by Ciara Knight
“It is on your head, Herak. One false move and with this sword and my wings, I will be the one to send them to darkness for eternity. You along with them.”
“Understood.”
“Gabby, there’s more.” Boon touched her upper arm then stepped back and lowered his head. “Your father. The master demon has ordered Forras to turn him over. Satan has a plan for him.”
Chapter Thirteen
Boon, Alexander, Grace, Herak, and Gabby all raced toward Kemp. By the time they arrived, daylight was fading, the clouds growing darker with streaks of red. The cold mist made Alexander shiver. Too many people would die before this was over, and it was his job to save as many as he could. He wasn’t a fighter. He was a healer, the one who kept the angels in the sky and the humans safe on the ground.
Herak flew beside his little demonlings. The sight of him still churned Alexander’s stomach. He had no memory of Herak appearing in that form. Dark tan and brown stripes crossed his cheeks and ran down the middle of his bumpy back.
“Grace,” Herak called out.
“Yes.”
“You should tell your son not to stare. It’s rude.”
Grace fell back beside Herak. “Well, you are quite the sight, old man.”
Was she serious? Bantering playful while they flew to save the world from Satan’s clutches? He could feel his nose scrunch and lips curl in a snarl.
Grace resumed her position in the formation, all of them flying with Gabby in the center. The dark green scabbard holding the angel-wing sword was strapped safely between her wings on her back.
Boon dove left and they each followed, dropping below the sulfuric smelling clouds to a few hundred feet above the ferocious sea. Land finally came into view. They crossed the state in less than a half-hour this time and Grace’s home came into view. The ocean surged toward their two story white Victorian. Alexander’s gut wrenched at the sight. They’d just rebuilt their home last year. He’d hoped someday to live there with Gabby. Delusions. How could he ever believe an angel could live the life of a human, with a white picket fence, happy wife and family?
“There.” Grace pointed at the Prim’s old house engulfed in flames, a brilliant blaze of reds and gold overpowering the waning sun.
“Dad,” Gabby whispered.
“No. He’s in the woods. Sammy says they’re surrounded. She’s not sure yet which side Forras will choose.”
Alexander, Boon seems tense. Sammy’s voice echoed in his head. Everything okay?
Yes, Herak is with us. And he’s not happy about it.
No, he wouldn’t be.
He’ll be fine, Gabby’s voice echoed. Alexander shot a glance her way and she smiled. Yes, I can hear all of you now. Let’s keep this between us though, for now.
Her soft voice reassured him that they were still connected. And now, on the battlefield, he’d be able to track her.
Yes, that’s how you found me last time. But no abandoning the wounded to fix a broken wing, got it?
Heat flooded his face. Right.
Well, that’s a first. I made you blush.
He peeked over at her, but her eyes were focused on the woods ahead. They reached the beach and headed for the tree line.
Boon landed at the edge of the woods. “I believe the hunters have arrived.”
Alexander slowed and landed behind Boon then quickly took Gabby’s hand. It had been murder not touching her all this time. His human body craved the contact and his soul ached for her caresses. If the war didn’t kill him, not touching her would.
I’ve wanted to touch you since we left as well. Gabby’s voice startled him. Dang, he’d have to watch what he thought. This was going to take some getting used to.
Hey, not fair. No reading my mind.
I wasn’t. You were shouting in my head, demanding me to touch you. Gabby narrowed her gaze. “We have a problem.”
Gunfire popped in the distance. Howls echoed and the wind picked up. It was an all-out battle.
Gabby faced them with the sword in hand, still sheathed. “Herak. Grace. You go with those two,” she said, indicating Herak’s demonlings with a tilt of her head, “and take to the sky. Boon, you flank the rear. Alexander, you’re with me.” She had gained so much confidence in such a short time. Pride edged its way to the surface as Alexander listened to her strategy.
They raced down the path to the open field. Gabby tugged the sword free, wrapped her fingers around the hilt, and held it in front of her. She slowed the pace until they reached a dead stop. Gunfire, screams, and cries of pain echoed through the trees.
Something inside him snapped, a need so great that Heaven couldn’t stop him from completing the task if they tried. He had to save someone. A hunter. Even without seeing the wounded man, he knew exactly what the injuries were. Internal bleeding, broken ribs, and a gash that nearly cut through his femoral artery.
Gabby gave him a knowing smile before she took his hand in hers. “You have your calling, I have mine.” She brushed her lips down his neck, leaving a trail of want and desperation to hold her again. Soon, my love. Her words gave him hope. “Right now, Randy’s down.” She said aloud.
He never thought he’d be excited to see the lead hunter again. But Randy had proven himself when they fought the Prim to save Gabby and all of Kemp last year.
Alexander released her hand and charged through the trees, keeping his head low. He reached the edge of the clearing and spotted several men pinned behind a fallen tree. The hounds of death crept to their line. One man lifted his rifle and blasted a hound. The dog wailed then collapsed before it sank into the Earth. The hunters had updated their arsenal.
He heard a blood-curdling scream then a soul lifted from the clearing. No! Alexander doubled over and gasped, his insides tearing in half that he’d already failed one. He wouldn’t allow another hunter to die. Pushing upright, he ignored the snarling dogs and flew over their heads to the men. One of the guns turned on him, but Alexander was faster. He clutched the end of the barrel, snatched it from the man’s hand, and set it on the ground behind him.
Boon swooped down and lifted two hounds before he disappeared again. Alexander narrowed his gaze at the man. “Randy. Where is he? I’m here to help.”
The man stared back at him, mouth open, pointing down the line. Alexander tucked his wings in tight and crawled several feet before the metallic smell of human blood drew his attention. He maneuvered over two men, one rapidly firing at the hounds, the other changing his clip.
“Randy?” The man looked older, grey around the temple. Guess war will do that to a man.
Randy grinned. “Hey, fly boy.”
Alexander pressed his palm to Randy’s leg and envisioned the arteries and nerves inside. He surged healing energy into Randy’s thigh, threading the muscles back together and sealing his skin.
Sighing at the relief from pain, Randy offered his hand. “Thanks, man. You’re awful handy to have around.”
Grace snatched a hound while Herak landed before Forras. Chaos ensued. Two more bodies fell with a thud by Alexander’s side. He had to work faster, but it proved hard to concentrate when he couldn’t see Gabby.
The pull to help the others became too strong for him to deny, and he focused on his duty—healing all he could.
“Keep your head down, Randy. Even the one track, small minds of hunters are hard to heal.”
Alexander’s hands lifted almost of their own accord and he turned to help another man. His energy wavered, but he had to push through. How had he healed hundreds in a matter of hours during the last war?
He tried to inhale a long cleansing breath, but the mix of demonic stench and blood made him cough. Refocusing, he shuffled to the other man. As Alexander reached him, the hunter’s soul was sucked from his body. Terror paralyzed Alexander. The soul clung to its mortal shell until finally it was ripped from Earth. To where, he wasn’t sure. He leaned over the body and prayed the soul made a safe journey to Heaven. His hands stuck to the man’s chest, and he
peeled them off the blood-drenched combat vest.
Wind roared through the trees. Clouds swirled together into a roiling mass. A ball of light flashed. Dozens of white streaks dispersed from the center in an epileptic frenzy of jagged chain lightening that illuminated the sky. One of them split a tree at the side of the field. It burst into flames. Then, almost as if on cue, the clouds opened and rain beat down on them, extinguishing the fire.
He winced. The rain burned his wings, but not his skin, as if acid dripped from the sky designed specifically to destroy their wings. He retracted them inside his body.
A hound broke through their defensive line and chomped down on a hunter’s neck. He fell back and flailed about, beating the dog with his fists. His hat flew off his head and brown hair cascaded into the dirt. A woman. Waves of blood gushed from her neck.
Seeing her struck something inside him and Alexander leapt over a hunter, landed by her side, and punted the dog upside its head. Pressing both hands to the woman’s neck, Blood pumped and ran through his fingers. Quickly, he mended the damage but it left her weak and pale. “Drag her to safety,” he commanded the man behind him. The hunter didn’t move, just sat there with his mouth open. “Now!”
The hunter pushed the gun over his shoulder and looped his fingers through the woman’s vest. Digging his boots into the soft soil, he dragged the weakened hunter to safety. “We don’t run,” a deep voice grunted before he opened fire. Rapid pops pounded against Alexander’s eardrum. The man sank back down by his side. Blood shot eyes peered out beneath his hat. “Besides, aren’t we supposed to be fighting you?”
“I’m not a demon.” Ignoring the burning rain, Alexander released his wings. Bullets ricocheted off them.
He could feel Gabby’s adrenaline surge through him. Was it from the fight or was she worried about him? He didn’t dare risk a glance.
“Hey, boys. He’s on our side for now.” The red-eyed hunter waved at his men. A beast sailed over the log and pounced on his shoulder. He opened fire but a second one latched onto his side.
Alexander snatched a rifle from the ground and slammed the hilt between its ears. It whimpered and shook its head before snarling back at him. Two taps clapped from a few feet away and the dog fell silent.
Alexander quickly healed the injured man, red eyes and all, before more hounds breached the line and attacked. Hunters scattered in all directions, firing rapid shots.
Gabby swung her blade, slicing through two heads.
A beast pounced on his chest and he flew back. Long, sharp fangs glistened with saliva, its black eyes flickered red. Alexander clutched its neck and drove it back, but the dog lunged again. Hot, foul breath covered his face. Holding his breath, he spun on his side and threw it off. But another one latched onto his hip as a third pierced the skin on his arm.
Light glistened from a long silver object as it sliced through the beast on his arm. The head became light and he reached up with his right hand to pry the bodiless beast from him.
The smell of rotten fruit assaulted his nose, and he fought the rising burn of nausea. Gabby held the sword up at eye level and slammed the point into the back of the hound at his hip. This time the jaws snapped open, freeing him.
“What happened to not watching out for each other?” Alexander teased.
She swung around and pierced another beast. “I could feel you during the fight.”
Bruce stumbled over and sat down at the end of the stump, pistol resting on his thigh. “Looks like the rest are running.” Fading howls confirmed his hypothesis.
Alexander’s leg throbbed, his shoulder ached and his head hurt. He scanned his body, but didn’t see any injuries.
It’s the wounded. You’re connected. You feel their pain, Gabby explained. “Here, let me help you up.”
A man with three stars on his helmet and “Beck” embossed on his front pocket strode over. “General Beck, bring any injured men that can be moved to Alexander,” Gabby commanded. “The quicker he heals them, the faster we can get to killing more demons.”
General Beck smirked then turned to his men. “You heard the lady. Move it.”
A skinny, young boy sauntered up, blood and dirt smeared across his face. “But, sir, aren’t we suppose to send all earthbound creatures back to where they belong?”
General Beck lifted his hand as if to knock the kid back in line.
Randy joined them. “Son, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re outnumbered. And if we hope to win anything, we’ll have to start enlisting some help. Would you prefer to pick a different side to fight on?”
“Ah, n-no sir.”
“Then get!”
Alexander nodded to Randy, pushed up and offered his hand to Gabby. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Boon shoved Forras to the ground in front of Gabby. Forras smiled and quirked his head at Alexander. “Glad to see blue jay has returned.”
Guns snapped to attention. General Beck stepped forward and shoved his firearm into Forras’s face. “It’s one thing to fight alongside y’all, but I ain’t trusting no demon.”
“No need to concern yourself with him, General. He’s my prisoner, and a key to stopping this entire war,” Gabby said.
Still, the guns remained pointed at Forras.
“I order you to put down your weapons. There will be no challenging me. I might look young and helpless, but I assure you, I will take down whoever kills him.”
General Beck raised his chin in challenge. “You’re protecting a demon? Did you not see those creatures tear our men apart?”
Men groaned and cried around Alexander, and the pain intensified. He tried to ignore the throbbing ache long enough to determine their plan, but he weaved, trying to stay upright.
Gabby took his hand. “If you want to win this war, you’ll let me do what needs to be done. Now, if you want your men healed so they can fight another day then you better get a move on. If not, I’ll be taking my healer and the others and leaving you for dog treats.”
General Beck stared at her for a moment then burst into laughter. “You heard the girl. This demon’s off limits, unless he tries something that is. Then open fire and apologize later.” General Beck waved his arm, summoning them to advance. “Men, get the wounded.” Then he turned back to Gabby. “It seems I need something from you and you want something from me, so for now, we’ll make it work.”
Gabby nodded. “Mark the critical and Alexander will heal them first then we relocate. No telling how long those hounds will take to regroup and attack again.” She spoke with such authority, her speech having morphed into a mature leader.
General Beck mock saluted then pivoted on his heels.
Herak joined them in human form, dressed in bloody fatigues.
“It’s time you told me the rest,” Gabby said.
Herak shrugged. “I’ve told you everything.”
Gabby dug the point of her sword into the ground and stepped forward. Anger pulsed from her and Alexander knew something was wrong.
“You haven’t told me what angel in Heaven is working for Satan.”
Chapter Fourteen
Gabby’s head still pounded, even though an hour had passed since her vision. The moment she’d seen herself sign a contract in her own blood with Satan himself, swirls of panic churned her stomach. Satan wasn’t visible, only a dark face and a feeling of mind-shattering loneliness, but she knew it was him.
Gabby tried to shove the vision from her mind and focus on a way to win this war as she entered General Beck’s tent and took a seat at a small folding table a few feet from his desk. “This compound is massive. How did you construct it so quickly?”
“We can breakdown and move in about an hour. My men are well trained in weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, the unique skills for demon slaying, and how to remain mobile,” his voice boomed with pride.
“Impressive,” Gabby said.
Alexander sauntered into the tent, dark circles under his eyes and blood on his shirt. He’d spent the last hour h
ealing the remaining soldiers.
She glanced around the tent. This was where her father had spent many years in his youth, fighting all Earthbound creatures. Now, he stood between Sammy and a box of weapons, his eyes distant, and Gabby knew he was reliving his glory days.
Tremors plagued his hands.
Alexander gave her a warm smile and squeezed her dad’s shoulder.
Her dad took in a long, accentuated breath and closed his eyes. “Thank you.” His hands calmed and he shook his head. “Knew I couldn’t hold a gun like that. But now I can.” It had been at least a day since his last drink. Hopefully Alexander could keep the visions and agitation at a minimum. Heck, her visions were hard enough to handle.
Across from her, Sammy’s eyes lit up. Gabby didn’t need to turn around to know Boon had walked in. Forras’s scent told whom the other footsteps belonged.
General Beck pressed his knuckles to the makeshift desk and leaned forward. “That demon should be under lock and key.”
“Forras is here because I need to speak to him.”
Forras sauntered past Alexander and looked at Gabby. “We had a deal, remember?”
A chill raced through her body, and she wasn’t sure if it was her own dread or Alexander’s. “Yes.”
Alexander ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ve watched you fight without interference, healed all that needed to be healed, but I cannot sit here while—”
“She tongue dances with me?” Forras baited him.
Alexander marched toward Forras, but Gabby jumped between them. She took Alexander’s hand and held it to her cheek. “I know I’ve asked a lot, but you have to trust me.”
“I do. It’s him I don’t trust. You said an angel betrayed us. Who? When?”
Gabby stepped back. “That’s why I need to speak to Forras and Herak.”
“I’m no angel lover. How am I supposed to know anything?” Forras plopped into a chair by General Beck’s desk.
“I didn’t say you had to pick an angel from a lineup. I said I needed to speak to you about it.”
Forras shrugged. “Fine. I’ll bite.”