Chapter 177: Bargaining Chip

Cole.

Along the way, Levi took us all too far into the forest. He insisted on going through the darkness as a precaution so that we could not easily find their location and bring help.

I stayed on alert with every step, as my eyes wandered to every little sound in the forest. Meanwhile, Jesse kept his eyes on Levi, it was clear from the look on his face what he would do to the demon if it was not the only way to find her. As for Taylor, he just looked worried, something I could also feel, but he was better at hiding it.

We all continued walking in silence until we came across two unfamiliar demons waiting in the shadows, and each of us looked at each other with concern before we were finally led to follow them. After what felt like an eternity, a building came into view. As we got closer, I realized that it was an abandoned building, but it was not just any building, it was a church, and it was massive.

"We're here," Levi said as we all kept walking. However, as we were about to reach the clearing, my body froze.

"Cole?" Taylor called out and I glanced at him. "Are you okay?"

Then I looked at the building again, as if every instinct in my body was telling me not to go in, as if it knew that something bad would happen once those doors closed behind me. Maybe the angels had finally taken pity on me and were trying to send me a message that something I would regret would happen, something final.

"I'm fine," I answered, forcing myself to step inside.

Whatever happens behind this door, if it means I can bring her back and she will be safe, no matter what happens to me. I was her guardian, so I would sacrifice everything to protect her.

The two demons leading us watched our movements closely before slipping into the crevices of darkness and disappearing, while Levi stepped to the side so I could go forward. Taking a deep breath before pushing the two doors open, I spotted her in front of me, lying unconscious on a stone table.

"Rayline!" I rushed over to her and placed my hand on the side of her face. She did not look hurt, in fact, when I placed my hand on her forehead and frowned. She apparently did not have a fever anymore.

The sound of the door closing echoed throughout the room. It was then that my body felt the overwhelming demonic energy in the room, and my head turned towards Jesse and Taylor as I heard the sound of chains rattling.

"Look out—"

Out of the corners of the room, chains slid out and attached to Jesse and Taylor's wrists before their bodies were whisked back. They both groaned in pain and screamed in frustration as their bodies hit the ground. The chains pulled them both back again until they were pressed against the wall, which made Jesse lift both of his hands.

"Fucking hell—" He tried to lunge forward and snap the chains, but he was greeted with more pain and overwhelming senses of weakness.

"Do you like them?" Levi cooed as he waltzed along the edge of the room, and I could see Chris walking out of the darkness where the chains had appeared. "They were not easy to get to by any means."

"It worked pretty well though," Chris added.

At the same time, Taylor tugged at the chains and groaned in despair, and as I watched, the marks on the chains held my demon-blooded friends and my eyes flashed hazel for a split second.

"What do you want?" I asked them in a low voice. "Why did you want me to come here?"

"We are here to make a compromise. We need a bit of a bargaining chip to get you to come along," Chris explained with a sneer, and my eyes flicked back to her. "Besides, we also have to take precautionary measures," he said again, gesturing towards Jesse and Taylor while lifting his chin.

I let out a huff of irritation as my eyes began to roam the large room, and my gaze quickly fell to the throne in the center of the back wall, the skull with horns. Then my eyes traveled to another crack in the darkness.

"Took you long enough." From inside there, Silas popped out, and I moved to stand in front of her body. He came in with an amused expression when he saw me protecting Rayline. But as he cast his gaze around, he frowned.

"You didn't quite make it, Levi," he said as he looked at Jesse. "We told you the terms."

"I know," Levi said as he lowered his head. "They would not have come otherwise... But we've prepared for it anyway—"

"But they won't be happy about it. More problems to deal with," Silas told him, there was a slightly off-putting tone to his voice.

"I'm sorry," he nodded, and Silas placed his hand on his forehead in annoyance.

Out of the blue, Rayline's body started to stir, making me turn my body towards her. Slowly her eyes began to open in the dark room, and she looked into my familiar pair of eyes, staring at her with a blue light.

"Ray?"

Rayline.

As I regained consciousness, I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. "Cole?" my voice sounded hoarse, filled with a mix of confusion and fear that had not completely dissipated.

Slowly, I got up, but my body was still feeling weak. As soon as everything became clearer, I immediately wrapped my arms around him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear from my sight again. "Oh my God," with a sigh, relief filled me as I rested my face against his shoulder. "I thought I would never see you again. I thought—" My words trailed off as the image of his letter flashed back into my brain, choking me up.

"I know," he said softly, lifting his arms to return my hug. "I'm sorry."

I pulled away slightly, just enough to see his face, and gently cupped my hand on his cheek. "Don't ever—"

"I know," he cut me off gently, his thumb rubbing my cheek affectionately. "We will talk about it later."

Taking a shaky breath, I nodded my head without saying anything more. "I love you," I whispered, my voice filled with sincere honesty.

His eyes sparkled with a magenta light emanating from them. "I love you too, Ray," he replied fondly. Then, he leaned down slightly, resting my forehead against his. My eyes fluttered closed, feeling the comforting warmth.

"So touching," a bored voice broke our moment, making both of us instantly snap around to face the source of the voice. There, Silas stood with an impatient gaze. It was then that it dawned on me that I now had a dagger around my waist, as well as a sacred blade in its sheath. I had no idea what they were arming me like this for. Then, my eyes glanced over to Jesse and Taylor who were chained to the wall. My stomach churned seeing them in that condition. Both of them looked at me with an apologetic look.

"So, where is he?" Cole demanded, his voice filled with restrained rage. His eyes pierced through Silas.

"Who?" Silas asked, putting on a feigned innocent face that was anything but convincing.

"Don't play dumb. You know exactly who I mean," Cole hissed, clearly not wanting to be toyed with any longer.

Silas smiled mischievously, casually walked over to one of the stone ledges near the throne, and took a seat in a haughty manner. "So eager, aren't we?" he taunted as if savoring the tension radiating in the room.

"Just tell me why you want me here before I rip you and Leonardo limb from limb—" Cole threatened, his voice growing deep and menacing.

"Will you now?" A very familiar voice came out suddenly, cutting off Cole's words and sending chills down my spine. An eerie cold ran through my body, gripping my core tightly.

I knew that voice. Too familiar with its terrifying chill.

Mrs. Parker... To be exact Lilith, Jesse's mother, emerged from behind the side of the room, walking with graceful yet deadly steps.