My nails dug into the gloves I was wearing, nearly cutting off my circulation as the elevator plunged into the deep. After a few minutes, the doors opened.
“Ah, home!” Adonis announced, spreading his arms wide open with glee.
I felt like slugging him, but realized how childish it would be, considering I’m supposed to be a mature several thousand years old, or something like that. I’d conveniently lost count.
“And how was the trip?” Janus asked scribbling on a piece of parchment the exact time of arrival and what door we used to get to Headquarters. Seekers were asked to use the secret doors in a scattered manner, so we weren’t followed.
“Door Seven,” Adonis said as we brushed past Janus, who was still squinting at the number on the elevator. Adonis grabbed my hand and led me down the hall.
“You’ll have to wait like the rest of them,” Janus called out.
I rolled my eyes. Janus was the gatekeeper and supremely annoying. It was like he needed to control people’s comings and goings. It was the only job he actually had as a Seeker.
The dude would die if he was sent out into battle. Sometimes I think he wanted to die. I’d probably want to die too, if I had to sit and watch doors all day.
I turned and nodded my acceptance, then followed Adonis through the gold-encrusted doors into the giant hall.
The rooms of Halcyon went on for hundreds of miles. The walls were thick-paned glass, making it possible to see out into the dark ocean depths but impossible to see in. It was our way of not feeling claustrophobic so deep into the sea. The Puget Sound was an impressive nine hundred and thirty feet at its deepest. Men didn’t come down here, but if they did, they would be dead before they could reach air again.
Other Seekers nodded as we passed them. Most were waiting for new assignments just like us. As we continued on, I noticed the white marble floors were darkening to a black. The only time that happened was when a Phantom visited. We didn’t take them prisoner often, not unless they had information we needed. I, for one, didn’t think it wise, but Ares led us all, even though I didn’t trust him. I trusted Michael, the archangel we answered to. He reported to the Light. As Seekers, we owed the angels our allegiance.
We walked by a few waiting warriors, including Hermes and Apollo, both of whom were giving us the signal to stop approaching Ares, but we never listened. Let me rephrase that: I never listened, and where I went Adonis followed. So to the front of the room we walked.
“Ares?” I asked.
His muscles tightened as he stretched to his full height, an impressive seven feet of pure warrior, and looked down at me with worry in his eyes. His normal uniform of pristine white was bloodied and torn.
“Something happened, I gather?” I smiled, trying to lighten the mood, and looked to the side and saw Hermes bite his lip to keep from laughing. To the left, Aphrodite was shaking her head to warn me to stop talking.
“Yes, you are correct, Athena. How wise you must be to gather such intimate knowledge…” His mocking tone irritated me.
“Do you need us for something, brother?” Adonis asked.
“We have one.”
“By one, I assume you mean a Phantom?” I said, bored that it was taking so long for the information to get out. The adrenaline of the fight was still itching in my bones.
“He’s in the hold,” Ares confirmed.
“And the information he has?” I asked, wondering why everyone seemed to be so uncomfortable.
“In time,” Ares said. “For now, our leader asks for you.”
“Michael?” I called him by his first name.
I heard gasps and instantly regretted my familiarity. I’ve known him since my birth into this world. After all, our leaders needed to keep their enemies close, and technically I was daughter to the worst type of enemy known to mankind.
Guess I left out a minor detail: the leader of the Phantoms was my father. His name was Shemyaza. He was the original — the one, who in a moment of pure genius, had decided to ruin the lives of many. He’d led over two hundred Watchers to the earth to mate with the females. He’d found himself entranced by their beauty. He was one of the few who had not been imprisoned in the Abyss after the Light discovered the deceit of the Watchers, or as humans called them, Titans. No, his punishment was to roam the earth with the Prince of Darkness. He ruled the Phantoms. His greatest desire was to free the Watchers from the Abyss, to restore humankind to the hands of evil, making it impossible for them to align themselves with Light.
It was only natural for others to keep a close eye on me, considering I was known for my cunning battle plans and fighting. It seems I never lost. This translated into me being babysat more than usual, considering the Phantoms would have loved to have me fight for them. Tough luck.
It might have been why I was so hard on myself. My family heritage would bum anyone out. It wasn’t like I had the cards on my side; in fact, they were stacked quite heavily against me.
Adonis squeezed my hand, and I followed Ares into the inner chambers where Michael resided.
The room was full of so much light, it hurt my eyes.
A glowing figure of the whitest snow was sitting behind the mahogany desk. The Light was the reason the Seekers wore white. Angels reflected the presence of El. We couldn’t help but be a reflection of our Creator. We wore white to remind ourselves where our allegiance lay. When angels were present, darkness was cast out. All Nephilim had a healthy glow about them. It was enough of a difference that people took notice that we either had a really good skin regimen or something was somewhat off with our appearance.
I tried to keep my bitterness at bay as memories of my past flooded my mind. Not that I personally had anything to do with the fall or choices made by my people, but it still didn’t make me feel like I was good, even though I so desperately wanted to be.
The large glass door shut, creating a vacuum-like seal behind me. I felt a whoosh of air as the room stilled. The light faded slightly as my eyes adjusted. And then I saw his face.
It always made me want to cry.
Sitting behind the mahogany desk was Michael, commander of the angels and our leader, the one who interceded on our behalf. We had been forever separated from El, not by our choices but by the choices of the Watchers.
“Athena…” Michael’s voice sounded authoritative, strong, and every bit like the stereotype Hollywood had come up with. It was deep, beautiful, and commanding. Unfortunately, within a few minutes, my walls came crashing down. Angels had a way of making others around them either burn with fear or fall down in worship.
Phantoms always screamed and ran in the other direction. Seekers tended to have a sense of calm. I say it was a gift from God that angels didn’t terrify us; it would be hard to pledge my allegiance to something I compared to the boogeyman.
I wasn’t sure if Michael actually wanted me to answer him, so I waited. The light faded until finally he seemed like just a menacing giant sitting behind the desk instead of a ray of sunlight.
He still glowed, there was no doubt about that, but somehow he seemed… er, more approachable, if that was possible.
“There has been a development,” he said in clipped tones.
Not good.
“I gather it involves me?”
“And your partner.”
Adonis tensed next to me. Gotta love his protectiveness; he hated seeing me in danger. Odd, considering I’m in danger every second of every day, but I loved him for it.
Michael rose to his full height of ten feet and walked around the desk to face us. His movements were fluid and musical. It was rumored the angels could always hear the music from the heavenly throne. Every word spoken and every movement made was in perfect cadence with the heavenly song, the song of Eden.
Michael had the usual sword belted at his waist. His long silver hair was tied at the nape of his neck with a golden strap. I never ceased to be amazed at how beautiful angels were. Sometimes I wondered if it made Adonis jealous that there
were some creatures more attractive than him.
Michael wasn’t perfect, though; he had several battle scars along his arms, though they were what some people might call markings. Tiny golden flecks that represented different battles fought and won. To the naked human eye they were invisible — to us they weren’t. I liked to think it made Phantoms nervous when they laid eyes on an angel like Michael, one so magnificent.
His eyes glowed, changing colors, only reflecting what he saw. When it was dark, they turned pitch-black; when he was facing light, they glow. If he was facing me, which he was right then, they turned violet to match mine.
It was kind of wonderful.
“We are ready,” I said, once Michael was standing a foot in front of me.
“You hesitated today,” he said, putting his hand on my head like I was two feet tall — which I kind of felt like, considering he was so huge, his hand literally cupped my head like a baseball.
Adonis stepped forward. “It was my fault. I was cocky, irresponsible. It won’t happen again.”
“Your loyalty amuses me, for one who gives the appearance of loving himself above all others — your first love is really someone else entirely, isn’t it?” My uncertain eyes flickered to Adonis, who chose that moment of all times to break eye contact and let go of my arm. So much for sharing all his feelings with me.
I pushed down the stab of jealousy in my chest. The fact he’d pledged his heart to someone else kind of ruined my already crappy day.
Michael ignored the sudden onslaught of tenseness between Adonis and me and continued on. “You are partners. You share equally in each success, each loss. You also share in the mistakes you make.”
He had us there.
“It wasn’t that you did anything wrong. The kill was flawless. The information you gained was much help for Ares today when he fought your father, Athena.”
I suddenly felt ill.
“He’s not…”
I wanted to say he was not my father, but that was like denying the sky is blue. Yet I didn’t want my identity to come from him.
So instead I said, “You’re more of a father to me, Michael. You know that.”
His smile warmed me instantly. A fire stirred in my heart. It was in those moments that I got a glimpse of what it would be like to be a full part of the angelic race. When someone I loved, someone I respected, warmed at my words, when we shared a moment of real intimacy, I, for a second, glimpsed what it must feel like to be a part of the Family of Light. Another reason I fought. I wanted so desperately to belong, to be a part of something.
“Ares had a difficult time today. We almost lost him,” Michael said, shattering the warm feeling immediately.
“But that’s impossible. None of us have even come close to dying this entire time.”
Michael nodded slowly, then turned around and paced in front of us. “We don’t know why, but they are getting stronger. The reason is not for us to know, but it would behoove us to find out exactly how and why the Phantoms are growing in number.”
“But we can’t reproduce!” I blurted, and then awkwardly groaned out loud because I had just said that in front of Adonis, the human idea of the perfect man. Fantastic, Athena. Keep talking. Maybe you’ll embarrass yourself further.
“While that is very true, Athena, they have been doing just that. The only thing we can think of, is they have started what the Watchers did so long ago.”
“No,” I said, not believing a word. “You think they are… mating with humans?”
“We think we have proof,” Michael said. “A phantom is willing to talk, but he asks specifically for you, Athena, by name. After your father fled, Ares was able to catch this one. We have him in holding. I trust you can use your effectiveness to pry some information from him.”
I nodded. “But what does this have to do with Adonis?”
Michael laughed. “Oh, Athena, you should know this by now. Everywhere you go, he goes. If you die… so does he. You are together, never to be parted. That is what a partner of the Seekers does.”
I bit my lip. Adonis probably hated being my bodyguard, but looking at him now, I noticed he appeared more worried than offended. The same look of concern I had seen earlier in the day was now on his face.
“I’ll leave you then…” Michael said, glancing at Adonis. Angels had an uncanny awareness of everything Seekers thought.
In an instant, Michael was through the doors opposite his desk, and we were alone in the chamber.
Slowly I turned to face Adonis, but he didn’t want to speak.
He pulled me into his arms, and for some reason I felt like this time was different. Yet how many times had we embraced or kissed? He willingly gave me his strength, while allowing none for himself. Granted, he didn’t fight, so he didn’t need it as much as I did. I hated it because it left him somewhat defenseless. He could still kill a human, but if a Phantom snuck up on him, he’d be a sitting duck.
His lips were on mine, crushing them, molding them against his, and then he lifted me in his arms and opened my mouth with his. Being in such complete shock, I had no choice but to kiss him back.
He didn’t normally kiss me like this. In fact, I’ve never been kissed like this.
I tasted the honey of his mouth for the first time. The ecstasy of his tongue as it pushed against mine. His teeth tugged my lower lip, and I honestly prayed he wouldn’t put me down. My heart begged him to continue.
Power surged through me like I’ve never known, and then he stopped, nearly out of breath and suddenly a lot paler than usual. He dropped me to my feet.
“Be careful, Thena.” His fingers brushed my nose as he dipped to kiss my forehead.
I was momentarily speechless. Questions burned in my head, but I knew it was not the time or place to talk, even when apparently it was the time and place to kiss. Yup, life was officially weird.
Let’s go to the holding cell.” Adonis pulled my hand and led me back out into the grand hall.
Most of the Seekers lined the thick walls, pretending they weren’t dying with curiosity over why we were the ones being sent to see the Phantom.
Ares had changed and walked toward us, his eyes blazing a purple fire. “I’ll lead you to the cell.” He winked, giving me the impression his good humor had somewhat returned. It’s not every day one of us faces death’s door at the hand of another angel. Most of us only fought other Phantoms. I suddenly felt appreciative that Ares was such a strong person. I would probably still be shaking if I had to fight one of the fallen ones. The Watchers were not ones I ever wanted to confront.
I handed my knives and gloves to a waiting Aphrodite; she smiled her usual brilliant smile that made me want to hate her, when in fact she was the sweetest person I knew. Adonis seemed unaffected. Ever since their falling out a couple of years ago, they’d been indifferent toward one another.
Sometimes I wondered if he wouldn’t rather be her partner. Then again, he’d probably be dead. She was useless as a warrior, but as an enticer was amazingly good at her job.
“Let’s go get this over with.” Ares sighed and his boots clicked against the marble floor.
Chapter Four
As we progressed through the maze of hallways, the marble floor got darker and darker. Clouds of black swirled beneath my feet, and with it my stomach got sicker. It had been a while since I’d been stuck in a tiny space with a Phantom. Usually I snuck up on them and went in for the kill.
“Right in here,” Ares said, unlocking a bronze door.
I walked in and heard the door shut. Perfect. I was alone with the informant. Just where I wanted to be. I instinctively reached for my knife then remembered I was unarmed.
Not wanting to give in to fear, I waited for my eyes to adjust to the pure black, and then in a flash the Phantom took form, glowing from a cement seat at the edge of the room. He wore no chains, and a look of grief passed over his perfectly chiseled face.
I’d spent my life fighting them, so I was used to the way they lo
oked. They took two forms. The first being something so blindingly beautiful that you immediately assumed Adonis had been walking around procreating. The other form was their real form. It was also the form I haven’t had the opportunity to see too often, and for that I’m thankful. It gave the words monster and demon new meaning. Trust me.
He stood up, only reaching around six feet, which was quite short for a Phantom.
“It’s good to see you, Thena.”
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped.
He smiled, and deep dimples appeared on his face. With his long, curly, blonde hair tucked behind his ears, I could have sworn he was the love child of some supermodel and A-list star.
He was wearing dark black jeans and a tight muscle t-shirt. His perfectly tanned skin gave off the natural glow of the Nephilim, which basically looked like a good version of a spray tan.
“A little touchy today?” he asked, leaning against the wall.
Crap, when am I not touchy? Sometimes I thought I gave new meaning to the word moody. I’m sure Adonis would agree if he was here.
“Seriously, what do you want? I don’t even know you.”
“It’s about your father.” He shrugged as if he wasn’t going to be killed in five seconds if he didn’t give out more information.
I groaned. Where are my knives? I wanted to cause some serious damage to dimple man. “Be quick about what you know,” I said, stepping closer. I put the most menacing look on my face I could conjure up. I tried to be careful and not get too close, considering I was unarmed.
He lifted his chin smugly. “He has a message for you.”
“A message you all too willingly offered to die delivering?” I asked sweetly.
His nostrils flared as he slowly stalked closer to me. “Do you want to know or not, Thena?” Okay, now I was really ticked.
“What!” I spat.
“He’s coming for you.”
Fan-flipping-tastic.
“Is that all?”
As quick as lightning he was breathing down my neck, behind me, circling me, entrancing me with his nearness. Phantoms have a way of sensing your desires and feeding off your emotions, basically feeding off you. It’s what they did; they were Feeders. They killed and possessed to survive. They manipulated, and worst of all, they deceived.