Page 29 of Rage of the Fallen

One by one, Brody, Zara, and Lisa nodded in agreement. Even the phoenix fluttered its wings as if to say, “I’m with you.” Their unwavering support, including our magical companion, filled me with a renewed sense of strength and purpose.

Damon cleared his throat, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips despite the gravity of the situation. “Well, ain’t that touching. We’ve got Captain America, Sabrina and Hermione the teenage witches, and friggin’ Fawkes all lined up. If those demon bastards aren’t shaking in their boots, they should be.” He clapped my shoulder. “You’ve got this, sis. Now, let’s go raise some hell. Or, you know, the opposite of that.”

I smiled. Damon always knew how to pump me up. I glanced at Brody. “Lead the way to the back.”

Brody tilted his head. “This way.”

I followed him, wishing Justice was walking alongside me, giving me his strength. This time, I had to draw on my own courage, not rely on his. I wouldn’t disappoint him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Brody led us through the trees surrounding Inveraray castle, offering us coverage. I thought it strange that the demons, Maci, or even Justice didn’t approach us. My feet sank into the soft grass as we moved silently forward.

Through the trees, I glimpsed Justice. I swore he was looking right at me with his vampire vision, but instead of feeling love, loathing washed over me. The hatred in his eyes haunted me, a stark reminder of the demon possessing him. It was Justice’s face, but the expression was entirely foreign, twisted with malice.

I swallowed the disappointment in my throat, fighting the urge to call out to him. That wasn’t my Justice. Not yet. It reinforced why we were here, why we had to succeed. It was the only way I could save him.

I hoped the mirror would tell me how the harp would defeat Rage and release Justice from his clutches.

However, it wasn’t only Justice’s eyes on me. I felt someone watching us, the sensation prickling the back of my neck. Between the sun and the trees, long shadows covered the forest floor, creating a patchwork of light and dark that played trickson my eyes. Maci could be hiding here without any of us knowing it.

I scanned the area, my gaze darting from shadow to shadow. The forest, which had seemed merely atmospheric moments ago, now felt oppressive and threatening. Every rustle of leaves, every snapping twig under our feet sent a jolt of adrenaline through my system.

“Guys,” I whispered. “Keep your eyes peeled. Something’s not right.”

Damon tensed beside me, his hand instinctively moving toward his weapon. Brody’s pace slowed, his tactical mind working overtime to assess our surroundings. Lisa and Zara exchanged worried glances, their magical senses on high alert.

Was Maci orchestrating some elaborate trap? Being a shadow dragon, she could attack at any moment. I didn’t see Rage with Justice and wondered if he was waiting to pop out and possess another one of our team.

In case the other demons started getting ideas, I reached into my backpack and quietly pulled out the Mirror of Aethereal. If any demons jumped out at us, they’d be toast.

The mirror decimated all the demons except for Rage. I only prayed the harp would be his downfall, or we were all screwed, and I’d lose Justice forever.

Brody led us to the back of the castle, where the gardens were located. A high stone wall, weathered by centuries of Scottish weather, stood between us and our goal.

“Normally, you’d need tickets to get in,” Brody whispered, eyeing the wall. “But I don’t think the demons bothered with the admission fee.”

Damon smirked. “Guess we’re going for the VIP entrance, then.”

We approached the wall cautiously. It was about ten feet tall, old enough to have plenty of handholds but well-maintained enough to pose a challenge.

“I’ll go first.” Brody was already moving toward the wall. “After I’m up, I’ll help pull the rest of you over.”

Brody scaled the wall with practiced ease, his movements almost silent. At the top, he gestured for us to follow.

One by one, we climbed, each helping the next. The rough stone scraped against my palms as I pulled myself up, and Brody’s strong grip helped me over the top. As I lowered myself down the other side, I got my first look at Inveraray’s famous gardens.

The manicured grounds stretched out in stark contrast to the wild forest we’d left. Neatly trimmed hedges formed intricate patterns, and vibrant flowerbeds burst with color. In the center, an ornate fountain stood silent, its still waters reflecting the early morning light.

“Stay low,” Brody warned as we regrouped. “And watch for patrols. Just because we’re in doesn’t mean we’re safe.”

As we crept closer to the castle, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were walking into the belly of the beast. The gardens, designed for peaceful strolls and quiet contemplation, served as the prelude to our most dangerous mission yet.

The castle itself loomed over us, its turrets and spires reaching toward the sky. From this angle, we could see the grand bay windows of the state dining room and the intricate stonework.

Despite the beauty surrounding us, tension hung in the air. The usually welcoming gardens now felt like an exposed battlefield, each topiary and statue a potential hiding spot for our enemies.

“Watch your step, and stay low,” Brody whispered. “We don’t want to be silhouetted against these open spaces. There, I think that’s our best way in.” He pointed toward the castle’s rear entrance.

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