"This only happened twice, right? Both times with me."
"Yes, I haven't experienced it except for those times."
We found ourselves sitting in a heavy silence as the council got up and made their way into the kitchen for privacy. Sighing heavily, I was relieved to be out of their presence and I wanted so badly to tell Jophiel of the voice in my head, but now wasn't the time; who knew if they could hear me? Keys jingled outside the house and I jumped up from the couch, and turned to the front door as Nikita came in carrying bags filled to the brim. Time seemed to slow, then. The bags she carried fell from her grasp, food falling out of them and splattering against the floor. Turning my head, I noticed that she had seen the council standing there and my eyes went back to Nikita who stood paralyzed in place. I could tell from the frozen shocked look across her face, she didn't realize they would come so quickly, either. "Oh my, I didn't know you would come so soon," she said with a shaky voice. One of the council members walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We had just finished talking to the two and we wish to pursue the matter and see what causes this outburst," he said.
"I don't think that's such a good idea... I mean, we don't even know what triggers it and the power... it's hard for her to handle and she may lash out."
"Could we speak with you for a moment, Guardian?"
"O-of course. Uriel, Jophiel, please excuse us. I suggest since school is already in session, you should just go downstairs and train."
I didn't want to leave her alone with the council members, but I did as I was told. After all, she was my guardian. Sighing heavily, we went downstairs and stood in the middle of the arena. My eyes bore into Jophiel's and I could feel the silent understanding he was pushing my way. He knew I didn't want to train and so he looked to the steps and motioned for me to follow quietly. We could hear through the walls as if they were paper thin and obviously, they were talking about me. "Guardian, your duty is to make sure she wakes and make sure she trains. It isn't to get attached to her. You have brought her outburst to our attention and we will do what we must to come to a verdict about what needs to be done,” a council member said. My body shook and Jophiel placed a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. I could feel the frustration coming from Nikita and I was inclined to defend her, though I knew I shouldn't. "I'm not.... Attached. She has just started training and she only woke a day ago. Please just give us time to figure it out. It could be something she will discover in her memories," Nikita replied.
"Something of this matter will not go unnoticed, Guardian. You cannot keep us from her and we will see to it that we get the information we need."
"Councilman, I'm sorry. I cannot let you do that."
"Have you embraced the human life? We can feel your attachment to the Arch growing. She is not your daughter, Nikita."
"I know she's no--"
"You tell us you know she isn't, but we know you're wanting otherwise. Isn't that right?"
"Councilman--"
"We can have your Guardianship over her taken indefinitely and we can find someone else more... suited for the matter."
“No, please."
"Look at you, Nikita. Mortality is grabbing a hold of you by the throat and you are doing nothing about it. You are forgetting where you come from."
Anger rose from deep within my chest, spreading like wildfire through my veins. They dare insulted Nikita because we had a relationship growing between us? My body shook as the rage threatened to consume me in white heat and I could feel Jophiel's worried stare at my back. He knew what was coming and I knew he wouldn't stop me; we always agreed with each other. That I knew... it was something I didn't have to remember. Nikita couldn't speak and I could feel her sadness and desperation growing. I had to do something. I kicked open the door and stomped my way into the kitchen where they talked. I stood between Nikita and the council members. "Don't you dare talk to her like that," I snapped. Though they didn't act surprised, the stunned silence that hung in the air told me they didn't expect me to defend her or even be listening to the conversation. "Uriel," Nikita started.
"No. They need to stop acting like they have a stick up their asses. You have no right coming here and insulting her like that because we have our own relationship."
One of the council members stepped forward and into my face, darkness still shrouding his features beneath the hood. "You mind your place, Uriel," he said with a warning tone.
"She may be my Guardian, Councilman. But she is also like a mother to me. Something I need in my life."
"She is your Guardian and nothing more. She lives to make sure you become what you're supposed to be. Step down, Arch."
"No, you step down. I don't care what you can do. You don't talk to her like that."
Wind picked up from the inside, blowing cabinets open and shattering the kitchen window. No one was going to tell me to step down when this was my life they were interfering with. They want to see me in the state they were informed of? Let them see me at my worst. My hair whipped at my face as glass shards flew between the space separating me and the councilman. I was once more inside myself; a spectator. "Stop this at once," the councilman demanded. I wouldn't stop. It was too late to stop. "Make me," I hissed, grabbing his throat from under his hood and picking him up.
"Seize her!"
The wind howled as dishes flew towards the bodies of councilmen that started toward me. I wouldn't let them interfere. Hands grabbed at my arms and pulled them off the councilman's throat, and I let out an inhumane scream. "Uriel... Uriel, stop!" Nikita screamed, turning me around to face her. "I know what you're feeling, and you are my daughter. Don't let them tell you otherwise. We've got a special bond. Honey, please!"
That's all I wanted to hear. As the wind died and I came back into myself, tears fell from my face and Nikita pulled me into a hug, clinging to me. "It's alright, honey. Everything is going to be okay," she whispered into my hair. I hugged her hard and hid my face as the council members shifted uneasily. The one whom I had grabbed by the throat demanded answers still from behind. "How did she touch me? We cannot be touched by human flesh!" he screamed. That's when I turned around and my heart stopped. His hood had fallen to reveal a familiar self-mutilated face. I couldn't breathe and Jophiel was at my side instantly, grabbing a hold of my arm, knowing. He was the councilman from my memory.
Chapter Eight
Everything was spinning out of control, and I was powerless to stop it. While Jophiel sat on my bed, I paced the floor with thoughts racing through my head. The council had left without saying a word to either of us, and I was glad; I wouldn't know what to say anyway. A slight breeze squeezed past the screen of my window and cooled my room, but I found no comfort in its whispered lullaby. I could feel Jophiel's anxiety pounding against his head as we remained silent. "What do you think we should do?" he asked quietly, picking at the quilt on my bed. Sighing inward, I stopped pacing and faced him with my arms crossed.
To be honest, I didn't have an answer; we needed the others here because maybe they would be able to come up with something. "I don't know. He was definitely the one from my memory," I replied.
"We need to find the others."
"But how? They could be anywhere and as far as I can tell, this world is bigger than we think. Plus, they may not even be awake yet."
"You're right, but if I woke and you woke, maybe someone else woke before us."
This was too much to think of, and I was on the verge of pulling my hair out. As if feeling my stress, Jophiel stood and walked toward me, cupping my crossed arms in his hands. His energy pulsed rhythmically against mine like a separate heartbeat and I stared at him. His eyes traveled down my face, stopping short before snapping back up. "Everything will be okay, Uriel," he said tightening his grip. I didn't want to, but I doubted his words. I found no comfort in thinking of the future and what it may hold.
"I hope so," was all I could say.
"It will be. We cannot tell anyone about your memory... not yet at le
ast. We still need to figure out if it was even a memory."
"I'm not questioning that. I know it was a memory, but we should at least tell Nikita."
"No, she could give it away and try to do something about it."
"But..."
"I know you want to help her and you want to make sure she stays safe, but to keep her safe, we mustn't tell her."
I hated to admit it, but he was right, and as much as I wanted to tell her, I had to make sure I didn’t. At least not yet. Freeing an arm from Jophiel's grasp, I ran my hand through my hair, pushing it out of my face. I was starting to get a headache from everything and I hated how vulnerable I felt. After several moments, my other arm was freed and I noticed a sparkle in his eyes. Curious, I tilted my head and scrunched my nose. "What?" I asked.
He seemed to be looking at the empty space next to me, avoiding my eyes. "I'm gonna guess and say you've never seen a movie before," he said flatly. Though I knew what a movie was through overheard conversations humans had, I had yet to experience going to see one myself. Shaking my head, he seemed to straighten his posture, more confident of himself. "Let's go see one, then," he said with a small smile.
"When?"
"There's a movie I want to see around eight tonight. It's a comedy so you might enjoy yourself."
My eyes traveled to the clock beside my bed and saw it was three now. Though I was stressed from the events that happened not too long ago, I also wanted to experience what the humans did in this life. Maybe a movie would get my mind off of everything, even if it was only temporary. "Alright," I said, trying to mask the rising excitement. Something flashed in his eyes and disappeared before I could figure out what it was and he grabbed his coat off my bed.
"Okay, I'm going to go home and buy the tickets. I'll be back here around seven thirty to pick you up. It'll give us time to get our seats and some snacks," he said smiling before heading out of my room and down the stairs.
Once he left, I sat on my bed and turned on the television, flipping through random channels until one caught my eye. On the glowing screen, humans were preparing for a show where they would model clothes to other humans waiting on the other side of the curtains. With eyes glued to the screen, I took note of the women that sat in chairs as someone else painted their faces with colors and charcoal. Touching my face, I got up and walked to the mirror on the wall perpendicular to the television and stared at myself before looking back. It seemed that humans had found a way to mask the natural look of their faces with manmade substances called makeup. Though I didn't hate my appearance, I was intrigued with how different people could look when they applied it.
Digging through dresser drawers, I found a pouch full of things the people on television were using to create a new look on the model's faces. I watched them apply the makeup, staring intently as their hands glided gently against the faces. In the mirror, I mimicked their hand movements, applying a thin layer of eyeliner on the top lid of my eyes. Next, I grabbed a similar tube to that shown on the screen; something they called mascara and waved it across my eyelashes. Content with the work I did, I stepped back and studied my face. I was shocked to actually see a difference. Without makeup, I appeared young and innocent, but with it, I seemed older and more mature. It made me feel as if people would take me more seriously if I were to continue wearing it.
A knock at my doorway tore my gaze from the change I had done to my face and saw Nikita standing there with an unreadable expression across her face. She studied me and the corner of her mouth lifted as she walked toward me. Crossing her arms, her smile grew. "I see you have discovered makeup," she said with a chuckle. I began to feel self-conscious, thinking that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. "Normally, girls just starting out with makeup fail horribly at putting it on, but you make it seem as if a professional has done it for you," she continued cupping my chin in her hand.
A smile escaped my lips. "Thank you," I said quietly as she let go.
"I do want you to know that you don't need to wear it, though. You're beautiful the way you are."
"I know. I was curious and fascinated by how different makeup could make me look."
There was a sudden silence, but Nikita kept looking at me, and I wondered what was on her mind. Without prodding, I moved closer and grabbed the remote to turn off the television. "What's wrong?" I asked her, staring at her stone face.
"You're going somewhere with Jophiel tonight?" she asked, though I knew she knew the answer.
"Yes. Why, what's going on?"
"Nothing. It will be good for you. It'll get your mind off a lot of things, but I do have a question. Do you like him?"
I blinked. It was an odd question; of course I liked him, but it seemed that question had a deeper meaning I couldn't quite grasp. "What do you mean 'like him'?" I asked curiously.
"There are two ways you can like someone; as a friend and as something more."
"I still don't quite understand, but he is my friend and I do like him."
She seemed satisfied with the answer, and she once more stepped toward me. There was something in her eyes that made me feel safe to be around her. Kindness radiated from her and though she was my Guardian, I couldn't help but remember how I claimed she was a mother to me, and it made wonder if she ever wished to be one. "Mind if I show you something else you could do?" she asked me. When I nodded, she guided me to the bed where I sat and she came up behind me, pulling at my hair. I stared at the mirror's reflection as she split my hair and wove the strands around each other. Within a few minutes, I had a neat tangle of hair tied together behind my head. "It's a braid," she explained. I liked it. Her energy plummeted and I glanced at her through the mirror. "Uriel, I want to warn you of something," she said. "When you're out in public, please be sure to conceal your wings. We try our best to stay hidden from the human world as much as possible. We avoid it so humans can continue believing what they want to believe without interference. Whatever you do, don't expose who you really are. That is why you must keep your wings hidden. Do you understand?”
"Of course. I would never do anything to risk our secret."
* * *
Seven thirty rolled by quicker than I thought possible. Nikita had waved me goodbye, reminding me to keep in mind what we had talked about. The movie was two hours long and as I sat in the scratchy seats that wouldn't let me lean back to be comfortable, I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging... and discomfort. As Jophiel and I walked out, hidden in the mass of people, we chatted loudly about the movie. "So did you like it?" he asked loudly over the many conversations going on at once between the people around us.
"I didn't get a lot of it," I said truthfully. Humans had a weird sense of humor indeed.
"Yeah, humor has changed a lot compared to in the earlier years. To be honest, I prefer the old comedy ways."
"I'll pretend I know what you're talking about."
He laughed loudly and guided me to his car. I didn't know much about cars, but when he talked about it, he said plenty of positive things, which made me feel safer traveling at high speeds while I sat there unmoving. Making our way toward the car, I heard the sound of crying from behind the building of the theater. I stopped short causing Jophiel to collide into me. "Do you hear that, Jophiel?" I asked.
He straightened, listening. "Yeah, it's coming from behind the theater," he replied. He started toward it and I followed, my heart racing. Things didn't feel right... it felt darker as we got closer to the back. There in the dim light sat a child around seven years old, sitting with her face in her hands. Tears had escaped through the cracks of her fingers as she cried and I sensed her loneliness. Stepping forward, I was stopped by Jophiel. I stared at him in disbelief until he pointed behind the girl. A shadow moved and had placed its hands on the girl and the energy around her began moving toward the shadow.
My gut twisted inside me as I realized it was eating away at her energy, and I wanted to help her. Hitting Jophiel with a pleading look, he leaned his head into mine. "I will
distract the entity, you get the girl out of there," he said. I was perfectly fine with rescuing her from the darkness and I stepped back as Jophiel extended his energy toward the entity, pushing it over and leaving it dazed. "Go," he said, using his energy to pin it down.
Without hesitating, I wandered over to the girl and squatted in front of her. "Hey," I said quietly. "What are you doing back here? Where are your parents?" I asked. When her eyes found mine, they widened, still watering with tears and she touched my face. Putting my hand over hers, I listened to her as she spoke through hiccups.
"I don't know where they are. I'm lost," she sniffled.
"How about we go and find them? I'll protect you, I promise."
Standing, I extended my hand toward hers and she took it, standing with me with a sudden smile. "Okay," she said cheerfully, using her other hand to wipe at her eyes. I glanced at Jophiel who nodded to me, a silent one-sided conversation. I would meet him back here to get home. Holding the girl's hand, we walked around the building just as an overwrought couple came running up to us. The girl dropped my hand and ran to them, sobbing. "Mommy, daddy!" she screamed, running to them and clinging to her dad's leg. They were all frantic and crying, hugging the young girl and it made me smile. It felt good to see that I had brought happiness back into their lives. She tugged on her parents' arms and started toward me. "This is the angel that helped me find you!" she said happily.
They looked at me and the father shook my hand. I was then pulled into a hard hug by her mother who continued crying. "Thank God you found her! Thank you!" she said through sobs. I was taken aback by the sudden affection and gratefulness that she radiated. I smiled.
"Honestly, it was nothing. I would hate it if I was lost and couldn't find my mother."
"You have no idea how happy we are that you brought her back to us. How can we ever repay you?"
Uriel (The Hallowed Chronicles Book 1) Page 5