Arrows & Angels (Enlighten Series Book 0) Read online

  “So tell me all you know about them and the demons.”

  “Gage Venator is the Alpha, his daughter, Jessa, who we just watched best three demons is his Beta,” Nishan said. “The London Pack is comprised of about twenty werewolves. They call themselves Naturals because they live longer lives than an Ordinary, about twice as long, in fact. Some of the younger members turn on the night of a full moon, but the older ones can control it more.

  “They can block some of the fairy’s glamour. Glamour is like magic. Sidelle can manipulate the weather, her appearance, and can hear thoughts of the humans, but not the wolves. We’re not sure if she can’t or if they won’t let her.

  “Demon Knights are responsible for causing most of the so-called ‘manmade’ destruction in the world, like the Holy Wars,” Harper said. “When they are killed on Earth their bodies disintegrate, but we don’t know where they go. We think all Knights are susceptible to human weaknesses.

  “Marquises Demons are mid-level demons typically found in small groups. They are the fighters of Hell. They are ruthless and brutal, and they’re also expert swordsmen. They start ‘natural disasters,’ like floods, erupting volcanoes, and fires. We’ve heard of the pack talking about someone the demons call the Prince, but they don’t have any information on him. They’ve started calling Sammael ‘the king.’ And interesting enough, the demons know it was the Seraph angels who locked the devil in the cage when he fell from Heaven after the Battle of the Fallen.”

  “I see.” My head turned toward the path the two young women left. “I’ll let Michael know about them. Have you found the babe?”

  “No,” Harper said. “We thought there was something strange about the one called Jessa. That’s why we followed her, but then figured out what she actually was.”

  “Okay. Keep watching both of them. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I want to observe them for a while.”

  “Yes, boss,” both said in unison.

  Following my instructions, they disappeared. I never knew angels lived among fairies, or of the existence of werewolves. Sure, I heard rumors of other “beings.” If this was a shock for me, I wondered what Michael would say about it.

  To watch the tall, black-haired beauty fight and easily take down two demons with just a flick of her wrist was amazing to witness. She moved with grace that could easily be mistaken for an angel. The feeling that washed through me when her Glamour came to her call was awe inspiring. My own wings fluttered as I felt Earth’s energy being disturbed. Then to see Sidelle use her magic and manipulate it . . . I came to respect the fairy, even though I didn’t know her.

  Jessa—the werewolf—her fighting skills could put to shame even the Nephilim. I’d seen some of the half-angels before. With their enhanced human abilities of speed, strength, and vision; that’s how they became Heaven’s warriors. In my mind’s eye, I reenacted the battle scene, their movements, and all I’d just learned about them.

  I didn’t hesitate any longer. Night had fallen and I didn’t need to worry about being seen. My golden wings appeared and then I extended them as they carried me toward the heavens.

  Instead of basking in the glow of Heaven’s light, I sought out Michael.

  He appeared instantly. “Kieran, I’ve been expecting you. I assume you have many questions for me.”

  “Yes. Yes, I do.” My wings vanished while we floated in the clouds. Michael’s version of Heaven morphed into a white sandy beach. “Did you know about them?” I didn’t elaborate.

  “Yes.” He looked at me. “I recruited Sidelle a long time ago. She’s had a difficult time in Fairyland, her home. Someone broke her heart and she needed a change. I knew this task would do her well.”

  “You knew about the werewolves, too?”

  “Of course.”

  “And you didn’t tell me about them? I would have thought it’d be something to share. That I would need to know about them . . . and the demons.”

  “But you know about them now?” We stopped at the tree line. Michael caressed a small purple flower from the branches that hung low near our heads.

  “Yes, from Nishan and Harper.”

  “Would you have believed me if I would’ve told you?”

  “Of course.”

  After the row of trees, the area opened up. We floated across a river. I looked down. It was so clear that I couldn’t tell if it was real or not. The only sound was a small gurgling noise.

  “Maybe. Kieran, sometimes there are things you need to see with your own eyes.”

  “Where do they come from?”

  “Which?”

  “Both.”

  “Fairies have existed as long as the angels. They just are. They live in a realm called Fairyland, which is divided into now five sections: Summer, Winter, two In-between territories, and the Mist. Summer and Winter are ruled by royalty figures. King Oberon rules Summer and Queen Mab rules Winter. No one rules the Mist.”

  “Why do you say ‘now five sections’? Was that not always the case?”

  “No. There used to be Summer, Winter and the Mist.”

  “So then how did the In-between territories come about? And who rules there?”

  “Something happened many centuries ago that I don’t have much information on. The Fairies are being tight-lipped about it. I don’t even know if they understand it. So no one rules the In-between, as far as I know . . . yet.”

  “Does anyone live in the Mist? It seems ominous.”

  “It’s where the non-Glamour fairies live, and other ‘things.’ Their powers derive from Earth.”

  I nodded, keeping up.

  “The werewolves were created by the angels,” Michael continued. “Angel Light was bestowed upon them eons ago. We mixed our essence with those of humans, giving them agility and longer lifespans. And in return, they’d be our eyes on Earth. Back then there were few demons roaming, but enough to cause concern for the Council.”

  As I listened, the scenery changed again. My hand swept across the waist-high bright green grass, feeling the soft prickles against my fingers.

  “The Council sought out worthy families. We gave our Light to the head of a family on each continent, and where the population was the densest.”

  “Why have them change forms with the moon?”

  “Unfortunate ramification of not enough Angel Light. Their bodies couldn’t handle it. But we got it right when we created the Nephilim.”

  “I thought Nephilim were created by a fallen angel and human.”

  “They technically are. But if angels get to them when they are newly created and infuse a little bit more of Angel Light into them, they’ll work for good and not become a Marquises Demon.”

  “Thank you for the information. I understand a little more. I don’t think I would have fully understood you if you told me this first. My experience has been so limited with humans in general. I never would have thought about the existence of other ‘beings.’”

  “Good. I’ll take my leave so you can go back to Earth.”

  I was dismissed.

  My Angel Light cast an intense yellow circle on the ground, cutting through the thick fog of London. There was a dark gloom that lingered around my heart the moment I entered Earth’s realm.

  I immediately sought out Sidelle.

  Battle cries, screams, and wailing horns came from all directions. Smoke filled the air, not fog.

  I made my way toward the howling werewolves. They were created by Angel Light, so I could find them easily. Each blinked like a star in my mind.

  I found Jessa first. She fought against a few DKs, but her fairy partner wasn’t to be found. Sure both could get by, they had been before I came along, but a nagging pulled me toward wanting to protect them—Sidelle. Two were better than one, right?

  Appearing before Jessa, I drew my sword and sliced one of her opponents.

  “Thanks! I don’t know how many of them came through the veil last night.” She wasn’t startled to see me. “Go find and help Sidelle. I think she
’s up a few streets,” she screamed. “I can handle these!”

  I hesitated.

  “Go!”

  Nodding my head, I disappeared. It didn’t faze her that I’m an angel. I was about to reappear when I felt the earth shake, like an earthquake tremor. Something wasn’t right. I was suspended in mid-air and felt . . . off. Fear blanketed my body and I knew I had to find her.

  It didn’t take me long to lock on Sidelle’s location. She stood surrounded by a group of demons. Of course she was in the thick of it.

  I stopped a few moments to admire her. The harsh words spewing at the demons from her soft lips. She taunted them, forcing them to strike her first so she could unleash the fury she tried to hide. All her pain from whatever had happened to her in Fairyland, waiting to be released.

  I was here to help, not stare at her.

  “Why don’t you try taking on someone your own size?” I asked the black-hooded creatures, standing with my golden wings wrapped around my body and my silver sword extended. I turned to Sidelle. “I heard you needed some help.”

  “You heard wrong,” she said, slightly annoyed, her sword’s tip now aimed at my chest. “I was just about to dispose of this rodent.”

  I chuckled. Her attitude stopped me in my tracks, not knowing for sure if she meant it. I assumed they were a front and all she really needed was a friend. Or love.

  My Light faded the demon to a shade of gray, and then I froze him in place. The Marquises coughed helplessly.

  “There are more where he came from.” I glanced around. “We should team up. My Light won’t hold him forever.”

  She lowered her sword. “I already have a partner.”

  Always being the tough one.

  “Jessa?” I confirmed. “Yeah, she sent me to you.”

  She gave a mock curtsy, then spun around to face the demon. “Fine. If it’ll get you off my case, then by all means, have at it.”

  A few seconds later, the Marquises Demon became unfrozen and back to full strength. His face scrunched, and he huffed. His hands formed a triangle, and he puffed a breath into it like he was cold. As if on cue, four more Marqs rose like the dead from the ground.

  Sidelle gathered her Glamour and shot it directly at the demon, but it had no effect. It sailed through him and hit a tree, spraying green light all over the trunk, fizzling like water droplets. She uprooted the tree and used the branches to grab the demon around the waist. While the tree held him steady, her sword sliced through the neck. The creature’s head rolled off . . . and a few seconds later it grew back.

  I had a difficult time dealing with all the newcomers. At this rate, we would be overrun. We’d have to flee if reinforcements didn’t arrive soon. I didn’t have much time to watch Sidelle fight, but I caught a few glimpses. Her graceful movements reminded me of a well-rehearsed dance. The blackness of her hair swallowed me whole.

  A lone howl filled the night’s air, and pounding footsteps sounded from far away, growing louder with each step. Help was on its way. Multiple howls answered the first, and I knew the pack was closing in.

  But so were more Marquises Demons. They had appeared from all directions.

  The screams of men and women swelled, and I was even more determined to win the fight. We had to keep the Ordinaries safe; they couldn’t fight this battle. I ran toward their cries.

  “We need to retreat!” I yelled to Sidelle.

  “There is no backing down,” she screamed back.

  “I know but those humans—”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  We turned the corner, and came face to face with a pack of DKs. At least my Light worked on these demons. I blasted them with pure golden light as my fairy partner blew through their ranks like a machine, cutting, slicing, and beheading. I never looked back to check on Sidelle again.

  The Ordinaries’ screams pushed me on, and Sidelle ran to my side. We had a break in the fight. I must leave you for a bit so I can see the landscape, I told Sidelle in her mind. Before she could respond, I wrapped my wings around myself and spun—then I shot like a cannon into the sky unfurling my golden feathers.

  “Michael, I need your help! Bring any and all Archangels you can. Earth is being overrun with demons.”

  I entered the upper skies, the clouds parted, and a mass of multi-colored, winged angels descended.

  “Kieran, we are here,” Michael’s voice responded. “Move the humans to safety and leave the Marquises to us.”

  The Archangels flew to the streets, some gathered the Ordinaries and moved them off to the side while others took up their swords and joined the battle.

  I dropped back to the ground. “I brought reinforcements.”

  “So I see,” Sidelle acknowledged.

  I smirked. Her tough exterior started peeling away.

  “The Archangels will take on the Marquises,” I said. “You and I are to corral the Ordinaries and bring them to a safe place, or to anywhere outside the direct battlefronts. If we run into the Marqs, do the best you can, but keep moving. The pack will go where it’s needed.”

  “Who made you the boss?” She raised one sardonic brow. “Have you seen Jessa? I need to make sure she’s okay.”

  “Don’t worry about her. She can take care of herself. She’s with her pack.” I gestured toward the street. “Look, there’s a family trapped between the houses.”

  Since Sidelle passed as a normal-looking human, I made myself visible to assist her. We herded the Ordinaries back into one of the homes, and Sidelle swept for hiding demons. Finally, we could rest and mentally regroup.

  “Who are you, anyway?” she asked. “And are you always so bossy?”

  “I’m Kieran. And yes. So everyone tells me. It’s nice to finally meet you, Sidelle.”

  “You know of me?”

  “Michael told me about you.” I didn’t think I should tell her that I’ve been watching her for a while.

  “The Archangel?”

  “The one and the only.”

  She walked toward the door, and I followed. “How do you know him?”

  “I report to him,” I said.

  “What about them?” Sidelle pointed back into the house and at the Ordinaries. “Are we going to let them remember what they saw?”

  I nodded. “For now.” My chin jerked toward the street. “Don’t worry about them. Let’s get back out there. I’m sure there are more to save.”

  Sixteen Hundred Sixty-Eight

  Somewhere in Asia

  I had to see Sidelle again.

  My brief encounter with her wasn’t cutting it. Something about her pulled at me. Maybe it was her snow-white skin calling to my soul and making me wonder what it would feel like to embrace her and feel her body cradled in my arms. Maybe it was her emerald-green eyes that showed the depths of her emotions, which she desperately tried to hide from everyone. Or maybe it was the brave front she gave through her quick, witty chatter.

  Just thinking about her melodic voice emitting from those kissable lips made me pause. I wanted to feel those lips against mine.

  Whoa.

  I was an angel, and we didn’t have those feelings. Did we? No. Well . . . maybe. I obviously felt something for her.

  My heady emotions swirled around me. I liked having them. Of course, I didn’t really understand what they meant. But I had to see her again.

  When I closed my eyes and opened my angelic powers, I found her someplace in Asia. Her eternal soul shone bright green and was easy to spot in the midst of the humans.

  Today she was training outdoors. There were no matts to soften falls, only trampled blades of grass. A smattering of trees outlined the area. Off in the distance, rolling rice paddies filled with workers dotted the horizon. She wore simple black, cotton pants and a tunic.

  I guessed she probably didn’t want anything to do with me so I remained invisible as my eyes watched her lithe body move with graceful movements.

  She kicked, lashed, and hit her opponent with the ferocity that I never wanted to be
the brunt of. Then taking on three or four master-level men at a time, she flawlessly escaped her captors and turned the stakes in a matter of moments.

  She was a force, just like the wind power she created to defeat the demons. Never breaking into a sweat. Never stopping to catch her breath. Teams of martial artists battled against her and none going easy on her just because she was female.

  I respected them for that. Sidelle could take anything thrown her way.

  Maybe even me.

  The sparring match continued for a few more minutes. Bodies lay on the ground, slow to rise. A few younger men held up their hands in defeat, calling it quits.

  Sidelle cracked her neck, stretched out her legs, and shook her arms out. With a little bounce in her step, I knew she still wanted to fight more.

  I looked around making sure that most everyone had left. In my mind I fashioned similar attire to match hers. I appeared, without my wings, in the shadow of the tree line.

  “Still looking for someone who could take you?” I asked.

  Her eyes turned instantly in my direction.

  “It’s you.” She stepped toward me. “Couldn’t get enough of me?”

  “No, I couldn’t.” Her eyes widened a bit. Probably surprised I told her the truth. “So are we going to do this or not?” She scanned me from head to toe.

  I felt her blush from where I stood.

  “Fine, but don’t complain when you can’t fly later,” she smirked.

  But the gleam in her eyes said she wasn’t going to go easy on me. I didn’t think she would.

  “No using Glamour.” I marched forward into the clearing. “Swords or hand-to-hand?”

  “Swords are for children.” Her gaze ran down my body and her eyes softened a bit. “Don’t use your powers, either.”

  I smiled, then nodded.

  We circled each other, neither of us wanting to strike first. I was glad I had the short opportunity to watch her fight back in London and now a few moments ago in a new strange style. But being an angel did have its perks. Instantly, I knew all sorts of combatting skills.