Alpha Loren novel Chapter 137

After ten minutes or so, I came to the conclusion that the blood was not coming out of my top. It didn't bother me in the slightest though. 

I was just about to make my way back inside when a scream erupted. It wasn't a baby's scream and nor was it coming from Jack and Lola's house. I instantly got to my feet and pricked my ears only to hear another and another and then a whole flood of chaos and panic. 

"What's going on?" I asked Magnus as I saw him marching across the square.

"We're under attack," he announced in a deep, sincere tone. "Get to safety now."

I felt that sinking feeling in my stomach, the sort you'd get with bad news and intense fear put together, as I watched hell break loose in front of me. Children  screamed and ran, parents clung tightly to their babies, terror flashed in everybody's eyes. Some of them had lived through Halimede's last attack; I could only imagine the dread their memories must have filled them wihth.

Running away was never my style but before I did anything, I had to ensure that the newborn baby, her parents and her aunt were safe.

"You have to leave now," I said bursting back into the house. "The village is being attacked."

They could already hear the events outside but it was the confirmation of my words that got every heart in the room racing. 

"Leave everything behind and run!" I ordered. 

They immediately snapped into action as I watched anxiously out of the window at the square. There was no sign of the invaders yet but the screams and growls were forever growing louder. Jack lifted Lola into his arms as she clung to their little child and Annalisa flung open the back door. 

"What about you, Luna?" she asked as Jack carried his family out.

"I have to stay here," I said. "Go."

She nodded and only hesitated for a second longer before following Jack and Lola. I watched them disappear into the forest before turning back to the square. What I saw quaked me to the bone. 

Men marching like machines into the village. Pummeling everything in their way. I didn't have the Praesidium Deae Astra- only a kitchen knife that I found in the draw. 

"Shitting hell," I hissed as I looked at the blunt, rusty tool and thought longingly of my paralysing knife. Of all the days to forget it.

I gave my self a second or two to push my fear aside before striding out into the square. I immediately noticed a little boy curled up rocking backwards and forwards by the water pump. A short wall blocked him from the sight of the invaders who were busy kicking down doors of houses and dragging their occupants out before setting alight to their every possession. The thought was heart-wrenching but the smoke provided me enough cover to reach the boy without being seen.

I slid beside him and out the sight of me he jumped and began to let out loud wails of woe. He was about five, six at the oldest and tears ran like blood down his cheeks.

"My Mommy," he sobbed. "My Daddy."

"Sssh," I said bringing my hand to his mouth. "You have to be quiet, okay?"