Bonded

Chapter 7

Sarah felt something cold and rough against her cheek. Slowly she opened her eyes to see nothing except for blackness. The air around her was freezing, causing the muscles in her body to shake violently. Slowly she lifted her head, her muscles feeling stiff from disuse.

'Have I gone blind or died?' Sarah thought as she used her hands to push herself up into a sitting position. 'What happened to me and where am I?'

She hugged herself, rubbing her arms to trying to warm herself. Her eyes became accustom to the blackness that enveloped her. She squinted, noticing the outlines of a large room, but could not see what type of room. Sarah saw a large silhouette in the middle of the room. She slowly stood and stepped forward on the rough stone floor, while placing her hands out in front of her body.

"He...hello," Sarah called out as her teeth chattered, "I...Is...any...one there?"

'Why is it so cold here?' Sarah thought as another bone-jarring shiver ran through her body.

She voice echoed around the room and silence answered her. Sarah slowly made her way to the large object in the middle of the room. Her toe struck something hard and she gritted her teeth to keep from crying out. Leaning over, she felt an upraised stone. Feeling to her left and right of the upraised stone, Sarah noticed that the stone connected to another stone. Following the stone around and discovered it created a circle about one foot high.

When she completed the circle, something scary, but fascinating happened, torch light flared in the room. Sarah shielded her eyes wither hand against the harsh torch light. Blinking several times to clear the dancing light spots in her eyes, she looked around in amazement at the roughly carved cavern. She saw symbols and shapes carved into the rock walls. She thought she understood the symbols, but it was difficult to see them. Against the walls, she saw six metal doors.

'They look like coffins.' Sarah thought.

"Afriel," spoke a deep voice, which seemed to come from nowhere.

Sarah turned around looking in all directions for the voice. She shivered in fear and cold.

"Wh...Who's there?" Sarah called out.

"Afriel," The voice spoke again. "Welcome home."

"I am...Sar...Sarah," replied Sarah, "Who I...is Af...Afriel?"

"Dear child," the deep voice said, "You forget yourself."

"What do you want?" Sarah said breathing out misty air.

"For you to free us from our bonds." answered the deep voice and Sarah noticed that the voice came from the center of the room.

Sarah looked at the center of the room in the circle of stones and saw a huge person bend over backwards on a boulder. He had to be at least fifteen feet tall.

'A giant,' Sarah thought, 'Where am I?" She then noticed the six metal doors surrounding the room were at least fifteen feet tall.

"Not a giant my dear Afriel," The deep voice answered her question, "We are far older."

"Why did you call me Afriel?" Sarah shivered violently as she rubbed her arms for warmth, "My name is Sarah."

The thing on the boulder chuckled as if she had told a joke, "You forget who you are, Afriel, but you will remember in time."

"Wh...Who are you?" Sarah felt panic rise up in her as she stepped away from the ring of stones.

"I am Azazel, King of the Nephilim." Azazel's voice boomed throughout the room.

"No, no, no!" Sarah cried out shaking her head. She knew that name and what it meant.

"Yes dear child." Azazel laughed.

Sarah fell backwards onto the rough stone floor. She banged her head against the floor and passed out as the laughing echoed throughout the room.

Sarah floated on what felt like a warm river, her body no longer cold or hurting. She felt free and at peace as her body floated. Abruptly, she stopped floating and feel as the real world came crashing back. She sat up sharply, taking a deep breath of the chilly night air. Coughing loudly her throat burned as her lungs greedily sucked in air.

She grabbed at her neck frantically trying to remove imaginary hands, which had been choking her. Her whole body hurt every part of her felt sore and stiff. Sarah relaxed a bit when she discovered that Lilith's hands were not around her throat. She touched the back of her head and winched, feeling a large lump there. She remembered falling on that island and hitting her head on an rock or a branch.

'That is not right either.' Sarah thought. She knew it had to be something else, but her mind felt sluggish and foggy.

Sarah felt hard stones under her and placed her hand on the ground. It felt like cobblestones, the type you find on a street. As her vision cleared, slowly she looked around dazed. She felt surprised at what she saw. There were buildings and not the tall grasses marshes. In addition, there was no sight of Lilith, her red eye and burnt face.

'How did I get here and where is Lilith?' Sarah thought in confusion.

As she scanned the area, wincing as her neck muscles protested her movement. Suddenly the building and houses became familiar to her.

'I'm in Salem,' Sarah thought, 'But how did I get here?'

Standing up sluggishly on unsteady legs, she used a bench for support. She noticed that her torn dress looked stiff with ice. She felt her hair, it too felt crusted over with ice and her cheeks felt frozen. She knew her hair and clothes were wet from the marsh, but could not understand how they would have frozen. Letting go of the bench her legs trembled and she felt nausea as a wave of dizziness past over her. She fell onto her hands and knees and threw up her dinner. She coughed and retched loudly as her stomach heaved. Ice fell out of her hair and off her dress as she shook violently. Her arms and legs gave out and she lied down on the cold cobblestone staring at the road. She felt her eyes closing as sleep overcame her.

Suddenly an inhuman scream pierced the night air, causing Sarah to open her eyes wide in fright. Sarah pulled herself slowly up on to the bench and sat down breathing heavy. She felt weak and could not stand. Slowly her eyes started to close again as the cold enveloped her body.

'No,' Sarah thought determinately, 'I have to get up.' Sarah thought willing herself to stand. She felt a surge of warm energy flow through her freezing body as another inhuman scream pierced the night air again. For some reason it sounded closer.

'I have to get out the cold.' Sarah thought as her teeth chattered and her muscles shook.

Sarah used the bench to stand up once again and leaned against the house wall for support. She used her other and to pull her ripped dress together, hoping that would keep in the warmth. She took a careful step forward sliding her foot and using the wall as a crutch.

Each step exhausted her and she rested against her wall. Sarah's head drooped as she closed her eyes. She slid down the wall onto her knees. Resting her cheek against the rough stonewall of the building. She felt her body relax as she started to fall asleep.

'I just need a moment to rest.' Sarah thought feeling herself drift off into sleep. It felt wonderful.

'Open your eyes, Sarah.' Sarah thought, as she tried to lift her head and open her eyes, both of which felt heavy.

With an extreme effort of will, Sarah gritted her teeth, and pulled herself back up as her legs shook with exhaustion. Breathing heavy she dragged herself forward until she came to an open courtyard with an odd-house. She shook her head trying to clear the fog that threatened to envelop her mind.

"I know this place.' Sarah thought as sleep invaded her mind. With half closed eye, she leaned against the stonewall. She opened them quickly as a memory came into her mind.

'This is Master Adam's house with the odd door.' Sarah thought excitedly, 'He is a witch hunter.'

Pulling in every ounce of strength left, Sarah stumbled forward towards the door. Each step took a huge will of effort, since she could not long use the wall. Her bare feet, numb from the cold, dragged along the cobblestone street. They threaten to trip her as she took each step.

'Just a bit closer,' Sarah thought staring towards the door.

She felt her strength slowly giving out with each step. Her foot caught on the back of her heel and she stumbled forward into an invisible barrier inches away from the door. The impact caused her to fall backwards unto her bottom. Stunned, she pulled herself onto her hands and knees. Taking a deep breath, she stood back up on unsteady legs and placed her cheek against the barrier as she closed her eyes.

"Help me." Sarah said feebly the effort causing her throat to burn. She banged on the barrier with her fist. She felt defeated and tired.

"Please, someone help me." Sarah whispered again, this time someone did answer.

"No one can help you." A familiar voice hissed from behind her.

Slowly turning around, she screamed in silent terror. From different side streets, Sarah saw gleaming red eyes in the shadows. Down the middle street, she saw Lilith materialize out of the darkness. Sarah could not scream as she noticed the left side of Lilith's face blacken.

"You will not get away this time, bitch." Lilith snarled.

Sarah turned her head and whimpered in fear. She cried feeling defeated.

'I came all this way.' Sarah thought, 'I can't go back.'

"I can't go back," Sarah whispered as she cried, "Please leave me alone."

"Please leave me alone." Lilith mocked.

"I will not tell anyone about the Covent." Sarah said desperately, "I promise. Please leave me alone."

"Oh you are not going to tell anyone about anything." Lilith laughed.

Sarah looked down the ground knowing that this was the end. The she saw it, a hand size stone lying on the street. Leaning over, she picked up the stone as she as she almost fell forward. Putting a foot out to stop herself, she held the stone up.

Laughing voices echoed from all around, "Let her without sin cast the first stone!" Lilith laughed bitterly.

'Throw the stone at the window.' A voice spoke in her head.

Without thinking, Sarah turned and threw the stone at the house. Sarah watched as it sailed through the air and crashed through the second story window. A deafening sound echoed throughout the courtyard. Sarah thought she heard cursing from the broken window. A shadow appeared in the window and Sarah felt her spirits renewed.

"Help me!" Sarah screamed with all her might as her voice burned with the effort.

To her dismay, the silhouette disappeared from the window. Sarah felt her will shatter as she faced Lilith and her gleaming red eye.

"Well that was quite pointless Sar..." Lilith stopped in midsentence.

Sarah felt a presence behind her and looked over her shoulder as Lilith's eye opened wide. Sarah saw Adam step outside his front door. He stood shirtless with a small pistol pointed directly at Lilith. She sighed in relief as she felt Adam's hand on her bare shoulder. The touch warmed her shivering body to the core. It felt wrapped in a warm blanket and standing in front of a fire.

Adam scanned the area, one moment he was fast asleep in his bed when the rock crashed into is bedroom window. Next, he looked out the window to hear a cry for help. He saw the gleaming red eyes, five witches in all surrounding the golden haired woman. He raced downstairs, grabbing a pistol and a small bottle. Opening the front door, he noticed that it was the young woman from today. The one he could not get out of his head.

He saw that this was a dangerous breed of witches. Slowly he pulled the young woman towards him by the shoulder. Stepping in front of her, he felt her ice-cold cheek against his back as she partially collapsed on him. The touch felt familiar to him. Never had he seen this many witches in one location. The red eyes brought back memories of a particular night. He felt rage surge through him as the abuse of this young woman.

Sarah shook against Adam violently. Her muscles felt like they were on fire. His body felt warm and she felt safe.

'I am going to live.' Sarah thought feeling hope surge through her.

'I have to protect this woman.' Adam thought feeling a sense of familiarity with this young golden haired woman.

"Leave this place evil spawn of hell." Adam commanded keeping the pistol pointed at Lilith, "This woman is under my protection."

Lilith stopped short of her advance, "What did you just say witch hunter." She hissed.

"I am this woman's protector," Adam proclaimed, "She is ward."

Adam and Sarah felt an electric current pass between them. It seemed like a connection was formed or reformed. Sarah felt more warmth spread through her body.

"Well this just became interesting," Lilith said with a smirk, "So be it witch hunter. You are both doomed."

"Leave at once." Adam shouted putting the pistol away and pulling out a glass vial. He quickly threw the vial at Lilith's feet.

Lilith knowing what the vial was, jumped back as the holy water splashed over the cobblestone street and in all directions. She vanished and one by one, the other witches winked out of existence. Lowering his arm and looking around for any other witches, Adam felt the young woman slide off his back as she fainted.

"Whoa, there," Adam said placing his arms under Sarah.

He held her up before she could hit the ground. Adam lifted her up and walked towards the front door of his house. He noticed her ripped dress and exposed firm young breast. Swallowing hard, he carried her into the house, closed the door with his foot, and carried her upstairs.

Adam laid Sarah on the rug and lit some candles. He threw a spare blanket over the broken window and knelt next to young woman to check her over. He was shocked to see her condition. Besides the ripped dress, her skin was freezing as if she had been in an ice storm. Both her feet were dirty, bare, and scraped. In addition, her cheeks were red and bruised as if she had been hit several times. There were deep bruises on her neck in the shape of fingers.

"This woman has been through quite the ordeal tonight.' Adam thought, and then she saw her shiver and shake uncontrollable, "She freezing to death. I need to get her warm.'

Adam pulled off her clothes and laid her in his bed. He could not believe how beautiful this woman looked. Just earlier, in the day she stood in front of his front door. Her face partially covered by a bonnet. He used a wet cloth to wipe away the mud from her face, arms, and legs.

'What was she doing in the marshes?' Adam thought as he cleaned her.

Stripping off his clothes, he climbed in the bed next to her and wrapped his body around hers. He pulled the blankets over the both of them and held her tightly. He swallowed, feeling his body respond to being close to her soft skin. His leg pressed up against the soft pubic hair between her legs.

'I hope I'm not too late.' Adam thought laying her head against his chest.

He closed his eyes and willed his warmth into her. He felt her shiver violently, and then gradually, he felt her stop shivering. She nestled her body closer to him. He felt her arms wrap around his chest holding him tightly and whimpering. Her firm breast pressed up against his chest. Swallowing hard, he held her tight and when he felt her breathing become normal. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Well it looks like you put us in quite a messing situation, Lilith." Celestia spoke harshly holding her hand out in front.

Lilith upside down in the air in front of Celestia. She spun slowly around in a circle, "I was only trying to encourage her to open herself up to her powers."

"And then what?" Celestia asked, "Use her for your own plans?"

"Never Celestia," Lilith shook her head, "I would never do that."

Celestia narrowed her eyes at the other woman. She knew Lilith was power hungry and would do anything to take control.

"You are not responsible for Afriel." Celestia said angrily. "You are my servant and will not bend Afriel to your will."

"You have been babying her." Lilith accused then cried out in pain as Celestia squeezed her hand. She felt a tightness around her heart.

"You will hold your tongue Lilith or I will rip it out." Celestia snarled and Lilith saw her eyes flare a deep red. "You are not in charge here." Suddenly huge black feathered wings unfolded from Celestia back.

Fear ran through Lilith's spine, "I am...I am sorry headmistress."

"The girl must remain ignorant of her powers and her past." Celestia said quietly, releasing her grip and lowering her arm.

Celestia smiled as Lilith fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. The other sisters did not help Lilith. They feared what Celestia would do to them. Lilith stayed on her knees and kept her face on the ground.

"You revealed yourself too early, Lilith." Celestia instructed, "The day comes closer and we must get Afriel back."

"I will get her back, I have a plan." Lilith suggested as she looked up into her masters face, "It involves the boy Joshua."

"Oh, you will be the one to get her back from the witch hunter." Celestia said and placed her hand against Lilith's burned face.

Lilith flinched as she felt a sharp sting against her burnt cheek.

"Bring her back," Celestia ordered removing her hand from Lilith's face, "We must awaken the Nephilim or we are all dead."

"Yes headmistress," Lilith said lowering her head to the ground again, "I will take care of it.

"Indeed you will ," Celestia replied and then turned around walking off towards her rooms. Her wings folding and disappearing from view.