With his long blonde hair, beautiful body and snow white wings as soft as down, he seduced her from the first moment she looked into his eyes. He would look at her with his beautiful light blue eyes, tell her stories of heaven, and ask questions about her world. He told her that there were some here who wanted to be exonerated for the choice they made. They knew it was a mistake, but discovered too late what Samiel’s plan was. Oddly enough, he was the one angel who never tried to use her body. She felt cherished when she was with him.
“Tell me more about the Watcher. You say she is a Keeper? Can it be true?” he whispers in awe when she told him of her village and how she came to be here. “She is the key, she can free us all, Rena!” That is when she told him about the hunting knife, how she prayed and the knife became infused with power. It saved her from the demon. He looked at her as if she was his savior, and that is when her training began.
Over the last few years, Tieran brought angels to train her, each in a different art. One taught her about the power of prayer and how to call upon God’s power when needed. Another taught her how to fight physically. Angels are larger and faster than humans are. From them she learned the weakest points of the body, and how to use this knowledge against the enemy. A third taught her about spells, how to call on the power of the elements to use against ones enemies or for protection. The fourth taught her how to heal, using the same power that runs through the universe.
Lastly, Tieran taught her how to be a Watcher without actually using a thread. That is where they met and how they trained on the astral plane. Varena would meet him when she rested. It was the only safe way to do it. Two would shield them while the others trained. He promised her he would do everything he could to free her. As her power grew, so too, did the pressure inside of her. A power like that cannot be contained forever. They all began to worry about the instability of it, the more she learned the worse pressure became.
Through it all Raphaim watched and waited. Pacing like an animal, he would torment her when they were not around. His senses were heightened; the scent of her blood drove him insane. He tried digging under the wall, flinging himself at it repeatedly, in an effort to taste her.
“Reeena, your mother tasted so delicious. I should have drained her dry when I had the chance…REEENA!!!!” he screamed over, and over again. She would rock herself, covering her ears, singing songs from her village, anything to drown out the vile sound of his voice.
“Shut up, demon! Shut up!” she would cry and pray for deliverance.
It was apparent that Tieran could not keep the promise to protect her. He could not protect her from the Fallen without giving them all away. She endured because she had no choice. Guards were changed often, and the ones who came abused Raphaim by dragging out his torture. The torment created a sense of terror in Varena that they enjoyed. When they were through with him, they came to her. She was raped, beaten, starved, and more. Her punishment was nothing compared to what Raphaim endured. The Mocker would come and Raphaim always could predict it.
“Are you ready, Watcher? He comes now,” he would say tauntingly laughing. Each time Samiel came he would ask her the same question.
“Are you broken yet, Watcher? Will you join me, Varena and let me end your torment?” her answer always enraged him.
“I feel sorry for you Mocker. What is seen is only temporary. What waits for me is eternal. Leave me be!” Raging, he would light the cell and make her watch Raphaim’s punishment. After it was over Raphaim would lie on the ground and whisper to her “Where is your protector now, Watcher?”
Slipping quietly down the stairs and out the back door, Varena tries to slow her breathing and think dark thoughts. What will happen if they know it’s growing inside of her, stronger every day? Will they come for her when the sun sets and she can conceal it no longer? She knows better than most what will happen then. It will not matter that she is the daughter of the Queen; it did not matter for her mother. The screaming still rings in her ears and heart.
She sees the way they look at her, watching and wondering will she betray them as her mother did. Shaking herself, she tries to focus. She must get there quickly and quietly before it is too late to reach her sanctuary.
It is starting to burn; the pressure in her chest is growing. She is at a full run now, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her only thought is to find him. He is waiting, as all shadows do. He is drawn to her by the beauty in her soul. He sees the light that is growing; his only thought is to protect her. Bursting from the cover of his cave, he spreads his scaly wings and cocoons her into his welcoming embrace.
The blast hits him full force, but he does not waiver. The burning is stronger this time, but no light escapes. He knows what will happen if he fails her. He cannot lose her. She is the key to his redemption.
Varena wakes with a start and shakes off the dream as she hears him whisper to her “Reena, he’s coming again.”
Jumping up in dread, Rena tries to back away from Raphaim. As she looks at him she feels pity for him; he is nothing like the beautiful angel he once
