Prey: protectors of Arrasia, book 1

Chapter 8

The members of the Protection squad and the students at Clamanco academy can tell you exactly what they were doing on the day the world began to fall apart. They were watching movies and eating pizza and hot wings. It was Danny's birthday, and they were just about to eat cake when Cassie got the call.
"This is the Arraisian protection squad, my name is Cassie, how may we help you?"
"Cassie, this is Azriel!!!! Get the others and get up to Arraisia!!!!!! Now!!!!"
"We will be right there, sir."
Cassie hung up the phone and sounded the alarm. Normally she would have asked Azriel what was going on, but he had sounded urgent. David, Sky, Sam, Lily, Ricky, Salem, Solo, Apollo and Avery met her at the portal. "Where is Jerico?"
"He is all ready there. Aru, you and the others stay here."

They spent the journey to Arraisia in silence. Cassie had shared with them all she knew which, by all accounts, wasn't much. When they got there, the capital of Heaven was in a state of organized chaos. Dream weavers and guardians were adding more protections to the gates. Soldiers were kneeling before holy fountains, blessing ancient weapons. Kylon children were gathered around altars receiving blessings from the Saints. When they were finished each child's respective group of spirit guides would usher them into the great meeting hall. Hundreds of angels were coming out of blacksmiths shops carrying glistening swords and armor. Lord Hayaus, lord of victory, and the other lords and ladies were walking around giving orders. It was then that Gabriel noticed them. "Oh thank goodness you are here!!"
"Sir? What's going on?"
"Las Angeles is up in flames. So are Boston and Spain."
Cassie an the others shared a look.
"That's not all. Variant children are being stolen from there beds in the dead of night and the King of darkness is in our great hall as we speak with his children."
"Why?"
"Because Zeeden escaped."

When they enttered the great hall, Lord Hayaus was speaking.
"Father, the children of victory and the children of war have trained there entire lives for this. They can handle earth."
Lord Dresia nodded in agreement. Lucifer stood slowly. All eyes turned to him. "My son knows Rezzeion quite well. He should go with them."
"No, my Lord! That boy is the reason your people are suffering. If he hadn't taken Rezzeion none of this would've happened!!!!!"
Ira stood and met Gavriel's furious eyes.
"You can hate me all you want, but remember this. He asked where you were. At night he called your name. Where were you, Gavriel? Where were you?"
"I searched for him!!!!!!!! For 2000 years I searched for him!!!!!!!!!!"
God raised a hand. Gavriel fell silent. Gabriel put a hand on his shoulder. "Theo, my son?"
Lord Hayaus bowed respectfully. "Yes, Father?"
"See to it that your daughter and son are equipped with everything they may need."
"As you wish, my Lord."
"Cassie and Jerico?"
"Yes sir?"
"I feel that it is best that young Ira and Arianna go back to Fort Firestar with you. If, of course, it is all right with their father."
Lucifer nodded. Arianna and Cassie exchanged a look.
"Yes sir."

Later on, after the little ones were in bed, Cassie walked into the courtyard to see Gavriel and David talking. "Look, Gavriel. None of us are happy about this. But our world could get destroyed by your, uh, friend if we don't work with Ira. I don't wanna die, man. At least not before getting to know Audrey."
Gavriel gave him a look. "What. She's hot."
Cassie walked over to them. "David's right."
"You think Audrey's hot too? Geez Cass, I know we're friends and all but'''" Cassie held up a hand.

"Shut up, you dork. I'm talking about working with the children of darkness."
"Oh right. That.""Cassie you should be furious. After what Arianna did'''" "I am, Gavriel. But just because I dislike her very much doesn't mean that I will let the world burn."
"What did she do?"
"Betrayed my sister. Arianna was a protector once."