Angel Assassins - Book 1 Lineage & Lies

Chapter 22 - Jinn

Xavier surveyed the area. The portal had brought him out on a barren hilltop. In the distance he could see Jarako, the huge fortress, standing stark against the skyline. It was home to many immortals and it was where the masters trained, many of whom stayed there after the training, preferring it to the cities of Lucandria and Zunlan. 

Xavier needed to get to Lucandria, but that was a nine day run from Jarako. He could just make out the spire on Lucifer's citadel on the horizon. He knew a few people in Jarako, one or two who may be able to reconfigure the orb to save him a nine day journey. 

He started his descent down the hillside; there were a couple of settlements along the way. He hoped he could obtain some water there.

'I can't believe I left my pack' he said to himself.

'Looking for this?'

The voice behind him made him jump. Jinn stood at the same spot that Xavier had landed, his pack in his hand. He threw the pack to Xavier and walked to meet him.

'I don't expect you to trust me, but this hopefully goes some way towards it' said Jinn

Xavier searched through the pack and grabbed a bottle of water. He took a long drink from it and offered it to Jinn. Jinn accepted it graciously and took a swig.

'Have you sent word to Jake?' asked Jinn.

Xavier shook his head. I need to get to the human quarter in Lucandria. My friends there will be able to contact him.

'But you are heading for Jarako, Lucandria is that way' said Jinn pointing to the glistening spire far in the distance.

'I have a contact in Jarako who can reconfigure the orb, so instead of a nine day journey, I can get to Jarako in a day and then get to Lucandria straight away' said Xavier.

A thought flashed through Xavier's mind, that maybe he was saying too much. But Jinn had helped him escape.

'Do you mind if I come to Jarako with you? I will need a place to hide now that I have left Jerobim' asked Jinn

'Ah so that's his name!'

Jinn nodded.

'He is part of your Grandfathers inner circle, but he has plans to replace him'

Xavier looked at Jinn

'Does he know who my Grandfather is?' asked Xavier

'No, I don't think so, but he knows about Xaria and has some contacts of his own here. One of the Masters, I think'

Xavier pushed his hand through his hair and sat on the ground. The last few days all of a sudden seemed to weigh heavily on Xavier. He thought about his brother Jake, they had only just been re-united. It was his job to protect him and they had been separated again. His head was in his hands now.

'What would Gabriel do?' he said to himself.

'Gabriel? What Lucian's bodyguard?' Xavier looked up at Jinn. He obviously didn't know who Gabriel was.

'Jinn, you know of Gabriel the Renegade?' Xavier asked

'Everyone knows that myth. The archangel who walked out of heaven' said Jinn.

Xavier stood up

'Well the Gabriel who guards Lucian is that mythical archangel'

Xavier held up his two fingers on each hand as speech marks as he said 'Mythical'.

Jinn was wide eyed

'No, it can't be, but that's just a legend. Besides he looks nothing like Gabriel the arch....'