Lost Soul

Chapter Nineteen: Burn

When we reach the outskirts of the village, it's on fire.

Smoke rises in the sky as sirens blare and people scream.

Margot sets one of the eggs down and Nick sets his down too, his cheeks dark.

He leans over the egg. "How did you carry that so easily?" He pants.

Margot smiles. "Daemons and Fae are stronger than humans. It is one of our many abilities."

I scan the villagers evacuating, but don't see my friends.

If they couldn't find me or Nick, they may have stayed to search for us.

"Nick, I need you to stay here with the eggs."

"What?" He asks. "Why not Margot?"

"I'm grateful to Margot for helping us, but I don't trust her. I trust you. Stay with the eggs."

That seems to placate him. He nods and notches an arrow, scanning the trees. "I'll keep them safe."

I slap Margot's arm and nod towards the village.

We head for the main gates.

It's nearly impossible to get inside as people sprint past us, screaming. They force us back and jostle us.

Someone swings at Margot when they see her wings.

I pull her out of the way before they can make contact and shove her through the crowd.

Once we're out, I drag her to the side. "Before we join the fight, I need to know... what would happen if I took a direct hit from one of your energy spheres?"

Margot's eyes widen. "Were you hit?" She reaches for me.

I smack her hand away. "No. This is just in case I get hit in this fight. Or if one of my friends is hurt."

"It would depend on the Daemon. Our powers are unique to each of us. Mine can dissolve things. It's like acid."

"Would it create burns on the skin if someone gets hit?"

"No, that sounds like poison. If you were hit by a poison sphere, I need to know now."

"I'm fine," I snarl and turn from her. "Let's go."

She catches my arm and yanks me to a stop. "Raven, this is serious! Without the proper treatment-."

"I said I'm fine! I don't need treatment. Who would even be able to treat it?"

She shakes her head. "I don't know. It would have to be a powerful healer. There's no antidote. I can figure something out, but I need you to show me what happened."

I sigh and curse myself. "After the fight. I need to know my friends are okay first."

"Raven!" She shouts, but I take off.

I run through the streets, searching for a familiar face.

I fight the Daemons when I come across them attacking villagers. I continue pushing toward the motel we've been staying in.

When I finally reach it, it's on fire.

"No," I breathe.

I start up the steps, but someone grabs me from behind and throws me onto the ground. I spit dirt out of my mouth and look up.

A man with white wings stands over me, grinning. "Thomas is eager for your head."

"Gross," I moan, pushing onto my feet. Every movement sets my body on fire again.