a pact. Something about blood.”

Mikhail and I look at each other in understanding. “The Sanguis Pactum.” We mutter in unison.

Nevaeh nods her head. “Yeah, she told him that she would give him her wings if he released me and let me take her dead body out of that place. She wanted her mom to get her body. She said he wouldn’t receive her immortality until her body was dead, and I was released. He agreed. After the pact was completed, he…he…”

Her sobs renew, and her body begins to shudder. “He cut her wings off. She was in so much pain. It was horrible. I could see blood everywhere. When Lukan released me, she and I somehow made it out of that horrid place. She told me…”

Her sobs continue breaking through her words. “She told me to tell you that she was sorry she wasn’t what you wanted. Then she told me to be happy, and then…and then she was dead.”

As if unable to contain her pain any longer, Nevaeh begins to sway in place. Crying out, Mikhail catches her before she hits the ground.

I know I should comfort her, but I’m too busy drowning in regret. Cassia died thinking I had rejected her. I never told her that I loved her. My pain surmounts.

Tightening my fist, blood pours through my fingers as my nails dig into my palms painfully. Yet, the pain isn’t enough to take away the ache in my heart. Turning the altar that now holds Cassia’s lifeless body, I caress her face and hair and place a kiss on her temple. When I close my eyes, I can imagine that she’s just sleeping. Laying one final kiss on her lips, I brokenly whisper. “Cassia, I’m so sorry. I love you so much. I wish I could have told you that. But I promise you, I will get Lukan for what he’s done.”

With renewed resolve, I straighten up and move towards the exit. Nevaeh and Mikhail following behind me. “What are we going to do, Mathias?” I look at Mikhail feeling cold rage replace the pain of my loss. “Now, we go to war.”

Before I can take another step, Nevaeh grips my elbow. “Wait, Mathias. What if there’s another way?”

Stopping, I curl my upper lip and scowl. “WHAT OTHER WAY IS THERE, NEVAEH? CASSIA IS DEAD! LUKAN KILLED HER!” Nevaeh stumbles back, shocked by my anger. However, Mikhail is not threatened by my anger. Fists tight, he takes a defensive stance. “You need to back off, Mathias. We know you’re hurting, but that does not give you a reason to treat Nevaeh this way.”

Jaw tight, I take a few deep breaths. None of this is Nevaeh’s fault. I should have protected Cassia better. I’m the one to blame. “You’re right, Mikhail. I’m so sorry, Nevaeh. None of this is your fault.”

Nevaeh’s eyes gleam with sadness as she steps into my arms and embraces me tight. “It’s alright, Mathias.”

Awkwardly patting her back, I push her back into Mikhail’s arms and walk out the door.

Mikhail and Nevaeh follow behind me. “Look, Mathias, let’s think this through. Didn’t you say that Lukan has a way to resurrect the dead? Maybe…maybe we can resurrect Cassia. The pact said that the only way Lukan can have her immortality is if she’s dead. If she’s not, then the pact will be nulled. What if we resurrect her? Wouldn’t that make the pact null?”

Mikhail and I pause, stunned at her words. I’m at a loss. My god. Is it possible? If Cassia was resurrected, then everything would be reversed.

Running my hands through my hair, I consider the implications. “What Nevaeh is saying is true. Now that Lukan is immortal, he’s very strong. With all of his hellhounds, what is to say he won’t get away? However, what if we find the Lazarus tears? Marael seemed to be involved in this somehow. Maybe we can wait for her, trap her and find out Lukan’s plans. She would know where he keeps the tears.”

“Let’s find Marael.”

Thankfully, it’s not difficult to find Marael since we knew where she was. Stepping into the council’s interrogation room, I observe as my men lead her inside. I observe through clenched teeth as she struggles in my men’s hold. Not because I feel pity for her, but because I want to rip her to shreds for what she has done. I can’t understand now how I loved this woman. To find out that she was conspiring against me for years is like a kick in the teeth. I can’t believe that I was so blinded.

“Let go of me. What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She screams and pummels one of the men as she tries to pull her wrists from her restraints. My enforcers ignore her struggles, indifferent to her pain. Once they have her cuffed to a chair, I take a couple of calming breaths and stand in front of her.

Marael’s eyes widen with fear as soon as she spots me, which satisfies me to no end. I want her to be scared. I want her to see my rage. However, I have to give it to her because she quickly recovers. Her features soften, and her lips tilt into a welcoming smile. “Mathias, thank goodness. What am I doing here?” She asks innocently. You’d never think this woman was complicit in killing my mate. But I know who she is now, and I don’t plan on letting her manipulate again.

I squat down before her, my eyes gazing coldly into hers. “Well, Marael, you are here because we want to know why you’re working with Lukan Garron. So let’s start with that.” Marael’s brow furrows with confusion, but I can see right through her. “Cut the bullshit, Marael. We have proof that you’re working with Lukan. We know that you led my mate and daughter to the Mausoleum. What I want to know is what the hell this is about?”

She must see that I’m not fooled by her act because she instantly loses her innocent expression. It’s a bit disconcerting to see her face lose all pretense of emotion. “Hmm, I was wondering when you were going to figure it out. Poor Mathias, every woman he loves, dies. I heard that it was very painful when Lukan ripped your precious Cassia’s wings off.” She chuckles coldly.

Wings retracting, I place my hands over the chair’s armrest and lift the chair up with her in it. She has pushed me too far. Any sign of my tenuous hold is tattered. All I know is that I’m going to kill this woman. As if seeing her death in my eyes, her eyes widen, and her body quakes with fear. Nostrils flaring, I slam the chair back down on the floor. To my satisfaction, her teeth rattle, and her face contorts into a grimace. Her frightened cry is like a balm to my ears. I lean my face close to her pale face, my teeth pulled back with a growl. “I suggest you tread lightly, Marael. You sit there, mocking my pain without care, not realizing that I’m the only reason you’re still alive. Lukan is not here to save you. Right now, the only thing keeping me from stabbing my sword through your cold heart is that you have some information I need. And if you want to keep on living a bit longer, I suggest you cooperate. NOW, ANSWER MY GODDAMN QUESTION!”

Marael searches the room and swallows hard. “Lukan and I were lovers…” She answers quickly. “…Before you and I met, Lukan and I were lovers. Lukan was always ambitious. He hated the fact that you were the top enforcer of the council. He wanted to rule the Council, and you were standing in the way. So he came up with a plan. It was so easy to get to you since I worked for the Council too. I was their top witch. Before I became mortal, I had the gift of foresight. I told Lukan that I foresaw him becoming a leader of the Council. However, before he could accomplish that goal, he had to destroy the half breed boy… and you. He asked me to seduce you and give him any information he might need to infiltrate the Council. He even set up our first meeting. I worked hard to seduce you. After waiting for so many centuries, I knew you were already disillusioned with the idea of finding a mate. So I played with your emotions and convinced you to marry me. I won’t deny that you were very good in bed, though. Ironically enough, I also foresaw you becoming Cassia’s mate.”

I look down, surprised by her confession. “Why? Why does he want to lead the council so bad?”

Marael laughs manically. “Don’t you know, Mathias? If Lukan takes over the Council, he will be able to control all supernatural beings. You know how much he despises humans and how much he hated interspecies mating. He always believed that angelic lines should remain pure. Think about it. He can build an army from within and take over all the supernatural kingdoms. All he had to do was crush your spirit. And the loss of the woman you love was the perfect way to do it. Once you were hooked, he killed me and helped me sacrifice one of my sisters so that I may live. Unfortunately, I lost my witch powers. Unlike the rest of the Supernatural world, witches lose powers when they kill their own. It’s such bullshit. ”

Horror strikes me at her words, but I continue. “Why would you help him do this?” She clucks her tongue, sneers evilly. “Well, my beautiful Mathias, every king needs a queen. Why not me? Either way, his plans went to shit because you became even more dedicated to your position, and the half-breed boy hadn’t been born yet. Of course, he didn’t expect the boy to be his nephew. You should have seen his expression when he found out. But it didn’t deter him. If there’s anything an angel has, it’s time.”

I shake my head in denial at her words. “Don’t you care about anything?” Marael’s brow quirks with amusement. “Oh Mathias, there is only one person I care for, and you’re looking at her. Who cares about humans? Those disgusting creatures only care about themselves. Our people should be the ones ruling this world, yet we hide. Well, it’s our time now, and if all of the other supernatural do not agree, they can be crushed under our feet as well. Does that answer your question?”

Disgust rumbles inside my gut. For years I thought this woman loved me, and it was all a lie. It’s chilling to see how callous she is when she talks about her death.

Taking a step back, I remove my sword and press it against her neck. Marael resumes her terrified struggles, but I feel very little pity. I look deeply into her eyes, broadcasting my hate as I slide the blade across her neck and draw blood. “You forgot something Marael,” I mutter coldly.

Marael blinks in confusion. “What?” She croaks out nervously.

“You forget that you are now mortal. You’re no longer a witch. You’re no better than a human.”

She flinches back, horrified by the realization. For years this woman has lived a delusional fantasy that she would become a queen. Yet, in all of this time, she ignored the fact that she’s powerless. I run my gaze across her unblemished face before I meet her deceitful eyes. “What I don’t understand is how you still look so young. How is that possible if you’re not immortal?”

Marael’s face tightens with rage. Her nostrils flare, and her jaw clenches. “It hasn’t been an easy process. I’ve had to eliminate a few witches to keep myself looking young.”

Bile collects in my throat as her words sink in. She has been murdering witches in order to keep herself young. The mere fact that she shows no remorse for what she has done tells me that there are no redeemable qualities in this woman.

Raising my sword, I stand over her and aim it at her head. Marael’s eyes widen at my intent. “Wait…no…don't…” She cries out, renewing her struggles.

Smiling, I place my index finger on her lips. “Shhh, Marael. There’s no point in struggling. Now that you’re human, you’re of no use to us. Therefore, I’m going to do you a favor and kill you before Lukan does.” I pull back my arm, ready to strike and smile cruelly.

Her body shudders as she struggles to break her bonds. “Wait…wait, Mathias…maybe I can help you. I know where Lukan is. I can tell you…” I pretend to consider her words before I lower my sword. It looks like Marael is still only thinking of herself. However, this time, her fear is useful to me. “You know where Lukan is?”

She nods her head, enthusiastically. “Yes, I do.”

I nod my head, pretending to think it over. “Do you know where he keeps the Lazarus tears?”

She nods her head enthusiastically, her greed evident. She’d do anything to save herself. “Yes, he keeps it near him. He’s scared of being killed again.”

I release a sigh and tilt my head with a questioning frown. “Where does he keep it?”

She looks away as if weighing her options. But I know she’ll give in. She knows that she has no other choice but to save herself. “It’s in a secret place. I can get it for you. Just let me go, and I’ll get it.”

I shake my head. There’s no damn way I’m going to let this woman leave her without the reassurance that she’ll come back. I rest my sword beneath her neck and lift her chin with the tip. “What’s to say that if I let you go, you won’t run back to Lukan and tell him that I want the drops?” She shakes her head vehemently. “No, Mathias, I swear I won’t. Please. I’ll swear on a blood pact. You know a blood pact works with mortals and angels. I’ll get you the tears if you vow to let me go alive.”

I nod my head. “Very well, I will make a blood pact with you. In exchange for me releasing you, you will not tell Lukan about our conversation and get me the tears. I give you twenty-four hours to complete this task, or the pact will be broken, and you will die.” I release one of her hands, withdraw a knife from my boot and cut her palm and mine to seal our pact with blood.

I won’t pretend that the next twenty-four hours aren’t nerve-wracking. The plan was going accordingly. It surprised everyone that Marael was the one who proposed the blood pact. However, it worked perfectly to our advantage. Marael cares too much for her life to go back on the pact. She knows that if she does, she’ll die. And as she said, she only cares about her own well-being. Now that she’s aware of her mortality, she’ll be looking to save her own ass. I guess neither of them thought her resurrection through. Or maybe Lukan thought she was too stupid to realize that their deal only benefited him.

Mikhail, Azazel, and I wait impatiently for any word from her. Mikhail’s a bit more frantic than we are. Or maybe it’s that he doesn’t know how to hide his worry as well as we do. “What if she doesn’t come back?” His tone is grave as he paces anxiously in place.

“She has to come back,” I reply confidently. “She knows that she can’t break the pact. She will die if she does.”

A commotion outside the doors makes us all stiffen in place.

To our relief, Marael is being escorted by Gadriel into the building. She strides confidently into the room and hands me a vial. “I have what you asked for. Now it’s your turn to keep up your end of the pact.”

I take the vial from her hand and snap my fingers. Two council enforcers step inside of the room. “Please escort this woman to the council holding center where she will await trial.”

Marael begins to struggle and scream wildly. “You bastard. We have a pact. You have to release me!”

I give her a knowing smirk. “You should know better than to accept a blood pact without thinking it through. Marael. I said I’d release you, but I didn’t say when. But don’t worry as soon as the council tries you for treason against humanity and supernatural law; I will release you into your death.”

Her lips tremble with shock. “NO, NO, NO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS. YOU LOVE ME!” Curling my lip with derision, I slam my fist down on the table. “You’re wrong, Marael. I loved you once, but I love Cassia now and always.”

Her enraged cries follow me as I make my way out of the room, the vial of tears in my hand.

Mikhail and Nevaeh meet me as I walk towards the council chapel. “Do you have it?”

A relieved sigh escapes her lips when I present to her the vial. “Oh my gosh.”

Mikhail wraps his arm around Nevaeh’s shoulder and pulls her close. “She’s going to live, baby.” Their relief and excitement are intoxicating. Hell, I’m feeling completely gleeful, knowing that I have the key to my mate’s revival.

As soon as Marael left, I had some of the council doctors clean and keep Cassia preserved. When I walk in, I see her beautiful, clean body, laid to rest on the altar. Her hands are crossed over her stomach, and her face is serene. She looks like she’s sleeping.

Taking out the vial, I reach for Cassia's head and lift her into my arms. Her face is pallid and gray. I’m about to uncover the vial’s cap when a large explosion resounds around the room. Dirt and gravel rain down as the walls burst from the power of the explosion.

Mikhail takes a defensive stance, pulling Nevaeh behind him. I look around the room, ducking the flying debris raining down from the ceiling. Another explosion echoes through the building, shaking us from our spot. Taking cover, I pick up Cassia’s body and cover it with mine when a nearby wall explodes. The impact knocks me off my feet, slamming us against the opposite wall. I hold Cassia’s body protectively inside my arms as my body is flung against the hard concrete. My back cracks with the impact, but I’m fine. I know that if I had been human, I’d be dead.

At that moment, Lukan flies in, followed by a horde of hellhounds. The sound of screams outside of the room becomes louder as chaos reigns, followed by more explosions. Looks like Lukan has moved up his plans to take over the Council.

Chest having, I pass Cassias’ body to Mikhail. “Take her and Nevaeh somewhere safe, and…” Before I can say another word, Lukan lands in front of me, brandishing a large sword. “WHERE ARE THE TEARS?”

Unafraid, I take out my own sword and call back to Mikhail. “GET THEM OUT OF HERE! NOW!” Without another word, Mikhail carries the girls quickly away. I turn back to Lukan, who advances on me and prepares to fight. We clash swords, fighting our way to the center of the room. I kick out, hitting him in the knees. As he falls, I move to cut his head, but he rolls away, slashes his sword across my chest, cutting my chest shallowly. He moves to cut again, but I block him. The hellhounds surround us striking any part of me they can find. Thankfully, Gadriel, Azazel, and Isaiah join the fray and fight off the hellhounds.

Mikhail appears by my side, punching and clawing hellhounds in hopes of getting them off me. Lukan tries to stab me again, but I cut the back of his leg and kick his knee.

Mikhail uses his moment of distraction and whispers. “Give me the tears, Mathias.” I reach in my pocket and am about to hand it over when Lukan cuts at my wrist, and the vial falls to the ground. Lukan’s eyes widen with shock when he sees the vial. Seeing an opportunity, he struggles to take it. Mikhail follows behind him and reaches for the vial while I try to incapacitate him. Pushing forward, I jump on Lukan’s back and tear at his wings.

He cries out in pain and tries to buck me off, but I hold tight. There’s no way that I’m letting him take the only thing that will bring Cassia back. “Get off me, you bastard!”

At that moment, Mikhail reaches the vial and gives Lukan a sly smile before he slips away.

Lukan’s face flushes with rage as he tries to unsuccessfully reach Mikhail. “NO, IT’S MINE!” He screams out. His rage is palpable. However, mine is stronger. Turning him over, hold him down, and punch him in the face. The sound of bone-crunching gratifies me, but I know he’s not down. Not by a longshot. His blood splatters around me with every hit, and my knuckles burn, but I don’t stop. Lukan kicks out, throwing me over his head.

But I recover and twist to kick him in the head. He reaches for his sword and tries to get up. His face is bruised and bloodied, and one of his eyes is damaged. Unperturbed, I kick his wrist, breaking it, and kick his feet out from under him. Lukan grasps my ankles, twisting hard, but I continue to kick.

A wrenching in my shoulders tears me away from him as two hellhounds seize my arms and twist them behind me. I try to free my wings, but they hold me tight.

Lukan stands up, grasping the sword with his other arm, while the hellhounds push me to my knees. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen, eh Mathias? For so many years, I’ve loathed you and the Council. Now, here I am, finally getting what I deserve.”

He twists the sword in his arm, arches it up, and is about to bring it down when a burst of light begins forming in his chest. The light is so bright that it’s almost blinding. I blink my eyes as he takes a step back and touches his chest. His eyes widen with fear, and his lips open with a soundless cry. The light expands, bursting through his body. As the light becomes brighter, I down and close my eyes.

When I open my eyes, I face a wingless Lukan. His face is pale and sallow, and his skin is withering. The tears worked. Horrified, Lukan twists his head and cries out mournfully when he notices that his wings are missing.

Using his distraction, I elbow one of the hellhounds in the face and kick the other in the knee. Both of them go down howling. Before they can attack, I cut them both down, reach for my sword, and prepare for Lukan’s attack. Just as Lukan is preparing to strike me down, I aim my sword at his chest and pierce his heart. You can hear the sound of the sword, hitting flesh and piercing bone as it stabs through his chest.

Eyes wide, Lukan steps back with a groan. Disbelief coloring his features as she takes in the sword embedded in his chest.

He falls to his knees as blood streams down his mouth. I can see that he’s trying to talk, but no words come out. “It looks like you’re right, Lukan. You are getting what you deserve.” I mutter derisively as I raise my sword and slam it down his bare neck, and cut his head clean off his body. He’s dead, and this time for good. As if their strings were cut, all of the hellhounds stop fighting and surrender to my men. Breathing raggedly, I watch the blood gushing out of his neck and head.

Gadriel, Azazel, and Isaiah don’t waste time apprehending the hell hounds. Exhausted, I drop my sword on the floor. I’m about to turn to leave when a familiar voice calls my name. “Mathias!”

I turn around to the sound of approaching feet. Cassia is standing near the doorway, her long blond hair framing her face like a halo, and her body still encased in the simple, white dress. My heart gives a great leap as I move swiftly towards her. Seeing the look of happiness on my face Cassia runs into my arms, gripping me tightly. I bury my face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent and close my eyes, desperate to hold on to her. “Cassia, you’re alive,” I whisper softly.

Tears gleam in her eyes as she pulls back and gazes intently into my eyes, caressing my cheek with a soft sigh. “You brought me back.” She seems surprised, which makes me a bit sad. I have a lot to make up for, and it begins with me telling her how much I love her. “God, baby, I thought I lost you.”

She reaches up and kisses me hard. The kiss is sweet and passionate. Cassia tries to pull away, but this time I refuse to let her go. “I love you, Cassia. Don’t ever leave me again!” I mutter against her lips.

At my words, her lips quirk into a radiant smile. “I love you too, Mathias, and I promise never to die again.” Chuckling, we lean our foreheads together and look into each other’s eyes.

Mikhail clears his throat loudly, bringing us back to reality. “Looks like Lukan isn’t going to be a problem anymore. Unfortunately, Marael got away.” He points to all the rubble near the cells.

However, I’m in too much of a good mood to care. Cassia is alive, and that’s all that matters. I shrug my shoulders, happy to see that all of my friends are okay. “We’ll catch her eventually. For now, let’s see if we can clean this mess up.”

We all nod in consensus as we make our way through the rubble. Happy, I place my arm around Cassia’s shoulder and walk towards Nevaeh. Nevaeh gives me a watery smile when I pull her close. “Thank you for bringing back Cassia, Nevaeh. I love you, my daughter.”

Nevaeh gasps in surprise and hugs me close. “I love you, too…dad.” She smiles widely.