Chapter 24

Cam caught Luce before she hit the ground, and he lay her down gently, making sure she wouldn't hurt herself more.
Taking the chains which were holding Luce's hands and legs together, he pulled them apart easily, allowing Luce's hands and legs to be free again. Noticing they were sore and weeping slightly, he stroked them with his thumbs gently. 'How could I have let this happen' Cam thought to himself.

Arriane was already checking on the wound in her shoulder. It was deep but had missed any vital veins or arteries. Daniel soon came running over and gently put his arm around Luce, lifting her up so she was lying on his lap, he sat talking to her, frantically asking if she was ok, although it was obvious she was knocked out.

"Looking like you need some help too" Cam pointed to Daniel's head. He had a gash, although nothing to worry about for him. It would probably be healed by later that night.
"It's nothing" Daniel wiped the blood from his head, concentrating down on Luce again, she looked so small and fragile.
"We should get out of here quickly" Cam said looking round.

The others had got rid of the outcasts and were turning back to Daniel for their next orders. They had each got away without any serious injuries, just a few scrapes.

Daniel lifted Luce gently once Arriane had covered up her shoulder to stop the bleeding, and held her securely in his arms.. Daniel had missed having Luce in his arms. After being away from her for just a day, he had already missed her greatly.
Cam tensed his muscles at sight of Daniel holding Luce, but figured they just needed to get out of the bunker and go to somewhere safe first.

When Luce was kidnapped from the outcasts, Cam had made the others track her down. The outcasts had been clumsy, leaving footsteps in the ground, leading the angels straight down into the bunker which was hidden under the ground. Once they had figured out an attack arrangement they had stormed in, searching for Luce. Luckily they had got there before any serious damage had been done, and there weren't many outcasts, therefore leaving them to overpower the outcasts easily.

At first when Cam had seen the blood he had stopped still, frozen to the spot, but luckily Arriane was always good in these positions, and nodding back to Cam to reassure him it wasn't a serious injury, he was able to move towards Luce again.

They were walking back to a new location within the forest, thickly surrounded by bushes and trees. Luce had her head resting on Daniel's shoulder, her lips parted slightly and Cam stood close to move a strand of hair out her face, noticing a fresh bruise forming on her face he tensed at the sight.

When they reached their camp, Daniel lay Luce down on the floor carefully.
"I saw a lake a few miles from here, we should get fresh water to drink and wash with" Daniel turned to Roland who agreed to go with him.

While Daniel was gone with Roland, Cam bent down and sat near Luce, he lifted her so she was lying on his lap comfortably. He didn't want the cold damp floor soaking through her clothes to her skin, with the possibility to get her more sick. The bleeding had stopped from her wound but Cam was still worried from the lack of colour in Luce's face.

"She's probably just shocked" Gabbe rested a hand on Cam's shoulder, he nodded his head, slowly agreeing. He couldn't bring himself to talk, all he wanted to do was stare at Luce and watch her breath steadily. He stroked her bruised and sore wrists with his thumb gently. How could he ever let something like this happen to her. He was meant to protect her. They all were!

Failing for a conversation, Ben walked over and sat down near Cam, staring down at Luce.
"We got the orb"

Cam snapped his head up. The orb would tell the angels which side to take, a decision each of them were struggling with, and would solve their problems.
"And?" Cam was not in the mood to talk or be friendly. He couldn't wait for all this to be over, and for Luce to be back to normal. It wasn't fair for her, although she'd impressed Cam, not only with her training improvements, but after everything what had happened over the last few days, she was still sane!

"It was confusing" Ben ran a hand though his hair "It didn't give us a clear answer. I think it all depends of Luce's actions against Lucifer".
"Which by the way, he's meant to visit tomorrow" Molly reminded them, like they needed reminding, it was all Cam could think about.

Cam understood what Ben was saying though. He didn't expect the orb to give them all an answer who they should follow. That would be far too easy.

Cam nodded at Ben to show he understood, and looked down when he felt Luce squirm in his lap. She groaned before opening her eyes slowly and looking around. Cam ran soothing circles on her arm to keep her calm and remind her she was safe.

"What...what?" Luce slurred her words, obviously still half knocked out from whatever Arriane had given her. She struggled to sit up, so Cam pulled her up carefully so she could lean against his back to prop herself up, and he could support her weight.

"Shhhh Luce, your safe now" Ben leant in front of her and stroked her hair. Her eyes wouldn't focus properly, she felt drunk and shook her head trying to clear her vision and thoughts, swaying as the world spun around her.

"It's ok Luce, your fine, just relax" Cam carried on rubbing her arm.
"I don't want to sleep" Luce slurred. She was worried the outcasts or Lucifer would kidnap her again. Too much had happened today, and Luce couldn't wait for this all to be over.
"I know" Ben said in a soothing voice
"We're all here" Cam added gently.

"Well look who's up!" Arriane bounced over and leant down in front of her. "And completely out of it" she smiled.
Cam and Ben both glared at her, this was not the time to be mean.
Just then Roland and Daniel returned with bottles of fresh water. Noticing Luce was sitting up Daniel rushed over quickly.

"Hey there" he said quietly, taking in her expression. A fresh bruise was appearing on her face, but Arriane had taking good care of her shoulder, and the painkillers meant Luce couldn't feel a thing.
"Mmm...yeah" Luce slurred, not making any sense. She leant her head back against Cams chest, taking in a deep breath. She could feel the rise and fall of his breathing, and his steady heartbeat. At any moment she could drift off to sleep, but whenever she recapped what happened today she would become more alert. Or as alert a half knocked out girl could be.

Daniel held out a water bottle for Luce to take. She clumsily took it but couldn't grip, spilling half the contents on the ground before Daniel took it back off her.

"Leave her Grigori" Cam hissed at him through gritted teeth. Daniel glared at him, before setting the now half empty water bottle near Cam, so if Luce needed it she could reach, and standing back up.

Looking around Ben noticed they was missing someone. Sarah! Why was she always disappearing into thin air.
"Where's Sarah" Ben asked, looking round confused. The others also suddenly noticed Sarah's disappearance.
"Sarah!?" Roland shouted out, looking around frantically. They couldn't afford to lose any of their fighters, not this close to Lucifer's visit.

"Hello hello" Molly turned round to see Sarah walking back through the thick woods. She had a triumphant look on her face.
"What's happened?" Molly was curious, why would Sarah just disappear without saying anything.
"Don't be so suspicious Molly. I've just been called up to the throne. They saw what the outcasts did to Luce. They're not impressed!"

Sarah turned to see Luce sitting up leaning against Cam's chest, her eyes staring off into the distance, and she wasn't listening to anyone, Sarah remembered Arriane had strong painkillers which she had probably used on Luce.
"WHAT?! What happened?!" Gabbe moved closer to Sarah, desperate to hear what she had to say.

Sarah smiled at the other angels.
"They've agreed to help us".