Simeon smiles and pulls on the energy of the sun, pooling it into a bomb of solar proportions. Five of the fallen leap on Simeon striking at his face, eyes, and wings as Simeon spins. He releases his bomb. The air fills with the screams of fallen angels being scorched.
Nameed follows two of the angels inside the house and finds them desecrating the body of the soldier. Disgusted, he looks down on the angels telling them, “You should have more respect for the dead.” In the blink of an eye he seizes both of the smaller angels and tosses them to the wall. They find themselves stuck, unable to move. Panic fills their eyes and they struggle uselessly like a bug caught in a web. Feeling no pity, Nameed advances and with a wave of his hand they are spread eagled on the wall, one angel hanging on each side of the man. Reverently, he cuts Lucas free and wraps his body in white cloth. “These are hard times for humanity. He was thoroughly grounded in his faith and he deserved better than this!”
Nameed looks at the two fallen and his yellow eyes burn with pity. He picks up the body and turns to leave. “Vengeance is mine says the Lord. Feel what he felt,” and he is gone. The resulting screams of agony echo across the yard.
The Mocker uses his distraction to attack. Advancing on the archangel, his eyes are locked on the enormous golden wings. He swings his sword hoping to slice off one of them, but finds he is blocked by a massive golden shield.
Simeon blocks the blow with his shield and returns it. Blow for blow they are equal, but Simeon has the advantage because he can fly. In a fluid movement Simeon leaps and turns in the air, and powers straight back down into the Mocker. The blow drives him into the ground, battered and bloody. Over and over Simeon strikes now using only his powerful fists. He beats him senseless.
The Mocker shifts at the last moment and takes Elsbeth’s broken form. “Why, Simeon? Why are you hurting me?” she cries attempting to block the blows.
In horror, Simeon jumps back and watches as she stumbles to her feet. Standing before him, Elsbeth is bleeding from her mouth, her long, blonde hair is caked with red blood, and she holds out a hand calling to him saying, “Simeon help me?” Taking a step towards her, he watches as the earth cracks open once more and Elsbeth smiles jumping back into hell.
Simeon hears the call of a bird overhead and looks up to see Nameed carrying the dead soldier. Leaping into the air, he follows his brother.
Twenty_Three
Raphaim smiles when they leave him. Did they really think one simple watcher could get rid of him that easily? Now thinking of the Indian, his fangs lengthen and he realizes he is starved. “I need blood and this Hunter is the perfect candidate to give it to me.” His eyes go black as he steps out into the air. He closes his eyes and inhales to draw in the familiar scent of his prey. Raphaim flies fast, closing in on his search.
As he slips into the house, he sees Elina resting on the couch. It looks like no one else is home. With a demonic grin, he walks closer to the Keeper only to be distracted by his favorite scent. It can’t be! Looking around, he inhales deep.
He rushes down the hallway, into a bedroom and sees her, his Rena, sleeping. He starts to move towards the bed but a movement in the corner catches his eye. Hunter is holding a baby, and rocking it. Shocked and enraged at the sight of the man holding his child, he drops his shadow form as he enters the room.
“Raphaim?” her voice calls out. Hunter jumps up holding the small baby, and sends a shield around them. Looking from Rena to the baby; Raphaim growls deep in his chest when Hunter moves toward her.
“Raphaim, you will not harm him. He delivered your daughter and saved me. Please,” she says, “come meet her.” Shock shows on his face and he manages to tame his beast.
“Varena, you are well?” Hunter moves slow never taking his eyes off the demon and hands her the baby.
“Hunter, he will not harm us. Let him in. I will be okay. Go,” she urges him.
He drops the shield and does as she asks. “I will wait outside the door if you need me at all….” he says stepping out.
“She will have all she needs here, Hunter” Raphaim sneers at him, longing for a taste.
Hunter runs and wakes Elina. “The demon is free; he is here with Rena and the baby.”
Elina rushes down the hall, gathering her power and tries not to think how he managed to escape three archangels.
Before she can make it to the room, Malach ports in with the wounded. She decides to help Hunter with a wounded Elsbeth.
“Elsbeth was attacked by a demon, her shoulder is wounded. She has lost too much blood. The other arm might be broken. I can heal her, but we need to clean the wound,” Malach tells them. Elina runs to grab a bowl of warm water and rags. Malach places her on the dining room table, knowing it will be messy.
“Where is Simeon?” Elsbeth demands grabbing Malach’s hand.
“He will be here soon, Elsbeth. It is best if you let me heal you before he returns.”
She thinks of the last time he healed her and agrees. “Okay, do it.” Turning her head Elsbeth
