Fallen Ascension

Orders

Michael was silent, watching me as I did the same. Payne had regained consciousness and was inspecting himself. He was obviously shocked that he was unwounded as well as alive. He didn't seem to want to interrupt Michael's or my staring contest. So he was sitting silently as well, glancing back and forth between the both of us.
"Well, this has been fun and all, but can I go home now?" Payne asked, breaking the silence that had settled over the old building.
"No," Michael answered, glancing at the Nephilim. I scowled at Michael. Payne crossed his arms over his chest, raising an eyebrow at Michael. Michael fell silent again and studied me. I glared at Michael. Payne sighed and mumbled something incoherent under his breath.
"So, Michael, I'm assuming you have orders in whatever mission you're here for," I stated.
"I do," Michael said.
"Which is?" I inquired.
"I will not tell you," Michael replied. I glared at him and rearranged myself so I was comfortable on the chair. Payne had enough of our staring contest and had risen from the couch and had made his way towards the door. "Where are you going Nephilim?" Michael asked Payne.
"Home," Payne answered.
"You are not allowed," Michael told Payne. Payne ignored Michael and opened the door. Michael sprang into action, appearing in front Payne and slamming the door so Payne couldn't leave. Payne glared at Michael.
"I'm not your prisoner!" Payne shouted, beyond aggravated with Michael.
"You are not allowed to leave," Michael repeated as I reluctantly got up. I walked over to Payne as he turned around.
"Sorry kid," I whispered and then punched him in the pit of his stomach. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. I took his arms and dragged him to the couch. I wrapped my tail around Payne's throat and slowly started to squeeze. Payne struggled against the tightening grip of my tail. I eventually released Payne when I saw his pupils become pinpoints in his eyes.
Payne eventually caught his breath and studied me, rubbing his healed throat.
"Sorry, he's my partner in crime for now," I told him. Payne was silent as he watched me. He then glanced at Michael.
"I'm probably being looked for," Payne told us.
"If they were really looking for you, they would have found you by now," I stated. Payne opened his mouth to object and then closed it when he realized I was telling him the truth. "I guess that means you're not that important now is it?" I questioned. Payne glared at me and then shifted his attention to the arm of the couch. I knew I had hit a nerve by his silence. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
"I just want to go home," Payne said in a quiet voice. I was silent as I studied him.
"What could possibly be there for you?" I asked. Payne remained silent and I decided that it was a good time to be silent. I had obviously brought up bad memories; painful memories.
"Can I go? Please?" Payne asked in a whisper.
"No," Michael responded. I glanced at him and then looked at Payne. Payne was silent and then reluctantly pulled his knees to his chest. I sighed and walked over to Michael.
"So, what are your orders?" I questioned. Michael glanced at Payne and then sighed, carefully blanking his expression. I caught the brief flicker of guilt and I instantly knew his orders then. He had been ordered to find and eliminate the Nephilim before us. It didn't seem as if he wanted to though.
"I see," I mumbled.
"If there were some other way...," Michael trailed off there and I knew he really didn't want the Nephilim killed. By his or anyone else's hand.
"I'll handle the situation. You get some rest for your vessel," I said with a smile I knew was reassuring. Michael studied me with suspicion and then nodded. He walked away from the door and went to the designated resting area. It was some time before Michael fell asleep and I studied the Nephilim before me. I walked over to him and waited for him to speak.
"What?" Payne finally asked me as he looked up at me. I knelt down in front of him.
"Kid, don't question me, but you need to leave. You need to find a place that's well hidden, alright?" I inquired.
"What?" Payne questioned, confused.
"Don't question me," I repeated. "Just go, now. Make it believable though," I ordered as I stood up. Payne stood up as well and studied me as I prepared myself to fight. "You don't expect it to be believable without a fight, do you?" I stated with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't know what to do," Payne told me. He hung his head, obviously embarressed by that fact. I sighed and mumbled something incomprehensible under my breath.
"Well, let's see," I mumbled, trying to remember everything about the Nephilim race. I couldn't recollect anything other than the fact they were half human, half Angel. "Alright, fine. I can't help you there. I'll let you go and pretend I was meditating," I said.
Payne looked up at me.
"Why are you letting me go?" Payne inquired.
"Because I feel like it," I answered with a shrug. In reality, I didn't feel like killing him. He could prove to be a valuable asset. Right now I could use that to my advantage. Especially in the future.
Payne watched as I settled into a comfortable sitting position, closed my eyes and pretended to meditate. I heard the door open and then quietly close as Payne wasted no time acting on my plan. I remained sitting with my eyes closed for quite some time before Michael called "Demon" a few times.
I pretended to rouse from my meditation and glared at him.
"What?" I snapped.
"The Nephilim. Where is he?" Michael asked.
"He should be here," I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"He is not here," Michael informed me. I feigned confusion and looked at the couch which I knew was empty.
"I don't know," I said. "I was meditating. He must have taken his opportunity to leave," I stated as I looked at Michael. Michael studied me as I stood up. I hoped that he believed my lie.
"We have to find him. He cannot be permitted to live," Michael said. He didn't seem thrilled by that though and I knew that if he didn't have his orders, Payne wouldn't be hunted and possibly killed. I would have to play along for now and then make sure Payne would never be found.