Their Wings

Chapter 10: Legends

Ian Lockhart. I wondered what he was like. His reputation seemed to precede him, if only because Michelle tended to overreact. I had currently been on the road with Luke and Michelle for the past hour. We had ditched school in favour of visiting Ian so he could tell me about what was going on. I hadn’t been keen on missing school but they had convinced me that my life was more important than Heathcliffe and Cathy.

Michelle had been talking non-stop the entire time and I had found out a lot about her. She had been taken in by the Lockharts when she was 8, after her parents had been killed. They were her second family. But one thing she refused to talk to me about was the whole angel fiasco.

“Can I ask you guys something?” I asked about an hour after we had set off. They nodded.

“Why do we need to see your father? I mean do I need to know these tales he is going to tell me.?”

“They aren’t tales. You need someone to teach you properly what all this is about, and the only person I know of is my Dad.” said Luke. I nodded and settled back in my seat.

We finally arrived at a cabin in the middle of the woods about an hour and a half after leaving school. Luke and Michelle got out, so I followed suit. Michelle walked up to the door and knocked, while Luke stood beside me.

Just as I was about to say something the door cracked open and a voice hollered from inside, “Who’s there?”

“It’s us Uncle Ian!” shouted back Michelle. The door suddenly swung open and out walked a tall man with dark hair and eyes. He looked at Michelle, then Luke and finally at me.

“Who is that Luke?” he asked, pointing at me.

“Her name is Ella, Dad. We can trust her.” said Luke.

“How do you know?” he asked Luke.

“Listen, I’ve been attacked by my English teacher, twice. I’ve met with those demon shadow things, and I’ve had a complete makeover in my sleep.” I said exasperatedly, looking right at him. His gaze traveled to Michelle, who smiled then Luke who just shrugged.

“Alright then, come in if you must.” he said walking back inside. I looked at Michelle who seemed to be holding in laughter. I walked inside following Luke who had entered before me. I walked into a cozy room with a fire blazing. There were two mismatched chairs and a worn couch surrounding a coffee table. There were papers carpeting the floor. Despite the mess the room held a homely atmosphere. Ian walked an armchair and sat down.

“What can I do for you then?” he asked, looking at us curiously.

Luke spoke first, “Dad, we need you to tell Ella the legends.”

Ian’s eyebrows rose. “And why should I do that? She is human who has had some unfortunate encounters with some of our race. She need not worry herself with our tales.”

“But Uncle, she’s an Undetermined.” said Michelle.

“What?!” shouted Ian. “You brought an Undetermined to my home? How could you two be so foolish?”

“I made a vow for her Dad. There was no other way.” said Luke.

If Ian had looked mad before it was nothing compared to his face now. “Luke Lockhart, what in the world possessed you to do that?”

“It was necessary Dad.” said Luke calmly.

“Necessary? Luke, you have brought danger to this place, our home. For what, a girl?”

“Please Dad, you have to do this!” Luke pleaded. Ian shook his head, turning away from us to gaze into the fire. I looked worriedly at Luke and Michelle, who avoided my gaze. I bit my bottom lip as I looked at Ian, whose back was still turned. He stared at the flames for five whole minutes before sighing tiredly.

“Alright. I don’t agree with what you have done Luke. But I have to adhere to the conditions of the vow. Sit down.” Ian said resignedly.

Luke gave a big smile and walked over to the other chair and sat down. Michelle and I sat down next to each other on the couch. Ian took a deep breath before turning back to face us. He lifted his chin up and stared at the three of us in turn.

“How much do you know?” he asked me.

“Not much, I know there are angels and those shadow things; and I now that there is some choice I have to make, but not much else.” I answered.

Ian nodded slowly. “Well then, let me start at the beginning.” He leaned back against the mantle and his eyes took over a faraway gaze.

“Firstly, you were right about the two races, though those are not their names. The ones you call angels are actually Angelus, and the shadows proper name is Demonate. They are two opposing forces, light and dark but they have always lived in peace. Until a couple of years ago that is.”

“Ok, what does that have to do with me?” I asked.

“A long time ago, when the war first started, a decree was put into place by the Council. All offspring of either Angelus or Demonate must be sent to Earth to live among the humans for the first 17 years of their life. Once they come of age they are given 6 months. In those 6 months they have to prove themselves to the Council. Only those worthy are able to earn their wings. If you are deemed unworthy you are sent to join the ranks of the Demonate.”

“What happens when you earn your wings?” I asked.

“You become a complete Angelus.”

“And if you don’t earn them?”

“You are banished to the Shadow World.” He answered.

"Wait, aren't they two different races? How does one become the other?".

"No, essentially they are the same being. But once an Angelus reaces maturity they are unable to live without their wings and therefore become mere shadows of their former selves, Demonate." I bit my lip and looked at Luke and Michelle, then back to Ian.

“What does this mean for me then?”

“Well, normally you would just go on with your life, albeit with a companion, and the Council would observe you and decide then."

"Companion?"

"An Angelus is assigned to every Undetermined to help them with the changes. But that is not the case here. That is what I still don’t understand, why did you yake a vow Luke?” he said.

“They sought her out Dad, the Demonate. They called to her in dreams and tried to lure her towards them” he said. I stared at Luke. How did he know that?

“Is that so?” said Ian, and Luke nodded. I was suddenly struck by another question.

“Does that mean you three are all angels?” I asked.

“No, only Michelle is an Angelus. I am human and Luke is a half-angelus.” said Ian.

“Half-angelus?” I said.

“My mother was Angelus, but when I was born she left me here with my Dad and went back to Ahina.” he answered emotionlessly.

“What’s Ahina?”

“The country of Angelus, where the Council sits.” answered Luke. I nodded silently.

“So what do we do now?” I asked.

“We do nothing. Your life will continue as usual.” said Ian. Before we could reply he stood up and said to Luke. “Take her home Luke. There is nothing more we can do.”

Luke opened his mouth to something but his father walked out of the room leaving us alone. We looked at each other for a minute before standing up and walking to the door. Luke opened the door for us and Michelle and I walked out onto the porch. I was still mulling over Ian’s words as we walked to the car. Suddenly a flapping was heard overhead. We all looked up to see an Angelus with light brown hair and eyes land before us. There was something vaguely familiar about her face, but I couldn’t get it. Her wings were white, glowing in the sun.

“My name is Mina.” she said in an unidentifiable accent, “Ella James, we have come for you.”

Before I could respond Luke walked forward and regarded the Angelus silently.

Her face lit up with a warm smile, “Hello Luke.”

“Hello mom.”