Chapter 17
Cam found it difficult to sleep for the rest of the night. His mind was spinning with what had just happened. Even Luce's rhythmic breathing couldn't settle his nerves.
He didn't want to wake up to find Luce gone again and in danger, therefore thinking staying awake will be for the best, he focused his attention back on Luce. Luckily angels could work on little sleep, and it'd be a few days before he began feeling weary.
Turning his head slowly to look down at Luce without waking her, he saw that she was nuzzled into his shoulder, one hand gripping his arm, eyes closed, and her face peaceful. Relaxing slightly more he settled down under the blanket and closed his eyes, although determined not to sleep. It would be morning soon, after what felt like a long night, he couldn't wait to scoop Luce up and fly her to somewhere warm and safe, and forget about what happened this night.
Daniel was lying on Luce's other side, leaning up close to her to share his warmth. Not tired at all, but determined to rest his eyes and stay still for Luce's sake. Moving round and getting restless now could just wake Luce up. He was thinking about possible locations to fly to tomorrow.
Although they had outcasts attempt to attack in Arizona, how much would they predict that they'd return there? They could fly and find a cave in the grand canyon, slotted away safely until Sarah and Ben returned, as well as being warmer for Luce.
Figuring out tomorrow's plan, Daniel let his mind relax slightly more, but still being alert enough if anything happened to Luce. He placed his hand over her lower arm, to make sure she stayed there without disappearing again.
Luce didn't remember going back to sleep that night, or even getting back to the tent after Cam pulling her out the water. The shock had scrambled her brain, throwing her thoughts round in every direction. Her brain seemed to awake before her body. Feeling the cold around her face and an ache in her shoulder, she heard the mutterings of voices inside the tent. She opened her bleary eyes slowly taking in the surroundings.
Her breath was coming out in a mist in front of her face, showing the cold in the morning air. All the angels, apart from Daniel and Gabbe were sitting at the opposite end of the tent discussing their next actions quietly.
Trying to lift her arm she felt it weighed down slightly. Turning her head she saw Daniel, with his eyes wide open staring at her carefully, and his warm hand on her arm making her feel comforted.
"Morning" He said quietly. The softness in his eyes instantly relaxed Luce. Luce smiled at him, grateful for him caring for her during the night after what happened.
"Mmm morning" Luce responded, moving her arms from under his hand and stretching all her stiff muscles, careful not to hurt her shoulder more.
Luce shuffled up into a sitting positions, pulling the covers up further over her before noticing the clothes she was wearing yesterday, were now pilled in the corner of the tent! Panicking she pulled the blankets down, and quickly sighed in relief when she realised she was now dressed in fresh, dry clothes.
"Your clothes were soaking after your little midnight dip. Don't worry, it's nothing I haven't seen before" Arriane held her hands up in a mock surrender to Luce, before smiling and shuffling up close to her. "So how you feeling kiddo? You gave us all quite a scare". Luce wasn't sure how to react. She wasn't sure how she was feeling herself! Everything which happened last night didn't seem real, more like a terrible nightmare.
Noticing Luce discomfort Cam stepped in. "Leave her Arriane, it's obvious she's had a shock with what happened". Luce turned to face Cam, his face was comforting, but his eyes were filled with worry and concern.
"No no I'm fine" Luce lied quickly. "But what happened last night?" Luce looking around to the others for an explanation, but they all looked just as confused as her.
"Actually we were hoping you'd know" Daniel was sitting close next to her. She was grateful for the warmth radiating off him.
"I don't have a clue. I woke up, and I was outside walking towards..." Luce trailed off. She didn't want to mention his name. The other angels quickly glanced at each other with worrying looks before looking back to Luce.
"It's ok Luce, we won't let him hurt you" Roland turned and smiled at her.
"If he does he'll pay" Cam's face was unwavering, filled with determination.
Luce relaxed slightly more. Of course her friends wouldn't let anything happen to her, they were going completely out their way to protect her life, and they were strong soldiers. She felt safe with them. "Where shall we move off to today?" Molly asked, facing Daniel, who's lips started to curl up at the corners.
"Back to Arizona?!" Gabbe had returned from making hot chocolates for everyone and finding breakfast. Much simpler then yesterday's, just some fruits and bread. "But we just left there. And that was where we last saw the outcasts!" Gabbe was talking fast and frantic, trying with all her might to change Daniels mind of going back there.
"I know, which is why they won't expect us to go back there, and they shouldnt be patrolling the area" Daniel explained. He knew it was the right decision. He had thought the plan through thoroughly last night, deciding any possible risks and dangers and weighing them against chance. In conclusion it seemed like the right action to do.
"You guys can't seriously agree?" Gabbe turned around to the others who all looked as convinced as Daniel.
"Sounds pretty good to me" Molly nodded.
"And Daniels put some thought in this Gabbe, he wouldn't risk Luce's life. We need to trust him" Roland suggested.
"Ergh! Fine. I do trust you Daniel, don't get me wrong. But after what happened last night, I think everyone agrees we're all a bit of edge" Gabbe looked down at her hot chocolate, which was slowly going cold.
They'd been discussing their next location for some while, the tents and blankets were packed away by Molly and Roland, leaving just their hot chocolate in disposable cups left. Daniel was eager to leave as soon as possible.
"Come on" Cam had finished his hot chocolate "Let's get on the move". He walked over to Luce who was still standing close to Daniel. She obviously felt safe near Daniel, but why wouldn't she, the guy was crazy about her.
"Ready to go Luce?" Cam smiled down at Luce when he reached her. She had her own dry hoodie wrapped round her, although she thought it wasn't nearly as comfortable as wearing his.
"Yeah, let's just hurry and get somewhere warmer!" Luce joked, but there was truth behind her words.
"Your flying with Cam?" Daniel asked, standing up close to her.
"Ermm..." Luce struggled with words, was Daniel being possessive?
"You'll be directing the way Grigori, the rest of us need to follow you" Cam interrupted her with stern voice.
"Oh yeah...ok" Daniel moved away from Cam and Luce, spreading his wings out and hovering above the ground. "Come on, everyone follow me closely" Daniel began to fly upwards, seeking cover above the clouds.
"You feeling better?" Cam asked Luce gently, holding her waist securely while spreading his wings.
"Yeah, I can't explain what happened last night though, so feeling pretty useless" Luce played with his t-shirt in her hands, feeling his hard muscles underneath. Soon she felt her feet lift off the ground and wind whipping through her hair, she looked up into his face.
"Don't feel useless. Lucifer...has ways. Anything could have happened last night to make you forget. Anyway your safe, that's the main thing" Cam's lips turned up at the corners "and you didn't turn into an ice cube".
Luce couldn't help but laugh "I wasn't joking when I said I was too hot, you have no idea!". Cam's smile slowly faded.
"I think I do" Cam mumbled.
"So what do we do when we get there?" Roland shouted to Daniel, who was flying ahead of everyone else leading the way.
"We find a cave in the side of the canyon, there we'll set up camp until Sarah and Ben arrive" Daniel shouted back. He turned to Molly on the other side of him "Molly, do you still have the tents and blankets?".
Molly sighed over dramatically and held up the bag. "Yes Daniel, you saw me holding them when I took off, why ask me again." It was clear why Molly's attitude had turned most angels against her. Turning to the side of Lucifer suited her personality. Yet here she was, protecting Luce from the side she chose.
After 2 hours of flying Daniel finally swooped down below the clouds towards a cave cut into the rock face. Luce felt beads of condensation from the clouds on her face, and she shut her eyes tightly as Cam followed the rest of the angels towards their next camp site.
When Luce's feet felt the ground she opened her eyes, only to look down at a sheer drop down the cliff face. Quickly she struggled out of Cam's arms, but he still held onto her hand tightly. She backed away from the cliff drop, dragging Cam away with her, and practically squashed herself up the back wall of the cave.
"Still don't like heights?" Cam smirked and gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
"Not keen on them" Luce began to calm down once she couldn't see the drop below her anymore. "Just don't let me near the edge?"
She looked up at him and he gave her a cocky smile "Like I would ever do that to you".
"What are we doing now?" Roland stood up walking towards Daniel. He was obviously giving the orders in this journey, and the others seemed happy to follow for the time being.
"Me, You and Gabbe should fly round the area, making sure it's safe. Make sure not to be seen though, or they might alert others for a larger attack".
Daniel turned back to Arriane "Can you and Cam get supplies? Just basics".
"Seriously? Leaving me with Cam?" Arriane turned back and glared at Cam. "Fine. If I don't kill him first, we'll be back soon" She kicked off the ground and flew up. Cam sighed before giving Luce's hand one last squeeze, then kicking off the ground to follow, flicking up dust around Luce.
'So this meant she was being left with Molly?!' Luce thought. Great.
All the other angels left, leaving Molly standing in front of Luce, her hands on her hips and a determined look in her face.
"Listen Luce, I know Cam doesn't want to strain you from thinking about what happened last night, but I need to know if you don't want it happening again".
"W-w-what? I...don't know. I honestly don't know what happened" Luce felt extremely intimidated, moving closer to the wall behind her.
"Well I need you to think", Molly sighed in frustration "Go through what happened with me".
"I fell asleep. And woke up outside, but it wasn't cold so I thought it was a dream. Walked over to see Lucifer, freaked out, almost drowned, almost froze. Woke up back in the tent." Luce spoke quickly trying to get Molly to realise she didn't know anything and leave her alone.
"Hang on...back up. You woke up, standing in the snow, soaked, but you weren't cold?" Molly lowered herself to the ground so she was sitting facing Luce, although with some distance between them both.
"Yeah. Like I said, I thought it was a dream, it felt weird. Everything was blurry and it took a while to figure out Lucifer's figure by the fire".
Molly sat quiet for a bit, working through all the information Luce had told her.
Then suddenly, like a light bulb switching on, Molly snapped her fingers. "How obvious! Announcers!"
Luce looked up at her confused. "What?"
"I think I figured it out. Lucifer pulled you into an announcer without you realising. He's strong when working with them. That's why you wouldn't feel the cold outside, because the announcer was like a cocoon, and things were blurry" Molly was clearly excited with her revelation. "It also explains why none of us heard you unzip the tent and walk out! It's so obvious thinking about it!" She clapped her hands together.
Luce smiled at Molly, completely lost what she was talking about. How could she not realise when she was going through announcers. But wanting to keep Molly's mood up, she smiled warmly at her.
The sun was glaring through the cave entrance, while Molly had been setting up the beds and blankets for that night, Luce was leant over the book of the fallen which Cam was still carrying around in his backpack. Reading upon announcers closely, it seemed to make more sense what must have happened last night.
Looking up and squinting into the sun, when 2 figure's began to fly closer Luce sighed with relief. 'Cam and Arriane' Luce thought, as she stood up smiling, looking forward to explaining last night to them. But as the figure's grew closer, Luce's excitement left and her smile faded. It was Ben and Sarah, both looking exhausted and disappointed. Luce's stomach dropped instantly. 'The throne won't help, I've got no hope at all' Luce thought instantly.