Divinity: Immolation: Book Three (The Divinity Saga) (25 page)

I stiffened in alarm, my heart beginning to thump wildly.

“What?”

She leaned in closer to me before speaking again, “Fallen do not handle devastation very well. If you ever broke things off and decided that you wanted nothing to do with him anymore…he’d fight you to the death.”

I felt the blood rush from my face. I was nonplussed. I suddenly understood what Jamie meant and what she told me. Fight to the death? I couldn’t even picture it let alone fathom it. I closed my eyes and shook my head, swallowing hard.

I glanced over at Rahab from the corner of my eye. He continued to busy hi
mself with cleaning and dusting but I could tell with the slight cock of his head, that he had been listening to our conversation too.

“I would never…are you telling me what I think you’re telling me? That he’d hate me enough to…”

Edanai pursed her lips and shook her head, “Not your death. His.”

I stared at her blankly with my mouth open.

She was apparently letting that sink in, seeing the fearful expression frozen on my face.

She leaned back, hesitating for a moment.

“We were angels once. We feel great sorrow, intense pain, and love far deeper than any human can ever imagine. That part of ourselves is still true, even as fallen. Those that wanted to not feel anything at all anymore, chose darkness and Morning Star. Your relationship, Cam`ael’s feelings, and the bond that you’ve both created between each other, especially now that you are about to become the mother of his child, are all very passionate things, so I hope you’re prepared.

We can’t kill ourselves, that’s part of the terms of our punishment. As fallen, we have way too much pride and power to simply stand by and allow ourselves to be killed by others of our kind either. You have the power to destroy him both physically and emotionally. He knows and accepts that.” She leaned closer to me again, her eyes sparkling as they bore into mine.

She held a finger up to make her point, “Do not tell him we had this conversation, ever. And if you ever hurt him on any level…I will come after you myself. And don’t worry, I don’t mean killing you. Every child needs its mother.”

Several thoughts ran through my mind in that instance, especially the longer that I stared into her gorgeous,
light purple eyes— and then it hit me.

I do remember her, or more so…something about her.

I narrowed my gaze and this time I leaned forward with a smirk, “I haven’t forgotten about the whole spider incident.”

She was surprised at first and then she laughed.

Returning to Cam’s room, I sighed, still seeing no sign of him having returned yet but there was another small, gift-wrapped package sitting in the middle of the bed for me. I melted, he had already gotten me several nice, expensive gifts ranging from clothes to electronics, so it made me wonder what this small one could be.

Just as I sat on the bed and reached for it, my cell phone began to ring on the table next to the bed where I had left it.

I glanced over at it, frozen and blinking for several seconds before quickly crawling over to and picking it up. China’s profile picture as an icon, along with her cell phone number were displayed on the screen. I swallowed, hesitating for a few more seconds. Then, with a nervous and shaking finger, I tapped on the answer button and held the phone to my ear.

Pausing to find my voice, I waited for her to speak first.

“Oh my freaking God, Star. What the hell? What is wrong with you? Why have you been seriously tripping? You’ve never done anything like this. You don’t call or text back, and you told me that you’d be back by Thanksgiving!” She rattled off.

I did? Crap.

I probably shouldn’t have answered. Though the very sound of her voice invoked a flash of random images and memories of her, I had no idea what to say.

“Um…I know and I still plan on it...”

There was silence. “Are you doing drugs? Did you sustain a massive head injury resulting in a coma? Star, I am really worried about you now. This isn’t funny.”

“No…I…”

“Thanksgiving was two days ago and if you tell me that you won’t be home by Christmas, I will fly out there with my parents, Steve, Toya, Jenna, Vanessa, and the fucking FBI to get you and bring you back home. Everyone is worried about you. You’ve got a ton of mail, several from the University marked time-sensitive
, that are probably what I think they are, and I haven’t seen or heard from Joel for a while now either — not since he started dating some weird chic. Is everything really okay? You wouldn’t be into some sort of weird cult or something, would you? Has Cam been out there to see you? You said he planned on it, which makes me feel a little better about your absence and safety. He did stop by once to tell me that you were okay but no one has seen him around here since then. Is he still out there with you? I mean, cop or not, how well do you know him? You allowed him to come out there to see and support you but not me?”

Damn.

My God, I was seriously getting chewed out. I had no memory of China and her ability to fuss and say so much in one breath. This wasn’t going well. I shouldn’t have answered.

In my panic, I had to think of something because I did plan to return soon.

Playing off of her words, I finally responded, “China…” My mouth hung open, my words suspended in my throat as my heart hammered wildly. I said the only thing that quickly came to mind and it had nothing to do with her barrage of questions.

I sighed. “I know, I’m sorry about everything. Nothing is wrong though. Cam has been here too—and I’m…pregnant.”

It went completely silent on her end.

XXIX
. Cam`ael

I
felt betrayed by Edanai. As much as we all had to battle against the stigma, the hate, and being marked forever as demons; she managed to send me right back to that place with words alone. It was even worse this time because she had replanted that image in Starling’s mind.

I was both pissed and devastated, wondering if Starling would ever be able to look at me the same again.

Though I didn’t want to leave the party, I felt that it would be best before the anger sloughing off of me began to fester negatively in the air and ruin everyone’s mood.

At first, I planned to simply just fly off somewhere to vent off my anger but then I remembered the mysterious text. This would probably be more of a perfect time than any to retrieve the rest but I needed my assistant for translation p
urposes.

I almost stopped and returned back inside, shocked when Starling’s voice entered my head, especially when she said that she wanted me to stay. Did that mean she was okay with the information that Edanai had generously dumped on her? Did she still want me?

I wanted to go back as soon as I heard her voice but I needed to release the dark anger first. I don’t know if I’d ever forgive Edanai for causing this painful rift of doubt between myself and the only human being that has ever held my wicked yet fragile heart in her hands. She may as well have killed me herself because it was practically what she’s done.

It was cold on this small, miniscule, dusty gray planet, which was barren of any life form. I don’t think it was because the atmosphere was lethal but because it was small, nearly insignificant, and derived purely of glorified stone and light. The ground emitted a soft, pale glow and there was no sky to divide it from the heavens. That told me all that I needed to know about its origins and history
. The original text had been buried here by an angel. Possibly an angel who had eventually fallen, and only managed to salvage part of it to take with him, eventually ending up in the hands of Morning Star.

I didn’t have enough light in me to withstand contact with the ground, so I was left to hover at about a foot or so above with wings out.

“Why didn’t you just have me do this when I was with you earlier? And what are we doing anyway?” Aliks grumbled, looking up at me.

I had him meet me and then we both tunneled in from a portal. I would have lost my feet entirely had I not quickly reacted upon realizing that the earth was created of light. It was way different from the sanctified lands of the divine hall.

“I didn’t plan on doing this just yet. I was attempting the whole Psyren kumbaya thing, remember? You don’t know anything about part of a text that’s entitled, End to End All, the Genesis of Divine Warriors, do you? It’s written in the very first language of Angels.” I looked at him questioningly.

A single, pink brow rose with interest, “There were many texts written in that language. Where is it?”

“I only have a portion of it and I didn’t bring it with me. It was given to me by one of Morning Star’s former lovers. He had it. I’m pretty sure you’re about to get a briefing on it now if you haven’t already. Elohim disclosed the location of the rest of it to me but I can’t read it much less retrieve it, obviously, so I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. That’s where you’ll come in and prove to be useful.” I nodded at him.

Aliks inhaled. His lips tightened as his gaze went t
o the heavens above in silence.

I waited.

Then he trained his eyes back on me. “You’ll need to cut yourself and allow your blood to flow and fall upon the ground.”

“What?” I was taken aback.

“What part did you not hear?”

“What good will my blood do? I can’t even stand on the ground.” I argued.

“I didn’t say you had to stand on the ground. In case you haven’t noticed, there are no landmarks or X’s on the ground to mark the actual location of the text. You were given the location of this book. Elohim entrusted you with it for a reason and I was told to help you for that same reason. I am simply relaying a direct command if you want to find it. Now, cut yourself and let’s get this done.” Aliks was serious.

I didn’t understand what my cursed blood would do except to completely disintegrate upon impact. Why couldn’t Elohim just tell me all of this directly? Apparently, I needed Aliks or any other angel to help me accomplish this anyway. I imagined that was why he commanded him to assist me but he couldn’t have known that I would request it though.

What am I saying? Of course he did.

That was Elohim.

Reluctantly, I conjured my trusty but deadly blade. I hadn’t used this one in a while. It was the very one that I had used many times before to cut myself with for the guilt of having partied in Morning Star’s domain.

“How much blood?” I asked.

“Let it flow until it stops on its own.”

I dug the tip of the blade in deep, flinching slightly and biting my bottom lip as I pressed down and sliced a, long, deep cut into my forearm and then across the veins in my wrists. Dark, crimson blood immediately began to spurt and gush, splattering the landsca
pe in a soft, pattering rhythm.

The earth hissed, steamed, and crackled like crazy, just like I had predicted. Black smoke began to rise, and the smell of electricity, like wires burning, began to waft upwards. It was hard to see any
thing beyond the smoke at first but as it cleared…something strange began to emerge.

Aliks began to rise with his wings out and beating silently, slowly. We both stared down at the ground in amazement and awe.

My blood began to run swiftly in several different directions, spreading far and wide, creating angles and lines of blackened fissures carved into the ground in its wake.

Our eyes followed the dark, snaking trails as they branched out, forming a pattern that actually began to resemble shapes. When my skin completely healed over and the last drop of my blood fell, I ascended higher as Aliks flew further towards the north end to inspect the complete phenomenon.

I had no words, I was completely astonished.

“Cam`ael, come look at this. Rise up higher so you can see it better.” Aliks called out to me as he began to ascend a few more feet.

I did and then flew over to join him. What I saw left me both stunned and mute.

The design that had been carved by my blood created uniform steps of a stairway. It was wide on the outer edges, tapering the closer it got to a solid black circle in the center. It reminded me of the landscape art, communication codes, and greetings that many of the sky arks would playfully leave behind in wide open fields in the human realm.

Aliks looked at me. “There’s your safe path. You’ve actually created it yourself. I’m guessing you need to start digging in the center of the circle.”

“You think?” I mumbled sarcastically.

I slowly descended, keeping my wings out and folded against me, just in case it wasn’t completely safe for me.

I tensed once I touched the ground.

Nothing happened.

How would I have known to do this if Aliks hadn’t told me to?

I hated having to work with others like this, especially an angel. It wasn’t my style.

“How is everything going with the warriors?” He was making small talk now.

“Not as bad as I thought it would be but that doesn’t mean I like a house full of humans—and warriors at that either. Starling is the obvious exception to my rule though.”

Aliks grinned. “It’s a new and uncomfortable experience for all. It’s only when we put aside our hate, fears, and differences for the greater good that peace and harmony can be achieved.”

I looked at him wryly. “Who are you talking to? Good luck trying to spread that ideology among beings with free will.”

Aliks chuckled.

It was an age old conversation among the angels. One that I remembered having many times very well.

“I would say that should apply to your side as well but even I don’t associate with the majority of the fallen.” I added.

“Precisely. However, having accompanied you earlier today when you met with those in your circle, I was left with many things to ponder.”

I eyed him in surprise but didn’t respond.

I stepped carefully along the one dimensional stair steps that led to a blackened circle of dirt. Aliks met me on the other side of it, landing softly to observe in fascination.

I kneeled and held a hand over the center of the roughly
three feet in diameter circle.

If my blood did all of this, then my magic should suffice. The dirt began to swirl, resembling a whirlpool, and then it began to collapse in the center as a sinkhole would. The way it moved and responded to my magic, reminded me of iron filaments reacting
to a magnetic force from above.

Apparently, my blood had blackened the ground beneath the surface from what I could see so far. After about a foot or so down, a gold box began to appear beneath the crumbling dirt. I quickly reached in and picked it up carefully, brushing the rest of the tainted d
irt away. It was bound in a different grade of yellow-gold from the one Berith gave me.

“Interesting.” Aliks breathed.

I stood up, handling and examining it closely.

“I’ll probably need to put the rest with it though, so it will make sense to you.” I told him.

“Let me get a look anyway. I can probably read a few parts of it now to get an idea.” Aliks held his hand out for it.

I gave it to him and wat
ched as he studied it carefully. Then, he finally opened the cover and eyed the pages in awe.

He was silent for a long time, which began to get on my nerves. His facial expression never changed but then…his eyes widened.

“What? What is it?” I impatiently demanded to know.

After carefully flipping through the pages one after the other, he finally closed the book and a look of utter confusion and bewilderment masked his face.

I didn’t like that combination at all.

“What is it, Aliks?” I was shouting at him now.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to consult with a few arch angels about this first before I can validate its meaning and get the permission to disclose it to you, and I’ll definitely need the rest of it.”

“Disclose it to me? Elohim gave me the instructions on where to find it! Don’t play games with me Aliks! Just tell me what you read! I’m keeping the book with me.” I told him, taking it from him forcefully.

He didn’t resist.

“Fine, keep and put it with the rest and continue to keep it secured. I’ll get back with you soon.”

“Give me a hint at least! I know it has something to do with a weapon. I figured out that much on my own.”

“It does but it’s not what you think. You have my word, Cam`ael. I’ll get back to you with its full interpretation and when I do…be prepared to accept it. That’s all I will say for now.” He said.

What? What the hell does that mean? He ghosted away before I could scream and curse him out for leaving me hanging with such an ominous statement like that.

Damned angels!

~~~~****~~~~

I slaughtered a few chasm trolls, two feral, poison- barbed felines, and even kicked a few pesky imp asses before finally returning back to my home and Starling.

I had to. It was either that or something sexually deviant to get rid of the darkness about to boil over in me. Paying Grace another visit had been a fleeting thought but a very minor one at that. I was sure that she was probably still anticipating or awaiting my return and I hadn’t decided when that would be.

I cloaked myself and slipped into my bed chamber silently as not to disturb her. The fireplace was crackling softly, casting
warm, amber light against her sleeping form in my bed.

Everyone except for Edanai and Rahab
, were gone.

T
hank goodness.

I’d inspect the place later but my friends knew me best, so I knew that they made sure to both clean and arrange everything back the way I liked
to keep my place.

“
Where is everyone?”
I asked Rahab
.

“The others returned them to the home of Durien. We placed feathers around his house for a little protection. They’ll bring them back in the morning for training.”

“Great. Thank you for all you have done my friend.”

“Anytime.”

I didn’t feel like speaking to Edanai right now at all.

I carefully placed the book with the other portion together in the hiding space behind my bookshelf, and
then proceeded to bathe before retiring to rest next to Starling. I noticed the present that I had left for her was still unwrapped on the tableside. I wondered why she hadn’t opened it yet. Was she still upset with me?

I heard her shift and move just as I finished drying myself off. Naked, I stepped from the alcove of my bathing room, surprised to see her fully awake.