Covenant Breakers (The Covenant Series Book 2) Read online

  Ten hours later, they watch the archangels pacing in the living room. Ronnie beats Alex at another hand of poker, while they hear another scream as Varena pushes a new life into the world. They hear a pause and a cry of a newborn coughing and spitting as it takes its first breath. They all move as one toward the back room. Elina comes out smiling through tears.

  “It’s a girl!” the sound of the baby crying fills the house and everyone laughs.

  An hour later, Varena feels blessed holding her daughter with a head full of black hair.

  “She is tiny at five pounds, but her lungs are strong.” Hunter reassures her. “Babies are born early all the time, she will be fine. The best thing you can do for her is rest and breast feed. It’s the perfect nutrition for her.”

  Alex pushes his way inside and drops down beside Varena. He stares at the baby in awe; he reaches out to touch her tiny fist. The baby clutches his finger and holds on tight. He smiles. “She is perfect.”

  As Varena looks at the people around her, she sighs, “Yes she is.” Fear fills her heart when she sees the way the archangels look at her daughter. Clutching her tighter to her chest, she waits to see what they say. They move back to allow Simeon and Malach closer to see the baby.

  Elina and Alex flank Varena standing at the head of her bed. Each one places a hand on her shoulder and she smiles at her tiny gift. She feels safe and protected for the first time. Simeon is the first to speak.

  “So fragile, how do they survive this world?” he asks in wonder. “Truly she is perfection; I will protect her with all I am.”

  Tears fill Varena’s eyes as she looks at him, “Thank you” she whispers.

  “It isn’t the world you have to protect her from, but her father,” Malach reminds them. Looking at the tiny bundle his heart fills with awe. “Is it not amazing that our Maker would choose this form to come to the world? He could have chosen any shape, but he chose to humble himself and allow a human to care for him, protect him and guide him. How could we do any less for this child? I, too, pledge to protect and guide her, if you will let me?”

  Varena’s tears join all the others and they all celebrate the gift of new life.

  Polly rushes them out of the room, so they can finish cleaning up and let Varena rest.

  Exhausted, Rena looks at Hunter and asks him, “Will you stay with me and hold her while I rest?”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” he says smiling from ear to ear. Holding the tiny bundle, he sits quietly in the corner of the room and rocks the baby with a Cherokee lullaby while watching Varena fall to sleep. Alex listens from the doorway and smiles at his father and follows Elina out of the room.

  Ronnie groans as he hears Ruby say, “We need to go shopping.”

  With a nod of agreement, Polly smiles, “I will get my keys.”

  Putting his shoes on, Ronnie tells the others, “I guess I should go and hold the bags.”

  Elina pokes her father, “Yeah right, pick out a blanket from me, something super soft. Kissing her dad on the cheek, she smiles as they rush out.

  “Wait for me!” Alex calls out following, the excited voices.

  Elina glances at the two archangels standing near the fireplace and asks, “What’s wrong?”

  Unsure what to say or how to say it, Malach faces Elina. “This has never been done before. Never before has a human and angel given birth to anything other than a demon. They are given many names, but always the result is the same, demon. She is special and must be protected. This changes everything.”

  “I don’t understand.” Confused Elina looks at them. “How does this child change things?”

  Simeon looks at her and responds excitedly, “Think about all the Fallen. The children born to them were abominations. How many more will choose to fall if they know it is possible to create a hybrid child that is not demon?”

  Shocked, Elina looks at him. “No Simeon! They fell because they sinned against the Maker!” Elina says defiantly. Looking at the two of them, she is afraid. “You told me, Malach, never to think for a moment that I know what my God is thinking. Now I tell you the same thing. Nothing happens that he does not allow happening. This child is a gift, maybe to Varena because of her faith, or maybe to our world. That has yet to be seen, but I agree she needs to be protected. No one can know of this baby!” Hearing the baby cry, she turns to go help Hunter. “We will talk more about this.”

  Simeon paces away to the window with all his thoughts on Elsbeth. “Why is it that a demon is given this gift?” Feeling Malach’s hand on his shoulder, his head drops. He feels ashamed, “I know what you are thinking brother. We must be faithful. Give all your doubts and fears to our creator and stay true to the Covenant,” Malach tells him.

  Elina listens to Hunter singing quietly to the baby, and knows what has to happen. “Isn’t it amazing, Hunter, how things work out? All this time I thought my brother was lost you were protecting him.”

  Looking up at Elina he smiles softly, “He was my gift. We wanted a child for so long, but it did not happen. Then Polly called and said there was a baby boy who needed a family. It was perfect timing.”

  “God’s timing is always perfect, and I am about to ask you to do it again Hunter. This changes everything. Finding Alex and Varena, now the baby, they have to be protected in case the Covenant fails.”

  “What are you saying?” Hunter asks.

  Moving closer to him she says, softer, “I am asking you to take them somewhere and protect them. You are capable of doing it. You have done it all this time with Alex.”

  In shock he looks at her, “You know my responsibility is to hunt and destroy the Kalona. I am Gunskaliski, Elina. I am honor bound to do my duty.”

  Shaking her head in disagreement, she drops to her knees beside the rocker, “I disagree, Hunter. It is what is expected of you, but I believe God is pushing you in another direction. Look at her. You are a gifted medicine man and only you can protect them from the Kalona. He will try to kill Alex or force him to use his gift in unimaginable ways. Only you can protect him from that if I fail.”

  He begins to wonder as he looks at her. With the child in his arms he glances at Varena and says, “Where will I take them?”

  “I don’t want to know, and I don’t think anyone else should either. Keep them safe, and I will find you when the time is right. I can get money and make sure you have a vehicle that is not registered in your name.” Elina starts pacing and ticks off items, “ID’s, bank accounts, cash only, driver license. I will take care of everything and do this right. No one else can know but the four of you, I will need a few days to get everything together.” Pausing, she looks at Hunter, “How can I thank you for taking care of him?”

  He smiles at her, “He is still my son. You will need to talk to him. He can be stubborn and I worry that he will not listen.”

  With a determined look in her eye that he has seen mirrored in her brother, she says, “Oh, he will listen to me.”

  After he watches her leave, Hunter wonders if this will work out. It feels right. He will give it to God and trust in his judgment. He smiles and softly shushes the baby. Watching over Varena, he thinks of all the times she has protected others. It is her turn now.

  Twenty_One

  Jake feels the rush of the air against his face. Holding tight to Elsbeth’s hand, he leads them into the woods behind Lucas’s house.

  “That was awesome!” Elsbeth exclaims.

  “Ronnie said it would take more energy to port two of us, but with the energy from the stone, I feel fine,” Jake tells her.

  “Are you okay?” After her assurance, they begin walking through the trees toward the back of Lucas’s ranch style house.

  “Let’s do this quietly, okay. I am not sure what’s going on so you stay behind me until I call you, Elsbeth.”

  “Okay Jake, I am with you.” Elsbeth whispers back. She follows him around to the front of the house, she pauses when he gestures for her to wait in the trees. As she watches her brother
move up to the house, Elsbeth decides to stay close in case he needs her. Jumping at the sound of the wind in the trees, Elsbeth wonders again, why she insisted on coming with him.

  Jake scans the front of the house. It is closed up, all the windows are shut, and everything looks in order. He looks at the mailbox and notices it is overflowing with mail. It even has a bag full of mail hanging on the outside. That means he is either gone or something is off. Unsettled, Jake pools his power, and creeps toward the house. When he reaches for the door knob he notices that the door is cracked open. Shielding his body as he had been trained to do, he slowly pushes the door open with his foot.

  “Lucas, Its Cap” he calls out. “Are you home?” the smell hits him and Jake stops. He knows the smell of death. It lives and breathes inside a soldier’s soul. It can’t be washed away, only time can cleanse it.

  Outside Elsbeth sees the shadows out of the corner of her eyes as they descend on the house. She begins to shake with rage. Creating a shield like Elina taught her, she reaches for Jakes mind yelling at him, “THEY FOUND US JAKE, GET OUT!”

  Elsbeth squats on the ground, and says a quick prayer for protection, then moves toward the front of the house at a run. She is not a Keeper, only a Watcher sent to guide and protect, but she will not abandon her brother. The shield she is holding protects her from the Shadows, but it seems Jake’s is not holding. How else would they know how to find them? Elsbeth creeps around to the front door and swallows her fear, hoping Jake is okay. The door is propped open, and poking her head through she steps back as the stench hits her.

  “Jake, where are you? We have to go?” stepping into the small living room, she sees her brother on his knees with his head in his hands.

  “Jake, are you okay?” she says rushing to him. As she wraps her arms around his shoulder, she sees something resembling a man on the wall. He is crucified, skinless, and hairless. His eyes have been ripped out and his mouth is open in a silent scream. Elsbeth gags, and screams in her mind. Pulling on Jake, she tries to get him up.

  “Jake, we have to go! Get us out of here. They are here, Jake. Help me Damnit!!!” Snapping out of his shock, he realizes she followed him inside. Jake jumps up and grabs her hand, and heads for the front door but a shadow kicks it shut.

  “Going so soon, don’t you like my welcome gift?” a demonic voice asks from the shadows. Holding Elsbeth close, Jake closes his eyes and ports out. His intention is to take them back to Polly’s, but he doesn’t make it that far. Elsbeth is ripped from his arms and she does the only thing she can think to do. She calls her protector.

  “Simeon!!!!” she screams. Plucked midair by an unseen enemy she feels his claws dig into her shoulder and she begins to fight. Elsbeth screams as she tries to break free, Jake uses his whip and explodes the demon holding her into dust. They land hard in the yard behind Lucas’s house.

  With a shield of protection around them, Jake watches as a large man approaches them. He doesn’t look like what Jake expected the Mocker to look like. His rage and grief over Lucas causes his enemy to smile.

  “Yes, feed the hatred, Jake. It feels good, powerful and right! Join me, help me destroy the Keeper and I will let your sister live.” Glancing at Elsbeth weeping on the ground he knows he can’t let her be taken again.

  “Jake, don’t you listen to him. He is the Father of Lies!” taking his hand she adds her strength to his and the shield strengthens.

  The Mocker growls in fury, and says, “I see Asa did not teach you any manners. I will take my time with you!” Leaning his head back, he quickly sheds the form of the man. Standing before them is a beautiful blonde haired, blue eyed man. In his true form he wears only a white wrap and golden belt around his muscular waist. All that is missing are his wings.

  Bleeding from her shoulder wounds, Elsbeth starts to laugh. She pushes up to a sitting position and sneers, “I expected more, didn’t you Jake? What is it about us, that you want so badly, Mocker?”

  He screams, “I want the Keeper, and you are the bait!!!” In an instant, he is before them swinging a large sword and he attacks the shield. The force of the blow is intense, forcing Jake to his knees and causing Elsbeth to scream in pain.

  Jake drops to the ground and pulls his sister into his arms. “Elina said our faith is tied to the power of our shield. Hold onto that faith and it will not fail us.” Jake applies pressure to her shoulder wound to slow the bleeding, and Elsbeth tries not to scream.

  The Mocker moves closer and begins to pummel the shield. Repeatedly, his mighty blows strike the shield. With every clash of his sword, Jake flinches in pain and Elsbeth writhes in agony.

  “Simeon, I need you,” she whispers.

  Moving closer, he looks at the two of them and smiles. The blows cease as he laughs. “Will your shield hold in the midst of Hell, Watchers? I will drive you into the fires below, and then we will see who is stronger!” With next hit, Jake feels the earth beneath their feet begin to tremble.

  Twenty_Two

  Simeon, Nameed, and Malach all stare in disgust at the demon prisoner they are now responsible for. Raphaim sleeps, as his fate is being discussed by three powerful archangels.

  “Let me get rid of him!” Malach says drawing his large sword.

  Nameed looks at him and considers the possibility as he nudges the prone body on the floor with his foot. Anger fills his soul when he thinks of his offer to kill Polly.

  Simeon sees he will have to be the voice of reason here. “We do not know the role he is to play, yet. Put your weapon away, brother.” Simeon commands with a laugh.

  Her scream rips through Simeon’s soul, and he does not hesitate to leave. He follows the sound. Malach and Nameed look at Raphaim, knowing Simeon may need them.

  “He should be out for at least another five days. Let’s go!” Nameed says looking to Malach. Hearing Elsbeth’s weakened cry for help, Malach and Nameed follow it.

  The first thing Simeon sees is Jake holding Elsbeth, and the scent of her blood fills his senses. He does not fight the rage, but absorbs it, allowing it to fill his soul as he strikes at the Mocker from behind. The blow sends him tumbling away from the shield. With every breath he takes, Simeon grows larger. His beautiful golden wings are stretched out to shield Jake and Elsbeth and his body begins to glow from inside. His wings illuminate, spreading down his shoulders into his trunk and every inch of him and bursting with the power of the sun.

  The Mocker knows he cannot fight an arch at his full power, but with help from his fallen warriors he can weaken him. The shadows pour out of the ground and attack Simeon, slicing at him. Upon contact they scream as the heat pouring from him burns them and Simeon smiles.

  “You are mine, Mocker. I will make sure you never harm her again.”

  Malach and Nameed land on the ground flanking Simeon. The Mocker stands up and with a hand reaches to the earth cracking it open between them causing a deep rift. Steam pours out along with twenty fallen angels, ready to do as their master commands.

  Malach steps back and rushes to Jake. Quickly looking Elsbeth over, he lifts her and tells Jake to follow him. They port out, and head back to Polly’s.

  Nameed stays to fight. “Ahhh, I haven’t had a good fight in a while” he says stretching out his large wings. In a flash he leaps straight up into the air, he pulls dual silver swords, goes into a spin and he attacks the mass of smaller angels. Just before he strikes the group, he tosses out small explosions of dust, causing the air to fill with a fog.

  Simeon smiles and pulls on the energy of the sun, pooling it into a bomb of solar proportions. Five of the fallen leap on Simeon striking at his face, eyes, and wings as Simeon spins. He releases his bomb. The air fills with the screams of fallen angels being scorched.

  Nameed follows two of the angels inside the house and finds them desecrating the body of the soldier. Disgusted, he looks down on the angels telling them, “You should have more respect for the dead.” In the blink of an eye he seizes both of the smaller angels and tosses them
to the wall. They find themselves stuck, unable to move. Panic fills their eyes and they struggle uselessly like a bug caught in a web. Feeling no pity, Nameed advances and with a wave of his hand they are spread eagled on the wall, one angel hanging on each side of the man. Reverently, he cuts Lucas free and wraps his body in white cloth. “These are hard times for humanity. He was thoroughly grounded in his faith and he deserved better than this!”

  Nameed looks at the two fallen and his yellow eyes burn with pity. He picks up the body and turns to leave. “Vengeance is mine says the Lord. Feel what he felt,” and he is gone. The resulting screams of agony echo across the yard.

  The Mocker uses his distraction to attack. Advancing on the archangel, his eyes are locked on the enormous golden wings. He swings his sword hoping to slice off one of them, but finds he is blocked by a massive golden shield.

  Simeon blocks the blow with his shield and returns it. Blow for blow they are equal, but Simeon has the advantage because he can fly. In a fluid movement Simeon leaps and turns in the air, and powers straight back down into the Mocker. The blow drives him into the ground, battered and bloody. Over and over Simeon strikes now using only his powerful fists. He beats him senseless.

  The Mocker shifts at the last moment and takes Elsbeth’s broken form. “Why, Simeon? Why are you hurting me?” she cries attempting to block the blows.

  In horror, Simeon jumps back and watches as she stumbles to her feet. Standing before him, Elsbeth is bleeding from her mouth, her long, blonde hair is caked with red blood, and she holds out a hand calling to him saying, “Simeon help me?” Taking a step towards her, he watches as the earth cracks open once more and Elsbeth smiles jumping back into hell.