Vash took a shortcut by bounding over the couch and launching himself at his opponent. He slashed his victims’ shirts to shreds with his claws and swung a mighty paw, decapitating it.
The demons’ bodies suddenly vanished.
“Oh my God!” Rena screamed. “Did he—” She pointed to the spot where the DKs had lain.
“Shh.” I tried to comfort them, though I was terrified. Quinn, Rena, and my sister huddled closer to me, whimpering and shaking, tears pouring down their faces.
Shay and Vash turned their attention to Kieran, who still battled the two Marquises. He was enveloped in a white orb, just like my purple one only brighter. I remembered having heard that he could create protective orbs, but only around himself. How could he fend off the Marqs if he was trapped within an orb, I wasn’t sure.
The other two charged in that moment: Shay with his sword extended, and Vash with his fangs bared. Just as they reached Kieran, two more Marqs slid through the back door. We needed to catch a break. But in the instant when they entered the house and Kieran’s light fell on them, some of their blackness drained. Now they looked like dark gray figures, though they weren’t as faded as the original two. Whatever Kieran was doing, he seemed to weaken them of their color and energy, but I knew he couldn’t kill them—only the wolves could do that.
Working through the fatigue caused by Kieran’s light, all four Marqs drew their swords. Vash emerged from behind the couch, and took one of the newcomers by surprise, ripping it and the cloak to shreds with his claws and teeth. The three remaining Marquises leaped out of the way, changing tactics. They formed a triangle with their backs in the center, allowing each to take an opponent, though there were only two to fight, since Kieran remained in the center of the room, his mighty wings still fully extended.
The Marqs moved as one unit, clashing with Shay’s sword as they turned in a circle and tried simultaneously to fend off Vash’s strikes. Every so often, the wolf got in a good swipe and the Marqs would shriek in what I guessed was their version of pain. But I also heard howls and whimpering.
I didn’t want to think that Shay might get hurt.
From outside the house I became aware of shouts and grunts, and wondered who was fighting outside since we were all trapped in here. Through the windows, I saw flashes of lightning and shards of ice darting through the air, and every now and then, thunder cracked in the sky. That’s when I realized: The weather could only be manipulated by fairies. Sidelle was back.
“Gah!” Shay screamed.
“Shay!” I sought his eyes then scanned his body, checking for damage. His left arm sported a huge red line, marring his skin and oozing blood.
“I’m okay,” he mouthed.
Turning my attention to the open front door, I saw shadowy figures moving on the lawn. Flying objects zipped past, and the wind whistled, adding to the chaos. Rising above the noise echoed the sound of male laughter.
“Is that all you’ve got?” a voice howled. “A snowflake can hit harder than you! Go back to the hole you crawled out from, demon!”
Ice crashed through the side window of my house, and my cowering girlfriends covered their heads as it rained ice pellets and glass shards. Nothing hit us as the debris bounced off the orb’s barrier. It was like a full blown blizzard in April.
“Think you can hold them off on your own, Vash?” Shay yelled over the fighting.
The wolf nodded once.
“Okay,” Shay shouted. “On the count of three. Kieran, you ready? One! Two! Three!”
Shay threw his sword out of arms’ reach, and his beautiful silver wings appeared. A soft white glow encircled him, draining the lone demon into a light gray and turning the original one almost transparent. This was all Vash needed. He took out one of the Marqs with a swipe of his paw, easily slicing it in half.
Kieran and Shay joined hands, and through their combined glow, the room filled with so much light it almost blinded me. Vash used this distraction to take out the final Marq, and when the last demon’s cloak fell, Vash bolted out the front door, followed by Kieran and Shay. They had to help whoever was outside.
With the house now devoid of all “living” evil beings, I knelt to look out the front picture window, needing to know who was out there. I could only pray it was Sidelle. Quinn, Rena, and Stella crawled behind me, trying to stay within the safety of the orb. I could barely see through the flying leaves, branches, and the thick falling snow. Spears of ice cut through the air, adding to the confusion. I squinted hard and counted at least five black figures.
Vash immediately sprung from the top step and killed one by taking a massive bite out of his chest. The body melted to the ground, leaving the empty black cloak. Kieran and Shay stood on the bottom step, releasing the powerful white glow and catching some of the Marqs by surprise. Some hesitated in their movements, wanting to see where the light was coming from, and Vash took the opportunity to take out another.
On the corner of the front yard, I noticed a tall man with jet-black hair. He kept pulling his arm back and thrusting it forward, and I realized he was the one throwing the ice shards. I assumed he had initially created the snowstorm and made it so cold. I had to wonder which side was he on.
Just then Sidelle sprinted around the house, pursued by two Marqs. I hoped there weren’t any more lingering, because my friends seemed to have their hands full with the last five. Kieran, Shay, Sidelle, and the new man—who I realized was with Sidelle—used distractions and dodging techniques on the Marqs, leaving the actual killing to Vash, who picked them off one by one.
They were fighting these creatures to save me. I wasn’t in any danger right now, but they were risking their lives.
I have to help.
Chapter Thirty
Zoe
“Stay here,” I told my friends and sister.
They nodded, looking as if they couldn’t agree more. Then my protective shield vanished.
When I approached the doorway, Shay’s eyes found mine, and he shook his head. I knew he didn’t want me coming out there and putting myself in harm’s way, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch them die.
Vash killed another demon who’d gotten cornered by Sidelle and her friend, and that left three. I could see the strain in Vash’s eyes and knew he was tiring. He couldn’t fight forever. We needed to finish this.
Steeling myself, I walked past the door and was relieved to feel my purple orb encase me again. I floated toward Shay, emitting a soft glow like theirs, then I extended my arm toward Shay. My orb swelled outward, merging with Kieran’s white orb and swallowing Shay as well, allowing me to take their hands. We formed a circle in the center of the yard, and the light around us intensified, taking on a slight purplish hue.
I didn’t know what caused me to glow, and I didn’t know how to control it. All I understood was that I had to trust myself and do what felt right. I concentrated on my light, trying to make it as bright as Kieran’s. As soon as the thought passed through my mind, the burn strengthened, deepening to a dark violet that overpowered their white glow. My eyes found Shay’s, then Kieran’s. They seemed to be as mesmerized by the new orb as me.
With my mind, I extended the wall and then retracted it. Someone yelled, bringing me back to the fight and refocusing on my friends.
The orb wavered a second. Then, blew out, like an explosion.
The force of it threw me back and everyone else to the ground—all but Kieran and Shay, who were suspended in the air by their wings and still holding my hands.
Vash recovered the fastest, and he took the opportunity to kill two more Marqs. The last remaining demon paused when he saw Vash in action. He simply gave up the fight, disappearing without a sound. We checked the area, ensuring no others lingered or hid in dark corners, but when we saw no more threats, Sidelle ran to me and helped me up.
She grinned and pulled me into a bear hug. “Aren’t you glad I arrived just in time to save your butts yet again?”
“I’m so glad to see y
ou!” I cried.
She held me out in front of her and shook her head. “Zoe. That was awesome! Who knew you could do that?”
“Who’s your friend?” I looked over her shoulder at the man I’d seen throwing shards of ice.
She flapped a dismissive hand. “Oh, that’s no one. Don’t pay any attention to him. I don’t.”
The man chuckled and walked toward us. Like her, he was tall with black hair, dark blue eyes, and a thin body. “Whatever, Delle. You keep telling yourself that, but at the end of the day you do.” He smiled at me. “You must be Zoe. I’ve heard a lot about you, and fortunately, it all seems to be true.”
Shay took my hand and tugged me back toward the house. “Come on, Zoe. Let’s go inside. We have some damage control to do with your friends.” As he escorted me back into the house he turned back and called to Sidelle. “Can you take care of this before the Ordinaries notice?”
“Sure. No problemo. It’ll be exactly as it was before.”
Shay and Kieran folded in their wings, and when Shay’s black T-shirt materialized, I saw Kieran’s come in white. I’d never seen him as an angel before this, and he absolutely blew me away. So beautiful.
Then I remembered Vash, and turned back to him. He stood in wolf form in the front yard, still panting, his thick coat matted with blood and sweat. I let go of Shay’s hand and ran over to him, running my hand over his wet fur.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “Nod if you can understand me.”
He nodded.
“Are you hurt?”
He shook his head. That was a relief. He had a lot of blood on him, but he seemed okay.
“Can you change back?”
He nodded, again.
“Please tell me if you change back, you’ll be fully dressed? I do not need to see my friends naked.”
He blinked and his chest rumbled, and I wondered if the wolf had just laughed.
“Good. Okay, well, just come back inside when you’re ready.”
As I ran back into the house, I noticed all the damage that had been caused by the elements was gone and all the snow melted. Uprooted trees were upright again, and even the broken house windows had been repaired. Fairy Glamour. Amazing. I sprinted to Quinn, Rena, and Stella, who were huddled and still weeping, near Cali’s body. I knelt and hugged them all at once.
“Stella? Are you okay?” I asked quietly, but she made no response. I moved to hug her, and she withdrew. “It’s okay, Stella,” I said anyway. “I’m here, and it’s over now.”
“Great balls of fire,” Sidelle exclaimed, walking in with the Winter fairy. “What happened in here?”
“A war zone happened,” he replied.
She punched his shoulder. “Thank you, Captain Obvious.” Her eyes met mine, then dropped to Cali’s slumped form. She shook her head. “Oh no!” she breathed softly. “Is that Cali? She’s ... dead? She can’t be.”
Vash, now in human form and—thankfully—fully dressed again in jeans and a new brown shirt, approached us and crouched by Rena’s side. He didn’t seem able to approach Cali. Not yet.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “Are you hurt?”
She backed away from him, shaking her head madly. Her eyes were huge. “Zoe? What’s going on? What are you? Wha-what were th-those things, and who are these p-people? Wait, are they even human?” Rena blinked at Vash, clearly afraid of him. “He called me his mate’s best friend earlier. Did he mean Cali? What does that even mean, Zoe?”
But I couldn’t speak. I threw myself over Cali’s body and sobbed helplessly.
“Shh. It’ll be okay,” I heard Vash say, and I glanced up to see the pain shining in his eyes when he looked at Cali’s body. “I’ll explain everything to you later. I need to take care of you now. She would want me to.”
Shay bent down to help me stand, and I threw my arms around him, still sobbing. “Why Cali?” I cried. “Why her? Why did she have to die?”
His hand rubbed gentle circles on my back as he tried to soothe me. “Shh, it’ll be okay. Let it all out.”
It was over. We had won tonight’s battle ... but at a high cost. Moving away from Shay, I looked at Stella, then at each of my friends’ faces. How many of my friends or family would die because of me?
“No, Shay,” I said weakly. “This is not okay. Cali is dead because of me.”
That wasn’t right. I tumbled back to the floor, letting out every emotion I’d been holding back, crying hysterically over the loss of my friend. Rena scooted over and knelt next to me, and Quinn and Stella joined us. Everyone bowed their heads out of respect for our dear, dead friend. But I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
I leaned over Cali’s body and brushed her hair out of her face, then I rested my hand against her still-warm cheek. Sniffling, I lowered my forehead to her chest.
My whole body began to tingle. It was a different sensation from the electrical current between Shay and me. This new feeling sent warm energy coursing through my mind and into my hand. Surprised at the sensation, I raised my head and opened my eyes. My hand, the one I’d placed against her cheek, glowed purple, and was surrounded by a pulsing light.
Then all sound was gone—everything but one clear, pure voice ringing in my head.
Chapter Thirty-One
Zoe
My daughter.
A woman’s soft voice. Her words weren’t even loud enough to be called a whisper, but I heard them in my head. Was I going crazy?
No, Zoe. You are not crazy. I am speaking to you through your mind.
This internal conversation only added to the craziness I’d heard, witnessed, and experienced over the past week: the warehouse event which had started it all, the angels, demons, fairies, and wolves ...
And Cali. She’d died.
Who was speaking in my head?
My name is Grace. I am your mother. Zoe, you are special. You are destined to do great things. She paused, then a kind of pyramid of glowing words appeared in my vision. She chanted them, and they sounded so beautiful. Like a soft, sad song.
Glory!
Babe born.
First and last.
Heaven and unto Earth.
Receives the highest in jubilation.
Enlightens will unite, they shall band.
Triumph be if darkness is driven back.
Help found who love, the world will stand.
Yes. Kieran and Shay had told me about the prophecy. I remembered hearing him chant those odd words. But I still didn’t understand what any of it had to do with me.
Zoe, you are that babe. You are the first and only Seraph Angel born on Earth, though you have a twin who was lost. Compassion may be found in an unconventional Eternal. And with the help of your friends, you will stand and unite the Enlightens. Together, you will drive back the darkness. Be prepared, Daughter. Much sorrow and death may come. But out of these ashes you will find happiness. I am only sorry I cannot do any more for you.
This made no sense. I knew my mother, and this voice did not belong to her.
Yes, you were born to Ordinaries, but I passed part of what makes me an angel to you. Zoe, you will always have a choice in everything you do. God has not taken that away, not even from you. We have been waiting many centuries for you, because you will have powers wielded by no other Enlighten. Your heart is pure, your intentions are true. Hold onto those and remember the strength of the Seraphs. We will be with you always.
And then, silence.
An overwhelming calmness settled in my mind and body.
When I blinked, my friends’ faces stared back.
Breathe, Zoe. I shook my head, reminding myself that I had nothing to celebrate. After all, I was kneeling over my dead friend and touching her lifeless body.
I looked down—and Cali’s torso shot straight up. She drew a deep breath, and her eyelids opened, revealing light-brown eyes.
“Cali?” I whispered.
“Zoe?” She looked into our faces, looking entirely confused. “What happened? What’s
going on?”
“Oh my God!” Sidelle whispered. “Zoe! You brought her back from death!”
Cali sat up slowly. “I was ... dead?”
I nodded.
“Cali!” Rena hugged her, and Quinn started sobbing again, this time with happiness.
Kieran, Shay, and Sidelle stared at me, their mouths open. Vash almost flew across the room to gather her into his strong arms when he heard her sweet voice, but stopped short upon seeing our huddled group.
I embraced my friend and found myself searching for the faces I had grown to love over this week’s time: Kieran, Shay, Sidelle, and Vash.
Something changed inside of me. Pieces of a puzzle locked into place. I was More. My angel mom ... had just confirmed it.
All my life, I’d thought I was ordinary. Not anymore.
Now I knew my life was way beyond average, and I’d be someone special.
I knew what I was destined to do.
A war was coming.
A final battle between good and evil, and only the Redeemer would be able to save the world.
I was the Redeemer. I knew that, from the bottom of my soul. And though I wasn’t yet confident in what I could do, I would learn. I would fulfill the prophecy. I would save the world, because I had the power to do it.
He had given me my powers, my strength, and my friends. He had seen something in me.
I. Am. Special.
I looked at Kieran, Shay, and Sidelle, feeling my whole body become still like the early morning dawn. Their expressions were unsure, as if they waited for me to answer some unspoken question.
I smiled and clenched my fists, sensing the purple glow fill me completely. When I opened my mouth to speak, the words came from my heart.
“Everything will be just fine.”
DAGGERS & DRESSES
BOOK TWO
USA Today Bestselling Author
Kristin D. Van Risseghem
DARK. SUSPENSEFUL. EXCITING.
Zoe is your typical high school student; that is, if you don’t count that her boyfriend is a Nephilim, she fights Demons for a living, and that she brought her best friend back from the dead.
Enlighten Series- The Complete 3 Book Collection Page 22
