“We’re here.” Valerian suddenly broke the silence.
I jerked myself from my thoughts and looked around. We were on the side of the river... There was a river in this forest? Well, good to know. “Okaay, is there something special about this place or?”
“I wanted peace and quiet. And also,” he whistled and waited. Not moments later, a whole roost of butterflies flew into the air. They were all glowing in different colors; some were one color, some mix of few and some even had beautiful patterns all over them. They flew all around, their shine reflecting in the water making the river sparkle with their beauty. “It’s a pretty view.”
I instinctively lifted my hand and a butterfly landed on my finger. It was the same gold color as my eye. It watched me curiously for a second but then flew away.
I saw Valerian sit on the stone by the river and I went to join him. “So, will you finally tell me what you wanted?”
“Sure. You’re aware that angelic wings are the indicator of archangelic blood. And your mother and brothers being only of demon bloodline, ” He pierced me with completely serious look. “makes me think about which archangel managed to land on Earth unnoticed.”
The words he spoke hit me like a brick. It was only at this moment that I dared think of implications of my situation. He was right; my mother and brothers were fully demon descendants, it would be logical I would be too. Which begs the question, what was my mother hiding?
“But why are you so sure it happened recently. It could’ve been…I mean, my father,” it was hard to think of this possibility aloud, that my deceased father wasn’t my father at all. “could’ve been just another archangel descendant. The archangel could’ve landed long ago.”
There was a small smile on his face and maybe some kind of understanding in his eyes. “You’re not aware it doesn’t work that way?”
“What doesn’t?”
“The archangel blood along with its gifts runs only through direct descendant. That’s why I’m so sure. Why do you think I’m the only one like this? Well, until you came.” My mind was frozen for a bit; I couldn’t understand what he was saying for the life of me. Or maybe, I didn’t want to understand.
The first conclusion that came into my mind was “Wait, but that means…you’re not just Raphael’s descendant, you’re his son?”
Valerian obviously couldn’t help but flash me amused grin. “Why, hellcat, your observation abilities are astounding.”
I laughed. I didn’t want to, but after what he unloaded on me just now, I couldn’t stop myself. I was too overwhelmed but I knew I needed to pull my shit together. Also, I think this was the first time I laughed in Valerian’s presence.
“Okay, I think I’m good now.” Managing to compose myself, I looked at him, but another laugh broke loose. After a few seconds, I managed to stop once again. “Now, I am. Seriously, continue.”
“I know you didn’t want to hear it, but you had to. It’s important to know the facts about yourself, it’ll help you understand and control your gifts.”
“Which I have no idea what they are…” I mumbled.
“And that’s another reason we’re here.” I didn’t even know he heard me. Does he have super hearing on top of everything else? “Your angelic gifts will manifest with time, but your demon ones… you already have.”
“I do?” my brows scrunched into a frown. “But I don’t feel any different than before. I mean, sure, I feel the buzz of power inside me, but…”
Valerian stopped me before I could finish my sentence. He took me by the hand and started whispering something. My blood began to boil, the power inside me came to life and suddenly, dark energy surged through my body. It wanted out in the open.
Valerian let go of my hand and watched as a grey, almost invisible mist, found its way towards white falcon that stood near. It drew nearer and nearer and then…I wasn’t watching the falcon anymore. I was watching me. Through its eyes.
I was sitting on the stone, Valerian next to me. Both my eyes were complete black and my body seemed to be in trance. The falcon suddenly flew up and I could see and feel everything it did. I was flying further away from where I was before and watching all the little people at the academy from a new perspective.
A magnetic cord I felt once before, echoed in the back of my mind and slowly started to bring me back. Second later, I blinked, in my body once again. Valerian let go of my hand and gave me an impressed look. “What just happened?” I asked bewildered.
“I believe you just discovered one of your demonic gifts.” I waited for him to expand but he didn’t.
“And? How did I do that? What was all the whispering about?”
“I keep forgetting this is your first time using your powers” He shook his head to himself and sighed, “What I did is basically help you tap into that power you already felt. The feeling you had before is what you will feel every time you use them.”
“So what, I can possess others?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to feel anything another human being, for example, felt.
“Well yes, and no. From what I could tell, you can enter their mind, be them basically, but you cannot control them.” There was a pause while both of us were lost in our thoughts. I was thinking about everything that I just found out. Tried to be collected and rational when it comes to my dad, especially. Knowing for sure it was an archangel…it just made me wonder why my mother never said anything.
“I talked to the Headmaster about you earlier.” At my visible cringe, he arched a questioning brow. I had a feeling he already knew everything, the creeper. “He wasn’t so pleased with my request for you to train with me. Does that have anything to do with some other reasons besides the obvious one?”
Snorting to myself, I looked over my shoulder at him. “Besides the one that landed in your lap last night? Well, yeah. I wasn’t his favorite student to begin with. We had some,” my expression scrunched up as I remembered all the things that went wrong where Mr. Ashleight was concerned. “difficulties.”
“Ah, not surprising. Anyway, we agreed you’ll have your morning classes with me. That includes everything to do with your powers and combat training. After that, you’ll have some of your other classes with Onyx House. Any problems with that?”
Onyx house was where descendants of darker creatures usually were. Students with similar kind of gifts. I would’ve ended up there if my black part of the gemstone is anything to go by. “No, no problems. When and where will be our sessions?”
“Here. Same time the classes start.” He stood from the stone we sat on and extended his hand to me. “We should go now. I suggest you get rest because you’ll be getting your first flying lessons tomorrow.”
I couldn’t tell if I was happy or terrified about that. Valerian obviously read my expression well, because he took my chin with his thumb and forefinger and turned my head up towards him. “It won’t hurt as much as last time. Lose that scared look from your face.”
He kept me in that position a moment longer, just enough for me to feel my mark beginning to warm and light up. Then he let go of me and we went back to the White Tower.
***
Valerian
I watched her as she teleported to her room. I knew she felt off since finding out about her real father but she kept it together, apart from that one laughing outburst. I had to give it to her.
What worried me, though, was what I heard Nerine talk about at the dinner. I wasn’t aware of the fact Units had problems with the Wastelands. The Damiani twins did say they may have their hands full back at the Warrior’s Headquarters but it never crossed my mind anyone would try to mess with the Vault.
I could’ve asked Evander if he knew anything about it, but I didn’t trust him enough to discuss the matter with him. I didn’t trust him at all, if I’m being truthful. I just exited the Tower when a high-pitched voice stopped me. I sighed. Not this now, I had better things to do.
“Valerian, do you have a moment?” Zoe’s voice asked from my right.
Without a word I turned to her and raised my brow questioningly. I waited for her to start speaking, whatever it was she had to say. I couldn’t read her mind like Theia could, but I didn’t even need it to see she wasn’t giving up. My polite refusal wasn’t enough of a rejection for her, it would seem.
“Hey.” Zoe said when she approached close enough. “ I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday and, if it’s not a problem, I have a request.”
It was funny how she thought acting like an angel would grant her whatever she needed. I may even be inclined to help her with whatever she wanted if I didn’t detect a malicious spark in her eyes. “And that is?”
She acted a little insecure, which I have no doubt, worked on Evander like magic. “I have troubles with my gift. Controlling electricity isn’t the easiest of jobs, you know. Maybe you could help me with it…alone, sometimes?”
I rolled my eyes inwardly. “I know it’s not easiest thing to do, but many have learned. Also, your classes haven’t even began yet, so I’m confident once they do, you’ll manage it just fine. No one expects you to know how to use your gifts the first day you got them.”
Her eyes hardened just a slightest bit, maybe not enough for others to see but I certainly noticed. “But you’ll be helping Theia. I don’t think that’s fair for other students not to provide the same assistance to all who ask.”
“Listen, Zoe. Theia didn’t want my help, she needs my help. No one here can teach her how to use her wings or powers properly because no one here has them. And about assistance you mentioned, I’m not a teacher here. I’m not obliged to help anyone if I don’t want to, and frankly, I have more urgent matters right now to deal with.”
Sparks of electricity danced around her hands. I don’t know who wanted me to help her more – her or her father. Zoe lifted her chin proudly and snipped. “Fine. You’ll see you’ll soon want to help me.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I also didn’t amuse myself with those thoughts. Not waiting another second, I teleported myself in the middle of a busy street in Brinmore. It was one of the magic cities, just like Whitemore. This one used earth magic, making it look like one big, stunning garden with all the trees and vines and flowers. And it was exactly where the Warrior Unit Headquarters were hidden.
As I walked down the street, I made sure to bend the light just the right way so people’s gazes would immediately slipped from my face. I didn’t want anyone to know I was here, especially if something is really happening.
Reaching an old, beautiful tree just behind the rows of small houses, I stopped and put my hand on its core. It recognized my magic from the Unit’s database and the tree came alive, twisting its roots around my legs and pulling me under. In the next moment, I was looking at the levitating marble building in the middle of the misty clouds.
Everyone, welcome to the Warrior’s Tower.
My wings, that came out the second I went through that teleport, flew me towards the entrance of the tower. Once, inside, everyone parted ways when they saw me. The woman at the reception only acknowledged me with a nod. “I need to see Damiani twins. Can you tell me where they are?”
After some clicking on her computer, she replied. “ Fourth floor, room 27.”
“Thank you.”
It didn’t take me but a minute to find the place the woman instructed me to. I didn’t even enter when I heard raised voices. Obviously, there was a third person in there. My hearing picked up what the argument was about, and without waiting, I stormed into the room.
Three head turned to look at me. “Well, gentlemen. I see we have a problem.”
ns 15.158.61.8da2
