The Angel Side Read online

  “Are you hurt?” I asked after materializing in the attic of the Divad home. I released Etta and examined her.

  As if frozen in place, her body had been stiff. The white of Etta’s eyes, now filled with black, were locked in a stare.

  “Etta?” I cupped her chin searching for signs of life when she gasped and jolted as if she had just been awakened from a trance. Grabbing onto my shoulders she steadied herself.

  “What…what happened?” a frightened Etta shook.

  “Nothing to worry about. Are you okay?”

  “I don’t feel so good. I need to lie down.” Etta replied before collapsing against me. Sweeping her into my arms, I had no clue how to care for a Wraith. The only idea I’d been able to conjure up had been to place a semi-conscious Etta down in her bed, pulling her comforter over her.

  “Ra?” Etta whispered.

  “Yes?” I replied as I sat next to her on the bed, petting her hair.

  “Will you lie down with me?”

  “Of course.” I said, sliding under the blanket, wrapping my arms around her.

  Her sweet warm breath curled up my chest, filling my nostrils and calming my nerves. Despite popular belief, what made me happy and at peace had never been my victories, my possessions, principalities, or reputation. It had always been Etta. The way she smelled, smiled, laughed, and the way her nostrils flared when she was upset. Caressing her hair as she laid sleeping, my thoughts drifted from the immense pain her attack left behind to what I would have to do next.

  Etta had proved why no one wanted a Wraith beyond the gates. With their emotions all over the place and easily provoked, Wraiths tended to leave death and destruction in the path of their emotional breakdowns and outbursts.

  I had been positive I got to her before she had permanently injured or killed Raphael, but the damage would be irreversible. None of the Arches would trust her enough to help us claim the last piece of her spirit from Lucifer. Being threatened and seeing me fall to the ground triggered her violent outburst. I hadn’t been sure I would be able to trust her not to repeat it should I get hurt.

  I would have to go to Hell solo, which meant I would have to leave Etta again. Not something I’m sure she would go for, but I wouldn’t walk into a possible trap with a ticking time bomb by my side. My head said to go now while she slept but at the slight chance I would make it out, I didn’t want to give her any cause to be mad at me.

  A snoring Etta rolled over, snuggling her backside against me. Gliding my hand over her hip, I rested it on the pooch of her stomach as I kiss her neck. My hand continued downward until Etta released an involuntary moan. Etta wanted to wait to consummate our relationship until we renewed our vows. Though she remembered our celestial wedding, Etta argued she and Abihail were different people. When it came to the bedroom, I had to agree. A naked Abihail would rush me as soon as I walked through the door, whereas Etta had yet to let me graze a boob, much less touch her in a way that would ignite her sexual desires.

  Though frustrated to the point of exploding, my morals wouldn’t allow me to instigate what I wanted with a sleeping woman. I wanted to feel her touch and kiss me back. To tell me she wanted to as she stared into my eyes. I would wait forever if need be to hear “I want you, too” pass her lips.

  Rolling over as to not be tempted to further punish myself, a faint clicking sound coming from downstairs caught my attention. Putting on the illusion of Ramen, I tiptoed out of the room not wanting to wake Etta. Amy and Gabriel had walked through the front door by the time I made it to the landing of the steps.

  “If you’ve come to finish the job, don’t waste your time, Brother. I won’t let you near her.” I threatened, flaring out my wing. As my wing opened, a sharp pain shot through my back. Sucking my teeth, I hoped Gabriel hadn’t noticed how much pain I had been in.

  “I’m going to search the house.” Amy spoke, kissing Gabriel on his cheek then disappeared into the living room.

  “I’m sorry, Ra. We didn’t know. John explained what happened. Amy’s here to take a look at you.” Gabriel said, taking a few steps toward me.

  “Stop, Brother. Don’t take another step.” I commanded, rattling my wing despite the excruciating, stabbing pain it caused.

  “Downstairs is clear. Is anyone else upstairs, Ra?” Amy asked as she returned to the foyer.

  Once Amy said it was clear, Gabriel sloughed of his illusion of Benjamin.

  “I’ll never get used to that.” Amy giggled.

  “Ra, we’re not here to fight you or hurt Etta. Amy and I came to check on the two of you. Is Etta upstairs?”

  Twice now he’d asked about Etta. Fearing Amy and Gabriel’s arrival had been nothing more than a diversion, I bolted up the stairs to Etta’s room, ready to fight whatever I may find but found Etta still sound asleep. Gabriel’s flash startled me. Spinning on my heels, I saw him go for Etta. With battering ram force, I shoved Gabriel through the wall. As swift as he landed in John’s room, Gabriel flashed into me, knocking us through Etta’s closet and into the bathroom.

  As my back hit each wall, a sharp pain throbbed in my chest. Slamming against the tile of the shower wall, I’d been unable to hold my poker face. Releasing a roar of sheer agony, Gabriel jumped back.

  “Amy! Amy! Come quick!” Gabriel shouted, and then dropped to his knees beside me.

  I wanted to get to my feet to keep Gabriel away from Etta, but I’d been unable to keep my eyes open much less fight him off.

  “Please, don’t hurt her. Please.” I begged.

  “As I tried to tell you, Brother, we’re not here to hurt anyone. I swear.” Gabriel knelt over me as he stroked my back.

  “A shield did this to your face?” Amy knelt next to Gabriel. “Are you hurt anywhere else?” she asked, feeling my chest and legs.

  “My back…something’s wrong with it.”

  “Shrapnel from the explosion. His wing is cut.” Gabriel answered as he tilted me forward.

  “Shoot. It’s cut halfway through the stem. Okay, Ra, bite down on this.” Amy shoved a washcloth in my mouth.

  “Okay, on the count of three.” Amy said, rubbing her hands rapidly.

  “One…two.” Amy announced, smacking her hands against my back on two.

  “Ah! What the hell happened to three?” I bit out.

  “It didn’t work. Let me try again.” Without warning Amy smacked her hands against my back again.

  “Oh, fu—ah!”

  “It’s not working. I’m sorry, Ra, I can’t fix your wing. I can try again if you want.”

  “No. No. I’m good. Is it still attached?” I asked.

  “Yes, but it’s severed about halfway through.” Amy replied.

  “Then I’m fine. I just need to rest for a minute.”

  “That was one heck of an explosion. Surprised we all weren’t turned to dust.” Gabriel sighed.

  “Wait, what explosion?” Amy turned to Gabriel.

  “Etta went nuclear when Uriel slammed Ra with his shield. Leveled Ra’s house.”

  “Etta did this to Ra and the others? I thought it was a Demon. She might have killed you.”

  “Yes. She’s a Wraith. This is what they do. They wipe out whatever is in their path. We’re very lucky we survived. But we’re going to put her back together, right, Ra?” Gabriel explained.

  “What the heck is a Wraith? How many Wraiths exist? Is fighting one something you’re going to have to do often?” A concerned Amy jumped to her feet.

  “Other than Lilith, Guardian of Purgatory, Etta’s the first one in thousands and thousands of years. So no, I don’t fight them often. You have nothing to worry about.” Gabriel pulled Amy into a tight embrace.

  “We won’t have to worry about Etta either once we get the last piece.” I said. Pushing myself up out of the shower, I caught a glimpse of Etta standing at the hole in her closet.

  “Hey, babe. Sleep good?” I smiled, but her face remained emotionless as she watched me walk toward her.

  “Don’t. I don’t
want to hurt you.” Reaching for her elbow, Etta wrested away.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked, taking another step toward her when I realized she overheard Gabriel talking to Amy. “You don’t have to worry about me. I won’t let it happen, Etta. We’re going to get your soul back.” I explained.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Etta bit her bottom lip as tears built up in her eyes.

  “It’s all right.” I said, inching toward her.

  “Stay away from me!” Etta screamed. Smoke curled out from under her, filling the floor as if a black fog rolled into the room.

  I had to get Etta to relax before she made a repeat performance of earlier. Having a Wraith lose it in Heaven had been one thing. Our world had been built to withstand forces ten times greater than anything Etta might dish out. Earth, on the other hand, didn’t have access to celestial building materials or the designs Heaven did. If Etta lost her temper now, she might possibly level not only Quantico Town but everything within a hundred mile radius, making an atom bomb detonating seem nothing more than a firecracker.

  “Etta, I need you to calm down, babe. It’s going to be all right.” I said as I stepped through the closet with caution.

  “Ra, calm her down. If she blows here, I’ll have no choice.” Gabriel warned as he readied his sword behind me.

  “Stand down, Gabriel! Etta, please honey. Look, I’m okay. Amy fixed me. No more shrapnel.” I said, turning around and tucking my wing as to not show her my injury. Facing Gabriel, I witnessed a glimpse of gold shimmer in his eyes as he tucked Amy behind him. With a pleading glare, I completed my three-sixty to face Etta again.

  “I’m so sorry.” As I came around, Etta rushed into my arms, and the fog dissipated.

  “Like I said, it’s okay, Etta.” I replied, stroking her hair as she buried her face in my chest.

  Witnessing her reaction to my being threatened had me more convinced I would be unable to take her to Hell with me. Though seeing how easily she got worked up made asking her to stay behind all the more frightening. The wrong timing, wording, or expression might set her off. I had been able to calm Etta down, but I doubted I would be successful at diffusing the situation if I were the object of her anger.

  “Ra, the others are ready. We have to go now.” Gabriel called out, keeping distance between Etta and him.

  “Okay. Let’s go.” I said, grabbing Etta’s hand.

  “She must stay here. Though John explained everything, our brothers won’t fight with a Wraith by their side.”

  “I’m not going to leave her alone, unprotected.” I contested.

  “John and the Templars will be here shortly to keep an eye on her, but we must go now if we’re going to do this.”

  “I’ll stay with her until they get here.” Amy said with a sheepish smile as she warily approached Etta.

  Looking down at Etta, I’d been unable to bear the thought of leaving without her, but I knew it had to be done. Without the Arches and the troops to help me, I’d never make it out of Hell much less get to its iron gates. As if she read my thoughts, an expressionless Etta peered up at me and nodded.

  “I love you.” I whispered, kissing her forehead. Taking position next to Gabriel, I waited for Etta’s response but received none. With an indifferent glare, Etta watched as Gabriel and I took off.

  Materializing at Hell’s gates, I landed face first in the sand and slid to a stop before the huddled Arches. Noticing my presence, they broke apart, standing in a line with curious stares. Gabriel and Michael rushed over, helping me to my feet.

  “What’s wrong with him?” a dumbfounded Raphael asked.

  “His wing is severed. Amy was unable to fix him.” Gabriel answered as he lifted me to my feet.

  “Then take him home. Father can help.” Remiel suggested.

  “If Amy can’t fix me, Father won’t able to either. Let’s just get this over with. What’s the plan?”

  “You can’t fight with one injured wing, Ra.” Saraqael said.

  “I can and will fight if it is what I must do!” I exclaimed.

  “Ra, you should think about this before charging in with your injury. We don’t know what we’re walking into, and I warn you, should we fail to retrieve the last portion of Etta’s essence, we’ll be left with no other choice but to terminate her. Father won’t have a repeat of Lilith.” Michael said, passing the Arches a grievous glance.

  “You’ll do no such thing! She’s not some roach you can exterminate. She’s my wife!” I shouted, jumping in Michael’s face.

  “She is a threat to not only our world but to all worlds. This is above us all, Brother. We have our orders, Ra!” Michael countered, shoving me back.

  I knew the Arches were wary of Etta but never did I imagine Father himself would order them to take Etta out despite the risk having another Wraith around would pose. To me she had still been the same smart, funny, loving girl I married so long ago. Not the monster they believed her to be. Though my anger had been directed at Father, I cocked my fist back, preparing to punch Michael. Before I released my balled fist of fury, Gabriel yanked me back by the elbows, spinning me around to face him.

  “Look at me. Save it for whatever we find inside, Ra. We can do this. All hope is not lost, Brother. We’re going to march in and demand Etta’s spirit. If Lucifer wants a fight, we have the troops all around these mountains, ready at a moment’s notice to charge in. We won’t leave here until we have her soul, do you understand me, Ra?” Gabriel cupped my jaw as a gleam of confidence and determination shimmered in his eyes. Clenching my jaw I nodded in capitulation.

  “All right. We quashed, Michael?” Gabriel asked as he stepped around me.

  “We’re quashed.” Michael answered.

  “Ra? We good?” Gabriel turned to me.

  “We’re good. So what’s the plan?”

  Michael motioned us in for a huddle. “Gabriel and I will take point. Ra, you’ll be in the middle with Saraqael and Remiel. Uriel and Raphael, take the rear. No open communication. We stick with code. Ra, can you ruffle your feathers?”

  Ignoring the excruciating pain I lifted my wing and ruffled them in code saying “I got this”.

  “Keep your eyes open for Nicor and the war hammer and scutum. If we can grab it while we’re here, it’ll save us a trip. We go in with the idea Lucifer will keep his end of the deal but also with the expectation he won’t. If an issue arises, we have the troops at the ready. Everyone got it?”

  In unison we all gave an agreeing grunt, took formation, and marched toward the gates.

  Chapter Ten Etta

  Watching the clock radio, I waited for my dad to show up. On edge, a fidgety Amy stood in the doorway refusing to sit down in case she needed to make a quick getaway. The slightest movement on my part would cause Amy to flinch then nervously sigh in relief under her breath when she realized I had simply been adjusting in the wicker chair, adding to my irritation.

  Ra grabbed my hand to take me to Hell with him, but I sensed his hesitance. It had been an empty gesture to keep me happy. After what happened, I’d been unable to rest all the blame on his shoulders. I had no intention of hurting anyone; much less Ra. Seeing a large glob of blood burst from his mouth as Uriel struck Ra with his shield started a chain reaction I didn’t know had been possible. Time stopped as a rumbling grew into a fiery storm within my belly. I tried to fight it but as if I were possessed, something took over all thought, all senses, all emotion until it consumed me. By the time I regained control, I was awakened by a bloodied Ra caressing me in the attic.

  Weakened and tired from the inner battle, I hadn’t thought about what those on the outside experienced, until I had been startled by Gabriel and Ra fighting in my room. Watching Amy try to repair Ra’s bruised and battered body had brought about a revelation.

  With Ra’s wing severed it would be just a matter of time before it sustained enough damaged to complete the dismemberment or it fell away from the weight. Had Pyro not ripped one from Ra before I
had the chance to get to Vetis, or had Ra not given up his wings on two separate occasions, he would have been easily fixed. But three sets had been the limit.

  With only one wing, Ra had been unable to flash and would be left handicapped. An Angel’s wings were more than their transportation. They are a source of power but more importantly, they’re weapons. But without wings at all, Ra would fall to Hell again, and there would be no telling what my brother would do to him for betraying him. Guilt and regret bubbled up as I thought about how I had sent my husband to Hell unarmed. My husband?

  I’d always used his given name or a plethora of pet names but not once since Ra’s return to Earth had I referred to him as my husband. With all we had been through just in the past two years, I never thought of him as such. Why did I think of him as such now? As I pondered the sudden revelation, a sharp pang stabbed me in my stomach. Glancing down, I caught a glimpse of my misty tendrils spreading as it had when I learned I was responsible for inflicting permanent damage to Ra’s wing.

  Having listened to Gabriel explain the events prior to Ra’s injuries and what I had become, I knew I had to calm myself to prevent a repeat incident. Being in my room on Earth, and Ra gone, I knew of only one thing to help me relax. As to not startle Amy, I slowly leaned forward from my chair, grabbing my guitar. Ignoring Amy’s standoffish demeanor as she watched me with an eagle eye, I strummed each chord and note of my mother’s favorite song, until I lulled myself into a state of deep relaxation.

  After playing for a good twenty minutes, I set the guitar down next to me. Amy sighed again. I should have been angry with my best friend for acting as if I had the plague or intended to harm her if she came within reach of me, but I hadn’t been. If I had been standing in her shoes, I probably would’ve been on edge as well. As wrong as it was, boredom got the best of me. I thought I’d have a little fun messing with her.

  “Boo!” I said, jolting in my chair. With a shriek Amy jumped and spun around to run for dear life, smacking right into my dad as he appeared at the door, knocking Amy back on her butt.