Page 74 of Roman

Roman landed in the center of the sunken plaza at the base of the Templo Mayor or ‘The Grand Temple.’Armaros and Grigori landed behind him.

He kept moving, running across the plaza and up the stairs.Roman didn’t hesitate; his gun raised as he entered the temple.The entrance had remained hidden from humans for thousands of years.Even the best archaeologists who’d helped excavate the ruins over the years had not found it, thanks to the mystical enchantments placed over the doorway.Lanterns hung randomly along the tunnel walls.Extravagant paintings and hieroglyphs covered every inch of the walls and ceiling, telling the story of their fall from the heavens.Of the gateway to Hell opening up and the history of the Aztecs building the pyramid over the top of it to keep it safe and hidden from those who would try to take control of the gate for their own corrupt intentions.

He still remembered other fallen telling him of the sacrifices they would throw into the gate.The early Aztecs thought sacrificing to it would keep the demons at bay.Over the years, as they kept watch, now and then, an angel would crawl out.They would fall to their knees, worshiping them like gods, not knowing what horrors the angel had just escaped from.

Roman shook the memories away.He needed to keep his head in the game.

“It’s not too much farther,” Armaros whispered as Lucian and Phoenix joined them.Maalik flashed to his side, blood running from his mouth and down his chest.

Must have been hungry.He tried to ignore his brother’s appearance.

“I needed to get back my strength from all the flashing.”

Roman held his hands up.“I didn’t say a word.”

Maalik frowned at him as they came to an opening.Ahead of them were three tunnels.

“Which way?”Roman asked, frustrated.

“Left,” Maalik answered.

They could hear the others coming behind them.

Good, the guards are dead.He smiled, moving forward through the left doorway.

The ground dipped, taking them deeper into the earth.Roman could hear voices up ahead.Bright red light glowed through an entrance ahead of them, illuminating the tunnel.

Roman stopped.“We will wait for the others.They are nearly here.Then we will attack as one,” he whispered to them.

A female voice echoed into the tunnel from the red glow radiating up in font of them.A chill crept through Roman’s body, piercing his very soul as he heard the chilling words the witch was chanting.He’d only heard the ancient language she was speaking once before in his life, and it was when he’d fallen into Hell.She was speaking in some archaic demon language.

It had begun

A shiver crept through Roman’s body.His eyes glowed red, and his fangs descended.They were too late.The ritual was starting, and there was no time to wait for the others.They needed to attack now.Rage simmered under the surface.

They are going to hurt her.Kill her.

Charlotte was right there, right through that doorway, waiting for him in the eerie red light.

He could barely make out the hushed, panicked voices of his brothers around him.They were tugging at him as he started forward.

“Roman, no,” Maalik’s frantic whisper broke through his fury.

But he didn’t stop.He shook them off, anger rushing through him, and a growl from somewhere deep in his body rose.

They want to kill my soul mate.NEVER!His mind screamed, his eyes burning red with fire.

He sprinted head-on toward the doorway.The fury and sound of his blood pumping through his body blocked out the voices of the fallen.There was no stopping him now.He was going to save Charlotte, and nothing would get in his way.

Roman spread his wings as wide as the tunnel would allow as he burst through the doorway, flying high into the giant chamber.He looked down, scanning the area.In the center, a giant portal glowed blood red, swirling with a magical force so strong the wind nearly knocked him off kilter.

Six giant pillars covered in intricate carvings surrounded the portal.He caught sight of Turel standing close to the entrance.He whipped his wings, diving straight for the dark warrior.Turel’s eyes widened in fear, shocked to see Roman.He pulled out his gun and shot at him, but Roman easily dodged the bullets as he plowed into the angel, smashing him into the wall.Bricks, sand, and dust flew everywhere.Turel punched him in the face, only to stare at Roman in fear, as he didn’t even flinch.

Touched what’s mine,his mind growled.

The others finally flew into the chamber, shooting and fighting behind him.

“Roman, I-I…” Turel stuttered as he looked around the chamber for help.

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