The Black Wings

Final Chapter

I woke up this morning to my nest shaking as deafening explosions raged on near the temple. I sit up in a panic and assume the worst.

In the distance there are swarms of flying specks of red dots along with flames nearly touching the sky.

We're being surprised attacked by the red wings.

"Lana." I turn to her side of the mattress to only find it empty.

Fear flows throw my veins as I pat the covers. Where is she?! She can't be captured or dead, she wouldn't be taken down so easily. But she wouldn't run away and leave me here?

I can't stay here and wait for her though, people are dying. I stand from my bed and grab my sword from the hollow storage truck.

"Fuck." I curse as I climb out of the tree, an explosion coming closer to where the temple is.

Of course I cannot even get a free day after my wedding. I thought I at least had a month. But it fate wants me now, I'm not running away.

I transform as I sprint towards the fires. I try my best to drown out the sounds of dying screams that become clearer as I approach the temple.

Another thought pangs me. Yesterday I forgot to ask where Junior's new tree was so I haven't a clue where he could be. I pray he's not in the flames.

The only people I love could be dead for all I know but I shake the thought away like an insect. I cannot allow that pain to cloud my concentration right now.

Above me black and red wings assail each other past the peaceful sunrise. I cover my head as weapons fall clattering out of the sky.

With my wings fully out, I get a running start and prepare to launch off the ground. I almost make it before the weight of someone's tackling body forces me to the ground.

I catch from the corner of my eye a familiar and gut turning red.

I push off the ground using the palms of my hands and flip myself upwards. Without glancing at my opponent, I reach behind my shoulder and take out my sword.

But as I point it square at my attacker, I swear my heart stops beating.

The red winged woman is in full transformation with just her beak missing. Her wings match the color of her hair, crimson with a side bang. Around her slender finger is the ring that opens the warehouse.

"Lana?" I question, utterly perplexed.

"I'm so sorry Ace, don't make this any harder than it is." My wife responds to me in an ice like tone.

"What are y-"

My words are cut off by a swift kick to my right wrist. The sword drops out of my hand and falls to the ground. I don't get a word of warning as she advances on me.

I'm too shocked to reel away from a punch to my stomach. I grab my side in pain as I side step away from her.

In a quick motion she flies over my head and pummels the back of my knees with her talons until I collapse on the earth.

Lana grabs my wrists as I stumble and pins them in a position behind my head. The cool metal of a blade meets the skin on my neck.

I struggle in her hold but it only earns the knife going closer into my windpipe. I don't doubt that she'll kill me.

I'm too numb to feel betrayal or heartbreak as adrenaline rushes through my body.

Above me, I hear her call an alarm with a high pitched tweet.

"I hope you'll trust me." Lana pleads with me.

Before I interject with her, I watch as the knife on my neck gets replaced with a needle. She pushes the plunger and I immediately go slack, not even feeling the sting from the medicine.

My ears catch an "I love you" before everything turns dark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This time when I wake up, its with a solid slap across my face with a demand to stand.

My eyes adjust to my surroundings as I blink rapidly. I'm in some exquisitely decorated hallway, reminding me of the Victorian style I learned in history

I sit on some scarlet velvet couch with metal handcuffs restraining me. On either side of me are red winged soldiers who are dressed to the nines in golden armor.

"Stand." The same guard orders crossly as she notices I'm awake.

Reluctantly I get to my feet, wanting to find an escape route as soon as possible. Both guards loop their arms with mine and practically drag me to another location.

My thoughts immediately turn to Junior. Please let him be safe and alive. At the moment I can't really decide what would be better. Him being captured by red wings or his dead body being burnt in the attack.

I can't bear the truth of either.

I end up getting dragged through several more rooms until I reach a room that could be its own building.

There's gold crown molding adorning each part of the bleeding crimson walls. Curved cherry wood designs show proud red winged soldiers triumph from a victory. Torches are hung nearly everywhere, their uneven flames sending a message.

At the end of the infrastructure is an elevated throne with a single man sitting patiently with clasped hands.

Even at a distance I can recognize him as the man who has attacked me through my dreams, a sinister aura bleeding the air around him.

The red winged king.

I'm determined to stare him down the entire time I'm lead to him. I will not show an ounce of fear to him.

To his left is a vast hanging bird cage with a red winged woman on the inside. As I'm dragged towards the throne, she presses herself closer to the bars.

"Ace!" She reaches out to me, her voice hitting my memory.

"Mother!" I cry out as I lunge myself forward.

I'm harshly yanked back by the guards and promptly threatened but I brush them off.

She's alive. She's captured but she's alive.

My eyes never leave her sight until I'm dropped on my knees right in front of the man I'm destined to fight. A deepened scowl plants itself on my beaten face. My lips almost let a growl escape.

He leans closer to me, his hands gripping the clawed armrests in anticipation. His thin lips form a cruel smile as if I were livestock about to be slaughtered.

"Hello my Grandson."

End of Book 2.