Angel Blessed (Angel Caste Book 5) Read online

  ‘The same thing,’ said Prime-archae Serith.

  ‘Do you mean Thrisdane?’ asked Baraghan, careful to keep his voice soft. Kydane nodded jerkily. ‘He came from here?’ asked Baraghan, relieved he was in the right place.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And the female Angellus?’

  ‘Angellus?’ Kydane glanced at Prime-archae Serith in confusion, but the robed Angellus was now intent on the scroll.

  ‘Violet Iris Vacia, otherwise known as Viv,’ said Baraghan.

  ‘She’s a shekinah. Her father’s Archae Kald, her mother’s human caste.’

  ‘She’s from here too?’

  Kydane shook his head. ‘From Moonsun. The Host are male-aspected. We have no human or daimon caste here. Ezam can’t meet the needs of—’

  ‘So, Paendane disappeared too,’ murmured Serith, straightening. ‘Many will delight in the obvious being confirmed, though fail to see its significance. You should take Baraghan en-Esh-accom to visit Thrisdane, Kydane.’

  ‘Thris is yet to rouse, Prime-archae,’ said Kydane.

  ‘He’s ill?’ asked Baraghan.

  ‘Disease is a human caste flaw not an angelic one,’ said Kydane tightly. ‘Since Thris accepted the shekinah’s Guideship, he’s suffered greatly. It’s not the first time he’s been injured.’

  Baraghan bowed. ‘I’m part Angellus, and the Angellus were, I believe, like you. I’m also aware of what Thrisdane endured before he returned.’

  Kydane stiffened. ‘You were in the same fold?’

  ‘Yes, if folds are what you call different worlds. I helped Thrisdane escape and have healing skills. I also carry a healer’s kit. I would like to see him.’

  Kydane nodded and Baraghan turned back to Prime-archae Serith. ‘I thank you for your welcome,’ he said, with a formal bow, but the robed angel’s attention remained on the scroll, and Baraghan followed Kydane out.

  The trees had lost none of their strangeness but there were more familiar plants like creepers, and the enormous spent blooms from something higher in the canopy. It was quiet, the only sound the musical crunch of leaf-fall under their feet.

  ‘Do you have birds in Ezam?’ he asked, peering about.

  ‘We are blessed the Great Beyond fashioned our fold without them.’

  Add birds to the list of things Kydane dislikes, noted Baraghan. The sky held the same sunset colours as when he’d arrived and he realised it should have been dark. ‘Your days are long,’ he said.

  ‘Days?’

  ‘When it’s light.’

  ‘Ezam doesn’t have the darkness that blights other folds. The Great Beyond bequeathed us cycles of glorious orange, umber, and peach; gentle warmth, and an absence of things harmful.’

  ‘Yet you choose to visit dangerous places.’

  ‘Most do not. I transited because Thris did, and he because his mentor appointed him the shekinah’s Guide.’

  ‘What of visitors from other folds?’

  ‘The shekinah was the first visitor to Ezam for eons, and Archae Kald brought her, and now there’s you.’ Ky’s head turned, his violet eyes intense under the trees. ‘Did you find yourself falling inside an iridescent tunnel?’

  ‘Yes, but Violet Iris Vacia directed me to it.’

  ‘That was wrong of her!’

  ‘She warned me of the dangers but it was part of a bargain to free Thrisdane.’

  Kydane jerked to a stop. ‘Free, Thris?’

  ‘I knew she searched for someone called Thris and when I discovered he’d been captured, I devised a way to release him. Violet Iris Vacia wanted him freed, and I wanted to visit the Angellus, so I offered a trade.’

  ‘We’re not the Angellus.’

  ‘You don’t call yourself Angellus but angel is similar, don’t you think? And you match what I know of the Angellus. I’m from a place called The Wheel where they appeared, seeded children, and left. Is it possible they came from here?’

  ‘The possibilities of the Rynth are uncountable.’

  ‘The Rynth?’

  ‘Ezam, where you are now, Moonsun, where the shekinah’s from, and The Wheel where you’re from, are three of the uncountable folds that make up the Rynth. The Rynth’s immensity makes all things are possible, including what you suggest.’

  ‘Violet Iris Vacia told me there were many different places but my interest lies in the Angellus. The building where we met is full of scrolls. Is it possible they hold what I seek?’

  ‘It’s possible but searching them would take eons. The store is also incomplete. Ash might be able to tell you more. He cares for Thris.’

  Baraghan struggled not to stare when they came to the building Kydane called Haven. Its columns and pitched roof were the same as Astraal Hall, but Haven gleamed brilliant white, making Astraal’s white stone seem dull. Even more extraordinary were the angels gathered under its portico, their naked perfection more astonishing because of their colours: greys, yellows, greens, blacks, and reds mixed with those of normal colour like Kydane.

  The angels stared as he passed, but Kydane led him on through endless passageways and stairs of glittering stone to a door identical to the dozens they’d passed. The room was sumptuous but Baraghan was riveted by the blue angel inside, and his snow-white wings. The angels outside had been magnificent, but this one was luminous. The angel’s gaze was curious, not fearful like Kydane’s, but Baraghan’s attention swung to the motionless form on the bed.

  The elusive Thrisdane. The last time he’d seen him the night had been filled with smoke, but it was him. His curls gleamed in the window’s light and his magnificent wings shone blue-green. Violet Iris Vacia’s longing for him was understandable, but the angel was unnaturally still.

  Baraghan barely nodded to the blue angel as Kydane introduced them. ‘What have you given Thrisdane?’ he asked urgently.

  ‘Given him?’ the blue angel, Ashdane, repeated.

  ‘He was drugged. Do you have something like hareesh here? It’s a stimulant.’

  ‘The Host needs only ambrosia to refresh ourselves.’

  ‘Is that what Violet Iris Vacia lived on?’ asked Baraghan, as he rummaged in his pack.

  ‘When she first came, Thris retrieved human caste food for her, and again when she was injured,’ said Kydane. ‘But her angelic part allowed her to function like us.’

  Baraghan located his flask of hareesh. ‘I’ll give him a little of this, if I may. It will aid his recovery.’ Kydane was clearly uneasy but Ashdane nodded, and the two angels supported Thrisdane while Baraghan coaxed the liquid down his throat. They lowered him back and his breathing quicken. Hareesh had a powerful effect on the Valen and he was pleased it did on the Angellus too.

  Kydane gripped the angel’s hand and leaned closer. ‘Thris?’ Thrisdane’s eye-lids fluttered open and Kydane cried in delight and hugged him. Ashdane hugged him too. The angels’ love for their friend woke an intense longing in Baraghan. Ezam wasn’t going to be the home he’d hoped for, and not just because it lacked food and lacked, which oddly, wasn’t the main impediment to him staying. It was understanding his Valen blood would deny him belonging.

  He’d felt the same in The Wheel, where his Angellus blood had been the problem. At least The Wheel held other elddric, whether they acknowledged it or not, and he’d made a home for himself in Esh-accom. He’d be better off in The Wheel but it would advantage him to learn about the Angellus before he returned.

  Chapter 4

  Viv braced herself as she recognised her pursuer. It was Anfarena but she didn’t feel reassured. The men still blocked the way ahead and she wondered how to extricate herself and be on her way.

  ‘Violet Iris Vacia,’ said Anfarena, pleasantly. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’

  ‘You told me I’d be watched so I find that surprising.’

  ‘I’ve been looking for Anetherey too,’ said Anfarena, ignoring the jibe. ‘You both left Esh-accom but only you returned. I’m hoping you can solve the puzzle.’

  ‘Your spies have to
ld you I left Esh-accom on the back of Caibel en-Esh-accom’s horse. They probably know his relationship to Baraghan en-Esh-accom but not that I made a bargain with Baraghan en-Esh-accom to free what you call the Angellus from the wagoners.’

  ‘And your part of the bargain?’ demanded Anfarena, the polite mask gone.

  ‘To find Baraghan what you call a door.’

  ‘And did you?’

  ‘Yes. But I warned him not to use it for the reasons I warned you. Rifts can lead to dangerous places.’

  ‘Baraghan is of the Astraali and shares their violent arrogance. Is he responsible for the injuries to your face?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Another of his kind, then,’ said Anfarena obscurely. ‘I presume Baraghan ignored your warning?’

  ‘Yes, but I was unaware that Anetherey had followed us.’

  Anfarena stiffened. ‘She left too?’

  ‘She rushed after him before I could stop her.’

  ‘And you have no idea where they ended up?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘There might be safety in them being together,’ muttered Anfarena.

  ‘There’s no guarantee of that either,’ said Viv bluntly. ‘Some rifts split. They might have gone to different lands.’

  ‘Is there a chance either will find their way back?’

  ‘I had to be trained to find rifts and it wasn’t easy to learn, even as a half-angel. There’s a chance they might stumble into a rift, and it might exit here, but it’s unlikely. I was told only angels can return to the same land more than once because, unlike us, their bodies are airy. The time differences complicate things too.’

  ‘When we last spoke, I said I would seek advice,’ said Anfarena. ‘It may be some time coming, given the dangers of travel, but if the advice is to proceed, you will guide us.’

  ‘I’ve told you I have no idea where rifts lead.’

  ‘But you know where the doors are, which is why you will remain in The Wheel.’

  Viv decided not to waste her breath describing the dangers of elddra trooping en mass into another fold. They and their Du-Daimon masters had waited a long time for the key to the magic door, and weren’t about to let it slip through their fingers now.

  ‘I’ve promised my lein not to leave permanently without farewelling her, and I’ll pledge you something similar: that I’ll speak with you first if I intend to leave. But in the meantime, I need to come and go within The Wheel without constraint.’

  ‘And where is it you need to go within The Wheel tonight, Violet Iris Vacia? Obviously not to the festivities.’

  ‘No. Obviously not to the festivities.’

  There was a long pause while Anfarena eyed her. ‘Very well, you may go on your way, to do whatever it is you feel the need to do. But you will be watched, and if we feel you’ve been less than honest with us, you will be restrained.’

  Anfarena gestured to the men and they followed her back up the street, their eyes sliding sideways as they passed. Viv glared back, making no effort to hide her antagonism. The elddra accused Baraghan of violent arrogance, but they were no better.

  She went on but hadn’t gone far when Fire Zadic burst into the sky. The constellations still thrilled her. Pool, Cascade, Fire, and the brief one she’d come to call Owl Zadic. Sehereden had spoken of Lirium and Glimwing too, and she wondered what those were like. It would be wonderful to see them, but she couldn’t think too far ahead. She needed to get through tonight first, and know Poss was safe. Feelin’ a bit jittery, eh Vivi? Thinkin’ ya might have lost ya thievin’ touch?

  Viv waited until the stars’ dull glitter replaced the zadic’s splendor, re-arranged her shirt to a halter neck, and launched skywards. She flew upwards until she was beyond even the keenest eyes, turned cloudwise, and sped off.

  * * *

  Kydane hadn’t lingered after Thrisdane had woken. He’s spoken of his need to resume his search at the Bokos and left. Thrisdane hadn’t spoken much either. His wings had disappeared and he’d slipped into a doze. Thrisdane’s ability to hide his wings fascinated Baraghan and it was the first thing he raised with Ashdane.

  They shifted their chairs close to the window to not disturb Thrisdane who, Baraghan assured Ashdane, would wake fully once the last of the drug had worn off. Baraghan learned that Dane kept their wings bedded inside their backs most of the time, and the Archae, all the time. He learned the Host was a rigid hierarchy from the lowest angels or Dane, to Archae, and the Archae transcended Ezam to become Principae, translucent aqua angels in Crystal Fold. He was also intrigued to learn the number of angels in Ezam and Crystal Folds remained constant. When angels appeared in Ezam, the same number transcended Crystal Fold into the Great Beyond.

  ‘So, when you appeared in Ezam, an Archae went to Crystal Fold, and a Principae left for the Great Beyond,’ he said, and wondered if the phenomenon had caused Angellus to appear in The Wheel.

  ‘Three,’ said Ashdane.

  ‘Three?’

  ‘Thris, Ky, and I appeared simultaneously, so three Archae transcended to Crystal Fold, and three Principae to the Great Beyond.’

  ‘Do Dane usually appear in groups?’

  ‘The scrolls tell us it’s happened at once before, and one of the angels was blue.’ Ashdane’s tone hadn’t changed but Baraghan sensed his tension rise. ‘The scrolls also tell us there’s only one blue angel in Ezam at any time. The one that we know of was Senquar-archae. He appeared with Paendane and Anasdane. We know Paendane transited the Rynth at the request of his mentor and Ky searches the Bokos to discover more of the threesome, as do Prime-archaes Mirek and Serith.’

  ‘I found Prime-archae Serith difficult to understand,’ admitted Baraghan.

  ‘As do most of the Host,’ said Ashdane. ‘The Prime-archae was changed by the Black Obsidian Stele that Archae Kald summoned, after the Prime-archae sought the shekinah’s death.’

  Baraghan stared at him. ‘Prime-archae Serith tried to murder Violet Iris Vacia?’

  ‘Of course not. No Dane or Archae would be so impudent. Some angel lore suggests female daimon threaten the Rynth and should be destroyed. Prime-archae Serith provided the circumstances for that destruction. The shekinah was hurt and Ky transited her to Crystal Fold where the Principae healed her.

  ‘Archae Kald was concerned by his daughter’s injuries and encouraged the Black Obsidian Stele to take up position near the Bokos. Prime-archae Serith was one of many angels caught in its thrall. His insights were deeper afterwards but his ability to communicate them less.’

  Baraghan fingered his knife. ‘What is the Black Obsidian Stele?’

  ‘One of many steles sent to aid the Host’s journey to transcendence. Visitors describe them as giant, faceted, shards of crystal, and see them as beautiful. They test aspects of an angel’s being, some steles less gently than others. The Black Obsidian is the most violent. Steles can be fatal to other castes and are best avoided.’

  ‘Anything else I should avoid?’

  Ashdane shook his head. ‘The Great Beyond created a place of safety for the Host.’

  It didn’t sound like it, thought Baraghan, as he considered Kald’s vindictiveness and Serith’s murderous tendencies. ‘What sorts of things must the Host do to transcend?’ he asked.

  ‘I could have answered that question easily once, but not anymore,’ said Ashdane, with an exquisite smile. ‘Dane endure physical testing which changes to spiritual testing once they ascend to the Archae’s lowest ranks. But physical testing might be augmented. Thris and Ky had mentors: senior angels whose guidance promised quicker ascension. Thris’s mentor was Archae Kald, who seeded the shekinah.

  ‘He assigned Thris the perilous task of guiding his shekinah through the Rynth to her mother. Placing the shekinah in a fold suited to her daimon state would have aided Archae Kald’s transcendence too. Thris had proved his strength, resonant sensitivity, and self-discipline many times in the trials, and the task should have been within his capabilities, and yet …’ Ashdane’s troubled
gaze went to the bed. ‘He’s suffered terribly in the Rynth and come close to death more than once. Nothing is as it seems, including perhaps, the journey to transcendence.’

  ‘Violet Iris Vacia remains in The Wheel,’ said Baraghan. ‘She showed me the door that brought me here, so has the skills to leave, but stays because she has love for others, including Thrisdane. Yet when I discovered he’d been captured, she wanted him to be as far away as possible. To wish someone safe, at the cost of losing them, is a sign of love’s deepness. You’re Thrisdane’s friend, Ashdane. Does he return her love?’

  ‘Angels are impelled by love, but you speak of the human caste love that includes sexual congress. Ky told me Thris joined with the shekinah and that feeds Kydane’s dislike of her, for sexual congress inhibits transcendence. It also risks the creation of daimon.’

  ‘Which is to be avoided,’ said Baraghan sourly.

  ‘Daimon are one of the uncountable possibilities of the Rynth and one of the reasons I find it hard to answer your question about transcendence. Thris was almost destroyed protecting the shekinah in Beastman Fold and, while the Principae healed him physically, he wasn’t fully healed until after he’d joined with the shekinah. I’ve come to believe that love gifted with a pure heart aids transcendence, whether it’s spiritual love, the love of friends, the protective love gifted to the young or old, or sexual love.’

  Baraghan nodded. ‘Violet Iris Vacia remains in The Wheel because she loves a child there, but it isn’t an easy place for her. Daimon are disliked and the child’s father is antagonistic.’ Baraghan paused. ‘There’s still much about Violet Iris Vacia I don’t understand.’

  ‘You probably understand more than the Host. Ezam is home to male-aspected angels whereas the shekinah is a female daimon. The female-aspected angels of Erath Fold are more like her kind.’

  ‘Could she find a home with them?’

  ‘Erath Fold is closed to The Host. Whether it’s closed to daimon caste is unknown.’

  ‘Have the Host ever called themselves by another name?’

  ‘Not that I’m aware of, but the Host is angel caste and given the Rynth’s immensity, inhabit more than Ezam, Crystal, and Erath Folds. You’ve told me you’re from The Wheel and, being daimon, have been seeded by an angel there.’