Gilded Wings(51)

“Alright,” I agreed.

She released me from her embrace and proceeded into the kitchen. Kade and I took our plates and headed toward the food. I took a small amount of eggs, a few slices of bacon, and a biscuit drowned in homestyle gravy. Kade opted for the fried chicken, corn, biscuits, and gravy.

All the rest of the Guardians welcomed us as we took our usual seats at the opposite end of the table.

“Hey, Emma,” Malachi waved, with a mound full of food in front of him. It looked like he had both breakfast and lunch.

“Hey, Malachi,” I responded with a smile.

The rest of them were already piling food in their mouths. Dom waved and tried to speak, but his mouth was too full.

“Jeez, Dom,” Alex stated. “Slow down.”

Miss Lily entered the room with more napkins. “You let him be. He’s a growing Guardian. Look at these muscles,” she said tapping his biceps. “He needs to feed these pythons.”

Dom swallowed down his food. “Damn right,” he chimed, throwing in a quick flex. “Miss Lily knows where it’s at.” He held out his fist, she pounded it, and then left the room. “She’s got it going on.”

After brunch, Miss Lily and Henry cleared the tables.

Henry patted me gently on the shoulder before he took my plate. “It’s good to see you, Emma,” he said softly.

“It’s good to see you too, Henry. How is your sister?”

“She’s doing very well, thank you,” he answered.

“I’m glad.”

“You stay safe and eat up. You need your strength.”

“I will.” I turned and he winked, placing a chocolate chip cookie down next to me.

“Why does she get a cookie?” Dom yelled from across the table.

“Because she’s extraordinary and you’re not,” Alex answered, smacking Dom on the back.

“Hey, I’m special too,” he said in a cry-baby voice, pretending to wipe away tears.

“You’re special alright…” Malachi grunted sarcastically.

Dom hurled a biscuit at his head.

“Yes, you are special, my dear.” Miss Lily came and placed a large platter of cookies in front of him.

“I knew you loved me,” Dom said, standing and hugging her.

Miss Lily laughed and exited the room once again.

They all dove for the plate but Dom threw his body over it. “Hey, let’s not get crazy.” He stood up with the plate and walked around, placing one cookie in front of each of them.

“You’re such an ass,” Alex huffed.

“What did you say?” Dom said swiping back his cookie.

“Hey,” Alex grumbled.

Alaine stood up. “Alright, we need to discuss important issues.”

Dom took his seat and threw Kade and Malachi a cookie.

“Do you want one, Alaine?” he asked, ready to toss one her way.

“No thank you. I’m good,” she said, holding up a hand and walking to the front of the table. “There has been a lot of movement in our surrounding area. I’ve received word from Bane that creatures from the Underworld have been released.”

I turned to Kade, and he grabbed my hand under the table. At least she knew; that was the main thing, and I didn’t have to say anything. If I did, she’d know I went out unprotected and I’d be even more heavily guarded. I knew it was for my own good, but she didn’t have to worry about me leaving. I was staying inside from now on.

“So what kinds of creatures are we talking about?” Dom asked, crunching on a cookie.

“There have been multiple sightings of Hellhounds, and the body of a dead Gryphon. It was found about a half mile from here in the forest. Bane also mentioned seeing a few Grimlock.”

“Grimlock?” I gasped. Those creatures terrified me. If we hadn’t had backup in the Underworld, Samuel and I would have been dead at that Grimlock gate. They had already captured and injured both of us, and we were only alive because of Dom, Malachi, and Danyel.

“Yes, but I’m only going on hearsay, and what others have witnessed. I haven’t seen any of these creatures myself, and am hoping we won’t have to.”

“So, in other words… all Hell has broken lose,” Dom stated flatly.

“Yes,” Alaine answered. “The barrier is set up to keep the Fallen out, but we aren’t sure how it will affect the rest of these creatures. At the moment someone is holding them back and it might be because they are still gathering others.

“Whether it is Lucian or Lucifer, we need to be ready. It’s coming down to the end, and we need to make sure Emma is safe. Her safety is our top priority. I doubt they will attack us during the day because it will take time for their eyes to adapt to the light. But I have a feeling that soon, when darkness falls, we will have a battle on our hands. Until then, I need all of you to stay within the barrier.” She glanced around the room with a look of adoration. “I’m so proud of each and every one of you. I hope you all get your wings for this. You have proven yourselves time and time again.”