Page 34 of Faith and Damnation

“How many?” Helena asked.

“Not sure,” Azrael said. “But they’re coming fast.”

Helena sprang into action, walking briskly toward the door. She rolled her shoulders, and a pair of long, gorgeous wings manifested behind her back. They were bright, and tall, and they looked like they shone with golden Light.

“Prepare our defenses,” she barked.

Azrael nodded, turned, and went speeding out of the grand hall.

Helena then turned to the three of us. “Stay here,” she said, “All of you.”

The Tyrant stepped forward, a scowl on his face. “Like hell I will.”

“Don’t argue with me, snake. Ioutrankyou.”

“There is nothing you can do to stop me from breaking that door down and leaving. I can fly with your side, or I can flyawayand let your lazy, inexperienced guards die at the hands of a vastly superior foe.Your choice.”

Helena stared at him, then looked at me. I lightly nodded at her.

She shook her head, rolled her eyes, and made her way out of the room, leaving the door open for us to follow her. I looked up at the Tyrant. “I hope you’re not planning on telling me to stay put,” I said.

He looked down at me, his eyes low. “My instinct will always be to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection,” I said, “And if Medrion is out there, I need to be out there, too.”

For a moment it looked like he was going to tell me to sit down, but he thought better of it and started to walk toward the exit. Only Micah and I remained in the grand hall. I could tell he wanted to help, but he didn’t have wings like ours, and Cherubs weren’t built for combat. I walked up to him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and smiled.

“Hold the thought, okay?” I asked, “And stay put.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he said. “Don’t get killed.”

Nodding, I leapt after the Tyrant, using my wings to guide my leap so I could fall into step beside him. Together we left the grand hall, took to the sky, and gazed across the horizon. There, plunging low, past the clouds, were shimmering spots of light moving together, and moving quickly.

And they were coming right toward us.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

SARAKIEL

Outside was chaos. Angels were rushing from one side of the Bastion to the other to man the parapets, most of them choosing not to bother with the stairs and simply leaping into the air and letting their wings take them up. Helena, their leader, was among the first to take position. I admired the way she instantly took charge of the situation, directing her people and telling them where to go and what to do.

The Tyrant wasn’t as impressed.

“What is it?” I asked.

“She shouldn’t have to tell them where to stand,” he said, “They should already know what to do.”

“Not everyone can be as well trained as the Ebon Legion.”

“No, butchildrencould put up a better defense than this. Medrion is going to tear through this place like a flaming wrecking ball.”

“Then I guess it’s up to us to make sure he doesn’t, huh?”

He simply frowned. Once Helena was done directing her defense, she hopped down to where we were, landing lightly on her feet, her golden aura shining brightly. “Are you two simply going to stand here?” she asked, with a voice like thunder.

“What do you need me to do?” I asked.

“Do you know how to use a sword?”

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