Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga)

by Reid, Susan

  XXIV: Cam`ael

  We were all still stunned, though I was the only one willing to take the risk, and I didn’t care what anyone thought or said about it. I appreciated the well-concerted efforts of everyone, no casualties on our side, but I was taking control now.

  No one mentioned the obvious. It was like the large, ubiquitous imp in the room, which no one wanted to address— not even me. Despite everything that almost, and could have happened, I ended up with exactly what I wanted in the first place.

  I now had Starling—even if she possessed the power to incinerate me into a pile of ashes in a matter of minutes.

  That thought brought on pain and sorrow much deeper than witnessing her death in my arms.

  Edanai was the one who was the most fearful of what we had all seen, and what it meant for me. We all knew why.

  By now, Morning Star has already gotten word that his long-time, favorite, top arch-demon had just been killed…and by whom.

  He was already on the rampage. This would bring about the full force of his lethal wrath and temper.

  That potentially put us all in a very precarious and dangerous predicament, far more that we already were.

  Edanai, Jerilah, Rahab, Ry, Mac, Nay, Atiro and myself, remained sitting around my dining room table, in initial silence. As usual, Edanai was firm in protesting my decision, yet again, but even she couldn’t get me to change my mind in not keeping Starling here with me.

  It was a short victory celebration for Ry and Rahab. I was appreciative of their teamwork, and the risk that everyone took. Not just in showing up to fight, but in knowing that they’d become personally targeted by Morning Star and his minions in doing so.

  Though I didn’t want to do it, I knew I had to. We had to take advantage of the temporary knockout spell that Edanai had thrown at Starling, for our own safety. She had to be secured in both chain and spelled bindings, just in case.

  My arm was wrapped firmly in a magical herb and salve drenched sling, made by Edanai and Jerilah, to speed up the healing and take away the pain. Though it would take a while longer in healing, at least the venom was gone. The after effects of the darkness that did manage to snake into me, was still present though.

  I could feel it.

  A good baptism in the Eternal waters should completely take care of it, I hoped.

  Edanai was watching me, studying my face with worry.

  “Cam, are you alright? I don’t mean just your arm.” She whispered to me telepathically.

  I quirked a brow and shifted my eyes only to look at her. “I’m fine, why?”

  “There’s a strange level of darkness in your eyes. You look…different.” She looked me over.

  “I’m fine.” I repeated nonchalantly.

  Her amethyst eyes were round. She stared at me a bit longer, in shock that I was denying it. I knew she was worried, but there was nothing that she could do. We had bigger issues right now…or at least, I did. This was my doing and my fault. I had to fix it and ensure that the others would be out of immediate danger.

  We had no clue what to make of it.

  Starling’s essence —was hallowed fire.

  It was deadly to all of the dark ones and the fallen, and the first that we’d seen among any of the divine warriors. How ironic that the one I loved, would be the only divine warrior to possess it, not to mention the deific blades.

  If Elohim, or whoever was responsible for her chosen weapon and essence had wanted to ensure that we’d never be together again, they might have succeeded.

  There was no way around this, I hadn’t been expecting it.

  Durien didn’t mention her fire and I wondered why.

  Did he plan for me to find out for myself, knowing it would be deadly? Others could have been killed or died as a result. I suppose it was selfish of me and my fault, because I wanted to see her again.

  Well, she was here now, which was the only thing I had wanted in the first place.

  However, when she awoke…that would be an entirely different story.

  If the magic sealed chains around her ankles, and the shielding gauntlets that we affixed to her brandings held, which was highly unlikely after witnessing what we saw, then maybe I’d have a chance to talk to her, and possibly help her to remember me. It was the whole reason that I had retrieved and kept so many of her personal things from her apartment in the first place.

  “Okay, it looks like I’m going to be the one to say it, since no one else has taken the liberty.” Ry clapped his hands together, stood up, and began to pace around the table.

  “Starling will no doubt kill you Cam, and you are not going to stop, defend, or last long against hallowed fire. None of us can.” He pointed out, as if giving a lecture.

  “Thank you Ry, you took the words right out of my mouth.” Edanai narrowed her eyes at me.

  “You were granted the permission to meet her. You

  were attracted to her, and you fell in love with her. It’s almost ironic for hallowed fire to be her essence, considering what she means to you, Cam.” Nay added.

  Everyone seemed to agree in his or her silence. It only frustrated me to hear. I didn’t want to accept it.

  “How much longer will she be out?” Rahab asked with concern in his wide, fiery orange eyes.

  “Not much longer.” Edanai quickly answered.

  “She won’t kill me.” I shook my head.

  I had no way of knowing or guaranteeing that, but I said it anyway, even though they all looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.

  “You’re obviously still be under the effects of Baal’s poison.” Edanai said incredulously.

  Mac laughed with sarcasm, “Yeah Cam, love isn’t only blind…it’s stupid! You can’t be serious?”

  “I am serious. I’ll handle this. I don’t want any of you around when she wakes up either, and I mean that. We have bigger problems. I think the best thing right now, is for everyone to remain in the human realm for a while. The spirit realm will be too dangerous of a place, being that Morning Star has dominant dominion here. He will employ or threaten every being to carry out his orders to kill any one of us on spot, especially you guys if you stay here.” I explained.

  “He could find and attack us anywhere.” Jerilah said.

  “Your place will become a giant urn in less than a few minutes, especially if she has no idea how to control her fire. She’s a ticking time bomb right now.” Mac added.

  He made a very good point. I hadn’t really thought of that, but it was highly probable. My gut feeling told me that it wouldn’t happen, but I’ve been wrong many times before. As always, Atiro always remained silent…until now.

  He was sitting silently on the stone lip of the open cooking hearth. When he spoke, his voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper, as if his vocal cords were strained, probably from millennia of non-usage.

  “Cam`ael is right. We need to remain in the human realm and blend in as best we can. Morning Star and his minions are limited in that realm. The angels will not even turn an eye or a head when it comes to disputes between the fallen. We are on our own. This will be no different once Morning Star invades earth. However then, we will have nowhere to hide out or run, and there will no longer be rules or laws.” He stated in a monotone whisper.

  His speech had definitely shut everyone up. He was right. I appreciated his backing me up, even though I didn’t really trust my own logic regarding Starling. It didn’t matter.

  “Atiro is right. If that is what we must do, then so be it. Besides, I don’t mind opening an improved restaurant this time, where I could cook anything I want. I could use a wait staff and assistants.” Rahab began to beam, his eyes searching everyone.

  Ry blew out a declining, sarcastic breath.

  “I’ll be busy starting a rock group, industrial grunge. Is anyone else with me?” he held his arms out.

  “Don’t bring too much attention to yourself, Ry.” I warned.

  “Don’t worry, we got this. Hey Rahab, how about spl
itting your restaurant idea into a live music venue?” Ry directed to Rahab.

  “I like the sound of that. I’m in if you two decide to team up. I have a few more from our legion that would love to join too.” Jerilah perked up.

  Rahab nodded in thought, running his knife-like, clawed index finger under his squared, chiseled, onyx colored chin.

  “I can see it happening.” He grinned with a nod of final approval.

  “Anyone interested in doing tattoos too? I think we can corner the market, both in skill and art. Nothing screams badass and wicked than having a tattoo done by an actual demon.” Mac then added, rubbing his hands together with a smirk on his face. His mind was definitely working and loving this plan now.

  “Tattoos? Nice. Now you’re talking more my language.” Nay smiled broadly.

  I was relieved that I didn’t have to argue or fight with them. I only wanted them safe.

  “Sticking together is good, especially with crow demon still running around. Just make sure you all keep moving though too, if you know what I mean.” I reminded them.

  “Will do.” Rahab stood and nodded.

  “What about Berith?” Edanai asked.

  My sudden sense of relief instantly deflated.

  “Berith?” Nay asked.

  “I’ll explain later.” I sighed, giving Edanai a glaring sideways glance.

  She shrugged a shoulder with a devious smirk.

  I turned my attention back to the others. “Thank you Ry and Rahab. I didn’t have the chance to say it before, but I wanted to make sure that I did.” I then said.

  “No need to thank us. You would have done the same if it had been one of us.” Rahab commented with a grin.

  I gave a half smile. “Never a question or hesitation.”

  “Hell, you know me, Cam. Slaying Baal was almost orgasmic for me.” Ry winked.

  Everyone chuckled at Ry’s comment.

  “I’ve always hated the spirit realm anyway…at least while Morning Star and his liege remain here.” Jerilah added.

  “Well, if our numbers continue to deteriorate, he may have both realms after all.” Nay then said.

  “Which is why we should never give up or give in. The divine warriors can’t do this alone. We need to survive as long as we can.” I told them.

  I greatly appreciated everyone’s enthusiasm in adjusting to the situation at hand.

  Edanai sighed, her expression turning perplexed as if thought were occurring to her.

  “What is it?” I asked her.

  “Hallowed fire is powerful enough to kill Morning Star. It’s the only sure fire weapon that the humans have. It’s unusual, just how drawn he is to her too though, which means he has no clue, or maybe he does. Starling had the power to invoke its protection, while she was still mortal, which is unheard of…” She trailed off.

  I had to admit, she got my own curiosity and thought processes churning, as well as everyone else, judging from the looks on their faces.

  Those thoughts had occurred to me before too, but my intent to have her back with me got in the way of actually taking any of it into consideration.

  Edanai’s eyes returned to mine.

  “You’re the only demon still allowed to hold and wield light, Cam. Your light is just as deadly to Morning Star as hallowed fire is. I don’t think that it was an accident, or by chance that you were allowed permission to meet her…let alone fell in love with her.” Edanai breathed in a whisper, as if the revelation had fully come together in her own head.

  Everyone else seemed to be ruminating over those revelations too, and then all eyes were trained on me.

  The sound of chains shifted and clinked, and we all simultaneously froze, immediately turning to defensive mode.

  “In light of what just happened, I’d rather you all stayed here for a little while longer. Head down into the cellar level. I can’t keep you from ghosting anywhere that you please, but make sure that it’s in the human realm. I’m asking that you all do not try to ghost into my chambers, or come out unless you hear from me directly. Pass the information along to all of the others who helped to fight, to remain in the human realm for now, and to remain alert.” I stood up, waiting for them to ghost themselves down to the cellar level expectantly.

  Little did they know, that I had already done something that I hoped would help to prevent a violent encounter, or a sudden explosive brawl between Starling and myself already.

  Waking up in a strange room, bound and chained by magic as a possible prisoner, was a huge treat and foreplay for many demons. For her, it would only ignite her warrior instinct for her own survival and honor bound duty. She may just light up my entire bedchamber and burn us all alive in here, just as Mac said could happen.

  “I’m not leaving you out here by yourself with her. You’re already hurt and vulnerable.” Edanai argued.

  “Me either.” Rahab said.

  “If I was Lord to you before Rahab, let me Lord again, in telling you both to get the hell down there, and I mean now. I’ll be alright.” I soothed.

  Though Edanai was still petulant, Rahab must have convinced her in a private telepathic conversation to do it anyway.

  “You got anything to drink down there?” Ry asked.

  I nodded.

  “Sweet. I’ll hang around a little longer then too.” Mac said.

  “I’ll return after checking on you know who, for you.” Atiro spoke once again.

  I nodded in appreciation of him not mentioning Berith by name. “Thank you, Atiro. Be cautious and be safe.”

  He gave a slight head bow of acknowledgment, before ghosting out.

  Once everyone had dissipated away and I made sure that I could hear them down in the cellar, I closed my eyes. I took a deep inhalation of breath, followed by a slow exhale. The added darkness from my battle with Baal began to reawaken, surprising me.

  I thought it had died out completely. It was like a greasy snake, slithering inside my veins. I mentally pushed my resistance against it, focusing on my light and expanding it within myself. It was strangely getting harder for me to do, and that worried me.

  Starling was deadly in all her human—and now immortal beauty. The darkness in me found that combination intriguing, exciting, and desirable. I’ve waited for what seems like forever, since she died in my arms, for her to come back to me. Now, I was going to have to keep her from killing me.

  With my obsidian sword in hand, I ghosted into my bedchamber, cloaked.

  XXV: Starling

  As I slowly came back to consciousness, my first thought…my first hope, was that I was in my bed at the divine hall. My head throbbed dully, as if I was coming off the tail end of being drugged, or a massive head injury…, which was more than likely the case. I had been falling into the cavernous mouth of something terrifying. Then…what happened? I couldn’t remember anything past that part.

  I turned my head to the side with a slight wince and an inhale. It didn’t smell foul, dank or rotten in here. In fact, it smelled…fresh and clean. I took in another deep whiff of air, catching something tropically floral and sweet wafting back into my nose. My sensitive ears finally picked up on the sound of a softly, crackling fire. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking a few times to adjust my vision.

  I wrinkled my brow, nearly flinching and jumping back, until I realized what was lying beside my head on the pillow next to me. It was a single, gorgeous, fresh stargazer lily in full bloom.

  I gasped and sat up quickly.

  It was similar to the dying one that Lira said had been in my hair, when they retrieved me from the field. That was the only connection I could make. Someone had put the flower in my hair. Which meant, someone was there when I died. But Durien said we died alone, because humans weren’t allowed to see the elite seraphim coming to retrieve our bodies.

  Well, whoever it had been then…had to be the same person…or being who put this one here too.

  I must be in his or her bed. It was large and extremely comfortable, made of supe
r soft fur. I ran my hand over it, glancing down…and freaked.

  Both of my forearms were covered with, long, silver-coated gloves, up to the elbows. There were dark, markings all over them, nothing like I had seen before. They interlocked between my fingers and I couldn’t understand how they had been put on in the first place. It looked impossible.

  When I tried to wield the one deific blade that I had managed to wield earlier, I couldn’t. I mean I could, but it was being blocked from unsheathing fully by the silver gloves. It wasn’t so much the why, that was obvious, but who had done this?

  I felt panic coming on. More so, knowing that no one would be able to get to me or find me. I was as good as dead, just like that Devlin girl.

  I wasn’t sure if I should move yet. I continued to investigate my surroundings, finding it all surprisingly well decorated in a simplistic way that conveyed a Zen-style of relaxation and harmony.

  I was instantly reminded of white, stone, castle walls. This stone though, was smooth and bone colored, with tiny specks of glittering rocks embedded in it. There seemed to be an illumination to them, which cast a romantic, soft glow. The only opening for a window was set way up high in the ceiling above the bed. It was circular shaped and huge.

  I could understand its position and the reason. The bright sky would be a beautiful thing to see when one first woke up. It was night right now.

  A large, rectangular fireplace was built into the far wall. A fire was currently crackling, softly in it. In front of it, was a long, wide, handcrafted, light brown chaise lounge chair made of fur too. A grand bookcase beside the fireplace housed countless numbers of books and music, from records, to CD’s, cassettes, and movie DVD’s. I didn’t see a television, music, or DVD player anywhere though. I was fascinated. The sizes, types and colors were all carefully arranged and organized. Contemporary artwork hung over the fireplace, spaced out perfectly from each other.

  To the far right, was an archway into another room that I really couldn’t see from here.

  I thought that synthetic stuff couldn’t exist here? Then again, that’s what I was told at the divine hall. Demons could do anything, they had the magic. Demons listened to music, read books and watched movies? Maybe I wasn’t in a demon lair. Maybe some rogue group…like those humans with the dark brandings had managed to rescue me from my fall. They were doing magic against us.