The problem is that Elina is not the only key. That must remain a secret because if he knows of the baby all will be lost. She concentrates on the images in her mind, making sure to show only Elina. Kneeling on her knees, she prays.
“Father; forgive my sins, the sins of my heart, my soul, and my body. Guide my thoughts and actions so I can do your will. Amen.” She stands and wipes her tears, determined to help the villagers. A sound from behind has her turning in fear. Her fear quickly turns to resolve. Daya runs to him and flings herself into his arms. He pulls her close, kissing her deeply and stealing her breath.
With a push, she breaks away and says, “I don’t understand; this was not the plan. I thought we were to wait until she revealed herself?” Turning in confusion, she walks away.
“All will be explained in time, where is the Keeper?” he asks her.
“Don’t you know?” she asks, pretending to be stunned. “We were attacked. I thought they were yours! The Keeper is gone, she left when…” His roar of rage has her backing away in fear.
“I, I, thought…” she stutters as he rushes to her. Grabbing her by her neck with both hands, he hears her plead “Please Micah, I have done everything you asked.”
“I require one more gift, Daya” he says smiling “but I promise you will enjoy it,” he whispers against her throat. With a long, black fingernail, he runs it down her neck slicing the robe across her right shoulder, baring her flesh to his mouth. Moaning in pleasure, excited by the feel of his teeth nibbling on her neck, she pushes into his body as he takes her mind. As he finds the images he needs, he is outraged. “Raphaim! How could he know of the village?”
Ashamed of her desire for him, Daya finds she can’t refuse him. Releasing her, he takes her mouth one last time. Looking into her passion filled eyes he rips the front of her robes open baring her beautiful body to his gaze. Smiling at him, she lifts her arms, inviting him to take more.
“Thank you for your gift, Daya” he says as shadows slowly seep in from all the corners. He sighs, “I wish we had more time to play, but I no longer need your services. Enjoy your treat, my sons.” He turns away while the demons fall upon her. Their roars of joy swallow Daya’s screams. Enraged by the images he has seen, he leaves to find his son!
Varena clutches the crying baby to her chest and runs through the woods while praying for help.
“It’s okay, bubby,” she says calling him by his nickname, “please stop crying.” He is at a full scream now, and she is exhausted.
She hears the sound of his wings overhead before he lands in front of her. Skidding to a stop, she stares at the dark angel. He is beautiful in his remade form, and Varena’s hatred for him is as strong as her love for her brother. She bounces the baby softly and he begins to calm. Her heart beats wildly as she glares at him. The pounding of her heart in her ears, and his hiccups are all she hears.
“Why don’t you let me take him, Vareena,” he asks with a beautiful smile.
“Never!” she screams. “You can’t have him!” she says as she backs away from him. Desperately she looks around for help, she steps back again with tears of anger rolling down her cheeks.
“Do you taste like your mother Reeena?” he asks as he catches her gaze with his eyes. Licking his lips, he stares at her and she begins to feel sleepy.
Confused she steps towards him thinking, “Why am I running? He is an angel, he can help us.”
As if he can read her mind he stretches his large black wings out behind him, “Bring him to me, Varena, everything’s going to be okay now.” Overwhelmed by the scent of the girls fear, and the blood that pumps through both little bodies, he does not hear the others come up behind him. They are the Fallen, working for his father. Immensely powerful, they fall upon Raphaim quickly and seize him while dragging him to the ground.
Varena comes out of the trance to the sight of angels all around her. Backing away with the baby, she turns around only to stand frozen in shock at the sight before her. “Daddy,” she whispers like a prayer. She runs to his outstretched arms and sobs uncontrollably.
“Release me, Father!” Raphaim screams from behind her. Jumping at the sound of his voice the baby begins to cry. Varena bounces him to soothe his screams and turns away, unable to bare the sight of Raphaim any longer. She looks up at her father and stares in terror as his face morphs and everything goes black.
Three
Time does not move the same here, below the realm of mortal existence. The women were all treated like slaves; they age slowly after being captured. Rebecca was thirty four when they came here. She was still healthy and able to have children and that is all Samiel wanted. If the women wanted to see the female children who survived the attack on the village, they did what they were told. The Mocker Samiel picked his favorites and Rebecca was among them. The rest of the women were given to the Fallen.
Samiel took her children from her and promised to let them live, if she became his
