Chapter Eight
Alex
I woke with Eden’s limbs wrapped around me, her face inches from mine, snoring. Not a roaring snore, but more like that of a purring kitten. I smiled, taking in her beautiful face. She was mine. All mine for the rest of my immortal life.
Leaning over, I kissed her cheek before untangling myself from her. She didn’t wake. Her training yesterday must have really worn her out. That, and our amazing love-making session last night.
Rolling over, I checked my cell phone. It had one notification. A message from Thomas.
I went to voicemail and played it.
Hey man, this is Thomas. Just in case anything happens to me, I’m still on Maui, up at the Haleakala National Park checking out a lead. I’m alone, but Isaac the Watcher said the Fallen were seen gathering up here. I witnessed at least a half-dozen in the sky. I need to figure out—
The phone must have dropped. I could hear voices, but they were muffled and there was static . . . or rain. Holy crap. Is Thomas in trouble?
I ran to the dresser and threw on a shirt and some shorts, then dashed out the door. Flying down the stairs, I realized it was still early and everyone would probably still be sleeping. But, this was urgent. If the Fallen found Thomas he could be in grave danger.
Since everyone had a cell phone, I sent a group text to Samuel, Alaine, Kade, and Emma. I didn’t want to wake Eden. She needed as much sleep as she could to regenerate and heal.
I started the message.
Alex: EMERGENCY! I think something happened to Thomas. I got a message from him this morning. He might have run into Fallen. Meet me in the dining room ASAP.
Kade: Is this a prank?
Alex: No. But after Alaine’s meeting about Dom, I’m concerned.
Emma: We’ll be right over.
Alaine: Samuel and I will be there in a minute.
I made my way down the hall toward the kitchen. Miss Lily was there, as usual. I could smell freshly brewed coffee and something freshly baked in the oven.
“Well, well. You’re up at the crack of dawn.” Miss Lily laughed.
“I am. It seems we might have some trouble.”
“Oh?” Fear furrowed on her brow.
“Not here . . . yet. I think something might have happened to Thomas so I called the others. They will be here shortly.”
“Heavens,” she exhaled, placing a hand to her heart. “I hope everything is okay.
“I’m not entirely sure yet.”
“Well, dear. Please let me know if I can get you anything.”
“Thank you. I think a large cup of coffee would be wonderful.”
“Go on. I’ll bring one right in.”
“You’re the best, Miss Lily.”
“Yes. Well, that’s because I work with the best,” she replied with a wide smile and a wink.
I returned a smile and made my way into the dining room just as Kade and Emma entered from the back door.
“Hey, Alex.” Emma spoke first.
“Have you heard anything else?” Kade asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’ve called him a dozen times, but no answer. As soon as Samuel and Alaine get here I’ll play the message.”
Miss Lily came in with a carafe of coffee and a tray of mugs, creamer, sugar, and spoons. “Here you go, dears. Breakfast will be ready shortly.”
“Thank you,” we all said in unison.
A few moments later, Samuel and Alaine walked in, always looking like they’d been up for hours and ready for the day. Samuel walked right up to the mugs and poured a cup of coffee, and handed it to Alaine, then poured himself one.
“What do you think happened to Thomas?” Samuel asked, taking a seat.
“He called me yesterday when we got back from Eden’s training and said he was on an assignment in Hawaii.”
“No way,” Kade blurted. “How’d he manage that location?”
“Luck,” I replied. “But he was a little wary about the entire thing. He said the guy he was assigned to was a mortal who was seen with Fallen. Then, when I woke up this morning, there was a message left on my phone. It was from Thomas. Let me play it for you.”
I set my phone in the middle of the table and turned up the volume, playing Thomas’s message. When it was done, everyone glanced at each other, their faces a mix of confusion and worry.
“I think we need to contact Midway immediately,” Alaine said.
“Do you think he was taken?” I asked.
“I do,” Samuel said. He knew the Fallen better than any of us, because he was one of them. “I think this assignment was a setup, and Thomas was lured up to the mountain.” Samuel leaned forward on his forearms. “We need to get to Maui. Immediately.”
Alaine stood. “Let’s get ready.”
Samuel took her by the hand. “Alaine, I think it’s best if you stay back with Eden and Emma. If this is a setup, I don’t want you out there.”
“We do everything as a team. I lost you once to the Fallen, Samuel. I won’t ever let that happen again.” Tears flowed down Alaine’s cheeks. “I am coming with you, whether you like it or not.”
I knew the torment Samuel was going through. He wanted to keep his wife safe, but Alaine was mature and old enough to make decisions. She knew the extent of her gift and knew when to use it.
I turned to Kade. “Do you mind staying back to protect Eden and Emma?”
Emma grabbed hold of Kade’s hand. “You and I can take Eden to the portal to practice while they are away.”
Kade nodded. “I don’t mind. But if you need any backup, call me.”
“Deal,” I said. “I’m going to the portal to tell Ephraim what happened and let him hear Thomas’s message. Hopefully he can find out what happened. And if Thomas was taken, send some reinforcements.”
“We’ll wait until you get back from Midway,” Alaine said. “In the meantime, Samuel and I will get ready.”
I stood, swallowed down the rest of my coffee, and pushed my seat in.
“Don’t worry about Eden,” Emma said. “Kade and I will make sure she’s safe.”
I bowed my head. “Thank you.”
As I walked out, Miss Lily stood at the doorway with a small bag. “Take this. You can’t leave on an empty stomach.” She gave a wide, knowing smile. “It’s just a breakfast sandwich.”
“What would we do without you?”
“Starve, I guess,” she said, turning away. She paused, twisted her head back to me, winked, then walked away whistling as she finished the rest of the breakfast.
I quickly made my way toward the door. I didn’t want to worry Eden, besides, Ephraim had a portal put inside the barrier, in the backyard, just inside the Labyrinth of hedges. As I made my way toward the back, my stomach twisted in knots. I had a feeling Thomas was taken. Why else would he leave the message? And why wasn’t he calling me back?
If he was safe, he would have contacted me by now, knowing the message he left.
The scary part was we didn’t know what the Fallen were up to. With Alaine thinking that Dom was missing too, the only rational answer was that they were somehow using our assignments to trap us. If that was the case, we were in danger. This could very well be the attack we were preparing for. But it wasn’t a direct attack. They were focusing on each of us individually.
My mind was spinning with questions when I finally reached the portal and stepped inside.
I was instantly back in Midway, and quickly made my way across the pristine glass floor, toward Ephraim’s office doors. The guard stood outside and held a hand up for me to stop.
“I’m sorry, Alex. He’s with someone.”
“This is an emergency. I think Thomas has been captured by Fallen.”
The guard’s expression remained emotionless. “Wait here. I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you,” I said.
As he slipped inside the doors, I paced. Every second was precious. If they did have Thomas, they could be torturing him . . . or worse. I could only pray he was still alive, and that we would be able to find him.
When the guard returned, he held the door open and motioned for me to enter. “He’s free.”
I nodded and made my way inside. “Thanks.”
He tipped his head and resumed his position at the door.
“Alexander,” Ephraim greeted, sitting at his desk.
“Ephraim.” I gave a slight bow. “I am worried that Thomas has been captured by the Fallen.” It was then I shared everything that I knew about the situation and played him the message Thomas left.
He sucked in a deep breath. “I suppose you are going to find him?” he asked.
“Yes. Me, Samuel, and Alaine will be going. Could you set up a portal to Maui? Preferably, before the entrance of the park.”
“I will do that, but I ask that you keep me posted with any details.” He tapped his finger against my phone. “My contact number is inside.”
“You’ve got a phone?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” he said, sliding his desk open, revealing his cell. “Your friend Dominic thinks it’s funny to call me and order food.” His expression soured.
“Have you heard from Dom recently?” I asked. “Alaine was worried he might also be in danger.”
“Unfortunately, Dominic is still active on his assignment. Just yesterday he called and asked if I could send him some tank tops and tanning oil.” Ephraim pressed his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. “If I am forced into early retirement, it will be because of him.”
I laughed, glad that Dom was still fine. For now.
“Let me know as soon as possible if you confirm Thomas has really been taken. I will get approval to send a small team if need be.”
“Thank you, Ephraim.” I bowed my head.
He sighed and gave a slight nod. “The portal will be in the Gray house, in the closet of Emma’s old room. It’s already been prepped for teleportation, so when you enter, it will recalibrate. The next time you and the others step through, it will take you to Thomas’s last location.”
“How would you know his last location?”
“Each phone has a tracking device,” he said flatly, standing from his chair before walking to the back of the room.
“We don’t give you enough credit.”
“No. I suppose not. But I don’t look for the approval of anyone but the Creator.” He spoke some words and a portal began to swirl. “Safe journey.”
I gave him a nod before entering the portal, and exited in Emma’s old closet. I quickly made my way out of her room and down the hall. When I opened the door, Eden was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“There you are,” she said, stretching. “I was wondering where you went.”
I walked over to her and took a seat on the bed next to her. “I have to leave.”
Her head snapped to me, her lips frowning. “What? Where?”
“Thomas left me a message on my phone last night. I think the Fallen may have captured him.”
Eden gasped. “Oh my God.” She paused for a moment then looked at me with a furrowed brow. “You’re going after him?”
I nodded. “Samuel and Alaine will be coming with me, and Kade and Emma will be here with you. We’re just going to see if we can find Thomas. Maybe he just dropped his phone and couldn’t find it. That’s what I’m hoping.” I highly doubted it, but didn’t want to worry her any more than she already was.
“Alex,” she breathed. I could feel her concern and anxiety.
I slid off the bed and knelt in front of her, wrapping her in my arms. “Don’t worry,” I breathed. “I’ll be extra careful and won’t do anything dangerous.”
She pulled back looking directly into my eyes. “Promise?”
“I promise.”
With that, she hugged me tightly. “When are you leaving?”
“I have to talk to Samuel and Alaine first, but as soon as possible.” She sighed deeply. “If all goes well, I should be back by the end of the day. Or sooner, if he’s there.”
“Why can’t I go with you?” she asked.
“Because you need to continue your training. If something is going on, I want you ready to defend yourself fully.”
“I understand,” she said. “Please be safe and keep in touch.”
“I will.” I kissed her forehead and stood to my feet. “I’ll be right back.”
After I told Samuel and Alaine what Ephraim said, they said we would be leaving in ten minutes. They were already prepared. I just needed to prepare myself. I hated the fact I was leaving Eden. This would be the first time, since we both arrived in Alaska, that we would be separated. The pain in my chest was already growing, knowing that if anything happened here, I wouldn’t be able to defend her. But I trusted Kade and Emma and knew they would do everything in their power to keep her safe.
Between the two of them and their strengths, Eden was in the best of hands.
Back at the room, I changed and prepared for battle, placing my weapons in concealed areas. Before leaving I grabbed Eden and pulled her into my arms. “Stay safe, my love.”
“You too,” she answered softly.
“Don’t worry about me,” I said, kissing her on the lips.
“You know I will. I will worry ever moment you are away from me, until you return.”
“I’ll be back before you know it. Miss Lily made some breakfast downstairs. Go and eat.”
She nodded and offered a sad smile, and as I turned to walk away, she grabbed my arm, pulled me back and kissed me hard. Her lips, soft and warm, buzzed against mine. Her tongue sent electrical currents through my body.
I pushed her backward, pinning her back against the bed. “If I had more time—”
“Just hurry back,” she said with dark, sultry eyes.
She was so freaking sexy. I would have ravaged her right then and there, but Samuel and Alaine were probably waiting for me.
Forcing myself off the bed, I left her. God, my heart. I never knew leaving my bonded would be this hard. I didn’t even want to think about returning to Midway for future assignments.
When I entered the room, Samuel and Alaine were there.
“Ready?” Samuel asked.
“Always,” I replied.
The held hands and walked into the closet, disappearing, and I stepped in right after, landing in the middle of a small grove of fragrant cedar and eucalyptus trees.
“According to Ephraim, this was the last location Thomas was tracked,” I said.
“Keep your eyes peeled and stay close. If the Fallen have taken him, then they might have spies knowing someone will eventually come for him,” Samuel said.
I nodded. Having Alaine there was a plus. She could make us disappear if needed. I kept my eyes on the ground because it sounded like Thomas dropped his phone. It could have been anywhere, so I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and dialed his.
All of us paused and remained silent. His phone was ringing nearby.
Alaine hurried toward the sound and after moving a few leaves, picked up his muddied phone.
“Oh, no,” she sighed, holding the phone to her heart. “We need to find his vehicle. If it’s here, then we’ll know for certain that he was taken.”
My heart was hammering inside my chest. I hoped we wouldn’t find his car. For all we knew, he’d maybe just dropped his phone and took off. That’s what I was hoping for. And I’d hold onto that until it was confirmed.
“It would most likely be concealed within the trees,” Samuel said. “If he came at night, he’d most likely have parked down further and walked up.”
We agreed and began to walk down the mountain. The sun was shining brightly above us, making it harder for the Fallen to hide. As we made our decent, my stomach began twisting. And before I was ready, Samuel called out, my heart dropped. He’d found the car, but I already knew he would.
I’d known all along that he was taken, I just didn’t want to believe it.
I knew that after leaving that message on my phone, if Thomas was all right, he would have contacted me by now. I felt sick to my stomach. They had him. They had him and who knew what they had done to him already. I wasn’t even sure if he was still alive.
Lucifer’s ultimate goal was to kill us all. Everyone who had a part in Guarding Alaine and Emma. And it looked like he’d found a way. They were targeting the assignments. I had to let Ephraim know.
I quickly sent off a text to him, telling we found Thomas’s cell phone and his vehicle. But there was no sign of him. We needed reinforcements to find out what happened.
“I let Ephraim know,” I said. “What should we do?”
“Nothing,” Alaine said.
She knew me too well. Knew that I’d want to start hunting for him. But she was the one with the level head that thought things through and planned ahead.
“We have to wait for Midway. Maybe Watchers saw what happened, or where they’d taken him.”
“Thomas said Isaac was sent with him. I’ll text him now.”
Hopeful, I grabbed my cell, my fingers shaking as I quickly typed a message to Isaac.
Me: This is Alex. Thomas is missing and I wondered if you saw or heard anything last night?
It took a few minutes, but he responded.
Isaac: No. I was at his assignment’s house all night. When I couldn’t reach him this morning, I went to his hotel and he wasn’t there.
And just like that, my hope vanished.
Me: If you hear anything, could you please let me know.
Isaac: Do you think it was Fallen?
Me: Yes.
Isaac: I will remain here and see if I can find some answers.
Me: Thank you, Isaac.
Isaac: Welcome.
I looked up at Samuel and Alaine, and shook my head.
“We can do a fly over and scour this entire area from the air. If we don’t find him, we should head back to Alaska and wait for further instruction,” Alaine said. “Believe me, Alex. I want to find him just as much as you do. But the smart thing to do is wait. The Fallen have access to portals all over the world, so we could be looking for a needle in a haystack.”
Alaine was right. Thomas could have been anywhere, and I had no other choice but to agree. Besides, I wanted to return to Eden.
Samuel took Alaine in his arms, and she held my hand as Samuel and I called our wings. As we ascended, we disappeared. We took our time, flying over the entire area. There was no sign of Thomas or Fallen. After all, they’d gotten what they wanted. There was no need to hang around.
After a few hours of searching, to no avail, we decided to head back home. We landed back at the portal, and just like that, stepped from Maui to Alaska.