04 Shadow Blood - Witch Fairy Read Online Free PDF Page B

thing,” Adriel says, aghast at the very idea.
     
    When Adriel puffed out her wings, she looked intimidating.  When Rashnu’s wings unfurl, they are downright terrifying.  The pure white of the top feathers hid the black ones underneath.  Her eyes have become obsidian orbs.  They are the blackest thing I have ever seen.  The complete absence of color.  Her teeth have elongated and her mouth is twisted into a snarl that the meanest lion in the world could only wish to match.  She looks like a demon, not an Angel.  Without realizing it, I’m suddenly walking backwards.  And so is Adriel.
     
    “I believe you misinterpreted my demand as a request, Adriel.  Do not make that mistake again.”  Her canine teeth are so big, she can’t close her mouth all the way.  Which means spittle is flying out of it as she speaks.  Which makes her even eerier.  I think a few more steps backwards are called for here.  Maybe ten.
     
    Adriel drops to her knees, prostrating herself before the beast that was Rashnu.  I’m wondering if I should be doing that.  Maybe I will, just in case.  Can’t hurt, right?  Hopefully.
     
    As soon as I start to lower my legs, the empty sockets that used to have blue eyes in them shift all of their attention to me.  “The granddaughter of Lailah bows to no one.”  All righty.  I’m going to stand back up then. 
     
    “I apologize, Rashnu.  I did not mean to anger you.”  Sure, bring out the demon boss and suddenly Adriel’s all sweetness and subservience.  I’m sure that’ll last about a second if she does have to escort me.
     
    “Um, Rashnu,” I say, trying not to let my paralyzing fear enter my voice.  “Do you think one of you could just draw me a map or something?  I’d hate to take Adriel away from her job.”
     
    I knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up the pretense of being nice.  She swings her head in my direction and her next words come out of her mouth as if each one is causing a wart to form on her tongue.  “It would be my pleasure to escort you.  It is too dangerous for you to travel alone.”
     
    “That’s okay; I’ll have Kallen with me.”
     
    “You plan to bring the Fairy with you?” she scoffs.  “He is not of Angel blood.  His body would disintegrate as soon as his flesh crossed the gateway.”
     
    Wow, wish I would have had that information twenty minutes ago.  I almost got Kallen killed.  “Oh, I guess I didn’t know that.”
     
    “Your ignorance knows no limits, apparently.”
     
    Is that my hand in a fist again?  Why, yes.  Yes it is.  I take several steps towards her and something on my face must give away my intent, because she stands up and gives me an ‘I dare you’ look.
     
    “Then it is fortunate that you will be accompanying Xandra on her journey.  That will give you time to fill in the gaps of her knowledge.”
     
    Gaps?  Apparently, Rashnu doesn’t know much about me.  I don’t have gaps in my knowledge.  I have giant, cavernous holes that rival the size of the Grand Canyon. I wish I only had gaps.
     
    Swinging her head back to Rashnu, she says in what she probably thinks is a sweet and respectful voice, but it isn’t, “Of course, it would be my pleasure to educate someone so new to our ways.  Perhaps I could supply her with a hierarchy chart and descriptions of the various Angels of importance.”
     
    Since Rashnu didn’t hear the conversation when I, sarcastically, said those words, it apparently doesn’t occur to her that Adriel is being sarcastic.  “That would be an excellent idea,” Rashnu drawls.  “You will begin gathering that information when you have safely returned her and the souls of the innocents to the Fairy realm.”  Okay, maybe she did know that Adriel was being sarcastic because she seems to take great pleasure in the horrified look on the other Angel’s face. 
     
    With a satisfied look on her now grotesque facade, Rashnu begins her transformation back to the