by Mary Ting
Dom cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. “I had things to do. I couldn’t be bothered with a little brat who had no respect for elders.”
I glared at him, but didn’t intervene. Liana could hold her own. In fact, she would be mad at me had I stepped in.
“But...but you were there. I saw you. I winked at you, remember?” Paymon tipped his head sideways, looking confused.
Liana shook her head, like a mother scolding her child. “First, you really need a bath. Second, shave off that beard. Third, get your eyes checked. At least your human eyes, since demon eyes are perfect. Fourth, sober up. I wouldn’t want you to see things and accuse others of being somewhere they weren’t.” She winked. “Now, I must get back to my duties. If you feel like it, come join me.” She kissed Paymon on the cheek and rose. “Father?”
Atta girl. I knew she wouldn’t disappoint me.
“You may go.” I gave her a nod with a pleased smile.
Paymon peered up at Liana, his forehead creasing. “But...I saw you. You looked right at me.”
Liana patted Paymon on his head as if to console a whiny child. “You just thought you saw me. It’s okay.”
“Clever child. She knows how to lie. She’s got daddy all wrapped up,” Dom said, twisting our family crest engraved ring on his finger.
I parted my lips to speak and so did Liana when Oni and Micah rushed in.
“Malum. Uh...Dom. Paymon,” Micah began but stopped.
Oni and Micah looked shocked, probably that we were all three in one room and not at each other’s throats.
“What is it?” Patience had run out and I was in no mood to be nice.
They both kneeled and dipped their heads lower.
Not a good sign. What now?
“The watchers have Enoch’s mother,” Oni said.
“And? We are supposed to care?” Dom scoffed and flicked lint off his polished dress shoe.
Idiot. He had no idea. I wished I could staple Oni’s mouth together.
“Bastards.” I punched my desk as a growl escaped from my throat. “They were supposed to bring Enoch to us. They went behind our backs. Watchers will use her as bait. They will force him to...Wait. If Uriel remembers who he is, he won’t open the book unless he knows for sure he could bring the archangels back. But if he can’t remember, then we have no problem. He wouldn’t know how to open it, unless...”
“I’ve been informed the watchers demand the book,” Micah said.
“Unless Enoch gave the book to the watchers,” I finished after Micah, rubbing the back of my neck. “But none of the watchers can open the book.”
So many options. Did we wait and see what happened? Go to the battle ground and pick a side? If watchers won and we fought against them, we were dead. If we fought alongside them, we were dead anyway. If archangels won, we would be forced to hide—if they didn’t catch us to send us back to our realm to live in darkness for eternity. If we helped the archangels, would they consider letting us stay in this world? I doubted it.
“What do we do?” Paymon seemed to sober up, concern filling his voice.
“We do nothing,” Dom said. “Better to stay away. Let them handle it. We’ll deal with the mess afterward. My lovely witches are on their way. Watchers have no idea who they are dealing with.”
“Witches?” Paymon’s face lit up. “They still exist?”
Dom sighed through his nose and waved a hand. “I’m not explaining again. Ask Malum for the story.”
I considered everyone’s words, but mostly I went with my gut instinct. It had guided me in the right direction so far. “Micah. Oni. Spread the word not to get involved. Tell them if I hear of anyone disobeying my order, they cease to be under my protection. We need to stay low. Micah, do you know if NU is informed of this news?”
“I believe so. If they weren’t, they will know now. Enoch’s mother is well known in their community. Someone will report her missing, if not Enoch.”
I rubbed at my temples, a headache forming. I knew this scenario was a possibility, but I hadn’t predicted it would happen so soon. I felt at a loss.
“What now, Dom?” I asked.
Dom’s malicious black eyes widened and a wicked grin spread his face. “Aren’t you glad I’m back, little brother? Good timing on my part, don’t you think?”
“Stop gloating and get to the point.” I glanced to the packed dance floor filled with humans and demons, clueless about the events unfolding. Then I thought about my business and all the clubs I had set up around the world. I’d worked so hard to build my empire, and to think that I might have to forfeit it all...I mustn’t think too far.
Change was inevitable. How one dealt with change defined one’s character. I had survived decades and centuries, and no matter my fate, I would prevail. My family would prevail.
I supposed I had no choice. Locking up Dom was no longer my plan—surviving the possible war was.
“Let me tell you my plan,” Dom said.
His warm charming grin invited us to listen. Like always, I gave in.
Chapter 26
Plan of Rescue
Uriel
We buried Mayra and then we went back to our apartment to look under the angel statues. Under one of the angels was the code to the vault, like Mayra had mentioned, and the others were words. Words that didn’t make sense. Then we went to St. Thomas to find Samyaza. I needed answers and I had no idea where the cemetery was.
“You can’t just barge in, Uriel. Father Sam is in mass.” Jonah guided me to the side by a tree. “I know your urgency, but we have to think things through.”
I shoved my face into my palm and breathed. In and out. In and out. “Human emotions are too powerful. I am reacting before I can think things through. Enoch must have been impulsive.”
Jonah arched his brow. “Yeah. And he slept with a lot of girls.”
“What?”
“Enoch? What the hell you doing here?”
I turned to the annoying sound of an angry woman. A girl with long, light brown hair stormed toward me.
What do I do? Say hello? Wave? Apologize, but for what?
“Oh no.” Jonah shook his head. “Get ready. She’s a slapper.”
“What?” I didn’t understand why she would be mad at me. “Slapper?”
My face whipped to the side. And though I felt a hint of sting on my cheek, it felt like a feather touch. Now that I got my body back, a slap was nothing.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up.”
I flexed my jaw and did a once over her nice body. “Excuse me. Do I know you?”
Jonah pushed me back, as if to protect me. “He’s not well, Dani. He hit his head.” He mouthed something to her that was supposed to calm her, but she snarled instead.
“It wasn’t me,” I blurted out. “I didn’t sleep with you.”
Jonah inhaled a deep breath and shook his head. “He didn’t mean that. He can’t remember.” He pointed to his head. “Injury.”
Dani bared her teeth and flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “Good. He deserved it.”
Dani. I should have dug into Enoch’s memory sooner. Images of Enoch and her flooded. He had broken up with her.
“Why are you out? Is mass over?” Jonah asked.
“None of your business. I’m leaving.” Dani sped to the parking lot.
“Don’t tell me. I remember.” I glanced up at the thick gray sky. Rain would come soon. “Enoch had a one-night stand with her.”
“Yeah, apparently so. It’s complicated. And please, never say ‘I didn’t sleep with you’ to a girl when you clearly did.”
“But I didn’t.”
“I know. I know.” He raked his hair back. “It was Enoch, but you look like Enoch, and she doesn’t know you’re Uriel.”
“I’m sorry,” I said suddenly. “I didn’t know Mayra, and it seems like Enoch didn’t know her well either, but she was your friend. She died to keep Enoch’s mother safe. I feel horrible.”
“It�
�s what we do. We protect people. She did not die in vain. She died with honor and dignity. Marcus is a powerful watcher. Only someone like you could take him on. She had no chance.”
I nodded solemnly, but it didn’t make things easier, even when I understood.
People came out of the church. Many smiled. Some looked relived to be out of there. Others mingled and laughed, and a handful went to their cars.
After ten minutes, we went inside. Samyaza stood behind the altar and shot a glance at me as I walked down the aisle. He had to have known I waited the whole time.
“How can I help you, Enoch? Have you come to tell me what I want to hear?” Samyaza gestured toward the wall. “Shall we go to confession?”
“Cut the crap, Father Sam. Tell me where Enoch’s mother is.” I stopped at the first pew.
He raised his brow and came toward me. “Is that a way to speak to a holy man?”
“You’re not holy.” I gripped him by the collar and yanked him to my face. “Tell me where Enoch’s mother is or I’ll break your neck.”
He clucked his tongue. “Such temper. You’re going to have to confess you assaulted a priest.” Then his eyes grew wider. “Enoch’s mother? You’re…E…wait…Uriel? You know.”
I lifted him, a foot off the ground. “I do. I also know my strength so answer me.”
Samyaza looked so happy. “This is great. Now we can get things done. Took you long enough.”
I snarled. “I’m going to count to three. One...”
“I’m not sure why you’re asking me. I know she was taken, but I didn’t do it.”
“Two...”
His face twisted into desperation. “You saw with your own eyes. Marcus took her.”
I twisted his collar until his face turned red.
“How do you know that? Were you there? Were you one of the demons?”
“I wasn’t. I swear it.” His voice strangled. “Mayra—”
When I released him, he staggered back, bringing his hand to his bruised neck.
Jonah blinked, and then his features paled. “What about Mayra? She’s dead. We buried her.”
Sam adjusted his cassock and brushed his hand down the sleeves. “Mayra was a watcher spy. She told Marcus that Enoch is Uriel and led them to Enoch’s house. How do you think they got there so fast?”
“Liar!”
I coiled my arms around Jonah’s chest from behind. He twisted and lunged, and would not relent.
“Calm down, Jonah,” I said.
“You’re lying. Mayra would never...She was my friend.”
“Stop.”
My command startled Jonah. When he relaxed his muscles, I released him.
“You can’t believe him.” Jonah’s voice cracked.
“I know.” I stepped in front of Jonah the way he had to protect me. “Continue, Samyaza.”
Samyaza raised his chin and squared his shoulders. “I have a spy in Marcus’s court. This demon told me Mayra has been feeding Marcus news of Enoch. Marcus didn’t trust Mayra at first, but when she proved her loyalty, that changed. She figured out Jonah was Enoch’s protector, so she cozied up to Jonah.”
Jonah paced, lacing his fingers through his hair and cursing. “Why? Why would she do such a thing? I trusted her.”
“She only entered your life recently, did she not?” Samyaza asked.
“What does that got to do with it?” Jonah paced faster.
His racing heart echoed in my ear. I felt sorry for him. Seeing your best friend die in front of you was the worst, but finding out your best friend was a traitor, it can’t get any worse.
“Everything, Jonah. Let’s face it. She used you.”
“What was her motive?” His words gritted through his teeth, his fingers flexing as if getting ready to punch him.
“She thought if the Book of Watchers was to be opened, the rest of the original watchers would be resurrected. She despised them so much, she would to do anything to make sure that never happened. That meant getting rid of Enoch. Only...she didn’t foresee Marcus’s plan to kill her. He wants the originals to rise.”
Fast as lightning, I pulled out my sword and pinned it to his neck. “Why didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t you warn us about Mayra?”
He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bopping once. “Because I just found out from my source. Besides, would you have believed me if I had told you?”
“What do you want, Samyaza? You were there when we all died.”
“Yes, I was there, but if you can recall, I left before you opened the book. So I only know what has been rumored for the past century.”
I considered his words, brought down my sword and looked at Jonah. “It’s true. He left before I opened the book.” I needed to confirm before Jonah flipped out again.
“I need air.”
Jonah rushed out, and my heart filled with stones.
“He’ll get over it. He’s been through worse. We all have.”
I peered up the high simple ceiling and then to the stained glass window, painted with the stages of Jesus’ life from birth to death.
“Now what? What do we do?” I said. “How do I save Enoch’s mother?”
“She should be your last concern, Uriel. Tell me. Do you plan to open the book?”
I regarded him for a long moment, debating whether I could trust him. “I don’t know.”
I really didn’t. The book didn’t come with instructions or rules. If I opened it, there was no guarantee archangels would rise, the outcome I desperately wanted.
“I suggest you make your decision fast. And you might not have a choice.”
“Marcus told me to meet at the burial site by tomorrow midnight. I don’t remember where it is, but you do.” I wanted to keep Samyaza in the dark and make my own decisions without his influence, but running out of time, I had no choice but to ask.
“Then let’s go.” He sounded too eager.
“Before we go, we need a plan.” Jonah marched in. The angry and hurt person who had walked out came back focused.
Good. I knew I could count on Jonah.
“Share. I’m listening,” I said.
Chapter 27
Something Fishy
Keira
Something in the air smelled fishy. Not the fish smell kind, but different. Bacon and eggs. Food? I sprinted out of bed, put a robe on, and dashed to the kitchen.
“Ezekiel? You cooked breakfast?”
“Sorry. Did I wake you? It’s time to rise and shine and eat. Yes. I cooked your favorite and I felt like eating this morning.” His smile reached his eyes.
I felt his love in that simple grin. It had been a while since I’d seen him smile like he was genuinely happy, and it had felt like forever since he cooked a meal. I wondered what was up.
“Sit. Eat. I’m going to the station first and then I’ll meet you at the institute.” After he took a last bite of his eggs, he placed the dish inside the sink and ran water over it.
“I’m going to Enoch’s apartment first with Daniel. So, we’re going to be a bit late. We’re just going to go look.” I added the last sentence when his features began to wrinkle. “We spoke about this last night. Remember our plan?”
As if a lightbulb had switched on, he finally said, “That’s right. Observe and that’s all. Hurry back.”
“Yes, captain.” I snorted and shoved a strip of bacon in my mouth. “Thanks for breakfast.”
“Someone has to be responsible.” He chuckled and his smile mirrored my own.
After Ezekiel left, I finished breakfast and met Daniel downstairs. He drove us to Enoch’s apartment, and we waited in the parked car with binoculars.
“It doesn’t seem like anyone is in there?” I focused the binoculars to the window on the fourth level, second to the right.
Daniel didn’t bother to look. He scrolled through his phone and texted someone. “Maybe they’re still sleeping.”
“Fine,” I breathed. “What if they’ve already left for the rendezvous point?”
Daniel took a sip of coffee from his to-go mug and set it back in the cup holder. “You know how they are. They don’t do evil things during the day. I’m pretty sure what’s about to go down won’t happen until night fall. But I’m not sure which evening. So we just stay here and wait, as you suggested in your plan.”
I twisted my lips to the side, trying to get a closer view. My heart lurched from excitement when the shutters shifted. “Someone is there.”
“Why are you whispering?” Daniel asked, focusing his binoculars.
“Because...” I paused when a hand—no, something bigger stuck out between the blinds. “I have no idea.”
I jerked back when an ugly, monstrous face appeared. “Did you see that?”
“Yeah. I think we should go help.”
As soon as I got out of the car, a chair flew out of Enoch’s window. Then more loud noises echoed as if furniture was thrown about. We soared up the stairs and halted by the broken door, and exchanged a wary glance. Then silent, so still only the low whistle of the breeze hummed.
A low, guttural snarl echoed out the hall. The chunk of wall burst beside us. A claw gripped Daniel and yanked him inside. I ran into a scene of broken things everywhere and a handful of demons staring at me. One held Daniel in a chokehold.
The dining table, broken in half, blocked my way, and books and trinkets from the fallen bookcase lay scattered about.
One of Daniel’s hands slowly moved behind his back. I needed to stall the demons to give him time without making it obvious.
“Why are you here?” I pulled my weapon from my back pocket and hit the trigger to turn it into a sword.
The demons flinched. All demons were aware of NU swords. Even without the sunlight, the swords shimmered like sparkling crystal.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” the one holding Daniel said. “Go away and we won’t gut you. Your friend, on the other hand...We need a snack. Run—”