Divine Authority

Chapter 10: Kiss of Life

    Time seemed to slow. Iris was in front of him and then she was gone. Red blood hit his face. Red?
   "Iris!!"
   Lucifer shot strait down. She was falling fast, seconds before she hit the ground he caught her. He landed softly. Faintly he heard Britt and Maya scream. Iris's blonde hair waterfalled over his plated arm. Her face was as white as snow, eyes closed, lips pursed. She was back in her human form.
    He looked just below her chest. There was a hole the size of a softball. He could see his feet through her. Loose flesh hung. He kneeled, with his free hand he ripped off his helm. Sweat plastered his hair to his brow.
     "You always get yourself into trouble. No matter how many times I tell you to be careful. So you'll have to pardon my rudeness."
     With his free hand he gently pulled her face to his. In direct view of the entire crowd, he gave a her a sweet kiss. A rush of dark energy passed from his body to hers. The hole in her gut grew new flesh. He pulled back just a little. And in a quiet voice said,
   "Breathe."
    Her eyes flew open, her arms wrapped his shoulders. She inhaled deeply. In a hoarse voice she asked,
   "I died?"
    Her breath gently touched his ear. He let out a deep breath and let his forehead touch her shoulder. It was a strange sort of hug.
   "Uh huh"
    He growled and pulled away. Still holding her in his arms he stood up. She could tell he was annoyed, but she'd talk about that later.
   "Iris!"
    "Iris are you okay?"
Britt and Maya. She turned her head toward them. They both had tears in their eyes. Iris looked back at Lucifer.
    "You can set me down. I'm fine now."
He glanced at her and gently helped her stand. She slowly started walking toward Britt and Maya, each step burned like hell. Lucifer followed close behind, slowly shifting to his human form.
    As soon as she was in range Britt and Maya tackled her.
      "Are you okay?!"
      "You nearly died!"
      "So much blood..."
      "Then you were kissed!"
      "What the heck is happening?!"
Iris waved her hands to silence them.
      "I'm fine really. I promise. Ill explain in a minute."
She looked over at Lucifer. What should we do about all the students? Wipe their memories?
   Yep.
Well that sucks.
  Why?
I was finally able to show them that I'm secretly cool, now I have to wipe their minds.
   Well too bad so sad.
Iris sighed.
Can I at least keep Britt and Mayas memories?
Lucifer widened his stance and folded his arms.
No, at least for now. No matter how trust worthy. They'll still become uneasy and not know how to understand what they have seen. Better off waiting until we deal with the Entity completely first.
  I guess you're right.
   As always.
    Shut up.
   Iris smiled at Britt and Mayas tear covered faces. She hugged them both. They were the only friends she had ever had, she hated doing this to them, but it was necessary. She pulled away, they gave her looks of genuine concern.
   "I promise I'll explain when this is all over. No matter what."
Iris looked up at the sky, and chanted.
     "For the safety of the lambs, please shepherd protect the minds of your flock."
   A golden light enveloped them. Then in a flash was gone. Iris and Lucifer stood together on the far outskirts of the field. They watched as everyone who had been on the field stood up and dispersed. Iris heard bits of conversation,
  "Huh that's weird, the time flew by!"
   "Why are we all so close all of the sudden? I was sitting way over there just a second ago."
   Britt and Maya were the last to leave. They seemed to walk slower than the others, their faces looked puzzled. Iris looked up at Lucifer,
    "There's no way that they could possibly remember anything right?"
Lucifer looked down,
    "They shouldn't, but you never know. The Lord works in mysterious ways."
    "Ha ha, so funny."
    "I try."
Lucifer sniffed the air.
     "We should go. Another portal is about to open near by."
Iris stretched her arms, then reached for her toes.
    "Camping like the good ole days, lovely."
     "Ah huh. You want the honors or should I?"
     "You can, I'm still exhausted."
Lucifer raised one hand and and snapped his fingers. Iris closed her eyes.
    An ice cold breeze tugged at her hair, the air smelled fresh and crisp. She opened her eyes, she was on top of a mountain covered in lush green foliage. In front of her was a massive deep blue lake.
    "Where are we this time?"
She looked at Lucifer, who was now in a large black coat. The cuffs and collar were decorated with onyx feathers. His arms were still folded, his ruby red eyes glinted in the gray light.
   "We're in Folgefonna State Park, Norway. The next portal will be opening right in that lake."
    Iris began to shiver, the adrenaline rush she had had earlier was long gone. Now she began to freeze. She folded her arms tight to her chest.
    "How long do we have?"
     "Tomorrow morning at best. We're better off being fully prepared and just staying the night."
     "Ag-agreed."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow at her.
     "If you're cold just change into something warm."
     "I c-can't. I used up the last of my strength back there, I n-need to re-recharge."
Lucifer laughed.
     "Being Guardian Angel really doesn't come with that many perks does it?"
She rolled her eyes.
     "Blame God, he doesn't exactly like to plan."
     "True."
    Lucifer snapped his fingers again, Iris was suddenly wearing a matching thick black coat. Minus the feathers, thank goodness.
    "Thanks! So much better."
   Her cheeks where flushed bright red, despite the coat the weather was still freezing.
     "We better make a camp and make a game plan for tomorrow."
Iris nodded. It was going to be a cold night.