Without warning, I felt the sensation. Like we were moving at great speed and yet standing still at the same time. As if we had become the wind, and the world moved around us. My clothes remained still, my hair barely wavered. We were at the warehouse in an instant. Now I understood why Phoenix never bothered with the lift.
Adrenalin flushed through my body, but I was otherwise bizarrely calm. As if I had never moved.
‘Do you go everywhere like that?’ I asked.
‘Angels are not confined by space, only by time. In our original form we only have to stop applying our powers in one place and focus them on another in order to be there. In human form we’re not quite as fast.’
‘That was more than fast. Can people see us?’ I said, looking around for witnesses.
‘Most exiles have to be careful not to expose themselves, but I move faster than average. Let’s just say it’s one of my strengths. When I move it’s not like being particles caught up in the wind, but like becoming the wind itself.’
It was cool. Of course, he was totally aware of that.
‘From now on we go everywhere like that!’ I slapped him on the arm playfully.
‘Yes, boss.’ He grinned.
The warehouse was empty. There was no sign of the violence that had taken place last night. No vestiges of the dead bodies. It had been cleared and cleaned in an eerily pulp-fiction way. I could have cried. I didn’t know where else to look.
I turned to Phoenix. ‘I don’t know what to do. Can you find them?’
‘Not without having some way to pinpoint them. There are too many power sources floating around that might lead us in the wrong direction.’
I dug out my phone impatiently and checked for new messages.
Nothing.
I tried to call Lincoln again.
Nothing.
I threw my phone on the ground. It smashed.
‘Perfect!’ I stormed.
‘Violet?’ The voice from behind me sent shockwaves up my legs.
I spun awkwardly and almost fell into Griffin.
‘Griffin. Where did you come from?’
‘I just sent off the last clean-up team. What are you doing here?’
He looked exhausted. He was wearing the same pants and shirt as the night before. I wondered if he’d had any sleep since I last saw him.
He looked at me, then at Phoenix, who had distanced himself a little, moving over to look out of the broken windows. Griffin nodded in his direction. ‘Consorting with his kind is not generally what we do.’ He looked baffled. ‘It’s funny though, Lincoln was right – he’s not as obvious to sense as most.’
‘Griffin, he has information,’ I snapped, partly annoyed at him and partly at Lincoln for talking behind my back.
‘And what’s that?’
‘The exiles are working together. They’ve called some kind of truce. They’re combining powers so they can kill Grigori.’
‘That’s impossible. Magda spoke to a source today who said that exiles of dark had taken three exiles of light captive and were using their powers,’ Griffin replied.
‘Your source lied,’ Phoenix said. He had moved closer without me realising. Griffin was taken by surprise, too, by the look he gave him.
‘That’s easier said than done. Why would we believe you, anyway?’
‘Because I’m telling the truth – surely you can see that. I have nothing to gain. I have betrayed my kind and shown favour to humans…to Grigori.’ His upper lip twitched. ‘It’s not something to be done lightly.’
As he said it, I could see the battle within him. I also couldn’t stop the surge of guilt as I wondered if he was doing this for me. I didn’t know if I would ever be able to give him what he wanted in return. Please, don’t let him be reading me!
Griffin was shaking his head. ‘You believe you know the truth, I can see that. But that doesn’t make you right. Light and dark have always stood in opposition. Their very egos prevent them from consorting. They don’t work together. Ever.’ He was slipping into his country-folk accent and I wondered who he was trying to convince.
Phoenix just smiled and drifted to the windows again. He looked out towards the sky as if preoccupied by something I couldn’t see. ‘Coming from a Grigori, that’s stupidly naive,’ he said condescendingly. ‘Do you forget that you are the very creation of their truce of old?’
Griffin stiffened but did not respond. Phoenix chuckled to himself and turned to me. ‘Is he truly your leader? I’m disappointed.’
He was relaxed and almost swaying in an eerie way. As I watched, a shadow seemed to surround him, but there was something else… Fine, long strands of gold were weaving through it. It faded as he drew closer again and I wondered if my mind was playing tricks on me.
‘Is it so hard for you,’ Phoenix went on, ‘so difficult to consider that Grigori would once again cause a truce between the forces?’
‘The truce was between angels of light and dark,’ Griffin said. ‘Exiles do not represent the angelic realm.’ He stood tall, but his voice had begun to waver.
‘True, but do you really find it such a leap that exiles have finally coordinated their mutual goals? They’ve simplified…for now.’ Phoenix shrugged. ‘Believe me or not, but we both know you see my truth.’
We all stood silent for a moment, Phoenix looking smug and Griffin looking annoyingly stubborn. Frustration overtook me. How could they both be so petty? The growing sense of urgency within me was only getting stronger. I could feel something wasn’t right. Meanwhile, these two looked like they were about to start measuring things.
‘Griffin?’ I snapped. He looked up, realisation dawning on his pale face. ‘Where’s Lincoln?’ I asked.
‘They’ve gone to meet Magda’s source. A silent exile. But they’re not expecting to deal with more than one. And if what you say is right…Christ!’ He shook his head, angry with himself. ‘They’re walking into a trap,’
Phoenix didn’t seem concerned at all.
‘Where are they? We have to go!’ Panic raced through my body and into my heart.
‘Down by the pier.’ Griffin was already running towards the door. ‘I’ll get the car,’ he called over his shoulder.
‘Wait!’ I yelled back. ‘Phoenix, can you take us both?’
He nodded. ‘But I want assurance of safety first.’
‘What?’ I spat out, giving him my own version of a scary look. The thought of Lincoln in danger was too much.
‘From him.’ He jerked his head towards Griffin. ‘If I help you, I want his word I’ll be left to exist as I am in this realm.’
I wanted to throw something at him but my mobile was already gone. Pleading did not cover the look I shot Griffin. I just wanted to go. ‘Griffin!’ I yelled. ‘Just tell him what he needs to hear!’
‘For now,’ Griffin said. ‘For now, I’ll give you my word. But it will not hold if you become a threat.’
Phoenix nodded. ‘I accept.’ He held out both arms. ‘Take my hands.’
I slapped my hand into his instantly. Griffin was a little more hesitant.
‘For Christ’s sake, Griffin – take his hand!’
Griffin took his hand, mumbling something about never bloody singing ‘Kumbaya’ with exiles.
We moved like still wind.
We arrived at a huge, old wooden building on the pier. It looked normal enough from the outside. Definitely no signs: Danger – demented exiled angels inside!
Once we entered, however, it was clear that the ordinary facade had been a mask. The interior was decadent. Priceless antiques blended with stunning pieces of modern art. If I wasn’t in complete freak-out mode, I would have enjoyed taking my time. As it were…
We ran through the open lobby area, Griffin and Phoenix impossibly fast compared to me. We stopped at the top of a set of stairs. Griffin and Phoenix both stood completely still, as if they were focusing on some point I couldn’t see.
‘What are you doing?’ I asked.
‘Looking
for them,’ Griffin murmured, concentrating. I turned my attention to Phoenix, and caught a small but definite widening of his eyes. Something he’d sensed had caught him by surprise.
Though I had no idea what I was doing, I decided to see if I could sense Lincoln. The second I concentrated on him – his piercing eyes, the scent that was only his – I felt a pull. I fought a spell of dizziness, but I knew exactly where he was. I had no comprehension how. But I knew.
‘Downstairs,’ Griffin said before I could. We moved quietly. I couldn’t even hear Phoenix, who trailed behind me. At the bottom of the stairs Griffin stopped again.
‘In the room to the right,’ I whispered.
He looked at me, judging. ‘How do you know?’
I was in no mood to hand out explanations. I had no idea how I knew anyway. The same way I had no idea how I knew Lincoln was in trouble. The really bad kind. I pushed past Griffin without thinking and pulled open the door.
The room beyond it was bare. Unlike the foyer, there was nothing lavish here. In fact, there was nothing at all. Cement walls and floor and a candelabra in the corner with two candles flickering. There was a woodsmoke scent in the air that reminded me of cigars. On top of that…flowers. I squinted into the dark room, looking for what I could sense. We were not alone. My body seized with the cool heat racing through my blood, so much energy humming through me I felt it would lift me off the ground.
‘Griffin. How nice of you to visit.’ The voice pulsed through the room. I shivered and my body tensed as if something venomous were trying to seep into it. I couldn’t tell which direction the sound was coming from until a figure started to materialise.
‘Who is your friend, Griffin? She is…’ He revealed himself slowly. He was less than three metres from where I was standing, which was just plain creepy. I wanted to back up, but instinct told me to hold my ground. It wasn’t easy.
He brushed his hands over the lapel of his well-tailored suit, making a fuss of adjusting and straightening. If he hadn’t been so damn scary I would have said he looked decidedly camp. However, rippling just beneath the surface of his vain exterior emanated a very distinct brand of evil.
He purposely let his eyes travel down my body. As he did, I felt a sensation like hundreds of spiders crawling over me, scurrying to every corner. I had to fight the crushing desire to run flat-out, or at least drop and roll. He’s doing it on purpose, Vi. Don’t let him psyche you out!
I might be new to this game, but I was in high school. He was just another bully. Who the hell was this guy, anyway?
‘What do we have here?’ he said in a voice that sounded too young to match the wickedness reflected in his black eyes, which looked like they were rimmed in eyeliner.
‘There is no need for the others to hide, Onyx – either behind the light or in the shadows. We know you’re working together.’ Griffin spoke with such an even tone it made him sound immediately more formidable. Yet again, my opinion of him grew.
Three figures appeared from the corner of the room where the candles flickered. It looked like they just emerged from the pulsing light. Another two came into view from the opposite corner. I blinked a few times. I could have sworn they had walked out from the dark shadows of the wall. Oh. My. God… Or not.
‘I can sense our people, Onyx. Reveal them!’ Griffin demanded, unfazed by the additional exiles who had simply appeared.
‘Oh, I’m sorry. How rude of me.’ Onyx skimmed his hand parallel to the ground and it was as though a cloud of gloom lifted. Lincoln and Magda lay on the floor. I could see the blood pooling around Lincoln. It was seeping outwards, still fresh. My heart leapt into my throat. Magda moved a little. She was alive, but definitely not in a good way. She couldn’t even lift her head to look at us.
‘Lincoln!’ I screamed. He didn’t move.
Onyx stood over them, amused. ‘I must admit, you have arrived sooner than we had planned.’ He looked down at Lincoln regretfully. ‘It will be a shame not to have the extra time.’
One of the exiles who had emerged from behind the candelabra moved over to stand beside Onyx while the others remained in opposite corners of the room, keeping watch.
Onyx motioned towards Lincoln. ‘Strong, this one, but distracted.’ He smiled at me. ‘I wonder… Are you the distraction?’
I blanched as his words sunk in. Had this been my fault?
Onyx raised a brow. ‘What is your name?’
‘Violet,’ I said quickly. ‘Is he alive?’ I knew I wouldn’t be able to say much more without betraying how scared I was, but I had to know.
‘Not for long.’ He tilted his head at me. ‘Violet? Ah…the Seventh Ray. How fascinating. You appear like a Grigori, and yet…you are something…new.’ He extended a hand to me. ‘Come,’ he said quietly.
‘No,’ I said, but my body took a step towards him into a virtual thicket of floral aroma. I couldn’t stop myself. In that moment I knew I would be utterly compelled to do anything he asked of me. I closed my eyes and tried to gather whatever internal resistance I could, sick of other people trying to control me.
When I opened my eyes, he was right in front of me, barely anything between us. All I could hear was the flapping of wings. I didn’t know if I had gone to him, or him to me. I suppose it didn’t matter. What did matter was that I was now within his striking zone.
He towered over me, and while he was instantly intimidating he also struck me as oddly…elegant. He had short, styled black hair that had seen more than its fair share of hair wax. He was suave-looking, in a proud-to-be-evil kind of way, with high cheekbones and delicate features that made him look young – no more than twenty. As I choked on mouthfuls of invisible apple, he appeared to be merely entertaining himself, studying me like a bizarre science project.
‘Get away from me,’ I said.
He laughed a high-pitched cackle. It caught me by surprise; it was not the deep laugh I’d expected him to have. ‘You have clout, girl, I’ll give you that. But you’re unfinished. Look at me.’ His last words resonated through my mind. My eyes flicked up towards him without my permission. ‘You are still in moulding,’ he said ruminatively. ‘Your clay is still wet.’
I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about – I was no expert in psycho babble. I wanted so badly to look at Lincoln but I forced myself not to. It wouldn’t help.
Where the hell is Phoenix?
Onyx continued to stare, looking into me like he was searching my mind for my innermost thoughts. It was an uncomfortably invasive feeling. I saw his eyes flash.
‘You deny your destiny. Oh…’ He clapped his hands together playfully.
‘What?’ I said, sounding every bit the defiant teenager I wished more and more I could be and yet seemed further and further away from.
Instead of answering me, his attention was caught by something over my shoulder. His demeanour quickly changed. He straightened and cleared his throat, drifting slightly away from me.
‘Hmm… I will never tire of the drama that surrounds humanity.’ He spoke lightly but couldn’t completely hide his surprise. He’d been caught off-guard.
I snuck a quick look behind me to see that Phoenix had finally joined us. He was standing straight and silent. He was relaxed and looking straight at Onyx as if he were nothing more than a try-hard bully. I envied him his control.
‘Onyx,’ Phoenix addressed him.
‘Phoenix, she is yours?’ Onyx glanced at me.
The way they were standing had me positioned as some kind of piggy in the middle. I didn’t know why Phoenix had waited until now to come into the room. I also didn’t know why he wouldn’t just come and stand beside me.
‘I lay claim for now,’ Phoenix said. I could hear a familiar smirk in his voice. I told myself that now wasn’t the time to argue over his possessiveness.
‘Interesting…’ Onyx said wistfully. ‘I don’t suppose you’d care to enlighten me?’
‘Not really. But it does appear that exiles aren’t the only ones evolvi
ng,’ Phoenix said.
‘She does exude something…extra,’ Onyx said, contemplating me briefly. ‘But you’re still interrupting my soiree.’ He feigned a look of hurt.
Phoenix didn’t respond and I was too afraid to turn my back on Onyx again to look at him. Amid the silence, I could sense a surge of power in the room. I almost retched with the overpowering taste of apple and struggled to maintain any sight through the bombardment of morning and evening streaming through my vision. I blinked maniacally, straining to focus – it felt like I’d just walked inside after staring directly at the sun.
‘Fine, fine.’ Onyx waved a hand through the air and the intensity of power subsided. Whatever had been going on between them clearly didn’t require words. ‘I will release them to you…if you stay for a story.’
Onyx smiled wickedly. The exile standing beside him grunted. ‘That was not our agreement, Onyx. We will not release them.’
He looked no older than me, eighteen at the most. He was dressed like any other guy I went to school with – jeans and a blue T-shirt. He looked too normal to be an angel…exile, whatever.
‘Malachi, I have delivered everything I promised, have I not?’ Onyx queried.
‘You have, but letting them go is out of the question.’
‘We will have other opportunities.’ Onyx waved his hand dismissively.
‘Do not confuse me with your followers, Onyx. Should it come to a fight, it would not be a certain outcome.’ Malachi’s tone intensified with each word. It was obvious he was an exile of light, and their precarious relationship a product of this new truce. It was also easy to see why exiles of light and dark had never made a truce before.
Onyx sighed theatrically. ‘That is true. But then again, I should enjoy the kill a great deal more than you.’
Malachi moved so fast I barely noticed the time lapse between him talking with Onyx and me being hoisted mid-air with his hand wrapped around my neck. His fingers dug into my skin. I couldn’t even draw enough breath to scream.
‘You said it yourself. She’s powerful and not even finished.’ His grip tightened. Energy buzzed between us as Malachi steadily increased the pressure, working to finish my life. His eyes penetrated mine with resolve. Growing weaker by the second and pathetically gasping for air that would not come, there was little I could do. I swung my legs out to kick him and struck him in the ribs twice. He barely flinched.