AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Too many for me to count,” Zissa says as she wipes away the blood that’s dripping into her eyes.
“Tell me what you know,” Lucifer demands.
“As I was coming up, I heard them behind me, running. I got through the ward and pulled on the defensive measures you showed me, Astaroth. That’s when I saw some break away and start to circle the gate. I made it inside the door right as a Demon got to me. I fought him off, Asa. He was just a kid, and I killed him.” She swallows heavily and shakes her head, clearing it. “So they are getting through the ward, I just don’t know where or how many can cross at a time.” She shakes her head in shock as tears start to build in her eyes.
“Zissa, concentrate. This is not the time for tears. The Demons you could see, did they have any marks? Colors that looked familiar?” Murmur asks as he starts to pace back and forth.
I’m not the one being questioned, but my heart is pounding out of my chest, and I can’t tear my eyes off of Zissa.
She shakes her head back and forth until she freezes and her eyes go wider than I thought possible. “The Demon that almost came in with me, the kid. He was wearing a medallion around his neck. Asmodeus’.”
A Demon runs into the Parlor and skids to a halt. “Master. We have Demon’s trying to break into the throne room.”
“FUCK!” Lucifer yells and turns toward me, his eyes wild with flames. He strides toward me, and I find myself backing up as fast as possible, but there’s nowhere to go.
“Take this and the book,” Lucifer demands and hands me the map and the small white book I found yesterday. “Take the tunnel and get to the Trail of Worth. Open that Portal so we can pull in the Council and get some help.”
He turns to JP, quickly pulling him into a hug and whispers something to him. “Moni, show everyone how to get there. Stop by your rooms and get whatever materials you may need—the bags Lilith made, clothes, food—but make it quick. Love you, my little warrior,” he says, giving her a hug and kissing her on her forehead.
“You heard Dad!” Moni yells. “Everyone grab your shit and meet in our hallway in five. We need to roll out.”
I don’t wait for anyone, I book it down the hall and back to my room, where I quickly grab the bag Lilith gave me yesterday and throw in the book Lucifer just handed me. Thankfully it’s already stocked with the vials she gave me and the cheat sheet. Next, I go to the closet and think of extra clothes, underwear especially after remembering what Moni pointed out yesterday, portable stuff for Reaper—who hopefully is still with Zeke—lighters, blankets, pillows, and anything I can shove into my endless bag of crap. Once I jam all of that into my bag, I run out of my room and back to the kitchen. Halfway there, the building gets rocked hard, and I fall to the floor. As I try to pick myself up, hands grasp me under the armpits and pull me to my feet.
Looking back, I give Bez my thanks as he smiles down at me. Movement to my right has me whipping my glaive up and out like muscle memory from practice with Astaroth. The clang from meeting the knife jars me, but Bez’s beefy hand engulfs the tiny Demon’s face and fire bursts from his palm. The Demon's scream is quickly cut off when I slice his throat.
I can’t stand watching him burn to death in front of me.
I look up at Bez just as the realization comes to me that I intentionally killed someone. It wasn’t an accident. I truly killed someone. By. My. Hand.
“You saved him from a more gruesome death that I would have given him. You are a true warrior. I am proud. Now go.” I can’t help but look at the gentle mass murderer in a different light. I don’t know when it happened, but this group of Demons have become somewhat like father figures to me. Bez isn’t the type to hug, and I give him a slight smile and a nod.
I don’t think; I just run to the kitchen, where I find Reaper with everyone else as they are packing drinks, snacks, and whatever they can into their packs.
“Is everyone here?” I ask as I raid the second fridge and grab the leftover meat for Reaper.
“I think so,” Zeke calls back. “Moni is in the back of the pantry throwing down the dry goods.”
“Smart thinking,” Ryker calls out.
“See, I’m good for something,” Moni calls out, and I wholeheartedly agree. If someone ever said something different to her, I would slice their neck without a second thought, like I did to the Demon in the hall… Well maybe a second thought, but she’d be worth it to me.
Once everyone is packed, I quickly count and double check everyone is here before we race for our hallway once again.
“Wait,” I yell, stopping the group. “Where is Zissa?”
“She’s staying behind to help L.A.M.B. with their defenses. She’s being groomed for the job, so she’s the best to help with it,” Ryker announces.
Well shit. That’s great and all, but I was hoping she was going to come help us.
“Let’s go!” Moni yells.
Did I ever tell you I’m not made for fucking sports? This type of exercise is not for me.
Moni takes the lead, and we go down a hall I’ve never been down, which takes us to a dead end.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I screech like a damn banshee from Hell.
Moni just smirks at me over her shoulder and presses her hand against the wall. A click sounds and a door swings open.
