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Storm stands beside him and whispers, “What is it?” His quiet voice sneaks to my ears, and it almost sounds like it swirls through my head.
He cocks his head, trying to get a better listen. “I thought I heard something.”
A guttural growl. I hear it now, too.
Damien knocks me out of the way as a demon launches toward me, its hellish form kicking on my instincts to fight. How did I miss the signs? Why wasn’t his presence prominent?
The room rises in temperature as demons flood into the small space, all fangs and horns, fire, and a hunger for blood. There are far too many too fast that they circle us, trying to cage us in. They were waiting.
“Back-to-back!” Storm yells. He chants a holy incantation, setting a circle of fire across the floor. The demons wretch in pain, dropping like weak little bastards, and he cuts both of their heads off.
Damien proves his allegiance to me, showing off his strength and power as he swings his sword. He quickly vanquishes three demons. I concentrate on summoning my heavenly sword, hoping with it comes my light.
It doesn’t come, but it doesn’t stop me. I’m trained to fight against evil. I know a demon’s weakness lies in their black hearts, tethered to Hell while on this plane. I spin, sweeping my leg to knock a demon onto its back. I slam my sword down, engulfing it in flames.
Another growl rumbles through the air, and a monstrous demon bounds toward River as he twists his dagger into a fiery demon. He can’t pull his weapon free fast enough, leaving himself open. I launch across the room, flapping my broken wings despite the pain to propel me faster, and I swing my sword, intervening. He stares at me in amazement, his mouth open in surprise.
“Riella, watch out! Two coming at six and three.” River regains focus and begins an incantation.
I don’t give him the chance to vanquish the evil beasts and swipe my sword through both demons’ necks, severing their heads before taking their hearts.
Storm whacks River on the shoulder, throwing his bloody hands up. I can’t tell if he’s angry with his brother that I intervened or if he couldn’t focus to fight for himself.
River shakes his head, ignoring him and looking around. “I think that’s all of them. We had to have been set up.” Turning to Storm, he asks, “What the hell happened? You said this place was safe. Are you sure it was from your vision?”
He runs his fingers through his bloody hair. “Yeah, man. This is the right place. I don’t know what happened. All I know is what my vision showed me. Except...”
Losing my patience, I ask, “Except what, Storm?” I need answers now. If this was some sort of setup, we could still be in danger.
He thins his lips. “Well, it’s just that I’ve never had a vision like that before. It didn’t feel like what my visions normally feel like.”
Damien stomps through demon guts, checking to make sure none will rise again.
I continue to peer around, thinking about his words and how his connection to the divine works. He would get glimpses of his path and purpose, but what he describes now doesn’t sound like a vision from a prophet.
I get in front of Storm and glance toward River once before holding Storm’s stare. It’s important to acknowledge both of them. “In rare instances, visions can be forced. It’s not a common practice because it weakens the being doing it almost to the point of death.”
River lifts an eyebrow. “So, you’re telling me we were led here? But why?”
I don’t get a chance to respond. Movement draws our attention toward the massacre, and I grip my sword tighter. The inky darkness of Hell flickers a few feet away as one of the demons writhes on the floor, managing to grip tightly to the mortal plane, piecing his disgusting form back together. Growling, Damien steps forward. I tense beside the Nephilim brothers, an audible gasp escaping my lips. I follow Storm’s line of sight, realizing what triggers the consuming emotions.
The demon isn’t the only one alive. My stomach twists at the sight of a woman moving near his humanoid feet. Oh, Heaven. No.
Rushing forward, River charges past me and Damien. His wild eyes sweep the room, his focus stealing his care and turning him reckless.
“Kayla! Fuck, get the demon. He can’t get to her!” Storm snatches the back of his shirt, stopping him. “River, stop. He’ll kill you. I saw it.”
“Not every vision is set in stone.” He jerks away, straightening his back to face the demon.
All it took was the few seconds of their distraction for the demon to grab the mortal, Kayla, from the floor. He leers as he holds a blade to her throat, turning his gaze to me. His fiery eyes slice through me. I can’t get my feet to move to help.
River holds up his hand. “Wait! You don’t want her. She’s not blessed. Take me.”
His concern for the mortal gives me what I need to assess the situation. If I can get close enough, I can fight him.
The demon doesn’t respond to him or move. I can’t launch at him fast enough, my feet slipping on the blood.
“You will bow to your master,” he says, snarling. “Come forth, My Prince. Accept this sacrifice.” Slicing a small cut across Kayla’s neck, he mutters something in Hell-tongues. My vision shadows and the floor beneath my feet rumbles.
