Covenant Breakers (The Covenant Series Book 2) Read online

  Hunter gets up and walks back over to the demon pinned to the rocky floor. “I am Gunskaliski, your worst nightmare. Tell the Keeper what she wants, or we begin again.” Looking at the Indian, the demon begins to laugh.

  “I am a nightmare, skili. You cannot hurt me!” He watches Elina as she walks closer. Elina studies her captive for a moment before she realizes his body is riddled with scars. Stooping down, she runs her hand over his muscular chest. She watches his muscle tense and jump. Elina looks at Hunter, thinking, “We need to change tactics here.” Curling her hand into a claw, she elongates a nail and runs it like a blade along his arm. Her nail slices through the scarred hide and a ribbon of red blood appears. His demonic eyes grow wide for a moment.

  “Yes,” The demon hisses licking his lips. “Cuts are my favorite, slide it slowly through the skin,” he pleads. “I like it slow,” he moans.

  Elina says, “Together Hunter,” and wields her black obsidian sword. Nodding his head he says, “We give, you give, demon.”

  Looking back and forth at them, he smiles baring his sharp teeth, “Yes, anything. Give, Give, Human!” he roars.

  For a moment, they all freeze as Elina takes her sword and lays the blade flat on his massive thigh. Dressed only in a brown leather kilt he moans in ecstasy at the feel of the cold crystal blade on his hot skin. His mouth fills with saliva and his red eyes stare into hers, unblinking. He waits.

  “The book, tell me where the book is.” She says sliding the sword further up his bare thigh, then back down in slow torment, careful not to cut him. Sweating with his desire evident, he licks his lips again and moans “In the keep, within the volcano! He keeps it with him at all times!” he says, panting now.

  Ronnie gives Jake the bat creature and steps forward, placing a hand on each side of the demon’s head. Closing his eyes, he leans his head back and then says, “His name is Straton, sixth son of the one who fell!” Straton roars enraged. Elina places a hand on his shoulder and sees through his eyes. She sees an image in her mind of a volcano; she now knows where she has to send Hunter. He must retrieve the book.

  “If you want more, Straton, tell me the exact location of the book.” Elina demands.

  Straton watches the blade as she lays it further up his body on his chest. She presses it flat against his nipple. The tip digs in, a bead of red blood appears, and his body erupts in chills. “YES, Yes,” panting, “The White Mountain, Keeper!” Elina steps back pulling her sword away so Hunter can move in.

  Infuriated, Straton begins to struggle again in earnest. “Keeper, you gave your word!” he roars spraying spit.

  “Oh, I lied.” Elina responds with a laugh. “We do not negotiate with demons!”

  Looking at the demon, Jake says, “Hey, Hunter, I brought these.” Jake places eight blood stones in Hunters outstretched hand. “I thought they might come in handy.”

  With a smile Hunter, takes the stones and begins to circle the demon, chanting. One by one, he places the stones on the demons body. One on the left hand palm up, sizzling it burns into the skin, leaving the top portion visible. The next stone is placed on the clawed foot of the demon, sinking in just as the first. This is repeated on the next foot, and one is put in the center of the chest. The next stone is placed at the exact location the arm would have been if not severed, and, finally, the last stone is sunk into the demon’s forehead.

  Frustrated, Straton struggles, “I feel nothing, skili, maybe your magic is weak and that is why your woman left you!” he says, laughing at Hunter. Pulling out his black pipe, Hunter fills it and lights the strong smelling tobacco. Inhaling the smoke, he urges the others to step outside. Circling the demon, he puffs the smoke in every direction filling the church with a soft fog. He calls Elina inside, and nods at her.

  Sword in hand Elina walks over to Straton saying, “There is power in a name. Straton, I call your soul from this physical form and banish you forever more into these stones. You are finished!” With the final words, she plunges the sword straight down into the center blood stone on his chest. Shoving the blade deeply into his heart, she releases his black soul into the night. Caught in the web of smoke, the demon soul is trapped. She draws the sword out of his chest she taps its tip to the stone imbedded in his forehead causing the stone to blaze bright red. Straton shrieks in agony and tries to escape but the stone begins to draw his soul inside. One by one, she taps each stone, illuminating them, and they all pull in parts of the demon’s soul. Elina swings her sword and severs the head of the demon, obliterating it, leaving only the smoking stones on the rubble below.

  Fifteen

  Shaking with fury, Simeon cradles Elsbeth against his heart. How dare they use her as bait! She has been used by demons and humans alike. No more! They do not deserve her! His grip tightens on her as he glares at the Keeper, enraged he shoots into the night sky, leaving them all behind, his sole focus now on Elsbeth.

  Rage, fury, and hatred boil inside his soul: He longs to make them pay! Why didn’t she call him? He felt her fear too late to rescue her. When Asa’s tentacle attached sinking it curved hooks into her neck, her scream echoed through his soul filling him with terror!

  A soft touch like butterfly wings brushes his face. Glancing down he sees Elsbeth’s blue eyes staring at him. She smiles and trails her fingertips over his dark cheek. Her eyes close and she snuggles closer pressing her lips to his chest, and all his livid thoughts dissipate leaving only wonder. Her peace turns to anguish as the poison moves through her system again. Elsbeth begins to moan and shake in pain as she is tormented by the demons in her mind. He felt the moment she stepped out of the safety of the circle. She tried to block him, but he is an archangel. His connection with her is strong. They will answer to him once she is safe.

  As he moves through space and time, Simeon takes her to the one place he knows she will be safe, Malach’s cave. When he lands in the clearing, he brings his golden wings tight against his muscular body. Wearing the clothes of a warrior, he holds her firm against his muscular chest sharing his body heat with her. He moves quickly, carrying her inside the cave and passes the waterfall, walking into a back chamber. He places Elsbeth on the bed. Waving a hand he lights the chamber filling it with candles, and gently places Elsbeth on the bed. Softly he touches her face and finds her skin, ice cold. With a thought he lights a roaring fire in the center stone fire pit.

  Elsbeth is locked inside her mind, and Asa is touching her. The demon strokes her with his tentacles again, sinking them deep inside her throat. Moaning in terror, she struggles and fights with everything she has. “Nooooo, noooo…” she groans thrashing. Her eyes open wide in sheer terror, but she does not see Simeon.

  “Elsbeth” he whispers, seizing control of her mind, “hear my voice. I am here, you are safe now.” As though sensing his presence, she begins to calm down, her eyes close and her heartbeat slowly begins to return to normal.

  Brushing her long blond hair off her neck, he feels the need to cleanse her of the demon’s mark. Her agony tortures him; they had no right to touch her! Urgency fills his mind. He must cleanse her now! Simeon turns her head gently with his strong hands, then leans over and softly kisses the wound on her neck. As his breath touches her skin, chills erupt on her body. Gently he runs his lips over her spreading a golden sprinkling of angel dust on her neck. Heat, intense heat is all Elsbeth feels. Her heartbeat accelerates and she arches into his mouth. Elsbeth cradles his head in her hands and moans in ecstasy. The feel of her hands, the taste of her skin, and the sound of her voice burst a damn in Simeon’s soul.

  He should not have these feelings for her, for anyone. He is an angel, but her hands pull his mouth closer. She clings to him and he longs for one more taste of her. Her blue eyes meet his brown eyes and she watches, fully aware. Elsbeth turns her head just as his mouth lowers to her and his tongue flicks out bathing her neck, removing all remaining poison, healing her wound. Simeon uses his gift and he sends her to sleep before walking outside to put some distance between
them.

  Trembling with emotions he should not feel, anger, rage, envy, and lust, Simeon paces outside the cave praying silently for his Maker to forgive his thoughts. Archangels are the Fist of God, called to strike as needed, but they do not feel. He knew his soul was in trouble when he protected Elsbeth, which is why he stayed away. The thoughts, feelings, and emotions he has for her must stop! He will not fall as his brothers did! “I will not!” he rages at the sky above.

  Elsbeth wakes with a start terrified and alone. “He left me again she thinks.” Hearing a loud roar, she jumps from the bed, looking around the cavern. Candles illuminate the room. Disgusted and terrified, she remembers how Asa loved to light candles for his “bride.” Looking at the two exits, she sees light coming from one and darkness in the other. She makes her choice.

  She grabs a candle and she runs for the darkest tunnel. Maybe she can hide from him, she thinks, whimpering as she runs through the dark. Oblivious to the rocks cutting her feet, she runs far into the mountain looking only for a chance to escape. Stumbling over an unseen rock, she flies forward, slams her forehead on a low bridge of rock, and knocks herself unconscious. As she falls to the cavern floor, she whispers his name in her mind, “Simeon.”

  Softly touching his mind, he hears her call him and he rushes back inside to find an empty cavern “Elsbeth!” he roars. In a panic, he looks around. Knowing she did not get past him, he rushes for the other cavern. He shifts to spirit, and flies quickly through the dark space until he spies her prone form on the ground. Touching her softly he finds her heart beat. Reassured, he lifts her once more returning to the cavern.

  “I shouldn’t have left you. Forgive me, Elsbeth?” he asks as he gently washes the blood away. The damage is easily healed. Placing his palm face up, he says a quiet prayer and softly sprinkles golden angel dust over her forehead. The jagged wound begins to glow with a soft white light. It stops bleeding as the skin knits closed. The swelling returns to normal and she sleeps aided by a push from him.

  Simeon looks up sensing Malach searching for him, so he answers the call. Confidant that she will sleep, he waits outside for his friend.

  “Peace, Brother,” Malach calls out as he lands and bows respectfully. Not sure what to expect, Malach is prepared for anything. Simeon approaches his brother, relieved to see him. He reaches out and grasps the arm Malach offers and returns the greeting.

  “Peace, Malach.” Glancing past Simeon toward the cave, Malach asks, “Elsbeth is well?” Simeon’s light eyes darken with fury in an instant and Malach steps back from his larger friend.

  “No thanks to your Keeper!” he rages. Simeon grabs his head with both hands, as he struggles to control the instant fury. His golden wings spread, showing them for the weapons they truly are. Mixed with dark and light brown feathers at the arches they flow gently towards the tips lined with golden feathers, more blade than downy feathers.

  “Brother, she did not expect…” Seeming to grow larger by the second, Simeon drops his hands now balled into fists.

  “Bait, they used her as bait to what end? To lure a demon? Inexcusable, Malach!!!” Desperate to vent his rage, he grabs a tree and rips it from the ground with his bare hands. Firing it towards the mountain wall, it explodes into fragments.

  Slowly drawing his sword, Malach asks softly, “Are you Shadow or Light, Brother?” Though smaller in stature, his power is no less than Simeon’s. His emerald green eyes are filled with sorrow as he stares into the eyes of his friend.

  A shocked Simeon looks at him. “How many times have we asked our brothers that question without knowing the answer?” Simeon asks, all rage gone. Grief fills his soul, “I am Light Brother; I am Light. Peace.”

  Slowly Malach approaches Simeon; still holding his sword, Malach tells him “You must understand what is going on, Simeon. The demon Asa marked Elsbeth’s soul. She is dying.” In denial, Simeon shakes his head no, as he looks back at the cave.

  “You are sure, Malach?” he asks.

  Malach takes a breath and says, “They were luring you today, not the demon.”

  Frustrated, Simeon asks, “What are you saying?”

  “The demons came drawn by Elsbeth’s mark. She was counting on you to save her. You need to cleanse her soul, remove the mark of the Fallen, and free her.” Smiling he says, “Humans do not think like we do brother.”

  Stunned, Simeon realizes how close he is to falling. He left the chosen ones to fight surrounded by demons! As a warrior, his sin is unforgiveable and his judgment clouded.

  “I am struggling, brother, these feelings torment me. Am I fallen, Malach?”

  “I feel, too.” Malach tells him, “but we are not yet fallen.” Emerald eyes meet brown and they see relief. “The more contact we have with them, the worse it gets. We are marked by the Chosen, just as the demons mark them. You can remove her mark and free her, but you will never be free of yours. I can cleanse her if you cannot.”

  In silence, Simeon slowly walks back towards the cave. He turns to look at his brother and says, “I will cleanse her and return her to her family. Then we will battle the demons that put us here! I will make them pay for putting us through this!” Simeon turns and enters the sanctuary of the cave.

  Revenge, Malach thinks another human emotion. Malach sees his future, as he watches his brother walk away. His feelings for Elina grow stronger every second, “Who will keep me from falling?” he asks himself as he leaves.

  As he sits guarding her sleeping form, Simeon wonders what she dreams of. He lets her sleep for sixteen hours knowing she needs the rest to heal. He reaches out and lifts her long blonde hair, marveling at the soft texture. Leaning close, he breathes her scent in, wondering when we will be able to touch her again. Turning her head her eyes catch his and she smiles slowly.

  “Are you real? Or am I still dreaming?” her soft voice asks. Simeon leans back as she slowly sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed. Taking his time, he looks her over carefully. She is tiny, even for a human. Her ordeal has taken its toll on her, she has lost weight. She can’t be more than one hundred fifteen pounds or so, and she has bruises under her eyes from lack of sleep.

  “I am real,” he responds staring intently at her. He knows her mind; the creativity in her astounds him. He sees her compassion; it humbles him and he knows the pain she can endure, for he suffered with her. Sitting on a ledge near the bed, he is eye height to her. Elsbeth approaches him cautiously, and stops in front of him, cupping his face in her hands as she looks closely at him.

  “Thank you for saving me, Simeon.”

  Uncomfortable with her closeness and fighting the urge to jerk her into his arms he says, “It wouldn’t have been necessary had you not put yourself in danger, Elsbeth.” Hurt flares in her eyes and she jerks as though slapped. He stands up using his size to push her away.

  “I need to get you back to the others, so meet me outside when you are ready.” He strides quickly from the room. Astounded, Elsbeth watches him walk angrily away. When she turns in the chamber, she finds a hot bath waiting and her clothes on the bed. Elsbeth soaks in the tub and lets her own anger grow. How dare he? Who does he think he is, judging her? Not all of us can just walk away from danger, or fly away? Angrily she scrubs her pink skin until she glistens then she rises to rinse her body, and finds to her astonishment that Simeon is standing in the doorway. Hunger is evident in his face, aggression in his stance. Breaking into a sweat, he fights the urge to take her.

  Afraid, she backs up and loses her footing. Before she falls, he catches her wet, naked body in his arms. Drawing her dripping body to his, he growls deep in his throat at the touch of her naked breasts pressed against his chest. One large hand grips her bottom to pull her tighter against him. His arousal is evident and Elsbeth remembers to breathe.

  “Simeon,” she whispers. The scent of her arousal overtakes him and he leans close to breathe it in, scraping his teeth against her throat. Moaning, Elsbeth grinds against him, no longer caring about conseque
nces.

  “Elsbeth, I need…” realizing what he’s doing Simeon gently turns and places her feet on the rug. In a struggle for control he wraps her in a large blanket and continues, “I was told to remove the mark Asa left on you.” Confusion in her eyes, he feels the hurt he is causing her, and knows that it can’t be helped.

  “Forgive me, Elsbeth; I am struggling here to do the right thing.” Feeling ashamed, she turns her back to him gripping the blanket tighter.

  “I understand, Simeon. I feel things for you I know I shouldn’t. I have tried not to. Tell me what to do to make it easier.”

  Her sincerity touches him and he moves behind her, “Do you trust me?”

  In outrage, she spins around and answers, “Of course I do.”

  Smiling like a wolf on the prowl, he reaches out a large hand and asks, “Will you fly with me, Elsbeth?”

  Backing up in fear, she shakes her head no with terror filling her mind. “No,” she whispers.

  “Why not?” Ashamed of her fear, she spins looking for her clothes. She fumbles with the blanket and tries to shield her body, as she dresses quickly. The scars he sees on her beautiful body fill him with wrath!

  “What is that?” he roars. Startled she grabs her top intending to pull it on, but he stops her.

  “Simeon, put me down!” she screams trying to cover her body up as he lifts her and walks to the bed. Forcing her on the bed, stomach down, he carefully inspects her scars. Elsbeth stops fighting at the feather light touch of his fingers. Chills erupt and with a wave, he builds the fire in the room.

  “Elsbeth, I didn’t know he hurt you so. I would have healed you. Why didn’t you tell me?” He asks frustrated and angry. “Don’t move!” he says desperate to heal her and remove the other’s mark. Softly he trails his fingers over the scars, and she feels heat. Replacing his fingers with his mouth, he heals the skin so that scars are replaced with fresh, pink skin.