Chapter Twelve
Nuriela
The Obscuritas came in the dead of night.
I lay low, using my power to keep hidden high up in an oak tree in the front yard of the house.
The pulse of Lailah’s fear as she was dragged out of the house nearly sent me into a rage.
But I couldn’t ruin this, not when Lailah asked me to trust her. And I did, completely.
There were also several daemons and a couple lumens in the service of this cult. I noted their faces, memorizing them for later. Because there would come a time when I was strong enough to fight, and every one of them would be on my list.
Aurora stormed out of the house, her wings snapping out and glowing like starlight. She roared at the vile creatures who came for her family. It was too much to hope that this would be a happy ending, that she would take them all out right here and now.
I strained my heightened sense of hearing to catch her words, but there was something blocking me out. Lailah punched the daemon holding her hostage, and I smirked. He let go, and she returned to her mother’s side. The pair spoke to the enemies for a few more moments then went back into the house.
Minutes later, the three SUVs pulled out onto the road with the Valdis family following them in their own vehicle. I waited a few minutes before following. The assholes probably warded the shit out of those vehicles and anything close to them.
My wings unfurled, and I leapt into the air, trailing them while keeping the clouds wrapped around me and out of sight. The drive was short, leading to a private airplane hangar where Lailah and her family were forced onto a plane.
Now that my power was fully restored, I was ready for this.
Yes, I would stay out of sight, but there was absolutely no way I would be left behind.
If I had to fly across the entire country in one night, so be it.
This Earth wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. Lailah had told me stories of the places they traveled to and what the people were like.
I knew enough, at least, to blend in when I needed to.
The wind came to my aid, and I used its powerful gusts to increase my speed.
The small plane flew for about four hours, and the ache in my wings settled when I finally landed on the roof of the sprawling mansion below.
Not quite as big or nearly as beautiful as the Dariava Palace, but more dark and moody.
I rolled my eyes, probably what these idiots thought daemons liked. They had no idea.
Lailah’s golden hair shone even in the night, and I tracked her path into the mansion before taking flight, searching for a way in.
There were several turrets with windows, and I spotted one that was slightly ajar.
Slipping into the tower, I crouched on the wood floor and listened for the sound of footsteps.
None came, and I released a breath. The ritual would begin when the full moon rose to its highest, brightest spot in the sky.
Everything in me screamed to intervene and take Lailah away.
But I promised her I wouldn’t. She was going to die, and I had to sit here and let it happen.
Had anyone ever sat idly by and watched as the love of their entire being was killed?
I suppose Joseph was doing so. He might understand the pain.
At least two of his daughters would still be here to keep him from his despair.
Lailah said I was strong enough to handle this, but as the little pieces of my heart that belonged to her began to blacken, I wasn’t so sure she was right.
I would never love another. And no one could make me think otherwise.
Chanting echoed up through the estate. The ritual had begun. With the cult assholes now occupied, I crept down from the tower and through the house, needing to be closer to Lailah in her final moments.
My blood heated, and bile threatened to spill from my lips.
It took every ounce of my control not to save her like my soul screamed for me to do.
Lailah’s scream pierced the air, and I doubled over, feeling her pain.
But there was no fear. In this moment of agony, she was not afraid.
My brave, powerful Lailah. If she could do this, so could I.