The Controlled: The Hybrids, #3

By C.C. Sommerly

Dying is the worst or is it? 

Teagan arrives in Heaven confused, pissed, and demanding a second chance. She can have it on one condition: she must sacrifice her humanity. It's not much of a choice and she's out of options if she wants to return to save the imprisoned hybrids.

Demons took over Earth in the time Teagan was making deals in Heaven. It's up to Teagan to find allies for fight for the ultimate prize: Earth's freedom. 

Will Teagan save the hybrids or will her sacrifice be in vain?

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.C. Sommerly
• Release date: Jul 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393669104

C.C. Sommerly

CC has been known to trip on a perfectly smooth surface, burn herself when cooking and has an unhealthy attachment to coffee. As with her everyday life, she likes to bring a sense of unexpected to her stories, blurring the lines between good and evil with genre bending fiction. CC is a Marine veteran, who was born and raised in Redding, California. Currently, she lives in Virginia with her kids, cats and a crazy Doberman. When CC isn't writing, she can be found doing photography, reading, being outdoors or enjoying water sports.

Book preview

1

It hurt. How could something so beautiful cause so much pain? Colors flashed all around me in a dizzying array. The blinding light burnt into my eyes, seeming to reach into my soul.

The force propelling me forward sent me tumbling head over feet in the kaleidoscope of churning light. It was like a roller coaster that never stopped. It just kept going. Sounds, loud screams, soft sobs, and wails pierced the air. Wind whipped through me, trying to pull Lucian and me apart. There was no adjusting to the onslaught of colors, sounds, and light. My only connection to reality was the strong hand gripping mine.

I clung tightly to Lucian’s hand and my sword, Slánaitheoir, was clasped in the other. Both were frustratingly silent.

Time had no meaning here. In what could have been seconds, hours, or even days we traveled through the tunnel. The sound, colors, and movement suddenly stopped. I stumbled from the jarring cease of movement. It was silent here. I looked towards Lucian to ask a question, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze. He was intently surveying the area, looking for what, I didn’t know.

I stood with the angel in a misty meadow with thick knee-high grass littered with bright flowers. It was not hot or cold and the sun was blocked by the mist. The only sounds were from the wind blowing across the meadow, bending the grass and flowers until they moved back and forth like an ocean of green. The edges of the meadow were shrouded by the mist, but shadows swirled within.

Where are we? I asked.

Not now, Teagan. We have to hurry. You are in more danger now than at any other point in your life.

How could this be? I called him for help, so why would he bring me somewhere that was dangerous given my deteriorating condition? Even my thoughts were sluggish. I should be scanning the area for threats – as a trained and battle-hardened Marine would. Instead, I stood there, hunched over from my heavy wings. Even the weight of my sword was taxing.

Lucian was once again looking around. There was no one; not a single living thing here besides us. He was alert and his face was stern, lips fixed in a grim line. Without giving me time to rest, Lucian pulled on my hand, gaining my attention. He then broke into a run, forcing me to do the same or face falling behind. His haste despite my terminal condition was not cruelty, but due to something propelling us onward. My stomach turned nervously. What is this place?

I had no time to get a sense of my surroundings because I was concentrating on maintaining the brutal pace he set. The longer we ran, the more forced my breathing became until it was coming out in harsh and painful pants. Agonizing cramps threatened to seize my muscles. Sheer force of will and grim determination were the only reasons I was still upright.

Lucian kept a firm hold on my hand. I tripped over countless obstacles. Without his support, I’d have fallen a dozen times. All throughout he remained quiet, intent on whatever destination he was dragging me towards.

Something hit my foot and I went flying, my sword flung somewhere in the grasses. Damn. It was buried in the sea of green.

Lucian tried to jerk me upright, but I struggled, causing him to drop me.

Teagan, we don’t have time for this. We have to keep going.

I crawled around the grasses, hoping to feel the sword. This was the thickest grass I’d ever seen – unnaturally so.

Lucian pulled on the back of my shirt and tugged.

I’m not leaving without my sword.

We don’t have a choice.

There is always a choice, Lucian.

Not this time. We are in purgatory.

He had to be joking. I stopped searching and studied his serious face. Not a joke then.

Well, then it’s limbo, but if you help me, I’ll find my sword that much sooner. I’m not going to be unarmed when I’m ‘in the most danger of my life,’ unless that’s not really the case.

Very well, you have five minutes. If we haven’t found it by then, we will leave. When I started to protest, he cut me off, That’s not up for negotiation.

The warm and welcoming angel was certainly gone. And, part of me worried I was making a mistake. How does being in purgatory help me? Wait. Based on what I knew from my days attending church, purgatory was for atonement of souls.

Am I dead?

He didn’t answer and I repeated my question, Dead? Am I dead, the question coming out as a shriek.

Lucian flinched. I got up from the ground and stalked towards him.

Answer me. I deserve to know what is happening.

A look of sadness flashed across his face, only to be replaced with a grim determination. As much as I want to address your question, now isn’t the time. I ask that you trust me to answer all of your questions when we are somewhere safer. You are and aren’t dead, but I can’t go into more detail at the moment. We need to stay quiet and we’ve already made more noise than I fear is safe. There are patrols and it’s problematic if they find you here.

Then, help me find my sword, so we can get somewhere safer.

Very well. I meant it, you have five, no correction, four minutes. That is all the time I can spare.

We both dropped to our hands and knees, crawling in the thick grass. As each minute passed, I grew more and more anxious. I was running out of time. Where was that darn sword?

Times up, Teagan. I’m sorry, but we have to leave.

And where do you think you are going? said a voice behind us.

I turned around and there was a female angel. Her hair was like spun gold and she had sky-blue eyes. Her wings glowed and she towered over me.

We are just passing through, Celeste. Let us go.

You know I can’t do that, Lucian. She looked at me and took me in from head to toe. A smirk marred her beauty and she wore that undisguisable expression women get when they find another woman lacking. She scrunched up her eye brows before continuing, No demons can pass, but there’s something about you, Abomination.

And there’s nothing I find noteworthy about you.

She answered me with a glare before redirecting her attention back to Lucian.

Actually, I lied. Noteworthy wouldn’t even begin to describe her. She was even more beautiful than Lucian. Hers was the type of beauty that stunned you and hurt to see. I doubt there was a single person alive who wouldn’t be awed by her sheer beauty and unearthly glow. 

I’m not afraid to fight, Lucian, I said as I started building my power. I hope I can use it in my weakened state.

He didn’t take his eyes off the angel, No, that won’t be necessary, will it, Celeste?

She laughed. You are making this too easy Lucian. I can easily take you both. I’d prefer not being held up. I’m on a mission for His Highness. But, if you insist.

She drew out a golden sword with a basket-weaved hilt. It was glorious and probably deadly. The way she held it told me that she was a skilled swordsman.

Lucian pulled out a similar sword, only his was silver. Moonstones were set into the hilt.

I’m sorry it’s come to this, Celeste, he said.

Celeste launched herself at Lucian. He met her sword thrust and kicked her leg. She grunted, but maintained her concentration on Lucian. They moved with incredible speed, even faster than the hybrids. It was awe-inspiring but intimidating. I hadn’t met an opponent that I couldn’t beat. Watching her, I was near certain I couldn’t beat the angel.

Lucian scored a cut down Celeste’s arm, blood dripping onto the hungry grass. Rather than slow her down, she sped up, a flurry of activity. Lucian cried out, cradling his arm that the angel viciously sliced in retaliation from his hit on her.

Yield. Don’t make me finish this, said Celeste.

You don’t know what you’re doing, he said.

Oh, but I do. I’m just wondering why you are violating your sacred vow for that thing.

Oh another fan, lucky me. What was it with everyone hating me and thinking I’m a freak? It was getting a bit old.

Lucian still held his arm that was weeping blood. As the other angel stalked towards him, he threw himself at her.

Run Tegan, you must reach the gates. They can’t deny you if you reach them.

"Not without Slánaitheoir," I said.

At my words, both angels stopped suddenly. They had matching horrified expressions on their faces.

What did you say? said Celeste as she stalked to me. Repeat what you said, abomination.

I don’t follow your orders and owe you nothing.

She said what you think she did, Celeste. It’s begun.

The unknown angel shivered from head to toe and then wiped her hand down her face. That action seemed to soothe her because when she looked at me, it was with a more composed expression.

Are you taking her to the Enlightened One?

Yes, there’s nowhere else I can take her.

You will need to get through the patrols. I’ll do what I can to help, but she must clear this realm. If they catch her, you know what they will do. She MUST survive.

Thank you. But, first we need that sword, said Lucian.

Celeste smiled, I believe I can help finding it. She started chanting, words that sounded like twinkling music and utterly foreign. It’s over there, and she pointed to a place behind me.

Lucian and I rushed to the spot she indicated. Sure enough, there was Slánaitheoir. I grabbed the sword, instantly relaxing. Just having it in my hand soothed me. The sword was still uncharacteristically silent and that worried me. I also couldn’t feel it in my mind. It’s like there was a break in the connection between us and I felt surprisingly bereft. Without the sword’s presence in my mind, I felt incomplete and unsettled. Will it still be able to help me channel my power? Why isn’t it working? Can you hear me?, I thought to the sword, but only silence greeted me.

Quickly, we need to hurry, said Lucian, who was nervously scanning the area around us looking for the patrols.

Can’t we just fly? I asked.

That I wish, but the patrols would surely spot us if we took to the air. For now, the safest option is the ground, explained Celeste.

I slid my sword into its sheath. I’d prefer having my sword in hand, but its weight was awkward, and I needed to conserve what strength I had left.

A rustle at the meadow’s misty edge was my only warning before a half dozen angels stormed into the clearing with their swords drawn. Their impressively muscled bodies were on full display as they only wore tight fitting pants that hugged their legs. Their wings were all whiter than snow and sparkled.

Lucian lunged for me and urgently whispered in my ear, Celeste and I will distract them. You have to run for it, find the pearly gates. Remember what I said, ‘if you reach them, they have to give you entry’. Too much is at risk for you to fail now.

I nodded, still not understanding what he meant. I pulled out my sword and it quivered in my grasp. Now the lousy sword wants to wake up. You better not take over my body again you oversized cutlery, or I’ll make sure to really lose you. I felt a shock, like what you’d feel from electricity, and then felt a sense of amusement from the sword. So, our connection wasn’t broken. The darn thing was just keeping our connection muted and ignoring me. 

The angels surged forward, moving as a coordinated group, a death squad of beauty and menace. They stopped a couple feet from us.

You have violated the laws that govern this realm, Lucian. What do you have to say? said a brown-haired angel with violet eyes and a stern expression. He also glowed, but not to the degree that Celeste did.

I do not answer to you Machias, said Lucian.

Oh, but you do. Things have changed since you left.

I glanced at Lucian, wanting to see his reaction. The angel was suggesting that Lucian hadn’t been back. Hadn’t he gone back to Heaven to take the blue horned demon to the Angel Council. Why was Machias implying otherwise?

Lucian’s attention never wavered from Machias. And he held his sword at the ready. It made me twitchy. I wanted to battle with him and Celeste. It went against everything in me to leave them. Leaving people behind was sheer cowardice and it literally pained me to do what Lucian asked. I would do it though.

Machias tilted his sword down, letting us see the green gemstones inlaid on the blade. Lucian gasped and appeared agitated; he lowered his sword slightly.

You are correct. This does make you my leader, but I haven’t sworn an oath to you. You don’t control me yet and if I have my way, you never will, said Lucian.

A hard look entered Machias’ eyes. Take out the abomination first. No demons here shall pass, even mixed breeds like this one.

I rolled my eyes. They were so dramatic to a degree that was almost funny.

Machias lunged towards me, and Lucian leapt in between us, blocking what would have been a fatal sword thrust. I stepped back, creating more distance between me and the battling angels. It was just Machias and Lucian. Both Celeste and the other angels stood down. 

The two angels met in fierce blocks. Each one took fought to dominate the fight, leveling savage thrusts at the other. A sheen of sweat covered them both and the earth pounded from the force of the battle. And the speed was incredible and daunting.

Even the hybrids couldn’t come close to matching the speed of these two. They blurred as they moved. In my life, I hadn’t seen anything like it. It made the sword fight between Celeste and Lucian seem like child’s play. This wasn’t just a fight, it was personal. The two were vicious in their swordsmanship. They were evenly matched, and each had wounds that freely bled. Watching them, I felt an answering battle cry surge through my veins. 

The other angels were silent, but some looked worried as they watched the two males fight. I’m not sure how long they would hold out, but this wasn’t the diversion Lucian promised me. I couldn’t run off with five of the angels freely able to take off after me. They’d be after me within seconds.

I started powering up my ice. My body trembling with fatigue. I had no way of knowing whether I’d need to fight and for all I knew I could be hours or even days away from the pearly gates. I concentrated on readying myself and forced myself not to shake.

Machias cried out, clutching his arm, which was deeply cut and spraying blood. His sword dangling loosely in his hand. Lucian had gotten the other man’s sword arm. 

They are not to leave, barked Machias.

And that was all the encouragement the rest of the patrol needed. Two of them charged Celeste and another two took on Lucian. I was left with a single angel, but that in no way inspired confidence that I could hold my own. 

The angel opposing me had deep green eyes, chiseled cheekbones and hair that was neither brown nor blond, but something in between. 

I will not let you pass. And while your filthy blood will contaminate this realm, it will rid us of your tainted soul, he said.

Wait a minute, buddy. I’m not filthy or contaminated. Who made you God?

His name should not cross the lips of one such as you.

He dove for me. I barely deflected the strike. He pushed me away and swung for me again. I wasn’t so lucky this time and his blade caught me across my stomach. Blood seeped into my shirt and the pain made me light headed. He had cut me deep. This fight would be over in minutes and I wouldn’t be the victor. Now, I’d never find a cure, help the imprisoned hybrids or the fae. Not to mention, figuring out what happened with Ginger. 

Piercing sadness and disappointment filled me. I’d come so far to be at this moment. Clutching my side, I watched