Chapter 8 - Follow through
Cain:
I have it. I have a way to harness the power. I look at the book in my hand. After researching the Divinity Pantheon’s archives, I found something that could help Lilith.
I look at the picture of the arrow and the ancient map, feeling excitement thrumming in my chest as the key to restoring the power to its original vessel is revealed.
“I have it,” I mutter before I flash from the archive’s vault to Lilith’s home.
I take a seat in Lilith’s armchair and watch as she sleeps. She must have been exhausted after our eventful night because it’s still early in the evening. It’s strange because Lilith is unlike anyone that I have ever met before. She’s unique in the way that she has a foot in both worlds. There’s really no label for what she is in our world. She’s not quite human, but she’s not quite supernatural either.
For a moment, I consider not waking her, but I soon realize that I have to. She needs to know that I’m deadly serious about finding the Tenebrous.
Rising up, I gaze down and see that she’s lying on her side with an arm tucked under her head and the other over her flat belly. Lilith’s wearing a pair of black shorts shows the curves of her firm arse and a crop top that molds to her perfect breasts like a second skin.
Reaching forward, I slide my fingers up her silken thigh, stomach and arm until I reach her neck. Tendrils of her ebony hair rest across the tip of my fingers and fall across her fragile shoulders.
With every touch, my body tenses with desire.
Lilith must feel my presence because a moment later, she opens her eyes. My heart flutters with desire when she stretches her arm and languidly blinks. Unfortunately, the vulnerable moment is shattered when she sees me.
Her lips pucker with annoyance as she sits up on the bed and glares, “How long have you been standing there staring at me like a dodgy wanker?”
I lower my hand, feigning indifference as I turn back to the chair and take a seat, “I had just walked in to see you taking a kip. Did you find the information we need, or do we have to rethink this partnership?” I settle my ankle on my knee and lean back with a casual arrogance.
Her lip curls as she slides off the bed and faces me, “It is as you said. The Tenebrous is searching and draining the life of everything that comes near it.”
I rub my palms across the chair’s soft, chenille surface and arch a brow. “Where is it, then?”
Eyes narrowed, Lilith shakes her index finger and jeers, “I can’t tell you until you tell me how you’re going to make sure the Tenebrous is safely harnessed.”
I quirk a brow as I call my power forward and present her with an ancient book. While Lilith was securing the Tenebrous information, I called an old friend and procured several ancient Norse tomes from him. I wanted to learn everything that I could about the power and Hod.
Lor was kind enough to give me tomes that belong to an ancient scribe named Edda. Edda was a Norse scribe around 1200 CE who wrote many scrolls, chronicling the Norse Kings and Queens’ history.
When I don’t answer right away, Lilith crosses her arms in front of her chest and taps her foot impatiently, “Well, are you going to tell me your sodding plan or not?”
I exhale deeply before I answer, “We’re going to find Hod’s temple and his Mistletoe arrow.”
Her brow furrows with confusion, “Didn’t Hod die thousands of years ago?”
I nod, “Yes, he did. However, this book,” I wave the book in front of Lilith’s nose, “Was written by an ancient Norse scribe who states that Hod’s temple was sealed by Frigg after Hod’s death to keep worshipers from visiting and worshipping the god.”
Lilith takes the book from my hand and opens it to a marked section about Hod’s temple. She sorts through the pages and reads them carefully, “Do you think the temple still exists?”
I nod, “I do. Back then, when the Gods sealed temples, they ensured they would be preserved before they sealed them. It was Frigg’s way of thumbing her nose at her son’s murderer. To leave their temple in pristine condition but unusable would have been the ultimate insult. All we have to do is go to the temple and find the arrow.”
“Why do we need to find an arrow?” she asks.
I take the book from her hand and turn to a page with a picture of an arrow made of mistletoe, “The mistletoe arrow was the arrow Hod used to mistakenly kill Baldr. It was a crucial moment that changed Hod’s destiny, and because of that, Hod’s essence was imprinted into the arrow. According to the scribe, the Tenebrous can be harnessed by the arrow. All we need to do is find the arrow.”
“Didn’t the Norse gods live in Asgard? Last I heard, Asgard was not on earth,” she retorts tartly.
I scoff at her wry tone, “You’re right. Asgard is not on earth. However, because Frigg wanted to erase Hod from their Pantheon of gods, she sent his temple to earth.”
I open the books again and sort through the pages until I find an old map. “Using this map, I linked it to related landscapes in places that I believed the Norse gods inhabited and came to the conclusion that Hod’s temple is located in the Galdhøpiggen mountain region. The area is part of National Park in the Southern half of Norway.”
Lilith looks at the map, “That mountain is over 80,000 feet and surrounded by glaciers. How do you expect to find a temple in such a vast range?”
I quirk a brow, impressed by her knowledge. The moment I learned of her reemergence and researched her, I found that Lilith is wickedly brilliant. The woman is not just a pretty face.
I close the book and magic it back to its hiding place. “What we’ll do is flash ourselves to the nearest town and take the east hiking trail. It’s the only side that we can take to avoid the glaciers. We’ll take some provisions and camp out.”
She shifts her feet and looks on thoughtfully. “That still doesn’t solve the problem of how we’ll find the temple. I highly doubt that will be a simple task.”
I nod. “True, but we have the map on the book, which should help us narrow a location. We can also speak to the locals to see if they have heard any rumors.”
Lilith takes a deep breath and nods. “Brilliant. So, when do we leave?”
Rising from my perch, I stand before her and mutter, “First thing first, luv. I need to know what you learned about the Tenebrous’s whereabouts.”
Lilith bites her lower lip and rubs the bridge of her nose, “A friend of Lucifers told me that the Tenebrous is in an isolated island off the Rakhine Coast.”
I contemplate what I know about the Rakhine Coast and immediately establish a couple of viable places where the Tenebrous might have been stored. “Alright, once we find the arrow, we’ll go to the island and use it to contain the Tenebrous. We can gather all of the supplies we’ll need in the morning and flash ourselves to the mountain after.”
“I can’t just leave like that. I have to give notice at my workplace and give Lucifer a reason for my disappearance.
My fists tighten with anger when she references Lucifer. “Why would you have to warn that git? I thought you were not on speaking terms.”
A wry snort escapes her luscious lips, “For someone who says he’s been looking for me, you are unenlightened as to where I’ve been.”
I consider her response for a moment, “What do you mean?”
She sputters with surprise, “The only reason you didn’t find me before is that Lucifer imprisoned me in hell until a witch inadvertently freed me. After trying to kill him again, Lucifer siphoned my power and sent me to live with Michael. The git has been keeping tabs on me since. It’s bloody irritating. For the sake of our son, we’ve managed to make our peace, and he has helped me make a new life, free of the darkness.”
I reel at the news. Never in a million years did I imagine that Lilith vanished because Lucifer had imprisoned her. Once again, I find myself wondering why the Divinity Pantheon did not inform me of this information. Did they even know? So many things regarding what they have told me about Lilith are inaccurate, making me doubt their intentions. Either way, it doesn’t matter since I’m not planning on giving Lilith to them.
“You’re right; I was not aware of your imprisonment or the change of relationship between you and Lucifer.” I grit out as an unpleasant feeling settles in my stomach. “Does this mean you’re together again?”
At my words, Lilith breaks into boisterous laughter, “Please tell me you’re jesting,” she closes her lips to stifle her mirth but seems to fail as she continues to laugh, “Do you truly think that I still fancy Lucifer after all that he has done? Not even I’m that big of a fool.” she waves her hand around between breathless chuckles, “No, Lucifer is happily married to his mate, and I’m delighted to be a free woman.”
My brow furrows at the information she is imparting. Lucifer has a mate? How is that even possible? Once again, I feel that this is information that the Divinity should have imparted.
Looking back at Lilith, I try to retain my chilly façade. I don’t want her to know that I had no knowledge about what she’s sharing. “How much notice do you need?” I ask. “And please keep in mind that we have very little time to lose.”
She nods, “I understand. I can tell Marguerite that I have a family emergency. However, I’m going to have to come up with a better excuse to tell Lucifer.”
Just as I’m about to respond, a dark male appears in front of me. Jaw tight, I reach for my knives and face the male before us.
At my gesture, the male arches a curious brow, “Who are you?”
I narrow my eyes and face the male head-on. “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that question?”
The male scoffs before he looks toward Lilith, “Tell your…friend to put his knives down. I’m not here to hurt anyone. But I do need to speak to you.”
My eyes narrow when I take in the male’s familiar face. I had never really seen him in person, but I can sense his power. At that moment, I realize that I’m standing before the fallen angel, Lucifer. There’s no doubt in my mind because Lilith’s son Fallon has similar features.
Lilith rolls her eyes and releases an exasperated breath, “Bloody hell, what are you doing here?”
He ignores her question and continues to stare at me, “Do I know you?” he asks, “You look familiar.”
Dread crawls down my throat at his question. Though I’ve never met Lucifer, I worry that he might recognize me as Adam and Eve’s son. I might have my mother’s coloring, but my features are somewhat similar to Adams if you look closely enough.
I shake my head. “No, I don’t believe we’ve ever met.”
His penetrating gaze searches mine for nearly a minute before he says, “Are you sure? Well…no bother, I will eventually remember.”
Lilith growls impatiently, drawing our attention back to her, “What did I tell you about calling me before you showed up at my home?”
Lucifer nods, “I apologize,” he slowly turns his gaze toward me and narrows his eyes further, “I was not aware you had company. Is there something you want to tell me?”
Lilith crosses her arms in front of her chest and glares, “No, I don’t because nothing I do is any of your bloody business.”
He chuckles and, to my annoyance, tweaks her nose playfully. “Someone has a boyfriend.”
Lilith slaps his hand away and glares, “Stop being a child. Now, what is it you need to tell me?”
He shakes his head and looks at me from the corner of his eyes again, “I’d rather not discuss this in front of mixed company.”
She rolls her eyes and sighs, “It’s alright; Cain is like us.”
Lucifer angles his head with suspicion as he runs his gaze assessingly across my body. “Is he now? And what exactly are you, mate?”
Lilith stiffens beside me and snaps her fingers to get his attention, “Stop your bloody questions and tell me why you’re here?” she asks.
Lucifer clears his throat, “I should have told you earlier, but I didn’t think it would concern you, considering you’re not an angel. Apparently, there’s a group of zealots going around abducting supernatural females.”
Lilith’s brow furrows, “What fools would do something so sodding stupid?”
Lucifer gives me a wary glare, “The group is called the Hand of God. Their purpose is to take supernatural females and breed them with angels. Gabriel and Rafael are investigating the organization as we speak.”
I reel back with horror, “Why would the Hand of God want to do something like that?”
Lucifer shrugs, “Because they want to free the Creator from his prison, and they believe it requires the blood of a female archangel.”
Though I want to ask more, I can see that Lucifer is suspicious of my presence, and it seems that Lilith is not ready to formally introduce us since she hasn’t told me Lucifer’s name.”
“But I’m not an angel.” Lilith comments, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“No, you’re not. But you are part of the community and one of the strongest females in existence. Because of the shortage of angel females, they believe that if they breed supernatural females with angel seed, the child will be born an angel—”
“And if the child is a female, they can sacrifice it,” Lilith finishes with a growl. “Those bloody wankers!”
Lucifer nods, “Either way, be wary. The group is using a hunter’s stone to locate supernatural females. The power you could feel radiating off it is used to determine if the female they find is strong.”
“Brilliant!” she mutters sarcastically, “I’ll keep an eye out and…”
I interject before she can continue, “Lilith should be fine since we’re going on a holiday.”
Lucifer shifts his gaze between us, “Oh, are you?”
I nod and lovingly take Lilith’s hand, “I asked her to take an extended weekend with me.”
Lilith tightens her hand around mine but doesn’t argue against my ruse. “We won’t be gone long. But you have my mobile number if you need me. Was there anything else you needed?”
Lucifer shakes his head. “No, I just came to warn you to be cautious,” he looks at me, “Lilith may be strong, but these gits have managed to take other beings, and I can see that you care for her. Make sure she’s safe.”
Lilith rolls her eyes. “Wow, I never knew you cared.”
Lucifer shrugs wryly. “Just because we have a torrential past, it doesn’t mean that I want you hurt. Be safe and enjoy your holiday with your…” he smirks when he looks at me, “…friend.”
He rubs his brow and directs his next words to me. “Can you give us a moment to speak?”
I look at Lilith, who gives me a nod. “Of course, I have to go and take care of a few things before we go. I fancy I’ll come by later,” I finish cryptically.
Lilith nods, “Brilliant.”
With those last words, I flash out. However, I flash myself to Lilith’s restroom. One good thing about what I am is that I can be undetectable by other beings. Not even Lucifer can sense me.
Lilith’s voice quickly reaches my ears. “What is it that you wished to speak about, Lucifer?”
Lucifer takes a seat on the armchair and snickers, “Who is the git, luv?”
Lilith crosses her arms in front of her chest and glares, “Didn’t I already tell you that it’s none of your bloody business?”
He scoffs, “Fine, don’t tell me. However, I should warn you to be wary. The male throws off some peculiar vibes, and he seems familiar in a bad way.”
Lilith shrugs indifferently, “Is that all?”
He shakes his head, “No, that’s not all. I also wanted to update you on what is happening with the darkness. We have reason to believe that the power belongs to an ancient god.”
Lilith visibly swallows hard but remains steady, “Oh, is that right? What god?”
Lucifer shrugs, “We don’t know yet. But we’re hoping to find the information we need soon.”
“Well, since I’ll be on holiday, text me anything you learn.”
Lucifer rises from his seat and nods, “Alright, I will. But heed my warnings about being cautious with that bloke. There’s something about him that’s not sitting right with me.”
Lilith gives him an exasperated wave, “You know that I can take care of myself, Lucifer? Now please piss off and annoy someone else—your mate perhaps.”
Lucifer snickers before he vanishes.
Though there’s obviously no sexual interest between them, I can’t help but be bothered by their comfortable repartee. As soon as the thought enters my mind, I have to check myself. It would be disastrous for me to develop deep feelings for Lilith. It’s one thing to be attracted but another to fall in love.