Chapter 3: gone hunting
Fifteen minutes later Will, Jem, Ash, and Alek meet in the courtyard. They had all put on the black hunting gear of the Nephilim. Alek had been given two iron swords while the rest had seraph blades. "Cyril should be here in a minute with the coach," said Jem.
"Flying would be faster," said Ash.
"I'm sure it would be but-" before Will could finish, the world had fallen away and returned.
"What in the angels name was that? That's no magic I've ever seen before," said Will a little breathless.
"It's not magic, I flew us here" said Ash matter of factly. The hunters looked from her to Alek who shrugged and said, "You get used to it".
The group of four heard the ragged snickering of the approaching demons and melted in to the shadows. The horde of small imp like creatures rounded the corner. In unison, Ash and Alek spun out of the shadows and started dispatching the critters. Will and Jem took this as their cue to join in. The demons lashed out with their claws and shot flames at them, but they were no matcher for the experienced fighters. The skirmish was soon over. "Well that was fun. Nice blade work by the way" breathed Will.
"Thanks" said Ash.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" asked Jem.
"She learned upstairs, I learned from her and her brother" said Alek. He leaned up against a wall and waited for the gash in his side to close its self. Ash applied healing runes as did Jem and Will.
"I wasn't lying when I said I am an angel," said Ash.
"I see that," quipped Will "could you please 'fly' us back to the Institute, or are we going to stand here all day".
In the blink of an eye they were back on the front steps of the church. The nephilim reoriented themselves before going up the stone steps. Ash and Alek followed. The two boys went to tell Charlotte of the resent events while the other two went to their rooms.
Ash sat on the bed fumbling with the ring Zuriel had given her. Even in the dim light it seemed to glow. The door opened and a black haired girl who could only be Cecily came in. She flounced across the room and stood in front of Ash. "So you're the angel every ones talking about?"
"You say it like it's a bad thing, Cecily," countered Ash.
"Tessa said you read about us in a book, which she now wants to read by the way, Jem said you teleported them to the East End, even Will said you were fierce in battle," said the girl.
"All of which are true."
"And you know me how?" questioned Cecily. Ash stood to her full height, which still wasn't much compared to the hunter.
"You're the girl who came all the way from wales to bring her brother home, to help your parents and him. You trained for hours by yourself so you could help him well." As Ash spoke, Cecily's eyes darkened drastically and she bit her lip. "Need I continue?" asked Ash.
"Hmm," said Cecily as she turned and left. Ash took that as a no, sank back down on to the bed, and stared at the ceiling. She eventually got into the nightgown Sophie had brought her. Ash did not bother doing anything more with her hair than just removing the pins. It was late but she couldn't sleep knowing she was now in the same century as her nightmare from the night before.
Cecily had left the door to Ash's room slightly open, so when Alek passed by he decided to come in. "Something wrong?" he asked.
"Alek, will you play a song for me?" she murmured.
"Of course" he slipped out and across the hall to fetch the violin he was barrowing. He returned to her room and sat on the edge of her bed.
…
The sounds of music played throughout the house. Thinking that it was Jem, Will wandered towards the melody not even taking note of whose room it was coming from. He stopped outside the door and listened, the song was a lullaby no doubt, but not one he was familiar with. The music stopped and he peered in. Alek was setting the instrument down -not Jem- then he moved to get a blanket. He put it around Ash, who was asleep on the bed. She almost looked like a child in the slightly oversized nightgown, her colorless hair spread around her. He played her to sleep thought Will. The boy retrieved his instrument and soundlessly left the room, only turning once to whisper 'bonum nocte et dormire bene'. Good night and sleep well, Will mentally translated. Alek stepped out in to the hallway, closing the door softly behind him. He was startled to find he was not alone. They both stepped away from the sleeping girl's room. "What are doing up at this hour?" asked Will in a hushed tone.
"Habit," said Alek in a similar tone. "I could ask you the same thing".
"You could, but I wouldn't tell you the truth".
"Whatever." said Alek as he turned away. Before he got far Will caught his sleeve. "You would do anything for her, wouldn't you?" Will's voice was carefully blank. Thoughts of Tessa clouding him mind.
"Anything and everything". He said automatically, a hint of surprise in his voice. Then Alek continued to his room and closed the door behind him, leaving Will alone with his thoughts.
Alek woke up the next morning and walked down stairs to the dining hall. He found Jem already seated. "Good morning," greeted the silver boy.
"Good morning to you to Jem" said Alek politely. Alek took a scone from the basket and pored himself some tea and another cup for Ash.
"Who's that for?" asked Jem.
"Ash, she usually wakes up at the same time I do and should be down shortly." As if on cue the white haired girl walked in. she wore the same dress from yesterday. Her hair was in a simple bride down her back save one piece to cover the mark.
"Sleep well?" asked Alek.
"If by 'well' you mean no night mares of automations chasing me, then yes, I sleep very well."
"Then have some breakfast, there's no coffee but the tea smells good. I think its bergamot." Said Alek
"Thanks" said Ash as she took a sip of the tea he had poured for her.
"You had a nightmare about the clockwork monsters?" asked Jem.
"Unfortunately." Said Ash as she buttered her scone.
"Unfortunately? Was Bridget singing again?" Will asked from the doorway. He still wore his clothes from last night, now vary rumpled as was his hair.
"No, well yes she probably was, but, oh never mind." Ash huffed.
"Miss, there is a man outside for you" said Sophie.
Ash and Alek both wore a mixture of curiosity and surprise. They left their mostly eaten breakfast and followed Sophie down stairs to the front door, Jem and Will followed a ways behind them. The heavy doors opened to reveal the last person either of them was expecting. Lucas stood on the institute steeps looking completely impassive. His all white cloths were styled to match the current era and his hair was slightly longer than they were used to. "Luke?" Ash asked out of disbelief.