Free Blood of Dragons by Bonnie Lamer Page B

supposed to do because I have watched Xandra do this.  I also know the magic behind it.  Reaching my hand out, I try to channel just enough magic to open a gateway.  It is not opening so I pull a little more magic.  As much as I complain about knowing everything, I find that it can be rather frustrating when you do not.  I pull more magic but I am not as careful this time.  Too much magic flows through me as I tear the folds of the realms away.  The magic barges through the gateway and attacks the Fairy standing on the other side.  He may have been expecting us, but he was not expecting the magic.  That is evident by the writhing he is currently doing on the floor of his…I suppose you could call it a cavern.  Now, I need to figure out how to get this magic back.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 11 – Xandra
     
    “What do you want me to do?” I ask Ray.
     
    He stares at me for a long moment and then he glances at Adriel.  “We need a good explanation for what happened back there.”
     
    Is he implying that he wants to lie?  How un-Angel like of him.  I’m going to go along with it though.  “Do Angels get drunk?”  I’ve used that excuse before except it was Fairy poison not alcohol that made me that way.
     
    Ray chuckles.  “We do enjoy our ambrosia from time to time but never to excess.”
     
    That’s probably a good thing.  I don’t think Raziel would be happy to come back to having the entire Angel population thinking he’s an alcoholic.  “How about showing off for a pretty Angel.  Would Raziel do that?”  For some reason, I want the answer to be no.  Which is really, really selfish of me since I am desperately wanting to be with Kallen.
     
    Ray chuckles again but Adriel is suddenly uncomfortable as she says, “Archangels do not choose life mates amongst lower Angels.”  My face folds into a frown.  Even Angels have prejudices like that? 
     
    “That is most often the case, but it is not for the reason you are thinking Xandra,” Ray says.  He still looks amused. 
     
    “Right,” I mumble.
     
    “You have not truly grasped the power of an Archangel,” he says.  “What happened back there was only a very small testament to the power we are able to wield.”
     
    That’s a scary thought.  “Why does that matter?”
     
    “Archangels can decimate entire realms with a thought.  We must use this power to keep everyone, everywhere on the correct path.  We are not vengeful, but we must keep order and we dole out punishments when necessary.  You have witnessed this.  This makes choosing a life mate from those less powerful difficult.  There is no equality in a relationship when there is such an unbalance in power.  Archangels are often forced to make harsh decisions and leave personal feelings out of it.  This can make us seem cold and uncaring.  It is a lonely life but that is simply how it is.  It would not be fair to burden others with our responsibilities.” 
     
    I guess I understand that.  It would probably be hard for me to be with a human for the same reasons.  Look what’s happened to Aunt Barb and Dad because of my magic.  I couldn’t live with myself if I endangered anyone else.  “Okay, then if I can’t say I have the hots for Adriel, what can I say?”
     
    Ray chuckles.  “The first thing you will need to do is change your manner of speech.  Archangels do not have ‘the hots’ for someone.”
     
    I roll my eyes.  “You know what I mean.  Back to my original question?”
     
    “The truth is always the best answer, Xandra.  You were angry and frustrated and you reacted with a show of strength.  Unintentionally or not, that is what happened.”
     
    I nod.  “Yeah, it was.  Do I have to explain why I was mad?”
     
    “No,” he says.  That was a pretty firm no.  I guess Archangels aren’t required to