Fall Into Darkness (5 page)

T
wo pairs
of boots broke the silence in the Hall of Fate as Eli and his commander, Tegan, strode down the marble corridor. Eli glanced out of the corner of his eye at the man towering next to him. He had a sneer on his face, and Eli had put it there. Again.

“The only reason you aren’t in shackles is because I deemed it so,” Tegan ground out. He rubbed his palm over the dark scruff on his chin. “I can’t fucking believe you did it again!”

“I told you, Gabriel wanted it. He had enough sense left in him to beg me to take his life.” Eli’s job as a bounty hunter for the Tribunal was to bring back the fallen angels for judgment. He was having a hard time doing that though.

They stopped in front of a pair of gold-leafed wooden doors. A guard on either side reached out and swung them open.

Tegan gave him a hard stare. His green eyes drilled a hole into him. “I’m sure it was a trick of some sort.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what they’ll do with you this time, Eli. I’ve done all I can to save your sorry ass. Now your fate is in the hands of the Seven.”

“I understand, and I will accept my punishment.”

Tegan entered first. He was one of the elite, a commander of the bounty hunters, and his station dictated Eli follow behind him.

They approached the bench where the Seven already awaited. Each wore a gown of pure white silk that conformed to their curved bodies. Blondes, brunettes, and redheads, they had been the most beautiful women in the world and luckily, they all had mates. The auras of their mates kept both his and Tegan’s lust in check. These angels enforced all the laws and today would hand down their punishment for Eli’s crimes.

“Step forward, Eli,” the blonde in the center called out.

He took three steps and stood before the long, wooden bench. His gaze met each of the council members, and he tried to assess what they might be thinking.

“Eli,” the woman sighed. “This is the third time you have come before us. Do you understand why you are here?”

“Yes, my lady. For the death of Gabriel.”

She nodded. “You seem to be having a hard time remembering that it is
our
duty to pass judgment on the fallen, not yours. Please explain again what
your
duties are supposed to be.”

Eli pulled back his shoulders. “I am a bounty hunter. My duty is to bring in the fallen so you may pass judgment on their crimes.”

She tapped her red nails on the wooden bench. “Well, you know what you’re supposed to do, so what is the problem?”

He bowed his head. “I saw Gabriel sucking the soul from an innocent. Just as I had with the others.” He couldn’t wash the image from his mind. His best friend, who’d once been a great warrior in the angel armies, had fallen and become a dark lord. “I took Gabriel’s life just as I had the other two.” He didn’t figure telling them Gabriel had asked him to end his existence would make any difference. Matter of fact, it would likely make matters worse since they would have wanted to examine the rogue angel.

“Look at me,” the angel commanded.

He raised his head and stared at the seven pairs of eyes glaring at him.

“I find it interesting that you did not once mention the human you left to suffer. Why is this?”

He scoffed. “Have you seen them lately? They war with each other. Let their own starve and live in the filth of the streets. They have no humanity.” He’d also been distracted with just killing his friend.

“And you have decided to become their judge as well?” asked a brunette, two seats down.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I see no reason to save them.”

The redhead at the end rose. “Very well, then. Please place your dagger on the bench.”

Eli reached for the blade strapped at his waist, removed it from its sheath, and placed it on the bench. Steel glistened, and the bone handle vibrated before it vanished, no doubt sent back to the pits from where it came.

“We have chosen your punishment, hunter.” The redhead continued. “Tegan, take his wings.”

Tegan’s face grew flush with anger as he leaned in and grabbed Eli’s wing. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

Eli nodded and braced himself, but kept his fists at his side. Tegan first grabbed the right wing and wrenched it from his back. Eli refused to cry out even though the pain was blinding. Instead, he took in a deep breath. Then came the left. Muscle and tendon tore from his flesh, and the heat of blood ran down his back.

He gritted his teeth through the pain and black spots that danced in front of his eyes.

“Eli. The Tribunal of Seven condemns you to earth. You have thirty days to find your humanity. If you fail, you shall forever more be condemned to Hell.”

He was forced to his knees by the power that surrounded him. Darkness enveloped, and his body went weightless. He was free falling and to where only the Seven knew.

E
li landed
with a hard thud against the cold ground. He stared into the night sky. Stars glistened like tiny mirrors, and the aurora borealis danced across the horizon with vibrant hues. The wind howled bitterly across his naked chest, and the snow at his back stung his still open wounds.

He pushed himself to a sitting position.

“Son of a bitch!” He shook his fist at the heavens. “You could have at least given me a shirt.”

With a huff, he moved to his feet and assessed the situation. It appeared his immortality was still intact. His wounds itched, which meant they were on the mend. He scanned the area, nothing but blowing snow and darkness.

“Fuck me,” he growled.

He wore only the black biker boots and jeans he had on when he’d entered the Hall of Fate. Thankfully, he wouldn’t freeze to death, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed the shards of ice pelting his skin. His senses told him there was a town about fifty miles away. He went to summon his wings and quickly remembered they were gone. Old habits were difficult to break, and he tried not to think about the fact he’d just been cast out. His pride had already cost him, so he turned and headed east.

“Fucking toss my ass down here and expect me to find my humanity.” He stormed across the frozen tundra. “You could have at least picked a nice, sandy beach. Fucking Seven.”

A woman’s scream pierced the night.

The hair on the back of his neck rose. “Shit.” He thought about ignoring it, but remembered why he was here and took off running toward the sound. As he entered a thicket of pines, needles scratched his skin and a sudden, recognizable scent hit his nose.

Sulfur.

The acrid smell burned the back of his throat. He was close, but the screams had stopped, and he wondered how many he would have to fight. He got his answer when he entered a clearing that revealed a female in a pool of blood and one Hellhound standing over the top of her. He searched the area for any kind of weapon, not fond of the idea of taking it down with his bare hands. There was a cabin a few yards away, but she didn’t have that kind of time. If he left her to search for a weapon, she’d more than likely be dead or gone when he returned. He would have to find another way. His gaze landed on an ax leaning against a woodpile. It would have to do.

He slunk forward and grabbed the handle. “Hey, you piece of shit.”

The beast swung its head, red eyes bore into him, and it snarled.

“Yeah, I’m talking to you. Come pick on someone more your size.”

The hound stepped over its prey and stalked closer; its nose raised in the air. “Hunter, you have lost your wings,” it replied in a throaty growl.

“Don’t concern yourself with my body parts. I’d be more worried about losing your head if I were you.” He wielded the ax through the air to drive his point home.

The beast tossed its head back and snorted. “I shall enjoy feasting on you, angel.”

“Like hell.” Eli didn’t relish battling with the demon. The hound was at least six feet long if not more, and its head came to his waist. One big mother that wouldn’t go down quietly. Without his wings, he’d have to be quick on his feet.

He lunged, but the hound swerved right and vanished.
Shit.
Eli tried to do the same only to discover they had not only taken his wings and dagger, but also some of his powers. “Fucking evil bitches,” he snarled under his breath. He would have to rely on his keen sense. At least he still had that going for him.

He scented the beast behind him, spun, and swung the ax, making contact with only air. “Come face me, beast to man, you chicken shit.”

From out of nowhere, the hound lunged, knocking Eli off his feet. The ax skated across the icy tundra. The beast reappeared on top of him. Red eyes pierced his soul, and fangs sank deep into his shoulder. He should have felt the pain, but he was too pissed off.

He threw a right punch into the side of the hound’s head, loosening the beast’s grip on his shoulder. He kicked up his right foot and swung his leg over the dog’s back then pushed off with his left to roll the beast beneath him. He swung again, his fist making contact with the hounds left eye.

“Subdue, motherfucker.”

“Never,” the hound growled and sank its teeth into Eli’s fist.

Eli clenched his jaw through the pain as he ripped his flesh across sharp fangs. Blood dripped everywhere, both his and the beast’s. He’d had enough of this game and grabbed the dog’s muzzle with both hands and twisted. The beast whined as its vertebrae popped, yet it continued to struggle. Eli found one last surge of strength and finished snapping its neck.

He leaned back, gasping for air. Every muscle ached, but his job wasn’t done. The hound would only be down a short time before it healed. The head needed to be severed. He scanned the area and spotted the ax. Pushing to his feet, he swayed, shook the dots out of his vision, and walked to where the weapon lay. When he bent to retrieve it, he had to put his hand out against a nearby tree to keep from falling. He glanced over at the girl and noted the rise and fall of her chest. He grabbed the ax, walked back to where the hound lay, and in one swing removed its head. The body turned to ash and blew away with the wind.

Dropping the weapon, he moved back to the girl and fell to his knees beside her.

“Shit.”

Her hair was matted with blood and there appeared to be a wound on her left thigh. Even in the darkness, he could see how pale her skin was. He assumed the cabin at the edge of the clearing belonged to her and she was alone. As much ruckus as the fighting made, any other humans nearby would have shown themselves. He gently scooped her into his arms and trudged through the snow toward the house.

With a swift kick, he had the back door open and found a kitchen on the other side. Before he stepped in, he scanned for any other life and found none. Walking through the doorway, he strode into the living area, and spotted a hall. He walked down and stuck his head in the first doorway he came to.

Bingo.

He crossed the threshold and laid her on the bed. Looking around, he spied a bathroom, made his way in, and flicked on the light. A wooden shelf stood off to one side, lined with linens and other womanly stuff. He grabbed a couple of towels and a washcloth, which he quickly ran under some warm water, then headed back to the girl. He sat on the edge of the bed and took a good look at her.

Blood ran down the side of her face from a nasty gash on her forehead. He dabbed the cloth and carefully wiped the blood away. Her coat would have to come off so he could assess the rest of her.

He pulled off the mitten from her left hand then reached over her to pull off the right one and tossed them to the floor. Next, he unzipped her coat and pushed it open. He sucked in a sharp breath and ran his palms over her chest, trying not to notice her large, firm breasts as he scanned her for injuries. At least the bitches had left him with his Divine power.

No broken ribs, but she was bruised and had a few bites. He moved down her abdomen and sighed, relieved there were no internal injuries. He continued along her thighs until he reached her feet. No broken bones, but the laceration on her leg looked like a bite. He needed to get her undressed so he could get a closer look at her wounds. They would have to be tended or risk festering into an infection.

First, he pulled off her boots and couldn’t help admire her tiny feet. He then carefully propped her up against his chest, pulled her arms through the jacket, and tossed it to the side. He laid her back down. Maybe he’d cut the sweater off instead of pulling it over her head. Heading back to the bathroom, he rifled through drawers and cabinets, looking for a first aid kit. When he found one, he returned to the bed and proceeded to make a cut up the front of her sweater.

“Well sweetheart, I hope you’re not too attached to this piece of clothing.” He pulled the fabric open and swore. Both at the fact that her breasts looked like heaven swathed in black lace, and at the punctures from the hound’s canines that had slipped between two ribs. The fucking hound must have tossed her around like a rag doll.

His rage stirred, and he wanted to kill the creature again, but he shoved it down and moved on to her jeans. Again, he took the scissors and cut up the side of each pant leg until the jeans were cut in half. He removed the top part then pulled the bottom half out from under her. He tried to focus on the wound on her thigh and not the small scrap of lace that covered her sex.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and examined the bite. The hound had sunk its fangs deep into the muscle, but at least there was no tearing. He pulled out a bottle of iodine and dabbed the wound. She thrashed, and a moan escaped her lips. Probably from the sting, he touched his fingers to her forehead and whispered, sending Divine energy to put her into a deep sleep. After bandaging her wounds, he pulled the covers up over her, already missing the sight of her curves.

With her settled in, he finally saw to his own wounds. The open gashes left by the hound were nearly healed. Only crusted blood remained. He looked back at the girl who would be in an induced sleep for hours and decided he’d risk a shower.

E
li had showered
and rummaged through the modest home looking for any clothes he could wear. No such luck, so he’d washed his jeans in hopes of getting the blood off and now waited for them to dry. He stoked the fire and checked on the girl still in a deep sleep. The sun peeked over the horizon and he grew anxious.

Twenty-nine days left to find his humanity.

Right.

How did they expect him to do that in the middle of the Alaskan tundra?

He stared out the window and watched the snow begin to fall. His senses told him a big storm was brewing, and his mind wandered back to the girl. Something about her stirred an age-old instinct to protect her, and it was more than simply duty. He’d looked for clues as to her identity and found a letter on the table addressed to Ashley. It had already been opened so he read it. Since he was apparently stuck here caring for her, he might as well learn all he could. He hadn’t garnered much out of it other than she had run away from something. The letter came from an Aunt Viv, who spoke of wishing she’d return home. He assumed she came from Maine since that’s where the letter was postmarked.

He headed back down the hall, grabbed his pants from the dryer, and donned them. Time to check on his ward and change her bandage. When he entered the room, he stopped dead in his tracks. The sunlight streamed in and kissed her skin. Even with her hair a bloody mess and her face bruised; he could see she was beautiful. This time his male urges stirred.

“Shove it aside, Eli.” It had been months since he’d had a woman’s warm body beneath him.

He shook off his desire and walked to the bed. Opening the first-aid kit, he unwrapped another bandage then removed the one on her gash. It still looked wicked, and he almost wished he were a guardian so he could simply heal her and be on his way. Instead, all he could do was keep her asleep and let her body take care of itself.

Against his better judgment, he pulled back the covers to check her bruises. Purple and green marred her skin, but in the daylight her curves beckoned him. He folded the covers back over her and looked away. She was a temptation he didn’t need right now.

Unless.

Unless, of course, the Seven expected him to produce a daughter… Could that be their plan? He knew if he had sex with her, he could will a child upon her. All babies born from angel and human encounters were female and bore the mark of an angel’s mate. It was only when an angel mated with one of these offspring that they produced an eternal male child—a true angel.

He rubbed his chin. Why else would the Seven drop him here? The task would be easy enough. He’d have no problem gaining her interest. No woman refused an angel, and all he had to do was command her body to become fertile then accept his seed. The deed would be done, and he could go back to his duties.

Taking in a deep breath, he touched her forehead, and summoned her to wake.

S
harp pain burned
her entire body and throbbed behind her eyes. Ashley forced her lids open. The light blinded her and caused her to slam them shut, but a voice—a deep, sexy male voice—called her name, so she opened them again. Memories of a large hound with red eyes attacking her came flooding back. She’d never seen anything like it before and the vision in her head caused a shiver.

She blinked once, twice, and a male form came into view. Odd, he had no shirt and she wondered what kind of doctor went around with a bare chest. As her vision cleared, she realized she was in her own bedroom and not the local hospital. The man who sat on the edge of her bed stared at her with steel blue eyes.

“Time to wake up.” His voice held a soft yet firm command.

She licked her lips and tried to speak, but her parched throat wouldn’t allow words to form. He held out a glass of water.

“Let me help you sit up.” He placed his hand under her back and supported her as she struggled and winced through the pain. She allowed him to press the glass against her lips and took a long, soothing drink then nodded. He eased her back against the pillows and put the glass on the nightstand.

“What happened to the dog?” she managed to whisper.

“It’s dead.”

Pain shot across her temple so she reached up, touched her forehead, and came into contact with a bandage. She winced again.

“You got a bad gash. The fangs slipped between two ribs, and while not broken, you’re pretty bruised and have a couple of puncture wounds. Your thigh, however… The bite there went clear to the bone and walking is going to be difficult for a while, but other than that you seem okay.”

She stared at the half-dressed man and suddenly the fog lifted. She realized she looked into his eyes and saw nothing. No death. Nothing but the purest, most intense blue-grey she’d ever seen. She’d never seen eyes that color, like staring into glacier ice. Of course, looking into people’s eyes was something she tried to avoid and the reason she’d made the move to Alaska. She had to steer clear of others.

“You okay?”

She shook free of the vice he seemed to have over her. “Yes. I guess I’m still a bit shell-shocked.” She licked her lips. “I’m sorry, you must have found me?”

He moved off the edge of the bed and took a couple of steps back. “I heard your screams and found you unconscious. Brought you inside and tended to you the best I could.”

Ashley nodded, grateful he’d been nearby to rescue her. “I must have ruined your shirt.”

“Huh?” He raised a brow.

She pointed. “Your shirt. I assume it must have been covered in blood.”

He looked at his naked chest. “Yeah. Ruined, so I tossed it in the fire.”

“Thank you for coming to my rescue. I’m afraid I would have frozen to death and become food for the scavengers.” She couldn’t likely state that she’d intended to end her life, but when she’d seen that dog… Well, fear and a will to live had welled up inside her. She never really wanted to die. Ashley only desired to be normal. Had this been the sign she’d hoped for?

She glanced down and realized she wore only a bra and quickly pulled the covers up to her chin, but not before letting out a whimper from the pain in her chest.

“Careful, you’ll be sore for a few weeks.”

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she tried to catch her breath. Her bottom lip quivered. “You… umm. You undressed me?”

He crossed his arms over a broad, hard chest. His biceps flexed and his gaze narrowed. “I had to assess your condition. What did you expect me to do?”

Valid point but it didn’t stop her cheeks from heating. “I’m sorry, of course you’re right. I’m Ashley by the way. So are you a doctor?” She didn’t recognize him from Point Hope, but then again it had been a couple of years since she’d visited.

His shoulders dropped. “I’m Eli and no, but I’ve tended many wounds.”

She forced a smile. “I’m pleased to meet you, and I’m sorry about your shirt. I have a couple of extras an old boyfriend left behind. You’re welcome to try them.” She paused to catch her breath. “The trunk at the foot of the bed, if you look near the bottom you’ll find them.”

She watched as he moved toward the trunk and flipped open the top. She was unable to see him with the lid up, but could hear him digging around. Finally, he stood and held up an old grey tee that said “Navy” in dark blue letters across the chest. He pushed his arms through the sleeves and pulled it over his head.

“It’s a bit snug, but will do.” He shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “Sure you don’t have an attachment to it?”

She couldn’t help but notice how the cotton stretched and accented his muscles. She had thought Ben had been in terrific shape being a Navy guy, but he had nothing on Eli. She wondered what he did to stay so fit. “No. That relationship ended long ago.” She sat forward, holding the quilt close to her chest. “If you don’t mind, I need to shower.”

He lifted his shoulders. “I don’t mind.” He came toward her and reached for the covers.

She shoved him away. “What are you doing?”

“Do you really think you can get out of bed on your own?” He arched a dark brow. “The second your wounded leg touches the floor, you’ll be on your ass.”

She knew the way her leg throbbed he was probably right, but she really needed to wash her hair. Maybe she’d feel halfway human again. She glanced out the window at the snow beginning to fall. The weather service had predicted a storm, and they may be stuck together for days. For some reason, the thought of how she must look, let alone smell, bothered her. “I’m in my underwear.”

“I know what you’re wearing, I’ve seen it. Remember?”

She let out a sigh. “I can stand on my own.”

He took a step back with a smug look on his face. “Suit yourself.”

She shifted her hips and threw both legs over the side of the bed. Her chest burned and her leg throbbed, but she pursed her lips. Pulling the covers with her, she placed her right foot on the floor. Next the left one, and she stood with all her weight on her good leg.

The room swayed and a drum beat in her head. She swallowed down the bile that threatened to exit her stomach and took a slow deep breath. Focusing on the bathroom door, she took a small step.
You can do it.
Another step forward and her injured leg gave out. She swayed and started toward the floor, braced herself for the painful landing she knew would come, but instead, found herself in a pair of strong arms pressed to a hard chest. A pair of steel-blue eyes stared at her.

“I told you.”

She wanted to wipe the smug look off his face, but she couldn’t stop looking into his eyes. Never had she been able to study the flecks of color in the iris. Instead, death always resided there. It ripped her heart out to see how a person’s life would come to an end. For once in her life, she wanted to look at a person and not know how they would meet their demise.

Why was this man different? Had her wounds changed things or had God finally given her reprieve?

“Did I grow another head?”

“W-what?”

He eased her back onto the bed. “You’re looking at me like I’ve grown another head.”

“Oh. No, it’s just you have beautiful eyes.” She sighed. “You were right. I need help in getting up, but it’s rude to point it out.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I see. I’ll try to refrain next time. However, I might suggest you not be so stubborn and listen to my advice.”

She pushed her bottom lip out a bit. “I just want to feel clean again. I need to wash the smell of that thing off me.”

His features softened and he let out a breath. “I can only see one solution to this problem.” He pulled off the T-shirt, unbuttoned his jeans, and lowered the zipper.

“What are you doing?” She fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. Her nerves stretched tight, but a part of her wanted to see what hid beneath his clothing.

He shoved his pants to the floor to reveal a pair of tight-fitting black boxers.

She swallowed a gasp.

He closed in on her and gently scooped her up in his arms. “Giving you your shower.”

“Wait! What?”

He didn’t reply. Instead, he strode through the bathroom and flipped on the water in the shower then stepped in. He carefully set her on her feet, but kept her back pressed against him before sliding the glass door closed.

“Um, this isn’t what I had in mind.” She tried to push away, but he was too strong. Fear gripped her, what would he do to her now?

“Seems to me this is your only alternative. Stand still,” he commanded and spun her to face him. “I’m not going to hurt you. If I intended you harm, I would have done so already.”

She stopped fighting him and looked at his face. For the first time, she observed more than blue-grey eyes. She noticed his short, black hair and the little piece that fell across his forehead. Dark stubble covered his jaw and his lips were…

Dear god, he was magnificent and she stood in a shower with him in only her bra and panties.

A total stranger had saved her but now held her in a vulnerable position. Her injuries made it even more impossible to fight him if he wanted to assault her.

"I swear I have no intention of hurting you. I give you my word—that's all I've got."

She stared at him for a long moment. "Okay." For some odd reason, she believed him; as if some greater force told her he spoke the truth.