A/N – Thanks for the comments! Phoenix615 – Thank you so much! * ReadtoRelax – Nope! * mfaerie32 – Um I think I said she is 15 and he is 19 (which is why she said that he'd have to wait 3 years – although in New York, 17 is legal for consent and they are less than 4 years between their ages so probably wouldn't be an issue for them to date now, I just think waiting for her to turn 16 would be more appropriate). * myhiggins25 – How about Macan or Tristey? Glad you're enjoying it! * Jolo – Thank you!
Chapter 28 – New Challenges
The rest of Sophie's crew arrived while she tended to Brom. He is tied to Abbie's bed as a precaution.
"Is tying him down really necessary?" Jenny asked.
"I'm afraid so. He will become quite restless as he does battle in his sleep and Abraham will not be able to resist trying to save the people he cares about." Sophie isn't even sure that the ropes would hold due to the ring, but she is hoping that they'll slow him down.
"Can't we stop him from sleeping?" Abbie asked.
Sophie shook her head. "No. To Brom, it will seem like he can't keep his eyes open once Balaam starts. He's counting on drawing Brom out of the house and to the graveyard where he'll change him again."
Brom closed his eyes. "I can't go back to being that monster."
Abbie moved closer and touched his leg, prompting him to open his eyes again. "You won't. Believe it or not, I like having you around." She had grown to care for Brom, something she would have never thought she would ever do. It helped that he was crazy about her sister, but it was also that she had come to realize that Brom was a good man.
"Thank you. I like being around."
Sophie slightly smiled. "I'm going to join hands with Abbie and Jenny and say some incantations. It will help keep you protected."
"Will the ring allow it?"
"I believe so. It's helping not hurting you."
Brom nodded. "Alright."
"I'm staying with him."
Abbie frowned.
"I'm sorry Jenny, but you cannot. Balaam will know that we are on to him and it will take away some of our leverage. Macey, Cynthia, and Tristan will be here while the rest of us do battle at the graveyard." They have no idea what to expect, but Sophie figured Balaam is going to pull out all of the stops to get what he wants. She has a feeling that the cipher is just a diversion to get them all separated which is why they need to set the space in the cabin.
"Macey isn't ready yet," Jenny said.
"She's more ready than she realizes and Tristan will not let anything happen to them."
Andy entered the room, surprising them all. "I will be here too."
Abbie slightly smiled. "Thank you, Andy."
He nodded.
"Is there anything you can tell us to help?"
"Unfortunately, he has shut me out, although I did manage to find out that they are using the Grigori and Nephilim."
They are stunned. The Grigori are fallen angels that were otherwise known as Watchers. They had intercourse with humans and their offspring were called Nephilim. Initially, the Grigori were cast into total darkness by God and a small percentage of their offspring were allowed to become demons and lead the human race astray until the Day of Judgment." She figures Moloch is responsible for their escape.
"How do we fight against them?" Jenny asked.
"The demons, we will handle the normal way, although they will be stronger. The Grigori are a different story. Their powers are task related. Anything can happen, so we have to on guard."
Abbie nodded. "I'll be right back."
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Macey sat on the porch with Tristan. "We'll have to work together."
He nodded. "I know. Macey, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. I need you to focus on Abraham and your mom. I'll probably be outside in case there is any breach in the protection."
"You think they could get through?" She is worried that she won't be enough.
"It's a possibility. While the protection around the property will hold for most entities, it's not perfect. Anything can be broken down if one is determined enough."
Macey averted her eyes as she fiddled with her protection amulet.
"Don't be scared. I won't let anything happen to you."
She looked up at him. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you earlier. I shouldn't have."
"It's okay. I'm just not used to the attention."
"You're my friend and I like talking to you and you're also closer to my age than everyone else."
Tristan realizes that Macey is kind of isolated. "I don't mind being your friend." He isn't quite sure how to handle Macey, knowing that he still needs to keep some distance from her, even though he wishes she is older and they didn't. She has definitely grown on him.
"Are you scared?"
Tristan met her gaze. "Now? No. But we all get scared. After all, the responsibility for all of us is huge. One mistake could cost a life."
She nodded.
"I believe in you."
Her eyes snapped to his. "Why?"
"Because you are more powerful than you realize and I think if you got pissed off, demons beware."
They grinned.
Cynthia sat across from them. "I may not have powers, but I know how to shoot a gun. I'm very good because Frank made sure of it." There is no way she is going to allow anything to take over her daughter again.
Tristan nodded.
"We'll have to work together. Macey, you should be with Abraham. I'll stand in the doorway to make sure that nothing can get in. Tristan, you are going to have to be outside. Macey can communicate telepathically if we need you. Look for any cracks in the protection. You may need to shape shift."
"I'm prepared. I have a bag inside with extra clothes in it. I know this may sound weird, but I need to smell both of you so I know not to attack."
Cynthia gave him a look and Macey giggled.
"I'll go first."
Tristan took a deep breath and leaned over and put his head in the crook of Macey's neck and inhaled her essence. She could feel his breath on her skin and it made her shiver. He pulled back and took her arm and ran his nose down it and Macey giggled because it tickled.
Cynthia stood and Tristan took her hand and sniffed her arm.
"I mean no disrespect, but…"
She tilted her head and he took in her smell just like he had her daughter. Frank walked through the doorway.
"What the hell?"
Tristan's head jerked back as Cynthia chuckled.
"He needs to make sure he can recognize us once he turns into a panther."
"I really never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth."
Macey laughed. "Dad!"
Frank smirked. "Alright, you've smelled enough of my wife."
Tristan rolled his eyes and took a seat.
"Are you guys sure you'll be okay on your own?"
Cynthia nodded. "We were just working it out. I have the shotgun and a couple of handguns ready, one is specialized. If they try to get in, I'll do whatever is necessary."
Frank smiled. She looks so hot when she is fired up. "I know you will. Did he already smell my daughter?"
Cynthia smacked his arm. "Behave."
"I'm not the one going around sniffing other people's wives and kids."
"Come on," she said as she chuckled and pulled him towards the house.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Abbie stood in the living room as everyone watched her hesitate before speaking. Ichabod knew whatever she is about to say probably isn't good.
"I want to summon Orion."
"Abbie—no," Ichabod said abruptly standing.
Abbie held up her hand. "We need his expertise."
Frank sighed. "I don't know if that is a good idea. He wanted to kill Abraham."
"But Abraham is no longer the horseman."
"Orion's goal was to rid the earth of the horseman. If Abraham is dead, then Balaam can't restore him to his previous state," Ichabod said.
"He won't be able to get to him. Look, whether you like it or not, Orion will have good information on how to easily defeat them. Hell, he might even try to help."
Ichabod is not happy at all. While he had to admit that it was partly jealously that had his knickers in a twist, it was also the fact that he didn't trust the fallen angel for a very good reason. He is a raving lunatic.
Jenny stood in her bedroom doorway. "Do it. It's what Brom wants." They need all the help they could get.
Abbie glanced at Andy who is standing in the corner. When he reluctantly nodded, she made the decision and went over to the desk and opened the drawer and took out the small replica of Orion's halo. "I'm going to the border of our property. I'll be right back."
As soon as she cleared the doorway, Ichabod followed and stood on the porch keeping a watchful eye on her.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Abbie stood at the edge and palmed the small halo and called to Orion, effectively summoning him. She waited and finally saw him fly towards her and then land with a loud thump onto the ground. He doesn't look really happy to see her. "Why did you call?"
"Why did you come?"
He moved a few paces closer and then studied the magical wall that separates them. "Interesting group of people you're surrounding yourself with. The horseman of death Abbie? Really?"
"Look, I know I turned on you, but you were acting like a crazy person—wanting to become death. I was convinced that you had completely lost touch with reality."
"Wanting to rid the world of evil is not something I'm ashamed of."
"The problem with your Hitlerish intentions is that you act like everyone is evil when that is far from the truth. You don't care if innocent people die. Apparently, scourging the earth is more important than fairly doling out your vengeance which by the way is his," she said pointing up.
He is getting frustrated with her calling out his behavior. "There is nothing innocent about the human race."
"So children deserve to die the same as a murderer?"
Orion glared at her. "Those children will grow up and do ridiculously stupid and evil things."
"Look, I think the K's are ridiculously stupid too, but besides being self absorbed, showing too much skin, and shoving themselves down my throat, until they kill someone, literally, I don't think their existence is evil—even though the mother is suspect."
Orion smirked. "Very funny Abbie. Again, why am I here?"
"I think you know why. Tonight, we're going to face Balaam's minions again. Grigori and their evil spawns will be involved. I need some advice on how to fight them."
"And you trust me to help?"
She shrugged. "If you hadn't gone all crazy zealot on me, I wouldn't have turned my back on you, although I'm glad it happened the way it did because Abraham is human again."
"And he can still be turned. His very existence can lead to the end of days."
"The end of days will happen regardless of his participation. I need you to get your head out of your ass and help get rid of some real evil. You say you're all about that, so let's see what you're really made of."
Orion studied her. She is beautiful, tough, and God help him, he has a problem resisting her. Slowly, he reached around to his back, noting that Ichabod had started running towards them out of fear. "You're boyfriend isn't very trustful," he said as he showed her that he had replaced his weapon.
Abbie smirked. "That's all on you. How did you get another one?"
"Always have a backup, Abbie. You of all people should know that."
She gave him a look right as Ichabod stopped beside her, slightly out of breath. "I'm fine. He was just showing me that he's back in the game."
The two men stared daggers at each other.
"Tell me why I should even bother trusting you."
Orion smirked. "You were so busy with your wife that you left Abbie floundering around by herself to defend against the evil that you both swore to fight together."
Ichabod winced.
"I don't flounder," Abbie said.
"I can assure you that now I am completely focused on the matters at hand. How do I know you're not holding a grudge?" After all, Ichabod had destroyed his other weapon.
"I will refrain from wiping you from the face of the earth for now."
"Oh, you'll refrain forever," Abbie said crossing her arms in front of her.
Orion let out a sharp breath. "Fine. Your boyfriend is safe, but I really don't think he's worthy of you."
"And you are?" Ichabod asked incredulously.
"Now is not the time for this. Are you in or out?" Abbie asked.
"In."
"Good. Meet us at the graveyard next to the old church at midnight."
His wings spread out and he took off as they watched.
"I really hope this isn't a mistake."
"It won't be." She took his hand and they went back to the house to finish the preparations.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Sophie completed casting protection spells around Abraham and Jenny fed him something to eat.
"I kind of like you all tied up like this. If there wasn't a room full of people out there, I might have to take advantage of you," Jenny said before putting down the empty plate.
Abraham grinned. "I would be more than willing to acquiesce to your suggestion. Perhaps we can recreate it later."
"Deal, but I might use handcuffs instead."
He chuckled.
"Seriously though, I am worried about leaving you."
He wished he could hold her. "Can you lie next to me?"
She nodded and kicked off her sneakers and laid her head on his chest.
"Much better."
"Tonight is going to test all of us."
Brom is nervous because he isn't sure what to expect.
"He's probably going to try to make you think that I'm near death. You can't believe it. You're going to have to fight him with everything you've got."
Brom closed his eyes. "I know. I'll try not to let you down."
She pushed off of him so she could look into his eyes. "I have faith in you Brom. After all the evil you've known, you were able to leave it behind and be instrumental in destroying our enemies. We'll all make it through this. We have to." She moved closer to him and kissed him thoroughly before pulling back, wondering how she had ever let herself get so attached to this man. It wasn't in her nature to trust and she normally ran from commitment, but she couldn't fight her attraction. She had fallen for him and there was no turning back.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Right before they hit the steps, Abbie tugged Ichabod against her. "I love you and I'm only thinking about what is right for all of us. I know I didn't give you much choice in the matter."
"It's okay. I was responding largely out of jealousy not what was best for the team. You were correcting your assessment and I humbly apologize for not seeing things more clearly."
"Thank you."
He kissed her. "I hate it when you're right."
Abbie chuckled. "Get used to it."
He gave her a side look and she laughed.
