I roll my eyes. “I was just speaking to the Angel of Truth. Shouldn’t she be the one not lying?” I think she is the one lying but I’m not ready to say that out loud yet.
“There are many ways to tell the truth, Xandra,” Ray chimes in.
Funny, I thought there was only one way. “What do you mean?”
“A truth told out of context is still a truth.”
Alright, I buy that. “So, you’re saying that Armaita was telling me the truth but told it out of context. Like what?”
“That your destiny was changed and the reasons she gave for that,” Raziel says over the wind that’s picking up, trying to blow us off from this rock. I think we’re in the middle of the ocean somewhere so the water down there will be pretty cold.
I look at him skeptically. “If what Armaita said is true, then you were responsible for changing my destiny of greatness. I’m not seeing the gray area here. It’s either true or it isn’t.”
“That part is true, yes. I am the one responsible for changing your destiny. It is the reason why that Armaita never understood.”
“Raziel, you know you’re being really irritating, right? Just spell it out for me so I can go back and save my family.” He sighs but it’s hardly audible over the wind. I grab onto a piece of jagged rock because any second now, I’m going to be blown off. I wonder if this is an old volcano or something.
“As I said before, I am afraid of swaying your choices,” he says.
What a cheap cop out. “Are you serious? You’ve already changed my destiny; how much more damage could you do by telling me why you did it?”
“Raziel, please,” Ray says, “Answer the girl. Time is a commodity right now.” Glad somebody else is thinking rationally.
Raziel turns his puppy dog sad eyes to me and begins to speak. “Armaita was telling the truth about most of it. She believes that she was telling the truth about why it happened, which is why she is able to speak it. If she was to tell a lie, she would parish.” Well, that’s not the way to make me believe him over her. “Your great grandmother did fear you and she was wise to do so. If you had not been raised among humans, do you think you would you feel so charitable towards them? Would you respect them for their cunning and their courage? Would you respect any of the magical beings you would have had dominion over? One cannot be a successful leader if there is no compassion, no love for the ones you govern. You would have been omnipotent without those vital necessities. Power like that easily corrupts, especially if combined with omniscience. The universe relies on free will, but you would have had the power to take that away on a whim. I am omniscient, Xandra. I know what would have been and what will be. You would have become the same sad being that I am. I didn’t change your destiny so that I could be the only one like this; I changed it because I wanted to save you from the same fate.
“The most important reason why your destiny was changed was that you deserved a better one. This path you are on now is the path you need to walk to find love and joy and compassion. You are still one of the most powerful beings in existence, and as your Angel magic slowly struggles to be free, you will mature into a power greater than all but a handful of others. But here, you are not trapped in the loneliness and despair that I am. You do not carry the knowledge of the universe, its claws sunk so deep into you that you feel the pain of every tragedy, every natural disaster, every fate, every death. There is great joy, but it is hard to remember that when buried under the overwhelming agony.”
Yeah, I already thought of that. “Okay, okay. I get why you did it. I even get why my great grandmother did it. That whole power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely thing or however it goes. But Isla. She gave up her son so that Kallen could seduce me and she could wield her influence over me?”
Zoe reaches over and places her hand on mine that is still holding onto the rock for fear of falling. “As Raziel said, there are many truths. Armaita did not tell you that Isla misunderstood. She was young and naïve. She agreed to help not because she was greedy for power, but because she did not fully understand the consequences.”
“What’s to understand? She was asked to give up her first born and she did.”
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Xandra,” Ray says. Yeah, it never is. Everything that has to do with magic is convoluted. “What Isla understood was that when her son died, she would be able to send her grandson to you.”
“To seduce me, I know.”
“To seduce you away from the Pooka Fairies and the Witches that would do you harm. Not to seduce you into his bed. But Xandra, she never knew that her son would die so young. If she had known that his life would be taken so quickly, she would have said no. In her mind, she was not giving up her son’s life. She fully expected him to live out his long Fairy life and when he perished of natural causes, she would send Kallen to you. That is not how it was to be. She has been buried under her guilt and shame since that fateful day her son died and she realized the mistake she made.”
Oh. I guess that does make a difference. It is all about context. No wonder she can be so grumpy sometimes. That’s a lot of guilt to carry around all these years. My turn to sigh sadly. Poor Isla. Twenty minutes ago I wouldn’t have imagined saying that and meaning it. Amazing how things change so quickly.
I need to focus on something else. These explanations aren’t getting me any closer to saving my family and friends. “So, why the three of you? Why did Ambriel send me after all three of you if Raziel could turn back the clock or whatever and return me to my original destiny?”
“Because Armaita and her followers were led to believe that they needed the three of us to do that,” Raziel says quietly. I wish he’d speak up. It’s really hard to hear him over the wind. I’m pretty sure I’m hearing all of his words, but he could be mumbling things that would turn me into a trash can or something for all I know.
Ray and Zoe are looking at him with curious eyes. Me too. “Where do we fit into this grand plan of yours?” Zoe asks. She doesn’t sound the least bit mad. Maybe a little amused.
Raziel smiles. “When truths such as these are exposed, it is rather handy to have the Archangel of Forgiveness and the Archangel of Harmony and Order around to make sure things go smoothly.”
I snort. “Yeah, that worked out well.”
Raziel laughs and I think there’s actually some humor in it. “Yet another reason you do not want to be omniscient. I knew that this plan had limited results, yet I also knew that this was as good as it would get.”
Okay, that would suck. “But, I thought that Ambriel was told by the others to get you guys,” I say waving my free hand towards Ray and Zoe.
“Ambriel can be quite convincing when he wants to be. It was he that convinced Armaita that all three of us were needed. She simply did not know what my friends here were needed for.”
“Wasn’t that a lie?”
He laughs again. “I thought you understood now that there are many ways to tell the truth?”
I shake my head. “I see you guys are on the ‘lying by omission is a myth’ side of the fence.”
Zoe’s pretty laugh flows across the wind. “As with all other beings, Angels can be a bit wily.” Turning her eyes to Raziel, she says, “I suppose it is time to rejoin Grace and leave our lives here behind.” Raziel nods.
“I have one more question. Well, two actually. First, why did Ambriel try so hard to convince me that he’s lazy and hates his job? I don’t see how that could be a lie of omission.”
Raziel shrugs. “It isn’t. He is lazy and he does hate his job. He agreed to help because I offered him a promotion. He will no longer have to record history.”
“What will he be doing?”
He shrugs again. “Close to nothing, just the way he wants it.”
I can’t help but laugh. “That figures. Okay, next question. What do we do now?”
“That is an easy one,” Raziel says. “You set us free.”
“Huh? You mean let you go back to
where I found you?” What are they, birds?
They all laugh now. It doesn’t sound as pretty when it’s at me instead of with me. “You will release us from these mortal lives,” Ray explains.
I frown at them. “Why can’t you do it yourself?”
“You have much to learn,” Zoe says. There is a little patronizing going on there. I don’t like it.
I’m on a rock in the middle of the ocean while my family is being held hostage by exiled Fallen Angels. I don’t think I deserve condescension at the moment. “Okay, so teach me.” I’m back to snarky, I know.
She inclines her head and nods. “Of course. When we Fall, we can only be called back by another Angel if we need to return before our mortal life runs out. A powerful Angel.”
“Okay, where are we going to get one of those? Do I have to bring you back to Ambriel?”
Ray laughs louder than the wind. “We don’t need to get one. We’re looking at one.”
Seriously? Are they thick in the head? “But I don’t know how to use my Angel magic yet.”
“As you need it, it will come to you,” Raziel says. Is that the same principal as that baseball movie with the line ‘if you build it they will come?’
I’m doubtful on that one. It seems like I’ve been in a lot of situations where that wasn’t true. But, I’ll give it a shot. “What do I do?”
“You start by teleporting us back and then you call for your wings.”
That brings another question to mind. “Are you the one who told Ambriel that I could teleport without my wings?” I ask Raziel.
He nods. “I am. Quite a useful skill, I might add. Armaita and her fellow up risers are going crazy because their friends among the Angels cannot track us.”
That makes me smile. “Good. And she has friends? Really?” She’s so sneaky and underhanded. It’s hard to believe she’s popular.
Raziel nods again. “She was able to convince many that her version of the story was the correct one. It was because she continued to mislead the other Angels by telling them half-truths that she was finally exiled.”
“Um, didn’t we just discuss that whole lying by omission thing and that you use it too?”
He shrugs as if to say, ‘eh, we’re Archangels so we can make up the rules as we go along.’ “The truth was explained to Armaita in the correct context. She chose to convolute it and spread only half-truths. She knew what she was doing. The only truth that she still clings to is that she wants our power so she can change things to how she wants them. I can assure you, that would not be good for lesser beings.”
“That makes sense. Okay, are you guys ready?” I want off this rock and back to somewhere warm. They all say yes and I reach out and touch each of them with a hand or foot when a searing pain sets my brains on fire. What the hell?
“Xandra, you need to hurry,” Kallen’s voice is saying in my head. “Your parents are going to be the first casualty if you do not return soon.” Of course they are. This whole threatening my family thing is getting really old. Why can’t these people fight me without dragging everyone else into it?
“We have to hurry. Kallen just told me they’re going after my parents.”
Raziel holds my eyes with his. “Xandra, it will not happen today, but soon you will have to let your parents go.”
I so don’t want to think about that right now. Pushing it to the back of my mind to mull over later, I make sure that I’m touching everyone still. I am.
It’s time to go fight some Angels. I have to say, I’m really happy that the Archangels are on my side, not theirs.
Chapter 22
We teleport back to the terrace. The landing is a little smoother since I teleported instead of using the rock and falling onto the terrace. Well, I should say it’s smoother for me. I didn’t really do a good job considering the amount of clearance we would need for all four of us, so Zoe lands on a table, Ray’s head hits a chair and Raziel almost breaks a leg when he lands with one foot on the terrace and the other on the terrace wall. Ouch. Bet that was one of those things he hates knowing is going to happen. I think he’s okay. His limp isn’t too bad. Though, his right leg does look a little bit longer than his left one now. Maybe it was always like that and I just didn’t notice. I probably should have landed us on the beach.
If the Archangels had meant for me to make a stealthy entrance, they’re out of luck. The noise that we made on the terrace brings the exiled Angels outside. “Impossible,” Armaita mumbles under her breath.
Dusting off the dirt from the last rock I was dropped on, I say, “Yeah, yeah. Can’t be done. Only Angels who have not Fallen can teleport. I know.” Finishing with the dirt, I look up at her. “My mother always said that if I keep trying, I can do anything I put my mind to.” I shrug. “Guess she was right. You should try a little harder; maybe you can do it, too. It’s a pretty useful skill.”
Armaita ignores my last remark. “Thank you for returning these three. Though, I am sure that they have filled your head with the same lies they expected us to believe.”
I nod. “They did.” I turn around to face the Archangels. “Shame on you for spreading such tales.” I catch Ray quickly hiding a smirk. Good. I have a plan, they just need to play along for a few minutes. Hmm. Maybe I should have told them about it before we left the rock. Oh well, too late now.
Turning to Armaita again, I say, “I wanted a chance to talk to them without you interjecting comments. I think I understand what you mean now.” There’s a suspicious glint in her eyes so I have to amp this up a bit. “Will you please bring them inside?” I ask as I brush past Armaita and her minions.
I wonder how you go about getting minions? Do you put an ad on the internet or something? I wonder if Craig’s list has a minion section. And do you have to be evil to have them or can anyone get some? I should probably worry about that later.
Back in the huge living room, my heart almost breaks as I take in the scene. Everyone is still immobile. Except now, Mom and Dad are hanging lifelessly in the middle of the room. I whirl back around and almost knock Armaita over. “What the hell is going on? I leave for five minutes and you decide to torture my family? Way to keep me on your side.” Good lord, how stupid is this Angel?
Armaita glares at the Fallen Angel next to her. “My apologies, Xandra,” she says turning back to me. “My fellow Angels were a bit overzealous in their concern that you would not be returning to help us.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Which one did this?” I don’t know what they see on my face at the moment, but they all take a step backwards. Cowards. “I asked which one of you did this.” Each word is like a knife falling out of my mouth. If the air was a steak, the blades of my words would have cut right through it.
Armaita takes a tentative step forward. “Xandra, no harm was meant…”
“My parents are dangling and immobile in the middle of the room as if they are about to be sacrificed. How is that harmless?” I shout.
“I told you not to do it,” the other female Fallen Angel says to the male. I really have to get better at asking names. Nah. No sense in cluttering up my mind with information I will never need again.
The guy looks nervous now as his eyes dart between his friends and me. I can see the betrayal burn through him as he realizes what his cohort just did. He’s about ready to run. I don’t think so.
Since the guy reminds me of a cowboy, I think I’ll use cowboy accessories to stop him. I make a lasso of magic. I even swing my arm around as if I’m holding the other end. Then I fling it forward and it falls over his head and encircles his arms and waist. I pull it tight and I jerk him back into the room. “Undo what you did to my parents. If you don’t and I have to do it, I’ll teach you how cowboys back home break horses.” I have no idea what that means. I think I’ve watched one too many westerns. They’re Dad’s favorite genre. Of course, the Fallen Angel looks up at me with confused eyes. I choose to ignore them.
“You have thirty seconds,” I say to him and then
I turn to Armaita. “How did you get out of Angel hell?” There’s that suspicion in her eyes again. “Look, right now I believe your side of the story. But if you keep jerking me around and keeping things from me, I’m going to start questioning where your loyalties lie.”
There’s a war waging in her head. I’ll give her a minute to think about that. It’s been at least thirty seconds now and my parents are still dangling. I shake my head. “I can’t believe you’re going to make me do it,” I say to Mr. Cowboy Angel.
“I-I’m trying,” he stutters.
“Sure you are, Cowboy. Sure you are. Tell you what, I’ll get my parents down and you can take their place. Magic is a give and take and all that.” I thought he looked scared before. Wow, look at him now. Oh well, I warned him.
“Magic for magic, spell for spell, reverse the work of this ne’er do well.” Hey, I got to use ne’er do well in a sentence. I always wanted to work that in somehow. “Take him in their stead, his own magic in which to dwell.” Okay, that was cheesy. But he does look hilarious hanging from the ceiling by his shoes. I hope they fit well. If not, it’s going to really hurt when his head hits the floor. Eh, I’ll worry about that later.
Blood of Destiny (Witch Fairy #6) Page 17