War of Hearts

23 - Half brother

Ever's hair was woven into a braid, giving her a warrior look. Her skin was soft, pale and flawless. Her eyes seemed to have gotten brighter, more brilliant. Her cheeks were slightly pink. Her perfectly shaped lips were a beautiful rose bud pink. In the moment Ever had eyes of the sea and wet pebbles. Cael was mesmerized by the deep swirls blue that colored his lover's pupils.

Ever closed her eyes. Everything was black. She saw nothing but the darkness. She opened her eyes; all eyes were staring at her.

When Cael looked at Ever again, her eyes were a multi-colored fabric for it was now a light green. The smooth green on the edge contrasted beautifully with the amber color in the middle, capturing the heart of any man who gazed at her.

Blue sparks began to flicker from her, making her look like a goddess. Slowly the blue sparks travelled through the entire bunker, entering into every living being, molding their souls with powers of God.

Ever released Elizabeth's and Cedric's hands and spoke, "No angel here are common angels anymore. We are all one. Let's fight together and protect our land."

His greasy, greying skin split like tree bark. Wiry black hairs sprouted. His once kindly brown eyes melted into a heavier, more ruddy color. His bones moved under his skin like mechanical snakes; audible cracks sliced through him and he felt his feet cement into the ground. He was not himself anymore; he was a monster.

"Are you ready?" Atlas asked from Aiden Wolfsbane and Aiden nodded sniffing.

"Cedric, walk us toward the structure of the sword of life," Ever said and took the lead, everyone followed her. As she walked she continued, "Let's make the sword and destroy all blood drinkers in the Capital, after that let's find out Roop."

Queen Angel slowly got down from the bed and joined the crowd along with angel Air.

As the angel army stepped out of the bunker the rain of God washed the Angelic. The rain came as a million soul fragments in a chorus together. Rain floated in gentle waves, as if gravity is a soft music from the Earth, a sweet beckoning serenade. Each drop bequeathed itself unto the cooling air - wet lifeboats in a dry sea. Each step through was a small prayer and a promise to help build a better world.

Parisa caught her pace between Julian, as soon as her hand brushed against Julian, he turned to face Parisa as if Parisa's touch was some sort of a shock for him.

"Are you alright?" She asked in a whisper.

He nodded and continued walking with the crowd.

"You don't seem like you're okay," Parisa said.

Julian avoided speaking and walked faster, trying to avoid Parisa but Parisa followed him.

* * *

The castle walls are the strongest thing for miles around, yet when Paulo looked carefully he noticed the stones. It is built of stones of varying sizes and shapes, each one unique. From a distance it is uniform grey, from up close it is a mosaic of humble rocks, each of them nobody would think anything of where they lose by the roadside. But together they are a castle, the crown of the landscape and protector of angels.

He didn't notice Erana until Erana placed her hand over his hand.

"Erana," he said, his face expressing a sort of relief.

"What do you want to talk about?" Erana asked, staring at the far corner of the Capital.

"I'll tell you a secret."

"Why will you tell your secrets?" Erana asked, amused.

"Because I trust you and I need your help."

Erana raised her thick eyebrows and grinned. "Tell me, what is it?"

"I'm Paulo Roosevelt., the son of the Queen Angel and Jonathan Roosevelt."

A lightening stroke Erana's heart. What is he talking about? Erana moved her gaze from the beautiful sky to Paulo, shock registered in her face.

"I was grown by Edward Hamilton of the Earth land," he said, moving his fingers through his grey inked hair.

"How can I trust you?" Erana asked, completely fixing her attention on Paulo.

Paulo twirl his fingers and created fire on his fingertips. Erana gaped in surprise. She let out a laugh in excitement. "What help do you need from me?"

"I need to kill the queen and be with my sisters."

"That's ridiculous need." Erana chuckled. "You can't kill the queen. Ever and Eli will never forgive you if you kill their mother."

"They'll understand. Their mother is a murderer. He killed my father."

"How do you know?" Erana asked in surprise.

"How do you know?" He asked her.

"Marina told me," she answered.

"Marina told me too."

"How do you know her?"

"She came to see me and told me everything."

"You are been insanely ridiculous."

"How?"

"Maybe the queen is already dead," Erana suggested.

Paulo shook his head. "She is alive, I can feel it."

"How?"

"I don't know, I just feel it."

Erana gave a fake smile, cursing Marina inside her head. She knew Marina would do something like this. But this is so huge than what Erana expected.

"Why do you want to be with your sisters? They are the daughters of a murderer; they grew with a mother who murdered her lover. Maybe they are no better than the queen."

"Do you remember when Ever came to the prison? That was when I knew it was her. I saw her at Elizabeth's wedding but I didn't know it was her. She followed me and tried to kill me. I couldn't help but imagine that she's the prettiest woman I've ever seen. But when I saw her in the prison I noticed that she looks so much like me. I felt something I've never felt. I felt the happiness of finding my own family. They were for me and I am for them. I need to tell Ever that I'm her brother, I need to tell Elizabeth that I can protect them and make them happy but before everything I have to kill the murderer of my father."

"Marina has spoiled you," Erana complained.

"No, she told me the truth when everyone around me lied."

"People lie because they've got their own reasons to do so."

"Before their own reasons they must question what the other party will go through when they discover the truth," he hissed. "I thought I was Edward Hamilton's son until Marina show up. I was living in a lie." He took a step toward Erana. "Do you what I went through when my pet died because I wasn't able to control my fire. When I told them, they told I was sick, they locked me in my room and told me I have to stay in it forever or else I'll destroy everyone around me. Do you know how much I've cried thinking that I was a monster. Tasha began to give me sleeping pills when I told her about my nightmares. I slept all day and wake up in the night. I always stare up at the sky till the morning and fall asleep again. That's when Marina show up and told me who I was and I ran away from the Hamiltons. I need to be with my family, my real family, the ones who will truly love me."