Chapter 16 #3
My lungs burn, my legs begin to tire, and I find myself on the other side of the city, miles away from the Order.
Death seems to follow me everywhere I go.
However, I tend to bring it upon myself.
It comes with the job and my anger issues.
The moon rises higher in the sky, and dark clouds block out the barely visible stars.
The surrounding city demands my attention, and I find myself wishing I were back in the open wheat field, gazing at the stars.
Exhaustion resurfaces in my mind when I realize that running away from the Order may not be the best idea.
However, returning to friends who have done nothing but lie to me, and to that angel who has it out for me, doesn’t sound appealing, either.
I’ve been lost in thought for much longer than I ever intended to.
I begin to walk briskly, taking in my surroundings.
It doesn’t take me long to realize I’m near the Ashmeed District—notorious for being a place where demons like to roam at all hours of the night, and not somewhere an angel would be caught dead.
I immediately let my senses flare and slip into a shadowy pocket beneath an erratically flickering neon sign.
I catch my breath and reach behind my back to draw a gun into my hand, in case I need it again tonight.
I turn, going back the way I came, and keep to the shadows as best I can.
The cracked sidewalks make it hard to move quickly, but I keep my gaze ahead, checking to my side and behind me every so often.
A thick, dark fog hovers near the ground, and whispers travel down every alleyway. Something feels off about this place, and with every turn, darkness screams. There isn’t anyone on the sidewalks around me, so I quicken my pace, transitioning back into a slow jog.
With each pounding step, the hair on my neck stands on end as if someone is following closely behind. I whip my head around, but I see no one. I tighten my grip on my weapon and click the safety off. Everything about this feels wrong, and a growing unease gnaws at me the longer I stay in this area.
I round the corner of a narrow alley and unfold my wings in the blink of an eye. My white feathers trail behind me, casting a bright light into the darkness that oozes around me like an ever-present shield.
As I walk through the smog, an elderly woman shuffles up to me, her feet barely moving, and I instinctively freeze. Her hands are clenched at her sides, her white hair scattered across her head, and a twisted sneer breaks out across her face, revealing yellow teeth.
“Lost, angel?”
I smile politely. “Took a wrong turn.”
“Indeed, you did.” She angles her head, and her long white hair falls to her side. “It’s not smart to be here alone.”
“Exactly why I’m leaving. I’m not in the mood for any more trouble.”
“Or you could stay.” Her voice trembles from age. “And we could have a chat.”
A sinister smile spreads across her face, and she steps closer. I grip my gun tighter, and her eyes slowly drop, revealing I’m armed. Her milky eyes are quickly replaced by pitch-black ones that show no soul.
I slowly lift my gun and point it directly at her. She growls and steps closer.
“You know how to use that thing?” she asks, as razor-sharp teeth jut from her aged gums.
“You could say that,” I respond, glancing at the barrel.
She huffs, her eyes softening for only a second. “I don’t think you would shoot me. I’m just an old lady.”
“You clearly don’t know who I am, then,” I respond, extending my arm straighter.
“Then let’s see, angel.” An inhuman hiss leaves her lips. She moves to lunge forward but pauses, looking to the rooftop above us. Her face pales, and she lowers her head as if she’s done something wrong.
“Scared?” I mock.
“Not of you.” A cautious expression spreads across her wrinkled face. “But I’m scared of who watches you. Or should I assume protects?”
“No one protects me other than myself,” I respond harshly.
“Oh, come on now.” She glances back over my head toward the dark rooftop. “That isn’t true.”
I don’t take my eyes off her, but I watch as her hazy eyes shift back into place and she dips her head, moving into the shadows that conceal her like a gloomy shelter. I glance above, seeing nothing but darkness, and feel a shiver move up my spine.
I bolt into the sky, wasting no more time on the cracked, decaying streets.
I push myself higher into the night sky and glance down at the rooftop, feeling multiple sets of dark eyes upon me.
Three shadowy figures stand on the roof, their black wings extended around them like deadly armor.
The two in the back display dark auras, while the one in front possesses only massive wings.
Demons.
I narrow my eyes, focused on the figures shrouded in darkness, and grind my teeth.
Crew Bannermin stands with his arms crossed on the abandoned building, a broad smile on his face. He raises a hand to wave as I soar into the sky past them. I can’t help but feel accomplished, noticing he uses the arm that didn’t take a bullet tonight.
From me.
Two other demons step slightly behind him, and as quickly as I can fly, I head toward the Lyre Order, realizing I may have found where the Jade Order’s headquarters are, which I’ll unfortunately be visiting tomorrow.