The Angel Knights-Prequel (The Angel Knights Series Book 1) (7 page)

Chapter 10

A week had passed. We were cramming about human history, mannerisms, and everything else we needed to know. Though Zach and I prepared to submerge into human culture and traditions, there were still so many left to learn.
One day at a time,
I told myself. Like my parents and Uncle Davin had said before, it was all in the attitude. It all started there.

“It’s time. We knew this day would come, but we’re not prepared.” Mother did her best to hide her emotion, but her eyes pooled with liquid, and she forced a smile. “Make sure to take care of each other, and Uncle Davin, too.”

Uncle Davin embraced her and let go. “I know you’ll miss me the most, but don’t you worry, we’ll be back soon.” He winked, and then his tone changed. “You know how much I love them. I would give up my life for them. They have brought me happiness and a new sense of belonging, hopes, and dreams.”

“Thank you.” Mother’s lips quivered. “I know how much they mean to you. And they love you just as much.” She shifted her attention to us. “Please be careful and listen to Davin. He might not act mature at times….” Uncle Davin narrowed his eyes at her and allowed Mother to continue. “But he knows what he’s doing. He’s one of the top angels. And he believes you both are the best of the best, the reason why you’ve been chosen. Always remember…spread your wings, find your way, and soar as high as you can. Don’t be afraid. Love will guide you.” Then she embraced us with all of her love and slowly let go.

“Your mother is right,” Father said. “I don’t want to repeat everything she said, but we want you to know how proud we are. Keep in mind to follow your heart. Remember all the rules in the Venators’ handbook…it will help you keep a straight course.” Father kissed our foreheads. “Well…Davin, they are in your hands, as you are in theirs. Be safe together. And, if for any reason—though I hope that time won’t come—we will be ready. Give us the word, we’ll be there.”

As we backed away, ready to transport, I fought the tears threatening to fall. I needed to be strong, to let my parents know I would be fine. I was ready for this.
I am a Venator, a demon-hunting angel. Trained from the age I could hold a sword, I was molded to be the best. Having an archangel bloodline, I am stronger and faster. They say the darkness is rising and we may be their last hope. I say, let the Fallen and demons come. We will annihilate them.
As those thoughts ran through my mind, a smile spread across my face. A new me—the confident demon hunter version—took form.

Uncle Davin spread his arms and said, “See you when I see you. Whoo hoo. Hawaii, here we come. Sun bathing, lots of pretty ladies in bikinis, and lots of alcohol twenty-four hours a day.”

“Davin….” Father frowned, but his eyes twinkled.

“Got ya.” Uncle Davin clicked his tongue. “I’ll be reporting soon. Bye.”

When Uncle Davin placed his arms around our shoulders, my parents became a blur, and we were gone.

Claudia

I jumped into Michael’s arms and let the tears flow. It had been so long since I’d felt so empty in my heart. Even knowing that day would come, nothing could have prepared me. And knowing our children would possibly be in danger was the worst feeling of all, but I had no choice. It was who they were. My grandmother had tried to protect me from this life, but destiny always wins. You can’t fight it, no matter how hard you try.

Michael held me tighter. He was hurting, too. He wrapped his wings completely around us, knowing how much I loved to be surrounded by them. It gave me comfort for the moment, but the ache in every fiber of my being would still be there until my children safely returned home. I wished we could go with them, but we had to let go. The Divine Elders did not go hunting, nor did we interfere until we had to, but I made an exception for my children. Our duty was to oversee all the Venators, placing them in between, beyond, and throughout Earth.

In some ways
,
they were our children, too. They weren’t really children. In the angel world, anyone old enough to hold a sword and fight was of mature age. We all had the same job: to protect and defend the angel and human worlds.

Michael stroked my back and released a long sigh. “They will be fine. Davin is with them. I trust him with my own life. And…they will have fun, too. You know how Davin is.”

“Yes, I do know how Davin is…too well. That’s what worries me.” I let out a soft chuckle. I trusted Davin with my life and knew he would do anything for them. He always had, since the second they were born.

“Meanwhile, let’s go check up on the others,” Michael coaxed, caressing my hand. “That should keep our minds occupied for a while. We also have a meeting with the Divine Elders. We’re going to have to send teams to scout around the world as precautionary measures.”

I nodded to agree, but before I could say a word, Michael pressed his lips to mine for a toe-curling kind of kiss. For some reason, it reminded me of the time we’d spent by the waterfall. When he released me, I kept my eyes closed from being dazed and dizzy. His kisses were so powerful, causing me to feel so much. When I opened them, he held a naughty, playful grin.

“Maybe we can do something else before we head to the meeting, Mr. Michael. Then we’ll check up on the others.” I waggled my eyebrows and gave him a seductive smile.

“I like your thoughts, Mrs. Michael.” Michael let out a soft, predatory growl, giving me pleasant tingles in every nerve ending in my body. Effortlessly lifting me up and cradling me in his arms, he wrapped his wings around us and took us to our room.

Michael

After the discussion with the Divine Elders, Claudia and I held a meeting with the Venators and their mentors. The room felt empty without Davin, Zachary, and Lucia, even though there were thousands of others listening for their assignments. When the meeting was over, I took off for the halo light to think—a place to gather my thoughts and clear my head. I needed to do something to calm my nerves.

Soaring above the endless puffy, white clouds and the wind brushing against my face gave me a sense of peace. Inhaling a deep breath, I let all my fears and worries fade away. It was challenging to be half-human and half-angel, but it was most difficult to be a parent. I didn’t know how human parents did it, but they weren’t sending their children to chase after demons. I chuckled at the thought and stood near the tall grass where I’d first spotted Claudia.

Sometimes I would go there to reflect on those days, where it all began. And I would thank my lucky stars for all the right turns in my life after all the wrong paths I’d chosen with a particular Fallen. Thinking about my children, they were the most precious miracles of all. It hadn’t been one day in human time and I already missed them so much. I knew Davin would take care of them, and he’d promised me he would report to me as often as possible, but it still wasn’t enough. I would be waiting for their return every day, hoping whatever we felt in Hawaii was a mishap and nothing more, but the pit of my gut told me it wasn’t. Something lurked in the air, something dark and menacing.

I opened up my wings to head back when I heard a noise. Turning to the sound, I spotted my friends.

“Michael,” Vivian and Caleb greeted.

I smiled and hugged them. They’d been away for a long duration of time for their mission. “It’s good to see you both,” I said. Feelings of gratitude seeped through me for their safe return. “How was it?”

Caleb nodded. “They were difficult to spot. Especially since they hadn’t evolved yet.”

“But there were many we couldn’t help,” Vivian explained. “They had already turned and chosen their sides. Had they been children instead of teens, we may have had the chance to persuade them. But it’s harder when they have an attitude and they think they know it all.”

I shook my head. “I see. That’s unfortunate. I heard teenagers were unpredictable and stubborn in the human world.”

Caleb craned his neck, looking baffled. “Why are you here alone? Is something troubling you?”

“No. I just needed to take a moment,” I assured him.

“Where’s Davin?” Vivian could sense presences; she was our locator, which was the reason she had to be the one seeking out these special ones.

“Davin, Zachary, and Lucia have been sent to Hawaii,” I stated.

“When will they be back?” Caleb dropped his shoulder and sighed. “I guess we just missed them.”

“I don’t know. It all depends,” I replied.

“Wow. They’re actually going to live there?” Vivian figured. “Now I know why you’re here. Your heart is heavy, Michael. Don’t let it be. It will cloud your judgment. I know it’s easier said than done. They will be fine.” She lit up a smile, but I could tell she was worried, too. Caleb and Vivian loved my children as much as Davin did.

No more sulking. There was work to be done. “I’m sure they will. Besides, Davin will let me know if he needs my help.”

“Should we join them?” A crease spread across Caleb’s forehead.

“No. They’re trying to stay low-key. If there are too many of us, the demons will know. So…where are these special children?”

“Right behind us.” Caleb looked over his shoulder.

I rubbed my forehead. Either I was blind or he was seeing things. “I don’t see…where are they?”

“Oh, sorry. I had to cloak them.” Caleb waved his hand.

I took several steps to see countless children staring at me with awe. My wings were probably the reason they looked so mesmerized. Davin should have been the one to have greeted them. I tried to think what he would have said. With a half-grin, I waved. “Hello. I’m Michael.” When they continued to stare at me, I spoke again, “Why did you cloak them?”

Vivian sighed in frustration. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I assisted the half-angel and half-human children to cross over, but the others…. They can’t enter, Michael,” she gritted through her teeth.

“Others? They can’t enter?” I rubbed the back of my neck, and then a light flickered inside my head. “They’re…I mean….” I stopped speaking. Exchanging glances with Vivian and Caleb, I spoke inside their minds.
They have demon blood?
It was the only explanation.

Caleb lightly smacked my back the way Davin did. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you. What should we do?”

I pointed at Caleb with a frown. “You’ve been hanging out with Davin way too long. You’re lucky I like you.” I paused a second to think. “We only have one choice. You’ll have to take them to Nubilus City. They can pass there. I’ll confirm it with Katherine. But there are so many of them. How is this possible?” Usually, we would find a few here and there, but to have found this many meant the demons were trying to create an army.