Chapter 32

Michael watched the color fade from Lex's face as fear filled her eyes. Whispers continued throughout the crowd as heads turned toward them, particularly Aaron. Michael reached out to touch Lex's shoulder but she shook him off as she hovered over her son. The rejection hurt but he knew it was well deserved. Her son would not be in danger if it wasn't for him and his ongoing battle with Gabriel.

"We're not letting them take him." Rochelle said immediately as she knelt with Sam, then pointed to the crowd around them. "I don't give two shits what the rest of them say."

"We will need time to discuss this offer among ourselves." General Reisen shouted back.

"You have 10 minutes to decide, otherwise according to your own customs, we must assume your people choose battle." The voice overhead responded.

"They're eager." Lex whispered to the rest of their small group as her arms tightened around Aaron. "They're ready to attack."

Michael looked around as some of the crowd tightened around them. His hand went to his sword on impulse but to his relief, the humans turned away from them, raised their firearms to the sky.

"We're with you." Said one man as he nodded his head toward Lex. "The Camp lives free and dies free."

Michael looked on as more people surrounded them, repeating, solemnly, the same oath quietly.

"The Camp lives free and dies free."

They were choosing to die rather than hand over the child. He was amazed this group of chaotic, violent humans would be so selfless. Their bravery just confirmed even further his justification in saving the human race and his Father's never-ending love for them.

Sam stood up and spoke with pride. "You see now why I live with them? The Camp lives free and dies free."

Lex's eyes lifted finally to him, fear gone, clear determination left in its wake. Lex stepped toward him and leaned up to speak in his ear. "When the fighting starts, grab him and go."

"I will not leave you behind."

"You'll have to. You can't fly carrying me. I will cause you to fall out of the sky." She whispered back. "Remember this. He is all that matters. I swear to you now if I lose him, my death will follow regardless of what you do."

Her threat lingered between them, weighing him down. The coldness in her eyes told him everything. She would force his hand, force him into an impossible choice. If he stayed to fight alongside her and they lost Aaron, she would end her own life. If he escaped with her son, her life would be in jeopardy without his protection.

"Promise me, Michael. Promise me now that you will put his life above all others, even my own." She palmed the side of his face tenderly. "And I'll promise to find my way back to the two of you."

"I just found you." He murmured softly to her as his mind tried to memorize her face, every shape, every flaw, knowing this may be the last he will see of her.

"Actually, I found you and trust that I will do it again. Promise me. Now, Michael." She insisted quietly.

"I vow it." The words rolled from his mouth as defeat seemed to swallow his heart. A look of relief washed over her features just before she pulled his face down to hers. Her lips glided across his tenderly, almost asking for forgiveness and saying goodbye all at once.

"Mom, what are we going to do?" Aaron asked, courage overtaking his fear.

"We're going to fight, son. Like we always have." She replied hugging him tight to her. "Bubs, I won't let them take you."

"Times up, Citizens. Is it trade or battle?" The voice overhead said impatiently.

A familiar voice from the crowd repeated itself again. "Fuck off!"

Wings appeared in the spotlights as the dogs of heaven dove toward them in unison. Multiple guns fired from the ground along with a rallying cry from the humans around them.