“Careful.” Angelina’s dagger stopped millimetres from my neck. “You’re distracted today. What’s going on?”

“Are you worried about me?”

“No. I’m worried that you’ll be distracted and fail us at a critical moment. And I don’t want that. Or do you want to be like Heidi, cracking whenever something gets under your skin and needing someone’s help?”

“Don’t make fun of Heidi—”

“I’m not making fun. I’m simply stating the facts. She is not equipped to deal with demons. And thankfully, that’s not her job. But it is mine, and it is yours.”

“Not her job?”

Angelina sighed. “Guard up, first.” I raised my glaive and readied to block her flurry of slashes and thrusts. As she attacked, she explained. “Each symbiote gives their angel more than an Imago. A position in this divine conflict, inherited from those who were hosts before you. Haven’t you wondered where the muscle memory comes from? Why it’s so easy to hold the weapon and swing it and you already know what you need to do? That, too, is part of the legacy of those who shared your Imago before you. I am...” she pursed her lips. “Meant to kill demons. That is the purpose I have inherited. Heidi’s is to protect others and to destroy Echoes.”

“And what’s mine?”

“To save the world.”

“What?”

“Just kidding.” She grinned. “I dunno, your imago seems like it’s made for killing demons, it’s all. Stop trying to block backhand. It’s ineffective. When you cross your arms, you’re severely limiting your movement.”

These daily practice sessions were getting tolerable. Angelina’s quips had lessened over the weeks, replaced by increased focus on our combat. Each day I made less mistakes, tightening my guard, improving my angles of attack and understanding of how I fought.

“Okay, your turn,” she said, crossing her blades. “Try to hit me.”

I steadied my blade and took deep breaths. Stepping forward, I swung straight at her, the glaive swinging high overhead. It caught between her daggers and I thrust the butt of the handle forward. She hopped back to avoid it, the staff meeting only air.

“Swoosh swoosh,” said Vespa. “Very impressive.”

“Quiet,” I whispered.

I knew Angelina was uncomfortable letting me get to her sides. If I so much as took a step in one direction, she’d immediately pivot or strafe to face me head-on. Perhaps because her Imago’s wings were so wide and she was used to accommodating them. Was there a way to take advantage of that?

“Stop walking,” she said. “Come on. Attack.”

Forward. Strike to the left, then right, then keep moving right. Step. Step. Another step. She turned to keep facing me. Keep circling. Keep striking. She caught each strike, still, but the spinning was getting to her. I was getting dizzy, but I was close. Close enough? I doubled back suddenly and hit her with the handle. It made contact. I swung the blade forward and stopped. My blade hovered just above her shoulder. “I got you.” I said.

She pushed it away with her daggers, shaking her head to clear her mind. “Good job. Next time, maybe I’ll actually try.”

***

I had been surprised to find out what Thea had given me the other day. A slip of paper, and, written on it in neat handwriting, a phone number.

I’d asked Nep what the demons meant by a paradise for humans. She dismissed it offhand, saying it was nothing more than a ruse, and asked where I’d got the idea from. For some reason, I thought it prudent not to tell her. If I did, she’d surely watch me much more carefully, maybe even sending someone to kill Thea. And I didn’t want that.

At least not before I got the answers that I wanted.

I sat down at my desk and scrawled out a list of questions I wanted to ask her. Where were my parents? What exactly were the demons trying to do? “What’s so special about Vespa?” I whispered.

“I’m very special,” she replied.

“I didn’t notice you.”

“I know.” She landed on my hand, mandibles and antennae tickling my skin. “You see, Quinn, I’m one of the greater ones. The angels that I create, my hosts, they’re destined for great things. Your purpose is salvation of the world.”

“Angelina already made that joke. Isn’t that what all angels are working towards, anyways?”

“Yes. All angels are fighting for the future of life on earth.”

“So there. I know you’re trying to make me feel better about all this, but frankly I don’t need your encouragement. I’m doing just fine.” My eyes drifted to the family pictures on my shelf. “I’m going to figure out where they are. And I’m going to find them and get them back.”

“You’re meeting with that demon?”

“Yes. Shhh. I’m just going to talk. Get more information. Don’t worry.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“No. She’ll just flick you away again. Useless little bug. Just stay out of trouble.”

“And what will you do once you get answers? You might not like them.”

“I’ll jump that hurdle when I get there.” My phone buzzed. A response from Thea. She wanted to meet me at the north tip of Iona Beach this evening. The park would be closed, but I could fly there. Who knew how she’d get there, though. I told her yes. It was time to get some answers.