The Guardian's Mark

“Ava...”

The darkness was almost comforting, more familiar now than the light. It wasn’t right though, this I knew. I had to pull myself out of it.

“Ava, wake up...”

That voice. It was so familiar...

I came to slowly, the first sensation hitting me like a ton of bricks: pain. A pounding migraine. A wet substance trickled down the side of my head and I wasn’t sure whether it was sweat or blood.

“There we go sleeping beauty.”

My eyes fluttered open and what I first noticed was that I was bound by black chord to a chair, my hands and feet wrapped tightly by the rough material. I didn’t know how long I’d been unconscious but my body ached from being slumped over in such an uncomfortable position.

The room was dark, save for the glow of the moonlight from a row of small windows about fifteen feet up along the walls. It was uncomfortably quiet, the voice I’d heard before an apparent hallucination.

Where was I? And why was I still alive? I remembered being taken but the goal in previous attempts had been murder. What had changed?

Looking to my right, I noticed an immobile body and realized it was my brother. Instantly my heart rate spiked.

Myles was lying on the cold cement ground, wrists bound behind his back as well as his ankles. His forehead was plastered in sweat, eyes closed. He was either asleep or unconscious. Which one, I wasn’t sure.

“Myles,” I whispered, hoping any sort of noise would wake him. There was no response. I opened my mouth to whisper his name a second time then hesitated. I didn’t know who was around but I wasn’t sure drawing attention was the best idea. The demons who’d taken control of Carter and Fawn could be nearby and I was hoping to find a way out of here before they came to check on me.

The dagger was still in the back of my pants, digging into my back. Apparently they’d underestimated the fact that I was now prepared for this type of situation. An easy mistake to make seeing as I’d never been prepared in the past.

I shimmied into an upright position and reached for the back of my pants, pushing up the shirt I wore. I slipped the blade out, maneuvering the best I could with my hands tied. I hoped the dagger had some sort of angelic super sharpness and would help me cut through in record timing. Sliding it in between my left hand and the chord, I began to work the knife up and down. After about four slices the chord fell free. I quickly swung my arms around to my front and sawed through the bit around my right wrist before moving to my ankles.

Myles grunted from where he lay on the floor but didn’t move. My heart rate quickened again, anxious to get to him.

As soon as my legs were free, I ran, crossing the room in quick strides and dropping to my knees beside my brother. Pushing back some of the hair from his forehead I noted that he was burning up, possibly sick or the demons had done something to him.

I was going to lose it if they’d done any irreversible damage.

I grabbed his shoulder, shaking him. “Myles, please wake up.” Even if I wanted to, there was no way I was going to be able to carry him out of here. He needed to walk, no matter how weak he was.

“He won’t wake.”

I jumped, stumbling to my feet and grabbing the dagger from the ground where I’d dropped it.

Fawn smirked, her once kind green eyes a deep red. The happy go lucky girl I’d come to love as my brother’s girlfriend was gone and in her place was the sadistic terrifying twin. The human Fawn had always dressed in light pastel colors. This version wore all black with chunky combat boots. The thin black coat she wore I assumed concealed the weapons she had. “He’s been poisoned. We only needed him long enough to draw you here. He should be dead in a few hours. Not that it will matter.”

I tried to ignore the horror that filled me at her words but was unsuccessful. “Why haven’t you killed me? What’s the point of keeping me alive?” I didn’t quite have a death wish but I wanted to know.

“Turns out you’re more useful alive than dead. Don’t worry, he’ll explain everything once he arrives.”

Lucifer. He was coming here.

Two possessed people walked in through the metal door I hadn’t noticed before in the corner. They came to stand beside Fawn, dressed in all black and glaring pure hatred at me.

“That’s why we need you to get back in that chair. So there’s no difficulty when he arrives.”

Well that certainly wasn’t going to happen.

“Fawn, I know you’re in there. You have to fight this, if not for yourself, for Myles.”

She paused, her gaze narrowing at me. “Fawn is gone.” She started toward me, the others moving with her.

I didn’t know what she meant by “gone” but I didn’t give myself time to dwell on it. Gripping the knife, I sprang into action.

They rushed at me but I was ready. I swung the knife out, jabbing it deep into the stomach of the closest one then whipping around to block the arm of the other one as he reached for me. Pushing his arm aside, I lifted my leg and kicked his chest, sending him stumbling back. I knew Fawn was behind me but her movements were too quick, her arms wrapping around my neck before I had a chance to fend her off. We stumbled back, my fingers scraping at her grip. I couldn’t hurt her. Not Fawn. I’d let her kill me before I used the dagger on her.

The man I’d fended off had regained his footing, rushing toward me as he pulled a thin black chord from his coat.

I pulled my weight down, squatting before springing up and throwing my legs out. Wrapping them around his neck, I dragged the three of us to the ground. We landed hard on our sides, the man cracking his head against the cement floor. He was knocked out instantly, arms falling lifelessly to his sides.

Fawn’s grip had loosened upon impact so I took the opportunity to yank her arms free, elbowing her in the stomach. I rolled over as she released me and reached for the abandoned black chord, ripping it from the man’s limp fingers.

Fawn had begun to push herself up but I was quicker, wrapping the chord around her neck and pulling her toward me. Natalia had taught me how to put someone to sleep and I hoped to God the demon wouldn’t be able to fight it.

She choked, scratching at the chord as it cut off her airway. I was counting in my head, my jaw tightening as I fought the urge to release her. Her body went limp, muscles relaxing as she slowly passed out.

“They’ve shown you a few things I see.”

I pushed Fawn’s limp body aside, scrambling to my feet. I recognized that dark sinister voice far too well.

The room was empty though. It was in my head.

“You’re surrounded, Ava. You may have managed to fight off a few of my followers but the building is filled with them. They won’t hurt you but I can’t say the same for your brother.”

I looked down at Myles, my heart aching at the sight of him. He was drenched in sweat, his skin blotchy, and his face was scrunched up as if he were struggling in some sort of nightmare.

“Leave him out of this.”

“I’ll let him go if you come with me.”

Crap, what was I supposed to do now? I wanted to kill as much time as I could so the fellows would be able to find us.

“How do I know he’ll be safe?” If I had to, I would leave with them and then hopefully find a way to escape once we were far away. The most important thing right now was the safety of my brother.

“I’ll let you watch him walk out.”

It wasn’t quite what I was hoping for but it would do. “Fine. I’ll go with you.”

There was a pause and I almost wondered if he’d changed his mind. Then he spoke.

“Good choice.”

A moment later a horde of people, or rather demon possessed people, came filing in through the warehouse door. Within seconds there were thirty or so of them and I didn’t understand the need for so many. What kind of power did they think I had?

The stone pulsed at my neck, the blue brightening then fading. It was still warm and almost seemed to have a life of its own. The change in intensity of the glow almost seemed as if it was sending a message. A reminder of its ability. I couldn’t use it against thirty or so demons though...Could I?

Two of them flanked me, taking a hold of my arms as a third approached with another black chord. Their grasps were rough and the menacing looks in their eyes did not bring comfort.

I wasn’t going to die this way. No matter what happened, I would fight until I couldn’t fight anymore.

The demon had begun to wrap the chord around my wrists, causing me to cringe with every tug. If I’d felt alone before, now I really did. I almost wished there was a nosy angel that had followed me when I’d left. I was truly on my own now.

The man was on his third wrap around my wrists when the building shook, rumbling and groaning as if from an earthquake. The demons paused, all of them looking around as the building settled. The one holding my left arm, a slim oriental woman, spoke first. “What was that?”

The demon holding my other arm was a well built and balding Italian man. He responded to her, his eyes scanning the ceiling. “I don’t know. Let’s hurry and get her out of here.”

They were scared. This wasn’t an emotion I’d ever associated with demons and it certainly wasn’t one I expected to see from Lucifer’s hand-picked army.

The building shook again, this time rippling from one side to the other. It was as if a plane was flying just over it...or an angel.

The fellows.

A shadow rushed past the windows along the wall, so quick I almost didn’t notice it. A few of them spun to watch it, each of them quickly retrieving different weapons from their black trench coats. Most brandished daggers with the same markings I’d seen twice now. Others had swords and one even had a set of smaller daggers. They were prepared for a possible ambush such as this.

The room was silent, all of its occupants waiting with bated breath.

The man was the first to break out of the stupor. “Let’s go now.”

A window shattered as soon as the last word left his lips and a figure flew in, making a quick swoop around the room, his wings spread wide.

We all watched as he dropped low, coming to a halt and landing on his feet, the floor shaking and causing the demons nearest him to stumble. He stood slowly, his brilliant wings stretching out as if inhaling a breath.

I didn’t recognize him but I felt as if I should. He was massive, built with a broad chest that filled out the long sleeved black crew neck he wore. He was dressed entirely in black actually and had some sort of silver cuffs on his wrists. His long brown hair had been braided halfway down his back and his brown eyes were intense, focused on the demons that outnumbered him. His wings were gorgeous. All white and trimmed in gold as if someone had sprinkled glitter over them. He was terrifying and beautiful at the same time. And he was looking right at me.

“Let her go and I’ll let you all live.”

The demon closest to him spoke, her orange Mohawk as furious as her voice. “We outnumber you angel.” She said ‘angel’ as if it were a dirty word, spitting it out with disgust.

He didn’t speak for a moment, his eyes scanning the crowd, possibly to give any who weren’t committed a chance to leave. None did. “Alright then.” He reached over his shoulder, pulling a massive sword from his back that glinted like a diamond in the light.

“Have it your way.”

Everything from there happened in a flash. The angel rushed forward, the few demons closest to him rushing as well. They clashed together dramatically, his sword slicing expertly through them as if it took him no effort.

The demon tying my wrists dropped what he was doing and ran to get in on the action. The chord was wrapped tightly but hadn’t been tied.

“Don’t even think about it,” the woman said, her red eyes glaring at me. Her grip on my arm tightened as did the other demon’s grip.

Good thing Natalia had shown me what to do in a situation similar to this one.

I turned to the woman, hoping her demon was the weaker of the two, and yanked her toward me, slamming my head into hers. My ears were ringing as she stumbled back, releasing me.

I needed a new move. I was two head butts away from a concussion.

The man removed one hand and reached to wrap an arm around my neck but I was too quick.

Twisting toward him, I ducked and kneed him in the groin, throwing all of my body weight toward him in an attempt to knock him down. He took a couple steps back but didn’t fall, barely reacting to his injury. I wriggled my hands in an attempt to free them from the rope, stumbling backward away from him. The chord finally fell free and I grabbed it, prepared to use it on my enemies. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the angel was doing fairly well. Almost half of the demons were on the ground, only the strong or lucky still standing. He moved gracefully, slicing through his attackers with ease and an unhuman swiftness, his wings aiding him as if they had a mind of their own.

Before I knew what was happening I had fallen to one knee, something hitting my back and knocking the breath out of me.

The woman.

She had recovered and was furious, screaming as she moved to kick me again.

I turned, catching her foot and twisting hard, sending her crashing to the ground. I knew the man would be back and I needed to get rid of her before he came at me again.

Pulling the knife from my waist band, I crawled over her as she struggled to push herself up and drove the knife deep into her neck.

She screamed, the red in her eyes flashing before she flopped down, lifeless.

I quickly scrambled to my feet, clutching the chord in my hands. I’d barely stood up when the man came lumbering forward. Stepping to the side and rotating out of his reach, I wrapped the chord around his neck and pulled.

He struggled, clawing at the rope but I’d moved too quickly. He fell to his knees and I snatched the knife from the woman’s neck, pushing it into his back just beside his spine. His arms went limp, dropping as he fell to the floor.

I’d just killed two people.

No, demons. I’d killed two demons. Most of the people in the room were probably dead anyway considering the smell.

I lifted myself from the ground, surveying my handiwork. I knew what I’d done but it almost felt as if some other person had taken control of my body and done it themselves. I’d had very few out of body experiences in my life and this was certainly one of them. The time to dwell on that was not now though.

I looked over at where the rest of the fight was happening, only five of the demons still standing. Bodies littered the floor, blood surrounding them in crimson puddles. The angel was spotless, moving with a supernatural speed I’d never seen from any of the fellows. Who was he? And why was he here when none of the other fellows had found the location yet?

In a matter of moments, the last demon was falling to his knees, joining his comrades. The angel’s sword was drenched in blood, dripping red. He stretched his spine, standing upright as he lowered the tip of the sword to the ground. He touched his fist to his chest and closed his eyes, it seemed to say a silent prayer. When he opened his eyes, they landed on me and I was filled with fear again.

I didn’t know him but I knew he’d just given his all protecting me. That didn’t necessarily mean his intentions were pure so I asked the only question I could think of. “Who are you?”

He wiped his sword across his leg, cleaning it of the blood, before returning it to the sheath strapped to his back. “Amos.”

Amos? Why did I know that name?

He stepped forward, reducing the large space between us with cautious steps. “I was your guardian before Gavin.”

Wait, I knew him. He was the one who had been mentioned countless times at dinner, all shameful accounts of his betrayal. The same stories that had caused Natalia to stalk out on dinner that first night. He hadn’t been seen in years and now he was here. This didn’t make any sense.

“Stay back,” I ordered, holding up my hand. The necklace at my collarbone I realized had stopped glowing, no longer needed to alert me of the presence of demons. I wished Gavin had given me a necklace that told me whether an angel was good or evil.

Amos stopped, speaking calmly. “Ava, I’m not here to hurt you. I know you’ve probably been told stories of me and the truth will come out in due time. Right now all I want to do is help Myles.”

I looked over at my brother, my heart lurching at the sight of him. He was still lying motionless despite all of the commotion that had gone on around him. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it but he seemed to have gone paler. I looked back at Amos, hesitant. “You can heal him?”

He nodded. “I’ll leave right after. And you should too. I’m sure Lucifer is sending a second wave and I’d hate for all of this to have been in vain.”

He was right. Staying here and wasting time was just asking for trouble. I needed to get Myles to the mansion where he would be safe. “Alright. Just keep your distance from me. Things don’t go so well when I’m near angels.”

He smiled. “Don’t worry. That will fade.” He began walking over to my brother.

I followed him, keeping my distance, and watched him kneel to the ground. It was hard watching Myles take one shallow breath after another.

Amos gently rolled my brother over onto his back, drawing a small dagger from his boot to use to slice through the chord around his wrists and feet. He placed Myles’ arms on the floor at his sides and slipped the dagger back into his boot. He then placed his hands on Myles’ chest, lowering his head. His wings floated behind him as if alive, spreading and constricting.

The imagery was not lost on me. It was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. If I’d been a painter, I would have been anxious to run home and pull out my brushes. Instead I was a photographer and the disappointment at not having my camera was strong. Also, how would I explain it to people? They wouldn’t be able to comprehend the idea that angels truly existed, guardians that had promised to protect us all, as undeserving as we were.

Amos’s fingertips began to glow, a low blue light that spread out over my brother’s chest. Myles was motionless and unresponsive, unaware of what was happening to him. The glow lasted for a few moments then faded, crawling back into his fingertips. Myles took a deep breath, his chest moving noticeably for the first time. His eyes didn’t open but already the color in his face seemed to be returning.

I let out the breath I’d been holding in, relieved but also anxious to see my brother awake and hug him.

“He’ll be alright. Gavin is almost here.”

My heart jumped and I hoped he wasn’t able to tell. “How do you know?”

“I can sense him. He’s not alone either so I have to go.” He stood, turning toward me. “Be strong Ava. And know you can trust Gavin and Natalia no matter what. We’ll meet again.”

I had so many questions but I didn’t know how to begin asking them. Instead I settled for a soft “Thank you.”

He smiled lightly then was launching himself into the air and flying out through the window, the building shaking as he left.

I rushed over to my brother as soon as he was out of sight and dropped to my knees beside him, taking his hand and holding it to my chest. I was willing him to wake up but I knew he wouldn’t. Not for a few days. Maybe more than a week.

The building was quiet now so it was easy to hear the main warehouse doors bursting open in the distance. The door to this room was open in a matter of seconds and Gavin came rushing through, ten of the fellows on his heels, some in human form and some looking ethereal in their angelic form.

Gavin headed straight for us, stepping around the bodies, but his walk slowed as he neared, coming to a stop beside me. He dropped to one knee, placing a hand on my back. “What happened...?”

I took a deep breath, unwilling to look away from my brother’s face. “He’s alright. Amos came. He saved us. He healed my brother.”

Gavin seemed to be thinking hard about his next words, pausing. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head, surprised I wasn’t a crying mess. I’d just fought for the first time. I wasn’t feeling so helpless anymore. “I’m fine. We need to get Myles out of here. More of them will be coming.”

Carter. I hadn’t realized he wasn’t here and it had just hit me. He was possessed. Where was Lucifer keeping him?

Gavin turned his head back. “Rainen. Help me with Myles. The rest of you clear out these bodies.”

Clear out thirty bodies. Two of which I’d contributed.

I stood slowly, Gavin standing with me as his hand fell from my back. I turned to face him, looking into his eyes. “We have to talk.”

Something registered in expression but which emotion it was hard to tell. “Later.”

Acceptance of my request. That was all I needed. Once we got back to the mansion we would talk about all that had just occurred.

And how he knew Amos.

Myles was taken to one of the vacant rooms on the second floor and two fellows were assigned to guard him day and night. We didn’t know how long it would be until he woke up but Nakir predicted it would take at least a week. Recovering from demon poison as well as an angelic healing was going to take him a while.

Natalia was waiting at the door once we arrived and immediately hugged me, asking if I was alright.

I reassured her I was fine and made sure my brother was comfortable before going to my room to shower.

I didn’t mention it to anyone but I was anxious to get out of my clothes. They were dirty, smelled like demon, and sprayed by blood. Demon blood. Or demon possession blood. Whichever made more sense. I just needed it off me and these clothes burned.

While in the shower I contemplated all that I’d learned. Amos was alive and well and still looking out for me despite his attempts to stay hidden. From the way he’d mentioned Natalia and Gavin, I suspected he knew them well and was possibly still in contact. It didn’t quite clear his name but it did make me feel somewhat guilty for the way I’d treated Gavin. Perhaps I’d jumped the gun when things were much more complicated than they appeared.

And Carter. What was I going to do about him? I couldn’t lose him. I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from having a mental breakdown if I did. Lucifer obviously had kept him away from the warehouse as a backup plan for leverage in case things didn’t go as planned. My fury at the power he had was boiling over. No matter what we did he was always one step ahead. Each and every time.

How were we going to one up the king of deception? The devil?

There was a knock on my door as I was pacing my room and towel drying my hair. I was exhausted so I’d dressed down in a pair of black sweatpants and a white t-shirt in case sleep hit me sooner than expected. It was already four in the afternoon so I wasn’t sure if sleeping now was the best idea. Perhaps it might be better to stay awake and sleep later. My worry for Carter also had me anxious so I wasn’t sure when or even if I’d be able to sleep.

I laid the damp towel on the back of the armchair, noticing the dagger I’d tossed onto the cushion earlier while undressing. I pushed it under the pillow and went to open the door, half hopeful it was Cassiel so I could take out my frustration on him.

Gavin stood at the door, dressed down in jeans and a dark gray pullover sweater, the sleeves pushed back to his elbows. His facial hair was freshly trimmed and his red hair was coiffed back out of his face, looking as if it were styled professionally and not the result of a two minute quick hairdo.

I was reminded of that night at the gala with Carter. When Gavin had stepped in and swept me around the dance floor. Back then he’d just been a mysterious acquaintance. Now...well, now I didn’t know what he was. Definitely my guardian. Ex-lover....It stung each time I thought of what he’d said to me. About how we couldn’t be together. And how after all of this was over I’d never see him again.

“You look much better. More yourself.”

I shifted my weight, putting a hand on my hip. “I feel better.” I tried to offer him a smile but all that came was a miniscule smirk.

“I’m glad to hear that. Is it alright if I come in?”

I nodded although every fiber of my being was screaming no. I couldn’t be alone in my bedroom with him again. It was too personal.

Stepping back, I turned to walk over to my bed, sitting on the end of it and rotating to cross my legs underneath myself. Maybe crisscross apple sauce would keep those lustful feelings away.

Gavin sat down beside me, angling his body toward me. He smelled good, having put on some sort of woodsy cologne. It only enhanced the sex appeal he probably didn’t even realize he was emitting-

Stop it Ava.

“I guess first I’ll let you ask whatever questions you have.”

I shrugged, fighting the urge to play with my still damp strands of hair. “Only one. What’s the story with Amos? Who is he and how do you know him?” Why build up the tension when I could just go straight for the tough question? Just like ripping off a bandaid, I needed to get it over with.

He paused, seeming to search for the right words. “He’s exactly who I’ve always said he was. Fiercely loyal and one of the greatest role models for many. He also happens to be the one who guarded you before me.”

“The one everyone says is a traitor?”

Gavin’s voice didn’t harden but it was clear my statement bothered him by the clenching of his jaw. He really cared for Amos. “He never betrayed anyone. He was framed. By the same fellow we think is hiding out here and killed Idris. I’ve kept in contact with him and the three of us, Natalia being the third, have been trying to figure out who it is. Once we do we can prove his innocence.”

“I don’t understand. How was he framed?”

“Lucifer preyed on what he knew was Amos’s biggest strength and largest fault. Love. He threatened everyone he loved and went as far as to take one of the fellows, Amos’s closest friend. By the time he got to him, he had been possessed. Amos attempted to save him but failed and ended up having to kill him. However it had been set up for him to be caught in the act. A few guardians got there just in time to see him kill that fellow. They automatically assumed he had turned and tried to capture him but he got away and has been in hiding ever since.”

“Wait, a demon can possess an angel? And how did they not figure out that this fellow was possessed?”

“Because only one demon can transfer himself into an angel. Lucifer. He severed the link just before Amos stabbed the fellow. So to them it was as if Lucifer had never been there. The punishment for the murder of a fellow is damnation so he ran, determined to clear his name. He contacted Natalia a month later and told her what had happened. We’ve been trying to find a way to prove his innocence. No one else knows.”

“So...” I cut myself off, trying to process all of this new information. How was I supposed to take this anyhow? I believed him but my task had again become even more complicated. “I don’t even know what to say.”

“I’m sorry to put this burden on you. Know that you don’t have to keep this secret with us. Your life is most important here.”

“I would never do that to you or Natalia. Rat you out. I believe you. I saw Amos and he was magnificent. Terrifying but magnificent. I don’t know how exactly to wrap my head around it but I won’t say anything to anyone.”

“He will be happy to hear that. He watched you grow up. He cares about you more than you can imagine.”

I tried to imagine the all-powerful Amos watching over me but it was almost laughable. Such a powerful guardian being wasted on little old me. Except for today of course. Today his skills had really come in handy.

“Is he alright? Being alone?”

Gavin smiled lightly. “He’s got friends, those who are loyal to him. He’ll never be alone.”

“Good.”

There was an awkward silence stretching on longer than intended. I wasn’t sure what to say and I also was growing increasingly distracted by the magnetic pull I felt toward him. I needed to somehow get him out of my room.

“I saw Myles before I came here. He already looks much better.”

I nodded. “He’s a fighter.”

“Just like his sister.” Gavin didn’t move but his eyes were studying me. He paused before speaking again. “I wanted to speak to you about why you left.”

Oh right. About that.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. I was upset and just needed to put some distance between myself and this place.”

“Ava, this is the safest place for you to be right now.”

“I know but after Idris and-” You and Natalia. “I just didn’t feel safe. I don’t know any of the fellows like you do. And most of them look at me like I don’t belong here. Which I don’t. I still don’t know why on Earth I was chosen.”

Gavin looked sympathetic which only enhanced my guilt. “You do belong here. Things aren’t going to run smoothly. That’s just the nature of it. Angels and humans rarely meet for a reason. That doesn’t mean they don’t have the utmost love or respect for you. If anything, many of them are jealous.”

“Why would an angel be jealous of a mortal?”

“Because your lives are so simple. So uncomplicated by duty. And the ramifications of your decisions only last a century. Ours last for an eternity.”

Well that was one way of looking at it. “But you’re already guaranteed your ticket to heaven. We aren’t.”

“Some might say Earth is heaven in its own way.”

He had me there.

I was starting to feel a tad better when a thought hit me: Carter. I needed to tell him about Carter.

“Gavin, I have to tell you something. Lucifer took Carter. He’s possessed and he wasn’t at that warehouse. I don’t know where he is.”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean? How do you know Lucifer took him?”

The guilt was overwhelming now, pushing away any of the happiness that had almost finished its journey to me. “Because Carter is the one that came here to get me. We went to my apartment and I fell asleep. When I woke up he was possessed.”

“I’ll let Nakir know and we’ll send scouts right away. He can’t be far and I’m willing to bet Lucifer intends to use him sooner rather than later to draw you out of hiding. No matter what happens, you have to promise not to leave the grounds until it’s time to close the gates.”

“When am I going to learn how to do that? It seems I’ve been training how to fight but I have no clue of how I’m supposed to close these doors. Or even where they are.”

“Nakir will be speaking to you about that. She thinks you’re doing well enough in your training so it’s time for you to learn. I’ll be taking over your training for the next few days though. There’s been an incident while you were gone.”

“What do you mean by incident?”

“Elyon and Cassiel are missing. They’re the last two that haven’t been tested by the Dagger of Certitude. Last night most of the fellows were sent to find them which is why you were able to slip away so easily.”

And here I’d attributed it to my new and improved stealth. How disappointing. “They just disappeared without a trace? How could that even happen?”

“They were sent to scout a location and never returned. Either one or both of them could be our traitors.”

Elyon a traitor? Impossible. Cassiel however...well, the thought made me feel guilty but it would make sense if he were the traitor. He hadn’t liked me from the beginning.

“But Elyon wouldn’t harm a fly. And Nakir seems to trust Cassiel more than a lot of the others.”

“I don’t think either of them are but there’s no other explanation. The two of them together are unstoppable unless they stumbled across something they couldn’t handle. Which means Lucifer was waiting for them.”

“How would he know why they were coming?”

“He wouldn’t unless someone told him which is why one of them must be the traitor.”

“It makes no sense. Why take one angel? Is he planning to use Cassiel or Elyon for something?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if he were. However there is...another issue.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. What else could be going on that I wasn’t aware of?

Gavin paused, seeming to search for the right words. “Your brother’s girlfriend Fawn...”

Oh my goodness. I’d completely forgotten about her. I remembered Ullrick picking her up but I’d been so focused about my brother I hadn’t spared her another thought.

“We’re having a hard time extracting the malevolent spirit. I don’t think she has much time left.”

Not Fawn. Anyone but her. My brother would never be the same again if he lost the love of his life.

I shifted, my throat clenching. “Nothing can be done?”

The pity was in Gavin’s eyes as well as his voice. “Once a malevolent spirit has had enough time to bond with its host, it’s almost impossible to separate them without killing the human. It seems this particular spirit possessed her about a week ago and now will only leave by choice.”

Tears welled up in my eyes and I was trying my hardest not to let them fall. An innocent person was going to die because of me, someone I’d come to see as a sister. How would I ever explain this to Myles?

“Can I say goodbye? If my brother can’t I’d at least like to be able to be there for her.”

“Of course.”