Nephilim Rising
Angelic Hosts Series, Book 4, Episode 17, Part 2
A swarm of demons and an angelic dogfight…
Gabriel led the group back out through the hotel’s side entry. They followed him to the pool and beyond to a garden pathway where they met up with Rafael. The sun sank rapidly into the horizon casting the winter sky into muted shades of orange, plum, and midnight blue.
Antonio held Blanca’s hand. She was quieter than usual. He scanned her face noticing the fatigue evident in her big brown eyes. They were all tired. So much had happened in a short amount of time. They’d barely put their bags down before a new threat presented itself. It seemed as if there was no rest for the wicked or the good guys, either. Even Berto, who was the youngest among them, was dragging. To his credit, he hadn’t complained, and Antonio knew that by now, exhaustion and hunger were gnawing away at all three. He only hoped they reached safety soon and then maybe he could see about addressing their need to eat and sleep. They wouldn’t last much longer without some kind of respite.
He reached over and adjusted the strap of her backpack. Before departing the hotel, he’d suggested they bring along a few essential items in case they could not return right away. Blanca leaned her cheek onto his hand, her eyes closing briefly.
“Cassiel, you take Blanca. I’ll take Antonio, and Rafael…,” said Gabriel.
“I get young Berto. Got it,” he said.
“How’s this going to work?” Berto asked.
“Like this,” replied Rafael, who then slipped an arm around Berto’s waist, spread his wings, and then took off flying into the night sky, the wind from his flight rustling the bare branches of the trees.
“I don’t know about this, Antonio,” said Blanca, drawing closer to him. “I really don’t like heights.”
Antonio wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’d carry you myself, but I’m afraid that isn’t possible. No wings,” he shrugged his shoulders. “Cassiel will protect you. You’ll be in good hands.”
“How long will it take to get to this place?” She peeked over at Cassiel.
“Not long, but it’s actually another realm we’ll be passing through.”
“What?” she asked, now alarmed. She remembered her trip into Hell only days ago. Fear snaked up her spine.
“It’s not like that. You won’t even notice a difference.” Cassiel approached, arms out. “You can trust me, Blanca.”
The scent of burning tobacco reached Antonio’s nose along with another scent, one he recognized from earlier in the day. His head whipped around seeking the source. Cassiel immediately embraced Blanca as Gabriel reached for Antonio.
“Maybe she’d rather stay here with me?” A shadow moved away from the trunk of a nearby tree, the glowing tip of a cigarette suspended in midair before it was flicked away. The light of the moon broke through the gathering clouds illuminating the intruder.
“Alejandro?” Blanca gasped. “What are you doing here? Why are you stalking me?”
Cassiel tightened his grip around her waist. “That’s not Alejandro.”
“Cass is right,” said Gabriel, stepping in front of them. “Del Fuego found himself a new human suit.”
“What?” Antonio looked at the man he’d beaten back in San Antonio. It looked like him, but it wasn’t dressed like the thug. Didn’t smell like him either. It smelled like a demon. “How?”
Cassiel answered. “Hector said this human’s house burned down with his associates inside. They didn’t find this one’s body. Now we know why. He’s been possessed by Esteban del Fuego. My guess is he knew Del Fuego, probably worked for him, but that was just the fire demon’s way of keeping a fresh body around in case he needed it.”
Del Fuego clapped. “Very good, angel. Now tell me something not quite so obvious.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. He scented the air, glancing left and right. “You didn’t come alone this time.”
More shadows disconnected from the winter-worn trees. Groans ripped the air followed by hisses as smoke thickened all around them.
“Cass, get her out of here. Antonio, time to go!” Gabriel turned, grabbing Antonio around the waist.
Cassiel launched, followed by Gabriel. They flew hard and fast into the night sky. Behind them, the demons gave chase swarming like bats. Blanca held the fabric of Cassiel’s shirt in a death grip, her eyes squeezed shut. The whooshing sound of the angel’s wings was like a powerful turbine, but she could still hear demonic howls and voices loudly whispering vile threats beneath them—and they were getting closer.
Antonio faced down, his back at Gabriel’s chest. The only thing keeping him from plummeting to earth was the tight hold of the angel’s strong arms around his body. He peered into the darkness searching for the demons he knew were there.
“What are we going to do, Gabriel?” he asked.
“Outrun them. It’s all we can do right now. If we can just get to the portal to the celestial realm, we’ll be okay. Demons can’t enter.”
“But they’re gaining on us,” he said.
“We’re almost there!” Gabe forced his wings to flap faster.
It became colder the higher they flew. Antonio felt the frost begin to bite into his cheeks. He thought of Blanca knowing she was feeling it too. He hoped Rafael and Berto had already gone through the portal Gabriel mentioned. As his thoughts ran the gamut, something scorchingly hot flew past him. He looked up. It was going after Blanca.
“Cassiel, look out!” he shouted.
“Bank left, Cass,” Gabriel barked, but it was too late.
The fire demon slammed into Cassiel sending him and Blanca reeling. A host of lesser demons quickly swarmed slashing and gnashing their sharp teeth at Cassiel. He swung out with one fist, punching them back, rolling away in barrel rolls only to be attacked again. The fire demon aimed for him a second time, and this time, he succeeded.
Blanca was knocked out of Cassiel’s arms. As he fought the swarm of lesser demons, she fell fast to earth.
Panic seized Antonio’s heart, a fear so stunning, he could only react. Without thought, he broke free of Gabriel’s hold and dove like an Olympic gold medal winner into the night.
“Blanca!” he screamed.
“Antonio, no!” Gabriel reacted, going after him, but the fire demon came at him and the battle was on. Pulling his two swords from the scabbards at his back, the angel fought hard. Several lesser demons were cut in two and fell to earth, burning to ash before they reached the ground. The fire demon Del Fuego retreated, going after Blanca. Cassiel recovered, tearing several demons to pieces with his bare hands before diving back to earth.
“Catch her, Cassiel. I’ll get Antonio. Hurry!” Panic laced Gabriel’s words.
They made haste, drawing closer. Antonio’s plummeting figure came into view.
“There!” shouted Gabe. The distance was still too great, and he was afraid he would not make it in time. “We’re going to lose them!” His heart contracted in fear, an emotion he was neither familiar nor comfortable with.
“Have faith, brother.” Cassiel, ever calm, cool, and collected, whispered.
As Gabriel struggled with the desire to choke Cassiel and scream his frustration, something strange happened. His eyes on Antonio, the angel saw what appeared to be bright bluish-green feathers spring forth from the guardian’s back. As he blinked in disbelief, they grew longer, flapping once, twice, and before he could say a word, Antonio reached out ahead of him and wrapped his arms around a petite body before pulling up and flying back into the sky minutes before crashing into the cold, hard ground.
“Did you see that?”
Cassiel nodded, maneuvering away from the ground. He, too, was surprised. “I have rarely witnessed a Nephilim granted wings.”
“But how did he know?” Gabriel scratched his head.
“I don’t think he did, brother. He reacted to the moment. That’s all.”
They shared a look, but Gabriel knew they weren’t out of danger. He looked around trying to locate Del Fuego. “Where did that evil pile of pus go?”
In the distance, the fiery form of Esteban del Fuego hovered, watching. His eyes were not on the two angels, but on the guardian flying above them holding tight to that which he wanted most: the key. He glanced down at Cassiel and Gabriel knowing he’d have to go through them to get to her, and with so many of his hoard ripped to shreds, and the archangels’ hands now free, the odds were not in his favor.
“You can’t protect her forever, Guardian. I will prevail and rule in Hell, using her body as my weapon. We will meet again.” Spitting out a curse, the fire demon retreated, the remaining lesser demons slinking back into the shadows.
Gabriel moved to give chase, but Cassiel gripped his arm, stopping him. “We won this one, brother. We need to get them to safety.”
“I don’t like it. That flaming bag of gas needs to be sent to Hell once and for all.”
“I agree, but right now, we have a greater task. Come. We’ll settle them in at Temple Mount, and then, if you really want to go demon hunting, I’ll come with you.”
“Now you’re talking.” Gabe flew to Antonio’s side.
The Guardian held the young woman tenderly, but fierce emotions blazed in his eyes. His wings flapped, keeping him aloft.
He looked at Gabriel. “You never told me this would happen.”
The angel shrugged. “Because I didn’t know. It’s highly unusual for Nephilim to sprout wings. I’m just as surprised as you.”
Antonio shook his head. “No, that’s not what I mean, and we can talk about that later, but…”
“But what?” Gabe asked, watching him.
“Her,” he said, looking down at the unconscious woman in his arms. “When I thought I’d lost her, that I wouldn’t be able to save her, I wanted to die. The pain inside was more than I could bear.”
“Oh, that,” said Gabriel. He knew that pain, remembered it well with the loss of Mary, and her reincarnated form of Elia. He had no idea what was in Antonio’s future with Blanca, didn’t know what would happen with the key when the time came. All he could do was offer support and hope and pray for the best. “But you did save her. And she’s going to be alright. I can hear her heartbeat. It’s steady. She just passed out from the fright.”
Antonio watched her sleep. “And she’s exhausted. I need to get her somewhere so she can rest properly.” He looked at Gabriel and Cassiel. “Where to?”
Cassiel pointed up and took the lead. “Follow me.”
POLL:
Which one is your favorite archangel? Gabriel, Camael, Cassiel, Rafael, or Zaphkiel.
Answer in comments below.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE now for FREE so each episode lands in your inbox every Monday!
Last Week’s episode: Click here.
All Episodes: Click here.
Reminder, the first 4 books in the Angelic Hosts series will be presented here FREE! We are now in book 4, Nephilim Rising. This is an epic fantasy/paranormal, action-adventure romance. And there will be more books beyond book 4… (Announcement)
All you need to do is subscribe. New episodes every Monday.
