To Ashes

Chapter One

Chapter 1

“Goodbye Ashleigh” hearing her name being called out by Ephraim had always sent shivers down her spine, but today she was well aware of the fact that this would be the last time she would be experiencing this feeling. 

He bent forward kissed her forehead. She loved the way his hair fell onto her face. She loved feeling his thick long eyelashes on hers. The way he caressed her cheek. She closed her eyes to take this moment in; to preserve it somewhere deep inside her heart. The next instant she remembered waking out of a vague dream, forgetting all about this boy. 

“In the daylight I would have to go but tonight I’m gonna hold you so close” 

After three years the memory still lay fresh in Ephraim’s mind. His soul still sang of her presence. He had never let her close in any way but somehow Ashleigh had made him put his guard walls down. This connection; the closeness was what made Ephraim leave Ashleigh. Now she’d never remember what had passed between them. His identity as this supernatural being would remain concealed; he was a fallen angel... a part of a legion. 

                                                                       * * * * * * * * *

A slim slender girl whose hair fell down to her waist, walked gracefully down the deserted car park. Her golden sequined dress reflected some of the weak light given off by the nearby street lights. The most fascinating feature was her golden anklet that swirled well over her ankle to her mid-calve. It sort of gave off its own light that it almost gleamed. 

She was well aware of a man following her at her heels. She turned around, smiled at him flirtatiously and seduced him further into the darkness. 

“Well done, Donatelle!” spat raven as he came out of a dark corner. 

Ephraim jumped down from a high set window sill, from a nearby building. Ithurial and Gabrielle also joined in, materializing from thin air. Raphael and Robyn dropped down on their feet, as previously they had been perched on a jeep. 

“It’s good to see you again Zammad.” Said Ithuriel to the man as all seven of these teenage boys and girls circled around this greater demon. 

“You traitor!” hissed Zammad at Donatelle. “You bitch!” 

“Okay, enough with the chit chat.” Sighed Raven and advanced towards Zammad. 

Ephraim proceeded towards him as well, in the fraction of a second Ephraim had Zammad by his collar. Ithuriel held the demon’s hands back while Raven, as ruthless as he was, struck the demon with a sharp metallic object which he had retrieved from beneath his jacket. One after the other, Raven kept striking at the demon’s chest. 

“Get to work Raphael… it’s hard for us to keep the demon any longer…” said Ithurial. 

“Work the exorcism!” Gabrielle shouted. 

“Et tu ceste…” Raphael began chanting words as Raven continued lashing at the demon. 

“…le luna… stop it ok!!” shouted Raphael at Raven. “You’re hurting him unnecessarily.” 

This brief pause strengthened the demon’s power even more, as he tried to struggle away with greater force. Ephraim made haste and began the exorcism again and this time he completed it. 

When done, he dropped down on his knees as all of his energy had drained away. Exorcising at such a close perimeter with the demon had almost breathed out all his powers from him. 

“You asshole! You got us all killed.” Raven retorted. 

“Yeah thanks sister!” Donatelle hissed at Raphael.