Chapter 6
Lucian, one of Morningstar’s lovers, was half human and half Onari.
He created a magic ring in the ground and linked to the location they wanted to travel with ease, grumbling about his lack of wings as Morningstar kept his larger form for their trip.
Uriel stared at Lucian and Morningstar curious how they fit together as they seemed opposite in every way.
But Lucian touched Morningstar with tenderness, and Morningstar sank into his embrace, relaxing in a way Uriel could only remember him being with the catalyst.
Raphael held Uriel tight. His expression firmly blank.
“Are you angry with me?” Uriel asked.
“No,” Raphael said. “Worried, but not angry.”
Uriel meant to ask more but the magic of the ring activated and he felt like he bounced through the cosmos for a few seconds before landing in a field to stare at a half broken building he barely recognized from the outside. His stomach churned. From the trip or memories, he wasn’t certain.
“A human encampment. Not all are friendly,” Lucian said. His gaze flicked to Uriel. “You were shot? Which means they have usable projectiles.” He sighed. “I’ll shield everyone. Stay behind it…”
Morningstar snorted, but remained at Lucian’s side.
The group headed for the main door; movement outside minimal. Uriel eyed the windows higher up in the building for signs of life. Were their guards now?
As they opened the door a familiar human female paused and looked up. Her eyes widened at Morningstar and Lucian’s forms, mouth forming a big ‘O.’ Uriel recognized her as one of the helpers, but had little interaction with her after he woke up.
“We no longer serve non-humans here,” she said after a moment, a touch of fear in her voice.
“Where’s Wade?” Uriel asked. He needed confirmation. Maybe the seraph had survived despite Uriel’s instincts screaming otherwise.
She blanched. Her gaze flitted away from them.
“Where?” Uriel demanded again.
“Out back. There’s a spot off into the trees…”
Uriel glared at her a moment longer before spinning on his heel and heading out the door and around the building.
The others followed, keeping close, but silent.
The broken part of the gym left rubble of brick and open air to the remains of the building.
Uriel kept going to the back and out a well-worn path into the woods.
They were first greeted with a human graveyard.
The stretch of cross-shaped headstones made Uriel cringe, but each grave had a name, none of which was Wade.
The path continued beyond the graveyard and the scent of decay trickled to his nose making his stomach roil.
He walked down the trail, heart breaking more with every step.
Another three dozen meters and a natural sort of ravine dipped the landscape off into the trees.
He stopped at the edge, peering down at dirt-stained wings. Not one, but easily a dozen. Raphael made a horrified sound, and gripped Uriel tight.
“Fuck,” Lucian cursed. Morningstar said nothing, but let Lucian hold him.
Uriel’s gaze paused on a swatch of bright red hair.
Rage bubbled with the strength of his monster returning and he longed to transform into the beast and destroy them all.
If he had magic in that moment, several centuries of accrued shadows, he may have done exactly that, but empty, all he had was his anger.
He cursed the catalyst for a half second for gracing them all with useless emotions, but turned his gaze back toward the building.
“Hate is persistent,” Lucian whispered. “Some of it always slips through.”
“It’s often best to cut out the tumor while it’s still small,” Morningstar said, his focus on Uriel.
Uriel agreed, nodding for a second and stepping away from Raphael.
He headed for the building. Would Raphael hate him for what he was about to do?
It wouldn’t be the first time he visited horrors on the mortal races.
He glanced at Raphael, whom he loved with everything he was.
But Raphael, fists clenched at his side, appeared angry too, ready to punish. Even healers could be monsters.
Their eyes met and they nodded to each other, hearts in agreement as they turned to the building ready to show them the reality of their many stories of avenging angels.