Cole. Each of us landed on the ground outside the Nephilim base, and in a split second, Nicolas came out of the front door. "Where is he?" I urged as I turned my body toward him. "Locked up inside." He said as he motioned towards the door with his head. "We just took down the wards to let the demons in." My eyes looked at the other three men before turning to nod. "This way." Nicolas led us, and we followed him. All of us entered the massive building, and as soon as we stepped foot inside, we were met with glares, but for once, I found that more of the hatred was aimed at Jesse and Taylor than me. But as soon as my wings came into view, I could see panic fill them. Some of them gawked at Chase, and Taylor looked rather uneasy, while Jesse ignored them all. "I guess we won't be welcome here," Taylor muttered under his breath. "I don't care." I said bluntly as I kept my gaze straight ahead. "They can think what they want." We kept walking after Nicolas down a long hallway that le
Cole. In the next second, my phone dropped to the ground, and the room went silent. My eyes locked with Levi's as they now glowed a bright red color, and my wings started to lift as horns started to grow on my head, claws and sharp fangs started to form on my body. "Where is she?" I could barely speak more than a whisper, but Levi just smiled at me. "Cole?" Chase called from behind me. In the blink of an eye, I lunged straight ahead. Lifting Levi up and slamming him into the back of the cell, pinning him in place. All the guards rushed over at the loud sound, as Chase and Nicolas stood by the door. "WHERE IS SHE?" I shouted at him. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?" His mouth shut not speaking, then I slammed him to the ground before gripping around his neck, almost running out of patience. The lights in the hall began to burst out, making Chase and Nicolas' heads snap around as the ground seemed to tremble. Then I took out a claw and dug it into Levi's chest, blood gushing out, and I dra
Rayline. My eyes slowly opened. The atmosphere around me was dark, and yet I could still see the dots of moonlight seeping in, enough to make me realize that I was not in my usual bedroom. I sat up and looked around me. I was on some sort of table or pedestal made of stone. The high ceiling hung over my head, adding to the gloomy feel of this place. I looked down at the ground and discovered a slate floor surface that led to a large double door. When I looked up at the windows, my eyes caught the shadows of the stained glass that adorned the walls. I was in some kind of church or rather a long-abandoned gothic building. Since everything looked worn down and neglected, it added to the creepy atmosphere. My eyes were drawn to a small set of stairs that led to a large chair that was in the center of the back wall. The chair was surrounded by paintings and carvings depicting a throne. There were bones and flames in the stone, and above it, a skull with horns loomed monstrously. This is
Cole. Along the way, Levi took us all too far into the forest. He insisted on going through the darkness as a precaution so that we could not easily find their location and bring help. I stayed on alert with every step, as my eyes wandered to every little sound in the forest. Meanwhile, Jesse kept his eyes on Levi, it was clear from the look on his face what he would do to the demon if it was not the only way to find her. As for Taylor, he just looked worried, something I could also feel, but he was better at hiding it. We all continued walking in silence until we came across two unfamiliar demons waiting in the shadows, and each of us looked at each other with concern before we were finally led to follow them. After what felt like an eternity, a building came into view. As we got closer, I realized that it was an abandoned building, but it was not just any building, it was a church, and it was massive."We're here," Levi said as we all kept walking. However, as we were about to rea
Rayline. Not a single person dared to speak. I could even hear every breath taken in the room. She made her way slowly towards the throne, the only sound heard was the click of her high heels hitting the floor. She spins her body around elegantly and takes a seat on the throne, crossing one leg over the other, and leaning back haughtily. Silas and the other demon followers knelt on one knee before her. As I subconsciously reached out my hand towards Cole's arm, he instantly grasped my hand tightly, his fingers intertwined with mine."Mother?" Jesse finally let out a hoarse voice, his eyes full of horror and disbelief turned towards Lilith as her eyes glanced over at her son."I see you did not follow my orders," Lilith's voice was full of cold authority as her eyes shifted over to Silas. "I told you that he should be put aside." "I know, my lady. There was... a bit of an issue," Silas replied in a voice full of remorse, bowing his head obediently. Lilith then turned her attention t
Rayline. Anger washed over me as I thought of Jesse. How could Lilith be so cruel, so deceitful? "And then, she. Threatening to take everything, everything that was supposed to be mine. Because she had something that I never had." Lilith's eyes met Cole's straight-on, the burning hatred clearly visible in her eyes. "Love." "So why me?" Cole asked, his voice sounding desperate, filled with pain and pent-up anger. "She is dead, and I don't want anything to do with your husband." "You." Lilith seethed as she stepped closer to him, but Cole did not move an inch. "You are the embodiment of everything he did. You are a living reminder that he sneaks out at night and fucks an angel." Cole's eyes flashed a fiery red at her sharp words. His anger radiated so clearly, and I could feel his hatred deepening. "And I'm supposed to sit and smile as a pretty wife like that?" Lilith burst out laughing like crazy, a laugh that made my hair stand on end. "No... I'm going to make you suffer. I want
Cole. Just then she pulled the sword back and changed her position, slowly moving to stand between me and the stone. She moved to adjust her position, bending her knees as she was taught to do in preparation for an attack, while my eyes watched silently in both pain and rage. Lilith, who was sitting on her throne, clapped her hands in delight. "Wow, I heard she was trained, but who would have thought..." She chuckled, enjoying the situation. Anger burned within me, my eyes flashing with fiery red. "To get the stone, you have to get past her." "You bitch," Taylor hissed from behind, his voice filled with venom, his fists clenched tightly. I take a step forward, trying to reach her with my voice. "Ray..." I said, voice full of anxiety. Taking one more step as I kept my sword held high. "I'm not going to fight you." "Well, if you would rather watch her dying on the floor, that's always an option," Lilith said in a nonchalant tone, resting her elbows on the arms of the throne. "Oh, an
Rayline. All of this was just a show to her, something that she viciously enjoyed. I looked up from the ground, where I had collapsed after throwing the dagger. Slowly, I regained control of my body, my breath catching. My eyes soon locked with Silas's, and there was something sparkling in his gaze... a doubt, or perhaps some kind of hope. "Silas..." my voice was low, barely audible, but enough to make everyone look at me. "Silas?" Lilith said his name again, this time in a sharper, sterner tone. "Are you questioning your loyalty?" He just stared at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to Lilith. "He won," he said in a voice that sounded shaky. "Does it look like I care?" Lilith hissed, clearly losing her patience. She held out her hand, demanding in a haughty tone. "Hand it over." Silas's eyes shifted to me again. "Now!" I mouth a silent plea, "Please." His lips twitched, hesitating between two conflicted decisions. However, Lilith was no longer patient. "Ugh, enough o
Rayline. The meeting went exactly as I had expected it to go. Harvey briefly explained the entire situation and what he knew. Basically, all the causes of the riots and rebellion are related to years ago, and the roots have been resolved and dealt with. However, there would be unresolved loose ends and there were still ropes to be tied. Lilith most likely still has more allies and connections in places they have yet to discover, and they need to be sought out and dealt with. It may take a long time to clear things up, maybe even years, and the impact could be catastrophic. Harvey then asked everyone to share their stories and their connections. Cole spoke in front of us all, sharing everything. He talks about how he was first sent to Earth, and how Lilith gave his mother the disease out of spite and revenge. He spoke about the recent attacks, and how they were done as hatred towards him when they were actually related to the rebellion. He then spoke about me, how we met, how he bec
Rayline. As I lay nestled against his chest, I playfully drew small circles on his chest, the warmth of his skin keeping me wrapped in his arms, his wings spread out around me. The morning light sneaked in through the bedroom curtains while the two of us were still snuggled together on the bed, the sheets tattered messily. He ran his fingers through my hair, fiddling with the strands as I listened to his heartbeat, hearing every breath he took. "Did you fall asleep?" he asked softly, making me smile. "I should be the one asking you that." Spinning around to face him, my hand came to rest under my chin. "You were so busy as soon as we got back, and it doesn't seem like we got any sleep last night... or this morning." His lips curled up mischievously and his hand slid down my bare back, giving me goosebumps. "I'm doing okay. It was all definitely worth it." "Mmm...hmm." I tilted my head cheekily. Right now I was in his room at his father's house. As soon as the chaos died down, h
Rayline. He placed his hand on Cole's chest. There was light... a glowing white light that emanated from the archangel's fingertips, covering Cole's body. The light grew more and more, wrapping everything around him, and I had to squeeze my eyes shut because of the blinding light. I clutched Chase's hand as a wave of power pulsed through the room, shaking everything around me. I could feel my heart beating faster, my breath catching in my throat as the tension continued to rise in my chest. The light was retracted back into Cole's body, clinging to his skin. As I opened my eyes cautiously, I saw the light fading away as the archangel got to his feet and stepped back. Without holding myself back, I jumped forward, rushed to Cole's side, and with trembling hands, placed them on the side of his cold face. A few moments passed without anything happening, waiting. I gently brushed his hair aside. Then all of a sudden, his chest heaved, catching a deep breath that sounded so sharp, and
Rayline. A wave of cool air filled the room as the flames died out, leaving a trail of empty craters. No one moved. No one dared to breathe until the demon himself, Harvey stepped back. All the Nephilim watched his movements in awe, and some of them even bowed their heads in his honor. I leaned over Cole's body, my hands shaking as I brushed his hair, which had fallen to the side. Tears fell again, rolling down my cheeks without stopping. The sound of footsteps coming closer, got louder until they finally stopped right behind me. "Rayline?" I blinked slowly, turned my head towards the source of the voice, and saw Cole's father standing there. His expression changed as his gaze fell on his son who lay motionless in my arms. He swallowed, his gaze filled with such deep pain. "...Is there any other way?" I asked hoarsely. "Is there anything you can do?" He knelt beside me, pain filling his eyes. "I'm sorry," he says hoarsely. I look back down at Cole, and the sobs I have been holdi
Rayline. Seconds. In a mere few seconds, my entire world comes crashing down, shattering into pieces as the heart-wrenching pain rips through my soul. My lungs burned as I let out a horrifying wail, holding onto Cole's chest with all my strength, begging, pleading for him to come back to me. My hands are still clasped tightly in his now cold hands, while my tears are flowing freely. I clutched at his shirt, crying helplessly as if I could bring him back with the despair welling up from within me. Out of the blue, I felt a gentle hand placed on top of mine, and I jumped, before I froze at the sight of Jesse looking up at me, his tattered wings dragging behind him. Tears streamed down his face from pain and sorrow, and his eyes lowered to the motionless Cole. He bites his lip as he looks down, squeezing his eyes shut as more tears fall. A sob that sounded like it was choking his throat before he sucked in a deep breath, and his head lifted. He reached out his trembling hand over to C
Rayline. Chris lifted the sword back up with a solemn look, ready to chop his bones off, and started to swing. But before Chris could swing the sword, Lilith suddenly stepped aside, stopping him in his motion. "Hmm..." Lilith stepped forward, and Chris suddenly stopped in midair. "I think I have seen this before." He said, moving between me and Cole. "You are ready to give up everything, while the ones around you squirm helplessly." She went on, talking about the night Cole would trade himself... to let them kill him so that all of us could leave. Cole's head snapped up to meet her eyes, with a glint of hatred. "But there was something missing, something that happened afterward. What is it now?" She tapped her fingers on her lips, as if in deep thought. "Oh! I remember now!" She let out a maniacal laugh. "You lost the person you loved the most..." Then she lifted a sacred sword, the reflection of its light glistening down on the steel, as her eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a pie
Rayline. To my horror, I watched as the skin of his wings was ripped away from the bones that reached out below, leaving only shredded pieces of flesh. His blood spilled onto the ground, soaking the tiles beneath him. She did not stop. With an expressionless face, Lilith continued to shred her own son's wings... the most precious thing to them. "STOP!" Cole's shout echoed out, filled with pain. Tears flooded his eyes. In a fit of rage, he let loose a blast of power that sent the men flying across the room, crashing to the hard ground. Cole reached out his hand towards Lilith, trying to stop her. Lilith froze in place, while Jesse's screams stopped, his body falling to the ground with a sound that struck my heart. I rushed towards him, my heart sank as I made my way to his side at the sight of the remains of his wings in a pool of blood, and a sick feeling came over me, making me bring my hand to my mouth, trying to hold back the gasps. How could she do this? To her own son. "...H
Rayline. Cole let out a slow breath, as if trying to calm himself down. I hold on to his side, trying to provide support. "But I'm not done with you yet," Lilith continues with a sinister smile. "Cole!" I exclaim as his body abruptly slips out of my arms, throws onto the stairs of the dais, and lands hard on his back. A groan escaped his lips. "To think a half-breed like you could beat me." Lilith walked haughtily towards Cole, her smile full of disdain. "What happened to all those threats, huh?" she asked, her eyes flashing with cruelty as she lifted her hand, making his eyes widen and I could see her power take hold of his throat. "What happened to ripping me apart, hm?" She took a step closer. Cole remained motionless, his blood-red eyes locked on Lilith, full of malice. "What's wrong? Nothing left to say, mutt?" But then, Cole smirked. His blood-stained lips curled up, making Lilith frown, puzzled. Slowly, his hands opened, causing the melted pieces of metal to fall to the gr
Rayline. Chaos broke out in a split second. Before I could even see his movements, Cole was already whizzing over to Lilith. The blazes lining the entire wall burst with the sudden increase in heat, forcing me to lift my arms to protect myself. Screaming and roaring could be heard clearly as Cole furiously swung his claws at her while she quickly dodged out of his reach. Lilith sent a wave of fire that blasted across the room, scorching the air around her, which made Cole lift his wings and throw them off to the side. I ducked down to avoid the lick of flame that shot out when I heard my name being called. As I turned my head, I caught sight of Taylor staring at me, tugging on the enchanted chains that held both him and Jesse, and without thinking, I jumped to my feet and slid towards them. In another corner of the room, Levi and the other demons were too distracted with helping their leader to focus on me, in addition to the battle that was going on inside the room. Once I reache