Hallows: Duets

Crows & Reapers

Hawthorne Heights- Niki Fm

Ashley:

I laugh at the look on Anthony's face as we step out of the elevator. He looks over at me with a satisfied grin.

"You owe me five hundred," I remind him.

"I hate you a little right now," he clears his throat.

"Me? I hate you a little right now. She's not going to be functional for a few days. Do you feed the same way Dante does?" I scoff.

"No, my thing is violence, arguing, hate f*****g, murder, drugs, and working out. It's why I'm hella sexy," he shrugs casually.

"So, how does that work?" Lily asks.

"I hunt and the souls empower my Hallow. It makes my body hot so it's healed and at peak performance. However, sometimes the souls are too dark so I have to siphon that extra energy into someone else in a violent manner. Usually, it's arguing or fighting,"

"So, what happens to the receiver?" I ask.

"The same thing that happens to me. They take the heat and it heals their bodies physically. If I f**k them up pretty badly, the energy heals the damage. It's an exchange,"

"Kels used to have a scar on her face," Dante says. "It's gone now,"

"Woah," I look back at Lily. She gets serious all of us a sudden. I reach for one of the double doors and hold it open for them. The guys walk in together.

This is the third time I've come to the casino in New City. The first time was with Teegan and Carter a couple of weeks before graduation. I shot someone in the leg when Teegan ordered me to. Then the fucker laughed and said I didn't think you were going to do it. d**k head. He was the reason why that became Kelly's favorite joke. That second time was with Kels. The night before Cheercamp started. She tried to teach me how to count cards and I lost two thousand dollars.

This time, we aren't dealing with people. I can feel the cool atmosphere I usually only feel around Dante and it's a little exciting if I'm being honest. Now that Lily knows, I somewhat feel relieved. Like I have someone I can discover this world with and it's so selfish I could punch myself in the face.

Dante and Anthony greet the others present.

I don't know why I thought all reapers and crows would be dudes but there are a few women including Victor Escobar's wife. He's standing behind her much like David, Lily and I are behind Dante and Anthony. Victor gives me a simple nod and I return it.

"You know Escobar?" Lily whispers in my ear.

"Yeah, I put a gun to his wife's face when she tried to attack Kelly," I answer. David gives a low snort.

"Damn, Ash. Where have you been all my life?" she straightens up.

Dante clears his throat and everyone around the room takes their seat. The room instantly becomes ice cold. David, Lily, and I tuck our coats in a little closer from the bite. In the center of the round table, several weapons materialize. A huge scythe, several guns, a machete, Chinese daggers, and in front of Dante a golden sawed-off shotgun. Where the f**k did those things come from? The reapers?

The others look at the shotgun and shift uncomfortably.

"We have a problem," one of the girls says. She can't be older than me.

"A big f*****g problem," the man next to her agrees.

"We've been laying low, Danny. We're doing that for you, mijo. Pero sabes que no va arreglar nada," another man speaks up.

"Thank you all for meeting me on such short notice," Dante begins. "I am well aware of our problem. I'd like to start by giving my condolences to you all. I didn't realize the hunter problem was as bad as it got when I left. I take full responsibility for that.

"I'm here now," he sighs. "We've informed the Fringe already, however, being this close to the gates unsettles the stones that aren't from here. We're also not the only ones with hunters lurking this bad," he reaches into his coat and pulls out what looks like SD cards. "These are from our guys in the Britsh Fringe. They're instructions,"

"For?" Elena asks.

"I'm not at liberty to say," Dante shrugs. "Take the one with your number on it and take a look when you're somewhere safe. My instructions are to load you up with firepower," he says. David shifts uncomfortably next to me. He's looking at his shoes but the expression on his face is almost angry. "You're deliveries are arriving right now. Carter and Kelly send their love,"

"Love those two," someone nods.

"Do we have a lead on who the c***k b***h was looking for?" one of the other girls asks.

"Dallas," David answers. They all look over at him. "She was in the Southside a couple of weeks ago. Teegan and I now know that they're looking for Jimenez,"

"The crow from Juarez? Why?" someone else asks.

"Whatever the f**k he and my parents did to me," Dante answers. "Rumors are going around. The hunters are trying to create synthetic Hallows that can take one of us one on one,"

"What the f**k?" they all start to argue. I put my fingers in my mouth when Dante tries to calm them and let out a loud whistle making them all flinch. Tony and Dante glance back at me with a smirk.

"Thanks, baby," Dante says and turns to face them. "I know. Trust me when I say that s**t scares the s**t out of me too. For now, they're just rumors. Until we get a little more insight, you all have the green light to open fire,"

"Wait," David steps forward. "That's a fast track to getting civilians killed,"

"Right now we can't afford to be too careful," Dante dismisses him. David straightens up and bites back his thoughts. "Hallows are dying. Sure, killing innocent mortals isn't my idea of taking care of the problem but there aren't very many of us and if they keep closing in on us, they're going to get the f*****g gate open. I don't know about humans but I know I can survive hell on Earth. If giving some of them up to prevent the end of times, I'm willing to take that risk. Besides, humans don't exactly have a f*****g problem with reproduction,"

"I have to agree with your human," Elena says. "This can bring a s**t ton of heat on all of us,"

"We have clearance from the state," I say stepping forward. I take the silk bandana James handed me earlier and place it on the table between Dante and Anthony. "Carter and I have been working with a couple of senators to get us all immunity,"

"Holy s**t," Tony beams.

"I can't give names but I can say that we're being backed by the Fringe on this. They can't directly intervene but they aren't leaving us to the dogs either. Keep these badges on your at all times. Instruct the rest of your stone to do the same," I step back.

"s**t," Elena laughs. "Ashley Villanueva the gift that keeps on giving. Didn't think Carter knew how to play well with others,"

"He doesn't," I scoff. "But I can't exactly sit back and let him embarrass us,"

"Love this kid," she laughs taking the stack of fake C.I.A. badges numbered the same way the SD cards were.

"Damn," Dante grins. The others don't miss the gesture. They all look at him and nod as if they like that he's smiling. "All right. Priority is making sure that gate stays closed,"

"Aye," they all agree.

"Do we have any other questions or concerns?" he asks.

They all discuss business. I tune them out looking over the other mates. Lily bumps my arm when my eyes land on the woman standing behind one of the reapers. She's sweating despite the cold the reapers are providing. She can't stand still to save her life. We exchange looks.

"Rat," she mouths and I nod agreeing. I lean forward to press my lips to the back of Dante's neck. He tenses up.

"The woman behind the Italian," I whisper as low as I can into his ear and then straighten up again.

He doesn't look at her as the others continue the meeting. When the meeting is over, everyone reaches for their weapons. Lily goes the long way around as I go to stand close to the woman. As soon as the shotgun is in Dante's hand he aims it at the reaper. Everyone freezes as I put my Rhino on the back of her head.

"What the f**k?" the man growls at Dante.

"Who's the girl?" Dante demands.

"She's my girl," he stands up and turns around to look at the two of us. Lily raises her weapon as she gets closer to us.

"Search her, princess," Tony instructs Lily. I tap the girl on the head lightly so she doesn't fight it.

"Spread em," I say giving her ankle a tap with my foot.

"Robby," she chokes out.

"Do as you're told, Izzy," he gives his permission.

The girl starts to cry and spreads her legs. Lily starts tapping along the girl's pleather pants, slowly making her way up her body.

"Hands on your head," I instruct her.

She doesn't comply. I pull the hammer of my gun back as a warning and she lets out a sob. Lily curses and forces her hands up lifting the girl's top up over her abdomen. The reaper's eyes are on her chest. The others are on their feet immediately.

"I'm so sorry, Rob," she chokes out.

"Step back girls," Dante instructs us. I take Lily's hand and pull her into me as her eyes stay on the girl. I push her toward the others without looking back. Whatever they're going to do to her is not something I want to witness.

"Let's go," I grab Dante's hand. Tony is already standing. "David,"

His eyes stay on the girl as the Reaper grabs her by the throat. I can hear the girl begging him to let her go. I tighten my hold on Lily's hand as I lead her out. She looks over at me with actual fear in her eyes as the girl begins to scream.

"Formation B," Tony calls out taking his gun out to make sure it's ready for whatever is waiting for us upstairs.

As soon as the elevator opens I clear it and wave Dante and David inside.

"Lily, take the rear," I instruct her. "David cover her,"

"Let's talk about this," he says.

"There is nothing to talk about," I dismiss him. "If they hurt him again because of your s**t I will f*****g hit you, David," I growl. "Do you understand me?"

"Ash-"

"Do you understand me?" I shout. He takes a step back and nods. "Are you going to f*****g cooperate or am I going to have to exclude you from the formation?"

"Answer her," Dante growls when he stays quiet.

"I'll cooperate,"

"What the f**k is your problem, David?" I shout.

"We're talking about killing people," he shouts back. "Innocent people. You just gave a bunch of f*****g killers immunity to open fire on civilians,"

"They're f*****g killing Hallows," I shove him. "They f*****g shot Dante or did you f*****g forget that already? They shot him in your f*****g apartment,"

"What are you trying to say? How the f**k was that my fault?" he shouts. "We're not talking about hunters-"

"Then what the f**k are we talking about, David? Huh? Why are you acting like this is new to you?"

"That's a good f*****g question," Dante agrees.

"You were the one that told me I had to get on board with a bunch of s**t that I wasn't going to like and I accepted it. I did it for us. Where the f**k is your head at right now?"

"Touching down in five," Tony warns. I check my other gun pushing Dante away from the doors. David does the same.

"Un-f*****g-believable," I shake my head. All I can hear is the rush of my blood in my ears for the remainder of the ride. Calm down. It's the adrenaline making you feel like this. Along with what I'm learning to understand is Dante's paranoia on top of my own.

The doors open. Tony slides down the side and pokes his head out. He holds his fist up and gives me the okay. I raise my weapon and step out of the elevator to clear the hallway. My heart is pounding in my chest as I wave the others forward. Tony and I keep moving forward until we get to the double doors that lead out into the casino. I peek out of the little round windows and scan the people outside. I step back closing my eyes to calm myself as Tony scans the crowd as well.

"I got four on the left. Three on the right," he says.

"Five on the left. The guy at the roulette table. Six on the right. Four at the entrance,"

"Okay, I'll go left," he nods. "Take down all the targets. The others will come up soon,"

He holds up his hand and his bird appears in his hand. He kneels down and releases it out into the open floor. His eyes darken.

"Woah," Lily whispers from behind Dante. "What's he doing?"

"Scouting. He can see what the bird sees," I whisper.

"So cool," she squeaks making him smile.

"f*****g eagle eyes," Tony smirks up at me. "Okay. Just the ones in here. See if we can grab one as a snack for the ride home. There are three on the second-floor balcony,"

"See the guy up front by Hank?" I ask. "He's their team leader. Has that I've gone through hell and back look in his eyes,"

"Black Sabath t-shirt?"

"That's the one," I nod.

"Damn, baby. You're fire tonight," Dante laughs loading his gun.

"Always. Why do think Kelly is so in love?" Anthony smirks. The two of us take a deep breath at the same time. "Father, father tell me where have you been," he sings under his breath. "It's been hell not having you here,"

"Anthony," I call out to him. He smiles looking up at me. I smile back at him. "You f**k nut. You're going to show off for the little goth girl aren't you?"

"Come on. Let me have this. You always go first,"

"Fine but you're putting the stripper costume on next time," I shrug.

"Not a fair trade,"

"You have four seconds to accept," I start mouthing the countdown.

"Fine. I'll wear the stupid f*****g stripper costume next time. Happy?"

"Very," I laugh.

"b***h," he mumbles and pushes the door open. "Get down!" he shouts at the top of his lungs and opens fire as hell breaks loose when people start screaming. "Move, Villanueva!"