2

Scott ran away and... mud splattered his clothes when he fell back into some kind of quagmire of a smaller scale.

Hitting the dirt, Scott howled crazily.

— Why can't I just do it, why I can't fly?!—he almost shouted.

— Scott, don't despair. You just need to focus on it, don't scream and then you will definitely fly.—I told him.

— Either fate has shown me a miracle, and now it's laying a pig... I may never fly...—Scott sighed sadly.— And if...—

I didn't have time to understand what the man was up to - he ran away from me so quickly. It's even strange - maybe he used magic without even realizing it himself...

Dean looked up from the phone and ran after me.

I now realized where Scott ran - to a huge, on a human scale, grief... This mountain can kill him before he becomes an angel...

— Scott!— I rushed to the guy, but he was already flying down.

The wings flew open and Dean almost fell down from surprise.

Scott's wings resisted the flow of wind and suddenly lifted him into the air.

Oh, gods, how beautiful it was!

The wind whistled between the feathers of his large wings, multicolored waves of magic spread out to the sides.

Scott took off.

— Does anyone want to come with me?— he hovered in front of us, making a circle.

— Damn you!—Dean stamped his foot.

Scott lifted the terrified and screaming Gull into the air.

Dean's eyes bulged.

— Not in the air, damn it! Not in the air! I don't want to go up!—he shouted.

I grabbed the other hand that Scott held out, and hugged Dean with the other.

Our fingers intertwine and I feel that he is really close...

How good it feels for me when he is near...

— Higher?—Scott asked.

Sometimes I couldn't see anything around, my hair covered my face.

— Higher! Fly higher, to the heavens, and let the angels envy your flight!—I laughed.

***

When we were driving to the house that Rahiel provided for me, Dean fell asleep.

It seems like he liked flying later, but after that he ate too much meat and fell asleep.

I stroked his silky hair.

— Scott, when we arrive, we will study a few dozen more exercises.—I said, trying to take my mind off Dean.

— A couple dozen or more? After I finally started flying, my energy doesn't seem to be running out... I'm shocked by

such a rise. I've never been a brake before, but now...—Scott turned around and bulged his blue eyes.— Karolianna... And

what is it there???—

In the sky, a huge cloud was slowly approaching in our direction, which seemed to be made of black snakes... Stop! But

the clouds don't float down!

— Scott!—I shout.— Hurry to the other side! We definitely shouldn't get caught by these creatures! The black plague is coming to us!—

I have even seen the black plague or filth in the temple many times. It's impossible to even count.

I'm terrified of filth to the point of horror...

— Gas, Scott, gas!—I shouted.

The wheels creaked. An unpleasant smell came from the tires.

— Hurry up!—I shouted.

The engine began to smoke, and the cloud was getting closer and closer...

Dean let out a cry similar to... Well, I don't even know.

Maybe someone romantic would call it the cry of hell, but romance is not at the right place here.

The tires spun and seemed to emit a panicked squeal. The car flew up...

How did we fall on the asphalt?

Blood flowed profusely down my temple. My vision went dark.

I shake my head, I can't seem to collect all my consciousness.

Scott suddenly raised his hands up and the light filled the neighborhood...

***

— ... Caro!— I hear a voice as if from afar.

My ears are ringing.

I feel fingers stroking my cheek.

How good... And how I want to just lie there...

— Don't sleep, Carolianna! I'll try to help you now!—

It only just dawned on my consciousness that it was Dean's voice.

An icy, rough tongue touches my wound on my temple.

— Are you licking my blood?—I ask, puzzled, when everything stopped spinning in front of my eyes.

— I'm healing you. But if I do the same to Scott, I might burn out. Your blood isn't like that. And the blood of angels is full of this damn grace...—Dean stretched out his tongue and licked the protruding drops of blood.

I exhaled loudly and squeezed his hand.

— Where's Scott?—I asked, feeling the wounds heal.

— I'm here!—Scott came over and sat down next to me.—You're the only one of us who lost consciousness. But now my mind is definitely not in order! Ever since I met you, I have been tormented by the thought: am I already crazy or not?— the guy handed me a bag.— Do you want to?—

— Thank you, no. I'm a little sick, I'm not up to sweets right now.—

I look calm, but I just want to burst into pieces from anger and I hide these emotions inside - even the priests of Ultima possess incredible power and this power can be used by all of us only when danger threatens either us or people!

— I'll fix the car.—Scott said, rolling up his sleeves.

— We'll lose half a century collecting this stuff, it takes too much time.—Dean looked down at his phone.—Damn! The screen is broken...—

— Now I will help with both the car and the screen...—Scott stretched out his fingers and began to draw signs in the air.

These were consecutive signs of healing, the rune of a new life and the rune of renewal ...

I really wanted to stop the guy, but then I waved it off: you shouldn't limit yourself if it turns out...

The snob Rahiel will understand me later...

***

After throwing away the soiled jacket, Scott went into one of the shops to buy a new one.

— Black? It seemed to me from your style that you only like white and pink. Like marshmallows.—I grinned.— And, by the way, you have a wound on  temple.—

Touching the line on the guy's temple, I drew in the direction where the blood was flowing, from the temple behind the ear and further along the hairline.

Scott took wet wipes out of the glove compartment and looked in the mirror.

— And I kept thinking, why did they look at me like that?—he chuckled briefly, wiping away the blood.— Well, it's okay, I don't come here anyway...—

The key turned and the engine rumbled.

—So,— Scott began, his voice serious, a tone lower than usual.— I can do magic, I can fly... And now what? —

— A little more study, and then you will pass the tests in the monastery. And these tests certainly never look like walking. What you saw here is not so scary yet, it will be even scarier after...—

I was looking out the window when we passed other people.

Yes, it is clear that we are different...

The further we go to our place of residence, the fewer people there are ...

***

Changes in Scott began to manifest with some delay and I am to blame for not seeing them right away.

It used to seem to me that I had some kind of instinct for evil, but... Is there one?

— Scott, now we will go to flight training again, and then we will go to the monastery of Ultima!— I say, packing my things in a bag.

It's hard... How hard it is for me now...

I don't want to say goodbye to Dean. So quickly and so easily he became dear to me...

— Hi.— now he is standing in front of me, sleepy and disheveled, in an old turtleneck.

— Hi, Dean. We're going... It's time.— I think my voice trembled a little.— Are you ready?—

— Always.—Dean smiled, but the smile was more like a grimace.—I bought something at the antique shop here for you. For some reason I saw and realized that it would suit you ... —

Soft and cold hands fastened the chain around my neck.

My heart skipped a beat.

This pendant...

An openwork frame, similar to metal lace, was decorated on all sides with an azure iridescent stone with a rose painted on it.

— Dean...— I say enthusiastically.—It is... So beautiful...

I turned around and looked into his black eyes.

— If only I could stay with you for one more day...— he said softly.

Our fingers intertwined.

— Dean, I can't find the words to describe what you are like...—

Hugging him, I just stood for a while with my eyes closed. We are like a single whole now.

It's like we're becoming one river.

— I would really like to tell you something very important... But I don't know... Is it worth talking about... I'll say it later.—Dean hesitated.

I felt a pang of longing in my soul.

What Dean wanted to tell me so much was clearly very important...

— Well, are you ready?— Scott appeared on the threshold and I felt much more now: the good times are ending...

— Yes, let's go...—I said in such a tone, as if I was signing a death sentence for myself.

Scott and We got into the car.

The house, the key to which I left in a hiding place, is floating away from us...

— If you want, you can ask for more time from that disgusting angel...—Dean said softly.—You can...—

— No... I'm sorry, but I can't... I can't ask him to give me time, Dean....—

I stretched my fingers across the seat to him.

Oh, Dean, how much I love you...

***

Rahiel was waiting for us at the gate.

The portal at the monastery was open.

I always thought it was very big, but the car barely fit the dimensions.

— I thought I'd scratch it...—Scott sighed.

— Rahiel is here. We're going out.—I said with a sullen look.

— What's your name?— without giving Scott anything to say, Rahiel immediately asked.

— My name is Scott, I can already fly. Have you been waiting for me?—Scott asked.

— And who are you as a person?—Rahiel opened the door.— Come with me. Caro and Dean, let's go too. Maybe one of you will be needed...—

— Well, certainly not me.—Dean said softly.

— So, to briefly explain - we are waiting here for that special angel who will protect people. But the fact is that these angels are no longer born. And then you showed up. At first I thought that the detected signal of Ultima magic was just a hardware problem. I hope that you will prove worthy of your incredible origin. Ultima is a real light for mortal people. Come on, we need to start training, more intense than you had before.—Rahiel said in his usual tone without any emotion.

— Right now?—Scott caught my eye.— Come on...—

— Dean, Caro. You can stay here for now. Dean will be returned to prison in two weeks.—

— Can I ask you, Rahiel, to make Dean my guard?—I asked.

— We'll talk about it later. I'll do what I can.—

I exhaled loudly so that tears would not flow.

— Maybe he will do something after all... Do not despair immediately.—Dean came over and hugged me from behind.

— No. It's all gone, Dean... It looks like we'll never see you again...—I patted his hand.— Dean, I don't even understand why I need you so much...—

— I... I've been in love with you for a very long time, Caro!— taking off from his seat, Alexander ran.

I know I can't catch up with him, even with my abilities I can't...

***

I picked up the staff and directed the energy at the target.

Oh, I got to the very edge...

Unsuccessfully...

— Hi, Carolianna.— Rahiel appeared on the threshold.— Well, how are you doing? I'm going to leave on important business, can you keep Scott company? He's very bad at it alone.—his fingers gently touch my hair.

I pushed his hand away.

— I'll help you. There's no need to reach out to me.—I said.— Rahiel, how's Dean doing? He doesn't want to see me.—

— Dean stayed in the security service. He has the opportunity to pass a month's probation period. Maybe he'll get lucky.— voice

Rahiel, who was always usually on full neutral, was now just overwhelmed with emotions.

I know he doesn't give a damn about Dean.

I walked towards the training field.

I'll find Dean later.

I got it.. I think I've figured out why I'm so drawn to Dean...

Scott was waiting for me at the training field. He was sitting on the barrier and looking somewhere into the sky. His beautiful blue eyes,

it seemed that they wanted to burn through the heavenly space.

— Carolianna!— he pronounced my name so long, it seemed that he was tasting it.— I thought you were with me not interesting. Is that angel not coming today?—

— No. Rahiel is busy, at least that's what he says. I don't know if it's true... Okay, let's try combat training on fireballs. I'll get the mirrors now, and you be ready for now.— I went to the closet with our standard equipment for training.

— No!—Scott held up his hand.— We have already done this so many times that I hit fireballs faster than Rahiel releases.—

— And what do you want?— I turned around and shuddered.

Scott was standing right in front of me.

Damn me, how did he get so close so fast? He couldn't have come up silently...

— So what do you want?—I repeated my question.

— Maybe we can practice in the woods? There is a large and very beautiful forest behind the monastery. Could we practice there? This

it would be very interesting.— his voice has not yet appeared these detached angelic intonations, but the phrase of me

scared me.

— You can go out there, but I can't. We have a ban on all priests here. The Absorbiuses from the world of shadows have already

five were eaten.—I said.

— But I'll be with you. It's impossible to beat me. And who are these absorbiuses?—Scott smiled.

His smile was warm and sunny, which warmed my heart.

Scott hadn't smiled in a long time. Training only made him frown.

— The Absorbiuses are very unpleasant creatures. We tried to fight them before, but it turned out that they absorb our magic and our fight against them only makes them stronger. If you want, you can go there yourself on occasion. Your magic will harm them.— I materialized two lightning bolts.

—What's that?—Scott asked.

— Spontaneous fight. I'll choose a thunderstorm, and you'll choose fire, for example.—I smiled.— You'll like it.—

Scott muttered a spell and his palms lit up.

— Gather fire into two poles or into some kind of weapon. What will be more convenient for you, then choose.—

Lightning sparked.

Scott also chose lightning and I was almost blinded by the sparks.

We jumped high into the air and crossed the lightning.

Scott's wings opened on the third blow and I was blown away by the wind.

— I'm running the ball now!—Scott shouted loudly, holding my wrists.

I felt a shudder of horror envelop me.

— Scooot!—I screamed in horror.

The earth and sky suddenly spun.

I didn't understand when we fell together.

— Carolianna!— I felt Scott shaking me.

— We still fell...—I caught his hand in mine.—You're too reckless. Need... Oh, Scott!Your wing!— I showed him the wound.

— It's okay, it's going to be like new!—Scott ran his hand over the wing.

The blood from the wound began to evaporate, the feathers that were smeared or otherwise spoiled in it fell to the ground and smoldered.

— Scott... And how did you do it?—I froze in shock.

—I don't know. Apparently, I'm getting better than I was.—

I sighed.

Ever since we arrived here, it always seemed to me that something was wrong.

There's always something wrong... But Scott... He changed after the attack of the fel.

— You're beautiful.—Scott suddenly said, and I was startled by his voice.

His voice... Even his voice has changed a lot.

— Scott, I'm sorry, I don't want to listen to the praises right now.   I don't have priorities for love in my life...—I sighed sadly.

— You and Dean, right? Only a blind person will not notice it.—Scott wiped the dirt off his face.— Oh, how good it is outside the monastery! How nature smells!—

In addition to the smile, it seemed that Scott himself was glowing from the inside.

— Oh, who do I see! We go to the monastery. I'll go ahead and leave you to chat!—Scott pointed behind one of the trees.

Dean was standing behind him.

— I can't stray far from the Ultima.—Alexander said in an impassive tone.

— And I'm not asking, I'm ordering you to go only after me.—

It wasn't until Scott had gone a long distance away that I turned to look Dean in the eye.

— Dean... Please come to me. I want to look at you so much.—

I took a step forward.

Dean came up to me and I immediately grabbed him in my arms.

— Dean... I didn't immediately understand why I was having these dreams all the time. And then I finally realized it. It's you... Are you the child I saved in church? —

— Tried to save... The Gull bit me on the threshold of the church. I ran in there, and then... Then everything happened...—Dean kissed the top of my head.— And I became like that...—

I stroked her smooth cool cheeks.

— Dean, I love you. I love you madly...—

His jet-black hair smells of the forest.

— Carolianna! I... I also love you all these years and I will wait for at least a single moment to be with you. It's so good that you are in this world... —

***

On the third day, dead priests were found.

I broke into a cold sweat when I saw it through the window.

— When should I leave, dear?—Dean sat up in bed.— How beautiful you are in the morning...—

— Don't go, Dean. I'm scared... The gate guards are dead. Did someone get to us?—

I can feel his hands. Smooth white fingers gently stroke my shoulders.

— And who could get in here? You said it was impossible for an uninitiated person to enter the monastery...— Dean heard footsteps in the hallway and quickly retreated to his room - we have interior doors, which is very good for me personally.

Yes, I felt before him that Rahiel was coming here!

Looking up at the door, I did not wait for the knock and said loudly:

— Come in, Rahiel! You'll get in anyway...—

— Hi, Caro!— the angel opened the door.

— If you wanted to tell me the terrible news, then - surprise!- I already know.—I said irritably.— I'm looking out the window on

mornings.

— You and Dean will be on night watch. We have a catastrophic shortage of normal people. So you'll get off. The night watch is not

nobody sees...—

It even seemed to me that he was disgusted with me...

Did he really find out?

At the review, it was noticeable that all the angels were very worried.

— What happened?—I asked Siriana.

—Did you see that the night watch was killed?— she asks me.— They are not just killed. They were eaten! —

— What?— for some reason, I immediately thought of Dean.

My upbringing is probably to blame... We are taught not to trust evil...

— Their cheeks... Someone ate their cheeks and fingers!— a colleague whispered fearfully.

— Maybe it's your lover, Carolianna? You're greedy for corpse-eaters!—

I didn't realize how my hand was raised.

When my mind had already returned to me, Chiara was lying on the floor covered in blood.

— Take her away.—Rahiel said with a straight face.

When they twisted me, I felt my wrist crack.

What am I doing? What the hell am I doing?

***

— Today Dean will be sent to mercury, and I will arrange an exorcism process over you.— Rahiel entered the cell in the dungeon when I

strapped to the rack.—You're just not yourself, my dear child...—

I noticed that his wings have become different now. On the roots, the feathers turned the color of ashes.

— I've lost my way, haven't I?—I asked, feeling the fastenings on my arms tighten.— Love is the most beautiful thing in the world, you and other angels have always taught that love is a gift...—

—Believe me, my dear... Your stupid crush on Dean Alexander is not love. Believe me... You've lost your way... Believe me, you will come to your senses, my child ... —

***

I woke up from a wild pain in my head.

Holy water... I still feel it on my skin.

... Where is Dean?

I really need to see him! I have to find him or Rahiel will kill him.

Rahiel has fallen... I suspected it before, but it was only suspicions. I didn't think that with angels and really it can be.

They always seemed like indestructible fortresses.

But it turned out that angels are no better than humans, and many are even worse.

Getting out of bed, I went to the door and pulled the handles.

It rings... Clearly Rahiel had hung up a padlock.

I went to the window. The doors were also sealed, it doesn't look like it will be easy to open.

Running away, I hit the shutters with all my strength with my shoulder.

A wave of pain passes through the body.

— Ooooh...—I rubbed my shoulder. My eyes stung.

The second attempt was even more unsuccessful.

— Dean...—I called softly.

My God, where is he? Where?

I'm running away again.

From the next attempt, the shutter moves a little.

So I will knock out the window until the new millennium!

To take such a risk!

I draw a rune of fire in the air and the shutters fly far to the side, locked together.

I walk down the ivy.

It's strange that there are so few guards here now.

— Stop, Carolianna!—there's a rod stuck in my back.

Huge.

I didn't understand who it was, but it's for sure-if I move, I'll be incinerated.

—You can kill me, I'm going to get out of here anyway.—I said firmly.

—Kill you? Carolianna, are you crazy?—

My heart trembled.

Scott!

— Sorry, I made a bad joke.—Ultima smiled.— Are you having bad days?

I threw myself into Scott's arms and cried.

The presence of the defender of people calmed me down.

— Scott...—I whispered when I could finally speak.— Rahiel will kill Dean! Only you can help me! Only you...—

— But how?—Scott's sky-blue eyes looked at me anxiously.—Tell me what to do, and I'll do it!—

—This is the church of Ultima, and you are Ultima. You are the protector of the entire human race, so you can protect the priests of Ultima as well. We were once people, we just don't remember it...—

My heart still wanted to howl in pain as we walked up the stairs.

A cage passed by.

— Rahiel! Hey, Rahiel!—Scott ran after the angel bringing up the rear.— What's with Dean? Let him go! —

— Dean has completed his mission, we don't need him anymore...—Rahiel looked up at me with deep black eyes.— Similarly, I can interrogate you: why did you let Carolianna out?—

— I don't have to answer to you and you locked her up for no reason.—Scott's eyes flashed strangely.

It was such a glint of blue ice.

— Open it...—Rahiel waved his hand.

Unlike Scott, his eyes turned black and blazed with the fire of rage.

And it seems that this fire will soon burn us all...

***

Dean came out of the shower.

—Thanks for your help, Scott,—he said, wrapping his snow-white body in the same white robe.— but now Rahiel will take revenge on you... He's a nasty person...—

His voice, sounding so calm, pleased my heart as well.

—Dean's right. Rahiel is one of those who won't live a good day if he doesn't shit on someone...—I said.

— Let him just try...—Scott said.— Are we definitely not allowed to leave the monastery?—

— We can, but you can't, until you become an Ultima to the end.—I said.

Scott waved his hands and a package of beer appeared on the table.

— I really want to...—he smiled sheepishly.

***

Training dummies flew apart.

— Too much. — I smiled, clapping my hands.

Rahiel made a grimace of displeasure and with a snap of his fingers put all the mannequins back in place.

He didn't mind Scott's decision about Dean and me, but he kept trying to hint how much he hated us.

I'm used to it, Dean just doesn't pay attention to all sorts of jokes.

But just now this caustic cocktail of luck and horror has begun.

Dean started working part-time at the crematorium in his spare time.

It seems that very soon he will stop hating people.

Sometimes it seems to me that Dean doesn't hate people, but is afraid of hurting them.

— Rahiel!— one of my colleagues ran in — Several of our colleagues are dead!— 

Rahiel turned around for a second.

— Well... we need to go check it out...— he said, sighing heavily.

— Maybe it's this one...—The guy pointed at Dean, but Rahiel stopped his words with a wave of his hand:

— If the only ghoul in our headquarters had done it, I would have done what I had to do a long time ago... And the hull would have been smoking on the fire for a long time...—Rahiel suddenly rubbed his shoulder.—It's getting too cold in here. Dean, put some coal in the heating system.—

 — He knows I can't...—Dean said through his teeth, but he went to the basement anyway.

For some reason, Rahiel suddenly went to the washroom.

— Let me go with you and see what happened.—I said.— But before that, I'm going to the toilet.—

— Okay, Carolianna. There's no hurry...—

I went to the toilet.

It was quite a long time ago, but I still remember it well.

One of our colleagues, also a priest of the Ultima Church, went crazy and shot the recruits with a pistol.

The bullets punched big holes in the wall.

You can see a lot through them...

When I entered the toilet, I stood against the wall that was opposite the entrance to the men's and women's toilets.

When I first stepped on the threshold, I heard sobbing, mixed with the splashing of water.

I pressed my eyes to the holes.

— No, no, no...—Rahiel splashed water on his face.

Steam was coming from his face and body.

— Damn it!—Rahiel threw his jacket on the floor.

And then I almost screamed: Rahiel's whole back was black!

***

Dean and Scott stayed in the training room, and I went with Hayden to the murder scene.

Along the way, I remembered this guy, he was very familiar to me, we had talked a lot before.

He is still a child compared to me and was brought here by one of the angels.

Hayden probably didn't have anyone left to live for either...

The corpses on the floor were in such a disfigured state that even those who had lived with trolls all their lives in rotten swamps would vomit.

It all looked like a man was shot out of a cannon, and the other two seemed to be passed through a spaghetti machine.

I put my hand over my mouth.

— I think this is my limit...— I bent down and took out a magnifying glass.— Look! Have you ever seen such a thing?— I picked up a piece of glass rubbish, similar to resin, a piece of glass.

— I do not know, I do not think I have seen this...—Hayden held out a finger.

— Don't you dare touch it!—I exclaimed, it seems even too high.

— It's filth.— it was heard from behind and together we screamed in horror.

Rahiel was standing behind us.

— Are you coming up noiselessly again?—I shouted angrily.

— What a nightmare... When were they found?— It seems that Rahiel is trying hard not to notice me. Oh... Who am I kidding! The word "seems" is definitely superfluous here...

he stopped noticing me since I was with Dean.

Apparently, he considers me fallen, although he is one step away from falling...

And the step is very small...

— They were found in the morning. No one heard any screams, nothing at all... And Carolianna found this...—Hayden handed him the glass.

Rahiel shied away from him as if Hayden had a snake in his hands or something even worse.

— Throw it away.— he said with disgust.

— We need to show it to the others.—Hayden fumbled in his pocket for a bag of chips and wrapped the shard in it.

At that time, he was distracted and did not see what Rahiel's face was like at that moment...

A wave of cold ran down my back. My knees buckled, I felt like I was going to fall now.

Very strongly my instincts tell me that I am standing next to the killer.

— Carolianna!— I was picked up by pleasant cool hands.

I sighed.

—Dean, why did you leave Scott alone?—

Rahiel looked at us with a look full of disgust.

— We need to call the cleaners, let them remove the bodies, check them and bury them with dignity.— said the angel.

Dean and I went back to the training room.

Scott was reading something on his phone.

— Guys, do you know that there will be a solar eclipse soon?— Journalists say that this eclipse is unexpected...—

— Yes, unexpected... The protection of the Earth disappears and the human world becomes vulnerable to demons.—I said.

— And that's why they were looking for me... Oh! I feel a very serious job is on the horizon.—Scott said.