House Of Legions (The Angel Descendants book 1)

Vincent peeped through the red-tinted glass, "How long before he wakes."

Liam opened his eyes, "I was never sleeping, I tried to contact Jullie, I know she's there, but I'm unable to reach her."

Alexa wiped the last smear of ichor off her blade, with an old tattered cloth, "It's the air, the demon's skin is poisonous to most, even Tempters themselves cannot withstand the effects."

He knew that was not his reason. It was something more, a presence of some unknown being lurking around.

Liam sat on the bench, next to the candlelight. They had taken shelter, having succeeded in killing the first round of demons. Alexa had brought them to a secret hideout near the Elvan mountain, it was a small wooden cottage, with red-stained glass for windows and hand-carved rosewood chairs, there wasn't much to go on, besides that it was small, hidden and dirty.

Alexa straightened her back, "how long before round two?"

Liam faced her. She'd cleaned herself up, but her clothes like his and Vincent's were torn and stunk of ichor. Even with the years of experience, they had killing demons, the smell still guttered at Liam, nauseating him, he could taste the bitterness in his mouth.

A thought crossed his mind, as he watched Alexa, how did Elvan drink ichor. Picturing how Alexa indulged herself with the green substance, he brushed it off.

Vincent sat next to him, "Seen Clare, did it not go well for you?"

Liam considered the question with careful thought, but no smile crossed his face, "Satisfactory, I need you to do something for me."

Alexa stood up, "I can feel the air thickening, we don't have much longer."

Liam stood up, joining her, "We must clear a passage for Vincent."

Vincent raised to his feet, "You want me to leave?" he was as confused as he was shocked, but not surprised when Liam insisted, "You need to inform Wesley, and have him order an immediate lockdown on Safiereal, nobody goes in, and nobody comes out."

Alexa was quiet. Liam slanted his eyes to her, fear riddled its way up into her mouth, but she brushed it off, toughening herself up. She put the sword back into its sheath.

Liam had done well over the millenniums not to get too emotionally attached to outsiders, but when he looked at Alexa, he thought of Clare, and how easily Kalbreal enticed her, using his allure to attract her.

He needed to get back to her,

protect her, but his only chance of

saving her was finding Raphael. He knew that if the Asguardian knew about Azazy-el's son, he definitely had knowledge of Clare, and it wouldn't be long until he went after her. At least he knew Raheal was safe, which meant extra protection for Clare.

"Aren't you afraid of the risk you are taking, it's extreme, considering, you know.." Alexa Whispered.

Vincent looked at her, "Considering what?"

Alexa's expression changed, she opened her hair, and lifted out her blade, "I hope she's worth it."

Liam stood behind her, ignoring her. Clare was not up for discussion with anyone. Signalling Vincent to get ready to move on his go, Alexa crept out of the cottage.

Liam followed on close to her side. He picked up a scent, iron and musk, riddled with brutality, "Raphael is close, I can smell him."

The sky was blood red, the air heavy

to breathe, but it didn't bring him down, nor Alexa. She moved slowly, out of the bushes, where the cottage was hidden. She knelt down besides a small bush of wild orchids, hearing voices. Liam copied her crouch, Vincent hunching instead,

Alexa bent her head, signalling Liam to come in front of her. It was no sooner that he confirmed his senses. It was Raphael with two other Asguardians, but there was somebody else, a fourth footstep. He listened in, lengthening his hearing.

Raphael's voice was harsh and hard, "Dukael has escaped. Ulaidea, my lover, I want her alive. She's with Dukael."

"I do not take orders from you." The unknown one seethed, grinding teeth, "We have an agreement, we share a mutual interest. Do not forget I am a Cadre Tempter."

Liam knew that voice, that

arrogance. He thought it was so

el.

long ago, then he heard it, the wind. He felt the breeze, the wings, and he knew, anger-filled up. He closed his eyes trying to calm it, but he couldn't. The nightmare was too fresh, too violent to let it slide. He moved out of the bushes, standing straight. His posture never left him, even in times like these, when the poisonous fumes weighed on his body.

"Allistor."

The fair-haired Tempter narrowed his vision, eyes glistening black, sucked in a deep breath, "I cannot sense you, who are you?"

Raphael unsheathed his sword, his mouth parched. Liam knew the poison had affected the Asguardians more than himself.

Liam taunted Allistor with his smile, "I am that which you should fear."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐