Broken Wings (Hidden Wings Series Book Two) (4 page)

“And how
is Lucifer supposed to hear out about our predicament?” Dominic asked.

“
Obvious. Go to Hell, Dom,” Danyel interjected.

Dominic stood to his feet and glared at Danyel. “What did you just say to me?”

“I said…GO TO HELL… and that’s exactly what we need to do. We need to make a plea to Lucifer. If we can get him to see what Lucian is doing, then he might want a piece of the action, and be a part of it. Lucifer has been waiting for a chance to get back at Lucian, and this just might be it. This
might
be our only hope,” Danyel responded.

“
I would never send any of my boys into Hell, or risk any of their lives,” Alaine said firmly. There was an obvious strain in her voice. “Besides, none but human souls or Fallen are allowed to enter Hell.”

“Exactly!”
Kade exclaimed.

His weak eyes glanced
up at Alaine, and she stared sadly back at him. She sighed and nodded slightly, like she understood whatever he was trying to say.

“So
, that’s why you did it?” Dominic said sympathetically, patting Kade on the shoulder. “It was still a dumb move, bro.”

“I had to,” Kade said in a quieted tone. “I’m her Guardian
, and it’s my duty to protect her.”

“
But you’re no good to her being human,” Malachi blurted. His voice was concerned.

“The only way
we can get Lucifer to listen to us is to have Emma speak to him herself. He has a soft spot for the Nephilim, because his only son is one of them. If Emma can convince him that Lucian has vowed to kill every last one, including his son, he might want to join us. Yes, it’s a risk, but it might work. Emma hasn’t transformed yet. She is still human and can enter,” Danyel said.

“No! No way! I will never allo
w it!” Alaine shouted. She stood and pounded her fists on the table. Her brown eyes glared at Danyel.

“Alaine, it’
s the
only
chance we have. The Midway said it themselves…they are not getting involved. We cannot fight Lucian on our own, and right now, even though it would be the last thing we’d want to do, going to Lucifer is our only option. If we don’t, Lucian will kill every one of us. He must be stopped. I’m only suggesting this because if Emma is
in-fact
the one of the prophecy, then we have a fighting chance.”

“
Never!
You
can go Danyel, but I will not send my daughter into Hell. Lucifer will kill her if he finds out about her, or he’ll keep her for himself and do God-knows-what with her! I forbid it, and that’s the last I ever want spoken about it!” Alaine yelled. Tears streamed down her face. She stood for a moment, emotional. “I’m going to check on Caleb,” she said, whipping her face. She walked into the room where Caleb was, and shut the door behind her.

“She’s right,” Kade said. “Emma can’t go do
wn there, and whoever does will be going on a suicide mission. If it means a chance that she’ll live, then I’ll go and speak to Lucifer myself.”

“It won’t work
, Kade. Lucifer won’t speak to you. You’ve become an insignificant mortal, something he cares nothing for and despises. Mortals aren’t allowed near him, let alone speak to him. You probably won’t even make it past Hell’s first level, and there are five total. Each level more deadly than the last,” Danyel said sadly.

Just then I snap
ped myself back into reality. The whole conversation, the one that everyone else was having, was revolving around me. Yet, I was sitting in the very next room, in the dark, watching, listening, and letting them decide
my
fate.

They d
idn’t even attempt to wake me, or ask me what I thought about this whole situation. My life was no longer my own. I was one, out of how many other innocents, who were being hunted and killed for selfish, stupid reasons, and all because of one, idiotic Fallen Angel named Lucian.

He
’d already killed my mortal parents, and now he was going to kill the rest of the people I loved? No way! I wasn’t going to lie around, pretend to sleep, and watch everyone around me plan their possible deaths, especially if there was a chance that I could save them. Even if it was a small chance, it was still a chance, and any chance was worth risking.

I’d just
watched each of those Guardians fight for my life, and now it was time I gave back to them. I wasn’t strong but I was brave, and bravery got many people further than they could have without trying.

I suddenl
y felt a spark deep within me, and my mouth took on a life of its own.

“So, do
I get a say in what happens with my life?” I said, standing up from the couch.

Every head turned
and every eye steeled on mine, looking more surprised than anything.

“No
, Emma. You’re still human and only seventeen, which makes you a minor. So, Alaine has the final say,” James answered.

It would be him to give an answer like that. He was the closest to her, and the oldest of the bunch, aside from Samuel and Danyel. 

“Well, I don’t think that’s fair. If we do nothing but sit here, we’re as good as dead anyway. They
will
eventually find a way in, and Lucian will kill every last one of us. I agree with Danyel. If we have the slightest chance, we should take it. At least we’ll be fighting towards something that could possibly save us all,” I said. I was actually proud of myself for standing up. It was liberating.

There was
complete silence. Everyone stayed still, probably letting what I said, sink in. I knew I was right. I just needed them to agree with me. If I stood firm, I knew I could change their minds. They knew all about fighting, and not giving up…and I was practically one of them. 

“I’ll do it,” I said loudly, breaking the silence.
“I’ll go and speak to Lucifer.”

“If you’re
going, then I’m definitely going,” Kade said, with a wide smile. His hazel eyes glimmered, and told me he was in agreement with what I said. My heart swelled as I looked at his handsome face. I wanted to run to him, and wrap my arms around his neck, and hold him. I was so glad to see him back, even though he looked so weak.

“I’ll go too,” Danyel added
. “You’ll need someone to guide you.”

“And you know
that if you are going, Emma, I will also. I’ll be there to protect you. It is my duty as your father,” Samuel said, walking out from the bedroom, drying his wet face.

Oh my God! I suddenly
had a
Lord of the Rings
flashback…the moment they all decided to go on the quest with Frodo. Then, a picture of Jeremy and Lia, the best friends I left behind in L.A., flashed in my mind.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
was Jeremy’s favorite, and I could picture them jumping at the chance to be my companions on this quest. But thank God they weren’t, because there wasn’t an athletic bone in either of their bodies and they’d probably both end up dead.

I missed my two crazy friends
, and the thought of them brought back overwhelming emotions, which I pushed to the back of my brain, so I could function enough to get through whatever was going on right now.

With a large smile on his face Samuel walked up to Danyel and greeted him with a warm hug. 

“It’s so nice to see you
alive
, dear friend,” Danyel said. He patted Samuel on his shoulders, and then pulled him into another bear hug.

Then it dawned on me. This was the first time they’d seen each other since they were captured by Lucian, and i
t must have been the first time they’d actually had a chance to speak. 

“Yes! And it’s great
to see you too, friend,” Samuel exhaled loudly. “But easy…my ribs are still on the mend.”

“I’m sorry,” Danyel said, releasing his grip.

“Danyel, thank you for saving my daughter,” Samuel said kindly, turning to me with a smile.

“
How could I not? When I looked into her eyes, it was as if I were looking into the eyes of my old friend. I could not sit by and allow the fate of her father to become her own.” Danyel’s brow furrowed, and his eyes saddened. “And what did happen to you Samuel? How did you manage to come back from the dead after all these years?”

“
It’s a long story my friend, and too much to explain right now. But, it looks as if we will get to spend some time together. I’m sure there will be a chance for us to talk.”

“That sounds good,” Danyel grinned.

“Well, my friend. It looks like we will be together on another mission. At least this time we will have a chance to redeem ourselves,” Samuel said. They both smiled and laughed.

“Samuel! How could
you do this to me?” Alaine yelled. She had opened the door and stood staring at him with tears streaming from her face. I could tell she was heartbroken.

“Whoa, whoa!” he said, holding his arms out to her.
“Alaine, I’m doing this because I love you, and I love our daughter. If there is anything within my power that I can do to save you both, then I’ll do it. I will not stand by and watch the only people I truly love…die,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. “I’ve just gotten you both back, and this time I won’t let you go.”

There was a long pause.

No one spoke. They were still, silent, waiting, and wondering what the final outcome would be.

“You better ke
ep her safe, Samuel,” Alaine sobbed. “You keep her safe, and bring her back to me. You both better come back to me.”

“I will guard her with m
y life, but I cannot make you any promise greater than that,” he whispered, kissing her on the forehead. Alaine cried into Samuel’s chest and he just held her tight.

Whoa.
Alaine actually gave in, and as mind-blowing as it seemed, we were going on a quest. A quest into the depths of Hell to save not only myself, but Alaine, the Guardian’s, and any other Nephilim that might have survived.

So that was it. M
y fellowship was Kade, Danyel, and Samuel. All had proven themselves, and saved my life on several occasions. Each was my hero.

I couldn’t
begin to imagine returning without any one of them. But, then again…would
I
return, or were we going on a suicide mission? Only fate knew the answer to that question, and I could only hope and pray that if we did return, that we’d all return together.

“W
e still have a lot to plan, like getting you guys out of here in one piece, and making sure that the Fallen don’t kill you before you get to the porthole,” Malachi stated. “Plus, Kade will definitely need another day to rest, being that he is mortal now. It wouldn’t hurt for Samuel and Danyel to have another day to recover too.”

I still couldn’t wrap my head around the thought that Kad
e was human, and it scared me. He was just as fragile as I was.

“
Did anyone update Thomas on what’s been happening?” Alaine asked. Thomas was another Guardian who stayed back at the house to watch over and protect Courtney, Caleb’s younger sister, and the rest of the
human
staff staying there.

“
No, and there’s no way of getting in touch with him now. Those damn demons must have found the box and cut the wires, because there is no service. The last time we talked to him was last night, before they left and were attacked,” Malachi said. “The last thing we told Thomas was that they were on their way home with Caleb. He must know something went wrong by now. He knows where we are, so I’m pretty sure he’ll try and figure out a plan to get us out.”

James butted in.
“I hope he stays put. He’s one against, who knows how many Darkling and Fallen out there? I wouldn’t doubt it if Lucian is watching Alaine’s house, or is right outside this bunker, just waiting for us to exit. There’s not much Thomas would be able to do anyway, and besides, he can’t leave Courtney and the others alone. He’s the only Guardian there. We’re on our own.”

“Well, I’m go
ing to make some breakfast, and then we can discuss our options after,” Alaine said, wiping her tears, and heading into the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” I said, offering my services
. I used to love helping my other mother in the kitchen. It was our time of bonding, since she had work and I had school, which gave us little alone time.  

             
“We’ll have pancakes,” she said, gathering ingredients and placing them on the counter. The pancake batter was premixed, and all we had to do was add water. Alaine did the frying, and everything was served on paper plates.

After e
veryone ate their fill, we all sat around the table. The only one not present was Caleb, who was still in the room sleeping from the pain medication Alaine had given him. At least he was alive.

“I think the only way to
get out of here is to just charge out and fight,” Malachi spoke first. “Once we clear the field, the four of you can make your escape.”