We were only moments away from the camp that the demons had made. Not all would be here since they were still starting fires as fast as they could, but Cyril and Arie had our friends back in the village ready and waiting to scope out where the stragglers were at so we could pounce.

The air was far thicker with smoke as we began our descent back towards the ground and our target. They had a makeshift camp set up, and it looked like their plan was to spend very little time in it. We circled the camp one last time to gauge the activity, when one of the minions came flying from the north readying himself for an attack against Cyril.

I directed my focus on my new target, flying as fast as I could to reach Cyril's side and do my best to fight. Seeing the chain dangling from the minion, I yanked on it as hard as I could, allowing a scream to escape into the air, alerting the camp below that they had visitors. Ripping the chain out of the minion, the black mist immediately began releasing into the air.

"Nice work, Ana." Cyril said as he shot down to the ground to begin the battle.

The wind was shifting behind me as I felt our support arriving. One after the other began landing in the campsite, immediately demolishing whatever and whoever was in their range of sight. I took a deep breath in as I attempted to land myself without wiping out or causing a disruption. Right before my feet hit the ground, a minion slammed itself into me, ramming me into the hard earth.

The minion had my hair pinned back on the ground, ripping each strand as I attempted to move. My legs kicking at the creature as I scanned for the piece of metal that I'd become so accustomed to seeing. There didn't seem to be any this time. Seething in anger, I reached my hand over the minion who had now begun grinding his foot into my shoulder but creating the perfect opportunity for me to grab his ankle and trip him up just enough to create an imbalance. His other foot lightened its hold on my hair so that I was able to roll my body far away from my attacker. The drug of victory was now pumping through my entire body. He came barreling at me, and my body lifted over his as his arm reached into the empty air. Spinning around in the air, I landed on his shoulders, snapping his neck as quickly as possible. Feeling his body crumple to the ground, I knew I was in for another b.u.mpy landing as I crashed to the dirt below.

Standing up quickly to gauge our success. I saw hundreds of our kind landing and squashing the minions as quickly as they came. Athen came up behind me, scoping out my victim, turning to me completely impressed.

"Nice. He wasn't like the others." He said before taking off again.

"Tell me about it." I yelled after him.

The minions were being discarded as quickly as they appeared. Arie had let the others in the village know of our success, and they began attempting to flush the stragglers back to the camp. This win was close to being ours, it was only a matter of timing.

We were in our home in Whistler, trying our best to rest up a bit from the day's feverish activities. The Hemlocks outside were lightly swaying with the breeze that was beginning to come up. Now that we had defeated the minions and their efforts, the last few remaining fires were being put out. On our way back up to the village, I was amazed at how little of the forests leading up to the village had been harmed. Compared to the images on the news, what was right before me, looked like a little brush fire. The larger fires were set off in the hills and that seems to be where the news crews were able to get with their helicopters.

Even though it was spring, I had one of our throws wrapped around me. The chilly mountain air was never truly gone, regardless of the season. Cyril was making us all some tea before Athen and I headed back home. We left Matilda back at the house, knowing we had to get back to her the same day. In hindsight, Athen felt far more confident about our victory than I realized.

"You've got to come back down with us. Ana's got more to tell you. Azazel's ready to meet with her - with us. It's gonna be big." Athen told Arie and Cyril.

"Should we really though? With her other visions?" Arie asked.

I wondered that myself but told myself that knowing what was lurking in the shadows for Cyril was half the battle.

"I think for this, we should all be together. She has seen Azazel come to her in her dreams."

I shook my head in agreement to what Athen was relaying from my dreams.

"Okay, well. I guess we'll drive you back to your car in Squamish and meet you back down south." Cyril announced, his grin as large as I'd seen it in a long time. I think he felt better knowing we were willing to trust him by our side and not be as plagued with worry that he was going to turn against us like my vision.

"I've got some girl items I want to talk with Arie about anyway, so I think this was perfect timing." She looked at me allowing a few of her thoughts to slip over to my mind, none of what I expected to hear.

I shook my head in agreement, fearing what she might be wanting to divulge.

"Awesome! I'm glad we are back as a unit." I chuckled, throwing a pillow at Cyril.

Thankful that they were coming back down with us, I decided not to mention that my vision called for everything to happen tomorrow. Since Athen didn't mention it, I decided I wasn't going to either.

Chapter 33.

The clanking and clashing began getting louder and louder with every moment that whipped by. I was hoping my family would arrive soon. I knew who I was about to meet. I wasn't sure I was as ready for it as I needed to be. I had no idea how to prepare for it in the first place. Instead of the usual ice-cold temperature I was so used to experiencing with the arrival of the Legion members, an intense heat began to surface alongside of my body. The rumbling and clashing was beginning to vibrate the ground I was standing on. The earth was beginning to shift and give as he got closer and closer. As I was scanning the beach, boulders, and mountainside looking for this creature, I wondered what I should be expecting just one creature or several?

I looked down at my legs, realizing I still had the black leather leggings on from the woman I shapeshifted on earlier as practice. I still hadn't completely gotten the hang of things. Sure that she was probably wearing my outfit, I wondered how on earth I could be caught dead in this mess of a look -the black leather leggings were only accentuated by a wonderfully tacky silver top, and black stiletto boots. I was certain some could pull off this look, but I wasn't meant to, especially on a beach. I did my best to distract myself from the overwhelming amount of fear that was beginning to surface by wondering what Athen would think of my new look.

A loud buzzing, like an amplifier hiked up too loud, began rattling my eardrums. It matched the same rhythm as the clashing and clanking that I was growing accustom to. The disorienting effect washing over me created an uneasiness that would only be solved with the arrival of my family.

To my horror, I finally focused in on Azazel. He was flying low enough beneath the clouds now that I could see he wasn't alone. He looked as wretched as I feared. My heart fell with the realization that he was going to make it to me before my family did. I glanced quickly over my shoulder one last time to see if by any chance Athen was there to help, knowing I wouldn't dare turn my back on this monster once he arrived.

Azazel swooped down to the beach, walking before he even touched the sand, his silver hair swarming in the wind. He was dressed in an all black leather trench, dripping in silver metal chains, I did my best to push down the feelings of defeat that were already surfacing. As he came closer, I realized that the silver chains were attaching minions to him like stray dogs. Those other beings I saw in the sky were these poor chained-up beings. It was utterly disgusting to see. Standing only a few feet from me now, I began to feel the tiny beads of sweat beginning to form at the base of my neck from the overwhelming heat that was rolling off of this demon. Now was my time. I could no longer play the innocent.

"What is it you want, Azazel?" I stared directly into his black, hollowed eyes. The desire to fight him was building in my veins. I wanted a fight. I wanted to destroy this demon and all of the creatures connected to him.

"The kiss of death. How does that sound for romantic?" His voice raspy, yet strong and exuding victory before I even had a chance to be defeated.

"From who?" I asked, repulsed by the being that was standing before me.

"I think you know the answer to that one, my Ana. If I couldn't have your mother, the way Remiel, your father, did. Then shouldn't I get the next best thing ...her daughter - don't you think, Ana?" He paused for several seconds like he was debating whether or not to utter the next few words. "Your sister, Lilith, agrees with me."

The anger was rising beyond anything I could control. I chose to ignore his Lilith comment. I knew I couldn't defeat this demon by myself, not with my lack of experience compared to his not yet anyway. The chemicals had been fully released and I wanted to satisfy my craving. I needed a fight.

Of course, he had planned it this way by destroying me 5o years earlier, making my family run in circles trying to bring me back to them. It wasn't the humans who were p.a.w.ns in this world he created. It was us he had been playing games with. It was me. Countless families losing loved ones all because of me. I was no longer going to be a p.a.w.n in his depraved game of chess.

"You won't get that satisfaction, Azazel." I hollered at him, wanting victory at this very moment.

"I think we both know you could come with me right now and solve this entire little problem we have here. Don't you agree? You are even dressed for the occasion - black leather and silver. How perfect can you get? Some things are meant to be."

I truly cursed my utterly lacking shapeshifting ability now.

"You know, Azazel, what I can't believe is that you would let a mortal woman have that much control over you - thousands of years of hatred building for a woman, my mother? That seems pretty pathetic. You don't strike me as someone who wants to be seen as pathetic. I get that you never forgave my father, Remiel. But his falling in love with the same mortal woman who loved him back actually saved you. Don't you think it is punishment enough that my father is stuck in between worlds? You were saved from that atrocity because you were never with my mother!"

"You don't understand revenge very well do you, Ana?"

The weight of mankind's possible destruction was a crushing feat to digest, all because of my father and mother's love affair.

"I guess I don't." The longer I spoke to him the better the odds that my family would arrive. Azazel's minions were getting restless. I knew they were hoping for a fight. I knew they were hoping for blood.

"Say I come with you. Then what? The fight's over? I doubt that very much. What a.s.surance would I have?"

Azazel's fingers were as gnarled as all of the others - his nails tinged brown and dreadfully long. Getting impatient, he began rubbing his hands together.

"So, Ana. What's it gonna be?" He seethed through his clenched teeth. He didn't answer my question.

"I think you know the answer to that one. You don't understand revenge very well do you, Azazel?" I smiled. My family was near and so were others. I could feel them.

"If you don't come with me, I promise you that a war like no other will ensue."

"I'm willing to take my chances."

They had arrived. Thousands of them. He was surrounded. The hillside behind him was a constant landing strip for my kind one right after the other. To my right, hundreds of Fallen Angels marched through the sand to come stand by my side. Taking in a deep breath, I felt Athen's hand rest on my shoulder from behind. My family was here, and they had brought friends.

"Was there anything else you wanted to tell us? I know we would all like to hear it. Wouldn't we?" My glare was as icy as it ever had been.

The minions surrounding Azazel were suddenly cowering. The obedience I'd mistaken earlier for strength allowed me to see a victory like never before. My appet.i.te had been wetted and only victory would curb it.

Azazel let out a loud bellowing sound as he flashed into the air, with his chained minions dragging behind him. He suddenly vanished, releasing the chains allowing the minions to remain. Sure he would return, I looked around the beach as more of our fellow Fallen Angels were arriving, I felt deep inside that this was a war that could be won. It was a war that needed the right leader, and I knew I was that leader.

Chapter 34.

How many thousands of us there were, I'd never know. I didn't need to know. I could feel their souls. I could feel their intentions. We were all acting as one - here for a single act.

The wind was blowing harder than it had all spring, the rain coming in sideways as it pelted us, picking up speed from the ocean. The weight of my drenched clothes was nothing compared to the burden I felt deep inside. As the wind howled over the cliffs and through the trees to finally reach us all where we stood, there was a vigilance it brought with it. I was leading us directly into victory, and I was leading us directly into defeat. Some of us wouldn't make it. Some of our family members wouldn't make it. That was known well before anyone decided to join us.

We were an army. They never saw it coming. Standing in the front row, I felt for Athen's hand and squeezed it. Looking up at him as he stood stoically, hair completely drenched, clothes stuck to his body, I knew we were all miserable - miserably waiting for a fight that would drastically change things to come for both our world and the mortal world. Looking to my left, I saw Cyril and Arie, hands interlocked, looking straight ahead, waiting for the same thing as all of us a sign of the enemy.

I let go of Athen's hand, stepping forward and spinning around to see something I'd been telling myself not to. Partially worried that the numbers I'd see wouldn't meet my expectations, I didn't want to psych myself out. Instead, what I saw was countless rows and rows of our fellow Fallen Angels, lined up side by side, hands interlocking, ready to face whatever we might encounter in this first of many battles.

The entire beach was lined with being after being with the beautiful green eyes that I took so much comfort in. The lines of Fallen Angels went as far as I could see, circling beyond and behind the jagged cliffs. The sight was more magnificent than anything I could have thought up in my own mind. Catching Athen's eyes, I felt tears begin to surface because of the overwhelming support that was going to lead us into victory.

Nodding at me, he took a step towards me, spinning like I did to look at the numbers who had gathered to support us.

"Wow, Ana. This is incredible." He whispered.

"Isn't it? If only it weren't for the reason that it was, I might be able to revel in it all."

Doing my best to wipe off the rain droplets that were continually running down my face, I shrugged off the chill that was trying to present itself deep within in my bones.

"More are coming, aren't they?" I asked Athen, as I did my best to make out the images I was seeing come down one by one, making their way to the end of the lines that my eyes could no longer find any more.

Nodding, he stood back in line, and I followed his lead. The evil ones were on their way. I could feel it. Facing forward, I raised my arm up towards the sky and circled my wrist, with a finger extended. It was time to listen.

Straining to hear past the torrential downpour and crashing waves, I did my best to concentrate on the vibrations that I'd learned so recently to pick up from the demons. I steadied my breathing in hopes that it would help pick out what I needed to hear before the others.

I felt the shift, everyone had noticed my signal. Row after row of warriors, like myself, were stiffening, preparing for an unknown. The vibrations began to set themselves into motion. A light pounding began off in the distance - the intensity rising with every beat. Closing my eyes, I did my best to distinguish the beats. With every thud echoing through the air, I knew that it accounted for an army not that dissimilar to ours in size.

The cracking sound began reverberating through my eardrums. They were here. The sky opened up, pouring more on us than dampness as the deathly images began dropping down on us one by one. Thousands of minions, dripping in chains were like puppets dropping from the sky, only coming to life once they hit the ground.

The battle had begun. Letting go of Athen's hand, I heard his whisper reach me telling me that he loved me just in time. He rocketed through the air meeting his first opponent. Forcing myself to turn away from him, I was determined not to let our love hinder my performance; rather, it was there to strengthen it. I felt the first blow of the sharp, metal chain as it hit my back, sending my body to the wet sand with a force like no other.

As I felt the tiny granules of sand enter my mouth, I commanded myself to get up. Everyone was looking at me to lead us to victory. I couldn't let them down, especially within the first seconds of fighting. I jumped back up, readying myself to take out the creature that sent me into the earth, only to see a towering figure hovering over me waiting for my next move, laughing as if he had already won the fight.

I began running towards this figure who I didn't recognize, only to dart to the right at the last moment, grabbing the chain that I was certain was the one that whipped me, pulling it with all of my strength. A shriek ran through the air, as the demon was flipped onto his back, my heel burrowing into his neck. Tugging on the chain, another shriek came barreling out of the creature. Finishing him off with one last quick stomp on his neck, I followed the chain as it led to his body. a.s.suming that the chain was hooked to the demon's clothing, I was horrified when I felt it lead its way to his hip. Pulling up the shirt, I realized the chain was buried deep within the monster's flesh. The sight was repulsive as the metal edges were barely visible as the chain snaked deep under the skin.

The shrieks and screams from the other demons, as they were being thrown and caught by their chains was an encouraging sound. As the demons and minions continued to land, I was able to estimate there was at least three of ours to every one of theirs. For now, the numbers were working in our favor. I knew it was crucial to not let myself become overconfident because that's when mistakes could be made.

Scanning the beach, I saw the demons being overtaken by our own. I did my best to channel my findings to my family. If we target the ones with the chains first, we would be able to eliminate quite a few in a very short time. It felt too easy. I couldn't see Athen, Cyril, or Arie so getting confirmation that they received my message was comforting.

Looking in the crowd for Azazel, the disappointment began building as I realized this wasn't the battle he was going to partic.i.p.ate in. This was the preemptive battle that was our test. The fury was building inside of me, knowing the battle would not be ending today, but rather, this was only the beginning. My desire to destroy Azazel was only growing stronger with every trick and trap he set for us all. It also answered my question that I had buried deep inside on whether Lilith was going to show up for this one either. My disappointment would have to wait for another day; instead I had to channel my anger into the fight before me.

Diving into the crowd of minions to continue my fight, I was determined to finish them off quickly. This was a waste of time and resources. It was disgusting, and there was nothing I could do about it other than partic.i.p.ate and make it end.

Snagging chain after chain, causing dreadful squeals of pain as I tugged from one evil creature to the next, destroying as many as were in my path as possible gave me the strength to keep going. Catching Athen's eye quickly, he nodded, letting me know he captured all of my thoughts earlier, which brought a huge amount of relief. They are on the same page. We needed to get this over with and quickly.

It was painfully obvious that we were the victors in this match, but unfortunately, we had to ensure that we had taken care of every minion left standing. They wouldn't stop until they were destroyed. The dark mist was being released into the air from the mounting pile of minions who were being destroyed. The dark mist could easily be mistaken as the most wicked of winter storms. I stood in the far corner of the beach surveying our victories and watching our side fly away to wherever it was they came from after they finished their last victims off. I'd never get to say thank you or meet all the individuals who came to help us fight. The fallen angels were leaving as quickly as they had come, never receiving anything in return. I was staring in utter disbelief as I saw the piles of minions we had destroyed.

Feeling the slash of a chain hit my neck from behind, I turned around quickly, only to be hit again. Grabbing the chain as quickly as possible and yanking it as hard as I could, while I watched the wretched creature's skin stretch in the direction of each tug, I collapsed alongside the last minion that was apparently left to be destroyed. Seeing his body crumple to the beach, satisfaction began to swell through my body until the pain dropped me to my knees.

Athen was immediately by my side, picking me up. Not understanding why these injuries, compared to any of the other lashes I had received, were worse, confused me. I honestly couldn't fathom why the last lash that I was dealt would have done this to me. My mind was becoming quickly cluttered as I tried hard to concentrate on Athen's face, his lips, anything to get my mind focused.

"What if our love is the downfall?" I whispered.

My arms were wrapped around his neck as he carried me from the pile of bodies spread across the beach.

"Never. It only makes us stronger." He was out of breath, and I didn't understand why until he dropped to his knees, letting me roll out of his arms onto the pebbles below.

"Athen!" I screamed without realizing what was happening, watching him begin to fall forward. "No, Athen!"

I searched his body for any sign or clue. I didn't understand what was happening. My fingers felt over every crease and crevice of his skin and clothing. I felt nothing. The tears were streaming down my face, I was unable to catch my breath. We had defeated the Legion. It was me who had gotten hurt, not Athen.

"Sweetheart, please...please. I don't understand. Don't leave me, please." My wailing had to catch someone's attention. There had to be someone left on the beach. I prayed someone would hear because I couldn't move, not with my injuries. I began to feel serenity envelop my body. Holding Athen, I slowly scooted myself to be closer to him. It was as if his body was making me calmer. The ocean air began to get deep within my lungs, as I did my best to focus. I had to communicate with Cyril and Arie. I tried my best calling for help.

The confusion set in. We won, and now, Athen was lifeless in front of me, and I can't use my legs to get help. A sense of hopelessness began to invade my thoughts as I did my best to concentrate and beg for Cyril or Arie to help by way of thought. The steady beat of the waves crashing washed over me as I, too, met the same darkness as Athen.

Somehow I was in our bed we were in our bed at our Kingston home. I opened my eyes and saw the familiar colors surrounding me along with the wonderfully comforting sound of Matilda snoring. I reached for Athen's hand, clasping it as tight as I could. He slowly began to tighten his hand around mine. Remembering where I last was and the inability to move my legs made me shudder. Cyril and Arie must have gotten us both back to our home.

"How are you feeling?" Athen muttered into my ear, turning on his side to face me. Remembering that I couldn't move my legs from the injuries, I turned my head to face his.

"Good but awfully confused." He looked completely unscathed. "Come here!" He moved closer, and I began kissing his neck frantically. I couldn't stop. I thought I'd lost him, yet again. I felt his breath whisper down on my forehead.

"You've got to explain! I was the one with the injuries, and then you collapsed?"

"Um, well. I was doing my best to try to heal you. I was just trying to do it too fast, and it depleted my resources so to speak." His eyes sparkling as if I should be pleased with this answer. "Move your legs."

I curled them up and realized they really did move. Happiness flooded through me.