Blood and War

Chapter 39

Thirty-Nine

DEMITRIA

S he couldn’t move. The adrenaline that was pumping through her body had left her feeling numb. Legs nearly useless. Despite it all, she’d made it. The body beneath her was proof of that.

On shaky legs, she crawled off the demon, snatching the golden pocket watch from his talons as she did. A lightness had enveloped her body. A warmth, like a soft caress that eased every worry she’d had. It was the guilt, she realized, that no longer plagued her. That utter feeling of despair and worthlessness that had been dragging her for so many years, torturing her at every waking moment, was gone. Killing Reim had lightened her. Healed her soul in a way that no one else had ever been able to since the death of her parents.

Using her sword as a crutch, Demitria stood, taller than she had in years. The mist began to dissipate, and with it, the bodies of her friends vanished into nothingness.

“Demitria!” Kellan reached her first. Her name rolling off his tongue like a prayer, for the first time, she realized. And she—she’d loved the way it sounded coming from his mouth. He’d come from the opposite direction from where his body had been minutes before. Had it… not been real? Had he not been caught? “By the gods, we couldn’t reach you.” Kellan held her face in his hands, and she realized her entire body was shaking. Reim’s corpse still lay unmoving feet away. That had been real. She’d felt it in her entire body when he’d died. “I’m so sorry you had to face him alone.” Kellan crushed her in an embrace she didn’t dare break away from. Hugging her body so close to his they’d felt like one.

“I killed him.” She whispered. “All that pain… the guilt. It’s just… gone.”

“They’d be so proud of you.” His breath ghosted over her ear, and the shiver wreaked havoc on her insides at its warmth. At the things it did to her. “I’m so proud of you.” Kellan had known the strife the demon had caused her. The pain that had engraved itself under her skin at what Reim had done. He knew, more than any of the others aside from Jace, just how hard that had to have been on her. The trauma it would have caused.

“You were taken, and I just… Jace was there, and I couldn’t let him kill you. Either of you.” She held them in for as long as she could. The tears fell freely from her eyes, soaking his cloak as they trickled down her cheeks.

“He consumed human souls.” Kellan spoke. “I’d recognize that power anywhere. That’s why we couldn’t reach you. To tell you it wasn’t real. We couldn’t touch anything in the clearing without succumbing to that power ourselves. But you won. You overcame it all, and you beat it.” Pulling away from her, Kellan cupped her face in his hands softly so all she could see was him. Staring into those azure eyes that’d she’d grown so fond of these weeks since he’d captured her. His thumb gently caressed her bottom lip, her body igniting underneath the touch. Begging him to close the distance, despite the others that surrounded them. In that moment, it was only her and Kellan.

“You’re beautiful.” He whispered, as if seeing her for the first time. In a different light than before, like watching her had ignited something within him.

“What…was that?” Demitria pulled away from Kellan at Jace’s voice. He didn’t know .

“That is what killed our parents.” She wiped the back of her sleeve across the tears lining her eyes. “It’s what I couldn’t tell you back in Solis.”

Jace stumbled backward, hand clenched to his chest as the words left her lips. Pain. Grief. She watched it change his features, hollowing his face until his own tears fell.

“Wh-What do you mean?”

“When I didn’t come back from patrol, he found us. He remembered that night, and taunted me with it.” She couldn’t hold back the new wave of tears that fell. She wasn’t consumed with her own grief, but Jace. The heartache she watched him relive again. “He was after me, and Kellan took the blow. That was why I brought him back.”

“The life debt you said you owed.” Jace’s jaw went slack, his green eyes blown wide.

Demitria nodded. “Now you understand, the things I’ve done up until now. The things I’ve seen out here…” She let her voice trail off. She wouldn’t tell him about the capture. How Reim had nearly killed her. She’d save him from that horror. His grief today was enough.

Jace wound his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. “I’m sorry you had to face him alone. That I wasn’t there. That we didn’t face him together .”

“That demon means nothing to us.” She whispered, hugging him for a moment before stepping away. “He has no hold on me, not anymore.” Demitria wiped her eyes once more for good measure.

“We have company.” Gabriel broke. “Draw your weapons.” His voice carried far, as if he’d been standing directly beside them, not on the other end of the clearing. Demitria’s eyes wandered the land. Surveying. Searching for an oncoming attack, but through the mist, she couldn’t see a damn thing. It had lightened some, but not enough. She cursed her human eyes.

Kellan immediately moved to the defensive, pulling his sword free from its sheath as he wrapped a protective arm around her. Pressing his body into hers as a shield, eyes solely focused to the west of them. “Stay behind me.” Eire had her bow drawn, arrow notched in place. As much as she hated protecting the other humans, she couldn’t disobey a direct order. Not from Gabriel, so she and Kane fanned out between the remaining humans.

“Multiple.” Kellan called. “Be ready.” Demitria didn’t know what was coming, and Kellan was too preoccupied to answer any questions she may have about it, so she did the only thing she could think of. With tired arms, she lifted the sword up that had been dragging along the ground and readied it as best she could. Her arms felt weak. Heavy, as she readied herself the best she could.

“If anything happens, you run. I will not let you fight. Not anymore.”

Opening her mouth to protest, five bodies broke through the mist, filling the sky above them. Wings so dark they were like shadows themselves. The angels were nearly upon them by the time Demitria could make the figures out clearly. She recognized the leader immediately from the only scouting mission she’d gone on years ago. Liquid golden eyes that she could never forget, and much like the last time, they seemingly sought her out. She could feel herself inching closer to Kellan. Seeking the warmth of his body as a chill ran through her, nearly freezing her in place.

“Arakiel.” Kellan’s sword never wavered as he watched the angels’ leader with a cold stare. “I thought you were dead.”

“The Four Horsemen.” Arakiel inclined his head in a bow, his feet gently touching to the ground before them. His long, golden curls swaying with the slow breeze. Wings ruffling, restless against his back. The other four followed suit, landing down behind him. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Before Kellan could snap back a retort, Gabriel stepped forward. “To what do we owe the pleasure.” He was the voice of reason. As the leader, he had to be.

“We heard of your mission given by the council.” Another stepped up, taking position beside what Demitria knew to be her leader. “We have eyes everywhere.” The angel's amber eyes falling to her own. Demitria could feel her body tense, and she took another step into Kellan. Closing what little space she’d gained, the angel moved toward her, keeping the remaining distance the same.

“One more step and your wings will be gone.” The growl rumbled through Kellan, and she couldn’t help but shiver at its intensity. Again, the angel took another step. “I mean it, Laylah.”

“I won’t hurt her.” She smiled sweetly, muttering something to another with strikingly similar features. “I’m… curious.” Laylah was the essence of perfection. Everything you’d think an angel would be. Her long blond hair fell in soft waves down her back. The unearthly grace had been absolutely mesmerizing to watch. She was beautiful, and Demitria couldn’t help but stare. Stunned by her mere presence.

Kellan’s eyes darkened at the mention of her, pulling her body closer until she was flush with his own.

Behind the angel, another waited. Silent. Watching with warm chestnut eyes as they conversed. Her fiery auburn hair fell to her waist, framing a beautiful, feminine face. Something about the angel drew her gaze, but at her smile, Demitria found herself pulling away.

“Stand down.” Gabriel warned, and the Horseman hesitated. “Everyone.” Eire and Kane were quick to drop their weapons. Returning their arrows and bows to their backs once more. “Kellan.”

“We’re on your side, Horseman.” Arakiel walked toward him, toward the sword pointed for his chest. “We want balance.”

“You deserted?” He held the angel's gaze. Daring him to speak. “We were told you’d died.”

“We don’t believe in extermination. That is why we are Fallen.”

Demitria didn’t know if she could trust them. She’d been hunted by angels before. What made them different? “There are other things at work here. Things that you need to be made aware of.”

“I’m listening.” He lowered his sword slightly, but didn't put it down. Not yet. The other Horsemen seemed convinced, but not Kellan.

“There are bigger things at work than you realize. There is no extermination of both sides. You all know there must be balance to go on.” He nodded. “The Dark King. Lucifer.”

Lucifer . Fear ran through her at the name. A being known only in myth by her kind. The personification of evil, ruler of the Underworld, and he was who the Dark King truly was. Some part of her must have felt it, the significance in the name. Why it had stoked such a reaction from her body upon first hearing it.

Lucifer was the Dark King, and he was here.

“We already know that he’s here.” Kellan shifted his weight, but his blade stayed still.

“Lower your weapon so we can continue. There is more you must know.”

Kellan slowly looked toward his eldest brother. Gabriel nodded, urging him to comply. With a sigh, he sheathed the sword. “Leave the humans back and come with me.” His golden armor, while beaten and scuffed, still glistened in the light that pierced the mist. “I won't go far.” Kellan whispered, another breath ghosting over Demitria’s ear. “If anything happens, I will come for you.” She wouldn't protest. She wanted to fight, but doubted her body would let her again. She’d wanted to stay by his side, but Kellan was so on edge over the Fallen that surrounded them that she listened. His fingers bit into her arm, holding her to him.

“Okay.” Turning, she held his stare for a moment longer before pulling away from his ironclad grip. Kane shot her a knowing glance before following behind his sister.

“She comes.” Arakiel turned, finger pointed to her retreating figure. Everyone stopped at the angel’s voice. “Demitria Collins.”

Slowly, she faced him. Hands clenched. His smile didn’t falter as he beckoned her over. Eire glowered down at her. As if she didn’t feel out of place enough. Demitria nodded at Jace once before she took a step forward, head high as her eyes never left the angel. She would never again show weakness.

They walked in silence to the other edge of the clearing where the angels finally came to a halt. Kellan had fallen into step beside her almost immediately. His presence brought a wave of calm.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you.” Arakiel bowed his head, and it took a moment for her to realize that it had been directed at her. Surprise filled her, and Demitria stood in silence. Watching him with curious eyes,

“You know of me?” She asked, finally finding her voice. The angel nodded. She couldn’t discern if it was a good or bad thing that another being seemed to know exactly who she was. “How?”

“That doesn’t matter.” Something in his gaze, Demitria couldn’t place it. He knew something that she didn’t, and he wasn’t going to tell her a thing. “I know everything about you. About your parents, your life before the war…” His voice trailed off, and finally, he settled his eyes on Kellan before bringing them back to her once more. “Known about you for a very long time.”

Demitria shuddered at the intensity of that look. So many questions overcame her. How had he known about her parents? Her entire life?

“Tell me what you know about Lucifer.” Kellan demanded as his full lips pulled back into a scowl, eyes narrowing on the angel. “Tell me what you know.”

“Very well, Horseman.” With a nod of his head, Arakiel turned golden eyes away from her, focusing on the Horseman. “We’ve been hearing things for months. Rumors. Rumblings about Lucifer’s involvement in the war.” His eyes roved over the bodies around him. “Tracking him and his army, here. He’s been planning this. Waiting. Harvesting souls.” With a sigh, he continued. “In just over a few weeks’ time, when the moon turns red, he’ll make his move.”

“The blood moon.” It left her mouth before she could hold it back. How she even remembered was beyond her. Growing up, her mother had always referenced the red moon, but it didn’t make any sense. Not then, and not now. “When the sun falls to darkness, and the moon fills with blood, the seal will crack and he will come.” Demitria recited the words her mother had spoken time and time again. She could still hear her voice whispering the words as she held her in the rocking chair, smoothing the long, wavy hair down Demitria’s back.

“From the heavens they will fall, and the beasts reign free, Tartarus will soon be free.” Kellan turned to her, his face pale, azure eyes blown wide. “Where did you learn that?”

“I—” She stuttered. “It was this silly little rhyme my mother used to say.” Stumbling backward, she took a step away from him. From all the siblings as each one turned in her direction, their expressions mirroring one another.

“That was something our mothers used to tell us.” Eire took a step toward her, regaining the distance Demitria had put between them. “Why would your mother know that?”

“I don’t…I don’t know. It never meant anything back then, I just—” Why had she known it?

“What secrets have you been keeping.” Gabriel’s tone was hard. “That has been around since before our time.”

She didn’t know. Didn’t know anything, it seemed. For so many years, these stories about monsters, winged beings, and creatures from the underworld where nothing more than that. Stories that her parents told at night around the fire. Myths. Legends. How was she to know they were very real?

“The girl knows nothing of our world.” Arakiel waved a hand at the Horsemen. His large wings furled, folding neatly against his back. “Shall we resume?” Those liquid gold eyes roved across them all before settling them back on her. Always back to her. “The blood moon is in two weeks.” He nods. “Lucifer needs to be stopped before that happens.”

“We know of the prophecy.” Despite their reactions, Kellan took a step toward her. “What is he planning?” Kellan asked.

His siblings watched her with unease. “We were always told he would come for Eden, not here.”

Arakiel shook his head. “Lucifer will see you fall. He wants Earth and its resources for his creatures, and the blood moon is when he’s strongest. He’s been collecting souls to gain power, and if he isn’t stopped—If he succeeds, there won't be anything left.” The angel's words stung, and all she could think about was protecting those she loved. “He’ll use that power to bring forth a new empire. To bring Tartarus to Earth.”

Everyone broke out in a frenzy. Lucifer was raising Tartarus. Earth would be doomed. They didn’t stand a chance. Aaron, Lord of the shadow demons had mentioned harvesting souls. Now she knew why. It all made sense.

“We’ve had eyes on him for weeks. He was spotted in those mountains.” The angel on Laylah’s right pointed beyond the canyon, off in the distance. He bore an uncanny resemblance to her. The same high cheekbones, the structured face. It was almost like looking at a mirror image of the two. They had to be related.

Laylah nodded. “Oriel and I have been tracking him.”

Demitria’s brain was in overdrive. Planning. Working something out to get every soul as far away from those monsters as she could. No one was safe in the vicinity. Not with Lucifer so close. “We need to move. Now.” Her boots swiveled in the dirt as she stalked toward the others. Waiting, watching the exchange with curious eyes.

“The humans stay out of this!” Eire was before her, yanking Demitria’s body back before she even managed to walk ten feet away. The force was so hard, it was like running into a wall.

Demitria could feel her anger rising. Blood boiling as the Horseman grabbed her, the grip so tight she could feel her skin burning. Bruising under Eire’s harsh hand.

“They will only get in the way.” Steel gray eyes met hers. Eyes that spoke a thousand words. Hatred. Anger. Even sadness, but the fire in them was what broke through. “Leave them. They deserve their fate.”

The maneuver shocked Eire, and Demitria hadn’t even realized she’d done it until the female lay flat on her back, Demitria’s boot pressed firmly to her chest.

“They are my people.” Eire had pushed her one too many times. “I refuse to leave them in the dark. To let them go on blindly, when such a threat looms overhead. Even bigger than I was led to believe.” Her boot pushed harder, inching slowly toward the Horseman’s throat. “You call yourself a warrior? A Horseman? You’re nothing.” She spat, venom lacing every word. “You don’t want balance. You only do what benefits you, most. You see those mountains? There is an entire community below them. They never asked for this. None of us did. Your kind came down, invaded my home. Waged a war against us, when all we wanted was to survive.” She’d never felt like this. The rage. The power behind her voice, it nearly froze her in her tracks, shocking those around her. She continued on. “Those are my people, and we refuse to back down without a fight.” Because they deserved to fight, now more than anything. When it had just been her life in question, she was fine with leaving. But raising an empire? Another war against humankind? Before doing something that she’d immediately regret—like pulling a weapon—Demitria stormed off. Gait faster, chin high as she left the Horseman on the ground.

Eire was too perplexed to move, stormy eyes blown wide. Dumbfounded at the strength Demitria had possessed. “You’ll regret that.” She spoke in no more than a whisper, but her voice held the ferociousness of a predator, gaze trained on the girl's receding figure.

“What happened?” Jace rushed her, sprinting away from the others as he met her halfway, hand held firmly on her forearm. Demitria looked him over. He wouldn’t be happy. This mess so much bigger than they’d ever imagined. Bigger than the both of them, and now he’d gotten caught in the middle of everything. And it was her fault. Again.

He’d made the choice, hadn’t he? Jace had chosen to follow her and the Horsemen since they'd been found. He could have stayed in the cavern, and looked for a community still standing, yet… she hadn’t actually given him much of a choice to begin with. Demitria had just assumed he would come along because she was there.

“Lucifer.” She told him, coming to a stop before the others. Her green-gold eyes met each one as she pulled away from Jace’s iron hold. The twins wouldn’t care. They already looked bored and uninterested in whatever it was that she’d had to say. It didn’t bother her. Not anymore. “He’s been planning this all along. For years, this was his plan.” A warm hand rested on her shoulder. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was Kellan. Could feel his presence cascading around her. That sweet woodsy scent enveloping her. “He’s been collecting souls. Harvesting them to harness their power. He’s been feeding off us!” Her eyes burned, but she wasn’t willing to let the tears fall. “He’s going to raise an empire.” Jace stared at her in shock, face paling at the news. Slowly looking from one Horseman to the next before settling on the Fallen.

“How do you know they’re telling the truth?” Cory stepped forward, taking a stance beside Jace. “How can we trust them?” The question had thrown her off. He was right. How did she know the whole thing wasn’t an ambush? Some sort of trap? They were Fallen, just like Lucifer. Demitria had been so engrossed with the news, so mad, that it hadn’t even crossed her mind that the angels could be lying. But the stupid little rhyme her mother had told her. The fact that the others seemed to know it, too. She knew they weren’t lying, something in her blood resonating with it. With them.

“I know Lucifer.” Kellan’s voice was meek. Whatever he was about to say burdened him. “Worked alongside him for a long time.” He shook his head before dropping his gaze to the ground below. Plagued by a guilt that Demitria couldn’t place. “I know the way his mind works. He wants power. Craves it. It’s the truth.” She wanted to ask him about his time with the fallen angel. Talk to him about what it was that bothered him so much. Talk to him, and find a way to get him through it.

“And just like that, we’re supposed to believe you?” Tyler had been quiet for so long. He’d barely done so much as glance up at either of them since they’d returned. She noticed he’d been spending an alarming amount of time with the twins, and it unnerved her. “How do we know you haven’t been working for them all along?” He questioned Kellan. Questioned all the Horsemen, accusing them.

“Yes, you are.” She stepped up, planting herself in front of someone she once thought a friend. Someone she had vowed to keep safe so many years ago. Before the twins had corrupted his mind. “He’s on our side.” Demitria dared him to challenge her. Waited for him to make a move, and she’d strike. The hatred had gone on long enough. Determined now to put an end to it. “Anyone else have a problem, you come through me.” There was no more questioning where his loyalties lay. He’d proved himself time and time again. Even against his own siblings, he’d always picked her . “I’m sick of your accusations. Your opinions.” She scowled at the twins. “This ends now.” Her words final. She wished one of them would step forward. Willing it with every fiber in her body. She should feel ashamed, but she didn’t. Every part of her wanted to end the brothers, but she wouldn’t stoop to their level. Wouldn’t give in to the craving that called out to her blood.

“When did you decide to take over?” Sam finally questioned. The uneasiness on his face was clear. Unsure if he should be interrogating her or not.

“I don’t remember voting you in.” Will snapped, not as easily convinced as his brother. His eyes narrowed, brows furrowed.

“By all means, feel free to step up.” She smirked. There was a time when she’d let their words run her life. Feeding off them. Letting them affect her to no end. Those days were gone. Something in her had snapped the night she’d found the community in flames. Neither one stepped up. “That’s what I thought.” She glanced around at the others. Waiting.

“I stand behind you.” Jace shot her a smile. “Always.” She could see the relief in his eyes. His position had burdened him for so long, and she knew it all too well. Jace hated being in charge of the community, and had voiced it many times before. He didn’t need to think twice before stepping down. Wouldn’t fight it.

“I’m with you.” Cory nodded, his expression mirroring the man beside him. It meant everything to her, having the both of them back her up. Their opinions meant the world. To see them stand behind her, no questions asked, was all she could have asked for.

“Me too.” Evan inclined his head toward her.

She looked again at the twins. At Tyler, who seemed to be standing even closer to them, but neither met her piercing gaze, their eyes trained to the dirt at their feet.

“So, it’s decided then?” Arakiel and his angels had been quiet. Watching the exchange in silence. His face held the thin lines of a knowing grin as he looked at her. Demitria wanted to know the thoughts swarming through his mind. He’d been staring at her with an expression she couldn’t quite figure out. Hope? She nearly scoffed at the thought. He held some form of knowledge. Both he and his group knew something that the others did not, and she was determined to figure it out.