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He leaned in, eyes like hard obsidian, his face millimetres from mine. “You know nothing about these demons, nothing. You assume they were evil because you’ve been brainwashed for so long, you can’t think for yourself. They would have been under immense pressure with Solomon’s control, forced to undertake hard physical labour, and all the while that salt water would have burned away at their skin, their eyes, their mouths, their insides… then they’d have healed while they slept, only toreturn the next day and do it all over again. Yes, very convenient, Sariel.”
I felt sick. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
Alastor pulled back. “No. That’s the problem with angels. You let your superiors do the thinking for you. Maybe down here you try using your own brain.”
I should have defended myself, should have defended my race, but the impact of what he’d just described to me was sinking deep into my stomach and my mind whirled. I couldn’t imagine… even if they had been evil, would they still have deserved that agony? We were taught the evil and unrighteous would be tormented forever in Hell when the Revelation came. It was something you just accepted. Pain and suffering for those that deserved it. But did anyone actually deserve that?
I looked over to where Alastor was leaning over the tablet, and without even thinking, I moved over to him and laid my hand on his arm. His skin was warm and smooth, and I had a sudden urge to slide my hand further up to see if he felt that smooth all over. His head snapped round, his dark eyes fixing on me, and for some reason I could sense he was disappointed in me, and it stung.
“Will you be ok?”
“What?” he snapped.
“Underwater. You’re a hell hound. I don’t know much about… that. Will the salt hurt you?”
He blinked, confusion spreading across his face for a moment. “Are you worried about me, Sariel?” His voice was suddenly teasing.
“I… I just… I need to know if the salt could incapacitate you when we’re down there. I need to be prepared in case that could happen and make sure we have some way of getting you back to the surface if we need to," I said, trying to sound as calculatingas possible. Of course I didn’t actually care, I told myself. I was being practical.
Alastor didn’t seem to be buying it either. His eyes softened and he laid his hand over mine, causing a warmth to spread from the tips of my fingers over my whole body.
“We’re not as susceptible to salt as full demons. It’s likely to be painful, but nothing I can’t handle. I’ve swum in the pacific before and it just stung. This should be fine. But thank you for your concern.”
I nodded and stepped back, pulling my hand away and immediately missing his touch.
"Speaking of diving," Cole turned his chair towards me. "You got any diving experience, Sariel?"
"A couple of courses on the south coast of England," I said. “I wanted to be able to take any mission offered. I have an advanced qualification, but I don’t have much practical experience, I’m afraid.”
"Good enough," he said with a reassuring nod. "You won't be alone down there. Alastor and Lily will be able to…"
“About that,” said Lily, looking up at Alastor.
He looked down at her. “Ahh. Yes. I’m sorry, Lily, I didn’t think. Well then, maybe Theo could come with us, and Lily you could stay and operate the camera? I’d like it following us so you can map the route and keep track of us in case communications go down.”
“We’re switching?” asked Theo.
“If that’s ok with you?” Alastor said, turning to him. “I completely forgot that Lily is claustrophobic.”
“I could manage a decent size tunnel above ground,” she said. “But add in being underwater and tunnels and…”
Her breathing sped up and her voice shook. Without thinking, I reached across and touched her hand, and she gave me a grateful smile.
“Besides, Sariel will be there to keep you guys on your toes.” Lily grinned and Theo nodded.
“Hey, I’m totally up for it. I figured Alastor was just keeping me beached cause I look better in speedos than he does.”
Lily laughed. I frowned.
“What are speedos?” I asked, only to set Theo off laughing as well.
“Right, let’s get this show on the road,” said Alastor. “We need to get our suits on and meet down at the boat in ten. Sariel, I’ll check your equipment before we leave.”
I opened my mouth to object, but he held his hand up. “I’ll be checking Theo’s too, and he’s got over five hundred dive hours logged. He’ll check mine. It’s just precaution. Go find a suit and some equipment that fits.”
Lily grabbed the laptop from Theo. “I’ll let you guys change and see you down at the water.” She headed out of the tent, leaving me with the men.
“Smaller suits are in that pile," Cole rolled towards a stack of gear with a nod.
