Cloven: The Trinity of Souls Series, #2

By Georgeann Swiger

What would you do if the only things standing between you and the angel you love were another angel and the fiery pits of Hell?

When Anya and Micah declare their love for each other, the battle for the souls of the star-crossed angels stretches across the heavens. With Heaven forbidding their love, Micah vows to protect Anya by sentencing himself to Hell.

But Anya won't let him go without a fight. She goes into Hell after him, only to discover an angel from Micah's past is willing to do anything to keep Micah in Hell.

With love and lies blinding Micah, Anya fights to get him to face his demons and return to Heaven, even if it means hearts will be broken.

The battle for the angels begins where it left off. Between Heaven and Hell is forbidden love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Georgeann Swiger
• Release date: Oct 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502440266

Book preview

Chapter One

Bone chilling fog surrounds me, trapping me in a white void that leaves me shivering. All I can make out are the tiny yellow and white flowers next to my face. As I lift my head, I’m roused the instant I notice I’m naked. I stretch, patting the knotted vine beneath me, searching for something, anything to put on, but there’s nothing except leaves and flowers.

Panic jolts me upright, sending my head above the layer of fog floating next to the ground. The cold mist swirls around my chest and drifts to the base of a dark mountain range piercing a stormy, black sky. Flashes of lightening brighten the rock face, exposing the steep, jagged terrain.

I rub the sleep from my eyes, wondering if I’m having some sort of nightmare. Then I remember what Simon told me when he slashed my throat. I was going to Hell.

A long clap of thunder rumbles in the mountains, vibrating the ground. Looking side to side, I notice the mist hovers next to the ground, going on as far as the eye can see. A faint pink glow brightens the distant horizon.

Where do you think you’re going?

The gravelly voice quickens my heart. Behind me, a hooded man leans against a hollow tree. His long, gray cloak is the color of rain clouds.

I sink into the haze and fold my arms across my bare breasts.

My eyes widen when he moves away from the tree, clutching a whip that disappears into the knee-high fog.

I scan the barren field looking for a place to run. Other than the dead tree he stands next to, there’s nothing in the field. When he moves two steps closer, I scurry backward, crab walking away from him, doing my best to keep my naked body hidden beneath the frigid, white veil.

The man’s meaty hand squeezes the handle of the whip. I wish I could see his face, but it’s hidden in the dark hole of the cloak.

You’re going that way are you? he grumbles.

Of course I’m going that way. I’m certainly not going to go past him into the dark mountains when I can head in the direction of the soft, pink light. I have to go that way. I want to go that way.

Get moving then.

He turns his back and walks toward the mountain range. When he reaches the fog bank surrounding the base of the mountains, I stand, using my arms and hands to cover myself. Mist swirls around my legs as I step backward, not daring to take my eyes off the figure fading into the opaque mist. The thought of him turning around and seeing me naked scares me as much as his whip.

Just when I’m about to turn and run, shadows move inside the hollow tree. A man with dark, shoulder length hair steps out and peeks around both sides of the rotten trunk. His short, white skirt is like what Sebastian, the gatekeeper to the Kingdom, wears. I drop back into the fog and clutch my arms tighter against my chest, wondering if he got an eyeful when I stood up.

Sweeping his hands over his gray coat, he tilts his head, studying me like I’m an oddity. He walks toward me, stopping a few feet away where he lifts his nose to the sky. He sniffs side to side like a dog, and then kneels. The fog whirls around him as he scratches at the ground. When he stands, dirt drops from the roots of a flowering vine he holds in his hand.

A smile works up one side of his face, and then the other. Well, now, he says, cocking his head to the side. Who do we have here?

Goose bumps rise on my arms. Who are you?

He brushes his free hand over the white skirt getting more dirt on it than he dusts off. You first, he says. Tell me who you know from the Kingdom.

I know Sebastian. I’m name-dropping, but I don’t care. You remind me of him.

Sebastian? He blinks and balls up the vine in his hand. Gold rings on his fingers gleam when a flash of lightening brightens the sky. He strolls toward me, unbuttoning his gray coat. Here, he says. Put this on. The heavy jacket drops to the ground in front of me.

I hunker deeper into the fog and slip my arms into the silk lined sleeves. Fastening the buttons, I stare at him, trying to figure him out. Who are you?

I’m the angel who’s going to take care of you. He sniffs the ball of leaves and flowers in his hand, then reaches down to help me up. We need to get you out of here.

Something tells me I can trust him. Maybe it’s the stupid skirt or maybe it’s the genuine twinkle in his eyes that make me believe he’ll help me. I accept his hand. Is this Tartaris?

He follows my gaze to the stormy side of the horizon. Yes. A warm smile makes its way to his gray eyes. You are treading in the great expanse that is the threshold to Hell. We have to leave this place. Now. He tightens his grip on my hand and quickens his footsteps, leading me in the direction of the pink horizon.

Rocks hiding beneath the mist make the walk difficult. I stumble, nearly pulling the angel to the ground. To make our trek easier, he lets go of my hand and slows. Stay right behind me and step only where I step, he says.

I follow his weird route that zigzags through the fog-covered field.

When the breeze picks up, I tuck pieces of my windblown hair behind my ear. I was told this can be a dangerous place.

Indeed. He turns to look at me. You must do exactly as I do. He takes a big step, holds out his hand and looks straight into my eyes. Be careful. There’s a hole. He glances down for a moment. Don’t step in it.

I look down, unable to see anything through the cloudy, white veil.

When I take a giant leap, he grabs my hand and pulls me next to his body. Whom, may I inquire, told you about Tartaris? he asks as he lets go of me and continues walking.

Micah, I say his name wishing he was the angel escorting me to the Kingdom. Do you know him?

When the angel stops and turns to look at me, he cocks his head to the side. A muffled sound like the clopping of hooves comes toward us.

His eyes widen. He grabs my hand and yanks me toward the light. Run!

Fear grips me as I race behind him. Instead of running straight ahead, he darts from one direction to the other, pausing at times like he’s considering his next move. I do my best to keep up, but sharp rocks cut my bare feet. When I trip and land on my hands and knees, the angel reaches into the fog and heaves me over his shoulder, squeezing his arm around the backs of my thighs.

At the base of the mountains, three hooded figures riding black horses emerge from the fog. The riders follow the same winding path the angel and I took. As they get closer, the rider in front raises his whip, his cloak flapping behind him. All I can see of his face is his teeth, gritted together in anger.

I bounce on the angel’s shoulder as he picks up the pace and takes longer, swifter, more determined strides.

Hold. On, he orders, squeezing his arms around the back of my legs.

When he leaps into the blinding abyss of the fog, darkness envelops us. I hold my breath when we drop into a black tunnel that slides this way and that, over and around, down what feels like a high-speed water slide. "Please don’t let me throw up," I repeat the phrase while my stomach flip-flops like I’m on a rollercoaster. The pitch black hole winds back and forth for what seems like forever, twisting and turning, on and on, until a glimmer of a light finally shows itself.

As the light gets brighter, the angel releases his hold and goes ahead of me. A loud whoop leaves his throat the moment he’s expelled from the darkness. My turn comes. The dazzling light shimmers like a glowing beacon. I relax my body and close my eyes to welcome the warmth.

The moment I exit the tunnel, the unexpected free fall sends my stomach into my throat. I kick and reach, searching for something to stop the mind numbing descent, but there’s nothing to grab.

When I crash through a hard surface, warm liquid swallows me. Holding my breath, I squeeze my eyes tight and sink deep into the water. Instinct kicks in. My arms and legs begin to work. I swim toward the surface, my lungs burning for oxygen. When I break through, I gasp and breathe in air, along with a gulp of the warm saltwater. I choke out the gross liquid and doggy paddle to the edge of the murky pool.

When I pull myself onto the rocks, I fall flat on my stomach, coughing and gasping, trying to fill my lungs with air. The nasty saltwater churns my belly and stings the cuts on my feet. I close my eyes and take slow deep breaths to force myself to stop shaking.

The blazing sun beats against the back of my head. I sit up and squint at the cloudy, gray pool while the angel swims around in the middle. When he puffs out his cheeks and dives deep into the cloudy water, I scan my surroundings. A bright, bluish sun beams directly overhead, shining down on the smooth, white rock walls that circle the salty basin. My eyes stop on a hole that punctures the rock face about forty feet from the ground. My pulse quakes as I come to terms with the fact that I fell out of that.

Water ripples when the angel makes his way to the surface. He clutches something in his fist as he swims to where I sit on shore. He climbs out of the water and drops on his back.

Are you okay? I ask.

Better than okay. Grasping the soggy bundle to his chest, the gold rings on his hand glisten in the bright sunlight.

What were those things that chased us?

He turns his head and blinks with water dripping from his lashes. The most dangerous creatures within the entire Kingdom. You should be thanking me for getting you away before they cracked you with a whip. He drags in a breath and closes his eyes. Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.

I gaze at the hole we dropped out of, hoping I never have to come in contact with those Hell-things again. I was wondering, um, how do I find Aunt Celeste?

He looks at me with squinty eyes. "What’s an Aunt Celeste?"

Well, I say with a giggle. It’s a she. Celeste was my guardian on Earth.

He closes his eyes. I don’t know many guardians.

I lick my lips, tasting the salt. Um, maybe you know Eli.

The angel squeezes the bundle in his fist, wringing out the saltwater. When he sits up, he studies me. Just how well do you know Eli?

He stayed at my house. We’re friends.

Friends? You and Eli?

Yeah.

He stands and extends his hand to me. Come. He pulls me to my feet. You’re as pretty as these flowers. He buries his nose into the soggy mess of green leaves and squished petals, then shoves it into the pocket of the wet jacket I’m wearing.

Keep this safe for me. His voice is as flirtatious as the twinkle in his eyes.

Okay. I steady my breathing and look away from him. What did you say your name was?

Just call me Cole.

Thanks for letting me wear your coat, Cole. I blush at the dazzling way he looks at me. I’m Anya.

Anya. He says my name with a ring of delight. What type of angel are you?

I know exactly what I am. I’m a Pashcar, but I can’t tell anyone. I bite my lip, not knowing why I have to keep it secret, but the angels told me to and so did Simon. I was told I was going to be a guardian, I say, knowing it isn’t a lie.

A guardian? The surprised tone in his voice makes him sound as disappointed as he looks. Maybe he’s like Micah and thinks he’s better than the guardians.

What kind of angel are you?

Cherubim. He grins arrogantly. Originally.

What’s a Cherubim?

His brows crinkle. You said you were friends with Eli.

I am.

How can you be friendly with him and not know what a Cherubim is?

His quick change from flirtatious to irritated doesn’t set well with me. I guess it never got brought up.

A faint smirk quickly disappears from his face. After the Seraphim, Cherubim are the most revered angels in the Hierarchy. Each one is gifted with their own little something special from God. The Cherubim’s purity makes them hard to corrupt. Although, it can be done. His brows lift. Lucifer’s proof of that. He scratches his head. "You should consider yourself lucky you’re friends with one. Shrugging, he looks up to the sun. We need to go. It’ll be dark soon."

The rotten odor coming from the cloudy water makes my stomach turn. I don’t like this place. I don’t want to be here in the dark. How much farther do we have to go?

He tips his head toward a passageway in the wall. It’s a bit of a walk.

He strolls away from the water, directing me inside the opening where the smooth walls tower high in the sky. The bluish light shines directly overhead, illuminating a dirt path. After the first couple of twists and turns, I realize we’re in some sort of maze. Cole seems to know his way through it. We only hit one dead end. He brushes off his mistake by claiming I flustered him with my beauty. My beauty? I roll my eyes and pick at the wet jacket sticking to my skin. It smells like a wet dog.

Wait here, he says. I need to check something.

I sit on a boulder and rub my aching feet. Luckily, the cuts aren’t too deep. What I could really use is a cold drink of water. When I run the tip of my tongue over my upper lip, the dry, salty taste only makes me thirstier.

Cole peeks around the rocks. We’re not alone, he whispers, his gaze flickering over his shoulder. He waltzes around the corner with one hand behind his back. Turn around. Smiling, he twists his finger in the air, catching the sunlight on his rings, causing bright flashes of light to dance on the walls.

I don’t like the singsong sound of his voice. It’s as unnerving as his intense gaze. I suddenly have pangs that something isn’t right.

What’s the matter? he asks.

I stand, looking around. Where exactly are we?

I already told you. Strolling toward me, dust swirls under his feet. We’re getting ready to enter the Kingdom.

A lump forms in my throat. I stretch my neck trying to see what he hides behind his back.

He flashes a smile. I told you to turn around.

I don’t want to turn around. I don’t want to turn my back on him. I glance around for somewhere to run.

Are you afraid? He tips his head to the side. All of a sudden you look afraid. He backs me against the rock wall and sweeps his finger over my jawline. The soft cadence of his voice is barely above a whisper. Don’t be afraid. You know I’m not going to hurt you.

Suddenly, I’m terrified. I’m alone in a strange place, trusting someone I don’t even know. I grab his wrist, trying to shove him away, but he’s too strong. Don’t touch me! Let me ...

The force of his hand around my throat strangles my vocal cords. With my head flattened against the wall, I swat and kick at him until he manages to use his shoulder and hip to pin me against the rocks, leaving me unable to move. He slips a leather strap around my neck, my hair tangling in his fingers when he snaps the lock on the collar.

Clawing at the tight leather choker, I jerk away from him, but I don’t get far because he pulls on a long metal chain anchoring me to him.

Face to face, his heavy breath is sweet. As long as you do everything I tell you, nothing will hurt you. I promise.

When he backs away, I grab the chain, immediately dropping the hot metal to tend to my stinging hands.

This way. He tugs at my neck like I’m a disobedient dog.

Why are you doing this?

He ignores me, and pulls me around the corner of one rock wall, and then another until we reach a long passageway. With each step, I dread what’s at the end of the maze. With the opening a few feet away, knots tighten in my stomach. Cole picks up a whip hidden behind a rock and stands taller looking out the opening. When I peer over his shoulder, two cloaked figures run away from the rocks and into the vast desert rippling with heat.

I realize I’m no longer in Tartaris. I’m in Hell.

Cole turns, grinning. Welcome to this side of the Kingdom.

Chapter Two

The blazing sun feels like a heat gun pointed directly at me and turned on full blast. I swipe my hand over my forehead, wiping away the sweat.

Cole tugs the leash, not giving me a chance to slow down. He shows no concern that I’m dying of thirst, and the cuts on my feet are starting to open into deep gashes.

It’s too hot. I swallow, wishing I could work up some spit in my mouth.

He stops and looks me up and down. Maybe you want to take off that coat. His gaze gives me the creeps. I’m not about to take off the coat and stroll naked through the desert with him.

He yanks the leash and continues onward, pulling me through the baked dirt desert radiating with dry heat. I’m going to die in this place. Could I die? The thought rattles around in my mind. I’m already dead. Is there death in Hell or just a constant torture that makes you wish death were possible? I swallow, desperate for a drink of water.

Inching our way up a steep hill, I stagger and fall to my knees.

Come on. Cole pulls the leash. Darkness will come soon. I don’t want to be out here in the dark with you.

The bluish fireball shines high overhead like high noon.

Please. Let me rest a minute.

You can rest when we get to where we’re going. You don’t want to be out here at night. He clenches his teeth. Get up.

I want to call upon the Pashcar to take away the pain. I almost say the special words, but stop myself, knowing it’ll make me helpless, and then Cole would be able to do anything he wants without any objection from me. I won’t become defenseless. I force myself to stand and amble up the hill, stumbling, and then scratching my way to an upright stance. At least the sharp pain I felt with each step is gone because the bottoms of my feet are numb.

When we get to the top of the hill, a sandstone mansion, enclosed by a wall, sits in the valley.

Cole pulls the leash, bringing me face to face with him. When we get there, keep your mouth shut.

I force back tears. I’ve never felt so helpless. My only hope is Simon was telling the truth when he said I had not been forsaken. Micah must be on his way to help me. I picture him grabbing Cole by the throat and choking him. Then he’d pull me into his arms and take me to where I can drink as much water as I want.

I lick my lips, imagining kissing him. The tinny taste of blood moistens my tongue, snapping me out of my daydream. Not only are my feet caked with dry blood, now my lips are bleeding.

Cole jerks the leash. You’re weighing me down. Pick up those damn feet and move before we run into a band of scavengers.

At least the mansion is getting closer, maybe another hundred steps or so. The thought of getting something to drink keeps me moving.

Keep your head down and don’t say a word, Cole whispers in my ear.

He grabs the knocker on the wooden gate and raps it against the door. The banging rings through the desert.

A tiny door opens above Cole’s head. The mistress isn’t receiving guests, says a high-pitched voice.

Cole looks up. Goddamn you, open this gate before I knock it down and pull those rotten teeth out of your fucking head.

Oh, dear, it’s you. The tiny door slams. Seconds later, a four-foot high door below the peephole squeaks open. A gangly man stands hunch-backed waiting for us to enter. Forgive me, master. I thought it was one of the lowlifes looking for a handout. They’ve been a non-stop nuisance today. A mouthful of yellow, rotten teeth flashes in my direction. Oh, happy day. You snagged a new whore. I wouldn’t mind having a roll with that one.

When I step back toward the desert, Cole tugs on the leash, pulling me through the doorway. No one touches her. Do you hear? He smacks the little creep against the head. Spread the word. She belongs to me. Anyone who defiles her contends with me.

The man scurries out of the way. Yes, of course, master.

Cole grabs my arm, pulling me toward the entryway of the gigantic house. When we walk inside, red velvet curtains partition the front door from a large room with a curved staircase. Mirrored walls reflect the light shining through a cobalt copula in the center of the room. I can’t take my eyes away from the mirrors. I look hideous. My skin is so dry and caked with dust. It looks like I have wrinkles. Crusty blood is dried on my chapped lips. I try to straighten my hair, but it’s useless. It’s matted in place by the nasty saltwater. I hunch my shoulders and bury my face in the stinking gray coat.

Gorgeous, Cole calls as he pulls me up the stairs. Where are you, sweet pea?

A woman stalks into the hallway, pouting. A long, silky, pink dress slit at the side reveals her slender leg. She sweeps her fingers down her cleavage and bats her long, dark lashes. Did you just call me a sweet pea? Her voice has a hint of flirtation as she runs her fingers through her short, blonde hair. I’m no spindly old flower.

Forgive me, my love. I didn’t mean to offend you. He drops the leash and embraces her in a kiss that would get a minimum R rating in any respectable theater. His mouth trails down her neck. I look away when he slips his hand inside the front of her dress.

Would you like to join us? he says.

When I look up, his hand is reaching for me. Disgust eats at my insides.

"How dare you open my home to that." The woman wrinkles her nose and gawks at me.

Cole grins. "That, my dear, isn’t what you think."

If that’s not a filthy piece of work, pray tell, what is it?

Walking toward me, his cold smile causes my heart to pound hard against my chest. I cringe when he pulls me next to him and dips his hand inside the pocket of the gray coat. When his wandering fingers press against my thigh, I angle my body so he can’t touch me anywhere else. He smirks and takes out the dried up ball of leaves and flowers. He lifts it to his nose and draws in a deep breath. "Umm ... he moans seductively. A gift for you, my love. He saunters to her. She’s very special."

The woman purses her lips while Cole circles her body. And she’s friends with someone you know.

I lower my head, wondering how she knows Eli.

Smell her. Cole’s voice is low and deep. He stands behind the woman and holds the ball to her nose.

She closes her eyes and sniffs it. Is that honeysuckle? She rubs her body against Cole. When her blue eyes open, she bites her lip and smiles.

Cole lifts his brows and looks at me. Tell her who you know.

My mouth is so dry. I don’t think I can speak.

He moves to the woman’s side. Tell her.

E ...Eli.

Not him! Cole crushes the dry leaves in his fist, dropping them to the marble floor like dust.

I’m dumbfounded as to what he wants me to say.

The other name! Tell Dahlia the other name you spoke to me.

Dahlia! He called her Dahlia. The woman with the sexy dress and supermodel face is Dahlia, the angel Micah cared about, the one who was blamed when Micah was beaten.

Cole marches over and grabs me by my hair. Say his name.

The turn of events leaves me terrified.

Cole’s hand tightens around the roots of my hair. Say his name!

Why is it so important I say Micah’s name? I look up from the corner of my eye at Cole towering over me.

I lower my eyes and cower, refusing