Seventeen
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Dianna. Eight Hours Earlier. The Remains of
Rashearim.
T he wind caressed the thin black feathers of my wings as I circled the
large, sharp-tipped building on the remains of Rashearim. I blended in
with a small flock, watching several blue-tattooed celestials walk in and out of the massive structure. The sun reflected off its glass-like panels.
A golden paved bridge connected it to the large nearby city, a thick clear river running beneath it. Large, lush trees towered over the structure, aiding me in my efforts to stay concealed. Camila had helped cloak me, but I was nervous her magic wouldn’t reach this far. It was fine, though. I didn’t need to be here long, just enough time to take a few things.
I circled once more, darting away from the flock and heading toward the top of the building. It was the same one Samkiel had taken me to the first time we had visited. I saw a couple of figures move from the racks of books and back out of sight. I slowed my descent and landed on the balcony railing before hopping closer to the open doorway.
“There has been no word from Samkiel, so we will not act,” a gorgeous redhead said, clasping her hands together, the blue tattooed lines running over her skin only enhancing her features. Her red hair tumbled past her shoulders, practically glowing against her alabaster skin. She turned, the long silk white gown trailing after her as another spoke.
“The world shook. He summoned Oblivion, and yet we have heard nothing of it? Imogen spoke of her concern, yet we waited as always.” I hopped a little closer to see who spoke, careful not to give myself away.
The man sighed as he stood from the large carved marble table in the middle of the room. He was tall, lean, and had a nose that took up most of his face, but it didn’t look bad on him. No lines glowed over his features, so
he wasn’t a celestial. He wore the same white and gold garbs as the others.
“Regardless, it is better to be prepared for what may come than be left waiting once more.”
“I understand your unrest, Leviathan, but we are no longer on the brink of war. The realms are sealed and will remain that way as long as he breathes. The gods and creatures from our past are long dead. If Samkiel summoned Oblivion, that means he erased the threat,” the redhead said.
This must be the Council of Hadrameil.
“You have a fool’s heart and head, Elianna,” Leviathan said.
Elianna, huh? I ruffled my feathers, playing the part of the bird as I kept an eye on the room. The two other members here, a female with short hair and a male with inky dark hair, both celestials, watched Leviathan and Elianna’s exchange. I hopped a step closer right as a large figure stepped in front of me, blocking my view. I craned my head as the blond celestial I had met when I came here with Samkiel leaned against the balcony. He wore the same black and gold suit The Hand wore, with the interlacing gold buttons and tassels. It fit him like a glove, outlining every powerful lean muscle.
“Lost, little bird?”
Cameron. That was his name.
I froze as he turned toward me and tilted his head. The long blond mohawk ponytail spilled down his back. Had he sensed the Ig’Morruthen beneath my skin? Had he smelled me? That was his trick. He had a highly developed sense of smell. A tracker, Samkiel had said, but I suspected more of a hunter. My wings stretched, playing into the species I wore as if I didn’t understand a thing he said.
“Talking to birds now?” Another man approached, his voice deeper.
A smile formed on Cameron’s lips as he looked over his shoulder. The man that approached had his hands clasped behind his back. His garbs matched Cameron’s, and he wore his dreads in twin locks that draped across his shoulders. I recognized this man as well. Xavier. My heart sped up. I could take them. Of course, I could, but not here, not now. I came here for a reason and was hoping to sneak in and out.
Cameron grinned and nodded once at me. “I think our little bird here is lost.”
“Oh?” Xavier came closer, leaning against the railing on the opposite side of me. I didn’t move or fly away, afraid that if I did, it would give away who and what I was. I needed to be in the center of the room for what I
came to do. Fighting them would take too much of my time and alert Samkiel. I saw how animals reacted to the celestials. They seemed to enjoy their presence, so I remained calm. “Or you are avoiding another council meeting.”
Cameron snorted. “Fair, but I tire of Elianna and Leviathan practically jerking each other off over what’s the next power move.”
“They are just concerned,” Xavier said but chuckled at Cameron’s words. “Besides, Samkiel was a little peculiar on his last visit. So maybe there is cause for concern. Especially considering Gregory’s demise.”
Cameron tapped his fingers on his chin. “I liked Gregory.”
“No, you didn’t. You liked to annoy him.”
Cameron smiled, reminding me of a mischievous little boy. “Still, if something on Onuna is happening and celestials are dying, why hasn’t he called us back?”
Xavier shrugged and looked out into the forest. “I trust Samkiel. If there were a threat, a real one, he would call us.”
“Or he hates us.”
Xavier laughed. “If he hates anyone, it’s definitely you.”
“Me! It would be you. Remember the broadsword you lost?”
Xavier snorted, and they continued to quip. I focused again on the council room, where Leviathan and Elianna still argued. I hopped a few inches on the balcony and flapped as if stretching my small wings.
“How much you want to bet they fuck after this?” Cameron rubbed his hands together and chuckled, the sound rumbling in his broad chest.
Xavier laughed once more, this time the sound deep and rich. “Elianna fucking anyone is asking for rain on Gouldurim.” Xavier paused. “Fifty gold coins, at least.”
Cameron’s answering smile lit up his face. “You have a bet.” He focused on me again, placing a hand underneath his chin, his silver rings glistening in the sunlight. “Now you, little bird. Have you lost your flock?
Where is your family?”
Dead.
The word screamed inside me, but I only chirped in response.
“Seriously?” a feminine voice snapped from behind them, pure blue eyes glaring at the two of them. “Both of you?”
Cameron and Xavier stood straight as if she had caught them doing something they shouldn’t.
She’d swept her blond hair back, revealing her perfect face. She wore the same garbs as the council members, but hers were cut at the sides to reveal the elegant lines of her torso. Her skin shone as if she were born from light itself. She was leaner than in Samkiel’s dreams but still curvy and one of the most gorgeous women I had ever seen.
“Honestly, are you really surprised, Imogen?” Cameron sighed, waving toward the throne room. “I was bored after the first ten minutes.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re The Hand. We stay, we watch, we listen, you know this. And you,” her voice turned sharp as she looked toward Xavier, “can’t you keep him in line for one meeting?”
Xavier grinned. “My apologies. I’ll try harder next time.”
Cameron shot him a look of pure mischief. “Please, he encourages me.”
They laughed and Imogen rolled her eyes. I spread my wings, heading back into the sky. Unable to be there any longer. My stomach rolled. They were happy and joking. They were a family, and I envied them so very damn much. Their world kept spinning as if mine hadn’t stopped at all.
“Ah damn, Imogen. You scared my little bird away.” I heard Cameron say as I circled the building, heading toward the treeline.
H ours . I’ d sat here for hours , watching and waiting , but that damned council never left the chamber, not once. Didn’t they have to pee or something? Damn. I could see the open balcony perfectly from where I perched, and I watched them refer to books and talk and talk and talk.
Occasionally, I would catch the black and gold uniform passing by the balcony as Cameron and Xavier did their rounds. Every time Cameron’s gaze would focus on the heavy tree where I sat. It might be exhaustion trying to creep back in after the exertion of power it took to get here, or maybe it was just paranoia, but I swear he looked right at me each time.
I shook it off, nestling into the thick part of the tree, and waited.
And waited
And waited.
The sun set, and the world finally went quiet.
I glanced at the balcony again. This time I saw no one and heard no feet or voices. Finally. I wasted no time in taking to the sky, flying toward the balcony. As soon as I passed the ledge, my form twisted into black smoke, and I became myself once more. My heels clicked across the marble floor, the twin tails that hung from my jacket flowing behind me with each step.
The enchanted vial Camilla gave me rested snug between my breasts. I patted it, making sure I hadn’t lost it.
“Spill one drop to enter. Two drops to summon the vortex. Three drops to return to the Etherworld.”
Camilla’s voice floated in my head, reminding me what to do. I released a long slow breath, remembering just what swished in the vial between my breasts. It held Samkiel’s blood I had collected on that ship, and blood from a god could open many doors.
The council room was silent. The flames flickered in the sconces, casting puddles of light on the floor. I spun, turning back toward the balcony. This was where we had come after visiting Roccurem for the first time. I had held his arms and forced him to look at me, to listen as I tried to exorcize the demons that plagued him. I cared for him more than I wanted to admit. My eyes grew hot, the pain in my chest threatening to grow.
And a lock on a door in a house rattled.
No. It wasn’t real. It was just convenient at best. We were stuck together, looking for that damned book. That was all it was. That was it, and it had cost me everything. I spun away from the edge and those memories, turning my attention to the books scattered on the table. Old texts and scrolls I could not read. Hmm. They may come in handy, though. My fangs descended as I raised my hand and bit, blood pooling in my palm. I drizzled it over the books, chanting as I went.
“Ves grun tella mortumon.” Return to the void.
As the blood touched the texts, they popped out of the room one by one until nothing was left but an empty table. Good, now it was time for the real work. I dipped my hand into my shirt for the enchanted vial and stopped.
I wasn’t alone.
“Well, aren’t you gorgeous and not a little bird, after all?”
I slipped my hand from my bodice and turned toward his voice as the room shimmered and changed.
It wasn’t dark or empty as I’d first thought. Cameron leaned casually in the doorway with an ablazed weapon in hand. Xavier was on my right, his
hands clasped in front of him as he stared at me. I didn’t need to look to know that Imogen was glaring holes in my back, her own sword drawn.
“You like?” I ran a hand over the white pantsuit I wore. The top exposed my midsection, the jacket hanging off my shoulders. “I thought white seemed more of your guys’ style here. The fake notion of all things good and right in the world. I wanted to look my best and fit in.”
A low whistle left Cameron’s mouth. “You’re a nasty little thing, aren’t
you?”
“You have no idea.”
A corner of Cameron’s lip twitched as the other two circled me.
“I am curious.” My words were short and genuinely concerned. I hadn’t felt them here the whole time. “How does your little magic trick work?”
“If you know about this place, I assume you know about us. See, Xavier here descends from the Witch Goddess, Kryella. He may not have all her powers, but he can cast a very effective glamor.”
“That’s neat.” And unexpected, I thought. Fuck. This was going to take longer than I had planned.
Cameron’s eyes scanned me from head to toe, no doubt scanning me for weapons. “So, tell me, little bird, who and what exactly are you?”
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