"Are you nuts?! Summoning an angel is worse than summoning a ghost, especially when there's an unclaimed god in the room!" Maeve shouted.
Vivian was already standing up and searching her bookshelves, lacking hesitance as her speed increased. Maeve tried to stop her but she pushed her away.
"You wanted my help... this is me helping you," her aunt said excitedly. Just a minute ago she looked terrified out of her mind but now she was jittery as hell.
"You know that cage spell that almost every witch uses during a dangerous summoning?" she asked her niece, pulling out a large book from her collection.
"Yes, but are you sure that'd work against an angel?" Maeve replied. By the tone of her voice, it seemed she'd lost the will to discourage the plan. It was obvious her aunt wasn't easy to convince otherwise when she got her mind set on something.
"No... not at all. But it's worth a try!" she said. Delilah even regarded her with curiosity as she moved to an empty corner of the room and began reading something from the book she pulled. No one else tried to hinder her and warn her of the risks. I didn't really know any myself but I could tell the plan wasn't very full proof, and I was the one in the greatest danger.
At the end of yet another Latin tongue, a green mist showered down from the ceiling in Vivian's corner. When it faded, nothing stood after it, but the witch held a crooked smile as she turned to us. "The cage is up," she said. I was baffled by her words, obviously because I saw nothing but a vacant corner. There was no difference in its contents, no iron bars, and no more green mist. Apparently, no one else saw it either because they all gave her the same quizzical look, aside from Maeve.
"This is stupid, Viv," she said to her. "This could probably get us all killed." It was too late for her to do any more convincing; Vivan had already removed another book and was starting to read another verse in the language that probably everyone but me understood. I kind of hid myself behind Maeve who didn't seem anywhere near as bothered as me. Her expression was coated more with annoyance than with fear, but it was still detectable in her green eyes. She took my hand in hers and made eye contact.
"She's stubborn but trustworthy," she whispered to me. I didn't even take the time to nod my head as Vivan's voice increased in volume. She was waving one hand at the corner with the invisible cage, a sedated expression set on her slightly aged face. I swallowed a lump of dread as nervous goose bumps spread across my skin and my frantic eyes watched her.
Finally, her chanting faded into silence and she glared into her mystical corner. Nothing happened for a few seconds, but then all the candles went out with an audible sound that made me jump into Maeve. The room was cast into blackness, and since the door was closed and there were no windows in the room, nothing could be seen... not even the witch that was clung to my side.
Mine was silent, but I could hear her uneven breathing as she started to shake. I trembled alongside her as my eyes searched for some source of light in the pitch black darkness. It was a time where Kade's flames would become useful, but he didn't seem to get the hint.
Everything that happened was no doubt the result of Vivan's "angel summoning spell". But if it was an angel, why were we sitting in darkness instead of gleaming light? Was I just being too stereotypical about this?
My eyes searched over and over for what felt like hours until they landed on something that startled me half to death. Amongst the blackness were two bright purple eyes, like mine, that stood out like spotlights. They literally glowed and watched me, seeming to study me even though I wasn't very visible. Whoever... or whatever they belonged to blinked slowly as they tilted their invisible head to the side.
The room suddenly ignited with light as all the candles became lit with purple flames. It was dimmer than before, but at least we could all see each other again. It was nice to have something my eyesight could adjust to.
Even though there was lighting, the figure with the purple eyes stayed hidden in the shadows of its corner, still analyzing me with wide, attentive pupils. I couldn't look away from them, even when Vivian cleared her throat to speak.
"Step forth into the light so we can see you. No need to hide like a coward," she ordered boldly. The eyes stayed fixated on me and mine on them. I was afraid and hypnotized, a terrible combination for this situation.
"You house a god, witch. A goddess, actually," a new and extremely deep, raspy voice said in reply. "Come closer, young one. I mean no harm to you." I glanced over at Vivian with sweaty panic, only to receive a nod of confirmation. Reluctantly, I let go of Maeve's hand and took a few steps toward the dark corner, being sure to keep a distance from the cage I couldn't even see.
Out of nowhere, the eyes jumped at me and stopped just inches from my face, wide as the sound of clanging iron accompanied their cease. The corner suddenly ignited with bright green flames as it formed actual bars and a whole cage was developed, enlightening the figure inside with the new light.
It.. or he, now that I could see, wasn't as scary as I'd imagined. He was tall, muscular even, with pale skin that probably seemed lighter due to his paper white hair and suit. By suit, I mean an actual formal white tux, excluding a tie, that, in any case, would make him stand out like a sore thumb. If that, his matching hair, and his bright purple eyes didn't do the trick, then maybe the enormous, magnificent wings on his back would do it.
They were folded against his back, like a bird almost, and covered in clean white feathers. The cage prevented him from spreading them any further but even so, they were huge, bigger than me almost. Each wing had a rounded arch at the top and the tips ended just at the bend in his knees, which made them match my stereotypical angel wings image.
I couldn't look away from them because they were so beautiful, so glorious my lips even parted in awe.
"The rumors were true," the angel said in his own awe as he continued to stare at me with wide eyes. His pale hands wrapped around the bars as he stuck his face through them, coming a bit too close for my comfort. I took a couple steps back and tried to recover myself from my transfixion.
"What is your name, young goddess?" he asked.
"You first," Vivian barked before I could say anything. The angel finally looked over at her, cold and grim but eyes still wide.
"Ciel," he answered in a deep voice that didn't really match his young complexion. He turned his interest on me again and flashed a hidden smile, waiting.
"B-Bella," I breathed in a small stutter.
"Bella," he repeated in a whisper as he gripped the bars tighter. "I see you're unclaimed. Heaven's gone awhile without a guardian such as yourself. Oh, dear goddess, would you mind offering us your cooperation and becoming an ally?"
"She's not joining you," Vivian snapped.
"But she has the purple eyes! She's pure! Pure unlike you, witch. A pure and unclaimed god is... is a blessing. Please, dear Bella... we could do so much with you on our side," he begged.
"I'm not a war god," I claimed meekly. His eyes drooped with disappointment, confusion more than anything.
"All gods are capable of war," he whispered.
"I didn't summon you so you could beg for an alliance. We need your help with something," Vivian once again added. Ciel looked at her and scowled massively.
"I don't assist those who cage me," he said. He lowered his head like a predator targeting its prey. I started to notice how intimidating he actually was and almost told Vivian to back off.
"The cage is for the safety of us and our goddess. We can't trust an angel nor a demon around one that is unclaimed," she said. She returned his unfriendly gaze and folded her arms defiantly.
"I'm not malicious, I wouldn't take Bella against her will. I surely wouldn't want to bring harm to her or the people at her side. Why anger a potential ally, especially one stronger than I?" Ciel insisted. I figured it was best to keep quiet about the fact that he was technically stronger than me at the moment, considering I barely knew how to completely use my powers.
"How do I know you're not lying?" Vivian asked. I knew the answer before Ciel even said it.
"I'm an angel. I don't lie." She gave him a skeptical look and glanced over at me to get my word. My eyes widened in shock, though, since I wasn't looking forward to making the decision.
"You have to promise not to kidnap me or hurt anybody. More importantly, you have to be willing to talk," I said. He let go of the bars and stood straight up.
"I can do that, milady," he responded. Reluctantly, I peered over at Vivian and nodded slowly. She inhaled a deep breath, waved her hands over the bars, and stepped back as they faded into thin air.
Ciel took a suspicious look around the room and expanded his wings only slightly. Doing so too much would knock books off of Vivian's shelves.
"Uphold your end of the deal, angel," she announced bitterly. Odis and Maeve came to my side, probably to serve as guards just in case our little friend went rogue. No one was showing him any kindness, any trust, or any respect. I couldn't figure out how the plan was supposed to work if they didn't warm up to him even the slightest.
"I'm listening," he said quietly.
"The warding your kind put on the castle with all the spirits, you know it?" Odis asked him sharply.
"Of course I do, I was one of those who added the wardings," Ciel answered.
"Do you know if it houses the great wizard, Galendale?" Maeve questioned.
"I've heard he was trapped in there after we finished our business. We're not entitled to release the wardings just to let him out, though. Doing so would cause too much havoc among the spirits. They're attracting too much attention, from both supernaturals and humans," the angel said matter-of-factly. "For the safety of all, that castle must remain on lockdown. What's inside must stay inside, and what's on the outside must stay on the outside."
"You don't understand, I have to see Galendale! His time travel coin is why I'm here," I explained painfully.
"The coin is real?" Ciel asked, seeming surprised to hear the information. After pondering it for a few seconds, he shook his head as if he was considering something extremely above his pay grade. "Doesn't matter. I can't remove the wardings just so you can speak to him. It would put too many people in danger."
"How exactly?" Odis asked.
"Spirits don't bond well with humans, not the vengeful ones, at least. Considering it's built on a graveyard, if that castle wasn't on lockdown, humans would be getting suspicious and would easily come across the ghosts that roam in and out of that place constantly. The ones on the outside are losing interest now that they can't get in," Ciel responded.
"Why are they so attracted to it?" Maeve asked.
"Graveyards are like sacred land, which acts as a magnet for most spirits. Plus, ghosts like to stick together, it's like their way of assuring themselves that they aren't alone. The castle is where a lot of them go and gather, just so they can be together," he answered.
"Looks like angels like to even rain on the deads' parade," Vivian huffed.
"It's for the safety of the living, witch," he barked at her. I had to agree with Vivian on this one. The spirits have already been through enough and if sticking together is their way of proving their remaining humanity, then so be it. Why try to split them up?
"I need to see Galendale, Ciel. We've been through so much just to see him," I begged. "Please, help me just this once."
"Even if I was allowed to remove the wardings, I wouldn't. Helping you would be just like betraying Heaven. You're not even our ally, and if you went rogue after I helped, things would surely backfire on me. I can't take the risk," he said.
"I'm never going to go rogue. Trust me, Hell can kiss my ass," I spat.
"She's not joining you, either. Bella's not here to fight massive wars. She just needs to get home," Maeve insisted.
"I don't care. Unless you're an ally of Heaven, you won't receive their assistance. Plus, your allies include two witches, a werewolf, and even a spirit. Doing that would surely be betraying my people," Ciel persisted.
My fingers curled with anger as tears formed at the back of my eyes. I suddenly grabbed onto Ciel's jacket and snatched his face down to mine, glaring as harshly at him as I could. "I want more than anything to see the family I love again. If you can't perform this simple task then what kind of angel are you?! I just want to go home! Home! That's it! I don't want to be some war god fighting for demons or angels... o-or anything in that matter! I want to be a normal teenage girl, kicking back on summer days and planning for my normal human future! Now, stop being an ass and help me!" I screeched as the tears started to flow.
Ciel was stunned, completely lost in my reaction as his eyes filled with guilt. He was saddened, probably even hurt by my insults. I couldn't care less about how upset he was, though. If he was angry with me, who cared? I sure as hell didn't. Kill me now, bitch. I want to see you try.
"I'm sorry... I can't," he whispered. I clutched his jacket with fury and shoved him backward, sending him stumbling with surprise. My teeth scraped against each other as I turned away from everyone.
"Get out of here, then," I barked.
There was a long moment of silence and then a whiff of air that rustled my hair. After awhile, a hand settled on my shoulder, Maeve's round face peeping into view afterward. "I'm sorry, Bella," she whispered. "Don't give up just yet. Maybe there's something else we can do."
"Yeah, angels aren't the only powerful beings capable of placing wardings," Odis added reassuringly. He sounded confident in his statement... like he knew this would all be okay. His hand landed on my other shoulder as he smiled down at me. "We'll get you home," he then whispered.
I turned to the two of them and pulled them into a big hug, unable to hold back more tears. "You guys are so amazing," I cried into their shoulders. "You shouldn't be helping someone like me."
"Oh, honey, don't cry! And don't talk like that either. We love you too much to just give up on you," Maeve said, sniffling back her own tears.
I pulled away and smiled at them. "I love you guys too. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you," I said. When I mentioned the word "love", an image of Kade popped in my head and I looked over to the door where he was when Vivian ushered him and the others from the table.
But he was gone.
"Where's Kade?" I asked with panic. It was then when I realized he'd been gone for awhile, even before Ciel's summoning. I didn't take notice of his absence before but now I wished I had. How did he get out so quietly?
Maeve and I looked to Odis who was just as baffled as us. "I don't know! He didn't say anything to me. I never even saw him leave!" he said in defense.
I hurried out of the room and over to his, only to find it was empty and completely untouched. I checked mine next and nearly collapsed to my knees with relief when I saw him stretched out and asleep on the bed. He looked uncomfortable, though, even a bit sweaty as his face twitched anguish. He was breathing heavily and shifting quite a lot, worrying me with every move.
He needed more sleep so I decided to leave him be... that is until I heard his deep, raspy voice call out to me.
"Bella?" he said. I peered over my shoulder at his half lidded eyes and waited. "Come here." He sounded weak, too hurt to even speak. There were tears still staining my eyes, some even managing trips down my cheeks. When I approached the bed and laid down next to him, he put a warm arm around me and used his free hand to dry my face.
"Why did you leave?" I asked him.
"I figured it wasn't smart for a half demon to be in the same room as an angel," he whispered in reply. I noticed how he was trembling and tried to steady him with a weak hand.
"Kade, are you okay? You look...sick." I merely breathed the last word as my eyes widened with realization. Sick... sick. No... not already! Was he already being affected by Salazar's curse?
"I'm feeling a little weak... and warm, but it's okay. I'll... I'll be better tomorrow," he whispered. He had to occasionally pause to take a deep breath, which disproved his statement. When I thought about how I couldn't tell him why he felt so sick, I started crying heavily again.
Before he could ask, I said, "The angel turned us down. He won't remove the warding." That was part of the reason for my tears, but it was easier just to explain that little bit.
He tightened both arms around me and pulled my face into his neck. "Shhh... don't cry," he mumbled weakly. "Bella, please... don't cry. I hate it when you cry." He inhaled another raspy breath and tried to say "don't cry" again, but it was too late.
He'd fallen asleep.
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OMG! Longest chapter yet, guys! ï¼Ïï¼
Thank you to all of those who have made it this far and are still waiting for and reading each chapter! I appreciate all the support, really I do.
-Ash