But I was too curious.
I stayed, unsure if this was a Hallowed angel coming back home, or a Fallen bursting through.
“It’s neither, Starling.” Dark laughter curled around my mind.“You’re so optimistic. I need you to think ofworse.”
My knees began shaking. Something was wrong. But there was no cover here. Nowhere to hide. There was nothing on this islet except rocks, bones, and scattered twigs. Whatever life had been here once, had been razed to the ground. I was completely exposed.
I scoured my brain to place myself geographically. All around me was nothing but barren, wasted land. And with the Seal Gate being here…My eyes widened. I wasn’t on any ordinary islet. This was anisland. The island of Barrenrock.
Rot.
As one head popped out of the Seal Gate, then another, I was almost relieved. They were Hallowed angels. And from the looks of it, they had to be of Seraphim rank.
The angels pushed through the realm gate with seven wing pairs, their heads bowed low, their bodies wrapped in tattered ivory robes. Then they lifted their heads.
I screamed and screamed until my throat was raw.
Cruel laughter flooded my mind.
“Have fun, Starling.”
I floated back in terror as, one…two…four…sevenfilmy eyes blinked at me, the largest at the center of the forehead with the other six balanced evenly on either side. Thank the stars I hadn’t eaten. I wanted to puke. The creature sniffed the air, all eyes pinned on me.
“Mmm,” it hissed. “Seraphim.”
Stars.
I racked my brain for what to do. The creature shot out of the mouth of the gate, landing on all…fours.
Not a Seraphim. Definitelynota Seraphim.
Horns the length of my arms began protruding from its head, as it opened up a mouth that stretched from ear to ear revealing rows of jagged teeth. My pulse quickened. Another of the creatures surfaced. Then another.
Dead. I was so burning dead.
“Probably.”
“Shut your rotting mouth!”
“That’s pretty foul language for a pious, little Faraseespawn like yourself, don’t you think?”
I ignored the traitorous asheater and focused on the monsters in front of me. I didn’t know what they were, but I knew I would have to fight my way out of this. Where were the Legionnaires? Why was I here alone? Why did the temple send me here?
“Maybe you’re a problem and this is a convenient way to get rid of you.”
“Shut up!”
“Why? Because you can’t handle the truth?”
I didn’t dignify that with a response. I wouldn’t listen to his lies.
“She smells like the stars.”
“She smells like the Elder Age.”
“Maybe she’ll taste like it, too.”
“This one we cannot consume. We must bring her tohim.”
