Before Cyril's last words left his lips, my body had already begun the process of forward motion. The mist was. .h.i.tting my face like tiny shards of gla.s.s, but I arrived so quickly onto the ferry, the images were all a blur. I felt Athen land right behind me. Thick smoke was creating a wall that I couldn't see through. I heard the coughs of victims, guiding me to them. I felt for the first body, which turned out to be a limp mess of a woman. I grabbed her and threw her over my shoulder, when I heard a whimper from a small child. I steadied myself with the weight of the woman on my shoulder and knelt down feeling with my hand until I reached the hand of a child, probably this woman's daughter.

"Come on, sweetie. You're going to be okay." I tried my best at speaking without inhaling.

I grabbed her, closing my eyes and concentrating on the sh.o.r.e that I'd so quickly left behind, hoping I would make it back safely with my added cargo. My body tensed up, and I pictured myself on the rocky sh.o.r.e. My body began its lightning-speed journey only to crash onto the beach in mere seconds. I dumped them off, knowing help would get to them both. I needed to get back to the ferry. I saw Cyril and Arie releasing the boats onto the waves, helping the pa.s.sengers as best they could into the boats. I hoped Athen was doing okay since not all of his abilities were completely at a 100 percent.

I looked back up into the sky, watching the winged creatures hovering over us as we attempted to help the survivors. I was thankful at least that the humans wouldn't see these monsters. I didn't understand the demons' intentions. I knew it was only a matter of time before we were their next targets. We were falling into their trap beautifully.

Taking a deep breath in, I started back to the ferry. I found myself back in the cabin. My search began for people who may not have made it back down to the lower ferry decks for the evacuations by Cyril and Arie. The smoke burning my eyes made it almost impossible, as I felt for anything that didn't feel like it belonged where I was stepping. I could see Arie and Cyril whipping around the ferry dropping people into the boats. To the human eye, it would look like the survivors were jumping into the floating boats themselves, but that was impossible. Arie and Cyril had made sure the boats were far enough away from the burning ferry, and there was no way a human could land that.

"Athen?" I hollered, "Are you still here?"

Tears were streaming down my face from the pain that was unrelenting from the thick air. Athen's energy was warming me. I knew he was near me.

"Are you okay?"

He came up behind me, feeling around just as I'd been doing for survivors, and grabbed my waist.

"I think there are only a few left." His voice m.u.f.fled as he spoke into his shirt, trying to keep the thick mess out of his lungs as best he could. "I've gotten several to the lifeboats."

"h.e.l.lo?" I hollered out into the cabin, choking on smoke. Silence.

I began my way down the other side of the cabin when I kicked something soft. I felt for the person's arms and swung them over my shoulder. This time, I decided to try to drop them in one of the boats that Arie and Cyril had released into the sea. The closest one to the ferry was already full, so I found a spot in the next one to drop off the man.

Heading back to the ferry, one of the demons suddenly barricaded me. Hovering directly in front of me about five feet, he attempted to stop me from moving forward. Knowing that my range was limited with the other creatures still flying overhead, I shot to the left waiting for the creature to follow me through the ferry's car deck. Knowing my best shot for victory was if the demon couldn't use his wings, I hoped that the demon would be forced to relinquish them due to the tight quarters of the car deck. Landing smoothly through the steel opening, I gained my composure before I felt the black soulless creature arrive behind me. He was perched on the metal framing, surveying his options. Relief flooded me, as his wings were sucked into his back as if they never existed. The victims on the ferry needed Cyril, Athen, and Arie more than I needed them. I would need to finish this creature off on my own. I was actually looking forward to it.

A screech echoed through the air, bouncing off the metal walls alerting me of his intentions. My body was hovering in the air, as I did my best to blend in with the dark smoke that was getting thicker by the second.

"Come here. I'm ready for you." I hissed.

My veins were pumping with excitement at the thought of destroying this demon and anymore that made the mistake of coming towards me. Another message needed to be sent. I was stronger, and I was ready for whatever Azazel wanted to send at us. If I was the reason behind these battles, then I would ensure that I would make my presence known.

A sudden black streak darted towards me as I dropped to the floor, leaving a steel support beam in my wake behind me. The demon crashed into the steel, slinking to the floor, which gave me the opportunity I needed. Jumping up, I extended my leg, quickly kicking him in the spine, pushing him back towards the steel beam, his jaw cracked on the metal. He spun around, reaching for my neck with his hand and missing, but not before grabbing my hair, and slamming me down onto the metal floor.

Looking up, the smoke made his features indistinguishable, but I could still see what I needed to continue the fight. Playing lifeless, I let the demon bend down to continue his attack, attempting to step on my neck, but not before I was able to rotate my body underneath the nearest car. Imagining myself back on the cliff, throwing the boulder over the edge, I knew what needed to be done. Letting my mind imagine the weight of the cold metal car above me, I grabbed onto the axles, squeezing as hard as I could, becoming one with the machine. The rage that had been building since stepping foot on this ferry took over, and I rolled the car on top of the demon who was waiting for me to roll out. The sc.r.a.ping of metal on metal overshadowed the demon's shrieks of pain as his body was crushed by the weight of the car that I toppled onto him with. The adrenaline was still pumping, and I was experiencing a high like no other. Defeating the demons was becoming my drug.

Athen was dropping off another lifeless, victim into a lifeboat as well. A man, dressed in a beige suit now covered with black soot, who was probably rushing home to be with his family. The fury would not stop building inside of me. I hoped that help would get here soon. Athen looked exhausted, which wouldn't be unusual since he only recently had begun using his skills again. I nodded at him before I began my rescues again. I knew there were more victims in there. My job was to find them before it was too late.

Cyril was yelling to Arie to go to the car decks and begin searching inside the cars, and that was when I realized the ferry was beginning to sink. We didn't have much time left. There were still countless people on this boat, most unable to make a sound and who were unable to move from the ma.s.s amount of smoke inhalation.

I focused as hard as I could, placing my thoughts in Cyril, Arie, and Athen's heads telling them that the boat was sinking. We had to hurry; otherwise we, too, could get caught up in the ferry's final resting place. I shuffled my feet, using the tables and seats as my guide searching for anyone. Cyril and Arie's thoughts came rushing into my mind telling me that we probably only had five minutes at the most to try to rescue whoever else we could. I still hadn't found any other bodies in the cabin, but I felt they had to be here. I didn't understand why I couldn't find anyone else. Arie summoned me to the car deck, and I agreed since I couldn't find anyone where I was at.

I sprinted to the stairwell and attempted to open the door. It kept b.u.mping into something, so I wiggled it more, and it only gave way a little bit not enough for me to open and get through.

"Athen." I hollered. I knew he wasn't able to carry any more bodies to safety but would be able to help me at least get the door open. His strength was failing and we still needed some to be able to leave the ferry unnoticed and be prepared for the demon's next surprise.

"Athen! I need help!" I used all of the energy I had hollering and communicating through our mind network.

"Ana, Ana. I'm on the other side of the door. People are in the way. They are collapsed onto each other. I'm moving them right now." He yelled through the door. I could feel the pressure begin to release from the door as it gently started to swing open.

"Oh my, G.o.d! There are like ten bodies here. Are they still alive?" I asked, bending down to the first one that was propped against the steel walls a man with his head hanging down, and his chin resting on his own chest.

"Yeah, they are still alive. I think we'll be able to do it." Athen uttered as he was throwing the first two bodies over his shoulders. "We've got to hurry."

He ran down the stairs. I knew he didn't have the strength left to be doing this. I knew I didn't. I grabbed one woman and tried for another when I realized that I didn't have the strength. I carried the woman and ran into Cyril who directed me to Arie, who was carrying the two Athen had brought her. On my way back to the stairwell, I darted out of Cyril's way as he was carrying two more from the stairwell, this time two large men. Athen had one man right behind him. I used what little energy I had left picking up the last two women I could find, who seemed to be barely breathing.

A low whisper from one of the women startled me beyond all belief. "Where's my husband?" She asked again. I hoped with everything that one of the men we had already brought to safety was her husband.

"He's okay. He's in a boat already." I gave her directly to Arie, along with the other woman.

The sound of the metal creaking and echoing into itself began getting louder as I realized our side of the ferry was the only piece of metal that was sticking up in the ocean. We needed to get off this thing. A thunderous shudder began as if all of the metal was about to explode.

Athen and Cyril had the last three men and were carrying them to the ledge when the ferry began to quickly fill with the crashing of ice-cold water. They began to slip backwards, and Cyril nodded at Athen, and instantly they both shot off the deck. I was stunned. I didn't know how Athen had the strength, and before I knew it, Arie grabbed me around my waist. We left the ferry that was now completely encircled by the rescue boats. We didn't leave them many to have to rescue.

While Arie was trailing Athen and Cyril, I looked up into the sky, seeing nothing but the ominous starless sky. The winged creatures were no longer circling their prey.

"Where did they go, Arie?" I hoped she could hear me with the wind swirling around like it was.

"Hopefully not waiting for us, that's for sure. As exhausted as you and Athen must be, we can only hope for the best. Only time will tell though, huh? You did an incredible job on fighting off that demon, Ana."

"Thanks. I am drained and that wasn't quite the answer I was looking for." We all landed on the sh.o.r.e with a thud. My body completely crumpled with the weight of itself. I reached for Athen who quickly fell to his knees and began hugging me.

"Do you think we got everyone?" I asked, looking over Athen's shoulder at Cyril.

"I do. You guys did amazing. You really did." He said, patting my arm that wouldn't let go of Athen.

I was so afraid of releasing myself from Athen's embrace. The comfort his touch provided me was beyond anything I could explain. I just couldn't let go.

"You did wonderful, sweetie." He whispered into my ear.

"No, you did. Carrying two people over and over? You at least could fly to the sh.o.r.e after everything! Arie had to haul me off the ferry, or who knows what would have happened to me." I said only half-joking.

I realized, by this point, that Athen and I were literally propping each other up. The amount of fatigue was unlike anything I'd experienced in any of my fights or training so far. Athen must have felt the same way.

"So, Cy, isn't there like a power up or something?" Athen asked, laughing as he tried his best to steady himself and move backwards so we could both sit on the ground. I really didn't want him to back away, but I didn't want to appear as clingy as I felt.

"Well, I wish it was as easy as that. It's gonna take good old-fashioned rest. You'll be surprised."

"Let's hope nothing is waiting for us back at the house though, right?" I announced rolling my eyes. "You know? Come to think of it, I think we should hang out in public for a little while. Try to rest up a bit before we head back." Not wanting to admit that I was actually terrified at the thought of having to expend any more energy on anything.

"Sounds good." Arie plopped herself of the ground.

I finally exhaled and felt all of the air escape that I'd been apparently holding in this entire time, looking up into the sky, thankful I didn't see any of the winged creatures any longer; I fell fast asleep on the gra.s.sy hill.

I'd only been out for a matter of minutes when my mind became emblazoned with images of an impending attack on us. It was at our home in Victoria. I forced myself to wake up. I'd seen everything I needed. They were waiting for us or they would be waiting for us. I needed to be able to tell everything to my family before it was too late. It had matched my earlier dream. The attack was coming. Waking them all up from their rest, I began relaying what I was certain was waiting for us at home.

Chapter 28.

Everything looked like we had left it, but that was little consolation since when we were expecting them last, they toyed with us making their presence known, only to be missing in action. Something told me the demons were here this time or were about to arrive.

"Guys, I don't think we are alone or won't be for long." I was finally understanding my role in this family. I had to communicate. I'd learned my lesson the hard way.

Cyril opened the door slowly, letting the living room light cascade onto his shoulder and out onto the porch. In our hurry to the ferry, we hadn't turned on the porch light, making tonight's return a little more intimidating. I squeezed Athen's hand, hoping for comfort. I partially wanted the demons to be waiting for us, because at least we would be alert and ready for action.

We had a couple of hours to refresh and restore our energy as best we could from the ferry battle. Unfortunately, the majority of the burden was left in Cyril and Arie's arms. They were the strongest and most skilled in fighting.

Cyril looked over his shoulder and nodded at us. We were going in. Athen positioned himself in front of me as we walked into the foyer. Always trying to save me, I guess. The house was quiet not unlike the other night. How many times could I be wrong with these visions...

Matilda wasn't coming out to greet us, which was a little unusual but not unheard of. She often slept through our arrival. That was my hope with this one as well, although I didn't hear her snores.

Arie and Cyril headed towards the kitchen and the back part of the house, while Athen and I went to the bedrooms. Knowing what I saw in my visions, the bedroom might be where they were lurking, preparing themselves for a battle.

Everything looked okay in Cyril and Arie's bedroom as Athen flipped on the light switch. I peered into the closet and there was nothing. Athen and I checked the office. It was just as we had left it earlier. The last place to check was our bedroom. That was where I saw the initial attacks. I grabbed on to the back pocket of Athen's jeans. He could sense my tension and slowed a bit.

"Matilda is out back!" Arie yelled.

That was all I needed to hear to know we weren't alone. We would never leave her outside, and she would never go outside on her own.

There was a sudden urgency to her voice. We were all on the same page.

The draftiness of the house became more evident with her words. Each chill was sending a new message. Matilda came running down the hall to greet us, followed by Cyril and Arie.

"This is the last room to check." Athen looked at us all.

He pushed the door open. Our room was empty... actually empty. Free from creatures lurking, and anything else that once had a home in this room. Our bed was gone, the nightstands, the chest of drawers. This was truly bizarre. Unfortunately, it fit my dreams perfectly. The images of me huddled in the corner ran through my mind. I was in the corner, not the chest of drawers. Things were beginning to fit like a puzzle, one that I didn't want to solve.

"They are coming. They must be on their way." I exhaled all of my breath that I must have been holding in since we came in through the front door. "This is what I saw."

"You mean no furniture?" Athen asked, a bit puzzled.

"Yeah, exactly. I was actually huddled in the corner." I said pointing to the far right corner of the room. Everyone's eyes shifted.

"I can tell you, I'm going to do my best to stay out of that particular corner." I murmured halfway, hoping they didn't hear what I said.

Athen wrapped his arms around my shoulders. "We aren't going to let it end that way."

He knew what I didn't tell them. It was my goal to make sure that it didn't happen like my dream either.

"So, I guess we wait?" Cyril looked at me like I actually knew the answer to this.

"Guess so." I wanted to get this night over. They weren't in their human form, which frightened me that much more.

"Why would they have put Matilda outside?" Arie bent down petting Matilda, who was still feeling slighted from being left outside. She was a girl who wasn't used to such treatment.

"Just to mess with us. Guess they don't have much else to do." I don't know why I was taunting them. Maybe my fear was turning to anger. I hoped so.

Athen started towards the living room to get the fire going for which I was super grateful. The house seemed especially cold at this moment.

"It's because they were here, Ana." Arie said. "The fire isn't really going to help."

Since the ferry, I realized I'd never shut off my ability to communicate with them all with my thoughts. I cursed myself for not remembering something so important. There were things I didn't want them to know about my visions or my decisions.

The house began shuddering a little bit. The vibrations weren't coming from the ground, like when Athen appeared on his Ducati. No, it definitely wasn't that kind of feeling. I looked up at Athen and Cyril they felt it too. The flicker from the candles started dancing quickly off the walls as if a breeze was causing the flames to stir. There was no breeze. Our lights began flickering a little. There was no storm outside. Arie came from the kitchen, her face ashen.

"You guys feel that?" She asked, Matilda at her side.

I nodded my head; at the same time, the lights went out. They didn't come back on.

"Good thing we have our candles going for ambiance." Cyril tried to add some humor to the situation. I was grateful. Arie started walking to the office with Matilda following right behind her. We decided we were going to put Matilda in there for safekeeping. It was the best place we could think of.

The vibrations were getting stronger. The paintings and photographs on the wall beginning to make slight shifts. The anxiety inside of me was starting to build. I knew what I saw in my dreams, but I knew seeing it in person was going to be far worse. They were the same creatures that were circling in the sky over the ferry.

The air began to get very stuffy. Each breath felt like I was inhaling dead air. Almost like I couldn't get enough oxygen. I looked around at the others, and they were feeling it too. I could tell the way their chests were moving. I was actually thankful for the dim lighting at this point.

"Alright, so we have our plan. We can win this one." Athen was a pretty good motivational speaker. I had to give him that - especially in light of his most recent situation.

The thunderous noise off in the distance was getting to us in the same rhythm as the vibrations. The stronger the vibrations, the louder the rolling boom became. Feeling like we were bait wasn't something I liked - stuck in between four walls. This didn't seem right.

"Hey, what if we changed it up a bit?" I asked to a room full of glares.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Ana." Cyril said as he was steadying himself from the shaking that was becoming more violent with every minute that went by.

"Why not? We began the fight inside in my visions, what about beginning outside? Throw them off a bit." I had to holler a little bit over the noise that was coming our way.

"You're coming up with this now?" Arie was a little incredulous.

"Didn't want to put anything out in the airwaves, you know?" My heart was pounding with the thought of guiding us in the wrong direction. Obviously, she was feeling it too.

Athen grabbed my hand and squeezed it. He was in. Cyril and Arie nodded at us too.

"Let's do it. They're almost here." I had to flush the images of the winged beasts out of my mind while we ventured to the backyard.

They were almost here, and I had to prepare myself for the second battle of the night. I began feeling that desire to defeat these beasts again. I needed that high again.

Chapter 29.