Angel's Ascension: Homecoming (Book Eight)

Chapter 1: Abode

"Hey, where have you been!? We were starting to worry something happened?" A voice asked out in the distance. Lucy stood out in the rain with a hoodie on. She kept the zipper down as her wings poked out of the sleeves. Her eyes shifted toward the figure when they adjusted to Cheyanne. The girl kept her arms crossed and tapped her feet on the floor like a disgruntled parent.

"I was out training in the ring against other supernaturals." Lucy replied. The fallen angel dragged herself onto the porch and stopped by her friend. Both exchanged glances at each other before entering the house. Food laid out on the kitchen table with napkins covering the plates. A dimly light living room greeted them where Ralph slept on the couch. "He didn't have to stay up for my return. I told him to keep stuff in the fridge for me if I wasn't back by dinner." Lucy sighed out loud and shook her head.

Cheyanne placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled the hoodie off. Bruises and scars covered her back and shoulders. Fresh cuts also lingered across her neck and wings as if a clawed creature struck.
"Out training, huh? Lucy, I understand why you feel the need to push yourself but this isn't it." She frowned. "It's been over a year since we defeated Senovisa and his pals. I don't think we'll into any more threats like him out there."

Lucy bowed her head and stared down to the floor.
"You may be right. Our world has been just fine as of late but I can't shake this feeling." She clenched her fists and stared into Cheyanne's eyes. "What if something happens and I can't save you or Ralph or anyone?" Her lips quivered and her wings slumped over like a dog's tail. Sweat rolled off her face and into the cuts while they stung. The sound of news blared on from the living room and caught the fallen angel's attention.

"This year's midterms are shaping up to be quite an exciting one! With supernaturals forming their third party and wishing for representation in congress, we could see an upset in the electoral map." The news anchor said with a smile. "Now let's see about that weather, John?" She asked.

Cheyanne quickly hugged Lucy from behind.
"Please, just stop worrying over us, okay? We've become as worried about you and it's making me upset." She ran her fingers through the black feathers and Lucy shivered. The human girl cracked a slight grin. "I called Yori earlier and she's coming back tomorrow. Why don't you soak in the tub and get some rest?" Her voice lowered into a whisper. "We can watch a movie and eat leftovers to clear your mind off things." Lucy chuckled at her friend. Her wings now straightened out and stretched away the fatigue. She released her fists and slowly inhaled.

"I think a bath and hanging out will do me some good. Plus my sister coming back means we can do even more stuff!" Lucy exclaimed. "I'll be out soon." She moseyed down the hallway into her room and flicked a few lights on. Once her shadow disappeared behind a closed door, Cheyanne drifted into the kitchen. With a few plates gathered, she heated them in the microwave. Her reflection stared back in a clean plate she wiped off with a cloth.

If the others weren't so busy then I'd ask them to come as well but I think Yori will be enough. Cheyanne huffed. Lucy already tried to get a job but how can an angel get into the routine of work when fighting was her work? She set the plate down and returned to the living room. "Uncle, why don't you go into your bedroom?" Her eyes wandered over to the television before switching it off. Ralph suddenly jerked up from the couch and wiped drool off his mouth.

"Eh, is she back?" He yawned. "Make sure that food is put up in case Lucy didn't eat it all. Whew, I need to stop passing out or my back will hate me in the mornings." With a pull on the couch arm, Ralph slowly lifted himself. Like a zombie, he slowly lumbered his way toward the bedroom across the living room. The sudden sound of water pouring caught Cheyanne's attention to the hallway before she headed into her room. A shelf full of spellbooks stood beside a window where posters surrounded it. School textbooks, report papers, and a driver's license littered her bed like junk.