This better freaking work.
The Fallen sniffed the air, trying to catch a scent. I took the arm and tossed it away from me. As soon as it left my hand, it became visible and hit the ground. In a flash, the Fallen shot toward the area. I was safe for now, but didn’t know for how much longer.
In the distance, I saw Ethon battling with the Hellhounds and a few Fallen. It seemed like he had everything under control. His advantage was his wings and speed. He was maneuvering quickly from the mouths of the Hellhounds and trying to fight off Fallen which were airborne.
I watched in horror as one leapt up, snapping at his wing, but he twirled out of the way, while blocking an incoming sword at the same time.
I stepped to the side and my foot landed on a branch, which cracked loudly. I gasped and was slammed from behind. A Fallen had run into me, and when he realized it, he wrapped his arms tightly around me, constricting my chest.
“Ethon,” I screamed, but as soon as I yelled, the Fallen took to flight. In seconds I was being carried further and further up and away, with all hope of being found, quickly diminishing.
I tried to reach for the dagger but with my arms pinned it required some effort. I finally had it, and with all my might I thrust it deep into the Fallen’s thigh. He screamed and grabbed for his wound, letting go of me. I was falling fast, screaming and watching the tree line get closer and closer. I clenched my eyes just as I was about to hit.
In midair, someone grabbed me. Screaming, I attempted to thrust the blade into whoever it was, but he caught my hand.
“Don’t,” he said in a familiar gruff voice.
“Bane?”
He responded with, “You stink.”
It was him alright, and for some odd reason, I felt safe.
“You need to go back and help Ethon. There are too many evil things down there.”
“Azzah is assisting. Ethon ordered me to take you back to safety.”
That was the most words I’d ever heard Bane speak… ever.
“But they need your help. They can’t do it alone.”
“They are more than capable of protecting themselves. I cannot return, unless you give me permission.”
“Why would you need my permission?” I questioned.
“Because you will soon be Ethon’s mate, and I have been ordered to protect the line of Lucifer. I take orders from them alone.”
“Well, I order you to turn around and help them. Besides, we’re still a long way from home.”
Bane nodded and slowly turned around.
“You don’t like me do you?”
He shrugged his shoulders, confirming what I already felt.
“Why?”
“It’s not that I don’t like you. I am sorrowful for you.”
“Sorrowful?” I questioned.
“Yes, and don’t ask me to tell you why,” he replied.
“What if I ordered you to tell me?” His eyes narrowed and I swore he growled at me a bit. “Or not,” I quickly added.
He huffed. “If I tell you, I could be severely punished or killed.”
“I promise to God, or to Lucifer – whatever fancies you – that I will not speak a word to anyone. There is no one to tell anyway. Besides, I need to know things before I make my final decision.”
“You made a deal with Lucifer. You have no choice,” he said roughly.
“We’ll see about that. I need to know, Bane. Why are you sad for me?”
He shook his head them paused for a moment.
“There are two sides to him, and right now you have only experienced his good side. But what you and the others don’t know is there is a very dark and evil side to him, which is almost identical to his father.
“He has killed countless Fallen and mortals alike. If they look at him the wrong way, they die.”
“And you’re scared of him?” I asked. He didn’t answer, but I could see it in his eyes. “How can someone so big and powerful be scared of him?”
“Because he has much more power than anyone thinks. There are secrets only a select few know, and we have been sworn to silence. But since you are going to become one of them, I think it’s time you know what you’re bonding into.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” I asked. He, of all people, was the last person I ever thought would share any information with me.
“Because I see how innocent you are. You remind me of my daughter.”
“You have a daughter?”
“I had a daughter, but not anymore,” he said sadly.
“What happened to her?”
“When I was chosen for service, they murdered my family so I could serve without barriers. They did the same to all Lucifer’s personal guards.”
My heart broke, and I felt my eyes well with pain for him.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” I breathed.
He shook his head. “It was a long time ago. My heart has grown calloused, and I’ve learned to become numb to everything around me. With my work you have to be hard, or you die.”
“I wish there were something I could do,” I breathed, seeing Bane for the first time in a whole new light. Yes, he had a very rough exterior, but he was hurt inside. I couldn’t imagine the pain he had to endure when his family was murdered. I wondered if he had to watch. Just the thought of it made me sick inside. No wonder they were so submissive to Lucifer. He’d stripped them of everything, and made them slaves.
That was the same thing he had done to me, only not completely yet. He never gave me a choice, and knew what I would do to save those I loved. He knew I’d submit if they were involved. But I had a sinking feeling that even though I made the pact, their lives would still be in danger. He just better keep his end of the bargain, or so help me God.
“It’s too late for me,” he said with a bit of sadness in his voice. “I am dammed. A slave for all eternity.”
I didn’t know what else to tell him. My heart broke with his words. We were quickly approaching Ethon and I knew because I could feel him.
“Wait,” I said, placing my hand on Bane’s chest. He stopped in mid-air. “I want to know Ethon’s secret.”
He closed his eyes then sighed. “You have to swear to me you will never tell a living soul.”
“I swear,” I said with confidence.
He exhaled loudly. “Ethon is Lucifer’s true son.”
Gasping, I shook my head. “I thought Lucifer’s brother was his father, and after he was caught and killed, Lucifer took him in?”
Bane shook his head. “That’s what they want everyone to believe, but Lucifer was the one who impregnated Ethon’s birth mother. Then Lucian found out. If Lucifer had been found guilty, he would have been stripped of all authority and executed. Lucifer blamed his brother and made him plead guilty to his transgression. He had no choice. Lucifer threatened to kill his bonded in front of him. So, when Lucian came to Lucifer, he charged his brother. His brother was taken and murdered for a transgression he never committed.”
“That is seriously screwed up. How could he live with himself? He blamed and killed his brother for something he did.”
“Bottom line, Ethon is Lucifer’s son and Prince of the Underworld. It is Lucifer’s blood that flows through him, which is why he has more power than any other Nephilim, and is also stronger and faster than any of the Fallen around him. He was trained by the Fallen’s best warriors, and thus, nearly undefeatable.”
“Holy crap,” was all I could say. His words painted Ethon to be a monster in training, and made me want to get back into the safety and protection of Alaine’s home. “I think I’ve changed my mind. Could you please take me back home?”
“Of course,” he said, then turned around and started back. “There is someone following us,” he said, and then held on tighter to me.
I turned back and didn’t see anything.
“If you can, you need to go invisible.”
I nodded then closed my eyes and concentrated, and soon felt the tingle. I grabbed B
ane’s arm and he disappeared.
“They can’t see us now,” I whispered.
“How are you doing that?” he asked.
“It’s one of the powers of my suit. If I’m invisible, so is anything or anyone I’m touching.”
“I think we might be able to shake whatever is out there. I’m going to fly low. Just hold on.”
“How do you know something’s out there?” I asked.
“After centuries of war, you know when your enemy is near. It becomes instinct.”
“Okay,” I exhaled, holding on a little tighter.
Centuries? Every time they used the word according to their age, it rattled me. How could anyone live for centuries, especially under Lucifer’s rule? It was mind blowing.
I was cradled in his arms, and instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck for extra grip. His eyes snapped to me, and I quickly let go.
“No, it’s okay,” he answered. “I’m just not used to anyone’s touch. You took me by surprise.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Don’t be. You should hold on because I will have to maneuver to try and lose whatever is out there.”
He flew a bit faster. Not nearly as quick as Ethon, but much faster than he was before.
A loud screeching sound suddenly alerted us something was there. Then swooping out of the sky, a huge dark creature with a wingspan, double Bane’s, came flying toward us.
“Shit,” he cursed, diving down toward the trees. He headed for the largest one and landed on a thick bough, then sniffed the air. We became visible.
“What is it?” I gasped, not being able to make out what it was.
“Gryphon.”
“A what?”
“Another creature from the Underworld used to bring death and destruction. But they’ve never been sent out into the mortal world.”
“Until now,” I said, holding on tighter to him. “Can it see us?”
“I don’t know. It has the head and wings of an eagle, and eagles have exceptional vision. It also has the body, tail, and legs of a lion, but there are eagle's talons as its front feet. Those are its greatest weapon, and what we need to stay away from. It can rip anything to shreds, including wings.”
“Who would be sending these creatures?”
“It has to be Lucian. He knows you are going to transform soon, and will do anything to try and capture you before you seal your bond with Lucifer’s son.”
“Maybe I should be caught. Then I wouldn’t have to seal any bonds.”
“No. Being with Lucian will be just as dangerous as being with Lucifer. He’s wild and has no restraint. There are no rules that bind him, and he has no conscience. All he cares about is revenge and ruling the Underworld, and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. I need to get you back to the house and into the barrier.”
“I know you’ve probably heard this before, but you will need to hold on tight, like your life depends on it. I don’t think this will be a simple flight home.”
He set me down on the branch, and I faced him. He was so much taller than me and his huge muscles bulged from under his shirt. I didn’t think I would be able to wrap my legs around his waist, but I would try if I had to.
“You ready?” he asked in his deep voice.
“I’m ready,” I whispered. “How much further are we from the house?”
“A few miles.”
“Oh God.”
“You should be praying to him about now. We could use all the help we can get.”
“What if we stay low, like down on the ground?”
“There are Hellhounds all over these woods. They’ve released at least a dozen, and who knows what else.”
“Alright. Well, I guess one big lion bird is better than a dozen Hellhounds,” I said, my voice shaking.
“Let’s hope,” he exhaled.
I tiptoed to reach my arms around his neck, but he put his large hands on either side of my waist and lifted me up, then locked his left arm around me. His right held his sword.
“Can you make us invisible? We need every advantage.”
I closed my eyes again, willing invisibility, and when I opened them, we were gone, and I could only see his outline.
“Hold on,” he demanded, “And try not to scream.”
“Okay.”
We shot into the sky, but Bane stayed low to the trees. He tried to a zig-zag to throw off our scent. Well, that was my best guess, and I wouldn’t question it. Whatever he was doing was trying to save our lives.
There was another loud, ear piercing screech. I turned to see the enormous black figure soaring right toward us. It was fast, and I could see its sharp talons out ready to strike.
Bane shot straight up, and even though we were invisible, the gryphon followed us.
“It can see us?” I panicked.
“Yes.”
The creature was huge, and Bane was right. Its body looked like a gigantic lion, but the rest was an eagle. It was completely appalling, and reminded me of the creature in hell, the one that burned Kade. Its wingspan was between thirty to forty-feet long, and its beak was razor sharp.
I’d heard an eagle call before, but the sound this creature made was not even close to that. It was more of a horrifying death scream.
“Can it blow fire?”
“No,” he answered, concentrating.
I wasn’t going to ask him anymore questions.
Bane banked left and I tightened my grip on him. As I glanced down, I saw the Gryphon still heading toward us, fast.
He tucked his wings behind his back and we began to fall hard and fast. I wanted to scream, but managed to hold it in. The weightless feeling was torturous, and felt like it was never going to end.
He finally unfolded his wings and we evened out, soaring right above the tree line. Because we were low he wasn’t able to see what was above him. He quickly did a roll, and as he did, I let out a yelp.
The Gryphon was right above us and came crashing down, knocking right into Bane’s right wing, sending him spiraling into a tree. Bane released his grip on me and caught one of the branches and pulled us up. My grip was so tight, he didn’t need to hold onto me.
We heard loud growls in the distance, heading in our direction. The Gryphon screamed right above, soaring in a large circle, waiting for us to come out. It was also signaling the Hellhounds to our location.
The Gryphon was much too large to come down into this area. The trees were too tight and pressed together.
“What do we do now?” I asked.
“We can’t stay here much longer. We have about a mile left before we reach the barrier.”
A mile could have been a thousand miles, especially with creatures and Fallen surrounding us.
“What do you want to do?” he asked.
“You’re asking me?” I shrieked.
“Yes. You made it through the levels of the Underworld and survived. You have what it takes to survive within you. Do you have any suggestions?”
I thought about it. “Does the Gryphon have any weaknesses?”
“Its chest, but you’d have to pass its razor sharp beak and talons first.”
“What if you threw me? You could toss me hard, directly at it, and I would hold my dagger out in front of me like an arrow. It probably would never expect us do to anything like that. Those things are probably used to chasing and ripping things apart. But if we attack it unexpectedly, I think we could do it. I have this super suit which has kept me protected, and this dagger is magical. I know if it reaches its mark, it will get the job done.”
Bane looked at me with narrowed eyes, and I couldn’t read his expression.
“What?”
“You are something,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t think anyone would have thought of meeting a Gryphon head on in an attack. What you are saying makes sense. It would never expect it because it has never had its prey attack. Maybe on a few rare occasions, but it knew when an attack was coming.” He looked like he wa
s seriously considering it, but then shook his head. “No. It’s much too risky. We have to consider everything. What if you aren’t thrown fast enough, or miss the mark, or get injured? I don’t want to take a chance.”
“But we can’t hang in this tree forever. If we go now, and try, we could be on our way to the house in no time. I think it’s worth a shot, and I trust you. I think you should trust me. I have a feeling it will work.”
Again, he paused and I could see him battling within himself.
“Alright,” he finally agreed. “But only because I need to get you back to the barrier.”
“Good,” I said, my stomach began twisting.
“We will fly straight up, as high as we can before it gets too close. It will be coming up from below us. That’s when I’ll quickly turn and throw you at it. Just make sure you don’t drop that dagger. Keep a strong grip on it and aim straight for the chest.”
“Sounds easy enough.”
“Let’s hope it is easy.”
I took hold of my dagger, and he sheathed his sword and held onto me.
“You can do this,” he said.
“So can you,” I answered.
He called his wings and folded them behind his back. He took in a deep breath, and jumped, his wings flapped once, carrying us up quickly. I glanced around but didn’t see a thing, then my skin crawled as I heard the loud screech of the Gryphon. It was already above us.
Plan A was out the window, and I wasn’t sure of plan B. Instead of going straight up, Bane flew at an upward diagonal, heading toward the house. The Gryphon screeched again as it headed in a course for collision.
I closed my eyes and concentrated, making us invisible. I knew it could still see us, but maybe if it saw us change it would throw it off. And that’s exactly what happened. As we disappeared, the Gryphon paused and flapped backward for just a moment. As its eyes adjusted again, it screeched and continued directly after us.
Turning invisible did throw it off, but I needed to be sure.
As it barreled toward us, I willed visibility, and its course remained straight. But as soon as I willed invisibility, the Gryphon paused for a brief moment. It was confused. Its head shifted slightly to the side, its eyes trying to adjust to the change. After a few blinks, its eyes refocused on us again.