Chapter 31

Demons have haunted the streets since Lucifer took Kayla. Many lives have already been lost. Earth is slowly turning into hell, and if we don’t do something soon, this realm, along with many others, will be destroyed. My father is going crazy. No one knows where the portal lies. Lucifer himself is yet to make an appearance, but we all know it is only a matter of time. When he does, we must be ready. Or we will suffer dire consequences. A battle is brewing between light and dark. The humans of this world will be caught up in the storm. Some may live on and be used as slaves or food for various demons. Others will fall.

Lucifer wants control and power, and he will stop at nothing to gain the ultimate power he craves. The one thing he has never realized is that with each world he wishes to destroy to gain that power. He is ultimately destroying himself. Once the humans are extinct, and the resources he and his fellow demons need are dried up and lost. They will turn on each other to survive, which will lead to his downfall.

We must stop him—before it is too late.

While I should be finding a way to rescue Kayla I am forced to battle the undead and protect the innocent humans who have been caught up in our world. Another time I would be happy to do so. However, the thought of Kayla being in his possession is too much for me to bear. The worst thing is, I would let the world crumble to save her.

Mom calls as I climb the attic stairs. “Chris, there’s been a group of demons spotted in Florida. Take Misty and James with you.” I let out a groan and fight the urge to punch the wall. Each time I get the chance to search for a way to save Kayla, Lucifer’s demons come out in full force. It is like he is a step ahead of us.

I am determined to find the portal even if it kills me. The thought of Kayla in Lucifer’s realm is driving me crazy. What if he breaks her? I have heard many stories of him twisting the minds of the purest souls to do his bidding. I just have to believe she is strong enough to get through this

I glare down the stairs at Mom.“Are we the only Guardians available?”

“Chris, you know how busy everyone has been trying to keep the demons down. Everywhere is swamped with them.” Her eyes cloud over and give off a haunting expression. My shoulders sag. I know when I’m beaten. Mom is trying her best. We all are.

“Has Father found the portal?” I ask, knowing what her answer will be. He doesn’t care whether Kayla is safe or not. To him, she is nothing but an abomination. Once she is safe, my father will want her destroyed, but that is for me to worry about another time. Right now, saving her from the devil's clutches is my main concern.

Then there is Belinda. Kayla was right. She should never have trusted her. We all know the real reason Belinda wanted her in arms reach. Kayla is her most powerful tool in what is to come. We can all feel the shift in the air. We all know what that means. She has awakened, and soon she will come.

“He is working hard, we all are.” Mom gives me a soft smile, and I turn away. Rory walks out of his room and stands in the hallway with his head high and his shoulders back.

“Mom, it is time I went out there to fight. I am almost an adult now. It is time for you to let go of your apron string.” I hold back a smile. Rory has been trying to get Mom to let him fight for weeks. He’s the baby of our family and Mom is just not ready to let him go yet, and, I don’t suppose she ever will be.

“Rory, you will get your chance to fight and be a guardian in good time. Don’t try to grow up too quickly. Live your childhood and have fun. Once you’re a guardian your life will revolve around others,” Mom tells him, trying to let him down gently. To my way of thinking I agree with Mom, at fifteen, demons should not be his problem. Rory sees battling against demons as an adventure. Until he realizes it is not for fun but to survive and save the innocents of the world, he will never be ready.

I come back down the stairs, ruffle his hair and give him a pat on the back. Then I head for the front door.

“You know, Mom, I do have a mean kick and fast reflexes,” Rory says while doing karate moves. I can’t knock him for trying.

As I go through the doorway, Mom calls out, “Oh, and Chris, when you get a minute, give yourself a shave, you look like no one’s child.”

If only I had the time for such luxuries. I haven’t had time to breathe lately. Everything has been so hectic.



***



We arrive in Florida and walk around Disney World. I find myself laughing at the irony of the situation. Demons disguise themselves as various characters.

“Darth Vader, Dark one.” Misty points to the left. The dark one dressed as Darth Vader rests his hand on the back of a little boy of about eight-years-old, while the child’s mother snaps shot after shot with her cell phone. The boy’s eyes widen. Darth Vader puts his arms around the child’s back as the child grows weaker.

We casually walk up to them. “I want a picture with Darth Vader!” Misty bounces up and down in excitement, her brown hair sways, and her hazel eyes glow with happiness. That girl could easily have been an actress.

“Here, James, you can take the picture.” She thrusts her phone into James’s hand and removes the boy from the dark ones hold. The boy’s legs wobble as she pushes him into his mother’s arms.

With a giggle, Misty says, “I think this little chap’s had too much excitement for one day.” His mother smiles pleasantly and nods her head in agreement

“My turn!” Misty stands close to the dark one while James holds up the phone. I slide my enchanted knife out of its hiding place. James waves his hand. “Chris, move closer.” I do as he asks. I feel the dark one’s icy hand pressed against my back. “Say cheese!” Misty grins as I slide the knife through Vader’s costume and the pale skin of the demon. His eyes grow wide in shock and confusion before he falls to the floor.