Dead Men Smiling

9.0 TRUTH BE TOLD

But the oddest teacher of all is experience for she gives the test first and the lesson afterwards.

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When Hope opened his eyes, he was on the couch facing Dolan so he could see what the Vampire was doing. He then sat up, frowning as the blanket rolled off him; why did he feel warm?

He then placed his arm against his neck, frowning at the warmth he was producing which he found odd seeing that he had always been cold-blooded.

"Dolan?"

He cringed at how hoarse his voice sounded before smiling slightly as a tired Dolan handed him a glass of water. "Morning Hope. Are you really awake or are you about to manifest again?" "Whatever do you mean?"

Hope then looked around the room and frowned, turning his attention back to Dolan who had wandered to the other side of the room to pick something from the table there. "Dolly, what did you do to me? I'm producing heat." He asked.

Dolan didn't face him. "We're about to find out."

Hope was too weak and disoriented to move as a knife flew in his direction. He shut his eyes and hoped that it wouldn't hit him; only opening his eyes when he heard Dolan let out a low whistle.

He nearly fainted at the blade of the knife which was centimetres away from his face. He glared at Dolan. "Please refrain from flinging knives at me and stopping them at the last possible second."

"That wasn't me, though. I admit to throwing the knife but you stopped it."

Hope didn't want to believe him. He imagined the knife back on the table and stare in awe as it floated back to the table. "You gave me magic?" "Nope. It was just a core strengthener. Safer than the Ring of Power and works faster too. I am not fond of the method but with so little time, I couldn't train your core so..." He trailed off and shrugged his shoulders before turning. "On the reason you're heating up, it's because of the magic."

Hope narrowed his eyes. "You're toying with a theory."

"Well of course I am considering your herit- you know what? Please tell Sora to meet me outside the house. You're welcome to grace us with your presence if you wish."

When Hope left, Dolan shook his head, plucked his wand from behind his ear and waved it, clearing the mess. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to ignore his gut that kept telling him that the day was going to be one of the oddest days of his life.

Dolan was a firm believer of 'if you understand the theory, the practical isn't difficult'. No one really argued with him on that belief since most of the amazing magical feats he accomplished stemmed from the theory and was later applied.

Hope watched Sora explain everything he had understood on the book he had the previous day and vaguely wondered if the Angel should be attempted to use the flame on little to no sleep.

Dolan nodded and closed the book. "How about we attempt putting all that into action?"

Hope chewed on an orange slice. "This is going to be interesting."

Sora nodded, determination etched on his face as he recalled how everyone had a core that if you tapped into, would allow you to bear amazing powers. He imagined the flame starting from his core and spreading to his hands and smiled slightly at the burning sensation he felt from within before he channelled the fire.

Dolan appeared besides Hope, munching on a crystal. "I hope this works."

"Me too." "Are you feeling better?"

"Well I'm not as hot anymore and whenever I let a certain emotion get out of control, I accidentally use magic."

Dolan nodded. "Accidental magic is completely normal. Take as your body trying to get used to the power that your core has and is attempting to channel out the excess energy."

Suddenly a smell Hope was well acquainted with met his nose; burning flesh.

His eyes widened. "Sora, stop."

Dolan didn't get a chance to question why when Sora fell to his knees as fire leaked from where his wings should be, burning the skin on his back and the wound.

The white haired male cursed under his breath and ran to Sora who he pulled towards him, ignoring the pain he felt as he comforted the Angel, easing him out of his panic with soothing words.

Hope pulled Dolan away and sent him a reprimanding glare. "Are you trying to kill yourself? Holy Fire cannot be good for you." "I do not care." Dolan ground out and waved his wand, rendering Sora unconscious with his spell as he glared back with equal intensity. "He's my friend and we promised to always protect each other."

"Dolly... he'd never forgive himself if anything happened to him." "Neither would I, Hope. The blood of Angels may not course through my veins but I have committed no sin worthy of the flame; at least, not yet."

A cold presence immediately caught their attention as a man in all black appeared seemingly out of nowhere and besides Sora who he regarded coolly before turning dark eyes to Dolan. He dropped the hood of his sleeveless hoodie, revealing a curtain of dark hair that frame his face which was harsh and soft at the same time, nearly making the two lose their breath at the undeniable beauty.

Dolan fought the strong urge to run into the stranger's arms and caught sight of the black tipped wings that folded neatly behind him, making him aware of who was standing before them.

"The Angel of Death." He spat out in distaste. "What brings you here?"

He smiled serenely as Dolan waved his wand at his burns while Hope wondered if dying at the hands of the beautiful being before him would be the worst thing on the planet. The Angel sent Hope a knowing look. "You don't want to die, Dragon-Witch Hybrid. You're simply mesmerized. It's something that both Angels and Demons use as a way to make our jobs easier." He then turned his attention to Dolan. "If he hadn't pulled you away when he did, I was going to claim your essence as my own. You should know that immortal essence is rare since most stay away from what is known to kill their link to the mortal world."

Dolan frowned. "Well my link is still intact. You can go now, Death."

The Angel shook his head as Sora groaned, reminding him that he didn't want a confrontation with the fellow Angel. "I hate it when someone survives when they should've died. Perhaps you won't be so careless with your life if I tell you that I'm marking you."

The sentence was followed by a dull throbbing sensation on Dolan's left arm. He rolled up his sleeve and stared in horror at the writhing slash that ran from his wrist to his elbow. He narrowed his eyes and adjusted his sleeve as Sora woke up while the Angel's words of it being Dolan's official warning swam in his head.

Sora stretched, wincing at the pain. "What happened?"

"You attempted to cook yourself and passed out." Hope explained. "I should've warned you that the wounds of a fire wielder are the wounds of the core so you shouldn't try that again until Dolan removes your wings." "Let's do it now before I lose my nerve." Dolan muttered as he led them towards the house.

Sora rose a brow at the familiar slash on Dolan's wrist and made a mental note to talk to his friend when they were next alone.

Dolan thought about the hauntingly beautiful Angel's words and sighed inwardly; a lot could kill him, a stake through the heart, Holy Water, silver (depending on the amount), decapitation and-

He shuddered, refusing to acknowledge Sora who was walking besides him. Holy Fire.

He walked ahead. The only good thing from the mess is that my suspicions have been confirmed.

Dolan could almost imagine the Angel laughing and guessed that the sound would be on par with the face of its owner; chilling yet beautiful.

"Dolly, we're here." Hope called out when Dolan almost walked past his house.

The younger smiled sheepishly. "My apologies. I mustn't have been paying attention."

As he walked in the house, Sora and Hope exchanged worried glances before following Dolan who was nowhere to be seen.

Sora stopped short at the sight of Maximus wearing a white cloak while sitting on a metallic table draped in white cloth. He smiled at the Angel as he handed Hope a white cloak. "Wynter had a hunch you'd need this."