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,

can’t be dead mom, please, don’t leave, MOM, mom.” She slapped her mother, once,

heart like a trophy to be discarded, Barbatos, duke of hell. And in that time Clare's body burned with the heat of rage.

never left Barbatos as she got up. A taunt, he

behind her, “Clare. NO.” Nathan went to grab her, missing her body by millimeters. Barbatos taking his position gleefully to defend himself, making his answer to battle obvious.

stop her in her 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 but it was

pulled out a sword, his voice a loud commandment as he ordered, “Gustav.” No second wasted, he plunged it into the Tempters brain. Feet slightly parted, sword dripping of blood, Kalbreal watched Barbatos, as the Tempter said his last words,

the sword to slice off Barbatos head. The Tempters body burst into blue and green flames melting into lava that burnt

time. Feeling uncomfortable with the way he stared, she focused on his chest, surprised to see it not moving at all, like he didn’t just kill

dropped, “I was too late,

of them. Clare didn’t take a minute longer to register what had just happened before she rushed to her mothers’ side.

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,