The Dragon's Descent by Laurice Elehwany Molinari Page A

turned to Raziel—“don’t you know everything in your book? Couldn’t you just rewrite it?”
    â€œNo. I have no recollection of what is written in the book. The memory of its contents was taken from me,” he humbly admitted.
    Uriel looked to Raziel, his eyes full of empathy.
    â€œIs there anything in particular that Lucifer wants from the book?” Pax asked, pushing up the bridge of his glasses.
    â€œYes. It’s the list of humans yet to be born that most interests him. I explained this to Vero earlier, but there is a child to be born. A child who will do much good in the world and lead many souls back to God,” Uriel said. “This child is very important to God’s plan for mankind. If Lucifer learns the name of this child, he will stop at nothing to prevent him from reaching maturity.”
    â€œWho is the child?” Kane asked.
    â€œWe don’t know,” Raphael answered. “We have told you everything we learned.”
    â€œBut his name is written in the book. And Lucifer knows that,” Raziel said, and Vero had never seen the archangel look so dejected.
    â€œBut why is Vero the one who must find the book?” Kane asked. “He’s only a fledgling. Why wouldn’t God want full-fledged angels or you guys?” Kane looked at the three archangels.
    â€œKane, we don’t question God’s will,” Uriel said. “Vero has been given the gifts needed to find the book.”
    â€œOf course. Vero,” Kane said with a slight tinge of envy in his voice.
    â€œYes, Vero,” Uriel repeated, “and all of you must do whatever is necessary to help him succeed.” As Uriel said this, he studied Kane with some concern.
    Vero looked down, almost embarrassed. Raphael placed his hand on Vero’s shoulder. “Don’t ever be ashamed of what God has given you. Everybody gets exactly what they need.”
    Vero nodded.
    â€œWhat does the book look like?” Pax asked. “How will we recognize it?”
    â€œThere are many rumors, but we don’t know for sure,” Raphael said.
    â€œBut Raziel, you have to at least know what the book looks like.” Pax looked eagerly at him.
    Raziel sadly shook his head.
    â€œWe will help you in every way we can,” Raphael said. “Don’t be afraid to ask us. We want you to succeed.”
    Raziel stepped dangerously closer to the fledglings. “We need you to succeed.”

9

    SEVERE BEASTS
    V ero, X, Pax, Kane, and Greer tried to keep pace with Ada, who beelined toward the library with arms swinging by her side.
    â€œSlow down,” Greer yelled to Ada. “The book’s been out there for thousands of years. What are a few more minutes?”
    Ada didn’t answer. She instead walked up the steps to the library two at a time and went inside. Standing in the great library, Vero wished he had sunglasses—not that he had any choice in what he wore to the Ether. Bright light shone through the windows, creating a blinding glare off the stark-white walls, ceiling, floor, tables, and benches. Shading his eyes, Vero saw thousands and thousands of scrolls stacked from floor to ceiling. After walking past several stacks, he and his friends found seats on benches around a stone table.
    â€œYou remember how this works? Right?” Ada asked the group.
    â€œYeah,” X said.
    Vero recalled the first time he had been in the library. They had been looking to do research on unicorns, but none of the fledglings had known how to locate the scroll they needed. And suddenly, just at the mere thought of the mystical creatures, an ancient scroll had separated from all the others on the shelves, flown into the air, and landed on a table before them. When they unrolled the parchment, a teeny tiny unicorn had materialized and flown into Pax’s ear and out the other! The information they had needed soared directly into his head, and the knowledge of unicorns