The room smelled of apple bomb and boy. The curtains were closed, and all but one night lamp were off. Stuffed animals scattered about the floor and bed stared glassy eyed at me. A cold chill ran up my spin as the air conditioning kicked on.

Ghost snoozed on the paw dusted dog bed beside my closet door to my right. The empty space where Angel should have been now left longing and cold. I tossed and turned but couldn’t seem to catch an ounce of sleep. Once only Ghost and I would have made do. Sometimes Blane would find his way beside me or Will would make plans for sleep overs.

Now I was so use to being able to feel him beside me. I shifted onto my left side. A flash catching my attention. I pushed myself up, looking up at the red fender hanging on my wall beside my bathroom.

Maybe music could help. I reached over, grabbing my phone off the stand behind me. I connected the speakers built into the ceiling, setting off the LEDs now washing the room in a deep red, and clicking on my meditation music.

Yeah yeah! I know. But here’s some advice. Don’t judge until your try it.

I shifted to reach the lights control, shut them off and tossed about for eternity. The next thing I remember is the pounding on the door. I jolted to my feet. Ghost barked in alarm as I rushed over, swinging the doors open for Damon to storm in.

“Morning to you too.” I grumbled. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as he paced to the windows, pulling them open. “What’s going on?” He scanned the horizon with a colder look then I’d seen before.

“Damon?” I moved to his side. “What’s wrong?”

“Angel is gone. He disappeared late last night.”

“What?” Tears blurred in my vision. I covered my face with my hands as they streamed down.

I should have followed. I should have stopped him entirely. But those eyes… his confidence in himself. His voice as he promised me he’d be back by dawn. Apparently someone else had other plans.

“This is no time for tears.” Damon scowled. “Grab your weapons. We have a dragon to hunt.”

***

We soared across the palace gardens, shooting towards the Arctic Territory Kingdom where the Goddess Marona ruled with an icy, iron fist. Keeping above the sea of grey.

Abruptly the dark angel shot down. I darted after, rebounding after a terrifying free fall. He targeted an ice mountain below.

I womdered how he knew where to go. Obviously he was an angel and my commander.

I folded my wings in, preparing my shield as he slammed into the face… and bounced harmlessly off. I gasped as I watched him spiral down. Sighing in relief as those gorgeous, black wings recovered in time.

I canceled my shield, placing a hand on the force field. Cold, dark energy creeped up my arm. I growled irritably, pushing the magic back while using my light magic to break through. Moments late the field shattered allowing me to blast a hole into the mountain.

We flew deep down where a cavern opened up. Several Zeron soldiers and the Prince himself circled a not so happy Angel. His vibrant, sapphire eyes stared Lucius down. The dragon paid him no mind.

They turned to us as we landed. Damon released his silver bow swords and readied himself for a fight.

“A pleasure you could join us.” Lucius bowed before unsheathing Xanus. The sister blade to my sword Sadotius. Ghost purple flames danced around the darkened silver of the sword. His normally grey eyes now burned with a purple, gold light.

“Release my Angel.” I demanded. I summoned my red scabbard to my hip, slipping out the white flaming sword Sadotius. A dangerous hummed filled the room. The soldiers moved against the wall, their skin pale but face expressionless. Very similar to a dragon I know.

“Forgive me Princes but that is not something I can do right at the moment.” He bowed again. I snarled in anger. My eyes flashing fiery blue,

“Then I guess I’ll have to free him myself.” I hissed, raising my sword in challenge.

“We do not have to fight.” He countered.

“Then let him go.”

“Forgive me but I cannot. I guess this is unavoidable.” He did the same, moving forward. Our swords brightened as we closed the distance. The room vibrating with power.