Page 71 of Fallen Demon

She was right. The angels were too close already, and they would be upon us in a minute or less. By the time she cast the portal and we all crossed, an angel or ten might cross with us.

We couldn’t risk it.

Besides, I knew Abbie’s instincts were to protect the hall. Bringing this many supernaturals there probably felt wrong.

Rage frowned at me. “You can’t let them get the dagger.”

I wrapped the cloth around it again and tucked it in the waist of my pants, a little sideways, so it wouldn’t bother me during the fight.

Topaz touched the frosted wall of Ylena’s circle. A jolt of electricity coursed through it. Inside, Ylena yelp as the electricity zapped her, and she fell to the ground. “She’ll be out for a few minutes,” the witch said.

I nodded, glad to have one less thing to worry about now.

“Everyone, protect Ariella,” Rage said, loud and clear. “We can’t let them get to her.”

All of my friends surrounded me, forming a circle around Levi and me.

Levi grabbed my hand again and squeezed tight, his eyes on the sky as the angels got closer.

I recognized Julien and Izrail among the first dozen, and when I glanced at the bigger group, I saw none other than Archangel Rhodes leading them. And right by his side was Archangel Sariel. Behind them, I saw Mihael and Briela, an angel who had been two years behind me at the academy. I didn’t recognize any of the others, but I did count again.

In total, there were twenty-eight angels, against fourteen of us.

And Ylena, who didn’t count at the moment.

As expected, Rhodes stopped a safe way from us, but Sariel continued, leading the angels closer. When they were in range, the angels sped up while throwing light magic at us.

The witches and the warlock create a shield over us, to give us some time. But as we called our magic and held our weapons, the angels landed and surrounded us.

“Ariella,” Sariel called me, sounding bored. “Tell your friends to surrender. If you bring the dagger to me, they won’t be harmed.”

“Why would I?” I asked, trying to feel as bold as my words. “You only have twice our number. I think we can take you.”

“In a matter of minutes, a hundred angels will be upon you.” A wicked smile spread over Sariel’s pale lips. “There’s no hope.”

“There’s always hope,” Zad said.

Sariel glanced at him. “Fancy seeing you here, Zadkiel. Realize now why your dear mentor let you stay away?” She laughed, but it was short-lived. “You have five seconds to decide, Ariella. What is it going to be? Are you going to let your friends die because you’re stubborn?”

I pressed my lips and glanced at my friends.

“Don’t fall for it,” Lacey whispered.

“Don’t worry about us,” Farrah said, equally low.

“Protect the dagger,” Rage reminded me.

It pained me to know that if we didn’t win in the next few minutes, we would all die, but it also filled me with pride to know my friends had my back.

Startling me, Rage lifted his spear. “We have minutes to kill them all!” he shouted.

The witches dropped the shield and Rage sent a big bolt of darkfire at Sariel.

And the battle started.

Levi let go of my hand as the flock of angels descended upon us. He quickly transformed into his demon self, grabbed the neck of an angel before he could land, and cracked his head on the ground.

I flinched with the violence but had my own problems to take care of as two angels advanced on me—Julien and Izrail. I called my sword and swung at them.

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