“I’m not going to. Merely said I was tempted.” Devyl glanced to Sallie. “Unleash your soul, man. There’s another fight to be had.”
Acheron grinned. “I’ll wake Savitar from his nap. This should be fun.” Sarcasm dripped from his tone. “Like being gutted in a public forum.”
Thorn clapped him on the arm. “Which is why I’m glad you volunteered for it, as you’re one of the few he tolerates.”
Simi wrinkled her nose at them. “The Simi will wakes him. He likes me bestest. And can I eats the demons on the beach?”
“As long as they’re not one of mine,” Thorn said gently. “It’s too hard to replace them.”
She sighed as if terribly put out by his restriction. “Well, poo on that, but okies.”
Cameron took Paden’s sword from him.
“Hey! What are you doing?”
“They’ve contaminated this, brother.” She felt the difference inthe metal the moment her hand touched the hilt. “It’s been infecting you since they released us. And it’s why you’ve been such a jerk.”
“I have not!”
She gave him an arch stare as she crossed the room to hand it over to Thorn. “Can you tell a difference?”
He hissed the moment he touched it and dropped it as if it were on fire.
They all stared at his reaction.
“What?” Thorn growled. “Not like all of you don’t know my origins. ’Tis a Seraph sword. Those are lethal to one of my ilk. And while it isn’t Michael’s soul inside that one anymore, it still burns the shite out of me.”
“What?” Paden’s color drained.
Thorn jerked his chin toward the sword as Cameron retrieved it. “Your sister’s correct with what she said. It’s Gadreyal’s medallion controlling your sword. Not Michael’s. That’s why you’re no longer fair when she’s near you and you’re under attack. You have to get your medallion back. So long as Gaddy has it, she can infect and control you.”
“Is there no way to cleanse it?”
Thorn gave him a look that said he was completely moronic for asking such a question. “Aye. Get your medallion back. Or you can take the sword to Michael and ask him for a favor. I wouldn’t suggest the latter, as he’s a testy, volatile little bastard. Likely to run you through rather than help you. But hey, you can always try that stupidity.” He took his handkerchief out to wipe at his hand. “In themeantime, I wouldn’t suggest using that. However, ’tis your choice of funeral. Have a nice wake.”
“And we’re wasting time!” Cameron headed for the doors. “Me Kalder’s out there. Alone. We stand and we fight. Not for ourselves, but for what we love and value. Our friends. Our families. Our futures. Now you demon bastards better run!”
Devyl laughed at her spunk. “Aye, aye, Miss Jack. Ever at the ready.”
Stretching her wings, Cameron flew back through the storm as fast as she could.
But it was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. The high winds tore at her body, and threatened to send her straight to the ground. Strixa flew by her side in her black owl form, helping her as best she could.
“Keep your head down. Don’t fight the current or it’ll shred your wings.”
Cameron obeyed.
And when they reached the beach where she’d left Kalder, her heart stopped beating. Never in her life had she seen so much carnage. Bodies were strewn everywhere. Blood and entrails soaked the sand.
Her stomach heaved.
She landed hard on the ground and staggered to her knees, fearing that one of those twisted, unidentifiable remains was Kalder’s.
An eerie silence rang out. Not even the wind made a sound.
Strixa landed next to her and took on her human form. “What happened here?”
Cameron couldn’t speak. Was this what they had to look forward to? Was this what the Malachai and his army were capable of?
