The Taking (2 page)

I need to touch his skin. I must touch his skin if I am to defeat him. Letting go of one hand from his boot, I slide it up, aiming for his lower thigh just under his golden Roman warrior skirt. He sees this and twists and kicks me with a back kick, sending me shooting backward. As I project, long dark-brown strands of hair encase my face from the pressure of the force. I can barely see him shooting pulsating light in my direction with his hands. With my barrier raised, they bounce away from my body. Flicking my hair behind, I gaze at him hovering in front of me, the rays of the sun gleam golden off the loose strands of his light brown hair flowing to mid-neck.
 

I loiter, assessing his stance in return. It eludes me how I am going to defeat him. He has years of experience; I have less than a year, but this is why I am here. My progress is being tested by my trainer — Archangel Michael.
 

My eyes catch a glimpse of green on the sidelines. Archangel Raphael stands, waiting to heal the injured after the fight. Not the most comforting of images. It is supposed to be a friendly fight, one for training not to the death, but there is almost a guarantee of injury.
 

He shoots angelic light at me. Pulse, after pulse, after pulse; trying to break a hole through my protection barrier. Each pulse sounds like a bass drum entering my ears and vibrating through my temples. I move closer; I do not have the gift of sending pulses — I must touch. Another pulse hits from a closer distance. My barrier holds strong as I feel the jolt. At least these are made from white light, not the horrid black pulses sent by the demon that nearly killed my friend Cindy, not so long ago. I had only fought the demon for a short time before he fled Archangel Michael’s approach. My training practice today was to learn how to defeat him with my special powers. Archangel Michael was trying to imitate the demon
’
s powers.

I approach closer, then closer — hovering just out of reach. Another pulse is sent my way. I move slightly sideways to dodge it, then take the split second opportunity to dive toward the bear flesh on Archangel Michael’s leg. Success. I managed to touch his bare knee just below his warrior skirt. He grits his pearly white teeth showing through separated lips as I send the searing pain into his body. He grabs my outstretched hand and slammed his open palm onto my elbow, snapping the joint in the wrong direction. The pain is excruciating, and I almost pass out when I see my lower arm dangling the wrong way under the long dark blue sleeve of my bodysuit. Setting my jaw strong, determined not to give in despite the pain, I tilt sideways, reaching out my good arm to touch his bare leg. I send him a jolt of pain as I kick a heeled boot at his face. He flicks his arm with an outside block redirecting my heel away and into the air. At the same time, he opens his hand, grabbing my ankle, pushing it down. His steel blue eyes gaze into mine and instantly I know I am about to be in more pain. My teeth press firmly together determined to remove my foot from his grasp, but it is too late. Like watching it in slow motion, his free hand aims rapidly at my kneecap. As it connects, I watch the shoulder attached to that arm curve forward as the blow is delivered with extreme force. I listen in horror as I hear the shattering of the kneecap and the tearing of the tendons. My vision tunnels from the pain as I feel my body shove the few metres to the ground in rebound, hitting the grass with a thud.
 

In the near distance, I hear Cindy gasp and Ben’s baritone voice call out my name. No, wait, that sounded in my head. He could not have called out. The pain must be making me imagine things. While lying on the ground, I turn to find his bare torso, framed by majestic royal blue wings. The lower half of his body wears tight royal blue pants. My eyes discretely ogle his muscular torso until they reach his ocean blue eyes, finding them filled with pain. I try to force a smile to say everything is okay, but I give up. A soft thud sounds near my head.
 

“We have a lot of work to do, Aurora.” Archangel Michael is standing over me. His voice sounds unsympathetic.
 

Jeez, couldn’t the lecture wait? I’m having trouble thinking clearly I’m in so much pain.
My mouth remains shut.
 

I hear the soft crackling sound of footprints on the grass. A flash of green passes my eyes and I feel hands embrace my broken leg. As the angelic healing power enters my body and begins to mend my wounds, I take a deep breath.
 

Archangel Michael continues, “At times, you were extremely negligent.” His voice sounds uncaring but I know he is being strict for my safety. “You will not be able to defeat Separus if this is how you fight.”
 

Ah, yes the demon with the grudge against me, yet I have no idea why.
My knee finishes its mending and Archangel Raphael begins on the elbow. A grimace escapes my lips when he lifts it. After the pain stops shooting through my head, I look up at our leader. His jaw is set, and darts would bounce off his face, but his eyes hold a hint of sympathy.
 

“Yes, great leader.” I roll to a sitting position. “I will try to do better next time.” My elbow heals, and I stand. Weariness has overcome my body. I am determined to become the angel my leader wishes for, but I know I have a long way to go. Allowing my eyes to wander, I look around my training ground. Palm trees blow in the ocean breeze, their green complementing the striking blues of the Coral Sea. I have always loved this place. It is the first place I remember after becoming an angel and it was our fledgling training ground. Strangely the tropical island is based not far from the mainland of Queensland, Australia where I lived my last life as a human. The island is serene and calming despite our vigorous training schedule.
 

A Willie Wagtail bird swoops low and circles around my head. It perches itself on a rock not far away puffing out its white chest and wags its black fantail, chirping its little song. The little birds always brought me joy during my human life. I gaze into the bushes. It must have a nest around here somewhere and we are disturbing the peace.
 

“Let’s start again?” Archangel Michael’s voice brings me back from my peaceful surroundings.
 

I breathe in the salty air and begin to focus. I am not ready, but I know I must toughen up and learn as quickly as possible. I have made an enemy out of a demon of rank. I don’t have the luxury of time. Casting a quick glance at my audience, I couldn’t ask for a better crowd. Off to my left, I have my advanced training partners and best friends in this life, Ben and Cindy. Golden blonde hair flows past Cindy’s shoulders and frames her pale, perfect face. She is dressed in a yellow figure-hugging bodysuit, accentuated by lemon wings. On my right, I have the watchful eye of Archangel Raphael, one of the esteemed Archangels and healer of my injuries. Although I can heal myself, it is nice to have my wounds attended to by someone else. It’s like having your mum tuck you in bed and give you a cuddle when everything goes wrong in the world.
 

Archangel Raphael is always dressed in a long green angelic gown and pale green wings. The look of the plain colours causes me to look at my clothing. The colours are supposed to reflect our aura and everyone has one colour but me. For some reason my bodysuit is a mixture of deep blue and dark green intermingled, and finished with gold flecks. My wings are a brilliant golden yellow.
 

Standing with my feet shoulder width apart, I raise my hands in front and focus on my opponent, my trainer Archangel Michael — the greatest warrior of all time. When we trained as fledglings, we would only train against each other, but now the stakes are higher. I brace myself as I say, “Rea—”

A pale blue dressed figure slightly darker than a clear blue sky is standing between us. I blink, thinking I am seeing things, but the figure is still there.
 

Archangel Gabriel stands in the centre. The long angelic gown swishes around their ankles as the androgynous angel turns to face Archangel Michael. Puzzled by the sudden appearance, I study the angel from behind. I have not had much of a chance to study the kind-hearted archangel from this angle. Between the impressive white wings, the blonde curly hair sits just below the jawline and glows a light golden in the sun. Each white strand of feather sparkles under the daylight.
 

“Michael,” Archangel Gabriel says.

Moving slightly to the side, I study Archangel Michael’s face. His face looks as puzzled as I feel and does not seem too happy about the interruption.

“Yes, Gabriel? Can you not see I am busy?” He drops his hands to his side and stands firmly on the grassy ground.

Archangel Gabriel places a hand on their chin and says, “Well, yes, of course I can. Why else do you think I am standing in the middle? It is a matter of importance.”
 

Archangel Michael twists his mouth to one side, and his golden brown eyebrows push together as he studies the intruder. He folds his arms over his chest. “What is it then, Gabriel?”

In a voice not entirely feminine and not masculine they explain. “I have received a message from the archangels of the battlefield.”

“Hmm… and?” Archangel Michael asks leaning to the side.
 

“Separus has taken leave of the battle.”

Archangel Michael uncrosses his arms. “Do they know where he went?”
 

Archangel Gabriel’s curly hair swings with the shake of the head. “He simply vanished and they do not know where he has gone.”

Our trainer strokes his chin, the slender muscles in his arms ripple with each movement. “Is someone tracking him?”

“They tried, but lost the scent quickly and have now returned to the battle. The angels cannot spare any more of their fighters with your absence. Their resources are already stretched to the limit with the demonic forces continuing to grow.”

The great warrior surveys his three trainees. “It is imperative that these three are trained as soon as possible. There must be someone else to search for the troublesome demon.”

“I am afraid not Michael, they are in need of your help to track him down.”

As I wait for the discussion to finish, I move to stand with Ben and Cindy. The Willie Wagtail dives in front of me while I move then flies up to the closest tree shaking its black tail as it watches the two archangels.

 
I turn to watch the discussion and see Archangel Michael is continuing to observe us. By the look on his face I am certain that we are about to be sent back to our initial duties in protecting the innocent and inserting consciences. I am at two minds over this thought. I love protecting the innocent but I still hate inserting the conscience into the perpetrators who have potential to return to being a good person, especially when the majority of my victims ended up committing suicide. If I could have this power of mine turned down a little, then I would not struggle with the process.
 

Archangel Michael walks over to us and holds out his hands and summons the small cloud in his palms.
 

“What are you doing Michael?” Archangel Gabriel snaps.

He turns and looks at the genderless archangel. “I am sending them out to work, of course. We cannot have them standing around doing nothing. We are too short of angels to allow this, and they are not experienced enough to deal with the direct combat with the demons or travel with me to find Separus. So they must go back to work. At least they can help from that level by protecting the innocent and at the same time injuring the controlling demons.”

Archangel Gabriel raises a blonde eyebrow and crosses their arms. The look is almost contemptuous. Surprised by this, I glance at Ben and Cindy. I see amused expressions on their faces. Trying hard not to smile, I turn back to watch the commotion hoping to find out what is going on.
 

“Why are you standing there looking at me like that Gabriel?” Sternness mixed with annoyance sounds in Archangel Michael’s voice. The cloud disappeared from his hands, and he crosses his arms.
 

Archangel Gabriel places their hands on the hips. “You know why.” It was strange seeing a frown on the kind face.
 

“No, I don’t.” The golden brown hair flicked, aided by the wind as he shook his head.
 

Archangel Gabriel’s eyes tightened. “Are you really that stubborn? Shame on you!” While raising one finger and shaking it as if to a naughty child, the peacekeeper said, “This is one instance you should be forgetting your animosity and using the tools you have. You know full well you have someone who can train these fledglings to the needed level.” With arms flailing Archangel Gabriel continues, “As you said yourself, these three need to further their training, not be sent back to fundamental work, and you know the answer to what is necessary."
 

“You cannot be serious, Gabriel. I am not going to send them under earthbound care. Besides, I am not going to ask him. Even if I did, he would not accept. He does not support our cause anymore.”
 

My brows push together. “What do you mean by earthbound?” I ask.

Without looking at me, Archangel Michael spins a hand out as a stop signal toward me.
 

Ignoring my question Archangel Raphael steps forward. His face was serene as he looked at our leader. “Michael. Gabriel is correct. He is a fierce warrior—”

“Was,” snapped Archangel Michael. He seems angry. Usually he is intimidating and arduous but not angry.
 

The placid pale face of our healer held a hint of annoyance. “I am certain that after all the years of training and fighting, he has not forgotten.” His dark brown hair flicks as he shakes his head.
 

“His heart is not right. I am not asking him. Besides, as I said, he would not do it anymore. He made it clear that he was never fighting again after he became earthbound. He doesn’t even want to see us again.”

I can’t hold my tongue. I need to know. “What is earthbound and who is the man?”