Divinity: Immolation: Book Three (The Divinity Saga) (23 page)

I shook my head with a grin. “We’ll see.”

He playfully reached down and around me, giving one of my cheeks a light squeeze and a quick, playful spank. The temporary sting sparked a shiver of pleasure throughout my pelvis.

“In the meantime, dinner is ready. What do you want to wear?”

My breath caught and I cleared my throat. He knew exactly what reaction his action would generate in me.

“I’ve always been a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Size four, and I wear my shirts in medium. Nothing fancy though.”

His eyes traveled the length of my
naked body, and then he closed his eyes as if concentrating. When he opened them again, he winked and gave me a quick peck on my lips.

“See you at the dinner table.” He whispered, ghosting out instead of leaving through the closed door.

Once he was gone, I spotted the neatly splayed ensemble on his bed.  A royal blue, scoop-necked t-shirt and a pair of relaxed fit, low-rise, blue jeans. Cam was pampering and spoiling me rotten.

XXVII
. Cam`ael

I
would never admit to it out loud but I was actually enjoying the company, especially the human company. I’ve always preferred their company over any being of the spirit realm and now, it only reminded me of why. Barriers were being broken and lowered. It was a monumental almost miraculous thing, seeing the interaction between my friends and Starling’s, but what really surprised me was when the seraphim decided to stay with them. It wasn’t because he trusted us at all, it was because he made a commitment to them when he became earthbound and he was sticking to it, so far. I could definitely respect that but I was watching him closely. Something wasn’t fully settled with me about the vibes he was giving off.

I did my best to make sure Starling was occu
pied and would be for a while during her bath while we all planned for her birthday party. So far, she had no idea. It would be perfect and the fact that her friends were here now, worked out well. Truth be told, it was one of the main reasons that I did make the exception of offering shelter in the first place. It was all for Starling because I knew she would want it this way and that it would make her happy.

Rahab and Edanai were preparing a
great feast and a birthday cake and everyone was in on it. My friends offered to escort the girls to requested places so that they could purchase gifts and acquire some articles of clothing, which hadn’t taken too long. I had already gotten her gifts from me a while back but there were a few more items that I wanted to try and find too.

“Edanai, I may be a few more minutes, do me a favor and make sure that Starling doesn’t head into the dining room until I get back. I want to be there for the surprise part.”

Edanai sighed, “
Fine, just hurry back because I think we’re all pretty much starving right now.”

“Thanks.”

I invited Atiro and Berith after making a quick check of the city where Starling lived. I could see that it was a week before the Thanksgiving holiday and it was really cold. There were a few other things I wanted to check on and acquire quickly before returning too. I assumed that Starling was making the decision on whether or not to return back to the college she attended, and so I decided to stop by and pay her friend China a visit to announce the news.

She wasn’t home. A girl outside of the complex mentioned that she had gone home for the holidays, and that she wouldn’t be back until around December the eighteenth. That fact may work in Starlings’ favor. Th
e current, U.S human realm date was November the 25th, a Saturday.

I ghosted into the apartment anyway, just to check things out and make sure that all was wel
l and untainted for her return.

There were definitely dark entities tha
t have been playing around here and as to who and why, I had no idea. I placed new feathers strategically throughout the apartment, studying everything in both of their rooms, especially Starlings. Nothing of darkness had been hovering in there, which was a relief. It was apparent that they all knew she had already died.

Beyond the thin curtain and blinds, shadows of several,
large and unnatural black crows flapped wildly in an overt showy display meant just for me, outside of the window in her room. It was like an arrogant warning and I already knew who it was. Though I wanted to confront Xyn and battle it out once and for all, I figured that may not be a good idea today. I wanted to be there for Starlings surprise birthday dinner, unscathed and alive.

The table, food, decorations, gifts, cake, and music were already set by the time I returned with Starling’s additional present wrapped and in hand. I set it down slightly apart from the others and made my way into the kitchen just to be nosy—because everything did indeed smell delicious.

The seraphim girl and a
warrior were both decorating the two tier cake in dark pink, white, and yellow flowers, and making a frosting edging around the base of each tier.

I was thankful that Edanai had managed to stall Starling from entering the kitchen and dining room, being that she was currently still in my bed chamber.

“Is everything ready?”
I asked Rahab as I headed back to my room after a quick inspection for cleanliness.

“Yes, we were all waiting on you. We’re all here
. Atiro and Berith showed up just a little while ago. I think Edanai managed to stall Starling. She’s still in your room.”

“Spencer decided to go on and room with me at my place in the human realm.” Durien stopped to inform me before I made it to my room.

“You guys do realize that you’re no longer protected since you’re no longer affiliated with the hall?”

Durien shrugged, “I know. Anyway, he’s relying on his own magic if he needs it. I think Jamie and Devlin are gonna be staying with us too but only after we’re done training, so we won’t be alone if anything happens.”

“It could still be dangerous for all of you, and he’s an idiot.”

Durien laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, I know he can be
at times but he’s a pretty damned good fighter and friend. He does want to train with you guys though.”

I was pe
nsive. That punk had his nerve.

“That doesn’t surprise me. And who the hell does he think is going to be taxiing him back and
forth between realms for that?”

“I don’t know but your friend, Jerilah volunteered pretty quickly though.” Durien snickered.

I raised a brow. “Oh, so we’re good enough to rely on as methods of transport and training, but he’s disgusted and doesn’t trust our company?” Another reason why I wanted to serve him up with a righteous ass kicking.

Durien shook his head.

“Man, I appreciate you taking us in at all, let alone even bothering to prepare us like this. If anyone is thankful and grateful for everything…it’s definitely me.” He then commented.

I nodded. “I just hope that it doesn’t back fire in the end.” I replied, continuing on to my room to change.

Starling was lying in my bed on her side and facing away from me. She said that she was hungry earlier, so I doubted that she was sleeping and the scent of…oh hell.

She didn’t even move
to greet me when I entered.

I sighed, crawling onto the bed behind her, and slinking an arm around her waist carefully and lovingly.

She was playing one of the games on it, and she was definitely angry —with me.

“What’s wrong? What did I do during the time I wasn’t here?” I asked.

She simply shook her head with her lips pressed tightly. It couldn’t have been more evident that something was bothering her, and I was grateful that she had learned to separate her fire from her emotions.

“I thought you were hungry.” I mentioned, leaning in to kiss her but she shifted away from me and sat up.

“I am.” She said flatly, placing her phone on the small table next to my bed, and then proceeded to scoot off the bed and stand, not even looking at me. I reached out and grabbed her hand to stop her. Pregnancy hormones this early? I hoped not. She still had a ways to go.

“Well, you can go when you tell me what’s bothering you. Did someone do or sa
y something to you?” I asked.

It seemed like she didn’t even want to look at me.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to talk or think about it, Cam.” She brushed off and tried to tug out of my grip.

I wasn’t going to let her go. She looked at me, scowling this time.

“Would you please tell me what I did?” I was really confused now.

She exhaled slowly.

“I told you, I’m not really mad. Just thinking.” She said, forcing a fake half smile.

I watched her carefully. “About?”

She sighed, turning away from me. “A lot of stuff.” She vaguely hinted.

I gauged her carefully, not believing that at all but I let her go.

“Do you love me?” I called out, just as she reached for the door.

That stopped her and she turned to face me.

“Yes, I do. Do you love me?” She raised a brow.

I slid off of my bed and moved over to her. I looked down at her, gazing deeply into the dark, blue depths of her sparkling and trusting, yet searching eyes. “More than my own desire to ever remove myself of my punishm
ent and become an angel again.”

If that were even an option for me at all. Either way, it was the honest, sincere truth and I could think of nothing else that would make her
believe it enough, apparently.

She seemed surprised, and her face softened into a smile.

“Now, are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” I still wanted to know.

“I told you, Cam. I don’t want to bring it up again.” She said, and with that she opened the door and left.

I was still unsettled about the whole incident. I wanted to know what made her regard me so coldly when I returned. My mind began to work. There was only one thing I could think of that would make any female turn that quickly. Damn.

I didn’t bother to change my clothes at all…at least not the normal way.

As I walked, my clothes quickly morphed into a comfortable silk, blood red-colored, button down shirt, and a pair of black, loose slacks. I followed behind her, though in complete confusion, so that I would be there for the big moment.

As soon as she rounded the living room and headed towards the dining room, everyone jumped up and shouted, ‘Surprise
!’ and ‘Happy Birthday!’

She was most definitely surprised.

“A party? What is all of this for?” She was alight with a curious and confused smile on her beautiful face as she gazed over the table, the decorations, her cake, and then all of her presents.

“Well, according to the date on your driver’s license, Cam informed us that today is your mortal birthday…based on human realm time.” Rahab told her.

Each of her friends took their turns with hugs and brief conversation, and then several of mine moved in to engage her in conversation shortly thereafter—while I looked on from outside of the circle. I was trying to make the connection of just who or what could have led to the source of her sudden change in attitude towards me.

“Birthday? I can’t believe you guys did all of this.
I…don’t even know what to say.”

“I can’t believe that you’re actually twenty.” Anthony grinned.

“Me either.” Ry commented.

“Yeah, I know.” Durien added.

“This is weird, especially since we’re immortal now.” Starling replied.

“Consider is a party for your rebirth too, then.” Lorelei smiled.

“Damn, if that’s the case, I’ve got to be in my late forties then.” Durien then said.

“Wanna know h
ow hold I am?” Jerilah smirked.

“Doesn’t matter, you don’t look a day over twenty in my opinion.” Gabe grinned at her.

“Thank, you.” Jerilah flirted back.

“The only thing that gains wisdom and age as you all are now, is your sense of knowledge and experiences.” Atiro said.

“I agree, and that calls for a toast.” Ry urged at the raising of his glass.

Everyone proceeded to raise whatever it was that they were drinking.

“Happy Rebirth, Starling!” he cheered and everyone followed suit, exchanging glass clinks and taking long swigs of their cocktails.

Edanai emerged from the kitchen with a bowl of steaming soup and placed it on the table. “Everything is set. We’re all starving and ready to eat. Rahab and the rest of us have been slaving over this meal, so we certainly hope that you like it. You get to sit here, birthday girl.” and pointed at the head of the table.

Starling didn’t even look at me once…let alone Edanai, at least not in the eye. That was something I picked up on instantly as everyone began to gather around the table and find a seat. I narrowed my gaze at Edanai.

“Did you say something to Starling?”
I asked her.

Her amethyst eyes met mine, innocently.

“Something like what?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.”
I was growing irritated and angry already.

“We were talking. You wanted me to stall her and I did.”

“Talking about what?”
I felt anger rising in me at Edanai’s possible words. Words that may have been intentional.

“
Random stuff. She had a lot of questions and I answered them. No biggie, she wanted to know and I wasn’t going to lie to her.”

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so angry or the urge to either curse Edanai out, or hurt her outright in my entire existence.

It felt as if she had deliberately done this to hurt me or to cause some sort of a fall-out between me and Starling. Why would she do that? Edanai of all people, I’ve always trusted. Has she really been that jealous and hurt by all of this since finding out that Starling was pregnant with my child?

“
What did you say to her, Edanai?!”
I was practically yelling at her in my head, and though my face displayed neutral temperament, my eyes were storming red.