by Reid, Susan
“Oh, have mercy…” Spencer gasped with a flirting, stunned expression. His gorgeous eyes twinkled, and his mouth fell agape. He bit his lip, slowly ogling me from head to toe.
“Good Morning, Starling. Come in and have a seat.” Sean greeted me with a smile.
He scooted out of his chair, and stood up to pull out a chair for me.
“Very nice look on you.” Spencer complimented softly as I sat down. He then sat directly across from me.
I couldn’t stop myself from blushing in reaction to his now leering gaze, and remembering how his lips felt against mine last night. As nice as it had been, I should have slapped or punched him afterwards. He could have at least asked me first. I definitely would if he tried to do it again. I suddenly felt ill, only able to imagine where his sexy lips have probably been.
Sean took his seat, “You’re transitioning exceptionally well, so I want to get you up to speed this morning since we’re not doing things in the right order here. Spencer teaches one of the classes that you’ll be taking on Demonics, as we like to call it.” he began with a slight chuckle of humor at the given name, “This will be a quick briefing about what to expect as far as your schedule is concerned. Spencer of course will be mentoring and helping you get accustomed to wielding your blades…you have told her what you are, haven’t you?” He then directed at Spencer with a questioning look.
Spencer was leaning back in his chair, one finger stroking his chiseled chin. He winked at me and nodded. “She figured it out.”
I pursed my lips with a slight roll of my eyes.
“We don’t have many like Spencer here, or at any of the other Divine Halls across this realm for that matter. He is among one of the only ones that I feel would be qualified enough, being what your weapons are.” Sean began.
Sean still didn’t mention my essence to Spencer. I remained silent about it too, affirming to myself that it had to be for a good reason.
“Now that it’s raining, it’ll be a perfect crash course in elemental battle for her. I think we should try her out on the obstacle course first, though. We can get a good idea of just how fast, agile and strong she really is, and then go from there. I imagine that her essence or talent will surely show itself by then.” Spencer said, though his eyes never left mine.
Sean’s face remained neutral, not giving Spencer any hint or indication that both he and I already knew what my essence was.
“Diana and I are going to be away for a few daybreaks. We have meetings with advisors from other regions over some new developments. Aside from training, many others will be assisting you in everything else that you will need to know and do. Have you begun your journals yet?” Sean asked me.
I straightened and shook my head. “No. I didn’t know I was supposed to.” I replied.
“You’ve got quite a branding experience to write about—at least the part you were conscious for.” Spencer smirked.
I paused, with a wry glance at him, before turning to Sean. “Why would I want to write about that?” I then asked.
Sean simply smiled, the way a father would at a teenager who was arguing against doing chores. “I’ll be sure to have you sit with Scholar Keiko-San soon. One should always journal experiences, thoughts and ideas. What were your feelings when you first awoke? What did you think of this place, and what do you think about being a divine warrior and immortal?” He listed.
Keiko-San? The cook? How would that go? She didn’t even speak English, and I don’t speak Japanese. Maybe Lorelei could teach me some. She said that learning a new language would come easier to me now that I was superhuman.
I shrugged a shoulder, “Well, I’m here. You told me that I was among the chosen. I took the oath, and this is what I am now. I’m honored to accept it. I’m living it, why do I need to write about it too? Who’s going to read it?”
Sean’s eyes regarded me with concern. “Starling, if everyone thought that writing about their experiences would mean nothing to anyone, there’d be no such things as books, history books or even manuals. As a chosen, your every experience counts and will mean something to someone else or many, someday. I’m sure at one point, those who contributed to Biblical texts, may have thought the same as you do, but they wrote down everything anyway.” He assured.
Well, when he put it that way…how stupid did I feel now? “I guess. But as far as training and being out on the fields goes…I don’t know how to wield my blades yet.” I replied.
“I know, but you can still run the obstacle course. Tactical moves are probably one of the most valuable skills that you’re going to need. Speed, dexterity, and agility are essential because not every battle may go well. There will be many occasions and instances where it will be wise to simply…make a run for it.”
Spencer leaned forward with his elbows on the table and looked directly into my eyes. Seriousness replaced the flirtatious glimmer in them only seconds ago. “The fallen are extremely fast, especially in the air. So fast, that you won’t even see them coming before you realize that you’re airborne. That’s one of their many advantages. Never assume that you’ll always be able to outrun a fallen. One of them, you can probably take on and kill; but if a group of them ever gives chase and you’re alone, you’d better hope that you have a portal gem, otherwise— you’re screwed. They’ll always see and smell you way before you ever see them, believe me. And though I hate to advise it, being that I’m a fan of long hair myself, especially yours; it may benefit you to always either wear your hair in a tight bun, or cut it altogether. It’s a handle and it’s the first thing that they will reach for. They have fetishes for—long hair.” he explained.
Interesting. A portal gem? I stared at him with wide-eyed. I believed him but I did not want to cut my hair.
Sean nodded in agreement, “He’s absolutely right. Do what you can to keep it tightly wrapped. I won’t lie to you; we’ve lost many female warriors that way.”
I bit my lip in thought. “Didn’t any of them even try to fight back or kill them?” I asked.
Spencer chuckled. “Well, if you’re lucky enough not to have them bind you with magic to keep you from moving, you could try. When you’re over a few thousand feet in the air, would you kill the one thing keeping you from plummeting to a violent death?” He then asked.
He had a point.
“As immortals, I thought we healed fast, and that we were hard to kill?”
Sean interjected this time. “There are some instances, where there is far too much damage to heal fast enough from. In your weakened state, any being can easily finish you off. Never allow yourself to become injured beyond what your healing ability can do quickly. If you’re losing a fight, run and escape. That is why I don’t recommend that anyone ever travel in less than groups of four or more.”
“So what you’re telling me is that once a fallen has you, you should just give up and wait to die?” I clarified.
That sounded just wrong to me.
I would never go out without a fight no matter who or what it was against, but that may just be my mentality.
“Never give up or give in without fighting. However, in those instances, your chances of escape are slim to none, which is why it’s best not to get caught in the first place. There are way more deadlier beasts of darkness than just the fallen out there, always remember that.” Spencer replied.
That was harsh, but it was more than I needed to know. I wasn’t going to cut my hair if I didn’t have to though. I scooted back out of the chair and stood up.
“Alright, let’s get started. Obstacle course first? I’m ready.” I said with determination.
Both Sean and Spencer raised their brows at each other in surprise at my sudden enthusiasm.
“That’s what I’m talking about. Let’s see what you’re made of babe.” Spencer smiled, and then turned to Sean as he stood up too. “Don’t worry; she’ll be able to wield them by the end of the day if I can help it.” He assured him.
“Don’t call me babe.” I warned Sp
encer.
“Remain respectful, Spencer.” Sean also warned.
Spencer innocently held up his hands. “I have the utmost respect for Starling. Any female warrior with deific blades, an aura…and a body like that, has my total and complete respect and admiration.” He grinned.
XIII: Cam`ael:
Whoever said, that ‘hell hath no fury than a woman scorned’…or one who absolutely despises another woman—has never seen a pissed off female fallen.
I would much rather live through another battle with Drakael, than to deal with Edanai. However, I take full blame and responsibility.
I knew what Edanai’s reaction would be after seeing Berith, even if she were in a decomposing human’s body. I just didn’t think that she’d be back before I could decide where Berith could stay. She originally said that they would possibly return tomorrow.
The girls’ body lie crumpled and motionless on the floor, as if she had finally died. Edanai threw a curse that knocked Berith out cold before she even realized what hit her. Not that she could have done anything to guard herself or retaliate anyway.
Now, she was seething.
“Of all the things that I’ve done for you Cam, how dare you bring that piece of filth into your home, and have the balls to ask me to help her!” She shouted.
The air was hot and thick, thrumming with her anger and power.
Rahab’s eyes were wide with confusion, looking from me to Edanai. I could tell that he wanted to jump in and help me to fend against her wrath, yet at the same time, unsure if Edanai would then unleash it on him.
“You’re absolutely right, I know. I take full responsibility for her. I didn’t plan this; she came to me for help…” I began.
“Who the fuck cares!” Edanai cut me off, flinging her arms out in exaggeration.
Her amethyst eyes were blazing. I’d only seen her this angry one other time, and it wasn’t a clean outcome.
“She can’t do anything. She’s basically human; she has no powers! But she does know vital things that will be of benefit to us, and we’ll need it.” I told her.
Edanai vehemently shook her head. “No! I want nothing to do with her at all! She can’t be trusted! What the hell would even make you think you could? And why?” She shot back.
“Morning Star is after her now too. For giving me information, they’re all after her.” I told her.
“Good, I hope they slaughter her ass!” Edanai retorted.
“If she can help, I trust Cam`ael would know if she was genuine. He wouldn’t have brought her in here if he thought she was a threat.” Rahab interceded.
Edanai narrowed her eyes at him and Rahab took a tentative step away from her with a quick glance at me that conveyed, ‘Well, you’re on your own now’.
“Help? Alright, what kind of bullshit story did she give you? How long do you think it will be before she leads Baal, Mephael, or Ammon here? Hmm? I swear Cam`ael, I don’t get you! Are you sniffing sulphur crystals? Why are you risking this? If this is about Star…”
“Morning Star isn’t far from his invasion of this planet.” I flatly said.
She furrowed her brows. “Nothing new there. And?”
“Berith revealed to me what he’s been doing for the last few decades. She knows more about what has gone on there, than any of the other spies we’ve had planted for the last few centuries. She has nothing left and nothing to lose, look at her. She is no threat. She could barely communicate with me telepathically.” I gestured at the lifeless corpse on the ground, which still remained silent and unmoving.
“Works for me.” Edanai looked at the body and shrugged.
I paused and exhaled, more to calm myself.
“I have a feeling, that the majority of those that used to side with us, have either been killed or have joined Morning Star’s army. There’s not many of us left. This isn’t just about helping the humans and Divine warriors anymore, it’s become more than that.” I told her.
“Oh?” She cut in. “More than Starling?”
“Um, I’m going to gather some items to make for dinner.” Rahab quickly said, and then began to ghost out, sensing my own anger now rising at Edanai’s words.
I bit my bottom lip. “That’s a whole other issue.” I said carefully.
“No it isn’t. She’s as much a part of your dangerous crusade as everything else has been up to this point.” Edanai accused.
I paused.
I moved over to Berith’s limp vessel and hoisted her up with one hand, setting her flimsy form into a chair, and positioning her to sit with her head resting on the table.
I sat down at the other end of the table, silently. Edanai sighed in frustration and then pulled out a chair to sit down on my left.
No words were spoken right away.
Edanai gave Berith a disgusted glance, tapping her foot against the stone floor in agitation, and releasing a slow, hostile breath through her nostrils.
“If she means to help, what difference does the condition of the vessel she took matter?” She asked me.
I raised a brow this time. “You mean in a village of lepers? Nothing. In the human realm, which is where she will be, she’ll probably stand out just a wee bit. Besides, the others may not recognize her scent and her aura right away if you help to conceal it. The mortal realm will be a lot safer for her than the spirit realm right now. I planned to let her stay at the farmhouse.” I told her.
Edanai suppressed a smile at my sarcasm and shook her head.
“Why can’t you just find her a new body then?” She asked me with a single raised brow.
I thought for a moment. “I could, but it’d be a lot easier if you could just make a few repairs and adjustments with this one for the time being. It’s not like it will last forever anyway.” I told her.
“Then it’s just a waste of time.”
“Edanai, please. For once, can you not challenge me? If I didn’t feel like there was something to this…you know I’d never ask it of you.”
She pressed her lips and shook her head.
“Don’t expect me to keep doing this for her. After this, she’s on her own when this one falls apart.” She pointed a long nail at me.
I grinned. “Thank you. Edanai…”
She glared at me and held up her hand. “Don’t even say it! You already owe me way more than you can ever repay in several life times.” She scowled.
~~~***~~~
Edanai has many talents as a natural healer. Something she had been good at as an Angel. I was blown away over the major work she did on Berith’s vessel.
Even though Berith was angry when she awoke, it didn’t last long once she realized that Berith was going to help her after all. She wanted size ‘D’ breasts, but Edanai purposefully kept her an ‘A’ cup, and gave her a slightly distended, out of shape belly. If I hadn’t intervened and said anything, she would have given her a lazy eye and bucked teeth too.
She was having way too much fun with her.
Berith could actually pass as a normal girl…an unattractive one, but human nonetheless. It would be a refreshing look for Berith actually, one that wouldn’t hurt her to grow accustomed to for a change.
Though I wouldn’t doubt that she would try to find a new, more buxomly fitting body to suit her personal taste, I doubted that she would try to right away. She’d be on her own then, and risk being immediately caught. Morning Star and his minions were already tracking her as it is.
I told her though…one complaint and Edanai would simply put her into the body of a dung beetle or a sewer rat.
Back in my police uniform disguise, I drove the cruiser to the farmhouse, through the familiar streets on the outskirts of the Indiana city.
I supposed I could have found any place in the world for Berith, but this one was already familiar and set up. I’d know where she was, she’d be able to summon any of us if needed. I’d ask Atiro if he wouldn’t mind checking in on her now and again.
She couldn’t remain a sitting duck though.
She’d have to be constantly moving. Doing something normal and…human like. That’s when the idea hit me. She was young, and she’d be able to blend in easily—at the University at Bloomington, as a college student among many others. It was perfect.
Though I didn’t want to put so many young ones at risk, per universal laws and rules, no fallen or any dark being would be able to do much themselves— especially in the human realm. Though Berith was in a human body, she still had supernatural advantages on her side to help herself if needed.
“Interested in going to college?” I asked with a quick glance at her in the passenger seat.
“School?” She began to think. Her glossed, pale, pink lips pursed. “That sounds like it could be fun and interesting. Why do you ask?” She looked over at me.
“You need to do something normal. It’s not a good idea to stay at the farmhouse all of the time, if you get my meaning. Morning Star already knows where it is.” I warned her.
She nodded. “I didn’t plan on it. There are a lot of other things that I could do, but school? I guess I can look into that, but normal requires normal things though, like a car.” She hinted.
I thought of Starlings Honda, still in the broken down barn shed in the back, but there was no way I was going to allow someone else to drive it, let alone to the college she attended. Even if she never returned there.
“I’ll get you a car and a few clothes. Don’t worry about the financial part, I’ll take care of all of it. While you’re there, stay out of trouble and make sure that you act human as possible. At least there, hopefully no one will know or recognize you.” I told her.
“I should maintain a German accent. I’m sure she had one. I could be a transfer student.” She mused with a grin, mimicking a pretty good accent. “But I’m not keen on socializing with these young men just yet. I suppose I’ll have to hit the gym and do it the human way…unless…” She trailed off in thought.
“Don’t even think about it. It’s too risky.” I immediately stated.