Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (9 page)

We all possess superior hearing range; able to hear a single pin drop or whisper both here and in the mortal realm from this plane. That was the only reason I tended to speak among those in my legion telepath
ically most of the time. It was necessary here— there were way too many hidden spies and scouts.

“Did you speak to or interact with her?” He then asked cleverly dodging what I told him.

“No.” I stated with a blatant semi-glare, semi-eye roll.

However, I wanted to. I’ve always wanted to, but I was afraid her grandmother would be able to see and call me out easily. She had been gifted as well, and I knew she would not allow me anywhere around her, especially when she was a child. I respected that so I kept my distance.

Soon though, I would show myself to her regardless of the rules. Her grandmother was no longer living, and her parents were gone too. Her eyes found me, and she looked directly at me. She could obviously sense that I had been standing near her in the outdoor courtyard, though I had been completely cloaked.

Her gorgeous, innocent child-like, long- lashed sa
pphire blue eyes followed my movements, unblinking in awe. I didn’t doubt that she would be able to see me.

I sighed softly as I watched the dark ones soar across the sky in the far distance, dipping back and forth, diving into the trees and the di
stant blue-black horizon with a streak of violet from the reddish moon rising.

They were all hunting.

It was more than likely for sport, to please or impress Morning Star with offerings to, suck up.

Drakael’s sudden harshness broke into my brief reverie,
“You love testing the limits of the rules Cam`ael I’m pretty sure you did something to alert her of your presence, how else do you explain her ability to see your signature if you were cloaked?” He then asked.

I was already growing weary with regret in spite of answering this summoning. I had thought it might have actually been something important or even i
nteresting for that matter. If I didn’t do or say something to get rid of him soon…I’d punch him in the face hard enough to send him flying into the mortal realm.

“If she can see the dark ones and the shadows, why wouldn’t she be able to see me or you?  Granted, since I was cloaked, and she still saw me; I find that intriguing but it’s obvious that she would because she is apparently different from all the others anyway. Even so, I will make sure she sees me in the flesh b
efore she dies though. There is no rule against taking on physical form and interaction with mortals as long as it is not to harm, so what difference do any of my actions make?” I smirked.

Drakael frowned, speechless because he hadn’t anticipated that I still remembered all the rules r
egarding both sides let alone, that I continued to hold any kind of regard for them contrary to the majority of other dark fallen.

“I cannot believe I am saying this to you but for once Cam`ael, can you not be so…caustic?”
             

“Caustic? That would be boring and then I’d become you.” I smiled spitefully.

He pursed his lips, “You could never be me or like me again.” He stated.

Drakael and I used to be as close as Rahab, and I still were now, that is until I was cast down. Since then we became and remained virtual strangers just short of enemies as if whatever kinship we had had never existed in the first place. It was the way it was supposed to have been, so I couldn’t be angry with him— it was more with myself for the choices I had
made. However, I hated his low-key arrogance and the way he managed to throw it in my face every chance he got.

I laughed, “I was never like you to begin with nor would I ever want to have been, even then. You’re what mortals would call others in their realm…what is it?” I snapped my fingers to think for a minute, “Oh, a douche.” I then fi
nished.

His mouth twitched with flaring ire briefly, but he quickly suppressed it. He had no choice; he was an Angel, and he had an example to set and maintain even in my presence as a fallen, u
nless I challenged him personally and physically.

I grinned because he knew that I knew that.

“You’ve seen her aura and you know why she could never be hidden, which is why I took it upon myself to watch her, especially since observing and learning of Morning Star’s extreme interest in her too, in case you haven’t realized that by now. Your side may not grant me the permission to guard over her, specifically, but you cannot stop or hinder me from keeping Morning Star’s minions away from her either, which is all I’m doing.” I then went on to say.

He paused and thought for a moment with a mask of confusion on his face. His d
emeanor and aura shifted and then dimmed. I knew who he had just communicated with and envy burned my face as I turned away.

“
You are always toeing the line Cam`ael Nothing has changed with you I see, and now you have the gall to question Elohim’s purpose?” He dared me with a suspicious eye and a single raised brow as if he was indeed daring me to do just that.

I bit my tongue and didn’t answer.

He spoke again, “I didn’t think so. Since you along with others have noticed that her aura differs from all the other divine chosen, means her value puts higher stakes on maintaining that every rule is strictly adhered to. Regardless of how you desire to explain or classify your actions; you cannot interfere no matter what.” He pointed out.

I raised both brows and shook my head in disbelief, “Higher stakes? But only for me, right? I thought each and eve
ry one of the divine chosen are equally valued and important. Just why is her aura so much brighter than all the others throughout time have been?” I then asked.

Drakael said nothing
to address that last question; typical of him, and as always, it pissed me off.

“Not much to say now huh?” I mocked Drakael with a side smirk.

“All divine chosen are special in their own rites obviously.” Drakael finally answered.

I shook my head again with a sarcastic snort and laugh as I hopped up onto an outcropping of rock to gaze out over the Infinite Lake this time, reveling in all its pristine beauty. The reflection of the sun o
ffered the illusion of dipping into the darkening pink and azure colored waterline at the horizon.

             
The beauty of the sky at dawn and dusk were merely one of Elohim’s finest, artistic creations.

I returned my hard gaze at Drakael, “Special but not enough to be protected while still mortal. How has Morning Star managed to snatch so many so easily before their time then? Why aren’t they being watched and protected better if at all?” I then asked. He moved to join my current view of the lake, stan
ding a few yards from me now.

“Their protection is not what you believe it should be. You know Elohim has the power to do and co
ntrol anything if he chooses. You also know how he works.” Drakael said softly and slowly.

Part of me knew that truth yes but the other half…the dark half— was angry and frustrated at the lop-sided leniency.

“By making him think he’s winning? Well, I hate to break it to you but personally, I think he is. Allowing him and all of his imps and servants the upper hand has always been a bad move, in my opinion. I don’t understand why he gets a longer leash in this realm too. Are you reminding him of the rules as well?” I waved an arm in anger to gesture back towards the opposite side in the far dark distance.

“Our side and our plans are not for you to know any longer. You take actions upon yourself Cam`ael and Elohim has always allowed you that much. Do not think for one second that Morning Star has not stopped hating you or resented the fact that you are the only one who has ever fallen, yet are still in po
ssession of a small portion of your grace and light.” Drakael noted.

He shut me up with that one. It was something I had never considered. Drakael had a point though, but I wasn’t going to a
dmit that out loud. I always wondered why I had been allowed to keep my light too, but it was not something I was going to question aloud either, for fear that it may be taken as ungrateful.

Morning Star probably hated me more than I hated him… and that was a lot of animosity. He was blin
ded with jealousy and his hatred of me underneath his exterior. I was positive that it wasn’t simply because of my resistance and refusal to side with and help his master plan by mating with a divine chosen either.

I was instantly re-humbled.

Drakael went on, “Your efforts are recognized obviously, or I wouldn’t stand before you now in question of them. Nevertheless, you know that the human realm has always been his world to rule thus far, and though it may not seem like it, he does know his limits; he just pushes and circumvents them the same way that you do so this is nothing new for you and it is not your personal war or vendetta. No matter what you may think or feel, and even though you are no longer bound to Elohim, you can still be destroyed just as he created you.” Drakael stated.

I didn’t reply and he eyed me, surprised at my s
ilence,

“That being said, I think you should know that there is another rogue legion of your kin who has also ta
ken notice of and have been working to retrieve her. It is believed they act alone though, they do not liege with Morning Star.” He then warned.

I spun around to face him, instantly alarmed by this news and ignoring the rest of his words before his last sentence. I was tired of that game just like I was getting tired of this pointless meeting and co
nversation. I was angrier now than I had been with Drakael at first but even more so at myself for not being on top of that myself. I met him nearly in person within three long strides with clenched teeth, “What makes you think they don’t liege with Morning Star?” I asked suspiciously.

“We know all.” He simply said.

I glared at him, “Right. Since when? Who are they?” I demanded while clenching and unclenching my fists in my anger. Crackles of darkness snaked over and in between each finger and knuckle in response to my irritation with Drakael. Drakael remained cool as he pursed his lips in a cocky manner, “I’ll leave that for you to find out for yourself since you seem to be so enchanted with her. Do as you please with them upon discovering who they are if you want something to occupy your time with. They already know we are watching them too.” He said.

“And that you’ll do nothing to stop them either.” I stated in a hard tone, feeling anger upon hearing this.

She was in far more danger that I had previously thought but why did they all want her? There were thousands upon thousands of divine chosen out there.

I would have to summon others in my legion imm
ediately to assist in finding out who and how many. This could get ugly before it’s time really fast.

Drakael ignored my comment.

I bit my lip in frustration, a feeling of helplessness washing over me. I couldn't stop any torment or pain my former brethren would and could cause not to mention her risk of being taken by some rogue legion. She needed me there to protect her whether she knew of me or not, and I would risk my very existence to do it no matter what.

I pulled the dark power in me back i
nto me and then flexed my fingers, “How will she die?” I subsequently asked solemnly.

He paused, “I don’t know that.” He answered.

“When?” I then asked.

He opened his mouth to speak and then paused, “Don’t even think about it Cam`ael.” He warned.

He obviously knew why I asked these questions but whether he told me or not, it would not stop me. My frustration and anger began to mount again at his insinuations.

“You can’t interfere either, which means you can do nothing to stop me.” I said, looking directly at him.

He was affronted, “You’re playing with your own annihilation.” He stated.

“I’ve been outcaste as a demon for quite some time now— annihilation would be considered mercy.” I shot back.

“Be careful what you ask for.” Drakael warned.

“I don’t ask; I beg of it.” I then stated.

That last statement left an air of quiet around us. Drakael moved towards the lip of the cliff facing the Infinite waters’ horizon in his own thoughts or conversation with Elohim, and I began to regret saying that aloud, especially before I had a chance to meet her, which was all I wanted before all of this came to pass. While his back was turned to me, I secretly admired the pure, clean and white luminescence of his wings; gilded by shimmering, gold, gossamer linings around each individual feather—as all of mine had once been before too. I still had quite of few of those left but the blackened, cursed ones that were marked with symbols of condemnation, completely dominated them.               Elohim could unreservedly wipe me out of existence in the blink of an eye at any given time if he wanted to despite my punishment. Although, he has not.

“Well, since we are exchanging information, I’ll e
nlighten you as well with some new developments. Morning Star is about to open a fresh portal by virtue of a group of humans that summoned Baal. For what purpose, we both can only assume. They’ve been entering this new city where she resides and the college she attends through a recent portal that needs closing fast, but I’m not going to do it this time. And they’ve already zoned in on the two others within the city that you spoke of as well but they all seem to be focused on her. Morning Star has already claimed two more divine chosen from the last city.” I finally told him to break the silence and change the subject.