Demonic Saint (The Second Novel in the Avenging Angel Series)

Chapter One

Rick and Daryl moved through the pasture as swiftly and silently as they could. They followed the barbwire fence up the length of the huge pasture before coming even with an old tractor. Both men paused long enough to slowly work the wire, crawling through the middle and bottom row. Once safely through, they quickly made their way to the tractor, using it as cover while they surveyed the house. They were merely yards away from Alexa. Rick and Daryl knew, one misstep, and she was gone. The wind shifted gently through the grass as it brought the whimsical clouds across the dark sky, obscuring the moon's silvery glow. A single form walked the length of the front porch.

"He can't be the only one keepin' watch," Rick whispered.

"There might be another round back," Daryl whispered back, peering around the tractor.

"Alright, you take the back, I'll deal with this one." Rick said, "Ready? One, two, three."

The men moved simultaneously, keeping to the shadows. Rick moved towards the corner of the house while Daryl went down the side. Rick paced his movements with the front guard, advancing every time the young man turned his back. Once he reached the porch's side, he eased under the railing, not once taking his eyes off the enemy. The heavy footsteps echoed in the small space adding twice the tension. Rick closed the small distance between them, raising his gun. The young man turned around, eyes wide for only a split second before being struck with the butt of Rick's gun.

Alexa woke with a start, heart pounding at the simultaneous boom of three car doors closing at once. Panic set in. Where was Rick? Where was she? Alexa frantically looked around, her labored breathing began to settle some as she took in her surroundings. Her brother was standing with the group as he devised a plan to head into the house. She watched them all as they gathered around, finding, as she often did, that they all look exhausted. She noted how Lori looked more drained then anyone else, but she guessed being five months pregnant without proper care would eventually take its toll. Alexa sat up in her seat, body sore from the uneasy sleep she has been having lately, or more precise, lack thereof. It had been little over three week since her rescue, but she just couldn't get what happened out of her mind.

She leaned against the door, head resting on the window as she gazed out. The cool glass soothed the mounting headache the usually follows when she didn't get enough sleep. As much as she wanted to join the others, she just could bring herself to. She watched as Rick, T-Dog, Glenn, and Daryl breach the house. Ever since the attack on both her and Daryl, she was told that no one goes in alone anymore. Alexa jumped as someone tapped on the glass.

"Rick says its all clear." Maggie's muffled voice came through.

"Alright," Alexa said as she shied away from the other woman.

Maggie gave her a sympathetic look before walking away. Alexa waited until she left before getting out herself. She stretched and made her way towards the house. The closer she got to it, the more she realized that the group was inside. The thought of being with other people made her feel sick. A hand grabbed her shoulder and her skin crawled before she shrunk away. She didn't want to be touched.

"Alexa?" Daryl questioned.

His gruff voice washed over, but instead of the safe warmth she had grown to love, she felt guilt. She flinched at his touch and the look she read in his eyes was pity. She was tainted and of no use to him now. He took a step closer and she took a step away. He looked slightly confused as he asked, "What's wrong?"

Alexa looked away from him as she bit her lip. She felt ashamed by her actions as she walked away from him and into the house. All heads turned to her simultaneously and, though rationally she new that were seeing who had walked through the door, she felt uncomfortable. Alexa immediately searched for Rick, finding him standing next to Lori next to the fire place. Without a word to anyone, she walked towards him. Rick was the only one she found that she could be around. She felt their gazes as she walked as if they were judging her. She stood next to her brother, eyes closed, with her back to the others. She just couldn't face them. Rick glanced at his sister as his body moved to shield her from the view of everyone in the room.