Then those steely eyes landed on Incense Order.
“And Incense Order. You are Spirit Filers. Incense Fusers. Taking the prayers of the Hallowed, fusing them into incense, and sending them directly to the Infinite or collecting them as incense powder for weapons. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give to this empyrean.”
He used his wings, gesturing to our bonded warriors.
“Each of these Legions will rely on youcollectivelyshould a war take place with the Fallen kingdoms. They need all of you, and you all need each other. Is that clear?”
“Awoui, Presbitari Davithius,” we cried, giving him a resoundingyesin the common angelic tongue.
“Good.” His eyes chilled like ice, dancing with excitement. “Now open your scrollbooks. There’s much to dissect about the Seal Gate.”
Chapter 31
“I’m so hungry I could eat a bloodhyena.”
All of Seventh Choir wrinkled their noses at Daelun as we flew toward the food hall.
“A bloodhyena?” I asked, raising a brow. “Gross. Not even if they were the last living thing in the entire Elledelle universe.”
“They’re fat and full of meat. I’m definitely feasting,” Daelun said, angling his body to fly as if sliding through the air on his side.
“Bloodhyenas eat anything,” Omarion said. “You can’t be serious.”
Kazemir leveled a look at Daelun, his face wrinkled. He nodded in agreement with Omarion.
“So what I’m hearing is, none of you have what it takes to survive?” Daelun lifted his chin.
“Yeah, okay.” Ellabeth rolled her eyes. “Anyway, are we not going to address the fact that we just spent our entire high dawn learning about defensivewarfare?”
“Ellie’s got a point,” I called over my shoulder. I flew in twirls, spinning myself like a slow torpedo as I weaved throughthe cathedrals. We flew into the main tower of Temple Efysis and began our flight down the corridors to the food hall.
“Seriously. I came to be an Apprenti and to learn Incense Fusion. Not to go fight in Empràr Zadkias’s war.”
We looked at Amayah. Her quiet words rang true. I hadn’t come here for lessons on war, either.
“I mean, it’s not likeweare fighting,” Isandra pointed out.
“Yes we are,” Ellabeth said. “That’s the whole point of forcing our bonds to the Fall…tothem.” She tossed a look at the Fallenspawn who were flying leisurely behind us, pretending not to listen to our conversation. Their pricked ears told another story. “If they get deployed, so do we.Wecreate their weapons.”
“So we don’t,” Daelun said.
“Good job, genius,” Ellabeth snapped. “We don’t use our Order’s abilities to make weapons, they have nothing to defend with. If they can’t defend the empyrean, invasion is inevitable. If we are invaded, we’re as good as dead. Is that what you want?”
“Okay when you put it like that…” Daelun said wistfully.
I rolled my eyes and kept flying. When we reached the food hall, a delicious aroma collided with my senses. I breathed in deeply, licking my lips.
Stars, I was ready to eat. The hall was packed. Disciples from each Order spilled out across the hall, sitting at long, gilded tables covered in endless platters of food.
I noticed most Orders stayed amongst themselves. The angels didn’t commingle with Disciples from other Orders.
I flew in quietly with Seventh Choir, nestled between Ellabeth and Isandra. That didn’t stop several hundred heads from turning to gawk.
I fought the urge to cut tail and fly away. Most glared at me, starting with my lavender eyes, before lowering their gaze to my deep and dark purple wings that blended into gold at the tips. I found too many males ogling, staring at my breasts, then myhips, and the length of my body. It felt gross and made me want to bathe all over again.
“Ignore them,” Ellabeth said.
I looked at her as she lifted her chin. I wondered if she’d said that for my sake or hers. I looked again and found the males gawking at all four of us. They danced from me, to Ellabeth, then Isandra, before their eyes landed on Amayah, who was subtly trying to remain hidden behind our wings.
