Page 40 of Wicked Angel
“Angels,” Molraz purred, his voice like gravel sliding over bone. “How kind of you to join us.”
More demons appeared behind him, dozens of them, filling the mouth of the cave and spilling out onto the mountainside. My stomach dropped, and beside me, Rachel gasped.
“It's a trap,” she whispered.
Soren whirled toward Rhodes, his face contorted with sudden understanding. “You brought us here deliberately. You're working with him!”
Rhodes's expression shifted, the mask of righteousness falling away to reveal something cold and calculating. “The old ways are dying, Soren. Elysium must evolve or perish. Adona is too weak to lead us into the future.”
“Traitor!” Soren spat, his Celestial sword materializing in his hand—a blade of pure light that cut through the darkness like a star.
Molraz stepped forward, and in his now clawed hand, he held a gleaming dagger with a scarlet gem set in its hilt. “The Scarlet Hex Dagger,” he announced, his voice laced with triumph. “The key to reshaping Elysium.”
Soren's face went ashen. “No,” he breathed. “That can't be. It was hidden in a secure location.”
“Yes. And now it's here, ready to fulfill its purpose.” Rhodes held out his hand, and Molraz passed him the dagger.
Everything happened at once after that. Soren lunged for Rhodes, his sword flashing. Two Seraphim—who must have been in league with Rhodes all along—moved to intercept him. And the demons surged forward, overwhelming our formation.
Chaos erupted around us. Angels and demons clashed in a frenzy of light and shadow. I summoned my sword, the familiar weight of it steadying my trembling hands, and threw myself into the battle.
Rachel fought at my back, her magic flashing in brilliant arcs that pushed the demons back. Jeremiah cut through their ranks with fierce determination, his wings a blur of motion as he dodged and struck.
Through gaps in the fighting, I caught glimpses of Soren and Rhodes locked in combat. Despite Rhodes's betrayal, Soren was the more skilled warrior, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might prevail.
Then Rhodes drove the dagger into Soren's side.
The archangel's cry of pain tore through the battlefield, momentarily freezing the combat around us. Rhodes twisted the blade, his face contorted with a cold satisfaction that chilled me to my core.
But Soren wasn't finished. With a final, desperate surge of strength, he wrenched the dagger from Rhodes's grip and threw it—straight at me.
“Run!” he commanded, his voice ringing with power even as blood spread across his silver armor. “Take it and run, Ariella! Don't let them have it!”
The dagger landed at my feet, its blade gleaming with Soren's blood. I stared at it, paralyzed with shock and horror.
Rhodes roared with fury and charged toward me. But Rachel and Jeremiah moved to block his path, their swords raised.
“Go, Ariella!” Rachel shouted. “We'll hold them off!”
I hesitated, torn between duty and loyalty. How could I leave them?
“GO!” Jeremiah's voice cracked like thunder. “If Soren died for that dagger, it can't fall back into their hands!”
With shaking hands, I picked up the dagger, tucking it into my belt. Then I turned and fled, wings pumping frantically as I launched myself into the night sky.
Behind me, I heard the clash of swords, the cries of the wounded and dying. And then, rising above it all, Rachel's scream—a sound of such pure agony that it nearly stopped my heart.
I faltered, looking back. Through the chaos, I saw Jeremiah fall, Rhodes's sword emerging from his chest. And Rachel, beautiful, brave Rachel, charging at the archangel with grief and fury etched on her face.
She never stood a chance.
I couldn't watch. Couldn't bear to see another friend die. I turned away, tears streaming down my face, and flew harder, faster, deeper into the night.
But I wasn't alone for long. Heavy wingbeats thundered behind me, and a chill ran down my spine. I didn't need to look to know who pursued me.
Molraz, now transformed in his full demon self.
I dove toward the forest, hoping to lose him among the trees, but he was faster than I'd anticipated. A blast of darkfire caught the edge of my wing, sending me spiraling through the air. I managed to right myself, but another blast followed, this one clipping my shoulder.
