Ethan's POV
When you're looking at your friend-your damaged, handicapped friend lying on a hospital bed, not moving, with only the slow beep of the heart monitor any proof that she's alive, it's amazing what slips your mind.
Seeing Liv, with one leg, half faceless, and burnt all over, I soon forgot everything that was happening.
Abraham and Sarafine being alive and needing two sacrifices to awaken the Devil himself. And, just my luck, the two sacrifices are yours truly and Lena.
Yet despite this, I felt myself pushing the issue to one side as I sat next to Liv's unmoving body. The slow beat of the heart monitor moved at a slow and steady pace. Hard to believe something like that could save a person.
"Liv, please recover soon. We need you." I whispered in her ear, even though I knew she couldn't hear me. I didn't care. She was as much a family member to us and I couldn't bear to live without her. Plus, her knowledge helped us a lot.
It's ok, Ethan. She'll recover. She has a strong will.
Lena, why don't you come down to County Care? I know it's gruesome, but it's nothing compared to Angelus incinerating, right?
It's different. Angelus was our enemy. Liv's a friend. I can't see her like that. It's a living death.
Well, we can't choose how we want to look when fighting for survival, right?
I guess so.
What are you guys doing?
We're scouting different reports about the cult group in LA. Haven't found much yet, but we just know this cult was formed almost 4 months after we died.
Anything else?
Not yet, but I'll keep you updated.
Ok, good luck. I'll join you soon.
I looked at Liv again, hoping that she would just open her eyes to see the world around her again.
Suddenly, the heart monitor started going wacky. The once slow beat of the electrocardiogram started running faster, and Liv's entire body started vibrating.
"Liv?"
I was shocked when she suddenly grabbed my hands, pulling me towards her. She opened her eyes, and I saw they were as yellow as lightning.
I struggled to break free of the Dark Caster possessing her, but whatever was in Liv was strong, because even with my Incubus strength, I couldn't break free.
Lena!
I feel it! I'm coming, Ethan! Fight it!
Easier said than done.
I struggled against the Caster, pulling away from Liv's body, but only felt my energy sapping away.
Come on, Wate! Box him out!
For some reason, my old basketball coach's words rang in my head. But they were right in the aspect that I couldn't give up.
Lena?
We're here!
Soon, the door to the ward opened, with Lena barging in.
L! Empath!
Are you sure?
No other option.
As Lena gripped my hand, I felt the power flow through. I gripped Liv's arms.
Sorry for this, Liv. I thought.
Then I sent a charged bolt of lightning up her arms. Whatever was inside her must have taken a big beating, because I felt the strength in Liv's arms fade, and her grip loosen. She collapsed on the bed, but the heart monitor started beeping even slower.
Dangerously slow.
Lena, did you bring Ryan?
Yeah.
As though reading our minds, Ryan came in to the room.
"Ryan, you think you can heal Liv?" Lena asked.
"I might be able to. But she may be too far gone. I'll try, though."
I watched Ryan use her healing powers on Liv. I saw the heart monitor spike upwards, towards a more healthy level.
Ryan collapsed in Lena's arms, exhausted from the effort.
"Saved her for now." Were her last words as she passed out.
We settled Ryan in a chair in the corner of the room. Then, Lena turned to me.
"What happened? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. A little pain around the arms, but nothing serious."
"So what happened?"
"I'm not sure. One minute, she's lying on the bed, the next she's attacking me with the strength of a pro wrestler. But is it possible for a Dark Caster to possess others? Because I saw she had yellow eyes."
"It's possible. But only the most powerful of them can. Maybe Sarafine or Kelly could..." She trailed off.
It hit me like a sledgehammer. A random strike on Liv? Unlikely.
That meant...
It's a trap!
No sooner had we thought that than the wall exploded.
When the smoke cleared, Kelly Johnson stood there, grinning.
"Well, well, looks like the whole gang's here. This just makes my life easier."
So saying, she blasted a fireball at us.
Duck!
We ducked as the fireball shot past us, hitting the wall behind us and burning a hole through to the next ward.
"I could attack you guys and kill you now, but those aren't my orders. Don't worry, I won't be long. The masters await." She said, before leaving.
Instantly, Lena was on her feet, chasing after Kelly.
L? What about Liv?
We'll come back for her.
Reluctantly, I left, following Lena through the hole.
Outside, Kelly had been busy. The hospital was on fire, patients were being escorted out with nurses, and a lot of people were screaming.
There are people in there!
Yeah, but what can we do now?
I knew what she meant. Kelly had just come in front of us.
"Well, that was easy, wasn't it?"
"You bitch!" Lena launched herself at Kelly.
She grinned and unsheathed a knife, raising it to attack Lena.
"You think I wouldn't come here armed?" She raised the knife and slashed at Lena. She ducked in time.
It was like watching a ballet. Lena would duck and spin out of the way of the blade, while Kelly went on the offensive, slashing and trying to kill.
At one point, Lena got careless, and the blade cut into her. I watched as her blood dripped on the floor. I ran over, hoping to help.
"That blade is enchanted. If it cuts a Caster, their power becomes useless." Kelly laughed, as Lena tried to Cast, to no avail.
"I can still fight." Lena growled and kicked at Kelly.
She got nowhere near, as Kelly Cast, sending a trove of vines to wrap around Lena.
"No use moving." Kelly laughed, before raising her knife. "This should be an easy kill."
"Hey, Kelly!" I called.
She turned.
And that's when I launched a fist in her stomach with enough strength to fell a bull. Now down, and trying to recover, I pulled the vines apart, freeing Lena.
She picked up Kelly's knife.
"This should be an easy kill." And she brought the knife down on Kelly.
Kelly didn't even scream. She just started dissolving. But before she dissolved completely, I heard her voice.
"Oh, this is only just beginning."
Suddenly, our vision was blinded by police sirens and lights. I watched as the armoured men came at us.
"Lena Duchannes?" One of them asked.
"Yes." She answered.
"You are under arrest."
"What? What for?" We both asked simultaneously.
"For the murder of an innocent person."
"She didn't murder anyone!" I yelled.
"We saw her stab an undefended civilian. And because you knocked the lady down, you're coming with us. We also have reason to suspect that you two set fire to the hospital."
"That's bullshit!" I yelled.
"Tell that to the judge."
After that, they cuffed us. We were led to a police car.
Around us, the hospital continued to burn while fire trucks came.
I'm happy to announce that I have planned a sequel series for this story that will come out only after this story is done! So be sure to watch out!
I want to thank all those who have read this, and I'm sorry to say this, but if you think this story is gonna end happily ever after, you'll be disappointed. Even if it's all rosy at the end, it comes at a major price.
But enough of spoilers! See you next time!