Page 20 of Lucian's Soul

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she believed every word he said and knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her or their children. “I love you, too. Now let’s eat. Your babies are starving.”

* * * *

They’d spent the morning at a beach two hours away, one Tessa hadn’t been to, and were now going to visit the faulty humans. Tessa was eager to see them. She was worried about them and he wanted to show her they were safe.

Something wasn’t right, and his demon rose to the surface. Earlier Lucian had put all the faulty people in a large compound. He hoped by doing it this way all the shifters watching them could work together to protect and kill any angel that came at them. Shifters worked better in packs. Leaving the faulty humans separated made them easy pickings for the angels. The angels were killing them one by one. So he brought them all together with their shifter protectors.

He got out of the car and Tessa went to follow. “Stay in the car, kitten.”

Screams and the sound of fighting met his ears. Balthazar, Seth, Jacob, and Michael got out of the other car. Darting a look at them, he transformed into his demon form. “Call back up. Balthazar, stay with Tessa and this time make sure you protect her with your life or you won’t have one,” he growled. Turning back to the compound, he saw Tessa staying at him wide eyes. “I told you to stay in the car.”

Lucian watched as Tessa cleared her throat several times before she rolled her shoulders back. “I’m coming with you. I can help.”

“No. Ther—”

“They know me. I promise I’ll stay out of the way.” Before he could argue with her again, she turned from him and walked to the compound.

In demon form, Balthazar wacked him on the back of the head. “I like her.”

Hurrying to catch up with her, he and his brothers circled her as they walked to the door. Four angels came swooping down from the roof. With Tessa close, his strength and power seemed off the charts. Conjuring his swords, he threw one at a coming angel’s head and stopped it before it got any closer. The angel fell to the ground, and as he passed Lucian cut the head off. His brothers easily disposed of the other angels.

Before they entered the compound he turned to Tessa, handing her one of his swords. “I hope you never have to use this.” Tessa nodded and grunted as he let the sword go and she got the full weight of it.

Turing back around, Lucian opened the doors. They saw a bloodbath when they entered. The shifters watching the faulty humans were being slaughtered by angels. The dogs that watched out for the humans were fighting to keep a group of children safe.

“Oh, my God,” Tessa muttered behind him. She touched his back. “The children. Lucifer, get me to the children.”

He circled his wings around her, using them as a shield as he fought his way through the angels to get to the cowering children. When it was safe enough he unfurled his wings, letting Tessa help them. Lucian planted himself in front of Tessa and the children.

Lucian couldn’t believe Gabriel had not only come himself but brought so many angels to kill a group of humans, most of them children. Gabriel must really have lost it. Why would he risk so many angels for this? Seeing the prophecy coming true must have spurred him to fight harder. No matter, he was now in a losing battle.

* * * *

Tessa gripped the heavy sword as she crouched down to the children. “It’s okay. The good guys are here now.”

Zane threw himself into her arms and she dropped the heavy sword, wrapping her arms around him. “I knew Lucian would come. I told them he wouldn’t let the bad white wings get us. He’s my hero.”

Her heart constricted at the trust and certainty in Zane’s voice. “You’re right, Lucian will save us all.” Tessa let go of Zane, picked up the sword, and pushed him behind her to join the others.

The sight broke Tessa’s heart; there were bodies strewn everywhere, angels in masses. The demons and remaining shifters were outnumbered, and as she looked around more angels seemed to appear.

Lucian fought eight angels from getting to her. He was swift and brutal, using his wings claws and his sword. Glancing around, Tessa saw the angel Gabriel from last night inching toward them, his gaze focused straight on her. She searched for help but no one was free or able.

Terrified, she raised the sword. Gabriel eased himself just out of her reach and grinned, showing his canines dripping with blood. He raised his once white wings stained with blood and pointed a claw at her stomach. “Die. They will die,” he roared before he charged at her.

Bracing herself, Tessa dug deep for all her strength. No one threated her babies. All of a sudden, she started floating and a black mass floated from Gabriel to her stomach. She looked up to see the horror on Gabriel’s face.Oh, my God. Her babies were eating Gabriel’s sins. While Gabriel was distracted, she brought the sword up and shoved it forward into a surprised Gabriel. The sickening sound of the sword digging into Gabriel’s chest almost had her vomiting, but she stayed strong for her children, Lucian, and everyone who counted on her. The black fog stopped and Tessa screamed as she pulled the sword out and, using everything she had, swung it up and across Gabriel’s throat.

“No one threatens my children!” she yelled.

When Gabriel’s head and body fell to the ground the world around her seemed to pause. She looked up in time to see Xore and a bunch of demons and shifters swarm into the compound. Turning to her right, she saw an enraged Lucifer flying to her as a pissed angel came towards her. Raising the heavy sword again, she braced for impact but nothing happened. Lucian made it to her before the other angel. Exhaustion started to set in as the adrenalin wore off. She watched Lucian dispose of anything that came close to her, he was like a crazed, mad demon.

It wasn’t until Xore and Balthazar come towards Lucifer in human form with their arms raised that Tessa dropped the sword and slid to the ground.

“Lucifer, you need to calm down. They’re all dead,” Xore said.

“Brother, stop growling. We aren’t going to hurt her.” Balthazar took a stepped towards her but Lucifer roared.

“Lucifer, Tessa is safe,” Xore said, trying to get to her, but Lucifer wouldn’t let him.

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