“I promise. This is a lot to take in, and I need some time to think about it before I can explain properly.”
“I understand.” She nodded solemnly.
Harbinger stared down at her dead body. Her skin darkened, her eyes turned brown, and her hair grew shorter and curly once again. “I didn’t remember who I was until just now, either. But I do like this aspect. I experienced much as Harbinger.” She still spoke with the English accent. She put a hand to her throat, and when she pulled it away, a small dove charm hung from a chain. “I think I will keep this. To remember Miriam.”
I stood. “Nothing more to be done here. Let’s get back to Heaven. We need to find Serinh.” I looked to Harbinger for agreement, and she nodded. “All right. Let’s go.”
I took the arm of each human.
“Before we plunge forward,” said Harbinger. “I want to spend some time in the Nexus. Just an hour or so? It’s been so long. I haven’t been back since the Source sent me to Voctic.”
“Then let’s go there first.” It was a good idea. I had a lot to talk to the Source about. Several decades’ worth. Why have I run from It for all these years?
“Be kind to yourself,” said Harbinger. Chana looked up at me with doleful eyes.
We faded from the brothel, leaving behind Harbinger’s former life.
The Nexus buzzed with the usual crowd, and the Source’s presence weighed heavily in my mind. Several Cherubim sat near where we faded in, but they got up and moved into the Orchestra as we solidified. I guided my group to the vacated cushions and settled us down.
Chana gazed around with wide eyes. Attendants laughed across the circle, and the Orchestra played a light, airy tune. I’d only brought her here a couple times over the past year, and for that, I was ashamed.
“It’s so loud,” she said. “Not them, though. The voice in my head.”
The Source’s presence did indeed seem loud today, but I’d been ignoring It for so long that Harbinger’s admonishment earlier perhaps made it seem even more prominent. Welcome home, It said. I’m glad you’re back.
I’m sorry I haven’t visited more often. I’m sorry I haven’t been… better.
Harbinger stretched out on a cushion, and Chana’s eyes closed. I stood and walked from them, needing a moment to myself. I was going to cry again. I just knew it.
No need to apologize, said the Source. What is time to Me but an eye blink? You’re always welcome here.
The happy sounds of the Nexus faded from my awareness as I focused on the Source’s presence, omniscient and looming like a vast ocean that passed far beyond my awareness. I flapped toward the beam of light in the center, hovering as I always did when I was trying to contain my emotions.
The birthing bowl glittered on top of the marble pillar. Only five short years ago, the Source had created Chana here. Before, she’d been but a tiny part of the Source, bits of her spread throughout It, mingling, perhaps, with those who had fallen before.
What do you want of me? I asked.
I want you to listen.
I listened.
A soft chuckle echoed in my mind. Not now. When the time comes. Just as Harbinger said, trust yourself and you’ll find your fate.
What about Chana?
What about her?
I wasn’t sure what I was asking. Although I was supposed to be the teacher, I’d never felt superior to her. Despite her childlike demeanor, something ancient and earnest lurked inside her soul—a being far more intelligent and intuitive than I. Who is she?
A Dominion.
I knew without asking that I wouldn’t get anything more out of the Source.
I landed by the bowl and reached out a finger to trace across the delicate edge. But something caught my eye.
Below my feet was the polished marble floor. But that wasn’t right. I was right next to the beam. The floor at the center of the Nexus was etched with all the symbols of power that the Source claimed. None of it was smooth. Every bit was filled with the representation of Its ability to affect life on Earth.
I stepped back to survey where I was standing, and my stomach dropped when I realized what was missing.
Every single iteration of the swastika—the left-facing and the right-facing, the symbols with four legs and the symbols with eight, the ones with dots between the spines and the ones without—had been wiped clean from the marble. The symbols surrounding them had been left untouched, but the floor in front of me was pristine and smooth.
CHAPTER 11
We stood in front of the Council of Seraphim, but for the first time, I wasn’t afraid they were about to rain down punishment upon me. I’d never been privy to their inner workings, and hearing each speak in turn, rather than simply the Praetor issuing decrees, was odd. They sat around the horseshoe table, addressing one another and paying us no mind.
Harbinger stood to my left, and Chana stood to my right, the former composed and the latter looking from angel to angel as though watching a sporting match. A shroud hung over the Orb of Seeing. I’d lifted a corner when the Council had first convened only to discover the clouds within were now dark gray instead of their usual pink.
“Of course we mustn’t abandon our previous Cornerstone. We spent many years preparing Adolf,” said Parsiel. “But we must take into consideration the influence Asorat has over him and his people. Even if he’s not completely compromised, we’ve instilled in him a need for counsel, and that could be our undoing.”
“I didn’t say you said we should abandon him. I simply don’t believe you’ve realized the implications of what you’re suggesting.” Xanor was an original Council member. Her black-and-white outlook was at odds with her new responsibilities over the Cherubim, and she was clearly not convinced of the Dominions’ accelerated abilities. “We’ve never introduced a Cornerstone so quickly. Do you remember the events of 400 BCE? We made a decision that we would never again do so without at least a century of preparation. Despite our advances with the Dominions, she’s simply not ready yet. What you’re suggesting is to thrust this—this child,” she stabbed a finger at Chana, “into a war without any knowledge of the future.”
“And that is our greatest issue,” said Serinh.
This was the first time she’d spoken since convening the Council. The Seraphim resettled themselves as they peered at her with perturbed expressions.
“We don’t know what the future holds. The Orb of Seeing is clouded. We can no longer see more than six months in the future. We only have a few years to prepare. Even that could be too long to stop whatever is coming. By then, we could have lost the war. We can’t afford to take any longer.”
“Thank you for your input,” Parsiel flicked his wings in a decidedly annoyed manner, “but we have had enough of it for one demonic incursion. Now, if we could get back to the matter at hand—”
Serinh rose to her feet. “I am the Praetor, and I will not be disrespected! You and I are the same rank in Heaven, installed by the same Source! We must make decisions together, not argue about past mistakes.”
Dariat, the Muse Seraph, giggled a lyrical laugh. “Past mistakes? This one is still going on, and has been for quite a while.” He, like most of the other six original Council members, had deliberated the most. The three newer members didn’t speak against Serinh as the others did, but neither did they defend her.
As they argued, Chana leaned over to me. “Are they always like this?”
“No,” I said. “I’ve never seen them like this before. They’re bickering like a women’s quilting circle.”
Amusement made my mouth twitch, but it was so out of place that I cocked my head to the side in confusion. It almost felt as though I was laughing in response to my own quip.
And then I realized: I wasn’t laughing; Chana was.
Somehow, I was picking up Chana’s emotions.
Before I could process this realization—how long had this been going on?—Harbinger stepped forward. “Excuse me! Excuse me! I need to say something.”
Par
siel had risen to his feet and was pointing at Serinh. He lowered his hand. “Yes?”
“If I may.” Harbinger spread her hands. “I appreciate that you’ve given us the honor of witnessing history in the making, and I would be flattered if you consider my opinions. Now, Adolf Hitler is, as you say, compromised as a Cornerstone. As the Nephil operatives have uncovered, he’s creating a manifesto of sorts and will soon announce the swastika as his new political parties’ symbol of power. It appears that he will indeed unite Germany and raise them out of the hardships you’ve created in the Great War, but perhaps at a greater cost than you intended. That is what you have determined, is it not?”
Serinh pressed her lips together and nodded.
“Having a Cornerstone in place, even one who is not fully prepared, is better than having none at all. Besides, you will, of course, be creating additional contingency plans. I imagine you’ll be marshaling forces to strike back against Asorat and remove the symbol from where they’ve hidden it?”
“Yes, of course.” Parsiel’s look said it was the first he’d thought of it.
Heppeliam grunted. “I have the Nephilim well in hand. We began drawing up war plans before Asorat even set foot in the Hall of Mirrors.” I appreciated his small defiance to the elder Seraph who’d answered on his behalf.
“You are quite wise, esteemed Seraphim, quite wise indeed. The future of Heaven and Earth is in good hands.”
Harbinger said all this without a trace of irony in her voice, but I stifled a chuckle.
“After communing at length with the Source, Chana and I respectfully request permission to report to the Incarnation Planning floors at once, so that we might begin a plan for proceeding to Earth. I will require very little time to create an Incarnation Plan, for my sole purpose will be to lay the foundation for Chana’s proper upbringing as a Cornerstone. The time between my incarnation and hers can be spent preparing her.”
Parsiel returned to his chair, but Xanor rose. “Child, did you not hear what I said? This is not done. I estimate we need at least fifty years’ preparation based on the average growth rate of all Dominions. What you’re suggesting is less than half that much.”
Chin held high, Harbinger stared. She’d kept her white hair, which served her grave countenance well. Under her gaze, the Seraph sat.
“I am not a child,” said Harbinger. “I have lived over one hundred lifetimes, recovered from a drawn-out spiritual assault, and been instrumental in bringing peace to a deeply troubled soul.”
Voctic. She’s speaking of Voctic.
“I will not be condescended to, nor will I stand for my contributions being dismissed. I am a human, and you are talking of the human realm. I have as much say as any of you here. Possibly more.”
“Yes, me too!” shouted Chana.
As she stepped forward, I grabbed onto her tunic and pulled her back to my side. “Not the time,” I murmured.
A hush fell over the room for the first time since we’d entered an hour prior, as all nine Seraphim regarded the human who dared speak to one of their members in such a manner. Parsiel glared, Serinh smiled, and Xanor huffed. Waht studied her fingernails, Heppeliam wore a pensive look, and Quii rocked in her chair as though she would leap up and call for civility, as she’d done earlier. Dariat drummed a beat on the table, Gamsior looked confused, and Iztar wore an unreadable expression.
Serinh said, “I move for a vote. All in favor of doing as Harbinger says, say ‘aye.’”
Seven of the nine, including Serinh and Parsiel, said, “Aye.”
“All those opposed?”
Xanor and Iztar, the quiet Keeper Seraph who’d said nothing prior to this, said, “Nay.”
“Motion passes. Humans, you are dismissed to begin your Incarnation Planning. We have no time to waste. Harbinger, no longer than a year should pass before you proceed to Earth, and less, if it can be managed. You have much work to do to prepare for raising Chana under the correct conditions to forge a Cornerstone.”
“Yes, Praetor.” Harbinger bowed low and rose again.
Excitement washed over me, so blatantly Chana’s that I wondered how I’d missed it before. All those times my feelings had seemed just slightly off in her presence—those weren’t mine. Those were hers. I replayed the last several years. Even during our first meeting, the apprehension, the childlike glee—that was how she was feeling, not me.
Here was not the place to talk about it, though. Harbinger took Chana by the arm and headed toward the Transportation Room. Quickly, I turned to follow, but Serinh said, “Stay, Enael.”
My fear of having punishment rained down returned. What did I do this time?
As the humans stepped from the room, Harbinger said to Chana, “Now, tell me what you know about this conflict. I think we should select someone from the race that Adolf’s people hate the most. Which one is likely to bear the brunt of their attack?”
“I can see him waging war against the countries that lead the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, but I have a feeling that he’ll also bring hardships to foreigners within his homeland.” When Chana spoke with her knowledge of history and the Cornerstones, the child fell away and the brilliant, knowledgeable woman surfaced. As she’d pointed out at the Treaty of Versailles, she made connections that Engineers failed to see. The future would be in good hands. “The Jews are most likely because he’s spoken about how their immigration is the root of some of Germany’s problems. But it’s possible that another group will end up—”
Their conversation cut off as the doors closed.
“Enael,” said Serinh.
The nine Seraphim were once again all seated, faces composed, golden wings at rest. The argument of a few moments prior seemed forgotten.
“What do you wish of me, Praetor?” While once that might have been sarcastic, now I was hopeful. I didn’t know how well I’d prepared Chana, but it seemed that her training under me was done. She had much to do, and the Engineers would take over from here.
“We appreciate the work you’ve done with our future Cornerstone. You have guided her well. Although the Council was skeptical at first, your idea of bringing her to major historical events has augmented her studies superbly. She is quite adept at human history, and we are proud of her—and your—accomplishments.”
Pride swelled within me, even as I wondered what would be coming next.
“You have an impressive amount of experience as a Guardian, and we would like to offer you the option of returning to Earth when Chana incarnates.”
Where once my heart may have sunk, I now buzzed with excitement. I’d been a Guardian for so many years, and during that time, I’d wanted something different, something important. Now it seemed that my experience would serve me well. I could be a Guardian and do something important.
“Yes, Praetor. I would like that.”
“Please, let me finish. You also have the option to rejoin your squad and become part of the war effort. Indeed, if you choose to proceed to Earth with Chana, that is what you will do until she incarnates. Your Archangel is amenable to your rejoining the ranks and will take a firmer stance than her predecessor that her squad members treat you with respect.”
To his credit, Heppeliam didn’t give any indication her comments bothered him.
“Will I be assigned a partner?”
“Yes,” she said. “If you need some time to think on it, please take it. This is an important decision. As the only Source-made Cornerstone, we need you to—”
“I want to guard Chana.” I interrupted before she could launch into a long-winded lecture on how important I was to the future of Heaven. I’d heard enough of those for one eternal lifetime. “In the meantime, I will rejoin my brigade.”
“Are you certain? Do you need time in the Nexus to meditate on it?”
I didn’t need to meditate on it. “Yes, I’m certain. I’ll study with Chana, I’ll stay focused, and I’ll get along with my squad mates.” As an afterthought, I added, “Thank you, Praetor.”
Her smile glittered gold. “Then it will be so. Please report to Umiet on the twentieth floor. Tell her the decision the Council has made regarding Harbinger, Chana, and yourself.”
I stepped toward the Transportation Room.
“Oh, and Enael, we trust that you’ll keep the discussion you witnessed to yourself. This is a pivotal point in history, and we mustn’t let others think the Council is still divided. Not after what happened with the other Seraphim.”
“Yes, of course, Praetor.”
CHAPTER 12
Between the skirmishes my brigade fought against Asorat’s army, I attended the Foresight Sessions with Harbinger and Chana. Based on their knowledge of Adolf’s proclivities, they decided that Harbinger would incarnate as a Jewish immigrant mother. She would marry another old soul early and become pregnant at seventeen—unusual in that time and place, but not unheard of. They would raise Chana together, who would rally her people around her to rise up against Adolf’s government and crush whatever plans he had for stirring up trouble in Europe. The father was expendable—though, of course, we’d do everything we could to keep him alive.
The Engineers tolerated me better than the Nephilim did or even the Tenders who’d been under my charge when I was raising Chana. They valued my experience as a Guardian and used my knowledge of how the human mind was constructed, which I’d acquired as a Reaper. Between the Foresight Sessions and the fights in Germany to beat back Asorat’s demons one household at a time, I felt like I was contributing something useful to Heaven for the first time since I’d earned my wings back.
About three months into the Incarnation Planning, I was lying in the Nexus when a chime sounded in my mind, somewhere between the short staccato of a summons to guard a new human and the long bell that called me when my squad was sent out to fight.
My new partner had been assigned.
I hurried to the Praetorium, which was sparkling black in the afternoon sunlight. A Nephil standing by the door with her squad mates made a joke, and the group erupted in laughter. An Engineer pushed past them, glaring, and I held open the door for him before letting myself in.
Warring Angel Page 6