Fall Into Darkness (4 page)

Eli stretched his neck and gritted through the burn. Moving forward, he grabbed the guy’s arm with one hand and jerked the weapon free with the other. With a crushing grip, he squeezed the gun until it resembled nothing more than a ball of metal, which he tossed over his shoulder. The kid suddenly began to shake and the smell of fear burned the back of Eli’s throat.

“What the fuck are you?” the guy’s warbled voice questioned.

Eli looked down at his chest. “You ruined my shirt and that pisses me off. You’d better run, little human, before I decide society will be better off with you dead.” Eli released him and the kid didn’t hesitate, taking off into the dark. Eli closed his eyes and shoved back the darkness that wrapped around him. Gritting his teeth, he forced the bullets out and finished healing his injuries. With a quick change of his shirt, he moved on. He had a fallen comrade to find before he himself was fully taken by the darkness and unable to come back.

A
shley climbed
the steps and crossed the small porch. Exhaustion had her dragging her feet along with her two large bags. After nearly seventeen hours of travel, she’d finally made Point Hope by midafternoon. She’d gone to the small store for supplies and procured the snowmobile they kept stored out back in the shed. With everything loaded on the little trailer, she’d headed out. Luckily, the sky was clear, making the twilight hours more visible. Now, she just had to bring the rest of the supplies in and put away the snowmobile. She would much rather have a bowl of soup then collapse into bed. But living in the wilds of Alaska, alone, she’d have to suck it up in order to survive.

She laughed out loud.

Survival. “Is that what you call this?” she mumbled to herself, storming back out the door to grab the supplies.

Snow began to fall in huge flakes, the kind where you could see their unique shape, and she stopped for a moment to enjoy their beauty. Scanning the horizon, there was nothing around her except mountains, water, and trees. The town was an hour away and that was on a good day. Once the winds kicked up, visibility would be nil.

In this moment, she wanted to do more than survive. She needed to remind herself there was beauty in the world, and take time to simply enjoy the silence from this slice of heaven. It was as if she were the only person alive and although she’d chosen this journey, part of her was bitter that she’d had no choice.

Wolves howled and broke the silence. She smiled and went back to work, thankful that at least she’d had the foresight to have one of the locals get the house ready. There was plenty of firewood to last for a while, and they’d even shoveled a path to the shed. She’d have to remember to pay them a visit with some home baked bread. As much as the thought of being social made her gut roll, it was the proper thing to do and she was grateful for the neighbors.

She finished carrying in several heavy sacks and plopped them on the kitchen floor. With that chore done, she was finally able to tuck the snowmobile away and head inside. The timing couldn’t have been better since the wind kicked up and began swirling snow in mini white tornados. Soon, she wouldn’t be able to see her hand in front of her face.

After making a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese, she headed for bed. Too tired to even shower, she’d finish unpacking tomorrow. With her flannel PJ’s on, she crawled into bed and sleep found her before her head hit the pillow.

E
li had been tracking
Gabriel for weeks, and somehow the angel remained one step ahead of him. He’d gone from one end of the globe to the other and his frustration, along with his patience, was wearing thin.

“Are you sure you don’t want my help?” Tegan taunted.

Eli threw a dagger at the target of an angel at the far end of the field and hit dead center in the heart. “I don’t need your help,” he growled. His commander found great entertainment at his expense. “I will find him. I just need more time.”

Tegan sighed and grabbed his own dagger, tossing it at the target. He’d added a spin for show and still hit deep into the heart. “Look at that,” he exclaimed.

“Nice trick. Shall I give you a treat and pat you on the head?”

His commander ignored the comment. “Have you found any clues to help us understand why so many are falling?” Tegan asked.

“Nothing solid. I still think it has something to do with the Maker. Where the hell is she and why is she ignoring us?” Eli was completely baffled by the sudden silence.

Tegan gave him a hard look. “I’m going to be honest. I can’t feel her anymore either, but you’re the only one I’ve told.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and dropped his gaze to the ground. “What the hell can happen to a god that they suddenly vanish? I’m sure others have felt her absence as well, but no one has spoken of it.”

Eli felt his jaw drop. “I was hoping it was only me. You’re the first to mention a total disconnect.” He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. He’d been thinking it was the reason he felt the darkness swirling around him and, if those who were weaker had felt the same, it was possible they gave into temptation. Truth be told; none of them were perfect. At times, the only difference between them and the humans they protected was their immortality and gifts. Angels liked to have a good time as much as anyone. Had they pushed their limit and the Maker had grown disappointed in them? His gut said that wasn’t the case. Something else was wrong.

“I’d like to say those who are falling are the ones who’ve had little moral values to begin with. Except Gabriel doesn’t fit that picture. Actually none of them do.” Tegan started toward the target to retrieve his daggers and Eli followed.

“We should call a meeting. More heads are better than just the two of us. Maybe someone has come across something they didn’t think was important.” Eli pulled his dagger free and held it up to be absorbed by his magic.

“Tonight. We’ll meet at our usual place,” Tegan replied, then stretched his golden wings and flew off. Eli watched his long-time friend and leader become a speck in the universe and fear sank its icy talons into his skin, striking bone. He was a hunter and, even when chasing his mortal enemies, he’d never known fear. He laughed in the face of it, but now he worried. For his brethren and himself. Too many had fallen, and the darkness slithered around his ankles like a boa constrictor. It threatened to crush him, and he didn’t know why or how much longer he could stave it off. Every time he went out to hunt, the urge struck him to welcome it. Embrace it like a lost lover. He swore at times he could almost feel the sharp points replacing his flat teeth. He wanted to drink a soul and feel the power it brought with it.

He turned away from the target and ran, working his muscles into a burn. “We’re all so fucked.” He summoned his wings as he stepped off the edge of his world and soared into the air. Freedom was the only thing that woke up his senses and made him remember he was alive.

E
li stalked
through the back door of the bar right on time. He scanned the room and spotted Eva, Tegan, and Lyzander shooting pool. A waitress stopped in front of him.

“Can I get you something?” She licked her lips, and her blue eyes held a look of desire. He didn’t bother to cap his divine energy.

“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll take a beer and deliver it over there.” He jerked his head in the direction where his friends played pool.

“Sure thing.” She flashed a sweet smile and walked away with an extra sway in her hips.

“Damn. I may have to tap that,” he whispered under his breath. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt a female writhe beneath him. Maybe it would lighten his mood. It sure as hell couldn’t hurt it. He turned away and headed to where the others were. Eva lifted her head.

“Eli, these two are kicking my ass.” She moved toward him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Your mate let you out dressed like that?” Eva wore a pair of jeans she must have painted on, some thin, flashy silver tank top and a pair of heels that made her eyes come level with his. He looked around. “Where is Seph by the way?”

Eva wrinkled her nose. “He got called away, and I’m a grown woman. I’ll dress how I want.”

The waitress brushed up next to Eli, giving Eva a deadly glare. He chuckled to himself and took the beer from her tray. “Thanks sweetheart.” He winked and shoved a ten down her cleavage. “Keep the change.”

“Thanks. Let me know if I can do anything else for you.” She gave a look that said she’d drop to her knees if he asked. Yeah, he’d have to look her up later.

He took a swig and noticed Eva staring at him, one brow cocked. “What?” He put on the most innocent look he could muster.

“Fuck, why didn’t you just toss her up on the table and have at it?” she asked with a smile that indicated she approved.

Lyzander snorted. “Make sure you look her over first. You don’t want to get tied down.”

Eli grinned, knowing the warrior referred to the birthmark a select few women carried. A partial feather, marking on their body, indicated they were born Nephilim, an angel’s mate. “Don’t worry bro, I’ve no intention on mating anytime soon.”

“No sane female would have either of you,” Eva scoffed, but they all knew she was kidding. She’d pestered both of them to settle down. Stating a loving woman was good for the soul.

“Aww gee, Eva.” Lyzander feigned disappointment. “I figure if Seph could catch you, then I’m a sure thing for any female.”

The guardian smiled. “You know you’re as cute as pie, sugar,” she poured on with her best southern accent. “Hell, if you’d gotten to me first, I would have fallen head over heels.” She blew him a kiss from across the pool table.

Lyzander puffed up his chest. “I’m a heartbreaker, darlin’. I’d have left you shattered.” He winked. “In more ways than one.”

“Okay, can we get to business?” Tegan asked, shaking his head. Not waiting for a reply, he led them to a private room in the back.

Eli grabbed a chair and spun it around before he straddled it. “Anyone else coming?”

“No, just us for now,” Tegan replied. “Gimme anything you got, no matter how insignificant you might think it is.”

Lyzander pierced them all with his blue gaze. “I can tell you that a daughter has been born to one of the fallen.”

“What?” They all shouted in unison.

He nodded. “Yep. My source is pretty reliable and said he witnessed it himself. Said she looked different, a cross between human and demon.”

Tegan scrubbed his face. “Fuck! You sure you trust this source?” he questioned.

“I trust him ninety-five percent of the time.”

“Shit,” Eli responded.

“They have to be mating then in order to have children,” Eva pointed out. “I shudder to think they are taking mates against their will.”

“It’s a possibility, but we don’t know anything for sure.” Tegan replied.

“Wait a minute. We’re missing something really important here. You said a daughter was born, so that would mean the mother wasn’t a mate but fully human,” Eli pointed out. When angels had sex with human females, they could choose to impregnate them or not. The children born from such a union were strictly female, and bestowed a special gift. These Nephilim were the only females an angel could mate with, and then any children born would be male.

Maybe this was why things had gone to hell. No angels had mated since… Well Eva was the last that Eli could recall, and she’d been with them for three hundred years.
Around the same time, the Tribunal brought in the Seven who currently enforce our rules.

He shook the thought free, remembering there had been longer periods where no matings had occurred and nothing like this had happened.

Eli. Help me.

Shit. He jumped from his chair. Somehow, Gabriel had called to him through a private telepathic connection. “I gotta go.” He turned and headed out the door before the others could question him. The waitress stepped in his way.

“I get off in three hours.” She flashed a sexy smile.

“If I’m done by then I’ll be back.” He stormed outside and scanned the area. No one was looking so he summoned his wings and shot into the air. Gabriel’s calling for help was out of the norm for a fallen and had him wondering what kind of trouble the archangel was truly in.

A
shley stretched
and sat up as daylight filtered in the window. She leaped from bed, shoved her feet into slippers, and pulled on her thick robe. Walking to the window, she pulled back the curtain and looked up at the sky.

Clear.

A new blanket of snow covered the landscape, giving it a fresh look. She headed for the kitchen and started the coffee maker. While it hissed and sent out a thick aroma, she turned on her laptop. Hopefully, since it wasn’t snowing, the damn satellite would be working and she could get internet. She was on the edge of where service was provided and even on good days it was iffy.

“Come on. Please work.” She waited as the web browser started, and the colored wheel sat in the middle of her screen and spun. She dropped her forehead on the kitchen table. “Ugh!” Pushing herself up, she went to the cabinet and grabbed a mug. The damn coffee was done before the browser finished loading.

After adding sugar and a touch of milk, she went back to her computer. “Finally.” Sitting, she carefully typed.

Seeing a person’s death when you look into their eyes.

She hit enter and waited, feeling her forehead crease in frustration. “Bloody hell. I think a friggin’ hamster wheel would work faster.” Sometimes technology was not a blessing.

Finally, Google search loaded its findings. She scanned the first one.

Seeing death in someone’s eyes. Have you?

She drew in a breath. Her finger poised over the touch pad on her Mac.
I can do this.
She clicked the link and entered the site. Luckily, the internet decided to behave and loaded quickly. Scanning the first post, she had a sudden rush of disappointment. The woman talked about seeing a young girl in a hospital and went on to explain that her pupils were large and she looked as if she were dying.

“If only that was my problem,” Ashley sighed.

She continued to go through the other posts in hopes someone would speak of an experience like hers.

Nothing.

She drained her coffee and got up for another cup. Returning, she continued her search.

“When you look into someone’s eyes you can see their soul. Umm, no. Can you tell whether a person is dead by their eyes?” She groaned, but continued to scroll down the results Google had given her.

Tears threatened. “I’m a damn freak!” she screamed and threw the mug across the kitchen, shattering it against the cupboard. Spiraling into uncontrollable sobs, she pulled her knees up to her chest and squeezed. She’d only been here a couple of days, and already loneliness seeped into her soul. She’d thought she’d been prepared, but how could any human being expect to live alone with little outside contact. Hell, she didn’t even have a freaking cat to keep her company. She’d always wanted a pet, but feared she’d see their death too.

Burying her face in her knees, she sobbed as her entire body shook. “I can’t do this!” Reality slapped her hard. She’d fooled herself when she was back home. Had avoided people for the most part. Didn’t date except for Ben and had no friends to speak. Her entire existence was a joke.

Her energy spent, she blew her nose into a tissue, calmly rose and began to clean up the broken ceramic. Her mind was made up. No way she could continue living this nightmare. She was lonely, afraid, exhausted, angry, and just plain sick and tired. For a brief moment, she felt a pang of guilt for what her death would do to Viv—and a jolt of fear. Would she end up burning in Hell for eternity? She rested her palms on the table and hunched over.

“I’m already in Hell,” she whispered. Hell existed here on earth and since her so-called God didn’t really exist––he would have never let her suffer like this––then Hell had to be fiction as well.

She raised her head and stared across the room, looking out the window as the sky darkened with a brewing storm. She would end it all soon.

E
li landed
on the rooftop of an apartment high-rise and folded in his wings, keeping them tucked into his back if he needed to make a quick takeoff. The night was still, and the moon hid behind dark clouds. It was the perfect setting for evil, and he sensed the humans preying on each other below. He wanted to conjure empathy, but in reality, he had none. Not for these people anyway. They were the ones who preyed on the weak and innocent. Taking what didn’t belong to them, which often included another life. Eli did feel satisfaction in knowing they would suffer in the end. When their pathetic lives were cut short, the reapers, such as his friend Seph, would escort them to their eternity of suffering.

There was no escape for the condemned.

Eli.

Gabriel had reached out again. He wasn’t far, and he was in pain. Eli weighed his options. This could be a trap set to take him out. As much as he didn’t want to think about it, his friend had fallen and could no longer be trusted. The fact that––as far as he knew––no fallen had ever reached out before, had him wondering if he should call for backup. He quickly rejected the idea and leaped from the building. Shielding his presence from the humans below, he landed without a sound on the pavement. Holding his hand out, he summoned his dagger and strode forward. The smell of death permeated the air.

Gabriel was ahead, and he was being a bad boy.

Eli didn’t try to sneak up on his friend. It would be pointless since the archangel was not only ancient but had once been a great warrior. Nothing got past Gabriel. Eli only hoped he could take his friend down.

“Gabriel, drop the human.” The angel was busy sucking the soul from a man whose clothes were threadbare, indicating he was most likely one of the local homeless.

The warrior looked up with pain-filled red eyes as he dropped his victim, and Eli almost stumbled backward. Never in all his years of hunting the fallen had he seen such agony.

“Kill me.” The gravel-filled voice didn’t even belong to his friend.

“Gabriel. Are you still in there?” Eli sent out his senses and detected the victim’s faint heartbeat. The man’s soul was almost gone; he wouldn’t last much longer.

“Eli.” Gabriel closed his eyes; his jaw hardened. “I can’t stop myself.” He opened his eyes, which had turned into black pools that filled his entire socket. “You must end me before I kill you.”

Another first.

Never had a fallen asked to have his life ended, but then again Gabriel was an ancient. Eli sensed his struggle. The warrior was still buried deep within, but the darkness almost ruled him.

“Maybe you can fight it, Gabriel. Come back with me, and we can confine you until we find a cure.” He had no idea if that was even possible. How did you replace an angel’s soul?

“No,” the angel growled. “You don’t understand. I know I’m killing them, but I can’t stop myself. You must end my misery before all of me is gone.” The angel held his hands up and inspected them as if he’d never seen them before. “These hands killed only those deserving, now I don’t care whose life I take. I fought the hunger for as long as I could. Never take their soul, Eli, it will be your end.” His eyes flashed back to red and his lip curled into a snarl.

Shit.
Eli had no idea what any of this meant, but he was smart enough to realize Gabriel intended to come after him next. Without hesitation, he lifted his arm and launched the dagger, landing it straight into the archangel’s heart. His long time friend exploded into dust; the dagger clanked to the pavement. Pain and guilt had him fisting his hands as he strode forward. He passed the human, who lay unconscious on the ground. With most of his soul missing, agony pulsed off him. Eli knew he should call for a guardian to assist, but he couldn’t bring himself to follow through. Instead, he stared at what was left of his friend, and for the first time in his existence, he despised being a hunter.

A
shley had tossed
and turned all night. Her conscience wrestled with her earlier decision, and she’d finally gotten up, showered, and dressed. She’d gone about her normal routine with making breakfast and cleaning up. She was smart enough to realize she was looking for any reason to stall. Did she really want to die?

No.

“I want to live, but I need to be normal to do that,” she whispered, sitting at the kitchen table with her head in her hands. She jumped to her feet and ran to the living room, dropping to her knees in front of the fireplace. It was the only place she could think of to pray.

Dear God, if you’re there, can you please help me? Maybe you’re angry that I’ve questioned your existence, but can you blame me? If there is a reason I can see people die, then I need you to share that with me. Am I supposed to do something with this gift? I feel so lost and alone. I can’t go on like this. Please, I’m begging
... Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Give me some kind of sign and hurry!

She wiped her palm over her eyes and pushed herself to her feet. Ashley didn’t feel confident that she would get any sign from above. She’d tried before and had only been ignored, but she would wait until tonight. Meanwhile, she rummaged through the desk drawer. Pulling out a note pad and a pen, she curled up on the couch.

Dear Viv,

Please know that I love you very much and how sorry I am about the pain this will cause you. I can’t do it. Not anymore. I need to be released from this curse. I hope you will try to understand.

Love, Ashley.

She just didn’t have the energy to write more. Dropping the pad on the coffee table, she grabbed the afghan from the back of the couch and curled up. There was nothing to do but sleep. No one to talk to, but maybe the sign she’d been looking for would come in her dreams.

Ashley woke with a start, feeling as though she’d just dozed off, but when she looked at the clock it was nine in the evening. Pushing herself up, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stood, and looked around.

It was time.

Going to the closet, she pulled out her coat and boots but realized if she simply walked out the back door dressed as she was, death would come a lot faster. With a shrug, she pulled them on anyway then stepped outside. Brisk air blew and chilled her exposed skin. She tipped her head back and looked up to a clear sky. The aurora borealis danced a brilliant green, and she stepped off the porch, walking further from the house to get a better look.
Maybe if I just stand here and enjoy the beauty, I won’t notice the cold.
She hoped hypothermia would set in unnoticed.

A growl came from behind her.

She swung around, surprised wolves would come this close. They were not known for bothering people and usually kept to themselves. However, what she saw sent fear skittering up her spine. The wolf was enormous. Its head, larger than a Mastiff, and the body that followed behind it just as big. Large fangs dripped saliva as it snarled at her, but what really set her on edge were the red eyes. The beast looked as if it were possessed by the devil and before she could react, it lunged for her. Suddenly she feared death.