Daughter of Blood and Nightmares

41.0: Ashton's Dead Friend

Oliver still clutches the scrap of cloth. Who the hell was that girl and how did she get her hands on that? She obviously knew Ashton, but am I surprised when we run into people that know her, hate her. Conversation is quiet between the three of us. Oliver and I have plenty of say, but we don't want to alert Ashton. She, on the other hand, stares out the window tormented by whatever she saw from Father Dominic's touch or our encounter in the alley. Of course Greyson is back.

As soon as we reach the complex Oliver and I set out to speak with Zayne...without her. The moment his office door closes, I intended to speak freely into the room, the words nearly rushing from my mouth, but Zayne puts a halt to them.

"What of Father Dominic?" Zayne asks.

I'm slightly annoyed at having to talk about the father when there are more pressing matters. I didn't want to leave Ashton with Greggory, but this is serious. This is war and even though this is exactly what we were waiting for, I don't want her involved. "He's working for demons. Ashton found out that he's been in contact with a church supposedly located in Hell. Church of Depraved."

"I'll send soldiers to dismantle this current operation and eliminate the threat immediately."

Oliver speaks up, "we have bigger problems." He tosses the scrap of fabric onto his desk. Zayne inspects the torn and bloodied shred of an Order soldier's uniform top. The gold emblem is stained red.

"One by one. I get to play with you." I repeat into the room. Zayne looks to me confused. "A demon supporter, flanked by demons. That's what she told us as she gave us that."

Oliver quickly states the obvious, "they're up to something."

"You're positive? Not just not some demons acting out?" I know what he's asking. Maybe they just got their hands on an old uniform. It's been known that soldiers change at times out on missions. They could've just thrown it away carelessly, misplaced it, had it stolen. But as Zayne's spine stiffens, I know that to be false. "Three soldiers went out a few hours before you left for the church. A handful of others in the surrounding towns." His hands slam onto his desk as he mutters, "damn it."

"We'll go back out." Oliver volunteers us.

I quickly nod in agreement. If they killed one of us there are still more of us out there. Zayne speaks his concerning questions into the room. "Why now? Why are they actively picking off soldiers now?"

Ashton. But I don't say that. "We knew this was coming."

"That we did. So go show them how prepared we are." Zayne's words are final and a command.

We leave for Parker St. because that's the biggest hotspot. I'm supposed to believe that there is nothing more important than protecting our own, standing against demons, but as Oliver and myself drive away from the complex, I can't help but to be torn apart by not telling her what's happening.

This is what she's turned me into. And I'm not the only one. She doesn't see others the same way I do. She doesn't see their fascination as they look at her. Most are fearful of what she can do, but there are some that look past her flaws. Her friends back at Mysteria, Rossi from that shop downtown. They're devoted to her.

But my thoughts quickly change as we reach West River.

"What the hell?" Oliver mutters.

The town is in a frenzy. People are scattered about the streets. Gawking, fleeing. We're forced to ditch the car several blocks away. Seven to be exact. Walking is dangerous and near impossible. Between scared civilians and demons. The first block we come to we're pulled to a house with blood running down the windows.