The night felt darker than usual. The sounds of insects and night creatures that always made their presence known where nowhere to be heard. This was another unusual fact that Ezequiel noticed the closer that they got to the forbidden forest.
As he let the night breeze sober him up from the conversation he had with his mother, he started feeling as if something was off. Silence was all around, engulfing their trod and making things even more suspicions.
"Something is not okay." Ezequiel knew that the silence was hiding an unexpected blow. But what was it? He had a million scenarios dancing on his head, but even he knew that it was always better to expect the unexpected.
Could it really be this easy to travel to such a place and not encounter a single problem? This does not seem right, but regardless of what was right or not Ezequiel along with the soldiers that had accompanied him where now standing in front of the mesmerizing giant trees that served as a guard to this forbidden place.
If the night sky created a sinister atmosphere the forest was even more menacing. Evil could be felt oozing from the place.
No matter how much Ezequiel tried to use his powers to see inside, the shadows that the trees casted served as a shield preventing him to see beyond what was in front of him.
"It's better to continue on foot from here on," Ezequiel ordered as he descended from his horse and handed the reigns to Estevan, the youngest of the soldiers that had come on this mission. Looking at Estevan, Ezequiel could not help but compare him to his brother. Estevan was not older than Azael and this made him feel guilty. How could he place this young man in such a dangerous situation, but not allowed his brother to come?
"There is no time for this," Ezequiel immediately shook his predicament away and turned his focused to Estevan who was gathering all the horses to one side. "Estevan, you will wait for us here," Ezequiel explained, "Hide yourself and the horses, but be ready for anything that might come from in there," Ezequiel said while motioning everyone to look at the dark forest.
"The rest of you follow me," and with this steady command the remaining soldiers followed Ezequiel into the darkness that was welcoming them.
After taking their first step inside, just beyond the trees, Ezequiel and the rest could feel it, an immense coldness that threaten to freeze them to death. Their steps were slow and careful. Alert, aware that anything and everything could happen in such a place. The darkness that evolved the forest was something unimaginable as it was completely pitch black. Ezequiel and the rest could only rely on their senses to find their way.
"Be careful and for those of you who still do not know the moment we stepped inside this place we became something close to ordinary human. Our powers do not work here, and it is also believed that our eternal life will be forsaken if we were to fall in this place." Ezequiel was never one to lose focus, and he wanted to make sure that those who were with him followed the same regimen. "In other words, stay sharp and stay close. Remember we are here to gather information; not engage in a fight."
The group continued to walk in the darkness for what felt like an eternity. White smoke coming out of their mouths due to the freezing temperature, but all of them endured knowing that this was nothing compared to what could be waiting for them ahead.
Then suddenly Ezequiel looked up and beyond the casting shadows of the trees, up in the night sky there he could see the beautiful silver light of the twinkling starts that were bringing light and hope to the darkness that had consumed most of his senses. Then out of nowhere, catching everyone by surprise just as Ezequiel's eyes returned to the darkness of the forest the freezing temperature and obscurity that had convoyed them since the beginning disappeared. Everyone immediately felt the change in the ambiance, that for some unknown reason was back to normal.
A bulky angel who was with the group voiced what everyone was thinking, "It seems as if the forest was testing us. Trying to scare us to go back."
"You might be right Jozeph. This forest is tricky, but just because everything feels normal don't let your guard down."
"I don't intend to." Jozeph's reply was swift as he pulled his sword ready to attack if the need be.
Then the group suddenly halted. A bright light could be seen in the distance.
"Were we to obvious." Ezequiel could not help but wonder. This task and everything about it, was turning out to be easier than he thought, and this did not sit well with him.
Loud laughter echoed thru the forest. Whispers and rustling were heard all around them and then movement, fast movement coming at them, from all directions. The branches of the imposing trees moving loudly, making way to what was coming. If the initial plan was to not engage this was no longer the case, "Brace yourselves," Ezequiel commanded knowing that they were being surrounded. His command was loud and clear giving everyone the green light to pull out their weapons and not falter down no matter what.
========
"My lord, just to make sure, this means we have permission to engage," Charles the ever ruler follower wanted to make sure. He was not about breaking a command no matter what the situation was. His pride and reputation always made his toe the line of responsibility.
With a quick nod Ezequiel confirmed what was already obvious.
And as everyone was preparing to face the worse, the movement that had been coming at them at a loud speed abruptly stopped and whatever it was that that was coming froze not making a single sound or releasing a single breath.
Jozeph just like everyone else was more than confused, "Was it our imagination? Is the forest playing tricks on us gain?"
So many doubts and questions were crossing everyone's mind, however Ezequiel could not help but stay focus on a single spot in front of him. His akin hearing could make steps coming from that spot ahead. The crashing of leaves and breaking of branches was what was giving whoever was coming towards them away. And just as he anticipated, in the distance he saw a figure emerge. Her steps were slow and sensual. As the figure got closer to them Ezequiel could completely confirmed what he already knew, it was a female. Her long black hair that fell on her snow like shoulders. Her attire was as sexy as it was sensual, a fiery red dress that left little to the imagination. Her cleavage was almost all completely exposed, being flaunted as if to tempt all those who encountered her. Her red lips tempting as red apples in a sunny day. She was in no doubt a beautiful creature that any man or creature would desire.
"Who are you," Ezequiel was the first to speak.
"My lord Ezequiel, we have been waiting for you," Her voice was like the enchanting melody of the nymph creatures that lure sailors to their demise.
"You knew we were coming," This was a statement that was meant more for himself than for her. And that is when it clicked. The restless that his heart was feeling was finally explained. It was way too easy from the beginning and that is because they knew that they were coming.
"But of course, my lord," After all it was us who sent you the invitation."
"The spy?" You sent him to lure us in."
It all made sense. All the pieces of the puzzle had finally found its place.
While Ezequiel was making sense of the situation that he somehow already expected he suddenly felt the tip of a sword touching the sensitive area on his throat. The woman in red had made her way and was now mere steps away from him.
"As expected," Ezequiel's dry tone did not give a single air of surprise.
"Such fire in you," She breathed out, as she retreated her sword and with a sexuality that seem as sinful as it was tempting, she reached for his chest and with her index finger she started creating a path that led up to his sharp jaw. Taking slow steps, until she was right in front of Ezequiel. Her movement was all too perfect and calculative.
Getting closer to him, to the point where they were sharing the same breathing space she placed her head next to him, her sinful lips close to his ear and in a voice that was as sweet as a summer's dream she whispered, "I like it," and then with the sexuality that was impossible to leave her, she darted her tongue out and licked his ear.
The soldiers that were around could not believe what was happening. At what point this all this take such a turn, however, what was more astonishing was that their lord Ezequiel did not seem to be bother by her presence at all. In fact, it was as if she was not even there and had not just licked him. His nerves were in fact made of steel or so they thought because then they saw their lord Ezequiel smile. A wicked smile that none of them had ever seen.