Nox Inferno

Chapter 65: Birthday

I turned to look at the chaos around me. This place use to be my home. Now it is reduced to rubble. I heard the sound of the siren before I saw it coming up the street.

“Let’s go.” Kai grabbed onto my arm. I turned to look at him. When did he get there?

“But.” I wanted to protest but I didn’t have an argument. I just couldn’t leave them. Knowing hat their death was my fault.

“It wasn’t.” Nyra said weakly.

“I never asked. Are you okay?” I thought to her. I didn’t get a response which only made the worry intensify. Was she dying? It probably was my fault somehow.

Kai pulled on my arm again, “We can’t get caught by the authority. That would cause too many unwanted questions.” I nodded.

We began walking or running. I couldn’t really tell. The whole time I was moving, I was doing so in a daze. The events of today seemed to have completely envelope me. For some reason, the demon wanted me enough to side with Angels. He killed my parents, and he might go after of my friends. Anyone who I love might be in danger. What should I do?

“Twyla? Twyla?” I heard a voice. I pulled me out of the darkness. I blinked several times to realize it was Kai. I was sitting down in a hotel room. When did we get here? We couldn’t have been moving for more than a couple of minutes.

“Yes.” My voice was dry.

“What happened?” He was kneeling and looking up in me.

“I was at an Angel Camp. In…” I trailed off. I couldn’t remember. Why couldn’t I remember?

“Where?” He prompted.

I threw my hands up in the air, “I don’t know!”

It’s okay.” He grabbed onto my hand. It felt like fire and I enjoyed the feeling. But I knew I shouldn’t. What if the Angels or Demons attack him next? I can’t let his death be on my hands too.

“No it’s not.” I whispered and pulled my hand away, “There is a demon siding with them. For some reason he wants me. I don’t know why but he does.” This sounded too surreal. Maybe I will find out this Demon is obsessed with me and wants to marry me. Or maybe he wants revenge for something.

“We need to keep you safe.” Kai instructed.

“Let me heal her before we take her to a warehouse.” Clementine offered.

“I’m fine.” I protested. But the second those words left my mouth, waves of pain him me like a train. My head was throbbing. My ribs felt tender. My stomach was growling. My left arm felt sore. Everywhere seemed to come alive with pain.

“Sure you are.” Clementine said sitting down next to me on the bed. She extended her hands and began muttering. A soft pink hue sparked out of her fingers. I watched as the danced around me.

Clementine looked at me, “This may hurt.” Suddenly the dancing sarks began to attack my body with fervor. I screamed as it collided into my skin. I watched as the sparks dug small hole into my skin and creep inside.

“We need her to keep quiet.” I heard Alvina said.

“Bite on this.” Clementine handed me a piece of bark. I bit into it as the sparks continued to attack me. Why was it hurting so much? The pain began to feel to much. MY vision was getting spotty. I couldn’t pass out. I tried to think of something peaceful, but I couldn’t remember a thing.

The pain began to subside slowly and my I exhaled. I’m so glad it was over. I began to take deep breathes. I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was close my eyes and take a nap for a hundred years.

“How are you feeling?” Clementine asked putting the back of her hand to my forehead.

“Tired.” I responded. I noticed how much paled Clementine looked. This spell must have taken a lot out of her.

“Can you guys leave the room?” Kai asked.

Zephyr and Alvina nodded and walked out. I watched them go. I held tightly to Clementine. He was going to yell at me, wasn’t he. She cautiously unfolded my grip on her hand and walked out. Don’t leave me!

“What is wrong with you?!?!” HE shouted. He didn’t even wait a second. Jeez, this is going to be bad. “You could have died but you had to provoke a fight with an Angel. Are you out of your mind!”

“I’m sorry.” I apologized. I find apologizing, even if you are not sorry, works on calming down angry people.

“You should be sorry! I was so worried. I couldn’t eat or sleep when you disappear. I thought it was all my fault.” Tears began to form in his eyes.

“It wasn’t.” I whispered standing to look him straight in the eyes.

“You ran out of the store alone. To talk to me because I was angry. I shouldn’t have gotten so angry.” He furiously scrubbed away tears.

“I get why you where angry. Ga- a friend help me realize why you where angry. It was too weak. I let myself be manipulated. I just wanted to let things go back to the way they were. I shoved off every change I made to myself.” I felt something slide down my cheek. I was crying.

“You aren’t weak.” Kai caressed my cheek, “You entered a whole new world headfirst. You are constantly adapting to this new environment. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you damn brave.”

“I don’t feel brave.” I confessed.

“Does one ever do?” Kai asked. He was so close.

“I have never been so scared.” Kai whispered.

“I’m sorry I let down the team. I should have been able to fight them off. “

“Don’t be sorry. You managed to escape in one day from an Angel camp. Not many could say that they did that. “ I could feel his breath fanning my face.

“It seems my life will not be a boring one like I first thought.” I smiled.

Kai laughed, “You aren’t boring. I don’t know how you could ever think that. You are the most exciting person to be around.”

I blushed. In all my life, I have never wanted to kiss someone as badly as I did right now. I could see Kai leaning in. If I followed his lead, we would end up kissing and I would love nothing more. But I couldn’t. I can’t jeopardize him like this. I took a step back.

’Right.” Kai said, “We should probably tell the others to come back in.”

“Yeah.” I looked down at my boots, “So they don’t think you actually killed me.” I joked.

“Never.” He had this intense look in his eyes, and it made my heart do all sorts of stupid things. No! I reprimanded myself. I can’t let this hurt him. I broke eye contact with him.

“You guys shouldn’t be eavesdropping.” Kai said suddenly and pulled the door open. Zephyr, Alvina and Clementine fell to the floor.

“We weren’t.” Alvina said with a start.

“Yeah we where just leaning against the door.” Zephyr said.

“You where leaning on the door with your face?” Kai asked inquisitively.

“Now that we got that out of the way.” Alvina changed the subject, “What should we do about the Angels?”

“We need to keep Twyla hidden.” Kai decided.

“No way!” I protested, “I will not be hidden away while you guys fight my battles for me.”

“They are after you.” Kai turned to look at me.

“They killed my parents. Some one needs to pay. I will not stand to the side and watch people fight my battles.” I crossed my arms.

“It’s not just your battles.” Kai said. “We are a team.”

“Think logistically.” Zephyr said. That was rich coming from him. I rolled my eyes. “You are not going to tuck me away in some corner. “ I was getting pissed off by the second.

“You will do as I say. I am your DUX!” Kai roared.

“If you order me to do this. I will hate you forever.” I threatened. It was a weak threat, but it was all I had.

“That’s a chance I will have to take.” He stormed out. Why the heck is he always leaving? He can’t always get the final word.

“Twyla.” Alvina grabbed me by the arm, hard. “Listen to me.” Her voice left no room for argument. ’Think sensibly. Why would we put you in battle, especially if we know the Angels want you?”

I knew she was making sense but what came out of my mouth was, “Use me as bait. We can lure them out and find the demon responsible for this. They will pay for what they have done.” I yanked my arm out of her grip.

“You leave me with no choice.” Clementine whispered and began to mumble.

I felt my soul tighten, “What did you do?” I shouted.

“I have sealed you into this room.” She said stepping out. “You won’t be able to leave. I will remove it once we fix this problem. But I can’t have you dying.” She said.

Alvina and Zephyr walked out. I tried to leave but it felt like a force field was stopping me. I growled and pounded at the invisible wall. This wasn’t going to stop me.

“Happy Birthday by the way.” Clementine said as she scurried away.

What a shitty birthday it was. I growled and sat back down on the bed. I will escape and find a way to kill every single one of those wretched Angels.