Draiks and Angels: Rescued

29 - Cease

Cona was exhausted by the time they reached her place. Michael was afraid she was going to fall out of the air before they made it all the way there. He helped her stay standing and put her finger on the scanner to let them in the kitchen door, then just picked her up and carried her inside. She wanted to object but couldn't find the energy. Michael carried Cona to her room while the others found places to rest. Only Alex hadn't been there before, and Khloe showed him around what little she knew.

Michael laid Cona on her bed. Her eyes were already closed so he figured she must have fallen asleep. He stood and watched her for a few minutes. The gold jewelry on her wrists, arm, ankle and wings were so highly polished, he could see details of the room in them. The tattoo around her navel was a stark reminder that this wasn't over. He didn't doubt that mark tied her to the Shadows. Could they remove it or did he need to destroy the Leader to do it?

Cona rolled onto her side and curled up, shivering. Michael looked around and found a blanket folded at the end of the bed. He pulled it out and laid it on her. For now, he was just glad that she was safe. He left her room and closed the door behind him.

He found Mara had decided to try the hammock in the foyer and had fallen asleep there already. Khloe was still sleeping on the floor, even at Alex's apartment, so she chose a nice spot on the floor of the Red Room and was relaxing while Alex chatted from one of the stuffed chairs. Alex said he would be fine on whatever couch there was, so Michael could take the guest room.

Michael was also suddenly very tired. He looked at the clock in the guest room and it was four in the morning. How was he even functioning at all? Probably adrenaline. That crash was not going to be fun. Better to sleep it off, too. He threw himself face down on the guest bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

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Andrew did not sleep well. He woke early, with a terrible fear. He walked quickly, for a Steward should not run, to the other side of the third floor. He turned down the hall to see: two guards, bleary-eyed lying on the floor; two guards, replacements he assumed, bending and talking to one; and two female Angels talking to the other. The whole party of Angels saw him and froze. Good. Better they think he had some power to know when things were going on in the Aerie. But what on earth was going on?!

"Report," Andrew commanded.

The replacement guards snapped to attention, and one responded, "We arrived to relieve the Archangel's guards this morning to find them asleep on the floor. We were unable to wake them. We called the Healer and she said they had been drugged. We had just gotten them awake and were questioning them."

Oh no.

"And the Archangel?"

"The door was still locked when we arrived, sir."

"But you didn't open it, because if he was inside, he could have escaped."

"Yes, sir."

Andrew walked down the hall to the bolted door, "The chances of someone drugging the guards and not letting the Archangel out are slim."

He undid the bolts and opened the door wide. He knew what he would find. Nothing. A bed, chest of drawers, table, stool, cupboard, and nothing! He left the door open and turned to the nearest bleary guard.

"You, what happened?"

He was obviously struggling to focus.

"Close your eyes, don't try to look at anything, just try to remember. Tell me: what happened."