Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (24 page)

I was created for the purpose of e
nforcement. My duties were to observe, regulate, establish boundaries and guidelines, and essentially police the use of or the exchange of any magic and powers that were not granted with permission by Elohim; or were being used for bad intentions by all spiritual beings both of light and dark.

I supposed it was the reason that
this disguise had appealed to me so much without thought an authoritative, and respected figure but now among humans. Well, at least it was one of the reasons I chose this persona.

Mine and Rahab’s eyes met then and he had a questioning look although he had an idea of what may have happened. I gave him an
‘I’ll tell you later look,’ and he smiled again, approaching us with a hand out to shake hers.

I could see her look up at him in awe. I supposed just like me, Rahab’s size asto
nished her too, initially. He took on the size and visage of a large bodybuilder. He was muscle bound, and of African American descent with rich, mocha skin coloring; choosing to be completely bald headed and keep his normal height of being two inches taller than I stood, at six foot eight.

“This is Star.” I introduced.

“Star? That’s pretty, I’m Ray. Welcome to some of the best food you’ve had this side of town. I’ll take care of you so order anything you like. Any friend of Cam’s is like family here. Have a seat,” He grinned big, and held out a chivalrous hand towards a barstool.

“Thanks, it’s nice to meet you
Ray. Nice place.” She smiled broadly too, and I could hear her softly wince at the effort as she eased carefully onto the barstool to avoid hurting her ankle.

Rahab took notice and attempted to help her onto it
, but I shook my head no and he was confused. Instead, he continued to grin like a giant kid at a candy store at her compliment.

“Thank you Star, I’m glad you like it,
” He beamed at her, though he was really bothered by the injury to her delicate face I could tell.

It didn’t look horrible
, but it was bad and it was obvious that she had been punched with much force. Her delicate light colored skin appeared burned red and raw beneath the bruising. The void’s mere touch had been harmful, which included the hand imprint around her ankle.

I wasn’t sure why she tried to lie to about how it happened
, except that apparently she saw me as an ordinary mortal, so she assumed I wouldn’t believe her. She obviously didn’t want sympathy or help from anyone, which is why I eventually understood her reasoning in lying.

I
hoped that my position as a police officer would allow her to feel comfortable enough to reveal a portion of the truth though. That was the other main reason I had chosen this image of an authority figure. I figured it would also allow access to be on the University campus if I needed to be and for her to trust me easier.

“Um, where are your restrooms?” She then asked.

“Oh, straight through those doors,” Rahab pointed to the other end of the trailer, and he smiled again.

“Thanks,
” She said as she turned and made her way towards the doors that were marked simply: ‘Toilets’.

It was probably an afterthought
, and Rahab didn’t think of possibly separating the two and designating male and female signs for each door.

She turned back to face us with a pe
rplexed look for a moment, and pointed at the sign, “Is it just one for both?” She asked with a raised brow.

“Uh, oh yes…for now.” Rahab laughed off.

“Oh, okay.” She said as she walked carefully, still hobbling across the diner, opened the door and disappeared behind it.

I raised a brow
, and shook my head in humor at Rahab as he shrugged sheepishly.

I sat at the counter
, and we both waited until she disappeared behind the door, and it closed completely before we began to whisper in Angelic.

“Is it functional?” I asked Rahab
, referring to the plumbing.

He waved a hand
, and recited his memorized incantation quickly.

“It is now.” He grinned.

Rahab could always keep me in good spirits.

“She’s beautiful and she has pretty eyes too.” R
ahab then commented.

“I know.” I replied.

“Her aura is magnificent. I had no idea.” Rahab mentioned.

“I know and you can bet that’s why all the ot
hers are after her too.” I replied.

I was in awe when I first saw her in her Profe
ssor’s office. The aural shimmer of her aura was soft, and almost blinding at first. It was beautiful, just as she was.

Rahab eyed my uniform, “Good choice. It fits you too
, and it’s believable.” Rahab pointed to my uniform with a nod of approval.

I raised a brow, “Yeah, well . . . thanks.” I replied looking over the shiny buttons, random medals
, and the badge pinned to the black uniform. I simply replicated the image of one that I had seen on another officer before on the street.

“Is the gun real?” Rahab then asked.

“Of course it is,” I smirked, and he grinned with a nod.

I looked him over as well. The contrast of the white uniform against his dark chocolate skin was striking. Rahab had outfitted himself to fit his personality to a ‘T’. His head was shiny bald u
nderneath the starched white muffin top chef’s hat, and it matched his chef s shirt, which he had paired with blue and white checkered hanker chief around his neck. The full apron, though slightly messy, appeared tight against the strain of his bulging muscles beneath the material.

Knowing what he truly looked like b
eneath the image, and human skin, and seeing him now, despite the fact that he loved to cook, was actually quite comical, but I wouldn’t tell him that. I laughed to myself, making the mental comparison in my own thoughts.

“You should have summoned me to help.” He then said
with an angered expression.

“I didn’t need help. I just got there a little late. Besides, it looks like you’ve been pretty busy here yourself. A shiny, brand new
, sparkling diner — set out in the middle of the woods all by itself.” I told him with a quick look around the diner once again.

“Well, all diners start out new at some point.” Rahab explained.

He obviously didn’t get my meaning or where I was going with it, but that was alright, he did have a point.

I didn’t want to divulge to Rahab, the task I had been completing for Elohim before arriving back to my dwelling to meet
up with him; let alone the conversation between myself and Morning Star.

He sighed and rubbed his face,
“This actually didn’t take me long at all, because I already knew what I wanted to do; it was just a matter of picking an out of the way spot on purpose. So where did you find her? Is she a nurse?” He then asked.

“There’s a place of health care or something like that for sick and dying people about several miles
back, she works there.” I told him.

“No wonder there were so many shadows over there. Who did it?
Was it a void?” He insisted knowing with clenched teeth.

I nodded, “Yeah
, and they were trying to drag her to an open portal near the lake behind the hospice. The stupid ass hit her, and she bled.” I informed him.

His face turned to surprise,
“Hit her? She bled? Oh shit.” Rahab gaped in shock.

“Shit is an understatement.” I replied.

“I hope he doesn’t think we’re responsible.” he then wondered.

I shook my head, “He knows Rahab. Elohim took care of the void in a blink before I could, which I expected
, but I still would have loved to rip them all apart myself. There were two others that showed up immediately after the first two, to try and finish the task though. Elohim let me have them.” I replied with satisfaction, and then getting lost in my own brief thoughts.

Rahab’s mouth tightened
into a narrow split, and his dark brown eyes went wide at the mention of that. It was obvious this news angered Rahab, and he seemed to be in his lost in his own thoughts for a moment now too.

He
finally shook his head, “What idiots!” Rahab growled in a whisper.

“Expendable ones that Morning Star intentionally didn’t clarify the rules to
, or they lacked the common sense…I’m willing to guess both.”

“Me too. When we meet later, I think I may have some information and news on that concert.” R
ahab then said.

I perked up, “Good
, alright. I’ll find something temporary somewhere nearby then, I guess.” I replied.

Rahab nodded
, and then leaned on the counter, moving in closer to me as we listened. The faucet was still running in the bathroom, so she wasn’t emerging any time soon.

“Do you think her death will
come sooner now?” He asked genuinely.

“I don’t know, at least I don’t think it will if I can help it.” I replied.

Rahab’s eyes widened, “Cam`ael, you know you aren’t supposed to…” He began.

I smirked, “How long have you known me friend? If Morning Star can do as he pleases, I’m going to do the same
, and get as close to breaking the rules as I can to fuck up his plans.” I interjected.

His brows furrowed for a minute
, and then he grinned, “That is why I call you my lord.” He commented.

“I’m nowhere near worthy of that title
, so you shouldn’t use it lightly— especially in regards to me.” I pointed out.

“Why else are you the only one of our kind that I am aware of
, who still retains their former light? It is a gift that makes you worthy of that title, at least to all of us and many others will agree with me on that,” Rahab held up his large hand, and defended as if making a testament to his words.

I
sighed and shook my head.

Rahab was actually quite sensitive d
espite his size and looks, most would never guess. In fact, in the spirit realm, his looks depicted the complete opposite of his disposition, which was why many were afraid of him.

“Sh
e’s keeping their attack on her a secret even from me, which is a good thing. I don’t think my being there counted as interference, but I could be wrong.” I said.

“If she is a divine chosen, how come she can’t see us for what we are?” Rahab asked.

“She’s still an imperfect human right now, but she can definitely sense us, believe that.” I told him.

Rahab appear
ed confused for a moment, as if he was pondering that and then he scratched his forehead, “She’s not afraid? I mean, she doesn’t act like she knows something is…not quite right with us,” Rahab then observed.

“She’s not sure what to believe. Typical
, but she’s suspicious I’m sure of that much. I suppose she’s just being polite,” I told him.

Rahab nodded agreeing that probably made more sense, “Did she se
e you destroy them?” Rahab asked.

“No, at least I don’t think so.” I replied.

He nodded, “Well, I don’t see why it would not be in your favor. You were helping to protect her, she is a chosen. I will vouch for you no question. It’s bad enough that she bled, but it wasn’t our doing.” He said with a serious expression as he shook his head.

I pursed my mout
h, and gave him a palpable look, “You already know how that goes my friend. Anyway, don’t call me lord anything here…ever— it’s just Cam. Have you seen Drakael around?” I then asked.

Rahab instantly scowled at the mention of his name, “No
, and he’d better hope I don’t. Are you going tell her what we are?” He inquired.

“I can’t, we aren’t allowed to. Just watch what you do and say around her and squash any beef you have with Drakael for now.
It’s a good thing you masked your brandings,” I warned, finally noticing his bare forearms.

I took off my jacket, and eased onto a barstool at the long counter
.

He grunted
, and then nodded, “I figured it’d be too complicated to explain. Did you hide yours?” He then asked.

I grinned, “I hadn’t planned on it.”

Rahab’s eyes widened, “She’ll be able to see them, do you think?” He asked.

“We’ll find out,” I replied as I took off the black leather gloves, unbuttoned the shirt cuffs
, and then rolled the sleeves up my forearms.

“Sneaky, sneaky,” Rahab chuckled
, shaking his head.

“No rule against that is there?” I gave a sly smirk.

Rahab shook his head with a shrug.

“Don’t think so. I’ve been cooking for hours. Whatever she wants, I’ll make. I have a variety of things to use. I had to acquire a strawberry pie though from a local bakery place. I haven’
t mastered baking yet.” He said.

I smiled, “I appreciate that. I’ll take a slice
, and some of whatever you have in that over there,” I pointed to the large, silver, cylinder shaped container behind the counter.