someone was shaking my shoulders trying to wake me up. Slowly I tried opening my eyes they were so heavy my entire body ached.
Kails face came into view it was badly burnt down one cheek. Then it hit me I sat bolt upright pushing Kail out of the way.
The entire room was destroyed the stone walls were crumbling Kail had burns all down one side his wings torn in some places.
"Azrael!"
I looked around for the archangel Kail grabbed my shoulders when I went to stand.
"Reece they have taken him to be healed he is alive but badly hurt."
Relaxing the pain in my body returning as my head pounded. I held my head in my hands
"It happened again didn't it?"
Kail remained silent but he didn't need to say anything cause I knew the answer already.
"You really need to learn how to control that power of yours."
Kail and I turned to what was left of the door. Lucifer smiled eerily at me.
"I can help you with that."
I scowled at him knowing he was up to something
"Hard pass but thanks anyway."
He turned around
"As you wish but know this it will only get worse unless you learn to control it."
Lucifer looked like nothing had happened, even though I had destroyed and entire room single handed.
Kail turned back to me
"Can you stand?"
I nodded I slowly starting to get up. every muscle in my body screaming in agony. Once up I wavered Kail put a hand to my shoulder to steady me.
"Easy there Reece you've been through a lot."
"I just need rest."
I sighed
"But he's right I need to learn to control the angelfire before it consumes me aswell."
"I'll never let that happened."
"I don't think you'll have a choice."
"Then I'll help."
I nodded greatful for his help.
"Come on lets get you to your room."
I let him lead me back to my room the whole way back my strength dwindled more and more till I was almost completely leaning on Kail.
Once in my room Kail lay me down on the bed and he moved hair away from my face his hand lingering just a little then he left.
Before I had even closed my eyes a black feather appeared before me. I groaned knowing who it was from. Ignoring it I closed my eyes.
The feather began poking me in the head
"Fuck off I don't want to speak to him."
The poking continued
"Argh fine!"
I snatched the feather out of the air before it poked me again. An image of a clearing not far from the underworld entrance appeared in my head along with a time.
Inwardly I swore
"Seriously worst timing ever Gabriel."
Getting out of bed slowly I made my way out of the underworld sending Angelica for food to distract her so I could slip away unnoticed.
It didn't take long to reach the clearing.
Gabriel and to my surprise Camdahar were already waiting.
I landed behind them.
"This better be important."
I snapped the exhaustion making me irritable
Gabriel said nothing as he stared at me seeming to be at a loss for words. While Cam in the other hand
"Well don't you look the worse for wear."
I scowled
"Hello to you too."
Cams eyebrows raised as he stared at my disheveled appearance.
"You have your mothers eyes."
At the mention of my mother I grew angry
"I wouldn't know you made sure of that when you killed her."
He didn't flinch at my words which only fueled my anger.
"Come on I don't have all day."
I was hiding the fact that I was exhausted not wanting them to know how weak I was right now. I didn't know how long I could hide it I could already feel my legs shake slightly.
Gabriel seemed at a lose for words he look at me like a was an apparition. His eyes went from my face to my wings the black inherited from him showing.
Impatient I started to walk away
"I knew this would be a waste of time."
I was a bout to take off when Gabriel grabbed my hand. Turning back I was pulled into his embrace.
Stunned I couldn't move as he held me at arms length looking at me through a fathers eyes.
And I hated it pushing him away I bared my fangs.
"Don't look at me like that you are not my father my true father is dead killed my Michael for keeping me safe."
"Reece-"
"No Gabriel you and Michael have taken everything important to me, everything thing I care about is gone because of you."
The anger built inside me I could feel my wings glow however because of my exhaustion it wasn't nearly as powerful but they didn't need to know that.
Gabriel stared at my back to my wings I knew that when using my power the red in them swallowed the black since Kail had told me but Gabriel obviously had not.
"Cool trick Reece what happens once the red reaches the top?"
I smiled bitterly at Cam
"You can ask Azrael. if he survives."
At this Worry entered Gabriel eyes
"What have you done Reece?"
"It was his own fault he has a mouth on him he deserves what he got."
"Oh Reece don't you understand if he dies Michael will be beside himself if he dies this war will happen and nothing will be able to stop it."
I shrugged my shoulders
"What of it Michael should pay for what he's done."
"But at what cost? If you help lucifer enter the city of angels the whole world will suffer. Do you want your friend bree to be in a world where demons are allowed to roam free? I didn't raise you peter had that privilege but I know him he would not have raised you to want to inflict suffering on others."
"Knew him."
Gabriel looked at me quizzically
"You said you know him you should have said knew him since he is now dead."
Gabriel sighed
"Reece this is crazy you can't want to start a war?"
I turned to Cam
"Maybe a war is what is needed, maybe in throwing Michael of his pedestal it will make him realise his actions have consequences."
"You are new to this world Reece there is more to it then right and wrong."
"Don't patronise me, there is no justification for trying to kill someone because of some stupid prophecy. I can't believe your defending him I suppose that's why your here to finish what Dantalis started."
He tried to step closer
"That's not why we are here."
I stepped back
"Then why are you here?"
My wings grew brighter
"To talk, to make you understand what it is you risk if you continue on this path."
While talking to Gabriel I hadn't noticed Cam had fell in behind me. My senses dulled from using my power too much in the last two days I didn't see him release the arrow but rather heard it.
"Cam no!"
On instinct my angel fire burst forward engulfing the arrow then fizzling out instantly. I fell on one knee finally spent not even being able to summon my swords as Cam ran towards me sword in hand.
Just before his blade hit me a blade of bone stopped its progress. I stared up at Kail for once great full he was here. He placed himself in front of me facing Gabriel and Cam.
I struggled to my feet relying on Kails shoulder to keep me steady.
"Thanks."
Not taking his eyes off the others he answered
"You are a fool Reece why would you come here in your weakened state?"
I looked towards Gabriel
"I had to know."
"Well now you know can we go?"
I nodded til an idea came to me
"If you want Azrael back hand over Dantalis and you can have him."
Kail snapped his head back to face me.
"Reece!"
I ignored him I didn't care about a stupid war all I wanted was to save Dantalis why try break him out of heaven when we could just have him brought to us.
"Tell Michael I want Dantalis but you better hurry Azraels not going to last much longer."
Gabriel nodded once.
"I will give him the message."
He started to turn then stopped looking back he looked into my eyes.
"Despite what you may think you are my daughter and I only want what's best for you. It is my greatest hope that one day you will be able to forgive me for what I have done."
"Don't hold your breath."
"When you have lived as long as I have time is something I have plenty of. Good bye for now Reece."
He and Cam left heading back to the city of angels. Once out of site my knees buckled underneath me, Kail caught me lifting me into his arms just like he had last time.
"This is becoming a habit of yours Reece."
"Don't remind me."
I whispered my eyes already starting to close.
"My father will not like this."
My eyes still closed I answered
"Our deal was he had to help me save Dantalis if Michael agrees to the exchange he will have done that."
"And once he is safe?"
"Once he is safe lucifer will no doubt have his war with my power at his beck and call."
"Do you want that?"
No I didn't want that but what could I do.
"No I don't want war but I made a deal I must follow it through."
Kail spoke no more or If he did I didn't hear it as I drifted of the sleep the to and fro of being in Kails arms comforting.