Darkness Betrayed (Torn) (11 page)

“Well, I guess it’s just us. Who’s gonna do the dishes?”

I almost choked on my food. The sound of his voice threatened to break down the walls I’d built over the course of the meal.

“Ahh, umm…”

“We’ll do it.” Obviously noticing the strain that the thought of actually speaking was causing, Damien swooped in and saved me from stuttering my way into embarrassment. Or worse – letting Cal in on my thoughts.

Cal eyed Damien as he began clearing the dishes. I felt a buzz of electricity fill the room. “You’re so,
normal
.”

Ethan mumbled something I didn’t catch and stomped out of the room.

Pausing a minute, Damien continued to the sink. “Normal as compared to what?”

“The evil bastard I know lives beneath the gilded exterior.”

“Interesting appraisal.”

“Why are you here? I mean, why are you
really
here?” He twirled a butter knife through his fingers.

I breathed in
sharply, trying to quash what grew inside me. Cal’s view of Damien more than bothered me. I pictured a sword through his chest before I was able to push the thought away.

Seemingly untroubled by Cal’s words, Damien began washing the dishes by hand instead of placing them in the dishwasher. I wasn’t sure if it was to keep his hands busy or his attention focused on something mundane enough t
o calm him. But I could see fury build in his strong shoulders.

“I am here to help destroy Sebastian
and help Samantha retrieve the box. Avenge her father’s death. Train her to do these things. Train her to do the things you’ve all neglected to teach her.”

Leaning back in his chair, Cal asked as he pointed the tip of the dull knife in Damien’s direction. “What’s in it for you?”

“Cal!” He disregarded the annoyance in my voice.

“Honestly?
I’d like to live in a Sebastian-free world. I am tired of his ways. I am tired of him doing as he pleases and using my face as the reason for fear.”

“So you want to live in a peaceful, fearless, hopeful world? As we do?”

Turning to face him, Damien smiled wickedly. “I didn’t say that.”

“So you’ll continue to exploit the free will of humans? By offering them alternate choices?”

“If that is how you see it. I see it as cultivating and encouraging the free will God has afforded them. Hope can’t live without a little despair.”

“But didn’t you take that away from them when you tricked Eve into eating the apple?”

Damien’s laugh was dangerously on edge. “Ah. I see. You think I did everyone a disservice. Did you ever stop to think God had put limitations on their freedoms? By not allowing them to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, he was essentially denying them just that. Knowledge. True freedom. Choice. Free will undefined.” He commanded the room and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. “You all sit here with smug looks on your faces, uneducated. You talk of history, of the beginning like you were all there. I am here to tell you you’ve been deceived. My existence may make your stomach churn; my words may make your blood boil, but that is nothing compare to the lifetimes I’ve spent in service of a God who was quick to dismiss me, cast me out of Heaven for opening the eyes of the masses. He used me; He used them and He is using you. So, by all means, fight for what you think is right, fight for a legend that has no basis in reality, fight me in an attempt to right a wronged world. Do whatever it is you need to do to help you sleep at night. But don’t ever question me or my intentions. I do what is right for me. After years of alleviating the pain of others, I continue to do what I was made to do. And if, at times, I ask for something in return, so be it. Don’t talk like you’ve never requested or expected something in return for what you deem to be a good deed.”

With every word I grew closer to him, I saw what he saw. Cal, on the other hand, snorted his disbelief. “Samantha, if you’re buying into this shit, then you’re just as fucked up as he is. For your sake, for all our sakes, take off the blinders and see him for who and what he really is. A snake.”

He threw his napkin on the table and walked out, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? You didn’t do anything, Samantha. Cal is set in his ways. He’s an old angel, an old Faithful, who has taken his teachings to heart. And besides, I do love a good debate once in a while. It’s been too long since I’ve been able to pose my views aloud.”

“It wasn’t much of a debate. It’s not like he was able to refute anything you were saying.”

Why can’t I stop staring at him?

“True. Still, I think you need to be careful of him. His distrust of you rings louder than the others.”

I reached out and touch him arm, electricity sending shockwaves through me.

“Cal knew my father. He’d never turn against me.”

He brushed his lips across my neck.

“Memories fade, Samantha. Allegiances change hands. People make deals hoping to save others. A desperate man doesn’t have much of a thought process.”

When he kissed me, I knew what he said was true.

Chapter 15

After a night of tossing and turning, of nightmares about death, spindly wings, putrid creatures, snakes and apples, Mara decided that we needed to get out and find a bit of normalcy. She, Branna and I let the others to fend for themselves and drove into town. Damien wasn’t happy about the change of plans as he had hoped to continue my training. But truth be told, I wasn’t looking forward to it and was happy for the delay.

Damien sat on the edge of my bed as I rooted around my room. “Samantha, we don’t really have time for this. You need this training. We don’t know when or where we will meet Sebastian but I’d rather you
were prepared.” His voice was low and there was a warning hidden between his words.

I glanced toward him. “I have to do this. Branna needs it, too. You have to remember, prior to all this, I was preparing for my prom, doing my homework, shopping with my friends. One day of going back to that won’t hurt anything. Where the hell is my other sneaker?” He shook his head in protest and held it up. I snatched it from him and continued. “Look, we’ll be careful. We’ll only be gone a short
while and we can train tomorrow, I promise. Just let me do this. Branna needs this. I need this.”

Grabbing my hand in his as I walked past, he was reticent. “I don’t like it. At least, if you don’t want me with you, bring Cal or Noah or one of the others.”

“No, Branna, Mara and I are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. Besides, what’s gonna happen? I’m going to be attacked by sweatpants and sneakers?” I shoved my wallet and iPod into a purse I didn’t even know I had. “Blouses and jeans? The sandwich I plan on having for lunch? It’s a tourist town. Ski season is beginning and there will be people everywhere. No way Sebastian will try anything.” I looked out the window and noticed it had begun to snow. I threw my sneakers back into my closet, opting for boots instead. I sat on the bed, pulled them on and tied the laces. When I stood, I reached for his hands and pulled him up.

“You don’t know him.” He wrapped a scarf around my neck and placed my hat on my head.

“I think I do. I’m going whether or not you like it.”

Planting a quick kiss on my forehead, he pulled me into a hug. “Fine. Just be careful.”

When he stepped away, I noticed Ethan standing in my doorway, hands in his pockets, head hung low. “Ethan.”

Instead of answering me, he walked away
, silently. Damien’s eyes smiled. I shook it off when Mara told me it was time to go. Another quick kiss, this time with hunger gracing my lips, told me Damien was eager for me to return.

Still feeling the urgency of his lips on mine, I got into the backseat of the car. Mara was
in the driver’s seat and we watched as Branna made her way to us, opened the door and settled silently into the passenger seat.

***

“What do you want to do first?” Mara visibly relaxed as we got out of the car.

“I need a belt.
This one’s getting too big.”

“You have lost some weight.” Mara frowned. “Branna, what do you want to do?”

She shrugged her shoulders and Mara responded. “Belt it is. Let’s go.” She slipped her arm into Branna’s and led her down the street with me following steps behind, taking in the people milling about with bags and families, skis and smiles. It hit me, what I’d been missing these past few months, smiles and happiness. I breathed in deeply, hoping to feel some of what these ordinary people were feeling. What I wouldn’t have given to feel that content. I started listening to their thoughts.

A woman in a shop -
“Danny is gonna love this shirt.”

A young boy holding his father’s hand -
“I hope daddy lets me ski down by myself today.”

An elderly man walking behind his equally elderly wife -
“I’m starving. When are we going to eat?”

A pretty girl strolling down
the street -
“Got the dress. Now I need the shoes.”

A mother walking with her two young children -
“Oh my God. I can’t believe this. How the hell can I be two weeks late?”

Such normal, mundane thoughts. There was no wondering if
, or when, someone was going to kill them. No thinking about death and rage and control. Even the woman who was late had happiness weaving in and out of her anxiety. I was pulled into them, lost in my own world when I heard Mara.

“Sam. In here.”

Her face was puzzled and I smiled. “Oops. Sorry. I was distracted.”

“By what?” With her hands on her hips, she smiled.

I waved my arm toward the street. “These people. Their thoughts are so normal. So, ordinary.”

“I know. It’s great, isn’t it? Now get in here and let’s find you a belt. When we’re done, I need a new jacket. This one is old and definitely not in style anymore.”

She was giddy as she pulled me into the store. The smells of leather, snow and the sales girl’s perfume mingled into heaven. It was definitely what I’d been missing.

For hours we went from shop to shop trying on everything we could find, giggling and laughing and sharing - anything to get our minds off the sadness of
Malena’s death and the imminent showdown with Sebastian. It was the most relaxed I’d been in a long time. Even Branna began to come out of her funk to join in the fun. She popped out of a dressing room in the most gorgeous emerald green gown that she had absolutely no use for.

“You should buy it.”

She looked at me like I’d lost my marbles, and maybe I had. “Why on earth would I buy this dress? I’ll never wear it.”

“So what?” Mara chimed in. “You look fa
bulous, and you know it. Buy it; wear it when you’re alone in your room or save it for something.”

“Something?” Her eyes lit up and I knew she was considering it. “But I don’t have any shoes to match. I’m certain my boots won’t be quite the thing for this dress.” She lifted up the hem of the dress and flashed her white snow boots in our direction.

I laughed for the first time in a long time. “Why on earth are you trying on dresses with your boots on?”

I was met with a sheepish shrug and a hundred-kilowatt smile.

“Let’s go get you some shoes, then.” Mara’s excitement was contagious. Branna agreed, purchased the dress and we walked down the street to the shoe store. That’s when I saw him.

Standing with his arms outstretched
, reaching for me, a smirk on his face and fire in his eyes, was Sebastian. I couldn’t pinpoint him. Every time I blinked, he was somewhere else, playing hopscotch in the crowd. I froze and tensed.

“What’s wrong?” Branna stopped smiling and tried to follow my ever-changing gaze.

“Sebastian.”

“What?” Mara dropped her bags.

“He’s here.”

“Where?”

“In the crowd. We can’t get to him without hurting anyone. I think he knows it.”

Hide and seek anyone?
His laugh echoed. No one but the three of us could hear it. The people on the street were oblivious.

The snow began to fall harder and it was getting difficult to see him as he moved easily through the crowd. I felt a tap on my shoulder, turned around and was face to face with him. In a second, he was gone.

Son of a bitch, Sebastian. Stop playing games. If you want to face me, then do it. I’m here.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. But then we wouldn’t be having any fun.

People on the street began talking about the snow and whether or not the lifts would be closed. Some had trouble navigating its sudden heaviness. I turned and turned, occasionally catching glimpses of Sebastian, his face alternating between twisted demon and beautiful angel. His green eyes glowed with intensity as they morphed continuously from colored brilliance to black. Images of people falling down on the sidewalks, dead and bloodied, passed through me. I fought to convince myself it was all an illusion, that Sebastian was putting thoughts in my head.

A scream from across the street tugged me out. The heavy snow had caused an awning to collapse on a woman and her child. I ran across the street with Mara and Branna at my heels and helped a man, the woman’s husband, lift the awning off. Neither was injured, except for a few bruises, but scared nonetheless.

I turned to Mara and saw her eyes grow large as manicured fingers curled around her neck. Sebastian smelled her hair and she shook in fear.

“You smell nice, Mara.”

I held my hand up. “Sebastian, stop. Leave her alone.” The warning was quiet and dangerous. He just laughed.

“Oh, I have no intention of killing her. Yet.” He inhaled deeply once more as Mara froze in place. “I’d rather think you were more concerned with the hundreds of people on the slopes.” He motioned for me to look toward
s the people zipping down the trails.

T
he ground began to shake. A loud noise cracked through the air and everyone froze, turning their attention to the mountain. A large jagged line spread across the snow. Slowly, it began to widen, freezing for a moment before it began to slip downward. Within moments, screams from the slopes could be heard and someone in the crowd yelled. “Avalanche!”

My attention focused and I watched in horror as the snow picked up speed and began to bury everything and everyone in its path. Trees snapped and toppled like toothpicks. Ski
ers were swallowed up whole in a snowy white tomb.

“What have you done?” Branna whispered.

“Forced Samantha to choose.” In the blink of an eye, he was gone and all that was left were the panicked screams of skiers and tourists alike. People ran towards the mountain while others ran from it. Mara brought her hand to her neck attempting to rub his touch away.

Alarm plagued me and I didn’t know what to do. I shook my head to remove the fog.
Sonofabitch.

“Get to the car!” I yelled to Mara and Branna.

“What are you going to do?” Mara, still visibly shaken, grabbed my arm.

“I don’t know yet. Just go! I’ll meet you there.”

“No. We’re going to help you. Tell us what you need us to do.”

“Fine.” I looked around at the chaos around us. “Find the injured and help them.”

“Neither of us are healers.” Branna was matter of fact.

“Make a call. Get Ethan here. It’s only a thirty-minute drive. He’s a healer. I’ll be back
to help with the injured. For now, just get whomever you can to safety. Call Damien, if you can.”

I ran towards the slopes, dodging panicked people racing in all directions. I was knocked on my ass a few times and returned the favor
to a few belligerent tourists. I grabbed a crying child and pulled him out of the way of a falling storefront sign.
Damn you, Sebastian.
It wasn’t just the avalanche; he was wreaking havoc everywhere, trying to trip up my focus. The closer I got the base of the mountain, the more destruction fell into my path.

There was zero visibility as the snow fell harder and the wind picked up. A loud creaking screamed above the terror and I concentrated on building a bubble around myself so I could see more than three feet in front of me. When my visibility cleared, I watched in horror as the lower foundation of the ski lift began to fall. Throwing out my palms, I eased it to the ground – the best I could do
under the circumstances. At least the people didn’t crash downward. I was sure there were injuries, but I didn’t feel death swim around them. They could wait. Satisfied for the moment, I ran on.

Snow raced down the mountain, covering everything in its path. I watched as skiers were swallowed up and hidden from view, burie
d under the white blanket. Darkness filled me and I began to separate from myself again but I held on, feeling that it wasn’t only shadows I’d have to rely on. As a war raged in my soul, dark and light intent on ripping the other to shreds, I held on. I felt pressure build until I was sure I was about to be ripped in two and lose all control then everything around me stopped - no screams, no movement, nothing. Time froze solid like someone had pressed the pause button on reality. For a moment, I stood there at the base of the mountain, awestruck, taking it all in. It wasn’t until I felt a presence that I composed myself again.

“Who are you?” I asked a large, dark figure cloaked in black.

The figure turned to me. I couldn’t see a face, only beady, red eyes that burned through me. Its breath fogged to ice crystals when it spoke. “I am Azrael.”

He must’ve been over seven feet tall and broad, like a linebacker. Pulling his bony hand from beneath his cloak, he produced a large scythe.
The fetid smell of death wafted toward me and I forced myself not to vomit.

He turned his faceless eyes toward the mountain. “Come, walk with me.”

I should have been afraid but I was not. A part of me was comforted by his arrival while the other part hid from view.

He moved gracefully through the snow, past people whose screams were lost in the moment, past people caught mid-stride as they fled from the destruction. I had to double-time my stride to keep up. We treaded past a man who’d been suspended in the air, a scream lost in the moment, as he presumably attempted to jump out of the way of other skiers and I reached out to touch him and prove he was real.