The Angel's Covenant (The Covenant series) (4 page)

Horrified Elina gathers her things and runs out, leaving the snickering behind her. Angry tears run down her cheeks, of course they blame her! She blames herself. Tossing her books in the nearest trash can, she starts to run, as the pressur
e builds.

Pain fills her heart, soul, and mind as she runs following the road away from town, towards the mountains. She cannot stay here. Her skin begins to vibrate a sound from behind her, has her spinning. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she stand with her fist closed tightly trying to hold it together, as her Uncle Ronni
e's truck pulls up beside her.

Relieved and still angry, she jumps in. Turning slightly away from him, she huddles against the door doubled over in pain. Pulling off quickly, he heads out of town feeling a strong sense of urgency; he floors it as she whimpers, "faster." Remember
ing a shortcut, he heads for a ridge that he knows will shield them from the towns people.

"Hang on angel, we are almost there
," he says urgently driving as fast as he can over the ridge looking for a service road. Seeing a gravel road, he turns sending rocks flying as he travels a few miles down the road and skids to a stop. Jumping from his truck he runs around, pulling the door open, reaching for her only to jump as she screams "don't touch me!" Elina stumbles from the truck, her hands glowing and she says "I can't stop, I can't take it!
"Then don't girl, let it go Elina," he says quietly.

Turning toward the mountain of trees, she breathes a sigh of relief as she brings her hands together and releases her fury. A beam of white hot light explodes in an instant shooting forward and incinerating the trees.
A wall of flames shoot up reflecting the intense heat back towards them. Elina moves her hands smoothly in a fluid movement gathering a wall of air and pushes it forward toward the flames, snuffing them out like a candle.

Sinking slowly to the ground, Elina sobs uncontrollably. “I tried to stop him, I tried!"
she screams beating her fists on the gravel road. Dropping down beside her Ronnie's heart breaks for what this child has been through. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her toward his barrel chest, letting her cry. "They're gone, all of them gone. I'm so alone," she hiccups as her sobbing slows.

Praying for guidance, he rocks her gently placing a hand on the back of her head he holds her close to his heart. Slowing his heartbeat he reaches for his gift and pulls from her mind the memory of a picnic by the river.

Her parents are laughing over the baby as he lies kicking on the blanket. Nearby Elina is chasing Senaka, threatening to throw him into the water, while he squeals and runs from her. Jumping from the blanket, Dad joins the chase. Elina screams as he makes a grab for her, while her Mothers watches laughing. Inhaling quickly, Elina watches the scene in her mind fade away.

Turning in his arms, she whispe
rs in awe, "How did you do that?" He says, "I used the gift I was given to help you, just as you did the day you fought for your family. You are never alone Elina the love you shared is yours forever. You just have to decide to honor it. It won't be easy, letting go but you can replace every dark memory, with new beautiful ones."

"I don't know how, Uncle Ronnie
," she says weeping again.  "I can show you, you just have to trust us. Give us a chance Elina."

"I'll try
," she says wiping her eyes. "Good, now help an old man up I can't feel my legs." They both start laughing and she helps him up. Waiting for the blood to rush back to his legs, she surveys the damage she has done and her smile fades. "Uncle Ronnie,” she asks softly "Am I shadow or Light?"
"We'll figure it out together," he says firmly.

Six

Feeling a sense of urgency, Elina rides hard and arrives at her cave. She ties the horse to a tree and waters him, then untied her supplies and heads inside. Switching on her flashlight she sets her gear down and gets a drink of water. Excitement skitters along her spine; she wonders where they will meet this time. Smiling a little she begins. Picking a safe spot she sits down, mentally preparing. Calming her mind she pictures him, her dragon.

She sees him flying free in a bright blue sky, diving towards her and just before he reaches her, he shifts his beautiful wings and soars up into the sky. Laughing out loud she wishes she could fly with him. Watching him the sun blinds her for a moment, and she feels i
t warming her all over. 

A cold draft blows her long black hair around her face. Her breath begins to come out in mist, and chills break out over her body. A whispered question dances around in the back of her mind, staying just out of consciousness. Her eyes snap open and to her surprise she finds that she is back in the cave where she first met Malach. Looking around, she begins to feel unsure. In the last ten years they had never returned to the same place for training. Ready to find him, she hurries toward t
he sound of the waterfall.

Stepping around the curtain of water she steps outside into an oasis. Nothing had changed; the lush green surroundings remain untouched. Not a sound can be heard past the rushing of the water. The silence shouts to her that something is off. Seeking the power that runs through her body she draws it closer to the surface. Trusting her instincts Elina begins to back away to the entrance of the cave, when a shadow passes over the sun. Thinking it is Malach she looks up and is
stunned by what she sees.

Rage pulses through her body. Suspended in midair with his black hair flowing and large wings spread is Raphaim. "
Eleeeena, did you miss me?" The dark angel has found her, praying that Malach is okay she does not hesitate. She runs into the cave and sends a burst streaming toward the ledge that forms the waterfall. It fragments outward in an explosion of rock and water, caving in the entrance. Hoping to slow him down long enough for her to pick her battleground, Elina runs to her cavern and picks the entrance leading down into the depths of the mountain. As she runs, she can feel the heat building. A rumbling above causes her to stumble as he breaks through.

"Run little mouse, you cannot escape me this time!
” he screams searching for her. Reaching the cavern Elina quickly assesses the situation. Suspended from the ceiling are large stalactites, which look like spears. A maze of stalagmites reaches up from the cavern floor and steam pockets vent randomly around the room creating a hot mist.  Smiling Elina kneels to the rocky floor and feels the heat below her. The lava flow beneath the surface is what she is seeking, she creates a small crack in the ground and steps back as it begins to steam and slowly seep toward the surface. She can feel him moving closer, so she pictures the tunnel in her mind growing smaller. Lifting her hands she begins to bring them together feeling the resistance of the rock in her mind she struggles and finally feels the walls shift, closing him in for a moment. Raphaim screams in rage, when he realizes too late that he is stuck.

Knowing she does not have much time she hurries across the cavern and prepares. She thinks of her family and the villagers and she knows what she must do. Allowing no doubt to enter her mind, she closes her eyes and lifting her hands says
, "Father, I ask that you spread your protection over me, be a wall of fire around me," a vibration begins beneath her feet, building with his rage and power but she does not stop. "Let your favor surround me like a shield, guard me in all of my ways, rescue and deliver me from this evil!"

The explosion that frees him from his rocky tomb throws her back against a wall. Elina draws on the elements using a cushion of air to protect her. She wraps
herself  in energy, deflecting the stones and sending a shower of rocks hurtling back at him.

"Pretty words and party tricks Will Not save you from me Elina!"
he screams at her leaping across the cavern. Just before his taloned hands reach her she adds pressure to a steam pocket he is crossing over and sends him shooting to the spikes above.

Spinning in mid-air Raphaim manages to miss the largest spear but hits a group of smaller ones, piercing his folded wings. His scream of pain, turns to a hiss of rage and his eyes glow
blood red. He drops to the ground looking at her from across the cavern and reaching out a clawed hand; forms a fist choking her with a thought.

Elina feels the pressure on her throat, and reaches for the power boiling in her soul. He separates the short distance and replaces his thoughts with his hands, lifting her into the air by her small throat, squeezing tightly.   Dangling in mid air Elina's eyes begin to glow, she reaches for the crack in the floor and is rewarded with a stream of molten lava. It hits him in the back and he releases her shouting his rage. She drops to the cavern floor like a small cat and stands walking toward him. He is squirming on the floor and just before she reaches him, he swings his foot out and kicks her in the chest sending her flying across the cavern. Rising
and laughing he shakes out his wings spraying the walls with acid rain. "You have learned much keeper, but not enough to stop me!"

Stalking a
cross the cave he lifts her by her throat and pins her to the cavern wall with one hand. He presses his ear between her breasts listening to her pounding heart. Looking into her turquoise eyes he licks his lips and whispers close to her mouth, "I bet you taste like heaven, Elina".

Placing her hands gently on each side of his handsome face she opens her
mouth and eyes wide; pouring all thought, prayer and hope into his soul. The light explodes from her and hits him full force. He is slammed back to the nearest wall.

Elina's entire body is now covered in white light. With a thought she imagines a shield and sword of light and is not disappointed. Swinging the sword she feels its weight in her hand and smiles. Turning towards Raphaim she points her sword at him, as he struggles to his feet.
Glaring at her with red eyes, he spreads his black wings and asks "Keeper, Are you Shadow or Light?"

Looking into the eyes of the Angel who killed her family she says
, "I am both!" Lifting her sword to strike him she is shocked when her shield and sword flare with a brilliant blue light.

The color fills the cavern covering everything with its brilliance, Elina watches as it bathes the cavern, washing the walls away. She now finds herself standing in the oasis outside the waterfall. Everything is as it was before the battle. The sound of the waterfall flowing and bir
ds calling soothes her soul.

Looking at Raphaim she is once again stunned as he shifts to his dragon form. Dropping her sword and shield she looks at him in horror, realizing she almost killed him. "Why, Malach?
” she whispers, "Why would you do this to me?"

Relief comes as he shifts to his true angelic form at last. Standing before Elina, is a beautiful angel with cobalt blue wings the same color of the dragon scales. His hair is shoulder length and black, and his eyes the color of emeralds. Across his muscular chest are the same runic inscriptions that on
ce belonged to the dragon.

"It was a test Elina" he states stepping towards her. She backs away her eyes full of tears. Dropping his outstretched hands he continues
saying "you have passed."

Shaking uncontrollably Elina's fear and confusion shifts to fury "I
HAVE PASSED!!!!”, she says screaming louder with each word. With a flick of her wrist she hits him with a surge of power dropping him into the pool of water. Stomping towards the edge of the water she yells "I almost killed you!" She demands bringing her power to the surface again. "What kind of sick game are you playing?"

Shocked and spitting water Malach shoots into the air spinning the water from his body, gently gliding back to the Earth. "You have a right to be confused Elina, I did what I thought best at the time. I am an Archangel, sent to protect you until you were ready. Let me explain
," he says stepping towards her only to find himself blocked by an invisible shield.

"You are an Angel like him!
", she says spitting the words at him. "Why should I believe anything you say?"

"Have I taught you nothing
Keeper!" he shouts angrily. "You can look and see me. I have not changed; I am still your dragon!" A crack of lightening fills the sky as his anger grows.

She spins away from him intending to go inside her cave and return home, only to find herself blocked by his massive chest. Trying to hold back her tears as her anger slows; she refuses to look
at him.

"Elina, look at me"
says the voice of her dragon.
"I can't look at you and not see him, Malach. Why would you do this to me? I don't understand," she whispers. "The child that came to me was broken, Elina. I gave her a safe place, a protector, and friend." Lifting her eyes to his, he says, "Someone she could trust and believe in until she could believe in herself.  I will not apologize for that." Stepping aside he says to her, "Run if you must, but I told you once when you were ready I would tell you the story of Raphaim. Are you not curious, do you want to know what all of this has to do with you?"

Pacing away from him she says” I will listen, but I will not make you promises beyond that." Walking to a boulder, she leans against it and waits.
He follows and as he nears her, watches as she jumps when a campfire appears near her. "There are some perks to being an angel” he says chuckling.

"You know part of the story, how Raphaim came to be in your village. It is the story of his father that you need to know. For the time being we will name him Samiel. He was an archangel who became obsessed with humans. What he could not understand was the power they held over the maker, or rather why he cared for them at all. As his jealousy grew, so too did his arrogance. Samiel believed this weakness for humans could lead to the destru
ction of our maker.”

Elina stares at the angel before her, and watches him closely. He stretches his wings out warming them by the fire, just like her dragon used to do. Smiling sl
ightly she focuses again.

“He becomes convinced that the Angels should have dominion over the humans. His obsession turned to lust, and greed for human women. He felt that any who wanted a human wife and children should have them, and began to convince others to join him.
 Three of the archangels left and more followed."

Leaning toward her he says
, "Elina they took human wives, some willing and some not. Angels and humans are not meant to be together, the children from these unions were not normal. Some were giants, with a taste for flesh, some were demons half angel, half humans, and some more animals than human and all were demons."

"How many followed him Malach?"
she asks.
Upset now he jumps to his feet and paces by the fire, "More than two hundred. Not only did they create demons but they taught the children of earth how to make weapons of war, spells, charms and more. Evil spread across the earth. It was the prayers of your people that called out to our father."

"The punishment for their betrayal was severe. Four of the strongest Archangels were told to go and find these fallen Angels to bind their powers.
 The entire group of half breeds and sons of the fallen Angels were destroyed, while their fathers were made to watch. Then they were cast into hell on Earth."

Staring up at the angel in front of her she is struck by his beauty. Looking at him, she could see how the women of Earth may have been tempted. Feeling her thoughts his eyes jump to hers and she is the first to look away. “I still do not see what this has to do with me. Where’s the connection. What a
m I missing?" she asks him.

Sitting near her he says "Before the punishment was carried out the fallen angels chose a favorite human to intercede on their behalf. Some of these angels were repentant
and wanted forgiveness. They asked him to pray to the Father for them, because they had lost that privilege. He did and they were denied repentance.  As a reward for his faith the maker, gave Aaron the names of the fallen Angels. He was told the story of their betrayal and sins and instructed to write it all down and keep the book safe.

It is a powerful book and therefore Aaron hid it with the tribes of the chosen people. He named it the
Book of the Watchers because it contains the names of all the angels that betrayed us. After Aaron died, the book fell out of knowledge. Very few remained who knew of its power.”

"I still don't understand, Malach what does this have to do with me
?" Elina asks frustrated and still angry.

"Patience" Malach says
, “Samiel’s punishment was horrific, but just. The four captured him and sentenced him in front of the fallen. They spread his amazing white wings and using the Sword of Judgment, severed them from his body. The holy fire from the sword left burned stumps as a constant reminder of his betrayal.  He was stripped of his angelic powers and cast to earth for eternity; to walk among humans but never belong. In his rage he roamed the Earth killing humans, attempting to regain his strength through the harvesting of their souls. His greatest power came from his destruction of God’s chosen ones. He began systematically executing as many of your tribes as possible, which is why they scattered to the winds. The elders of the ten tribes took the Book of Watchers and broke it into five pieces; placing each in identical sacred jars and sealing them. A total of ten jars were made to hide the five pieces and no one knew which jars contained the parts of the book."