I had not moved from the floor everything I had done up until now had been to free Dantalis. My heart had turned to dust just like the dagger. There was nothing for me here but misery and pain.
There was only one choice left it was the only way. If I was to save my father then I would have to sacrifice my love for Dantalis.
Lifting my hand I stared at the trinium bracelet as what was left of my heart hardened. So be it.
Not hesitating I grabbed my thumb and pulled dislocating it. With my thumb no longer in the way I pulled off the trinium bracelet throwing it across the room.
Lifting my hand I ignited my angelfire to cover my hand. My resolve unweaving I placed my burning hand on Dantalis's mark.
The scream that escaped my mouth held the last remnants of my love for him.
The door burst open just as I fell the floor the mark on my neck now a burning handprint.
"Reece!"
Kail ran to my side lifting me into his arms he placed me on the bed. his eyes went to my neck.
"No! Reece what have you done!"
I smiled but there was no feeling in it.
"What I needed to."
He fell to his knees beside my bed as he held my hand.
"Do you realise what this means?"
I nodded as one tear escaped my eye
"I am free."
He looked down at me sadness and pity in his eyes. I no longer cared there was nothing they could do to me now.
He made to touch my face but I slapped his hand away.
"Leave me be Kail!"
"No! Reece I will not let you become bitter and cold. I've seen what happens when the mark is broken and I will not let it happen to you."
I lept off the bed as he stood to face me.
"I am not yours to look after, I belong to no one. Not you, Not Michael, not Lucifer and certainly not Soneillon."
He stepped closer
"What about Dantalis?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"He is no longer my concern."
He smiled bitterly
"I can't say I'm not glad to hear that but i fear what it means for you."
"It means I am now free to go."
Kails shock was evident.
"What?"
"I'm leaving Kail and none of you can stop me Lucifer himself made a vow that I could
Leave at any time."
I moved to open the door.
Kail grabbed my arm.
"What about your father?"
I chuckled.
"He can take care of himself."
I wasn't wrong I bet even now Raziel was working on a way to get him out. I ripped my arm out of his grasp.
He tried to grab me again but I ignited my fire to just my arm. He pulled his arm back quickly.
"You can not stop me Kail."
I opened the door slamming it in his face.
The guards at the door spun in surprise.
"Where do you think your going?"
"We have orders not to let you leave."
I grinned.
"Try and stop me."
Both moved to grab my arms this time my wings glowed as my entire body was covered in flames.
They howled in pain summoning my claw blades I slammed them into one of the guards throat he fell black blood spilling out of his mouth. The other swung his staff the wood disintegrating before it even touched me. I swung up with my sword piercing his chin. He hung motionless killed instantly.
The whole thing was over in a matter of seconds, Kail opened the door behind me. Shocked at what I had done.
"Reece!"
Suddenly an azure blue feather with silver tips zoned towards me
I smiled knowing who it was from so this was what Raziel feathers looked like.
a voice inside my head spoke.
"Phoenix fire! Soneillon is headed your way you must hurry. Don't worry about Gabriel I have a plan meet me here."
An image appeared in my mind of a cottage deep in the woods on earth.
"Now go head towards the south exit the way is clear. Keep your mind open I will see you soon."
Without thinking I ran. Kail cried after me but I didn't hear what he said already heading towards the south exit my fire lighting the way.
The exit lay before me I speed up eager to be free of this place til suddenly I figure blocked the exit.
Skidding to a halt I stared him down.
"Now where do you think your going?"
Soneillon summoned his swords as his mouth curved grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm leaving Soneillon you can not stop me."
He stepped closer like a predator stalking his prey.
"You are mine!"
"Not any more."
Calmly I tilted my head showing him the burning hand print.
He bared his fangs growling.
"The mark means nothing you are still mine to do with what I will."
I bared my own fangs.
"I am no ones!"
I lunged swinging my sword while at the same time stabbing with my claws. He blocked counter attacking with both his blades I jumped back out of range. Shooting blades from my wings every one of them bounced of his sword piercing the walls around us.
Dropping my blades I raised my hands I created a ball of angel fire gathering all my strength into the fire as a form climbed out of the flames. I smiled as the Phoenix made of my fire lifted into the air headed straight for Soneillon.
He copied my move as a dragon made of black smoke clashed with my Phoenix swallowing the creature. I fell to my knees my strength spent he was too strong my fire disappeared.
Soneillon grabbed me by the throat lifting me into the air.
"Face it Reece you can not win or escape."
A flash of red hair slammed into him pinning him against the wall.
Angelica held him with all that she had gritting her teeth she screamed.
"Run!!!"
I hesitated I couldn't leave her.
She turned to me tears in her eyes knowing she would die for helping me.
"I can't hold him for long you must run!"
I nodded sprinting towards the exit, looking back just as Soneillon stabbed her in the heart with his sword.
The second I stepped foot on earth it was like being slapped in the face, but there was no time to savour it with the strength I gained from leaving the underworld I flew straight to the cottage Raziel had shown me, Soneillons scream of fury disappearing behind me til I could no longer hear it.
By the time I had reached the cottage I could barely fly landing heavily on my knees. Slowly I made my way to the door opening it to reveal a simple room just big enough for a small kitchen and a bed. Collapsing on the bed my eyes closed within seconds I was asleep.
————
Burning eyes plagued my mind hands grabbed at me as they pulled on my wings the memory of the pain as my arm snapped. The shock of my mark being burnt away as part of my soul was torn apart.
I was burning up my body becoming hotter as piece by piece my mind body and soul was pulled apart, changing.
Everything that I had been through so far replayed in my mind at an alarming rate. My heart already hardened turned to ice.
Heaven, hell both were inconsequential the enemy was neither. The enemy? Dantalis's face flashed before my eyes. A vision formed in my mind.
The world reduced to ashes demons plagued the earth. The city of angels reduced to rumble and the underworld blown right open spewing the foulest creatures into earth to spread unopposed.
Soneillon sitting alone a throne of human skulls smiling from ear the ear as the world burned beneath him.
A faint voice penetrated my nightmare.
"Reece you must hold on."
It was so faint I couldn't tell who said it as pain raked my body, now shivering like the room had been turned to ice.
Dantalis's face faded in front of me as his mouth moved but no words came out, but I could still tell what he said
"How could you?"
I tried to reach for him but he just got further and further away.
"I'm sorry!"
I screamed as he disappeared into the distance.
I felt like my insides were being cooked the heat was unbearable. I tried to open my eyes to see who was burning me alive, but I was too exhausted. I felt like I was dying. I could feel my soul slipping away.
Was this how my life ended was this the price I would pay for taking away my soul bond with Dantalis? Perhaps it was for the best then no one would have my power. No one would die or be captured, hurt or possessed because of me. Maybe if I died in my own fire everyone would be better off.
"Reece you mustn't give up."
Azure wings blurred in my mind, my existence fading as recognition hit me.
"Raziel?"