TWENTY-NINE (ISELEN POV)

"Do you think the house is full of traps to stop intruders from breaking in?" Terra asks hiding behind a bush.

"Probably... and I bet there're guards watching the garden too," I whisper looking at the massive building. Everything seems quiet and there's no light behind the windows but I'm suspicious: Marsh is not stupid and wouldn't leave his den open to let in any magical creature who drops by. "Do not pull back your hood."

"But it's hot," Ru pouts and I can't help rolling my eyes.

"Of course it's hot, this is LA, but you can't remove your black hoodie because your hair shines like silver, and your skin too... not to talk about the white wings on your back. Your human form is not... discreet. Where's Mirabelle?"

"She'll be here soon, calm down, it takes more than 23 seconds for those witches to drive across the city. Watch out!" Terra lowers her head and I copy her movements, pushing Ru to force her to do the same when I see a guy walking out the garage door and lighting a cigarette. This confirms that there're people inside the house, they can be guards or staff, humans or demons, it doesn't matter... The point is that we have to dodge them to reach the basement where there's the hell gate without them noticing. The man is smoking calmly, staring at the city lights, the starry sky and his watch, finally, before frowning, dropping the butt on the ground and crushing it with the shoe heel.

"Hurry up, dumbass, we're going to be late. It's time to go to the airport," someone shouts from the garage and they guy runs in. One minute later, a big black car speeds up down the road while we squat down carefully.

"This confirms our suspicions," I whisper nodding. "Marsh had a private jet waiting, I don't think Michaela can fly all the way to the city carrying Ruby so they must've met somewhere outside our forest and came back together."

"We still have time, at least an hour and a half, if there's not heavy traffic," Terra fidgets awkwardly, looking around. "Where's Mirabelle?"

"Here," the witch answers gesturing at us behind another bush. "I'm sorry, I had to call my friends to deal with that Baba Yagá before coming here to help you. We were following her, as arranged, and we realized that she was watching a schoolyard and buying candy, she probably intended to bribe the kids before kidnapping them. What a bitch... luckily, she won't be able to hurt them anymore."

"What did you do?" I ask smiling. "Did you turn her into a toad?"

"Well, no, it was something even better..." Mirabelle smirks mischievously. "We called the witch hunters, although it was an anonymous tip, of course, we couldn't tell them we were witches too. Luckily, they believed my friend Anna when she called them on the phone pretending to be an old lady who was born in Lithuania and swore that she'd seen a Baba Yagá near a school in California. They've caught her half an hour ago while we were watching them from a coffee shop."

"What will happen with her now?" Terra asks with curiosity before shaking her head. "It doesn't matter, the point is that children are safe and you're here finally. We need you to watch the garden and the house main door, it'd be great if you could neutralize the guards that are monitoring the perimeter while we sneak into the garage. The charms you gave us a few days ago, do they still work?"

"All right, we'll deal with demons outside and you'll recue the key kicking the butts of those who are inside. A simple plan... I'm serious, it's no a criticism," the witch smiles kindly while I stare at her suspiciously. "Simple plans are easier to carry out and they don't usually fail. And don't worry about the charms, the spells still work and nobody will notice your magical energy when you sneak inside."

"Okay," Terra takes my hand, squeezing it nervously. "Let's go..."

"How's Jacques doing?" Ru smiles while the witch stares at her puzzled by the abrupt change of subject.

"My cat? He's fine, thank you."

"We went to the Angel Academy together. Please, send him my regards."

"Is there an academy where you can learn how to be an angel?" I ask shocked but Ru shakes her silver head, chuckling quietly.

"No, it's an academy where we learn how to be a pet. I don't need anyone to teach me how to be an angel but I needed to learn how to behave like a dog so humans can't find out about my true nature."

"I'm pretty sure you were the best student there because you're a wonderful dog but now, please... Can we go to rescue your mistress?" Terra asks trying to keep a calm tone of voice although it's obvious that she's getting more and more nervous. I nod and take Ru's hand to guide her to the garage door, slowly, trying not to make any sound.

The truth is that I'm anxious and worried too only I can hide it better than the wolf while focusing on our rescue mission. I don't like the thought of my girl in hands of those Marsh asshole and Michaela bitch, I know they won't hurt her because they need her alive but I'm sure Ruby's crying scared right now. Luckily, her blood is still strong in my veins and I know everything will be all right as long as I can feel that connection, I'll be able to find her and kick my enemies' butts. Maybe this is why I'm a little calmer than the werewolf, because I can feel the human even in the distance.

"Babe," I whisper leaning my shoulder on a wall and Terra looks at me bewildered. "I love you. I've been waiting for this for centuries: waking up next to you every day, living adventures with you, traveling, dancing, laughing and having fun together, without stupid wars or fights between vampires and werewolves. And now, I'll be able to do all that with you and a beautiful human with sweet and delicious blood. I won't let any stinky mongrel that comes from hell snatch that happiness from me. Marsh the jerk has really pissed me off and you of all people should now that I'm dangerous when I get furious."

"You're hot when you get furious," the wolf smiles trying to hold back her tears, leaning forward to kiss me. "Let's go, we'll rescue our girl and close that hell gate forever. We'll skin Marsh and will have a new fur rug in the Wind Rose living room."

"I love when you get all bloody and combative," I answer winking at her before grabbing Ru's hand and dragging her inside the house.

Luckily, this time we know where we're going and manage to reach the laundry room without bumping into a guard. They kitchen is quiet since there aren't chefs making canapes, the corridor is empty too and no one is watching the stairs that lead to the basement. I look around, bewildered, this seems too easy to me. It's possible that most guards are out there, in the garden, because their boss is not at home and he doesn't need them patrolling the living room or the studio and yet, I was expecting to find a trap. I stop cautiously, staring at the walls and steps suspiciously.

"What's wrong?" Ru asks quietly while I kneel down to be able to look at the floor tiles from a different angle.

"She thinks there's a trap," Terra answer and the angel nods.

"There is one, but it's not on the floor... It's on the ceiling." I raise my head, shocked. The pretty girl is pointing at some crystal lamps that are off right now but, when I take a closer look, I can see a little green flash: magical energy residuals.

"Fuck, how didn't I see it before?" I grumble angrily, standing on tiptoes to be able to look at the first lamp.

"Angels are pretty sensitive when it comes to feel demon magic," Ru smiles kindly, shrugging.

"What do you think these do?" Terra asks getting closer too, frowning. "Maybe they work like an alarm sensor and they'll warn our enemies when we walk down the stairs or maybe they shoot magical darts if we walk below... How are we supposed to dodge them?"

"I'm thinking about it..." I whisper looking at the lights with squinty eyes while Ru leans her hand on my shoulder gently. "Wow! What the actual...?" I stagger for a second, confused by the abrupt change of scenery. I've blinked and, suddenly, I'm looking at the stairs, only I'm on the bottom landing and looking up. Terra blinks confused too but the angel smiles like nothing weird is happening.

"I can appear out of the blue wherever I want, do you remember it?"

"A very useful skill to avoid the alarm system," I admit taking a deep breath. "Come on, let's go... The steel door is open. I think Marsh doesn't want to lose any time." I stick my head through the door to take a look at the room with stone walls, still illuminated by a little lantern, there's no one watching this place.

"It stinks..." Ru whispers, scrunching her nose.

"It smells musty because of the stagnant air," the wolf answers looking at the stone arch cautiously, the wooden door doesn't move this time, no disgusting demon is pushing from inside, trying to escape... yet.

"No, it's not that. The thing that smells awfully is behind that door," the angel points at the arch and I can't help feeling a shudder down my spine. The winged girl is right: what's waiting on the other side of that door is not pretty, we can't let any of those wicked creatures escape from there.

"We can't hide anywhere in this room, there're only bare walls... What do you suggest?" Terra looks around, concerned, and I shrug, leaning casually on the wall right next to the entrance door.

"They'll walk in and we'll jump on their backs, a simple plan, like Mirabelle said," the wolf raises an eyebrow with skepticism. "They'll be nervous when they get here, excited, and won't expect an enemy sneaking inside the house. I bet they'll run in without even looking around. The plan will work, trust me... Ru, stop staring at the door scrunching your nose, we know you don't like it. Stay by my side and focus on your mission: if things get ugly, you'll take Ruby and vanish, carrying her back to the Wind Rose. We'll manage to get out of here on our own."

"Do you hear that?" Terra whispers, pointing at the ceiling with her index: the sound of an engine, someone shouting orders, footsteps on the staircase.

"They didn't waste time coming back from the airport," I think shocked while gesturing at the wall so they both stick their backs to the stone and I get ready.

"Let me go, jerk! My girls will beat you to a pulp when they catch you..." Ruby's voice echoes across the corridor and seems angry instead of scared, I can't help smiling proudly... I adore this human.

"I don't think so, the stupid werewolf and the useless vampire should still be in the forest whining and surrounded by pathetic magical creatures... Michaela, bring the knife."

"You couldn't be more wrong," I reply a second before kicking Marsh's back, taking advantage of his shock and confusion, the demon stumbles and releases Ruby, who falls on the floor on her knees while the producer bangs the wooden door with his head. "That must've hurt... Babe, go with Ru and stay by her side." The human obeys and crawls to get closer to the angel, she looks puzzled but relieved because we're here to rescue her, and hugs the silver-haired girl while watching horrified how Michaela tries to stab Terra with the knife. Luckily, the wolf moves fast even when she's human and jumps back, dodging her.

"The situation is under control here, finish that jerk," she growls and I nod because Marsh has got up, furious, and changes immediately. The massive hell hound stands on his hind legs, howling with rage while saliva drips from his sharp fangs.

"The first time I saw this was quite impressive, I can't deny that, but you have to vary the repertoire, dude. The screaming mongrel it's so cliché," I shake my head before jumping on him at vampire speed, kicking his leg. The hound stumbles again and falls on his butt, hitting the wooden door with his big body, but the break only lasts for a couple of seconds before he gets on his feet one more time, roaring and charging like a bull. I dodge him nimbly and I'm about turning around to punch his back when something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye: someone is banging the door from inside, trying to get out, and the disgusting arm with grey skin covered with pustules appears again.

"Iselen!" My heart skips a beat when hearing Ruby screaming, Marsh has managed to push the angel away and is standing in front of the human ready to attack, Terra is too busy kicking the red-haired woman hard and I'll be the one dealing with this once and for all.

"You're pissing me off!" I grumble angrily, running towards him again. "Babe, get down!" Ruby obeys, narrowly dodging Marsh's claws, while I jump on his back and start punching his head, the hound bucks like a wild bull and moves his arms desperately but he can't get rid of me and I punch him harder. "Close your muzzle, your breath stinks!" I yell hitting his snout nonstop. The animal shakes like crazy and almost manages to drop me on the floor.

Marsh stops for a split second before bucking again and I realize that the idiot has a plan, an idea has crossed his mind but he doesn't want me to find out what it is, probably, this is why he keeps shaking trying to get rid of me while moving closer to one of the walls. This hell hound is not vert smart, to be honest, it's pretty obvious that he wants to turn around and crush me between his body and stone wall taking advantage of his strong muscles. I jump on the floor at the last second, using the momentum to turn and kick his crotch hard. The animal cries in pain and falls on the floor shaking his arms.

Suddenly, time seems to slow down, I can see everything around me in slow motion: one claw grazes Ruby's wrist, who was trying to crawl closer to Ru again, dodging us while we were fighting, I can smell her delicious blood making my mouth water while the producer keeps moving his arm to try to hold his sore balls, some drops of the human's blood drip from his sharp claw and fly across the room to fall on the stone arch.

"Fuck!" I whisper and time returns to its normal rhythm when the wooden door opens abruptly and an indescribable creature sticks its head out: the ugliest and most disgusting thing I've ever seen, reeking of sulfur, with black eyes that exude pure evil. The grey skin covers a skeletal body, I can even see the ribs, and he's a mix of a human and a monster who looks about to dislocate all his joints when he moves, like he's used to crawl instead of walking on his feet.

"No!" Ru cries and her body starts glowing brightly, blinding us, the demon growls and moves a step back, staggering at the door threshold, hesitant. Marsh gets up, limping, and tries to get closer to the angel but I stop him grabbing his tail and pulling hard, the dog staggers and turns around, furious, jumping on me. I dodge him nimbly using my vampire skills and the hound falls on the floor right in front of the demon that looks at him angrily, the angel's light is still blinding him and makes impossible for him to set foot on our world, so he raises one of his disgusting legs and tries to step on Marsh's head to punish him for his failure. The producer cries scared and manages to get on his knees, crawling under his leg and through the door to dodge him. The idiot has just got into hell voluntarily.

"Take this, asshole!" Terra appears next to me, covered with bruises and cuts from his fight with Michaela, taking something from her jeans pocket. She holds it for a second in her closed fist before throwing it to the face of the terrible demon, his cry almost bursts our eardrums and we all flinch in pain while the hellish creature stumbles back shaking his arms, trying to get rid of the toasted soya beans that are stuck to its disgusting skin, burning him. "What are you waiting for, bloodsucker? Close the damned door!"

"Yes, you're right, before those two come back..."

"You think you're so smart, don't you?" A voice full of bitterness whispers behind me and I turn around to look at Michaela, the woman in on all fours on the floor and doesn't look as beautiful as usual because the wolf's strong fists did their job. She has a split lip, a black eye and Terra managed to pull some locks of hair and wing feathers too. "I'm going to ruin your lives, bitches."

"Whatever you say," I answer with contempt before turning around again to move closer to the door. Suddenly, something flies past me very fast, I could only see a blurry shadow out of the corner of my eye, and the wooden door closes on its own with a loud bang. Everything falls silent around us and Ru stops glowing like a neon light.

"What happened?" I ask confused.

"Iselen..." I hardly recognize Terra's voice: it was like a muffled gasp, a sound showing extreme desperation. "She took her..."

"What are you taking about?" The werewolf falls down on her knees, ignoring me, keeping her eyes fixed on the closed door while tears run down her cheeks.

"Michaela spread her wings in a split second, she grabbed Ruby and flew away," Ru points at the stone arch, flopping down on the floor next to Terra. "She took me off guard and I couldn't do anything. I've failed in my mission... I didn't protect her."

"What? No! Have you gone mad?" I ask furiously. "That's not possible, Ruby is human and she's alive, she can't go to hell... This is not the way things work!" I get closer to the door and kick it as hard as I can. "We need to open it, for fuck's sake... Ruby! Don't worry, babe, I'll get you out of there." I kick hard again but the wooden door is solid despite it's very old and doesn't budge. "Ruby Rose!" I yell banging the door nonstop.