Skye's Arrival

“Just out on a stroll.” Rafi answers, nodding his head in my direction. “You’re going to need to make a shield for a celestial, Gerrickson.”

“I thought she was part demon.” Gerrickson says, getting closer. I glance over and see his auburn hair in soft waves caressing his speckled sharp face. Seafoam eyes look me over, flashing a sharp grin at me. “She doesn’t look demon to me.”

“This is Skye Loval,” Rafi responds back with warning in his voice. “She is a Celestial Soldier, and you will address her with respect.”

His eyebrow raises, “Loval?”

Rafi hesitates. “She’s bledded with my brother.”

“The insane guy?” He asks, not expecting that.

“Yes, the insane guy.” Rafi sighs. “They’re separated at the moment. Well in Koan’s mind, she’s been stolen. In Skye’s mind-“

“The bastard can go die.” I answer for myself, causing Gerrickson to give a booming laugh while Rafi gives me an apologetic look.

“You can say their relationship is complicated.” Rafi answers then grimaces. “I’m sorry for what happened to you Skye. The whole Celestial and Demonic community is.”

I shrug. “It was almost a century ago Rafi. I’ve moved on.”

“What happened to her?” Gerrickson asks.

I sigh while Rafi flinches, shame evident on his face. “A century ago, I was notified by my protector, that I was called to serve a mortal who was in need of aid. I was hesitant at first, especially since Esmeralda was furious at me for something; and admittedly, I was still destroyed after my relationship with Koan ended.

“Since Esmeralda was more upset than I was that day I thought taking care of her, would be a good distraction. I still don’t know why she was angry with me. Well, actually now I do. Anyway she had met with her father and screamed profanities at me, then stormed away. I wanted to make sure she was okay, but Morgan, the celestial assigned to protect me, begged us to go. Morgan believed that we needed to go there and believed that this mortal was honest in his request. I relented and acquiesced to Morgan’s wishes.

“Only when I arrived I found the mortal was building an army of slaves to fight in a war to take over the kingdom. He had an army of girls no younger than sixteen barely wearing clothing. He was in the process of beating one when I had arrived. I was so confused. How was I summoned here? Not even a demon would hear his call. Only something truly dark would help him.

“However, he was my master now, and if I didn’t serve him I would be banned from the Celestials; and he would still be allowed to exist. If I killed him, I would forfeit everything, including my life. I didn’t hesitate at that point. I pulled out my blade and stabbed the mortal in his heart and killed him.

“I don’t regret it. It stopped hundreds from being subjected to fates worse than death. My death was sealed the moment the mortal’s life left his body. Instead of an immediate death, the council fought for ages trying to decide my fate. No matter how just my actions were, they could not break absolute law. I was given Dawn and placed into the mortal plane. My death would be slow, but I would be given time that execution would take.”

“You were given the Celestial Demon Dawn?” Gerrickson asks, making Rafi stiffen and me to raise an eyebrow at his tone.

“Yes.”

“But she’s given to those who are truly monsters.”

“She’s also the few Celestial Demon’s who have learned empathy. Trust me, if I was evil she would have killed me long ago.” Rafi relaxes, remembering that. I remember Rafi telling me Gerrickson grew up in the Celestial Monastery so he’s familiar with our history.

“How are you even alive?” Gerrickson asks. “With Dawn’s strength, she should have killed you decades ago.”

“Mostly because of her. I followed her rules and listened to her warnings. We avoided me using necessary strength to live by living in solitude. The less energy I use, the less she gains.” I explain while I try to remain awake. Dawn wasn’t kidding in her warning. My body will take a while to recover.

“Dawn…protected you?” Gerrickson asks, very confused.

“If she hadn’t, would I even be alive?” I volley back. “I know what your texts taught you, but they’re wrong about this.”

“No, but judging by that jewelry you wear, there is a chance.”

I shrug. “Then you be the judge.”

“Or you could simply die for insulting my sister Skye.” A dark voice hisses. Gerrickson jumps while Rafi and I giggle. Dawn is taking strides next to Rafi, looking at me. “Is she doing alright?” She demands from Rafi.

“She’s tired but breathing.” Rafi assures her. “You two do share the same body, so you would know.”

“No, we don’t.” Dawn answers, cutting me off. “Not anymore. It’s very unnerving after nearing a century. Are you okay Sister?” Dawn asks, touching my cheek.

“You’re so much like a new mother,” I mutter. “I’m fine, and I can walk myself you know.”

“Not until those marks leave your neck.” Dawn and Rafi say at the exact same time.

I fold my arms as I sink further into Rafi’s arms, sulking. Stupid teeth marks. “You’re no fun.”

Dawn chuckles. “Did you think I’d stop giving you orders when I was outside of your body?”

“Wait, how are you out of her body?” Gerrickson asks. “You’ll die if you leave her.”

Dawn flashes him her stone on her left hand. “Thanks to our little Skye here, we were able to transfer my spirit to this stone. These chains bind themselves to her blood, which also touches her celestial spirit. It’s constantly moving through her spirit and me, so I don’t feed off her spirit directly. Also, since it’s blood, it replenishes itself. Because of that, she needs to keep her blood inside of her.” Dawn shoots me a side eyed glance at that point.

I hold up my hand. “I’m good about that part. I don’t know about my enemies though.” I hint.

“How did Skye do that?” Gerrickson demands, looking at me in interest.

“She’s not Head Rank of the Celestial Soldiers for nothing, kid.” Dawn answers, almost proudly.

Rafi smirks, “I’m glad you heard her promotion was pushed through anyway. Now it makes sense as to why the Celestial King never replaced you. You’re not dead yet.”

“Believe me, people keep trying.” I mutter darkly. “So what did happen in the ranks after I was given Dawn?”

Rafi grimaces. “Well, after it was investigated, Morgan was proven to be the one to take you to that pathetic mortal. He tried to repent and beg for forgiveness, and tried to use the excuse that he tried to stop you. After the Celestial King rewound time in an observing stone, he found that Morgan was the one that brought you there and tricked you. There was literally no option for you, which was testified in multiple of your appeals to the council. There are some still going on actually.

“Anyway, once Morgan’s deception was brought to light, he was executed by the Demon King, not the Celestial King. The Demon King killed him as he was being brought to his official execution. It wasn’t long after that Esmeralda’s part in it was discovered. She fled before she was to be imprisoned before her sentencing. We were looking for her for decades. We looked through the Celestial Kingdom, the Demon Realm, and the Mortal Space. I still don’t know where she was hiding.”

“My guess, with Heathe and his band of misfits.” Dawn mutters.

“We looked there, and even had someone watching their every move. There was never a sign she was there.” Rafi explains. “Then five years ago, there was a shift in the mortal king’s mind. It wasn’t sudden, and none of our healers could explain it. His children and wife were beside themselves. It was also when my brother went missing. After the king’s wife unexpectedly passed six months ago, that’s when we started to see signs of demonic ties. That’s nothing illegal, but the activity was suspicious.”

He shifts slightly, moving me to a more comfortable carrying position for him. “It wasn’t until Gerrickson spotted Esmeralda that my father let our armies get involved.”

I give him a questioning look. “So the fact that Koan mysteriously disappeared didn’t tip you off to something bad happening?” I demand, questioning his sanity.

“That’s actually when I came into play. Gerrickson has been building plans to stop mortals that are so bad, that Celestials and Demons cannot hear, because they cannot be summoned by them. Most of the time, Celestials and Demons aren’t even aware of the wars or problems in this realm. I agreed with him, especially after thinking of your story. I didn’t want what happened to you to happen to someone else.”

I smile at him. “Thanks for that Rafi.”

He gives me a small smile. “My pleasure. Now, will you please explain the revenge my brother is after?”

I sigh and rub my face. “Koan and I are bledded, you know this. Do you know the story as to how that came to be?”

He hesitates as he thinks about it. “Actually, no I don’t.”