Gilded Wings (8 page)

“Is there anymore potion left?” Alaine asked calmly.

I turned and handed Alaine what was left in the vial. There was still half a bottle, which was more than enough. She slowly lifted Courtney’s head and made her drink. She moaned as the liquid took effect. Alaine then poured some of it on the hanging flesh and the wound, placing them back together. I assumed the liquid would knit the skin back together.

Courtney was still whimpering, but not nearly as bad as when she first came in. The potion was taking effect.

Alaine dug through her small medical bag and pulled out a small plastic bag. She ripped it open and pulled out a blue pack, then crushed the contents inside of it, and instructed Courtney to hold it over her eyes.

“It’s cold,” she exhaled.

“Yes, it’s an ice pack which will help take down the swelling. Keep it on until I say.”

“Alright.” Courtney sighed. As she held the patch over her eyes, Alaine pulled a needle and thread from her medical bag.

I knew she would need stitches, but this was something I couldn’t watch. That’s probably why Alaine told her to hold the pack over her eyes, so she wouldn’t see and freak out.

“Hold still,” Alaine said. I’m just going to fix your injury.

I went to Courtney’s side, and held onto her hand.

She squeezed my fingers. “Emma?” she asked.

“I’m right here,” I answered.

“Those stupid monsters didn’t let us finish our movie.”

I laughed. “Well, I think Julie Andrews can wait for another day.”

“I think I need a new room,” she said softly.

“Don’t worry,” Alaine answered. “We’ll fix your room, and it will be better than ever.”

“Good,” she said through a yawn. “I feel so sleepy.”

“Then rest,” Alaine said.

“Aren’t you supposed to keep people with a concussion awake?” I asked.

“Yes, but the potion will help with any internal damage. Sleep is what she needs,” Alaine said softly.

I nodded, impressed at how much she knew. One day I hoped to know just as much as she did, so I could also help others.

In a matter of seconds, Courtney’s mouth drooped open. She was fast asleep.

“That didn’t take long.” Thomas laughed.

“She’s had a rough day. I’m glad she’s sleeping. Sometimes the potion will do what is best for the patient. In her case it was sleep.”

“’I’ll take some of whatever she had,” Caleb said, huddled in a corner. He was so quiet I’d forgotten he’d come in, and he was obviously shaken.

“You were brave, little man,” Thomas said, patting him on the shoulder. “You pulled your sister away from harm. You’re a real life hero.”

Caleb smiled.

After Alaine finished stitching Courtney’s head, she called Caleb over to an adjacent twin bed.

“Are you hurt?” she asked.

“No,” he answered softly. “Are those creatures going to be coming after us forever?”

Alaine closed her eyes and shook her head. She sucked in a deep breath and knelt beside him. “No, not forever.” Her answer was simple, but I could still see fear embedded in Caleb’s eyes.

“But how? There are so many of them. They’re going to kill us one day.” His eyes pooled with tears.

“I would never allow it,” Alaine promised. “We will find a way to either eliminate them, or keep them away. But for now, you also need to rest,” she said, nodding to Thomas.

Thomas came and stood behind Caleb and placed his hands on his shoulders. “Don’t worry, little man. We’ve got your back,” he assured. Caleb nodded, then Thomas leaned over and whispered in his ear.

I watched Caleb’s eyes get heavy, before they rolled back and closed. Thomas laid him back on the pillow and Alaine threw a blanket over him.

“Gotta love the sleeper,” I said quietly. Thomas grinned.

“It’s not safe for them to stay here anymore,” she noted sadly. “I’ll have to make arrangements for them to stay with someone far away from this madness. At least until it’s finally dealt with.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “If I hadn’t come here, none of this would have happened.”

Ever since the accident, trouble – in its most horrific forms – followed me, and put everyone around me in danger. Caleb was kidnapped, Courtney was injured, Kade was now mortal and had to endure pain and suffering, and even Ethon was now brought into the mix. All because of me.

“That’s not true,” Kade said, still holding me.

“No, it is. This whole house is in danger because Lucian and Lucifer want me. What if you just send me away? They shouldn’t have to go away from their home, or be put into any more danger,” I said, glancing at Courtney and Caleb. I couldn’t bear to look at Courtney’s battered face.

Alaine walked over to me and laid her hand on my shoulder. “Emma, they would have come anyway. You aren’t the only one Lucian wants. I’m also on his list.” She took hold of my hand. “We are in this together. And we will finish this,
together
. Alright?”

“Alright,” I sighed. I knew she was right.

“Thomas, we need to get back and help.”

“How is it out there?” Kade asked.

“They are holding their own. This is the most Darkling I’ve seen in a long time. Lucian must be planning his attack soon. He actually might have, if anyone had taken down the barrier. Thank goodness it’s still intact.”

“Yes,” I breathed, remembering how Ethon yelled for me to release the barrier. But I quickly squashed the thought of it being malicious because I knew he only wanted to get inside so he could help me.

“We’ll discuss it all later,” she said, then turned to Kade. “Kade, thank you for bringing Emma to safety. Time and time again, you have proven yourself. Please stay here with them,” she said, smiling at him with admiration.

“I will,” he promised.

“Be back soon,” Thomas winked before ducking out, and Alaine followed. 

KADE AND I SAT ON a small couch in the corner and waited, while Caleb and Courtney snored away. I was glad they were both safe, but I had a feeling Courtney would totally freak out when she woke and saw her stitches.

Alaine said they would have to leave. I didn’t blame her for wanting to send them away to safety, but the thought of not having them around made me sad. My last connections to the human world would be leaving me, and I’d have to deal with the constant madness without them.

It wasn’t too long before Alaine returned with the rest of the Guardians.

“Well, it’s good to know all the humans are safe,” Dom said, entering the room.

Kade huffed.

“Glad to see you’re all safe too,” I said.

Everyone entered the room and looked battle weary. James glanced at us and nodded, then stood against the wall. Thomas and Alexander plopped themselves down on the ground, and Malachi stood next to James. Dom walked over to Caleb’s bed, pushed his legs over and sat on the edge.

“Rude,” Alex chuckled.

Dom glanced over to him.

“You have some Darkling crap on your mouth.”

Alex touched his mouth and when he felt the tarry blood, he began gagging.

“Dude, what the hell did you do? Slice an artery and stand there for a shower?” Dom teased.

Alex ran over to a small sink, loaded his hands with soap and began scrubbing his face. We all laughed because Alex
was
covered in Darkling blood.

“Shit this stuff is sticky, and it freaking stinks. I need a shower, like ASAP.”

Alaine stood in the center of the room, and everyone fell silent.

“You all fought brave today, and I am eternally thankful for each of you.”

“It’s why we’re here,” Thomas said.

“Yeah. You, Emma, and even the two snoring humanoids have become family to us,” Dom added.

“Thank you,” Alaine smiled, but her smile looked a bit sad. “As you have become part of ours. But I’ve quickly realized it’s not safe here for us anymore. This house is too large and I cannot make sure of everyone’s safety with so many ways to enter. I will be sending Courtney and Caleb to stay with a friend of mine in Washington. She offered help if I ever needed it. The rest of us will have to find another safe house. Someplace we can put a barrier over. Someplace where we can fight easily, if needed.”

“I think I might know of a place,” Dom said, his face became serious. Everyone turned their attention to him. “It was used as a safe house a long time ago. It’s far from civilization and located in the Oregon woods.” He turned to Alaine. “It was set up by your birth father, to protect and keep your birth mother safe during her pregnancy. It’s the place your life started, Alaine. It’s been unoccupied ever since, but there has been someone assigned to the place, who has been caretaking it.”

“How do you know this, Dominic?” Alaine asked.

“It was also the place where my bonded was murdered. She fought, defending your mother, and gave her life to save hers.” Dom’s lips trembled and his eyes bore so much sadness. He dropped his head down. “It’s a safe house. An option, in case you need it.”

Alaine walked up to him, leaned over and took hold of his hands. “I’m sorry for the pain you’ve endured, Dominic. I know what it feels like to lose a soul mate. I never expected mine to come back to me. She must have been an outstanding woman, and I will be forever grateful, to both of you. I will consider this option, but it might be too painful to revisit, for both of us.”

“Thank you,” he said, softly. “I battle with her loss every day, especially seeing new hearts being bonded.” He turned to look at me and Kade. “Don’t let true love and happiness slip away. There are some things you have to fight for, no matter what.”

Kade reached over and took my hand, interlocking our fingers. We both turned and looked into each other’s eyes, and then he smiled.

“Okay, you two can just stop with the freaking cuteness already. I was just stating general facts, not necessarily aiming it at you,” Dom sighed and rolled his eyes.

Everyone laughed. “And, since I have all of your attention, I might as well keep this going. We have a major complication. One that involves our little darling over there.” Dom gestured toward me.

I knew at that moment what he wanted to say. “I—I don’t know if I should be here for this,” I said, my heart twisting.

“Emma,” Dom stated, “they can’t hear us in here, and besides… none of us fear him more than we fear doing our job incorrectly.”

“What is this about?” Alaine questioned.

“Yeah, Dom. Just spit it out already,” Malachi added, and everyone agreed.

“Lucifer has bound Emma with an unbreakable oath. He made her agree to bond with Ethon before her transformation, and told her that if she speaks of it to anyone… they will die.”

“Is this true?” Kade asked, turning toward me.

With tear-filled eyes, I nodded.

“No, no, no. That is not going to happen,” Alaine huffed.

Kade disagreed. “If he bound her, she has to fulfill her word. I’ve heard stories of those who didn’t keep their pacts with Lucifer. They suffered horrible deaths, which could not be stopped because they were bound to him. Once you make a deal with the Devil… it’s sealed.”

“Emma,” Alaine turned to me and spoke so softly. “Did you make such a pact with Lucifer?”

I nodded, unable to speak.

“Why? Why in God’s name would you do that?” Malachi asked.

I turned and looked into Kade’s eyes.

“He threatened to kill him. I wouldn’t allow it because I love him. He already gave up everything for me, so… I did the same.”

“Dammit, Emma.” Kade wrapped me in his arms and held me tight. “You shouldn’t have done that. Your happiness means more to me than anything else.”

“Don’t you see?” I leaned back and looked at him. “You
are
my happiness. And, if you were ever taken from me, I would never be able to find it again.”

“Sorry to interrupt this unbelievably moving moment,” Alex broke in. “But what about the other dude, Ethon? The bond did choose him too. So now what? What are we supposed to do?”

“I don’t know,” Alaine sighed. “We’ll have to find a way, but this really complicates things. There is something else I need to tell you all, something about Emma’s true birth date.”

“What do you mean my
true
birth date?” I gasped.

She walked over to me. “To keep your true identity hidden, Victoria and Christian decided to give you another birthday. A false one to celebrate. The date they chose was the birthday of your grandmother, Jane Wilder.”

My mind began whirling with question. “So I wasn’t born on October fifteenth?”

Alaine paused, then looked up at me. “No. You were born July fifteenth, three months earlier.”

“July fifteenth? That’s in a
month
,” I shrieked, starting to hyperventilate. Everything around me began to spin.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Kade said, steadying me. “I think she’s gonna faint.”

“Holy shit, Alaine. This does complicate things,” Malachi cursed.

“Lucifer must know this, and he’ll be watching, expecting her to seal the bond sooner than later,” James noted.

“I know. We need to find a way to eliminate the pact, no matter what it takes,” Alaine said.

“I don’t think there is a way, Alaine. Unless, she does decide to be with Ethon,” James cut back in. “The bond isn’t just a simple matter. The tie it has between each heart will complicate things, and is something she cannot deny.”

“That’s true,” Dom added. “But it should be
her
decision, and not forced by some wicked psycho. He threatened her, making her agree to the bond, or he would kill Kade. Shouldn’t there be something within the heaven and hell handbooks that goes against that? Yes, she and Ethon are connected by the bond, but until it is sealed, we still have a chance.”

They all murmured amongst themselves.

“Until such time, we will have to play along. It’s vital they don’t have any inclination that we have this information, and Emma will still have to play her part with Ethon. My greatest fear is that Lucifer will try and find any way to carry out his pact early… by either having her seal the bond with Ethon, or worse. Emma, you will have to separate yourself from Kade as well. I know it will be hard, but it is necessary. They have to believe you will carry out your part of the pact, and should we not find a way… you
will
have to carry it out.”

“There has to be a way,” Dom exhaled loudly.

“If there is, I will find it,” Alaine said, and I believed her. She would do anything to keep me safe. “We have a lot of cleaning up to do. I’ll need each of you to do another thorough sweep of the house. Check everywhere, we can’t afford to have any stray Darkling lurking about. From now on, the barrier will stay up, and we will take turns watching the perimeter. I will make arrangements for Caleb and Courtney, and until we find a suitable safe house, Emma will need to be guarded at all times.”

The room agreed.

“And remember… whatever happens in the safe room,
stays
in the safe room,” Dom exclaimed.

“Yes,” Alaine agreed. “Be safe, all of you.”

Everyone left and Alaine walked over to me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We are all here for you, and will fight for whatever you choose.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“You two wait here until we make sure the house is clear. I’ll send a few of the guys back to let you know, and to collect Caleb and Courtney.”

I nodded, then she leaned over and kissed my forehead.

“Have faith,” she said as she exited.

When the door closed, Kade turned to me and grabbed me by both arms.

“I might not have the chance to say this again. I love you. You have become the best part of my life. From the moment I open my eyes, until the moment I lay my head down to sleep, you are on my mind. And even in my dreams, you are there. I love you. With every cell in my body, I love you. But, you need to listen to me,” he paused.

“Kade,” I breathed.

“No,” he shook his head. “I need you to live, even if it’s without me.”

“I can’t,” I cried.

“Listen to me, Emma,” he said, grasping my face in his hands. His body and words were desperate and urgent. “I’ve witnessed Lucifer’s power, and have seen firsthand what happens to those who break his pacts. He tortures them without mercy, and no one can stop it. I will not let that happen to you. You need to do whatever you have to do to stay alive. Even if that means sealing the bond with Ethon.”

“Why?” I sobbed. “Why doesn’t God intervene? Why does he sit back and watch this madness take place? Does he know how many hearts are breaking?”

“I don’t know,” he said sadly. “I wish I had all the answers for you.”

He stopped and cradled my face, gently stroking my cheeks with his thumbs, wiping away my tears. The passion in his eyes burned like I’d never seen before, but they were also filled with devotion and tenderness.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. I reveled in the way he could look at me with so much love. He was the most selfless person I’d ever met, and he loved
me
. What did I ever do to deserve anyone so special?

“I’m so sorry, Emma,” he whispered, resting his forehead against mine.

“Why?” I asked, breathing in his sweet scent.

“Because you should have been mine. We were supposed to seal the bond and be soul mates for all eternity.”

I shook my head, but inside I did wish things were different. I wished he were still immortal, and I wished we could spend the rest of eternity loving each other. But the dream had been shattered. For him, there was no eternity, and that left a hole in my heart that could never be mended.

“You did what you thought was right,” I said, twisting my hands in his thick dark hair.

“I did what I knew was right, yet it did nothing in the end. I was injured before you even started the quest, and look… you still made it out safely without me. If I would have known, if I were given a second chance, I would have chosen differently.”