The Chronicles of Fire and Ice (The Legend of the Archangel Book 1) (20 page)

Scarlett awoke
suddenly when she sensed the heat of the fire. Heading to the balcony to see, she slid open the glass doors, and stepped out into the cool pre-dawn air. She watched as embers floated up towards the sky. Then she looked down and noticed Jacob standing next to the body of flame. Was he burning Kat without telling them? Jacob sensed her and looked up, and then back to the wall of fire. Scarlett made her way downstairs to join him.

“
It’s not Kat,” he said, as if reading her thoughts.

“
Who is it?”

“
A Nephilim I found in the crypt. He was possessed by a demon.”

“
A demon? What was he doing in the crypt?”

“
Trying to harvest Kat’s soul.”

“
Did he take it?”

“
No, I couldn’t even take it.”

“
Why not?”

“
I’m not sure. I guess it’s still very much attached to her body.”

Neither
spoke after that. They stood still, watching the body burn until a fire appeared in the sky behind them.

Legacy

When the sun had risen to mid-way in the sky later that morning
, Dyston had woken her with a sweet kiss, and told her that they needed to pack. They were going to be leaving Gabriel. Scarlett didn’t want to leave so soon, even though it had been a week since she had fallen. They would be leaving Kat behind.

After packing what little she owned
, Scarlett made her way down to the dining hall for breakfast, and found her friends at their usual table near the window. She made her way over and slid into the bench beside Dyston, who put an arm around her and slid a mug of a brown substance towards her. She realised it was coffee and inhaled deeply before taking a sip. It warmed her in an entirely different way than her Trait did.

“
I don’t want to leave this place, it’s so pretty. I love Sydney,” said Emer, who was in her usual bubbly mood.

“
And we have to leave Kat here. Beth said we can’t fly with her,” added Del.

“
Where are we going?” asked Scarlett.

“
We’re going to be making our way towards the Americas, to a branch of The Raphael Academy,” said Dyston.

“
It’s a long flight, so we’re going to be stopping over somewhere in the South Pacific,” added Jacob. An excited chatter immediately followed from the surrounding tables.

“
Wait, how are we going to get all the students there? Not all of us have our wings yet,” asked Scarlett.

“
Those of us who do have wings will fly. The others will be flying in the private jet,” said Jacob.

“
Why are we leaving Gabriel?” Scarlett turned towards Dyston.

“
Because we need to keep our students safe. We don’t know if or when The Lucifites will return.”

“
Why are we leaving Kat? Jacob told me that her soul hasn’t detached itself from her body yet.”

“
It hasn’t, but she won’t be without protection. Gabriel has a good defence, so they will protect her.” When he noticed her expression, he added, “Don’t worry, we will be doing good by leaving. Gabriel has kindly offered to help rebuild Melbourne.” Scarlett met his eyes.

“
Really? So we’re going to return to Melbourne?”

“
No, ‘cause my parents turned down the offer. We’re going to begin a new life in North or South America.”

“
But what about the other citizens of Melbourne?”

“
Everyone has fled. In time, it will be rebuilt, but right now, it’s not safe to go there.”

“
Why not?”

“
Because Lakyn still makes his home there.”

“
But I thought the city had been destroyed?”

“
Most of it has, but The Lucifites have an underground lair somewhere.”

“
Lair?” Scarlett raised her eyebrow at him.

“
That’s what I call it anyway,” he chuckled.

“
And how do you know about this ‘lair’?” she asked.

“
Let’s just say that it’s family business to know these things.”

Scarlett turned back to her coffee
. She didn’t ask him any more about the secret underground lair. If he trusted her, he would tell her in time. Wouldn’t he?

After breakfast everyone headed back to their dorms to retrieve their bags before heading to the airport. As Dyston led her through the corridors
, the sound of soft crying stopped them still. They paused and listened. It was coming from a nearby office. They peered in and saw Beth sitting at a desk and crying into her hands.

“
Mum?” asked Dyston, stepping closer. She looked up and quickly wiped her face, as if to hide what she had been doing.

“
Oh, sweetheart, I was going to come find you.”

“
What’s wrong?” he asked. Beth glanced at Scarlett.

“
I can go if this is a family matter?” suggested Scarlett.

“
No it’s all right, Scarlett. You are more or less part of this family now.” She grabbed a tissue and dabbed her mascara tracks, then added, “Unfortunately.”

“
Mum, what do you mean, ‘unfortunately’? What’s going on? And where’s Dad? I haven’t seen him around.”

“
That’s what I have to talk to you about, Dyston. He’s gone.”

“
What do you mean, gone?”

“
I mean he’s left, along with your brother.”

“
Oh, Mum, I…” he stepped closer and stroked her hair. “You still have me. I’m not going anywhere.”

“
Thank you, sweetheart. Now go. You need to get going.”

“
But…”

“
Go, I’ll follow.”

Scarlett took his hand and he reluctantly left his mother behind. As they made their way to their room
, Scarlett understood what this now meant. It meant that Dyston’s father had joined forces with Lakyn and the Lucifites.

At the airport
, there was a buzz of excited energy and a few tears. A few Blackbell students clung to Gabriel students in a farewell embrace, with each giving a promise to catch up in the near future. As they checked in the luggage, Scarlett turned to Dyston who seemed distant.

“
So where do
we
fly from?” she asked excitedly.

“
You are hopping on that plane,” he told her, taking her face in his hands.

“
What, but I thought…”

“
Your wings aren’t strong enough, since you just got them a week ago. Flying four straight hours… I can’t risk you growing weak.”

“
I’m not weak, Dyston. I’m actually stronger than you.” She pushed his arms away and crossed hers over her body. “I wish you would stop trying to wrap me in cotton wool. I’m not a child.”

“
I didn’t say you were a child… okay fine. You can fly with Jacob, and my mother and me. At the first sign of tiredness, you let me carry you.”

“
Fine, but I’m stronger than you know.” She was getting tired of his overprotectiveness. She swore to herself that she would prove to him just how strong she was.

“
Where’s Jacob?” Dyston asked his mother when she turned up.

“
I don’t know, dear, I haven’t seen him,” she replied. He ran over to Emer and Delilah next.

“
Have you seen Jacob?”

“
He isn’t coming,” replied Thomas, who had just come back from the drink stand. He handed Delilah a Coke Zero. Dyston sighed and closed his eyes.

“
What’s wrong?” Scarlett placed a hand on his arm.

“
I knew he’d do this.”

“
Do what?”

“
Refuse to leave her behind.”

Scarlett understood
. Jacob had to be there for when Kat’s soul decided to detach itself from her body.

“
Maybe he’ll join us later, when he’s ready.”

“
You’re right. Hey, what’s that?” he asked, looking at a leather satchel Scarlett had just given Emer.

“
I found it on my bed this morning, the note said to protect it.”

“
Who’s it from?”

“
I’m not sure. Father Luke, I presume. The note was unsigned.”

“
What is it?”

“
The legacy of my family.”

With the promise to protect the heavy tome on the plane, Emer took the satchel
. Then Dyston and Scarlett left to go to their secret runway along with the other winged angels. The place they were heading was about a fifteen minute’s drive away. Scarlett stared out the window of the car and saw luxurious mansions sitting on the side of steep cliff faces. When the car slowed and they got out, Scarlett realised they were in a cemetery.

“
What is this place?”

“
This is Clovelly Cemetery. It’s one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in Australia.”

“
But why are we here?”

“
Did I mention that these statues, the ones depicting angels, aren’t really statues?”

Scarlett looked arou
nd at the numerous stone angels. There were a few with their wings folded half way, poised to fly, and one embracing a small child. But the one that really caught Scarlett’s attention, and chilled her to the core, was a statue of a tall angel holding a human. She couldn’t tell if the human was male or female, or what rank they were. They were leaning over and embracing each other, as close as if they were about to kiss. She felt it was symbolic of what their world had become today. Scarlett didn’t hear Dyston come up behind her.

“
Sad, isn’t it?” he said.

“
I think it’s romantic.”

“
No, it’s sad. They were punished for falling in love.”

Scarlett suddenly realised what he meant. She followed him to the edge of the cli
ff.

“
You mean like you were?” she asked. He didn’t answer. He just stared out to sea.