Tainted Night

Chapter 27- It is time.

Unfortunately, the clock is ticking, the hours are going by. The past increases, the future recedes. Possibilities decreasing, regrets mounting.”

― Haruki Murakami, Dance Dance Dance

 

Chapter 27- It is time.

 

 

 

Theold run down palace was in its usually silent state. If you dropped a pin in it you would have heard the echo of the drop from the basement. That is how silent the place was. Suddenly the sound of heels clicking against the old wooden boards of the palace was heard. The steps were fast, determined- the person walking was obviously in a hurry. “Jophiel! Come down here this instant!” Diana said loudly as she stood in the middle of the foyer. The sound of feet patting against wood was heard before Jophiel appeared in-front of Diana in the foyer. Jophiel’s wings were curled over his naked torso as he strolled towards a frowning Diana.

“What are you doing here this early Dania? I was sleeping!” Jophiel said before a yawn left his parted lips proving his point.

“Firstly I told you time and time again it is Diana not Dania! Secondly It is one PM for God’s sake!” Diana hissed placing her fists on her hips as she glared at the hybrid angel.

“And I told you time and time again I don’t care! Now, Can you please tell me why you are here so you can leave and I can go back to sleep.” The angel said in an annoyed tone that made Diana’s fingers itch. She so much wanted to pull a spell on him but she knew if she did so her sister would kill her later on. “Don’t you remember what day it is?”

“No…?” Jophiel said raking his brain to remember what could have been so important that Diana had to come wake him up. Diana stared at Jophiel in horror, looking very close to someone who had seen a ghost.

“You are joking right?” Diana said raising a perfect eyebrow at him.

“Um... No, should I be?” Jophiel said mimicking her action.

“You really don’t remember?!” Diana said a gasp falling from her lips as she took a step back and away from Jophiel as if he was the devil. Jophiel stared at her confused wondering what could be so important for her to react like that. “It is the twenty-nine of April, it is Elaria’s freaking birthday! You remember her? The girl who is supposed to save us all! The girl your son was assigned to take care of?” Diana yelled at him and Jophiel flinched back. How could he forget? It was one of the most important dates! He never forgot when her birthday ruled, not even when he was not there to celebrate it! “Oh my God! You are turning dark aren’t you?!” Diana exclaimed in realization as her eyes fell on black feathers among the silver ones. “You are.”

“Yeah, I noticed. My feathers started falling or turning black a couple days ago. I just hope there is at least one silver feather left before the sacrifice time.” Jophiel mumbled stroking the feathers of his wings. Oh! How much he missed the golden white feathers he used to have. “Can I still go? Please, I promise I will be completely hidden away from her view and I won’t capture any attention to me.” Jophiel begged slightly his eyes filled with hesitant hope. Diana eyed the angel for a short amount of time before nodding. “You have to promise, so I know you are really going to do as said.”