Wasteland (33 page)

Having my every need met so readily would take getting used to. Centuries of deprivation of one sort or another left me used to being in want.

“Locien found out about the plan for David’s ascension to King of the Underworld, so he needed David either human or demon, then he could kill him. No contract meant no protection over the wrists and neck.” Jessica slurped up the rest of her stew but kept the bowl in her lap.

“I can’t believe all of this.” Beka twined her fingers with mine. “You told me about Locien being your father, your mother and your visit with Michael, but not all this other planning that has gone on for centuries.”

“Wait. Michael?” Russell asked.

I glanced at Beka, then faced Russell and Jessica. “Michael told me some things.”

“How?” Jessica asked.

“While I was dead. I banished myself to a wasteland. He came and talked me out of it.” I scooped stew into my mouth. Its savory essence coated my tongue, and the warmth enveloped my stomach.

Jessica tilted toward me. “You feel you’re not worthy to be King.”

I nodded.

“That’s why you sent yourself to the wasteland. Not sure where you fit in because of your demon heritage.” She slapped my shoulder. “I see how that can happen.”

It was so strange to talk of things centuries old with a girl who appeared no older than seventeen. She spoke with such slang I was sure she was human. Yet ancient words sprinkled her modern language.

“I felt your pain.” Jessica grabbed her neck. “I was scared you were lost to us.” She shivered. “We need you.”

I bowed my head. Such wise talk from a young person. I would learn much from her.

“You met Michael, huh? What’d you think of him?” Jessica turned on her charm like a flick of a switch.

“Have you met him as well?” I asked.

“How do you think I get my knowledge?” Jessica chuckled. “But I don’t meet him in a wasteland.”

“You see the Archangel?” Beka asked. “How?”

“Visions, dreams, mostly while I was unconscious those few days before my conversion. We talked a lot.” The campfire shimmered in her eyes. “He downloaded a bunch of information into my brain. That’s why I stumble with speech sometimes. I mean, I have my way of talking, then his weird, old words kick in sometimes. Makes my head hurt.”

“Amazing,” Beka said.

“Sometimes I feel like my brain is about to melt. But he hasn’t visited me in a while, not since that darn dagger stuck me.” She pinned me with a stare. “But I knew you’d save me. Never doubted you for a minute.”

“I think you did. You almost didn’t tell me who cursed the dagger,” I said.

She put up her hands in surrender. “My
one
moment of weakness. But after that, I never doubted. I knew, once I saw that flicker of determination in your eyes, that you’d kill him for me.” She smiled. “I’m just glad you didn’t go after him by yourself.”

“Trust me, he thought about it,” Beka said. “But we’re strongest together, aren’t we, King?” She leaned toward me.

“Yes. I was tempted.” I rested my hand on her knee and inched closer to her warmth.

“What did Michael look like to you?” Jessica asked.

“Pardon?”

“When I see him, he has long blond hair, down to his butt, sparkling green eyes and wears skinny jeans and a long sleeved shirt.” The skin at the corner of her eyes crinkled with her smile.

“That is not how he looked to me, why is that?”

“He gets into our head, helps us see him in a form we’d appreciate. Some of the thoughts he puts in us are a little tough to handle. This way just makes it easier for us to see him. Hear what he has to say.” She toed the sand. “That’s my theory anyway. I’ll have to ask him next time.”

I turned to Beka. “Have you seen him?”

“No. I hear his whisperings, but never see him.”

“So now what?” Russell said. “Locien’s dead, the demons retreated.”

“For now,” I said.

Jessica sat straight and giggled.

“What?”

“Already thinking like a King.” She punched my shoulder. “Go on, what were you going to say,
King?
”

I glanced at Beka. “I think I would like to see this new home of ours.”

EPILOGUE

“No moat?” I said as we flew toward our home.

Beka laughed.

“It is chilly up here.” The cool air whipped past me as I coasted toward the massive, brick house. Clouds hovered high in the bright, blue sky, but the sun didn’t warm me as I would have thought.

“Come on, I’m tired, it’s been a long few days. I just want to sink into a toasty, comfortable bed with you.” She winked. “I promised you a
real
honeymoon. No more making love in caves or on rocky riverbeds.”

“Those places were nice, but I should like to try the comfort of a soft mattress to learn more about your body.” I darted out in front of her, my body tensing in anticipation. “Hurry.”

She chased after me. I banked left and came in above her. She led me toward the rooftop. It wasn’t quite a castle, but close. Massive lawns surrounded the sprawling estate. Six pools of water, lakes maybe, spotted the property.

People milled around equal distance between them. Standing post. I assumed they were on guard the way they kept a careful eye on us, probably unsure of me and my dark wings. Such a contrast to Beka’s fair feathers flapping gracefully next to me.

“So, you said thirty Guardians live here?”

“Not at all times. There are thirty Guardians housed here. But, they go to different cities, wherever the need arises.”

“And how do you know where to send them?”

“Hold that thought.” She pointed and slowed.

I veered right, watching her land on a sprawling roof patio that led to a set of ashen French doors. I folded my wings close to me and descended. The cold, tile patio sent a chill up my legs through my bare feet. The sun was definitely less potent here in Utah than in Arizona.

“We know where to send the Guardians the same way I knew how to locate Jessica. A gentle whisper, from the Archangel, only my connection to Michael is not like what he has with Jessica.” She paused, regarding me while her hand rested on the door handle. “Although, I wonder if you might have an even closer connection. He did appear to you in the wastelands. You’re at your rightful position as king now. Direction might come through you.”

“I guess we will find out. But it felt like his appearance was a one-time thing, to get me out of that place I banished myself to and back to you.”

Her hands found a home on my chest. “I know you doubt your ability to be a good leader for these Guardians, but I don’t. All you’ve been through, all that you’ve endured, has made you into something very powerful, very good, and very desirable.”

I smiled and combed my fingers through her silky hair.

“And the seven who were with us in Arizona immediately accepted you. Pledged their fealty to you.” She brushed her lips against my cheek. “Just remember that, okay?”

“Do we have to meet everyone right away? Or might you have time to show me that bed you spoke of.”

“See, we’ll have no problem ruling the Guardians. We already think so much alike.” She flashed her bright eyes at me. “I landed on the balcony connected to our bedroom, because that’s the only place we will be for the next couple of days.”

“I think I will enjoy being King.” I pulled the door open. “Lead the way, my Queen.”

LYNN RUSH

Lynn Rush began her writing career in 2008 and is actively involved with Romance Writers of America (RWA) and its special interest chapter Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FF&P).

Lynn has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the mental health field and has enjoyed applying that unique knowledge to developing interesting characters.

When Lynn’s not writing, she spends time enjoying the Arizona sunshine by road biking with her husband of fifteen years and going on five-mile jogs with her loveable Shetland Sheep dogs.

She always makes time to read a good speculative fiction novel, her favorites being Frank Peretti, Vicki Pettersson, Charlaine Harris and Stephanie Meyer.

Catch the Rush online:

Website:
www.LynnRush.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/LynnRushWrites

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/LynnRush