The Dark Hour

--------Skyla--------

While William threw a big hissy fit Astrid and I snuck through the door the guards pulled Lalna through.

"Ok so where do you think they would keep him?" I asked quietly.

"Probably the dungeon."

"So we're looking for a staircase down?"

"Yeah I have a rough idea where it's at cause I've been down there more than I want to."

"Ok." Astrid lead the way down a series of halls to a large old wooden door. I didn't have time to ask her if it was the way, I heard Lalna scream. I pushed the door open and quickly ran down the stairs. I stopped at the bottom and froze. The guards had pulled Lalna's shirt off and had him pinned to the floor on his stomach. They were both looking at the mark on Lalna's back. One of them traced it roughly with their nails, Lalna shivered and squeezed his eyes shut.

"I think we found his weak spot," One of them grinned.

"Don't you even know what that is you idiot? It's an angel's seal."

"Really? What would happen if I ripped it off his skin?" He scratched at it and Lalna screamed.

"Stop it!"

"Aww I think the brat's crying. Serves him right for biting me." He dug his nails into the mark and Lalna's head jerked upwards and the other guard had to hold Lalna's head down. "Hold him, I've almost got it."

"Hey!" I shouted. The guards quickly looked at me then laughed.

"Hey little girl, what are you doing down here by yourself?" One of them sneered.

"She's not alone you ass hole!" One of the guards got up while the other held Lalna down.

"Well who do we have here?" He sneered.

"Give us the boy and no one will have to die."

"Oh really now? Well sorry princess but the brat is staying here."

"Like hell he is!" Astrid snapped and charged at the guy. While she attacked him I pulled out my pocket knife and threw it at the guy holding Lalna down. I aimed for his shoulder but I hit him in the throat. He fell backwards and I quickly ran over to Lalna. I pulled him away from the guy as he pulled the knife out.

"Here Skyla take this and get Lalna out of here me and the other two will try to be right behind you!" She said throwing two small bottles. I caught them and helped Lalna open one and drink it before I drank mine. Everything went dark before I fell onto a bed. I quickly looked around and realized I was in Axel's house. I heard coughing and I quickly looked over and saw Lalna was on the floor. I quickly kneeled down beside him and got him to sit up. He leaned against my shoulder and I gently rubbed his back avoiding the mark. I heard footsteps and I looked up as Axel opened the door.

"Where were you guys?! We saw the note. Is Lalna okay!?"

"Um we went to go find Lalna and I have no idea where we were. Can you get some bandages please?"

"Yeah hang on." He said running out of the room. Lalna slowly stopped coughing and I think he was starting to doze off. "Here."

"Thanks."

"Welcome. I'm going to get Ridge."

"Ok, you might need to warn him first."

"I will." He left the room and I carefully tilted Lalna so I could see his back. The mark itself wasn't damaged at all, the skin around it was either bleeding or an angry red color. I sighed then carefully disinfected the the area and covered it with a large bandage. I just finished putting the bandage on when Ridge came in.

"Oh my god, is he ok?" He asked worriedly.

"I think so. He's just tired and a small part of his back is a bit torn up."

"How badly?"

"He'll heal, but it's going to be sore for awhile."

"Where's Astrid and the other two she was with?" Axel asked worriedly.

"She said she would be right behind us."

"Well she's not here."

"Then I don't know."

"What happened to his face?" Ridge asked worried.

"Um I'm not completely sure, but I think someone hit him and cut his face."

"It looks like it we should get him in bed." Ridge nodded and carefully picked him up and carried him to his room. I sighed and went into the living room to sit down. I hoped Astrid was ok.