Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

Footsteps slapped against the pavement and Azreal turned in time to see the rest of her group come to a halt, searching the darkness for her. Belial didn't have to look, he could feel her, but she still reeled in her magic, clearing the way for the others.

"What in the seven hells have you done?" Cameron scolded her, eyes wide as he took in the scene behind her.

Minx hurried to the girls side whispering healing enchantments to regain some of her blood so she can walk and talk.

"Why didnt you tell us what you were doing?" Lucia asked outraged. "You could have just as easily been in the opposite position as that girl!" She nearly yelled, pointing to the unconscious child on the ground.

Belial scoffed, "As if." He crossed his arms as he continued in a voice that left no room for argument. "My girl is much more powerful than a vampire, especially one without it's coven."

"Don't condone her actions!" Lucia and Cameron blurted out.

"Would you two shut the hell up?" Lynn hissed. "I noticed what that creep was doing in the tavern as well, and Azreal showed enough restraint to wait for him to leave before making a scene." She added before nodding her respects to Azreal.

Lucia's face screwed into a grimace as she said, "You can not be serious? She cant just be running off like that!" And flung a hand at Azreal.

"I'm still standing right here Lucia, say it to me, not her." Azreal was getting pissed off, this was not the time or place for a scolding.

"We are here to get to the witches and find out what they know about you, not play protector of the young and innocent." Cameron said, backing Lucia up.

Belial looked completely annoyed about the whole situation. "I don't see what the fuss is about. She is fine, the child is alive, and the vampire is no more."

The bloody creature he was talking about was still sitting propped up against the wall. His eyebrows puzzled together and he walked over to it removing his short sword and quickly sliced it's head off. "Well, now it is." He wiped his blade and sheathed it, coming to stand next to Azreal, "Next time, severe the head or remove the heart, babe."

Azreal smiled up at him, "I'll remember that, next time." And winked at him. Lynn made a gagging noise at their show of affection.

Belial wrapped an arm around her shoulder, Cameron and Lucia looking more and more pissed off. Minx grunted and said, "She's going to gain consciousness soon." His voice strained from the pull of the magic. The girl must have been much closer to death than Azreal thought, if Minx had to put this much effort into healing her.

Azreal turned her smile on Cameron, "You'll be very happy that i saved this little Witch, in just a moment." She said, making sure to put emphasis on the witch part.

"How do you know shes a witch?" Cameron said doubtfully.

"Our dear vampire friend answered a few questions for me." Azreal retorted, making a show of waving at the cold corpse on the ground.

Lucia looked disgusted, "You tortured him for information?" She backed up a step.

Annoyance flashed across Azreal's face, "Yes, of course."

Belial looked confused as to why Lucia was so upset, she looked hurt and betrayed.

"What did you want me to do Lucia?" Azreal asked, pitching her head to the side. She looked like a lion sizing up its prey. "That's what they would have done to us, what that thing was literally just doing to that kid." Azreal wasn't yelling, but talking very low and steady.

"You could have ended it swiftly you didn't have to torture him! If that's what they would do, then what makes you any better than them?" Lucia fired back.

"Are you kidding?" Lynn threw in, but Azreal was already stepping closer to Lucia saying, "I don't kill innocents." She growled in Lucia's face.

"How do you know that vampire deserved to be tortured?" Lucia stammered taking a step back from Azreal.

Lynn burst out in a dry laugh, "Are you f.u.c.k.i.n.g joking with us? That vampire your defending just tried to kill that child and was probably planning on raping her, by the looks of his groping in the tavern. So, yeah. I would say he deserves a horrible death."

Azreal spit venomously, "This is how we have to do things in order to survive. This whole port is filled with slaves and that's why Illium is thriving. These people here, would love to catch you alone. There are no regulations, no guards to save the day. If you think they wouldn't do a lot more than torture you, your going to have a hard go of this life. Times have changed and we must adapt."

Lucia stood there stubbornly, arms folded across her c.h.e.s.t. Azreal's patience cracked at the look on Lucia's face, she screamed "OPEN YOUR EYES!"

Azreal would have continued, but the witch child sat up urgently, a high pitched yowl on her lips. The girl flailed out, smacking at Minx, trying to escape her captors clutches. What she wasn't expecting was for Minx to yelp out in suprise and drop her forthwith like she had just burned him.

She landed with a loud "oomph"

"Gods! I save you and you smack me?!" Minx exclaimed, rubbing his cheek, "Are you feral?!" He yelled at the girl.

"Minx!" Azreal chided, giving him a look over her shoulder as she dropped to one knee before the girl. "What is your name?" She asked soothingly.

The girls eyes widened as she took in Azreal's appearance, which was covered in a spray of blood. "Pplease don..don't kill me." She stuttered.

"Why would we save you just to kill you?" Minx had crossed his arms and was looking quite upset.

Lucia let out an undignified snort as she rolled her eyes at him, "Kid, were not going to hurt you. We just want to know what to call you, and where you came from, so we can return you."

The girl gripped her arms tightly, her long blond hair was now stained with blood, the braid long gone. She shivered slightly as she said, "You won't get any sort of reward for returning me."

Lucia was puzzled, "Your parents wont be happy to see you?" She asked.

The girl looked down to her ruined clothes and said quietly, "I was this months sacrifice."

Azreal's fist clenched so hard her nails left bloody half moons on her palm, but Lucia stepped back, stunned, "What do you mean, Sacrifice?"

The child was shaking, tears cutting through the grime on her face. "Every new moon cycle a v.i.r.g.i.n must be given to the vampires."

Azreal was trying to focus on her breathing, Belial placed a steady hand on her lower back. He too had misery in his eyes. 'We're going to kill them right?' She asked down the bond.

He slowly swiped his thumb across her cheek as he replied, 'Yes.'

In the black guard, taking care of this type of situation would have been standard procedure.

"Great, Azreal, now the vampires are going to retaliate against the witches." Cameron sneered as he leaned up against a crate.

Azreal had a dangerous look in her eyes as she laid them on Cameron, "That's funny, I was just thinking it was time for the witches to retaliate against the Vampires."

Minx nodded his head in agreement, and for once Lucia did too. Azreal looked back to the girl, "Child, take us to your coven."