Anya sighs, “This is getting annoying, boys. Do you really want to end up like that?” she asks nodding to the now bubbling mass on the ground. Anya reaches for her power and sends a bolt of energy snaking down the whips and into the two vampires, burning the hands that hold her. The whips drop and the three remaining spread out to attack her.
Katie screams in the cemetery and their heads whip around. “Fresh blood!” The urge to hunt and feed is stronger than the order from Caius and one takes off running. Anya’s blood runs cold, Katie!
“No!” she screams and Vorn skids into view releasing a volley of arrows into the vamp going after Katie. It falls to the earth pinned by the thick shafted arrows. Anya’s eyes snap up and she jerks in recognition. Her relief is not long lived, the other two vampires use the distraction to attack her.
One tosses his dagger, dipped in a poison of Caius’s making straight at Anya, only to watch in fury when Anya catches it mid-air and throws it back at him. It sinks into his forehead and he falls over, paralyzed, but alive.
Vorn turns to greet her but the last vampire attacks him. “I smell human blood in you,” the vampire hisses at him and attempts to mesmerize him. Vorn smiles and lowers his bow.
“Yes, we should be friends.” The young vampire is instantly in front of Vorn lifting his hair and looking into his dazed eyes. “Your blood smells, different,” he sniffs at him and Vorn shoves the arrow in his hand straight up into the bottom of his chin, plunging it into his brain.
“I guess I should think about a shower.” Muttering, he turns to help Anya and he is surprised to find the courtyard empty. “Well, damn.”
Anya does not wait she goes after Caius. He must be stopped at all costs. For some reason, the Drow is helping her and she has learned not to question everything.
Anya feels the pull of the gate. It stands open, glowing as if welcoming someone home. Below she can see Caius and Morgan fighting. Anya lands on the ground and runs forward.
Caius had planned to throw Morgan into the gate, but things have gotten out of hand. He knows he’s outnumbered. Time to cut his losses and get to safety. He saved only enough energy to get back to his complex. He has to refuel and heal.
Morgan skids backwards on his back from a powerful blow and watches in frustration as Caius disappears.
Sebastian has reached them, with Keane and Katie. Vorn arrives shortly after.
“Morgan?” Katie runs to his side and checks him for injuries. “Are you alright? Dammit, someone needs to kill that monster already.” Morgan grabs her hand and presses a kiss to the palm. He climbs to his feet and extends his wings revealing the true extent of his injuries. Beaten, bruised and bloody he glances at Anya. She nods at him and turns to look at the glowing gate.
“It’s beautiful,” Anya whispers. No one moves and for a moment it seems the only thing breathing is the heartbeat of the gate.
“Did you know Katie that the Angels are the store holders of humanity’s dreams?” Morgan touches her face gently. “We keep secret all of your hopes, so you are free to have endless possibilities.” He pulls her close and glances at the gate. “Never, not once in a thousand years did I wish anything for myself… until you.” A single tear slides down his bruised cheek. “Don’t stop dreaming, Kathleen.” He presses a soft kiss to her trembling mouth.
“Morgan, I don’t understand,” she attempts to clutch him tighter to her chest, but her hands pass through his form. “No,” she whispers and Anya steps forward wrapping an arm around her friend.
“It is time, Morgan,” Anya urges. “Destroy it.”
“I love you, Kathleen,” he turns and his bronze wings sparkle as he walks over to the gate and places two hands on the glowing surface. His head is bowed, and Katie’s whisper turns into a scream of understanding.
“Morgan...” Katie begins to fight and struggle against Anya’s hold. “No, Anya please,” she sobs, “It will kill him!”
Anya feels Katie’s sobs wracking her body and falls to the ground with her when her legs give out. “No! Take me with you. I love you too,” she sobs as Morgan’s body jerks. His hands sink into the gate. Katie’s screams stop and she freezes. Turning to look at Anya, she glares into her eyes, just as the gate glows with a brilliant light. “Let me go, Anya.”
“Katie, do you know what you are asking?” Anya whispers.
“Yes, this is my destiny. Let me go,” she pleads, and Anya releases her hold. Katie scrambles to her feet and runs toward the gate. Morgan’s roar of rage fills the night. “No!!!” He screams, but he is too late. Katie runs forward into the light and pushes past a barrier Morgan attempts to build.
She ducks under his wings and arms, facing him. Morgan lifts his face and she cups his beautiful face with her hands and wipes away his tears with her thumbs. “You are the only dream I want, Morgan.” Katie wraps her arms around his neck and hot white heat, burning like the heart of a star, surrounds them both. It builds until she finally feels the pressure detonate outwards and the gate is destroyed.
Anya joins her power to Keane’s and they build a barrier to protect those watching. For a moment they see the light collapse to a small pinpoint before exploding outwards flattening
