Chapter 34

KHLOE GILES

I led everyone onto the streets, and we gathered to watch the sun’s final ray’s as they ditched behind the tree line. The streets were empty as usual, and the path was clear. Everyone was oddly silent in the final moments before battle, watching in wonder as stars began to dot the night sky.

Broadway Street was a block over. Our walk wouldn’t be long. I looked at Seth and nodded. “It’s time.” He agreed and sent the order through the crowd, it whispered through the crowd like a ripple. Everyone was ready. With Excalibur in hand, I began leading the charge toward our destination. Groups broke up behind me and soon it was only Keith, Scotty, Seth, and Sara. I snuck up to the service entrance and pounded on the door to the metal basement lift. It took about five minutes before the door opens. Leonna and Luis gasped in surprise when they see me.

“Doche!”

“Mijo!” They greeted and I hugged them tightly.

“What are you doing here? There is a bounty on your head.” Luis told me.

“I know. I have to get to Abbey do you have any idea where she is?” I asked.

“She’s in the dungeon like all of the others, but mijo, they torture her.” Luis said.

“Da. We can hear her screaming from here.” Leonna, frowned.

“I need your help getting to her.”

“Si. whatever you need.”

“I need help getting past the security clearances. If you can get us through them, we can take care of the rest.” I told them.

“On it. Follow me.” Leonna said, already making a dash for the double basement doors. We followed after her, eyeing the hallway.

“There should be four officers.” Scotty whispered. “Two guarding the entrances to the security doors and two guarding Leah.””

“There’s never been four officers.” I told me, giving him a skeptical look.

“What?” He asked, making a snorting noise.

“Owen and Chris are the only ones who have ever guarded this section.” Leonna agreed.

Chris was a demons so it would make sense.” Sara said as we made our way to the double security doors. Leonna swiped her pass card over the door, and they clunk open.

“Thanks.” I said, offering her a tight hug. “Now, go find a safe place to bunker down.”

“There is no safer place then the basement. I will see you when this is over.” Leonna said, kissing my cheek. I hurried with the others through the open door. It didn’t take us long to find Chris and a new body guard. They were guarding the same cage that Lil had been kept in. The new guard was so huge compared to Owen; I couldn’t see past him into the cage. They both looked up as we approach.

“Come to play?” Chris asked his grin dark.

“I was hoping to find you dead.” I replied, grinning back.

“We can’t all get what we wish for.”

“Or maybe you just have to know the right person for the job. After all, the saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself.”

“Is that a threat?” Chris moved forward; the new guy placed a hand on his chest.

“I don’t make threats.” I reached out, gripping the wrist of the new guy, “Sobor.” I utter the sleeping curse and watch as he crumbled to the ground. I turned to Chris, raising the sword watching as he backed into the cage. He had nowhere to go.

“Manete.” The freezing curse comes, and his body went rigid right before I sliced the sword through his chest. He cried out, blood gushing from his lips as the sword slices upward.

“That’s for torturing my sister, you bitch.” I jerked the sword out, watching his body convulse and then it turned to dust.

“Uh Khloe? I hate to ruin the moment…but you just vanquished the keys to Abbey’s chamber.” Scotty informed me, “The new guy doesn’t have a set.” I grabbed the door to the cage and began yanking on it.

“Aperi!” The cage doors melted away and we hurried inside.

“Have I mentioned how scary you are when you do that?” Scotty asked grinning. I didn’t answer. I throw my arms around Abbey, who whimpered softly in pain. Her eyes were half closed. Her face. blood soaked. I could tell right away she has several broken bones. Her clothes were ripped, and her long, blonde hair had been cut in to a jagged, short mess.

“Give her to me.” Keith ordered, holding his hands out for her. I passed Abbey into his arms. He uttered the healing spell, and the wounds vanish, Abbey’s clear skin returned, and her blond hair length grew down to her shoulders. Her eyes were distant though and she made no sound or movement.

“The spell will heal flesh wounds, but there is nothing that will heal the emotional trauma the past week has caused her.” Keith answered my unasked question, “Only time will heal those wounds.”

“We don’t have time.” I said quietly. “Abbey, I know you’re hurting, but we really need you. We need your help to protect our family.” I whispered softly, leaning in to kiss her forehead. There was no response and I sighed quietly.

“I’ll watch over her.” Keith answered my question before I can asked.

“You guys guard her. Sara and I are going to find Hades.” I said, looking at Seth and Scotty. Scotty looked like he wants to argue, but I raised my hand to stop him.

“You said you’d do anything to protect me.”

“Of course, but-“

“But my sister needs to be safe and knowing you’re here with her will make my job easier.” I told him. He frowns, but finally he nodded.

“Okay.” He sighed, leaning down to kiss my cheek, “Be careful.”

“Of course.” I gave him an easy smile, “Take her back to the basement. Leonna said it was the safest place here. They will be able to guard her and help her.” Keith nodded and hurried off without question, Scotty and Seth following after him. Sara and I exchanged worried looks.

“What do you say we go find big, bad, and ugly?” She asked finally.

“I could use something to kill.” I agreed. We dashed towards the elevators that would lead us to the first floor and to war.