Angelica sat in the corner of the room trying to stay as still as possible. All around her was the constant chilly wave of ice that kept her hidden from sight and magic. The room she had entered was almost exactly like the one she had left only the door remained open. She wondered how far she would get if she tried to get out on her own. She had heard angel cities were large, but she was not sure how large. It would be easy to get lost and she could not keep up the spell forever. Even now she was already feeling the strain of the constant drain of magic.

Then a figure came through the door. For a moment the young woman was terrified, until she recognized the angel with the white hair who had brought her tray. She hit the panel beside the door and it slid shut.

“You’re in here right?” She looked around for a moment. “Angelica?”

Angelica released the magic from the spell and knew she became visible as the angel turned to her with a smile.

“That’s a nice spell. None of the normal spells I use for scanning detected it.”

“Um…thanks.”

“Okay now for getting you out of here I have-”

“First…” Angelica cut her off. “Who are you?”

“Oh right. I always forget that part. I’m Ashvath.”

“Nice to meet you, Your Mercy.”

“We don’t have time for the titles. Just call me Ash.” The angel grinned and picked up a package that had been stashed behind the sofa. “Here, change into this.”

Angelica pulled back the wrapping to see an angel’s uniform. For a moment her mind balked at the idea of wearing something so holy, but the thought of remaining a prisoner caused her to nod her head.

“Seems the boss was right about you.”

“Hm?”

“I figured any human would outright refuse to attempt to escape The Choir, but you’re going on like its second nature.”

“I had a lot of time to think about things while I was stuck in that room.” Angelica answered truthfully. She went to the washroom and changed out of the frilly dress. The uniform was as comfortable and functional as it looked. She stuffed the dress into the corner before going back out to where Ashvath was waiting.

“So who’s your boss?”

“Did I forget to mention that too? I work under Dominion Kendall Silvertongue. Though don’t tell him I added that epithet.” She grinned.

“His Method? What reason would he have to help me?”

“You can ask him yourself when we’re out of here.” Ashvath moved to the door. “Okay, most angels don’t know what you look like, so just follow me. If we pass any other angels in the hall, bow your head as we pass. If any stop to talk to us, bow, but don’t keep your head lowered. And don’t look anyone in the eye. Other than that, let me do the talking.”

Angelica nodded. The door slid open and she followed Ashvath out into the hallway. The angel moved forward at a face pace and she hurried to keep up. There were no other angels in the hall to Angelica’s relief. She did not know how far they had to go but the fewer angels they encountered, the better.

As they moved down the hallway, Angelica could see the outline of other doors and their accompanying panels. It was amazing how smoothly they seemed to meld into the wall when one was not used to them.

They left the hallway into a larger space that held a set of intricately carved stairs. At the bottom there was a table boasting a huge bouquet of flowers. Coming down the hall from the left was another angel.

“Bow.” Ashvath hissed to her.

They bow bowed to the angel as he did the same before they passed without incident. She heard Ashvath sigh in relief, and almost instantaneously a loud harsh noise rent the air.

“Artena is under attack.” A monotone voice said over the earsplitting sound. “The inner wall is under attack.”

“Give me a heart attack.” Ashvath muttered. “Come on, that’s our signal.” She dashed forward, and Angelica, hands clamped to her ears, followed.

The other angels they passed were in a state of panic. Some had swords with blades of clear blue crystal in their hands while others were unarmed. Why would an attack on Artena be their signal? Who could possibly be attacking an angel city? It was forbidden.

They rounded a corner, coming out on a high rampart.

“Oh crue…” Ashvath came up short and Angelica ran into her from behind.

“Archangel Ashvath, I’m disappointed in you.” The Seraph stood in the middle of the rampart, power practically radiating from every pore.

The angel shifted in front of Angelica. “Get ready to run.” She said over her shoulder.

“I’d ask on whose orders you’re acting, but it’s no secret considering who it is storming our gates.” The Seraph’s eyes were hard.

Stretched out below her Angelica could see a courtyard surrounded by a wall. She could see people fighting below. Familiar faces leapt out at her.

“At least I won’t have to explain myself.”

“You dare to stand against your Seraph?”

“I serve the Choir as should the Seraph.”

“You are a traitor to Lucinia’s will and you will stand down.” The Seraph reached out. “By the fire of the earth’s core, your blood will boil.“

The red magic that sprung up around Ashvath burned Angelica’s eyes just to look at. The angel screamed, falling to her knees.

“Now hand over Angelica.”

The angel pushed herself slowly to her feet. “I have my orders.”

“Fire of the earth’s core, your blood will boil.“

Ashvath screamed again, stumbling to the side. “Get out of here.” Her eyes met Angelica’s for a moment before the angel pitched over the side and disappeared.

“Unfortunate.” The Seraph walked toward Angelica.

“How could you attack another angel like that?” Angelica demanded.

“Your safety is being compromised. Allow me to take you back to your room.”

“You’re still spouting those lies.”

The Seraph grabbed Angelica’s arm. With a swift movement, she pulled her hand from the Seraph’s grasp and flung herself off the wall.

“Winds from the South.” Magic swirled around her, propelling her upward and outward. The sky stretched above her, and the earth out below her and for a few moments she closed her eyes and just let herself drift.

Angelica felt arms wrap around her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

She opened her eyes to see Dylan holding her to him. She smiled. “I was waiting for you.”

There was a screeching cry and Wirith flew around them. She began chirping as soon as she saw Angelica.

“Hi girl. I’m okay.” Angelica smiled.

Dylan’s wings flapped and they glided back toward the ground. As soon as she touched her feet to the streets of the city, Nell flung herself on her, pulling her into an embrace.

“Hi Nell.” She hugged her sister.

Sounds of swords clashing told her that the fighting she had seen from above was still taking place. She saw the Dominion and his two Archangels fighting against a number of other angels. Jasper was there, alongside Paicy as well as Rilen.

“Wait, Nell, you have a sword?”

“Jasper was kinda teaching me. I’m not very good.”

“You could get hurt.” Angelica took the sword from her.

“I had to come when I knew my sister was in danger.”

Angelica leaned forward and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

There was a sudden whirlwind of fire from behind the attackers. They scattered and in their wake stood Ashvath, fire licking at her fingers. “So this is where all the action is. I got her out safe and pretty sound, boss.” She saluted. Her skin was extremely red, the veins clearly visible along its surface.

“Not quite what I had in mind,” Kendall said. “But it will do.” He turned his gaze on the angels that had fallen back in Ashvath’s overly showy arrival. “As Dominion Kendall of the Second Choir, I demand my right to speak with the Seraph.”

The other angels looked at each other in confusion, but stopped attacking.

“It’s fine, I will speak with him.” The Seraph walked through a path that was immediately formed for him. Angelica readied her sword and pulled her magic more tightly around herself. “What’s the meaning of this Dominion Kendall? Bringing humans and demons here to attack Artena?”

“What these people did, they did entirely of their own volition. I, however, am here to enter a vote of no confidence against the Seraph.”

“You are only of the Second Choir. You need the backing of someone in the First Choir to make such an outlandish accusation.”

“You can consider me that backing,” Dusty said with a smile. “Or were you trying to forget that the One King has the authority of the First Choir?”

“Not on Artena’s grounds.”

“I’m afraid that he does, at least in matters such as these.” A new voice responded.

“Cherub Malchiram.” The Seraph took a step back as the older angel stepped up next to him. His hair was a long length of shimmering maroon. His uniform was crumpled, but clean.

“Dominion Kendall has placed a vote of no confidence in you. This is a matter that will be seen to by the First Choir, as per our laws.”

“You would take the word of that piece of trash!?” The Seraph’s normally calm face broke in anger as he pointed at Dusty. “That ‘thing’ that was raised by demons and now wishes to rule over the humans.”

“That is not your decision to make.” Cherub Malchiram said. “Cephas, Eran, would you please escort the Seraph back inside. I would like to request that the rest of you please leave these holy grounds before we are forced to take further action.”

Angelica bowed quickly and moved toward the edges of the city. Angels watched them from both sides as the group exited the city, and the walls closed up again, sealing up what was inside. Kendall and his angels had not come out with them.

“We’re glad you’re okay, Miss Angelica.” Dusty pulled her into a hug.

“Thank you all for coming to help rescue me.”

“You’re not upset that we needed to?” Jasper asked.

Angelica shook her head with a smile. “Everyone needs to be protected sometimes. I’m more happy that I have friends who care enough to want to.”

Paicy picked her up and spun her around. “You better believe it, Angie.”

“Ready to go home?” Dusty asked.

“Well…actually…” Angelica looked over at Dylan. “I think I am.”