The Fallen Ones (The Fallen Angels Series Book 1) (12 page)

Ilyana:

I am
pleased to find that after just a few moments in the bubble bath I am able to
push past and mostly disconnect from my powers. I can feel them all pulling at
my core, but nothing is leaving my body. I rest my head back on a towel I
placed in the bath and shut my eyes. For a moment I let everything that is
weighing me down float away and I allow myself to revel in the magnificence of
this place before I will begin to ready myself for tonight.

I am
startled by a knock on the door and find that my water has gone cool “Ilyana,
are you in there? I’m here to prepare you for tonight!” I recognize Lizzy’s
voice from earlier and realize that I must have allowed myself to fall asleep.
A series of incoherent expletives slip out of my mouth as I get a towel and
begin to dry myself “I’ll be out in a sec. I fell asleep!” I expect her to fuss
over my carelessness, but instead I hear her start to laugh. I wrap the towel
over my body and step out “Really, this is funny? You obviously don’t know how
difficult making me presentable is.” She puts her small hand over her mouth to
suppress further laughter “I assure you Ilyana, a little unruly hair is no
match for me! This is what I live for.” I allow her confidence to sink in and
take a deep breath “Okay, where do we start?” she motions me over to a small
powder room facing the window “Have a seat there, facing the sun – it will give
me the best lighting so you don’t end up looking like you have a mask on by the
time I finished with you.” I do as she says and sit in the swiveling chair
closest to the window.

Lizzy
begins to pull out numerous makeup pallets and hair contraptions and it reminds
me of when Alya came to me and cut my hair. I find myself pondering over their
skill and wonder if in the next 4000 years I will be equally matched to either
of them. She walks over to me and gently places her hand below my chin and
pulls my face up to the side “Perfection! This shouldn’t take us long at all.”
I begin to blush and look away at her kind compliment and hope she won’t notice
“You know, Ilyana. In all the years that I have walked this earth. I can’t say
I have ever met someone that exudes more power than you. Nor have I met someone
who is so insecure. You are perfect, but since the moment I first met you – you
have been wearing a mask of self-doubt.” I slink back in the chair as she moves
in to brush my hair and put it into curlers as I realize the truth of what she
says, she continues “I am not chastising you, Dear. I am simply telling you.
You may not know the vastness of you own power. But that is secondary to
everything else, you are a good woman – I can feel it in my bones. You are
beautiful and kind. That makes you valuable, you need to stop questioning it
and start knowing it.” She pats my shoulder and I quietly thank her. I catch
her smile reflecting in the window and I feel myself relax. I know that I have
found another friend, albeit – a very outspoken one, but nonetheless she is my
friend and I have been very short on them these past few weeks.

She’s
humming aloud and busily working on my hair when it dawns on me I should try
killing to birds with one stone “Lizzy, do you mind if I ask you some questions
to set my mind at ease tonight?” she stops humming “Of course, but you should
know I may not be of much help. I have been a servant to Marcus, but all of my
friends and acquaintances run in quite different circles than someone like you
or Marcus would.” My eyebrows furrow in confusion “Someone like Marcus or I?” I
don’t really know that I want to be more like Marcus and the other Elders than
her. “Yes, someone more powerful. Higher on the food chain – if you will.” She
keeps working and I still can’t quite make sense of what she said, I am sure
she is speaking metaphorically, but I don’t know what makes one person more
powerful than another – socially speaking. “Well, what can I answer?” she
catches my eyes with hers in the window and smiles as she encourages me on.
“Well, I guess, can you describe what you just meant by food chain? What makes
you lower and someone like Marcus higher – aside from his age?”

She
lets out a small laugh “Marcus actually isn’t quite as old as I. His age and
being the only living family member in his bloodline is what makes him an
elder. But it isn’t what makes him and I different.” She spins my chair around
and goes to work on my pedicure “What makes him different is power. Over the
generation, many of our bloodlines have been compromised. Making us more human
and less angel.” I think I am starting to understand what she is saying, though
I am not sure that I like it “So, in other words. The top of the food chain
houses all of the bigoted, social elitist types?” she lets out a full laugh and
has to stop herself from painting my toes for a moment before responding “I’ve
never thought about it like that before. But it is a fitting description for
many of our nobles.” She shakes her head with a smile “But there are many like
you, kind and humble. They just don’t voice their opinions so often.” She
begins applying paint again “Mostly, they are at the top of the food chain,
because they are simply stronger. If we were ever sent into a battle. Many of
them would be at the forefront protecting the rest of us – in theory.” I think
about Kailands description and realize that she has probably been brainwashed
into believing these things. “Can I ask how your bloodlines make you weaker?”
she looks frozen for a moment and I begin to second guess my line of
questioning but she continues on “In our society, it is quite shameful to be less
than full Nephilim. My Mother was human. So I am more powerful and long lived
than a regular woman on the street, but I am still mortal. I can sense others
abilities like my father could, but I am unable to project any powers beyond
physical.” She seems less tense the more she talks so I remain quiet, hopeful
that she will share more “Someone with power like yours, could in theory send
the walls around us crashing down with only your thoughts. Some Nephilim even
have reported having glimpses into the future or into the past. But me? If I
want to move something – I have to use my physical strength.”

She
looks despondent for a moment and I understand what she is saying so I begin to
speak up “You know, I don’t know who my biological parents were. I was raised
by human parents – they were very good to me. I could never see their life as
holding any less potential or value than mine. I am sorry that you are made to
work as a servant. You and I are friends now and I can tell that you are more
suited for filling a throne somewhere than this.” I gesture to my feet and see
tears threatening her eyes “I am sorry about your parents, Ilyana. Marcus made
sure I knew about them. But never feel sorry for me. I am treated fairly and am
free to go if ever I please. This has been a haven for me and I enjoy staying
busy and helping others.” Her meekness overwhelms me and I quickly understand
why Marcus said she is the best. She notices the time and we no longer speak as
she buzzes around me, fixing my hair, smudging kohl liner around my eyes and
gloss onto my lips. I look outside and realize the sun is steadily sinking. I
am still in my towel when she hands me a pink-striped bag full of undergarments
and brings my dress and jewelry over to me and excuses herself to clean the
powder room while I dress myself.

I have
never been so terrified or concerned with my own appearance in my own life.
Why
can’t there be a mirror in this room?
I hear a light knock just before
Lizzy steps back in. I am fully dressed but turn around and request her help
with my necklace clasp and zipper. She quickly assists me and when I turn
around to face her, both of her hands rush up to her face and she gasps “You
are a work of art! You must see yourself!” she pulls me back through the
bathroom, to the floor length mirror and I barely recognize the woman sitting
in front of me. The dress has managed to make curves where I never knew they
existed. My hair is exquisitely smoothed out into big waves that are expertly
pinned back on one side to draw attention to the beautiful earrings Marcus gave
me. “Well? What do you think?” she asks with her hands on her hips. I am at a
complete loss for words so I take her by surprise and just hug her “Thank you,
Lizzie! Thank you!” she laughs “You’re welcome, my lady!” she says as she pulls
back to do a small curtsy. I laugh at her formality “I will be on my way now.
Your companions should be ready at any moment.” She excuses herself to leave
and once again I am left to myself. I can feel my nerves trying to creep up and
my power trying to sneak back out but I talk myself out of panicking and take
slow breaths as I begin to pace my bedroom.

I
nearly jump out of my skin as I hear another small knock on the door “Come in.”
Levi steps through, he looks absolutely dashing. He is always so playful and
light, seeing him in a suit with his hair styled and face completely shaved
shows him in a brand new light. I have to stop myself from ogling my favorite
friend “My, my – you sure do clean up nicely, Levi.” He relaxes his shoulders
and I realize how tense he clearly is, before I can think about it he winks at
me “I should say the same. Ephraim is going to have a heart attack when he sees
you!” I stiffen at the mention of Ephraim but Levi doesn’t seem to notice as he
continues on “Speaking of which, your entourage has arrived and seems to be in
an unusually prickly mood.” I follow him out through my bedroom door “Well I
guess we better get this show on the road then.” As soon as we reach my foyer I
can tell that something is wrong. Alya and Ephraim are standing on opposite
sides of the room and she looks ready to cry while he simply looks angry. “Is
everything ok?” she looks up and begins to walk over, but before she reaches me
Ephraim takes my arm in his and begins to walk me out the front door
“Everything is fine. Let’s get this over with.” I realize it would be best for
me not to get in the middle of whatever is happening right now.

We
walk through the apartment building and through a massive, beautiful courtyard
unlike anything I have ever seen. There are clay colored stones and fountains
everywhere and perfectly manicured flowers and vines growing all around us
“It’s beautiful!” I say as I look around for agreement. I notice that Levi and
Alya are walking at their own pace behind us and Levi is looking deeply
troubled by whatever it is that Ilyana has to say. I look up to Ephraim for
some explanation but he chooses to sweep it under the rug “Don’t worry about
them. My sister has quite the history of selecting poor bedmates, it’s probably
just another one of her spats.” I look back at them but Ephraim continues to
pull me along “He feels me hesitate and clearly forces a smile “You look
absolutely breathtaking. Let’s go show you off.” He pushes us through a large
set of doors and I realize that this is it.

When I
step through the doors I expect to be greeted by Marcus, or perhaps even a
nicely dressed butler to escort me. What I was not prepared for however, is for
all faces to be expectantly turned in the direction of the door. I take a step
back and feel Ephraims hand push gently against the small of my back I turn to
look at his face and realize that it is also registering surprise. He leans
down and barely whispers in my ear “I won’t let anything happen to you, but you
can’t back away now or they might think you’re weak.” I take a deep breath and
do my best to convince myself that I am not weak. I proudly walk ahead into the
silent room, some heads are bowed slightly and others seem to be arrogantly
strained as high up as they can possibly go, as if to literally look down their
noses at me. I almost laugh at the ridiculously constipated expression they are
wearing. I head to the front of the room where I notice an older looking woman
that appears to be in charge and a small man beside her as though he is her
equal are sitting. No one speaks so I remind myself again that I am powerful
and I push myself to do my best impression of a confident Nephilim “Well, this
is quite the party. Did I perhaps arrive a moment too early?” I turn around the
room and wait for a response. Everyone here is facing me and I notice the
Levi’s expression has darkened and Alya is at the back of the room near the
doors still, with tears in her eyes. I hear a voice speak behind me “Ilyana
Malakhova, please step forward.” I hesitantly do as she says and step forward
as she continues “There has been a slight change of plans, Marcus will not be
welcoming you here today. I am Guinevere and this is Julius.” She gestures to
the statue of a man beside her “You are hereby charged of consorting with
terrorists, high treason & murder. How do you plead?” My mouth drops and
before I know it Levi and Ephraim are flanking me on both sides and several
voices from behind are speaking up, I hear words being thrown around and have
no clue what to make of things. I look around at the chaos that has ensued in
the room and then face the cold woman in front once more as I raise my voice
“This has to be a mistake. I most certainly have committed none of the crimes
on your list!”

She
rolls her eyes “So you are pleading not guilty?” I laugh at her insolence “A
trial? Really? Yes, of course I plead not guilty – this is absurd!” Levi places
his hand on my shoulders and leans down to speak quietly where only I can hear
him “you would be best not to anger her. We will get you out of this, I
promise.” Ephraim is leaned down reading Levi’s lips and nods his head in
agreement “No harm will come to you without passing through me first.” I nod
and step forward away from them both and addressed Guinevere – who I am liking
less and less with every second “Please tell me what basis you have for these
allegations, so we can get to the bottom of this and all enjoy the rest of our
evening.” I notice the entire room around me has quieted. Guinevere continues “Marcus
came to us today to tell us of your recent discoveries. Your friend Alya made
him aware that you were consorting with known terrorists being kept in the
enclave holding.” I raise my hands as if to stop her and immediately begin
speaking over her “Terrorists? That’s what you call them? They are the friends
and family of many the original counsel and as far as I am aware – they are no
more terrorist than you.” I hear a few gasps behind me and I press on “What of
the other charges, treason, murder? What grounds do you have for those
accusations?” her eyes narrow “You were consorting with known terrorists, they
have been feeding you lies and now you mean to disrespect the elders in front
of you that hold your fate in their hands?” I step forward at her words and am
surprised to notice she cowers back as I speak barely above a whisper “Ma’am, I
don’t know your who you are, or where you came from. But last time I checked,
no one held my fate in their hands – least of all you and your cowering
sidekick. Where is Marcus?” she clears her throat and leans forward again
“Marcus is being detained, he believed you to be beyond reproach in these
matters and it was clear his judgment is clouded where these matters are
concerned.”