Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga)

by Reid, Susan

  “And I’m Diana, I’m an elder councilor.” The woman smiled, and stood up from her chair too.

  She glided elegantly over to me, in her flowing, plain, pale pink dress, and reached out to shake my hand.

  “Hi.” I nodded, noticing that she didn’t have any brandings on her arms.

  “I trust that you’ve had a chance to eat breakfast already?” Sean asked.

  “I wasn’t hungry.”

  He cast a quick look at Jamie, and then back at me. “How is everything going for you so far?” He asked.

  I shrugged. “Okay, I guess…for now.” I answered, looking over at Jamie too.

  He smiled and nodded. “Good to hear, come and have a seat.” He held out a courteous hand for me to sit in one of the wooden chairs, closest to where he had been sitting.

  I did, and Jamie rounded the table opposite from me.

  “You can go Jamie. Thank you for bringing Starling here. Close the door behind you on your way out.” Sean told her.

  I suppressed a chuckle when her mouth dropped in surprise and disappointment. She hadn’t been expecting him to dismiss her, apparently.

  “Uh…sure, you’re welcome.” She replied slowly, with a thin-lipped smile.

  Sean and Diana both sat back down, Diana across from me, and Sean at the head of the table. A tray with a steaming teapot, three cups, honey, cream, breads and pastries, sat on the table between the three of us.

  “Watch her eyes. Her temper might be linked to an essence and she angers easily.” Jamie made sure to inform them, just as she began pulling the door closed behind her.

  Not expecting her comment, I had no idea what to say in my defense. That wasn’t true; in fact, it takes a lot to get me angry— at least, it used to. My irritation came from not having a clue as to what she meant, or what anyone here was talking about half of the time.

  “Tea?” Diana offered me as she began to pour some into a cup.

  “No thanks.”

  Sean inhaled and paused, thinking of his words.

  “We wanted a chance to speak with you first, before integrating you with the rest of the newer chosen.” He began.

  “What do you mean, integrating me? Why is everyone being so cryptic? Do you guys know something that I don’t?” I finally spewed, getting tired of the secrecy.

  “We simply want to get acquainted with you first, and understand a few things, that’s all.” Diana soothed.

  Their scrutiny was beginning to irk me. Her words sounded like underhanded accusations.

  “Understand what?”

  “I know that you don’t remember anything past your name and a few remnants about yourself from your mortal life. That is to be expected. However, there are some concerns and safeguards that we must take because there are things that we are sure of.” Sean continued.

  I eyed him. “You are? Things like what? What do you mean by that?”

  Sean’s face became serious, it was hard to read his eyes, and I didn’t know what to make of his statement. What was going on here?

  “She has no idea Sean, all of that has been erased. Whatever happened in her mortal existence is over. She does not and will not remember, and we should leave it at that.” Diana said.

  I looked at her curiously. What happened in my mortal existence?

  “Could you fill me in?” I asked her.

  They both looked at me, but Diana spoke, “No. It would be breaking code. You don’t have any memories for a reason, and no one here should be speaking of, or giving you hint of them. We’ve had a talk with Jamie already.” She directed at Sean. Her naturally pleasant face appeared stern with her statement.

  “Well, I want to know. If people are whispering about me because of something that I’ve done or may have done, then I have a right to know what that something is, especially if I’m going to be here for a while. Was it bad? I mean, how bad could it have been if I’m here now?” I said, looking between the both of them.

  I was beginning to wonder if this was what Durien wanted to talk to me about before Lira showed up. I was going to get it out of him eventually. I didn’t like being the subject of a secret, especially one that apparently seemed to be —scandalous.

  They both paused, looking at each other once again.

  Sean inhaled before speaking again. “What do you know about demons?” Sean then asked.

  “Sean…” Diana cut in to stop him, but he ignored her and kept his eyes focused on me.

  “I know that they’re evil minions of Hell—originally fallen angels, and we’re training to fight them.” I replied. What else did he want me to say? If he wanted an entire history lesson on their origins, then he was out of luck.

  He nodded slowly. “Evil. Would you say that was true about all of them?” He then asked.

  “Sean this is not helpful.” Diana interjected once again.

  Again, he ignored her.

  I didn’t like where this was going. Why won’t they just tell me what was going on? I was becoming agitated, and feeling as if I were on trial or something.

  “I’ve never heard of a good demon, if that’s what you mean.” I replied.

  Sean raised a brow and watched me carefully for a moment, before leaning in close to me. “And I think...that you’re lying.” He stated accusingly. His dark grey eyes

  hardened, attempting to probe into my psyche, as if he were trying to detect something else behind my expression and words

  “Sean!” Diana interjected.

  “Excuse me?” I glared at him. How dare he call me a liar!

  “I said, that I know for a fact that you’re lying!” He raised his voice.

  I tried my best to ignore him, but my hostility was building quickly.

  “You’re the very epitome of weakness, and weakness is not becoming of a warrior. You’d be better suited to cooking duties, fetching materials for the herbalists, or gathering food in the fields!” he nearly shouted at me.

  Where was this sudden attack on me coming from and why?

  I flared with anger and shot up from my chair.

  “You don’t know anything about me! I didn’t ask to be here, let alone knew that I was chosen!” I finally exploded.

  Heat began to coil inside of me, my skin grew feverishly hot and I could literally feel anger swirling and burning within my brain, igniting…fire.

  A small whoosh erupted, shocking the hell out of me. I squealed and jumped up, my chair toppling over with a wooden thud.

  “What the…” I flinched, waving my hand around wildly, in an attempt to extinguish the fire. My actions were having the opposite effect.

  Diana gasped with wide eyes.

  My entire right hand was engulfed in pure, vibrantly white flames.

  It took me a moment to realize that it wasn’t burning me and it didn’t hurt at all. In fact—it tickled.

  A smile spread across Sean’s face. He stood up and began…clapping.

  “Bravo! That is what I wanted to know and see.” He pointed at my fiery hand with elation.

  What?

  I stared hypnotically at the flames. It was mesmerizing, even more so, because it was coming from— me. Was this my essence? White fire?

  Apparently, Sean had intended to piss me off on purpose.

  If I had any weaknesses, it was obviously gullibility.

  “It’s beautiful.” Diana smiled, watching my fire in amazement.

  I had to be angry to use my essence? I don’t think I like that. On the other hand, maybe it was necessary.

  Sean moved closer and reached for my hand.

  “Don’t!” I jumped back before he could touch me.

  He ignored me, clasping my flaming hand in between his anyway. The fire engulfed his hands instantly, but it didn’t appear to be burning him, nor did he give indication that it hurt.

  He continued smiling, “Light cannot extinguish light. You cannot dominate your own likeness. One of the most important rules of battle.” He said.

  I wasn’t sure what he meant by
that.

  He let go of my hand, still entranced by the now dying flames surrounding his hand.

  “Hallowed flames. White fire is one of the most deadly known weapons against darkness and the fallen. It has been written in the ancient texts, but no other chosen has ever possessed it, until now. This is remarkable.” Sean said excitedly. He then steepled his fingers together beneath his chin in thought.

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Diana said to Sean.

  Sean nodded, “For now, I don’t want anyone else to know about your essence. I need to do some research of my own. I don’t care who is inquiring. I’ll need to confer with the elder divine elementals, and the angels too. I have my reasons.” He told her.

  He moved to pick up my fallen chair and repositioned it on its legs behind me.

  Then he looked at me with seriousness. “Starling, it is imperative that you keep this to yourself. Do not demonstrate or tell anyone what your essence is, no matter what or who asks. For this reason, I’m going to hold off on the duel part of your training. You obviously have no control over it, but I’m guessing it is linked to your emotions, or more so…your anger. Word to the wise, never let it get the best of you. That can be difficult at times but meditation helps.” Sean explained.

  Well, rooming me with Jamie won’t help.

  “I’ll try. I don’t understand why you want me to keep quiet about it.” I replied, still engrossed in the slowly dying white flames surrounding my hand.

  I slowly sat back down. In fascination, I wiggled my fingers, making a fist, and then splaying them out, just to see if the fire would follow my movements. It did.

  “This is just until we can figure out how to help you control it. I’m not going to have you go the traditional training route either. We’re going to start backwards. This also piques my next curiosity, which weapon —will choose you. Not everyone has an essence; many have vital talents instead. Both work very well in conjunction with each other though.” He explained, still fixated on my fiery hand.

  I wondered what the differences between talents and essences were.

  As soon as my anger subsided completely, the flames followed suit and finally winked out completely. I wouldn’t have believed what I was seeing now, if Lira hadn’t given me a demonstration of her essence yesterday.

  The world as I knew it, was no longer —at least not for me anymore. I ran my fingers over my flesh in examination. My skin was unmarred, with no indication that it had been an active torch just a moment ago.

  “What do you mean, start backwards?” I asked absently while rubbing my fingers and the palm of my right hand.

  Diana’s expression changed to more of a reverent one when she smiled at me, “First and foremost, know that no one stays here long term. Once you have completed training, you will only return if an important meeting is called, as needed for respite, to refresh training, learn new techniques, or to remark brandings. The training you receive here won’t be conventional.”

  Sean nodded and began to pace in front of me, like a lecturing parent or Professor. Professor, hmm—another familiar term that triggered a memory. Was I supposed to be having these triggers?

  He began to speak again, “You’re going to learn to control your fire first. We don’t want any accidental—flare ups, until we learn more about it. You’re essence is of no danger to the others here, which is a good thing. Now, there are basic rules set forth by the Covenant of Elders, as was transcribed to them by the Angels. They are simple rules of respect, honesty, integrity, dignity, and faith. You’re free to do as you wish, pending it doesn’t violate the sanctity of the Hall or break any of those rules. We’re a team here, driven by the blessing of a divine force that has chosen us for a reason. Though we are immortal, we are still human and have been granted the gift of maintaining our free will. The enemy, which are the elements of darkness, relies on our human propensities to disagree, fight and fall out of unity, so we must stay vigilant and maintain solidarity. Ego trips are frowned upon and quickly dealt with.”

  Giving him my undivided attention, Sean must have seen me inhale, about to ask a question. He held up his hand to stop me. “And before you ask, no we are not clergy or a religious cult.”

  I found it freaky that he already knew my question.

  Was his essence or talent, psychic ability? No, it couldn’t have been. Then he would have already known what my essence was— or maybe he did. Why else did he want to see me before orientation and then provoke me on purpose?

  “So, what are we exactly then?” I asked.

  He paused and looked me directly in my eyes, “Final hope for the human race.”

  I swallowed.

  “Any more questions?” He raised a brow.

  I shook my head no. Though I was sure he meant it, he probably knew that answer would keep me quiet for a while.

  “Good, Let see…” He continued, sitting back down in his chair.

  “If there is ever anything you do have a question about, or find disagreement in, we are always open to discussions. There are some things that can’t be set in stone, so we encourage you to seek one of us out to engage a forum. The opinions and voices of everyone, no matter what tier warrior or chosen title you are, matters.” Diana added before he spoke again.

  Sean nodded, still somewhat fascinated with me, given the way he was studying me while she spoke. What were tiers? I’d ask later.

  “We don’t track time; it isn’t the same in this realm. We alternate by daybreaks, meaning that normally, you will attend orientation first. Identification, history and language instruction will take place for three consecutive daybreaks thereafter. For the following three daybreaks, you will be physically training in mock exercises and simulated battles alone and in groups. You will be doing the same training at night as well, at random, so you must be prepared at all times. All of that will take place in the fields behind the Hall, the neutral areas, and the stone forests. Physical exercises all require training with your weapon. You will have one day in between each set, to devote to your journals and engage in personal time to do whatever you’d like.” Sean rattled off.

  “Now that we’ve discovered your essence, I’d like to try and get you armed with your weapon first, which is also something we’ve not done before. The weapon that chooses you will become attributed to your essence, and then branded permanently unto your hands and forearms. You’re immortal now, so you’ll heal very quickly.” He then explained.

  I tensed. It was a lot to grasp and take in but I supposed this was the whole reason I was here to begin with.

  I was chosen. Chosen to fight against evil and darkness. I wasn’t sure why but I guess that answer was irrelevant right now. I was here, essentially given a second chance and purpose.

  No pressure there.

  On the upside, Sean said this—hallowed fire, was one of the deadliest against the darkness. That I was the only chosen he’s ever heard of, or known with this essence. That means that this training should come easy to me then.

  “Um, when I’ve healed? Is the branding going to hurt?” I asked.

  Sean cleared his throat with a fist to his mouth. I noticed that neither he or Diana made eye contact with me to answer that right away.

  That was not the reaction I was hoping for.

  “Every warrior has gone through it. You will be fine.” Sean finally offered with a smile.

  I hesitated in thought. I should just get it over with. Besides, I’ll finally have my own wicked looking silver brandings too.

  “Okay—so, should I see Durien right after?”

  He raised a brow. “You’ve met Durien already?”

  I nodded.

  “Perfect. We have several branders, but since you two have already met, it makes things easier.” Sean rose from his chair. “I’ll make sure he’s free first. It’s a long process and… it’s probably a good thing that you haven’t eaten anything yet.” He smiled again.

  He turned to head towards the closed doors and
then stopped suddenly, turning back around to face us.

  “Oh, and in the meantime, you may want to visit the tailor. Diana, would you do the honors and escort Starling?” “Absolutely.” Diana smiled.

  Sean left the library.

  An emanation of pale, gold light began to outline and shimmer around Diana’s’ body, once she stood up. I narrowed my eyes when I saw it materialize.

  Diana noticed my observation and beamed, “Let me guess, you’re seeing my aura?”

  “It…just appeared.” I replied.

  “Excellent! Being able to see them at will is another skill you’ll learn eventually. Auras are constant but it will drive you crazy if you had to see them all of the time. I see that your ability seems to be coming along nicely, though. Come on, let’s get you a few things made that are more fitting to your age and frame.” She smiled as she walked past me, waving me on to follow her.

  I certainly hope so. I can’t even bear to look at my own aura. I followed and fell in step beside her.

  “You guys had me going for a while there.” I commented with a smirk, “Am I really rooming with Jamie?” I then asked.

  Diana laughed, “Oh, I think it will be good for the both of you actually.”

  I frowned. “So that’s a yes?”

  Diana sighed and put an arm around my shoulder as

  we headed towards the open library doors.

  “Oh Starling, I have a feeling that you’re exactly the kind of roommate that Jamie needs.” Diana whispered to me and winked.

  I couldn’t help but smile. Now Diana, I liked.

  VIV: Cam`ael:

  Lust was raging in me, like a rabid, wild beast, and all I could think of was—penetration.

  The penetration of a female body, preferably a virgin. I needed to enter her. I needed to incite and absorb her pure, untouched desire and passion. To suck it out of her, while she shuddered in unfamiliar, yet unbridled orgasmic ecstasy. At the same time— engorging her flesh and her psyche from the inside with the force of my own explosive release.

  One female wouldn’t be enough.

  The sweet melody of singing and chanting began in a frenetic whisper. The combination of three voices came floating over me. It was a healing sensation, not one that I needed, but it didn’t hurt to have.