Free Gilded Wings by Cameo Renae

and grabbed its injury, its eyes wide with shock. I felt the dagger trying to raise my arm, and as I lifted it above my head it swiftly thrust my hand downward, plunging the blade into the Darkling’s left eye.
    It let out a horrendous, hair-raising scream. I closed my eyes and held tight to the dagger, yanking it out from the socket. Its eyes turned white, and it fell backward, limp.
    One down, four to go.
    The black blood on the blade of my dagger started to drip off, like rain on a newly polished car, leaving it spotless and ready for its next victim. I stood there in awe, and then noticed the Darklings’ eyes narrowing on my magical dagger. They growled and glanced at each other, deciding on their next move. Only one let out a horrifying growl and charged forward. I dodged it, stepping to the side, while pushing my dagger into the side of its head. As I pulled it free, the next Darkling pounced forward, not giving me time to prepare for my follow up move. It slammed into me, its arms wrapped around my legs, thrusting me back toward the window.
    I couldn’t breathe and struggled to kick myself free from its grasp, but it held on tight, slowly crawling to my chest. Straddling me, its face hovered over mine. This stench made me wince. Lunging forward, it moved to bite my shoulder, but Kade pulled it off me by its hair. When I was safe, he threw the Darkling against the wall. It turned and glared at him, but in a second, Kade severed his head. He caught the head before it hit the ground, then turned and flung it, like a bowling ball, at a Darkling entering through the window. The force knocked it backward, dropping it down to the ground below.
    “Thank you,” I panted.
    “Anytime,” he answered. He then turned and sliced off the hand of another Darkling trying to enter. I heard its scream as it fell.
    The fourth Darkling in the room paused and took a few steps backward. I sprung up and moved to the side of Kade as it charged forward. It dove at me, and I jumped out of the way and landed on a pile of pillows. The Darkling just missed me, and crashed through the wall and into the next room, leaving a huge hole. The last Darkling standing pounced on top of me, pinning me down. I struggled to free myself, but he was too strong. I raised the dagger and stabbed its thigh, it’s scream pierced my ears, making them ache. The black evil eyes locked onto mine were filled with rage and hate. It raised its fist in the air. I closed my eyes and shielded my face from the oncoming blow. But it never came.
    I opened my eyes, and Dominic was standing behind the Darkling with his arm in his hand. He glanced down me and winked. “Looks like you need some help,” he said.
    “Always right on time,” I exhaled, smiling.
    He picked the Darkling up and flung it across the room. It crashed into Courtney’s dresser, breaking it in half. In a flash he was after it, jumping on its chest and pushing his blade into its heart. It went limp.
    Malachi ran in next and came over to me, offering me his hand. He pulled me up to my feet. “You alright?” he asked.
    “Yes. There’s a live one in that room,” I said pointing to the hole.
    Without saying another word he rushed through the hole. Immediately following were sounds of banging, crashing, and screams from the Darkling.
    Kade was still fighting the endless Darkling parade attempting to climb through the window, but he managed to hold them back.
    Outside in the sky, I witnessed Samuel battling with another Fallen. He must not have released the barrier, because they weren’t coming any closer than about one hundred yards.
    “Emma,” Kade called. “Put on your suit.”
    He was right. I needed the extra protection. Just as I turned to run, a Darkling flew at me from the doorway. I screamed and Malachi came charging out from the hole, tackling him. The two of them were hurled across the room and tumbled into Courtney’s closet.
    I heard more fighting going on outside Courtney’s room, and