Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (46 page)

I hadn’t been prepared for that question and honestly, I never thought about hope at all. Hope. That was something that was far and few in between in the world today. Everywhere you looked, people were killing, stealing, assaulting, cheating, abusing, hating, fornicating, twisting religious doctrines to fit their own personal gains or needs…what was the point?

“Me alone having hope doesn’t even matter. It’s kind of hard to hope and care when not many people care themselves. I think I know how God feels sometimes though.” I chuckled.

He laughed too and nodded, “I understand your feelings about that completely. What about the shadows you said were following you? Are they still harming you?” He then asked.

I paused remembering last night and the scratches on my back. Should I tell him about all that?

“Yes.” I finally said softly.

This time he paused and I glanced at him from the corner of my eye to see his expression in regards to hearing that. He appeared to be in deep thought and I wondered what he was thinking about.

I spoke again to break the momentary silence, “I also realized something else recently here too. That you were right or at least I was wrong all along. There are angels always around and I think there’s one following me. In fact, I know there is. I think I have proof,” I then said slowly not sure how he’d react to that part.

He stopped and then I did
, and he turned to look down at me.

“You have proof?” I could see that he raised a brow even behind the sunglasses.

I nodded but I wasn’t sure I wanted to even mention the feather.

“I’ve seen and experienced some things in the last few days—both miracles and supernatural things I mean, at least that’s the only way I can explain them.” I then said.

He paused, chewing his lip in thought, “Star, I need to say that you need to be extremely vigilant and careful because demons are very cunning and bold, and they will continue to get more aggressive with you now because you have you have the ability to see them, and you have always defied them. They don’t like that, and you must be aware that not everything or everyone may be as they seem or who they are. Demons can mask themselves in many ways and as any kind of being. Always remember that.” Drake then said pointedly.

             
What he said made my skin crawl and I thought of the events of last night again. He was absolutely right, and I found that his serious forewarning gave me chills.

“I know. I just wish I knew why they’re after me.” I then said as I swallowed and looked down at my shoes, wondering if I should tell him what happened last night and about my back.

              I heard him sigh softly and when I looked up he was looking out across the expanse of the lake. A gaggle of brown ducks from the biggest to the smaller ducklings, fluttered their wings and all skittered across its surface in a line, heading for the shore.

“Maybe that will be revealed in one of your dreams if it hasn’t already. You should write them down and look for patterns. The unco
nscious mind is the perfect conduit for communication between planes.” Drake then said carefully.

I wrinkled my brow in question. The more I talked to Drake, the more I was concluding that…he couldn’t be a demon
, but again I needed definitive proof past just what he was saying and his gentle nature.

Was he the one healing my injuries?

“You mean between the living and the dead?” I asked.

“No not the dead. The human mind in its dream state is the perfect means for the divine as well as demons to enter unfortunately.” Drake then said.

I licked my lips, lost in my own thoughts for a moment, and then I felt myself involuntarily shiver.

“I’m not trying to scare you Star, believe me. I’m just offering some truth and I’ve always believed that miracles are small ways of reminding people that there is a higher force and it hasn’t given up on them, which means they should never give up on themselves or others.” Drake then looked back down at me and smiled.

I smiled then and looked up at him, “I’m not scared, not anymore.” I then told him.

He smiled, “Good.” He replied.

              Drake suddenly turned his attention to the left of us; at something behind me and I could see his jaw working. Alarmed, I followed the direction of his gaze and turned around.

I didn’t see anything right away
, but I did notice he was looking back in the direction of the trail that I had come out of when I heard that whisper, and was being followed by an invisible entity.

My heart raced as I spun back around to face him and ask him what he was looking at.

“Wha —”

That was all I could get out before Drake gently placed his
cool open palm to my forehead —and I instantly collapsed with no memory or recollection of ever hitting the ground.

XV: Cam’ael:

I
didn’t recognize this dark fallen when I initially saw him, but my first guess was that he was part of this Toraen Legion going after Star. There had been three of them following her, which I assumed meant that angels and even Drakael might be nearby but that wasn’t going to stop me from stopping them.

             
I went for the smaller two of the three first, willing my sword and making a clean swipe that cut through the first one with ease. Then, turning and flipping the sword in one movement with a swift twir
l
I didn’t recognize this dark fallen when I initially saw him but my first guess was that he was part of this Toraen Legion going after Star. There had been three of them following her, which I assumed meant that angels and even Drakael might be nearby but that wasn’t going to stop me from stopping them.

             
I went for the smaller two of the three first, willing my sword and making a clean swipe that cut through the first one with ease. Then, turning and flipping the sword in one movement with a swift twirl — I stabbing it directly into the throat of the second one; pulling downward before he could even draw his weapon let alone realize that he had just been parted and sliced bilaterally.

Novices.
It was obvious these were no kind of fighters or warriors. Upon making that realization though — I was blindsided from behind. I should have known better.

They had both merely been expendable distra
ctions.

The dark fallen whipped his arm back about to thrust downward and slash at me. I spun around and dodged in time but not quick enough before he managed to slash my right wing. I wasted no time returning the slash
, as our swords collided with a hard metal ‘
chink,
’ and I took that moment to slam a foot into his chest; sending him flailing backwards. He threw some form of sharp, crystallized black dust that turned to wicked looking shards at me, and I turned to shield my eyes.

He used that momentary distraction to r
ecover and lunge towards me once again. Tackling me, we rolled and he grinned in both fury and certain victory this time, while raising his knife once he hovered over me. He brought it swiftly down and directly at my chest. Even though his arm was a blur, I managed to whip my sword up even faster in time to block the attack. I slammed and pressed my hand to his chest, fingers splayed while bringing light to the surface of my palm, and it immediately began to smolder and burn his defiled flesh.

Though I knew he had to be in excrucia
ting pain, he continued to grin maniacally with determination as wisps of acrid dark, oily smoke began to emanate from beneath my palm. I had almost forgotten, these hardcore dark fallen thrived on this kind of pain…I wouldn’t doubt he probably had a hard on too. Without even having to, let alone wanting to look; I made sure to keep us at arms-length for that reason.             

He struggled and tried to free himself of my grip
, but I held onto him, pressing my hand even firmer in a vice like clutch, digging my fingers in as his flesh began to sizzle with intense heat, and the light began to pulse even brighter around my fingertips.

“We will have her…you alone are not enough Cam`ael…” He hissed vehemently with a roar of defiance. He raised a hand
, attempting to slash at me again. I thrust my weight forward and we were both airborne, both of us flying and this time, I slammed him down hard. His back hit the ground with a loud thump and crunch as he grunted and began to howl.

“It’s too bad you won’t be around to warn this Toraen of his doom if they continue to try
, but I’ll make sure they know,” I smirked wickedly, yanking his blade from his crumbling hand, just as he began to disintegrate.

“He waits for you…you both have much in co
mmon!” He growled in a whisper.

He didn’t deny the name. So, whoever their lea
der was…that shadow in Star’s friend had told me the truth.

I was suddenly robbed of the complete satisfaction of destroying this demon when a white spear of divine light shot through him like a lance, almost blinding me as I leapt and turned away at that precise moment.

In the next split second, he cursed in both rage and pain, as he instantly disintegrated into oily black ash and a tendrils of wispy vapor before winking out of existence altogether. He was one of many without a doubt, who had been a part of this rogue legion, and who were trying to kidnap Star too.

It made me wonder now, truly how many there were and ho
w well of trained fighters they, because they certainly had no magic, at least this one hadn’t. I don’t think Morning Star would appreciate them vying for his prize either. I should just step back and let the two destroy each other. Well, actually this Toraen wouldn’t stand a chance against Morning Star, which made me wonder just how arrogantly bold he thought he was, and if Morning Star even knew this. What did he mean by; we both had much in common? Both being fallen perhaps and wanting the same mortal chosen? Or maybe, another fallen like me who also still retained some light within?

              I scowled and sighed. I wished I could’ve interrogated him more, and I would have if it hadn’t been for unsolicited intervention. I should have known, when I saw his smug face ghost into my view, whom the divine light belonged to. I wondered where Star was now, and what he had done to ensure her safety if at all at the same time.

Drakael appeared both calm yet suspicious when he looked over the wound in my wing and then he smirked, “Looks like I made it just in time.” He commented.

I glared at him with clenched teeth, “I didn’t need your help. Where is Star?” I asked.

He shook his head at my insistence.

“Your injury tells a different tale. Following or should I say stalking her again? You’re like a love sick puppy.” He simpered.

“Likewise apparently
, and I wasn’t following her I was following them! Did you know they were here? The ones from the other rogue legion?” I asked him.

“As a matter of fact
, I did. Why do you think I’m even here to begin with? Your little battle here almost became visible to the mortal plane you know,” Drakael answered.

“There are rogue dark fallen everywhere in this realm right now
, as well as dark divine armies all rallying for her, the same goals, and breaking rules in the process, which means this concert may turn into a bloodbath for both humans and us; and all you’re worried about is any confrontation or fight being visible to the mortal plane? This little fight was nothing compared to what’s about to happen, so forgive me Drakael but — fuck you!” I fumed with a glare at him, and then turned my attention to my injured wing.

             
Drakael’s face remained neutral at my words, almost speechless, but I knew that wasn’t the case with him.

“Focus on your kin. The divine warriors are here to protect both humans and the chosen here. We will handle the dark
divine army. You are needlessly on the verge of putting yourself in the position to be eliminated either by your own kin, or by Elohim himself.” Drakael warned.

“I don’t care what you think and who else is here to do what; I’m not going to stop protecting her.” I corrected with a glare at him.

He shook his head and gave me a wry look.

“Protecting her from what? Her fate and
her destiny? How oxymoronic is that?” He replied.

“You think it’s going to be that easy to retrieve or release her once Morni
ng Star has her? Once he has her, she’s gone — doomed, and even I won’t be able to help her then! He really wants her and he wants her alive!” I was essentially shouting now in my rage.

“Elohim will take care of that when necessary.” Drakael assured.

I shook my head in frustration, “And if she chooses dark?” I challenged him.

“That will be her free will to do. She must be gi
ven the opportunity to decide if that’s the case, and you know that. Funny, your attraction to her doesn’t include faith in her. If she does choose darkness, you should be pleased.” Drakael commented.