The Crimson Templars notice it, too.
“What the heavens is that! Back, get back!” one of them yells.
It’s not a falling star. It’s a man. He has hair that shimmers like gold, and he’s wearing a business suit that looks rather expensive. I notice that, even as I gasp for my next few breaths.
He lands in front of Ansley.
“Some kind of Scion! Kill it!” a Templar yells, and they open fire.
“Ansley!” I scream, trying desperately to crawl towards the woman I love.
The bullets never reach her. The man starts to shift. Or transform. Enormous wings shoot out from his back, one in front of Ansley, the other in front of Daisy. He expands and grows, muscles getting bigger and broader as his suit gives wayto golden armor. His hair cascades into long flowing locks, his features now sharper. Just when I think it couldn’t get any stranger, a golden halo appears over his head.
“It’s an angel! Run! Run!” a Templar screams.
A few more gunshots ring out, but then the Crimson Templars start fleeing. The angel rushes forward, and as he does, a sword appears in his hand that doesn’t look much different from the one Ansley is holding. It erupts in flames and he cleaves through a Crimson Templar.
That’s the last thing I see before I lose consciousness.
CHAPTER 36
Ansley
My mates have fallen.
I can sense they’re still alive through the pack bond, but they’re dying. All of them. Even Jaxton wasn’t a match for the Crimson Templars. He fought valiantly and bravely, all the way to the end. As did all of my mates, especially Hayden, who is still trying to get to me, even as blood gushes from his wounds.
“Grab the women!” a Templar yells. “The wolves can watch them burn at the stake while they bleed out.”
“Oh shit,” Daisy whimpers. “Ansley, I don’t think we’re going to make it. You can’t turn into the Viking Warrior Princess again?”
“No, I don’t think so,” I whisper, still trying to ignite my sword with sheer willpower. “I don’t know how I did it before. I panicked, and it happened, but I’m panicking a lot more right now and nothing is happening!”
“Drinking ancient vampire blood didn’t seem to do anything for me either,” Daisy is as weird and bold as ever, even facing death. “I guess that means I’ll fight them with my bare hands. I’d rather get shot than burned at the stake.”
I can’t say I disagree with Daisy’s logic. I grip my sword tightly in my hand as the Crimson Templars advance on us, guns drawn.
The Crimson Templars look like medieval warriors with space-age weapons. Their armor is blood-red, a mixture of chainmail and plate that is form fitting and emblazed with a large white cross on their chests. Their helmets are enclosed, with a thin opening so they can see.
Guns seem to be their primary weapon of choice. Crimson rifles with scopes that glow red when they’re fired, almost like a laser, but whatever ammunition they’re using cuts right through my Alpha mates’ tough hide.
“Charge or…” Daisy mutters.
“Wait,” I say, taking a step back as I notice something streaking across the sky.
I feel a warmth in my chest, just like I did before when my sword caught fire while we were fighting the vampires. The streak in the sky gets closer, and the Templars notice it. It seems to be headed straight for us.
“What in the heavens is that! Back, get back!” a Crimson Templar screams.
The streaks gets closer, and I realize it’s not a comet or a falling star. It’s a man. He has blond hair that is almost golden, and once he’s a little closer I realize I’ve seen him before. At York Financial.
“Mr. Lumen?” I ask as he lands on the grass in front of us, the earth tremoring as he does.
“Who the hell is that? I really hope he’s here to help!” Daisy squeaks.
“Stay behind me,” he says, turning to face the Crimson Templars.
“Some kind of Scion! Kill it!” a Templar yells, and they open fire.
