Divinity: Immolation: Book Three (The Divinity Saga) (2 page)

She was gauging my expression. I had no reason to lie to her about that. I was just as shocked as she was when they relayed that message to me in Angelic.

“Sent by Elohim? So…this is already known and allowed?” She asked softly. An incredulous and confused expression masked her face.

I nodded.

Bewilderment now contrasted her initial confusion.

“That…isn’t the only thing.” I slowly said.

Her eyes snapped up to mine waiting for me to unleash another bomb.

I shifted and sighed, unsure at first if I should even tell her.

“Since we were together,” I started carefully, “We’ve developed the ability to communicate telepathically too.”

I expected the look on Edanai’s face to shift into further disbelief but her expression remained cool.

“What else did you expect?” She mocked.

I looked at her irreverently. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shook her head as she strode alongside the table, ending up behind me.

She leaned in over my shoulder and spoke softly, “The conduit that established the link between you two is the child growing in her right now. At this rate, it won’t be long before she gives birth. I’m a little curious as to how all of this will play out but I suppose if the angels are aware of it and you’re still alive…” She trailed off.

It was quiet.

Of course. That
made sense.

I didn’t know how this was all going to work out either because it wouldn’t be long before someone there would pick up on it, like that damned seraphim.

“Would you please keep this to yourself? I don’t want anyone else to know right now, not even Rahab.” I told her.

She gave a soft snort of disbelief. “I don’t know how long you think it will go unnoticed but sure, I won’t breathe a word of it. I’m going to go. I’ve got plans with friends.” She added abruptly.

Edanai didn’t need to leave like this not when other dangerous threats still loomed.

I stood up. “Edanai, please be careful. I’d much rather you keep Rahab with you.”

She pressed her lips in annoyance, “I think Rahab has better things to do than to shadow me around as a bodyguard. I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself, no need to worry.”

“Rahab cares deeply for you, like I do. That means that I’m not going to let you get away with worrying about me if I can’t worry about you. I would feel better if you had others with you
, and that you at least make sure that you keep in touch with me often.”

I wasn’t going to breathe a word of Morning Star’s threat to Edanai. I know her.

It would just make her that more militant in daring him to do something or make a move against her.

She lifted her chin and pierced me with a hard stare, “No. Your plate is beyond full right now. I can promise the first part but the second is a no go.”

“That’s not fair, Edanai.”

“Fair, is a not a term that we as Fallen are familiar with anymore. It’s a good thing that y
ou waited, I suppose. If she were still a simple human rather than super, she wouldn’t survive giving birth— let alone physical sex with you. You’re an absolute demon in bed.” She winked and then she began to ghost away.

I stared at the blank space where she stood a moment ago, cringing at her words and the thought. My child would possess half of what I am. Darkness by virtue of being a Fallen. I’ve already doomed this child to a lifetime of having to fight and resist the permanent cursed wickedness that he or she would inherit.

I was suddenly overcome with a feeling that this would be the last time that I ever saw Edanai. I had been helpless to make her stay.

“Rahab.”
I called out telepathically.

“You don’t even have to ask, my friend. I will never be too far behind her. I promise that I will not let her out of my sight.
” Rahab answered back right away.

“Thanks. Your safety is just as important to me too”

Rahab laughed heartily
. “I appreciate that, my lord.”

I mumbled my annoyance verbally with a shake of my head.
I know that Rahab would undoubtedly protect her, but his assurance failed to make me feel any better about Edanai being away from me right now.

III. Starling

I
’m not sure how long I simply just stood there, staring at the panel of elders, speechless. What else could I say or do that wouldn’t appear…questionable?

Spencer, Brynn, and Kaia headed over to the double doors once the elders all stood to signal the end of this inquisition. My pulse raced with chilling dread.

It wasn’t so much over what they might discover, I just didn’t want to have to think about skirting and reassembling the truth to keep my actions and Cam’s name out of any explanation.

I wanted to be a warrior.

I meant every word of the oath that I took but I’d be a fool to think they wouldn’t know or eventually find out.

What did Aon and Aliks want or expect for me to do now? Why had I been the only one to see them, and where were they
now?

“How is everything going?”
Cam’s voice suddenly entered my head.

“Not good.”
I replied.

There was brief pause on his end. I shouldn’t have said that. I should’ve told him that everything was fine.

“Why?”
He asked. I could hear the anger building in his tone.

“They want me to get examined by the succor here.”

“Did they explain why?”
he wanted to know.

“They don’t have to. I already know what they’re looking for and it wasn’t their suggestion, it was Spencer’s.”

“Who the hell is Spencer, so I’ll know who to hurt when I see him?”

I wanted to laugh at Cam’s humor but somehow I don’t think he was joking about that. “He’s one of the earthbound Seraphim.”

There was another long pause on his end.

“I’ve seen him.”
Those three words sounded so powerful, I swear I could already feel the heat of his mounting anger swirling around inside my brain.

“Something wrong, Starling?” Spencer’s voice cut into our personal mental conversation just then.

I snapped my head up and turned to look at the three of them standing at the double-doors, waiting for me.

The elders had already cleared the room and only two warrior guards remained. I bit my lip, suppressing an urge to say something smart.

I joined them at the door, not venturing to meet either one of their eyes as I walked past them and out into the corridor.

“Cam, don’t do anything, please.”

“I didn’t promise you that. This is different.”
He replied.

“I’ve got this. I’ll keep you posted, don’t worry.”

“Can you get away afterwards? Even if you have to meet me at the very edge of the Divine Hall grounds where it meets neutral land?”

“I’ll try but I don’t know how long this may take.”

“I don’t mind waiting. I’ll be watching in the meantime.”

Brynn, the seraphim with light, faintly glittering, gold-colored skin asked softly, “Why do you seem so distraught?”

Kaia, the sienna colored seraphim flanked my other side, and Spencer remained behind us.

The sound of her voice was soothing, kind of reminding me of a relaxing lullaby, and she actually sounded genuinely concerned.

I cast a sideways glance at her with just my eyes. “I’m not distraught. I’m tired and I’m not really enthused about being poked and prodded.” I answered.

Remaining just a step or two behind them, I let the both of them lead the way down the corridor, up a small flight of steps, and then hooking another right into a wide, arched breezeway.

I wasn’t sure what kind of examination this was going to be but I’ll be damned if I was asked to put my feet up into any stirrups.

“Poked and prodded?” Kaia intruded.

“She’s new. She doesn’t know how the succors work.” Spencer added in his two cents from behind us.

I didn’t even turn around to address or acknowledge him. I would have cursed him out if I did.

“Ah, I almost forgot. Don’t worry Starling, you’ll be fine. This is standard practice for any warrior who’s been either badly wounded or…”

“Tainted?” I cut her off brashly. I didn’t mean to snap and sound bitchy but it couldn’t be helped.

She didn’t seem surprised or affronted by my outburst or choice of a word but it did silence her for the moment.

“What’s happening?”
Cam’s voice was insistent.

“Nothing yet.”
I replied.

Two warriors were emerging out of a set of wooden doors that loomed ahead on the left. The placard set in the s
tone wall above the doors read:

Medical Aid and Examination. All Weapons Prohibited. Please Retract Before Entering.

The female wore a bandage around her neck and the male with her held her steady for support as they walked together past us.

“Why is she wearing a bandage? Don’t we heal on our own—and fast?” I asked all of them as Spencer moved ahead to open the doors for us.

Kaia answered, “She was probably poisoned by a hell thorn.”

“What’s a hell thorn?” I followed behind her and Brynn into the medical quarters.

“They’re a poisonous and dangerous annoyance because the thorns are small but they contain a large dose of both paralytic and hallucinogenic properties. Once its venom enters your system, it’s almost impossible to dispel.” She explained.

“I’ll see if Ilka or Rubie are available.” Spencer spoke as I continued to follow behind Brynn and Kaia into an octagon shaped sitting area. Nothing but several wooden chairs, a few books
, and three potted plants adorned the room. The light sources came from bowl shaped sconces lining the walls, and they were filled with bright yellow and orange illuminated rocks, which I found unique and interesting.

I sighed and remained standing, fidgeting with anxious impat
ience as they both took a seat.

“So, where do hell thorns grow? The Darklands?” I asked.

“A hell thorn is a vine-like creature not a plant, and they thrive in sludge pools and underground caves over there. They’re very hard to see until it’s too late, especially in the dark. That’s why you should never venture anywhere near the Darklands on your own. Many of the demons and the fallen like to use hell thorns to coat their weapons.” Kaia answered.

I raised my brows in alarm. “Like they need anything else to use against us. Most of them have magic and that’s an unfair advantage as it is.” I commented.

“Their magic isn’t always fully effective against you guys, depending on what it is and where it hits you first. But you’ll be learning all about that in your classes.” Brynn answered.

“I admire you, Starling. You’re a lot tougher than you look.” Kaia then said.

I glanced at her in surprise. “Why do you say that?” I asked her. She simply smiled.

I wasn’t sure how to take her words or her smile but before I could say anything else, Spencer peered around the corner and beckoned me forward with his index finger.

I sighed internally and trudged over towards him.

“Last room on the right down that way.” He pointed.

Without a word, I followed his direction not bothering to wait for him if he decided to follow me.

The he
avy wooden door was propped open. I stopped just inside of it to take in the examination room. I was surprised to see a simple long slab of stone covered in a soft pallet of blankets sitting in the middle of the room. It was much like the one I had been placed on when I first awoke here. There was a wall of small, square shelves that were full of all sorts of liquids, powders, and bandages.

A petite, young woman sat at a long, wooden table. She was clearing away some items that she had been using before turning her attention to me with a warm, friendly smile.

“Hello Starling, come on in.” She waved me forward as she stood up and walked over to greet me. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting her to look like, and I wondered if she were of the human species at all or if she was like Spencer.

She wore a long, white kimono-style top. Though her face was smooth and young, her hair was completely white and cropped with short- peaked spikes all over. She didn’t have any brandings either, like Lira and Diana.

“You needn’t stay, Spencer. Thanks.” She smiled pleasantly, meeting and blocking Spencer from entering into the room.

He grinned sheepishly. “Right. I think I’ll wait though. I wa
nt to make sure she’s alright.”

“You can leave now.” I snapped with agitation.

He seemed injured by my sharp words.

“I’m the succor here. She’ll be fine. Bye.” Ilka further insisted as she gently closed the door in his face.

I felt relief once she did but now I was really both nervous and wary.

She chuckled, shaking her head, “He’s something else isn’t he? Anyhow, I’m Ilka. Why don’t you go ahead and lie down up there and just relax,” She pointed to the slab examination table, “This shouldn’t take long. You look fine to me.”

She crossed back over to a water basin at the other end of the wooden work table.

I sighed softly as I slowly walked up the small set of steps onto the platform surrounding the slab, and
then slowly turned with my back to it.

I reluctantly sat down already feeling uncomfortable.

“Oh and go ahead and remove your jacket for me too, please.” She added.

She was gingerly washing her hands in a basin and I took my time slipping out of the jacket

“Sorry, I may be a little offensive. They didn’t give me a chance to bathe or change let alone breathe since I’ve been back.” I told her.

She laughed, “So I’ve heard. No need to apologize for that. Congratulations on making it back safely. You have my undying gratitude and respect for what you did to save a fellow warrior. Returning on your own, especially as a brand new warrior
, is not something that we’re used to seeing, which is why we’re all even more adamant in making sure that you’re okay— both physically and metaphysically. That’s mainly what we succors do, by the way. We affirm that your energies, both spiritual and mental, are aligned and still positive. We also use touch to search and heal all sorts of internal damage that may not be visible to the eye or healing well on their own.” She quickly dried her hands on a towel and then walked back over to me.

“Succors possess stronger healing energies than that of regular warriors and we transmit that extra power unto the injured, that’s all.” She assured me with a pleasant smile to
ease my obvious apprehension.

“I’m not injured.” I said flatly.

She looked me over in a brief flash. Her level of intelligence didn’t match what she looked like to me. She reminded me of the girl in my photo album, China. I instantly felt a connection to that aspect of her.

“I believe you. However, some things can manifest later and begin to cause ailments, so this is more of a precaution.” She smiled again.

“Are you going to use magic?” I asked.

She shook her head, “No, no magic. It’s a healing talent. So tell me, how are you feeling right now?”

Her teal colored eyes observed me closely. Though she appeared to be simply glancing over me, I could literally feel that she was doing much more than that. There was a definite warmth that gently caressed my skin. Was she literally x-raying me with her eyes?

“I’m fine. Never better.”

She gave me a customary nod. “I’m sure you are but your aura speaks differently. Why don’t you lie back and just relax. I want to check a few things.” She urged.

“Spencer didn’t fill you in?” I finally gave in, swinging my legs up and over onto the slab to recline flat on my back.

The sooner I cooperated, the sooner I could get out of here and plot Spencer’s severe ass kicking from the privacy of my room.

“I’d rather hear it from you. Just keep looking straight up.” She instructed.

She held a golf ball-sized, clear crystal or quartz in front of my eye. A milky white substance swirled slowly around inside of it and then it began to glow softly. Ilka studied my eye carefully.

“What’s that for?” I asked.

“It can detect signs of change within your body. The eyes are the windows into the mind and soul after all.” She smiled.

The crystal maintained its soft, milky white glow, shifting into a slight bluish hue in its center by the time she was finished. I found it mesmerizing. Apparently not seeing anything unusual in the first one, she did the same to my other eye.

“All clear?” I finally asked after a few minutes.

She nodded. “All clear.” She affirmed and then slipped the crystal into the pocket of her kimono shirt.

That was a relief, though part of me wondered that if Cam’s essence was still lingering in me, how would it show itself other than tainting my aura?

Ilka began softly stroking her fingers through the curls in my tangled hair. Her fingertips softly began to graze my scalp and I instantly fell into a state of relaxation that left me feeling weightless. My lids began to flutter, feeling heavier with each passing second.