“Andromeda it is, then.” I give her head a good scratch, and she chortles in delight at me. It’s love at first sight. “And what a beautiful saddle he’s gotten you! Do you mind if I give it a try, my dear Andy?”
My muscle memory kicks in, and I mount the mare within seconds, whispering a small praise to her. Gently taking the lightweight reins, I turn us towards the exit. She listens with very little cue, our energies immediately falling in perfect harmony together. I’m both baffled and honored by her instant trust.
“Abaddon, I assume my luggage will make it to the gates?”
“Yes.”
“Then feel free to meet me there.” I click my tongue inencouragement, and my horse immediately takes off in a full gallop.
It might not be flying, but it sure does feel like it. Better, even. For a brief moment in time, I can forget about everything else.
I feel invincible.
Iaminvincible.
I don’t even need to wear a helmet anymore! If nothing else makes my immortality worth it from here on, then at least I got to feel the wind in my hair, full speed on a very expensive horse, without worrying about dying.
No matter how hard I try, though, I can’t outrun the dark cloud that hangs over me—the hatred and fury brewing in my heart.
I’ve been wronged. Taken advantage of. Betrayed.
When I get out of this godforsaken place, I’m making a plan. I’ll cut my ties with these people, get my family out of the city, and run. Fuck the angels, fuck the locusts, andfuck Abaddon. They can all fight their battles without me.
I’mdone.
I wish I were riding into battle, if only so I could swing a sword and obliterate everything in my path.
Andy moves in tune with my feelings, too, as if she’s already an extension of me. She pushes herself to run even faster, racing through the streets at breakneck speed. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden so hard before, and yet, it might be the most natural thing I’ve ever felt.
The only downside is that the ride doesn’t last nearly long enough.
We blow through the city, the gates, and the entrance, only stopping when we meet the inevitable wall of concrete.
Shit. Iknewthis thing would be a problem.
My horse seems equally frustrated over the sudden end to our adventure. She whinnies, stomping her feet a few times.
“Well, I don’t suppose you can magically open it, either,” I argue with her. “It’s not like I can just wave my hand all ‘abracadabra’and it’ll just obey me?—”
The stone cracks and groans, and my mouth falls open.
It does, in fact, obey me.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” I have to blink a few times to get over my shock. “I hope that wasn’t meopeningopening the Abyss.”
Andy snorts.
“Yeah, you’re right. I think I’d know if I just released a few million locusts.” Which I have zero intention of doing at the present moment. I just want to leave and never return. “It couldn’t possibly be that easy, either. Nothing ever is around here.”
I encourage her forward, through the small debris, and she has zero hesitation to step through it. My admiration for her only grows.
Now, where do we go from here? I could try to make a run for the Israeli airport, but that’s a shit idea for multiple different reasons?—
“Kae, my love.”
I knew there was no escaping him, but I still can’t stop my heart from clenching at the sound of Abaddon’s voice.
Slowly, I turn Andy toward the King. He stands waiting by the door to the warehouse, flanked by two camels with all of my luggage strapped upon their backs. I hoped it’d take him some time to catch up, at least, but he seems to have beaten me here.
