by Susan Illene
She put away the tiny clothes in a dresser drawer, smoothing her hand over them. It was still hard to believe she’d have a new child to take care of and love. She’d been single and alone for so long. Now, suddenly, her life had changed into something totally unexpected. She was going to be a mother again and needed to be strong. Her child was going to face some difficult obstacles in their life—ones Cori tried hard not to think about as she waited for Bartol’s return—and would need strong parents to protect them.
Gazing around, she had to admit the baby’s room was perfect thanks to her mother. Last Christmas, Joy had painted the walls a pale yellow, put up teal curtains, set up a crib and changing table, and placed a rocking chair in the corner near the window. There was a shelf as well, filled with books and baby toys.
It wasn’t all from her mother, but also from Cori’s sister and other relatives who lived throughout the state of Alaska. They’d been sending packages over the last few weeks or so. Joy was making a big fuss about this new baby and telling everyone who’d listen. It was her way of being supportive of her daughter. Cori appreciated it even as she wished her mother didn’t have to meddle so much. She expected the woman to show up on her doorstep sometime soon as the birth date neared—even though she’d been asked to do the opposite. Cori and Bartol hoped to have some time alone after the baby came to adjust first.
A feeling of warmth flowed through her body, and she turned to find Bartol watching her from the doorway. She hadn’t heard him come into the house. “When did you arrive?”
“A few minutes ago.” He paused, his expression turning concerned. “You didn’t answer the door when I knocked, and it looks like you’ve been crying.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s nothing. Just pregnancy hormones.”
He took a few steps toward her and reached for her hand, gently taking it. “Let’s go talk downstairs.”
Something told her she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. It was in the tone of his voice and the fact that he was touching her without her instigating it first. She pushed down her worries and nodded. He led her down to the living room and waited until she was settled.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked, hovering over her.
Cori narrowed her eyes. “Stop avoiding the subject. Tell me what Lucas and Mel said.”
“I also spoke with Kerbasi and Ariel.”
Her jaw dropped. “You spoke with Kerbasi?”
“He knew of Jeriel.” Bartol ran a hand through his hair. “For our child’s sake, it was necessary to find out all I could—no matter the source.”
In some ways, he could be very protective over Cori and their child. He’d talk to his worst enemy if it helped them. Yet he couldn’t show up to doctor appointments or make the commitment to move into her house. He’d promised back in December he’d work on moving to her place, but it never happened. Bartol thought staying the night occasionally was enough.
“What was the verdict?” she asked.
He averted his face. “They believe we’ve been given the best deal we can hope for and that we should take it.”
Cori struggled to her feet. “What? How could they say that? We’re talking about an innocent baby here who has done nothing wrong, but whose life is going to be controlled for idiotic reasons. That’s bullshit!”
“You should watch your language.” He gave her a reproving look. “The baby might hear you.”
“Do you remember your time in the womb?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then it’s not a problem.” She was too angry to care about anything at the moment except protecting her child’s future.
Bartol worked his jaw. “I don’t like this situation either, but the others made good points. No other parents of nerou have ever been allowed to raise their child to maturity, much less keep them on Earth. We’re getting both, and we’ll still get to visit our son or daughter once they’re working as an enforcer. A century is a long time.” He shuddered, no doubt thinking about the hundred years he’d spent in Purgatory. “But it is not forever, and it could be much worse.”
Cori hugged herself. “Keep in mind that some of us haven’t lived that long yet to compare.”
“I understand this isn’t…” He started pacing the room. “This isn’t easy. Think of it this way, though. You’ll be thirty-two years old later this year, and how much have you seen and done already in your life? Our child will have all that and more before they must work for the angels.”
Bartol was clearly struggling with the decision as well. He didn’t want his child’s fate determined like this any more than Cori did, but he had to act as the voice of reason between them. She understood that. She just didn’t have to like it or go along with it.
“I have considered all of that,” she said, crossing her arms. He’d been gone for a couple of hours, and she’d spent much of it thinking of all the ramifications of Jeriel’s deal. “But there’s something you’re forgetting.”
“What?”
Cori took a deep breath. “Our child will be fifty when they start as an enforcer, and they’ll barely have built up their strength or powers. They’ll have to face supernaturals that will be hundreds or even thousands of years old. What if they’re killed in a fight, or captured and tortured? We’ve seen how terrible some of the sups out there can be.”
Bartol moved closer and grasped her arms, staring deeply into her eyes. “I will do my best to train our son or daughter to fight during the time we have, and with your spirit, we’ll surely produce a child who will strike fear into their enemies’ hearts. Not only that, there is a good chance they will be immortal. Death is one thing we won’t have to worry about.”
“Are you sure?” Cori’s lips trembled. She’d lost one child already, and all she could think about was what if she lost this one as well. “I can’t go through that again.”
“I know,” he said, eyes softening.
“We have to protect this baby no matter what.”
“I agree.” He squeezed her arms. “Which is the reason we must take this offer. We can’t fight a legion of archangels even with all of our allies put together. I’d prefer our child have us than nothing at all. Have you seen the loneliness in the nerou’s eyes whose parents are long dead and they have no one to come see them on visitor’s day?”
She hadn’t, but she could imagine. “That’s so sad.”
“They are the offspring of parents who fought back and look where it got them.”
Bartol had a point, but it didn’t make her feel much better. “So we have to give in to Jeriel’s demands, no bartering? Maybe ask for fifty years instead of one hundred?”
“I doubt he’ll bend on that, but we can try. I’m also going to ask for something else.”
Cori frowned. “What?”
“Assistance from my father.” Bartol let go of her. “If I’m going to kill demons again, I need his help to improve my tracking skills.”
“You think they’ll agree to release him again?” Cori asked, hope flaring. She’d liked Raguel and would love to see him again, especially now with the baby coming.
Bartol nodded. “Ariel believes they will since they need me to be at my best and that will only happen with my father’s assistance.”
It wasn’t much, but the thought of an archangel coming who would be on their side made Cori feel better. Their baby would have two of its grandparents present for its birth. How many other nerou could say that? None, probably. She still didn’t like the idea of her child being forced into a job not of its choosing, but perhaps in the next five decades they could work something else out. She had time to figure a way out of it.
“Do you…” Cori cleared her throat. “Do you think you could spend the night here?”
Bartol stiffened, but then his gaze softened. “I would sleep by your side if that is your wish.”
“What about more than that?” Months had passed since the last time they were intimate, and she was dying to be that close
to him again.
“No.” He gave her a stern look. “You know I won’t risk hurting the baby. You’re both vulnerable now and I’m too strong.”
It was rather frustrating, but she’d tried all her best seduction tricks already with no luck. As soon as her belly started to get big, Bartol had become guarded and distant. He’d give her the occasional hug or caress, but that was it. He was always worried he’d hurt her somehow.
“I’ll take what I can get,” she said, sighing.
He stared at her. “Someday, it will be more.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
He didn’t say anything to that.
Chapter 8
Bartol
It was a long night with Cori crying and Bartol doing his best to console her, but in the end, he’d managed to calm her. While they weren’t happy with the decision to meet Jeriel’s demands, they knew it was best to accept them.
They stood together in his kitchen, hands clasped in solidarity, when the archangel arrived. He was dressed much the same except in a black, button-up shirt this time with a cowboy hat to match. The satisfied expression on his face told them he already knew their answer.
“Glad to see you two aren’t gonna fight this,” he drawled.
Bartol wanted to punch the fake accent right out of the archangel.
Cori stiffened. “How do you know what we’re gonna say?”
“Did I forget to mention spying has been my primary mission for millennia?”
Bartol had guessed Jeriel might know. Archangels could look in on nephilim from afar if they had a reason to do it. That didn’t happen often unless one was under their radar, though. “Then you are aware we wish to negotiate.”
Jeriel nodded. “You can forget changing the one-hundred-year term.”
“But…” Cori began.
“That is as low as it goes, and whether you choose to believe or not, I argued for it only to be a century. They wanted five hundred years.” He tipped his hat. “I’m not without any sympathy.”
Cori’s hand trembled in his, but she said nothing.
“And my father?” Bartol asked, holding his breath. He dearly hoped he could see his sire again and get the assistance he needed against the demons. It tore him up to know Raguel was imprisoned and incapacitated once more, despite the assistance he’d provided several months ago.
“That request I can grant.”
“Truly?” Bartol had thought he’d have to fight harder for it.
“I watched you kill those demons, and you were moving like pond water. Innocent humans die when you take too long, and we need you faster.” Jeriel took a seat on the couch, cocking his leg over the arm. “And there’s that tracking problem.”
“So you’ll allow my father to come here and assist me?”
“They began the waking process last night,” he said, smiling smugly.
Wasn’t he proud of himself for acting ahead of their request? Raguel was in a deep sleep since Heaven couldn’t afford to banish him to Hell the same as they did with all the other fallen angels. He was the only one left created specifically to fight demons. The sleep was so deep, though, that it took time for him to become fully alert and begin regenerating his powers, which were drained as part of the process.
“How thoughtful of you.”
Jeriel gave a careless shrug. “That’s me alright.”
“Wow, you guys don’t waste time,” Cori said, giving him a resentful look. She might have realized they had to accept the terms of the deal, but she still wasn’t going to pretend to be happy about it.
“This is a matter of some urgency. We aren’t fools.”
Cori snorted. “Could have fooled me.”
The archangel arched a brow.
“What are my father’s release terms?” Bartol asked before the archangel could reply to her.
Jeriel dropped his leg and leaned forward. “Raguel has been given one year to assist and train you, as well as help the nerou learn how to control demons when you can’t be there right away.”
From what Bartol understood, the lesser angels weren’t as good or powerful as Raguel, but they’d had similar abilities. They’d been altered for other duties after the Demon War was over and couldn’t do the job anymore.
“What else?”
“You’ll both be under my supervision, so what I say goes.” Jeriel’s expression hardened. “Understood?”
Bartol resisted the urge to kick the archangel in the face. “I get it.”
Cori cleared her throat. “Are there any restrictions on Raguel’s movements?”
“He must stay in Alaska unless directed otherwise, and he should not reveal his true identity to humans. That much should go without saying.” Jeriel stood and moved closer to the front window. “I’ll provide you with a scroll listing all the details and rules when we meet again.”
“What are we supposed to do in the meantime?” Bartol asked.
The archangel shrugged. “If you hear about a demon or I send one of my guys to tell you about one, go kill it.”
“And my father? When will he arrive?”
“Oh, yes, that.” Jeriel snapped his fingers and Raguel appeared on the couch, ashen and bewildered. “He’ll still need some time to recover, but by tomorrow he should be strong enough to start training you. Keep him away from dairy for a while, though.”
Cori drew her brows together. “Why?”
“We’re lactose intolerant.”
“Huh?” She frowned. “Are you joking?”
“Sadly, no. Dairy does terrible things to our digestive systems—worse than what any human might suffer—but most angels don’t eat, so they aren’t aware of it.” He shuddered. “Wouldn’t matter that much if not for ice cream, which is nearly worth the consequences.”
Bartol tucked that information away for future use.
“Ariel has been eating dairy, and so has Kerbasi,” Cori argued.
“She isn’t really an angel anymore, and Kerbasi had digestive issues until he got used to it.” Jeriel chuckled. “He just bore through the discomfort because he likes everything with dairy. Ask Melena how bad his gases were when he first came to Earth.”
“Um, no. I’ll take your word for it.”
“You’re learning already.” He tipped his hat. “Goodbye for now.”
The archangel flashed away.
The moment he was gone, Bartol and Cori rushed to his father’s side. Raguel lay there, gaze glassy and unfocused, but he managed to turn his head in their direction. “Water?”
“Of course.” Bartol hurried to the kitchen and got a glass. When he came back, he gingerly put it in his father’s hand. The archangel sipped at first, then gulped the water down like a man who’d been in the desert for a week without it. He finished the glass in less than twenty seconds.
Handing it back over, Raguel studied his surroundings before focusing on Cori. “I see my grandchild is growing inside of you.”
She beamed. “Less than six weeks to go.”
“I am glad I’ll be here for the birth.” He turned his head toward Bartol. “Why am I here?”
“Didn’t they tell you?”
“They told me a little, but I’d prefer to hear the full account from you,” he replied, rubbing his face. His eyelids were drooping. Even a simple conversation was wearing him out fast.
“That figures.” Cori shook her head. “They just woke him and dumped him. Sorry bastards.”
“You’ve come to help me,” Bartol began.
Raguel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m listening.”
“We didn’t get rid of all the demons as we thought and now the remaining ones are causing trouble.” He stared at his father, drinking in the man he hardly knew but with whom he’d already forged a bond. “They need our help to flush them out.”
The archangel opened his eyes, a look of understanding dawning in them. “You need to learn how to track them.”
“Yes.”
“Th
en we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Chapter 9
Cori
Cori and dozens of others stood in the yard at the nerou compound. It was a sunny day and had gotten about as warm as it would get at two in the afternoon. The interior of Alaska stayed cool in the spring with high temperatures averaging in the upper forties, but everyone there was used to far colder weather. To them, this was a great day to start training.
Bartol wasn’t the only one who would learn how to track demons. The nerou were being given lessons, along with Cori since she’d shown some aptitude for it at the bank a couple of days before. Melena was there as well.
Raguel had spent the last twenty-four hours recovering and regaining some of his strength. He still appeared pale, and his movements were slow, but he looked better than when he first arrived. Right then, he motioned for them to spread out in a wide circle and get into meditation poses. The archangel took a seat at the center. He guided them through a series of breathing exercises that would help them find their inner source of power.
“Search deep within yourselves,” Raguel said in a deep, low voice.
Cori closed her eyes and felt her baby kick. She had no idea how she was going to concentrate. Her mind raced a mile a minute these days with preparations for becoming a mother. She wanted to succeed at this training, but it wasn’t easy while pregnant.
“Send your senses out as far as you can make them go,” Raguel continued. “Ignore the barrier and push past it.”
In another life, he could have totally been a yoga instructor.
Next to Cori, Melena gasped. She opened her eyes and glanced over at her friend. The sensor was staring off in the distance, past the compound fence, and into the woods. Something was out there and the person with the strongest abilities of them all had found it. Following Melena’s example and the direction she looked, Cori gritted her teeth. If something were out there, she would find it as well. Pregnant or not, she needed to know how to sense demons from afar if she wanted to protect herself and her baby from them—or at least to know when to run.
She forced all other thoughts from her mind and focused. A dark, niggling sensation touched her mind. She couldn’t quite grasp it, but something was definitely out there. Raguel continued his instructions, and she listened to them closely. Seeing auras had been easy since ingesting Melena’s blood, but detecting people out of sight was much harder. In the past few months, the most she’d managed was finding traces of supernatural signatures within a couple of dozen feet. This test was much farther.