Page 55 of Stealing Embers
Truthfully, learning I’m most likely descended from an angel line—the weakest of all the celestial beings—is a disappointment. Not because I’m embarrassed about not having an awesome power, but because I most likely won’t be able to defend myself as well as the other Nephilim. Apparently, the angel line was annihilated over a thousand years ago because they weren’t able to defend themselves against the Fallen or Forsaken as well as the other angel-borns. If my parents were angel Nephilim, that means the line isn’t extinct—which according to Sable is not only exciting but a huge discovery for our race. But that also means I’m from a line they know the least about and therefore, they don’t know how to teach me about my skills. Learning as much as I can about how to stay alive is paramount if I’m going to leave the academy when I turn eighteen.
A buried part of me also mourns yet another dead-end where my family history is concerned. Sable has spent the last few weeks looking into every Nephilim disappearance, contacting other academies across the globe, and even going so far as to meet with the Council of Elders—a group of super-duper-old Neph that everyone defers to for disputes, or when the world is on the brink of destruction. But even they don’t know who my parents were.
A feeling of emptiness sits heavy on my soul from the lack of answers.
I just want to know where I belong.
“Since everyone thinks all the Nephilim descended from plain ol’ angels were wiped out ages ago,” I continue, “one theory is that a few survived in hiding. That’s the best guess at the moment. Might be the cause of my ah . . . unique hair color. Watered down genes.”
Greyson observes me thoughtfully. “Watered down genes? But Nephilim can only reproduce with other Nephilim. They actually think your parents were human?”
I lift my hands. Given what I now know about Nephilim, it seems unlikely to me as well.
“It’s as good a guess as any,” Ash chimes in. “Maybe Emberly’s line of Nephilim could always make magic Neph babies with humans and the Council never knew? Maybe that’s how they blended in and survived? The truth is, no one really knows right now.”
“Magic Neph babies?” Greyson shoots Ash an amused look.
“Hey, Emberly here is definitely magical. You’ve all seen her train by now.”
Greyson and Sterling both wince, no doubt remembering the damage I inflicted on their brother. I’m pretty sure Steel was walking funny for a full week after our fight. I look back on that week with fondness. But Ash has a point: That initial sparring nightmare aside, I’ve been killing this combat stuff.
It’s almost as if this training was hand-tailored just for me. I pick up defensive and offensive strikes after the first try and my form is always flawless. Even weapons training is coming along well. No doubt it has something to do with the celestial blood running through my veins, but I’m not complaining. I’ll take the extra leg-up in any area I can. Especially considering my phasing is still sporadic and no special abilities appear when I do make it to the spectrum world.
I’m playing a serious game of catch-up and am thankful for any advantage I can get.
“How are your sessions with Sable going?” Greyson asks.
Oy, that’s another sore spot. Sable has started teaching me to read angelic symbols. I usually leave her office with a headache from all the over-thinking.
“It’s a lot of information to take in.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet.”
“Angelic language is hard.” I press my fingers to my temples and groan.
Sterling jumps out of his seat, surprising us all. His eyes are glued to the smart phone in his hand. “Doc Holliday’s Saloon for dinner. Let’s roll.”
He makes a beeline for the exit without waiting to make sure we follow—but that’s Sterling, always searching for the next party.
“Hey, wait a minute. You guys said you’d go to Luna’s with me after we stopped for coffee. I wanna find a new pair of jeans and look at the dresses.” Ash whines as we dump our trash and leave the café.
Sterling’s already halfway down the block when Greyson turns to Ash with a grimace.
“It’s okay, Grey. I’ll hang with Ash. We’ll catch up with you guys in a bit.”
A thankful smile breaks out across his face. “Thanks, Em.”
“Hey, don’t look so relieved!”
Lifting his hands in front of him, Greyson walks backward in the direction his brother took. “I don’t know what you mean,” he yells from several store fronts away, before spinning and jogging to catch up with Sterling.
Lacing my arm through Ash’s, I tug her in the opposite direction. “Come on, let’s go before it closes.”
The evenings come all too quickly in the mountains. The sky is currently streaked with oranges and pinks that are quickly fading into purple. It’ll be fully dark in no time.
Entering the boutique clothing store several blocks off the main drag, Ash makes a beeline to the dress section. She’s a serious shopper. Never having had more than the essentials, I don’t understand her need for so many different outfits. I realize a girlie part of me is probably underdeveloped, but I don’t care.
“Oh, Emberly, look at this dress!” Ash shouts from the other side of the store, gaining the attention of the shopkeeper as well as a few of the other patrons. “You would look fab in this!”