4 – The Angels Gather

Main Hall – St Denys, Rumon

It was time.

Barachiel walked up the stairs, leaving the emptiness of the crypt for companionship above ground. Hani followed, armed with questions. In the nave, Zera stood all-commanding with Ramiel in his hand. When she saw him, Hani shuffled back. Who is he? Ramiel was sparking. Hani picked up the unmistakable static background hiss. Is there an exposed wire somewhere? Wait, it’s coming from that sword. Zera walked towards them with purpose, his sharp-tipped wings on full display. Hani stared at his halo. How come it’s more golden than mine? ‘Ah, Zera! This is Hani, my new apprentice,’ Barachiel announced.

Hani noted Zera’s ferocity and bowed her head in recognition of his seniority. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.

Zera sensed Hani’s insecurity. They get younger every day. He shook her hand. Huh? Firmer than I expected. He turned to Barachiel. ‘Can she see ghosts?’

Hani was more than capable of answering for herself, but assumed doing so was against protocol.

‘Yes,’ Barachiel replied.

‘I didn’t know they existed until tonight,’ Hani elaborated. ‘The academy dismissed them as myths.’

Zera grinned. ‘They would.’

Hani now had another question she wanted answered. ‘Why?’

‘I couldn’t possibly comment.’

Hani noted Zera’s wry smile. Oh good, someone else who doesn’t like to answer questions directly. ‘Besides, Barachiel will teach you. He’s eccentric as you’ve seen.’

Barachiel laughed awkwardly. You do enjoy making me blush. ‘Why are you still awake, Zera?’

‘I thought you were someone else.’

‘Seraphiel?’

Zera furrowed his brow. He did know her then? ‘You’ve never mentioned her before.’

‘Uriel posted her along with Hani as of today. I take it she introduced herself.’

‘She made quite the introduction with Arakiel,’ Zera reported. So, Seraph is Uriel’s charge then.

Hani was taken aghast. THE Arakiel? The blade of the quaking land? Hani’s eyes latched onto Ramiel. The heavenly runes glowed gold, drawing her in. Hold on, is that Ramiel, the manifestation of God’s lightning? Sparks flung off the Zoharian blade. Hani twitched. Did Ramiel just say hello?

Zera winced from the static shock. That’s twice today. He looked towards Hani. Did you spark because of her, Ramiel?

Footsteps approached.

‘You know it’s rude to talk behind a girl’s back, boys.’ Seraph sauntered down the nave, her hair swirling across her shoulder; Arakiel clearly visible in her right hand. Ramiel sparked – its bark. The candles quivered, flickering from the resonance between the two blades. Hani instinctively stuck close to Barachiel. What’s going on?

Zera growled. Of course, she’ll make an entrance.

The muscles in Seraph’s hand tensed from Arakiel’s vibration. Ramiel’s guard is raised. Our encounter earlier has made Zera weary. ‘Well, this is a rare sight. Four angels who can see ghosts all under one roof.’

Barachiel resisted scowling. I’m getting too old for overseeing sparring blades, Uriel. ‘Welcome, Seraphiel. We’ve been expecting you.’

The closer Ramiel and Arakiel were, the stronger the resonance became. Ramiel sparked aggressively, but Arakiel’s oscillation was relaxed. Seraph smirked. She saw Hani silently judging. All three need more excitement in their lives. ‘Uriel bought you up to speed, Barachiel?’

‘Yes. You’ll assist Zera’s investigations.’

‘Excellent. Where am I sleeping then?’

‘In Zera’s room.’

If looks could kill, Zera would just have invented a way to kill Barachiel and then kill his ghost afterwards. Seraph enjoyed Zera’s expression. A little bit of antagonism will do the detective some good. ‘What’s wrong, Zera? No girls allowed?’

‘Woman are. Girls aren’t.’

Barachiel and Hani stepped back. This was too spicy for them.

Seraph laughed. That’s more like it. ‘Well come on then, show me to your quarters.’

Zera smiled ruefully. I don’t care for you right now, Barachiel. Ramiel continually sparked, equally as displeased. Zera swallowed his pride. Don’t give her the satisfaction, Zera. He made no remark and led Seraph to his room.

‘Who knew sparks flew at midnight?’ Barachiel remarked.

‘And not just from Ramiel,’ Hani quipped.

Barachiel laughed, louder than he should have. If only she wasn’t right. He paused. Are the foundations going to crack or the fuses blow now Arakiel and Ramiel are together? Even if they do, I suspect that will pale in comparison to the ramifications of Zera and Seraph sharing the same room.

At the base of the winding stairwell, Zera let Seraph go first. Seraph mockingly curtsied. Zera rolled his eyes. Seraph paused. Arakiel’s light intensified. She heard the faint chime of a bell ripple through the air. Out of her memory vault, a still photograph of a day long ago flashed before her. Younger, she wielded Arakiel for the first time, the delight of youthful achievement beaming from her face and illuminating the stone shrine caught in the shadow of a mountain. Strange. She looked at Arakiel. You’re synchronising with Ramiel? Are you exchanging notes? How sociable of you!

The light from Ramiel’s runes intensified, seeping into Zera’s eyes. He too heard the faint chime. He too saw a picture of a day long ago when he triumphantly wielded Ramiel in the pouring rain. Then he realised. This happened six hundred years ago.

I have made the first four chapters free to read on these posts and pages. If you wish to read the rest. Please download the eBook at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TVY6FV1/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=successor+of+ramiel&qid=1562413454&s=gateway&sr=8-1