Seraphim Academy 3: Fallen Kings

by Briggs, Elizabeth;

  She rests against him and looks more content than I’ve seen her in years. I can’t think of a better match than my kind-hearted best friend and my loyal and true brother.

  “We need a girl talk session as soon as possible after this is over,” I tell Araceli. “But I love what I’m picking up so far.”

  She rolls her eyes with a smile. “Oh, hush.”

  I’m about to tease them some more, mainly to get my mind off what my dad said, when Dina emerges from her room, as pale as a sheet. She stumbles forward and Bastien catches her.

  “Mother?” he asks.

  She looks up at him with horror in her eyes. “Azrael is coming, with many angels in masks. At dawn.”

  “You saw it?” Marcus asks. “In a vision?”

  “It came as a shock. It’s been so long since I had one. But I’m sure.” Dina suddenly grips Bastien’s shoulders with a mad look in her eyes. “You must get Michael’s sword. It’s the only thing that can stop Azrael.”

  “Michael’s sword?” Bastien’s brow creases and he glances at Callan.

  “My father’s sword has been missing since he was killed. We assumed Lucifer had it, but now we know that isn’t the case.”

  “Can you tell us where the sword is?” I ask.

  Dina shakes her head. “No, I can only see snippets of the future at the moment. I need more time before my full sight returns. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all right, mother,” Bastien says.

  We offer her some pizza and then she heads outside to soak up some sunlight while she eats. It’s going to take some time for her to adjust to life outside of the prison.

  Callan wipes his hands with a napkin. “Azrael is coming at dawn, which doesn’t give us much time. We need to start preparing for war immediately.”

  “We’ll need allies,” Kassiel says. “I will contact my father.”

  “I can ask the High King for help,” Eveanna says.

  “He banished you from Faerie,” Jonah says. “I know you managed to sneak through with Lilith, but this is different. You’ll be facing the High King himself. That’s way too dangerous.”

  “Perhaps. The High King tasked me with returning or destroying the Staff. I could argue that to do so I require his help.”

  “No, if you go, you might never be allowed to come back,” Araceli says. “Jonah and I will go instead. The High King likes him, and I can get us in and out of Faerie. Assuming we can find a fae relic.”

  Marcus rises to his feet. “After the Duskhunter ambush, we confiscated all their fae relics and infused weapons. They’re still hidden in the house. I can take you to them.”

  “Perfect,” Callan says. “We can use those infused weapons too.”

  “I’m going to Hellspawn Academy to ask Baal for help,” I decide out loud. “This is the demons’ fight too. If Azrael succeeds, they’ll be the ones who suffer the most.”

  Callan nods. “Good thinking. The rest of you, I’ll need your help getting the defenses ready.”

  When it’s all decided, we go our separate ways to tackle our tasks. Most of us fly over to Seraphim Academy together in one big group. It’s a Saturday so there are no classes, but I see some of the Professors herding everyone out and sending them away for their safety. The others split off toward Uriel’s house, while I keep going into the forest until I reach the arched trees. I speak the words and a shimmering door appears, and I hurry through it.

  It’s three hours later in the day here, putting the sun in a totally different spot, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. I rush across campus and a few students give me odd looks, but no one stops me. I manage to run into a familiar librarian on my way into Archfiend Hall, and she directs me to Baal’s office on the second floor.

  I knock on the door, and Baal opens it quickly. He looks almost…frazzled. If an ancient vampire Archdemon can be called such a thing.

  “Olivia, hello. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He turns away from me as soon as I step inside and goes back to a box he’s packing. He grabs books off the shelf and drops them inside.

  I blink at the state of his office. It’s all packed up. “Going somewhere?”

  “I’m taking a leave of absence as headmaster. Archdemon Mammon will be taking my place for the time being.”

  “Why?”

  He pauses to look me in the eye. “I need to help Lilith with our daughter, Lena.”

  “Lena is your daughter?” I gasp. “Lilith never told me.”

  “She is.” He rests a hand on my shoulder. “I owe you and your companions a great debt in return for rescuing her. I’d long given up on ever finding her alive. Now I must be there for her, however I can.”

  I suddenly have a lot more respect for Baal. “With both you and Lilith taking care of her, I know she’ll be in very good hands.”

  “That is kind of you to say. I do hope you can come visit us and spend some time with her. I’m sure it would help Lena to get to know you.”

  “I would love that, more than you know,” I say truthfully. All I ever wanted in life was a family, and the urge to get to know my sister is strong. “But I might need to call in that debt sooner than later. Or more specifically, right now.”

  He pauses while packing away another book and turns to face me. “What is it?”

  “Azrael has the Staff of Eternity. He’s going to arrive at Seraphim Academy at dawn and try to force me to use it. I have no plans to do that, but…”

  “But it’s Azrael,” Baal finishes for me.

  “Exactly.” I swallow hard. “And if we don’t stop him, he’ll go after Lena next.”

  Baal sets the book down and slowly turns to me with darkness in his eyes. The concerned father and headmaster is gone, replaced by the terrifying ancient vampire always lurking underneath the surface of his aloof demeanor. “We will not let that happen.”

  “That’s the plan. We’re going to fight back and destroy the Staff, but we could use whatever help you can spare. I know it breaks the Earth Accords for angels and demons to fight, but we could argue Azrael’s the one who is breaking them in the first place by trying to use the Staff.”

  “A sound argument.” Baal grabs a huge, medieval-looking sword off the wall. “I must protect Lena, but I will send what warriors I can to fight by your side. I swear it.”

  I let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”

  * * *

  On my way back, I stop by my dorm briefly to pick up my knives and some clothes that I can fight in tomorrow. Then I look around the place that’s been my home for most of the last three years with a hollowness in my chest. I’ve missed so much school, and things have changed so much for me in the last few weeks. Do I even belong here anymore? If I survive the battle tomorrow, should I return?

  I don’t know the answer.

  It’s a relief to head back to the guys’ house in Angel Peak, which is starting to feel more like home than anywhere else.

  Those of us at the house have a quick regroup over dinner. Callan’s been coordinating things with Uriel, and they’ve sent the students to safety, along with some of the professors. Araceli and Jonah haven’t returned yet from Faerie, and I worry about them the entire time we’re eating. Kassiel reached out to his father, who agreed to send any warriors who can make it by dawn, but said he couldn’t intervene himself due to the Earth Accords. With luck, we’ll have a large group of demons and fae to supplement our small angelic numbers.

  Araceli and Jonah return just as we’re heading up to bed, but we can immediately tell from their faces that they don’t have good news. Jonah meets my eyes and shakes his head.

  “No help from the fae?” I ask, my hope quickly vanishing.

  “Unfortunately, no,” Araceli says. “The High King said he could not assist us.”

  Eveanna turns away, muttering something in the fae language. Tanwen goes to comfort her, leading her back to their room. Araceli and Jonah vanish as well. Dina’s already asleep in Marcus’s room. I’m not sure what will happen ton
ight, until Callan stands, eyes me and my other lovers, and says, “Let’s head to bed.”

  At first, I’m tempted to have a repeat of last night, but decide against it. I’m still feeling very sated, and I need the men to be at their full strength tomorrow. Instead, we all climb into Callan’s big bed together. I get lots of kisses and cuddles, and then we fall asleep in one big heap.

  As I drift off, my last thought is yes, this is where I belong.

  * * *

  We wake a few hours before dawn to suit up for battle. My stomach is tight with anticipation and dread as we prepare and wait for Azrael to make his appearance.

  Callan’s made the bell tower his command center, and we all fly over there just before sunrise, except for Dina, who stays back at the house. Out on the big lawn there are dozens of people lined up and waiting, but I don’t recognize any of them. When one of them turns into a large raven, I realize they’re demons. In the group, I spot shifters, vampires, Fallen, and more. Baal and Lucifer came through for us.

  As we enter the Princess Lounge, I have a fleeting moment of amusement seeing Uriel and Gabriel sitting stiffly among our sparkly pink cushions, before we get down to business. Raphael and Ariel are there too, and Marcus and Jonah take a few moments to speak with them privately. The gym has been set up for the healers, and Araceli heads off to make sure it’s all ready. Tanwen lets out a little squeal at the sight of her sister, Rhiannon, who wears full Valkyrie armor. There’s a handsome man beside her with black hair, who I assume is her demon lover. They all hug, and then Tanwen introduces Eveanna to them. Hilda’s there too, wearing her Valkyrie armor, and I’m touched she’s decided to fight for us. I was told Raziel and Roseanna are on our side too, but they’re with the students in hiding, protecting them in case things go badly.

  Callan barks out orders, and then spots me standing there, gazing at the people all around me while they prepare for battle. I’m so impressed by everyone who came to fight. Not just to protect me, or to stop Azrael, but to defend this peace that Michael and Lucifer forged between angels and demons. It feels like the start of something bigger.

  Assuming we survive the next few hours.

  Callan moves to my side. “Just stick close to me, all right? We’ll get through this.”

  I offer him a smile, but then I spot Kassiel moving through the crowd with another man by his side. He’s absurdly handsome, with wavy dark hair that curls up over his mysterious green eyes, plus smooth olive skin and the body of a god. More importantly, he’s got that certain come-hither appeal that makes many heads in the room turn, the tell-tale mark of a Lilim.

  Kassiel brings the man over to me with a smile. “Olivia, I’d like you to meet Asmodeus, son of Lilith. Lucifer sent him to help lead the demonic forces.”

  My mouth falls open. Asmodeus, my brother. No wonder he’s turning heads. He’s old, really old, and even though his incubus allure doesn’t work on me, I can feel his power crawling under the surface. I know so little about him, only that he used to live in Hell and had a hard time adjusting to life on Earth, but now runs a chain of strip clubs in Las Vegas, where he acts as Lilith’s second in command, reporting directly to Lucifer himself.

  “It’s really nice to meet you,” I manage to say.

  “It’s about time, wouldn’t you agree?” Asmodeus asks with a wry grin, resting his hands on my shoulders. It’s not quite a hug, but it’s more familiar than a handshake, and it really hits me then that I have another brother. “Mother sends her regrets, but she could not leave young Lena unprotected. Baal is with them, as well.”

  “I understand. I’m just glad they’re safe.” I offer him a hesitant smile. “When this is over, I hope we can all get to know each other better.”

  He nods, and then turns to Callan. “Lucifer apologizes for his absence, but he cannot get involved directly due to the Earth Accords. I hope my presence here as Lilith’s second-in-command suffices.”

  Callan holds his hand out. “Thank you for coming.”

  Asmodeus’s eyebrows raise ever so slightly. “The son of Michael, shaking my hand? If they manage to send us back to Hell, I’m sure I’ll find it frozen over.”

  Callan actually laughs at that. I like Asmodeus already.

  “What is the plan, if I may ask?” my demon brother asks.

  “The plan is to get the Staff from Azrael, and then Kassiel and I will destroy it together,” Callan says. “Everyone else will buy us time so we can accomplish that.”

  Easier said than done.

  As the sun crests the horizon, Araceli lands on the balcony, her face pale. “Azrael is here.” She sucks in a breath. “And he’s brought a lot of friends.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Olivia

  On the other side of the campus, dozens of angels fly over the trees in gold robes and masks. From the balcony we survey their numbers and I wonder how many of them once sat beside me in class or stood in line behind me in the cafeteria. Grace must be among them, along with Jeremy. There’s no sign of Azrael yet, but I know he’s coming for me.

  But the thing that turns my blood cold is the sight of people walking out of the trees. Tall, thin warriors emerge wearing shining bronze and silver armor with elaborate designs on them, along with pointed helmets that gleam under the sun. I don’t need to see their pointed ears or colorful hair to know they’re fae.

  “What are they doing here?” I ask.

  “I guess that’s why the High King said no,” Jonah mutters. “That dick.”

  “Why would he help Azrael?” Tanwen asks.

  “He must have decided Azrael was more likely to win this battle,” Eveanna says. “Mark my words, High King Oberon will turn on the angels next. He is no one’s ally but his own.”

  A burst of light slams into the gates of the academy. They’ll be inside soon.

  “Get into position,” Callan shouts. “You all know your orders. And remember what we’re fighting for—peace between angels and demons, like my father and Lucifer wanted!”

  A rousing cheer goes up, as everyone disperses. Asmodeus gives my arm a quick squeeze, and then he heads down the stairs to join the demons on the lawn. Eveanna goes with him. The rest of the angels launch off the balcony and into the air, filling the air with shining wings as the sun rises and turns the sky pink.

  I give Jonah and Araceli quick hugs, telling them both I love them, before they set off with Tanwen beside them. I hope they can protect each other.

  Soon the bell tower is empty except for me and my four men. I stand on the balcony, my hands resting on the metal railing, and face the dawn and what’s to come. On my right stand Callan and Marcus, and on my left, Kassiel and Bastien.

  “Are you sure about this plan?” Marcus asks.

  Callan nods, while surveying the battlefield. “We have to draw Azrael out. This is the best way.”

  I swallow hard and rest my hand on the hilt of the dark-infused dagger on my hip. I agree with him, but I’m also nervous about what’s to come.

  Because I’m the bait.

  The angels and fae get our gates and wards down in no time. Our people barely have time to get into position. The fae warriors march forward into the school, while the angels in gold masks fly toward our own forces. Soon the fae army hits the covered trenches Eveanna dug yesterday, using her Autumn Court magic. I wasn’t sure what good they would do when Azrael’s forces can fly, but Callan said we should prepare for anything. Guess he was right.

  The trenches slow some of the fae down, but the rest advance on us. We’re outnumbered, even with the help of the demons. The first angels reach us and their Erelim send out burning light across the sky, while our angels dodge and retaliate, and our Fallen block them with darkness. Ishim on both sides fight while invisible, while Ofanim use waves of truth to blink the fighters back into view. Down below, the fae throw out fire and ice, while the demons create illusions, shift into raging animals, or dominate the fae into fighting each other. Malakim grab anyone who falls to the ground inju
red or dead, to drag them away and heal them if possible.

  It’s total chaos, and I hate that all we can do is stand here and watch. I can tell my men are frustrated and antsy too. Callan grips the railing of the balcony so hard I’m worried he might break it, while his eyes scan the battle going on in front of us. Kassiel has his arms crossed as he stands beside me, his jaw clenched tight. Marcus wrings his hands and sighs anytime one of our people fall, probably wishing he could get out there to heal them. Bastien is like a statue beside me, his face cold and expressionless, but I see the turmoil in his eyes—he’s worried too.

  Our efforts aren’t enough. The Order and their allies are advancing on us, and as fast as we take one down, three more appear. If we don’t get the Staff soon, this battle will go down as a spectacular defeat. But where is Azrael?

  Then I see a huge bolt of light fanning out like a wave, knocking down demons in its wake, and I know he’s arrived. Azrael wields the Staff instead of his normal scythe, and with his white hair flying back, his black eyes gleaming, and his black-slashed white wings spread wide against the sun, he’s truly terrifying. He lets loose another huge blast of light from the Staff, but then someone blocks it. Someone wearing gleaming Valkyrie armor. Hilda.

  She and Tanwen, plus Rhiannon and some of the other Valkyries, hold back the light with their own Erelim powers, protecting the demons and other angels behind them. Hilda barks orders, and the few Valkyries fighting for us fan out in a group. It seems like they might actually be able to ward off the Staff’s power, but then Zadkiel and Grace move into position beside Azrael. Grace wields a huge sword pulsing with light so bright it’s impossible to look at.

  Callan leans forward with fury in his eyes. “That’s my father’s sword!”

  “How does Grace have it?” Marcus asks.