Finding Heathcliff

Forty

"There is something... different about you... Azrael... " the girl whispered, her smile morphing into a frown as she tried to comprehend the change.

Perfectly invisible as it would be outside, the faint halo emanating from the fallen angel was easily perceptible within the gloom of the pit, highlighted by the magical, bluish light hovering around the group.

He opened his mouth to say something to make her calm down, anything but the whole truth, but there was no need; her eyes fluttered closed again before he could collect his thoughts.

"I'll carry her, Eva," he said, taking the girl from the woman, lifting her into his arms effortlessly. "Thank you."

"So... this is her? Arcturus' little queenie is the human you love? But she is just a girl, and a part demon..." Evangeline said, standing in front of Azrael, blocking his path.

"Evangeline, this is not the right moment. Let us go. We need water," Ramiel complained from behind Azrael, his anxious eyes flickering to Rigel, who didn't seem entirely steady on his feet.

Azrael sighed. "It's better to speak now, Ramiel, we won't take long. But I don't want to talk about this ever again, Eva," he warned. "What I feel for her has nothing to do with you. Yes, she is Arcturus' niece, at least that's what she thinks, but I'm sure you already noticed that her angel side is much stronger than her human or demon heritage. She wants to meet Michael, and I don't think it's simply because of the treaty... In any case, I'll deliver her to him as I promised."

"And then?" Evangeline prompted. "You'll collect your wings and leave her here alone." She shook her head, the frustration filling her eyes morphing into pity. "I'm so sorry for you, Azrael. I guess we will have to keep an eye on her for you until we get our wings back, too."

"I don't want your pity, Eva, but I'll accept your honest friendship if you offer it."

"It's yours, Azrael, you know that. That's the only thing you ever asked of me even though you know... Never mind." She let her eyes slip to Astrid sleeping in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder so naturally as if it belonged there. Shaking her head, she met Azrael's eyes again, expecting the instructions she knew were due.

"We'll stop for the night as soon as we reach the stream, then continue on our way tomorrow. We need a few more days to reach Oblivis, even if we carry them. You heard what's happening above?" Azrael asked, inclining his head towards the doves perched on his shoulder.

"Yes," Evangeline said.

"Would you please go ahead of us and warn everyone? I suppose Michael will come to Oblivis the moment the news reaches him, and he will be furious. Should you see him before we arrive, prepare him for our arrival, explain everything. Arcturus won't let this occasion slip. There will be war, we have no time to waste..."

"I will," the fallen angel said seriously.

"Thank you." Azrael smiled at her, letting her embrace him as well as she could without touching Astrid, and kiss him on the cheek.

Adjusting her cloak and the bow and quiver slung across her back, she jumped into the black void, her cloak and her long blonde hair billowing around her like wings, vanishing from their sight in an instant.

"I wish we could do the same," Ramiel said, watching the spot in the blackness where Evangeline disappeared.

"You know that we can't jump, carrying them, not in this pit. We're still too high. We need at least two more days before we can fly them down," Azrael said, starting to walk down the rocky path quickly, letting the light disappear. He didn't need it.

"We need more light!" Ramiel complained from far behind him.

You don't, Azrael thought. Just... carry the boy. He won't mind, I saw his thoughts about you, Ramiel.