16. Rai

Chapter sixteen

Rai

Making Strides Toward Acceptance

" H old my hand," Azazel said to both Veronica and me. He caressed mine, rubbing my skin with his thumb. "Your hand is softer than I had expected."

"Why wouldn't it be?" I asked.

"You had to have been trained to the bone at the Guild, but you don't have any calluses. You must have been given healing remedies after every session."

I nodded. "Not just for that, though. For any injuries I got while training."

"I see."

Azazel closed his eyes and I figured it was to focus on the destination he was taking us. The sensation of traveling through space and time for me was pleasurable. It tickled and only took the span of a second or two. I sensed the barrier surrounding the land of the Guild and I figured he did too because I opened my eyes when I felt solid ground beneath my feet.

"Ugh," Veronica said, then swooned a little. I held on to her so she wouldn't fall over.

"Just breathe," I said, then took a quick look around. I could see the huge structure of the Guild, but we had a lot of ground to cover to get there.

"It will pass," Azazel said, and his tone was still that gentle cadence he had used when speaking to her before. Was he really trying to make an effort or was this just how demons spoke to humans in order to gain their trust?

"I don't like doing that," she said and wiped her eyes.

"We hope you don't have to do it again," I said.

Once Veronica seemed to be in better shape, I began walking toward the Guild with her. "I'll be back," I told Azazel.

"How long will I have to stay here?" Veronica asked.

"Not sure. We definitely want to keep you safe until I resolve the issue. Do you have family we can take you to afterward?" I asked.

She nodded. "My Aunt and Uncle."

"Good. It's not safe to take you there now. But once the demons have been dealt with, that's where you'll go. It's important for you to be around family the most," I said. Even saying those words stung just a little. I had to give my family up years ago. It hurt, as I was just twelve at the time, but I'd only bring them harm if I stayed.

"How old are you?" Veronica asked as we made our way over the lavish lawn and gardens.

"Twenty-four," I said. I stopped in my tracks when I saw two trucks headed our way.

Veronica stopped too and watched them approach. "Are they going to hurt us?"

"No. They're Guards. They'll protect you," I said.

The two black trucks stopped and six Guards, fully armed, climbed out and walked over to us. They all bowed their heads at me. "Guardian," they said.

I had to admit, that shit was pretty cool. Especially since two of them used to bully me when I first got there. Not the main trio, but they were in that pack. Now, they had to show me the utmost respect. A guy could get used to that.

"Take us to the Headmaster," I said as I started walking toward one of the trucks with Veronica at my side.

"Yes, sir," they said and we all got inside the vehicles.

Their timing was perfect because I hadn't felt like walking the whole way. A few minutes later, we were pulling in front of the main building and I had Veronica at my side as I made my way to Darius' office.

"Back so soon?" his secretary joked.

"It's serious and I need to speak with Darius," I said. I wasn't in the mood for banter.

The double doors to Darius' office opened and he stood in the entryway. "Come in, Rai."

Once inside, he closed the doors behind us. After introductions and all that, I stated the reason for my visit. "She needs to stay here."

"Why?" Darius asked.

I explained why.

He nodded. "I see. Yes, then she should stay here, protected." He took Veronica by her shoulders and started walking her to the door. "My secretary will take care of you. I'm sure you're exhausted, full of emotions, and just want to sleep."

She nodded. "I'm scared."

Darius nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, you're safe here. No demon can enter. You can rest."

"You promise?" Veronica asked.

"I promise," Darius replied.

Once his secretary had Veronica and her instructions to take care of the girl, Darius closed the door and turned to face me. "Do you know why the demons wanted her?"

"Azazel said it's because they need the Chosen One to open Satan's cell. Apparently, they need a certain human's blood as the key. He doesn't think she's it, though," I said.

Darius frowned. "It's impossible to open that cell. A Guardian and Champion died in order to seal Lucifer away."

"Ade and his Champion Azrael?"

Darius nodded. "Yes. It took the Archangel of Death, ‘Whom God helps' to sacrifice himself and through him, his Guardian in order to give their spell the power and celestial essence needed to lock him away. They were a Divine Weapon. Lucifer was too powerful to kill, it was all we could do before he brought upon the total destruction of mankind."

"I guess that's what demons want. Azazel said it was pretty much a myth in the demonic realm too, but maybe it's not. Maybe something changed where demons believe that there really is a Chosen One and that's why they're looking for them," I said.

Darius frowned as he walked back over to his desk and sat down in the leather chair. I took that as my cue to also take a seat. "I don't understand why demons want to unleash him. For thousands of years, they've been ruled by the three Empresses. For all intent and purposes, Hades isn't in chaos."

I shrugged. "Maybe there's a faction among them who want their original ruler to take his mantle up again."

"He's not their original ruler, but he was their most favored. Even the current ruling Empresses obeyed his orders," Darius said.

"Do you think they will fight him reclaiming his throne?" I asked.

Darius arched an eyebrow. "Hard to say. If there is a dissenting faction, then they want unification."

"Glorification under one."

"To them, Satan is their God, so what you're saying makes sense. I just can't figure out why they think they have a chance to free him," Darius said. "I need to speak with my Champion."

Oh, this was a treat. I'd never met Darius' Champion. I'd met one of the Guardian's Champions. Terri had bonded with the Archangel Jeremiel to show me what it would look like to battle as one during one of our training sessions. That had been impressive enough. But Michael was a bit of a legend among all of the Archangels. I wondered if that was how Darius survived to be the oldest among us.

He closed his eyes, and I knew he was calmly Calling his Champion. I supposed one of the advantages I had compared to other Guardians was that my Champion walked this Earth and could always watch over me. I could have actual conversations and spend time with him. Whereas with the other Guardians, the Archangels remained in Heaven and only came when Called. Once on this plane, they could only spend so much time before Heaven called them back. So, I guess that was a good thing.

Darius opened his eyes and instantly, the Archangel Michael appeared before us. It took all of my training not to jump in surprise. Sure, I knew he was coming, but it was still shocking to have a being just pop up out of nowhere right in front of you.

Damn, I've got to say, Michael was fucking gorgeous. Long, raven black hair, silver eyes, chiseled features, a straight nose, and a full, sensuous mouth. He looked at me first, probably making sure I wasn't a threat, then his keen gaze settled on Darius and his expression changed. And I caught the emotions behind it. He looked at Darius with love and lust.

"You Called?" Michael asked and his voice was deep, alluring... almost like Azazel's. I couldn't figure out his accent, though.

Darius nodded. "Do you know if there is a way for demons to open the lock of Satan's cell?"

Michael's handsome features twisted in a snarl. "There is no way."

"They think it is," I said, and I kind of wished I'd kept my mouth shut by how quickly Michael's gaze shot to me.

"That gate was sealed with the blood and soul of the Archangel of Death, Azrael, as well as the sacrifice of his Guardian, Ade. Opening it is impossible," Michael insisted.

"But if there was a way, how would it be done?" Darius asked him.

Michael walked over to Darius and sat down on the edge of his desk beside him. Their closeness had the level of intimacy that made me want to almost leave them alone. "Did you miss me?"

Oh yeah, it was fucking weird to see an Archangel flirting. I knew they never had sex as Archangels didn't possess all of the organs of a human body even though they looked human. No vagina, no dick, no asshole. All the places where procreation and waste happen. They didn't need them, so they didn't have them. But whatever was going on between Darius and Michael had some telltale signs. Maybe Michael just sucked Darius off?

What the fuck was I thinking? I needed to pay attention to what was important. Not being curious about them.

"I saw you last night, so no, I didn't miss you," Darius said with a playful roll of his eyes.

Oh yeah, something was definitely going on between them.

Michael smiled, then caressed Darius's jawline. "I do not have the answer for you, but I can find out."

"We need to know as soon as possible. Demons are searching for children. According to their myth, the blood of the Chosen One will unlock the gate of the Old One," Darius said.

Michael frowned, his head tilting slightly. "The Chosen One?"

Darius nodded. "They have someone they claim to be prophesied for that purpose."

"How would that be?" Michael asked.

"We don't know, that's why we're asking you," I said.

Michael never turned around to face me and I got the feeling that he didn't like me for some reason. "I was not speaking to you, Guardian."

Ohhh, okay, that came out with a deadly tone. If I had any doubts that he didn't like me, I had them no longer. "Do you have a problem with me?"

"Rai—" Darius said, but then he was cut off with the rising of Michael's hand.

The most powerful of all Archangels turned to face me and I felt my spine stiffen and my heart pump a bit faster. "You are unworthy of the destiny of Guardian."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because you are tainted. Your... Champion ... if one can call a demon that... was never supposed to be chosen by the Angel's Kiss. That honor should have gone to the Archangel Raguel. The ‘Friend of God' and one who would have brought harmony and equality into this world. He would have been a great asset to you in battle. But you are linked to a foul creature, debased in nature. The most obscene filth that was ever created."

Hearing him refer to Azazel that way pissed me off. He was my demon and I felt like I was the only one who could talk about him like that. "You act like I chose this life. I didn't ask for it, and I sure as fuck don't want it! And I've had to sacrifice everything I loved for it," I snapped. "But I accepted it. You don't get to look down on me or Azazel."

Michael scoffed, then rose so that he could face me completely from his impressive six-six height. "There was something wrong with you to begin with. Born under the Night of a Falling Star. It was a sign that you were unnatural."

"Michael, that's enough," Darius said, finally speaking up.

But truth be told, I didn't need anyone to speak for me. "Aren't all Guardians born when a star falls from the sky?"

"The Angel's Blessing, yes. But it has always been during the day. Yours happened at night."

Well, that was something I never knew. So, I was always different from the other Guardians, not just because I had a demon as a Champion.

"Not only that. Your entire attitude reeks of arrogance. Look how you feel so entitled to speak to me as if we are equals," Michael said.

"Considering you come when we Call, I think Guardians are your betters since you want to get haughty," I snapped back.

His expression turned to stone then and Darius rose, placing his hand on Michael's arm.

"Leave, and get us the information we need, please," Darius said.

Michael tore his angry glare from me to look at him. He nodded once, then vanished. Darius looked at me and then released a heavy and exasperated sigh. "You really know how to provoke people, don't you?"

"He's not a person, and let me remind you, he started it," I said in my defense. I'd spent years living in the Guild being bullied and looked down on by everyone here practically. I learned to fight back even if I were fighting those who claimed that we were on the same side.

"He's an Archangel, Rai," Darius said.

"He's an ass—"

"Don't finish that sentence."

I rolled my eyes. "What did he mean about me being born wrong, or whatever?"

Darius scratched his eyebrow and sat back down. "You were born on the twelfth of December, exactly a hundred years after the last Guardian died which was 2012."

"Twelve, twelve, twelve," I said.

He nodded. "It was an odd event, as there was also an eclipse that night, the same that happened a century before when Azazel was given the Angel's Kiss."

"Yeah, but I'm sure I wasn't the only person born on that day."

"True. But you were the only one born at that exact time. Midnight. It's significant in the sense that you are the twelfth and final Guardian to be born and the twelfth Archangel got the shaft in place of a demon who was cursed when he killed the last Guardian on December 12, 1912. Let us not ignore the fact that Azazel was on of the Twelve Knights of Hades, the most powerful among them."

Okay, yeah... the number twelve playing a significant part in my life was uncanny. "Maybe because the demon Azazel had already been cursed by that time, I was already linked to him. That might be why I was born like that."

"The Angel's Kiss was supposed to kill Azazel by purifying his soul. It was a gift to cleanse him of his sins so that he may be freed to go to Heaven," Darius said. "Jean Dubois had forgiven Azazel for killing him at that moment."

Holy shit! I had no idea that was what was supposed to happen.

"Why... why are you telling me this now?" I asked because it seemed like some pertinent information I should have known before I left the Guild.

"Because we still don't know why he was instead given the destiny of Champion."

I scoffed because it was all coming together. "What you meant to say is that you still don't know if I can be trusted."

Darius' gaze held me. "I may be the one person who does trust you, Rai. Yes, you're rough around the edges. Vulgar, rebellious, and stubborn. You have a viewpoint that sees the shades of gray, but I also think that is who you were meant to be. Just like I believe Azazel is now who he was meant to be. God chose him to be your life partner, because that's what a Champion is. You have to put all of your trust in him and vice-versa. Some may think you're evil, but I never did."

"Michael does."

Darius smiled. "It's his nature to see humans as God's weakness. Still, he will never betray God or his warriors. He may distrust you, but he also has faith in you, if that makes sense."

It did, actually. "So, both Azazel and I are an anomaly."

"And for good reason. I think you have the potential to become the most powerful Guardian in our ranks," Darius said.

"Why? How?" I asked because it sounded nice, but I was curious as to what made him believe that.

"Because you aren't like the rest of us, Rai. You could be the greatest or the worst, it could go either way. But my faith in you leads me to believe in the former. But it's ultimately up to you if you're able to tap into your full potential," Darius said and his words brought back the advice from the Magic Shop Owner.

Basically, I had to find a way to accept Azazel if I was ever going to be at my best. I nodded, because now I had a different perspective regarding Azazel. If he was supposed to die, but instead got linked to me, then maybe he was a gift. A wicked, sexy, trifling ass gift, but one nonetheless.

"I understand."

Darius smiled. "Good."

"How long do you think it will take for Michael to get answers?" I asked.

"Not long for us, though, time moves differently in Heaven. It might take him weeks or months, but for us that might equate to minutes or hours. They're immortal, time has no meaning. For humans, our time has limits."

"Except for Guardians." We were immortal.

He nodded. "And we are only six remaining. But though we are immortal, those who we protect are not, so time is always of the essence."

"About Veronica, can you help her… I don't know… forget what happened?" I asked, thinking about that poor child.

Darius nodded. "I will make sure she is taken care of."

I nodded because that was good enough for me, then suddenly, I had a question. "Something has me curious and I hope you don't mind me asking."

Darius's brow creased ever so slightly. "What?"

"You and Michael... what's going on there?"

Darius laughed then. "Exactly what you're thinking."

My eyes widened. "But how? He has no dick or hole?"

"He has a mouth."

"Oooh, my God!" I burst out laughing and threw my legs up because the thought of any Archangel getting down and dirty with their Guardian blew my mind. I had wondered if that was true and it was confirmed.

"This conversation doesn't leave this room," Darius warned as he pointed at me.

I waved my hand. "I swear, I swear, I won't tell a soul."

"Not even Azazel."

"I bet he already knows. He's old enough."

"Hey may suspect, but his only interactions with angels and Archangels have been to battle," Darius said.

I sighed, wiped my eyes from the tears after laughing so hard, but nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

Before we could continue the conversation, Michael appeared and this time, I did jump and yelp. And his ass smiled in satisfaction before turning to face Darius. "It took a lot of investigating, but apparently, six demons, freshly turned, assaulted six women all over the world in hopes that a child would be born that was half human, half demon. This happened over two thousand years ago before your time, Darius. Those children were slayed by the Guardians, their mothers too. As far as we know, nothing like that has happened since then, but perhaps the demons believe one of those children survived and their offspring still carries the demonic link."

"Freshly turned?" I asked and looked at Darius.

"Human souls who were recently sent to Hell and made lower-level demons," Darius explained.

"It was believed among the demons that they held some human essence still, enough to be successful in impregnating the women, and they were," Michael said.

Darius ran a finger over his bottom lip. "Could the Guardians have missed one?"

"Impossible," Michael said, as if he was offended that Darius would assume a Guardian could make such a mistake.

"Why is that impossible?" I asked.

"Six demons impregnated six women. All six died with their unborn children," Michael said.

"Well, something has changed because now the demons are looking," I said and rose from my chair. "If you discover anything useful, please let me know, and I'll do the same."

"Perhaps your demon can tell you more," Michael said with a bit of attitude.

"More than you, maybe," I shot back. I didn't bother to stick around. My razzle-dazzle of meeting the Archangel Michael faded the moment he started treating me like everyone else did. It was disappointing, to be honest. Azazel was one of the few people I'd come across who actually showed me respect.

I got a ride to the limit of the shield's barrier and Azazel was waiting. I walked over to him and took his hand. "Take me back home."

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

Again, it caught me off guard that he was concerned for me. I nodded. "Yeah, I'm just tired and want to sleep."

"Very well." Azazel wrapped me in his arms and I couldn't mistake the sense of protection I felt. Like he'd never let anything harm me. It was warm and comforting. I closed my eyes and let him take me back to my home. He released me once our feet hit the floor.

"While I'm sleeping, can you do some investigating? Shake some demons and see what falls out," I said as I walked toward my bedroom. "Oh, before we part. What can you tell me about those six demons who impregnated those women?"

Azazel released a deep breath. "A failed experiment. It was to make a half-human, half-demon offspring. Those demons were destroyed by Guardians."

"Was there a seventh?"

"No."

I nodded. I guessed he would know. "Okay. We'll meet back here in the morning. Bring breakfast."

Azazel smirked, but then disappeared. I climbed into my nice, comfy bed and crashed.