Divinity: Transcendence: Book Two (The Divinity Saga) (36 page)

Her eyes widened and she gasped
. A small smile crept across her lips as she eagerly answered it.

“Star? Oh my god! What the hell girl!” China smiled, though tears flooded her
green eyes.

She got up, pointing
excitedly to her phone with a thumbs up, and mouthed, ‘It’s Star’ to me, and then headed into her room for privacy. I pointed to the door and waved just as she began to close her bedroom door. She looked as if she wanted me to wait, but then figured I had to go and waved back.

Thank you Edanai. I whispered to myself.

I half-listened to Chi
na’s replies, hearing everything that Edanai was saying.

I cloaked myself,
and headed into Starlings room to gather a few more personal items of hers to take back with me…for when I would see her again.

XIX: Starling:

             
K
itchen duty was…interesting. Hard work, and tedious, but interesting. Every piece of food was thoroughly inspected and cleaned, signifying that the recipes were carefully prepared from scratch. Though there were other cooks, and several other warriors assisting in the kitchen too, I was assigned to cracking eggs, kneading dough, cutting up and seeding tomatoes, and peeling and dicing potatoes. Then I had to clean up all of the utensils and worktables, once the food had been cooked and became ready for serving.

             
              Keiko-san watched me closely, but remained silent. Her occasional nods of approval, a smile, and the shaking of her head with a disapproving frown, had been our only means of communication. She was patient in showing me how to do things correctly though.

She was nice;
a quiet nice, reminding me of an adorable yet fussy grandmother type.

I wished I could speak Japanese
and converse with her but I guess I’d have to wait and learn later.

                            I was actually grateful for kitchen duty. By the time I fixed my own plate and headed out into the dining room to sit, the dining hall had thinned out considerably. Only a few warriors and elders remained scattered about, still eating and engaged in quiet conversations.

             
              I found a table and sat by myself on purpose. I was glad that I didn’t have clean up duty this time around, especially after seeing the mountain high pile of dishes that began to build, when I finally finished my own tasks.

I ate i
n silence, keeping my eyes down, not wanting to make any eye contact with anyone.

I was sure they were whispering about me. Paranoi
a wasn’t an issue for me. However, shady and childish shit, was. I ignored all of it though.

I h
eard someone approach me slowly but I didn’t bother to look up. I continued to eat, hoping that whoever it was would get the hint.

“Is it safe?”

It was Durien.

I glanced up briefly, still not saying a word.

He smiled, trying to lighten my mood but it wasn’t working.

“Did yo
u get the mock blades?” He then asked, inviting himself to sit down.

I simply nodded.

I heard him sigh. It was quiet at first, as if he didn’t know what to say initially.

“I heard about what happened.
Don’t let her get under your skin.” He began.

I swallowed the bite
of eggs I was chewing slowly, and then I took a slow sip of freshly pressed apple juice.

“Duri
en, I’m fine. I could care less about Jamie. I’m not even thinking about the incident, or her.” I said coolly, which was a lie.

He studied me. “I know. I guess what I’m trying to say is…stuff like this is expected. She was out of line
, but don’t take it personal. Everything is meant to make us stronger and tougher. I saw you smoke her on the grid. You’re really gonna be a force to be reckoned with against the fallen.” He smiled, feeding my ego.

I gave him a barely there smirk
, to acknowledge his efforts in trying to pacify my lingering anger and annoyance.

“You’re really good. In fact,
I think you’re going to be legendary.” Durien then said.

I blew out a breath of sarcas
m, “Laying it on a little thick aren’t we?”

“I’m dead serious, and I’m not the only one who thinks it.”

“If you’re talking about Spencer, I could care less.”

“All of us think so. Maybe yo
u need to start thinking it too. It wouldn’t hurt.”

I shook my head and finished my juice.

“Anyway, training from here on out is only going to get tougher, and physically more challenging. That’s not counting your daily duties and chores around here, by the way. At any rate, we can all use a getaway sometimes. You know, get out and have some fun to take away the mental and physical stress of it all.” He began.

“Easy for you to say, you don’t live here anymore.” I replied.

                            He nodded impishly, “But I did, for a long time. Your time to leave the nest will come too, but you gotta endure and be patient.” He said.

I eyed him.
I didn’t want to hear that. I was ready to leave when I wanted to, now.

“
Okay, what are you talking about by getting away and having fun then?”

He leaned forward on his elbows, as if about to divulge some juicy secret,
“I wanted to know if you might want to join me for a night out…in the human realm, like a movie or a dance club, or something. Have some fun before the dangerous stuff begins for you.” He then said.

             
              I raised a brow. “Are you serious? We can do that?” I asked him.

He chuckled
and shrugged both of his shoulders, “Why not?” Durien then said.

             
              I thought for a moment. Going back into the human realm sounded like a great idea. I was actually excited that Durien had suggested it, but what would it be like for me now? Considering that I don’t remember anything? Well, I guess I didn’t need to remember anything in particular if we were just going to hang out somewhere.

“
I wouldn’t mind the dance club suggestion. When are you talking about going?” I asked with interest.

He seemed relieved
.

“Well, keep it on the down
low. It’s just you and me and I have my reasons.” He spoke in a low tone.

I looked at him inquisitively. Just us? Was he asking me for a date or something?

“What’s on the down low?”

Lorelei’
s voice floated in all of a sudden.

She and Anthony seemed to come out of nowhere, and they both sat down to join us.

Damn. I realized they were probably together but did they go anywhere without each other? He was like her shadow.

             
              Durien sighed and ran a hand over his face, apparently irritated that they had obviously been eavesdropping.

I wondered if they had been looking for me, seeing as none of them were here when I
first sat down to eat my breakfast.

“Nothing.” Durien then shook his head.

“Hey Starling, I heard you whipped Jamie’s ass out on the training fields yesterday.” Lorelei beamed.

I didn’t
comment on it. She actually whipped mine, I thought to myself.

“Nice. I
wasn’t sure that you had it in you, to tell you the truth.” Anthony smirked.

“So what’s this about going to a dance club again?” Lorelei then asked, her eyes alternating between the both of us for an admission, information, and an invite.

“Nothing.” Durien shook his head.

Oh
, yikes…he was asking me out.

“Nothing? I
know I heard something about going to a club. Didn’t you hear that Anthony?” Lorelei turned to Anthony and asked.

“Sure did. When do we go?” Anthony smirked.

“I’m not trying to form a posse.” Durien said.

“Why not? The more the merrier.”
I shrugged.

If that wasn’t a direct
‘no date’ answer for him, I don’t know what would be. I wanted to be nice about it. Durien was cute, but brotherly cute to me. I hoped he wasn’t taking it too harshly. I really wanted to go out—as a group.

“Definitely. I’ll tell Scarlet and Crystal too, I know they’ll want to go
. We need Scarlet anyway if we’re going as a group.” Lorelei smiled.

“Why’s that?” I asked Lorelei.

“Scarlet is a succor. She assists and provides aid. Every group has to have at least one when venturing around here, and definitely in the mortal realm.”

“Like a medic?” I asked.

“Something like that. The way a succor aids and assists is not what you’re thinking, not for warriors anyway.” Lorelei said.

I wondered what she
meant.

“What’s
merrier?” Gabe’s voice came in from behind Anthony. He slid into a chair with ease to join us too.

“See, this is what I’m talking about. I don’t want this to be a big deal or big thing.”
Durien huffed in exasperation.

H
e was cute when he was annoyed.

“Too late.”
Lorelei quipped.

Duriens
brows furrowed.

“Maybe Lira would like to come wi
th us too?” I smiled.

I was getting excited about getting
out and away from here now. I wanted to experience the human realm again, and maybe even get a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger and a shake too.

“No, absolutely not. Lira doesn’t leave the hall. It isn’t a good idea
in her case.” Durien sternly stated.

I gave him a weary look.
“Oh come on, Durien. So she has to stay stuck here all of the time because she’s a scout? I’m sure she’d like to have a good time occasionally too. I’ll ask her.”

“Wait, Durien i
s right. Lira won’t be able to fight if we came up against anything while there, Starling.” Lorelei then said.

“Where is there anyway? Where are y
ou guys talking about dancing?” Gabe asked.

“We haven’t decided yet. It was Duriens idea. Where are we all going
, Durien?” I asked him.

“
Me and you…were going to a dance club.” Durien affirmed to remind me that I had failed in his request to keep it all on the down low.

Was he not getting the hint? No date.

“A dance club? Where and when? Who’s going to a dance club?” Spencer happened to emerge from out of left field, and put himself into our conversation.

Durien began to scowl. He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed heavily.

“We all are.” Lorelei replied.

“No, that’s not a good idea for you Starling.” Spencer said seriously.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t asking for your permission or opinion.
What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were teaching a class?” I said.

“And no one sure as hell asked you to go.” Gabe added.

His supernatural eyes pierced Gabe, and then he returned his gaze to me.

“I
’m on my way there now, I’m just getting a quick snack. You should be on your way to class too, seeing as you’re done with kitchen duty and breakfast. I have the authority to give my permission and opinion, regardless. You’re not trained well enough to be in the human realm yet. You don’t know the rules, and you’ll be an instant target. You know better Durien.” He said training his serious eyes at Durien now.

I’m su
re he was just getting a snack— try spying on me more like it, I thought to myself.

“Oh
bull.” Lorelei rolled her eyes at Spencer, and shook her head.

“She’ll be fine,
especially now that we’ll all be there too.” Lorelei then said.

“Lira is coming too.” I added.

“That’s a definite no. Lira has no weapon, essence, or fight ability. Besides, she’s only sixteen. You guys would have to do some fancy manipulation to even get her in without her being noticed.” Spencer then looked at me poignantly.

“Man, stop throwing a damp blanket ov
er everything. There’s a way around everything in the human realm for us.” Anthony said to Spencer.

“Yeah, I mean if Starling can pass for nineteen,
then Lira should be no problem. We’ll just say she’s nineteen too.” Gabe commented.

I looked
at him wryly. “So give her a weapon.” I then suggested with a shrug of my shoulder.

Everyone was quiet
as if that hadn’t dawned on them.

“She isn’t trained to fight
, so a weapon would be useless to her.” Spencer replied with a snarky edge to his tone.

I ignored him.

They were all bickering among each other now, and I could see and understand why Durien wanted it to remain, just us two...on this date.

I slammed my hands on the table and
then stood up abruptly. “It’s settled, we’ll all go, Lira too. I’ll watch over and help to protect her if need be. We could all use a fun night out. If you want to go, go and have fun. If you don’t, then keep your thoughts, opinions and your ass, here.” I said flatly, but directing it more towards Spencer.

That shocked and shut
everyone up for the moment.

“You guys
are going to a club? Where and when?”

This time Jamie’s voice rang in.

“Oh for crying out loud!” Durien said, throwing his arms up and scooting back in his chair to stand up.

I was about to curse Jamie out for even having the gall to stop over and speak, but I maintained my cool by inhaling a slow breath of air. I wasn’t going to keep any
animosity going between us. She wasn’t worth it to me. There were bigger things to worry about.

“
Well, if Starling and Lira are going, I’ll go. I’ll have to protect both you and Lira.” Spencer then said to me.

“Give me a break. She’d better be able to defend herself. I’ll p
rotect Lira. She’ll only get Lira and herself killed.” Jamie commented.

I
licked my lips and glared at her. “Keep your distance from me, or fallen won’t be the only thing you’ll need to watch out for.” I told her.

She raised a brow.
“Oh? Well, talk is cheap Starling, unless you’re talking about fighting dirty, because I can do that too.” She crossed her arms over her chest confidently with a sarcastic grin.

“No one is fighting anyone.” Spencer warned.

                            I picked up my tray. “I’ll be ready tonight, where do you want to meet?” I asked Durien, disregarding both Jamie and Spencer.

Durien sighed. He looked so irritated and pissed. He glanced over at everyone else, who also awaited his answer.

“Behind the training field on the last hill. Be there when the sun goes down.” He said quickly.

“Sweet, I’m there.” Gabe clapped
his hands together, and then hopped up to leave.

“Ok. Oh, wait…what about clothing? I don’
t want to go to a club wearing what we usually wear, and the training gear might draw a little attention.” I asked, just as Durien began to walk away.

He thought for a moment before Lorelei answered first.

“Don’t worry Starling, we’ll stop over at my place before then and browse.” she smiled. She and her shadow both got up, prepared to leave too.

Lorelei had a place too? I couldn’t wait to see it. Now I know I wanted one of my own. The question was, where?
And how? What did they do for money in order to acquire one? I’d ask later.

“I’ll see you in class, or do you want me to walk with you there?” Spencer asked me.

I looked at him and then Jamie.

“I
can manage on my own.” I said flatly, and I walked away from them.

XX: Cam`ael:

I
t wasn’t hard for me to solicit a group from my own legion to join me. Dancing, party, drinking, mingling with inebriated humans and half-naked girls—those were all magic words.             

When I told them
that I’d be seeing Starling, they were eager to come along too, especially Ry and Rahab. I wanted all of them there for a reason. Edanai agreed so that she could, ‘protect me from Starling’ as she put it, which I found…silly.

Scanning the downtown clubs for their signatures actually did take some time, but we found them. It was a hip-hop club called; Club Dubz…interesting. It was a young adult venue, a mixed group of eighteen and up. Many college students would be here too no doubt. There was a possibility that Starling would be recognized, and word could get back to her friends. I supposed Durien didn’t think about that before picking a place here, but I did want him to find one where she lived.

I liked the music but not as much as the atmosphere. The bass was loud and it vibrated heavily throughout the club. It was warm inside, and strobe lights flashed against the black lighting and mirrors, which were strategically placed all around the dance floor. There were two dance cages, both set up on the second level. In each cage, were two nearly naked girls, gyrating with dance moves that purposefully drew attention to their healthy asses. Their seductive and provocative movements matched the thumping beat.

The place was
filled with buxom, scantily clad women of all shapes, ethnicities, and sizes. It was going to be hard to suppress reacting to it all; already feeling the lust begin to uncoil within me. I really had to focus on taming the dark energy that I naturally emitted in this kind of environment. I kept my sight and ears open for any other demonic activity. There was bound to be some soon…that much I already knew.

Avoiding being mobbed by both girls and
guys was going to be difficult. When we traveled in groups, we always drew eager attention. It was always assumed that we were professional rich athletes, or celebrities, by virtue of our unique looks and heights.

Ry was
dressed like a gothic rock star, studded in all silver and black leather. It was his normal look, actually. He donned his signature sunglasses, more to hide the impact of his solar red crescent and onyx colored eyes. His long, jet-black hair was pulled back into a ponytail. The shaven, linear designs along the sides of his head were new though.

Edanai w
as working a body-hugging, sheath of a red dress very well. Each curve was defined, and her long, ebony hair was straight, slicked back, and hanging to her narrow waist. Her bangs cascaded perfectly over one eye. If she was trying to avoid sexual interest and attention, she failed.

Rahab opted for a simple silk button down silver shirt and
black slacks. He looked quite sophisticated though, and the look worked well for him. Nay…well, Nay had a thing for western wear, apparently some of the girls in here did too. Three, young girls had approached him to dance already.

Mac
opted to blend in a little better. Wearing a well-known designer T- shirt that was purposefully, several sizes too big, and paired it with black jeans that were large enough to sag to his thighs. He strutted in, holding the crotch of his pants coolly.

We all dispersed once inside. We knew the routine. Eyes
were better to see everything when they were spread out. Besides, I wanted to look for Starling on my own. This place was wall to wall, so I had to rely on my aural sight. She wouldn’t be hard to spot at all in a club.

The drinks in the human realm were far too weak
for me, but to seem casual and blend in, I headed to the one of the two large bars. It didn’t take long for a young female bartender to greet me; brushing aside those who had been there first. Desire was already alight in her eyes. Several female patrons were gradually sidling closer to me, watching me with visible, open invitations. I politely ignored them though.

I
f I made eye contact, this game would never end and I only came here for one reason.

I know I saw Duriens aura, along with the others, but where was Starling? Had she come? I grew both impatient and annoyed. I couldn’t
just approach Durien outright and not in front of the others, even though a few of the warriors were on the dance floor right now. Their auras were like flashing bulbs among the normal humans. I craned my neck to see if either one of them were Starling.

“Hey, give me a Hen
nessey and coke.” Someone shouted.

I re
cognized the voice.

Durien played
it cool, pretending not to notice me. He made no eye contact with me, casually checking out the girls with a flirtatious smirk.

“
She’s here. I think she’s in the bathroom right now. We got a table in the corner over there.” he said with a quick jerk of his head to the opposite side of the club.

“Where is the ladies room?” I asked.

“Opposite our table. Cloak yourself. The others already took note of you and your friends but we won’t do anything unless someone is in danger, or being threatened.” Durien said.

“What happened to just you and her?” I wanted to know.

He shook his head and shrugged with a frown. “Man, I tried.”

That annoyed me. It would have been easier to deal with just the two
of them, and any other possible dark ones. This…could get complicated.

“There are others here too, not just us.” I
then stated.

“
We’re aware.” He said. He paid for his drink and turned to head back towards their table.

I watched him push through the crowd and waited.

“
We’ve been seen. Be careful and don’t do anything to cause a scene. There are others here too. Let’s help them out, you guys know the drill
.” I sent out telepathically to everyone.

“
I’m all for delivering a good ass kicking to top this night off.”
Ry returned the reply.

“Got it.”
Rahab acknowledged.

I could feel a palpable
gaze on my back. Glancing over my shoulder, I was surprised to see a young, female, divine warrior eyeing me. It obviously wasn’t Starling.

When we made eye contact, I half expected to see
her targeting me with a kill shot intent her eyes, ready to attack or fight. To my surprise, she didn’t appear to be taking an offensive stance at all. In fact, she was either drunk or…provocatively curious.

With a
cocktail in her hand, she moved slightly to the beat of the music. Lust was clouding the air around her in waves. I found that peculiarly odd, being that she was a divine warrior. Was this what Jerilah was talking about before? I wasn’t sure what to make of her body language. I’d have to try and figure that out later, maybe.

I moved further down the bar, but th
e heat of her lust continued to follow me, which meant that she was not far behind. I made my way towards the restroom cul-de-sac, not wanting to appear creepy by merely loitering near the women’s bathroom.