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My feathers itched to spread as I searched for a perfect place to land undetected. “You all stay here. Tank, Otis, and I will go down and look for my mother and sister. After they’re safe, we free the slaves and blow up this mountain. Sound like a plan?”
Gorgo, Asher, and Sam nodded.
The three of us shuffled our way on a narrow ledge with just enough space for our feet. Loose dirt and pebbles rained with each step. When I reached a place the soldiers wouldn't spot us, I took a deep breath and leaped off.
My stomach dropped and the rush of air sent a jolt of adrenaline as I plummeted. Finally, I landed in a thump, crouching on the first level, Otis and Tank beside me.
“Careful.” I pointed at the thick lava sizzling and streaming downward into a narrow stream just as hot and boiling.
What on earth was Asmodeus up to?
Tank yanked me against the wall, deeper into the darkness just as ten guards from the level above passed by with spears, ushering the slaves into large cages. Men, women, and children were separated.
A young girl with dark hair like Abagail peered down toward our direction. My heart skipped a beat. Could she be my sister?
When she turned, revealing a rounder face, disappointment washed over me. But she kept glancing our way as if she felt our presence.
“What are you looking at?” The guard who unlocked the padlock to the door snapped at her. “Get inside.”
The rest of the women filed in, then guards took the men and children to their sections.
Just as I wondered how the prisoners would escape once we freed them, Otis began to ascend on a dirt-packed slope that led to the next level and then the levels above, all the way up to where Gorgo, Asher, and Sam were descending. There were more of these inclines around the cavern.
Gorgo gave me a thumbs-up and I gave him the same gesture.
I rounded the corner of the second level when the coast was clear, the sound of whips cracking and rocks tumbling into the large wooden crates giving me cover to talk.
“Tank. Otis. Go free the men and children. I’ll create a distraction after I find my mother and sister.”
I crept forward, my fingers grazing the rocky wall. Women cowering in the cage watched me silently, their eyes wide with fear. I lifted my finger to signal for quiet as I yanked off the padlock with ease, then I uncoiled the heavy chain wrapped around the door, fighting against its rusted links until it gave way.
The door creaked open, and a gasp of surprise escaped from the women. I slowly raised my hands above my head, and the torchlight illuminated my face in an eerie orange glow and cast a menacing silhouette of my body on the wall. They backed away, afraid of me. I had to fix this.
“I’ve come in peace.” That was stupid. Good one, Michael. “I’m …” What do I say? I hadn’t thought things through. “Please, everyone, follow me if you want to get out of here. I have other …” I couldn’t say demons. “Angels. They’re here to help you.”
No one moved. In fact, they retreated even farther.
“Michael?” A slim, tall woman came forth from out of the darkness.
My heart dropped but my lips tugged into a broad grin. Abagail came closer. Her face and waist slimmer, her eyes sunken with dark circles. She ran a hand over her disheveled braided hair, the other hand clenching her dress as her body trembled and her eyes brimmed with tears.
“Oh, Michael.” She ran and jumped into my arms.
Her cold body shivered in my embrace. We didn’t have time to chat. I pulled her back and cupped her face. I needed to see her in the light, to make sure she was all right.
“Abagail. We can talk later. We need to get everyone out, now. Where’s Mother?” I glanced over her at the women inching closer toward us.
Tears streamed down Abagail’s face as she shook her head. My heart and soul shattered, breaking into a thousand pieces as my sister sobbed harder. The earth tilted and my head spun with news I had not prepared for.
I was too late. Mother’s death was my fault because of who I am, and I would never forgive myself.
The women gathered even closer, waiting for my direction. Before we could leave, I needed more answers.
“How did it happen?” I grabbed Abagail’s arms, forcing her to meet my gaze. Never mind, she could tell me later. “Where’s her body?”
Abagail swallowed hard, her clasped hands shaking. “The guards tossed her into the fire. That’s where all the dead bodies go.”
Into the fire. Rage seared through my veins, my wings shuddering. My mother was thrown away like she was nothing. I had to calm down and lock away this notion for now. I had a bigger problem to deal with.
