A parrot - that was what Lucian saw. Blue feathers tipped with bright red and yellow.
And then
she
appeared.
Hair the colour of dark oak trailed between her wings, down to the ground; her skin was chocolate and smooth like sculpted clay. But it was her face that took his breath away.
Where her eyes were supposed to be, they were hollowed rounds framed by a mask of blue parrot feathers that seemed to blend straight onto her face.
And yet she was looking at him as though she could see right through him.
"Hello?" A cautious greeting. Lucian kept his eyes on her - a hawk assessing a predator.
She looked like nothing he had ever seen before. Colourful like a Light Angel and yet so grounded... like Gaia.
An Earth Angel? Impossible! And yet, he had to admit, there was an earthly signature to her: luscious hair that roped like wooden vines, the freckles on her legs resembling the bark of oak, and her lip - so blue with flecks of green and brown on them as though...
She had the kiss of Earth itself.
Intrigued, he moved closer to examine the continents, surprised at how accurate a depiction they were.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice was gentle, her words spoken in a sing-song manner.
"My name is Lucian," he began cautiously. "I am an Ordinal in service of Archangel Aria. She has built her home not far from here and we are merely exploring the nearby islands."
"We?" Her back feathers fanned out defensively, anticipating an attack.
"My fellow Ordinals and I mean no harm. One is merely a child. She will not hurt you."
"And the other?"
"My senior Ordinal knows better than to attack a powerful being without the consent of her Archangel."
She made no reply and instead moved closer to rest a palm on his cheek. "I see. And you are... a Light Angel?" Her fingers traced his face and rested on his lips, feeling his smile. "Ah, and a very handsome one I must say. I can feel your heat - a mild tempered warmth. Not a Fire Angel," she whispered, as though anticipating his question.
"And you are an Earth Angel."
"Indeed. My name is Anhē." The Earth Angel tilted her face to the sky, as though checking out the weather. "Archangel Aria? Is she the one who's been averting all the hurricanes due this way?"
Lucian smiled. "She is the Archangel of Water. Weather is her thing."
Anhē frowned, the lines marring her smooth features. "Water? I have not heard of that element for so long. Is she of the deep sea?"
Frowning this time, Lucian shook his head. Just where has this Angel been the past few months? And how did an Earth Angel - one that had been awaken mere weeks ago manage to create such a catastrophe like the one they just witnessed? Unless of course, she wasn't an infant Angel...
There was just something about Anhē that tugged at him; her essence was calling to him. She didn't seem dangerous and yet he knew she had so much latent energy. His intrigue of her was growing by the minute.
Who the hell was she?
"Tell me Lucian of the Light clan, what colour is your wings?"
"Lavender. Just like the scent."
He tried not to stiffen when she brushed her nose on the down of his wings.
"Such softness," she whispered. "Do you always carry your sensuality so proudly like this all the time? Takes a lot of confidence."
"I am what I am. I do not pretend to be otherwise."
The Earth Angel broadened her smile. "I like you." Looking up towards the sky once more, she whispered, "It seems we are no longer alone."
Chióni with Kissa in her arms were descending onto the sandy shores. Lucian saw the warrior stance on Chióni's face and knew that he had to step in before she launched an unnecessary attack.
Chióni,it's fine. Please stand down.
Sky blue eyes widened in surprise.
Was that an order?
Lucian knew he had crossed a line slightly but he kept his gaze on her until she relaxed a fraction.
"Lucian?" Anhē drifted close, her hand finding solace in his presence. "Is the Water Archangel you speak of?"
Lucian gestured to Kissa, bidding her to come closer. The shy, cautious Angel stepped forth, allowing Anhē to reach for her midnight hair; her fingers idly combing the strands.
"I am a Water Angel, though just a child. Aria is my elder sister."
Anhē continued to caress her hair, bobbing her head in agreement with her own thoughts.
"And yet, you are almost a Cardinal yourself." Anhē smiled as she tilted Kissa's face up to face her. "You have such a gentle spirit young Angel and I bet your sister is too."
"Would you like to meet her for yourself?" Lucian offered.
Parrot wings spread out taut; the warning in them clear.
"Why should I?" Her tone suddenly crisps.
Lucian's lips curled into an arrogant smile, his wings brushing against her skin delicately. "Because I would like to spend more time with you."
Her response was pure delight; laughter causing two dimples at the sides of her cheeks. "You're a tease. Aren't you just a little baby?" she retorted.
"You're welcome to find out."
Though he couldn't see her, Lucian could feel Chióni's deathly stare penetrating his back.
Anhē however, looked pleased with herself for having garnered such attention.
Taking her arm into his own, Lucian gave it a soft pat. So he liked older women. Chióni should have known that by now. Although...if Anhē was indeed Gaia's contemporary, then she would be a few million years older than him - the very least.
Which would make her, a Cardinal.
***
Chióni's reaction to Lucian's suggestion was a sub-zero degree stare that could have burn a hole in his eyes.
Kissa on the other hand was exhilarated. Anhē seemed to be a treasure trove of knowledge - especially about Water Angels and Kissa was just as excited to let Aria meet her as Lucian was.
Come on Chióni, she's blind.
Another icy look - this one was laced with pure venom.
And your point is?
Whatever Lucian wanted to say was interrupted by Anhē's gasp as she was led underwater via the tunnels.
"No, no! I can't! Please! I can't feel anything beneath my feet!" Feathered wings fluttered in panic.
