Their Wings

Chapter 17: Visitors Part 1

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was floored. What the hell is going on?

"W-what?" I stammered out to the figures at my feet. Before they could reply though, the doors to the chamber banged open. A huse gust of air blew through the room, raising everyone's hair and fluttering their wings.

The Angelus immediately stood up and turned to face the intruder. Luke and Michelle jumped to their feet and moved protectively in front of me.

"Well look at this, a meeting of the High Council. Whatever is the occasion?" Asked a wispy voice that I knew all too well. The Demonate priestess walked forward, the black smoke that made formed her body creating a tail behind her as she walked forward. Behind her was a procession of Demonate, at least 50 of them in 3 straight lines following the footsteps of the smoke-woman. As she passed them the Angelus seemed to instinctively shy away from them, pulling back into the walls. She made no acknowledgement of them, just walked straight forward, eyes on the altar.

Luke's arm appeared behind his back and wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him, allowing his body to hide me from the Priestess. His chin was tilted up, and I could just imagine the look of contempt on his face. The Demonate's footsteps were silent on the marble floor, the only sound they made being the slight gasp of smoke as it moved through the air. Luke's arm guided me sideways, until we were standing next to the altar instead of right on it. Michelle had moved with us, though she was further in front of us. The Demonate eventually reached the steps. As she bagan to ascend the staircase her entourage stopped in their perfect military lines. There were definitely more then 50, almost 80 standing to attention. As she passed us Luke turned his body so that I was blocked the entirely from her vision.

The Demonate priestess came to stand in front of the Council, who was standing in front of their thrones, their chins up and their chests out. She smirked slightly as she looked at each of them in turn.

"Well don't I get an introduction? I do have Angelus blood in my veins." She said, smirking fully now.

"The Council recognizes you Ciara, Priestess of all Demonate." Aterus said.

"Thank you Lord Aterus." said Ciara, inclining her head to the Angelus.

"Why are you here Ciara? Your place is in the Shadow World. Demonate are not welcome in Ahina." Said Ashlyn.

"That may be true Lady Ashlyn, but I have good reason to interuppt your festivities. My aura senses that an heria has been reborn. We only wish to pay our respects to the leader of your people."

"You have no place even thinking of the heria. You and your people are the very reason the heria were killed. Demonate have no place in the company of royalty." said Careena vehemently.

"But alas, I sense her in this very room. Where are you hiding her? In the crowd, or behind your thrones?" Ciara replied.

"Leave Ciara, before this turns ugly." Warned Damon, his blue eyes glinting dangerously.

"Ugly? Why should it turn ugly? I only wish to meet the heria. But if you remain so unco-operative then this might just have to..."

A loud crack sounded throughout the chamber. The Angelus crumpled to the floor, dead. The Demonate that had broken his neck left the body on the ground and walked back to the line, slipping into place. I was frozen in shock and horror.

"Get ugly." Ciara finished, her black eyes flashing dangerously. She raised an eyebrow at the Council. They sent silent looks to each other, an unheard argument going on between them.

"Well then, you've been given fair warning." She said, and another Angelus crumpled to the marble floor. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on Luke's strong shoulder, trying to gather strength from him. Another crack and I flinched. His head turned fractionally to the left, allowing him to see me in his peripheral vision. I lifted my head and stared at his face, willing him to hear what I wanted. He swallowed thickly and I clutched his arm, pleading. Another one joined the symphony of death. He closed his eyes and nodded minutely. Seconds before another crack echoed throughout the walls Luke stepped aside and I walked forward.

"I'm here."

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A/N: Hello people :) Don't you just love cliffhangers? *evil smile* Sorry I've taken a bit longer to upload but I've been without internet for a couple of days. Thank you all so much for your support of Their Wings.

Since it seems to be going so well I've decided to up the vote challenge to 5 votes to the next chapter... Please, please, please vote, comment and fan!!!

Love Micky xoxo