In the distance, I saw Ethon battling with the Hellhounds and a few Fallen. It seemed like he had everything under control. His advantage was his wings and speed. He was maneuvering quickly from the mouths of the Hellhounds and trying to fight off Fallen which were airborne.
I watched in horror as one leapt up, snapping at his wing, but he twirled out of the way, while blocking an incoming sword at the same time.
I stepped to the side and my foot landed on a branch, which cracked loudly. I gasped and was slammed from behind. A Fallen had run into me, and when he realized it, he wrapped his arms tightly around me, constricting my chest.
“Ethon,” I screamed, but as soon as I yelled, the Fallen took to flight. In seconds I was being carried further and further up and away, with all hope of being found, quickly diminishing.
I tried to reach for the dagger but with my arms pinned it required some effort. I finally had it, and with all my might I thrust it deep into the Fallen’s thigh. He screamed and grabbed for his wound, letting go of me. I was falling fast, screaming and watching the tree line get closer and closer. I clenched my eyes just as I was about to hit.
In midair, someone grabbed me. Screaming, I attempted to thrust the blade into whoever it was, but he caught my hand.
“Don’t,” he said in a familiar gruff voice.
“Bane?”
He responded with, “You stink.”
It was him alright, and for some odd reason, I felt safe.
“You need to go back and help Ethon. There are too many evil things down there.”
“Azzah is assisting. Ethon ordered me to take you back to safety.”
That was the most words I’d ever heard Bane speak… ever.
“But they need your help. They can’t do it alone.”
“They are more than capable of protecting themselves. I cannot return, unless you give me permission.”
“Why would you need my permission?” I questioned.
“Because you will soon be Ethon’s mate, and I have been ordered to protect the line of Lucifer. I take orders from them alone.”
“Well, I order you to turn around and help them. Besides, we’re still a long way from home.”
Bane nodded and slowly turned around.
“You don’t like me do you?”
He shrugged his shoulders, confirming what I already felt.
“Why?”
“It’s not that I don’t like you. I am sorrowful for you.”
“Sorrowful?” I questioned.
“Yes, and don’t ask me to tell you why,” he replied.
“What if I ordered you to tell me?” His eyes narrowed and I swore he growled at me a bit. “Or not,” I quickly added.
He huffed. “If I tell you, I could be severely punished or killed.”
“I promise to God, or to Lucifer – whatever fancies you – that I will not speak a word to anyone. There is no one to tell anyway. Besides, I need to know things before I make my final decision.”
“You made a deal with Lucifer. You have no choice,” he said roughly.
“We’ll see about that. I need to know, Bane. Why are you sad for me?”
He shook his head them paused for a moment.
“There are two sides to him, and right now you have only experienced his good side. But what you and the others don’t know is there is a very dark and evil side to him, which is almost identical to his father.
“He has killed countless Fallen and mortals alike. If they look at him the wrong way, they die.”
“And you’re scared of him?” I asked. He didn’t answer, but I could see it in his eyes. “How can someone so big and powerful be scared of him?”
“Because he has much more power than anyone thinks. There are secrets only a select few know, and we have been sworn to silence. But since you are going to become one of them, I think it’s time you know what you’re bonding into.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?” I asked. He, of all people, was the last person I ever thought would share any information with me.
“Because I see how innocent you are. You remind me of my daughter.”
“You have a daughter?”
“I had a daughter, but not anymore,” he said sadly.
“What happened to her?”
“When I was chosen for service, they murdered my family so I could serve without barriers. They did the same to all Lucifer’s personal guards.”
My heart broke, and I felt my eyes well with pain for him.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” I breathed.
He shook his head. “It was a long time ago. My heart has grown calloused, and I’ve learned to become numb to everything around me. With my work you have to be hard, or you die.”
“I wish there were something I could do,” I breathed, seeing Bane for the first time in a whole new light. Yes, he had a very rough exterior, but he was hurt inside. I couldn’t imagine the pain he had to endure when his family was murdered. I wondered if he had to watch. Just the thought of it made me sick inside. No wonder they were so submissive to Lucifer. He’d stripped them of everything, and made them slaves.