A War Worth Fighting For

Raynes’ POV
Fear grips my heart. I fly in the direction of the group, my previous plans of finding anyone alive is out the door. I land in front of the group. “What do you mean he’s gone?”
Jules, with tears in her eyes, hands me a piece of paper. I open it, my hands shaking. I blink back tears as I read the scribbled note:
“Rayne,
I see we underestimated the power you and your new allies hold. We have your mate, Rayne. If you can find us, maybe we can do a bit of bartering. But know that time is short. I wonder if it’s true. When an Angel loses its wings, it becomes, mortal.
I suggest you hurry, before my curiosity gets the best of me.
Roskun”
My mind closes off to everything around me. The only thing that exists is the piece of paper in front of me and the loud drumming of my heart in my ears. I close my eyes and try everything to feel for my mate. I can feel nothing. A part of me suddenly feels empty. I feel lost.
“This can’t be happening.”
I don’t know how much time passes before I open my eyes. I look up at my friends in front of me, all of them, eyes red from crying. Now I know the pain Jinxx felt when I was not near him. I feel like my body is collapsing inward. I let out a pained scream before the world goes completely dark around me.
~
Andy’s POV
“Let's get her onto the bus, and get out of here.”
“Andy, is she going to react like Jinxx did that time Gabriel took her?”
“I don’t know Jules, but be prepared in case she does. I have to try and link to Michael, see if he and Wes are ok, and let him know what happened.”
After getting Rayne situated on her bed, and leaving everyone but Jules and I to watch her, I scoot Jules up to the front of the bus to get her driving.
“Andy, which way do I go?”
“Start heading in the direction of home until I can find out where Michael and Wes are. There is a possibility that they went back after the new demons left.”
“Tell me everything is going to be ok.”
She wraps her arms around me, looking for the comfort I so desperately want to give her. The comfort I want to give myself, but there will be none to give here today. “I don’t know baby. But I hope so.”
And that’s all I can do is hope.
~
After finding out that Michael and Wes had returned home, we decided to regroup. That was the original plan, if anything were to happen. Return home and regroup, re-plan. But without Rayne as our head that leaves everything to me and Michael.
Ash carries a limp Rayne from the bus to her room in our house. “I won’t leave her Andy, Katie and I will stay in her room with her. Just link to us so we know the plan. Her soul has already left in search of Jinxx.”
“She won’t be able to find him, physically, in this state. We need to break her of this. She used emotional projection to bring Jinxx back to his body all those years ago. You and Katie work on it, see if you can bring her back to her body. She is the only one that can find Jinxx, and talk to Roskun. He most likely won’t talk to anyone else.”
“Yes sir.”
I cringe at Ashley’s use of the formal term. “Ash, you know better than to call me sir.”
“Sorry Andy, I’m just a little messed up.”
I nod at him as I leave. Michael is sitting on the couch next to Wes. The young human looks worried. “Don’t worry Wes, we won’t let them get to you.”
“I know Andy, but I worry for Rayne and Jinxx. She was so kind to me, and you can tell how much they love each other.”
“Their bond was like no other, it’s true. But we are working on bringing her back so she can find him. Bring this war to an end.”
“They wouldn’t really cut off his wings, would they?”
I hang my head, fear lacing through my heart like a hot knife. “I think they would. We scared them; they know we are stronger than they are. Balan is busy trying to create more of these creatures without Wes, hoping to overpower us. But until then, they want to barter to try and weaken or stop us. Maybe even distract us. Well, at least, that’s what I’ve come up with. Michael, I’m lost right now. I didn’t realize how much of this was on Raynes shoulders, and without her guidance, I feel like I’m lost.”
“Andy, that’s a natural feeling when one looses their leader. But I am here and have worked closely with you and Rayne. You are more than capable. Rayne is going to need us now, when we get her back, to lean on. She will be weakened without Jinxx around. Her mind will not be clear.”
I look at him, then to Wes. Suddenly, realization strikes me. “They want to barter for Wes. Wes for Jinxx.”
“Probably, because when they tried breading the new demons to the succubae, it didn’t work. They’re either infertile.”
“So then they can’t strengthen their army.”
“No Andy, not without me.”
“Ok well then, that’s the plan. We use you as the barter, but not hand you over. Try and get Jinxx out of there before they realize the plan.”
“It will not be easy, and we will need to really think this through, but it might be crazy enough to work!” My heart jumped at the sound of Ryanes voice. It was weak, but she was back. I nod at her with a weak smile. Tears run down her face at a steady pace. “I need him back Andy.”

Notes

i really felt bad about that cliff hanger. And i'm not sure i'll be update tomorrow, so i typed out one more quick filler.
I'll TRY and update tomorrow, but i have to get a drug test done for a new job, and gunna be hectic payin backed up bills as well. so enjoy, let me know what you think ;)
Thank you to all who read my stories and have stuck with me through my bouts of silence.
it means more than you know ;)