Chapter Twenty Three
Lorena stood uneasy behind Michael as he neared the werewolves. Her fangs ached, wanting to reveal themselves in the presence of the enemy. She kept them receded, not wanting to invoke the werewolves. There were hundreds before her, far more then she could take on even with Michael`s help. Michael, already on all fours, bowed his head and snorted softly. Low grunts, throated noises and a few growls were exchanged. Michael turned his golden rust eyes on Lorena; the sound that came out of him wasn't the animalistic sounds that Lorena had been hearing but rather the voice of her husband.
"It isn't the vampires that they are waiting to attack, it's the Angels."
Lorena`s ice blue eyes went wide with fear and understanding.
"I have to get the coven, warn Siree and Adam and the others."
Lorena didn't wait for his response, she ran as fast as she could. She knew he would follow. She had to get to Athien, to Darrain and the Daggers of Lilith, the only weapon she trusted besides her own body.
As she neared the City, she saw two figures sitting on the stone wall. She cautiously approached, down in a defensive position, fangs bared. She caught the familiar scent of her friends and straightened.
"Siree! Adam! What are you guys doing up there?!"
Siree jumped the several feet to land gracefully in front of Lorena. She held the ring out for her friend to see. Lorena smiled wide.
"Congratulations, you two!"
Siree beamed.
"Thank you! Oh, I`m so happy Lori!"
Lorena laughed and folded her hands across her small protruding stomach.
"I'm happy for you!"
Adam landed softly beside his new fiancé and wrapped his arm around her.
"We all just might get our happy endings after all."
Lorena`s eyes flickered down to her stomach, her eyes saying what everyone was thinking but terrified to say.
If we all survive
Adriel felt the air rushing around him. The slight force of the wind going against him as he dived faster in the downward spiral, his wings open slightly, like sails in the wind. He had complete control. He knew without the Witches many of his fellow warriors would become lost in the void between Heaven and Earth. He wasn't sure of the way himself. He clutched his bow tighter in his hand, the whites of bone showing through his delicate skin of flesh. His eyes shone with the intensity and excitement of battle. His body, lean from similar battles, but none had been like this. Never had a single battle meant so much, held so much at stake. He knew he must win or lose his life. There were no other options, no way out. He was thankful Alaine was out of harm's way, for now. She would be amongst the last group to be deployed, and they would only be deployed if all else failed. His hair was flying wildly around him as he continued his descent. Below him the vast blue of oceans and masses of different shades of greens and browns, and other colors of Earth, slowly revealed themselves. He had only just healed from the burns when the blinding light and deafening boom shook everything as the Wall shattered, cascading shards of light falling from heights far beyond anyone`s sight. Everyone who witnessed it stared at the beauty of it. Alaine described it as like a giant glass mirror had shattered, each piece catching the light perfectly as it fell. After the shock and awe had passed, a call to arms was immediate. Adriel was called to the present as terrified human screams brought him out of his daze.
The abominations are feasting on the innocent humans!
Fire rose in Adriel as anger and hatred replaced all other feelings.
Of course the Wall keeping the humans and Immortals separated also shattered!
Adriel redoubled his efforts. Below, he saw many hundreds of fanged smiles turn to the sky.
There are so many!
As the ground grew near, Adriel spread his wings wide; they were twice his arm span and easily carried him to the ground. Adriel readied his bow, notching an arrow, pulling taunt on the string, and listening to his golden arrow, shaft decorated in golden ivy with ivory tip, sing through the air, hitting its mark dead center of the skull. The arrow winked in the sunlight as the vampire fell dead in an instant.
Holy instruments kill them better and faster than anything
Grim satisfaction tugged at Adriel`s lips. His body moved stiffly at first, unaccustomed to battle after so long. Adriel shoved his bow into the mouth of a newborn as it tried to tear at his flesh with his fangs. Swiftly he shoved an arrow through its jaw. He pulled the arrow back out, coated in blood, and smiled to himself. It didn't take him long to get back into the swing of things.
Adam tightened his fist, his white fangs gleaming. All around him the battle raged on, Werewolves, Vampires, Hybrids and Lytherian all fighting, not each other, but a common enemy; the Angels. The beautiful Angels` deadly in their grace, their weapons slicing through his kind like they were butter, more of his kind were falling then the winged humans. Angels were a bigger threat then any he had faced before. Ian forced himself forward, he didn't know how this was going to end, but he would fight for a life with Siree. She was who he would both live for and die for. He ripped and tore at flesh and feathers. Hot metal seared itself into his skin but he ignored the pain. He would not slow. A young Angel boy of no more than fourteen smiled at him, it had been his blade that had bit into Adams flesh. The Angel`s blade still dripped with it. Adam grinned, showing his fangs. He wasn't a newly made vampire.
He had centuries of fighting experience on this young boy. Adam moved his body faster than the Angel could hope to see. Adam forced his fangs deep into the Angel`s neck. He cried out in pain and stabbed Adam in the side. Adam winced in pain but only forced himself deeper into the flesh of his victim. He pulled out, taking a massive chunk of flesh with him. The Angel`s blood filled his mouth with a sweetness unlike any other. It brought him pure ecstasy and adrenaline. It filled him with a sense of peace, as though the blood was the key into the kingdom of Heaven itself. Adam grew mad with desire. The Angel fell to the ground. His gurgling silent scream lost in the battle. A sharp piercing pain through his cheek kicked him back to the reality of things with sharp intensity. Adriel twisted the blade and Adam felt his body want to weaken. He grabbed the blade and smashed his hand into Adriel`s wrist, causing Adriel to release his hold on the blade. Adam pulled the blade out with a series of painful pulls. He swiftly buried the blade into its owner's side. The Angel spread his wings, twice the Angels arm spread, to keep his balance. He grunted in pain as he fought to steady himself. Adam was met by another blade that he caught in his hands, slicing them open to the bone; he dealt a blow to the new opponent. Adriel took the opportunity to bury his blade into Adam`s back, the vampire sinking to the ground with a small gasp of surprise and moan of agony.
Athien strode onto the battlefield, Crystal beside him. They both adorned battle armor over their silks. Cheers rose up from the Vampires at seeing their King and Queen join the battle. They both were skilled fighters, and they brought confidence to the fighters; they were not left out here to die as their rulers sat comfortably in their fortified castle. Athien and Crystal fought beautifully together. A terrifying duo, the dispatched many bodies without receiving many significantly lethal blows themselves.
Ian looked at Natasha. She nodded to him, signaling she was ready for whatever may come. She readied her gun and shot off as many rounds as she could, using hand to hand combat when necessary. Ian shoved his hands through the ribcage of the two nearest Angels, removing their hearts, killing them instantly. He killed as many as he could, not allowing himself to think, just doing. He watched Natasha as she ran out of ammunition, using nothing but her lethal combat skills to ensure her survival. In the split second he diverted his attention from the battle, the cold steel of a blade slicing into his throat, and the realization of death, brought him back to reality. He was not immortal.
Lorena watched her friends fall, the battle turning in the Angel`s favor. She gripped the Daggers of Lilith in steady hands. Her eyes flickered to the small bulge of her stomach. She was not as powerful as a fully fledged vampire. She had a major vulnerability, and she knew the Angels would not hesitate to strike that vulnerability. She turned her attention back to the battle, observing and waiting. She knew she had to kill the most powerful of the Angels here or they had no hope of winning this battle. Michael rested his hand on her shoulder.
"I will be beside you the entire time. No one will get past me. I will make sure you are not interrupted or distracted. I will do my best to defend you and our child or I will gladly give my life trying."
Lorena smiled.
"I want to live to give our child a chance at a life but my life means nothing if you are not in it."
Michael smiled back.
"I do not want to live in a world where you do not exist, that is no life."
He quoted himself from what seemed like a lifetime ago.
"I love you Michael forever-"
"-and always." He finished for her.
She gave him one last kiss before letting herself fall off the stone wall, digging her daggers into the skull of an Angel and slicing them down his back, landing gracefully on her feet, daggers at the ready for another kill. Michael smiled to himself and felt the rippling of his body changing forms. He howled, Kellan and Michelle`s responses quick. They were ready, just as he was. He growled and landed beside his wife on the battle field. Michelle and Kellan ran from the surrounding hills, immediately sinking teeth into flesh. In a flash of teeth, claws and fur, Michael ripped the wings from Angel`s backs and tore their limbs from their bodies as Lorena finished them off with a Dagger through the heart or eye. She felt the sting of a blade leaving a crimson line through her arm and she spun to shove her own blade through her attacker`s throat. The female shrieked at the contact of the blade on her throat.
"How did you get the Daggers?!" She grunted.
Lorena smiled and dealt the final blow as Michael rushed by, snatching an Angel out of the sky and gripping its throat in his powerful jaws; Michael swung and twisted, tearing the Angels head from his body. Lorena mouthed a thank you to Michael and sought the Angel she was after. She tore the Daggers through flesh, finishing off the ones she could and leaving some for Michael, who placed a heavy, powerful claw on their heads and crushed their skulls in. His powerful muscled body was adapted for life and death battle. He was comfortable in this environment and Lorena copied his confidence. Adriel saw her coming. A beautiful woman with snow white wings was slowly working her way towards him and Lorena knew who to go after. Adriel caught on to her intentions and tried to warn the girl about Lorena. He wasn't aware of Michael though until he swiped her out of the sky. She came crashing to the ground in a flurry of bloodied feathers. Lorena dealt a deep gash to his stomach as he was distracted. Michael came back to Lorena`s side, circling the Angel like prey. Lorena let all else fade to the background but the Angel in front of her. Lorena swung her leg up at the Angel`s head but he knocked her leg to the side. Michael growled and jumped at Adriel. Adriel shot an arrow off, piercing one of Michael`s arms. Michael landed on all fours and whimpered lowly before pulling the arrow out with his jaws and broke it in his teeth, growling at the Angel as the three continued their dance. Michael made another move, swiping the Angel`s legs with his claws, leaving angry red gashes and streaks of blood down his legs. He pulled back to let Lorena in. She dove under Adriel`s legs and was going to strike his back as a yelp from Michael diverted her attention. The woman Angel had stuck Michael in the back with an arrow between his shoulder blades. Michael roared and tried to swipe her off with his claws but she was positioned perfectly out of reach. Lorena threw one dagger to land in the back of the woman Angel.
Payback
Lorena thought smugly. Adriel pierced Lorena in the shoulder. She couldn't move her left arm. She cursed under her breath. She flipped over the Angel and lacerated his chest sending him wheeling, his wings flapping wildly to ensure his balance. Lorena swung her blades at him; Adriel countered her with his arrow, steel of the blade bouncing off the metal of the arrows shaft, sending golden sparks twinkling in the air.
"We are evenly matched. You wield a powerful weapon, The Daggers of Lilith, you are a very dangerous woman to be able to wield them, so the stories are true; you are indeed her daughter." Adriel smirked.
Lorena`s eyes hardened. Michael pounced on the Angel knocking him forward and pinning him. Michael growled, blood dripping from his mouth and feathers stuck to his mouth with blood that wasn't his own, as Adriel tried to rise. Lorena stood over him to deal the final blow. He raised his eyes to the sky, and then searched for his beloved. He found her still body as his own eyes clouded over with the certainty of death that never came. Lorena backed off her blade.
"Cease this endeavor of yours; I don't want any more death."
"You are death! You feast on the blood of the humans!"
"Most of us did not ask for this life!"
"You could've ended your existence."
Lorena fought for another comeback but she realized the truth in his words. She could indeed have ended her own existence.
"What good would that have done? What good did this battle do?"
"You are not listening! You prey on humans! Innocent humans! You are an abomination!"
"Humans murder other humans."
"They are not perfect."
"Vampires are created from imperfect creatures, yet you expect us to be perfect, to starve ourselves."
"You are nothing but a monster."
Lorena smirked at his comment.
"Live in my world and you will see I am not as much of a monster as I could be."
She brought her ice blue eyes, moist with tears, to Michael`s.
"Let him up."
Michael stared at her incredulous.
"You can't be-"
Lorena nodded. Michael hesitated but let the Angel up.
"I spare your life, and the life of your beloved, so that this can be the end of the battles and hatred between our species; perhaps maybe the end of bloodshed with all species."
Adriel nodded.
"Maybe not all of you are monsters."
He looked to his beloved, wanting to go to her side but unsure. Lorena gave him a soft nod.
"Thank you."
He whispered as he made his way to her and took her in his arms.
"She still breathes." He spoke wondrously
"Leave this place, call back your men, and let us all have peace; as much as our nature can guarantee us anyway."
Adriel smiled.
"It is our duty to protect the humans."
"Find the truly pure humans and protect them, leave the ones not bound for heaven to us."
Adriel laughed.
"That is a fate worse than Hell!"
"This life is a hell itself, but yes. We have to have food."
Adriel nodded.
"I understand. It is a deal. Lorena, thank you."
Lorena nodded.
"Go."
Adriel lifted his head to the sky and brought his massive wings down, carrying him upward.
"Why did you never strike at the obvious vulnerability of my pregnant stomach?" She called after him.
"No Angel would. The child is an innocent; it has not been born yet to commit any crime. You are Lilith`s daughter, we were forbidden to kill you just because you are her daughter. For being a vampire and feeding off humans, that we were allowed kill you for." He said laughing.
Athien walked among the bodies that littered the ground, all sides had suffered major causalities. Crystal stopped to kneel next to the wounded, whether they are Vampire, Werewolf, Lythreian, or Hybrid, who could be saved. She called to Dr. Walker and her assistant to help those who could be saved. Those who could not, Athien swiftly put them out of their suffering. He thanked them for their sacrifice and courage in the face of battle then he told them there was nothing that could be done for their injuries, most accepted their fate with dignity. Crystal ignored the injured Angels after one had given her a nasty gash on the arm when she had tried to help him. Athien said nothing to the Angels left to die; they were met with the cold bite of steel as he sunk his sword deep into their chests. Athien walked on, the blood soaked ground leaving dark stains on his black leather boots. The cries and moans of the dying, the rust smell of blood, and Crystal`s gentle murmuring faded into the background as Athien saw the eyes of his friend staring at him. He rushed to Phillip`s side. Phillip lay in the cold mud, surrounded by slain Angels. His body had been cut diagonally from his right thigh, all the way to his left shoulder. Phillip smiled weakly at Athien.
"I did what I could to keep you and your Lady safe, my Lord."
Athien knelt in the mud beside his friend.
"I know I ordered you to stay behind the walls of the city!"
Athien felt the sting of tears. He looked around for Crystal in desperation. Phillip rested a wrinkled hand, spotted with age, on Athien`s arm. He met Athien`s eyes and solemnly shook his head.
"Save your medicine for those that can be saved."
Athien struggled to keep his tears from falling. He did not dare to speak, knowing his voice would betray him. The cool wind whistled around Athien, bringing the sounds back to him. Athien used his sword to help him up, his knees weak.
"Thank you Phillip, you have always been a good servant, and a far better friend then I deserve. You will never be forgotten."
His tears fell freely, his voice gruff. Phillip nodded, ready for what would happen next. Athien held his sword, a gift from Phillip when Athien had reached manhood, above Phillip.
"I am so sorry my friend." Athien whispered, burying his sword in the chest of his only friend.
Athien watched the life leave Phillip, his chest giving one last heave, the light leaving his eyes, his head rolling to the side. Athien leaned heavily on the sword, his knees too weak, no longer able to support him. He let his tears roll down his cheeks, not ashamed of his sorrow. He felt like a child again, a child who had to bury the man he had seen as a father figure for as long as he could remember. Crystal leaned her head on Athien`s back, trying to comfort her husband who had never dared to show emotion in public, fearing people would see that as a sign of weakness, of vulnerability. For his servant and friend, he cried openly.