Ascension of Evil (Battle for Souls Book 3) (18 page)

What in the world? “You killed him with the palm of your hand?” Alexander blinked, watching the dark particles float away in the wind.

Grace shook her head. “No, only returned it to darkness. However, because they are Herak’s creations, should he truly join us, the angels-turned-weapons may yet return to fight on our side. If not, we’ll meet them again in battle.”

He didn’t even want to think about trying to fight these creatures along with all of Satan’s minions and prayed Gabby would be able to convince Herak to fight for them.

“Let’s go.” He raced to the mountain peak and rounded the corner, Grace by his side.

Demons, hundreds of them, scaled the mountainside. His heart fell at the sight.

Boon struggled for release and cried out to Herak, “You’ll pay for this.”

Gabby sat on her knees, hands on her thighs, head bowed. Herak stood over her, the sword that had killed thousands of angels pressed against her soft, delicate neck.

“I have defeated the Chosen One.”

****

Gabby concentrated on staying calm. The last thing she needed was to freeze, burn, or somehow incapacitate Herak. For now, they needed to regroup and find out where the warrior angels were.

She watched Boon struggle against the horde of demons and feared he’d break lose. If only there had been time to share her plan. No, it was better this way. Their terror and sense of betrayal had to be convincing.

“Clear the air and let us through,” Herak commanded. “I’m to deliver her to Satan.”

“No!” Alexander’s voice echoed through the valley.

Herak jerked her hair so she faced the sky, in a convincing and painful manner. “You attack and she dies.”

She caught a glimpse of Alexander’s face and hated herself for putting him through this, but it would be worth it if it worked.

Several demons hissed and squawked overhead. Herak nodded in response. What was he playing at? How did he understand them?

“You may do what you wish with the others, but I will be delivering her myself.”

“What?” Gabby screeched. Terror shot through her body, and her wings thrust against her skin.

Herak tightened his grip, yanking her up so her ear was next to his mouth. “Don’t,” he murmured.

She closed her eyes and focused on remaining calm. Was this all just for show, or would he really turn them over? If so, the deal was off. No way she’d go quietly.

The mass of winged monsters changed formations and surrounded Alexander and Grace.

Alexander remained still, his eyes fixed on her.

“I told you he couldn’t be trusted.” Boon shook free of his captors and shot through the sky at Herak. Three demons broke off from the group guarding Alexander and Grace. One slammed into Boon’s side, but didn’t knock him off balance. She’d never seen him so determined, and deadly.

Herak dropped her and the sea of creatures scattered. Alexander shouldered one of them in the chest. Grace chased another through the sky while Boon fought off four.

Energy zipped from Gabby’s head, down her neck to her shoulders. A sting burned down below each shoulder blade and her wings unfurled with enough force to knock her forward.

Herak gasped. The demons froze. Grace slapped one dragon-like head and it turned into a puff of ash. She jumped behind three more and they too disappeared.

Gabby snatched the sword from Herak and sliced through the torso of a minion chasing Grace while still on her knees.

Boon grabbed the tail of one and drilled the tip into its chest and it fell from the sky. Alexander followed Boon’s move and plunged the tail of one demon into the belly of another. Green liquid oozed from its gut before it smacked against the stone below.

Herak glared down at her. “You stupid girl.”

Gabby rose from the rocky ground and faced Herak. “You were going to sacrifice my friends to those creatures. Betraying our deal already.”

He hunched over and his gray robe fluttered before it ripped down the back. His nose stretched and fangs sprung from between his lips. Bones cracked and ground together. A tail grew from his backside, swishing the remaining material of his robe from side to side. He stood almost seven feet tall and blew smoke from his mouth.

Drums of warning pounded in her head. “You-you’re one of them.”

He unfurled his wings and flapped until he was above her. “You ruined everything,” he hissed. “Impetuous as always. Why Heaven chose you, I’ll never understand. You’re the one who broke my trust.”

No. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her.

She rose higher. “You are the one who betrayed us. You were turning my family over to them. We had a deal.”

Herak snarled and huffed more smoke. “I was trying to save all of us. These are my children, born of my blood. I needed time to convert them to our cause. We were to travel with them long enough for me to convince them to fight against Satan. Now, I have to murder my own children.” He moved higher, mixing into the crowd of demons. A father of beasts with more height and girth.

“They weren’t children,” Gabby challenged, “only former angels that were forced into servitude or who chose the wrong side.”

“So did you.”

His words stung. Her wings slid above her head and she glided to the rocks below.

Herak followed. “Why should you be the only one allowed to atone for your sins? You made a deal with Satan himself, yet you were given a second chance, put in charge of the army of angels once again.”

His words sliced across her skin like a thousand paper cuts. “You had no guarantee that your so-called children would turn on Satan.”

“No, I did not, but we need all the help we can get. They are of my blood.”

Gabby stepped back, tingles pricking at her brain. “You summoned them here.”

Herak stared at the action overhead.

“Then their blood is on your hands.” Gabby crouched and shot up into the sky. She grabbed one demon around the neck and twisted. It popped under her grasp and disintegrated. Adrenaline surged through every muscle. She rammed one and smashed it against the mountain. Another grabbed her from behind and she whirled, clipping him with her wing.

Static crackled in her head and the memory of battle plans ran through her mind, map after map of every fight. Green and red flowed down the side of a mountain. It was Herak’s mountain. They’d fought these creatures here before.

She floated down to a ledge, knees buckling under her. A voice, her voice, echoed in her head.
Lethal diamond tip tails will puncture wings or demons. Slay valuable part of earth demon. Hounds of Hell prefer packs so split them up.
Twenty more demon images flashed in her mind with her notes, like an old movie reel she’d seen once in a movie when they brainwashed some poor sap. But this was no brainwash. This was strategic information.

She clung to a jagged rock, afraid if she moved the connection would sever her tenuous tie to much needed information. More images flashed. Elianna, her confidant, by her side. Sammy fighting. Alexander healing. They were all there, in her mind’s eye. Decades of war, of people dying, hunger, famine, disease. The world was in complete darkness.

The images started to fade as she slid through a tunnel back to reality. The last image— Alexander lying in her arms, bleeding. “No, wait.” She squeezed her eyes tight and willed to see more. Was it from the past war? Something still to come?

The connection broke and she pressed her throbbing head against the cool rocks. So much to process. She panted and tried to slow her thrashing heart.

Screeches sounded above. Only two demons remained in the sky.

“Wait,” she called out.

Boon stopped his assault inches from pressing one demon’s tail to its own chest, while Grace’s hand hovered inches from the other’s face.

“Bring them to me.”

Boon raised a questioning eyebrow, but immediately obeyed.

“Herak.” Gabby let go of the cliff and flew to his side, resting the tip of her sword against the hard ground. “Too many have died. I know this is war, but if one soul can be saved…” She choked on the memories now part of her. “Speak to them. If they choose to fight by our side, I will grant them a pardon at the end of the war, and they may choose to live out their days on Earth in peace. As for redemption, that is out of my hands.”

“They didn’t choose to join me. Redemption will be theirs.”

She nodded then frowned as the creatures they’d just disintegrated reappeared. “Include those that have just been reborn.”

Herak nodded, and an almost imperceptible smile crossed his lips. “As you wish.” A series of squeals and squawks filled the sky.

Boon stepped forward. “We don’t have much time. The minute I crossed the barrier Sammy sent a message. A master demon has entered Kemp to ready for Satan’s arrival. Forras is under his command.”

Herak turned back to them. “They agree.”

“It is on your head, Herak. One false move and with this sword and my wings, I will be the one to send them to darkness for eternity. You along with them.”

“Understood.”

“Gabby, there’s more.” Boon touched her upper arm then stepped back and lowered his head. “Your father. The master demon has ordered Forras to turn him over. Satan has a plan for him.”

Chapter Thirteen

Boon, Alexander, Grace, Herak, and Gabby all raced toward Kemp. By the time they arrived, daylight was fading, the clouds growing darker with streaks of red. The cold mist made Alexander shiver. Too many people would die before this was over, and it was his job to save as many as he could. He wasn’t a fighter. He was a healer, the one who kept the angels in the sky and the humans safe on the ground.

Herak flew beside his little demonlings. The sight of him still churned Alexander’s stomach. He had no memory of Herak appearing in that form. Dark tan and brown stripes crossed his cheeks and ran down the middle of his bumpy back.

“Grace,” Herak called out.

“Yes.”

“You should tell your son not to stare. It’s rude.”

Grace fell back beside Herak. “Well, you are quite the sight, old man.”

Was she serious? Bantering playful while they flew to save the world from Satan’s clutches? He could feel his nose scrunch and lips curl in a snarl.

Grace resumed her position in the formation, all of them flying with Gabby in the center. The dark green scabbard holding the angel-wing sword was strapped safely between her wings on her back.

Boon dove left and they each followed, dropping below the sulfuric smelling clouds to a few hundred feet above the ferocious sea. Land finally came into view. They crossed the state in less than a half-hour this time and Grace’s home came into view. The ocean surged toward their two story white Victorian. Alexander’s gut wrenched at the sight. They’d just rebuilt their home last year. He’d hoped someday to live there with Gabby. Delusions. How could he ever believe an angel could live the life of a human, with a white picket fence, happy wife and family?

“There.” Grace pointed at the Prim’s old house engulfed in flames, a brilliant blaze of reds and gold overpowering the waning sun.

“Dad,” Gabby whispered.

“No. He’s in the woods. Sammy says they’re surrounded. She’s not sure yet which side Forras will choose.”

Alexander, Boon seems tense
. Sammy’s voice echoed in his head.
Everything okay?

Yes, Herak is with us. And he’s not happy about it.

No, he wouldn’t be.

He’ll be fine,
Gabby’s voice echoed. Alexander shot a glance her way and she smiled.
Yes, I can hear all of you now. Let’s keep this between us though, for now.

Her soft voice reassured him that they were still connected. And now, on the battlefield, he’d be able to track her.

Yes, that’s how you found me last time. But no abandoning the wounded to fix a broken wing, got it
?

Heat flooded his face.
Right
.

Well, that’s a first. I made you blush
.

He peeked over at her, but her eyes were focused on the woods ahead. They reached the beach and headed for the tree line.

Boon landed at the edge of the woods. “I believe the hunters have arrived.”

Alexander slowed and landed behind Boon then quickly took Gabby’s hand. It had been murder not touching her all this time. His human body craved the contact and his soul ached for her caresses. If the war didn’t kill him, not touching her would.

I’ve wanted to touch you since we left as well
.
Gabby’s voice startled him. Dang, he’d have to watch what he thought. This was going to take some getting used to.

Hey, not fair. No reading my mind.

I wasn’t. You were shouting in my head, demanding me to touch you
. Gabby narrowed her gaze. “We have a problem.”

Gunfire popped in the distance. Howls echoed and the wind picked up. It was an all-out battle.