“Ryan would have been a better choice.”
“For?”
“This. Being an Archangel. Why didn’t you choose him?”
“Because I found you to be unique.”
“What made me so unique? Why me?”
“One tiny factor. It separated you from all the others.”
“What was it?”
“In good time, I will tell you. Go and rest. Tomorrow, we will finish the sword training with the rest of your squad, then we will fly as a company. The day after, I will have a test for you.”
“Great,” sighed Imorean.
“Do not sound so disheartened. This will all become second nature to you before long. It is like learning another language.”
“Yeah. And it’s hard as hell.”
Michael stood and smiled sympathetically.
“If you wish to practice finding your element this evening without me around, I will mute our mental connection for a few hours.”
Imorean looked up and considered for a moment. A few hours with no Michael skimming his head. It sounded like heaven. He nodded.
“Consider it done.”
Imorean shut his eyes and leaned back in one of the lobby chairs. Dustin and Toddy were pressing command buttons for their video game, resulting in explosions and gunfire. Colton was poring over something in an ancient-looking book. Mandy and Baxter were arguing good-naturedly, each one siding with Toddy or Dustin. Roxy and Ryan were absent. Imorean folded his hands tightly. Both of them not being there at the same time bothered him, but he wasn’t quite sure why. Under closed lids, Imorean’s eyes darted back and forth. Of course, Roxy could do what she wanted. She was at perfect liberty to do as she pleased, but… he would have rather she did as she pleased with anyone but Ryan. Why Ryan?
With a snort, Imorean forced himself to clear his mind. He needed to be practicing finding his element, not dwelling on what Ryan and Roxy were doing. He leaned his head back on the chair. His imagination took shape. He was home again. He stood outside his house this time. It could have fit inside Felsenmeer’s entrance hall. His feet felt as though they didn’t touch the ground as he picked his way across the pathway to the front door. He pushed the door open and peered inside. It was dark in the house this time. It no longer smelled of coffee. The clock on the mantelpiece was still unmoving. Time had frozen. The wooden bowl that had appeared on the table earlier was still there.
Imorean took up the same place he had been in last time and sat down. He stared intently at the bowl. What was he supposed to see? What was he supposed to think? Stormy thoughts? He lifted the bowl and looked under it. Why wasn’t there a manual for being an Archangel? Was there a set way to do this? In the background at Felsenmeer, artificial gunfire still rattled. Gunfire. Imorean replaced the bowl on the table and allowed his thoughts to wander. The war they had been drawn into. Toddy, Dustin, Baxter, Colton, Mandy, Roxy, Ryan. The students who had been with him from the beginning. He blinked and his living room dissolved. He was in the lobby at Felsenmeer. All the students were where he knew them to be. The room hadn’t changed. And yet, Imorean knew somehow that he was still inside his own mind. The wooden bowl was in his lap. Imorean smiled as he looked down at it. He expected a small cloud of gray vapor to come pouring over the rim of the bowl, but instead, he saw clear down to the bottom. A tiny flicker of movement wavered in the bottom. Smoggy air rose up and Imorean leaned forward, centering all his being into figuring out what was in the bottom of the bowl. The dark vapor cleared and Imorean’s heart sank. The bowl was still empty. Frustrated, Imorean flung his arm forward, knocking the bowl to the floor. He really couldn’t do anything Michael asked.
A hand on his shoulder jerked him back to reality. Toddy was standing next to him, hazel eyes concerned.
“You okay, man?”
“You’ve been making some really weird movements for the last few minutes,” said Mandy, leaning over the back of the couch.
Imorean blinked hard, still trying to ground himself back in the lobby.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just trying something that Michael asked me to work on.”
Baxter raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Dustin. “You sure?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m good,” replied Imorean, standing up. He offered his friends a small smile. “I’m going to get some water, anyone else want anything?”
“If you’re going to the bar, a beer would be nice,” said Baxter with a grin.
“Sure. Anyone else?”
“I’ll come with you,” said Colton, closing his dusty tome and standing up. “Enochian is hard reading and I need a break.”
Imorean nodded and shook himself as Colton fell into step next to him.
“You know you’re sweating, right?”
“Am I?” asked Imorean, running his hand along his hairline. Sure enough, Colton was right.
“Don’t you think you’re pushing yourself too hard?”
“I’m fine, Colton.”
“Imorean, I don’t think you are. I think you need a break. Look at your hands.”
Imorean did as Colton asked and saw that his fingers were trembling.
“Even you need a rest sometimes. You aren’t a full Archangel.”
“Colton, I’m fine. Really,” replied Imorean, balling his hand into a fist and dropping it to his side.
“Maybe you should ask for a few days off?”
“Colton, we’re approaching a battle,” said Imorean, holding the door open for his friend. “The last thing I can do is ask for time off.”
“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“Now you’re sounding like Roxy…”
“What happened between you two?”
Imorean shrugged, Colton’s words digging deeper than he was sure the younger boy intended. “Other than the argument about my birthday, nothing. I guess we’re just growing up. Growing apart.”
Colton seemed to notice his tone and changed the subject. “So what were you trying to do tonight?”
“Oh don’t remind me. Michael has me working on finding my element.”
“Your element?”
“Yeah, apparently all the Archangels have a natural element that they’re able to control. I can’t seem to find mine though. I swear, I’m the most useless Archangel in the history of the universe.”
Colton went silent and stared at him for a moment.
“What?” asked Imorean.
“I think I have an idea. I’ll see you later,” said Colton, scurrying out of the bar without grabbing a drink.
Chapter 29
Imorean opened his wings and leaped up into the air. The gym was loud and full of chaos. Most of his squad was already in the air, gathered near the rafters. This was the second test of their sword training. Imorean glanced at Uriel and Haroel; both trainers stood on the metal rafters. Michael was still on the gym floor. White wings half flared as Imorean realized that Colton was still on the floor as well, talking animatedly with Michael. The Archangel was listening in silence. Moments later, Colton too lifted into the indoor air and took up a place in the rafters.
“Now. This exercise is to simulate a real battle situation,” called Michael, his voice loud and clear. “My only rule is that you do not kill or seriously harm one another. Medical staff is on standby for minor injuries. Your only objective is to be the last one in flight. All ready?”
Imorean nodded along with the rest of his squad. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Colton, Roxy and Mandy were slightly more hesitant. Ryan, by contrast, looked eager.
“Begin.”
There was a moment of hesitation. Imorean wondered if he could really attack the students around him. They were his friends. Then Ryan moved, his wooden sword catching Mandy flush across the face. Together, Baxter and Dustin swore, tearing across the gym toward Ryan. Roxy seemed confused for a moment, then dove from above, catching Dustin hard at the wing joint. Imorean moved to circle the group from overhead, waiting for his opportunity to take out the f
inal student in flight. To his surprise, it was Colton who ascended to his level. The boy’s blue eyes were shining brightly through the thick lenses of his glasses.
“Colton,” said Imorean seriously. He shook his head as Colton spun his sword in his hand.
“Come on, Imorean,” Colton replied, his voice determined.
Imorean blinked hard. He streaked toward Colton, putting power at his back and moving so he would come in for a good attack. In his peripherals, he saw movement. Toddy. Imorean snapped his wings sideways, easily outmaneuvering Toddy, and gunned toward Colton. At the last second, he turned, sending his shoulder straight into Colton’s chest. With loud grunt, Colton fell backwards in the air. Imorean spun, searching for Toddy. Instead, a boot caught him hard in the face. Immediately, blood flooded Imorean’s mouth and he turned with a snarl, looking for his new assailant. Ryan. There was a smile on his face.
Sheer frustration flooded Imorean’s blood and he beat his wings down hard, ascending straight up. He swung one leg forward, catching Ryan hard between the legs. There was a bright sense of satisfaction as Ryan crumpled, plummeting to the gym floor. Marred white wings spun as Imorean looked at his remaining opponents. Roxy, Toddy and Baxter.
“Dustin, Mandy, Colton and Ryan are already down. I already know their strengths and weaknesses. Allow these remaining hybrids to fight it out,” said Michael, his voice loud in Imorean’s head.
“Isn’t that cheating?”
“I am giving you a direct order. Forfeit this fight and allow them to scrap it out or I will drop you myself. I want to see how they do without you in the arena.”
Imorean looked at each of them in turn and dropped his sword to the gym floor, where it fell with a clatter. He raised his hands in surrender. Roxy, Toddy and Baxter looked at each other with smiles. Imorean turned to look at Michael, a dark scowl on his face. Michael smiled and shrugged, emerald wings moving with his shoulders. Toddy, Roxy and Baxter circled him and Imorean knew Michael had purposefully tricked him. Something was being tested. As one unit, Roxy, Toddy and Baxter attacked. Imorean froze. Time seemed to slow. Again, he saw Vortigern diving down toward him. He flung up his arms and flared his wings as wide as they could go, desperate to stop their attack. White clouded his vision. Wild and pure, energy flowed out of him. Pulsing and humming. Imorean’s ears were ringing. Drained of his own energy, he folded and fell toward the gym floor. Bright green flooded his world and Imorean found himself staring up at the metal rafters. He was completely exhausted. Dimly, he was aware of Roxy, Toddy and Baxter finishing their skirmish near the ceiling.
“Instinct. Interesting. Colton was right. Everything makes much more sense now,” muttered Michael.
Imorean groaned and rolled awkwardly over. “This is one of those days that I really, truly hate you.”
“Seriously, dude?” asked Ryan, limping toward Imorean. “That was way below the belt.”
Imorean got to his feet, nausea sweeping over him. “I need to talk to you.”
“I only hope you’re going to apologize,” sneered Ryan.
Imorean nodded to the gym doors. He didn’t miss Ryan’s quick glance at the ceiling. Roxy was still in the air. He waited for Ryan to make up his mind and led off as the red-headed boy fell into step next to him.
Imorean shuffled his feet. He and Ryan had never actually had a conversation where they weren’t fighting. “Sorry about the… unconventional takedown.”
“What do you really want?” asked Ryan, rubbing his arms as they stood in the frigid hallway. “I know you didn’t drag me out here just to apologize for the crotch shot.”
“What’s going on between you and Roxy?”
“You jealous?” asked Ryan with a nasty smile.
“No,” replied Imorean. “I just want to know what’s going on.”
“If you have to know, we’re seeing each other. You’re too late, Imorean.”
“For what?”
“If you’re wanting to get with her.”
“Whoa, no, no, no. You’ve got the wrong idea. Completely.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Ryan. I just want to make sure you’re not going to hurt her. Roxy’s like a sister to me.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes! I’ve known her since we were toddlers.”
“No, I mean, are you okay with us seeing each other?”
“You’re both adults. I just wanted to clear the air between us before we head into a live battlefield.”
“Clear the air? Not five minutes ago you kicked me straight between the legs.”
“That was revenge for you kicking me in the face. Look at what you did to my lip. Let’s call it even and do our best to tolerate each other, yeah?”
Imorean folded his arms as Ryan glared at him for a moment. Finally, Ryan shook his head and shrugged.
“Sure. I can tolerate you.”
Chapter 30
Imorean yawned as he walked into the gym. The company flight the day before had gone well, but it had been draining. Maybe Colton was right. Maybe he really did need a day off. Inwardly, he groaned as he saw Michael on his regular mat in the center of the gym.
“You’re kidding me. Not the bowl again?” said Imorean, sitting down on his own mat across from Michael. The Archangel’s green eyes were closed and he seemed to be meditating.
“The bowl again, indeed,” nodded Michael, opening one eye. “Take a moment to get settled, then we will begin.”
“Michael, I can’t do it,” sighed Imorean, burying his head in his hands. “I’ve tried.”
“You can do it,” said Michael, opening both eyes. “I know it is in you.”
Imorean groaned. “Apparently not. Michael, I can’t do a single thing you’ve asked me to do. I’m just awful as an Archangel.”
“We have been over this. Stop complaining.”
“Look, I’m really tired. I don’t feel like delving into my mind and looking into a wooden bowl for the next hour.”
“Imorean, are you aware of what I am trying to get you to do?”
“Get me to harness my Archangel power. Yeah, I get that.”
“Then do it and I will tolerate no more of your temper.”
Imorean clenched his jaw and glared at Michael. Michael glared back.
“Fine,” sighed Imorean. With effort, he closed his eyes and cleared his head. The more tired he became, the harder this was to do. He looked up to find himself and Michael both sitting in the lobby just a floor above them.
“Your location has changed.”
“Yeah. I couldn’t focus at… at my old house. This was just easier.”
Imorean sneered in disgust as the wooden bowl appeared on the table in front of him.
“This was way easier without you here, you know?”
“You are an emotional person, Imorean.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“We are going to try something different today.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Channel your emotions. Use your emotions rather than clarity to get the results we are trying to find. You should thank Colton for the idea. It was on his suggestion a few days ago that I decided to change tactics.”
Annoyed, Imorean took a deep breath and glared, trying to bore holes in the wood. He had grown sick of the sight of this bowl. Why a bowl anyway? It wasn’t a particularly supernatural object?
“Everything you are feeling now, let it loose. See what form your emotions take.”
Imorean nodded and focused his mind on his emotions, then silently, motionlessly vented his frustration, his anger, his betrayal, his fear, his misery, on the bowl itself. The wood burst into vibrant, white flame.
The dream world shattered like glass as Imorean was knocked backwards, landing hard on the polished floor of the gym. His cheek was stinging. Before he could think, he was lifted clear off his feet. Michael’s hands were buried in his jacket, knuckles white.
“Michael, what the hell?”
“Shut up!”
Imorea
n shook his head, prying at Michael’s hands trying to get free. Shock was kicking in. He kicked hard, his feet colliding with Michael’s shins. There was no reaction. Imorean’s heart thundered in his chest. His mentor was attacking him again! This couldn’t be happening!
“This is impossible,” muttered Michael.
“What?” cried Imorean, panic in his voice. Michael dropped him and Imorean made to stumble backwards, desperate to put distance between them. Before he could so much as take a single step back, Michael’s cold hands landed on him again. Both gripped his face hard.
“Be still!” snapped Michael, his voice terse. “Let me see your eyes. I have to see your eyes!”
“They’re brown!”
“Look at me. Look me straight in the eyes. Now, Imorean!”
Imorean shivered, adrenaline and shock still screaming at him to run from his attacker and met Michael’s eyes. Instantly, there was a searing pain in the side of Imorean’s head. He willed his own eyes to close, to look away from the Chief Archangel’s, but he couldn’t move. Tears welled up in the bases of Imorean’s eyes. He couldn’t even blink. He was rooted to the spot. Powerless. A memory surfaced. The sound of his own laughter. He was soaring. Hot, dry air. That was all. Michael pulled back as though he had been burned. His emerald eyes were full of shock and something like wonder.
Imorean shook himself, still trembling. “What was that?”
“No… This is why…” breathed Michael, again sounding as though he was talking to himself. “This is why. I knew there was more than I was seeing. Oh, I knew it.”
“What?”
Michael grinned. Imorean recoiled. His commander looked maniacal.
“Do you not see, Imorean?” replied Michael, the inane smile still on his face. “I know! I know what Vortigern knows!”
“What?”
Imorean jumped in surprise as Michael grabbed him hard by the shoulders and spun him around.
“I knew you were the right choice. I felt it then just as strongly as I have all this past semester. Now I know exactly why.”
Angels Defying (Angels Rising Book 3) Page 24