Wingless ~Book Two of Winged~

Malachai

"Nephilim..." He whispers and my eyes widen as he says that one word. He finishes putting his scarf on me to help protect me from the projectile sand. I notice that it smells earthy put with a small hint of citrus.

"How did you know that?" I question and he shows a small smile while taking a step back.

"I can just tell. So you're meeting someone?" He observes me closely.

"Yeah..."

He nods, "Did they fall in with you or are they already here?" He questions and adjusts the hood on his head.

"No... He's going to meet me at the palace and take me back to... the mortal realm." I question my wording I used, hoping that I called where I am from by its correct name. He narrows his eyes some.

"And how does he plan to do that?" He questions and honestly I'm not sure how Dominic plans to get me out of here so I shrug and he slowly nods.

"I should keep going... I don't know how long it's going to take me to get there." I say awkwardly.

"Let me guide you." He offers with a smile.

Don't trust anyone.

This man seems safe... He even gave me his scarf. I take in the earthy smell again.

"I don't know." I say barely audible and he tilts his head.

"There are others out here... All not very friendly. I can protect you." He offers his protection and I stare up at his different colored eyes.

"Okay..." He smiles again and turns allowing me to walk first. Once I start walking, he walks beside me. I realize something I probably should have noticed a little earlier.

I lightly poke him so he can read my lips and he looks down at me. "What's your name?" He stops walking, realizing that we haven't exchanged names.

"Malachai and your name is?" He stares down at me.

"Trinity." I say lightly and I almost think he didn't understand, but he nods.

"Trinity." He repeats and we continue walking toward the dome that doesn't seem like it's getting any closer. We are however approaching a small stone house that is crumbling. As we near it, someone steps out from behind the building and Malachai stops in his tracks, grabbing me and stopping me too. He has his bone knife in his hand immediately and the new stranger also pulls out a weapon. The man closes the distance between us with large steps and within him being five feet from us, Malachai lunges and the two start fighting. Malachai knocks the man's weapon to the side then stabs him in between his ribs.

"Come." Malachai requests and grabs my hand before starting to run. I struggle to run in the sand and keep stumbling, but Malachai keeps me up on my feet. We run for fifteen minutes and I am breathless as Malachai slows down. He stops and allows me to catch my breath.

"Are you okay?" He asks and lays a hand gently on my back. I nod, but his hand continues to stay on my back. The wind picks up some, sending sand flying around. I like my chapped lips and some sand particles stick to my newly moistened lips.

"We're going to have to find shelter, this is going to turn into a full blown sand storm." I look in the direction of the palace. It seems a little closer.

"How long do we have?" I ask and he thinks for a second.

"Ten to twenty minutes, maybe. Time is hard to tell here." I nod. The palace may seem closer, but not close enough for us to get there in time. Malachai starts scanning everywhere he can see.