Love the Darkness

Chapter 18

Hailey

Once Tom arrives home, we sit down and go over everything we have set up. He had far more experience planning things like this, and I feel better when he agrees with the plan. While none of us liked the idea of spilling magical blood, they would never listen to reason.

The day drags by slowly. We were waiting for night fall to attack. I can see that everyone is becoming restless as it grows closer. I do a final check in with all my people. I wanted to make sure everyone felt they could truly handle this. While we needed the numbers if one of them thought they weren't ready it would be better for them to stay here than risk getting killed.

No one takes the offer to stay. We were all ready for this to be over. We are all waiting in the large waiting room, and I spend the last few minutes with my men. Tom comes into the room and the room falls silent. I take my place beside him as he looks over our people.

"The Order has gone too far this time and it is time to put an end to this. We are done hiding in the shadows. This ends today." His voice rings out around and people cheer. We are as ready as we can be. He glances at me, and I nod.

"Find your partners." I shout and people rush to get with their partners. Everyone had a partner and if one fell, they were to bring them back here. If their partner was unable to continue, they were to partner with someone else before returning. We refused to let anyone bleed out on the battlefield. Once everyone is ready, we give the signal to head out.

We land outside the wards, and it doesn't take long to have them fall. I can hear shouting from beyond the wards but focus on my task. My magic sits at the surface just waiting for a command. My men stand on either side of me. The moment the last of the wards fall the fighting begins. Faces pass in a blur as spells fly around us. I spot a few bodies fall but don't stop to see if they are ours. I had to trust the plan. It isn't long before I am caught in a duel with an order member I don't recognize. They are well trained, but nothing will stand in my way. Part of me just wishes I could use the killing curse, but we didn't need the auras arriving any earlier.

Draco

I take down who I can while sticking close. Even with the death eater robes it is hard to tell friend from foe in all the wreckage. Hailey finally disposes of the one she was dueling with, and we move farther into the carnage. As the bodies continue to fall all that goes through my mind is that it is one less person who can hurt my family.

The flare goes up, signaling that Bellatrix has been found and it helps calm some of the fear inside me. I didn't know how my mother would survive if she lost her sister. Unfortunately, I can't celebrate the rescue for long as more people arrive. I fight harder as more come at us.

Theo cries out for help, and I turn to see him fighting two people while standing over Cedric. I should have known better than to get distracted, before I can move towards them, I am hit in the back. Pain like I have never felt before courses through me. My knees slam into the hard ground as the pain only grows. I can hear Hailey and Mattheo shouting for me, but I can't force myself to respond. As my vision begins to blur all I can do is pray Hailey survives the breaking of the bond.

Hailey

I finish taking down two people when I hear Theo. As I am attempting to fight my way towards them pain hits the bond. I spin around, searching for my men. Time comes to a standstill as Draco hits the ground, blood pouring out of his back. I rush to him, dropping to my knees beside him as tears pour from my eyes. I can feel the bond to him stuttering out.

"We got to get out of here!" Mattheo shouts as he gently picks him up. The pop of him leaving signaling they are both safe. The dark magic I have been holding onto pushes at it me to release it. Flames form in my palms and spread over my arms. I was tired of playing it their way. I stand as I release the reigns. I hope death is ready for what is to come.

Mattheo

I arrive back at the manor and Narcissa's eyes go wide before she begins shouting orders. I rush to the infirmary and step back as they begin working on him. As I am pushed out of the way it hits me that Hailey isn't with us. My blood runs cold as all the possibilities hit me. Had I missed her being hurt in my rush to get Draco here? I try to calm my racing heart as I search the bond. I can feel her magic all over the place, as if she isn't in control.

"Come on, I will partner with you." I turn and see Luna standing there, with her dreamy smile. I nod and grab her arm as I apparate back. The moment I land all I see is destruction. I spot some of the order members attempting to flee but I didn't care. I needed to find her. Luna tugs on my sleeve and nods for me to follow her.

I take out who I can as we make our way across the property. I spot the flames before I actually see her and the vice around my heart tightens as I notice the blank look in her eyes. We didn't know if her flames would hurt us, but I refuse to lose her to her magic. The bond with Draco is still fragile. I refuse to lose them both. When she pauses in her casting, I take my chance and rush to her, wrapping her in a hug as I grit my teeth, preparing for the pain.