Page 16 of Fated Angel

Colt and Gabby jump up, wings extending, and the Spear of Destiny’s in Gabby’s hands the moment the stranger's voice sounds in the room. Before them stands an imposing figure—tall and strong with dark hair framing a deeply scarred face. He holds up his hands and shakes his head. “My name is Xeven. I come in peace.”

“No one knows of this chamber besides me,” Colt snarls.

Xeven shrugs. “I know many things that I should not. It’s a talent I have always possessed.”

“Your talent almost got you impaled, Xeven.” Gabby says, her eyes narrowing in distrust as she flexes her fingers on the spear.

“How did you even get in here? The door will only open for me.” Colt asks, and Gabby tenses a little. Is she worried she’s trapped down here? Was she going to try and leave without him?

“I’d suggest we focus on what’s important,” Xeven says, his voice steady. Blue eyes blaze from his scarred face, hard and unflinching. “I’ve come to help you. I know what you seek.”

“Why would you help us?” Gabby asks suspiciously.

“Let’s just say we have…mutual goals. My master doesn’t like this cult. They must be stopped.”

Colt narrows his eyes, wondering who this master is.

But Xeven continues. “I know a secret way in. An underground tunnel. They are moving their men out that way, trying to smuggle the artifact out without anyone seeing.”

Gabby steps forward. “Will you take us there?”

Xeven smiles and nods at her. “Yes.”

Colt steps forward and wraps an arm around Gabby’s waist, conscious she’s not thinking this through. But also conscious they don’t have much choice. “If what you say is true, then I have no reason to harm you, but if you’re lying…”

“There is little you can threaten me with, demon,” Xeven states flatly, turning away and waving for them to follow. “Come with me.”

“How do you even know what it is we’re looking for?” Colt growls, stopping Gabby from getting over excited and getting too close to this man.

Xeven doesn’t answer. He simply exits the room that Colt had made sure was well hidden and turns into the shadowy tunnel, not looking back.

They spend what feels like hours following this strange man through the catacombs. Colt pulls Gabby back, letting Xeven get several steps away before speaking in hushed tones. “This could be a trap.”

“This is the only lead we have, Colt.” Gabby hisses, tugging her arm away.

Colt lets her go, containing his frown. He needs to get the rest of these stones and get them away from her as fast as possible.

“We’re here,” Xeven whispers, hunkering down beside a corner and waving them forward. They come up next to him, peering down at an empty hallway with a crude ladder at the end.

“Here? Where is here? I just see a ladder,” Gabby hisses in a sharp whisper.

“The ladder leads to where the cult is. They will have to pass by here to leave, and here is where we should wait. They will funnel through, two by two at most, leaving them vulnerable to attack”

“Or we could climb that ladder and take what’s mine!” Gabby snarls.

But Colt grabs her elbow and pulls her back. “In the bible, what does it say about patience?” Colt asks her.

“Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes,” she mutters.

Colt nods. “That’s right, Proverbs 14:29.” He pulls her to his chest and kisses the top of her head.

“Are you sure he’s a demon?” Xeven asks, one eyebrow cocked. “I have never in my life heard a demon who knew any holy words.”

“I’ve been on earth a very, very long time,” Colt says, lifting his head in challenge to Xeven. The strange man just shrugs, turning to look around the corner again.

“They’re here.” He steps around them until he’s behind, then simply stands there, looking at them. It’s clear he doesn’t plan on fighting.

The sound of incoming footfalls echo down the passageway Gabby’s eyes grow wide and she grips Colt’s arm hard. “Xeven was telling the truth.! The man in front, he’s got them. I can feel it!” The Spear is in her hand in a blink.

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