Leave now, daughter.
The words were clear and strong.
Rising, Tori flung her pack over her shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Finally,” Aaron said.
“Wait.” She fixed a pointed gaze at the old man. “Where’s Sara?”
He shrugged and looked around. “Dunno.”
Brianna screamed, pointing at something over Tori’s shoulder.
Sara! She was moving forward in a line of people about to bow before the statue.
???
“No! No!” Tagas drew his spiked hammer and marched after Sara.
Arithem leapt in front of him and placed a hand on his chest, holding him back. “Nay, my friend. There’s naught you can do. She has made her choice.”
Tagas knew he was right. Knew he had no permission to fight the demons escorting Sara to her death. Still, it took everything in him to not take them both on and send them to the pit before their time. He gripped his hammer so tight, pain spiked across his fingers.
“’Twas not her choice!” He gestured to the beast behind them. “He gave her sorcery which dulls her mind.”
“Aye, and she chose that, as well.” Arithem glanced over his shoulder at the young girl now bowing before the statue. The sight brought unusual sorrow to his soul, and he could only hope his own ward would not make the same horrible mistake.
Zarall approached and gripped Tagas’ shoulder. “I’m sorry. None of our wards are assured they will make it to the end. ’Tis the Father’s gift of free will which allows them to fall.”
Tearing his gaze from Sara, Tagas spun about, hefted his hammer toward the beast, and growled.
Ducking, the old man grimaced, his dark eyes sparkling with malevolent spite, taunting Tagas to attack, for he knew that doing so would be a defiance of the Commander’s orders.
“Ignore him,” Onafiel said. “His time is short, and his end is in the lake of fire.”
At that, the beast spat a clump of black slime onto the street.
Tori’s wail brought their attention back to their wards. Zarall moved to stand by her side as she attempted to run after Sara.
Thankfully, Thomas stopped her and held her tight.
She fell against him, then dropped to her knees in agony.
“Will she overcome this tragedy?” Zarall asked Arithem. “’Tis almost too much to bear. She feels responsible for them all.”
“She is strong.” Arithem nodded at her. “She must make it. She must overcome.”
Anahel gripped the handle of his mace and growled at the demons surrounding them. He and Onafiel were doing their best to keep the evil horde away from their wards. “Why does she not see the beast for who he is?”
“She will,” Zarall said. “She has to.”
“And when she does.” Arithem’s penetrating gaze pierced the old man. “Her command will send us to battle.”
Zarall agreed. “It cannot come soon enough.”
???
The next two days passed in a blur. Tori could not get the vision of Sara entering the Medical Center to receive theMarkout of her mind. It replayed over and over, like some loathsome nightmare. And each time, she couldn’t help but think it was all her fault. She should have been more attentive, more understanding. She should have kept a closer eye on her. She should have run after her, yanked her from the line, and dragged her back.
