Free Flaming Dove by Daniel Arenson

them. The evil flowed beneath the streets, hissing, roiling, a hundred thousand shades. And deeper below, far in the darkest caverns, Laila could almost hear it. She felt it bubbling up between the cobblestones. The ancient evil. The great reptile. Angor, the archdemon.
    They walked through the city, Laila's boots and the angels' sandals silent upon the stones. The waves murmured in the distance, and strands of smoke wafted in the horizon, as from remote battle fires or camps. Even the birds were silent as they pecked between the cobblestones, as if too weary and wary to sing. Laila kept her left hand on Volkfair's back, and her right hand on her Uzi. A dozen magazines of ammo hung on a strap across her chest, and grenades dangled from her belt.
    An angel whispered behind her. "I see nothing here. Are you—"
    Volkfair paused and growled, showing his fangs.
    Something is here.
    Laila clutched her Uzi, staring around. The angels froze.
    With a crackle and roar, columns of flame burst from underground through sewer holes, shooting up toward the sky, spreading out swirls of smoke. One column rose only yards ahead, while a dozen others rose from behind buildings across the city. The heat sent sweat down Laila's brow.
    "They're trying to burn us out," a tall, wingless angel grunted. His name is Nathaniel, Laila remembered.
    She shook her head. "No. They're covering the sky with ash, so that the sun does not burn them." She raised her Uzi with a crooked, chaotic smile. "Be ready, my darlings. My brethren are coming."
    The smoke swirled across the sky, thick and foul, and the world swayed with heat waves from the flames. The cackling of demons came from underground, and this time, Laila knew the angels could hear. They took position against the walls and shattered columns, holding their spears ready to fire godlight. Within moments the pall covered the sky, leaving the city in shadow.
    Laila spotted the first demon, a shade of blazing eyes and glinting claws, swooping toward them. Her gun rang out, and the demon crashed against the ground at her feet, spattering blood.
    For a moment the angels stared in silence. And then a thousand more demons came swooping down.
    * * * * *
    When the alarm bells clanged, Bat El was kneeling in her chamber by her bed, hands pressed together in prayer, eyes shut.
    "Amen," she whispered hurriedly, ending her prayer, and leapt to her feet. Beyond the clanging bells, she heard flapping demon wings, shrieks, and clanking armor. A chill ran through her. This was more than a rogue demon scout, she knew. This was a full attack... and she was alone.
    Her fingers trembled as she strapped on her gilded breastplate and hurried out of her chamber, sword drawn. Michael was away in Caesarea. So were Nathaniel, Laila, Raphael, and most of their garrison. Both Heavenfire Division and Talon Division had gone to kill Angor, leaving only Shield to guard the fort, a third of their usual force. Of course Beelzebub would attack now.
    Bat El rushed down the tower, raced across the main hall, and burst out into the courtyard. Demon wings and smoke darkened the sky. Countless demons glared above her, eyes burning, leathery wings churning smoke. Their stench, like burning meat, filled her nostrils.
    "Rally here!" Bat El cried to those angels she spotted. She saw maybe a hundred angels upon the walls, another hundred battling demons in the air. More angels were emerging from the fort, but they were confused, outnumbered. I'm the highest ranking angel here, Bat El realized with another chill. She had never felt more alone.
    As demons were landing on the walls, angels rallied around Bat El. She spread her wings and took flight. "Follow me," she shouted. "Knock them off the towers!"
    Pillars of flame burned in the landscape around her, hiding the sky behind black smoke. Between swirls of ash, Bat El flew toward the fort's tower, where her chamber was located. Demons covered the tower, entering the windows. Bat El and her angels