Chapter Seven
THEA
Thea tossed and turned in her sleep.
In her nightmare, she was in a room full of corpses, scattered about the floor or strewn over the furniture. Blood was everywhere, covering even the walls in bright scarlet splatters that made the room look like a bizarre art installation. Voices filled her head; whispers urged her to touch the bodies, to relish in the blood all around her. The smell of the blood filled her nose, although it wasn’t coppery or raw—it was sweet and tangy, almost delicious.
A moan came from the corner and Thea followed the voice. She held something hard and rough in her hand but couldn’t tell what it was. She didn’t have control of her body—she was floating around in her own head while it moved of its own volition. Her legs carried her across the carnage to the voice and her terror rose as she saw that it was Amber on the ground, whimpering and clutching her stomach, blood pouring from between her fingers. She looked up at Thea with pleading, emerald eyes and Thea tried to tell her everything would be okay, that she would stop the bleeding and get help, but her mouth wouldn’t move—she couldn’t speak. Instead, her hand came up, rising high above her head. She froze inside as she saw that she gripped a large, dark, jagged rock. She dropped it down hard and crushed her friend’s skull on the first blow.
Thea woke up with a scream, tearing at her blankets and throwing them to the floor. She breathed heavily and sat crossed-legged, shaking as she wrapped her arms around herself, squeezing and rocking to make sure she was in control of her body. As her breathing calmed, she got up and walked to the window. From her position, she could see the Stream beaming and glowing under the dark sky, while the puffy white clouds floated overhead.
Images of the dream revolved in her mind; the sight of Amber’s blood, the sound of her moaning in pain but even as the dream began to fade, the terror still lingered. The dreams were getting worse and she didn’t know how to stop them. Dani had suggested that she see Simiel but she dreaded returning to the healing temple. What if he wanted to keep her for observation? What if she went back there for some advice and ended up in a room staring at the blank walls like when she first woke up? She shivered at the thought.
Turning away from the window, she headed to the kitchen to get some water. Seeing Cam again had been more challenging than she thought. She had almost forgotten how big he was, how tall, how muscular. All of the things that she loved about his physique reminded her that he was a true warrior. His bulky muscles, his fierce intensity, the assured way that he carried himself. She admired all of that about him the first time she saw him, but now it made her a little nervous. Even though he still looked like her mate, he had shown he had the potential to cause true damage. When she saw him again, she had almost been expecting to see the darkness in his eyes still. It was only when he spoke to her with such tenderness in his deep voice and such emotion in his beautiful gray eyes, that she began to feel that nervousness fade. And when he touched her, it was as though she could just forget. As though it was just the two of them again back when he was training her and she didn't know anything about the Angel Realm or the Dominion League or her mother. Back when everything was beautiful and simple. When he had laid his head on her lap earlier that day, she had remembered the way he used to hold her, the way he’d whisper into her ear, how he always reassured her that she was beautiful and smart and perfect. She longed for that comfort, and yet she had to admit; she no longer felt that same intensity of emotion for him anymore.
She made her way back to the bedroom and sat on the edge of her bed, thinking about the assignment. The idea of interrogating demons in Cam's presence had almost made her refuse to do it. Even though she had no preference about whether Elyon came or not, she was glad another Power would be there. To her knowledge, Cam hadn’t fought any demon since the time he cut her. Who was to say he wouldn't turn dark again if he had to fight? She almost felt guilty for thinking it, but she still needed someone else there. At least for the first time.
Thea sighed as she went to her wardrobe to pick out clothes for the following day. There was no indication when Elyon would be available to go with her and Cam to the human world, so she decided that she would go to the training center. Hopefully Hamon would be available to help her practice her blade technique.
For the next few days, Thea trained with a focus and intensity that was similar to her first training sessions with Asteroth. Hamon was impressed with her and encouraged her to include holy blades into her normal practice sessions. Dani also seemed happy that she was taking an interest in her training again. She even joined her one afternoon, and they had one of their competitive training sessions that they used to have when training under Asteroth. Dani won, but not without being taken through her paces. Thea made a call to Amber on the second day and caught up on the latest with Maddy and her dad. Amber stopped asking when Thea was coming home and seemed to be content that she was keeping in touch regularly. Thea felt like she was going through the motions some of the time but was glad to hear all about the life that she was missing out on. Each evening when she returned home, she looked at Cam's door and wondered if he was in there. Neither he nor Zak made it clear where Cam was staying; if he had to return to his cell or if he was free to stay in his quarters. She didn't ask either.
On the evening of the fourth day, there was a knock at the door. When she opened it, a large angel with friendly brown eyes smiled at her.
"Thea, good evening. My name is Sal. I am one of the Throne Angels who investigated Cam. Do you mind if I have a word with you?"
Thea nodded and beckoned him inside. "Can I get you a drink?"
Sal brushed away her offer with a hand. "No, no, no. I won't be here for very long. I'm sorry to interrupt your evening."
Thea led him to her social room and they settled on the couch.
"I understand that your assignment is going to take you into the human world," Sal said, carefully. He paused, watching Thea closely. "I also understand that you are to interrogate demons. I want to know if you are truly comfortable with this?"
Thea swallowed. As much as she had her concerns about Cam, the idea that he would Fall after the assignment ended, made her feel highly disturbed. She didn't want to admit anything that would cause them to inflict his sentence earlier than planned. She needed more time with him, even if she was uncomfortable.
"We knew that this assignment would bring you into direct conflict with demons, Thea," Sal said after a long moment. "That is why some of the Thrones were not comfortable with Cam assisting you with it. However, the Dominion League presented compelling evidence about your emotional state and your need for him. Regardless of this, it doesn’t mean that you should be put in danger or be made to feel that you could be in danger."
"Do you think I could be in danger?"
Sal raised his eyebrows. "We sentenced him to Fall. So, of course, we do think he is dangerous. What matters is whether you think he is a danger to you."
"But he has been connecting to the Stream, hasn't he?" Thea asked. "Doesn't that mean that he’s healed in some way?"
Sal's expression shifted. "Yes, that is the only thing that has caused doubts for me. He has been connecting to the Stream regularly, and the Creator seems to encourage him to think about you during those times. I think he has been healing even though he has displayed some traits similar to those from before your attack."
Nervousness fluttered in her. “Like what?”
“He is very possessive of you.”
Thea couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips. “He’s always been like that.”
Sal nodded, thoughtfully. “Hmm. It seems that is how the Creator has formed him.”
“Aren’t most angels like that with their mates?”
Sal smiled, although it seemed like more of a grimace. “To be honest, I’m not sure. Most angels do not have anyone or anything standing in the way between them and their mates, especially their natural mates. If the Creator has been healing Cam and he still feels so strongly about you, it could be argued that his feelings are normal. It wouldn’t be unusual for the Creator to form her angels to be protective of the one that makes them whole.” He frowned, lowering his head and voice in thought. “And that means, he didn’t truly intend to hurt you.”
Thea lifted her head in understanding, a flutter of relief filtering through her. If the Creator was supporting Cam, surely he was healing. "I was nervous to see him again," she admitted. "But I have to admit that I feel safer with him, even with what happened. If he has also been healing, then I have no problem facing demons with him. He’s the only one that I trust to make sure I'm okay. He's looked after me before. I don't think anyone else could make me feel safe as much as he does."
Sal seemed appeased by that. He smiled and nodded. "Good. Elyon will be with you just in case—the most important thing is that you feel secure. Demons can sense negative energy, and if they know that you are feeling threatened, they will take advantage of it. I recommend that you do the interrogation without influence or interruption from either Power."
Thea thought for a moment. "They don't get along. Will the demons be able to sense that?"
"It's unlikely," Sal said, a wry smile on his face. "Power angels don't always see eye-to-eye but demons struggle to tune themselves to the feelings of angels, which is why they usually cannot corrupt them. However, you are part human and they will be more sensitive to the fluctuations in your emotions."
Thea nodded. "Okay, that makes sense. Thank you for the advice."
Sal rose from the couch. "I have been tasked to watch Cam, and I'm pleased that he has not left his quarters since being released. He is even continuing to connect the Stream. He is doing well."
So he was in his quarters. Thea's pulse began to race at the idea. He’d been in there all that time and yet he hadn’t come to see her. He was trying to give her space. She accompanied Sal to the door and bid him farewell. She stared at Cam's door wondering if she should knock, but what would she say? In truth, she could do with just being held by him. The nightmares were taking a toll on her and maybe if she wasn’t alone at night it would be easier, but would she just be using him—leading him on? After staring for a while at Cam's door, she retreated back into her apartment.