CHAPTER ONE
Fire

Riley River mid-west United states 1784


The thudding sound of swift feet could be heard in the darkness. A girl ran blindly in the pitch back night like a scared rabbit. Branches and limbs cut her arms and legs. Her panting gave away her presence. Owls and bats flew past her screeching and cooing in the night. She stumbled over a branch, and fell. She struggled to get up. Tears soaked her nightgown as she pushed herself off the ground and ran. The stalker was gaining on her, moving with supernatural swiftness. The girl was slowing with fatigue, her muscles and joints were screaming in pain. Her knees buckled and she fell forward. Her face hit the ground filling her mouth with dirt. She rolled over, again struggling to get up and turned to see the face of her stalker. The stalkers eyes were fiery with hatred and evil; he had the look of a crazed man. His strong hand wrapped around her neck and pulled her from the ground, suffocating her. She kicked and tried to scream but no sound came from her lips. The stalker pulled a knife from his black trench coat and gripped it tightly in his hands ready to plunge it into her heart…….
Rose Lachen woke from the nightmare drenched in sweat. Her body was tangled in the sheets on her bed as they stuck to her. She sat up quickly checking her surroundings, every muscle in her body was tense, and she was scared out of her wits. The oil lamp dimly lit the plain bedroom. Rose searched the dark corners for the stalker, her heart pounding all the while. Suddenly she heard a shrill scream that made her blood run cold. The scream came from the west, near her close friend, Mary Blithe’s home. Rose knew what was happening. Mary. She shot out of the bed and ran to the door, her hip caught the corner of a table and she winced in pain. She didn’t even bother to put on her shoes. She lived alone in a small one story cottage in the forest near Riley River. She had no husband, although she was beautiful. Her home was well into the forest, but Mary’s house wasn’t too far away. Rose just hoped she wouldn’t be too late. Rose regretted not getting a coat as the cold air hit her like knives as she ran swiftly through the forest. She jumped over broken branches and twigs tugged and ripped her thin white nightgown but she kept running. She had to get to Mary’s house, and quickly. Rocks stabbed the bottom of her foot covering it in blood; branches whipped her arms leaving welts and bruises. The wind blew Rose’s dirty blonde hair back as it had hung untied down her back. She could barely make out the path before her but was thankful for the little moonlight that shone through the forest canopy. Her breathing had quickened slightly from her running. The forest was coming to an end and Mary’s house was not an acre away, on fire. Rose let out a quiet gasp as she slowed to a stop at the edge of the forest. She knew that she would see this; she just wasn’t prepared for it. She could see a group of men in front of the house clearly pleased by it. Thomas Tharow. That one name wrung in her ears. Even at a far distance as the fires flames danced in front of the house, Rose could see the hatred in the evil mans eyes. His laughter could be heard through the entire forest and Rose was surprised that she hadn’t already heard it. She crouched down by a bush. Only the Lord knows what would happen if she was seen. A gust of wind blew past her bringing smoke and a terrible smell with it, burnt skin. “Mary.” Rose whispered as a huge knot formed in her throat bringing the tears that came in gasps. She let the tears fall soaking her nightgown as she tried to stifle the gasps. The monster was Thomas. His heart was full of hatred no mercy could be found any where near him. Rose was sure he was one of Satan’s henchmen with nothing better to do than make the mere mortals lives a living hell. Rose knew this night would come, but it came all too soon. Mary and her husband Jacob were “on fire” Christians – now literally- they loved the Lord with all their heart and would be quick to tell you too. Thomas didn’t like that too much and warned them to either change or leave. They didn’t do either of them and now… their gone and the child in Mary’s womb was gone. Everything that Rose had ever held dear that evil man took it away, and she hated him just as much as he hated Christians. She watched as the men fed the fire until her tears blurred her vision. She could see black figures surrounding Thomas laughing along with him. Demons. She had seen them before flying around haunting and stirring up trouble. She knew them all to well, she knew them by name. The small one hovering over Thomas’s head was Virgan, the deceiver. Virgan was weak but he was cunning and quick to think. The big demon beside Thomas was Jarell lord of Riley River, Well this must have been important for that foul beast to have gotten his cowardly tail down here. She thought. Jarell arms were three times the size of an average man but his brain was ten times smaller. He had black beaten up wings lying flat against his leathery maroon hide. Rose had seen him in battle once; he was fast, powerful, and skilled. But the being he fought – if you might call it a being- was far more powerful than he. The being was an Angel. “They will be avenged.” A masculine voice said behind Rose. She practically jumped out of her skin and she was almost too afraid to turn around. She turned her head to see him, the head of The Host of angels. His name was Gavin. His golden hair shimmered and his bronzed skin made his ocean blue eyes stand out as they glittered in the moonlight. He had a straight nose and a strong jaw. He was wearing clothes any commoner would wear, a cream tunic and brown britches. Perhaps it was to keep the demons from noticing him to much. His sword lie in its sheath ready in case of a sudden need. His eyes were full of sorrow. He was the most handsome thing Rose had ever laid eyes on, but this wasn’t the first time she had seen him. She was one of the very few who was blessed but also cursed by being able to see the demons and angels. But she knew she was definitely blessed to see him. “I wish I could help with that. I’d love nothing more than to drive a sword into their gut.” Said Rose astonished by her gruesomeness. “Ah but you can.” He stated. Rose looked up at him confusingly. “Don’t think that just because you are human means that you cant help in this spiritual war.”
“But how am I to fight?” She asked.
“One, pray. Your prayer gives us strength. And two, we will help. If you are willing.” Said Gavin. Rose looked back at her dear friend’s house in flames. Then she looked back at Gavin. “I am willing.”
“Then come with me.” Gavin offered his hand and Rose eagerly accepted it. He helped her from the ground easily. The grip of his hand was firm but gentle. Rose stood in front of him having to look up to see his face. He was at least 14 inches taller than her 5’9 inch frame, making him to be at least 6’11. “Come now we must hurry the others are waiting.” He said as he wrapped his strong arm around her slender waist. “Hold on.” He said as he spread his enormous feathery wings. “Wait where are we going?” Rose asked as they took off but her question was drowned out by the wind rushing past them. She wrapped her arms around Gavin’s neck and laid her head against his chest and held on tight. Mary’s dead. It hit her and it hit her hard. Yes she saw the flames and smelt the smoke but surly it couldn’t have been real. But her closest friend was gone, the one person who believed that Rose really could see angels and demons. But now she had no one, she was alone, again. Gavin must have felt her pain because he held her tighter and softly rubbed the curve of her back trying to comfort her. Rose held on tighter and sobbed on Gavin shoulder soaking his cream tunic. “Shh. It’ll be okay. You’re safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Gavin said into her ear so she could hear him over the wind. The scenery past by a blur leaving behind trees and small houses. After flying for no telling how long Gavin slowed as they came to a large cave deep into the forest. Rose could see faint lighting in the cave through her tear blurred eyes. “Captain, we’ve been waiting. I see you’ve got the girl.” Said an Angel with a British accent, who was standing – most likely guarding- in the entrance of the cave. “Nemion, we had some…. Matters to tend to.” Said Gavin looking down into Roses eyes. Nemion’s emerald eyes softened. Gavin realized that he still had his arm around Roses waist so he let go. His tunic was soaked to the skin so he pulled it off and asked Nemion to go get him another. He shivered slightly when the cool night air hit his bare skin. Rose turned away when she caught herself staring at Gavin’s bare chest. Rose, that was most improper. Rose scolded herself. But it wasn’t like she lived by what was “proper” any way. She was not looking at him impurely but just out of pure curiosity, she wondered how in the world could he get a tunic over such enormous wings. “What are you thinking?” Gavin asked as he slipped on a clean and dry tunic. “What?” Rose asked taken aback by him almost reading her thoughts. “You look like you’re curious about something.” Rose could feel her cheeks growing red. “I’m curious about many things. But I was wondering how in the world can you get a tunic over such enormous wings.” She said looking directly in the eye. Gavin chuckled and gave her a warm smile. “Come. I know some are growing impatient with us. I’ll answer your question later now we must start the meeting.” Rose followed right behind him into the cave to see at least 40 angels. All different races, all glorious, all beautiful. Some were dressed as commoners some were in beautiful white robes, there were men and women. All letting off a glow in the cave. Rose felt peace here, she felt at home, and most of all she felt safe. “Welcome all.” Gavin’s voice boomed throughout the cave. “As you all may know this ongoing war is now growing in this small village. Thomas Tharow is a main problem right now, and the host of demons with him. They are growing in number each day. They smell a battle. As do I.”
“Then when are we to fight?” An angel called out from the crowd. “When the Lord wills it. And when there is enough prayer cover.” After a moment of silence Gavin said. “You are dismissed.” Some angels spread their wings and took off and some stayed and fellowshipped with one another.

Gavin sat on a large bolder staring at the woman sitting across the room. Her dimpled smile lit up her mossy green eyes. Her long dirty blonde hair reached the middle of her back and was draped over her left eye slightly as she slouched forward. Her sweet laughter filled the cave and brought a smile to every one around her. She was definitely a work of art. Rose. A beautiful name it fits her perfectly, her beauty, her- She’s a human Gavin! What are you thinking? Gavin scolded himself. Rose glanced at him from across the room. She smiled, her dimples showing and her eyes searching his. He smiled back hoping to bring her the same warm feeling she brought him. And he did. Her heart got all fluttery and light. Rose! He’s an angel! A spirit! Something you cannot have! She immediately looked away. Gavin felt the same as she did, but he had no clue what it was. How could he feel like this? What is ‘this’ exactly anyway? She’s beautiful any one can see that, but you don’t see any other angel look dumbfounded ever that one girl, or any girl for that matter! “Gavin, I know that look. You’re arguing with yourself in your head again.” A voice came from behind him. Gavin turned to face Toran, his big, humorous friend. Toran’s ruddy completion set off his golden eyes and his fiery hair. His cheery smile matched his attitude, most of the time. Gavin chuckled. “You always knew me best.” Gavin sighed as his eyes went down to his hands. “You mustn’t tell any body...” Gavin said when Toran nodded his head he went on. “I don’t know what’s happening… I can direct an army and defeat demon lords…. But I can’t figure out what is happening to me. That girl, Rose, she’s caught my attention. I know any one can tell that she’s beautiful but I feel more than that I feel… odd, nervous, and lightheaded.” Gavin looked up at Toran hoping that he knew something. “Oh dear.” Was all he said. “Maybe I can ignore it.” Gavin finally said.
“You can try.”
“You can bet I will try.”
“Come brother, let’s discuss battle plans.” Said Toran. Gavin chuckled.
“My favorite thing to do.”















CHAPTER TWO


Rose sat on a rock outside the cave, gazing at the stars. So much had happened tonight, she felt so over whelmed, so shocked. She laid on her back and put her hands behind her head. “So what do you want me to do now? Because I sure don’t know.” She prayed aloud. No sound came from the sky, no booming voice directing her to where she should go and what she should do, just the sound of the soft wind and the midnight birds. She heard soft footsteps behind her. It was Gavin. “Hello.” He said giving her a soft smile. “Hey.” She said back, not sure of what else to say to him. What was she going to do? How was she going to act around him? She knew she was attracted to him, she couldn’t deny that. But there was something else, but she was unsure of what that something is.
“Would you like to walk with me?” he asked.
“Sure.” He helped her off the rock and walked toward the narrow path going into the forest.

OO thats pretty good much better than mine that i wrote in 1st grade about a guy being afraid of red eyes

thanks