Part 21 (1/2)
”We have to save them,” I rush to say to the angel beside me.
”Yes, if that is where they are. But first things first, we have to survive. If I am right, a great war is coming our way.”
”Here?” I ask puzzled, wondering what anyone would want with this part of the world. He nods in answer.
”The Epitome?” I ask apprehensively, and he nods again with his calm face.
”They want to go home.” he says as a matter of fact.
”But they can't. The portal is closed.”
”Yes, but they don't know that.”
”Shouldn't we just let them come and find out, and we could hide somewhere?” I ask hopefully.
”No, when they realize the portal is closed they will scour the earth in search of a Guardian, for they know no angel would agree to this mission if they did not have an a.s.surance that they could go back home.”
”But they wouldn't know it is me.”
”They would, eventually. Your scent, and your imprints are all over the Epitome. Even if you hide, they would do everything to draw you out. If they have the Divine Army with them, they could harm your parents to draw you out.”
”We cannot let that happen,” I cry out to him desperately.
”No, we can't,” he agrees quietly, and I throw my hands around him in relief, glad that he would want to save my parents.
That is the other thing that is different about him, I realize. He is a protector, I can sense it in my bones. That is why I am always on guard with the other angels, but not so much with Penuel. Raphael, the warrior and healer. Ariel, the warrior. Azrael, the angel of death. Penuel, the guardian. They all have roles.
”What do we do?” I ask softly.
”We prepare for battle!”
Chapter 26.
”Oh wow, you are getting a lot better,” Araqiel exclaims, still bent over, trying to catch her breath.
We have been at this for days now. Every evening when dad and my grandparents have gone to bed, Penuel sneaks me out of my room to the Epitome.
Today had been different, however, for I left immediately after dinner, telling dad that I wanted to go out for a couple of hours.
”Just to jog around or walk for a couple of hours. I miss the outdoors, but every day we have been working on the house,” I bit myself in reproof when I saw the look of guilt in his eye.
”I understand princess, I am so sorry about that though. If it makes you feel better, the house will soon be done.”
”No dad, don't get me wrong. I enjoy working on the house. But soon the days will be cold, grey and wet. I just want to enjoy this evening outdoors.”
”It's alright,” he'd said smiling. ”Are you sure you don't want me to tag along?”
”I'll be fine dad,” I called as I grabbed my rain jacket from the closet at the entrance hallway and rushed out.
My feet barely touched down on the gravel before a creature swooped in, grabbed me, and we soared up into the sky together, before landing gently on the soft cus.h.i.+ony gra.s.s of Rundskov Park. The pond just before us was covered in a golden glow of the evening sun. Araqiel then emerged from a tree where she was perched, her leafy green wings spread out behind her.
After the light small talk and niceties, the two angels then began practicing with me, making me steal their Essence and use it to reinforce the s.h.i.+eld. That is what we are still doing, and apparently I am being an adept student.
”But, can the fallen not feel us right now as we play around with our Essence? Won't they catch on what is happening?” I ask Penuel.
”No, not if we are in the Epitome,” he answers me. ”The s.h.i.+eld is s.h.i.+elding us!” I laugh lightly at the silly word pun.
I once again concentrate on stripping away Penuel's and Araqiel's Essence simultaneously, and it works.
”Great work!” Araqiel calls, and I just manage to meet Penuel's high five on time as I mumble my thanks. We three then seat on the bench in silence, catching our breaths after the strenuous activities. I note Araqiel's elbow is bleeding from the hard fall she took after I stole her Essence while she'd been midair, and I cringe in remorse.
”It's alright, just a little sc.r.a.pe,” she answers smiling in her beautiful lilt when she sees my grimace. ”I just hate that I have to recover by myself, now that Raphael is MIA.”
A silence falls over us.
”How long will it take to recover?” I ask her.
”An hour or two,” she says and I burst out laughing.
”What? Then why am I sorry for you?” I mock and we all laugh lightly.
”Is it true, about you and Raphael?” Araqiel suddenly asks when we fall back to silence again, the question surprising me.
”And what is that?” I ask her puzzled, curiosity having the better of me.
”That you are wildly attracted to him?” She brazenly queries. Her head is slightly bent forward as she studies me, and from the corner of my eyes I can just see Penuel looking back at me just as intently.
”That when he is near you, your temperature rises, and you begin to sweat, and that when he touches you, your senses spiral and your thoughts are scattered.”
”Wow!” I exclaim both surprised and embarra.s.sed at how accurately descriptive those words are, and just how awkward they sound once spoken out.
Why couldn't we all just avoid the awkwardness by simply asking, is it true that you are attracted to Raphael?
”Ummh... Well I never thought to put it into those words,” I giggle nervously at her. ”But yeah, I think he is hot. And my teenage body reacts as expected, despite the fact that I loathe his very being with my whole heart.” She giggles in response, and I am glad that she seems content with the answer and doesn't push it.
”Don't worry. He is used to it!” She answers me with what is supposed to be a rea.s.suring smile. Another way of telling me, you have no chance there. I answer her with a smile of my own that I hope says- I do not want that chance anyway. My phone then vibrates in my pocket, and I see it is dad calling.
”Hi dad!”