Fallen

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Raziel

As they neared the French Quarter, Raziel readied himself. Away went his playful side that came out only when he was around Ariel. In its place, his battle-ready side stationed itself. The time for messing around was gone. Witches weren't his favorite species to be around by any means. But this was necessary and so he would be strong and do it anyway. He had no other choice.

Parking his car, he got out of the car, taking his bag as well as Ariel's. He had allowed a backpack for each of them, no more. Otherwise, it would be too much to carry around.

Walking around the car he reached for Ariel's hand, not knowing if she would accept it or not. He knew she was struggling. The trauma she went through hit her sometimes. In moments when he least expected it she would have a flashback. When she had broken down in his bedroom, it had been one of the most painful things for him to witness. Seeing her broken and scared like that, it hurt. And something in him hated that the fear was directed at him even though he knew that it wasn't really him that she was seeing in the moment.

Surprising him, she accepted his hold, causing a warm feeling to flood his chest. Her hand was warm in his and it calmed all of the thoughts that had been running around in his head. Her touch calmed his mind and allowed him to focus on the task ahead. Hand in hand, they headed in the direction of the antique shop. There was the door. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for that step into the building. 

As if sensing his hesitation, Ariel gave his hand an encouraging squeeze and took a step forward pulling him along with her. And with that incentive, he recovered. He opened the door and stepped over the threshold into the room. 

She was standing behind the counter, her long strands of scarlet hanging over her shoulders. When she heard the door chime her gaze raised to see who had entered her store. Once she saw who it was, her green eyes intensified and gained a heated aspect. 

"Angels. Fallen angels," she perused them, "How is it that two fallen angels have found their way to my den?"

"We find ourselves in need of services that only your kind can provide."

"Hmm. Do tell." she purred, leaning forward, putting her weight on her hands that pressed against the surface of the counter.

"We need you to create a portal for us." 

At his words, those same eyes perused them both for the second time. This time she seemed to be searching for answers rather than the just acknowledgment of their presence of the former perusal. After several seconds of silence, she seemed to come to a conclusion within. Whatever she had been searching for she had found. Her jade eyes flashed. With excitement or anger, he couldn't tell. The exact emotion was indecipherable to him.

"I'll do it."

He blinked, completely dumbfounded. Just like that?

"What are your terms?" 

There was no way that she would be doing this if there wasn't something she would be getting out of it. 

At his question, her piercing gaze moved to rove over Ariel. Or at least what was available to be looked upon. She had subtly shifted and half her body was hidden behind his. It caused his heart to fill with an unknown emotion that she would deem him trustworthy enough to keep her safe. 

"No."

One word. One single word and with it, he cut off any ideas that she may have been coming up with inside that twisted mind of hers. Ariel would never be a part of the terms and he was just laying that law down now. He would protect her against the advances of this sly witch. 

"Relax. I wasn't implying what you seem to think I was. I like my partners willing. I don't get off on fear."

Even so, his body remained at attention, ready for any wrong move she might make. He knew better than to trust a witch and this one was as cunning as they came. 

"I do this at no charge."

He blinked. There was no way. There had to be strings attached to this. She couldn't simply just do this for them. Witches were greedy self-centered beings. Everything they did was to benefit themselves. They all did what was best for themselves regardless of the effect their actions might have on others. It wasn't in their nature to care for the well-being of others. 

"I can't believe that you would do this without requiring anything of me." 

"It's simple. It's obvious that you two are on a mission of importance that your wellbeing depends on. I won't hold back or require of you what you can't give. I want to help and so I will. Now if you are so insistent on making a deal then very well. I only ask that you be open to helping me out in return if the day should ever come when I need it."

Nodding his head he agreed, "that is a fair deal."

At that, she got down to business. 

"Very well. Now that we have that settled, we can begin."

***

The witch happened to have had the foresight to open her shop up near the location of the nearest portal. It was a block over, located down an eery alleyway. They stood there now. At the very end, it was a dead-end alley. 

"Before we get down to business, I need your names. if I am to contact you in my time of need knowing your name is necessary."

Nodding, he looked at her, "I am Raziel, this is Ariel."

"And I am Vivian. The head witch of the New Orleans coven. Now that we have that over with, down to business it is." 

Her eyes closed, Vivian held her hands out in front of her. She began to channel her energy, focusing it on the spot where the portal lay. As her power began to flood over it, urging it to open, the portal slowly became visible. It started as a barely noticeable shimmer, the center became visible and then it began to spread outwards. It spread until an open space lay before them. Whatever was on the other side of the portal wasn't visible, it was simply nothingness.

With her hands still out in front of her, Vivian held the portal open. 

"You must have the desired destination in your thoughts when you enter the portal. As long as you are both in contact with each other, you will go to the same place. Hold on and think of the same location and there should be no mistakes. Now, go so I can close it."

Nodding in thanks, Raziel reached out and grasped Ariel's hand in his.

"Thank you for your assistance."

Vivian simply inclined her head in his direction, keeping her focus on keeping the portal open.

He shifted his attention to Ariel who had been quietly staying by his side this whole time. 

"New York City. More specifically Brooklyn."

She nodded, a look of complete trust on her face.

He felt a subtle smile form on his lips. He didn't know what he did to deserve that trust, but something deep inside reveled in it. 

Turning back to the portal, he thought of where he wanted to go and stepped into the opening with Ariel following close behind him. 

AN~

I know i know. It took me a lot longer than I thought and said to ge this chapter up. I was struggling really bad with writers block. it literally took me like three weeks to ge this chapter written. Also I have a new niece so that's been taking my attention also. I will try to get another chapter out soon. 

Enjoy!!

Love you guyses!!

Alayna