by Reid, Susan
“It’s actually perfect if you think about it, Cam. Edanai won’t have to masque or alter my aura. I’d be hard to spot.”
“And you’d endanger the life of an innocent human.” I finished for her. “Don’t do anything that will draw attention to yourself and make your presence conspicuous. You’re very limited, remember that.”
She blew out a breath of exasperation and looked at me wryly. “Innocent human? I had no idea you cared so much about them. I completely get the outfit now. You’re as hot as fuck in it. Starling never stood a chance. You’re crazy if you think that you’re not drawing any damned attention to yourself. Hell, I know I’d do anything to get you to spank, beat, cuff, and arrest me.” She grinned with lustful interest.
I ignored her mention of Starling and her flirtatious vulgarities. “First of all, I don’t care for them. But there’s no need to subject one to harm when there’s no reasoning behind it.”
“Yeah, right. You know— you should have been created as human, Cam.” She then said.
Her comment was the first that I’d ever heard another being say and it took me completely by surprise.
Throughout the rest of the drive, I watched her out of my periphery. I still didn’t trust her fully.
This whole act could have been easily set up to restore her favor with Morning Star. I knew better than to let my guard down around her. He could have promised her anything for me, and she’d believe it, much less do it for him too. He had a certain way with females, despite being the very essence of evil.
“You have got to be kidding.” Berith commented, when I pulled into the long, graveled drive.
I slowly circled around the nearly condemned, abandoned, two-story farmhouse.
“You’ve been here before.” I said when she grimaced at me.
“That was different! This is far from what I’d even call an outhouse!” She whined.
“Call it whatever you want, for you though…it’s home.” I parked the cruiser, and killed the engine.
XIV: Starling:
The rain wasn’t so bad. However, I could have done without the mud. I’d just gotten new clothes made. Spencer and Sean told me all that I needed to know. These fallen may have many advantages, but I’d be damned if I let them take me, or hurt anyone of my fellow warriors, let alone innocent human beings. I was pumped and ready to start my training.
As Spencer and I walked, I admired the others. I was fascinated; watching them jump, run, hurdle, leap and spar each other, with amazing feats of skill that no normal human could or would ever be able to do.
I think he remained quiet on purpose, appreciating my interest in observing, and taking it all in for the moment. If I had a question, I’d ask. I was intrigued with the display of all sorts of the weapons. There were swords of all lengths and shapes, whips, retractable spinning chains, Bo’s and crossbows.
It was highly entertaining, but it made me even more frustrated and impatient that I couldn’t wield mine yet. As the rain began to thin into a misty drizzle, the fields grew even more alive with grunts, laughter, cajoling challenges, and words of encouragement.
The fields spanned many, many acres of lush, green trees and plants. There were high hills and slopes, with climbable walls set up at the very top of some. Overall the land was even, green, and streaked with numerous, crazy looking, zigzagging lines of muddy footprint impressions. The entire set up looked like some sort of a theme park for gladiator training. Purposefully, the entire obstacle course appeared treacherously built.
It included everything from giant rock walls, fiery run-through gauntlets, and one with iron-spiked boulders that smashed together randomly as warriors ran deftly through them. Warriors were leaping from platforms set upon tall columns. The columns were of different sizes, widths, and heights. They were spaced at different distances from each other, all surrounded by a shallow moat of dark brown, muddy water at the bases.
What really caught my attention, as Spencer and I walked, was the commotion, shouts, cheers and laughter surrounding what looked like some sort of relay or racing exercise.
In the far distance, I kept seeing groups of warriors suddenly appearing out of thin air. It was as if they were stepping out of an invisible curtain, all along the fields’ horizon. I found that peculiarly interesting.
“Where are they coming from?” I pointed and looked up at Spencer.
“Hmm?” He asked, and then followed my finger towards the distant field.
“Oh, that’s where you typically emerge from when you use a returning portal gem.” He said casually…as if I was supposed to know what a portal gem was. He had mentioned it earlier.
“What’s a portal gem?”
He smiled. “You’ll learn all about it in my class.”
I pursed my lips. A simple, quick answer would have sufficed.
I returned my attention to the training activities. Some sort of device, designed to look like a dark humanoid thing, or fallen with wings; complete with a bottom compartment; was attached to a double zip line wiring contraption, at the starting line of the long field. The warriors were racing against it and each other. It looked like fun. I could literally feel the adrenaline coming off of everyone watching, as well as the runners.
As soon as one of the trainers shouted, “Go!” The two warriors took off, and the mock winged thing above, shot out like an arrow after them. After a moment, I understood exactly what the exercise was meant to train.
What I didn’t understand or get at first, was why the warriors were coming back covered in some sort of blue tinted goo. It appeared as if someone had dumped a large bucket of blue hair gel onto his or her head. I scrunched up my nose. It didn’t smell all that great either.
“What is that stuff?” I asked Spencer.
He smiled. “That’s what happens when you’re too slow. Race against the fallen, want to see how you measure up?” He asked me with a raised brow.
“What do you mean, race against the fallen? You’re telling me that thing goes at the same rate of speed as a fallen? I didn’t even see it, it was a blur.” I pointed to the zip line wires above, once we made it closer to the starting line.
“Pretty much. Want to give it a try or what?” he asked me.
I thought for a moment, looking into his eyes as they sparkled coaxingly.
“Alright. As long as it doesn’t require me to wield my weapons.” I accepted.
“No, but in reality, you’d better be able to eventually master that while running too.” Spencer then noted.
We weaved our way through the throng of warriors. Again, the hush of whispers and suspicious looks from the corners of random eyes surrounded me, but I ignored them. The mounted device returned slowly, and the trainers began to refill it once again. I examined it curiously.
“You want me to find an opponent or do you want to go it alone?” Spencer asked me.
I looked around.
“I’ll go it alone first. I don’t want to embarrass myself in case I suck, or trip and fall.” I smiled.
He laughed. “I think you’ll be fine, but fair enough.”
He stood close to me while we watched the next few sets race against each other, only to be teased by the others when they returned drenched in the blue, slimy goop.
I cringed and held a finger under my nose, “What’s that stuff made from?” I asked Spencer.
“A mixture of natural herbs. It’s meant to stink. You don’t want it on you, then you’d better not let it catch up to you.” He said with a nod upwards at the mounted device.
“That sucks. That thing is ridiculously fast, there’s no way.”
“Believe it or not, that thing probably doesn’t even go as fast as they do in reality. It just takes practice. You can get your speed up if you keep at it. It is possible. For those that can’t, you’ll have to rely on other maneuvers or tactics that will keep you out of grabbing…or in this instance, dumping range.” Spencer smirked.
Although this was a training exercise, it was
meant to be in good fun. I could see that it was nurturing the development of teamwork and a feeling of camaraderie among everyone.
Spencer leaned down to speak to me. “You’re up. Once you hit the bottom of the hill at the end, you’re pretty much in the clear. Go all the way to the top and ring the bell. The trainers at the top will record your speed and time so you can set your own goals.” He explained and pointed towards the hill in the far distance. Two trainers stood on either side of a pole with a bell attached to it.
“Don’t think, just run and stay focused on the bell.” He added with a hand on the small of my back to nudge me towards the starting line.
I was nervous. Since I was going it alone, all eyes were on me and no one really said anything. It was like the sudden loud conversations, laughter and teasing had ceased so that everyone could watch my attempt.
My heart hammered wildly.
“On your mark, get ready…” One of the trainers who helped to reload the goo began to shout, once I got into place.
‘Don’t think, just run.’ I reiterated Spencer’s words in my head.
I inhaled and exhaled, ready for the signal.
My view ahead shrunk into one long, narrow path. All of the sights, sounds, and smells around me became neutral. My muscles flexed, coming alive with energy, fire and adrenaline.
“Go!” He shouted.
My body sprang into motion, practically on its own. I took off with so much explosive power and force, it was almost as if I were simply—teleporting along, my feet barely touching ground. I rode the wind as it whipped past me so hard, it whistled past my ears and my eyes began to tear up.
The thrill of the run and being able to give any fallen a run for their money, is what spurred me on. I was determined and fierce. Warrior mentality burned in my brain as my arms pumped, propelling me forward with no regard for anything or anyone else. The foot of the hill was already right in front of my view, growing closer like the quick zoom lens of a camera. I was aware of everyone, every shape, and their movements all around me.
My legs burned, but not in a painful way, it was a total and complete rush. Exhilaration filled me with a tingling sensation that set my muscles on fire. I was being fueled by my mental determination not to be splashed with that disgusting slime, and to ring that bell.
It wasn’t until I reached the top of the hill, goo free and reaching for the clapper, that I noticed the expressions on each of the warrior trainers faces. Both were looking at me in astonishment.
Did I do something wrong?
I don’t have any blue slime on me, wasn’t that the whole goal? Unless there was a malfunction of the device or something, and it didn’t even take off.
Somebody say something here. Hello?
“Did something go wrong?” I asked carefully.
Another moment passed before either one of them spoke. I turned to look back at the starting line out of curiosity and confusion. It was then that I realized just why it was silent. Everyone…and I mean everyone had stopped what they were doing and were now staring up at the top of the hill—at me.
With a squeak and a whirling sound, the simulated, fallen device that I was supposed to outrun, had just now arrived. It stopped abruptly at the base of the hill. The blue goo exploded weakly out of the bottom of it, which would have been my face or head if I had been under or lingering behind it.
“Wrong? I don’t believe it.” One of the male warrior trainers spoke first. He shook his head in disbelief.
The other one looked at me incredulously and nodded. “That was absolutely…killer. I have never seen any warrior run that fast in my entire time here, or anywhere else for that matter. I have to see that again.” He said.
“Maybe there was a delay in starting it.” The other male warrior commented. “What’s your name?” He then asked me.
“Starling.”
“You’re the last riser aren’t you?” The other asked.
I nodded. “That’s what I was told.”
The first male warrior waved his hand towards the starting line end of the field.
“If you can outrun a fallen, you’re halfway through with your training. Your talent must be speed.” The other one commented in amazement.
I gave a half-smile.
I admit, I think I shocked myself more than anything too. Could it be my talent? Was it possible to have both an essence and a talent? I guess so.
I hated that all eyes were on me right now, especially now that the sun was coming out. It shone brightly, a pale gold color, with a periwinkle haze surrounding it. Though I was breathing hard, I wasn’t winded. In fact, I couldn’t explain it…because I didn’t understand it. The expending of energy hadn’t made me tired at all. I was actually charged and bursting with wild—lust.
“If I didn’t find you anymore enticing before, now I’m yours, Starling. Marry me.” I heard Spencer’s voice, just as he reached the top of the hill and joined us.
He was smirking. A look of both admiration and awe in his unnatural, silver eyes. Of course trailing not far behind him, was his warrior groupie, Jamie.
The moment our eyes met, the desire I was feeling began to uncoil and spread into my belly, warming my groin. I sucked in a breath of air in reaction to the intense stimulation that I felt by simply, looking at him. It didn’t help that he was incredibly sexy too.
Oh…hell. I then thought.
Given the way he was looking down at me, and the smirk of temptation affixed to his sexy mouth, it was evident that he was picking up on it already. His eyes glimmered and I gasped softly.
For the breadth of an instant, he looked like someone else. Someone else much taller, with a gorgeous face, and a broader, yet svelte, tanned, muscular build. Someone…familiar to me. I had to blink a few times to refocus my eyes, not sure of who I was seeing anymore at the moment.
I took a step away from him but he stopped me and leaned down close to my ear.
“Training turns me on too.” He whispered.
I swallowed; my pulse was beating hard against my skin. I know he could feel it in my wrist. I pulled my hand out of his.
“I think simply breathing, turns you on.” I whispered back.
He smirked. “Heavily, chest heaving and sweaty… most definitely.” He winked.
I pursed my lips. “It’s just endorphins.”
He chuckled and flashed a cocky grin. “I know the difference between endorphins and desire— very well.”
“You’ve just raised the bar and established a title for yourself, Starling.” One of the trainers then said.
“Looks like you’ve got some challengers already.” The other trainer added with a nod at the line forming at the starting end.
I looked over my shoulder at the mostly male, dominated line, all waiting to go up against me.
“She’s definitely a unique one.” Spencer nodded, eyeing me up and down as he licked his lips.
I can’t work with him and concentrate on training.
He was going to make me jump his bones at some point.
Jamie noted the look of desire in Spencer’s eyes, and she purposefully moved in closer to him to break the spell.
“I’ll challenge you. Not racing. Sparring. Can you wield your weapons yet?” Jamie asked with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
I shook my head no.
“Sucks for you. You’d better learn to fight in hand to hand combat then, soon.” She clucked her tongue and grinned smugly.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones who were impressed with Starling.” One of the warrior trainers suddenly said.
He had a serious expression this time. They were both looking out in the distance— up into the sky.
We all turned to follow their gazes.
A line of several dark forms, with wings spread, were hovering in the sky overlooking the training field.
Appearing to look like nothing more than black, elongated shapes in the sky from here, it was evident that they were watching us.
“Wh
at are they?” I asked, even though I think I already knew.
“What do you think?” Jamie looked at me as if I were stupid.
“Fallen.” Spencer replied sternly. His jaw was working when I looked over at him. He scanned the perimeter of the sky where the dark shapes continued to hover and watch, like vultures circling prey.
An immediate shuffle of movement swiftly took place all around the field. Warrior guards and even the small elemental pets were positioning themselves to keep watch.
“Are they just watching us or planning to attack?” I suddenly thought in panic.
“They can’t come within a five mile radius of the consecrated Hall grounds, or air space. Their magic is ineffective beyond those limits here too, so we’re safe.” Spencer then said.
“Does this happen often?” I asked. I figured it was because we were Divine Warriors and everyone said that we were their favorites.
“No, never. This is a first.” Spencer said.
That was surprising.
“I’ll take a guess as to why they’re here now.” Jamie said.
I glared at her.
“They’re curious this time. Either way, now you understand what I told you earlier.” Spencer directed at me, and then moved to stand in front of me on purpose.
I barely nodded. Yeah, he told me about the dark ones and the fallen all knowing who I was, both by face and by name. They wanted me— Morning Star wanted me, but he didn’t tell me why.
I stepped from behind him and glanced around the field. Nearly everyone’s head suddenly began to turn away from our new, unexpected audience, and were now looking at us…or me once again.
The line of fallen suddenly winked out of sight, yet an outline of their forms remained visible to my eyes.
“They’re still there.” I whispered more to myself.
“Yep, they do that a lot. Cloaking. You’ll still be able to see their signatures, but it’s very hard to detect in the dark, which is when they tend to do it the most.
Anyway, we’ll go through a few more drills to see where your other strengths may lie past speed. We’ll try wielding your blades again in an indoor training room later on.” Spencer said.