Chapter 4

Camiel slowly got to her feet and then stumbled as she unthinkingly attempted to use her wings to steady herself. She winced when the phantom pain struck her again. Her wings hurt and yet…she had no wings. She shook her head stubbornly and bit her lip. She was willing to pay that price. If the humans survived that would be all the justification that was needed for a life spent, however long, without flight.

She walked to the women's bathroom (after snagging her bag from the floor) and pushed open door before turning to lock it. She swiftly took off her shirt and turned her back towards the mirror, craning her neck around to see just how much damage remained from her wing wounds. It wasn't very pretty. The bandages appeared crimson and she bit her lip again in preparation for the next onslaught of pain. Sparing herself nothing she unwrapped the soiled bandages and dropped them into the waste basket before dousing the wounds with peroxide which proceeded to bubble white. Camiel's eyes were closed shut tight and her fist clenched as she breathed through her nose steadying herself. Then the bandages were rewrapped about her torso and then in short order her arm, red and swollen from the Hound of heaven's claws, was also peroxided and wrapped. She removed the bandages from her burned hand and blinked grateful eyes, the burn was fading fast. Those bandages went into the garbage and no others took their place.

The archangel glanced into the mirror and winced once more, although at her appearance and not at the pain this time. Her left cheek was black and blue and, where Gabriel had enforced his will upon her—namely her neck, arms, and legs—there appeared a chain of bruises. Her neck was marred with the bruise that had occurred when he choked her to silence her warning and bruises speckled her arms where he had stopped her from going to the rescue of Howard.

She tilted her head to the side as she heard the, by now, familiar crunch of tires on gravel. Perhaps another Hound was trying his luck? She tidied up the bathroom, turned on the faucet and splashed water on her face, and after drying off exited the bathroom in time to see the rescue group stumble back into the diner. Each was cursing, yelling, or wide eyed with fear depending upon the personality. She moved to the window to see what caused such strong emotions of fear or anger in her humans (she hardly even thought about her use of the pronoun) and wrinkled her nose, the sky was dark with what was seemingly a cloud and only when the buzzing reached her ears did Camiel truly understand that the cloud was a horde of flies.

A part of the humans' bible entered her mind. A verse from Exodus, 'And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.' She shook her head, Gabriel was making sure he obeyed his Father but was giving Him more than He asked for. Not only would the humans die but they would die in fear. She shook her head again, this time sadly, at the thought of her brother being so cold…and flamboyant. 'Michael,' she thought to herself, 'Come quickly, I cannot do this on my own.' She turned back to her humans.

Camiel again felt the tug of respect for the female she had watched over from birth, hoping to see her reconcile with her Father and become part of the family. Audrey, one of those wide eyed with fear, standing steadfastly by her mother and helping to bring her father in. Audrey, still fearful, helping her mother bandage her father and make him as comfortable as possible. Camiel felt a pang at the encroaching death of the dad. She couldn't believe she had failed so miserably and in a way cost one of these humans their lives.

She swallowed and then stood straight—centuries as Michael's second taking over—she was a warrior at heart and as such couldn't allow these emotions time to wreak havoc. There were still other humans to take care of after all. Her jade eyes instead turned to the group that was surrounding the body of the elderly lady, as the Hound had disappeared at the moment that coincided with death in the human body. Bob, Jeep, Percy, and Kyle examined the body after Bob had lifted the plastic covering her. "She's burning up. How's that possible? She's been dead for an hour."

Bob shared an incredulous look with the others just as Jeep bent down and removed her dagger from the throat. "Whose dagger is this?" The others shared another incredulous look, who would carry a dagger these days? That was like someone carrying around a steak knife for self-defense and while it wasn't unheard of it was still not quite normal

Camiel, the source of this abnormal peculiarity, chose now to emerge from the shadows of the corner, "That would be mine."

The group looked from the dagger to the slim woman in front of them and back to the dagger. Bob finally speaks, "What?"

Camiel replies slowly so they grasp the concept, "That dagger is mine. I threw it when the Hou—I mean when the old lady suddenly ran towards Jeep." Although, Camiel reflected, ran wasn't really the right adjective. From the look that the humans exchanged, Camiel saw that they too knew that that adjective didn't do the whole 'sliding-demonically-over-the-floor' justice.

Bob snapped back to the matter at hand, "Just who the hell are you?"

"You may call me Cami." She had thought at the beginning that sharing her true name might just cause the humans confusion. Camiel wasn't a common human name and if Percy was as devout as she thought he was, then he may just leap from confusion to understanding and she couldn't have that which was why when he first introduced himself, she had said Cami.

"I'll call you whatever the hell I like. I'm keeping this," he palmed the dagger and swept his hand through the air in a clear 'go-away' gesture, "Don't go far, I don't trust you."

Camiel opened her mouth to reply but then closed it and walked away—the humans had just encountered their first possessed person, they would naturally be rough around the edges. Her eyes darkened at the pain that his mistrust had caused in her though. Humans felt everything more strongly it seemed. Camiel certainly knew that pain in her now human form was more intense than that of her archangel form. Once more a pillar of strength pulsed against her mind announcing Michael's rapidly approaching presence and her soul soared. How she wished he would arrive!

She tilted her head to the side thoughtfully for the moment, wondering at how she had gained the ability to sense the archangels' auras. Gabriel had even used his to pinion her in her place while the attack to place. Her brow furrowed… she had always been able to feel the emotions of the humans, had always been able to see them how they were, and what connections they formed with each other because that helped her find their soul mates but to feel the aura of an archangel…

She hadn't thought it possible—knew it to be impossible in her archangel form, in fact—but here she was nearly human with an erratic soul sense flaring and disappearing and now an aura sensing ability. Odd, very odd. She had thought her powers would diminish if not disappear entirely when she turned human. Camiel tilted her head to the side as she continued her thought… still, she could feel her sense-of-soul weakening and the aura's behavior was erratic at best. It appeared to her that her Fall was simply a little slower than she had expected. As if on cue, her soul since crackled across her vision before disappearing even as a wave of Michael's aura flashed before that too disappeared.

A broken sob brought her attention to her child, the one that gave her hope in the human race. Charlie had taken over Audrey's place at her mother's side attempting to stem the flow of mortal blood that continued to darken bandage after bandage of Audrey's father. Audrey had meanwhile moved off to a booth and sat in the corner, her legs drawn up to her chest and her chin rested on her knees, her eyes wide with terror and unseeing. Camiel felt her heart tighten and quickly grabbed a few napkins and a large cup of water from her own table before coming to stand before Audrey. "May I sit by you, Audrey? My name is Cami." Audrey wordlessly nodded her eyes still not seeing the present but instead dwelling on a blood soaked past.

Camiel sat at the feet of her human and gently dabbed a napkin into the water and then just as carefully—keeping her movements slow and measured so Audrey, if she chose, could stop her—began to wipe the blood that had splattered on the girl's face. Even more carefully she grabbed each hand and wiped the blood off there. When Cami looked up, tears were flowing down the girl's face and Camiel felt her heart sadden even more. This child had dealt with so much and very soon she'd feel even more pain. Camiel wasn't sure she'd be able to take it.

"Audrey, you have to be strong for your parents. They need to see you acting like the true young woman you are not the girl you are trying to pass yourself off as." Audrey didn't question this stranger's openness or even the fact that she spoke the truth that not many knew. Around this stranger, Audrey felt at peace. Beings she liked this peace she didn't lash out at the dark haired woman sitting by her.

"I can't… there was blood, so much blood. My dad, he's… he's…" She dropped her knees and wrapped her arms around the angel, tear wildly flowing now. Camiel winced as bandages moved on her back, disrupting the slight scabs forming. Audrey continued in a whisper as Camiel slowly ran a hand up and down her back in comfort, "He's going to die isn't he? He was just trying to get that…that thing to stop saying such mean things to my mom. He was just protecting her."

"I know, Audrey. Your father is a very good man and he loves you very much. Don't ever forget that. Be a daughter that he can be proud of, okay? So, then even if he does go away," Camiel couldn't bring herself to tell Audrey the truth that her father was even now drawing closer to death and what's more couldn't tell her that he would die, "he can still always be proud. You never know, he may pull through." The girl nodded and her embrace tightened on the angel. Camiel ignored the growing burn in her back and instead offered to the child all the comfort that she could. Audrey accepted it, her fractured nerves and personality acquiescing to the archangel's comfort. Audrey trusted Camiel more than would commonly be seen among strangers because of the situation and also because in her fractured state, she sensed what the others could only guess at. Camiel wasn't normal…wasn't completely human. The love and light shining from her, apparently without her knowing, was something that a normal human just didn't possess.

Suddenly Kyle was gesturing to the body, "She ain't staying here."

Camiel turned her head at the commotion and then stilled, her hand pausing from the comforting motion, as she looked into the eyes, and more importantly the shotgun barrel, of Bob's, "You're right she isn't." He strode forward and grabbed her by the shoulder and wrenched her away from Audrey.

"Cami!" Camiel shook her head at Audrey who remained in her place and raised her hands as she was escorted, by gunpoint, from the diner. Jeep and Bob carry the body out behind her and quickly moved it so it was placed between a building and the gas tank. Although the dark cloud of flies has seemingly disappeared, Camiel curled her lip in disgust as the flies descended much more quickly than was entirely normal. 'Locusts indeed.' The wince of disgust was followed by one of pain and Camiel grasped her forearm only for her fingertips to come away red and dripping. Her bandage was already slick with blood. A sluggish stream trailed down to her fingertips and one drop splashed to the ground. 'Well, this isn't good. Not good at all.'

Suddenly, Bob returned to the forefront of her mind when the barrel of the gun poked her, "Okay, who are you and just why did you have this on your person?" He snarled angrily at her while punctuating his words with vicious jabs of her dagger in her direction.

She looked at him carefully as she raced her hands higher, causing a small segment of her tattoos to appear on her wrists as the long sleeve shirt fell down before she spoke again after all between gun and dagger, speaking was probably the best course of action, "I already told you in the diner, my name is Cami. The reason I had my dagger on me was to help you, nothing more, just help."

The inquisition continued, "Help with what?" The gun didn't waver from its aim at her chest.

Jeep broke in, glancing at the blood dripping down the petite dark haired woman's arm, "Dad I don't think—"

"Quiet, Jeep. Help with what Cami?"

Camiel replied quickly while smiling slightly in Jeep's direction for his care and at Bob's use of her name, "Help with creatures like her."

Bob spoke once more, "And just what kind of creatures are we dealing with? By the way show me your teeth. Why did you not help us sooner if you knew she was a freak? Are you human? If so why carry a dagger and not a gun?"

Camiel raised her eyebrows in surprise as Bob covered seemingly everything, "They were once human. Now they are possessed. My teeth?" She queried in confusion but then thought of the old woman's pointed teeth. She wanted to point out her eyes were not pure black but thought better of it at the last moment (the gun a deciding factor) before she flashed her teeth in a smile then continued, "As to the other questions, I encountered some unforeseen difficulties but I can assure you it won't happen again. I am human; I carry a dagger because I nearly got mugged once…and I don't trust myself with a gun." She silently apologized for the lie to her Father, she wasn't sure if He still watched over her. Then moved on to her next thought, she certainly hoped Michael's odd protection would continue when he got here. She still didn't quite understand how it had worked… it sort of seemed like his soul aura (so different than a human's) had melded with hers to help her overpower Gabriel's single aura. She hadn't heard of souls melding together though, unless of course they were bonded. Suryan and Jophiel had begun to tell her how their bond enabled them to do much more together, without having to talk. Camiel now took the time to ponder about her and Michael's bond. Perhaps because they had been General and Second so long together? The bond of warriors, or protectors? She mentally shrugged, she'd find out the answer when she was supposed to.

Bob grunted and lowered his gun while offering her dagger back, "I suppose you are alright then." Camiel was quiet as her soul sense flared once again. Michael was coming much closer. Kyle chose this moment to speak.

"Hey, somebody's coming." Camiel watched the cloud that heralded the car traveling at a very fast speed and her soul soared as she recognized the familiar bite of the aura. He was here! The car skidded to a halt and Camiel turned her hand holding her dagger towards the newcomer from the diner before she lowers it as she sees Charlie head toward the group. The door of the car opening drew her attention and she watched as Michael stepped out and looked toward Charlie. Charlie met the look squarely and Camiel hid a grin as Jeep ran to stand protectively in front of her. Then Michael's blue eyes were turned to her and as they met the familiar jade tone his eyes flooded with recognition and then cleared.

Bob, catching the recognition turns to looks towards his new 'suppose-you're-alright' girl only to see her looking down at the ground seemingly scared, her brown-black hair hiding her face. Bob feels a wave of protectiveness and moves the gun to face the newcomer (not noticing that as soon as his focus leaves Camiel, her jade green gaze returns to the proceedings and the faux fear disappears) though the jade softens at this protective posturing. Humans were strange, Camiel thinks again although she is sure not for the last time.
Bob barked out an order, "One more step and I'll drop you."

Michael replied with an ever polite, "Is that how you greet all your customers?"

"Mister, after what we've been through you're lucky we don't shoot you first and greet you later." Michael's eyes flicked to Camiel for a moment and she nods in the direction of Gladys' body. His gaze flicks there and then focus back on Camiel as he looks at her pale complexioned neck and the bruise darkening there. His own eyes darken. Bob speaks again drawing Michael's attention away (as soon as he does so, Cami's hair is moved to block as much of the bruise from view as possible,) and once again at the human with the gun aimed at him, "Now, let me see them teeth…" Michael watches them all for a moment his gaze returned to Camiel's throat.

A single brow arched up and a slight mocking gleam from blue eyes matched with a slight glare and a raised chin of defiance from one angel to another conveys the communication and although no words are spoken the meaning is clear: 'Really, Camiel, you think I won't remember you're bruised if you cover it?' 'Michael, it isn't that bad. I am fine.'

Bob nearly roars his command and Camiel jumps slightly at the volume, "Your teeth goddammit! Let me see them!" He exclaims. Michael bares his teeth for the humans (no smile from him, just stark practicality). Charlie is watching the proceeding quietly but with quick interest. Kyle and Jeep lean forward some to examine the teeth as well.

Jeep now enters into the conversation, "No shark teeth, pop."

Bob swiftly changes tactics, "Okay then, how about you tell us your name."

"Michael."

"Well, I'm sorry about that Michael; we had this old lady in here that went crazy in my place. She had these teeth, I never seen anything like it. Practically bit a man in half." Here Camiel closes her eyes in thankfulness that Audrey has remained in side. She wouldn't need such a gruesome reminder of the fate of her father. Bob continues, "What are you going out here anyway? You don't look like any policeman I've ever saw, even one from L.A. He's gotta be right? I mean who the hell would be crazy enough to steal a cop car?" Bob chuckled once, although it sounded slightly hysterical at this point. Camiel uses this point in the conversation to attempt to wipe the blood that was still sluggishly flowing. When she looked back up to the conversation she meets Michael's blue eyes. His own are trained on her, focusing on her arm. She brings both behind her back pointedly.

His eyes flick to Bob, "You don't know?"

"I don't know what?" Bob asks exasperatedly.

Charlie broke in and spoke to the stranger for the first time, "We don't know anything and nothing works. The TV, the radio, the phone…all useless."

Michael strode forward, "I'm running out of time."

Bob stepped forward to meet him, with the gun raised. "You hold on there, fella. You better start talking or you can get the hell out of here." In a flash, too fast for the human's to follow, the gun was taken from the old man's hand and pointed at his head.

Kyle swiftly trained his gun on Michael, "Hold on now," and now Charlie let out a fearful gasp.

Jeep broke in, "Hey, dad, just tell him you're sorry." He orders worriedly. Bob closes his eyes and looks away in denial. Too proud even at this moment to admit defeat. The sound of the door opening and Camiel's quick glance announce Percy's arrival on the scene.

He walks slowly towards the danger and speaks calmly now and adds to his entreaty the motion of his hands held out, as if to calm a wild animal, "Hey, hey son, I'm sure you don't want to go spilling blood for no good reason in front of all these decent people. There are two women here, after all. Now, what do you say about just letting Bob go and then you can be on your way, nice and easy." Michael was silent for a moment, drawing the warning out, although Camiel knew it was just to make a point to the humans. He would never harm them… it just wasn't in his nature, just as it wasn't in hers. Auras pulsed about Camiel in a sudden wave and she gasped and Michael nodded in her direction.

"They're here." In another quick motion he pushed the gun back towards Bob, "You're going to need this."

Charlie cried out in confusion, "Wait who's here?"

Michael nodded his head in the direction of the dead body, "More like her."

Kyle now cried out in confusion, "What do you mean like her?"

Camiel spared an exasperated look towards Kyle, hadn't he been listening to her when she was explaining herself? She strode passed all the gathered humans to Michael's side and walked to the trunk of his car. He glanced at her once, his eyes resting on her bleeding arm and bruises. His hand flicked out and touched her bruised cheek in a butterfly light caress. His voice when he speaks is coated in concern, "Camiel."

She chances a small shrug at him with a grin, "Michael, I'm okay. I've had worse." Her mind flickered to a battle that she had been in eons ago. Demons had flocked about her and for everyone that she destroyed another took its place. While she was fast and dodged the most worrisome of the blows, cuts began to appear on her body and some of her emerald feathers drifted to the ground as they were pulled out by grasping claws despite the harden edges.

Michael's voice brought her back to the present as his hand dropped to his side to open the trunk, "I'll talk to you tonight." She nodded and glanced down at the trunk of weapons.

She reached for a bag even as he grabbed the others and some spare guns, "Michael, the humans are calling me Cami. To them I am just a human, an eccentric one, but I believe it's probably best if they don't hear my full name. Some may guess…Percy for one." Michael nodded in reply and then handed out the guns in his hand.

He passed one to Jeep and Bob spoke out again, "Hold on, I don't think that's a good idea." Even without the flash of soul sense that flared conveniently she could tell it was fatherly concern she heard.

Jeep spoke somewhat defensively, "Dad, I can handle it."

Michael echoed him, "He can handle it," however as he walked passed he met Jeep's eyes, "He doesn't have a choice." Camiel hefted the bag and followed after the group as they headed towards the diner.

Sandra appeared at the door, shadowed by Audrey, as the mystery man walked through and to the back room, "What's happening?"

Camiel shouldered through next, pausing for a quick smile at Audrey, which she returned her eyes bright with gratitude and relief to see Camiel okay. Camiel's smile faded as she followed Michael in the back to deposit the bag of weapons. What was happening was that the humans were about to be launched into a war that they could do nothing to stop.