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I can see everything down to the base elements. Dust motes clear. Tree leaves shows every vein. Each blade of grass stretches toward the sky as they grow. Sweat beads sparkle all across the Void. I used to think there were seven standard colors of a rainbow, but I know now that there are many more than the human eye can see.
Everything is covered in a red haze.
My eyes lock onto Aiden’s. He drops his Protective Shield. His head nods slightly, and then he flies away. He doesn’t stay long enough for me to even thank, or throttle, him. I think he knew what he was doing the whole time. At least that’s my hope.
“Come on,” I tell my friends again.
They rejoin the melee and before long, each of us has an evil opponent to battle.
A white shimmer catches my eye. It’s a round, floating orb and waves like a flag. In the very center of it, a gold line is drawn, and something black is making its way out.
My stomach falls as I get a feeling that I know who has arrived at the fight.
I must stop him at all costs.
All my friends are fighting off a demon.
“Hey, guys,” I shout over the clang of metal clashing. “Look.” I point, and Kieran and Shay look where I point. “I think that’s him. He’s coming. We have to stop him. Now.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right, Zoe,” Shay agrees. He disposes of his demon quickly with a swipe of his sword across the neck. He steps to my side, and we run to the orb as quickly as possible.
But there are still quite a few demons blocking our path. We punch, push, kick, and when that all fails, we cut through the crowd with our swords blazing.
It’s still taking too long.
The line opens farther. Two hands appear, trying to rip the opening more.
I turn my head to look for Kieran and Vash. They are still battling a couple of steps behind us. They must get there in time. We all must.
That hesitation costs me.
A group of Marqs barrel into me, causing me to land on the ground with a hard thump. Two pin my arms down while the other is ready to stab me through my heart. Right as the tip nears my chest, Shay’s form knocks the demon away, and Vash is right there to end his existence. I breathe a sigh of relief. The demons holding my arms loosen their grip. I clutch my sword and swing, decapitating one of their heads, barely missing Shay in the process.
“Sorry, Shay.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine. You missed me. Remember to keep your focus.” He extends his hand and helps me stand.
“Yeah, I lost it for a second.” I place my palm over my heart. It’s still racing as I thought I was about to die—again. “Okay, let’s get moving.”
Vash nods and sprints after us. Cali isn’t far behind.
“We have to make a circle around the Veil.” I direct Shay to stand on my right and Vash on the other side of him. Shay lays a palm on Vash’s massive shoulder. I don’t need to tell Cali where to stand. She knows her place is next to her mate. She touches Vash with her front paw. Kieran joins us shortly after killing off two Knights, linking hands with me. I need my two boys close to me. “Kieran, I need you to contact Sidelle and Finn and get them up here. I’m going to need all the power I can get.”
“What exactly are you going to do?” Shay asks.
“I’m going to borrow all of your Light and the fairies’ glamour to close the rip before Sammael can come through.”
“All right, Sidelle and Finn are on their way,” Kieran says.
As I turn my head, searching for the fairies, ten Archangels surround us. They block any demons trying to get through our circle.
“We’re here, Buttercup.” Sidelle winks at me as she joins hands with Kieran. She turns back to Finn who has not taken her other hand. “What are you doing?” she demands. “You need to join me and take my hand.”
“Not until you say it.”
“Finnegan, we are not having this convo right now. Get up here.” She points to the ground next to her. “If you don’t get your wings up here right now, I’ll tell my father to keep the scepter longer and your reign over Autumn will be less.”
Her eyes flash bright green and Finn complies.
When did he come? Must have been with Mab. I feel bad for him because I know Sidelle will lay into him about this transgression, too. All the same, I’m glad he’s here with us.
The circle is now closed.
I shut my eyes and pull my Light from within.
Blinding purple light pours out from my body and wings. All of the angels and Nephilims who had their wings hidden, have them out and extended.
“Hurry, Zoe.” Shay squeezes my hand. “Sam’s upper body is pushing through.”
I dig deep into the recesses of my mind, calling forth everything I have. The Ribbon Light swirls around me and extends past Shay and Kieran. My eyes open, and I see that all the angels in the circle have similar Ribbons. They, too, are giving everything they have.
Past them, everyone still battling the demons also have Ribbon Light around them. Suddenly, a shock wave hits my body. I’m propelled forward but not enough to break the circle. My wrist where the Heaven’s Mark is heats to a blazing temperature, and white light shoots out, projecting a symbol into the air.
The Enlightens surrounding me emit the same power of light.
The orb containing Sam wavers and seals a fraction. His upper body has stopped moving forward, and one of his hands releases the side of the tear. A sucking sound rings in the air like a vortex is upon us.
But all the Light isn’t enough. I’m tiring and notice that everyone else in straining, too. We aren’t going to close the Veil if we don’t find more Light.