Page 77 of Blood and War
The cliff was steep. More so than any of them had realized. Especially to her own people. They didn’t have inhuman strength or wings should they fall. The angels had agreed that flying was a last resort. It would give away whatever position they had, if that even mattered. Regardless, flying them up had been out of the question.
The smooth surface of the rock had little for foot and hand holds. They’d have to go slowly and carefully. But with the sun nearly peaking in the sky, she knew they couldn’t afford to dawdle. Didn’t have the luxury to take things slow. There would be no camping out on the mountain and fighting tomorrow. Once they emerged on the flat outcrop, they would engage. Regardless of how tired any of them were.
Craning her neck, she looked up. Up the sheer face of the cliff that taunted them. A few hundred feet to the top, then another small hike before they reached the outcrop. If they were to make it before nightfall they would have to leave any minute. The short reprieve not nearly enough for her aching body. Muscles near spasming as they strained.
She could do this.
Because if she didn’t, it meant the end of life as they knew it. If they didn’t make that climb before the sun fell, she knew it would be over. Regardless of the blood moon still days away. Lucifer and his army would find them, and eviscerate everything she knew. It had to end today, at all costs.
Eire had yet to return, and Demitria hoped that had been a good sign. That she hadn’t encountered anything, and was waiting for them at the top.
Or she was already dead.
“We need to move.” It was her turn to lead. Not because of Eire, but the fear that they had already downed a Horsemen. The fear of what losing one of them could mean for this entire fight. Could they even win? They had Arakiel and his angels. Kellan. Gabriel. Kane. Jace, and Cory… would it be enough? “If the sun falls before we get there, we’re done. We’ve lost.”
Demitria strapped the sword to her back before checking to make sure her remaining blades were tucked away in her clothing. Losing any weapons on the way up would be bad. Another thing they couldn’t afford.
Tightening her boots, she stepped up to the cliff. Heaving a breath before pulling her body up. No one made a sound as they followed behind her, and she could feel his presence directly beneath her. Like a shadow lying in wait. When she moved, he moved. When she faltered, he was the hand to steady her. To keep her from tumbling.
The muscles in her arms roared in protest as she pushed higher. Fingers bleeding at the tips, nails cracked and bloody as she grabbed for anything she could manage along the rocks surface. When even the smallest ledge could mean life or death for her. For any of them.
Gabriel and Kane had surpassed her within minutes. The angels, too. She knew Kellan would have easily, but he stayed behind with her. Warming something within her chest. He wouldn’t let her fall.
The next foothold had been higher than she’d anticipated, and she stretched. Reaching with outstretched fingers as she dove for the small alcove. It had been nearly in her grasp when the stone beneath her crumbled. It took every ounce of control tohold back the scream that would give whatever advantage they might have away. She was silent as the world slipped out from under her.
“No!” It was Kellan who roared, making the leap for the foothold she’d missed, his hand digging into the sword strapped to her back as he slammed her body into the wall with him. Holding the both of them steady as the silent tears fell down her face in streams. “I will not let you fall.” He whispered. She couldn’t see his face, but knew he was staring at her. The warmth of his breath ghosted along her neck. The stone bit into her face, hard enough she knew it had drawn blood, but she didn’t care. She was alive. “I’m going to push you up to the next hold. Take a deep breath and calm your mind. Don’t rush this.” Demitria could only nod. The words had left her.
Kellan did as he said and gently pushed her up to the next divot on the surface. Grasping it with an iron grip, she pulled with everything she had. Ignoring the screaming fear in the back of her mind.
I’m not afraid.
Daring a glance upward she nearly sighed in relief. Gabriel and Kane were just cresting over the edge. She was close. She could make it. Jace was there too. He’d caught up to the angels and was staring down at her. Willing her to make it. Had he seen her nearly fall to her death? She’d never have been able to live with herself if this was where she met her end. Before the battle even began. Before she could even do anything to help her people. The world.
A slim hand reached for her at the top, and the offer shocked her. Eire stood, stone faced with her arm outstretched for her to hold on to. Demitria waited. Contemplated it. Would she let her go?
“Grab my hand you stupid girl.” Eire’s voice was harsh, demanding as she dangled out that tether toward her. Finally,she grasped it, the Horsemen hoisting her up the remaining feet of the cliff. “Don’t say I never had your back.” She huffed, spinning on her heel as her long, dark braid flipped over her shoulder, leaving Demitria wide eyed and mouth agape.
She didn’t dare look down at how far they’d climbed. Couldn’t stomach the thought, so she stood there, bent over with her hands on her knees as she panted to catch her breath. Kellan brought over a canteen filled with cool water and she drank it greedily. Lips dry from her labored breathing.
Eire gave the others a few moments to catch their breaths before reporting.
“It’s a trap,” She stated. “I found nothing. Literally nothing on my way up. Not a single demon. They know we’re here.”
“Fuck.” Kellan cursed. Each one of them had hoped for a different outcome, but it hadn’t surprised them one bit.
“What do we do now?” It was Cory that broke. Asking the question that neither she nor Jace couldn’t bring themselves to do. Fearing the answer that deep down, they all already knew.
“Our plans don’t change.” Kane glared at him. “We end him here. Trap or no trap. No matter what lives it costs.” He hadn’t said it, but she knew. Their lives. Her friends’ lives would be a sacrifice that he was willing to make. That all of his kind would be willing to make if it meant they’d succeed.
“They don’t have to continue, but I will.” She stepped up. “Jace and Cory can stay back. I will fight for them. I refuse to have them forfeit their lives.” She was responsible for them. They were all in this mess because of her. They could have all lived their lives, blissfully unaware of the mass destruction that threatened their world if she hadn’t gone back to Solis. And if they died, the blood would be on her hands. Demitria would never forgive herself.
“That isn’t your choice to make.” Jace grabbed hold of her shoulder. Hard enough to hurt, but she didn’t flinch. “Where yougo, I go.” He whispered. “We do this as a team. Together.” It took everything in her to hold back a new set of tears. The sacrifice he was so willing to make to stay by her side.
She didn’t deserve him. Didn’t deserve the undying love and loyalty that he showed her, time and time again. She knew it would be the reason he died one day. It would be because of her.
Finally, she looked at him. Hoping. Praying to whatever gods were listening to keep him safe. Begging him to see the words in her eyes that she couldn’t say. The love she felt for him.
They didn’t have long to wait before needing to push on. They were so close to the top. So close to the end that would either break them or save the world. Demitria righted her blade, settling that familiar weight alongside her hip once more before she drew it.
