Divinity: Immolation: Book Three (The Divinity Saga)

by Susan Reid

  I didn’t doubt that she probably was waiting for me. She was wearing a veil thin slinky skirt fringed with gold beads that hung low on her slim waist, and a top that looked like two scarves crisscrossed over each of her voluptuous, tanned breasts just to cover the nipples.

  Under normal circumstances, I’d have been all over and in that…the way I normally do it, not physically, but I wasn’t feeling any of it. The current situation and my love for Starling suppressed all of my dark lust and sinful desires. What I had and felt was derived from the purest form of love, and it was because of Starling and reserved only for her.

  “He’s not here to judge, spy, or condemn. He’s assisting me.” I added to explain Aliks’ presence.

  She looked confounded probably because Aliks was with me at all let alone assisting me with anything.

  “I don’t understand. What do you need my help with then?” She asked, waving away someone that we didn’t notice outright, though we did feel their signatures camouflaged in the darkened corners.

  Two bandits grunted as they lumbered and shuffled out of the parlor, making extremely wide and cautionary berths around us to get out, and quickly closed the door behind them.

  “Well, I don’t know what Angels eat but I have some fresh fruit.” Grace waved a hand over her human table.

  Her green eyes glowed softly, she was absolutely fascinated with Aliks from what I was picking up from her but definitely nervous. Maybe it was from the memory of having been an angel too. Psyrens were formerly of the lower Demisiph or seraph classes of servile angels.

  They all used to be guardian angels.

  No wonder they were so smitten with the fallen yet they feared us at the same time. That was something I’d forgotten myself until just now. So to her, Aliks, even as dainty as he appeared to me, was an absolute stud.

  They had been damned for having begun consorting with dark beings. When she waved her hand and the bandits immediately obeyed, it had me thinking. Though I knew it was obvious how the Psyrens, being sexy females, could hold power over the male goons, they in turn seemed readily obedient and protective of them…like children.

  I’ll be damned.

  Elohim was having us partner up with all the races of former angels for this war with Morning Star and those in his legion. No wonder the Psyrens didn’t like nor care for the Succubus’. They were former lower level angels too but that didn’t mean they couldn’t choose the side of good and light either. We all could. The option and choice was never taken away from us despite being condemned and fallen. So, would an alliance with the Succubus’ be the next request? That could get very ugly.

  His plan was beyond clever and sneaky, and something that would never happen on its own if left up to us individually. The possibility and option to even try never dawned on me once.

  The tricky part though, would be to get everyone to cooperate and work together but if Elohim didn’t think it was possible, possible for everyone to remember what they used to be…then he wouldn’t have made the request.

  “No thank you.” Aliks politely declined.

  “Then please, have a seat and make yourselves at home.” She then pointed to the two plush chairs right behind us.

  “I’ll make this quick and short because we’re actually in a hurry.” I began.

  Grace cocked her head and looked at me, awaiting what I wanted from her. She played innocent very well.

  “There’s a warrior scout that’s gone missing. Her spirit was supposedly last seen at the site of the hall shortly after the explosion.”

  She cut me off and folded her arms across her chest looking offended, “You think I or someone here claimed her?”

  “I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.”

  Her eyes shifted from me to Aliks and then she harrumphed and sat back down.

  “Say that we did have her, what is she worth?” She then asked smugly.

  “Don’t put a price on her, Grace. This is very important. We can’t afford to be at odds with each other. This is about survival of the end, for all of us.” I told her in all seriousness.

  She appeared thoughtful to my plea.

  “I don’t have her nor have I seen her. I can ask around but none of us have gone on any runs since the explosion. It’s very risqué right now. Many of Morning Star’s army is roaming around and I wouldn’t doubt that he probably does have her. If that’s the case, I’m sorry. You’re more than likely not going to get her back at all, ever.”

  I sighed and looked over at Aliks. He nodded slightly.

  Grace was telling the truth.

  “Have you thought about my offer and what we talked about earlier?” She then asked me.

  “I can’t do it.” I flatly replied.

  She studied me with surprise and then disappointment.

  “Then I don’t know what you’re needing or expecting from me. I can’t retrieve the girl.”

  “You can make a trade.”

  “Of what? Who?” She looked at me incredulously.

  I had to think of something. This wouldn’t be as important to me if the girl wasn’t a warrior. Before further possibly humiliating myself, Aliks had to go.

  He had served his purpose for me.

  “The next time I see you, you had better have a fully, deciphered text for me. That seraphim is still missing, so if you know where he might be, let me know. And thanks.” I told him.

  “You’re welcome. I’ll keep an eye out but there are no guarantees. I surmise that I should be close to finishing and gaining permission once we’ve all met about it…pending you quit summoning me for every little thing.” He replied sharply before swiftly ghosting out in a beam of bright light that quickly winked out after his departure.

  “You keep interesting company. I had no idea that was allowed.” Grace then commented, turning on the seductive charm now that we were alone.

  “You’d be surprised what things are allowed once you stop associating with Morning Star.”

  She appeared to be thinking about that statement and then she slowly sashayed towards me, her hips swaying enticingly as she began to assess me from head to toe with a flick of her tongue over her lips.

  “I don’t associate with him. We do business. It’s nothing more than money and survival.”

  I looked down at her, “And I told you, it is…for now.”

  She ran a finger down my chest and smirked, “Now, with you on the other hand…”

  I tensed and exhaled slowly at her touch on my bare chest.

  She stepped back and unclipped the back of her top, letting it fall gently and cascade around her waist.

  Her nipples looked painted on, dusted in light pink glitter. Interesting.

  “I’m not asking for anything you can’t do or aren’t known for,” She smiled with a devious flash in her neon green eyes.

  “I’d be more willing to help…” She said leaning in and brushing her lips against my chest. Her tongue flicked out softly, instantly stimulating a hint of arousal but not enough for me to want to react.

  “Don’t.” I gently pushed her away from me.

  Ego bruised, she was definitely hurt. Looking deeply into my eyes, she bit her lip as if trying to keep herself from either saying something ugly…or maybe even shedding a tear. Accepting the fact that she had just been turned down by a fallen, an Incubus, she stepped away from me with a slight smirk.

  “Wow. I get it now. The human warrior girl who’s pregnant with your child. You love her too.” She stated more so than asked.

  I didn’t say anything, not that it wasn’t true but she took my silence as an affirmation.

  She laughed softly. “You’re right, Cam`ael. I’ve seen and heard of many strange things but seeing you walking side by side with an angel in peace, and your love for a human…warrior who carries your child…leaves me utterly speechless. I don’t understand any of it. Why? Why now?” She was truly befuddled.

  I think I got her suspicious inquiry. She was right though. These things we
re never known because it was assumed that it was not supposed to be. That we were all forever doomed to live one way and be one thing, just because of one mistake. I know because it was exactly my mindset until I was granted permission to actually meet and be with Starling, even though she was a chosen.

  “What does it matter? I don’t know if you remember but this is how we used to exist. We are what we create, be it of light or darkness and the darkness is only dark when it is used for that purpose. You know that.”

  I was adamant that I was getting through to her, she was definitely thinking about my words.

  She pulled her top back up, adjusting the sheer strips back over her breasts and then moved to sit back down, silent at first.

  “What do you want from us? We have no power or influence.” She then said.

  “Alone, you and your kin may have not have as much.”

  If this what Elohim wanted for me to do in order to gain the Psyrens as an ally, then I believe that I finally understood.

  There was a long pregnant pause before Grace finally met my eyes and spoke, “I think I know who may have this warrior scout.”

  I raised a brow.

  She then rose, “Give me a moment to prepare myself for possible battle and gather a few bandits to ride with us.”

  A sudden, thunderous cacophony of high pitched screeching and cawing came from every side of the mansion.

  Shouts, cries and screams could be heard throughout the house and from outside.

  Then, there was massive cawing. Crows.

  I could only think of one demon associated with those birds. I wielded my sword and Grace looked at me with alarm and confusion.

  “Stay put. This one is dangerous.” I told her.

  “Something’s attacking my city! I’m not going to sit idly by!” She said, bursting through the doors of the parlor, and dashing through the chaos that began to ensue throughout the mansion, and swiftly up to her room.

  By the time she suited up, it could be too late. Though I was apprehensive about taking on Xyn myself, I knew that I was the only one who could do it right now. Why was he here? Did he follow me? What the hell did he want with the Psyrens?

  I began to pull light forth, forming it into a sphere as I ghosted out and onto the roof of the mansion to get a better look.

  It was like a mad tornado of black, screaming birds swarming over, dive-bombing city dwellers, and taking them down in large groups. Several Psyren warrior women had already mounted their war Chimeras, and the lion heads were roaring, blowing streams of fire from their mouths.

  They all began to converge on the many crows that made up Xyn. They were screeching and cawing madly as they were being roasted alive in mid-air. The smell of chicken meat and dank, burnt feathers began to permeate the air in a vaporous haze of red and black smoke.

  I thought that might have been enough but it only enraged him. All of the crows began to glow, red with fury and moving in together to form a massive homing missile that arced beneath one Chimera. The group of crows literally lanced through its plated underbelly like a razor tipped torpedo with ease. The war beast growled and howled in pain as its belly was torn open and eviscerated. It spun wildly, slamming down to the ground with a loud thud, which finished it off completely.

  “Xyn!” I called for his attention to break him from them.

  I wasn’t sure he had heard me, until the birds began to swarm in together to form a funnel, twisting down into a single, robed form that began to levitate until it was level with me, finally.

  It was apprehensive, eyeing the sphere of light in my hand. I couldn’t afford to miss. He’d just disperse and dodge my light attack anyway.

  I wasn’t going to go down without giving it all I had. I had way too much to live for.

  Though I didn’t want to risk any of them, I needed at least three of my best fighters for a distraction to help me out but they were helping to protect Starling.

  Damn.

  I finally decided on Osiel, Nay, and Sinma.

  XL: Starling

  Nothing much of interest on the news with the exception of an increasing number of crimes all over the world. There was an influx of many natural disasters in one place after the other, like massive Tsunamis’, large scale magnitude earthquakes in many places that had never experienced any before. Landslides, deadly tornadoes, and major snowstorms were being reported all around the world in places that typically never experienced those disasters, too. I wondered if it were all a sign of what was to come, and why everything was so off kilter. The darkness and its army had to be behind it all.

  The thought of what the Earth would become, and what would happen to the billions of humans on it, made me shiver despite being a warrior and having access to the power and weapons that cleaved themselves to me. How could we as a small number of warriors, stand in between humans and all the deadly powers of the darkness?

  I lay on my bed in front of the television with the Christmas card that Joel left for me back in my hands.

  I began to open it, smiling once I pulled out the card that featured sun-tanning snowman, one that was actually made from sand instead of snow, wearing swimming trunks with a strip of sunscreen on his carrot nose. He was tanning on a small island with a bright sun in the sky, and lying beneath a palm tree decorated to look like a Christmas tree above him. The caption read: ‘Merry Christmas, Mon!’ in Jamaican speak and the theme featured Jamaica’s native colors of green, black, and yellow.

  It automatically warmed my heart. I opened it to a coupon paper-clipped inside, good for a free bento box from Zen to Five Sushi and Karaoke Bar. There was a lengthy note on the inside flap that read.

  ‘Hey Starling, I hate that I’m gonna be missing you for Christmas too but I do hope this card and gift finds you in time. I can’t say that I understand what you’re going through and why you had to leave like that, but I wish that you’d at least talk to me.

  I don’t know if you ever got any of my phone messages or texts, I’m sure that you did. I’ve missed you badly. I never meant to make you mad by insulting the guy you’re feeling. It’s just that something about him bothered me, call it a vibe. I guess that’s one of the things we’ve always had in common. Either way, I’ll say it again then. I love you. I’ve been in love with you since the day that we met. It’s been hard because I don’t know if I’d ruin our friendship had I told you before but when you told me you wanted me to be your first, and then you were going out with ol’ cop or whatever he is…I didn’t know what to think. It actually hurt me, but I only want to see you happy. Be careful around him. I have my reasons. China told me what she thinks might have been bothering you but you know you could have talked to me. You know that I’ve seen things before too, the shadows and dark things that you used to tell me about. I told you that before. If you can talk to anyone about it, please know that you can always talk to me. I’ll be thinking of you and hope to see you when you get back. Take care and don’t forget to use the coupon soon, you know my aunt don’t like to give away any free food! Enjoy your gifts, (you’re gonna have to see me in person to get your birthday gift) Happy late Birthday and Merry Christmas! Love you always~ Joel.’

  Tears were flowing out my eyes by the end of the note. Though I had no particular memories of him, his words alone gave me a pretty good idea of what he probably meant to me. I already knew he was chosen too, so that verifies that. How did I never know, or did I? I wondered if he were still in town right now? Where did he live anyway? I was sure that his address was somewhere around here or maybe on my phone. Should I just go ahead and call him then? I’d hate that I might never get to speak to him, especially when his time came. Where would he go now that the Hall was destroyed?

  I heard a shuffle outside of the apartment door and I wouldn’t have thought anything about it until I heard the doorknob rattle.

  China? Had it been a few hours already since she told me she was on her way?

  I immediately sat up, bringing my legs over and getting up
out of my bed.

  Listening, I waited for the key to be inserted into the lock—but nothing happened.

  My senses began to click and adrenaline began to filter into my veins.

  I stepped softly, slowly, and cautiously outside of my room, taking in every object, shadow, noise, and scent, both in and outside of the apartment.

  Automatically, my eyes went to the locked deadbolt and doorknob, waiting for something—anything to happen.

  I could literally feel a negative energy begin to expand and my first reflex action was to wield my blades, but what if it wasn’t anything sinister or of darkness? I wasn’t supposed to be exposing them in the human realm.

  Waiting for a few beats for any other sound, movement, or turn of the knob, I carefully and stealthily made my way to the door, leaning against it and listening once again.

  It was silent. No voices, no music, nothing.

  I then peered out of the peep hole, not sure of what I was expecting to see. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

  I swallowed and debated opening the door to make double sure.

  The negative energy was faint but still present. Ignoring it wouldn’t make it go away. Someone or something had jiggled the doorknob from the outside. A robber maybe? I could handle a potential thief but a potential human thief wouldn’t emit such a distinct signature and scent of…something a tad familiar.

  My heart began to hammer wildly and my brandings began to glow softly. Even pulling down my long sleeves further wouldn’t fully cover my hands.

  I waited a moment longer. This door would be useless against any dark force anyway, so it was pointless to think that not opening it would render me safe.

  I’d better be prepared to draw my blades and my fire anyway, just like Ry told me to do.

  Speaking of, I wondered if they were still somewhere nearby. Maybe it had been Ry or Rahab.

  No. They wouldn’t have done that without showing up in the flesh to check on me and make sure that all was alright.

  I inhaled and exhaled slowly before reaching for the lock, slowly turning both deadbolts, and then closing my hand over the knob to turn and pull the door slowly open.