Angel Wings

Chapter 6.3

                  

LUCIS

Lucis ran his fingers along the rail that spiraled up the through the millions of books that filled the shelves of the spectacular library.  This was the place where Lucis felt at home.  He could just wander through this room and never grow tired of the books and their many pages.  But he wasn't here for the library.

            A door on the third level, practically hidden by one of the shelves, was Lucis's true destination.  It was hard to spot with anyone with normal eyes, but Anahalians didn't have normal eyes.  He had found it the first day they had come to Calandra's.  It was a reading nook, a small room to the side of the library with a small window and chair.  It was a perfect place to go sit, relax, read, or just think. 

            Lucis definitely needed to think now.  It was official that Faux and Tru were staying.  But their news was most unsettling.  If they couldn't get back to Jovis, the entire Anahalian race was going to become no more than mindless beasts.  The Anahalians would be gone.  The council was stubborn, and he could only pray that they would listen to them.  He would have to talk to Kayne in the morning; explain to him the situation.  Kayne was the most likely to listen to him.  If he could convince Kayne, then Kayne may be able to persuade the rest of them to open the gates.

            Lucis stared out the small window in the tiny room.  But that wasn't the only thing he had to worry about.  There was the fact the Evabelle couldn't accept who she was.  He had to get her back so that she could save them.  Could he do that?  He had been preparing for this for a long time.  But what had happened with Tru, as he was reminded with her appearance; that definitely showed he was not ready.

            Lucis clenched his fists as the memory flashed through his mind.  Her pale face, her eyes wide with utter terror.

            "Lucis."

            He turned.  A tall angular form stood in the doorway of the hidden room.  Lucis's heart contracted at the sight of her.  He took a moment before stepping forward and nodding.  "Tru, it's nice to see you."

            "Shut up."  She hissed.  Tru stepped into the room, allowing the moonlight to shine on her.  Her blue wings appeared to glow eerily in its silvery light.  "You know why I'm here, don't you?"  She put her hands on her hips and glared at Lucis. 

            "You mentioned you had no faith in me." 

            She narrowed her cat-like eyes.  "I have my reasons." 

            Lucis didn't ask for what they were.  He knew. 

            "Well I've succeeded.  I managed to find her.  She's here, safe and-"

            "No!"  Tru snapped.  "You haven't succeeded in anything.  Your job was to get her back to Jovis, have her save us.  What I saw this evening was not someone who was even close to being able to save anyone.  The one with the heart of an angel has the heart of a coward." 

            Lucis stayed silent.

            "Well, are you going to say anything?  Defend her?  Defend yourself?"  Tru asked.

            Lucis's eyes narrowed.  "Give her time.  She will save us when the time comes.  And now, I will help her-"

            "Help her?"  Tru cut him off again.  "Help her become our savior?  Our princess?  An angelic being of complete and utter goodness?"  Tru threw back her head and laughed, a dry, cold laugh.  "How do you plan on accomplishing that, being the monster that you are?"