Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga)

by Reid, Susan

  I turned off the engine.

  “I don’t know. I don’t really care. Just behave and interact as normal as possible, and keep your eyes open while you’re here.”

  “How long ago did that shooting happen?” She asked.

  I gave her a brief run-down on it before she drove out here.

  “Not long. It’s been about a week I think. Human time.” I replied.

  “I can still feel the melancholy in the atmosphere around here. I’ll observe and report, if you need me to.” She offered.

  “Just keep yourself out of eyesight. You’re in a very vulnerable position right now.” I told her.

  I scanned the parking lot carefully, and listened. Though there were a few dark beings nearby, the one I was looking for was nowhere in sight, yet.

  “Morning Star has been here himself too. He was here that day.”

  Berith’s false blue eyes grew wide. “He was?” She replied. Her tone was timid and wary.

  “Yeah, which is why I said to be extra careful.” I warned her.

  She seemed apprehensive. Her fear was evident, and she had every reason to be.

  With no means of defense, he’d finish her off easily on sight once he recognized her.

  “Okay, well I’m off. I’ll see you later on tonight then?” She asked.

  “What for?” I gave her a perplexed grimace.

  “Don’t seem so disgusted at the thought, jeez.” She scowled with sarcasm.

  I shook my head. “I have plans anyway. Find a hobby.” I told her.

  She rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh. “Whatever. See you when I see you, I guess.”

  I waited to make sure that Berith made it into the building safely. Then I left, and headed to Starling and China’s apartment complex.

  I was taking a chance I know, but I wanted to talk to her.

  I parked in a lone parking space alongside a row of high, round bushes, and ghosted into the apartment. I remained cloaked at first, to see if she was even there.

  China was sitting on the couch, studying. The television was on and two scented candles were lit. I observed for a moment or two, watching her check her cell phone for messages every so often.

  She was distraught. I assumed that maybe she was stressed over exams or her homework, but that didn’t appear to be the case. Her cell phone rang and she answered it on the first ring,

  “Hey.” She answered first.

  I could hear the person on the other end, crystal clear.

  I knew the voice.

  “Hey. No answer again. Has she returned any of your calls in the last week?” He asked.

  “No, nothing. I still haven’t heard from her. I keep getting a straight to voicemail response too. I’m about ready to call the FBI or something and report her missing, this isn’t like her.” She then said.

  “I wouldn’t go that far, but I am starting to get worried too. I didn’t have a good feeling about that dude she went out with, cop or no cop.” He replied.

  His comment made me want to pay him a little visit too, but it was too risky. He’d sense me for what I was, being that he was a destined divine chosen as well, and a scout at that. I wondered when his time would come. When would I expect to see him in the spirit realm, and even more importantly…if Starling would want him even more then?

  Not if I could help it.

  I suddenly felt guilt. She had no idea, none of her friends did, nor should they. However, I was hoping to kind of change that…or fix it anyway.

  “Yeah, it’s weird. I haven’t seen him around lately either. It’s like she just up and disappeared, and so did he. I should call the local precinct and ask if they have an Officer Black on staff. I don’t understand it. I want to be positive, but I keep getting a bad feeling about things. What if something happened to her Joel?” her voice quivered.

  “I don’t know what to think. I hope it’s not serious though. Who in her family lives out there anyway? Aunts? Uncles?” He asked her.

  “I don’t know any of her relatives and I don’t think she really does either. It doesn’t make any sense. She hasn’t even replied to any of my emails!” She then sighed and sniffed.

  I heard enough.

  I ghosted back out of the apartment, checking the hallway for any eyes, before resuming solid form. I paused to think of what I would say and then I knocked on the door.

  It took her a moment. I heard footsteps and then another pause, figuring that she was looking out of the peephole.

  Two clicks sounded, as she unlocked the door and opened it.

  Her eyes instantly widened in both surprise and relief, when she saw me standing there in my uniform. She nearly fell backwards with the tilt of her head, craning her neck to meet my eyes.

  “Oh my god, Officer Cam? What…what’s going on?” She asked. Her eyes turned glassy, her nose reddening around her nostrils, and her chest began to heave, as if she were going to hyperventilate and begin sobbing.

  It was obvious what she was thinking regarding my sudden, unexpected visit.

  I smiled. “I’m just stopping by to check on you. Starling asked me to.” I said.

  Her brow furrowed, and then she breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Really? Oh my God, you’ve talked to her recently? What the hell? Why hasn’t she called me back?” She began to freak out.

  “Relax, she’s fine.” I soothed with a warm smile.

  She sighed, unsure if she should believe me.

  Licking her lips, she ran a hand through her short, reddish, brown hair. “I’ve been okay, I guess…” She trailed off and eyed me. “You called her Starling.” She grinned.

  I noted that but I didn’t think much of it. I nodded slowly and smirked. “That…is her name, isn’t it?”

  She smiled. “She doesn’t allow anyone to call her Starling, with the exception for her parents, and her grandmother, when they were alive. Or those that she really, really likes.”

  I remembered that. With a smile, I removed my cap.

  “Do you want to come in?” She then asked as she stood back and opened the door wider.

  “Just for a second.”

  I had to duck into the doorway to keep from banging my forehead at the top. I walked slowly into the living room, taking in a quick visual sweep, and then sat down in the armchair.

  “Can I get you something?” She offered.

  “No, thank you.”

  She quickly sat on the couch, grabbing and hugging a throw pillow to her chest.

  Her face lit up with hope. “So, did she give you a reason for why she’s been snubbing her friends all of a sudden? We’re her family too. I mean, why the hell hasn’t she answered or returned my calls, text messages, or emails?” She asked in one breath.

  “I think she just wants some time to reconnect with some of her relatives. She’s been having some personal and emotional issues about it, but she’s okay.” I assured her.

  “I still don’t understand why she can’t pick up a phone, or shoot me a quick message. Her phone keeps going to voicemail. I’m her best friend!” China was on the verge of tears again.

  I had to think of something fast. I cleared my throat and straightened in the chair, with my elbows on my knees. I fingered the cap in my hands.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just very worried about her. This isn’t like her. It doesn’t make any sense. She always checks in with me, or returns my messages and calls right away. She never even told me when she’ll be back…unless…she doesn’t plan on coming back. Is she mad at me about something? I mean, she did freak out after that concert fire. I sent her a message about the school shooting, and told her that I may stay with my parents for a while. She never replied. I guess, maybe she was mad at me about that or something.” She whispered as fresh tears began to stream down her face.

  She wiped them away and sniffed.

  “I doubt that she’s angry with you.”

  “She had premonitions that something bad was going to happen the night of the concert, and it did. She
has a quirk. She tends to see and feel things that normal people can’t see or hear, and they’re always a hundred percent accurate. It’s like a gift, or a curse. She said that about it once. Lately, I’ve begun seeing and feeling the things that she’s been talking about seeing herself, more so now since she’s been gone.” She trailed off into her own thoughts.

  I shifted in the chair.

  Yes, I knew all about it.

  She put a hand to her face and sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think she’s all weird or crazy. I wasn’t implying that.” She clarified.

  I smiled and shook my head. “Doesn’t sound weird to me at all. She mentioned being able to see things to me too, and I believe her.”

  She nodded with a look of relief. My reply had surprised her, no doubt. She smiled.

  “She’ll be back, don’t worry. If anything, she really needed a break from school. She isn’t sure she wants to continue with college, actually.”

  Why did I just lie to this poor girl?

  “Doesn’t want to finish college? That’s new to me. I mean, I know she’s not really into the college scene, but I don’t see her just dropping out. Not when her college is paid for in full. Damn her! I can’t believe she’d just keep me in the dark like this. I haven’t even gotten pictures or anything. It’s almost like she…disappeared, literally.” China then said.

  I bit my lip this time.

  Well, I hadn’t really lied to her. Starling may be back.

  Edanai was right. I really screwed this up. I should have just left her as a statistic on the notorious missing persons list.

  A part of me hoped that she would be back though. That she would be exactly as I remembered her, and that she would both remember, and still love me.

  This situation pained me more than her friend would ever know, on a different level. I know how much China cared about Starling, and I knew it was killing her as well.

  “Edanai, please...one last quick favor and I promise, I’ll go dimension hopping with you and Rahab the next time you guys go. Souvenirs will be my treat.” I called out telepathically.

  There was no answer.

  “Please?” I begged.

  “Edanai?”

  “One more please, and I’ll believe you.” She finally replied.

  I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “One last call. I destroyed Starling’s phone the other day in a fit of anger. I’ve just re-conjured it and it’s on my bed. Use it to call her friend China for me right now. Be brief, and just assure her that she is fine, and that she will be back soon.” I told her.

  “What? No way Cam. I thought you were done with that?”

  “I am…or at least, I will be after this. One last call, I promise.”

  There was another long pause.

  “Edanai?” I called out mentally once again.

  “So, are you two…dating now?” China asked me unexpectedly.

  I thought about that. “I hope so, but it would be easier once she gets back.” I kidded with a smile to make light of the moment.

  She smiled slightly and bit her lip. Her shoulders slumped and she wiped away more tears.

  I averted my eyes to her cell phone, about to stand and leave. I figured that Edanai had grown weary of my requests, especially regarding Starling. I couldn’t blame her.

  Just then, China’s cell phone lit up, playing a pop song, and she practically dove onto it, looking at the display.

  Her eyes widened and she gasped. A small smile crept across her lips as she eagerly answered it.

  “Star? Oh my god! What the hell girl!” China smiled, though tears flooded her green eyes.

  She got up, pointing excitedly to her phone with a thumbs up, and mouthed, ‘It’s Star’ to me, and then headed into her room for privacy. I pointed to the door and waved just as she began to close her bedroom door. She looked as if she wanted me to wait, but then figured I had to go and waved back.

  Thank you Edanai. I whispered to myself.

  I half-listened to China’s replies, hearing everything that Edanai was saying.

  I cloaked myself, and headed into Starlings room to gather a few more personal items of hers to take back with me…for when I would see her again.

  XIX: Starling:

  Kitchen duty was…interesting. Hard work, and tedious, but interesting. Every piece of food was thoroughly inspected and cleaned, signifying that the recipes were carefully prepared from scratch. Though there were other cooks, and several other warriors assisting in the kitchen too, I was assigned to cracking eggs, kneading dough, cutting up and seeding tomatoes, and peeling and dicing potatoes. Then I had to clean up all of the utensils and worktables, once the food had been cooked and became ready for serving.

  Keiko-san watched me closely, but remained silent. Her occasional nods of approval, a smile, and the shaking of her head with a disapproving frown, had been our only means of communication. She was patient in showing me how to do things correctly though.

  She was nice; a quiet nice, reminding me of an adorable yet fussy grandmother type.

  I wished I could speak Japanese and converse with her but I guess I’d have to wait and learn later.

  I was actually grateful for kitchen duty. By the time I fixed my own plate and headed out into the dining room to sit, the dining hall had thinned out considerably. Only a few warriors and elders remained scattered about, still eating and engaged in quiet conversations.

  I found a table and sat by myself on purpose. I was glad that I didn’t have clean up duty this time around, especially after seeing the mountain high pile of dishes that began to build, when I finally finished my own tasks.

  I ate in silence, keeping my eyes down, not wanting to make any eye contact with anyone.

  I was sure they were whispering about me. Paranoia wasn’t an issue for me. However, shady and childish shit, was. I ignored all of it though.

  I heard someone approach me slowly but I didn’t bother to look up. I continued to eat, hoping that whoever it was would get the hint.

  “Is it safe?”

  It was Durien.

  I glanced up briefly, still not saying a word.

  He smiled, trying to lighten my mood but it wasn’t working.

  “Did you get the mock blades?” He then asked, inviting himself to sit down.

  I simply nodded.

  I heard him sigh. It was quiet at first, as if he didn’t know what to say initially.

  “I heard about what happened. Don’t let her get under your skin.” He began.

  I swallowed the bite of eggs I was chewing slowly, and then I took a slow sip of freshly pressed apple juice.

  “Durien, I’m fine. I could care less about Jamie. I’m not even thinking about the incident, or her.” I said coolly, which was a lie.

  He studied me. “I know. I guess what I’m trying to say is…stuff like this is expected. She was out of line, but don’t take it personal. Everything is meant to make us stronger and tougher. I saw you smoke her on the grid. You’re really gonna be a force to be reckoned with against the fallen.” He smiled, feeding my ego.

  I gave him a barely there smirk, to acknowledge his efforts in trying to pacify my lingering anger and annoyance.

  “You’re really good. In fact, I think you’re going to be legendary.” Durien then said.

  I blew out a breath of sarcasm, “Laying it on a little thick aren’t we?”

  “I’m dead serious, and I’m not the only one who thinks it.”

  “If you’re talking about Spencer, I could care less.”

  “All of us think so. Maybe you need to start thinking it too. It wouldn’t hurt.”

  I shook my head and finished my juice.

  “Anyway, training from here on out is only going to get tougher, and physically more challenging. That’s not counting your daily duties and chores around here, by the way. At any rate, we can all use a getaway sometimes. You know, get out and have some fun to take away the mental and physical stress of it all.” He bega
n.

  “Easy for you to say, you don’t live here anymore.” I replied.

  He nodded impishly, “But I did, for a long time. Your time to leave the nest will come too, but you gotta endure and be patient.” He said.

  I eyed him. I didn’t want to hear that. I was ready to leave when I wanted to, now.

  “Okay, what are you talking about by getting away and having fun then?”

  He leaned forward on his elbows, as if about to divulge some juicy secret, “I wanted to know if you might want to join me for a night out…in the human realm, like a movie or a dance club, or something. Have some fun before the dangerous stuff begins for you.” He then said.

  I raised a brow. “Are you serious? We can do that?” I asked him.

  He chuckled and shrugged both of his shoulders, “Why not?” Durien then said.

  I thought for a moment. Going back into the human realm sounded like a great idea. I was actually excited that Durien had suggested it, but what would it be like for me now? Considering that I don’t remember anything? Well, I guess I didn’t need to remember anything in particular if we were just going to hang out somewhere.

  “I wouldn’t mind the dance club suggestion. When are you talking about going?” I asked with interest.

  He seemed relieved.

  “Well, keep it on the down low. It’s just you and me and I have my reasons.” He spoke in a low tone.

  I looked at him inquisitively. Just us? Was he asking me for a date or something?

  “What’s on the down low?”

  Lorelei’s voice floated in all of a sudden.

  She and Anthony seemed to come out of nowhere, and they both sat down to join us.

  Damn. I realized they were probably together but did they go anywhere without each other? He was like her shadow.

  Durien sighed and ran a hand over his face, apparently irritated that they had obviously been eavesdropping.

  I wondered if they had been looking for me, seeing as none of them were here when I first sat down to eat my breakfast.

  “Nothing.” Durien then shook his head.

  “Hey Starling, I heard you whipped Jamie’s ass out on the training fields yesterday.” Lorelei beamed.

  I didn’t comment on it. She actually whipped mine, I thought to myself.