Before the Dawn

Chapter Twenty Four

Theo is on the ground in a flash, knocked down by Declan's mighty punch. The grips on my wrists loosen as Drake and Leon peer down at their fallen leader like they're trying to decide whether to help him or keep holding me. Seeing my chance, I make their decision for them. Before the duo has a chance to stop me, I've ripped my arms from their careless hands and ran behind my Warrior -after placing a kiss on his cheek.

Theo pulls himself up off the ground, dragging the back of his hand across his bloodied mouth. As he stands, the trio of former demigods move behind him, crossing their arms threateningly. Declan steps up to the threat, raising a sword I hadn't realized he had. A vague vision of him slashing down his enemies with that very sword flashes before my eyes. A smile of pride for my warrior tugs at my lips.

A rustling sounds behind me. I glance back to see Wade followed by Seraphina emerge from the treeline. Wade sees my gaze and nods curtly, nudging Seraphina behind him just as Declan had done to me. I smile slightly at the thought, noting that he too wields a sword. Declan taught him well.

Eyeing my Warrior's sword, Theo mutters something under his breath and his golden dagger transforms itself into a golden sword. Behind him, Drake, Seth and Leon unsheathe weapons of their own.

Eyes locked on the enemy, Declan reaches back and presses a silver dagger into my hand. So low I can barely hear it, he murmurs, "use your memories and fight."

The corner of Theo's mouth quirks up in amusement. "Do you honestly think that you and your little group of demigods can defeat me?" he scoffs, obviously doubting us.

Worry wiggles its way into my brain. As much as I hate to admit it, Theo has a point. A god, a temporarily powerless goddess and two demigods don't really stand a chance against four exceptionally powerful gods.

"They won't have to do it alone," a new voice chimes in.

I look sharply to my left to see Amora, followed by Egan, Adam, Aubrey, Lena, Andrea and Logan. Relief washes over me like a waterfall. Okay, maybe we can do this after all. Maybe we can end this right here, right now.

Declan nods gratefully at the demigods as they move to stand behind us. Theo, on the other hand, looks beyond pissed. Even so, he forces a mocking smile.

"They're just demigods, Arawn. They can't do anything."

"You don't seem so sure anymore, Bel," Declan rumbles, calling Theo out on his bluff.

A hint of a smile tugs on the sun god's lips. "We'll see."

Then, with a loud battle cry, Theo lunges at Declan, sword ready to draw blood. My Warrior blocks the attack with a flick of his wrist. Silver strikes gold, the sound ringing in our ears. After that first clash of metal on metal, chaos breaks out.

As Declan and Theo continue to be locked in their epic duel, I race through the pandemonium, eager to aid my friends in the downfall of these wayward gods. I end up dagger to sword against Leon, a god sired by Ares, god of war. In seconds, Amora and Aubrey are by my side, fighting the god along with me.

Leon brushes off our attack lazily, showing off his powers in war. Interest only shows in his stormy grey eyes when he realizes that Amora is one of the demigods he's battling with.

A self assured smirk spreads across his lips as he practically purrs, "you just couldn't stay away, could you, love?"

Amora, who twirls her staff around in her hand, tenses at his words. Their interaction distracts me long enough for Leon to slash his blade down my arm, drawing blood. I hiss at the stinging pain in my arm but don't stop fighting. My memories fuel my fight and right now they're telling me not to let my guard down.

I attack Leon with a renewed ferocity, landing a few lucky blows on the war god and drawing blood. He barely notices the cuts. He's too focused on Amora to care.

"If you ask nicely, I might even take you back," he says with a suggestive wink.

Amora makes a sound of disgust. "You were a mistake, Leon. Dating you was a giant freaking mistake. One that I don't plan on ever making again."

I glance over at her in shock. She'd dated Leon? But he's nothing like Egan.  He's so darkly golden, like the last rays of sunset. The god is muscular from his experience in battle and his eyes hold a shadowy affection for my best friend that reminds me of the look Theo gets in his eyes when he looks at me.

A pained gasp sounds from behind me, dangerously close to where Declan is fighting Theo. Ignoring my instinct to never turn my back on the enemy, I whirl around just in time to see blood from the gash on Theo's chest splatter on Declan's skin. Then the strangest thing happens.

The blood soaks into his skin.

A small gasp escapes my lips when a radiant glow emits from his skin. Like magic, the sickly pale color of Declan's skin returns to its usual delicious tan. And just like that, Declan is cured of Theo's curse. I gape at the magical display, not believing what I'd just seen.

Theo's blood is the cure! Of course! What better cure for a curse than the blood of its creator?

My Warrior looks up and smiles. Theo swallows nervously, muttering curses under his breath. Declan, seeing my astonished look, winks before turning back to his stunned adversary. With a triumphant laugh, my Warrior lunges at the sun god with a renewed strength.

I return to my own fight just in time to see Leon knock Amora's staff out of her hands and pull her back against him roughly. He presses the blade of his sword against her throat, daring anyone to try and stop him. He forces her head to the side and ravenously kisses her. When he finally rips his mouth from hers, he whispers devilishly. "You're mine now, love."

My best friend's terrified face seeks mine, her eyes begging me to do something. I turn my gaze to the others in my group who are still fighting for their lives, praying that someone can help me save my best friend.

That's when I see it.

Seraphina stands with her back turned, locked in battle with Drake, unaware that another evil god looms close behind. Before I can shout out a warning, Seth javelins a dagger on a direct path to a fatal blow.

Just as the weapon leaves the god's fingers, a Warrior turns his head, mouthing a silent no! And that Warrior, acting on his instinctual need to protect, dives into the path of the blade.

The dagger plunges into his loving heart, prompting a strangled gasp from his parted lips. And just like that, the great Warrior falls onto the cold hard ground. Dead. 

Someone screams, maybe it was me but I'm too shocked to care. Something wet falls to my cheek. A tear? No. It's begun to rain. Like the sky is mourning the loss of a Warrior.

"Wade!" Seraphina wails, falling to her knees beside her fallen love. Her hands flit over his body as if wanting to do something to help but it's too late.

His soul has already stepped out of his body and is looking mournfully at his grieving demigoddess. Suddenly, his soul is sucked away, into the palm of Seth's hand. The Underworld god catches me looking and waves teasingly.

Just as I'm about to go after him -after Wade's soul- I'm grabbed roughly from behind. Theo's hot, furious breath brushes my ear as he bites out, "you will come to me, Thanatos, even if I have to destroy everything you love to get you to do so. Starting with that human family of yours."

And then he's gone, taking Wade's soul and my best friend with him as he goes. 

Starting with that human family of yours.

I look up, my gaze finding my friends who stand around Wade's lifeless body. And, as I look, I slowly back into the woods.

I couldn't save my friend but maybe, just maybe, I can save my family.