Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror

Chapter Thirty-nine

The pain is so intense, I think I actually pass out. Because the next thing I know, I snap to standing up, my feet spread apart, my body braced for an attack, and three angels staring at me in wide-eyed shock. Tears sheen in Daniel's eyes, but not tears of sadness, they appear to be more of awe and adoration.

There, that's more like it.  Ember's voice is haughty--self-satisfied. It's about time you get the respect due your stature. 

Huh? I have no idea what she's talking about, but no sooner had I began to question her than three of the gargantuan scorpions abort their attacks on the angels and instead focus their attention on me. 

Ember flares to life in my hand, her thirst for blood guiding my arm like a gladiator fighting for his life in the arena of the gods. Together, we hack, thrust, withdraw, and swing; blood, guts, and some sort of blackish liquid sprays us and our surroundings. The rocks soon grow darker and steam hisses as the wetness eats away at the eons old rock. 

I tear my gaze from the disintegrating rock and whirl to greet the rest of the horde as they descend on me. Ember and I make the same mess of the rest as we did the first and before I know it, I'm standing alone, atop a rock formation, my chest heaving as my heart pounds violently away behind my rib cage. 

I hold Ember up, frowning as I study the strange wrist cuff encircling my sword arm. Made of some sort of shiny black substance, it cradles my wrist and forearm. 

A gift. Ember explains. Made from a scorpion's tail, the strongest material on earth. 

Um, ew? Thank you?  I say instead, not wanting to insult Ember for her thoughtfulness. But maybe we can put it away until we need it?

As you wish. She answers and the cuff disappears, as does Ember, leaving me staring at my hand. I suppressed a full body shiver and turn to find Daniel. My eyes meet his and I rush to close the distance between us. I have the brief sensation of falling and then my face meets the ground. 

"Ungh," I groan. "What the hell?"

"Andrea!" Daniel rushes up and helps me to my feet. "I wish you hadn't done that." He covers my mouth in a scalding hot kiss, his tongue parting my lips, then sweeping into my mouth. He moans and I feel his hand cradle the back of my head, pulling our lips closer together. And just like I lost myself in Ember's magic, I lose myself in his kiss. 

Someone clears their throat, prompting us to come up for air. Daniel steps away from me, his hand sliding down to take my hand in his, his fingers intertwining with mine. He reaches up to brush his finger across the tip of my nose and then smiles. 

"You've made a deal with the devil," Aeriel snaps. "Why can't you just listen to us? We're here to keep you alive and we can't do that if you keep throwing yourself in front of a sword!" A golden vambrace clad arm snakes out, fingers digging into my shoulder in a vise-grip. She forces me to turn toward her and my eyes narrow as anger ignites my blood. 

"Aeriel, don't--" Daniel yells, but not in time. My fist slams into Aeriel's perfect jaw and we tangle like a pair of pissed off cats. 

Our fight isn't one of those hair-pulling, fingernail-scratching, screaming matches. This is balls-out bar-room combat. Mortal combat. We're trying to kill each other, or at least she's trying to kill me. She isn't pulling her punches, so I shove every ounce of power I can into busting her nose. A loud POP! resounds and blood gushes from her nasal cavity. A smile spreads across my face, every instinct I own screams for more of her blood. I draw back my arm to deliver another dose of Andrea Justice but something catches my arm. Whirling toward what dared stopped me and I meet Joe's eyes. 

"Enough," he says, his voice low and quiet. "Stop and calm yourself," he says and then his eyes go to Aeriel's, "That goes for you as well." 

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: More to come...