Chapter 25

"What?!" Ben stood up. "Why would they call you to them alone and not me". He was suspicious like Molly, they were both the same rank, therefore they should be treated equal, the throne new that.
"I don't know, you were busy worrying about Luce" Sarah was getting frustrated "It doesn't matter why the called me, the important thing is we finally have the throne on our side!" Sarah was almost shouting. She expected them all the be pleased they were getting help, not jealous that they weren't called up!

"How are they going to help?" Gabbe asked, she didn't want them all to get into an argument or fight, not after everything that had happened, they all needed to focus on the end result.
"When Lucifer comes to visit Luce, they'll be visiting too" Sarah was smiling.

"So that leaves us still with an entire day to avoid outcast attacks? Great" Cam asked, his voice dripping in sarcasm.
Daniel glared at him before turning back to Sarah.
"That's better than us meeting him alone, we'll have extra protection from Lucifer with the throne there AND the sceptre" He turned to face the other angels, and encouraged them to be grateful for Sarah finding this information.

Until sunrise all the angels sat down and discussed their options for the last day before Lucifer's visit. They decided on staying in a remote location, they didn't want to terrify any humans with Lucifer's sudden appearance, or get any humans harmed if the outcasts turned up again.

Luce had quickly fallen back to sleep against Cam. listening to the angels voices fade out as she allowed the darkness to cover her vision and slip into a dreamless sleep. Cam still held her between his arm, and he had wrapped one of his huge wing around her, giving her warmth and comfort.

Daniel was jealous, he was sitting opposite them, with a clear view of Cam holding Luce, and he could see the desire in Cam's eyes.

Arriane quickly nudged Daniel in the side "Stop staring, we've discussed this, this lifetimes different". Daniel's heart suddenly ached, the one lifetime she had discovered what they were and hadn't burst into flames, and she had chosen Cam over him. Daniel longed to have her in his arms, feel her silky hair between his hands and protect her.

Arriane sighed, she knew exactly what Daniel was thinking. "She still loves you, you know that, but this time it's a friendship love, you should be grateful for that".

Arriane knew things could be so much different, Luce could have completely left all of them, wanting nothing to do with Daniel and the angels.
"I know" Daniel looked away, staring down at the ground and fidgeting with his hands. "It'll take some time to realise though".
Arriane nodded slowly. She always acting thick-skinned and insensitive on the outside, but inside she understood how to deal with sensitive subjects. This was one of those subjects.

Daniel looked up and saw the sky beginning to change into a light blue, showing the sun was beginning to rise. He decided to take advantage of the dimly lit sky before the sun was fully set.
"We should move now" He stood up quickly, followed by Arriane at his side.
"We'll follow you" Ben replied, standing up and letting his wings release. Molly had began packing up their supplies with the help of Gabbe.

Cam, not wanting to wake Luce yet, lifted her gently and carried her bridal style. His muscles felt stiff from sitting in the same position for so long, and as he turned his head from side to side he felt the bones crack before loosening up. Flexing his wings and inspecting them, they were just as magnificent a ever.

Slowly he took off from the ground, following the others closely. They wouldn't be flying too long, just to a new location, anything to stall more outcast attacks.
Ben was flying next to Cam closely, as Cam expected, he was like Luce's big brother, and he was determined nothing would happen to her.

They were approaching their new location when Cam stared down at noticed Luce slowly waking up.
"Morning" Cam whispered softly, not wanting to startle her.

"Mmmm morning" Luce looked up at him and stretched her arms before feeling a pain in her shoulder, wincing and shrinking her arms back to her sides Luce remembered what had happened. The outcast with the dagger, hearing noises outside, and Arriane running over to her. Everything after that was a blur.

"Is she awake?" Luce heard a familiar voice say. Turning her head she noticed they were flying. Instantly her muscles tensed and she gripped onto Cams shirt.
"Yeah" Cam replied "And it looks like we're here".

He lowered himself down slowly and Luce quickly stood up for herself. Her legs felt weak and her muscles ached, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. Now wasn't the time to act weak, she'd made herself look weak enough.

She looked around to notice they were on the edge of another forest. Not as dense as the last, and the sun streaming between the leaves made it look peaceful. She could hear a stream nearby, and all she could think about was using it to wash.

Herself, Cam and Ben followed the others as they walked into the forest. When Daniel found a suitable area, he stopped and sat down on a fallen tree trunk. "Here should be ok for now" He said, while leaning back.
Luce turned to Arriane and slowly walked up to her.

"Erm...Arriane?" Luce asked, looking down at her shoes and shifting her weight.
"Yessss" Arriane dragged out the word playfully and smiled.
"Is it safe if I use the stream to wash?" Luce felt stupid, like a 5 year old. Arriane started laughing and put her arm around Luce's shoulders, careful not to put weight on her bad shoulder.

"Of course kid, I think I'll come too" She grabbed a piece of her own hair and sniffed, before scrunching her nose up in disgust.
Luce new Arriane's hair didn't smell at all, she was just being playful, and wanted to follow to keep Luce safe from any danger.

They left the others and approached the stream. The water was clear and flowing gently. Luce stripped down into her underwear, not bothered that Arriane would see, and slowly lowered herself into the water. It was cool, but refreshing, and Luce completely submerged herself before bursting back up through the air and breathing.
Arriane laughed at the sight of Luce enjoying herself.

"So what are we doing today?" Luce asked, starting to wash the dirt out her nails and hair. Her skin was returning to its normal pale ivory.
"Hiding out I suppose" Arriane was in the water now too, swimming around and diving under before resurfacing. "We don't want to see the outcasts again" She added.

"Oh, and I almost forgot, teach you how to use the sceptre" Arriane smiled.
"Will it be hard?" Luce whined, didn't want any more long days spent training.
"Hell no" Arriane flicked her hand as if it was nothing. "It'll take, like 5 minutes tops".

Arriane suddenly stood up still, facing the direction the others were in, when out walked Sarah.

"Hey, sorry I didn't mean to startle" She placed a pile of clothes on the floor "Luce these are your last pair of fresh clothes, don't dirty them!" Sarah said in a mock authoritative voice, while giving Luce a wide cheesy smiling.
Luce couldn't help but laugh, it was true, even though she had found out Sarah was an angel, Sarah hadn't changed one bit.
"Thank Sarah, I'll resist from rolling in the mud" Luce laughed as she started to walk back to the others.

They spent a few more minutes in the stream, with Arriane checking Luce's shoulder and cleaning the wound, while discussing what had happened last night, and what the throne have agreed to help with. Luce's hope had lifted when Arriane mentioned that the throne would be there along with Lucifer.

"Its healing" Arriane said covering it back up. "Now let's get out before you catch a cold". It was true, the cold water had gone from being refreshing to chilly.
Arriane stood up, walked out the stream and sat down on a log. The sun was drying her swiftly, and Luce quickly followed.
After dressing in the fresh and clean clothes, they began walking back to the others.
'Time to prepare for tomorrow's meeting' Luce thought.