Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (10 page)

He turned to look at me then, “Already?” That i
nformation seemed to confuse him momentarily. “He’s fast. You didn’t know?” I derided.

He didn’t reply right away. “I knew…” He began

              “But your side planned to sit idly by and give them to him as an offering of peace as per your elaborate plan of letting him do whatever he pleases.” I cut in and sarcastically finished his sentence for him.

He eyed me with disdain.

I grinned.

Drakael bit his lip and appeared to be in thought, but I knew what he was doing and who he was talking to in his silence. It drove me mad with jealousy. I had to look away to squash the feelings of rejection.

“Maybe if you guys wouldn’t give them such bright and conspicuous auras to begin with; they might last longer to fulfill their destinies undetected… just a thought. Of course, I could not care less; they’ll all be enemies of mine after that point anyway.” I added in more sarcasm.

“Keep questioning and testing Elohim Cam`ael, do not believe for a moment that you have nothing to lose. You’ve already given that away.” Drakael then pointed out.

I seethed and glided closer to him, and he stiffened, eyes widening at my advance, “What does that mean?” I asked.

We stared each other down for a long moment, but he didn’t answer my questions.

I glared at him. If he was talking about Star, he was pressing a raw nerve in me by even making the threat. I would kill him over her in a second without hesitation.

“Don’t threaten me.” I warned, my jaw working again as I pushed an air of dark energy towards him.

Drakael instantly blocked it with his own wall of light energy, but I stopped myself before the clash of our powers collided. I pulled the darkness back into me not wanting to waste the time let alone risk Elohim’s displeasure at this point.

“No need for temper Cam`ael, it
wasn’t a threat.” Drakael then eased. I gave him a wry look, “I’m sure it wasn’t.” I replied flatly, staring him down with vehemence. He was wearing his welcome here fast. “Anyway, I saw them when I was there last. It was a male of about twenty-five years old and a very young female of sixteen. They were both bound and blindfolded, still sane for now.” I then went on to tell him. That was the problem in both this realm, and the mortal one, evil prevailed because it played by no rules and the righteousness worried way too much about the rules, which was why it was losing drastically now. I personally had no problems killing someone or another dark fallen if it served the greater good. I was already cursed and shunned anyway.

“He won’t kill them, just like all the others. We’ll need you to see if you can locate them again.” Drakael then said. This was one of many recent r
equests that I was getting all the time from the angels. Being messengers and given that fact I would never say no to Elohim, I felt used at times. Getting them was not an easy feat, but I managed to do it many times in the past with no special reward or payment for my risk and trouble.

“No, he won’t kill them but neither you, nor I can guarantee that they won’t choose his side either now could we?” I countered.

Drakael knew what I meant by that too, “That is why haste is of the utmost importance here Cam`ael.”  He replied.

I sighed and rolled my eyes shaking my head, “Wait a minute,” I began while holding up a finger. Drakael
eyed me suspiciously as he moved to face me fully again. “Doesn’t this as well as all the others that I’ve retrieved from him for your side also count as…interference? It is still their will to choose.” I pointed out.

“Their destinies have already been infiltrated by vi
rtue of being kidnapped before their deaths and their rebirths against their own wills. The rules of intervention no longer apply in those circumstances.” Drakael stated.

“Really? Then I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.” I replied with a smirk and a nod as I began to pace around Drakael on purpose.

He sighed and watched me as I walked casually around him, the end tips of my wings lightly brushing the ground behind my heels in a whisper.

“I don’t think I’ll have time for this. I’ve got other things to investigate and deal with now.” I reminded him to refer to what he told me about this rogue l
egion being after her too.

“This will take you no time, especially since you just saw them.” He replied.

“That doesn’t mean a damned thing. What makes you think I will be able to do this again so easily?” I then asked just out of curiosity.

“You’ve been successful getting all the others out b
efore up to this point. The fact that you’ve seen these two means that he has no need to hide or keep them from you because he either trusts or sees you as no threat as far as they are concerned, and you know that.” Drakael pointed out.

“Morning Star trusts no one, you know that. That still doesn’t mean it isn’t a highly risky and difficult task and even more so now because of what is about to happen. He obviously isn’t stupid. Don’t think he isn’t aware that I have recovered all those others as
well. He isn’t looking the other way because he’s an idiot.” I said flatly.

“You didn’t let me finish.” Drakael stated calmly.

I eyed him.

“We know all of that, which is why you won't need to physically retrieve them this time. Just release them where they are and leave the rest to us.” He then said.

I looked at him incredulously.

This was new.

I almost had to ask him to repeat himself, but I had heard him loud and clear; I just didn’t comprehend the purpose behind it.

Release was another word for a kill here, sp
oken by only the angels. All human blood was sacred but the number-one serious taboo that would bring certain destruction raining down from Elohim personally; would be the death of a divine chosen via the shedding of their blood while they were still mortal.

We all knew that rule and even Morning Star didn’t dare to tread over that one, though he’s been kidnapping and torturing many of them for many mi
llennia-- always careful to do everything imaginable in order to cause pain but without shedding or partaking in an ounce of their blood.

It was my guess that his intent had always been to convert them into choosing darkness or breeding them with his own sons and daughters who were arch demons here. With most of them, he would go through his sacred rituals of immortality, once they’ve accepted, and then bestowing access to the powers of his own darkness unto them.

“You want me to what?” I asked with brows furrowed and my eyes glowing once again.

He was taken aback by my sudden spark, and he watched me carefully, taking a slight step to back away from me.

“You want me to say it in Angelic for you? Do you even remember the language?” He smirked.

He was being a smart-ass now I see.

“You’re assuming that killing is nothing to me.” I then said.

“Releasing them from their physical flesh is not kil
ling. I am to tell you that you are being given exclusive permission to carry this out so you will not risk death for this.” Drakael corrected.

I snorted a chuckle, “Releasing and killing is one in the same and that doesn’t change my statement.” I replied firmly.

“Your actions do not mimic your words.” He then said.

“There is a big difference between killing other dark ones and killing mortal human beings, unless they have already been afflicted with darkness!” I felt a burst of anger at his nonchalant request and personal insult as I snapped open my wings and took a threa
tening stance.

A long time ago, I would have been ashamed for any of the angels to see the cur
sed black marks and symbols on my wings but after a while, I just didn’t care.

Drakael remained passive, but his eyes blazed more intensely as his stance changed to defensive.

“Both of which you have done a lot of in your existence so why seem affronted about it now?” Drakael calmly stated.

I glided towards him in one swift m
otion. Heat and power began to build up beneath the surface of my flesh at his audacity to pass judgment upon me in my own domicile after relaying this favor. He watched me closely, but he didn’t move. We were a few feet away from each other now but his expression still remained inert, hiding any pending reaction and intent of his own.

“I’m not going to do your dirty work for you. If you want to save them— you have just as much power and authority to… release them yourself.” I stated harshly and looking him directly in the eyes now.

He paused for a moment, “Even if Elohim asks it of you?” He then said.

“Don’t play that card with me when he has the power to save them himself!” I spat.

“Of course he has the power to save them himself, but he requests it of you, and he has his reasons.” Drakael said.

Though I hated it, I knew he could not lie. He was a messenger, and if he said Elohim requested it, then he had.

I went through my typical range of emotions starting with ire and working my way down to annoyance and finally petulance. I sighed, my mind trying to work through the request and the outcome of getting something I wanted out of it too. Keeping my eyes on him, I reluctantly pulled my wings in slowly, but they remained folded against me as I paced backwards away from him towards the ledge. I turned to gaze out towards the darkening skies in the distance, once again. Drakael didn’t move, but I felt his own gaze on my back.

I took a long pause on purpose to make him wait. “I’ll accept this task, but I request a concession of my own.” I then began as I thought for a moment.

“A concession? I thought you gave sole allegiance to Elohim?” He then pointed out. I turned my head slightly, “Does that mean I have no right to ask for something in return?” I asked. It was silent for a moment. “Alright, I will pass along your concession. What is it?” He replied. I took a moment before I began. I knew that I had to word this carefully. “I will do this but only if I am able to introduce myself to her in the mortal realm in my flesh form before everything happens.” I then said.

There was initial silence, “For what purpose?” Drakael finally asked. “As a simple messenger, that is none of your concern.” I stated without looking at him. “I know you. You mean to influence her? Charm her? I can relay the request but there are no guarantees.” Drakael replied with suspicion.

“Does that bother you?” I asked turning around to face him fully now with a raised brow. “Why would it bother me? I don’t understand why you have to be so difficult at a time like this.” Drakael replied, his expression seeming confused.

“I’ll wait but you have only a few seconds to relay my humble request.” I ignored his comment.

Drakael sighed, and I heard the rustle of his feathers as he moved, “This isn’t a time for a test of wills or a wager for competition, especially when there is no comparison between us.” Drakael began but his words trailed off as he paused, his face intent with attention. I knew what he was doing.

“What is the purpose Cam`ael, really?” Drakael then asked.

“Who is asking?” I replied watching his expression now.

“I already know that you would not answer if it were my question.” Drakael replied.

I instantly became humbled and at the same time I wasn’t sure what I would say. What was my intention? I didn’t want to lie or ruin his faith in me if he had any left at all for that matter and I had to admit; this took me off guard. In the end, Elohim always wanted an honest answer no matter what it was, this I knew for a fact. I hated that I had to relay it through a third party instead of being able to address him directly…like I used to do.

I didn’t want Drakael to know anything about my feelings and intentions; they weren’t his business or concern. I thought for a few moments, turning away from him again so I wouldn’t have to look at him when I finally spoke, “Contrition.” I determined. I didn’t hear Drakael make a sound for a long while, and I wondered if he had left when I turned around to check. He hadn’t.

“Your request is granted on three conditions.” He finally then said holding up three of his thin fingers. That answer literally surprised me, and I waited anxiously for those specific conditions knowing that Drakael could not lie or twist the message he was given to convey to me.

“The death of the divine ones in his possession must be done by your hands first before this meeting is to take place. Second, you are not allowed to deceive her by any means in order to lie down with her, which includes any use of magic, powers or manip
ulation upon her or others. And third, you are not allowed to reveal what you are to her or anyone else verbally or physically including what I am while we are both there. As far as dealing with others of your kin, the call is yours.” He finished and with that he grinned big.

I scowled at first.

Little did he or any on his side realize that I didn’t have to physically lie down with a woman to partake in or give pleasure, and I don’t think he mentioned that as being forbidden? And he didn’t specify that if she guessed what I was on her own, that I couldn’t verify it.

But did I want her to? How could I explain that just because I was a Demon…I wasn’t that kind of Demon? It wouldn’t mean or make any sense to her anyway.