Page 105 of Cursed
I removed my foot and shrugged. “I just found out my true father is Lucifer, so I guess you can say my lack of empathy is in my genetics.”
“If you take this path, Cain, you will never find forgiveness, you’ll never find anything else to live for. It will eat you from the inside. Please save her.”
That word, please. How I hate beggars.“Tell me, Michael. What doyoulive for?”
“To vanquish the darkness and protect my family.”
“Oh, the loving family you abandoned?” Agony tore me up inside. I wanted to make him hurt just like me, to see his hopeful stare darken. “Who abandons an innocent child in the middle of a zoo? Anyone could’ve abducted her.”
Michael froze. “I did it for hersafety. Word had been relayed to me one of Lucian’s soul eaters had begun sniffing around. It’s why I had the necklace made, to shield and suppress the manifestation of her Nephilim power. I thought I had a little more time with my family, but if I’d stayed...” He inhaled deeply. “I would’ve put her mother in jeopardy, too, and I couldn’t have that on my conscience.”
“So, you left them to their fate.” Disgust for him, disgust for myself, and disgust for what I’d become flooded the back of my throat with hot bile. With a sneer, I turned my back and flew along the stairs, determined to make my way to the top level, knowing my father—no,Adam—would bear the full brunt of my self-loathing and hate.
“Her amulet is blessed, and only someone worthy, someone like her can touch it.” His commanding voice rang throughout the halls, the low echoes of its timbre bouncing everywhere. A shift of metal rang softly, and I imagined him trying to stand. “You don’t need wings or Lucian’s power to do what’s right, Cain. If you’re able to touch the pendant without dying, then it means there’s still light in your soul. Save my daughter. Please.” His last word ended in a whisper.
I ground my teeth and flapped my wings, needing to escape his desperate plea, his reminder of my actions. “You’re mistaken, Michael. I can’t even save myself.”
Letting my strong back muscles pull me upward, I left the sounds of ringing steel and the scent of coppery blood behind, ascending to the bane of my existence.
Lucian saved me when all others forsook me. Can I truly turn my back on him, complete my goal,andsave Phoebe?
After thirty seconds of soaring above the stairs, I reached the top tier, which remained deathly quiet. Needles of unease prickled my skin.
How are there no guards at the top level, where God and all his generals are supposed to occupy?
This close to the dome, yellow light shone through, giving everything inside a golden glow. A feeling of calm washed over me, and I took a moment to steady my thoughts.
I’ll finally face the man who discarded me as if I were nothing more than trash, who pushed me into the darkness.
But what happened after I killed Adam? What purpose would I have? Momentary panic flooded my thought. Therewasnothing.
“If you’re not afraid to die, then you’ve never found a reason to live,”Michael’s voice whispered in my head.
The memory of Phoebe’s laughter and shy smile clenched my heart.
There could be something for me.If she lives.I could turn around right now, leave this all behind, rescue her...
And then what? Even if she survived, I’d never get us both out alive.
No, I must trust in Samael’s plan and pray.But pray to whom?
I grasped my sword and landed on the floor, stalking through the only visible hallway.
Where is everyone?Either the security in Heaven needed a major upgrade or this was a trap.
No turning back now.
The clang of battle faded completely, and the long hall, devoid of anything but its alabaster walls and granite floor, ended at a wooden door, its iron handle a half-circle set into the middle of the rough planks.
A bare hint of light shone from the tiny gap at the bottom. I wanted to send my power through the crack to test the air, but I paused, not quite ready to announce myself yet.
Instead, I leaned an ear against the simple door’s cool surface. Low baritones rumbled in conversation, but I couldn’t make out the words.
Heaving out a silent breath, I pulled my wings tight, preparing for my entry, then shot a burst of black power, bursting the door into splinters so tiny they were no larger than kindling.
Crouching, I swept my gaze over the room. Actually, room was an understatement.More of an atrium.
Above the indoor jungle, where a portion of the domed ceiling served as the sky, natural light dappled between the prehistoric leaves of palms and twisting vines.
