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“I need a moment to clear my head.” I step away from Damien, River, and Storm, crossing my arms over my chest. “Something is off, and I need to pray about it.”
Storm doesn’t let me get more than a few feet away before he reaches out his hand and gently grasps my elbow. “We can pray together. Your presence seems to trigger my visions. Maybe I can find the direction for us.”
I thin my lips but don’t move from my spot. “Are you sure? You didn’t seem like you wanted to before until you were certain I’d pass your tests.” Because I’m certain that’s what all of this is. He thought I was a demon when we met, and even now, his brother doesn’t make things easy.
Storm sighs and tips his head toward the ground. “The tests aren’t for you. They’re for me. For my brother. I don’t think you understand how miraculous this all is. We’ve been fighting demons for years. You appeared like our saving grace, and what I do now feels like a test of my worth. If that makes sense.”
I’m not so sure it does. Why would he feel as if I’m a test? “The Divine doesn’t test hum—”
A high-pitched scream rips through the air, and the ground quakes, startling me.
Storm’s eyes widen as we peer at the house.
“Shit. You hear that?” River asks, rushing to the door.
Storm chases after his brother, attempting to get to him first. I can’t let them go in without me, so I charge forward, preparing for the worst.
I don’t have to see anything to know something dark lies inside.
I steel myself for destruction.
For darkness.
Wielding my sword, I prepare for battle.
This isn’t a test. This is so very real.
My intuition screams to get ready to fight.
12
Sacrifice
Riella
StormcrashesintoRiver’sback, not realizing he stops in place. “Fuck.”
“Damn,” Damien says, trying to block me from entering behind him. Annoyance rushes through me. The three of them treat me as if because I’m fallen that I’m somehow broken, and it irks me.
I shove past all of them, splashing through a cool, sticky liquid.
I glance down at the pooling blood. I never expected so much of it. Gasping, I release a whimper of a cry. I hate how my voice trembles, but my emotions get the best of me. These are the type of horrors I had imagined Hell inflicting on humanity. I should be more prepared. I should’ve expected this. But seeing the blood and bodies? My being weeps in agony.
I curl my fingers toward my palms, suppressing the wild emotions inside me. I can’t break down when humanity needs me. “We have to help them. I think I can access my grace with your help.” I turn my gaze to River and Storm. I know we all found each other for a reason. Maybe this was it. I glance at Damien, and add, “Check to make sure the place is clear.”
River braves closing the space to me, his hand flying out and locking around my wrist. “Wait. Don’t touch anyone. This is a summoning sacrifice. It could mess with you as a fallen.”
“Then you do it. I can sense your healing energy,” I snap at him, yanking my arm away. Like his brother, I can sense his gift. Heavenly grace flows through his veins, the stinging light radiating from his palms the sign confirming he can quicken the healing process.
He frowns, his brows lowering over his green eyes. Without having to ask, I know he questions how I know. Unlike Storm, he’s far more guarded. “If you know what I’m capable of, then you know my healing powers don’t work on the dead.”
“What are you useful for then?” I flare my nostrils, taking another step forward. I don’t mean to snap, but he doesn’t even try. He gave up the second he stepped into the building.
“She makes a point, Lake.” Damien shadows my every move, remaining glued to my side.
Clenching his fingers into fists, he looks ready to stab his dagger at Damien.
A faint noise draws his attention, sounding from the hallway. Maybe the basement. He holds his finger over his mouth to silence us.
