“Humans are not allowed into the gates,” Cass replies with a laugh. Liam hooks his arm under Morgan’s and lifts him to his feet. Morgan struggles not to scream. Multiple bones are broken, his wings are damaged and his arm though bandaged is bleeding once more.
“Caius knows the location of the gates, Liam,” Katie says. He jerks at the sound of his name as Katie explains, “Morgan called you before they attacked us.”
“Balthial betrayed us,” Morgan chokes out, “the gates are compromised. You must leave me behind. Release her.”
“It’s not safe to release her. She’s in a blood lust. Look at her fangs,” Liam snaps. “Right now, we have to get you through a gate. I can’t heal you on earth, Morgan. Your wounds are too extensive.”
“Anya is our best hope against Caius. She just hasn’t quite learned to control her… urges,” Katie explains.
Cassiel has been listening and circles Anya. Standing directly in front of her, he stares into her amber colored eyes. Her forehead is beaded with sweat as she struggles against the bonds they hold her with. “Look at her. Her fangs are extended and dripping with, what is that exactly?”
Katie is quick to push at his chest, not caring if he is an angel or not. “What are you doing?” She places herself in front of Anya, with her hands on her hips, “Get away from her. She can’t help what she has been turned into.”
Cass lifts his hands in defeat, “Easy little warrior, I am simply inspecting her. We have waited centuries for her to come. Honestly, I expected a bigger fight from the Herald.” Cass looks down at Katie and smiles when she pokes him once more in the chest.
“More! She only just found out that she is this… Herald you people keep spouting off about. Cut her some slack.” Morgan grins despite his pain. Katie is amazing, standing up to an Archangel covered in the blood of his brother and ready to fight still.
Rage and frustration rush through Anya’s body. The scent of the three immortals is driving her insane. She is fighting against it, trying to fight it back. A tear of impotence slips down her cheek, and she whispers, “Katie?”
Katie reacts instantly. She spins around and wipes her tear, and whispers to her of the memories of childhood. “Remember, Anya, who you are. You are more than just the Herald. You are a daughter of humanity as well. Born to walk amongst us, protect us and heal those that need you. You are not a monster! You are a precious gift. Find the part of you that believes that and hold onto it.”
The three angels stare at the small human as though she just sprouted wings. Kathleen has a glow that surrounds her, and it emanates from her soul. Anya listens and her fangs retract. When her eyes shift to their normal color, the blood lust dissipates and with it comes a sense of relief. But her job is not done yet.
The wings on her shoulders begin to burn, and she knows she must deal with the fallen. Anya pretends to be frozen and waits for her moment. When Liam and Cass talk to Morgan, they do not notice Anya move.
Katie is quiet as she watches her friend. Anya closes her eyes and remembers Christian, and she whispers a prayer for guidance. When she opens her eyes, she can see a radiant power around each angel. When Katie moves close to Morgan his power envelops her. They share it and he doesn’t even realize it. Anya is capable of more than they know and maybe this is what they need to realize. It makes her wonder if she could draw on it. There is only one way to tell for sure.
“What do we do about them?” Cass asks.
Liam glances at Morgan with growing concern. The blood he gave him did not heal him. He seems to be growing weaker with every passing second. “We have to go to a gate because this one is obviously destroyed. Compromised or not, I have to get him through.”
“The gate will no longer accept him. He is fallen.” Anya says from behind them.
They spin and this time, they are caught in her snare. “I have a suggestion of my own,” she grins as they struggle to move. “Did you know your fear dances on the wind, mingled with the scent of that delicious angelic blood? It calls to me and I admit, I don’t want to fight it.”
Katie gasps and starts to move, but Anya holds up a finger. “But, I am more than just urges and desires, as my sister explained. I can help him.” She whispers a prayer and moves forward amongst the three angels. Looking deep into Morgan’s eyes, she places a hand on his cheek and reaches for Katie.
Katie moves to her side, and Anya takes her hand and places it on his cheek. “You are his anchor, Kathleen, don’t let go.” Katie’s hand trembles against his gray skin as his life begin to seep away. She ignores her own tears as they track down her face. Anya releases Liam and Cass, and their wings erupt, Anya’s own wings float from her shoulders, spreading out behind her she sighs in relief when she extends them. “Join me,” Anya orders and the three touch wing tips to create a shield for those inside.
“Try again, Liam, to heal him.” Anya joins her power to his and amplifies it. Golden angel dust, drifts down over the top of Morgan, raining over his wounds and healing him from the inside out. Katie laughs and lifts her face to the angel rain. It covers them both, tingling with warmth, and dissolves into their skin. When his color returns to his tan cheeks, and skin, Katie smiles up at him and treasures the feel
