Page 18 of Silent Knight

He said nothing, from his back he pulled out a wicked looking weapon. Part ax, part sword.

“Advance on him, Father, and we will battle to the death and I’m not so sure you believe you can win.”

I took a step to Senon but he shook his head. “I love you, Ezra Acker. Your mother would be so very proud of your strength. Now, please let me honor my promise to her and keep you alive.”

My body ached as if it were being torn in two. I could barely see through the tears and anguish crumpled me to the floor. Arms around me dragging me were unfamiliar and I realized police officers were covering my body…protecting me.

My whole life I thought I was equal parts lucky and unlucky. Roaming through life alone, just getting by, surviving but never living. I wasn’t alone, ever. My mother and my father both died for me, Gia died for me, these police were willing to die to protect me. And across the station I watched as the man I loved faced off with his own father, willing to give up his existence to protect me.

I was so very tired of it all. I couldn’t go back to the hospital or comic book store, not after this. Not without Senon in my life.

I wasn’t important enough…he was.

I waited for my moment. Watched as Abaddon nodded.

“Very well, Senon. You stand at my side and rule, you battle with me and for me. Do this and your human, your pet can live.”

Senon didn’t relinquish his weapon but he lowered it.

“If you harm any of them our deal will be forfeited and I promise I will kill you, Abaddon.”

Abaddon stood even taller and hummed. “Understood.”

With one last look at me, Senon walked toward his father who now had his back to us.

Senon slid his weapon into the holder on his back…I was out of time.

I was part of the Great Divine. It had to mean something, and maybe nothing, but I couldn’t let Senon do this, but these police would all die if he didn’t.

I closed my eyes and prayed. “Mother, hear me, if you can give me strength, I can’t do this life without him. I don’t want to. You sent him to protect me but it will kill me if he dies. Please, Great Divine, I know you want me gone but maybe my existence can do amazing things. Please.”

When I opened my eyes, Senon and Abaddon had just stepped out of the building. I moved back, all of the officers’ attention was with the demon so no one saw me.

Attached to the wall, glass case shattered, was a fireman’s ax. I pulled it out and exited through a hole in the side of the building. My hope was to flank them.

If anyone noticed I was gone they said nothing. I peered around the corner, they were coming. Abaddon in front. I pressed my back to the brick and listened.

“Please let this work,” I whispered one last time.

A dark talon appeared. Knowing I’d need to reach, I leaped onto the dented newspaper stand in front of me, lifted my arm, and swung. The ax embedded itself into Abaddon’s chest, his roar like thunder, but I didn’t let go. Not when he arched back and tossed me about.

“Ezra!” Senon’s voice was like sun on a cold day but all I felt was Abaddon’s grip as he wrapped his hands around my body.

“Foolish boy!” Abaddon squeezed.

“Stupid demon,” I forced out as he began cutting of my air.

I could see Senon pulling out his weapon. I hoped if I didn’t succeed, he would be able to so he could be free, so he could be as amazing as I knew he was.

I pressed as hard as I could against the ax, pushing it in. Darkness crept around the edges of my vision and just as Senontook flight, weapon raised to strike, Abaddon smiled at me and pulled me to his chest.

Pain radiated against my stomach, I looked down and saw the other side of the ax was buried in my abdomen.

“Somehow, I always win, pet,” Abaddon growled, just as Senon’s sword impaled Abaddon’s skull.

I was thrown, my body crashing against something hard and I slid to the ground.

I could see Senon on the shoulders of Abaddon, battling…winning. Abaddon collapsed and a light brighter than the sun washed over the area but I couldn’t appreciate its warmth as darkness won.

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