Fallen (Undergoing editing)

Chapter forty:

Gathering my strength and changed out of my thin embarrassing hospital gown, I followed Demetrius and Raven down through the mansion to Alice's den. We barged in like a small herd of stampeding bulls to find him standing at his desk with two other cloaked figures accompanying him, their backs facing us as they spoke to Alice.

"Alice," Demetrius interrupted without a care.

Alice turned to face us along with the cloaked figures that I then realized were faceless wraiths. Instantly the hairs on my neck rose and my hand whipped to my belt, grabbing the hilt of my sword. Demetrius's hand beat me to it and shot me a knowing glare.

"Its fine, Lilith," Alice said coolly. "They're on our side."

I gritted my teeth and relaxed my hand, my gaze study on the wraiths that just stared at me in their black tattered robes, wordlessly.

"Alice, what's going on?" Raven said eyeing the wraiths with a pale expression.

Alice blinked. "We're going to war."

I could feel my attention from the 'safe' wraiths wane as we all turned to Alice wide-eyed.

"What?!" we all bellowed.

Alice nodded solemnly. "Those Guardians we took on...we didn't kill them all. One got away and reported back to headquarters. They're preparing to attack here at the mansion."

"Here?" Demetrius hissed, hand moving to his hip.

Alice nodded again.

"Well," Raven said speaking up. "What do we do?"

The wraith made an odd hiss beside Alice. He turned his head as if listening. "This mansion can't be a battle ground. There will be no escape and too many could be wounded, not to mention it's an easy place to get trapped."

I swallowed. "So, you're bringing it to Avon then?"

Alice looked at me with his blood red eyes that seemed to look a little more tired and exhausted than usual.

"Alice," Demetrius grunted. "There are families there, children. Among those who we want destroyed, there are innocent people." For a split second, I could've sworn, Demetrius slid a knowing look my way.

"I know, Demetrius, I'm well aware, but my hands are tied."

"How do you mean?" he demanded.

"The demons have finally decided to join us in the fight, but the only way they're going to fight with us is if we bring the war to Avon by tomorrow." Darkness filled his eyes. "And leave no survivors."

No survivors.

My chest tightened and I instantly thought of the people back at Avon who I still would want to see breathing. Like Gwen, Thor and even Enrique, the backstabber, but I wouldn't stand for there to be anymore pointless bloodshed.

"So, there's nothing we can do for them?" Raven said.

Alice shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

"Wait!" I blurted.

Everyone turned to me, the wraiths over by the desk stiffening.

"What if—what if we cleared out the innocent people before the demons got there, just leaving Dolorian and their cronies behind?"

A deeper exhaustion look filled Alice's eyes.

"Lilith, that's impossible, we can't just sneak into Avon and scoot all the innocent families and people out of there. We'll get caught for sure," Raven pleaded.