by Holly Vane
At that precise moment a high pitch siren blared through St. Heralds, it was so loud Holly had to hold her hands over her ears. “What the hell is that?” She shouted to Dominic over the racket. His head had jerked round at the noise Caleb’s too, a silent conversation passed between the two of them, she knew it from the way they stared at each other, and then he faced her.
“The barriers have been breached.”
Chapter Fifteen
∬
Origins
“We have to get to the college.”
Caleb’s voice yelled over the siren Dominic nodded his consent, grabbing Holly’s hand he pulled her out the diner and over to his Harley, that stood next to Caleb’s Ford in the parking lot.
The blare of the warning siren was much louder outside and she watched the streets of St. Heralds fill with panicked people, some were loading up their cars and SUV’s with luggage, others stared up at the sky, following their gaze as Dom guided her to the bike Holly gasped with horror.
Instead of a black starry canopy the sky was an orange reddish colour, and bits of it were falling to the Earth, smouldering ashes covered the ground. “Dom what’s happening to it?” She asked him her voice filled with fear. He glimpsed upwards as the red Harley roared into life. “It’s the magic that protects the town, its collapsing.” His voice was even and controlled, she knew he was keeping cool for her benefit. “Michael.” She whispered as Miles, Jade Layla and Caleb ran to the Pick-up. Pulling on her helmet she clung to Dom’s jacket as the bike raced through town, swerving to avoid the masses of residents that were also making for the college. Caleb’s blue Ford followed them closely.
When they reached campus all was still and quiet, a stark contrast to the streets they had just drove through. Holly followed the others into the foyer that was alive with the sound of nervous chatter. The whole student body was crammed into the tiny entrance way with the teachers trying to keep them calm. Andrea caught Dominic’s eye and she motioned towards her office.
“People of St. Heralds.” Michael’s cool, flat lifeless tone filled the air shocking everyone into silence. Holly’s insides turned to hard ice at the sound of the Angel that murdered her parents. “I have defeated your defences for one reason, you have something I want. Holly Adams is not a girl; she is the end of all things. She will bring darkness and evil to this land and all I merely ask is that you hand her over.” All eyes turned her way. “You are of my blood, I do not wish to harm you but I will if you do not hand her over to me within the next half hour. I will wait at the truck stop on the edge of town, bring her there or this town will suffer the same fate as Cherry Falls.”
The air dried up and Holly struggled to breathe, she couldn’t let Michael massacre another town because of her. The foyer erupted into chaos hands grabbed at her until Dominic and Caleb physically removed them, voices called for her to be sacrificed.
“Stop this madness!” Andrea’s sharp voice called bringing the lynching to an end. “This is exactly what Michael wants. We have to be untied if we have any hope of making it through the night.”
“Hand her over!” An angry voiced yelled.
“To what purpose?” Andrea asked turning on the speaker. “You really think Michael will spare us if we do? The only thing that has been keeping us safe is our magic, without it we are exposed and prone to attack from both sides, who wish nothing more than to press gang you into war. This fight in not just about Holly, but our very independence. If we give in now we will be slaves for the rest of our lives. With Holly on our side we have a chance of fighting them off, but only if we stop fighting amongst ourselves!”
All around the room heads bobbed in agreement. “Now we will use this half hour to devise our plans and get prepared. I want everyone to search for any weapons we might have, search everywhere and find any protective amour you can. Bates Hunting store might prove useful. Go and bring back all you find.”
The foyer quickly emptied and Dominic steered Holly after Andrea who headed to her office. “Nice speech.” Caleb told her as they all piled into the small space. Andrea gave him a thin smile. “Wish I was as confident as I sounded.”
“You don’t think we can win.” Caleb said.
“You can’t.” The whole group turned towards the open office door as Legion stepped into the room. “Michael has a whole army surrounding this town; good call by the way,” he said to Andrea, “he has no intention of letting any of you go.”
“How many Angels?” Dom asked his brother.
“Three hundred at least they are joined by the Order of Aurelius’ which brings their numbers up to five hundred. You will lose.”
Grim determination set on Andrea’s beautiful face. “Then we’ll go down fighting.”
Legion smiled. “I admire your guts but it won’t come to that. It just so happens that I’ve brought an army of my own.”
“Fathers army?” Dominic gasped. “How did you get him to…?”
“You have a lot to learn dear brother, whoever controls Cyrus, controls the army. Despite what Father believes Cyrus has always been loyal to me and me alone.”
“Well then that improves our odds and with Holly…”
“Holly will play no part in this fight.” Legion interrupted Andrea. “I, Dominic and my army of Demons will be more than enough to handle what’s coming. Holly has to be as far away as possible, it’s vital that Michael does not get hold of her.”
“But…” Legion shushed Holly’s argument.
“If you want me to help St. Heralds then that is the cost.” She saw Dom, Caleb and Andrea exchange looks.
“There are tunnels underneath campus.” Andrea said slowly, “they lead to the old abandoned high school on the outskirts of town; it’s as good a place as any for her to hide.”
“Screw hiding!” Holly erupted angrily. “No one else is going to die for me.”
“Like I’ve said before Holly,” Andrea answered calmly. “This isn’t just about you, and if hiding you is what I need to do to save my town then I will gladly do it. So don’t think about objecting because you will sit this one out, even if I have to chain you to the goddam wall, do you understand me?”
Holly was taken aback by the fierceness of Andrea’s tone. She glanced around the room for help but no one offered any not even Dominic who refused to meet her gaze. Feeling angry and hurt she raced from the office and ran straight into Professor Brooks.
“Whoa there, slow down…what’s wrong?” He asked with concern on seeing her tears.
“They want me to hide…” She sobbed. “I deserve to be treated like an adult…don’t I? All the others get to fight…” He surprised her by wrapping her up in a tight embrace. “May I have a few moments of your time? There’s something I have to get off my chest.” He asked pulling back.
She looked up at him and nodded.
He led her outside where the green of the lawns were smothered with dull grey ash. He brushed it off a nearby bench and they sat down, watching people run back and forwards their arms filled with makeshift weapons.
“I have been trying to find the right time to tell you this since you arrived here. Caleb insisted that I wait, but sadly time is running out. Come tomorrow there might not be a St. Heralds.” He took a deep breath then faced her. “I was an Angel once. I chose exile when they killed your parents.” Holly exhaled deeply at the mention of them. “Oh excuse me I meant your biological parents Holly.”
“What?”
“Margaret and Jeff Adams were your adoptive parents. They took you in and raised you after your real parents were killed.”
Holly felt the noise around her fade. What was he saying? Of course they were her real parents. She remembered them every earliest memory, she had no other family.
“You’re lying!” She said tightly jerking away from him.
“I wish I was.” He said sadly. “Your father was an Angel Holly; he was the best of us and loved you with all his heart. His name was Gabriel.”
“No…you’ve
got it wrong my mother was the Angel, she met Jeff and fell for him…”
“That’s true but Margaret did not give birth to you. Mary Ashley did.”
Holly glanced around seriously debating on running away; she didn’t want to listen to this strange man’s ramblings. It was bullshit. She noticed Caleb and Dominic standing a few feet away their eyes told her what she didn’t want to know. Caleb’s wet sapphire gaze held her in place with its bared apology.
“Mary Ashley was a student from Texas.” Brooks carried on. “She was wild and…beautiful, you have her looks as well as her spirit Holly. Gabriel fell in love with her instantly but once she found out who he truly was, and what blood she carried in her veins it was too late. Mary was already pregnant with you. Gabriel swore to keep you both safe as Mary, like you, found herself hunted by Heaven and Hell, Heaven wanted to stop the pregnancy and Hell wanted it to come to term. You see Mary wasn’t a witch; she had the witches DNA but not her powers and your destiny was legend amongst Immortals long before you were even conceived.
Sadly your father died saving your mother’s life but his sacrifice was in vain.”
“Mary died in childbirth two days later.”
Chapter Sixteen
∬
Goodbye
Holly stared at the ash covered ground as Dominic led Professor Brooks away. Caleb fell to his knees in front of her. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you Holly. I should have told you everything from the start instead of lying; I just didn’t see the point in hurting you with things you couldn’t change. I see now that I was wrong. Can you forgive me? For everything I’ve done?”
Holly swallowed hard. “Did you know them?”
He nodded. “Gabriel was my friend and mentor. When he found out about you he made me swear to watch over you. You have his eyes and heart; he was kind and loving too. Gabriel would help anyone.”
Holly’s eyes filled with tears she let them spill down her cheeks. “Was it Michael who killed him?” She asked biting back bile for the Archangel that hadn’t just taken one set of parents from her.
“I believe so and Mary too. “She stared at him hard.
“I thought she died having me? “Caleb sighed and clasped her hand; his warmth flowed through her cold tired shocked body heating her blood.
“Mary was attacked. The stab wound brought on labour. It was blood loss that killed her Holly, not you.” She took a deep breath and swore silently that she would make Michael pay for taking everything away from her.
“Holly listen to me we don’t have much time. You are incredible and a credit to both sets of parents. I Love you more than you will ever know…”
“Why does it sound like your saying goodbye?” She asked suspicious.
“Because one way or another I am.” He replied. “My place is here with Jade, you don’t need me anymore, you never have.”
“How can you say that?” Holly had known this was coming but hearing it right now was what she couldn’t handle.
“Because it’s true. You don’t need a Guardian Angel when you can do the things you do. I was merely here until you learned how to do them. You must complete the rest of your journey without me.” Her heart broke into a thousand pieces. Caleb felt like a part of her how could she do without him?
“I can’t do this without you…”
“Yes you can.” He assured her violently. “Dominic was always meant to be the one, not me. And I will never ever truly leave you. One call and I’ll come running…always.”
She threw herself into him wrapping her arms around his neck, grief over took her and he held on to her tightly as she let it out.
He broke away as students filled the yard. “One last thing I must ask of you Holly.” She slapped at her cheeks and stood with his help.
“Anything.”
“Take Jade with you to the school, she is no fighter and I couldn’t face losing her…”
“Of all the things to ask…” She muttered. “Fine.” Caleb pulled her into a bear hug and didn’t go until Dominic returned.
“Here.” He shrugged out of his leather jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders while Caleb went to find Jade. They said nothing for a while, just stared at each other, their eyes expressing more than words ever could.
“Legion has a reason for doing this Holly; we just don’t know what it is yet.” He told her slowly.
“Just…come back to me okay?” She pleaded unable to let go of his t shirt, afraid that it would be the last time she touched him.
“Always.” He whispered kissing her forehead.
“Holly its time.” Andrea said marching across the yard. “You’ll need this.” She handed her a brown parchment map. “Once you hit the sewers head east till you come to the school. Go now. “With one last look at the two men that was her life Holly hurried after Jade.
She Prayed to God that this wasn’t the last time they would all be together.
Chapter Seventeen
∬
Michael
The pipes above the girls heads rattled and battle sounds penetrated the Earth.
“It’s started.” Jade whispered. Holly said nothing but was afraid that Jade could hear her thumbing heart. She checked the map again that had its own illumination and took the pipe to their right.
It was dank mouldy and smelled of waste. Water came up to their ankles and Holly wished she had changed out of her waitress uniform before running like a coward…again. She cursed Legion, what the hell did it matter to him where she was?
“Did you hear that?” Jade hissed suddenly. Holly turned and strained her earing faint footfalls fell in the water and Jade stared at her, eyes wide with fear.
“We’re being followed.” Holly grabbed the sleeve of her army jacket and quickly hurried to the next intersection dragging Jade after all.
Holly slid into the dark opening of the left pipe yanking Jade after her and waited for their tail to pass by. A voice echoed off the tunnel a bit further down and before Holly knew what had happened Jade had bolted like a frightened rabbit.
“Get back here!” Holly hissed after her but Jade had already vanished down the next pipe. “Damn it.” She cursed then took off after her. The girl could certainly run and had disappeared from Holly’s limited sight within minutes. Holly followed the pipe glancing back to see if their pursuers were getting closer. She saw no one.
Lifting the man cover Holly emerged into the decaying air and hurried inside the closed school through the front entrance which was curiously unlocked. As soon as she crossed the threshold the neon lights above her flickered on illuminating a smug Michael who had Jade by the neck.
His sudden presence rocked Holly to her core, she watched him grin like a Cheshire cat as he propelled Jade through the air. She hit the ground awkwardly and lay still.
“Stupid little ants.” He spat advancing. His cold dead eyes bored into her own as the doors behind her slammed shut. “You really think you could fool me? I have eyes everywhere.”
“Michael.”
“Let’s finish this.”
***
St. Herald’s campus was filled with the sounds of the dying as the battle between good and evil raged on. Legion had been good to his word and his army sharp swung the balance in their favour.
Dominic was just finishing off his opponent when the glass from every window, door and vehicle blew out, showering everyone in sharp shards. He caught Caleb’s eye and stared in wonder as every piece of glass in town smashed of its own accord.
“What the…?” The ground beneath their feet started to quake and that was when he knew.
Holly.
“Go!” Legion shouted at them. Without debate Dominic grabbed Caleb and blinked to the old school. They arrived just in time to see the doors slam shut. They stood in shock wondering how Michael knew where she was, then ran and peered through the plastic panes cut deep into the entrance doors.
Holly was on the floor with Michael towering above her. His dark hair rolled down hi
s shoulders in waves as his grey wings unfurled. He smiled at them cruelly before smashing a fist down into the schools faded paving, just missing Holly by inches who managed to roll away at the last minute.
“Son of a bitch!” Dominic hurled at him kicking the doors.
“It’s no use Dom; we’ll have to find another way in.” Caleb said running around the building.
“Hang on Holly.” Dominic shouted then followed. They found a smashed window pane and entered into a dark classroom.
“I’m going to tear him limb from limb.” Dominic growled wrenching the wooden door from its frame. They emerged into the hallway and lounged at Michael who shook them off without effort.
“Is that the best you can do?” He mocked Slamming Caleb’s head into the wall of lockers until there was a red smear on the metal. Dominic gained his feet and charged him Michael released Caleb whose body slumped to the floor, and caught Dominic with a roundhouse kick tossing Dominic half way up the corridor. He landed heavily and crawled shakily upright. Michael sharp put him back down again and hovered over him punching repeatedly.
“Stop!” Holly shouted. She watched him turn to her with a smug grin and glimpsed Dominic’s blood smeared across his knuckles.
The blood pounded in her ears and she glared at the Archangel projecting all her grief anger and hate at him. The red mist descended as a sharp gust of wind broke apart the entrance doors. The metal locker doors rattled and Michael lost his smug grin.
