As a collective, we snapped our heads to the ceiling. A rumble overhead shook the entirety of the amphitheater. My nostrils flared as a wave of Dragèth began descending onto the roof of the cathedral.
The dragons were enormous. They landed on the roof with brute force. The amphitheater trembled beneath their weight. Their talons made screeching noises that unnerved me. I clamped my hands over my ears, unable to withstand the high-pitched sound. On the back of each dragon was a Legionnaire clad in raven-black leather robes from neck to foot.
“Ascendants,” said Farasee Esau. “Above you will see the Dragèth. Each of these dragons areparilielthaiof the Azarathien Legionnaires. The same way we Farasees bond to Pegasi Shifters, the Legionnaires of Azarath bond to Dragèth Shifters. They would rather remain in their dragon forms, so they will not be shifting to descend into the cathedral. At least not this dawn. That doesn’t mean they never will.”
The Sanctuary was dead quiet. I frowned with displeasure.
Azarath Legionnaires were arrogant, pompous, bloodthirsty warriors. Whether they were Hallowed of Fallenspawn, I had a strong dislike of them all.
Not to mention, they didn’t belong here. They had no business being in the holiest temple in the entire empyrean. What were the Farasees thinking?
“Now,” Esau continued, unfazed by the quiet. “Meet the Legionnaires.”
The angels atop their dragons dismounted and began flying into the cathedral in one fell swoop. They were swift and flew with boldness. Pride. Adorned in leather fighting robes and boots, they soared into the amphitheater like they owned the place.
“Wait a second,” Isandra breathed. “They’re not all Seraphim, guys.”
“What?” Amayah squeaked.
I blinked.
The first Legion flew in. Each had seven pairs of wings with blood-red sigils woven into their leathers. The next Legion also had seven pairs of wings but they had midnight blue sigils in their leathers. The third Azarath Legion flew in, again, every angel having seven pairs of wings. These had emerald green sigils in their leathers.
I was confused. What was Isandra on about? All of these angels were of Seraphim rank. Was she seeing?—
The final wave flew in clad in raven black. There was something different about their leathers. Something of a richer quality. Only one of their angels, at the very front, was actually in a ridiculous three-piece suit with emerald embellishments. Of all the Legionnaires, he was the sole angel without fighting robes. I was about to turn away when I counted their wings.
They only had six pairs.
No. No way.
I counted again.
Sixwing pairs. Notseven.
These angels weren’t of Seraphim rank. They were Mortents—one rank beneath Seraphim. And while Seraphim angels were Elementals, Mortents were Benders. Specifically, bodily benders. It was rumoured some Mortents had outlawed abilities like brain bending and bone bending. Even worse, some had the two most horrifying abilities of all: blood and spirit bending.
Azarathien Legionnaires who were Mortents were cataclysmically dangerous. Worse, these angels were also Fallenspawns.
I stilled, my blood turning to ice. Heads started swinging in my direction. It was no secret. My Manmi was dead because of these angels. Their hatred for the Farasee Order, for the Empràr, for the Empyrean, resulted in the death of an Anathelle. MyfavoriteAnathelle.I started trembling as hot, blistering rage ignited my blood.
Ellabeth was seething next to me. “What in all the created realms throughout the Elledelle universe are Fallenspawn doinghere?”
Several angels screamed at the top of their lungs, shooting out of their seats. Unmitigated rage exploded in across the Sanctuary.
“They’re the ones who breached the Seal Gate.”
“Clip them all!”
“You’re bonding us tothem? I’d rather burn in the Hèls they came from!”
“Safah?” someone called out.
I barely heard them. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. I glared at the Mortent Legionnaires. I glared at their arrogant smiles. The easy confidence in their shoulders. The carelessness of their posture. As if they weren’t the scum we were raised to protect our homes, our empyrean, against.
Manmi.
Manmi was commissioned to the Seal Gate because of Fallenspawn.
