by Kelly Hall
Father Timms sighed. “I know. While I’m not against the cross and what it stands for, it is disrespectful to the Immortal Huntress. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to allow the changes to be made. The Church is trying to make amends for the budget issues. I’ve heard there have been many complaints and accusations of dishonor and some who think changing their mark is money wasted. I’m not sure how far that will go.”
“But you don’t agree with the change, do you? Isn’t the Huntress Star the symbol for the Fellowship? Does this mean they are pushing Rebekah out for good?”
“While I’m sure there are some who might disagree, I’m afraid so. They haven’t said anything, but it’s not the first move they’ve made. They’ve seized all of our records and shut down the hologram training. It’s going to get worse. And no, I don’t agree with any of the changes. Including locking up our friend.” Father Timms searched his eyes, hoping to see if he could gauge the angel’s reaction about considering Rebekah as a friend. While he knew Aziel had been loyal before, would he still be once he learned about Rebekah’s meeting with Kayne? The others had turned against her, and Aziel was not really sworn to her in any way.
Aziel sighed with relief. “I’m glad to hear that you still call her friend, but please, what I need help with is this. If you were forced to choose, who would you choose? I mean, you’re a priest, and your duty should first lie with your vow, right?”
Father Timms let out a long breath. “I have been loyal to the Church, but my first vow was to my Huntress. I will not turn against her. Even if we don’t always agree, I owe her my life.”
“So, you don’t believe that she’s consorting with the vampire?” Aziel wondered if the father was suspicious that there was more to it between Rebekah and Kayne.
“Consulting and consorting are two different things. She claims that she was facing something big and had no choice. Besides, I think we need a leader who uses whatever she can to find out what she needs to in a desperate time. I also know that Rebekah is from a different era. She’s been around a while longer than any of us, which means that she’s got experiences under her belt that we can’t even begin to imagine. If she felt it was important to meet up with Kayne and angle for information, I have to believe it was for the good of her hunters. She’s given too much to them to give up now. So, tell me this, Aziel. What do you think of the vampire meeting?”
“Rebekah is human at her core, and humans are not perfect beings. They are weak when it comes to love and attraction. They make silly decisions, mistakes, do things they wished they hadn’t.”
Father Timms nodded. “And even if the heart wants what it wants, it doesn’t rule our free will. She’ll always have a choice, and she’ll make the right decision.”
“I want to believe that too. I just wondered if you had any conflict in your heart about yours.”
Father Timms realized the angel’s position. “You do.” He tried not to sound too judgmental. “You feel like it’s a hard decision between the two because your conscience and your heart are telling you two different things.”
Aziel nodded. “It’s not a matter of how I feel about Rebekah. I’ve already made up my mind in her regard. She’s my friend and always will be, but I’ll have to stay here when it comes time to choose. Like it or not, with the program, they won’t give me another choice.”
The Church had made the deal for the Warrior program, and Father Timms knew that Aziel would have to stick with it. “You are sworn to the program. Rebekah will understand if that’s what you’re worried about, although I do think she’d be really disappointed that you couldn’t come along.” He hoped the angel would decide to stay with Rebekah but knew that was a longshot. He’d have far too much to give up, and Michael would never let him go.
“Yeah, I can see that,” Aziel said. “And that’s my dilemma. I’d like to go and fight with the Huntress, but I don’t know how to do that. All I know is, when it comes time to choose, I don’t want to be left behind. That’s why I wanted to come talk to you. I don’t know if I should talk to Michael or not. He’s liable to make me return home at once.”
He wasn’t ready to leave again after just getting back. Although with things falling apart around him, Rebekah in prison, and Delilah leaving, a part of him wondered if he should just request to go home.
“Looks like you’ve got a big decision. Maybe you should wait until after the trial. If they decide to keep her, which I’m sure they won’t, then you can talk to Michael. I will say that I know Rebekah admires you. She would allow you to come along if you choose to. And don’t think for a minute I’m sticking around here if I have a chance to go. I might not always be commander or a priest, but I’ll always be a hunter.”
The priest’s words surprised him. “You’d go against your vows and stop being a priest?” It wasn’t as if Aziel could ever stop being an angel. Not that he’d want to.
Father Timms eased back in his chair. “In the right circumstance, yes. I believe in Rebekah and feel she’s really making a difference in the world. If I feel she needs me to give up my vows, I will. Besides, my sacred vow is to God and not the Church, which is where the corruption lies. God will know my heart. He can judge me accordingly.”
Aziel was shocked to hear that Father Timms would give up his vows, and yet he respected him for it all the same. He knew that his biggest fear of choosing the Huntress was not for picking the wrong side but because he might be shunned by the other angels, including Cleo.
The two had been talking a little here and there, and while they were probably not going to have time for a big love affair, with both of them being assigned to different academies with the program, he would hate for her to be upset with him.
He did have a huge decision to make, but he knew Father Timms was right. He’d wait until the trial.
As he went back to his room, it weighed heavy on his heart. And when he opened his door, he saw Michael standing in his room waiting. Showing proper respect, he bowed his head. “Michael.”
“I thought I should come, considering what’s happened with the Huntress.”
“I know not of her innocence or guilt.” Aziel didn’t want to pass judgement on Rebekah, but he had a feeling that Michael had known about his dilemma.
“I would hope that you haven’t decided to do anything foolish.”
“I have not,” said Aziel.
“But it weighs on you when it should not. You were placed in the program, and while I allowed you to come back, I did not free you from your obligations.”
He knew he could speak freely with Michael, but Michael’s power and strength intimidated him. “I would never want to go against my duty, but I feel my help is needed elsewhere. Things have changed here. This academy could fall apart with the Immortal Huntress locked up. There is corruption in the Church. I’ve seen it.”
Michael put his hand on Aziel’s shoulder. “We are not beholden to the Church, Aziel. The Church is beholden to us. And you are right. There is a great change coming. So, that’s why I’m here. To offer you a deal.”
Chapter 5
If there was one thing Ignis hated, it was driving. Add a couple of mischievous naiads in the back seat and the distraction of Talia in the front with her short skirt riding up mid-thigh, and it was all he could do to keep the rented boogie wagon on the road. He’d never bought a car before but had rented many, and while he liked its style, he couldn’t say the name Rogue had been its selling point.
If it weren’t for the two weapons lying at his feet wrapped tightly in a leather pouch, he’d have missed out on the fun and simply misted everywhere he went. As it turned out, Talia and her sisters appreciated the transport a hell of a lot more. They didn’t get away from the swamp often, and when they did, they liked to go everywhere they could. It did make for some interesting entries in his journal, especially since he didn’t get to write about family outings very often.
Thankfully, the naiads’ pale, pastel skin seemed normal enough, but it was their
hair that got all of the attention. With everyone dying their hair strange colors these days, Ignis knew they’d fit in better than ever. So, when he finally pulled up at his favorite restaurant, he had no problems bringing the naiads inside. On one condition.
He parked the car and shut it off. “Remember your promises, ladies. I told you I’d bring you back here, but no sneaking off to the bathroom with the waiter, Tula.” He gave Tula a hard stare in the rear view.
“Fine,” she said. The sisters looked incredible, all three a different shade of gorgeous, with Talia looking best of all.
“It’s going to be okay,” Talia promised. To Ignis, no one looked better than her, and only Rebekah’s beauty could compare.
“Yes, we’re not stupid,” said Tori, trying to open her doors with no luck.
“Don’t break the handle,” Ignis warned. “I’ve got the child safety locks on.”
“Well, this is ridiculous,” she griped, still fighting with the door. “I’m not a child.”
Ignis hadn’t wanted them to jump out of the car as soon as it stopped. “Let’s all stay together while we go in and get our table. They will bring your food to you here.”
At the salad bar of the last restaurant he took them to, the naiad sisters had been an embarrassing sight, with both of them sampling everything straight from the ladles before they put it on their plates.
“The salad bar was more fun,” said Tula, who had lured a man into the bathroom the last time for a little fun.
Ignis sighed, and Talia reached over and squeezed his hand. “Girls, if you don’t behave, then we’ll leave you at home next time.”
Ignis took the bag from his feet and put it on his shoulder. Then he hit the button to unlock the doors, and they all got out. He met Talia at the front of the car, and her sisters were behind her, both getting out on the same side.
He held his breath until they got seated in the restaurant, and thankfully, neither said anything to upset the hostess.
The waiter came, a young man who looked all of twenty who was handsome enough to capture all of the sisters’ attention, including Talia. Ignis gave her a nudge.
“Sorry,” she said. “He’s dreamy.”
“I want him,” whispered Tula to Tori.
“No fair! He made eye contact with me first.” Tori elbowed her sister until Talia leaned in and gave them both the evil eye.
“Neither one of you can have him. We’ve told you this is not the place for that.” She knew her sisters were restless and wanted to go to the club, but it just couldn’t happen right now.
Ignis opened his menu and looked at the salads. Then he browsed the pasta section for himself, and by the time the waiter came back with their water and a big slab of bread and butter, he was ready to order. “Give me three of the garden delight spring salads and the chicken alfredo.”
“Right away,” said the waiter, who made eyes at Tula. She had leaned in and showed him enough cleavage to piss off Tori.
“Thank you,” said Ignis, knowing the man was probably already too far gone in boobie land to notice him.
As the young man walked away, Ignis leaned in toward Tula. “Put those babies away. You’re showing so much, you should sell tickets.”
“I can’t help it,” she said, sitting up straight. “They just spill out.” She gave a shrug and poked her finger at the bread. “Can I eat this?”
“It’s not made from animals, and it’s delicious. Have a bite.” He hoped if he could get them focused on food, they’d stop thinking about other things. Like seducing the waiter.
A couple of human girls were seated at the table behind them. One of the girls, who had bright red hair, reminded him of Delilah. A moment later, a younger girl with pale blue hair joined them, but before she sat down, she looked at the three naiads and gasped.
“Oh my God!” cried the girl with the blue hair. She nudged her friend. “Look at their hair. It’s so amazing!”
Ignis smiled, and Talia did the same but hated that there had been any attention called to her and her sisters.
Suddenly, the girl walked over to the table. “Excuse me, I just love your hair. Mine’s fading out, and I need to get it redone, and I was just wondering where you get yours dyed?”
“Dyed?” Tula asked. She looked at Ignis, not sure what to say. None of their hair was dyed, and she wasn’t even sure what it meant.
Ignis hoped that Tula and Tori wouldn’t take offense, or things could get violent.
One of the other girls stood up and looked. “It’s like the perfect match to your skin tones. I can’t believe how fantastic you all look.”
The sisters smiled.
“Thank you,” said Talia, speaking up. “We’re from out of town, so I’m afraid that our stylists are not from around here.”
“Oh man, it figures.” The one who had stood up sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Well, you look beautiful. Sorry to have bothered you.” The girl returned to her seat, and Tula turned to look at her.
Tori smiled. “She’s nice. I like her.”
Ignis let out a long breath and hoped they could get through the rest of their trip without drawing any additional attention.
The waiter came back finally with their food, and aside from Tori wanting to eat with her fingers, there weren’t any problems, even though Tula had reached over and stroked the young man’s thigh when he put her salad down on the table.
The guy nearly swallowed his tongue stumbling over his next words, and Ignis figured Tula was probably the hottest woman he’d ever seen in his young life. He could promise the waiter she was the deadliest, too.
As they got up to leave, there was a commotion at the front door. “No, sir,” said a woman at the front door. “You can’t come in here without a shirt. I’m sorry. This is a respectable place. I’ll have to call the law if you don’t leave.”
Ignis could tell the woman was terrified, and she was also holding her hand over her nose. The men, who looked like a couple of vagrants, had crowded in the doorway, and they weren’t even looking at the woman but around the restaurant like they were trying to find someone. Ignis had a feeling who.
To a shifter, the naiads would smell like a tasty treat, but any one of them who messed with a naiad would turn into a pile of blood, skin, and bones with one taste of their blood. The men looked like rogues.
“It looks like we have company, ladies. Shifters just outside. I think they picked up on your scent.”
“I’m not afraid of those scoundrels,” said Tula, looking toward the front door. “I’d rip them apart.” The gleam in her eyes told Ignis she’d enjoy nothing better.
Ignis didn’t have time for such drama, and he didn’t want to unleash any craziness on the human population who were all just trying to enjoy their meals. “No, not with so many witnesses.”
“We could sing them to sleep,” suggested Tori.
Ignis shook his head. “Along with half of the other people in the vicinity. No. We’re going to wait them out and then make a break for the car.”
Tori locked arms with her sister. “You’re no fun, Iggy.”
Talia gave her sister a hard glare. “You know he’s right. We can’t draw attention to ourselves. I told you with Tia missing, things are going to be different here. I’m not going to move from the bayou in case Tia comes home, but it means that others who might have met her or ran into her are going to know our scent now.”
Tula hissed. “Do you think those shifter scum know what happened to her? It’s all the more reason to go and rip their entrails out and feed them to them. Make them talk.”
The girls at the table behind them stared at Tula with wide eyes, as if they’d overheard.
“Perhaps this isn’t the best place to discuss the book you’re writing,” said Ignis, giving Tula a hard stare.
“What book?” asked Tori, earning a kick under the table from Talia.
“Shut up, the both of you!” she snapped. “And you wonder why we say we can’t take you anywhere.”
Ignis waited a moment, carefully watching the door, and the men left. They walked past the windows outside. He hoped they’d leave and not wait for them. If they were onto their trail, the shifters probably already knew which car they were in.
Ignis was going to have to use a cloaking spell, and with any luck, it would get them to the car.
“What are you going to do, Ignis?” Talia could see his wheels turning and reached up to stroke his hair.
“Cloaking spell. I’m going to have to put it over all of us, and we’ll hurry to the car together. Once we get to it, we should be safe. They won’t know where we’ve gone.”
Tula narrowed her eyes. “I still like my idea way better.”
“Your way could get you killed, sister. Have you ever thought of that? That I may not want to lose one of you?” Talia questioned, she felt that Tia coming up missing had been her fault.
Neither sister had anything to say. They were rare and precious beings, aliens from their homeland of the Realm of Esper and practically an endangered species.
“Fine,” said Tori. “Iggy can do his cloaking spell, and we can get back home. I’m ready for a swim.”
Ignis walked them up front and paid their tab. Then he asked the hostess for the restroom, which was over near the bar. He led the girls to the back, and once Talia gave him the all-clear, he went into the ladies’ room to join them.
“Join hands. We must stay together until you’re in the car.” He hitched the leather pouch up onto his shoulder and prepared. Then he waved his hand over their heads, and they became invisible to the human world.
They opened the door and then walked without a problem to the front door. The hostess gave a strange look as it opened and shut, but she must have assumed it was the wind because she barely made a fuss.
Once they were at the car, he carefully opened the back door, and the sisters climbed inside. Then he helped Talia into the front and walked around to the driver’s side. He shut the door and brushed the cloaking spell away.