Night Rises

by Amber Lynn

  “If you killed her now, I doubt Stevens would show up here. We were supposed to just be bait to get her excited. You did that and then some,” Hilda explains. “Plus, Phee's noggin isn't healing as fast as it should. She was pushed full force into a tree and the tree won the battle.”

  I look over to where Sam is hovering over his lady love. Not good. I make my way over to have a look.

  “What's the verdict Doctor Sam?” I ask hoping to lighten the situation.

  “She has a hard head, like we both know all too well. I can still talk to her and I think she is going to be just fine. A little rest and she will be as good as new. The bad news on her part is that this is going to relegate her to babysitting duty. A concussion for a werewolf can be dangerous. We can sleep them off, but it takes a day or two for the brain to fix itself.”

  I like the idea of her staying away from the battle. I wouldn't have asked her before because it would make her think I didn't trust her abilities. I do know she can kick butt in any situation, but I want to make sure she is safe.

  “First watch, you are on. Everyone else get some sleep. We are going to have the fight of a lifetime on our hands tomorrow and I want everyone to be ready,” Sebastian calls out before turning to me. “That means you too, my little warrior. Alex has Sophia all ready for bed. She is just waiting for your kiss.”

  “I was so close to just running my sword through her. It isn't fair,” I whine a little on the way to our tent.

  “Tomorrow, you will make things right then. Tonight, just look at your baby girl and know that what happens later is all for her. We have had opportunities to finish this silly war off over the years, but the thought of our child not being able to live her life free to do as she wishes is what makes now the perfect time for things to end.”

  I sigh knowing he is right. He always is. All those years of living have made him into the most logical person in the world. It can get rather annoying. I get to the tent and kiss Sophia good night. I made it just before her eyes closed for the day.

  I stand and look at her sleeping for a few minutes. I really do hope everything turns out okay tomorrow. I have a few people I need to talk to in the morning to ensure that no matter what happens she will be okay.

  I don't think sleep will come easily tonight, but as I snuggle in next to my two mates, it takes only seconds for me to get pulled under. Definitely jet lag.

  Chapter 20

  Theoretical good-byes are always interesting

  Dream meadow awaits me when my eyelids close. I was hoping to dream up some new moves for the fight tomorrow, but it has been a couple of days since Gabe annoyed me, so it is to be expected. I hope he doesn’t have a friend waiting to try to attack me tonight. I don’t feel like playing unless it is the real thing.

  “I am busy, if your all-knowing self wasn't aware of that.” I don't see him yet, but I know he is there. Hearing that the angels have invisibility up their sleeves makes me wonder how many times he has been around without me even knowing it.

  “You know I do not know everything. I am only clued in on key events when I need to be. I have heard there is going to be a big battle tomorrow, but your outcome in it all is still hazy,” he says appearing before me. He always seems to wear the same thing. Maybe when Phee gets better I will suggest she take him out shopping. That will be a nice punishment for him making me come to this meadow so many times.

  “It may be hazy for you, but rest assured that I will be on the winning team.” I sit down on the ground surrounded by flowers.

  “That never was to be questioned. The Collective will cease to exist after tomorrow. What hasn't for sure been written yet is whether or not you get your halo, as you put it. I am sensing you have already found the ring. There is a lot of power coming from your chest and I don't think your mother's milk has that ability.”

  I don't know about that. Sophia seems to like it an awful lot. “I thought the ring was my only challenge. I have it and I didn't kill anyone to get it. Doesn't that mean I win? Oh, and in case you were wondering, the ring is staying with me.”

  “You don't have any extra glow around you, so I don't think you have completed one step in the process. I had thought you may accomplish it by getting the Seal, but that doesn't appear to be the case,” he explains. It isn't much of an explanation. He doesn’t seem to care that I am not handing the ring over. That surprises me a little because it sounded like the angels wanted a closer look.

  “You told me about finding the Seal, but you cannot tell me the missing step? How do you expect anyone to pass your trials?”

  “I hope you didn't go into this thinking it would be easy. You, of all people, should know that life is rarely ever that way.” He shocks me by taking a seat next to me. “About me and your mom, it was a really long time ago and there are no leftover feelings in that department.”

  “Dude, I really don't want to be clued in on any of those details. If you happened to want to check her out, after all these years, Sophia invited her over for a tea party next week. When I know the details, I can pass them along,” I say feeling that he isn't quite as over her as he wants everyone to think.

  “That might be fun, for old-time's sake. Are there any questions you have about things in general that you think I could answer for you?”

  The open ended question surprises me. There are so many different things that I could ask, and he would probably know the answers to at least ninety percent of them.

  “Why was I made?” I was an experiment as far as I am concerned, especially after hearing all the things that are hiding under the surface.

  “I am guessing you mean beside the fact that your mother is a lunatic that does weird things whenever she gets a bee in her bonnet,” he starts off his reply. “I like to think a greater power was in control of this one. There is no denying how special you are. Even the children you end up creating won't have your uniqueness.

  “The world of paranorms has been at odds amongst itself for generations now. Even before the Collective came around to muddy things in your world. Look at the demons and angels, we have never been able to get along and we were here before the rest of you. I don't think Lucy knew just what she was doing when she made you what you are. She would never agree to having peace, but I like to think that is exactly why you are here. To bring us all peace.”

  That is a scary thought. I have trouble bringing peace into my household and I have the desire to kill at least a couple of demons daily. Ben won't probably ever meet my axe, but that doesn't mean I don't think about it often.

  “The world is a messed up place.” I cannot think of anything else to say in response.

  “Do you mind if I ask you something? You don't have to answer, but I would really like to know,” he says.

  “You might as well. You brought me here, so I cannot leave until you think we are done.”

  “What is it like to have the love you feel for another person returned? I know how it feels to love. I have felt that emotion in the past, but I highly doubt I have ever really had it returned.” His tone is sad and I know it is the Devil's fault for burning him.

  “I imagine most people would tell you that it is a hard thing to explain. I don't think it is that difficult. The feeling of knowing another person, in my case persons, will always have my back is probably the first thing I noticed. Never having that before, it still astonishes me to know it is true. There is an overwhelming feeling of joy to know I am going to wake up next to them for the rest of my life and that mostly comes from them feeling that way about me. As much as I hate it, being able to feel their emotions makes me realize how they really feel about me. I don't think the feelings are that different from what you feel when you love another.”

  I am pretty sure that made sense to only me, but oh well. I didn't promise a response that was comprehendible.

  “That is kind of what I thought. There are days I am pretty sure succubi were made in your mother's mold. I never really felt anything you just described. I am
certain one of these days I will find someone that doesn't think only of themselves. I still wouldn't mind stopping by to see what has become of her. From what I have heard, it isn't pretty.”

  He waves his hand over some flowers next to him and they begin to wilt. He quickly counters the motion and they are brought back to perfection and he picks one and hands it to me.

  “I am not a flower person,” I say taking it from him anyway. I hold it for a couple of seconds looking at its purple hues. Flowers have no hope of holding my attention longer than that, so I place it on the ground next to me.

  “I wish that would have been mentioned in your brochure. I would have held our meetings in a dungeon to make you more comfortable.”

  That makes me laugh. It is funny that true statements always seem to bring me humor.

  “How often can I expect you to show up when this is all over?” I need to know if I should have a room prepared just in case he stops by for a surprise inspection.

  “It depends on what tomorrow brings. No matter what, I will probably stop in at least once a year, just to say hi. I will have other charges to see after and they don't get the pleasure of living outside of Upstairs.”

  He told me before that I got to be special as far as my living arrangements are concerned. I wonder if that spreads to my offspring. I am not going to be happy if they think Sophia needs a proper education in one of their angel schools. “Will you show up when Sophia comes of age?”

  “It hasn't been determined if she will have enough angel in her to make the conversion. We know there is some, but you are a direct descendant of one of us, where she is third generation. I hope she will end up having her own trials and if she does, I will make sure my name is on the list to oversee them. Maybe she will have more time and actually be able to do something cool for her trials.”

  “No one will ever be able to convince me that your trials don’t suck, but it has been interesting getting to know you a little while I tried to figure things out,” I say feeling that my time in the meadow is coming to an end.

  “We do like to make things strange. It quickly weeds out those not qualified for the job. Have you found out anything interesting about the ring?” It took him long enough to ask.

  “Other than King Solomon himself was walking around still wearing it, not much. I don't know what it does, but a witch and a demon have both determined it is my mother's making. You didn't happen to know that going into this, did you?” If he didn't, I am sure someone, somewhere, knew what I was getting myself into. They always do.

  “That makes sense. I didn't know that when I told you about it, but the trials do things like place artifacts with their rightful owners. I know I mentioned we might try to take it for safe keeping, but I think we can trust you with it. Did you come up with a reason why the angels couldn't find it?”

  “Since a demon led me to it and was old chums with Solomon, I believe that explains things.”

  Gabe laughs. “That is a logical explanation. I better get you back. Good luck tomorrow. I truly do hope you pass that final task. You can do what I think you are meant to do without your full capabilities, but I believe they would make you even stronger.” He sounds a lot like Alex and Sebastian.

  “Well, until you get bored and want to torture me with a field of flowers again, I guess this is good-bye.” I still chuckle at the thought that a few months ago I would have stood and said good riddance instead of being cordial. Things can change real fast.

  “I will just say until we see each other again. I hope that will be soon, Nyx.”

  After he says my name, I find myself in a normal dream, much like the one I was hoping to have today. The battle is brewing all around me and I am ready for action.

  Chapter 21

  Let the battle begin

  I wake up to find everyone moving around me like ants stocking up their supplies. I swear I used to be a light sleeper. I hate it when they start doing something and forget to wake me. It is dark, which leads me to believe time is running short.

  “Ben says they are on the move. The other leaders we were expecting from our table discussions have shown up with the rest of our troops. Sophia is about to be taken to safety, but she refuses to go without saying good-bye to you,” Sebastian says as he kisses me quickly on the lips. “I have to go call home and tell them it is time. They should be just waiting for the word.”

  I am not sure how Sophia can refuse anything, since she is carried around everywhere. However, I would have been really upset if I missed her. I spring up and hurry outside of the tent where Hilda is holding my little girl and her bag of supplies.

  “Have you eaten this morning?” I ask knowing that I have been known to be able to sleep through her breakfast in the last couple of days.

  “I am good. I haven't been very hungry. I am worried about the fight today and I wouldn't be able to keep anything down. Be careful and listen to daddies. They know what is best.”

  Not the parting words I was hoping for, but it proves her fathers have rotted her brain. I will have to work on desensitizing her tomorrow. “I love you, Peanut, and I will be on my way to find you just as soon as I can.”

  “I love you too, Mommy. Everyone has told me you are invincible, so I know I will see you again.”

  I smile at her and wave while Hilda grabs a hold of my hand. “If you need anything just call out and I will send everything I can your way.”

  “There is something I had to ask you before you go. If anything happens to me and the guys, I want you and Marcus to raise her. My life started out with you and as much as I hate to admit it, I think I turned out okay.”

  She nods and then hurries away. I think I actually saw a tear in the corner of her eye. I wasn’t trying to get emotional; I just wanted to have a plan in place in case things don’t go as planned. Now that I have gotten that off of my chest, it is time to arm up.

  I make my way back into the tent and change into my standard clothing. I arm myself to the usual level, plus my axe, and then twist my hair up and add a couple of thin knives to the hairdo. If I am down to just them in the battle, it probably means trouble, but there is always Aphrodite to call.

  “We just unleashed the peppermint angel blood bombs over the forest. They are pretty much right on top of us. I suspect they will want to have a few words before things get under hand, but I need a kiss before I face them,” Alex says wrapping me up for a whole lot more than the quick peck Sebby administered.

  By the time he is through, my breath takes a full ten seconds to catch back up. Talk about a wow kiss. My lips are left feeling bruised and I love it.

  “I think I am ready,” I say. After that, I believe I can take on the world, no problem.

  “Remember, if you need any extra power boosts during the fight, you can tap into either of us. I think we are both trained well enough to not have an issue with the loss.”

  I don't care how well they are trained, I am not about to weaken them. I bet he wouldn’t enjoy it if I told him the same thing. “Just keep the lines of communication open. If I get walled out, I will be pissed and I am libel to accidentally stab one of you for the offense.”

  He grabs my hand and drags me out of the tent. I see our side standing to face the trees in front of our fake cabin. We have a good number of troops, but I know they do as well. I am aware that the Collective doesn’t teach their guys to be pansies, so this is going to be a lot of fun.

  Sebastian and Dad both come to stand beside us. “Let's get this party started,” Dad says and then leads the way. Sebastian and Alex both take one of my hands.

  I have been excited to finally get this over with, but I have only been fighting for months, whereas most of these people have been at it for decades. I can only imagine the emotions running through them.

  As we walk through our team of soldiers, they part to let us pass. Almost all of them are werewolves, but there are at least twenty vampires I can feel through the ranks. Ben is waiting in front of them all and Dad stops next
to him. Sebastian brings us to a halt behind the two of them and in a way blocks me from view.

  I hate when they do stuff like that. I can make out Candace's blonde hair through Ben's left arm, but that is about all I can see. I want to see just what I am up against.

  “You have seen our forces; it is just like looking in a mirror. You will see everything soon enough,” Sebastian says trying to calm me down.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Aaron? It would be easier to just give up the girl and take your forces home,” a man calls from the other side of the battlefield.

  “When did this fight become about my daughter? I thought all these years it was me you were after,” Dad answers. I guess he forgot it was not long ago they kidnapped him in order to try to get me.

  “My friend here has pointed out to me that you aren't the threat you once were. The girl is the issue here and we would like to have her back. We did technically have her first.”

  Okay, that is just stupid. I am as big of an issue as any of the people standing around me. I blame She Demon for this state of events. I cannot wait to finally kill her.

  “You will be dead in the ground long before I give my flesh and blood over to you, Stevens. If that is all you have to say, I think we should just get this thing started. My granddaughter will be ready for her supper before too long.”

  “Benny, are you sure you want to be standing on that side of things?” Candace hollers. “I am still pissed that you chose her before, but I can think of ways you can make it up to me.”

  I see Ben's body shiver as he thinks about his options. I have never had any faith in him doing what he says he will, so I can see him answering either way.

  “Like I have told you before, we had some good times, but I give my loyalty to a different woman now. You are stupid to risk this fight. I stand behind her and I will protect her with my life.” My dang hand with his mark burns again as he says those words.