by P. C. Benson
I reinforced Alec’s shield as Lilly’s piercing scream echoed around the courtyard. Everyone stopped and ducked as Lilly let out her dark tendrils of energy. I countered her blast and moved closer. She was still screaming—her eyes were wild. She kept searching for Alec.
“You will not touch him. You will not hurt another innocent again, Lilly.” She let out another ear-piercing shriek and blasted everyone. I hit her with my raw healing energy, and her dark tendrils disappeared. She fought against it, but slowly, the dark energy receded from her body just like it had in her room. She gasped for air and then crumpled to the ground, her heart stuttering when all that was left was a sliver of darkness. I hesitated then, my tears started pouring, and I looked around at the devastation she had caused. I paused and kept a tight hold of her flickering dark sliver of energy.
Ti and Vik had taken care of the remaining handful of soldiers around them. Alec’s eyes flicked towards me, and I felt him pull energy from me, split his lightning sword in two, and slash at the two brothers in a graceful dance. They could only deflect his blows, and soon, their shield flickered, and Paul could only use his elemental powers to shield them since their energy was waning and could no longer protect them from mortal blows. Allen’s fire flickered, and Alec leaped up in the air, slashed, twisted, and jabbed his sword, which sizzled with electrical power and flared with fire. When he landed, the two brothers stood frozen in place, looking down on their chests as crimson slowly saturated their shirts. Their eyes rolled back, and their bodies toppled to the ground.
There was a moment of silence as everyone was mesmerized at Alec’s jaw-dropping move. After a moment, the other Fallen started fleeing, and my gaze flicked over to Lilly. She was weak but still alive. I looked around and saw a woman and a child, crumpled on the ground next to a tree, wearing their Sunday best, and my chest tightened, and a sob escaped me.
“I’m sorry, Lilly, I can’t allow you to hurt anyone again,” I whispered. I closed my eyes and pulled at the last of her dark energy. I watched as her eyes opened up to the heavens, her chest rose one last time, and as if in slow motion, the last of her breath escaped her, and she no longer moved.
My legs buckled to the ground, and I heaved in my breath. Alec was there to catch me. I allowed myself to cry until my chest could no longer take it, and then I scrambled to get up and made my way to my sister. I swallowed a sob when I saw her big blue eyes gazing up at the sky.
I took her head, laid it on my lap, and pulled her to my chest as another round of painful sobs racked my body. It was like I had lost a part of me. “I’m so sorry, Lilly. I am so, so, sorry.” I rocked her body like I had when we were children, Alec’s arms around me the whole time.
I finally looked up and was surprised to see Vik, Ti, Celeste, Daemon, and even Mr. St Clair seated on the ground in a circle around me.
“Thank you for staying with me.”
“Did you want to bury the body?” Ti asked.
“We will do what you want, Gab,” Vik said.
My brow furrowed. I hadn’t thought about it. I looked at Alec for guidance.
“Do what feels right, Gabrielle. No one will judge you. She was your sister. No one else can tell you how to grieve.” My heart soared for Alec at that moment—he really was too good for me.
“I would like to bury her next to my parents,” I whispered.
“I will make the arrangements, my dear.” Mr. St Clair followed.
Alec pulled me up, Daemon patted my shoulder, and Celeste hugged me. “We are here for you if you need to talk.”
I squeezed her tight and pulled away. I gazed at Lilly’s body lying on the ground, and the only thing I had left was anger.
“Abaddon will pay for what he took from me.” My fists balled at my sides.
“We will get him, I promise,” Alec said and kissed the side of my head. “Are you ready to head back?”
I glanced at Lilly one last time and let go of my past. She was the only thing left from my human past. There was no longer a reason to look back. I only had one purpose. I’d been created for one reason—to defeat the Fallen. I would not stop until every last one of them was gone.
Fifteen
Epilogue
It had been a month since we buried Lilly.
The Fallen had been unusually quiet, their ranks severely depleted. Lilly and the Brotherhood were gone, and Abaddon had lost Miriam’s soul.
Daemon was on our side.
The Nephilim were rejoicing, thinking they had won the battle, but I knew that wasn’t the last time we’d hear from Abaddon.
Mr. St Clair had set Miriam’s soul free, and in a decade or two, they would once more be reunited. Alec had been worried that I’d have another breakdown, and he had been tiptoeing around me for several weeks now. I had been unusually quiet, but not because of Lilly. I had accepted her loss.
I had been preoccupied and uneasy at the fact that Abaddon could take down everyone’s shield, including mine. He’d even passed down this knowledge to Lilly. I hadn’t mentioned this to anyone because I didn’t want to cause panic, but I’d once asked the room if it was possible, and they’d dismissed it.
Only Alec was aware. However, he hadn’t been as obsessed about it as I was. How could I possibly defeat Abaddon if he had a better understanding of energy than I did?
It was time for me to visit our sister Nephilim around the world so I could uncover Abaddon’s secret.
We also needed allies for when Abaddon decided to bring the final war to the Nephilim, because this time, he wouldn’t hold back.
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About the Author
P.C. Benson Californian at heart, she is currently living in the suburbs of the Rocky Mountain of Colorado with her husband, son, a cat and a dog. Her daughter is about an hour away in college.
She is an avid reader. When in a book slump, she comes up with her own stories in her head. She hopes you enjoy her stories as much as she does—they keep her company in-between her next favorite series.
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Also by PC Benson
Other Books
Fortis Novelette Tatia and Viktor’s Story
Click the link to get your copy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZZJ39KY
At the prime age of twenty-one, I had only kissed one man—that was seven years ago—another life, a life full of pain and sorrows. One I tried to forget. I turned my back on my birthright despite my parent’s last wishes.
Now, I must return to my childhood home, but I am afraid to face the horrors long forgotten. My past was behind me. However, I also wonder if my future awaits me—the barbaric man who kissed me—one who left his imprint in my soul from just one kiss.
Fortis Novelette (15k words) of Tatia and Viktor’s Story
This can be read as a standalone; the story takes place long before the Fortis series. However, if you are not familiar with Nephilims and Fallen, you can either read Fortis first or read the Author’s note.
It ends in a HEA
Warning: Adult scenes included
☈ ☇ ☈
Vis Nephilim’s Savior Book Two
Click the link to get your copy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XHNLB79
How does one go on when they had lost everything?
I had protected and cared for Lilly since our parents died. It had always been the two of us. We did everything together. We were best friends—us against the world.
They had taken her from me and I will sacrifice everything to get my sister back—including my mate.
Lilly had embraced the darkness. How can I save her without turning dark myself? What if there was nothing left to save?
Vis is Book 2 of Nephilim’s Savior trilo
gy
New Adult/Paranormal Romance/ Dark Romance.
Approximately 66k words full novel
Trigger warning. Also, contain violence, foul language, and adult scenes; any adult scenes are consensual.