Balance (The Divine, Book One) Read Online Free Page B

only want him."
    I
felt my heart jump into my throat. What was this frail old man going to do to
keep those swords from taking my head? This was turning really bad, really
fast.
    Dante
turned his back on them and leaned in close to me. "I don't know how they
found about you already," he said. "Take this." He handed me
a... cellphone? "Mr. Ross will get you out of here."
    "Wait...
what am I supposed to do?"
    Dante
whispered something and put his hand to my forehead. The entire room started
spinning. One of the dark angels pushed Dante out of the way. The other raised
his sword and smiled, taking pleasure in his killing strike. I closed my eyes
so I didn't have to watch myself die for the second time in one day. I wondered
how that was even possible, sure I was about to find
out.
    I
felt a pair of arms wrap around me. I smelled something burning. The blow never
came. I opened my eyes. I was standing on the torch of the Statue of Liberty.

Chapter
3
    I
stood there for a few minutes, trying to make sense of everything that had
happened within what had felt like only a couple of hours. Somehow, I had been
brought back to life. I worried first that I was one of the undead, a zombie or
something, but I could feel the pulse beneath my fingers, and I was cold in the
night air. I was still wearing the same clothes, which I was grateful for,
because it was REALLY cold. Hadn't I died in the summer? How much time had
passed? What was I supposed to do? Where should I start?
    I
looked at the phone Dante had given me. It was a newer model, a smartphone. I
lifted it up to my chest and turned it on. Along with the standard assortment
of apps was one titled 'Landon'.
     I
thought about opening it there, but I was freezing. I edged my way around the
torch to the small door that led down into the main stairwell. Please be open.
It was. I slipped inside and closed the door; glad to be out of the bitter
winter wind. Not that it was a whole lot warmer inside, but at least I was out
of the elements. I descended the ladder and made my way out to the staircase,
then sat down on a step and opened the app.
    Buongiorno
Landon,
    I'm
sorry that you will have to learn in this way. It means that we've been
compromised to Mephistopheles, and his Collectors have come for you. Be
thankful that I had suspected a traitor in our midst, and have prepared this
guide to help you on your journey to discovering your full potential and making
good on your promise. I will speak with you again once I can be assured that it
will not lead them to you. In the meantime, if you do nothing else, read the
entry titled ‘Rules’. Following the rules within will keep you alive. Yes, you
are 'alive', although not in the manner you are used to. You are Awake, and a
full member of the Divine, with all of the rights, privileges and power that
comes with it. You will find out what that means in time. Stay safe my friend.
    Ciao,
    Dante
     
    There
was a menu item at the bottom that said 'Rules'. I pressed it, and read them.
    1                Check
the inside pocket of your jacket.
    2                Find
somewhere safe to read the rest of this guide.
    3                Do
not travel at night.
    4                Stay
aware of your surroundings. You will be able to recognize the Divine. Most of
the Divine will also be able to recognize you. Only the weakest will be fooled
by glamour.
    5                When
in doubt, hide. They will know what you are, and they will try to kill you. You
have no allies.
    6                Both
sides have human allies. The agents of good are called the Touched. The agents
of evil are called the Turned. They have some power that has been transferred
to them by the Divine, but they are still mortal. They will try to kill you,
but will not recognize you so easily.
    7                You
can kill an angel with anything that has been cursed.
    8