by Reid, Susan
Aon’s eyes flicked from me, to Cam`ael’s with scrutiny.
“I don’t doubt that you realize what it is that you’ve done?” She then said to Cam.
At first I thought that she was stating the obvious, and that Cam was going to be punished after all, but neither of them made a move to do anything physical.
“It didn’t cross my mind at the moment.” Cam replied.
“What is she talking about? Do they know that we…you know?” I asked Cam.
“Yes.” He answered.
I felt faint.
I turned and craned my neck to look up at him in question before Aon spoke again, “Say nothing about it. We will escort her the rest of the way and Starling will report how she escaped.”
Cam seemed suspicious.
“How she escaped? You two can’t lie nor will you stand by and allow her to. How do you know we aren’t being watched right now?” He then asked.
Aon moved in closer to him, her pale white face was stern. She was actually very pretty, appearing to be about eighteen or twenty in age, as well as Aliks.
“And how do you know who it was who sent us? O ye of little faith, Cam`ael, former Chief Angel of all Powers. Who already knows all— and has allowed it? Morning Star gathers many daily. His newest creations have proven quite dangerous. How confusing for Morning Star to see an army of unlikely beings and allies such as the one we see before us now? Hmm?” She whispered.
I think I was beginning to understand a little of what she was saying.
Then, she went into some bizarre language that was completely foreign to me but Cam`ael understood it.
Was it demonic language? Did she threaten him? I felt angry thinking of that possibility. I wanted to ask what she said but I wasn’t sure he’d tell me. Why did she feel the need to switch languages? That was rude.
Cam’s eyes grew wide for a moment, and then his face softened when he looked down at me with reverence and love in his eyes. His hand gently slid across my belly, hovering there for a moment, before his arms finally fell from me as he shifted his wing.
“What did she say to you?” I wanted to know.
“We’ll talk later. We have the means now.” He said.
I wasn’t satisfied with his answer.
Whatever it was, I knew it was something serious that he apparently was agreeing with, or giving in to. He appeared both…sentimental and humbled.
“Come, Starling.” Aliks directed, as both he and Aon took places on either side of me.
I looked at Cam for a moment, searching his eyes as to what was going on. I know they were angels but I was afraid that I’d never see him again…at least not in a way that didn’t involve possible fighting.
That terrified me.
His hand lingered on mine with an assuring squeeze before loosening his grip and finally letting go.
He nodded ever so slightly at me with a slight smirk, tapping his forehead as a reminder.
I pursed my lips and gave a barely nod of acknowledgement.
“I love you.” I told him mentally.
“I love you more.” He replied.
Then, his form began to fade away.
XXX: Starling:
I missed Cam already, but at least I’ll be able to talk to him whenever I wanted. How in the world had that happened?
“I’ll always be there when you need me.” Cam’s voice entered my head.
My heart raced. Hearing his voice made me feel better and reassured. Though he wasn’t physically here with me, he was mentally.
“I wish you could be with me when I get there.”
“Me too, believe me. Just remember, don’t make it obvious.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m not far. You’re in safe hands. They’re angels.”
“How can we communicate like this? Is it because we made love?” I asked him.
He was quiet for a long time.
“We’ll talk later.”
I sighed internally. “Okay.”
I didn’t have a good feeling about any of this, but there was one thing that Aon did say to Cam that struck me as, interesting.
‘Oh ye of little faith.’
She called him Chief Angel of all Powers. Had that been his title as an angel? That thought made me realize just why he felt so powerful when he was inside of me.
Apparently, I had no faith. I was sure that it registered with the both of them too. I was both worried and scared, more for Cam than myself. I knew that he could handle himself but I felt as if being with me, and me loving him in return, had put more of a target on his back now than simply being a fallen.
There was no need for my portal gem. All three of us were apparently going to walk the rest of the way. I wanted to know what they said to him, but I remained silent.
“In all of my existence, I’ve never felt a love more powerful than what emanates from your heart, and for a fallen at that.” Aliks spoke first me.
“Beware Starling. Fallen can be very deceptive. Incubus’ especially, are incredibly amorous, risky, extreme, possessive, and jealous.” Aon then said.
With the exception of amorous, and maybe a little risky, none of that sounded like Cam to me, but he did say that they couldn’t lie. Why was she telling me this anyway?
“The heart can be read and it never lies. Answer any questions truthfully.” Aliks then said.
“Questions? So you guys are reporting me.” I replied, looking at the both of them.
“You have options Starling, believe it or not. Transformation and change can be beneficial. In many instances, it is necessary in order to achieve transcendence. Whatever you do, do not let them examine you for injuries, and stay away from any earthbound seraphim.” Aon began.
I stopped and gaped at them. My heart racing.
“What? How come? What options do you mean?” I asked with wide, hopeful eyes.
They were both silent for a moment, driving me crazy as to what they were implying and what they already knew. Why were they telling me not to get examined, let alone avoid Spencer? I wouldn’t be able to avoid or keep any of that from happening.
“This will be most difficult but it has happened for a reason. As long as you are honest, you will have no worries or fears.” Aliks then said.
I had no clue what he meant, or what he was talking about and that scared me. Hearing that this happened for a reason, out of the mouth of an angel, should have been comforting, but it wasn’t for me.
“All of those who have been taken, have never returned. At this point, they have all assumed that you are either dead or are soon to be an enemy. If you continue on, you will have to face the firing squad, as they say. Of course, you will never be able to see or be with him again. If you choose to abandon the divine hall and veer off on your own, then you are free to see him whenever you wish. Choose wisely.” Aon explained.
“Cam`ael isn’t a demon by definition.”
“Shhh. Do not mention or repeat his given name in this realm from here on out, understood?” Aon quickly cut in and pointed at me.
I slowly nodded, confused. Why not?
Suddenly, we all stopped. I was caught in the middle of two angels. Two serious angels that appeared wiser and older that just a few moments ago.
The pressure was on. Why was I being given a choice at all?
“We aren’t debating what he is or isn’t. We are merely offering you a choice.” Aliks explained.
“If I’m no longer a part of the divine hall, will I still be a divine warrior?” I asked.
“There are no grays. Only darkness and light. Choosing anything other than the divine hall will leave you an open vessel but it won’t change who you are on the inside. That part will be left solely up to you.” Aon said.
She didn’t answer my question directly but I don’t think she had to. Diana had explained that already during my oath, so there was no excuse for me. I already knew.
I felt an invisible weight, pressing into my chest and constricting my he
artbeat. I swallowed, and it hurt because my mouth had gone dry.
Aon and Aliks’ eyes were both a cool shade of light pink and purple. The celestial swirling became more intense the harder they stared at me, waiting for my response.
My heart was shredding in my chest. I felt the swell of hot tears begin to burn my eyes.
Aon and Aliks exchanged glances.
“No.” I shook my head adamantly, looking at the both of them in defiance.
Aliks raised his ‘barely there’ eyebrows. “No?” He repeated in question, as if my answer surprised him.
“If choosing the divine hall means that I can’t ever see him again. Then I won’t go back.” I told them firmly.
I don’t know what my fate, punishment or the outcome would be but I was certain of one thing.
I love Cam and I was not about to give him up, or give up on him. He certainly never did when it came to me.
They both studied me for what seemed like several minutes in silence.
“She speaks truth from the heart.” Aon said to Aliks.
He nodded with an examining gaze at me. “Noted, little one.” He said with an affirming grin.
With that, they both essentially evaporated away; leaving me standing in the middle of the forest by myself. I was stunned.
Wait! Where was I supposed to go now? What was I supposed to do? I had given up the divine hall, so I was unable to return there.
I was stranded.
“Bad choice.” I heard a familiar voice from behind me.
I whirled around in surprise.
I was about to call out to him telepathically. Had he been here all this time?
I didn’t think or ask anything just yet. I simply ran into his arms.
He held me firmly against him. I inhaled his scent of fresh rain, cinnamon, and earth as he stroked my hair.
When I looked up at him, he caressed my cheek.
“What do you mean bad choice?” I asked him.
“I told you not to sacrifice yourself for me anymore. You promised me.” He said, pushing a curl away from my face.
“This doesn’t count.” I told him.
“Of course it does, this is major.”
“So is how I feel about you.”
He sighed but I could tell that my words meant the world to him to hear.
“Was this all a set-up?” I asked him.
He smirked sheepishly. “Sort of.”
“So, they knew?”
“They knew what? What was already in your heart? Of course they knew. They’re angels, Starling. They wanted your honest answer and you gave it to them.”
“Are you guys cool with each other? What did Aon say to you in that weird language?” I asked.
He raised a single, dark brow. “Cool? Not quite. As for what was said, it’s Angelic and it was meant for me. It’s nothing you need to worry about.” He soothed.
It annoyed me when people did that.
“So, what about the fact that we can…”
He silenced me with a finger to my lips, knowing what I was about to ask.
“Too many ears out here. Remember?” He smirked.
I sighed. “Well, what does this mean for us now? I gave up the hall.”
“No, not yet. There’s still a chance for you.” His hand went to my belly again with a gentle caress.
I found his action strange but very comforting.
“We’ll talk tomorrow. Meet me at the shoreline of the Eternal waters at dusk if you can get away. If not, let me know.” He said.
He then took a step away from me, tossing a white portal gem in the air for me to see, and then catching it. How the hell did he get that? I felt in my jacket pocket quickly for my pouch.
“For now—this is going to hurt me way more than it will hurt you but I have my reasons.”
“Huh?”
My arm was twisted, dislocated at the shoulder, and cracked at the elbow. The sudden, white-hot pain made me scream out loud.
If I thought being attacked by Jamie was bad and unfair, being attacked by Cam was worse. It was like being hit by the wind, with the force and power of a steel tornado, spinning at the speed of light. I was grabbed roughly by the shirt, which tore it even more, and then jerked around wildly. I was shoved to the ground, and dragged through the jagged, rough underbrush. Then, Cam slammed me into the trunk bases of two large trees. The final blow to my jaw was unexpected, and clearly the worst of all.
I was dizzy. The impact made me stumble and collapse to the ground on all fours. I instantly tasted blood on my tongue as it began to fill my mouth.
“This was really, really hard for me to have to do. Believe it or not, I was careful and I held back a great deal for several reasons.” Cam said while smearing some disgusting, vile smelling dirt across my cheek, chest, arms, and hands.
I groaned, nearly puking when I attempted to catch my breath. Every sensation and injury, from essentially having my ass kicked in eight point five seconds, hit me painfully all at once.
The portal leading back to the divine hall sprang up, shimmering and elongating directly in front of me. My arm was broken and dislocated, and my jaw was swelling.
He quickly gave me an affectionate kiss on my lips, causing to pain vibrate through my jaw from the brief pressure.
It wasn’t until he shoved me through…hard, and I went flying into the portal, that I realized his reason behind the harsh, physical beat down.
I made it through. I was able to cross back into the hall grounds and I was still a divine warrior…I think.
Pain racked throughout my body, as my bones began working to reposition and knit themselves back together. I gazed up at the bright, orange, pink sun above me. I could hear several familiar voices calling out my name, followed by a stampede of welcoming feet
“Starling!” Several voices call out once again.
Soon, standing above me, were the beaming and shocked yet excited faces of Crystal, Gabe, Anthony, and Lorelei.
Anthony reached down to help me up but I shot an arm up to stop him, “No! Still—healing.” I grunted through clenched teeth.
I pinched my eyes shut, rolling over slightly to cradle and protect my broken and dislocated arm.
If Cam held back on his assault of me, which I was sure he did, I couldn’t even imagine how a full-blown attack would feel. I’d better learn how to fight and dodge fast, if that would even work against the fallen.
“I don’t believe this! We need a succor over here now!” Crystal called out.
“No! No succor! I’ll be fine.” I countered, remembering what Aon said.
I flinched with a wince once I felt the bone slip back into the joint in my shoulder. Finally, I slowly sat up and got to my feet. I carefully rolled my arm in a wide circular motion and bent my elbow a few times to test it out.
Though still a bit sore, it had healed completely.
“How in the world did you manage to get away?” Anthony wondered with an incredulous expression.
“Deific blades, dude.” Crystal told him.
“Amazing what a desperate attempt to save your own life can help you do. Congratulations.” Gabe smiled.
“Yeah, and you look…and smell like shit. Welcome back.” Lorelei grinned and hugged me anyway.
I wondered what happened when they had to report me as being taken. I suppose there was no point in them forming a search party to look for and retrieve me, so I couldn’t be angry about that.
A small crowd approached us, led by several warrior guards. At first glance, I thought they were here to see if I needed help too.
“Starling, come with us.” They ordered.
The warriors moved to surround me, three on each side, one behind, and one in front of me.
“What? What’s going on?” Lorelei asked.
I didn’t like the look of worry on her face, or any of the others for that matter.
I was afraid. My heart pounding. They know. I presumed that I was in trouble now. What was going to happen to m
e? What were they going to do?
“Hey, she made it back. She’s okay, what’s the deal? Give her a moment to breathe.” Anthony persisted but they ignored him
I was being escorted—almost as if I were a criminal. There was no expression on their faces and it was impossible to read their body languages.
The crowd parted with all eyes on me as we walked away.
Where were they taking me? I wondered.
They led me into the divine hall. After a ways of walking and attracting all the curious attention of many others, we ended up in a large room with a high ceiling. It reminded me of the library, without any books and bookshelves.
A large symbol, similar to the one that I had to kneel down on during the oath ceremony, was carved into the stone floor. In front of it, was a long table, with ten ornate, high-backed chairs positioned behind it.
They led me to stand in the center of the circle.
“Would you like to stand or sit?” I was asked by one of the warrior guards.
“I’ll stand.” I said without question, though I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. If they were offering a chair, I might be in here for a while.
All eight of them convened to the outer edges of the room, where they remained against the wall to stand guard.
Well, they didn’t put any restraints on me, so I guess that was a good sign.
Could they sense or tell that I had been with Cam? Maybe, or they wouldn’t have automatically rushed me over so quickly.
I panicked inside, feeling the weight of every bad possible scenario bearing down heavily on my shoulders and in my heart.
‘Answer the questions truthfully.’ That’s what Aon said.
The angels knew this was coming.
I thought of Cam.
“I think I’m going to be interrogated. I don’t know what’s going on right now but I don’t have a good feeling about it.”
“You’re going to make me rush in and rip the entire hall apart to get you right now, Starling. Have you healed?”
“Yeah. I should curse you out but I know why you did it.”
I heard him laugh quietly. “I know, I’m sorry. What are they saying?”
“No one is here yet.”