House Of Legions (The Angel Descendants book 1)

Her mother was so quiet, body blazing. Not able to see her mother's face as Franchesca was mid-air between Clare, separating the three of them from Barbatos. Clare yelled at her mother to get her attention but she didn't acknowledge Clare.

About to yell again, she caught the movement from the corner of her eye as a man from the back of Barbatos flew straight up in the air screaming something. Lifting her head toward the man attacking the Tempter. Everything moved so fast, her eyes barely able to keep steady to see what was happening. With the same flaming eyes as her mother, the unknown man plunged a thin sword from the top of the Tempters head down his middle section, swift and elegant.

Mouth opened wide, a huff left Clare at feeling instant relief of this unsightly occurrence and uttered disbelief of her own eyes. Ignoring the persistent urgings from her brother to leave, she looked closer and saw the demon's body knit together, healing fast.

A brisk and steadied movement later Barbatos bolted straight for Franchesca, plunging his hand into her body.

Everything slowed as Clare and the others watched Franchesca’s body fall lifelessly to the cold hard cemented floor, leaving her dripping heart in Barbatos's hands. Clare bared witness to the entire thing, she broke free of her brother’s grasp and ran to Franchesca’s side screaming,

“Mom, talk to me, mom, MOM, mom,” she lifted her mother’s head onto her hand, holding it screaming,

don’t leave, MOM, mom.” She slapped

trophy to be discarded, Barbatos, duke

gaze never left Barbatos as she got up. A taunt, he tightened his fingers around her mother’s heart. Clare charged him

NO.” Nathan went to grab her, missing her body by millimeters.

tracks. Turning to punch the person, she came face to face with a pissed-off Kalbreal. Teeth grinding as the burn worsened but he didn't let go, she growled, “Lemme go.” He pushed her slightly

ordered, “Gustav.” No second wasted, he plunged it into the Tempters brain. Feet slightly parted, sword dripping

whilst using the sword to slice off Barbatos head. The

that was Clare like he had just seen her for the first time. Feeling uncomfortable with the way he stared, she focused on

face softened, eyes dropped, “I was too late, MY APOLOGIES

just happened before she rushed to her mothers’ side. Hair falling down her back she dropped her body on the floor beside her mother’s

her mother’s body lying there, motionless. The pool of blood which covered her mother’s blue shirt soaked in a puddle of what Clare's mind refused to register, her missing heart. Another child would have lost it, howled, screamed but Clare couldn't do it. Even as the tears ran silently down her cheeks, passing her lips, landing onto her mother's face, she couldn't break down. It wouldn't change faith, it wouldn't bring her mother back. No amount of weakness would bring her back. But Clare knew that in her strength, as she looked at her lifeless mother in her arms, she would