The young shapeshifter jumped to her feet as Keera entered the office supporting the exhausted Royal. She bolted across the room and grabbed Royal on the other side.
“What happened?” Carahya gasped as she helped the angel settle the terrow in Tibias’ chair, by far the most comfortable in the office.
“My thrilling heroics were brilliant,” Royal mumbled as he slumped back, unable to sit up.
“Get Liddy,” Keera ordered the younger woman.
“No thanks,” Royal joked, despite his state. “I think I’d rather die a slow, painful death.”
“Who?” the new recruit asked.
“There’s a woman upstairs,” the angel explained as she checked the weak elf. “Tell her that there’s been trouble with a demon and that she’s needed down here.” Carahya nodded and walked quickly out the door. As soon as the girl was out of sight, Keera also made her way out.
“Where on Earth do you think you’re going?” Royal tried to get up, but fell back into the seat. Keera paused in the doorway.
“You saw that demon.” Her voice wavered as she spoke. “They don’t stand a chance on their own.”
“And, what exactly are you going to do?!” The blonde man paused to give the woman a chance to respond before he continued. “Even on your best day, you’re not nearly as strong or fast as Mammon. As it is, you can barely even walk with the pain you’re in! You’d need to do something to change all of that before you have any hope of doing anything but getting yourself killed.”
“That’s it,” Keera whispered. She bolted to Kole’s desk and opened the large lower drawer. She pulled out a small safe and began to work on the lock. Royal was right; she had never stood a chance against Mammon. But, she wouldn’t just relax in the office while the demonic brute killed the man she loved.
“Keera, this is lunacy!” Royal protested from behind Tibias’ desk. The lock popped open and the angel began digging through the box’s contents, all confiscated from Cathburn’s office. It was a risk. She couldn’t even begin to imagine what Kole would do to her if he found out, but, whatever the consequences, it would be worth it if it work; if it didn’t work, chances were she wouldn’t be alive to find out. She slipped the small glass vial of demon blood into her pocket and bolted out the door, nearly knocking over Liddy as she went.
“What has possessed that woman!” the elderly healer exclaimed as she clutched Carahya to keep her balance.
“Nothing,” the terrow said resignedly, “yet.” Liddy slowly made her way over to the injured man and checked him over with an experienced gaze.
“Drink this,” she ordered as she pulled a vial out from beneath her shawls. “Where are the others?” Carahya helped the exhausted elf bring the container to his lips; some of his strength visibly returned as he drank the concoction.
“There at Faneuil Hall, fighting Mammon,” Royal replied grimly when he had finished his medicine, “if they’re still alive. Keera just headed back to help.”
“You are all idiots,” Liddy grumbled as she stiffly rose. “You never had a chance of defeating a demon prince in combat, even with all of you working together. Even with all three reapers, all of the Watchforce, and the power of the Codex, the odds would be slim.”
“What were we supposed to do?” Royal asked sarcastically. “Hide under our desks while he murdered and pillaged?”
“With such a lack of brains, it’s a wonder you’re still alive, Holligan,” Liddy growled. “There are other forces out there, besides the Council, elementals and such. With their help, well, it just might be possible to banish that beast back to the abyss. Now, however, the only hope those two fool men have is to escape from that monster. Now you!” She handed Royal a car key. “Go start my car! I’m going to fetch some things from upstairs. Girl!” She beckoned Carahya over. “Lend me your arm. I’m not as steady as I used to be.”
“Where exactly are we going?” Royal asked incredulously.
“We,” the crone replied without turning or stopping, “are going to go rescue Keera and your two half-witted excuses for superiors.”
“Oh good,” the elf replied. “For a moment, I was afraid that we were actually going to do something sane.”
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