Darkness Arisen

chapter Fourteen



Panic hit Alice as she watched the black taint spread across Ian's skin. It was moving fast, faster than he could heal. Of course it was. It was death.

Alice leapt to her feet, spinning around as she shouted at the idyllic setting. "Catherine," she screamed. "Stop it!" Her voice echoed and bounced across the fields, but there was no reply. Of course there was no reply. That was why she had to kill the woman who was so close to her that she might as well have been her sister.

"Dammit!" Alice fell to her knees beside Ian, her stomach churning when she saw the necrosis moving over his skin. Dear God, he was rotting alive. "Ian!"

His eyes were closed, and his lungs were rasping with each labored breath. "Now's the time," he rasped out. "Now or never, babe."

"Now or never, what?" She was horrified by the sight of his hands. They'd been incinerated by the tainted flames, and now were crumbling, rotting flesh, contaminating his arms. "Oh, God," she whispered.

"Angel of life," he managed.

"What?" She jerked her eyes toward him. "I can't save you!"

"If you're assigned to the Order, you're wrong," he said. "You can save me."

"Save you?" God, if there was a way, if there was a way. Frantic, she pressed her hands to his chest, reaching through their bond to connect with him. He was wide open to her, and she immediately found herself deeply merged with him. She could feel his guilt and grief, but she was astonished by the sheer, raw determination pulsing through him. She knew now why he was the only one of his family still alive: he was too damned stubborn to die. Until now. No one could stop the angel of death.

As immortal as he was, he was no match for Catherine. No one was.

No one except an angel of life. His voice was raw and painful in her mind. Come on, Alice.

I'm trying! She could feel the blackness spreading through him, but she had no idea how to stop it. What do I do?

You're the angel. You— He stuttered with pain, and his body convulsed. —decide.

Me? Sweat broke out on her forehead, and tears burned in her eyes. I don't know what to do!

What do other angels do?

Alice frantically thought back to the angel compound she'd grown up in, trying to remember what the other angels had done when they'd tried to call upon their supernatural powers, something she'd never come close to figuring out how to do. Every time she'd been thwarted in trying to save someone's life, she'd been attempting an easy, obvious solution, like giving her mother dirt or Chloe a kiss. The answer had been obvious; she just hadn't been able to do it. But now? He was being poisoned by the angel of death. There was no easy antidote to that!

Alice, Ian gasped. Now, sweetheart.

Don't pressure me! Tears burning her eyes, Alice tried to quiet her mind and her spirit. She reached inside herself, trying to find the inner glow that Catherine always talked about, the place of quiet that was the source of her powers. But she couldn't find anything. There was just fear, anger, and guilt. A miasma of churning emotions that made it impossible for her to focus.

Ian's body jerked, and she grabbed his shoulders. Mom, she beseeched, reaching out to the heavens, if you're out there somewhere, show me what to do! Show me how to save him!

She held her breath, waiting, but of course, there was no response, no great illumination of knowledge filling her mind. Just the same agony, the terror as she felt Ian's life force fading. No! She screamed, suddenly so angry that her mother had died. That she'd blamed Alice. That she'd left her alone. I hate that you left me! I hate you! The violent emotion tore through her, the fury and anger at being abandoned and rejected by her mother. Years of dark feelings erupted, and tears poured from her, so much pain, so much agony, and so much sadness. It rolled over her, like the darkest of hells, filling her with more than she'd ever felt before. It was too much, too overwhelming, and she cried from the force of it all.

Ian's hand moved, and his fingers entwined with hers. I knew you had it in you, he said. I knew you were more than a reserved shell. His warmth filled her, seeping through all the agony trying to consume her, and she lunged for it, holding onto it so desperately.

I don't know what to do, Ian. I don't know how to help you.

Ian's energy and his spirit began to fade, and she knew she was losing. If you were part of the Order's trinity, you'd know what to do to save me. I thought you were my angel...

There was a sudden hum in the air, and Alice spun around. The air was becoming translucent about ten feet away. Oh, God. Flynn? He was too early. Alice immediately called out Ian's mace, and she leapt in front of him, clenching her hands around the handle, putting herself between him and whatever threat was coming. Ian! Don't die! Please hang on!

The air seemed to shimmer and darken, and then three warriors appeared. Ryland and Vaughn, the men who had been at the beach with Ian, plus Kane Santiago, who had appeared at the last moment to transport them out of there.

Were they here to take Ian back? To kidnap her? "Stop," she shouted, holding out the mace. "Don't come near here!"

Ryland's eyes went black with rage, and there was so much taint rolling off him she could actually see a muddy black and brown aura forming around him. His gaze went past her to Ian, who was writhing on the ground, and he let out a roar of outrage. "What did you do to him?" He called out his machete, and hurled it at her as he sprinted toward them.

Kane shouted at him to stop, but Ry didn't hesitate. Alice yelped, and swung the mace. To her shock, it seemed to take on its own power, and it crashed into Ryland's machete inches from her face. The shock of the impact threw her back, and she fell to the ground next to Ian. Ry reached her just as she landed, and he called out his other machete, his face twisted with rage. "You killed him!"

"Stop it!" Kane suddenly materialized next to Ry, grabbed him and teleported him away, reforming at the other side of the field.

Ryland let out a roar of rage. A black light flashed, and suddenly Kane was down on the ground and Ry was racing toward her again, thick black and purple steam rolling off him. Dear God. He was insane!

Alice leapt to her feet, and grabbed Ian's mace, moving between Ry and Ian. "Stop it!" she shouted. "Ian's dying, and he needs your help! I didn't kill him! I'm an angel of life! I don't kill people!" But even as she shouted the words, she remembered how Esmeralda had fallen to Ian's weapon while she'd wielded it. She did kill people. For a split second, she hesitated, and then fury raced through her.

She was tired of being an angel of life who got it all wrong, the one who couldn't help those she cared about! "Ryland, stop!" she screamed. "Don't be a fool! I need your help!"

But Ryland was enraged, his sanity torn to shreds at the sight of Ian dying. There was no way to stop him. "Dear God," she whispered in horror, watching as he bore down on her. "He's gone mad." She raised the mace, preparing to fight him, afraid he would accidentally kill Ian in his rage. "Get away from him," she shouted, but even as she said the words, Ry put on a burst of speed—

Vaughn stepped in front of her, into Ryland's path. He held out his hands, spread his palms, and raised his hands to the sky. His skin began to glow green, and the earth began to tremble and bubble below his feet. Lightning cracked across the sky, and dark purple clouds surged above their heads, cutting out the sunshine. The muscles across his back twitched and spasmed, and his skin began to undulate as if the very gods themselves were coming to life within him. "Stop!" he commanded, and his voice seemed to thunder through the pasture. He held his hands so that his palms faced Ryland, but the warrior didn't slow down.

Alice caught her breath as Ry neared Vaughn, neither warrior backing down. Ry raised his machete. "Get out of my way—"

Vaughn shoved his palms in Ryland's direction, as if pushing an invisible barrier at him. The Calydon was flung backwards with a violent explosion, his body twisting and contorting as he sailed through the air.

He slammed into a pile of rocks and didn't move.

Vaughn went down on his knees, his whole body shuddering from the force of what he'd done. To Alice's shock, he actually faded from sight, and then reappeared again, as if he were losing his solid form. Stunned, she gripped the mace tighter, not sure who was friend and who was foe now. Behind her, she could hear Ian's labored breathing, and panic began to hammer at her. "Someone help Ian," she shouted. "He's dying!"

Vaughn turned toward her. His eyes had the faintest glow of green around the edges, and his muscles were straining against his skin. The tendons in his neck were bulging, as if he was fighting to stay in control. She braced herself, waiting for him to turn it on her as well. But he didn't. Before her eyes, he seemed to suck all that power back into his body. The earth stopped moving, the sky cleared, and his eyes returned to a dark brown. The only sign that he'd just blown Ryland across the clearing was the fact that a faint green glow emanated from his palms. "You called," he said.

Alice blinked. "What?"

"You called Flynn. I heard it." He looked past her, searching the woods, where the flames were beginning to fade. "He'll be here soon. He wouldn't have missed your call either." Vaughn's eyes were hooded and dark as he looked at her, troubled, even. "Why would you call him? He wants to kill you."

Alice raised her chin. "I know he does. That's why I called him."

"You want him to kill you?" At her nod, Vaughn narrowed his eyes. "You're a woman of courage."

She was so surprised by the statement, that she wasn't sure how to respond. "I'm not—"

"You are." Vaughn strode forward, and laid his hand on her cheek. His hand was cold, ice cold, as if he'd drained himself of all life during his attack on Ryland. For a moment, she thought he was going to say something, then he turned and walked away, his body moving with lithe, predatory grace as he blended in with his surroundings, disappearing in plain sight. What in heaven's name was he?

Before she could ask, sharp pain began to resonate through her arm. She looked down and saw an angry dark line cutting through the brand on her arm, filling in the outline even further. She tensed as she watched it form. Another stage of the bond? What had she done?

"You satisfied your half of the death stage when you risked your life to save his by jumping in Ryland's path," Kane said, startling her when he spoke from right behind her shoulder. His voice was heavy with respect. "You're a crazy woman, aren't you? No one in their right mind would stand in front of Ry when he has snapped." He sounded impressed, and it almost made her smile. "Ian's lucky he's got you. The bond is almost complete. How many stages do you have left?"

"His half of both the trust stage and the death stage. That's it." Two half stages away. So close to the Calydon destiny that would destroy them. As lovely as it was to have Kane's warmth and approval directed at her after a lifetime of being on the outside, Alice knew it wouldn't matter, not if Ian died. She jerked her arm down, fighting off the mixture of emotions arising from seeing Ian's mark on her arm: satisfaction, fear, uncertainty. "Can you help him? He's dying."

Kane strode over to him and crouched down. "Save him."

"I tried." She hurried over and knelt beside him, taking Ian's hand between hers. "I can't."

There was a grunt, and she looked up as Ryland rolled to his knees. He was bracing his hands on the ground, his head bowed. She tensed, but he raised his head, and she saw that the poisonous aura around him had faded. It was still there ever so slightly, but it no longer controlled him. "Ian," he rasped out as he stumbled to his feet.

This time, no one stopped him as he sprinted across the clearing, falling to his knees beside Ian, whose skin was now mottled with black and purple that was creeping up his neck, dotting his cheeks. It had almost consumed him. Once it covered him, it would be the end.

"Son of a bitch," Ryland said. He looked at Alice, his eyes simmering with rage. "Save him," he demanded.

"I can't—"

"You can!" He lunged for her, grabbing her by the throat before Kane could stop him. His fingers were tight, but not hurting, not yet. "You're an angel of life. You're the angel of life that protects the Order. It's your job!"

"I tried," she shouted, screaming at him. "Nothing works!"

"Son of a bitch," Kane said. "He's not Order right now. That's why. Quinn and Gideon suspended him when he took off with you."

Alice's stomach dropped. "You actually expelled him? How could you do that?" The one thing that mattered to Ian was the Order and honoring his oath, and yet he'd lost that? Ian convulsed, and she felt a stab of pain from him. Quickly, she put her hand on his forehead, trying to comfort him. I believe in you, Ian.

He didn't respond.

Ryland's eyes glittered. "Ian betrayed the Order. There was no choice."

"There's always a choice," she snapped.

"Is there? Then choose to save him," Ryland said.

"I can't!"

Disgust flared in Ryland's eyes, disappointment so bitter that she felt it in her own heart. When she'd first met Ryland, he'd gone down on one knee to honor her. Now? He looked like she wasn't worth the effort of saying her name.

"Shit!" Ryland released her with such force she fell back. "We need to reinstate him. Right now."

Kane shook his head. "We don't have time for an entire ceremony. There's no way to do it that fast. He's dying right now."

"F*ck!" Ryland slammed his fist down so hard a crack split the earth. "We can't lose him." His face contorted with anguish, and he bowed his head, his body trembling with the effort of holding back the dark forces within him. Alice didn't know what he was, but she knew she'd seen that kind of taint before. Slowly, he raised his head, his eyes glittering as he looked at Alice. "It's up to you, angel. How do we make this right?" He called out his machete and held it to her throat. "And you will find a way."

Alice stared at the machete, her heart hammering. She knew she couldn't save him. She'd already tried. "Why can't you save him? Can't you offer him your healing capacity, like he did with me?"

Ry and Kane exchanged grim looks, then they nodded. Alice's throat tightened as both warriors bent over Ian, their hands on his chest. The air between them began to hum, and she heard their voices reaching out to their fallen Order member.

Ian. Kane's voice was first. Come back to us. As he spoke, Alice felt a rush of healing warmth fill Ian. It poured into the atmosphere, a burning hot strength that seemed to ignite the air. It was like what Ian had done for her, but without the sexual undertones.

Fitz. Ryland's words were rough and dark, laced with a lethal force that made her skin crawl. Dante would kick your ass if you gave it up right now. Get your shit together. Then his energy joined Kane's and filled Ian's body.

Alice's throat tightened at the sight of the two massive warriors fighting so hard to save the life of their fallen comrade. It was obvious that it didn't matter that Ian had been kicked out of the Order. Their commitment to him was absolute, and she felt the urgency of their need to save him.

"Alice," Kane said. "Connect with him."

She shook her head, feeling so useless and isolated. "I can't help him—"

"Maybe not as an angel, but you can as his mate." Kane's voice was rough and low, laced with the energy he was pouring into Ian. "Trust me when I tell you that the power you carry for him is off the charts. You can make a difference, just you alone, not as an angel."

Alice hesitated, all too aware of her limitations. "You don't understand. I truly can't save anyone's life—"

"He doesn't need you to save it," Ryland snapped, glowering at her. "Just be there for him, tell the bastard you love him, and give him a reason to fight to come back."

Heat fused through her. "I don't love him—"

"F*ck that you don't." Ryland's eyes had turned a turbulent shade of purple. "You're an angel. Don't you love everyone? Isn't that what angels do? You're his damned mate. Be an angel to him!" As he spoke, he grabbed Alice's hand and slammed it down on Ian's chest. "Love him!" he commanded. "Now!"

The minute her hand touched Ian, Alice was inundated with the pain ricocheting through him. Her heart tightened, and she huddled over him, suddenly overwhelmed with the need to bring him peace, to take away the pain. Ian. It's me. You can do this.

"Offer him your golden healing light," Ry demanded. "You have that, don't you?"

Alice shot him a surprised look. "How do you know about our golden light?" Golden lights were something angels could give only once every thousand years, to a soul deemed worthy of receiving it, a soul that was so important that humanity would suffer if it died. Only souls of the greatest power and in the deepest agony could handle it. Every angel had it to offer, but it was a great risk because it would overwhelm all but the strongest souls. It wasn't a life-saving light. It was a light of peace and comfort. A light to heal the soul. It was a gift from one pure heart to another, a finding of serenity through the blackest of nights. Had an angel once given it to Ryland? Is that how he knew about it? No. It was impossible. No one who carried the amount of darkness that Ryland did could have been able to receive it. So, how did he know about it?

"Give it to him!" Ryland grabbed her shoulders and shook her, his eyes blazing ruthlessly. "Give him your golden light!"

Kane was staring at her. "Ian's my friend," he said. "You better not hold back anything you can offer him."

"It won't save his life," she explained. "That's not what it's for. It's for the healing of the soul and the offering of peace. It can be offered only to someone of great importance to angels, someone deemed worthy—"

Alice?

Alice looked down as Ian's voice wafted through her mind. His body was arched in pain, and his mouth was twisted in discomfort. Tears filled her eyes at his torment. How could she let him suffer like that? She couldn't save his life, but Ryland was right. This man, her soul mate, the man who had touched her heart, he deserved all that she could give him.

Suddenly, she didn't care that Ian wouldn't fit the requirements of a soul worthy of receiving the golden light. Screw that! He had opened her to feelings and emotions she’d craved her whole life, and now he was dying because he'd tried to save them. What could be more deserving than that? Yes, maybe he couldn't make the earth spin, but dammit, he made her world spin, and that was enough.

Screw angel rules. She was giving her light to him, and that was the way it was.

Leaning over him so her hair dangled on his chest, Alice pressed her palms to his chest. She'd never called upon her golden light, but she instinctively knew exactly how to do it. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reaching inside her for the golden light that burned so brightly in every angel. The one that could never be shared, except for that one moment, that one rare moment when it was right.

She inhaled again, opening her heart to the beauty of the golden light. It began as a small glow, and she gently called to it, asking it for help. Please offer peace to Ian, she asked. He is in pain.

She was vaguely aware of Kane and Ryland bent over Ian beside her as they infused Ian with their healing energy, offering to him what they carried within themselves. It was strangely comforting to be wedged between their broad shoulders, to be sandwiched between their bulky frames as they all worked together as a team. She could feel their energy infusing her through her connection with Ian, and it was incredible how pure and strong their life forces were. They were completely committed to Ian, giving him everything they had, their low voices talking to him as they helped his body fight off the poison.

The golden light began to swell inside her, and Alice held out her hands and cupped them. As she watched, her arms began to emanate a faint golden energy that slid over the brands to her hands. A golden ball formed in her hands, a whirring sphere of energy so bright that Kane shaded his eyes.

But not Ryland. He was staring at it, riveted by the orb, even as he continued to pour his healing strength into Ian. He raised one hand and brushed his index finger through the glowing light that was reflected like the flames of candles in his eyes. "I can't feel it," he said.

"That's because it's not for you." Alice moved her hands over Ian's heart as the golden light sparkled and drizzled between her fingers. A large droplet splashed on Ian's chest, melting right through his shirt. He sucked in his breath and shuddered. Ian. She reached out, connecting to his mind. This is my gift to you. The peace you've never had. Then she tipped her hands, and the orb spilled out and landed on his chest. For a moment, it glowed brightly, as if it were the sun itself, and then it melted into him, spilling out across his body. His skin turned gold, radiating the most beautiful orange and amber colors.

"It's incredible," Ryland whispered as his energy suddenly surged, blasting Ian with unbelievable amounts of healing power.

Ian gasped and his body convulsed.

"Bring it back, Ry!" Kane ordered. "It's too much!"

Alice's heart jumped as the two warriors tried to balance the energy they were feeding Ian. She tried to shut them out as she focused on Ian. Putting the golden light in him was only part of it. The other part of the healing and peace had to come from her.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on the warmth of his skin beneath her palms. She focused on the steady thump of his heart, slowing hers until it matched his. She allowed the golden light to spread through her, lifting her own heart. The most astonishing sense of serenity seemed to take over her, releasing the tension that she'd held for so long. Her shoulders relaxed, her arms felt limp, and her heart seemed to take a giant breath and simply let go. It was the purest of emotions, the gift of complete peace in her soul, and she gave it to Ian.