by Sadie Hobbes
Graham sprinted toward an abandoned car flipped on its side. He needed some sort of cover. It wasn’t long though before the demons reached him. He took out five with arrows as three more sprinted toward him. One came around the side of the car. Graham slammed his boot into its chest. It stumbled back far enough to give him room to free one of his arrows.
The second one grabbed him from behind, both its arms wrapping around his. Graham dropped his body weight, slipping to the side, his left leg stepping behind the demon as he slammed his elbow into its gut. It tripped over his leg and landed on the ground. But before he could finish the job, a third grabbed him, again from behind. This one swung him around and then with one hand, lifted him up.
It sniffed as it leaned down. “This one has her mark on it. Perhaps we’ll play with it for a little bit before we take its head.”
Graham pulled his knife from its sheath and rammed it into the creature’s gut, dragging the blade up toward its sternum. The demon squeezed Graham’s neck for a moment before flinging him away with a roar. Graham hit the ground hard, rolling to lessen the impact, but his shoulder still felt like it was on fire.
He got to his feet, pain in his shoulder causing spots to dance before his eyes. His left arm hung uselessly at his side. He’d dislocated it in the fall. Oh, that’s not good.
He held on to it as he ran. Each step was painful, but not running was deadly.
The demons gave chase. They were getting closer. Graham knew that this was the end. He wasn’t going to make it.
A demon sprinted ahead of the pack, and just before it reached him, Addie soared in, feet first. Her boots crashed into the demon’s chest. It flew back twenty feet, rolling a few times before it stopped.
She looked at his arm. “What happened?”
“Big demon.”
She smiled. “Want a ride?”
He grinned back. “With you? Anywhere.”
Chapter 55
Addie
The front of the bridge was already up as I raced Graham toward it. I worried that I was injuring his shoulder as we flew, but there was no helping it. I flew over the bridge and landed on the other side. I touched down as gently as I could, but I still saw the grimace on his face.
“What happened?” Donovan asked as he limped over.
“He said big demon.”
Pain lined Graham’s pale face, and I could tell he was struggling to stay conscious. He gripped my shoulder. “Torr.”
“What about him?”
“Is he here? Is he safe?”
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“He was on the other side of the bridge,” Donovan said. “We lost him in the fighting. One second he was there, and then he was gone.”
“Can you see him?” Graham asked.
I looked around but saw no sign of Torr. I knew if he were here, he’d reveal himself to me. My stomach clenched. “I don’t see him. I need to go find him.”
Graham grabbed me and looked deep into my eyes. “Be careful.” This time it was Graham who pulled me close.
Donovan let out a chuckle when Graham finally released me. “About damn time you two figured that out.”
But I didn’t stop to answer him. I was already throwing myself into the sky and once again hoping that I wasn’t too late.
Chapter 56
I wasn’t sure where to look for Torr. He wouldn’t take on the whole horde directly. That would be crazy. At the same time, I knew that he would undeniably try and protect as many humans as he could. He would most likely hold up somewhere once he realized the humans were safe—if he couldn’t make it to the bridge.
The question was, where would that be? Where should I even begin to look? I raced back the way I came, scouring the area for Torr. But I didn’t see him.
Or anyone else.
Main Street had gone quiet. What had happened to all the demons? There were scorch marks from where they had burst into flame, but there were no living demons.
They were gone.
A flicker of movement caught my attention. I doused the flames on my wings, pleasantly surprised when they went dark. I flew cautiously, scanning all around me even as I headed toward the movement in the distance.
In only another few short feet, I recognized what it was: the demons. Dozens of them marched toward the beach.
A sick feeling began to develop in my stomach. I prayed I was wrong. I flew well above the reach of any of them, heading in the same direction they were going. None of them glanced up at me or seemed to even realize I was there. The roar of a crowd grew the closer to the beach I got.
And that’s when I saw Torr.
He stood on the roof of the old boardwalk arcade. Torches had been lit at each corner of the roof, giving me a clear view. Seven demons stood next to him while dozens of them stood on the ground, looking up and yelling. One demon stood in front of Torr, holding him by the back of the neck, a giant sword in his hand reared back, ready to strike.
Chapter 57
Everything went dim except for the sight of that sword heading toward Torr’s neck. Pressure quickly built inside me as I desperately scrounged for a way to save him.
A glowing ball of fire appeared in my hand. I didn’t question it. I didn’t marvel at it. Without hesitation, I flung it toward the demon. It caught him in the back. He flailed forward before bursting into ash.
Torr darted to the side. One of the other demons grabbed him, holding him tight, his sword now at Torr’s throat. His minions stirred, and then as one, they turned toward me.
Torr lifted his chin to avoid being cut. I ignited my wings. They knew I was here. There was no point in hiding. And maybe the wings would intimidate them a little bit. I flew closer, my mind scrambling to come up with a plan.
Nothing came to me.
Maybe I could create another dozen fireballs, but I didn’t know how I’d made the first one. I tried to think of the first fireball, but that pressure that had built inside me was absent. It looked like this time, I was on my own.
Torr watched me with terror in his eyes. But I knew that terror was for me not him. If he could yell, he’d be screaming at me to save myself.
But I wasn’t leaving him behind. I flew closer, staying well above the heads of the other demons. I reached the edge of the roof and floated six feet above it, knowing I could soar straight up out of their reach if I needed to.
The large demon that held Torr laughed as he watched me, an actual smile crossing his face. “So you finally figured it out.”
“Figured what out?”
“What you’re capable of.” He tilted his head, studying me. “You still don’t remember everything, though, do you?”
A finger of dread traced up my spine. I didn’t sense any subterfuge in his words. He seemed so confident, so comfortable in my presence.
And so familiar. Unlike all the other demons I had seen, this one wasn’t gray or green. No, he was red, a bright, bold red.
A color that screamed authority.
A flash of memory whipped through my mind. This red demon laughing in a dark cave.
The demon smiled more broadly. “Now you’re getting it. You and I go way back.”
I stared at him in shock, my mind struggling to deny what he was suggesting, even while somewhere down deep, his words rang true.
I knew him.
For two years, not a single living soul I had met seemed even slightly familiar. And yet something about this evil creature stirred some memory from the deep recesses of my brain.
I didn’t know how, and I didn’t know when, but somewhere in my life before Blue Forks, I had met him.
“Abbadon.” The name escaped my lips before I could pull it back.
He smiled broadly. “You do remember.”
I ignored the chill of familiarity his voice brought. “I don’t remember anything. I don’t know how I know your name.”
“Well, now, that’s a pity. I was so hoping this would be a better reunion than that. Perhap
s this will jog your memory.” He raised his knife.
Power welled up inside of me. “Do not harm him.” My words blasted across the air. Waves of power shot out from me toward all of the demons. A few even stumbled in response.
Abbadon took a step back, his yellow eyes narrowing to slits. With a growl, he slid his knife back into his sheath. “You’ll pay for that one. But I suppose this is for the best. I wouldn’t want to spoil all the fun. But soon you and I will meet, and only one of us will live.” He inclined his head. “Until then.”
With a flash of light, he disappeared. In quick succession, each of the remaining demons disappeared as well until it was only Torr and me.
I didn’t relax, waiting for the trick. But nothing moved except for the wind and the waves crashing onto the beach.
I landed softly on the roof next to Torr.
“What just happened?” Torr asked.
“I don’t know. Are you all right?”
He nodded his head, his gaze focused on me. “Addie, I think you made them go.”
I shook my head, though part of me thought his words were true. How had I done it? Why had they listened?
It didn’t matter. They were gone. That was the important part. “Are you okay to walk?”
Torr nodded with a grimace. “Yeah, a little bruised, but nothing too bad. How about you?”
“Not a scratch.”
Torr raised an eyebrow. “You did actually fight some demons, right?”
“Actually, I fought dozens.”
“So how come you don’t have a scratch?”
I opened my mouth to answer and then shut it. He was right. I should, at the very least, have a scratch on me.
But I had nothing. I had avoided every single strike.
I was a good fighter. I knew that, but I couldn’t be that good. Some hits should’ve landed. Some of the demons had snuck up behind me. They should have managed to reach me. But I could sense where they were, so none of them could get the drop on me. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s one of the perks of being the child of an angel. Let’s get back to everyone, and then we’ll figure it out.”
Torr walked to the edge of the roof and lowered himself down with a quick jump. “I’m going to go to the apartment. I think everyone’s a little jumpy right now, and having a demon in their midst might not exactly ease their minds.”
I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. “I’ll come by after I’ve checked on everyone. Okay?”
Torr nodded. “And thanks, Addie, for coming for me.”
“Always.”
Chapter 58
After escorting Torr back to the apartment by foot—he refused let me fly him—I made my way to the bridge. The entire time, I went over the confrontation with the demons. How was it possible that I was able to get myself out of that without a single scratch? And the scene at the beach should have ended so much worse than it did. The demons had us overwhelmed. Why didn’t they kill us? Or at least Torr? Why had Abbadon listened when I told him to stop?
And why did they all group on the beach with Torr? Why not finish their march toward Sterling Peak? The retracted bridge couldn’t be much of a deterrent.
Ahead, the Seraph Force was lined along the bridge, which had already been pulled up. Beyond them were Sheila’s security forces. All of them were armed.
I flew over the crystal waters. The Seraph Force murmured their gazes following my flight, but they kept their attention on the road to the bridge. I scanned the line of individuals for Graham. I didn’t see him. But I spotted Donovan and Laura. I dropped lightly down to the ground next to them.
Donovan crossed his arms over his chest. “You look way too relaxed for someone being chased by dozens of demons.”
“That’s because I’m not. They’re gone.”
“Gone? Gone how? Did you kill all of them?” Laura asked.
“If only. No, they just left. One minute they were there, and then poof, they were gone.”
“Not that I’m complaining, but why did they leave?” Donovan asked.
I kept my tone light, my expression hopefully confused. “I don’t know. They just did.”
Torr and I had decided that until we understood exactly what had happened, we were not going to share the details with just anyone. And right now, there were way too many ears around to share with Donovan and Laura what had happened. But I would tell Graham and Marcus later, and then hopefully together we could figure out what was going on.
“Where’s Graham?”
Donovan nodded his chin toward the hill. “We insisted that Graham have a doctor set that shoulder. Graham, of course, fought us, but he eventually conceded, knowing he’s useless in a fight until his shoulder is popped back into place.”
I hovered a few inches off the ground, anxious to see him. “What about the citizens of Blue Forks? Are they all right?”
“They’re staying in the hotel ballroom for now,” Donovan replied. “People have been bringing over supplies, and the doctors are working there. Cots have been set up for people to sleep. We had more than a few injuries, none of them life-threatening.”
“We’ll get a head count and see who’s okay to head home and take care of the ones that can’t,” Laura said.
“What about the Council?''
“They’re making noises about the ‘riff raff’ being over here. But Graham ordered that no one is allowed back in Blue Forks until it's been swept. That will have to wait until morning. No sense endangering anyone now,” Donovan said.
I pictured the destruction done to some of the buildings. “And if people’s homes are unlivable?”
“Then we’ll set something up here until we can help them rebuild,” Laura said.
I smiled. That was good. Hopefully this was a new day, opening up better lines of communication between the citizens of Blue Forks and those of Sterling Peak.
I flew upward, scanning the ground below me as I did. More than a few people pointed and waved, although a few looked fearful at the sight of me. I suppose I couldn’t blame them. Flying humans was not a normal sight. A woman flying with flaming wings was definitely not a normal sight. I touched down lightly inside the gate of Graham’s estate. I extinguished my wings and retracted them.
The front door burst open. Noel and Micah raced out.
I smiled, opening my arms. They tackled me, nearly knocking me over. I held on to them tight, and they hugged me back just as hard.
Noel pulled back first while Micah stayed clutched to my side. She scanned me from head to toe. “You’re not injured?”
“No, not at all.”
“Where’s Torr?” Micah asked.
“He’s back at the apartment. He thought he might stay there tonight. Are you two okay?”
She scoffed. “Us? We’ve just been sitting here. Our greatest danger was being overfed by Mary.”
Micah looked up, his face serious. “Is it over?”
I struggled with how to answer that question. Because I had a feeling whatever was going on had just started, so I decided to sidestep his question a little bit. “The demons have gone. Where’s Graham?”
“He’s in the kitchen with Mary, Franklin, and the doctor. They’re arguing. He’s been trying to get back to the bridge.”
I smiled, picturing the scene. “Well, let’s go tell him he doesn’t have to hurry.”
Halfway down the path, a loud boom sounded from overhead. All three of us jerked our heads up.
A large ball of light descended quickly toward the back of Graham’s house. It was so bright it made the night appear as day.
I watched it, my dread growing. “You two get down to the bridge now.”
“Addie—” Micah began.
“No arguments. Find Donovan and stay with him.” I pushed the two of them toward the gate. Noel’s gaze met mine, expressing a million different emotions. I nodded, a lump forming in in my throat. She grabbed Micah’s hand and tugged him through the gate.
I turned, my whole body tensing. The ba
ll began to dim and landed lightly at the back of the house. There was no explosion. There were no shouts of pain.
Carefully, I made my way around the side of the house.
I reached the side porch and did a quick jump over the wall. I wended my way across the large patio’s tables, chairs, and sitting area. I moved against the wall of the house, keeping myself hidden from anyone in the backyard. I reached the edge of the house and paused.
Then I peeked around.
Standing on the balcony, wrapped in what could only be considered a holy glow, was the archangel Michael.
Chapter 59
Everything about the man, or Archangel, screamed power. And yet there wasn’t an aggression to his power. He looked just like the paintings. Tall and muscular with dark hair and a dark complexion, he was handsome. And why wouldn’t he be? He wore some sort of gray tunic over white leggings. Two swords were strapped to his back. I stared in absolute awe at the sight.
Graham stood in front of him. Michael reached out, placing a hand on Graham’s injured shoulder. Light flared for a moment, so bright I had to look away. When I looked back, Graham had removed the sling on his arm and was flexing his arm and rolling his shoulder.
My mouth dropped open. He’d healed him. In only a few seconds, he'd healed him. My awe only grew. I took a step forward. More than anything, I wanted to join the two of them.
A hand landed on my shoulder and yanked me back. “Addie, it’s not safe.”
I stumbled back, unprepared for the pull, and turned, ready to strike.
Marcus held me firmly in his grip.
“Marcus, what are you doing?”
“Addie, you need to come with me. He can’t see you.”
I stared at Marcus. His whole body was shaking, his face pale. What was wrong with him? Concerned, I let him pull me away from the edge of the balcony. He stopped just before the door and wiped his forehead with a shaky hand.
“Okay, what’s going on?”
