Page 35 of Wicked Angel
“Against my better judgment, yes.” The angel didn't look pleased about it. “But you'll come on foot. No flying, no shortcuts.”
Levi pushed away from the tree, arching an eyebrow. “Any particular reason for the scenic route?”
The angel's expression didn't change. “Security. The path is warded against those who mean us harm. If you try to fly over it, the wards will interpret that as hostile intent.”
“Fine,” I agreed quickly, before Levi could argue. “We'll follow your lead.”
The angel—who declined to give his name—set a punishing pace through the forest. What had been a difficult hike before now became a grueling trek, with steep inclines and narrow paths that seemed to wind in circles. Several times, I felt the telltale tingle of magic as we passed through layers of protective spells, each one more complex than the last.
The sun set completely, plunging the forest into darkness. Our guide seemed unbothered, moving with the same sure-footed confidence as before. Levi and I kept pace, though I could feel the strain in my muscles. It had been a long day, and even with angelic endurance, I was reaching my limits.
“How much further?” I finally asked, as we scaled yet another rocky incline.
“We're here,” the angel replied, stopping so suddenly I nearly collided with him.
I looked around, confused. All I could see were trees and the looming shadow of a mountain. “Where exactly is 'here'?”
The angel placed his hand on a seemingly ordinary boulder. The air shimmered, and the forest before us melted away, revealing a structure built directly into the mountainside. It looked like a simple cabin from the outside, its wooden exterior weathered and unremarkable. But I could feel the power emanating from it—layers upon layers of protective magic, older and stronger than anything I'd encountered before.
“The Lost Legion,” our guide said, gesturing to the cabin. “Our home for the past twenty years.”
He led us to the door, which swung open at his touch. Inside, the cabin revealed its true nature—a vast network of rooms and hallways carved directly into the mountain. The walls were a seamless blend of natural stone and polished wood, and the space was lit by orbs of soft light that floated near the ceiling.
A handful of angels moved through the corridors, some in their battle armor, others in simple clothing. All of them turned to watch as we passed, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright hostility. I could feel their power, their collective strength. These weren't ordinary angels—they were warriors, veterans, survivors.
We were led deeper into the mountain, down winding staircases and through grand halls that could have housed hundreds. Finally, our guide stopped outside a massive wooden door, intricately carved with symbols I recognized from the oldest texts in Elysium's archives.
“She's waiting for you,” he said, pushing the door open.
The room beyond was circular, with a high, domed ceiling and walls lined with maps and weapons. A long table dominated the center, surrounded by simple wooden chairs. And at the head of the table, seated in a throne-like chair carved from a single piece of ancient wood, was an angel unlike any I'd ever seen.
She was tall, with silver-white hair cropped short against her scalp, and piercing eyes that shifted color like sunlight through leaves. One arm rested in a sling across her chest, but there was nothing weak about her posture. Power radiated from her in waves, ancient and immense, the kind that could only belong to one of the oldest archangels.
“Ariella,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. “I've been expecting you.”
I stepped forward, my heart pounding. “You know who I am?”
“I know of you,” she corrected. “The fallen angel accused of murdering her squadron. The angel hunted by Rhodes and his followers.” Her gaze shifted to Levi. “And you've brought a higher demon into my stronghold. Bold move.”
“He's with me,” I said firmly. “We're here because?—”
“Because Rhodes has the Scarlet Hex Dagger and plans to use it on Adona in two days,” she finished for me. “Yes, I'm aware.”
I blinked, taken aback. “How do you know that?”
“I have my own sources in Elysium. Just because we left doesn't mean we stopped watching.” She gestured to the chairs around the table. “Sit. We have much to discuss.”
We sat, the air between us charged with tension and unspoken questions.
“If you knew about Rhodes and the dagger, why haven't you done anything?” I asked.
The archangel's expression hardened. “Until a few months ago, my priority was protecting the angels under my command. We left Elysium for a reason, Ariella. We wanted nothing to do with its politics or its wars.”
“And now?”
“Now I'm reassessing that position.” She leaned forward slightly, her injured arm shifting in its sling. “When I first heard about a fallen angel who had supposedly killed her entire squadron, I dismissed it as internal politics gone wrong. It wasn't our concern.”
“But it was a lie,” I said, my voice tight. “Rhodes and Ylena set me up. They've been planning this coup for years.”
