Beyond (2 page)

Fallen:
Angels created by Aden, one of the Twelve. They are also God’s first angels that fell with Lucifer.

Holy soul:
A child whose soul is special due to having a parent on the Royal Counci.

Crossroads:
A spiritual place where Philip, Margaret, Agnes and alkins reside. Halo City is located in Crossroads.

Island of Eden:
Austin’s place. Originally called Garden of Eden. Situated in the middle of Bermuda Triangle. Home to Tree of Knowledge.

Nubilus City:
Above Grand View Hotel. Katherine resides there along with the venators.

Prologue

The cell
, located deep down in Nub ilus City , was dreadfully dark.
Samuel sat on the hard floor with his wings completely enclos ing him like a blanket, providing his only sense of comfort. Though the Twelve d id not need to take in air, none circulated around him , creating a heavy, dry, foul stench. Without light, he would grow weak and his wings would lose their beauty.

For many days he
’d sat alone, unaware of how much time had passed. Though he ’d had plenty of time to think about his actions, not a single shred of regret ran through his soul. Aliah had ceased to exist, but Samuel was determined to continue with Aliah’s master plan —to take over Crossroads. For now the cell was his home, but he hoped one day soon he would fi nd a way to escape—if his plan worked.

Samuel
sensed a presence and retracted his wings until they disappear ed . He didn ’
t want the visitor to sense his despair and loneliness. He hadn ’
t had a visit or since he was placed in the cell .
A mused he was being spied on, he scoffed.
“
Katherine, I know you ’
re there. I may be losing my mind from isolation, but my angelic senses are still intact .
”
At least for now.

Katherine appeare
d , avoiding the illuminating bars that surrounded Samuel ; w ith o ne touch to the blazing crystal—
like bar s, she would incinerate. She pitied the man crouching —knees tucked under his chin, curled up like a bal l. Pathetic.
Samuel was once one of the Twelve, a high pristine angel ; a n angel she had placed in high regard and looked upon for guidance. They had been through so much through the course of centuries. His betrayal was utterly unforeseen and surprising, leaving the Twelve with broken heart s and great sadness. It was bad enough that Aden , also one of the Twelve , had turned to darkness, but to have another brother go a stray was unbearable. Now he had become their worst nightmare.

“
Do you know anything about a group of Earth angels who call themselves Angelus Pugnators ?”

“
You ’
ve locked me up and you want answers from me? Why don ’
t you seek your answers from Jeremiah or Elizabet h instead?
”

“
Would I be here if they knew?
”

“
What makes you think I have the answers?
”

“
Because their actions are not of the good but of the evil.
”

Samuel laughed out loud.
“
Whatever happened, you deserved it.
”

“
Why do you have such hatred toward us? What did we ever do to see such evil from you?
”

“
You ’
re asking me a useless question. I ’
ve answered this several times already. No matter how many times you ask, it will always be the same. I have not changed my ways.
”

F
rustrated, unable to hear the answer she ’d hoped for, she referred back to her original questio n .
“
Do you know of them or not?
”

“
I may or may not. Either way, it doesn ’
t matter. I ’
ll get my revenge one day. I don ’
t work alone. Aliah might be dead, but our cause is not. They ’
re coming for you.
”

Katherine blinked.
“
What do you mean , ‘
Aliah might be dead ’
?
”

“
Oh dear...I didn ’
t mean to confuse you. I should watch what I say.
”

Katherine
frowned, brew ing inside with anger. She was sure Aliah was dead. She had seen him vanish with her own eyes.
“
Look at me .
”

Samuel
looked up, his eyes filled with the dark evil of a devil’s soul.
She gasped at the sight of his eyes, then quickly recovered.

“
Li sten. You may not care for us any longer, but there will be war. Do you understand? Man y innocent lives will be taken—human lives as well.
”

Stretching his legs, he stood up and leisurely walked out from the shadows.
Startled by his dirty white hair, Katherine tried not to stare. It wasn ’
t just his hair. The Twel ve had perfect complexion s , and though they lived countless years, they never aged. But Samuel looked pale , and wrinkles creased his forehead.
H
e was growing weaker , and though he deserved it, she took no pleasure in seeing it .

“
Ca sualties , tzh, tzh, tzh...
.
”
H
e smacked his lips.
“
They do happen in time of war.
”

Katherine
clenched her fists .
Her body shook from rage .

“
Careful now. You don ’
t look so stunning when you ’
re angry. It ’
s too bad you ’
re not on my team. I would show you the time of your life.
”

Katherine
’
s eyes grew wide with disgust.
“
I would rather die than have you touch me. You will regret your actions one day, but for now you ’
ll just have to rot in my hell.
”

“
I will be thinking of you, ”
he smirked, laughing out loud.

“
Your hair is turning white. You ’
re not my type.
”
She didn ’
t mean to say it and was surprise d that she could be so cruel.
It brought her no pleasure.

Samuel scoffed
at her obvious lie , but the truth of her words was evident from the triumphant look in her eyes.
Seemingly undaunted, he winked and blew her a kiss.
“
Like I said, I ’
ll be thinking of you.
”

“
Uggg h …
.
”
With their conversation going nowhere, Katherine vanish ed .