Caeli et Inferni (ON HOLD)

Prologue

Hey there everyone! This is my first story so thoughts would be great! Let me know what you think! Please and thank yous.

-Ace

Shay

I pumped my arms, willing my legs to go faster, hearing the click of pincers on the cold concrete behind me. Come on Shay, move it, move it, MOVE IT! I slid around a corner, my shoes slipping on the floor. I regained my balance and sprinted on, the clicking getting louder and louder. I slid between the machinery and made a hard right, placing the ancient printing press between me and It. I slid to the floor, hastily pulling out my gun and loading it. My breathing sounded harsh and extremely loud in the silence. I heard a sound like finger nails on chalk board and my head exploded with pain.           

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the demon’s probe as it tried to penetrate my thoughts. Damnit Matt, get your ass out here! I finished sliding the clip into place and clicked the safety off as I focused on nothing but my tattoo. A lone cross with a chain secured about it, bound by a single arrow with the Latin words: Deducet mein lucem. Guide me to the light, I prayed. Concentrating on nothing but, I slid out from behind the press, firing off three rounds as I scrambled for cover.            

The demon roared in pain as I fired off another two rounds. I rolled out from behind the boxes I had been using for cover, barely dodging the crate that flew my way. The demon was now writhing on the ground, vulnerable, but still deadly. I dropped flat as the barbed tail came at me, whistling through the air where my head would have been.

I stood up fast as lightning, pointed the gun at the demon, and pulled the trigger. Click. It was empty. Godamnit! I swore putting as much venom into the curse as I could. I didn’t notice the tendril of smoke rising from the gun before I was tackled to the ground.            

“What in hell are you doing, Shay?” Matt hissed, covering my body with his as a crate missed us by inches. I rolled him over so I was on top, barely dodging another crate that came sailing towards the spot we had been a moment ago.           

“Having a picnic would you care to join us?” I replied cheerfully, packing as much sarcasm into the words as I could. His eyes widened and blue flames started to lick themselves up Matt’s body.         

    “SHAY!” He yelled, rolling over so I was underneath him. I saw a crate arc towards us. I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled myself against Matt, the flames the least of my problems, as I felt the crate hit home. Matt hissed out a breath as it connected. In less than a second, I whipped out the gun thrust into the waistband of his jeans, and took aim around his arm.

The demon, still thrashing on the ground, moved  just a tiny bit, but that was all I needed. I pulled the trigger. The demon roared as the bullet connected, and flames, real ones this time, spread from the bullet hole. 

Matt pulled me against him as the demon gave on last roar before it was consumed in an explosion of light. I pressed my face against Matt’s chest, knowing if I looked, I would burn up alongside the demon. As quickly as it came, the light was gone. I peeked out from under Matt’s wide bulk and saw only a scorch mark where the demon had been.            

Matt rolled off of me and offered me a hand. Accepting, he pulled me up and into him.            

“You know, I feel violated” He murmured. I cocked an eyebrow.            

“Oh and that is why?” He pulled me closer so his lips were at my ear.            

“For stealing my gun for starters, not to mention that specific one….” I smiled sweetly and brought my lips to his ear.

“And you know what? I kind of liked it,” I saw the harmless blue flames start to disappear and I jackknifed my knee to his nuts. He snickered as it deflected.

“Still got the Shield Ora baby, now about that gun….” I rolled my eyes as I shoved him away.            

“You know, some days I think you and Ezekiel are just itching to become Fallen.” He held out his hands helplessly.            

“Shay, I’m hurt you would say such a thing! Comparing me to Ezekiel! I taught the boy everything he knows!” I snorted.            

“And look where he is now.” He chuckled. I scooped up my gun from where I had dropped it earlier and pulled out an extra clip. I went to load it and noticed the chamber was completely burned away.

      “What in Heaven?” I asked peering closely at the gun. Matt came up behind me and whistled.

    “What did you do to the poor thing, Shay?” I shot him a sidelong look.            

“Why do you automatically assume I did something to it? It could have been the demon.” Matt snorted.            

“Cause its you, Shay.” I gave a harsh bark like laugh.            

“Isn’t it always?” I slid the gun into the holster on my hip. “I’ll have John look at it, but I still think it was the demon.” Matt shook his head.            

“You’re unbelievable.” I smiled slightly.            

“Yeah and don’t you forget it, now move your ass, we need to be in Vegas in a week.” We walked out of the abandoned warehouse and I took a deep breath of the night air. The sweet smell of New York, car exhaust, the taint of demons and the mouthwatering smell of street vendors. Matt rubbed his hands together gleefully.            

“Sin City, here we come!” I rolled my eyes. He is definitely going to become a Fallen.