Samael and I, reconciled, began meeting in the woods behind my house. My family thought I was going on jogs, which was partially true. I took organic chemistry classes by day at the local community college and trained harder than ever at night. I was determined to beat the Watchers – never again would I let Raziel have the upper hand.
We paused from practice on a balmy night in June. I set my petersword down, my breaths strained. Samael relaxed on the fence, taking a smoke break. His piercings shone in the twilight.
"I think it's time to train you to on the other shards of the Lapis Exillis. We'd stand a much better chance if you could assemble it," he said, then took a drag.
My stomach flopped. "Won't I have to be possessed by the other archdemons to do that?"
He put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to, Shannon."
