Archangel's Fire Read online

  When Cade stood, his face paled. His hand quickly reached out to the metal sign as he swayed on his feet. “I’m okay. Give me a minute.”

  “I told you it was too deep,” I growled at Lukas. Rushing to Mika, I grabbed some water and bandages and went back to Cade. “Sit down. Let me help you.”

  Without argument, he fell back on the sand and hunched forward. It was like Lukas had sucked the life out of him with his knife. I placed myself behind him and stifled a sob at the pair of deep red gashes on his back. Blood rolled in streams down his flawless skin.

  Carefully, I dabbed the cuts, cursing at Lukas under my breath. “Tell me if I’m hurting you.”

  “I’m fine. Really. I’ve had worse.” He sucked in a breath when my fingers brushed against his bare skin. “Don’t do that.”

  I jerked my hand away. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  He turned his head and looked up at me. Raw emotion filled his handsome face as he held my gaze. “Not yet.”

  22

  I stared out into the horizon, watching Mika, Milo, and Big John’s horse gallop across the desert headed toward home. Although I knew they were smart enough to find their way back to the Sanctuary, it was hard for me to let them go. Even Mika had been stubborn and refused to leave my side. And of course, Milo didn’t go anywhere without Mika and he wouldn’t budge either.

  They couldn’t stay. We had no choice. According to Lukas, they would be seized by the hunters and changed into demon horses for their use…or worse.

  The moment I realized what he’d meant by “worse,” I demanded Mika to go back to the Sanctuary, promising to come home as soon as I could.

  When they disappeared, Big John and Lukas picked up their bags and made their way into the city. I gazed at the tower in the distance, unable to move. It loomed over the city, the glass gleaming in the sun like a dark eye watching over its occupants, never sleeping.

  “We won’t see them again, will we?” I muttered.

  “We will. I promise,” Cade said as he passed me. “Let’s go.”

  “You can’t make a promise like that.” I hurried my pace to catch up to him.

  He flashed me a grin. “I just did. And I like to keep my promises.”

  As we made our way to the tower, I gazed in awe at the smaller buildings. There were so many of them. All of them looked abandoned with broken windows and entrances blocked by walls of sand.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked.

  “Shh,” Lukas whispered. “Keep your voice down. You’ll draw attention. People are restricted from this area. The hunters closed the smaller buildings and demolished some of the larger ones to restrict people from spreading out. People are only allowed to live in one building. It used to be called the Mirage. You’ll see.”

  It was hard to imagine the vibrant city filled with people that Lukas had described. It looked just like the small towns we’d passed to get here. The only difference was that the further we went into the city, the more the sand gave way to smooth stones that made a wide path between buildings. But still no sign of life anywhere.

  So when I saw palm trees lining the fronts of the abandoned buildings, I yelped with glee. Lukas turned and gave me a warning glare. I couldn’t help myself. Trees meant water. Water meant life.

  My spirit lifted as I watched the palm leaves swaying in the breeze. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the lush green fields or the beautiful oak and poplar trees of the Sanctuary.

  In the distance was a pyramid-shaped building and what looked like hundreds of colorful tents clustered next to it. A low murmur filled the air, growing louder as we grew closer. They were voices, dozens of them. My heart skipped with anticipation.

  When we finally came across the first group of people, I gasped. “What’s wrong with them?”

  Their clothes, similar to what we wore, were covered in a layer of sand. From beneath their hoods, blank eyes stared at the ground as if afraid to look up. I tried not to stare at their wrinkled, hollow cheeks or cracked lips.

  “Keep your head down. Don’t let them see your face.” Lukas pulled me next to him. “Cade, walk in front of us with Big John.”

  “Why?” Cade and I asked in unison.

  Lukas scowled. “Just do what I say.”

  “Cadriel, Lukas knows what he’s doing,” Big John said.

  Cade studied Lukas for a moment before finally nodding. “Stay close,” he said to me as he went with Big John.

  “Who are they?” I whispered to Lukas.

  “They’re scavengers, human slaves sent to scavenge towns looking for fuel and water while the hunters track the witches.”

  “Fuel for what?”

  He pointed to strange looking two-wheeled contraption. “Motorcycles. They can travel longer distances without tiring like horses. Only those closest to the demon lord have them. Don’t stare.” His eyes darted around as we passed more scavengers. “They’ll know you’re not one of them.”

  It was hard to keep my eyes down. Everyone we passed had the same haunted and desperate look in their eyes. My heart ached when I thought of how long they’d lived like this and how my mother had tried to save them. If I’d only known, I would’ve demanded Tovah help me break the curse sooner.

  I heard a soft whine and looked down at a little girl about Lily’s age, who was sucking her thumb. Lifeless hair lay in tangled strands on her tiny shoulders. She was so thin her clothes hung loose on her. She gazed up at me with hungry eyes as she stood beside a woman with dead eyes.

  I reached into my pouch and pulled out the delicious sweet bread Big John had given me at the department store, meaning to give it to her.

  “Are you crazy?” Lukas hissed, snatching the bread out of my hand.

  “What’s wrong with you?” I hissed back.

  “You’ll give us away.” Lukas shoved the bread back into my pouch. “Give everything you have to Cade. People aren’t supposed to have possessions.”

  “I’ll give it to her,” Cade said as he took my bag and crossbow.

  “The fallen show no mercy to humans,” Lukas warned.

  Cade paused as he looked down at the girl.

  “Let’s go,” Lukas said. “And always stay a couple of steps behind Cade and Big John.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s signifies that we belong to them.”

  I clenched my teeth. The humans were slaves of the fallen. It was cruel.

  While Lukas handed his bag to Big John, Cade walked ahead. When he passed the woman and the little girl, he dropped his hand to his side, letting the sweet bread slip through his fingers as he stared straight ahead.

  Grinning, I tugged my hood low over my face and ducked my head as I followed Cade and Big John. I tilted my head slightly. From the corner of my eye, I watched the little girl snatch the bread and pop it into her mouth. She smiled.

  As we passed the tents, I noticed people who looked just like those in the Sanctuary. They stood behind tables filled with fruits and vegetables. They didn’t look desperate and hungry like the scavengers.

  “What is that?” I whispered to Lukas. “Where did they get the food?”

  “That’s the market. They grow the food inside there.” He pointed to the pyramid-shaped building.

  “Why don’t they give it to the scavengers?” I eyed the tables. There was so much of it.

  “It’s not theirs to give. They’re allowed to eat some of it, but they can sell it only to the fallen and the hunters.” Lukas dug into his pocket, pulling out a wad of red square-shaped paper.

  “What’s that?” I asked as he peeled off six pieces and shoved the rest into his pocket.

  “It’s their currency.”

  “Where did you get it?”

  “You know me. I have my ways.” He winked. “Wait here.”

  I watched anxiously as Lukas went to one tent that had blue robes waving in the wind. How could he be so calm? He strolled across the lot as if he’d done it many times before. Knowing him, he probably had. He
talked to the merchant a few minutes, even making him laugh. Then Lukas said something that made the merchant frown, but when he pointed toward Cade and Big John. The merchant nodded and took Lukas’s money.

  “Put this on,” Lukas said, handing Cade and Big John rich royal blue robes lined with an intricate silver design along the edges. “It’s what the newly fallen wear.”

  “Does he know who we are?” Cade asked as he slipped on the robe.

  “Yes,” Lukas whispered. “And he’s risking his life for this. So keep moving.”

  When we passed the tents, the crowds grew larger. Lukas was right. The city was huge. I was glad to see that not everyone was starving. Some people were even laughing as they talked with each other. A few of them sat at umbrella-covered tables, eating and drinking.

  “Some people are given special privileges from their owners,” Lukas said when he noticed my confused look.

  “What’s that?” I pointed to the V-shaped building up ahead.

  “That’s where the humans live.”

  The wind blew, sending a smell so delicious my mouth immediately began to salivate.

  Over the crowds, I could hear Big John’s stomach growl. I wasn’t surprised. All we had to eat since yesterday was stale bread and a nuts.

  I quickened my step toward the smell. I wasn’t sure if or how we could get something to eat.

  The crowd of people parted to make way for a group of men dressed in the same regal-looking robes Lukas had bought for Cade and Big John. They were tall, muscular, and moved with the same fluid grace as the guardians. Their skin held a light sheen similar to the angel’s but less noticeable.

  I snuck a peek at one of them as he passed, understanding why Lukas tried to get as much dirt as he could on Cade and Big John’s face. It was as if the fallen lost their ethereal beauty the longer they stayed evil like the hunters who chased after Annalise.

  And as if they heard my thoughts, a cluster of red robes appeared in front of us.

  Cade gripped the crossbow and looked from the hunters to me nervously.

  I froze. “Lukas?”

  “Keep moving,” Lukas said. “Just keep your head down. They won’t bother you unless someone accuses you of being a witch…or for sport.”

  I didn’t ask what he meant by that; I didn’t want to know. We moved as quickly as we could to pass them. They were clustered in groups, laughing and eating. Standing behind them waiting for their masters were some scavengers. I could cry at the expression on their faces as they watched them eat. It was clear on their gaunt faces they were starving.

  There was a large group of hunters who appeared to be listening to someone. They looked on with admiration as if hanging on his every word.

  “My dogs bring back the best meat, do they not?” a familiar voice bellowed.

  No, not him.

  When Cade turned to me with wide eyes, I knew for certain the voice belonged to Nimrod.

  “Who’s up for a dog fight?” The crowd around Nimrod roared, waving small red paper at each other.

  “What are they doing?” I asked Lukas.

  “They’re placing bets.”

  “On what?”

  A turkey leg was thrown out from the center of the circle and landed on the ground by the scavengers. There was a beat of silence as haunted eyes registered the food on the ground. Then they attacked.

  Fists flew in the air and elbows beat into stomachs as they fought for the small scrap.

  “On that,” Lukas said thickly as he watched them fight.

  Bile found its way up my throat. I couldn’t bear seeing such cruelty.

  Nimrod’s laugh carried over the others as he emerged from the crowd. I cowered back, making myself as small as possible. Nimrod was so close I could see the snake’s head hissing over two crossed swords etched on the shield-shaped emblem that held his robe.

  Cade ducked his head and whispered urgently, “Let’s go.”

  Keeping my head down, I focused on the silver edges of Cade and Big John’s robes and Lukas’s worn boots. The hunters’ cruel laughter rang in my ears. I couldn’t get away fast enough.

  “Lukas?” I whispered anxiously when his boots disappeared. Cade’s robe was a small dot of blue getting smaller as the space around me filled with red robes like a fiery blur. My heart raced as the fire closed in on me, sucking out the air. I couldn’t breathe.

  Then it disappeared and I was alone in the fire.

  I spun around, hoping to find Lukas behind me, when my face crashed into wall of solid muscle.

  “Watch where you’re going, human!” The hunter yanked off my hood. He grabbed my chin, jerking my head up. His hand covered half my face. Black eyes glared at me, and my mouth went dry. He looked just like Scarf Guy with the same black smudge under his eyes. Large black disks dotted the inside of his earlobes. His dirty blond dreadlocks matched the color of his long beard.

  He squeezed my cheeks so hard tears stung my eyes. I instinctually reached for my crossbow. It wasn’t there.

  This is it. I’m going to die now, and I didn’t even make it to the tower.

  When my eyes met his, the hunter paused. His eyes traveled sensuously over my body. Beneath his dirty beard, I could make out a hint of smile. My stomach rolled.

  “Ah, you’re lost. Don’t worry, my pretty. I’ll be your master.”

  “I’m her master,” a low growl rang out. Cade emerged from the crowd, shoving back his hood as he marched to the hunter. Rage flooded his face. He looked like he was going to rip the hunter’s face off. Big John rushed beside him. Lukas stood behind them, his fists curled close to his side.

  “Take your hands off my property.” Cade placed himself behind me. He was so close I could feel his body humming with fury. “Did you hear me?”

  Scowling, the hunter studied him for a moment, then Big John. Snatching his hand off my face, he shoved me back into Cade.

  “Keep her on a leash,” he growled before turning around and disappearing into the crowd.

  “No, Cadriel,” Big John whispered frantically when Cade took a step to find the hunter. “We can’t stay out here.”

  Cade nodded. Placing his hand on the small of my back, he guided me through the crowd.

  “Are you okay?” he whispered.

  I wasn’t okay. Part of me was terrified out of my mind. I had frozen back there. I couldn’t even pretend to will some kind of magical force to get me out of danger.

  “Y-Yes,” I finally choked out.

  “Why are there so many hunters? Shouldn’t they be in the desert?” Big John asked.

  “Yes, they should,” Lukas said. “Unless—damn it. I forgot. They’re here for the tournament.”

  “Games? Rahab has them playing games?” Cade seethed.

  Lukas clenched his jaw, looking just as furious as Cade. “He has a tournament every first of the month in the city. It attracts the fallen from other regions. It’s his way of recruiting them. There will just be more hunters as we get closer to the tower. We’ll need to go underground. There’s only one way to get there.” Lukas’s eyes flicked nervously to the building where all the hunters seemed to be headed toward. “Through Caesar’s Place.”

  23

  The familiar stone columns lining the entrance of the palace caught me off guard. They were just like the ones in the guardian’s temple. A pang of longing tugged at my chest as I thought of home and how I wish I could be there right now.

  “Senna, stay close,” Cade whispered as he urged me to keep moving.

  I nodded and continued moving with the crowd toward the dark glass doors. So far none of the hunters bothered Lukas or me. It was like we didn’t exist for them. They gave a polite nod to Big John and Cade when they eyed their blue robes. Some went even as far as to move aside, allowing them to cut pass them as if they were royalty. I was surprised to see even more humans as we neared the palace. All of them hung close to their masters with their heads bowed.

  When we reached the glass doors, Big John moved to th
e side, pulling Lukas close to him. “Are you sure about this, Lukas?”

  Lukas bowed his head lower as if pretending his master was reprimanding him. “It’s the only way to get to the tunnels that lead to the tower. It was closed years ago by the hunters. A couple of witches who rebelled against the demon lord managed to open it and create a hidden door, but it’s located inside the coliseum. This is the only way to get to it.”

  “Why would they make a hidden door here?” I gazed at the mass of hunters who filed into the building. It would make more sense to put it somewhere else, like far, far, far away from here.

  “They hid it in the place where the hunters would least expect it. The rebel witches know how to move about the city without getting caught. Besides, they typically don’t show themselves to humans.”

  “How do you know about this if they stay away from humans?” Cade asked.

  Lukas’s eyes darted to me nervously as he spoke. “One of the witches found me. She sensed I could be trusted.”

  Lukas was acting strange, and it had nothing to do with the sea of red robes floating around us. “Was she the one who gave you the purple paste you use on the arrows?”

  “Yes, and did so at the risk of getting caught.” The line in his forehead grew deep with worry. I didn’t have to read minds to know what he was thinking. I saw what they did to Annalise when she was captured.

  Big John reached for the golden door handle. Before he pulled it open, he looked down at me with sad eyes. He was worried, too.

  “I won’t let anything happen to her, Jahoel,” Cade muttered under his breath. “I promise.”

  Big John nodded and opened the door.

  The moment we stepped inside, a cool breeze hit against my face. I paused, relishing the feel of the air, wishing I could take the hood off if only for a second. “The air. It feels so good.”

  “That’s the air conditioning,” Lukas said as we made our way into the building. “It’s run by electricity. The lights, too.”

  I looked around in awe finally understanding what Lukas meant by lights. Thousands of glass-shaped lights lined the ceiling and walls casting a soft yellow glow almost like candles, except these didn’t flicker.