Fire Angels

Chapter 7 Part 2 Fire Angels!

I walked back to the inn carefully, with all my senses alert, but there was no sign of Shad in the courtyard. Instead, as I was crossing it, a horse came charging in the gate. A richly dressed man jumped down from it and ran into the inn. I followed him in closely enough to hear him say,

"Tasha! I heard she was back."

There were several people sitting at the table, but Silva was closest to the door, standing over the fire stirring a big pot. A stricken look crossed her face. She put down the spoon and came over to the man.

"Oh Lucien. You're too late," she said gently. "She died last night."

The man's face went white, shocked. He stared at Silva as if he could not believe what she had said. She put her hand on his arm.

"Aye," snarled Tomas. "So you can take yourself away again, Sercel. There's nothing for you here."

His voice seemed to bring the man out of his shock.

He said softly to Silva, "May I see her?"

"No," snapped Tomas. "Why? Didn't you make enough use of her when she was alive?"

"What did you say?" said the man in a low dangerous voice.

"You heard me. Now get out of my house, you aristo shit."

"Tomas!" cried Silva.

"I want to see her. Dammit I have a right."

"The hell you do," shouted Tomas. He leapt at the man and the next moment they were wrestling on the hearth stones.

"Sweet Mother" cried Silva. "Mouse! Louie! Do something."

"Let the silly sods work it out themselves, girlie," muttered Uncle Louie, as the man landed a punch that sent Tomas sprawling.

Silva gave the old man a poisonous look and threw herself between the two men.

"She's not here," she shouted at the rich man. "The Witch Hunters took her."

Much good it did. Tomas pushed her firmly out of the way.

She seized a broom and held it as if to hit someone.

"Stop it you, stupid men," she cried. "Get out of my kitchen if you must fight."

Uncle Louie just smirked cynically and went on eating. Mouse too was eating bread and cheese as if this kind of thing went on everyday. Maybe it did. The children watched with interest, but no one but Silva was doing anything. I was glad Parrus wasn't here to see this.

Suddenly the door crashed open. Shad charged into the room.

"Fire Angel!" he shouted. Then I smelt it - the stench of sulfur and underneath it the sweet smell of rotting roses.

Demons!

A strange orange glow filled the room; a strange roaring crackling sound was coming through the door. Shad slammed it behind him, and threw the bolts.

"Fire Angel!" he shouted again.

He caught Silva and me by the arm "Quickly! You women get the children out! This house is doomed. Quickly now! Run!

He grabbed the suddenly still Lucien and Tomas.

"Fire Angels hate iron! It'll distract them for a little."

Crump! Smash!

The windows and door shattered. Great jets of orange fire streamed in. Heat seared my skin. All around screams and scrambling people. Black terror and fire burning us all. It must stop.