Page 18 of Rage of the Fallen

A shiver shook my spine as I imagined the task ahead. Swimming under a powerful waterfall, then plunging into unknown depths, was a daunting prospect, even without the threat of demons lurking below.

Justice stopped and pointed. “That’s the waterfall.”

I followed his gaze. “So, I need to get past the waterfall, dive into the pool, find this prison, and use my blood to free the phoenix,” I summarized, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “All while avoiding any traps Maci might have set, not to mention the gluttony demons.”

Lisa inhaled sharply. “Blood? That can’t be good.”

Justice’s eyes narrowed. “Gluttony demons feed on blood. Maci must be using them as guards.”

Zara paled. “Gluttony demons?”

I nodded grimly, feeling every nerve standing at attention. I didn’t want to become an enslaved vampire. “Yes. Gluttony demons were the first Seven Deadly Sins demon we encountered, and they’re always hungry. Their type of demon devours prey like vampires, sucking their blood until there’s nothing left but an empty shell.”

The memory of the drained victims in the Shadow Mine still haunted my dreams, and a shadow of fear fell over me.

Lisa stepped closer and whispered, “We need to be careful. Fairy pools are dangerous enough on their own. They’re gateways to the fairy realm. One wrong move, and we could be trapped there forever.”

I peered into the darkness, trying to spot the pool Justice had gestured to. As if on cue, faint moonlight broke through, illuminating a small, circular pool nearby. Its surface wasmirror-smooth, reflecting the starry sky above. An ethereal mist hovered above the water, giving it an otherworldly appearance.

Its beauty both awed and terrified me. The last thing I wanted to do was to crawl down there by myself.

Justice placed a protective hand on my shoulder. “You need to be careful. Swimming down is risky enough, but with gluttony demons waiting…maybe you should take the mirror.”

“I can’t swim and use it at the same time.” I swallowed hard, “Besides, I think you need it. The demons could attack you. To do this, I need to know all of you will be here when I get back.”

He lifted my chin. “I promise I’ll keep everyone safe. You’re the one who needs to be careful.” He clasped my chin. “Call for me, and I can whisk you out of there. Remember, you’re not doing this alone.”

“I know, but it’s my destiny.” My voice sounded braver than I felt. All I wanted to do was turn tail and run, but that went against everything I had been taught.

The fairy pools gleamed like liquid starlight, their serene beauty a deceptive veil over the danger that lurked beneath. I felt the enemy’s eyes upon me, waiting with bated breath for my desperate attempt to save the phoenix. The air crackled with tension, and I knew my next move would either be our salvation or our doom.

CHAPTER NINE

Time seemed to slow as I stood at the edge of the fairy pools, staring into the darkness, knowing I might not survive. But I didn’t have a choice. I would do anything to protect Justice, my brother, and the others, even risk my own life.

I closed my eyes, steeling myself for what was to come. When I opened them again, determination had replaced fear. It was time.

After a deep breath, I turned to Justice and gestured toward the backpack. Our eyes met, and frustration flared in his. “Keep them safe,” I whispered. The ‘them’ hung in the air—not merely the contents of my bag, but also our friends, should I fail.

He pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine. His kiss was fierce and unyielding as if he feared I would disappear from his grasp. I clung to him with equal fervor, grasping his strong shoulders as I hungrily absorbed the taste of him. His body radiated strength and determination, and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to it. Nothing else in the world mattered but being with him.

Someone cleared their throat, then my brother blurted, “Whoa there, lovebirds. I hate to break up this Hallmark moment, but we’ve got a phoenix to save and a big bad togank. Save the makeout session for when we’re not knee-deep in magical crap, all right?”

He faced me, his tone softening but maintaining its urgency.

“Look, sis, I get it. Destiny’s a pain in the ass, and being the ‘chosen one’ or whatever? It sucks. But right now, you’ve got a job to do. So how about we table the teen drama, gear up, and go save our feathery friend before things go from bad to apocalyptic? ‘Cause trust me, that’s a road you don’t want to go down.”

I drew a deep breath, feeling the weight of a legacy I couldn’t fully recall. A sad smile tugged at my lips. “I don’t know, Damon. I can’t remember.” The admission felt like a punch to the gut, a reminder of the void where my memories of our father should be.

Sympathy and fierce protectiveness flashed across his face. He squeezed my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “Dad would never give up. You might not remember him, but you’re a carbon copy of him. Believe me.” His voice dropped lower, thick with emotion. “You’ve got his stubbornness, his courage, and definitely his knack for finding trouble.”

A chuckle escaped me. “Gee, thanks.”

“I mean it, Sawyer,” Damon continued. “Dad faced impossible odds more times than I can count, and he always found a way through. The same strength is in you. I’ve seen it.”

He pulled me into a fierce hug, and I held on tight, drawing strength from his unwavering belief in me. I might not remember Dad, but Damon had always been there for me. My rock, my protector, my link to a past I couldn’t recall.

As we embraced, fragments of shared memories flashed through my mind. Damon teaching me to ride a bike, bandaging my scraped knees, staying up late to help me with homework. He’d been more than a brother. He’d been a father figure in his own right.

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