Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga)

by Reid, Susan

  “More than likely they’ll end up suspending training early today because of this.” Jamie commented.

  “Why?” I turned to her.

  “Safety. They can’t touch us but they can hear every single word we speak while we’re outside.” She narrowed her eyes at me as if it were all my fault.

  I wanted to choke her. I was getting tired of her sour attitude. Being the center of speculation, and not having a clue as to why, was already pissing me off royally.

  “How about a grid challenge? I hope you’ve got balance and flexibility on your side too.” Jamie smirked.

  The grid?

  “Challenge accepted. What’s the grid?” I replied quickly.

  Jamie merely smiled at Spencer and me.

  XVI: Cam`ael:

  “Don’t invite anyone over here, and you’d better be sure to clean up your messes, thoroughly.” I told Berith. She was taking her own in depth tour of the farmhouse and the upstairs rooms. I fixed the place up more for living purposes. I added a complete master bedroom, a working bathroom, and made sure that the water and electricity were working properly too.

  Though on the outside, the house would still appear abandoned, it would no longer appear as sinister. Because it was magic, any normal human walking in from the outside wouldn’t be able to see anything that I had done to it. It would still appear as an empty, deserted, and rotting mess to their eyes. Other spirit beings and any divine chosen on the other hand, would most definitely see a designer home upon entrance.

  “I can’t believe that you want me to stay here.” She pouted.

  “I said I’d help you. For being on the run, and one step from complete obliteration without a friend in either world, I suggest you learn a little more gratitude or you’re on your own.” I firmly told her.

  She sighed and frowned.

  While she stomped up the stairs for further inspection of the house, I ventured outside to look around. A part of me didn’t want to come back here at all, remembering what took place the last time I was here. A rotted and twisted wrap-around balcony lined the front of the farmhouse’s second floor. It stopped in front of the window of the upstairs room, where I held Starling in my arms. The most incredible feeling in the world filled me that night and I swore that I would never leave her. Then Drakael had shown up and the fight was on —until Morning Star intervened. I shook off those images. I didn’t want to think about any of it.

  Determined to keep this place free of any other fallen, I set a temporary protective ward around the perimeter of the house outside, and around the edges of each door and window. For added protection, I set a few of my plumes in the attic to mark the area too.

  Atiro agreed to check in on her for me, thankfully. He said he’d kill her instantly if he found her doing anything, or speaking to anyone that he found… questionable.

  He had my blessing on that.

  Beriths footsteps thunked sullenly as she descended the hollow wooden stairs. She stood on the bottom step, pointing a finger upstairs.

  “I’d like a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom, and gym equipment upstairs in the extra room.” She said.

  I gave her a wry look. “This isn’t a resort, and you’re not a damned princess. I’m not going to indulge you, especially when this is temporary anyway. You’re lucky to get a television and books.” I told her.

  Berith looked affronted and stood with her hands on her pudgy hips. I found her quite comical right now but suppressed the urge to laugh aloud.

  “I’m not asking for anything extravagant. And what will I do about food?”

  I looked at her incredulously. “Cook. I’ll stock the refrigerator for now, but when you run out you’re going to have to go shopping. There’s a car for you outside, and a little cash if you want to purchase some clothing and other necessities…a new hairstyle wouldn’t hurt either. Spend it wisely.” I pointed to the dining room table, where two bundles of one hundred dollar bills were stacked neatly.

  Berith narrowed her eyes at my carefully inserted insult. “I don’t know how to cook!” she whined.

  “No? Alright. There, taken care of.” I said with a quick gesture towards the kitchen.

  She looked around curiously, trying to figure out what I had just done.

  “Where’s the chef? Where’s Rahab? He’s an excellent cook, he’d be perfect.” She held her arms out.

  I looked at her dryly. “Are you kidding? Get real. There are cookbooks on the counters in the kitchen, and I believe there are several channels devoted to cooking on cable, which you now have. Remember…” I began, when Nay’s voice suddenly entered my head.

  “Hey Cam, where did you go?”

  “I’m handling something in the human realm, what’s going on?” I asked.

  “Get your ass back into the spirit realm, quickly.” He replied.

  I instantly tensed, immediately thinking of the crow demon or worse; more fallen that had come for Berith.

  “I’m on my way, what’s happening?”

  “Your girlfriend is out on the training field behind the divine hall right now as we speak, and she is kicking some serious ass. She’s already been branded from what I can see. I’m curious as to what her weapon is. She hasn’t wielded it yet.”

  I froze, my heart swelling with both hope and excitement at the thought of seeing Starling again. “Are you sure it’s her?”

  “Pretty damned sure. There’s no hiding or forgetting her aura.” Nay replied. “You’d better hurry though, they’ve already spotted us, so I don’t know how much longer they’ll be out there.”

  “Cam, your babe is dangerous!” Ry’s voice entered the conversation.

  They didn’t have to say anymore.

  “I’ll be back later on.” I quickly told Berith.

  She was looking out of the front window at the car I had produced for her.

  She spun around to face me with a scowl. “A lime green micro car? Cam…hey wait!” Berith began to whine.

  I had ghosted out just in time.

  ~~*****~~

  When I joined the others, I saw her aura shining in the distance like a brand new diamond in the sunlight.

  I’ve missed her so much, that I didn’t give a damn what the consequences or risks entailed. I had to be with her again…and I would.

  I flew in as close as I could, cloaked. Even though I had the attention of every warrior guardian, trainer, divine warrior, elder, and elemental, I didn’t care. All I saw, all I cared about, and the only one I continued to watch, was Starling. If it weren’t for the possibility of a deadly confrontation and hostility; not to mention the obstacle of not being able to cross into consecrated airspace and land anyway; I’d just fly down and whisk her away with me right this moment.

  She was challenging a female fellow warrior. I smiled to myself, already knowing that she would be incredibly flexible and acrobatic, given her gymnastic skills when she was mortal. Seeing her move with grace, power, and balance was impressive to witness, even more so now that she was superhuman. She was fast and nimble.

  Just as Nay had said, her brandings glinted in the sunlight with every movement of her arms. I already knew what the ritual had entailed and what it must have been like for her. I wondered what her weapon ended up being after all. I suppose that I may find out soon enough.

  Mac, Ry and Nay moved in beside me, cautiously watching the movements of the warrior guardians below.

  We maintained our silence, communicating telepathically because we knew that we were also being monitored for speech, just as we were listening in to all of them too.

  “She’s fucking fast. I don’t doubt that she’d be able to outrun us, maybe.” Ry commented.

  “She wouldn’t have to run from me.” I replied. However, I did wonder what her essence was. Had she discovered it yet? Was speed her essence?

  “No, it may be the other way around.” Nay said.

  I pursed my lips at him with a grimace.

  I didn’t want to think about that.


  “She’s pretty damned agile too. Whoa! Nice! Did you guys see that?” Mac said.

  They all whistled and gawked at the height of her no handed, graceful back flip, landing precisely on the narrow wooden beam, without so much as a falter, hesitation or wobble.

  “You’d better watch that earthbound seraphim. He’s obviously moving in on your woman. Call it intuitive, but I can definitely pick up physical attraction to Starling, and vice versa. He’s behaving awfully protective of her too.” Nay instigated.

  When I zoned in on whom he was speaking of, I instantly noticed it too. That revelation made me simmer inside with both jealousy and rage. Not so much his attraction to her, that was understandable, it was her attraction—to him.

  Damn, I hope he won’t make me kill him.

  If it wasn’t for him being part of an annoying, arrogant class of not-really-angels, it would definitely be over Starling.

  In one swift move, Starling did an impossible looking front somersault, grabbing onto the rope that carried her over a small moat, cluttered with jagged rocks. She then leapt from the rope, cleanly grabbing onto the rock wall with ease. Without so much as a pause, or the need to maintain her grip, she began to climb swiftly. She left her opponent far behind, attempting to make the jump, with a bit of difficulty from her own rope.

  The possibility of another being wanting her, gripped me with a strong sense of possessiveness. A mixture of dark lust began simultaneously seeping into my core, the longer I watched her.

  The vivid memories of her sweet scent; how her supple, toned body felt both in my hands and against mine, the feel of her soft, silky curls between my fingers, and how her soft lips tasted; all began to slowly invade my thoughts at once. My eyes began to glow with heat and energy, and a predilection for both desire and malice began to rise inside of me.

  It wouldn’t be wise to see her without some kind of plan or recourse. I panned around the training fields for Durien’s aura and listened for his voice.

  When I heard him, I followed the sound and moved to put myself into his field of vision, in order to gain his attention.

  It took a while but he finally began to venture towards my direction inconspicuously.

  I flashed a sequence of light flickers in succession. He returned his reply in a series of hand gestures, like a form of sign language, and just like that, our meeting was set. We would meet in the human realm, at his place.

  ~~*******~~

  Duriens home was definitely that of a young, bachelor. It was nothing more than an indistinct square structure, overlooking the beach. I never asked him where this place was in particular, I could care less. It was a beautiful view though. The sun setting over the ocean was resplendent. I could understand exactly why he picked it.

  Divine warriors use their own special portal gems to teleport in and out of the spirit realm. Through particular portals, we as fallen and dark ones aren’t able to pass.

  His abode was guarded and marked with sanctified glyphs. It was a divine warrior necessity if they took up residency in the human realm. Since he knew I was coming, he created a fracture in the marks, which allowed me access to simply ghost right in.

  I admired the view through a set of floor to ceiling windows that faced the ocean. High tech equipment, from a DJ turntable system, advanced gaming system, to a large screen, flat-panel television mounted on the wall in front of a long sofa, adorned the open living room. A rap music video was on, blaring bass from the high-grade sound system.

  A foosball table and two arcade style games were set off to the left, flanked by a small bar with a mini-fridge. It was apparent that Durien never cooked, let alone ever had many guests over at one time. The stove remained clean and unused, and three lonely barstools sat along the kitchen bar counter.

  He sat, bobbing his head to the rhythm, nursing a coke, and munching on a bread pastry that smelled of pizza.

  I joined him at the bar, sliding onto a stool beside him, and briefly glimpsing the music video that he seemed so entranced by.

  “Sorry. I only had one hot pocket left, it was short notice and I was starving.” He spoke first, before turning down the sound with the remote control.

  “I appreciate the forethought of hospitality.” I replied.

  “I thought that was you and your peeps out there. You took a real big chance. All eyes were on you guys…and me.” He turned to me and shook his head.

  “Did anyone say anything to you?”

  His looked at me strangely. “No. And I guess I don’t have to ask why you wanted to talk. She doesn’t remember you.” He then said.

  He then took a huge bite of the pizza-filled bread. A string of cheese dangled from his bottom lip before he wiped it away, and briefly glanced back over at the TV for

  a moment.

  Hearing those words of affirmation, felt like a dull knife stabbing into and twisting in my heart. Sorrow gripped my insides.

  “I was going to tell her about you but I wasn’t sure if that was such a good idea.” He then said.

  My jaw worked. That actually angered me.

  Though I understood why he couldn’t speak about me, I still felt as if he should have told her something anyway.

  “You could have at least told her I wouldn’t be a threat to her. She’d believe you.”

  He looked over at me. “Whether I do or not, it won’t keep her from attacking you on sight. You saw her out there. She runs faster than everyone else, and she has moves that even a long-time seasoned warrior couldn’t perfect. She’s going to be lethal. If it ever came down to it and I kept her from attacking you, she’ll be looking at me with confusion and suspicion.” He explained.

  “So?” I furrowed my brows in annoyance.

  “So?” He looked at me incredulously. “That could jeopardize both hers and my standing at the hall.”

  I sighed deeply.

  “Yeah, I know all of that Durien. But I still want her to at least know my name.”

  He raised a brow. “You think just hearing your name again may jog her memory?”

  “It may. She’s safe with me, you knew the night that she was with me. Nothing has changed about my feelings for her. I just want to know that she’s okay and what’s going on with her, if you don’t mind filling me in from time to time.”

  Durien sighed this time, and looked at me with a serious note in his brown eyes.

  “Did she know what you were that night you two were together?” He then asked.

  “She…figured it out.” I said flatly.

  He paused in thought with a slight nod. “I guess that’s why everyone is a little stand-offish and suspicious when they see her. Technically, she can’t be held accountable when she was mortal. You have to understand the obvious dilemma for me though.”

  That surprised and enraged me at the same time. “I do. You have my complete gratitude. How are they treating her?” I wanted to know.

  He shook his head and shrugged a shoulder.

  “Some aren’t so welcoming.”

  Durien suddenly noted the look on my face, predicting exactly what I was thinking. My eyes began to flicker and glow. He knew demons well, especially the Fallen. Pissing one off and becoming their target was never recommended, for any being. Revenge, wrath, and destruction were our favorite things —and let the anger be over someone that I loved and cared about too? All hell breaking loose would be a weak understatement.

  He eyed me, catching the glow in my eyes that signified my anger at the thought.

  “Don’t, Cam. You’re cool and everything, and you’re the only one that I trust when it comes to the fallen, as weird as that may sound. I know that you and those in your group are the good guys. The others don’t see it that way, and they never will, which is understandable. I don’t want to start anything that will mess up the possibilities of our sides ever working together.”

  I inhaled, “In the end, when it all explodes and survival becomes the ultimate goal, I don’t think anyone will be taking names and questioning
loyalties. Believe me.”

  He paused. “Yeah, I know. I don’t want to be pessimistic, but I can’t change centuries of law and tradition among the elders and the council. The majority of our backing comes directly from the angels but you already know that.”

  That last statement got under my skin. After what happened with Drakael, I was a little hard pressed to take full stock in the intentions and advice of some of those angels. Angels were falling all the time, left and right, especially now that rule of the Earth was essentially being put up for bids. Granted, all other beings would have to pry it out of Morning Star’s cold, hard grip first. It was going to be a certain massive and bloody tug of war. A tug of war that humans are going to be caught in the middle of, and suffer greatly for as a result.

  The fate of Earth left the human realm open to so much deceit and manipulation lately; it was getting difficult to discern the authenticity of beings and their words. Intentions and loyalties meant nothing anymore to many. It could easily fall either way. Even for me.

  I got up and walked over to the windows.

  “I as well as those in my group, all oppose Morning Star for the same reasons as the divine warriors. I understand your honor and loyalties. Unbelievably, I still have my own too. I don’t care if the elders or the council don’t trust or ever trust me. I have no expectations of that, nor am I asking them to. It doesn’t change my purpose and where I stand.” I turned back around to face him. “Starling is all I care about, Durien. I want to see her again, in person.” I told him

  The look in his dark brown eyes flashed suspicion. In the momentary silence, I slowly strolled over to his DJ mix table, and casually began flipping through his collection of burned CD’s. I was gathering my thoughts about what I wanted to reveal to him. Would it even be beneficial or wise for me to do?

  He watched me with curiosity, apparently not expecting my last statement.

  “I’m only telling you this because you trust me, as I trust you.” I then pinned him with my gaze.

  His suspicious expression turned to perplexed surprise.