From The Ashes (Forbidden Trilogy Book Three)

Chapter Four: Game Plan

Constance

We waited to make sure nothing was left behind.

The elementals buried the ashy remains before casting a spell to make it snow, to make the field look as if it hadn't been touched. Once they were finished, they released their spell over the clouds. As they slowly dispersed, we watched as the last of the stronghold's residents disappeared safely into the tree line. Only then did I turned to face the remaining group.

Behind them, I saw the sunrise start to lighten the horizon on a new day. And as the sun warmed my face, I felt my heart ease. There was that double edged sword again. Even though death was dark and melancholic, there was always the hope of a new day, of new life.

"We need a secure place to talk," Ickarous broke the silence.

"I know of the perfect place," I responded, holding out my hand. Everyone reached out and placed our hands together. The very instant everyone was connected, I teleported us to the little hole in the ground on my cousin's property. No one would ever think to look for us here, because there were very few who knew about it. And those who did know, knew better than to say anything about it. "Best to get comfortable," I noted, settling down on the floor, crossing my legs, and pressing my back against the wall. The others followed suit.

"Obsidian, you mentioned earlier that Uriel took you to see what Victor's plans were for the half breeds. Can you explain to us what it is you and Uriel saw?"

Obsidian nodded. "Uriel snuck me into Dante's little realm of Hell. He had many of his followers working on hollowing out cells within the walls of the tall cavernous area deep within the earth. There is a rather wide walkway spiraling at a soft incline going towards the top. At even intervals going up the walkway, there are holding cells lined with enchanted steel bars." To prevent any immortal or half breed from being able to break out by using their inherent strength or unique powers.

"To me, the enchantment wasn't strong," Uriel piped in. "It is more of a deterrent, I believe. Though, I don't know how they are planning on keeping so many gifted individuals under control."

"I can guess," I said softly. "They will use Celeste, because she is a controller. She can easily make them all comply. She can make it to where no one can use their powers or innate gifts."

"Do you think she'll do it?" Ickarous asked. "Do you think she will strip their powers, take away their only means of defense?"

"If it means protecting the children she carries and Gabriel's life, then yes. I do believe she would."

"So, the enchanted bars are more for show and potentially to slow down any immortal they could have missed," Matt summed up. "What else did you see?"

"We believe they will open up portals to bring in the masses at the very top. There is a rather large, flat spot at the very top of the cavern." 

Good. I was glad Obsidian wasn't sparing details. We needed the visuals in order to be able to plan an attack.

"Then, at the very bottom, at the cavern's very center, they have a large pit that opens into the earth. It is a rather large pit that holds magma and fire. There's a very large, thick iron door that slides into place over it when the pit is not being used. We believe they will be using the pit to ... Kill the half breeds and their supporters. How quickly they will start to use it as a means of destroying them is the question."

"I have an idea on how to destroy the cavern. Using the elementals yesterday gave me the idea," Uriel said. "We could collapse the entire structure in itself."

"That's a good start," I agreed, but I wasn't sure if doing so right this very second was a great idea.

"But?" Ikcarous asked, feeling my hesitancy.

"If we get rid of the one place Victor has worked on to 'detain' the half breeds, we might incite something more reckless," Matt spoke up, knowing where I was going with this. "He will know the collapse of the cavern wasn't an accident. He will know someone on the inside could be a turn coat. He will act out of desperation, and will strike fast and hard. He will kill the half breeds outright instead of taking his time and holding pretenses. He will be less inclined to do it in a controlled way. We should wait until Victor has started collecting the half breeds. Yes, we might lose some. But, overall, we will be able to save hundreds, if not thousands of lives. If we plan our attack in Dante's cavern while the half breeds are being detained there, we will have a better opportunity to save more of them."

"And how do you suggest we get everyone out of the structure without inciting a war? Because you know Dante won't have the place unguarded," Raphael asked.

I turned my gaze to Uriel as a thought popped into my head. "We use the dead against them."

"What?" Several voices piped up. Uriel, on the other hand, looked downright pleased by this and a knowing smirk on Obsidian's face let me know he understood what I was getting at.

I focused my attention on Obsidian. "You have an illusionist in your midst, don't you?"

Obsidian nodded. "Zander."

I nodded. "Uriel, Zander, one of your elementals and I can create a diversion while we have the demon guard teleporting groups to safety."

"And where exactly are you going to hide all of these rescued half breeds?" Ickarous inquired. "There is no place large enough that can hold them without drawing attention."

"Wrong. They can stay at the stronghold," Obsidian offered. "There is plenty of space. And, once we repair what Balthazar destroyed, we will have even more room. Plus, its whereabouts have been kept hidden for centuries. We've got this."

"And we have enough provisions for all of them?" Raphael asked skeptically. I couldn't blame him. It would put the stronghold and its residents under a lot of pressure. Not to mention the insurmountable tensions likely to arise between the demonic half breeds and the other immortal half breeds.

"We will make due and we can start gathering more provisions now in preparation," Obsidian responded, not in the slightest bit offended or defensive.

"That's the easy part, Obsidian. We have to take into consideration that we are still demons and that there is still a bounty on our heads. Bringing so many non demon immortals into the stronghold could be our biggest downfall."

"What if you don't?" Uriel interrupted the two, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Hmm, interesting," Ickarous hummed under his breath, unafraid to expose his telepathic capabilities.

Obsidian and Raphael glanced at each other, and I saw something. Some sort of mutual understanding pass between them. "What is it?" I encouraged.

"Long before Raphael and I were ever thought of, the demon stronghold used to reside further east. However, they outgrew it and moved because of the instability of the area. They couldn't expand without fear of collapse," Obsidian explained to the rest of us. "It is still accessible. It is still unknown and empty. It could be used as a safe haven for the immortal half breeds. It would give them the protection and secrecy they need while not exposing the demon half breeds, and avoiding any fall out the two might have."

"This isn't something we can decide on, Obsidian. This is something the demon elders need to agree upon as well."

Obsidian sighed. "I know. I will talk with them, but I'm fairly certain I can convince them to open at least the doors of the old stronghold," he stated, looking directly at me.

"Ok. You and Raphael will work on obtaining a place for the half breeds to go once they are saved. When you know what the elders have decided or agreed upon, let me know." Turning back to Uriel, I continued. "As for Dante's hell hole, bringing down the structure isn't a bad idea," I added. "We just have to do it at the right moment."

"Agreed."

"Well, that time might be coming sooner than expected. Victor has called for another meeting by the end of the day tomorrow, but has intentionally left me out of the loop," Ickarous said. "My informant will keep me up to date on what Victor's front is while we work quietly behind the scenes. We will know his initial plans, how he intends to corral the half breeds and the timeline we have to work with."

Perfect! "I'm not only wanting to strike Dante's," I admitted. "I want to cripple Victor. I want to make sure we end Dante. I want to wipe out Victor's unique drug supply and ensure he can't make anymore. And, I want to rescue Gabriel and Celeste."

"That's a pretty tall order," Matt commented. 

"I know it is." But it was the only way. The only way to ensure Celeste's, my children's, and my mate's survival, not to mention the survival of the half breed community in general. If we just struck Dante's underground cavern of horrors, we could give Victor enough time to panic. We could give him the opportunity to pack up the drugs, the lab, and hide them efficiently. We could give him enough time to go underground with Celeste and Gabriel. And if he did, who knew when he would resurface. It could be days, weeks, months, years before he felt comfortable enough to make another stand. And by then, Celeste could give birth to my children. It could give him enough time to destroy everything I held dear.

I couldn't give him that kind of chance.

"I agree with Eidolon," Ickarous's voice rang clear in the silence. "We need to strike all at once. If we don't, we could inadvertently give Victor the upper hand."

I really hated how the damn archangel could read my mind.

I caught his impish gaze and glared at him.

"Ok. So, how do you suggest we go about this?" Matt asked.

"The one that's going to take the longest to orchestrate is finding out where Dante has hidden the lab that is producing the drug. We need to get Allen on tracking it down immediately."

"You're going to trust that mutt to find it?" Raphael scoffed.

"Yes. Because he has already proven he can do the impossible," I stated.

"I second that," Matt piped up. "As much as I may despise him, he has proven himself useful in that department."

"Through Allen, I'll be able to get in touch with Nikolai and find out where Celeste and Gabriel are being held. Though, I wouldn't put it past Victor to stick with familiar places. Places of horror. Places that he can use to his advantage to keep control over Celeste and her situation. I wouldn't be surprised, honestly, if he was holding them at his mansion."

"Ok, so we have ways and a plan in place to find everything and everyone. But, what is going to be our plan of action when it comes down to attacking?" Obsidian asked.

"Well, Uriel and I, plus the others we mentioned, will be at Dante's. We are going to need dozens of the demon guard, or demons who have very strong teleportation skills," I started. "Obsidian, you and Ickarous could lead an attack on Victor. With Nikolai's help, we could get you teleported directly into the heart of wherever he is detaining Celeste and Gabriel. It would cut out a bunch of unnecessary risks that way. And, before you argue, I would want Ickarous there in case Camael is with Victor. Since Camael has exposed himself to the archangel community, I don't think he will try to keep his distance from Victor anymore. Ickarous would be the best defense against Camael." Obsidian nodded his approval. "Then, Raphael, I would have you and Ryn attack the drug lab. Not only would you be best at ensuring everything was destroyed, you would have the opportunity to see first hand what other experiments they could be conducting. You would be able to get your hands on the raw materials and possibly even determine an antidote of some sort."

"That's not a bad idea," Raphael agreed.

"Alright. Just to recap and make sure everyone knows what they are doing. Obsidian and Raphael, you are in charge of talking to the elders and seeing if you can't get the old stronghold ready for the influx of immortal half breeds. Ickarous, you are in charge of finding out what Victor's plans are through your informant. Uriel, do you think you could sneak back into Dante's cavern?"

Uriel nodded. "That won't be a problem, princess."

"Good. I'll need you to find out exactly how many cells Dante has made and, if you can, get some kind of picture laying out the bottom of the cavern where he has that massive hole. I want to know every little detail you can figure out about the layout and scheme. Matt, I need you to return to Ulysses's and use those amazing snooping abilities."

"What am I looking for, exactly?"

"I want you to look for anything you believe might be helpful. There's a lot we know about him, but I'm sure there's a lot we don't. He did hide his true mate and son from everyone for a very long time."

"This is true."

"Just see what you can find. Lay low. Have Jordan and Mark go with you to keep an eye out for trouble. As for me, I will make a blood bond with Allen to ensure I have access to Nikolai's mind at all times, and I will inform Allen what his next job will be. Are there any questions?"

When no one responded, I teleported everyone back to the stronghold so we could get straight to work. There was no time to waste. Every moment we wasted could mean the very moment between life and death in the future.

***

I had been awake for too long.

I was exhausted.

I could barely function.

Obsidian had insisted on me getting some rest.

Initially, I'd fought him. But now, I was grateful.

I fell onto the bed and was instantly asleep. I didn't even bother taking anything off. Not even the mask.

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but hope and pray I would somehow connect with him. With Gabriel. I reached out into the void as I hung suspended in between wakefulness and sleep. I just wanted to touch his mind, to know he was ok... 

Panic filled my chest the instant I caught his scent lingering at the door.

It had been such a long time since I'd had this nightmare, but I wasn't surprised I was having it now. Not when I had lost my mate. Not when my very children were in danger of being murdered.

My focus was pulled back to the dream, to when Dante had found my mother and I after we had run from him...

Damn it!

Mother!!!

I burst through the front door and was met by my worst nightmare.

The damn vile creature had physically tortured her. He'd tied her up so she couldn't fight back, so she couldn't protect herself. He tied her up to make sure she couldn't escape him again...

There was blood. So much blood.

It was everywhere. Pooling on the floor. Dripping from the walls, the ceiling. From my very hands...

Wait!?

Why was her blood on my hands?

I hadn't done this!

I hadn't touched her!

But, this was all my fault.

I should have been here to save her.

I could have saved her had I gotten there in time.

But I'd failed her...

His laughter filled my ears and a shiver of fear crept down my spine.

I had suffered so much by his hands, I had every right to be afraid of him. However, right now, I was infuriated! And I allowed the anger to consume me. I allowed it to take control as my eyes burrowed into my mother's eyes. I watched them, as she blinked, once, twice.

"That's right, son. Embrace it," his vile voice filed my ears.

"Don't listen to him," my mother pleaded. "Don't do this, Gabriel. You are more than this."

"No, you aren't. You are a demon after all. You are my son."

My mother coughed and my focus shifted back to her. "It wasn't her fault," she'd uttered urgently, her large eyes meeting mine. "Remember to forgive her."

Forgive who?

I was so confused by her words.

"I love you."

And just like that, the light in her eyes faded. 

She passed right before my very eyes and there wasn't anything I could do to save her. There was nothing I could do to bring her back. But there was one thing I could do...

I turned to my father and engaged him in an epic battle.

I allowed my anger to control me. I allowed the darkness, the very evil living within my heart, to consume me. I did exactly what he wanted me to do, and I hated myself for giving into that desire.

The fire raged out of control as I grabbed a hold of my father's head and ripped it right from his shoulders.

Somehow, I made it outside.

I couldn't remember getting there, but I was just sitting there, staring as the house burned. I couldn't look away, couldn't do anything other than watch as my world smoldered to ash. In that instant in my life, I felt nothing. I was empty. I was dead... Much like I was now.

Constance wasn't coming back.

She was in purgatory. And Camael had every intention of assassinating her. And there wasn't anything I could do about it. Hell! She might already be dead!

I didn't want to believe any of it.

But she hadn't come...

She hadn't swooped in to save the day when Erwin had been run through by Nikolai. 

Nikolai!

The prick. 

He'd betrayed us!

Constance! Constance where are you? Constance, come back to me...

It took me a few moments to realize I had connected with Gabriel, and was sharing his dream world. I forced myself to stay connected. I refused to wake up entirely, even though my body and mind wanted me to. I couldn't leave him like this. I just couldn't...

And so, I did my best to answer his call.

When I went back into his dream land, I found him sitting in the middle of the remains of the house he had once shared with his mother. His knees were bent and his arms rested on them. His head was bowed and I could hear him crying.

"Gabriel," I softly called out to him, trying not to startle him. He didn't hear me, and so I moved closer. "Gabriel," I called out again. Still nothing.

Sighing, I gently lowered myself down next to him and reached out to touch his shoulder. The instant my fingers made contact with his skin, there was a blur of movement and I found myself sprawled out flat on my back with Gabriel's fingers curling around my neck.

"Who are you?" he snarled.

"It's me," I wheezed, not surprised by his reaction. I remained calm and did not fight against him, knowing he would eventually recognize me. His hard gaze moved over me and it was then I realized I wasn't myself anymore even in my dreams. I had taken on the appearance of who I had transformed into. I looked completely different than the last time he'd seen me.

Not to mention, my mask was still in place over my face.

"It can't be you," he snarled. "She's in purgatory and will soon be dead. So, who are you?"

Damn it!

"Remove it," I encouraged, trying to reach up and remove the mask. However, my efforts weren't successful because of how Gabriel had me pinned.

He contemplated my request before hesitantly moving his other hand up. I felt his thumb slip under the mask before easing it from my face.

The instant the mask was removed, his hold changed. Softened.

"It can't be," he whispered.

"It is."

"But you're in purgatory."

"No. I'm not."

"Camael saw you."

"He saw what I wanted him to see."

"Where are you?"

"I'm safe. I'm with Obsidian."

Gabriel's eyes moved over me, taking in my new form. "You're different." He sounded skeptical, and I couldn't blame him.

I nodded. "It's because of the change I underwent when I took the test to determine if I was The Phoenix." I merged my mind with his and he saw everything that had transpired since we had been separated.

"You know you're amazing, right?" He asked right before he leaned down and softly kissed me. His hands traced up my arms until his fingers intertwined with mine. I loved the weight of him as he pressed his chest into mine, deepening the kiss. I couldn't contain the disappointed sigh when he pulled away.

"That's debatable, but we can go with amazing for now," I said a bit breathlessly.

I felt his hands moving over me, touching as much of me as he could. "I wish you were really here, sunshine."

"We are coming for you," I told him, gently caressing the barriers protecting his mind, trying to encourage him to open up to me. When he didn't, I tried my best to hide my hurt of being shut out. Why wasn't he letting me in? What was he hiding?

"I know you are. I will be waiting for you."

"I know you will. How is Celeste?"

I saw and felt his mood darken and I knew it was bad. 

I reached up and caressed his brow. "You don't have to answer. I can see it on your face." I started contemplating if waiting to strike was the right move.

"Don't change your plans, Constance. You are right to wait. To strike all three places at once. It is a good plan. We will be ok."

"Are you sure?"

"Victor hasn't physically hurt Celeste."

I heard the hitch in his tone and didn't quite believe him. Victor wasn't physically abusing her. But that didn't mean he wasn't doing other things... 

I really hated that vampire and was looking forward to running my blade through his heart.

"Gabriel, what are they doing to you?" I was afraid to know, but I needed to know. 

"I'm just peachy."

"I call bull shit."

"They aren't doing anything to me that I haven't experienced before."

"I find that hard to believe."

He shrugged. "Believe what you want to, sunshine."

"Gabriel, why are you refusing to let me in?" I asked as the fear slowly started to take hold of my heart. What wasn't he saying? What really was going on? Why wouldn't he let me in?

He leaned over once more to plant a kiss on my lips. "I love you, Constance. I'll see you soon."

Wait. What?

When he pulled away from me, I tried to reach out and pull him back, but it was too late. I was being forcefully pushed from his mind. 

No! I wasn't ready for this to end! 

What was most concerning to me, though, was his lack of fight. He was pushing me away. Keeping me at arms length, which meant something was happening to him. 

I fought back against his mental shove and pushed against the barriers protecting his mind. I didn't want to force him, to control him, but damnit I wanted to.

I was able to break through just enough to feel the darkness that was consuming him.

Shit! 

I knew that wasn't good, especially since we hadn't been separated for that long. He shouldn't be slipping so quickly into the darkness. Had Victor given him the drug?

I couldn't stop the panic from consuming my chest. Choking me.

"Promise me you will stick to your plan, Constance."

"Promise me you won't give up," I countered. 

"I won't ever give up, sunshine. I have you."

I felt the tears falling down my cheeks.

"Promise me, sunshine."

"Promise me one more thing," I demanded. "If something changes, and your life or Celeste's is in imminent peril, you will not hesitate to tell me. I cannot lose you."

He sighed. "I promise, sunshine. Now, promise me you won't change your plans just because of my darkness. I will survive this, just like I have beaten it in the past."

I wanted to believe what he told me, but I just knew this was different. "I promise," I said tersely. 

"Good girl," he smiled.

"Don't you dare give up, Gabriel!" I couldn't help it. I had to say something. "We will make it through this. I believe in you, in us." Every word I said didn't seem to stick. It was then I realized just how far he had fallen into the darkness. "Gabriel? Don't do this," I pleaded with him, knowing it was him who was pushing me away, pushing me out of our shared dream. I was here to help him, to help carry the impossible burdens he had on his shoulders, but he was refusing to let me in. And I was truly scared I would lose him entirely to the darkness. "I love you. Don't you dare shut me out!" 

Don't let me go. Not like this. Please...

"I love you too, sunshine. Goodbye."