23. The Absence of RageMaraTarget

23

THE ABSENCE OF RAGE

MARA

I spring out of bed and hastily put on whatever is within reach. Standing close to the bed, I swiftly catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror, revealing a woman who is utterly clueless about what steps to take next. Hair tangled, wrinkled t-shirt with some kind of sarcastic phrase, skinny jeans with a red stain on the ankle seem, no socks or shoes, and a mess of thoughts running in her head.

I scan the room and see another black card on my nightstand. In a daze I pick it up, slicing my thumb with my tooth I press it against the card. The target's information flows through my head like a hot breeze.

TARGET:

Brennan Cobb, Zachary Sutton, Leo Weiss, Rowan Thomas, Brantley Fox, Skyler Yates, Tessa Parker, Baylee Galloway, Brooks Greer, Toby Beck, Reid Marsh, and Etta Smith - Cult Members

Location: St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church

I don't even register that there are multiple targets. I focus on the destination. The little black card disintegrates in my hand. Putting on socks before dashing down the stairs, I fling open the back door and gaze upwards.

The clear sky is being consumed by clouds. The world becomes strangely quiet as bird songs fade away. I glance around the main floor and discover that I'm all alone. Panic hits me like a freight train and my body transforms into a monster. Horns burst through my skin so fast that only the memory of pain lingers. My teeth grind together as curled bone adorns the crown of my head. I can't pull enough air in, but I inhale as deep as my lungs allow. The world around me turns into a deep shade of red. Rage takes place of the air in my lungs and seeps into each cell as my panic transforms me into my demon self.

I calm myself. Something is not right. A heaviness fills the air. I morph back into my human self and head for the church. I had some cult members to exterminate. Maybe I'll find the guys there waiting for me. I run through the street, needing a purpose right now. The nightmare and the men being gone when I awoke felt connected in some way and the thought is making my heart race.

Reaching the church I enter the same way I did when I took care of Theo. Carefully plotting my steps I manage to dodge any run ins. Turning a corner I see exactly twelve members, dressed in black robes, walking into the basement of the church. I automatically follow.

It's dark on the way down, but I follow the candlelight and find my way into a damp rock hallway. Ears perked, I listen for any sounds. Chanting reaches me from the right. Following the voices I sneak through the dark and come across a large cement and dirt room. The twelve stand in a circle facing the center of the room. Unintelligible words pour from their mouths in a song. Candles, placed on metal stands light the room. I'm not able to see any faces as the hoods keep them in the dark, but none of them stand like my men. Finally registering there were twelve names on my contract, I release a sigh that none of them were included.

A man begins to speak. "You are here tonight to declare our loyalty and lives to our lord, Satan. It is my great honor to welcome you into this sanctum. Here we will do his work until the day he returns. We will pledge in order of the circle. Reid will start."

One of the cloaked silhouettes speaks, "I, Reid Marsh, vow my life and loyalty to my master, Satan." I watch as he cuts his palm and putting it in a fist squeezes until many drops of his blood land in the chalice the original speaker holds before him.

The circle continues to speak their vows, every name was spoken except for Zachary's, which I'm betting is the initiator. He also has gold symbols along the edge of his cloak. Now that the vows are complete Zachary holds the chalice in the air and utters an incantation. Once spoken he brings the cup to his mouth and takes a drink. This continues around the circle until it comes back to Zachary.

With one more short speech the candle flame flares, excitement fills the air and they drop their robes. Every single human is naked. They begin to touch one another. Touching turns into fondling and kissing and soon there's a twelve person orgy writhing on the ground before me. Another moment that works in my favor. I draw from the lust in the air. Mixing my pheromones with all that are circling around the room, bringing them all to a crest at once. Shouts and groans fill the space and I pull all twelve souls at once. They drop one by one like dominos.

I walk into the room to check the bodies, when the floor starts to vibrate and shake. I back up, arms splayed wide against the wall, and the floor caves in, unleashing a swirling tornado of fire into the air. What the... Did I unwillingly unleash Samuel on the Earth? Is he coming for me? I'm not ready to say goodbye to my men. I wasn't given enough time. I'll miss Creed's gentle nature, Cassius's serious demeanor, despite his kind heart, and Asher, my brave soldier, who conceals fear with anger. They have become such an integral part of me that I'm not sure I can survive in Hell without them.

It doesn't matter now. It's important that Samael remain unaware of their attempts to assist me. He can't know that I love them. They'd be punished, solely for the fact I'd given them my heart, and that I will not allow. I am determined to hold my position and fight until I am either killed or captured. There's no other option and no other ending I will allow. I'm just hoping he doesn't already know and that's why they are missing.

Transforming into my succubus form, I prepare for the battle to end all battles with this fallen angel. The male who poisoned me with his promises. With my spine straight and my claws sharp, I stand to fight for the ones that I've come to love. I will not let them go easily. This is where Samuel and I differ. We are both evil creatures who suck the life and happiness of others, but I will not abandon my men.

A figure shoots from the center of the fire tunnel and lands on the opposite side of me. The flames from the hole separate us from one another. With wings of midnight and horns made of jagged bone, Samuel smiles at me from across the fire.

"It's been too long, my love," he hisses with a snake's tongue. "You have been very bad and caused me many long years of searching for you. I can not wait to get you back to the dungeons and force you to remember who your master is."

"I have no master," I spit back. "I have a Father, who you turned me against, and I have myself. You are nothing but a false prophet. You promise one thing and deliver the worst possible alternative. You do not care for, nor love, a single thing. I don't even think you know how to love yourself."

"Foolish girl. Do you think your father loves you? Why would he send you to this shitty realm if he loved you? Why would he allow me to steal you away from him and turn you into what stands before me now? Your father doesn't love you. You are just a pawn in his game. A chess piece to move in the direction you are most useful." Samuel spits out all of his disgust in a stream of vile words.

"My father does love me. He let me go because he let me choose. This is not a punishment, it's a lesson. A way to open my eyes in order to see the distorted world you painted for me. I do not love my father any less for my choice that brought me here. And it's my anger and rage that made me into this thing. I wanted to harm you and all the other males who thought they were better than those they hurt. But, I've been learning that there are so many different ways to deal with things. And I've also been taught that a heart can heal, and a broken person can mend. I am not the clueless angel you knew. Neither am I the fallen that tried to see the best in you; who tried to come up with excuses for why you could be so cruel." I didn't care if my emotions started to show. This fight was for me, for my soul, for my life. I won't let him take me again. He'll have to kill me.

"You think you know more than me? You think you are stronger than me?" he roars and begins his trek around the fire. "I was God's right hand in battle. I was his number one for strategy. I've gone through all the possible endings for you, Eisheth, and none of them are in your favor. You come with me now and I will spare the human realm, or you die here and now and I will take my vengeance out on them."

"Commander," Cassius's voice booms in the room. "You will do no such thing."

"Cassius." Samael sneers at his first in command. "Has this harlot turned you against me? Is her pussy that good now that she is a succubus, because it wasn't that great when she was an angel?"

By the look on Cassius's face, I thought he was going to charge his commander, but it was Asher who unleashed his rage on their leader. As Cass steps forward on a straight path to Samael, Ash charges at him from the side. His slamming claws outstretched and ready to tear into his commander's torso. Samael bats him away like a house fly.

"Please, Samael," Creed steps beside Cass. "Stop this. You don't want to harm the one who gave her whole heart to you. Do you?"

"Most definitely, I do. This bitch has managed to elude me for far too long. She is the only one who has managed to make me look weak in the eyes of my followers, and I can not have that or her hanging over my head." Samael turns back to face me, but I'm not there. I'm halfway around the circle, readying myself to flay him alive.

He spots me just before I swipe at his gut. Grabbing my wrist, he holds me up in the air, leaving me with no other option than to swipe and kick at him without making any connection. I'm a child throwing a fit because her mommy took her toy away. Then it hits me. I'm not a defenseless creature, and I strike. The spearhead of my tail sinks into his side and he throws me to the ground with a shout that echoes through the room.

"You fucking bitch!" He bellows, and I stand to attack again, that is until Creed, Cass and Asher step in front of me.

"We won't let you do this, Master," Cassius cries out.

"You'll have to kill us if you want to get to her," Asher screams, bloody spit leaking from his mouth.

"Please, Samael, think about what you are doing. She won't be a problem for you if you just let her go," Creed pleads, his head turning so he can look at me. His stormy eyes beg me to run.

"You idiots. You let her ensnare you with her charms, and now you're all going to die. I hope it was worth it," Samael snarls as his body enlarges and he ends up on all fours. With a long snout filled with teeth and a tail ten times thicker and sharper than mine. Holy Hell, he's a dragon.

"Mara, go," Cassius yells as he holds back the beast's tail with a black and silver sword.

Creed tries to push me towards the exit, but I refuse to leave them, and Asher jumps on the dragon's back and starts to ride him like a bucking bronco. The only difference is that Ash is hanging on with one embedded dagger and stabbing the creature furiously with the other.

"This isn't going to work, guys. He's too strong. You run and I'll fend him off. It's me he came for anyway," I scream so they can hear me through the roaring in the room. "Who said that a man always has to be the hero, anyway?"

"We do this together, Mara. Whether we win or fall. This is our choice and we are making it for you." Creed says, blood running down his face, his arms, and a dark patch widening on his abdomen.

That's when I make the decision. I slide between Creed's feet so I am before the dragon. With my claws fully extended and my eyes on his, I scream, "You want a battle? I'll give you a battle."

Samael opens his maw to take a bite from me and the men freak out. They rush in front of me again, back to the dragon, and just before sharp fangs sink in, three sets of black tipped angel wings spring up and out to stop his descent. Samael rears back in surprise, but it doesn't stop him for long. With a brush of his horned tail, the men go flying around the room, and I hear when each one of them hits the wall and falls to the floor.

"It's for them, I fight. Not for me. How about we start with the poison you fed me?" I sink my claws into my own chest and crack open my ribs. With the inside of my chest exposed, I scream with all the pent-up pain and rage I've held for him. My blackened heart begins to beat, but before I can make any further moves, the dragon spears my heart with a single claw. Looking at the cursed organ he's just ripped out, I drop to my knees. Blood runs from my lips. I look up at him and laugh.

"Can you feel it, my love? Does it course through you like lava? Do you understand now all the pain you have caused?" I choke on the blood in my mouth, but I keep taunting him with my smile. "I hope the anguish suffocates you."

My body slumps to the ground, and I roll on my side. Blood pools around my chest and I cough. The Dragon looks at me in horror. Just before my eyes close, I see a silver spear sink into the dragon's chest, and he melts back into a man.

Lying across from me, Samael just stares. We don't exchange words. We just watch each other bleed out.

"You need to return him to the vortex," a stranger commands the three men who stand on the other side of the room in shock. I can feel their helplessness from here. "Do it now, or I won't be able to save her."

Creed picks up his commander and not too gently tosses him down the fiery hole. It magically closes and my eyes become heavy. All three men rush to my side.

"It is done. Now help us." Creed begs as he takes my hand.

"Very well," the stranger bends down. "Mara, you will not feel a thing. Close your eyes, and when you open them next, you will be in your father's house."

Without energy to argue, my eyes close with no effort and I feel like I am being lifted and placed on a pillowy soft cloud. That is the last thing I remember until a man speaks my name, "Eisheth, my child. Open your eyes so we can speak."

My lids are heavy, but I manage to open them. A bright orb of light floats before me. You'd think I'd go blind by its brilliance, but I don't. Love radiates from its core, and I know I am in the presence of my father.

"My child, why do you weep?" A voice not male or female in origin speaks.

"I never thought I'd see my home or you again." The words come out all wobbly as I hold back my sobs.

"I knew from the beginning that your soul would be for me once more. You simply had to take your journey in order to see the truth." I feel the warmth of his love on the top of my head as I bow down before him. "But now you have a choice. One that should not be taken lightly."

"Yes, Father. What is it that you would ask of me?"

"Your heart has been restored and your soul clean. There are two paths before you. You must either walk the path back home for good or you and your men will be freed of Samael's influence and regain your angel forms."

"For me that is a simple choice, but I have one more problem." I look down again as I try to figure out the best way to explain the guild and my association with them.

"No need, my child. I already know about the guild. You will forever be bound to this contract, but you can still carry out my justice as they allow you to decline."

"That is correct. Thank you for understanding. My only question regarding that is, if you return me to my angelic form how will I be able to execute them?" I look up at the light once more.

"That is simple. I will grant you the use of an angel blade. One swipe and not only do you end their lives, but their bodies will burn to ash and they have the choice where they want to spend eternity. No more soul stealing." His voice was calm and smooth. There was no judgment in his words.

"As much as I love and miss my home in Heaven, I'd like to choose the second option. I hope this doesn't disappoint you."

"Not at all." I'm not positive, but I feel as if I could see his face, he'd be wearing a smile. "You have found love. My heart sings for you. I wish for all my children to love and be happy."

"Thank you, Father. Your patience and gentleness mean a lot. I am so ashamed that I fell for Samael's lies and walked away from your love. Please forgive me."

"Always," he pauses. "If option two is what you truly wish, you must go now. Your men are waiting and so is your future. May peace go with you, Daughter. I will be watching." With those final words his aura disappeared. In his place was no other than the Angel of Death, Azrael.

"I was rooting for you," he smiles at me. "I'm glad you didn't let me down." My face heats and I smile back. "Let's get you back to your men. They're kind of, what do the humans say? Freaking out?"

I laugh. "That's it. Thank you, Azrael. I'd like to see them, too."

"Close your eyes. We will be there rather quickly."

The air around me cools as Azrael touches my shoulder. When I open my eyes again, my men are sitting on the ground with their head between their knees and the room is silent. I clear my throat.

"Are you three okay?" I ask. Their heads snap up and they rush to me. All three wrap me in their arms.

"I don't mean to interrupt the happy reunion, Eisheth. Sorry, I believe you go by the name Mara now. Nevertheless, I need to do the transformation. Souls are calling."

"What is he talking about?" Creed looks at me for an explanation, I don't give one.

"Please trust me." I untangle myself from them and walk to Azrael. "Can you guys just come stand by me?" They prove their trust in me and do as I ask. Azrael first puts his hands on Asher and Cassius's foreheads and asks them to close their eyes. With his eyes also closed, Azrael speaks in a low tone, and with words I cannot pronounce, he changes their path forever. Next it is Creed and my turn. Creed wraps his fingers in mine, and we close our eyes. Azrael repeats himself as he palms our foreheads. Light and lightness flow through my whole being and when I open my eyes, I know I am free.

"What did you do?" Asher asks Azrael.

"I'll let Mara explain, but my only clue is, test your wings. Be well, you four." With a bow of his head, Azrael also disappears.

"Don't ask, just do what Azrael said. Test your wings." I look at all three of them and smile.

They look at each other and shrug. Spacing themselves out, they look at each other again, before three sets of white wings expand. They have silver tips, and they are majestic. The guys look happy, so happy tears glisten in their eyes.

"How about you, Mara? Are you going to check yours?" Asher's eyes brighten with excitement.

Without moving, I release my wings, and black-tipped feathers surround me.

"What does this mean?" Cass asks.

"Well, we are free. Free from Samael, free to love, and free from Hell completely. Our father has gifted us his forgiveness."

"There will be more questions later. Many, but for now let's get out of here." Cassius takes my hand and leads me out.

It's been ten years and we are happy. I am able to love my men one by one or all together without harming them. Samael is trapped back in Hell, and we travel a lot. As of now our favorite place to visit is Portugal. They have beautiful scenery and many hidden away places where we can be alone.

I'm still an assassin, but without rage to fuel me, I'm more selective of my targets. And when I end them I do it in a more humane way.

We are grateful everyday for God's gift to love one another. And no words can explain the emotions over his forgiveness. We will choose to live our days with grace; happy and in love.