Chapter 48

Flame sucked in a deep breath as she was drawn back into the present. Nuriel immediately cupped her cheek, throwing all sorts of questions at her as he inspected whether she was fine. She looked up at him to meet his concerned look. He was seconds away from summoning Oceal, the healer, to come over and see to her. But she assured him that she was okay. 

" What happened? You just zoned out! " he very concerly demanded. And she tried to find a way to explain what had occurred, but it was difficult to do so when even she was just as confused as he was. 

" Flame, talk to me, "

She parted her lips. Staring down at the book. Then her eyes widened as she saw the new words that now seemed to have just appeared out of the blue. Lifting the book, she turned it around so the angel could read. 

                               ****" thirteen shall be chosen, 

                with troubles in their paths, 

                with broken dreams 

                and with shattered pasts

                and to them shall be given

                females of worth. 

                Strong beings to heal them, 

                and to face the evil that shall surely come*.... "

" Please tell me you can see that. Because if not then I might just believe that I'm going nuts! "

Nuriel stared at the page, then up at Flame with an unreadable look .

" I can see them just fine, but understanding them is another issue completely, " he stated with a very unsure tone. And it was then that Flame realised that whatever was going on was far more complicated than either of them had initially thought. 

                               💮🌼💮🌼💮🌼

" Are you trying to tell me that you heard a... voice in your head? "

Flame nodded. 

" And the alleged voice was... warning you of impending danger? "

She nodded once more. Seated once again on Nuriel's seat in the council room. He had found the matter too serious and important to not discuss. So he had called for an immediate council meeting. But only five of the other angels were able to show up. The others being too busy to attend but they would also be informed of what had occurred only a few hours ago. 

" Do you recall the exact words she said? " Quillon asked. His hazel eyes narrowed in the way they normally were. As if he was always deep in thought. 

Flame closed her eyes for a second. The voice had been clear. Even now, she could still feel it's divine presence as it drifted away. 

" She said that I should be strong for some kind of danger that lays ahead. And that I should look where everyone else ignores. And she sounded like she knew me somehow,"

" So it was a she? "

" Yes, and she kept calling me her child. Even said that she had been waiting for me to find my way home, "

The five present exchanged glances. Knowing glances. 

She looked from one to the other. 

" May I see the book once more? I've always had a thing for 'out of the blue ' poetry. " Aziel lazily said. Reaching out to Barin who immediately passed it over. 

" It's impressive that you can still manage to make jokes at a time like this, " Nuriel firmly stated. His hand on Flame's shoulder. Rehan was not present so there was no need to will her to stay put. He simply held her because he wished to. 

" That was no joke. It was simply a lighthearted comment, and a true one as well, " Aziel said, then he took a second to glance at Nuriel and added, " You can come and see my collection if you don't believe me. I have all the classics, pages as old as the beginning of time. Though I have nothing that was written by an invincible hand. "

Shaking his head, Nuriel let the angel be. If there was one thing he had learnt after three centuries in Aziel's presence, it was that one should never get into a verbal argument with him. He always had a response for everything thrown his way. 

" You all think it's her, don't you?...that fairy lady? " Aziel chuckled lightly at her reference to the female that had saved them all. They all saw her as a warrior. One with a spirited heart. And it was a rule that everyone ought to refer to her with nothing other than respect. It had been so since she had rescued the entire kingdom. And till date they still prayed for her soul. 

A majority of the locals even worshipped her.  

" It seems to be the only logical explanation, " Drexel said. Currently dressed in a spectacular blue shirt with golden buttons. 

" But it doesn't make sense, she's dead. Gone . Erased from existence. How can she still communicate? " Kalen voiced. 

" And what danger was she referring to exactly? " Rylan added. 

" We must not forget that she was no ordinary female. " Nuriel reminded them. 

Aurelia might have been small in stature but she was powerful beyond measure. She had been able to kill gods and goddesses. Beings that were assumed to be untouchable. Which just showed the great extent of her abilities. So it was no wonder that she was still able to communicate with Flame even though she was long gone. 

" As for the danger in question, I'm afraid I have no clue about what it maybe. "

" Perhaps it has something to do with the recent deaths? " Barin asked. 

It was a possibility they could not rule out. And if so then what they were dealing with was greater than what they had all initially perceived. 

" But there's something about this prophecy I don't understand. I mean, it's clearly talking about us but it seems... " Aziel begun, then stopped to searched for the appropriate word. 

" Old? " Kalen offered and he nodded. 

" I thought the same thing when I read it. Like its been around for longer than just three centuries. "

" And why does it refer to us as shattered beings with wounded hearts that require a females saving? " Aziel sounded very confused and afflicted by that fact as he stared at the book with obvious pride. 

" Perhaps because we are. "

Aziel looked at Kalen. Then he closed the book and placed it on the table, pushing it away a few inches as if he wanted nothing more to do with it. 

" Well this is all very confusing to me. Can't you reach out for her in your head and just ask her to clarify everything? "

Flame turned to him. And for lack of a proper response, she shook her head. 

" Then I fail to see what good any of this will do us. "

" Aziel! " Nuriel snapped. Though the angel didn't seem affected in the least. He simply raised his brows. His blonde hair in contrasting shades of shimmering gold and his chartreuse eyes as mesmerizing as sunrise. 

" Yes your majesty? " 

" If you don't have an important point to make then I suggest you make none at all. "

" I thought this was a free kingdom. Can't I express my opinion? All I'm saying is that this information, no matter how important, really isn't helpful. It doesn't help solve anything. Don't you agree? "

Drexel suggested that they wait and see if she would communication once again. 

" So I just have to wait for he to pop up in my head again ? Great! " Flame said with faked enthusiasm. Despite the fact that the females presence was calming and peaceful, she wasn't too fond of having someone else in her thoughts. 

" In the mean time, let's all try and figure out the next step to take as far as ensuring the security of the kingdom. "

The meeting went on for a few more minutes before it came to an end. And in that time Nuriel suggested Flame's idea of luring the terrorizer out with bait. They all agreed that it could work. All that was left was finding someone that would have no qualms about being used in such a manner. 

" One of the warriors will have to do. " 

" We should use at least five. Distribute them in all the isolated areas. "

" Yes, that sounds wise. And we'll have to make certain that they're protected so that nothing bad will happen to them. "

Flame listened as they planned everything. And she even found herself chipping in once or twice. And when she did they all listened. It was great, she had never before had people so keen to hear what she had to say. And they even considered her thoughts instead of shutting them down. 

And it was a welcome experience to feel useful. One she hoped would last. She was willing to help in any way she could. And for some reason, she felt as if it was her duty, as much as theirs, to ensure that the Kingdom was safe. 

Hand in hand Nuriel and Flame leisurely walked the halls that led to the training rooms. It was where Victor's office was located and Nuriel wanted to have a word with the angel about the inspection he had just made of the kingdom. Just like all the other days, that particular part of the Triecan was flooded with warriors. Most of who stopped when they passed, not because they wanted to bow and show their respect, but because they wanted to take the chance to ogle his mate.