Chapter 38
Abaddon wakes me up from my involuntary nap with a healer at his side.
She doesn’t look much older than me, and something about her face is vaguely familiar.
“What’s your name?” I ask idly, pointedly not saying a word to Abaddon. It’s already bad enough that I’m naked under a sheet while a stranger channels some ticklish magic to my lady parts—but having him skulking in the corner of the room, watching my every move, is making it infinitely worse.
She smiles, pushing a bit of seafoam green hair out of the way. “Shasta of House Thalorion.”
“What is the whole house thing about? Are you sorted by a magic hat, by chance?”
“What? You… you don’t know the noble houses?
” The angel looks at me with a funny face, and I’m sure it’s not because of my joke.
“Thalorion is my great-grandfather, you could say. He founded the only major house from Raphael and Zophiel, as their eldest son. We’re predominantly healing specialties. ”
Ah, so they’re family-based. That makes sense.
Still, I scowl in the direction of Abaddon.
I can’t believe he didn’t think it prudent that I know the first thing about this apparently complex society I’m about to move to—but also, I can absolutely believe it.
"It seems I’ve been kept in the dark more than I could have imagined. ”
She follows my eyes, but stops herself from turning to look at him. “Well… Once you get to Elohim, I’d be happy to show you around and teach you some things. I’ve worked with enough humans to not be prejudiced. I can only imagine what you’ll be up against—”
“There’s no need to scare her,” Abaddon growls from across the room. “Are you finished?”
“Yes.” Shasta stands, looking at me with a bit of a worried expression. I can’t say I blame her, with the state my vagina was in. “Unless there is something else you need help with, Kae?”
I’m pretty sure there’s a double meaning to that question. And honestly, yes, I could probably use her help. But I haven’t quite decided how I want to deal with him yet... “If I wanted to reach you in Elohim, how would I do that?”
“I’m currently living at the Academy. Just ask the staff. I’m sure they’d be willing to help you find me.”
She’s still in school. Wow. Okay. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Have a good day, Your Highness.” She gives a slight bow before taking her leave, hopefully missing the horrified expression it gives me.
‘Your Highness.’ I hate it. Nobody should be treating me like royalty. I should be back home, watching movies with Jackie, biding our time until the world ends. I’m sure I could figure out how to work my powers from there.
I just need out of this fucking marriage agreement.
A little voice in the back of my mind keeps telling me this isn’t right. Whatever happened last night, there has to be a reason I don’t remember it. And Abaddon’s subsequent behavior isn’t helping his case, no matter how sweet and docile he can be when he wants to.
“My love,” he calls, “would you like me to have the servants pack your bags for our trip?”
I roll out of bed, silently praising Shasta for her miraculous abilities. I feel good as new. “No. I’ll pack them myself.”
“Are you sure?”
I head straight for the door, bypassing him without a single look in his direction. “Send a bellhop when it’s time to go.”
Surprisingly, he doesn’t try to follow me.
I didn’t need to ask how many days we’d be gone.
It doesn’t matter; I pack up everything of even nominal value to me.
All my favorite boots, training clothes, and pretty dresses.
My stationery. Some snacks. If I like it, it goes in the bags.
The only things I don’t pack are my cloak and my blades, because those are staying on my body.
I act like I’m going to war, but I’m really just entering the den of lions. From one pseudo-Hell to another.
If I never come back here again, I won’t be missing anything.
With a locust towing over twice as much luggage as I arrived with, I make my way out of the gothic hotel—or whatever the place I’ve been calling home for several months actually is.
To my surprise, a beautiful chestnut Arabian is waiting for me out front.
To my chagrin, Abaddon is waiting for me, too.
I decide to focus on the positive, letting my inner child brim with joy over the horse.
Because, God, how long have I wanted my own Arabian?
For as long as I can remember, they’ve struck me as uniquely beautiful creatures, with their big eyes and small muzzles.
Functional, too—one of the best breeds you can get for endurance.
She is simply magnificent.
“Why hello there,” I coo, walking up to my new friend. “What’s your name?”
“She’s all yours, my love. Pick whatever you’d like.”
“Andromeda it is, then.” I give her head a good scratch, and she chortles in delight at me. It’s love at first sight. “And what a beautiful saddle he’s gotten you! Do you mind if I give it a try, my dear Andy?”
My muscle memory kicks in, and I mount the mare within seconds, whispering a small praise to her.
Gently taking the lightweight reins, I turn us towards the exit.
She listens with very little cue, our energies immediately falling in perfect harmony together.
I’m both baffled and honored by her instant trust.
“Abaddon, I assume my luggage will make it to the gates?”
“Yes.”
“Then feel free to meet me there.” I click my tongue in encouragement, and my horse immediately takes off in a full gallop.
It might not be flying, but it sure does feel like it. Better, even. For a brief moment in time, I can forget about everything else.
I feel invincible.
I am invincible.
I don’t even need to wear a helmet anymore! If nothing else makes my immortality worth it from here on, then at least I got to feel the wind in my hair, full speed on a very expensive horse, without worrying about dying.
No matter how hard I try, though, I can’t outrun the dark cloud that hangs over me—the hatred and fury brewing in my heart.
I’ve been wronged. Taken advantage of. Betrayed.
When I get out of this godforsaken place, I’m making a plan. I’ll cut my ties with these people, get my family out of the city, and run. Fuck the angels, fuck the locusts, and fuck Abaddon. They can all fight their battles without me.
I’m done.
I wish I were riding into battle, if only so I could swing a sword and obliterate everything in my path.
Andy moves in tune with my feelings, too, as if she’s already an extension of me. She pushes herself to run even faster, racing through the streets at breakneck speed. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden so hard before, and yet, it might be the most natural thing I’ve ever felt.
The only downside is that the ride doesn’t last nearly long enough.
We blow through the city, the gates, and the entrance, only stopping when we meet the inevitable wall of concrete.
Shit. I knew this thing would be a problem.
My horse seems equally frustrated over the sudden end to our adventure. She whinnies, stomping her feet a few times.
“Well, I don’t suppose you can magically open it, either,” I argue with her. “It’s not like I can just wave my hand all ‘abracadabra’ and it’ll just obey me—”
The stone cracks and groans, and my mouth falls open.
It does, in fact, obey me.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” I have to blink a few times to get over my shock. “I hope that wasn’t me opening opening the Abyss.”
Andy snorts.
“Yeah, you’re right. I think I’d know if I just released a few million locusts.” Which I have zero intention of doing at the present moment. I just want to leave and never return. “It couldn’t possibly be that easy, either. Nothing ever is around here.”
I encourage her forward, through the small debris, and she has zero hesitation to step through it. My admiration for her only grows.
Now, where do we go from here? I could try to make a run for the Israeli airport, but that’s a shit idea for multiple different reasons—
“Kae, my love.”
I knew there was no escaping him, but I still can’t stop my heart from clenching at the sound of Abaddon’s voice.
Slowly, I turn Andy toward the King. He stands waiting by the door to the warehouse, flanked by two camels with all of my luggage strapped upon their backs. I hoped it’d take him some time to catch up, at least, but he seems to have beaten me here.
“Hello, Abaddon,” I hum in a courteous, distant way as I avoid meeting his eyes. “How do we get to Elohim?”
“We swear Kesbeel’s Oath of Akae, and the gates will appear for us to walk through.”
“Really? That’s all?”
“Yes. But we can’t do it here. We’re too close to the Abyss, and they interfere with each other. I typically walk a few miles into the desert first.”
I’m surprised that doesn’t create issues with the local humans, but whatever. I can’t be bothered to worry about it right now.
“Alright. Let’s go, then.”
The hangar door groans open, and if I cared to speak to him for a second longer, I might ask why we no longer need to take security precautions. I’d imagine it has something to do with the hostile takeover of their country by the doomsday cult.
Before I even exit the building, I pull my cloak over my head, fishing my sunglasses out of a pocket. I’ve been underground for many months now, and I’m pretty sure the Abyss’s fake sun has zero UV light, considering how blindingly pale I’ve become. And sun-intolerant. Like a fucking vampire.
We trot out of the warehouse, and there’s not a soul in sight. It’s a bit creepy, all things considered, and I find myself letting out a breath of relief when Abaddon leads us off the premises.
However, I am not glad that we have to go slow enough for the camels. If it weren’t for my savvy temperature-regulating cloak, I’d be cooking in this sun. I’m surprised Andy doesn’t seem to be more bothered by it. She’s a little trooper, and I give her another scratch behind the ear to thank her.
We walk, and walk, and walk…