Time of the Angels

"Jem!"

He turned to see her standing there, golden locks tumbling down her shoulders as her face crumpled with anguish. He wished for nothing more than to rush to her, to lend her his strength so that she could build her own.

Although the battle raged around them, it seemed to part for her like the red sea, her face like an explosion of colour in a sea of darkness. He felt his own expression mirroring hers, the unspoken words filling the sudden silence until she looked at him, a warrior and an angel wearing a beautiful mortal' s face.

It was in the determined twist to the terrified set of her mouth and the strength that seemed to blaze around her like a column of flames. She was fractured around the edges, but so was Jem, and perhaps two shattered prices could form a whole.

"Bring me back," she whispered, but he heard it as if she was standing right beside him. "Bring me back, James."

The sound of her tongue caressing his name made Jem's heart falter in his chest until with one last shaky smile, she turned away-

And grinned, sharp and unyielding as her hair bled snow white and the seraph blade in her hand lit up like a single star within the night sky. She blew a kiss at him as, with an almost bored slash, a vampire, cleaved in half, crumbled to the floor. She laughed, high and cold and giddy, and Jem could not help but think that the Elizabeth in front of him was wrong, warped and twisted in a way his Elizabeth never was. Her eyes lacked the kind warmth, her skin was missing the healthy flush, her mouth wasn't curving into a genuine smile, but into a cruel grin as darkened blood splattered across her cheek.

He could not help but hear her words, quiet and pleading, again and again.

Bring me back, James.

So Jem turned away, his face hardening as he names his blade, and jumped back into the fray.