Torment by Lindsey Anne Kendal

up will frighten the attacker and give you the advantage. Plus, your friends need to learn to cope without you. They need to learn to defend themselves and not just rely on you. They need a taste of what’s to come. That way, they will know what to expect.”
    “I won’t argue, but I don't agree with you, I think I should be there now, or, at the very least, they should know I’m still alive – in a fashion. I want them to know I’m still going to fight beside them…And Lily; she’s lost her best friend. I feel like part of me is missing; she’s like my sister.”
    “Soon, Keira,” he said in a caring voice. “I sense it will be very soon. Anyway, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to leave you. I have a meeting with the High Court.”
    “Doesn't that include Eligos?”
    “He’s already been briefed, so tonight he is all yours,” he smirked.
    I watched him as he walked down the hall then disappeared down one of the corridors leading to the west side of the Palace. I sat on one of the large chairs and waited for Eligos and Lilith to finish talking.
    I was waiting a while and ended up slipping into my own little world. I sat there wondering what the guys were doing back at the house. Would they be preparing themselves for what was to come? But then, how can you prepare for something when you don't actually know what to prepare for? Then I thought about going back. In a way I couldn’t wait to see their faces when they saw I was OK, but I was also dreading it. What if I frightened them and they didn't want to come near me? I shook my head and stood up. I looked at the clock. I’d be waiting around fifteen minutes and I was now fed up.
    I walked to the end of the hall and into the little room with the viewing pool inside. Lilith and Eligos didn't hear me walk in; they were too busy watching something. I moved closer and looked at the pool. My whole body tensed, and then started to shake. I was watching the guys running into a church and trying to barricade the doors behind them. I saw Lucian shouting to Lily. I managed to make out him telling her to take all their mothers and hide. I watched them run as Lucian and the rest of the men tried desperately to block the doors, but it was useless. Possessed people started to appear inside the church; they didn't need to walk through the doors, they could teleport themselves in. Then I saw Lily and the women being dragged into the main area, each being held securely by one of the possessed.
    I stood there glaring at the pool, not paying any attention to Lilith or Eligos, and not knowing if they even knew I was in the room with them yet. I watched as a larger demon with orange eyes appeared, he was talking to Lucian and the men. I started to find it really hard to control myself, especially when I saw Argyle raise his hand and then fire some form of energy at the guys. I saw the look of pain on their faces and the women screaming and crying. I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t stand there and watch my friends being hurt. I glared at Argyle in the pool, then threw my hand out in front of me. I saw Eligos and Lilith in my peripheral view; both of them turned to look at me. Argyle was hoisted into the air and thrown across the church; he hit the wall and then fell face down on to the floor. I glared at the crucifix hanging on the wall above him. A second later it fell and Argyle moved quickly to keep it from landing on him.
    “Keira!” I heard Lilith say.
    I paid no attention to her.
    In the viewing pool Argyle stood up quickly and looked around him.
    “Confused?” I asked, as though Argyle could hear me.
    The ground started shaking and Argyle and his group of followers had to hold on to the pillars and pews to stop them falling over. I was so annoyed that even the Palace started shaking.
    “Keira, stop!” Lilith said, but again I paid no attention.
    My eyes left Argyle for a moment as I turned to look at the church windows. They exploded and a strong gust of