Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (47 page)

I smirked, “If anything at least you will be out of the equation then as much as that would disa
ppoint you. You want oxymoron? How about giving her false hope in a pointless story, when her fate is already sealed no matter what she decides to do or not do at this point? If she’s free to choose, why are you trying to influence her decisions?” I retorted.

             
Drakael narrowed his eyes at me, and I could swear that I saw his jaw working. Funny, angels don’t act or react on or out of emotions. Though we were and represented love and patience, we were neutral beings when it came to emotions, because we were forbidden to show favoritism over one human being as opposed to another.

That has always been the fastest and most sure fire way to end up falling
, and becoming branded as a demon once that clear line had been crossed. And from the looks of it lately…and now —Drakael was on the verge of jumping that line with both feet.

“Unlike you I only act and move when I am given
permission or where I see fit. My story wasn’t a means of influence, it was a means of hope, and I wasn’t saving you by the way.” He then said as he looked over my bleeding plumes. I couldn’t pull in or retract them in this condition until they healed, so for now we both remained cloaked and invisible to normal humans. If Star had been nearby she would have been able to see both of our signatures though, and Drakael knew that, which was why he placed her back in her car for when she awoke.

“Hope my ass. I don’t remember thanking or as
king you to. Is she’s still safe?” I shot back.

“She’s shielded.” Drakael stated flatly.

Okay…she was safe.

Being shielded was only done in extreme measures
, and it stopped time, literally. Only Angels had the power to manipulate and invoke it. At the same time, the mortal and all other living beings within the vicinity fell into a state of unawareness or unconsciousness, with no memory of passing time let alone anything they may have seen or heard and weren’t supposed to. The individual was then temporarily cocooned in a divine aura of protection from whatever threat or entity remained, until it was eliminated.

However, in my opinion, that act toed the fine line of interference
; in that it was only used to prevent mortals from seeing anything not of this plane accidentally.

“What difference does her seeing us make at this point? I don’t know if you’re even aware but her blood has already been spilt…twice! As far as I’m concerned there are no more rules! Morning Star isn’t playing by them anyway
, but he’s not going to get his own hands dirty either. She sees us already and she knows we’re real, so if you think she doesn’t suspect you of something out of the ordinary while you continue to heal her…you’re more of an arrogant ass than I thought!” I furiously stated in frustration as I as glared at him, and shook my head in exasperation.

Drakael seemed to ponder what I said for a m
oment.

“What she thinks she sees or knows is not my r
esponsibility or concern as long as the rules are followed. I’m sure she suspects something. All divine have the sight ability, which makes them different in the first place, and there is nothing we can do about that. But do you really want her to see you with your wings splayed fully out, is that it? For her to see your marks and know that you are a fallen?” Drakael replied frankly.

“Isn’t that what you want for her to see and know? I heard every word of your blatantly ove
rdone speech about her being vigilant, which was shy of naming me outright, so don’t lecture me about what is forbidden! I’m not the one out to hurt or kill her!” I stated harshly with a grimace.

At least not yet,
I then thought to myself.

Drakael eyes traveled to my right wing again, his face showing more of a slightly emp
athetic expression this time, which surprised me. I supposed he was probably communicating with Elohim in his silence as well when his face went solemn and humble just now.

I sighed impatiently, looking down at my wing as I shifted to a kneeling position from where I had been sitting and then stood up. The injury to my
wing was already in the process of healing. The gilded gold edges glimmered and sparkled, working to reform each white plume efficiently and quickly as well as the blackened ones, which would always regrow black no matter how many times I had tried to remove them myself in the past. The blood flowed and faded away back into the veins of the renewed flesh and the roots of each feather.

I glanced in the direction of Star’s car and the parking lot of the park,
thinking about our date tonight. I wasn’t sure how that was going to go now, because I knew that this altercation had been nothing compared to what would come but I looked forward to it. In fact, the only thing that kept me from exacting rage or giving into my sin once again — was being alone with her, talking with her and maybe even getting the chance to kiss her too.

As if Drakael had read my mind
, he spoke, “Seduction is forbidden, don’t forget that. Do not forget to bring her tonight before the ten o’clock hour.” He reiterated.

I glared at him, “The rule was that I could not lie down with her
, but I won’t stop or resist her if she comes on to me first.” I smirked.

He sighed and pursed his lips while eyeing me suspiciously
, then shook his head with disdain as his signature faded, and then he was swiftly, gone.

Remaining cloaked
, I staked out Star’s car to make sure no other being was stalking and waiting for her cocoon of protection to evaporate before making a move again.

When she had awoken
, I waited a bit longer wondering if she were going to get out, and knowing how perplexed she must have been feeling since she sat there for a while. The confusion on her face verified what I figured, and I wanted to go to her and tell her everything so badly, but I couldn’t. It was like a horrible itch that I couldn’t scratch, even though I had to ability to do it.

After several minutes
, she finally drove off without further incident. Expecting that Morning Star had no intention of stopping his pursuit of her, was like expecting a criminal to simply walk by a bag full of money lying on the ground.

              I had to make one quick stop before returning back to the farmhouse that I was using as a temporary dwelling, to clean myself up. The rip in my wing had healed completely at that point.

I sent out a quick mental message telepathically to Edanai
, to check-up on both her and Ryziel, to see how they were coming along. She was much safer here in the mortal world than in the spirit plane right now. That being because there were stricter rules set by Elohim and the angels that were actually followed and adhered to more here by the demons and shadows, than there. Knowing Edanai though, she wasn’t just going to skulk around in the background and remain cloaked.

“What’s your major?”
I joked.

“I kind of like this liberal arts curriculum.”
Edanai responded back telepathically.

“That sounds like it suits you well. Does the name Toraen sound familiar to you?”
I then asked her.

“
Toraen? Fallen?
” She asked.

“
Yes, part of, or leader of a rogue legion
.”

“That’s funny Cam, all dark fallen are consi
dered rogue. Wanna be more specific?”

“You know what I mean. There’s another legion out there looking to establish the same thing as Morning Star once the Earth has been disban
ded.”
I then said.

“I don’t know. It sounds like I’ve heard that name somewhere before. I can ask around
.” Edanai replied.

“
No, don’t do that. I don’t want any one of them to know anything.”

“Does this have to do with this chosen human girl?
I haven’t seen this amazing mortal girl you’re gushing over yet by the way but there are a lot of fresh, young testosterone factories running around without a clue. I’m in total paradise right now.”

“It does and I figured you would be. Thank you for doing this for me.”

“Sure. I freshened up and changed at your temporary abode, Rahab told me you said it was okay and don’t worry…I cleaned up.”
Edanai said before I could even speak

She knew me so well.

“Where is Ryziel?”
I then asked.

“Last I saw him he was hitting on some prom queen blonde girl type with big breasts.”

I sighed,
“Well, she should be returning to her apartment soon. She’s staying at the Wayford Hall apartments about a mile and a half from the University.”

“I’m sure I’ll find her but when I do, then what?”

“Keep an eye on her for me…please.”
I asked sincerely

She paused
.

“Is she that naive?”

“No, she’s that valuable. Also, if any other shadows or demons try to physically attack her again…don’t kill them…do what you can to run them off as inconspicuously as you can, and let me know who it was right away.”
I told her.

“Morning Star wants her too?”
Edanai asked.

“Yes.”
I finally admitted to her.

There was a brief pause.

“Alright.”
She finally agreed with some semblance of determination in her resignation, which surprised me.

“Make sure to mask your brandings and tell the others to do the same because she will be able to see them. Rahab has but she’s already seen mine and I don’t want to have to explain that to her if she happens to see yours. Keep an eye open for Berith too.”
I then added.

“Uh huh and I doubt that was an accident either. Don’t worry I’ve been looking for her ass already anyway. Is there anything else my Lord?”
Edanai giggled.

“Don’t you start
,” I warned but I sensed she had already broken our mental connection.

              I supposed I could have manipulated things to get this concert cancelled, but that would only irk and provoke Morning Star. His plans to cause medial havoc and devastation could go from a minimal to a catastrophic proportion within a split second decision to express his rage. Many millennia of dealing with him, I knew that the best way to defeat or frustrate him and any of his plans, was to let them come to or close to fruition, giving him a false sense of victory before countering and moving to strike against him. I found it hysterical that after all this time and all he has done; that he still believed he would come out the victor in the end.

I passed a local flower shop on my way back to the farmhouse and immed
iately thought of Star. I knew what her favorite flower was, it was one of the many things I noted and kept in mind having watching over her during the times that I had. One of those I remembered well was her awe of lilies or more the exotic colored ones. I chose a large bouquet of Stargazer lilies with white roses mixed in to have sent to her before our date.

Once back at the farmhouse
, and as much as I knew it may have been a bad idea, I didn’t have much choice or options at this point and I needed some direction to follow, as well as answers.

Against my better judgment I had given in
, and mentally summoned Berith.

                                          ~~~***~~~

Even though cloaked, I knew she could sense my signature and pick up my scent. The four-bedroom, two-story farmhouse was open and large, with a second floor open loft design. It was old and decrepit when I found it, which made a great disguise on the outside.

Inside however, it was a completely different abode. I purposefully left it sparsely furnished yet
thoroughly repaired, cleaned, spotless and comfortable enough for temporary lodging. I left the fireplace going as I waited and watched in the rafters, to ensure she arrived alone, and that there were no others in the vicinity. Regardless, around Berith you always kept your guard up, eyes open, and your groin covered with the understanding that half of the things coming out of her mouth were one hundred and ten percent — lies.

             
She stepped slowly, I could tell she was looking around to make sure she wasn’t being ambushed either. The clicking of her heels thumped, and sounded heavy on the hollow wood floor.

“Alright Cam`ael, I came alone I promise
, but I know how you are so I’ll give you a moment to make sure and no, I didn’t tell anyone I was meeting you.” She called out.

I ghosted outside to scan the perimeter of the farmhouse and listen for a few moments
, before returning and materializing at the top landing of the steps.

I noted her sense of initial surprise
, or maybe it was paranoia, but she immediately smiled seductively as she eyed me up and down with her hands on her hips. She wore a black lace body hugging dress with not much more underneath save for a slinky black thong.