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“You did. You tricked me. You told me—”
“I told you I would surrender to you with no resistance once you saved Dylan. I still stand by that promise,” he said quietly.
“But you... you have fallen. That means...”
Ade sighed. “That technically you have no jurisdiction over us, but we will still come with you because I swore we would.”
Sariel shook her head in disbelief. “You fell to be with this woman, and now you will walk away from her even though a technicality would allow you to turn your back on Heaven and walk free? I don’t understand, Adamachus.”
Ade stepped forward, turned, and smiled at me. It was a sad smile, and I ached to slip my arms around him and hold him tight so he couldn’t go anywhere. He turned back to Sariel.
“I already told you I love Dylan with all my heart, and the others will tell you the same, but we did not fall for her. We fell because we could no longer morally support Gabriel’s orders. You need to know that. We had no intention of giving up the fight, and we planned to continue to actively protect humanity by any means. We do not turn our backs on Heaven, merely on a commander that is no longer the being he was. We surrender to you freely, Sariel.”
No,” I protested, catching his arm. “You promised me. You promised me you’d be with me. All of you. I need you.” I sounded like a child, but I didn’t care. They were the first happiness I’d had in so long, and I couldn’t bear to think about any kind of a life without them.
Ade pulled me into his arms and held me against his chest as tears ran down my face. “You don’t need us anymore, Dylan. You’re strong and capable all by yourself. You proved that tonight. You’re free.”
“He’s right,” Eleth said. “We love you, but we’ll be happy knowing you’re safe and free to lead your own life, Dylan.”
I looked from him to Sariel in desperation. She looked back, not at the men, but at me, with a strange, calculating look on her face. Then, without warning, she turned and gestured to one of the warriors. “Lead the others back to the main host. Go through the trees in case there are more hellions. Find Taleth, and tell him we shall be taking the deserters back with us.”
I sagged against Ade as the warriors turned and disappeared into the woods.
Sariel turned back once they were out of sight. “Grab the bodies. Help me.”
“I’m sorry?” Ade questioned.
“Now, Adamachus. You and mountain man, grab the bodies and get them into the farmhouse.” She looked at me. “If you have anything in there that means something to you, get it now.”
I shook my head, puzzled. “No, nothing. Oh, wait,” I looked over at Eleth. “Your swords. They’re in my father’s room. Upstairs and to the right.”
Eleth nodded and disappeared into the house. He returned a few moments later, with the bundle of swords my father had taken from them only several days earlier.
Sariel bent to pick up the body of one of the creatures. Ade and Remiel bent to help her, and they carried the bodies into the house.
“The man as well,” she said, gasping for breath, and they staggered under the heavy load.
The others followed her command, and I watched in confusion as they piled the corpses inside the house. Once everyone was back outside, she drew her sword. My mouth fell open as it burst into beautiful but eerie white flames. She held it through an open window, and the curtains immediately ignited. Stepping back, she moved around the outside of the house. The flames seemed to catch more easily than normal fire because everything she touched instantly burned. Within several minutes, the house was ablaze. Sariel sheathed her sword and turned to Ade.
“Take the truck to town. You’ll need to call a fire crew, and Jophiel and your woman will need to get to a hospital.”
“What?” Ade stared down at her.
She sighed. “I made a rookie mistake, Adamachus.”
“And what was that?” Eleth asked.
“I sent my men away before I ensured the surrounding area was clear of hellions,” she answered, smiling for the first time. “We were attacked and overrun in a short space of time. We managed to get into the house, but they followed us. I was only able to destroy them all by setting the place on fire and getting out through a window. Sadly, you all perished in the flames along with the owner of the farm. Thankfully, I managed to get his daughter out alive.”
Ade gaped at her, but I looked around and saw Jophiel break into a hesitant grin. “Are you... saying what I think you’re saying?”
Sariel ignored him and turned to me. “I understand that as a surviving heir, you will inherit this farm, yes?”
I nodded, my mouth falling open as I took in what she was saying.
“Good. It’s out of the way, and a young woman such as yourself would need a few strong farmhands to keep this place profitable. It was lucky your father hired them so recently, and they managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the outbuildings with their quick thinking.”
Remiel let out a short laugh that sounded more like a bark. “I thought your reputation was so impressive, Sariel, I didn’t think anyone could live up to it, but by the heavens, you’ve surpassed yourself.”
