by Ciara Graves
“The lords aren’t planning an assault, are they?”
“We are quickly running out of options. We’re looking at all possibilities.”
“Father, attacking the Heavens will result in our death. You know this, all of you do.”
He nodded. “Desperate times, I’m afraid. Hell is growing more unstable by the day. We’re collecting souls and sealing rifts, but it’s not enough. Before long, we’ll lose control down there. We’ll lose what gives us strength and dominion over the damned. What do you think will happen then? The angels have suffered losses as great as ours. They won’t be able to hold back the coming storm.”
“Have you tried asking for peace? A treaty of some kind?”
Koreth’s eyes narrowed. “Peace? Do you think there’s a peaceful resolution to what that bastard started? He brought this darkness upon the world. There will be no peace, not as long as he lives. He’s corrupted himself, corrupted the very Heavens themselves, and corrupted the very angels he’s meant to guide.” My father scoffed. “There will be blood and death until one side falters. I can only pray it’s not ours.”
“We can’t keep fighting,” I argued, knowing I was pushing my luck with him as soon as he scowled at me. “Right, not my business.”
“No, it’s not. Not yet, anyway.”
He stormed toward the edge of the rift. As he called out commands to the demons left alive, I walked to the demon holding the satchel filled with souls. “Return them to the prisons,” I instructed. “Do not stop and do not open that box until you are within the warding, understand?”
My father bowed then turned and made for the fiery portal that remained open from when Koreth arrived. I waited until he disappeared into the flames then glanced in the direction the angel had flown. There was a human city to the west called Dakota. They did not take kindly to demons there. They were on the side of the angels and saw us as evil spawn.
“You want to take any demons with you?” Kexan asked as he approached.
“Nope. I’ll be just fine on my own.”
“That angel packed a punch. Watch yourself around her.”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll be seeing you soon enough back in Hell. I’ll have a screaming prisoner in tow. Not a chance she’s getting away from me twice.” I gave my father one more concerned look, but he was already busy focusing his energies on sealing the rift.
“I’ll keep an eye on him until we return below,” Kexan assured me.
“Thank you.”
I ensured my daggers were sheathed at my hips, then trudged the long way around the rift to the other side.
The trees were dense in this grove. Sticks and leaves crunched loudly underfoot. I wasn’t worried about being quiet, not yet. If the angel reached the city, she’d go to one of their numerous safe houses. If my luck was really shitty today, she’d already made it to the Heavens.
Her wound appeared to be taking its toll on her, so I doubted she would’ve had the strength to create a portal and return.
I’d find her in the city, knock her unconscious, then drag her down to Hell to be questioned. Once she told us everything she knew, we’d lock her away or execute her. That was the way it was during this time of war. Whatever weird pull I thought I had toward her would have to simply disappear. There was no room for mercy, not where the angels were concerned.
I’d get what I needed from her, and that was it. End of story.
As I reached the other end of the grove, haphazardly built walls of wood and metal stretched into the air. Behind it were several taller buildings, apartments, one or two offices that no longer served as a place of work. She was in there somewhere.
I made to take a step toward the city but hesitated.
I reflected on the moment our eyes met.
My gut practically screamed at me that I knew her or was meant to meet her today. One way or another, she was far more important than just someone with intel on the enemy.
“Don’t be an idiot,” I snapped to myself. “Doesn’t matter what you felt.”
It couldn’t matter. I couldn’t let it.
I steeled my nerves and strode toward the city.
Though I’d have to be careful no one spotted my horns, I’d find a way to the angel without being seen.
That’s what I was good at. Get in, get out, and none of these brainwashed humans would ever know.
Hope you enjoyed Having Mercy!
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Copyright © 2019 by Ciara Graves
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