Ascension of Evil (Battle for Souls Book 3) (24 page)

A shot of electricity jolted through her. “Listen to her, Forras,” Charlotte’s voice whispered from her mouth. “You promised you would never abandon me. This time keep your word. Forgive yourself and come back to me.”

Gabby’s muscles let go and she slumped.

Forras stood, shoulders hunched, for a long moment. “I’ll help you. For Charlotte. But in the end, I hope she’ll choose to let me go,” he said in a hollow, far off tone.

“Forras, love will win in the end,” Gabby said. Whether it was to reassure him or herself, she wasn’t sure.

“You’re not listening. I don’t deserve her. She needs to let me go and move on.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I knew about your deal. I was your second and most trusted warrior. I helped get everyone out of the way to seal the deal.”

Grace sighed and shook her head. “You two were close. It makes sense.”

“Then we both have something to work for. Help me, and we can make this right again. Tell us. What happened with General Beck? Why was the Prim there?”

Forras swiped the tears from his eyes. “What do you think she wanted? She’s trying to make a deal for the general to turn all of you over, except Herak. The general’s entire troop has been drawn to the edge of the compound. They’re ordered to remain there at all cost. Little do they know that hounds lie in wait for them. That’s where General Beck was supposed to turn you over. The Prim planned on flying Herak out the minute you stepped foot off the compound.”

Grace shook her head. “General Beck can’t be that stupid. He has to know it’s a trap. The hunters will be annihilated.”

“Well, guess they got it coming. I mean how many have they killed over the years?” Forras placed his hands on his hips and stomped back to the rock.

“Did General Beck agree?” Gabby asked.

Forras flung his head back. “Yes, but only after some persuasion. It turns out all of his men are standing on sacrificial ground. They’re doomed.”

“Still, I find it hard to believe he’d agree to turn us over,” Gabby said. “If he was planning to, he’d be making other demands. A different trade spot or something. He’s a strategist, and based on the fact he’s leading this army of hunters, I’m thinking he’s good at it.”

Grace spread her wings. “I agree, and it’s time we ask him ourselves. Let’s go.”

Gabby stood there, feeling awkward. Did she offer to fly him to their home? Alexander’s anger at seeing Forras in her arms was something she didn’t need right now.

Forras glowered at her. “Oh, please. I’m as fast as you, just on the ground. Try to keep up.” He jumped onto a tree and bounded out of site.

She took a deep breath and slung the scabbard’s strap over her shoulder. Her wings slipped from her back, and she took to the skies. At least they didn’t have to worry about the hunters. They were all preoccupied now, but hounds still howled in the distance, sending a quiver down Gabby’s wings.

Dark figures moved through the path below. Forras stayed to the trees, but for a moment, she thought they would attack him. She kept him in sight all the way to Grace’s house, making sure he wasn’t just all talk, but would actually help them this time.

Grace stood at the bottom step, waiting for them. No lights illuminated the two-story structure. Had Herak and Boon made it to the house with Prim?

Gabby landed next to Grace, smelling a salty mist and something chemical. No fresh baked bread or desserts this time.

Forras sat on the front porch swing, looking at his nails. “Took you long enough,” he mocked. Did he ever tire of provoking people?

No. Not even when he was a boy.

Grace?

Yes, dear?

You can hear my thoughts?

Yes, for a couple of days now.

Gabby’s face grew hot.
You’ve heard everything?

She smiled.
No, child. When you direct a thought specifically at one person, I won’t hear it. When you have open thoughts, everyone can hear them. You might want to be careful with that.

Gabby laughed nervously.
Yes, I should.

“What?” Forras asked.

Gabby ignored him and continued up the steps.
Why are all the lights off?

Probably because Sammy, Herak, Boon, Alexander, and your dad are trying to remain off the radar,
Grace said.

Gabby had a suspicion they were being watched, but she didn’t sense anyone—demon, human, or angel—nearby.

Wouldn’t the demons think to check our home once they discover we’re missing?
Grace asked.

Yes, and I’m sure they have, but right now, we’ve bought some time. All the hunters and demons believe we’re still in the compound. It won’t last long though. We need to hurry.
Gabby opened the creaking screen then the front door. “Herak? Boon?” The room remained still and dark.
Boon? Are you in there
?
Gabby glanced back at Grace, but she shook her head. No answer couldn’t be good.

Chapter Seventeen

Alexander smiled as Bruce threw the general to the ground and landed a few punches. In spite of his age and withdrawal symptoms, he could hold his own in a fight.

“You sorry excuse for a human being. Can’t believe you’d sell your men to save yourself. And you call yourself a hunter.”

Although, Alexander enjoyed watching Bruce beat out some old-fashioned justice, they didn’t have time. He grabbed Bruce, while Sammy landed between the men, her finger wagging at both of them. “Stop it, you two.”

Alexander stifled a smile. Sammy couldn’t pull off the angry thing convincingly. He stepped forward and scowled at General Beck. “Listen to me. There isn’t much time. That deal you were going to make. What was it exactly? And when is it supposed to go down?”

Kneeling, General Beck rested his hands on his thighs and sucked in a few breaths. “The deal was my men for your band of rebels.”

Bruce thrashed against Alexander’s grip. “You stupid—”

“I wasn’t going through with it, old man. We were going to blow that master demon lady back to Hell where she belonged. The only problem was you guys stopping us.”

Sammy tisked. “You think you could kill her with human weapons. Not that easy.”

“No kidding. We found out too late my men were on sacrificial land. I tried to call them back and set up just outside, but that freak of nature showed up too early. The demon boy, Forras, sent his hounds to guard my men from leaving.” He hung his head. “We’re screwed.”

A slow burn started in Alexander’s stomach and worked its way outward. “I thought you said we had days before—”

“No. Just said it to keep you there. I have no clue how long. Could be hours. Days. Not sure. That freak boy could tell you, though.”

“Tell me something. If we free your men, what side will they fight on?” Alexander asked.

“Our side. Earth’s. The one kicking every supernatural creature back to where they belong,” General Beck huffed.

Good, at least he was honest.

Bruce shook Alexander off and lowered his hands. “Listen, you ain’t got a shot without them.”

General Beck scrunched his nose. “You always were a freak lover. Heard your wife was a demon herself.”

Sammy slapped her palms against General Beck’s chest and sent him back a few steps. Bruce lunged, but Alexander restrained him again.

“She was an angel, a servant of God. And you’re nothing more than a coward,” Sammy said.

Alexander placed his hands on Bruce’s shoulders, calming his escalating fury. “We can stand here and fight all night, or we can go figure out a way to stop this war.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” General Beck coughed. “You end this war, and I’ll let you and that girl of yours live in Kemp. You raise whatever demonlings you want here, but you don’t leave. That’s the best deal I’m gonna make. Oh, and a team of hunters will remain in the area to keep an eye on you.”

Was he serious? One little team of hunters against the Chosen One and him?

Then it clicked. The man was just trying to save face. He needed their help, but here, in front of Bruce, he’d never admit it.

“Fine. You’ve got a deal.” Alexander offered his hand, but General Beck didn’t take it.

“You’ve got my word. Now, let’s go kick some demon ass.” He about-faced and headed back toward camp.

Sammy zoomed up behind General Beck and lifted him into the air. His combat boots flailed as he hooted and hollered into the sky.

Bruce chuckled. “I knew I liked your sister.”

Alexander walked up behind Bruce and lifted him into the air. Even now, it felt awkward to fly with someone besides Gabby, but he had to get used to it. She had her own wings now and didn’t need that from him any longer. She’d grown into the warrior angel she was meant to be. Gifted, strong, full of Heavenly power, and their love had fostered that change.

They headed toward the house. When they cleared the open field, Alexander felt a surge of anxiety. “Gabby.”

Bruce tilted his head to look back at Alexander. “What is it?”

Alexander searched for answers but found none. “Don’t know, but hold on.” He pushed hard. Passing Sammy, he landed on the sandy bottom step. The door stood ajar. His pulse quickened. “Wait here.” He shoved Bruce to the side and marched up the steps and through the front door. The foyer was dark. Wind whipped sand through the door, lashing at the back of his neck, but he remained focused. His emotions rioted with his senses and he couldn’t connect with Gabby.

Are you here?
His eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and he spotted sandy footprints, leading to the back of the house.

Sammy joined him. He took a quick look behind him and discovered the general and Bruce both had drawn their guns.

“G-Bear?” Bruce called out.

General Beck sniffled or snorted, he wasn’t sure which. “You call the divine warrior, the Chosen One to save all of human kind, G-Bear?”

Bruce glowered at him and stepped to Sammy’s side. “She’s my daughter, and will always be my little G-Bear.”

Sammy shuffled into the hallway. Alexander took the dining room. A jarring zap sent him flying backwards. He slammed against the entryway table and a vase crashed to the floor.

Grace poked her head out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Oh, come in.

Sorry about that. Herak was supposed to be watching for you.

Herak shrugged. “Sorry.”

General Beck stood there, staring at the invisible thing that just sent Alexander soaring past him.

“Prim lifted her shield. You can come through now. I have some eggs, bacon, and biscuits ready.” Grace waved them in before returning to the kitchen.

“Dang it all to—” General Beck leaned against the wall. “Great, now I’m having breakfast with fallen angels and demons. Something tells me everything is about to be turned all sorts of crazy.”

Bruce offered his hand to Alexander to help him up. “Guess you’ll have to learn how to adapt to your environment if you’re going to lead all those men.”

General Beck cracked his knuckles. “What? You think you can do a better job?” Alexander bolted upright and stood between them.

“I wouldn’t trade the most important angelic warrior to the devil,” Bruce scolded then sauntered around the man without another word.

Alexander ignored the general’s expression and turned toward the mouth-watering aroma of bacon and fresh bread.

Sammy ran past them, almost knocking a dining chair over, and leapt into Boon’s arms. “When I couldn’t connect with you, I got frightened.”

“The Prim guarded our house. That way none of the hounds can sniff us out. I guess a master demon has some useful qualities,” Boon murmured.

Alexander found Gabby sitting by the window, Forras by her side. With clutched fists, he shot Forras a warning until he moved to another stool across the small eating area. Then he pushed by Herak and went to her side. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Just needed to know you were okay. I’m glad you’re here.”

There was something more. She took his hand and held it to her cheek.
I love the way you smell. It always calms me.

We’re going to find a way to get the angels to fight for us. Satan will not win.
Alexander cupped her face and pulled her to him. Instant warmth catapulted through his body, ricocheted off his bones and smashed into his heart. His full, completely attached heart.

Heaven, the council, and God himself would not have executed such a detailed plan—with Elianna returning, you being a product of all worlds, Boon, Grace, Sammy, and the hunters, all here together—if we didn’t have a shot at ending this.

All those visions I’ve had. Did you notice I haven’t drawn one picture of the future lately? What if Appius has tricked me again and I’m seeing things that aren’t part of the big plan.

Gabby looked at Grace.
What if Appius is waiting for me to fail so that he can rule over all of humankind himself?

Grace stopped cutting biscuits and glanced at Gabby, shaking her head.