Destroyed by Onyx (A Dance with Destiny Book 4) (28 page)

Yui gasped loudly when the ethereal weapons flashed to life, hovering brilliantly above her palms.

She tightened her hands around each perfectly fitting hilt. “Ahh, that feels good.” She smiled at Munenori. He melted inside, again.

“So, the rumors are true.” Jophiel circled her as he spoke. “You have indeed been set upon a rare pedestal, Milady. Not only is your beginning and your form unlike your kind, so too are your blades. Tell me. Why is it you have been given so many chances? Tell me why you’ve been so greatly blessed, despite your many flaws and mistakes.”

She looked him in the eye. “It’s not by mine own worth, nor is it because I desire to be blessed. Whatever has been bestowed upon me was by grace alone, not deeds. I have earned disdain and damnation. Yet I have been granted only love in return.”

“You say it true, dark sister,” Jophiel hissed. “You
deserve
nothing.”

“Jealousy does not become you, Brother,” Munenori said calmly.

“What makes you think I’m jealous?” he snapped.

“Perhaps it’s those green lines edging the corners of your ethereal mouth.” Yui’s unexpected words caused her to choke on laughter.

The jealous Angel turned flaming golden eyes upon the young ninja. Before he could move, he felt an odd chill at his throat.

“Take one step, Angel,” she hissed in is ear. “And my ashes will not be the only ones upon the wind this day.”

Jenevier had ceased Jophiel’s advance when he felt Iole Máni pressed hard against his flesh.

“Stupid girl,” he spat. “You cannot kill me with that.”

“Perhaps not,” she said. “But it certainly halted you. Now, tell me. Why are you here? To what do we owe this great honor? Say what you came to say and be gone. Touch that beautiful ninja, and die here within my gilded home. This I swear.”

Jophiel only chuckled.

“First, tell me of your Blessing, little Naga,” Uriel countered. “Tell me where your mighty blue Daichi has gone.”

Munenori cleared his throat. “She unbound him.”

“What?” Both men gasped out the word in unison.

“She used her magical treasure and
unbound
him from her,” Munenori explained.

Jophiel grabbed her bicep, pulling it up to eye level, examining her rare gift from Vittorio.

“This?” He snorted out a half laugh. “This bauble cannot sever
that
tie. Nothing in the whole of this universe can accomplish such a thing.”

She shoved the aggravating Angel in the back, putting some much needed distance between them.

“Do you see him anywhere?” she spat.

Jophiel only glared at her. She felt his raw hate and she hoped he could feel hers as well.

“Perhaps she’s right.” Everyone turned to Uriel as he spoke. “A Blessing refused is no Blessing at all. Father will not force her in this. She has freewill. It will always be her choice.”

The other Angel burst out laughing. “Then why is it we tarry with this one? Minus her Blessing, she’s as good as dead… or worse.”

“What do you mean?” Fear was obvious in Yui’s trembling voice.

“Are you not the fair mortal who helped this Angel when she was broken?” Jophiel asked.

The beautiful Shinobi nodded his head but did not speak.

“And were you not witness when that sapphire Angel wove her soul back together as she shattered?”

“I was,” Yui admitted.

“And have you not seen this?”

Jophiel tore open her borrowed tunic, spinning her around so her back was now toward the noble ninja’s gaping eyes. Munenori gasped.

“I… I have not.” Tears filled Yui’s lovely purple eyes.

“Well then,” Jophiel continued. “Let me explain. Every time this fragile, flawed creature cracks, every time she is broken or shattered, Daichi binds all the pieces back together. That’s why he was made, his only reason for being. It’s why he even exists. Minus him, the pieces aren’t pulled back together. Her cracks are now filled in by the one who gave her this mark.”

“…Ahriman,” Munenori whispered, staring at the jagged black line running the length of her spine.

“Yes,” Jophiel said. “He has already buried himself deep within her. It won’t take long before she’s more soul-eater than Angel. Without Daichi, your precious little Naga will be back in her dark husband’s arms. Burning in hell… where she belongs.”

Chapter 31

Tenshi

(TIN-shee)

“Tenshi, where’s yer brother?” Vittorio said, breathlessly, as he burst into Vareen’s home.

“He left. He didn’t tell me where he was going and I knew better than to press him about it,” Tenshi said. “He’s hurt, badly. Daichi cannot… no, Daichi
will not
let anyone see him in pain. And the way he was when he left here, Brother, I should say we won’t be seeing him again for many, many years.”

“Why do you ask, Vittorio,” Vareen said.

“Aye, it’s bad, it is. Something’s wrong with Jenevier… umm, Naga.”

“Well, now, isn’t that always the case?” She rolled her eyes.

“Vareen, revered mother,” Tenshi said calmly. “I love you as much as any son should. But never speak thusly about my mama, ever again.” He turned to Vittorio. “Is she yet on Jinn?”

“Aye, that’s where I left her, Brother.” He looked down and away. “But, the state she was in,” he said, shaking his head. “I cannae say for sure if she yet remains.”

Tenshi was watching the Guardian as he spoke. When Vittorio lifted his head, revealing flushed cheeks and moistened eyes, fear rocked the blue Angel to his core. He moved to stand face to face with the beloved Guardian friend of his tiny mother.

“Vittorio, tell me what happened.”

“Aye, Tenshi.” A single tear escaped the corner of his eye. “I know nae what the hell happened. I gathered up all her precious things, thinking they might bring her a wee bit of comfort an’ perhaps jog her memory. She was gone off somewhere with that odd Angel.”

“Munenori?”

“Aye, Brother, that’s the one. I spent the whole day there, waiting for her, talking tae her handsome wee ninja. It was well after dark when she finally returned.” Vittorio’s shoulders slumped when he matched Tenshi’s worried gaze. “She was slamming doors an’ shouting curse words.”

A look of confusion furrowed the timid Angel’s brow. “Mama was?”

“Aye, Lad. I’ve nae seen her like that before.” He shook his head and sighed. “She dinnae recognize my face. Yet, she knew me by my scent.” He looked back at the blue Angel son of the woman he loved. “Yer mama has changed, Lad. An’ nae for the better.”

“Worse than when we found her on Val Hal?” Tenshi asked.

“Aye, much worse.”

“Why? What’s happened? Is Munenori not taking care of her? Are there demons roaming about on Jinn?”

“I dinnae see any demons.” Vittorio’s cheeks flamed red as he searched for delicate words. “Aye, Lad. I dinnae want tae tell ye this. But, her Angel friend, well… he’s
taking care
of her in ways I’ve only ever dreamed aboot.”

“You mean, Munenori?” Tenshi laughed. “Vittorio, Brother, you must be mistaken. I could believe it from some others, but not Munenori. He alone knows what evil could rise from their union. Fear not and withhold your jealousy, my friend. Munenori knows he is forbidden her. He alone was warned thusly. As I said, you must be mistaken.”

“I wish I was.” Vittorio’s jaw quivered when he spoke. “From what she told me by her own words, Munenori an’ her Dragon was why she was so angry when she returned. Seems the Angel pressed her tae take his manacle, was rather adamant aboot it, he was. Told her he would gladly face whatever punishment he had tae endure just tae make her his own, ensure their bond.”

“What?” Tenshi’s timid voice turned into a bestial growl. “He tries to marry Mama in our absence? Daichi will kill him,” he hissed. “And never bat a lash.”

“Aye, an’ that’s nae the whole of it,” Vittorio continued. “She told me, when she closes her eyes, a darkness grows within her. She even got angry with me an’ all but threw me oot.” His voice cracked just before his sculpted jaw set in a firm line. “We found her in the company of Ahriman. I fear he’s done something tae my wee rabbit. Something we cannae see, Brother. An’ the worst part, the only one who can heal her is naewhere tae be found.”

Tenshi placed a comforting hand on the worried Guardian’s shoulder. “Fear not, Brother. That wasn’t my mama yelling at you, this I know. When we were little, I would always pretend to be you when we played at battle. Mama asked me why. I told her I always wanted to be her favorite, so I always pretended to be you.” He smiled at the fond memory. “The way Mama looked when she thought about you, the way her face glowed, the way she smiled… Wow, that smile… It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Vittorio quickly turned his head, wiping away the burning tears.

“I will find Daichi,” Tenshi whispered before he turned to Vareen. “Revered Mother, can you spare this valiant warrior for a little while yet?”

“I will see to it that someone covers his summonses, for a little while,” she said.

“Nae, Brother. I cannae go back there. She’ll—”

“Don’t listen to her words,” Tenshi interrupted. “Listen to her heart. You cannot read her mind like we can, but do not be fooled. No matter what Mama says, what she
feels
is always plain within her eyes.”

“She nae longer has yer Mama’s eyes, Lad.”

“It matters not. If Mama’s in there at all, you’ll see it.”

*****

Vittorio could feel their awesome angelic power as soon as he burst through the clouds over layer nine. He was in
way
over his head this time, and he knew it.

Picking the best spot to see almost everything, he perched atop the balcony railing outside Yui’s chambers, and watched. Hoping, by all that was holy, they were too caught up in themselves to even notice his presence.

Ugh, I hate Angels
, he thought.

Munenori’s words were the first to reach him.

“But… that mark wasn’t there yesterday. I would have seen it. The only black upon the whole of her body was her tattoo.”

Jophiel smiled cruelly. “Yes, I suppose you would have been in the perfect
position
to notice this. It’s no secret how thorough your ministrations were concerning your student, here. We can safely say… if Munenori saw no marks upon her flesh, he would know better than we.”

“So she was marked thusly sometime between early yesterday morning and when we arrived today,” Uriel added absently.

Munenori cleared his throat. “Her flesh was yet pure in the late afternoon.”

“The late afternoon?” Uriel gaped at the smaller Angel. “Bloody hell, Munenori.”

The mossy lavender Angel ignored him. “I believe I know when it might have happened.” He walked over, tenderly rescuing her from Jophiel’s cold grasp. “She asked Nilakanta to accompany her back to the palace. It’s obvious such a request is not possible. Then she asked if
I
would return with her, stay with her. I was foolish.” He sighed heavily. “She hurt my pride when she denied my proposal. So I refused her in return. I saw the pain in her eyes as she left. Yet, I let her go.”

Jophiel snorted. “Wow, Munenori. You have turned out to be one
spectacular
Senpai. Nice job, little brother.”

The Guardian Angel of Jinn didn’t have to look at the Arch’s face to know. His blatant smirk was more than obvious in his sarcastic retort.

“Then that’s when she cracked,” Uriel said plainly. “Two creatures she loved and needed… reached out to even… they denied her honest plea for help. But that’s an awful large crack… just for the temporary loss of companionship.”

“That’s not all that happened to her.” Yui stared at her silent profile, trembling as he spoke. “Her dearest friend and beloved Guardian, Vittorio… he came to visit her. He brought all her treasures, the ones she had left behind in Vanahirdem. At my request, he stayed until her return.”

“Well, what happened, boy?” Jophiel demanded.

“I threw him out,” she whispered.

“Why, Naga?” Munenori stroked her curls as he gently spoke. “You love him true, this is no secret. Why would you do such a thing, Little Fire? What happened?”

She may have been staring at the floor, but her eyes focused on nothing. She swayed, but did not speak.

Yui’s tender heart was breaking for her. “She asked him to stay,” he answered in her stead. “He refused her as well.”

“Why would he do that?” Uriel asked. “Aren’t you talking about the strange speaking Guardian? The one who was with her when she was taken by Shabriri? Why in the world would
he
deny her invitation? He loves her from his core, from the depths of his soul. I have seen it. Tell me. What could ever make him leave her?”

“Perhaps because she couldn’t fully recall their past together… or perhaps because she did not recognize his face. I’m not certain. But then…” Yui paused and glanced at the mossy lavender Guardian Angel of Jinn. “…she told him about Munenori. I believe he was either too shocked or too hurt to stay.”

Uriel shook his head. “It is as I have said. Pride goeth before the fall.”

“And when we arrived here this morning, she was sleeping in
your
bed, little ninja. Minus most of her clothing, I might add.” Jophiel turned to glare at her. “She is worse than the whore of Babylon.”

“Don’t call her that!” Yui’s voice was suddenly hard and threatening. “Don’t pretend you know her. Nothing happened in my bed and nothing happened with her Guardian, nor would it have. In all the years I have known Naga, Munenori is the first…” He paused, blushing, even though his anger was apparent. “Since she came to Jinn, Naga has always slept thusly. She had to nurse twins. It was easier for her and quickly became normal for us all. No one looks upon her with ill thoughts. Not the way
you’re
insinuating. You twist the truth, Angel.”

“Well, we all know
someone
who looks upon her flesh with less than pure thoughts.” Jophiel cut his eyes toward Munenori.

“Tell me, boy,” Uriel said. “Does she normally come to you in the night?”

“She has only just returned to Jinn.” Yui’s mounting tears began to blur her from view. “She has been absent the palace for a painfully long time,” he whispered. “But, no. Last night was the first time she has ever slept in my chambers, the first time we have ever shared a bed… just the two of us.”

“Do not question him further.” Everyone turned to her as she whispered, “This young man is above reproach. His undefiled honor towers over everyone in this room. Without question, he stands head and shoulders above us all. What happened last night was not his fault… I was scared.”

“A Death Angel? Scared? Hmm… now why am I finding that extremely hard to believe? This coming from the woman who slept like a babe whilst wrapped about with the blackest of wings―”

“Shut it, Jophiel,” Uriel spat. “Tell us, Naga. What could possibly scare the Angel of Death? Name one thing within the whole of this universe that―”

“It’s the darkness,” she barely whispered. “It scares me, fills me with a fear I had not thought possible… never even fathomed the like.” When she blinked, a single tear dripped from her unseeing eyes. “When I’m alone, when I close my eyes, it grows and swells until I can no longer breathe. It is a ravenous thing. It consumes me, smothers me.”

“You expect us to believe you’re scared of the dark?”

She looked up at Jophiel’s smirking face then, the pooling tears glistening brightly in her snowflake eyes.

“The kind that now lives inside me, yes. That darkness is terrifying… terrifying beyond all reason.”

*****

Tenshi went first to the secret valley on Jinn.

“Diiiachiii, you here?” Only echoes answered him.

He stood in what used to be their front yard. The now quiet valley was rich with fond memories. The lingering residue of their once happy lives still glowed and pulsed around him. He cleared his mind and sought his brother. Tenshi felt several Angels upon Jinn. Yet none were the stubborn sapphire one he was looking for.

He stopped on Val Hal, just to make sure Daichi wasn’t stalking the snow-crowned warrior of that realm, and then headed for Princess Falls.

That one looks like a kitten. Oh, and there’s a daisy, and a mushroom.

He was lying on his back watching the clouds. Frustration had set in and he was trying to calm his heightened angelic nerves.

“Ugh, where are you, Brother? What other lonely, deserted place have you found to hide away your tears? If you aren’t sulking in our old home or this magical cove, where else do you even know of?”

He sat up quickly, a knowing smile stretching the corners of his lovely mouth. He headed back to the clouds.

“Could you have possibly found a more deserted place than this?”

“Go away, Tenshi. I told you. I want to be alone.”

“Yes, you did. So, tell me. If you want to be alone, to forget and heal, why would you come to the
only
place in this whole universe where you can feel her, can smell her?”

“I said, go away.” Daichi rolled over, turning his back to his approaching brother.

“Perhaps you don’t hate her as much as you claim to. Perhaps you love her still.”