Elvirund | ✔️

Chapter Thirteen

I didn't speak, afraid I would say something wrong. My head continuously bumped against the door of the truck, against which I was still curled, facing away from Chip and secluded, if it could be called that. Sometimes Chip would take a breath, as if to say something, but he would stop and sigh quietly. I didn't bother trying to initiate conversation. At best, it would be tense and awkward. At worst, I would end up in tears again. Those were two alternatives I could avoid by being quiet.

"You have fairly human reactions for a not so human creature."

I opened one eye in surprise.

"Calm down. They can't see me."

Raphael was sitting conspicuously on my knee, staring at me with a curious look in his eyes.

"Child, I have come to warn you yet again. The Elders have sent Calphys after you. I'm quite surprised by their decision, and if I may be frank with you I don't think this will be any good, not for you nor for the humans."

"Why? Why have they sent Calphys, I mean."

Raphael's ghostly apparition sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know. I truly don't know, child. It's possible the Elders have run out of options. Either that or they're desperate to incarcerate you as quickly as possible."

I rubbed my eyes and shook my head.

"This is confusing me. What reason do they have?"

"As with before, they believe you're seducing the human. But it seems they've added that you're a danger to Elvirian society. Something about espionage?"

So they even kept tabs on what I said. What a bunch of weak asses, prying into one angel's personal business. It wasn't as if I could do anything else while on Earth.

"And Raphael?"

"Yes, child?"

"Why do you keep calling me that?"

"What?"

Raphael's image was gone and Chip was gazing at me worriedly.

"Nothing."

I turned back into my small huddle and shivered with only a vague memory of what the creature they called Calphys looked like. All I could remember, for whatever reason, was black. Black everything. Maybe I would remember later.

"If you're cold you can have my jacket."

"No. I'm fine."

"Aurelia, please. I'm not mad at you."

"It would be so much easier if you were."

I closed my eyes, afraid of losing myself to despair like back there again. I didn't want to lose Chip; he was one of my only friends. But I honestly wished he was angry, so I would have a reason to stay silent. The thought suddenly occurred to me that Calphys had most likely been the one to inform him of my role in this destruction. The only thing it did was make me angrier and more upset if that was even possible.

"That position can't be comfortable."

"Quite contrary. I'm more comfortable like this than you are in a hammock."

"The door isn't a very flesh friendly surface."

"Neither is an operating table."

"Aurelia, when were you on an operating table?"

Chip's voice was laced with a kind of horror, and I almost grinned. That was what I wanted. That was the only reaction that I could justify my snappy replies with. I couldn't be angry at him if he didn't do the same.