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. You tricked me, Dave said fearfully. I have done no such thing, she replied. You seek angels.I have found them.Angels? What were they doing here in this bottomless pitsurrounded by fog? How many of them were there? He495The Shivered Skyby Matt Dinnimanremembered Yehppael telling him and the others about agroup of angels who had rebelled.They had been banished.Was it here? Were these them? If so, why would they help?Vila became noticeably tense once the groups came closer.It surprised Dave, but he said nothing.He was sweatinghimself, and he found his hand grasping her soft side, hisfingers gripping fur for support.She didn't pull away.The groups stopped 500 feet below the surface of the cliff.A single angel began to ascend, slowly.It was a big male,wearing a white and blue robe.The angel bore no armor orguns, but a long, curved blade longer even than the angelhimself.He pulled it free slowly as he came to the human andthe wolf.The blade began to burn with a blue blaze that bledsmoke into the sky, crackling like a campfire. A human and a wolf, the angel said, sneering.He wavedthe sword, and smoke trailed.The robe he wore was tattered.Upon his feet, his sandals trailed fibers, well-worn. Is that allHe sends? Are you here to mock us? I.I'm not sure who you think sent us here, but I have avery important message.More angels rose, though they stayed considerably backfrom the one he was speaking with.There were hundreds ofthem now.And tenfold still hovered down below, more andmore coming the whole time. Speak then, the angel said. I will hear your message.But before Dave could start, another angel further fromthe edge cried out. Look! The fog is gone! They have blazeda trail!496The Shivered Skyby Matt DinnimanDave looked back over his shoulder, and to his surprise, atrail pierced the fog, like a great body of water that had atunnel bored through it.Where they had walked, the fog hadparted. I told you, another angel said. I could feel themcoming. Who are you? Dave blurted. How come you're notdefending the city?The angel in the blue cocked his head to the side. Defending the city from what?* * * * You've returned, Your Honor.You are much morediminutive than when we last met.The soft male voice didn't come from any particular place.Just all around, in the air.The voice was oddly familiar.Itmade Indigo think of comfort and safety, of a time before shehad worries or conflicts. Where are you? she said, rolling onto her side.Waterdripped off her exposed skin, cold on her face and hands.Thewhite crystal and ivory inner buildings shot into the sky allaround her.Everything was familiar. You're human now, the voice said. I can see it's you,but you're human. Okay, tell me who I am then.Or who I was. To her right,white and beige tiles stretched in a checkerboard pattern.Adepression led down to another room and beyond to wherethe others waited.To her left, the water spread all the way tothe far side, taking up half the circumference of the Tower.Anivory statue of a three-headed lion dominated the far wall, tall497The Shivered Skyby Matt Dinnimanas five angels.Water spewed from each mouth, and itsupturned claws were made of sparkling red jewels.The beauty here was overwhelming.She had an urge toclose her eyes, as it was too stunning to stare at for long.Shecould become lost just looking at it.Such a shame it was onlyfor the Seraphim. You are Derkea, the voice said. At one time, you werecalled Seraph.Derkea.It was like a slap.She mouthed the word, familiar on herlips.Her memory welcomed it, for it was her name.Heroriginal name, and it stood long before she was called Indigo.The moment she heard it, she knew it was so. Yes, she said. That's right.Who are you? Where areyou? There are others below.Is it safe for them to come up? I am the Ophanim.I am His chariot. The Ophanim? So you're the only one? Where are you? We are all one.Though we have several eyes, and severalwheels, we are one [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]