Page 38 of Camael
"Then it's a good thing we've got the best tactical team in the Tehrex Realm," Izzy said with a predator's smile. "Let's make this bastard regret ever setting foot in our realm."
CHAPTER 13
The tactical map in the mansion's war room pulsed with activity as they plotted potential locations for Lucifer's next move. Camael watched Amelia trace energy patterns across the city grid while his Angels of Retribution gathered intel. The witch's power crackled around her fingers as she worked. Damn if that didn't do things to his concentration.
"If these convergence points form a pattern, I can’t see it," she muttered, marking another location with one of the Rowan sisters' enchanted crystals. "I can’t tell if he's just hitting random targets. We know his end goal, but all of the rest of this seems frivolous."
"So, there’s no way to predict where he’s going to hit next?" Rami asked.
Before anyone could respond, power slammed through Camael's brain like a battering ram. The energy signature was from the Archangel Council. And they were panicked. His ancient blood ran cold. "Something's wrong upstairs," he growled. "The celestial realm is under attack."
"What?" Malachi's wings snapped out as he moved closer. "How is that even possible? Heaven's defenses-"
"Are being breached from within." The words tasted like ash in Camael's mouth as the information came through in pieces. "Is the traitor we've been hunting making their move?"
Amelia's head snapped up from her work. "Go," she said without hesitation. "We've got things covered here."
His protective instincts warred with his duty as he met those green eyes of hers. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to stay with his witch. To keep her safe. But Heaven itself was under assault. He couldn't ignore that.
"The Dark Warriors will maintain patrols and handle shit here," Izzy promised. The vampire princess's sapphire eyes missed nothing as she assessed the situation. "Between us, the Rowan sisters, and Jace, she'll be well protected."
Camael's jaw clenched as he made the call. "Remi, Jo, and Malachi, I want you to maintain defensive positions here. If this is coordinated with Lucifer's moves in the city, we can't afford to leave any gaps."
"The triplets should come too," Rami suggested as he checked his blade. "If things are as bad as that energy pulse suggests, they’ll be needed."
Looking at Amelia one last time, Camael crossed to her in three long strides. His massive frame towered over her as he cupped her face in his hands. "Stay safe," he growled before claiming her lips in a kiss that carried equal parts possession and promise.
"You too, Archangel," she breathed when they broke apart. "Try not to start an apocalypse without me."
His laugh surprised him. There was nothing funny about their situation, but this female could face down anything with attitude to spare. "Keep the city in one piece until I get back."
With a final nod to the others, Camael walked outside and launched skyward. His wings cut through reality as he opened a path to the celestial realm. His warriors and the triplets followed in perfect formation as they breached the barriers between worlds.
They emerged into what looked like a celestial civil war. Wings of various colors filled Heaven's pristine streets as angels clashed with angels. At first glance, it was impossible to tell friend from foe. They all wore the same armor and wielded similar weapons. They also moved with the deadly grace of an angel. It didn't take Camael long to see that something was off about the way some of them fought.
Camael's ancient instincts screamed warnings as he watched supposedly loyal soldiers using tactics that had been forbidden since the First War. They were using killing strikes designed to inflict maximum damage. To destroy, not subdue.
Zakara came racing toward Rami with her purple wings flowing behind her. “They destroyed my bakery!”
“Fucking assholes,” Rami cursed. “We will rebuild. But first, let’s make them pay.” The warrior pulled his mate to his side.
"Hold," he ordered his men as they all prepared to join the fray. His ice-blue eyes narrowed as he studied the battlefield. "Watch their wing movements."
Understanding dawned in Az's expression as he observed what Camael had noticed. “Those siding with Lucifer are different. Their movements are jerky and harsh. They're fighting their nature. And darkness is writhing beneath their pristine feathers.” It was visible only when they twisted in certain ways.
"Sweet mother of mercy," Araton breathed as they watched. "Matthias has gone dark."
"Not just Matthias," Camael growled as he recognizedmore faces. Angels he'd fought beside, trained with, and trusted. Their movements were efficient but cruel. Their strikes were meant to maim rather than disable. "Look at their eyes when they turn this way. The corruption shows there first."
The fallen angels pivoted in their direction, and the others caught sight of the shadows in their eyes. The clearness of celestial grace was threaded through with darkness that moved like living ink. "Remember," Camael instructed his warriors as they prepared to engage, "these were once our brothers and sisters. They've chosen their side. Show mercy where you can. But don't hesitate if it comes down to them or you. They're not pulling their strikes."
"The corruption's spreading through the residential district," Abraxos reported. "They're targeting the younger angels first."
"The nurseries," Ayil added with a grim expression. "We need to get the fledglings out before that darkness reaches them."
Camael scanned the area for Michael before he issued orders. When he didn’t see the other archangel, he focused on the triplets. "You three, evacuate the young ones. Get them to Earth. The Dark Warriors can watch over them temporarily. The rest of you are with me. We need to find and kick these assholes out of Heaven."
They split up with practiced efficiency. Each warrior knew their role. The triplets' red wings became blurs of motion as they carved paths through waves of corrupted angels. Their synchronized fighting style took out anything in their path on their way to the nurseries.
