by Emery Skye
The library was shaped like a light bulb. The neck of the bulb was so thin that I had to turn sideways to get through. Please don’t let there be bats down here. Please don’t let there be bats down here.
I skinned my knuckles against the wall. It stung. I’d never been a fan of tight spaces, and this was body-hugging status. My face had to be turned sideways to make it through and I couldn’t turn back to see how Nathan was doing behind me. We’d had to leave the oil lamp so all I had for the walk was a small flashlight Nathan gave me.
I pointed the flashlight toward the yawning black hole, but it barely pierced the gloom. I never would have found this place if Nathan hadn’t known where it was. Shimmying down tight, dark spaces wasn’t exactly on my bucket list. A crunch stopped me dead in my tracks.
I swallowed hard. You could hear the small noise easily. I turned the blaze of light toward the ground. The light revealed a small animal carcass, little bones.
“Gross,” I shuddered.
“Keep walking,” Nathan ordered.
If possible, the shaft got thinner.
“Better suck it up back there,” I called out.
We finally entered the bulb portion. The library. It had a low ceiling like most of the cave and smelt of dirty socks and old books. The smell was oddly comforting. A million books claimed this room. They made up the wallpaper and carpet. Some were held up on shelves of wood that protruded from the walls. I didn’t see any nails holding the splintered shelving, but didn’t care to investigate further.
“I thought we were training.” I raised an eyebrow. Sometimes I loved Nathan’s idea of training. It reminded me of our day shooting a puck around the ice arena.
“We are, just not physically.”
Oh for Power’s sake, did he have to look so damn good all the time? I probably had dirt matted in my hair and smelled like ass. He, on the other hand, looked like a damn GQ model.
I looked around the room with books sprawled everywhere. I groaned. All I wanted to do was hit a wall. My adrenaline was still surging from my little pep talk, and we were reading. Wonderful.
The books called to me. They once offered an escape from the excellence demanded by the Academy. Now they might offer answers to all my questions.
Nathan went to one of the shelves crammed with volumes, all sizes and colors. He tapped the titles of the books with his beautiful, long index finger, like he was a customer in a bookstore, debating whether or not to buy it. Twenty taps in and he pulled a thick, black, leather bound book off the shelf and sat on the floor. I sat next to him. I imagined an angry Dr. Cloves telling us to get off the floor and find a suitable chair to sit in. I actually missed the little hobbit. The dust that coated the book was so thick I couldn’t read the title.
When he opened the cover, a thick cloud rose around our heads and collected in my nostrils, causing a super un-lady-like sneeze to erupt.
Nathan smiled crookedly as I wiggled my nose.
“What?” I asked.
“You’re cute when you do that.”
“Do what? Sneeze?” I harried a look at him.
He chuckled.
“No, when you wiggle your nose. You do it sometimes,” he smiled at me with such affection that I had to look away to keep from jumping into his arms.
He read while I stared at his perfectly defined jaw, and the black five-o'clock shadow. This close to him, I was getting drunk off the aroma. So perfectly Nathan.
“I have some questions for you,” he said.
“Okay. Shoot.”
“Well, I want you to look into my eyes.”
Great. Not this again. This was research, and I was his guinea pig. I looked into his eyes. They were magnificent, a deep green the color of lush moss. After a long, breathless moment, I sagged in defeat.
“Do you see anything?”
“Nope.”
“Try harder.”
“How?”
“Well, maybe you just need to melt into them,” his face hardened.
“Melt into them, Nathan? Really? Right now?”
“You sound like Taylor,” he said, disappointed.
Harsh much?
“Okay,” I surrendered.
He made it sound so easy.
So, I stared into his eyes. I followed the red line on the whites to the pupils, then I focused on his pupils. Deep black, like the darkness in the caves, ate at my mind. I could feel something flicker through me. I saw a spark, like molten gold, flash in his eyes. I concentrated harder. Time slowed. Something shifted. Then, I saw something. I saw me.
I stood in the middle of a room—and not just any room, it was the training center at the academy. I was working on upper body defensive and offensive moves. I looked lethal. My blonde hair was in a tight pony-tail and it swirled as I executed a hook kick with perfect precision. Then, I felt something warm surge through me. It was something I'd never felt before. It was a combination of different emotions: love, lust, and anger. Then it changed.
I stared at a blazing inferno, the flames looked blue…A building on fire. Cold overtook me. Ravenous sadness made my blood run cold. My heart beat rapidly. It hurt. Then, nothing. A wall came down, and I was staring at the black of his pupils. Again.
“Anna, what did you see?”
It was strange. I couldn’t find the words. There was more to it than seeing, it was feeling. I told him I saw myself. He seemed vaguely fascinated, and I could have sworn he blushed. It made me smile.
“Did you see anything else?”
“A building on fire. It was, maybe, a house,” It took me a few swallows to get it out. For some reason, the sadness circulated through my blood, ice-cold, consuming me entirely the second I thought of it. I wanted to alleviate his misery desperately. Nathan jumped to his feet and started frantically pacing.
“What’s wrong?”
“This,” he waved an angry hand.
“What?” I asked.
“You, seeing into people’s minds. Do you have any idea what Lucifer, the demons, or angels turned Dark, would do for—and with—something like that? If you can see into minds, you can potentially see their deepest, darkest secrets. Not to mention, there is no telling what else you might be capable of.” I really am a leper.
“I might be able to do... more?” My tone probably sounded more chipper than it should have, but it was kind of cool…in a freaky way.
“According to my research, your potential is almost endless.”
I didn’t want endless potential. I wanted to be a Warrior, a Legite. The end. Still, I didn’t see why this was such a problem, but Nathan paced gravely.
“Could this have something to do with Hutriel sanctifying me,” I asked.
Nathan considered it.
“Makes sense. Gifted angels in our choir are rare.”
“How rare?”
He inhaled.
“Very.”
“What would Lucifer do…if he found me?” The thought frightened me.
He stopped pacing and considered this.
“I honestly don’t know,” He shook his head. “We need to find out what else you can do.”
I was suddenly very ill. It was repulsive that Lucifer could and would exploit any angel for his own glory, when he used to be the most beloved and respected of them all.
“How?”
For a long while, Nathan and I pulled books, books, and more books off the shelves. It appeared there weren’t many angels who could see into minds: There was only one angel we found anything on.
Imogen was a Warrior who could see into the minds of others. She could feel their emotions, too. Nathan frowned at that. No doubt he was embarrassed about what I'd felt when staring into his eyes.
The books said she could act as a conduit, but not what she acted a conduit for.
Whatever the heck that meant.
The book didn’t say how, and there was no explanation of what happened to her. There were, however, pages ripped out. I shut the book and let that information sink in.
Nathan was determined to find more information. He frenetically read every page of every book within arm’s length. Finally, he looked at me wearily.
“Maybe you should get some rest.”
“Maybe we should both rest,” There was nothing I would have liked more than to lay next to Nathan. He made me feel at ease. He gave me peace.
“I’m going to keep reading,” He answered. Nathan was so serious and driven. It was one of the reasons I respected him.
“I’ll stay with you,” I mustered up the most indefatigable look I possibly could, crossing my arms and all. When I wanted something bad enough, I was indomitable. I could see him warming up to the idea. Slowly but surely. He inhaled deeply.
“Fine, you can stay.”
I leaned against the bookshelf behind me and tilted my head to the right. I wanted badly to be closer to Nathan, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment. I became increasingly tired as time went on. Sure enough, exhaustion won over, and I fell into darkness.
My surroundings were ominous. I knew it. I was living my nightmare. The scene was as it had always been. The scarlet red chair with talons for feet was situated with its high back facing me. I was immobile, as always.
I promised myself I would remember.
It took what seemed like a lifetime for a gorgeous man to enter the room. It was the one called Ferrin. The tall man with snowy hair and crystal blue eyes swayed into the room. He was dressed in a pristine, black on grey, suit. This time, he had a red cashmere scarf draped elegantly around his neck and tucked into his suit. It was the type of thing that screamed, “I have so much money, that yes, I can wear a scarf as a tie.”
“Where is she now?” The voice from the chair was seductive and alluring, as usual.
“We have received no further update, Sire,” the silky-voiced Ferrin sounded slightly more frightened than before.
“What do you mean no further update?” The voice growled.
Ferrin knelt. “The Changeling has not reported anything to us in many days.
“Find her!” he yelled.
“Yes, Sire.” With that, Ferrin turned on his heel and left, taking the right tunnel. I saw hair above the chair. He was getting up; this was my chance to see him, to see the one that had haunted my mind for so long!
Something jerked my eyes open. Nathan. My head was in his ... lap.
Oh. I fell asleep and accidentally (or subconsciously) rested my head in his lap. He was asleep, too. His eyelids flickered. I shut mine. Then, I felt something move the hair from over my right eye. After a few moments of not moving, I opened my eyes again. I was stunned to see that his eyes were open too. He was looking down at me, brushing my hair with his fingers. I smiled. He smiled back. It was a beautiful, full smile that reached his deep, green eyes. My heart fluttered.
“Did you sleep well?” He asked without moving, or forcing me to move.
“Yes, I did.” I said, surprised. It was the truth. “You?”
“Yes, thank you.”
This was such a bizarre situation, but it seemed so natural. I couldn’t help but hope it felt natural to him, too.
“What's in your pocket?” There was a little bulge where the object crammed against my hipbone.
I had totally forgotten about the gift.
“It’s just a gift from Dr. Azrael.”
“And you keep it in your pocket?” He raised an eyebrow.
I figured right now was as good a time as any to open the gift. I tried to retrieve it, but the way my body was twisted; I couldn’t get my hand in my pocket. Reluctantly, I lifted my head, sat up, and pulled the thing from my pocket.
“You haven’t opened it?”
“No. I wanted to wait for the right time.”
His mouth twisted.
I didn’t see any reason to tell him I hadn’t opened it because I thought it might be a bomb. I pulled the cloth off, and a chain slid between my fingers. There was still another, smaller white cloth like tissue paper covering the pendant.
“A necklace? That was nice of her. What was the occasion?”
“She made me captain of the equestrian team.”
“That’s great, Anna.” His smile was sad.
I cautiously removed the white tissue paper and was mystified. There was a silver signet ring on the necklace. I examined the band. It looked like brass and iron. I turned it over.
It was the Star of David, set with four jewels, but more to it than that. It had two concentric circles, with many different sigils. In my second year, I learned that sigils are symbols created for magical purposes. They are usually a complex combination of many geometric figures. They would become more effective with weeks, and maybe years of prayer and meditation, depending on their intent. I was no expert, but if I was right, I was holding a very powerful object.
I heard a loud sigh. Nathan examined the ring. I almost forgot he was there. No breathing can do that.
“The Seal of Solomon,” he said.
“What?”
“The Seal of Solomon.”
I heard about it in history class.
“People said it had belonged to King Solomon. Supposedly, it gave him the power to command or destroy demons.”
“Destroy demons...That’s amazing” I muttered.
“It wasn’t known how many, or what kind, but it worked. It was miraculous. The fact that the wearer could command demons made it dangerous.”
He paused, giving me time to make sense of his words. If someone could control demons…that would be beyond devastating.
“Tell me more.” I demanded.
Nathan sighed again and frowned.
“The reason demons fail so often is because they’re like dozens of warring street gangs. With one person unifying them and keeping them focused; it’s impossible to guess what they might do. That’s why it was destroyed: On the wrong finger, it would be the first step to overthrow The Powers.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I thought it was destroyed.” He adjusted himself and looked cautiously across the room. “That isn't the Seal of Solomon. It’s almost identical; it must be a sister ring.”
My mouth fell open, just a little.
“But…why would Dr. Azrael have the sister ring to the Seal of Solomon? And why would she give it to me?” I sat on my knees.
“I don’t know, Anna. Put it on,” he urged.
“You’re kidding! It could kill me,” His lips tipped up. He was right. I was being stupid. At least I hoped I was only being stupid as I slipped the chain over my head.
“There you two are! We've been looking for you, forever! God, you two need a bath! Gross!”
Taylor: the Queen of untimely interruption.
I quickly slid the ring under my shirt, hiding it. Nathan jumped up, lickety-split like he’d been caught red-handed, stealing from The Powers. Was it really that bad being seen sitting next to me? Geez-Lou-ise. I got to my feet swiftly.
“What were you two doing, anyway?” Her tone was accusatory, and her beady eyes were squinted.
“We were reading, Taylor. You know, smart people do it,” I mocked.
Her eyebrows climbed her forehead. She craned her neck into an extremely awkward position, obviously rejecting my lie. I realized her hair was once again perfectly spiked. How did she manage that?
“I'm taking a shower. Can you girls find your way back?”
“No. We’re ignorant, stupid, incapable children,” Taylor answered, each word dripping sarcasm.
I shot her a steely look.
Nathan nodded and left. That was nice of him, leaving me with the she-wolf.
“I better go take a shower, too. Are there different areas for girls and guys?”
“Uh huh,” she mumbled, still staring at me, all creepy.
I tried to leave, with high hopes she wouldn’t stop me. I was wrong. She put a hand out, blocking me.
“What?” I asked.
“What was that all about?”
I felt heat rise in my cheeks.
&nbs
p; “Nothing,” I turned away from her.
“What was nothing?” Amalie walked up. She’d been hidden by the shadows.
“Anna’s in love,” announced Taylor.
“What! That’s not true,” I looked at Amalie.
“Anna?” Amalie questioned. She’d already announced her anger toward my relationship with Nathan. She called me stupid and reckless just yesterday for trusting him, and now Taylor was screaming I loved him. Great.
“Oh yeah? You might want to tell your face!” mocked Taylor.
Was I really that transparent? I needed to learn to suppress my emotions…or, my facial expressions at least.
It won't work, Anna. He’s a Legite and you’re a noviate,” Taylor said.
“Wait. Nathan isn’t so bad,” Amalie said.
What? Was this the same sister from yesterday?
“Why wouldn’t it work?” Amalie asked.
“Umm… because it’s not allowed. Duh,” replied Taylor.
“Neither is breaking out of the academy,” Amalie commented. She had a point. “We did that and this thing between Anna and Nathan is a lot less severe than breaking out of an academy, Taylor.”
Okay, so, normally my spirited, rebellious sister would piss me off, saying something like that. Today, I wanted to hug her.
“Umm,” Taylor mocked Amalie’s high voice, “the Powers. That’s who.”
“It’s romantic, and he’s totally into you,” she looked at me, hope in her blue eyes. “Plus, they can keep it a secret. Anna will be a Warrior and initiated into the Legion soon, anyway.”
“Really?” Taylor sounded incredulous. “This coming from the juvenile delinquent.”
“Shut up, Taylor!” growled Amalie.
Taylor scoffed. I glared at her.
“Look, I’m not trying to be a bitch. It’s just, he’s a guy, and not just any guy; he’s Legite Warrior Nathaniel Deror,” She shook her head. “He’s a god, and you seriously think he wants you?” she asked in a low voice. It was the type of voice doctors used when they gave bad news. Full of pity.
I wanted to cry and hit her at the same time.
Who was I kidding?
Taylor was right. He was Nathaniel Deror. Every girl wanted him. I was a Junior Year Noviate. What could he possibly want with me? I wanted to punch myself.