Winter's Fall

by Alessandra Jay

  “Hi, Evan!!” She says with the tightest hug she can give me. As I set her down, she places her miniature hand into my oversized one and leads me into the house. I notice that she looks a little taller and her curls have gotten longer.

  I feel a little saddened for Scarlet when I realize just how little time we have been able to spend here and how that is likely to continue into the near future. For a moment I wonder whether we could bring them to Eden, like my dad did with me when I was a child, as an exception to the adult-only rule. The second we enter the house, I see Violet jump off the stairs to run to her aunt. Instead of stopping, Layla continues to lead us outside to the patio, where her parents and grandpa await our arrival.

  “Mommy, they're here! They're here!” She squeals, as she excitedly jumps in place. Demi does her own shriek and races to her sister to embrace her tightly, while Rick and Silas make their way to me.

  “Evan.” Rick says, bringing me in for his own rough embrace.

  As everyone greets each other, we take a seat and start to get comfortable to spend quality time as a family. We stay there catching up about our mission’s success and Dimitri's progress when Derek’s phone begins ringing loudly.

  With a quick answer, he doesn't even reply to the person on the other end. We all silently watch him as he hangs up, again without saying a single word. Derek stands and clears his throat, then kneels by my chair.

  “That was the base. They have a report of demons in the park where the cave is. You all don't have to come, but I need to go check it out. Ava wants at least one of us in the field.” He says courageously.

  I realize how long it’s been since the base called me for a demon mission, and it stings. Hunting demons is what I do. I need to help him. Before I can tell him I'm going, too, Rick excitedly jumps out of his seat and hits Derek on the back harder than he thought.

  “Boys, let’s go hunt some demons.”

  Luke and I immediately stand up, ready to join Derek in the battle. Then Owen and Oliver stand, ready to assist. But Silas stays in his seat.

  “I'm good here.” He replies honestly. Rick chuckles and leads the way inside. The guys follow, but I stay back for a moment to speak to Scarlet.

  “We shouldn't be long. You'll be here, right? You're not going anywhere?” I suddenly began feeling slightly anxious about leaving Scarlet’s side. She gives me a smile and encourages me to go.

  “I’ll be fine, Evan. There are two Elders here and three Light Coven casters. I think it’s safe to say we’re not to be messed with. We’re all going to be here, pampering ourselves and gossiping. Would you feel better if I place an extra protection cast over the house?”

  She was expecting me to answer yes, but I don't. She’s right, they're safe. Plus, with so many guys going to hunt the demons, it shouldn't be long.

  “We’ll be back soon. I love you.”

  Before our hands disconnect, I place a soft kiss on her lips and, as I make my way outside, I begin to think about it more and conclude that an extra layer of protection can't hurt anyone. Quickly connecting my mind to Scarlet’s, before closing the front door behind me, I request for her to place the cast. For my own comfort, Rick doesn't drive off until we feel the cast is sealed. Making our way out of the neighborhood, Derek suspiciously shows his gratitude.

  “Can I just say how stoked I am that you’re all coming to help. When the base told me there is a maximum breach at the park, I didn't exactly know how I was going to pull it off alone. So thanks, guys.” He mutters this quickly, hoping we’re not paying too much attention to what he’s saying.

  “Maximum breach, dude?” Owen says, slightly annoyed that we are just now hearing about the amount of demons. Rick parks his truck at the entrance of the park and we all get out. As we face the park, a thick, heavy stench of rotting garbage wafts out from the center of the park.

  “Maximum breach it is.” Luke says sarcastically. Again I smile at his slight act of normalcy. He closes his eyes and I feel his power escape his body. With a snap of his fingers, his clothes change and his dagger appears in his hand. Like a wave, I feel everyone else's power as they get prepared to take on the demons.

  We begin to enter the park, but Rick holds his hand up to pause our movement. With a quick clap of his hands, his truck is now disguised as a police truck and there is caution tape to keep people from entering.

  “Okay, let’s go. Evan, Luke and I will take the west side. Derek, you can take the east with Owen and Oliver. We’ll meet in the middle and then switch up the groups to complete the hunt.” Without a word, we all agree and begin our walk into battle.

  We are silent as we walk through the too-quiet forest. We can hear every twig snap and leaf crunch as we walk, fully alert. The stench of sewage is severe and my eyes are beginning to water. I quickly feel for my power and cast stable, but unobtrusive, gas masks on our faces.

  With a simple nod from Rick and Luke, I know they felt the cast and it’s having its desired effect. Now that I’m getting clear air flow, it only takes me a second to realize what kind of demons we’re dealing with here. Hastily connecting my mind with all the guys, I relay a one-word message.

  “Kudu.”

  Those demons are from the seventh level of the inferno. They can camouflage very well but are slower in their attack. Their horns are long and thin, pointing out in a wave that helps steer them towards their prey. So quick shots to the skull are always efficient when hunting them.

  Lucas comes to the same conclusion as I do and mind speaks to the group entirely, “What do you boys say we switch over to a faster weapon, then.”

  Suddenly, my katanas disappear and a machine gun with a silencer at the end appears in my hands. Right on time, the first of many demons shows its gnarly face.

  “Where is the girl?” It gurgles out, surprising us completely. Demons usually don’t speak, they are focused on attacking and killing. But it seems they have been doing it more often now.

  We all know he is talking about Scarlet and it triggers Rick and I to go into protective mode, and all we see is red from the anger filling our bodies. At the same moment, we both pull the trigger on our weapons. The Kudu demon falls to his knees with one bullet directly in his forehead, right between the eyes, and another right in his heart. As he falls face forward, another demon steps out of the thick forest.

  “Give us the Nephilim and we won’t attack.” The words slosh out of its foaming mouth. Again, Rick has heard enough, firing another silent bullet into the demon’s skull.

  “Since when do demons bargain?” He says, temper rising.

  “They're not here to fight. They just want Scar.” I replied gravely. Rick casts his gas mask away and loudly growls, howling out his answer.

  “NO. YOU WILL NEVER GET MY DAUGHTER!” He yells it into the air, knowing all of the demons heard him.With another cast, his mask returns on his face as five Kudu beasts slither out from behind the trees. The demon in the center of the group raises its blistered hands in surrender.

  “We only wish to speak with her, caster.” It says menacingly.

  Rick lunges forward, towards all five of them, shouting and aiming his gun to the monster who was speaking. His bullet goes directly through its forehead, causing the other four demons to become distracted.

  Enough time for Rick to turn his rifle and use its end to smash into the closest demon’s nose. It falls down in pain as Rick spins his gun back around to shoot it in the head. Without a moment’s hesitation, Rick has bullets in the skulls of the other three demons.

  Their bodies disappear into muck in the forest ground beneath our feet. Another demon runs out from behind an oak tree directly at Rick, but Lucas is too fast. The demon takes only three steps before there is a hole in his head from the bullet. We hear rustling all around us and join our backs together as we watch hundreds of demons coming out from the shadows of the trees.

  As I do a complete turn to assess the damage, I notice that in the midst of demons someone is standing there trying to
hide behind a tree. I take a step towards the hidden figure, but it disappears into the chaos of demons that are coming our way. It could just be one of the Dark Coven’s lackeys, but it also could have been someone else entirely. It almost distracts me until Rick’s voice sounds in my mind.

  “It’s going to be a long day, fellas. I'm already at seven kills. If you boys beat my number today, I’ll agree to train at the Village.” Rick says this to us and it catches me completely off guard.

  This is now a challenge that I am certainly going to take him up on and will dominate this battle because I want him at the Village. Rick can see the focus in my eyes and laughs just before running directly into a crowd of waiting kudus. As I watch him annihilate demon after demon, I realize his number is now growing.

  I must come out on top. Luke gives me an encouraging nod and we both run in opposite directions to begin racking up our kill numbers. This is one challenge I know we’re going to meet head on.

  ***

  The stars in the night sky shine brightly on the six of us as we numbly walk out of the dark forest held within the park. My legs feel like jelly and the thought of my bed is making me slightly more eager to get home. Towards the end of the battle we switched back to our preferred weapons.

  The black blood drips off of the point of my katanas as we begin casting them clean and back to our chests in the nether. Derek's phone rings and he puts it on speaker as we make our way into Rick’s truck.

  “Well done, casters!” Ava yells enthusiastically.

  “They wanted Scarlet. They were trying to bargain with us, Ava. Nothing I have ever seen before.” Rick relays, voice panting, as he is still trying to catch his breath.

  “Someone really powerful must be searching for her. Have you sighted any Fallen? Our radar has recorded one trailing you the entire battle.” I lay my head back as Derek answers.

  “No. Only the demons were present.” I didn’t mention the figure I saw because now that I know it was a Fallen, it must have just been there to report to the Dark Coven or to whoever summoned the demons.

  “Just keep a lookout. There is something odd about these readings. Extraordinary job tonight, boys. I request you all to come visit Eden tomorrow to discuss a few things. Go put your feet up and relax. You all deserve it.” The moment she hangs up, Luke surprisingly speaks up.

  “I could use a drink right about now.” He says from the passenger’s seat. Derek and I look at each other in surprise. Before we can answer him, Rick slams his hand down on his knee, answering him for us.

  “Now THAT is a plan I am always up for. Why don't we head to the Village for that drink, that way you can show me where I'm going to be holding the trainings.” With a smug smile I nod my agreement.

  “I’ll let the girls know to meet us over there when they're done.”

  Taking out my phone I send a message to Scarlet, “Love, we just defeated the demons and are exhausted. Luke wants to grab a drink, so we’re all going to the Village. Meet us there after you're ready. Can’t wait to see you.”

  After the message is sent, I glance at Luke and realize it looks like he has broken through the wall of grief. I can see the light in his eyes again. If I only knew a demon mission would bring him out of his funk, I would have gone on one with him a while ago.

  Chapter 11

  The Caster’s Council

  Scarlet

  Pulling over to parallel park in front of the Village, the girls and I jump out of both cars, refreshed and relaxed. As we walk through the golden rimmed glass doors, the woman behind the large desk scurries out and hurries towards us. With a nervous smile she waits for me to hand her the keys and dashes to a door behind the desk.

  Seconds later, two male casters with gold jackets march out to park the cars into the garage. Numbly, I follow behind the group of women to the elevators. The caster spa day we had at Demi’s ironically tired us out just as much as demon training would have.

  I just want to go to bed now that all of my muscles are completely unknotted. We all quietly ride the elevator high to the upper floors of the building and all I can do is stare out at the beautiful night sky.

  The bell dings and the doors open for Chloe, Victoria, and Hunter to get out, who all lazily say their good nights. Hunter chose to have a little sleep over with them. With a lax chuckle, Mack throws her arm around my shoulder and pulls me in to her side.

  “Today was just amazin.’ Thank you, Scar. I really needed that.”

  I rest my head on hers as we wait for the doors to open on our floor. As we near it, I feel sparks ignite at the top of my spine and crawl down to my toes, causing goosebumps to show all over my arms. Taking a deep and satisfying breath, the bell finally dings.

  What is waiting for us when the doors do open is not anything close to what we would ever expect to see. Evan, Lucas, and Derek are all sloppily slouched down on the floor with their backs leaned up against the door to Evan’s suite. As we step out of the elevator, there is a long pause of silence. Mack and I look at the guys, then at each other, then back at the very intoxicated casters.

  “Well, well, well. What are we stumblin’ upon here, Scarlet?” She crosses her arms and sports a mocking smirk on her face. So I decide to follow her lead.

  “You know, I'm not so sure, Mackenzie. Why don't we ask one of these upstanding young men whatever could’ve happened here to get them in such a state.” I say this as cynical as I can, but it only causes all three guys to burst out laughing.

  “We can’t get the key in the door.” Evan slurs aimlessly. And now it’s our turn to laugh at their predicament.

  “And none of y’all thought to cast the door open?” Mack says between cackles.

  She enthusiastically reaches for her phone to get a picture of our demon hunters slumped on the floor. Annoyed, Derek frantically attempts to get up from his position and grabs the keys out of Evan’s hands.

  “I got this.” But as we watch him truly struggle, the laughter subsides and we realize just how trashed they really are.

  “No, I got this.” I tell them, feeling for my power and casting them all to their beds. The now-silent hallway appears to be oddly louder now than it was a moment ago.

  “Well, that was entertainin.’ I’ll see you tomorrow. Love ya.” Mack disappears behind her door and I eagerly walk through Evan’s. Rushing to get to his room, I release a sigh of relief. Evan is in bed, but he’s not asleep yet. I missed him.

  With a snap of my fingers, I'm in my pajamas and my teeth are cleaned. Evan groggily leans up on his elbows and beckons me into bed with him.

  “Get over here, my powerful Elder Angel Warrior.” He teases. I can’t help but laugh at how cute he is in this drunken state. I just hope I can get enough coherent information about the demon mission for me to piece everything together because we only received word from Ava stating that they succeeded in defending the park. There just wasn’t enough details. Sliding into his bed, I scoot over until I'm lying on his chest.

  “Evan, what happened out there?” I ask quickly in case sleep takes him. I'm certain if he wasn't intoxicated, this conversation would be a lot more serious, but he snickers instead.

  “Oh man, Love. It was insanity!! There were hundreds of kudus and we annihilated them. And I beat your dad’s kill count by only two! Could you believe that? Then Luke finally showed signs of his old self. Today was great.”

  He says it like he’s explaining his favorite movie, and all I can do is lay there and smile along. I decide not to pry for more information until tomorrow and snuggle deeper into his body. Listening to his rhythmic breathing and feeling his steady heartbeat is the last thing I remember before letting sleep take me.

  Fresh air blows on my face as the sun shines its bright light on my skin, causing me to wake up, happily. Stretching, my eyes blink open. It only takes a moment for me to realize I am not in Evan’s bed, like I was last night, and it is indeed the morning.

  I stumble backwards as I notice I'm on the roof of a very tall
and rundown building. I try to catch myself on a metal beam, but my hand vanishes through it. Instead, I fall on my butt. Looking around numb and confused, I get back up on my feet. Before I can freak out about the fact that I'm dream walking, a loud voice sounds through the air and I unwillingly run to the edge to find the source of the voice.

  Across the street is the Village and down the street is a group of casters getting into two cars. I hear the loud voice again and my eyes follow the familiar sound. I find Mack instantly in the same outfit she wore yesterday. Behind her is me.

  Again my body moves on its own and pulls a pair of binoculars out of the backpack placed on the floor. My hands fly up to my eyes with the binoculars and I zoom in on the scene displayed before me. I see Evan getting into the car after me. I can hear Mack shouting about how much she needs this day. But yesterday was our spa day.

  Confused, I continue to watch the events from yesterday repeat itself moment by moment before me. But through whose eyes am I witnessing this? Who was watching us? The cars pull out onto the street and all I can do is observe what’s going on through someone else's eyes.

  The car blinker signals the turn we’re going to make and the body I'm occupying at the moment backs up to the edge of the roof. With a running start, I squeeze my eyes closed as the body runs and jumps off. The sound of thick flapping wings beats heavily in the air and I pry one eye open to sneak a peek.

  An angel! And it’s flying! I can’t find the courage to fully open my eyes and I'm thrilled when the angel gets to the destination we’re heading to in record time.

  Only, instead of Demi’s house, the angel was hiding out in the house next door. The angel begins setting up spy equipment. I still don't know whose body I'm in or why I'm dream walking yesterday’s events, but I am thankful when the angel is about to look into the mirror so I can find out who he or she is.

  The angel gets distracted when the owner of the house opens the door to the dim room in the attic and freezes when she sees the angel. The angel also freezes as they look into each other’s eyes. The mortal attempts to catch her breath, but the shade of her skin is getting paler and paler. The angel speeds past the mirror straight to the mortal to catch her before she hits the ground from shock.