Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga)

by Reid, Susan

  Staring at her brought on a sudden, interesting analogy to mind.

  She was like a flame, a brightly burning gem, and we were all drawn to, and attracted to that flame. We as Fallen, were like idiotic moths—like sheep to slaughter, unaware of the potentially deadly consequences. The intense attraction meant something. For me, it was love, but for the others…it was breeding.

  Apparently, they weren’t aware of the impending company that had just arrived, but they would be very soon. I returned my attention to Baal, but he and his gang were already gone.

  Alarmed, I began to push my way through the crowd, towards Starling and the other warriors. In my periphery, Ry, Rahab, Mac, Nay, and Edanai were descending in for backup by surrounding the dance floor. There were several angels, all standing around the perimeter, three males and two females, including the one that I had seen earlier.

  “Don’t get caught up in this.” I heard from beside me.

  The angel I saw a moment ago, was already moving in beside me, keeping my pace.

  “Too late.” I told her flatly.

  “We’ve got this, Cam`ael.” She warned.

  “Then you guys had better do something quick because this is about to explode into an all-out battle.” I seethed.

  I continued to force my way through the crowd. Starling and her divine warrior friends were no longer on the dance floor. I quickly searched the crowd for every aura and movement, on the verge of wielding my sword—human realm or not.

  Though Durien and his group of divine warriors were converging on the scene with the angels watching in their wake, it didn’t stop me. I saw Baal, towering over Starling, who stood protectively in front of a small, frail, young girl. He was cornering them from escape.

  When I saw the earthbound seraphim swiftly pushing his way towards them too, instant fury and heat immediately surged into my core and muscles. Demonic, wild, dark power began to build, and pump viciously through my veins…and I lost control.

  XXI: Starling:

  Spencer’s class had only ten students, myself included. They too, were also new risers. In the midst of everything that just happened, I didn’t care to be friendly or talk to anyone. I found it interesting though, that none of them had been branded yet.

  I suppose that’s why they all kept staring at me; wanting to ask me how it went, what to expect or what my weapons were. I’d tell them the truth. You’re going to want to shrivel up and die as soon as you can stop screaming, or until your vocal cords explode. Yeah, that sounded pretty accurate.

  It was essentially an introduction course today. He went over the rules, handed out more writing materials for journals, and a guide of the spirit realm, so that we could recognize safe areas, and the beings that existed there.

  I didn’t say much, and I could tell that he knew I was still bothered by what happened out on the training field. I wasn’t blaming him. I didn’t care for him taking the liberty to kiss me, while he was sleeping with Jamie or whoever else. It didn’t help that he was hot too. It was hard to take him seriously, as a teacher, but…I had no choice.

  Lorelei took me to the alchemist, where the portal gem makers stored and made the gems, before we both left for her place. Scarlet and Crystal were going to meet us on the field with Durien and the others.

  She said it was important to always have an even amount of gems, but always more divine hall portals. The divine hall was our safety zone if worse came to worst.

  We were only allowed a certain number of gems a month though, based on need and assignments. She also said that you could get them custom made to lead straight to your home, once you established a place to live in the human realm.

  Numerous globes and wall-sized maps of both the human world, the spirit realm, and other dimensions that I had no idea even existed, lined the walls in the portal gem room. It was necessary to know every single place in the entire galaxy, in order to create gem portals that could lead you exactly wherever you needed or wanted to go.

  There were literally thousands upon thousands of destinations. I was amazed that these little glass balls, once crushed, could essentially teleport you anywhere. Lorelei requested eight for me. The white ones would bring me back to the divine hall, in the fields out back. The other four purple and orange colored ones were for her place, if I ever wanted to get away from here for a while.

  Lorelei lived in a small chateau in the French countryside. She apparently spoke fluent French too. I was envious. It was gorgeous, and the view was even more breathtaking, especially as the sun dipped below the horizon in shades of purple and salmon. I got goose bumps simply being in the human realm again.

  It felt strange to me, like a brand new world in some ways, aside from not being mortal anymore. Now, I’m a superhuman, immortal warrior; protector against evil and darkness.

  “Take care of and don’t lose them. You can’t return to the divine hall if you don’t have one. The portals only remain open for sixty seconds, so only break one when you absolutely know that you’re going to use it. No dark being can follow behind you through the white portal gems, but they can follow behind you with the others. I’ll hook you up with some flash orbs too. Hopefully you’ll never be in the position to have to use them, but you should always have some with you too.” Lorelei schooled, seeing me marvel at the pretty marble gems in my palm.

  “Flash orbs? Like a flare gun or something?”

  “Exactly.” Lorelei smiled.

  I studied the gems closely. Each one was about the size of a walnut, with specks of crystals suspended in colored liquid. I watched as Lorelei rummaged through her immense closet, full of designer and name brand clothing. Some had tags still on them. They looked expensive, and I wondered how she acquired all of it.

  Lorelei was pretty, and built lean, with long limbs that were toned with muscle. I could see her being a model or something, and I wondered if she had been in her mortal life. Of course, she wouldn’t remember it though, would she?

  “Are you and Anthony…together?” I asked.

  I figured now was as good a time as any to ask.

  A playful shy smile played across her lips. “Is it that obvious? We don’t make you want to vomit or anything, do we?” She joked. We both laughed.

  “No. I assumed it when I first saw you two together.”

  “Well, we both rose about the same time. I guess you could say it was almost love at first site. We started out as good friends, and the rest is as they say, is a cheesy romantic love story.” She chuckled.

  I thought that was sweet. Being in love was a beautiful thing…not that I would ever know.

  “It’s wise to stick with other immortals though, if you get my drift.” She then added.

  I nodded. I suppose. I thought of Spencer for a very brief moment.

  “Sometimes, I wonder if…I had a boyfriend or something before I died.” I then said.

  Lorelei looked at me with surprise at first, which I took as a weird reaction, and then she smiled as she pulled out a pink, shimmery, sequined top.

  “I’m sure you did, as gorgeous as you are? There’d be no question. But that’s part of the reason that your memories are erased. If you had to carry all the baggage of your mortal life around, you wouldn’t be able to be an effective warrior.” She explained.

  I guess that was a good point.

  I nodded with a sigh. “Yeah, it’s good for us. But what about the people left behind, and those that will always remember us?” I asked.

  She paused. There was a momentary silence. I guess she didn’t have an answer for that one.

  “Everything has its place, and certain things have to happen for a reason. People are resilient though. We have to be.” She said.

  “So, do Jamie and Spencer have some sort of history too? Or are they still seeing each other?” I then asked her.

  She grinned. “Ah, so someone does have a crush.” She teased. “Here try this one on. The color would look great on you.” She then said, tossing me a slinky, dark burgundy
camisole top.

  “I didn’t say that. I was just wondering.” I told her, trying to maintain a serious expression.

  “Right. Yeah, I suppose. I don’t really pay much attention to her. Spencer is hot, but he’s not exclusive. He’s probably had a thing with many girls at the hall, trust me. But he certainly seems to have a thing for you especially.” Lorelei then winked at me.

  “Because he hasn’t bedded me yet, I’m sure.” I shook my head.

  Lorelei gaped and laughed. “Yet? Ooh Starling, so you are thinking about him that way.” She smiled big.

  “No.” I flatly denied, although I could feel my face tingle as I blushed.

  I wanted to change the subject. I shouldn’t have even brought him up. My thoughts about him had nothing to do with an actual relationship, that was for sure.

  “Try on the shirt. Do you like it?”

  I fingered the material. “Kind of skimpy. What if it’s cold where we are?”

  Lorelei rolled her eyes and giggled. “You’ll work up a sweat dancing, silly.”

  That was true.

  “So anyway. Where do we get cash? I mean, how did you pay for all of this?” I asked her.

  “Cash is easily acquired. We all get stipends from the council once we’ve completed training and decide to live in the human realm. It’s a gift. The only stipulation is that any and all homes must be away from any general or major population, which is one of the reasons I chose this place. Oh, and your home must be marked with protective glyphs to keep the dark ones out. We’re putting ourselves in danger outside the realm of the divine hall, in order to protect humans, so they take care of all of that.” Lorelei explained.

  That made sense, though it was yet another depressing thought. Living in seclusion. Where would I make my home? I guess I could research a few places or ask around.

  “A stipend? How much?” I asked.

  “Not that much, but enough. It depends on where you want to live I guess. Too much will draw attention and we have to stay low key. Of course, you can always get a job for the time being too if your tastes are extravagant.” Lorelei smiled, pulling the sequined top that she obviously didn’t like, up and over her head.

  I smirked and shook my head, returning my attention to examining the gems. “So, I can break the white ones anywhere?” I then asked her.

  “Well, I’d try and find an inconspicuous location if you can, so that you avoid human eyes. They won’t be able to see the portal, but they will be able to see you disappear into thin air.” She told me.

  I nodded.

  I was lying stretched out across her comfortable, king- sized bed on my stomach. I finally began placing all of my portal gems back into the small, suede carrying sack that I was given to keep them secure. I pulled the drawstring closed.

  “What made you want to decide on a place in France?” I asked her.

  She smiled, pulling out a short mini skirt, and holding it against herself in the mirror.

  “I don’t know. I was drawn to this area I guess.” She shrugged.

  I was curious.

  “So, I know we aren’t supposed to remember anything from our human lives. Durien told me how he came to find out about his death. What about you?” I asked, shifting to sit up Indian style now.

  I slipped out of the simple loose fitting top I wore, and slipped the camisole over my head. Lifting my hair out of the inside of the back, I looked down at myself. It was a cute top and it looked really good on me.

  “Now that looks sexy! Let me find some black jeans or leggings to go with it.” Lorelei nodded in approval.

  She pulled out a glamorous pair of black jeans, with bling stitching, and then began searching for something else.

  “Anyway, there’s no telling. I mean, like everyone else, I was curious and I decided to do my research. I found some articles in the local paper of where I’m guessing my hometown was, back in Denton, Texas. According to what I found; I modeled some in high school and did the whole pageant circuit thing. I won many ribbons too. But that’s it. Nothing spectacular. I really didn’t want to know too much. I certainly don’t want to know when and how I died. Some things are better off not knowing, I think.” She said.

  I nodded. Part of me wanted to know about my life when I was alive, and the other felt the same way that Lorelei did. However, I couldn’t help but feel as if the flashes of memories were going to reveal everything to me sooner or later, whether I liked it or not.

  “Here, try these on. They’re size fives and they look like they’d fit you perfectly. I think we should definitely stick with pants, leggings, or jeans. Not jinxing anything, but it’s really hard to run or fight in a skirt, or a dress…just in case.” Lorelei said.

  Smart thinking, I thought.

  ~~~*****~~~

  The appeal of the club instantly sparked another series of memories randomly flickering in my mind. In it, I saw a tall, lean white girl with short, auburn red hair and green eyes. We were standing in a long line to see a show. Though it wasn’t at this particular club from what I was seeing, it still provoked a stunning sense of me belonging here.

  Durien said that we were in Indianapolis, Indiana. I don’t know why things seemed so familiar to me here, but I was beginning to think it was maybe because…this was where I lived before. At least, that’s what it felt like.

  Club Dubz, was a dub step music inspired club. The crowd was hyped, the bass line was deep and reverberating, and the atmosphere was filled with energy. The music was extra loud to my sensitive ears. I wanted to dance and temporarily forget about being in the spirit realm, and what lie ahead of me now.

  I made sure that Lira stayed close to me, especially since it was my idea that she come with us. She was so happy and excited at the opportunity to get out and get away from the hall, that she jumped at the invitation, being that she loved to dance too.

  The place was packed. Most of the people were on the dance floor, which made it hard to find a clear path through the crowd, let alone find a table.

  “Why don’t you guys canvass the place first? Me and Crystal will try and find an available booth to sit.” Scarlet had to shout to Gabe and Anthony.

  I doubted Anthony would leave without Lorelei, but to my surprise, he did.

  “Hey, stay with them, I’m gonna have a look around too real quick.” Durien turned around to shout at Spencer.

  “There are shadows lurking around in here. Pay attention Starling, you’ll be able to smell and differentiate between them, and actual humans.” Spencer leaned down, having to speak loudly near my ear.

  I was about to protest that we didn’t need his helicopter protection, but when I scanned the crowd with focus and concentration, I began to see all the red and orange auras.

  There were demons here too. They were dancing and posing like normal club patrons, as if it was normal for them. That alarmed me. There was no doubt that they could see and sense us too, but so far, they weren’t attacking or running.

  Spencer followed behind me, Lira, and Lorelei while scanning the crowd, as we all weaved our way through.

  “I’m gonna get some drinks. Starling, you want something?” Lorelei shouted.

  “No, not yet.” I shouted back.

  “Let’s dance!” Lira tugged at my arm excitedly.

  “Wait. You two—do not split up.” Spencer warned.

  Was he gonna play guardian all night?

  “You’re gonna follow us to the bathroom too?” I asked him.

  “If I have to, yeah.” He nodded. He was serious too.

  I rolled my eyes.

  Someone bumped into Lira, nearly toppling her over. She gasped and crashed into me, but I caught and stopped her from falling. Spencer immediately moved to push him away.

  “Hey, watch where you’re going!” Spencer spat, quickly moving in front of us protectively.

  “Oh, my bad, sorry!” The guy shouted.

  I smelled alcohol.

  “Oh great! He spilled his drink on me!” Lira shout
ed.

  “No biggie. Let’s go clean it up before it sets in.” I told her.

  “We’re going to the restrooms. He spilled his drink on Lira.” I shouted to Spencer.

  He nodded and followed behind us. I craned my head to search for the restrooms. In a very tiny miniscule way, I actually did like the fact that Spencer was looking out for us.

  Lorelei, Crystal and Scarlet were standing outside of the restrooms, waiting when we exited.

  “Did you get it cleaned and dried?” Crystal asked, looking at Lira’s shirt.

  “Majority of it.”

  “Well, we got a table. Come on, so you guys will know where it is.” Scarlet waved on.

  “Later! Let’s go dance, come on guys!” Lira bounced excitedly, practically dragging me to the dance floor.

  I hated crowds like this. I didn’t appreciate the free for all gropes, pokes, and strokes by unknown hands. The presence of shadows and demons became powerfully tangible, once we found a tiny opening for all of us to form our own circle and dance.

  Random guys were taking their own liberties to freak dance with us from behind, uninvited.

  Little did these guys realize, that one wrong touch would get their asses kicked royally in a heartbeat by us girls.

  I wasn’t sure where Spencer went, but I was sure he was nearby, somewhere. Even though Gabe and Durien found some girls to dance with, I could tell it was more to take stock of and keep an eye on the dark ones that were mixed in with the people around us. Anthony danced with Lorelei, practically attached to her backside. I suppose we should be paying attention to the demons since we were out on the floor too.

  This was going to be a serious hands on training exercise for me if something were to happen. I was worried though, because I still couldn’t wield my blades.

  I tried not to think of the possibility of something going awry and enjoy myself.

  Durien was right. I needed this. I could see myself indulging in similar outing every once in a while myself, even on my own.