The tunnels were dark. It had been a long time since Melloch travelled along these earthen halls and the twists and turns were taking too long. He knew what he had to do and he was becoming impatient. The sooner Lucifer's blood was spilt the better.As he led the first legion toward the surface, Melloch let the heat of his hatred burn stronger and hotter. Behind him the footfall of his legions echoed through the tunnel, the rhythm growing louder as they moved toward the chamber of the cave. His best soldiers were up front, the rest would breach the surface once the site had been secured. The human saviour was dead. Melloch had seen to that himself but just to be certain, he wanted his strongest soldiers up front and ready to fight.His plan was to blame Lucifer's untimely death on the soldiers of the second legion. When a battle with the humans inevitably began, the second legion would falter. The humans couldn't kill his soldiers, but their weapons would cause confusion. Maybe some o

The sky broke open and driving rain lashed the field. The army of Reapers thrashed their heads and shook their arms desperately trying to rid the freezing water from their bodies. Many had never experienced rain or bitter cold and Aurora had counted on the extreme weather hindering their attack. It was working. Soaked to the core, she ran through the forest and found Gabriel crouched down where she left him.“We're holding our own for the moment but we can't push them back much longer. Lucifer and the others will be coming. Gabriel, are you ready?”He tightened his grip on the dagger. “Ready as I'll ever be.”She forced a smile and kissed his cheek. “I'm so proud of you Gabriel.”He was about to respond when a brilliant white light exploded from the cave dwarfing the entire field in its glow. The rain stopped. The birds retreated to the safety of the trees and the world fell silent.“It's Lucifer. He's here,” Aurora whispered. “Let's move.”They hurried through the forest until they r

The female Elk and her first fawn of the spring grazed at the edge of the forest. Winter had receded and new life was emerging. When the Reapers returned to Hell spring had bloomed throughout the entire forest. Wildflowers burst from their pods and newborn animals balanced on slender legs. It seemed all the world was rejoicing, except for Aurora.She gazed out of the window at Jasmyne and Harrison as they sat together on a brightly coloured picnic rug, her head resting easily on his shoulder. They were friends for now, but Aurora knew their relationship would grow to be much more. She was pleased for her sister. She deserved to be loved and Harrison was a good man. Had it not been for him they would have died on that field and Melloch and his Reapers would have taken over the world. If anyone was to take the place of her brother in Jasmyne's life she was glad it was going to be Harrison. There would be problems of course. He was human and she was a descendant. Children were not allowe

Aurora’s hands fell helplessly to her sides and she let out a long breath. After everything they had been through she was sure that God would return Gabriel to her. How could she have been so wrong?“I'm sorry child,” Lucius whispered as he got to his feet. “We tried.”Tears rolled over Aurora’s cheeks and spilled onto Gabriel's chest. “Thank you Lucius,” she whispered. “Now if you could please leave me.”“Of course.” Lucius got to his feet. “Aurora, your parents would be very proud of the woman you have become. You really are your mother’s daughter.”She smiled through her tears and thanked him for his kindness. Lucius had saved her life. If only she had been able to save Gabriel’s.As the Council turned to leave, a gust of wind blew in through the window scattering the earth across Gabriel's chest. Aurora dipped her head as another tear slipped over her cheek. One quickly gave way to many as she could no longer contain her sadness. Tears pooled on Gabriel’s chest and Lucius had to