Chapter 11

Grace

It was overwhelming to think that we were somehow responsible for keeping these three-thousand-plus civilians alive, but here we were. The kids were already hard at work, laying sigils and building walls with their abilities. Serra, Charlie, and Levi were in place, along with the other Warriors that had been dropped in by the angels. Jogging to the edge of the ridge, I did a rough estimate of just how many monsters we were facing.

There had to be a few thousand.

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head. "Just another day in the neighborhood," I breathed, glancing to my husband. "There has to be a leader in town, calling the herd together. They don't congregate like that on their own."

Dean nodded, checking his guns to make sure they were loaded. "That sounds like something I can do," he ventured. "Tell me where."

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the signature that I was used to; a demon or other creature from Hell that acted like a beacon for the other monsters. He was there, centered in town, at a grungy bar, almost waiting for someone to come and find him.

"There's a bar on Sixth and Main," I opened my eyes to stare at my husband. "He's awfully cocky."

"Probably a trap."

Nodding, I lifted my eyebrows. "Most likely," I agreed. "Have fun."

Dean winked flirtatiously at me and with that, he and Khamael disappeared on the spot.

I turned back to the town below me and took a deep breath. This is where being a Nephilim came in handy. "Alright," I ventured to the audience below me in my normal voice, though I knew everyone was connected through our abilities, "I'm up top; command center is southwest side of the town. Everyone gimme a check in."

In my mind, a steady stream of consciousness began speaking as if they stood next to me, Hey there Gracie! It's nice to hear from you so close, Donna's voice echoed.

I agree, Santiago stated calmly. It's rare we get to battle as one these days.

We're here, Serra checked in. Lee and Charlie are on my flanks.

Angelique continued, Long time, no see, boss lady. It's good to hear your voice. Ry's here with me, too.

With a smile in his voice, Ryan continued, You got the comfy spot up on the mount, huh?

I chuckled, staring down into the darkness surrounding the town. "You want me to come down?" I asked. "I can do a lot more when I can see the whole layout, you know."

I'm kidding, Ryan's voice answered. You know it's best for everyone to do you, Nephilim.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," I got down to business. "You have two herds joining in the northwest. We've got the usual players: hellhounds, shadow demons, smoke demons, and some zombiefied." I took a deep breath and rolled my head from side to side, falling into our battle-ready pattern. "The herd that joined the regs are the new, fancy, ultra-zombies. Moving fast."

I glanced to my right and focused on the outskirts of town, where I knew the girls were laying shields and sigils. "We have shields up, ladies?"

Yeah Mom, Liberty answered. Glory's got us covered individually, but we didn't get a chance to get to bubble the other Warriors.

"We'll get you over there soon," I answered. "Just make sure the front walls hold for now. We've got maybe three minutes before contact."

As I stood, waiting for the herds to join and hit the walls we had established with full force, I could feel a shift in the atmosphere. Something crackled in the ozone and made the hairs on my arms and neck stand on end. My daughters immediately sensed the shift as well and as my eyes flew open, Faith appeared at my side.

"Is that—?" she breathed, staring at me in wide-eyed terror.

"Fuck," I whispered, making eye contact with my youngest daughter. "Fuck, fuck, fuck," I bolted to the edge of the hill and began running down at full speed. Faith was on my tail in a heartbeat, keeping up with every step I took. She reached for my hand and we immediately jumped to Dean, who was approaching the entrance to the bar. He was obviously surprised at our arrival.

"What—"

I turned without answering and threw a protective shield around the bar we stood outside, mainly to keep our enemy inside of the building, instead of coming to see what we were up to.

Dean watched me, his eyebrows knitted together with concern. "What's wrong? Why aren't you sticking to the plan?"

Faith glanced at me, looking more human than she had ever seemed. I took a deep breath and concentrated on keeping the conversation between the three of us. "He's here," I muttered, feeling the cold terror seeping into my bones. I didn't need to explain who I was talking about. Dean's mouth dropped open.

We weren't prepared for this. We had no idea that he would be on the move.

Instinct took over and I spun in place, turning to stare at Faith, and already thinking of a new plan. "Lib, Glory," I muttered, "get back to high ground."

We're not done laying the sigils, Lib's voice answered in our heads.

"Now," my voice was firmer than my girls were used to hearing me speak, so I knew they would have jumped into action. I didn't waste any more time.

"Warriors," I muttered, staring at Dean. "Are you listening?"

We're here, Angelique answered.

I took a deep breath, "Who has eyes on Serra?"

There was a pause as the Warriors collectively searched for my sister. Finally, Charlie's voice broke through my train of thought, I take it this isn't supposed to involve Mom?

"You have eyes on her?" I reiterated.

Yes.

I swallowed, not knowing how my niece was going to be able to pull this off, but it had to happen. I had to make sure Serra was near me before she caught sight of him. I had to be able to control her reaction.

"Get her off the line," I commanded, staring blankly into the darkness. "I don't care how, and I don't care what you say to her, but it has to be her idea. Get her off the line."

Auntie? Charlie asked, hesitating.

I licked my lips and flicked my gaze towards my husband. "He's here," I whispered.