Flesh and Feathers (15 page)

“When?” After asking, I was afraid to hear the answer.

“None of us know for sure. That is decided by a higher power.”

“Do I have to die first?” I asked as I took a gulp of air.

Tannah smiled at first but then straightened her lips again. “No. At some point you will stop aging. But for now, you are human and can be harm or even killed.”

This time I spoke very low. “What happens if I’m killed first?”

If possible the room became even more soundless. I could feel this was a question that touched on something deeper than I could comprehend.

“Then a replacement will be chosen which could take centuries. However, Azaleigh, we are here to stop that. We won’t let anything happen to you.” Tannah’s voice was confident, but unfortunately, I couldn’t feel the same. I wondered how honest she was being with me.

“Is that why someone is trying to kill me?”

“Some believe there is a ritual that can remove the existence of an Arch from this earth for eternity. We believe this is why they want you, but we are not positive. Arch’s can be used for many things,” she explained.

“Is that true?”

“We do not put our faith in the same beliefs as those of evil. They are wicked and only lust for power. Our faith comes from a higher supremacy that values goodness.” I could tell she was avoiding the question. I didn’t want to push it anymore, because honestly, I wished I had never asked.

Tannah continued, “Angels are protectors of free-will, and they themselves, hold the
right
of free-will. Some angels decided to follow their own path, choosing self-gratification instead of that of the righteous. They are then denied admittance back into the heaven and instead are bound to the earth that they were assigned to protect. These angels became fallen and were labeled as the
Angels of Treason
. When the time comes for the righteous angels to cast destruction upon the earth, and judge the souls of the earth beings, they will then leave the earth as a desolate place to punish those of evil, thus binding them to the pit of Gehenna.”

My eyes were wide with amazement, and confusion clouded my mind. “What is Gehenna?”

“For you–a mortal, it would be hell.”

Her face was hardened, sending a nervous twitch through my stomach. “The one hunting you is Kano. He is a rogue, so to speak. He hunts for a bounty. We know that some of the payments he accepts from his employers are those of ancient tools and weapons, which hold mystical powers of their own. All of these weapons are able to kill angels and humans alike. Some weapons devouring souls and holding them hostage within its elements. Kano has powers that seem to be limitless. He can shift into any physical form or become only visible to whom he desires. Because the fallen do not have wings, we assume that this is one of the appearances he chooses to portray. However, we are not sure. No one has seen his true form. Kano’s intentions are to capture you and deliver you to Tobias. It was Tobias, whom hired him. He also leads the
Angels of Treason
. Ruthless and clever, Tobias has remained hidden for centuries from our kind. Scarlet, who was the first of Tobias’ followers, is the one who located you. Besides Tobias himself, Scarlet is the most evil of their kind. She should not be underestimated. She has killed many, and Tobias uses her as an observer. Her power is unlike any other. She can separate her spirit form from her physical form. This is how she is able to locate and deceive her quarry.”

I remembered the woman who had haunted me in my mirror. “I think I’ve seen her. Does she have colorless eyes and platinum hair?” I asked.

Tannah looked at me strangely. “Yes.”

It all made sense. “I saw her in my mirror. I thought I was imagining things at first but the second time she appeared, she stepped out of the mirror and spoke to me.”

“What did she say?” Jen asked.

I searched my mind but with no luck. “I can’t remember.”

“It’s no matter. We know her intentions,” Tannah said, but I could tell she was curious.

“What about you guys? Are you all angels?” I asked.

Gage spoke up first. “Not me. But I was once…”

Tannah finished answering for him. “Gage is fallen, but he is still one of our most elite.”

This confused me. “Fallen…? Does that mean you’re bad?” I asked Gage.

Tannah, again, answered for him. “No. To be fallen is a choice, just as it is a choice to be good or evil. He is still much like us. His privilege of wings has been taken away, as well as the privilege to return to heaven as an angel.”

“I was asking Gage. Do you speak for everyone here?” I snapped, and as soon as I did, I wished I hadn’t. Tannah shot me a look that caused me to bow my head. I changed the subject. “So do all of you have some kind of power?”

“Jen has the power to heal, and Gage has the power to feel the emotions of others. I carry the power of wisdom. We are also given a name from our higher authority. I am called Nemaninah,” Tannah said.

I remembered the day I visited Mr. Parker and my mother’s gravesite. “Nemaninah…, like the angel statues at the cemetery,” I said. Tannah nodded.

Jen spoke up. “I’m Genevieve.”

I looked over at Gage, remembering the last angel at the cemetery.
 
“Then you must be Dekalabrie.” I was assuming.

However, Gage shook his head and responded reluctantly. “No.” Then Gage looked at Tannah sternly.

I realized I must have asked something I shouldn’t have, so I abruptly changed my approach. “Am I able to see your wings?” I asked, looking around at them.

Jen smiled and stood. Without warning, wings exploded from her back. They were beautiful, and their color was unidentifiable. Each feather was precise and elegant in its form, as if they were all individually crafted to create this stunning vision.

I surprised myself, finding that I was more interested in their making, then the fact that my friend actually had wings. “Can I touch them?” I asked, much like a kid at a petting zoo.

“Yes, of course.” Jen smiled, amused with my interest.

At first touch, they seemed like velvet on the surface but pressing my fingers to them, they were hard like steel.

“Az, there’s more. You have power of your own. You are able to see the truth, which shields your mind from deception. The only thing that can blind you are your own emotions. Although these powers are not at their full use, you still have the ability to call on them, even now. You will find that there are other things you possess as well. We are not sure of all of your powers.” Listening to Jen, I noticed that her voice did not change like Tannah’s or gain an accent.

Tannah interrupted. “We’ve had a long day. I do think it is time for all of us to retire. It is getting late.” I was kind of relieved. It was too much to take in right now, and I needed time to think. “Jen will show you where you will be staying.”

I nodded and followed Jen towards the door. I stopped and turned to look at Gage, holding his gaze. Then I walked out. I heard him rush out the door, following behind me. He grabbed my hand and turned me to face him.

“Az…. This doesn’t change anything between us for me,” he said.

I paused for a moment. “It changes everything for me.” I pulled my hand out of his and walked away.

Chapter 13

Payback

I
t had been four days, and I had spent most of my time roaming the castle, exploring. It was so remarkable. I learned it had been built by a woman named Lady Claire Vincent. She had built it during a time when religion had been repressed. It was made as a safe haven for refugees, so that they could worship in their own religions without influence or persecution.

The only thing that Lady Claire had asked in return was that each guest help continue to build onto the castle during his or her stay and never to speak of it when they left. This went on for forty years.
 

Lady Claire had also helped families survive during periods of war. This enormous castle in the middle of the sea had been crafted to help others continue their faith. I had heard Tannah call it
The Isle of Peace
. I assumed it was because during times of war, this was probably one of the only places on earth where there was no bloodshed.

The castle had over one hundred and twenty rooms; eight hundred doors; one thousand windows and four cylinder towers that balanced the symmetry of the castle.

I had found all of this information documented in a large book in the library. The library itself was four stories high with the center of it cut out so that you could look up to the very top. Every book imaginable was kept there–books from other cultures and languages; books for different kinds of religion; and even books on how to cook–which I found rather strange.

Because this was a place of refuge, there were hidden rooms and secret passages. Some rooms I went into, I was unable to exit the same way. It was a maze of wonder and splendor.

I had also learned
–
from the Library–about the creation of each room, including the one I was staying in. There was a large painting of Lady Claire that hung over the fireplace. Some speculated that it was Michelangelo himself, who had painted it during his stay. It was believed that his time here had inspired him to paint the Sistine Chapel. However, of course, no one knew for sure.

There were other intriguing aspects of my room. For instance, each stone in the fireplace had an inscription engraved from each guest who had resided here. Most of them were scriptures or verses, some in other languages.
 

But my interests in exploring, only lasted so long. The excitement of the castle wore off and now felt more like an imprisonment.
 

The next few days I found it hard to eat. I had avoided Tannah and Jen as much as possible, and they were wise enough to give me my space.
 

Gage, however, checked in on me constantly. He tried to do it without me noticing, but I could always tell when he was around…, I could feel his presence. To be honest, I was glad. Although I wouldn’t have admitted it to him, he was the one constant thing in my life. I hated the fact that I had distanced myself from him, but everything was so different and complicated now.
 

It was late when I heard a knock at my door. I was lying in bed staring at the wall when I shouted, “Come in.” It had been days since I had spoken to anyone, so my voice sounded weak and misplaced.

Gage poked his head in the door as I rolled over to see who it was. “Are you alright?” he asked. I wasn’t sure if I felt like having company, so I nodded to confirm, not wanting to start a conversation.
 

“I brought you something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry,” I said and then rolled back over, assuming that he would leave.

I heard him set the plate down on the table next to the door. Then the bed shifted with his weight as he sat down next to where I lay. “I’m really not in the frame of mind for socializing,” I said.
I couldn’t understand myself.
Why couldn’t I just open up to him?
I wanted to.

“That is perfect, because I’m not really in the mood for socializing either. I just needed a place to sleep. Jen’s room is next door to mine, and she snores extremely loud at night. I thought I would come bunk with you.” I tried not to smile when he said it, but I couldn’t help it.
God, I missed him.
 

I turned to face him. “I promise not to steal the covers,” he added.
 

My smile faded as I watched his face. Finally, I dug deep for the words that I had wanted to say. “I’m glad you’re here.”

He put his arm around me and pulled me close to him. I laid my head on his chest, and for the first time in days, I felt in place. Something was working its way through my body, trying to surface.… I wanted to tell Gage how I felt the morning I had left him at my apartment…, how I wanted stay with him…, how he made me feel. However, as it reached the top of my throat, I swallowed hard, pushing it back down inside.
 
     

He touched my chin, tilting my head up to kiss me once on my forehead. “I’m glad too.” A smile stretched across his face. “You have no idea how loud Jen can get when she snores,” he said, causing me to pop him with a pillow.

He slid down further on the bed until we were both lying side by side and on our backs.
 
Quietly, we lay there until Gage spoke up, breaking the stillness. “What are you thinking about?”
 

“My mom.”

“Tell me about her.”

I rolled my eyes to look over at him. “It’s silly.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“When I was little, every night before I went to bed she would read me
The Velveteen Rabbit
. At the end of the story the boy became very sick and all of the toys in the nursery were sent to be burned–including the rabbit. As the rabbit waited for the end to come, a fairy visited him. She told him that
before
he had only been real to the boy, but because the boy loved him so much she would make him real to everyone. My mom used to tell me that when I felt like there was no hope, remember that when there are people who love you, anything is possible.” I paused for a minute, letting the memory rekindle the sound of her voice in my head. Then I let it go again, tucking it away to visit another time. “I told you it was silly,” I said lowly.