"Michael why not act now? Soneillon is still weak we need to take him out before he gets too strong."
"We can't he can not be killed by one of us all we can hope to do is cage him again but he will still live. Only Phoenix has the power to kill him."
"So we cage him lock him away where he can not escape."
"There is no such cage there will always be hatred for him to feed on. All we would be doing is delaying the inevitable."
"Argh I'm sick of this endless debate you have place too high a price on her shoulders."
"I know brother hers is a heavy burden to bare but it is the way it must be done."
"Can we not move on from this?"
I looked to Raguel.
"Well what's your opinion Raguel?"
"Gabriel Michael has done everything he can to keep your daughter alive is that not prof that you should put your trust in his judgment."
I waved off her words when a firey black feather appeared before me. Quickly grabbing it an image appeared I'm my mind of Soneillon standing before Raziels house that was covered in flames.
"What is it?"
"Soneillon he's found them."
"Lets go! Raguel go tell selaphiel to prepare for a healing just in case Gabriel come with me."
"Hell no im coming with you."
Raguel protested.
"Do as I say Raguel."
Sariel appeared at the door.
"Let her go I'll tel selaphiel."
"Very well come on we need to move fast if he recaptures Phoenix theres no way he'll let her escape a second time."
Seconds later we were on our way Phoenix was hiding just past the clouds waiting for us.
Upon seeing us she looked to Michael seeming angry.
"Why is he here?"
"He's here to help."
"I asked for your help not his."
"He is my brother I merely want to ensure he is safe."
Michael admonished.
"Argh we're wasting time come if you must but afterwards you and me are gonna have words."
She dived straight down the rest of us following close behind.
Raziel was down I never would have believed it Raziel was a cunning fighter it was rare for him to loose to anyone. Soneillon is smarter then we thought.
Michael annoyingly let Soneillon go true to his earlier words. I grabbed Raziel lifting him up careful not to touch the blackened one.
As Phoenix and Michael were arguing Raziel whispered in my ear.
"I told her everything."
My eyes widened so that's why she was so hostile towards Michael.
"Fine let's just get out of here already."
I took flight holding Raziel as we headed towards the city of angels.
————
Once back in the city of angels selaphiel and Sariel were waiting for us.
"Get him inside quickly."
I carried him into his room lying him on the bed. He was shivering the blackness had completely covered one wing.
Raphael, uriel and even Azrael were already waiting in the room ready to preform a healing.
"What is it?"
Phoenix asked as she entered the room behind us.
"Pure hatred it's poisoning his soul we need to hurry."
I pulled Phoenix away from Raziel so that selephiel had room.
"Can you help him?"
Selaphiel spoke as she studied the blackened arm.
"I don't know we could preform a healing but whether it works or not I couldn't tell you. The circle was not meant for this kind of thing."
"You need Phoenixs power for the healing."
All heads turned to Michael.
Phoenix was the first to speak surprising even Michael.
"What do I need to do?"
Seaphiel sprang into action.
"Hold his good hand the contact will help since it's your first time performing a healing."
Phoenix did as she was told.
"The rest of us form a circle around them both Phoenixs power is still unstable if she looses control we will need to contain it."
Raguel, Michael, Raphael, uriel, Azrael and myself formed a circle around the bed.
As before selaphiel created the rune on Raziels chest then stepped back to complete the circle.
"Now summon you fire."
Phoenixs eyes widened.
"You can't be serious I'll kill him."
"Believe, if Michael is right your fire is the only thing that will counter act the hatred spreading through Raziel."
She looked towards Raziel as he nodded.
"You can do this."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"Really? Your actions earlier could've fooled me."
She chuckled sadly.
Raziel pulled her head to his kissing her.
"I have faith in you my little Phoenix."
She nodded turning to face the rest of us.
"I'm ready."
Together we summoned our power forming a barrier around both of them.
Once the barrier was in place Phoenix closed her eyes as her fire covered her entire body.
Slowly she reached for his blackened hand looking one last time a Raziel.
"Believe."
She grabbed his hand as Raziel screamed her fire travelled up his arm devouring the blackened poison. Leaving the skin in tact as it went, his arm now completely free of the hatred She started on his wings.
Being the source of our power she pored more power into her fire. She gritted her teeth in concentration as she caught to control the fire. His wings now free of the poison she quickly let go of his hand, though her fire did not disappear.
Sweat formed on her brow.
"Phoenix remember you control your power it does not control you."
Raziel weakly tried to reach for her but she moved away fear in her eyes.
"No!"
"You can do this, just breath."
She look to me as I spoke.
"Just breath."
Her fire fluctuated with her breathing til finally it dissolved. She turned to Raziel smiling as she slowly fell. I caught her just before she hit the ground.
"You did perfect sweetie, now rest"
Her eyes closed as I picked her up the glow in her wings disappearing.
"She is growing stronger."
Michael stared down at her.
"She has always been strong."
Raziel smiled towards her with all the love I knew he felt for her as he to fell asleep exhausted.
"Take her to her to a bed where she can rest."
I nodded as Sariel followed me out leaving the rest behind.
I took her to into a spare room down the hall and laid her down on the bed.
"I can't believe she's finally here."
"She's come so far and been through so much."
I turned to Sariel.
"Raziel told her everything."
She wrapped her arms around me sighing.
"He couldn't keep it from her forever."
We both turned back to Looking down on her face relaxed in sleep.
"We will deal with it I'm just glad she's safe."
I kissed her forehead turning back to Sariel.
"Come on lets let her get some sleep."
Sariel nodded and followed me out. Michael was waiting for us outside the room.
"How is she?"
"Sleeping."
He ran his hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry for all I have forced on her."
I laid a hand on his shoulder.
"It is not your fault brother you were only doing what's best for her, if you hadn't she would have been killed Soneillon long ago."
He sighed.
"She is not out of the woods yet if Soneillon ever finds out that her fire is the only thing that can kill him he will kill her."
I looked back at the closed door where she slept.
"Time is running out we need to get her to full power. I only fear what it will do to her when the time comes."
I looked to Michael denying his words.
"Please tell me your not saying what I think your saying."
"It's true if she is to defeat Soneillon she must also kill Dantalis."
Sariel grabbed my hand.
"It's the only way."
I pulled my hand out of hers.
"That is why you forced her to destroy her mark?"
Sariel tried to reach for me again but I stepped back shocked at what I was hearing.
"You agreed to this plan?"
"We had to Gabe while she was marked to him she would never be able to kill him. When he destroyed the dagger he destroyed any hope of saving Dantalis."
"She is our daughter and you forced her into a life without her soulmate."
"She has Raziel she will not be alone they have both lost their soulmates. They are good for each other and they are in love."
"That's not the point Sariel you didn't know at the time that they would end up together, which means you both knowingly condemned her without a care for the consequences she would have to go through."
Michael Bowed his head in guilt.
"I can't look at either of you."
I left them hurting to know what they had done. I hated that this burden was placed on my daughter she didn't deserve any of this. That she found love for Raziel was a blessing after loosing Dantalis a blessing for both of them really. Raziel has been alone for far too long am glad they have found each other but to know Sariel and Michael were the reason for Phoenixs pain... I knew I would forgive them but for now I couldn't even look at them for what they had done.
All I could do for now was be there for my daughter.