Engines roared ahead of four desert-colored Hummer Jeeps rounding the corner of the fortress, tires cutting into the dirt as they screeched to a halt before the front entrance. Cassie and Brute leaped from the first two vehicles, weapons raised.
"You can really sense them?" Brute kept his gun trained on the entrance.
Eyes closed, Cassie nodded. "Something happened when I fought Rygen and freed Charlie from Samedi's bind. Since then—" She opened her eyes. "I've been connected to my brother and Charlie on a metaphysical level."
A car door slammed as Panther joined them, weapon raised as well. "How does that work, exactly?"
"I'm not sure. There's no exact science to this." Cassie bit her lip. "It's like a ripple of energy pulsing through invisible lines. Sort of like heartbeats—steady and warm."
Brute eyed the entrance. "Can you tell where they are?"
She shook her head, "Not precisely, no. Along with emotions, I sense direction and intensity, sort of like the game hot and cold."
"Which is why you had us come back to the main entrance." Brute understood now. "They're hotter here."
Snapshot emerged from his Jeep, already smirking. He opened his mouth to speak, but caught the humored warning in Cassie's eyes.
"Keep it to yourself, kiddo!" She quipped.
He blinked, held up his hands, and shook his head, "Not a word."
Softening her smile at him, she turned and addressed Brute with an answer, "Exactly. And for a while, I could tell they were afraid." Relief softened her expression. "Now, all I sense from both of them is calm."
"Do you think they did it? They got Tag?" Hope colored Panther's cautious tone.
Minutes earlier, while loading the children into the Jeeps, Cassie debriefed them that Bible was their old commander, Colonel Tag. A jumbled chorus of shocked chatter was immediately silenced by Brute, who told them they could process it later.
The firm command was less for them and more for himself. Like Angel, he'd spent years wrestling with that day, and when Caissie revealed who Bible was, Brute knew if he let that revelation take over, he'd break down. And right now, none of them could afford the mental distraction.
In silence, save for directing the kids, they finished getting them settled in the Jeeps.
Now, as she stepped closer to the entrance, Cassie smiled. "I really think they did." The smile vanished, her eyes snapping toward the entrance. "Be alert! Someone's coming."
Snapshot dropped to one knee, scope aligned. "Trouble?"
She shook her head. "I sense only them, but this is all new to me, so stay frosty for stragglers."
Panther leaned through her Jeep's window as Molly slid out from the passenger seat. The young woman positioned herself over the hood, weapon trained alongside the others.
"Don't fire unless I do," Panther whispered.
"I won't." Molly's confirmation was steady.
Panther made a mental note—if this kid decided to join the service, she'd petition to be her mentor.
Tension settled over the group. Everyone remained silent, watched the doorway, and Cassie, who stood motionless with eyes closed.
Brute crouched beside her, pistol aimed. "Cassie?"
Her response came immediately—a cry of joy as she threw her arm up. "Stand down!"
Relief rippled through the group, and all weapons lowered. Cassie shouldered her rifle and sprinted through the doors. Moments later, she emerged with the princess and her brother—a thick satchel slung over his shoulder—through the entrance.
Cheers erupted as everyone rushed forward.
"Kevin!" Panther reached him first, enveloping him in a bear hug.
"Lisa! It is so good to see you!" He gripped her back, emotion thick in his voice.
"I've missed you, my friend!" She stepped back. "Next time, perhaps you could just call for dinner? Isn't getting kidnapped a bit extreme for a house call?"
"Perhaps a bit much!" Angel's smirk was pure relief.
Snapshot spun him around and gripped his shoulders. "Angel! My God, man, you had us worried!"
"Trevor!" Angel grabbed his friend's arms. "I know, I'm sorry."
Brute stepped forward next, but Angel moved behind Snapshot with a playful smile. "From you, no hug!"
Brute laughed as Snapshot stepped aside, allowing him to grip Angel's hands. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Me too, Francis."
Despite the protest, Brute pulled Angel into an embrace, and Angel gave in, hugging the big man back.
As they parted, Angel addressed the group. "Thank all of you for coming for me. I'm surprised we all made it out in one piece."
"Most of us did." Brute's smile faded. "Craig was attacked."
Angel understood immediately from Charlie's sharp gasp.
"Charlie." Cassie moved to place a hand on her shoulder.
The princess brushed it off and stepped up to Brute. "Where is he?"
Brute hesitated.
Her lips thinned as her eyes began to glow. Her demon voice carried just under her normal one. "Where. Is. He?"
Brute sighed and turned to guide Charlie toward the rear of the far Jeep. Panther moved to intercept them, fixing Charlie with a cold stare. "What are you going to do?"
Brute raised a hand. "At ease, Lisa."
Charlie met her hostility with steady, sorrowful eyes. "Fix my mistake, and—" She swallowed hard. "Ask for forgiveness."
Panther held the stare for a moment before stepping aside. Charlie followed Brute to the back of the last Jeep, the others trailing behind. Lifting the tailgate, Brute stepped aside.
Charlie peered inside and took sight of Shrapnel, head resting on the lap of one of the older girls, who was gently dabbing a cloth on his forehead. She saw the damage that Seed had done to him and cringed internally. She cast a glance at the girl and smiled despite her turmoil, "That's very sweet of you. How is he?"
"He's talking in his sleep, mumbling about a demon. I think he has a fever."
Charlie climbed onto the bumper and slid inside.
Angel peered in, his tone questioning. "Charlie?"
She turned to him, determined. "I'm not leaving him like this, Angel."
He understood what she needed to do. "That's what I thought." He smiled gently.
She returned the smile before addressing the children clustered around Shrapnel. "I need a little room, please?"
The group shifted to create space as the girl carefully lowered Shrapnel's head to the floor. "What are you going to do?"
"Take care of my dear friend." Leaning forward, she placed her head against Shrapnel's chest.
Gasps rippled through the group as wings unfolded from Charlie's back, brushing the roof and sides before settling over both her and her wounded ally. A soft, white glow began pulsing from her wings, washing over them both like warm moonlight.
"Wow!" One of the younger girls whispered—a sentiment echoed by Molly, whose face was pressed against a side window.
Within a minute, the light faded. Charlie folded her wings away and sat back on her knees, head bowed. Her softly shaking shoulders betrayed her silent crying.
Shrapnel's eyes fluttered open. When his gaze found her, his voice came out shaky. "Cha-Charlie?" He propped himself up on his elbows. "You s-saved my life, d-didn't you?"
Charlie glanced up, wiping her eyes before nodding.
"T-thank you." Shrapnel reached out and took her hand, squeezing it with his rough grip.
The gesture broke down what was left of Charlie's composure. She grabbed him tightly and pressed her face into his chest, her tears soaking into the fabric of his tactical vest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." His whisper was barely audible. "It's okay."
Angel reached in and placed his hand on Charlie's shoulder, gave her a gentle squeeze, and a slight tug. She nodded, released Shrapnel, and helped him settle back down. He offered another smile and nod of thanks as she eased out of the Jeep.
Molly stared at her. "You're Charlie, right?"
"I am." Charlie nodded while composing herself. "And you are?"
"Molly." The curly-haired young woman shook her head. "You're really a demon?"
Charlie briefly considered explaining the full truth—princess, daughter of Lucifer and Lilith, heir to Hell's throne. Nephilim. Instead, she winked. "Born and raised."
"But not a monster?"
Angel stepped up beside Charlie, slipping his arm around her waist as she leaned against his shoulder.
She smirked at Molly. "Oh, I am. To anyone who'd dare harm the innocent, I'm their fucking nightmare."
Molly grinned widely. "Fucking A!"
Giving the young lady a nod of appreciation, Angel turned his attention to the group. "Charlie and I broke into Tag's safe." He patted the satchel he carried. "These are the records of every transaction he's made—details of the kids he's taken, where they are now, and with whom. Charlie and I have a lot of nightmares to spread and children to rescue." His gaze swept over his team. "And we could use all the help we can get."
"As a team?" Snapshot asked, intrigued. "Together, again?"
"If you're willing?" Angel met each person's eyes.
"I can't," Panther shook her head. "I have a family that needs me." She turned toward Molly. "But with some training, I know someone who may come in handy."
"You couldn't stop me!" Molly's declaration rang with determination. "I can't stand by knowing what that asshole's done to all those kids."
Angel looked at Charlie with amusement. "Remind you of anyone?"
Charlie blushed.
"I'm in." Brute agreed without hesitation.
"S-so am I!" Shrapnel slipped out of the Jeep, tested his leg, and gave Charlie an appreciative nod.
"Count me in!" Cassie smirked.
"Wherever Cassie goes." Snapshot winked.
In response, Cassie stepped up to Snapshot and poked him in the chest. "I'm going to hold you to that, mister!" Then she leaned in and planted a firm kiss on his startled lips.
Snapshot blinked in confusion. "Wha—?"
With a playful spark in her eyes, Cassie turned to lean against his chest, smiling at Angel. "We're in, Kevin." She looked at Charlie. "Sis?"
In response, Charlie transformed—horns erupted from her temples and eyes blazed crimson with pulsing yellow pupils that burned like molten gold. Her tail whipped behind her as sharp teeth flashed in a wicked smile. Claws tapping together in anticipation, the demon princess declared with savage glee, "We're gonna fuck! Them! Up!"
Molly's mouth dropped open. "Wow."
Angel shook his head with amusement. It was slightly better than her last attempt at a catchphrase.
Brute scratched his chin in thought. "We can reconvene in New Orleans after we get these kids to the States and reunite them with their families. We have enough Jeeps to transport everyone to my plane, but there isn't space for all of them on board. Not safely." He calculated quickly. "We'll need to arrange a second transport."
"How many seats are we short?" Angel questioned.
"Three." Brute sighed.
"Charlie?" Angel's voice carried possibility as she raised her eyebrows. "How many, and how far can you teleport?"
Charlie's answer came with certainty. "I can take my family home."
"Teleport?" Molly blinked.
"Just one of Charlie's many amazing gifts," Cassie noted while kissing Snapshot again. "Dinner, Friday night. Pick me up at six and don't be late."
"Wha—?" Snapshot blinked as she stepped over to Angel and Charlie.
Angel's smirk was sympathetic. "Yeah, buddy, I know exactly how you feel." He looked at his team and Molly. "We'll see you on the other side of the world, my friends."
"Safe travels," Brute ushered his team and some curious kids towards the transports, "We'll call you once we land."
When the team had stepped clear enough, Charlie unfurled her wings and wrapped them around herself, Cassie, and Angel. The glowing feathers enclosed the siblings as she looked at the team and gave them one last smile and a wink, "See you soon, my friends."
Then, in a brilliant flash of white light that momentarily stole everyone's vision, they disappeared.
Eyes wide and mouth agape, Molly whispered, "Holy. Shit."
"You can say that again, kid." Brute opened the door to his Jeep, "Okay, team, saddle up! Let's get the fuck outta here!"
"Yes, sir!" Rang out a chorus of replies.
As the team slid into their assigned transports, Molly made a quick pass by each one to ensure that all of the kids were secure. As she finished each inspection, she gave the driver a thumbs-up.
Once she was satisfied, Molly jumped in next to Panther and clicked her seatbelt. Settling into the seat, she felt her rage finally die, and for the first time, she let her eyes well up.
Glancing at Panther, who was giving her a tender, motherly look, she admitted with a heavy dose of reserve, "I…"
"It's okay." Laying a gentle hand on Molly's shoulder, Panther assured her, "It's okay."
Giving the older woman a brave smile, Molly sat up in her seat, wiped her eyes, and cleared her throat. "It is. And it will be." She then looked at Panther again, this time with awe filling her wet eyes, "A demon? My brother's never gonna believe this!"
"If you're going to be a covert operative—" Panther shifted into drive. "—then you're going to have to keep Charlie a secret."
"Aww." Molly slumped back down in her seat.
Panther laughed as she maneuvered behind Brute's vehicle, the other two Jeeps falling into formation behind her. She reached over to squeeze Molly's hand. "It's what heroes do, girl. They protect their family."
"Yes, ma'am!" Molly straightened back up, this time with determination. That's exactly what she would do—protect her new family at all costs and make sure every missing child that Bible took—or any monster took—would find their way home.
Just like Charlie Morningstar, the demon Princess of Hell, had done for her.