The Crystal Lake

by L. J. LaBarthe

  Gabriel smiled gently at her. “Hopefully, we can fix this soon.”

  “I know.” Minnie touched his arm. “Thank you for everything you’ve done so far,” she added.

  “We should be thanking you,” Gabriel said. “In any case, I need to call another Archdemon. I’ll have Lix Tetrax join me, and she and I will walk around the border of your property and lay down wards.”

  “Wait until my people are here, please,” Michael said, and Gabriel nodded. As Michael pulled his cell phone from his jacket pocket and moved away, Gabriel turned to Max and Minnie.

  “You two okay?”

  Max shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not what I usually look into, so it’s different, that’s for sure. I don’t usually have Archdemons in my front garden.”

  Minnie snorted at that. “Or Archdemons having brunch just down the street.”

  Max laughed. “That too.”

  “I’m glad you two have kept your sense of humor about this crap. There’s enough shit to go around for all of us,” Gabriel said.

  “Not everything is going well,” Minnie said. “The weather’s starting to change. Not badly, not yet, anyway, but it’s starting to go a bit weird.”

  “What do you mean?” Gabriel asked.

  “Well, it never snows in Darwin,” Minnie said. “It did, yesterday.”

  Gabriel gaped at her.

  “I know,” she said. “It was the weirdest thing. They got three inches. It all melted within minutes of hitting the ground and turned to slush, but still. Snow in the tropics!”

  “And all of Queensland flooded,” Max said. “It drained away pretty quickly, but it was touch and go for a few hours.”

  “Fuck,” Gabriel said. He looked over at Michael, but his lover was engrossed in his conversation on the phone. He turned back to Minnie and Max. “I’ll let Raz and the others know. I don’t know that we can do much—yet—but we need to know what’s happening.”

  “There’s other weirdness going on, too,” Max said. “Little things, like suddenly there’s a huge discovery of crude oil… in Hawaii.”

  “And the oil fields in Saudi Arabia just dried up.” Minnie snapped her fingers. “Just like that.”

  “What the hell!” Gabriel exclaimed. “This is a little more serious than a few things going pear shaped, yeah?”

  “I suppose.” Max sighed. “We’re used to weirdness, though. Since the end of the Seventy Years War, it’s taking the planet a long time to heal. There was always going to be something strange going on when the elements are interfered with.”

  “I thought this was all natural,” Gabriel said, starting to frown. “Like, reactions to what Naamah’s doing.”

  “It is,” Minnie said. “But what she’s doing interferes with the elements. The Grail is supposed to be a security measure to stop things from falling apart, and now it’s been moved and a third of it has been tainted, its original purpose is being diverted. So, the elements don’t have any restraints on them, and that’s why we’re getting weird weather and odd discoveries beneath the surface of the planet.”

  Gabriel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He did not want to hear this. He did not want to be faced with a worldwide problem of extreme changes to climate and planetary structure that he could not fix. He wondered if he could somehow circumvent the restrictions placed on him by God and do something with his power to try and stabilize what sounded to him like an unstable situation with nature.

  And then Michael was there, a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder and his voice in Gabriel’s mind.

  “It will be all right, da bao. I know it will be. These things are happening, it is true, but it will not last forever. Even now, the planet girds herself to compensate for the loss of the Grail. It will take a little time, but all will be well. Lucifer and God both lend the planet power to do what needs to be done.”

  “How do you know that?” Gabriel knew his mental voice was a little snippy. He couldn’t help it.

  “I heard from the Thrones just this moment. They counseled me in this, for they did not think you would listen to them.”

  Gabriel rolled his eyes. “If it came from them,” he said out loud, “I’d listen. I’d argue, but I’d listen.”

  “I fear the arguing is what concerned them.” Michael smiled gently. “Never fear, Gabriel. These peculiarities are being dealt with. Earth knows she is not alone, and she is working to fix the damage as best she can.”

  “That’s something, I guess,” Gabriel said.

  “You can talk to Earth?” Minnie asked Michael.

  “Not as you understand the term, but I can feel what is going on. The planet is coping as she must, as she knows is necessary. Keep an eye on these anomalies and inform us as you find them, but be comforted in the knowledge that they are being repaired,” Michael said.

  Minnie shook her head. Her expression was one of mild awe. “You are bloody amazing,” she said. “What?” She looked at Max. “I’m a witch. We work much more closely with the land than you do, Master Hacker.”

  “True,” Max said.

  “Yeah, so, we feel it when things start to go a bit wacky.”

  “Okay. I forgot that,” Max said.

  She patted his arm. “I forgive you. Your brain is full of code right now.”

  Max laughed a little ruefully. “Code and information, and I’m running out of Red Bull.”

  “I hope your Venatores are bringing supplies,” Minnie said to Michael.

  “They are. They have a van, which, Alethia told me, is well stocked with food and drink as well as weapons and medical necessities. Forgive me, your cat, is it accustomed to dogs? Alethia’s shifter shape is that of a Labrador and her partner, who is a Pitjantjajara man named Tommy, has the shifter shape of a dingo,” Michael said.

  “He’ll be fine,” Minnie said. “He’s dealt with dingoes before.”

  “Witches’ familiars are a bit more understanding than normal cats,” Max added.

  “How far away are they?” Gabriel asked Michael.

  “Alethia said they will be here in fifteen minutes. They were just taking a stroll along the beach, having completed a mission.” Michael’s smile was soft, proud, like that of a father talking of his children. “All my people wind down in different manners after missions. Alethia is from Austria, and Tommy likes to take her to see the ocean. She has rarely seen it.”

  “Well, there’s plenty of coast to enjoy around here,” Max said cheerfully. “I’ll go set up the guest room for them.”

  Minnie gave him a quick hug. “Thanks, babe.”

  “No worries, Min.” Max kissed her cheek then went into the house.

  “He is a good man,” Michael said.

  “Yeah, he’s all right,” Minnie said. “I’ll keep him.”

  Gabriel laughed. “That’s how I feel about Mishka here.”

  Michael blushed and looked away. Minnie laughed. “He’s really shy, isn’t he?”

  “Oh, you have no idea,” Gabriel said.

  “Must you?” Michael asked. His cheeks were crimson.

  “Sorry, solnyshko,” Gabriel said.

  There was the sound of car horn then, and Michael looked relieved. “They have arrived.”

  “If you want to direct them around the side lane, I’ll go and open the gates for them,” Minnie said.

  “And I’ll go give Lix Tetrax a call,” Gabriel said.

  “As you say,” Michael agreed. He offered Minnie his arm. “Shall we?”

  She took it, a warm smile on her face. “We shall.”

  ONCE HE was out in the street, Gabriel pulled his cell phone out and punched in the number to call Tzadkiel. He walked a few steps as he listened to it ring, and when Tzadkiel answered, he sounded harried.

  “What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked.

  “Gabe?” Tzadkiel gave a weak-sounding chuckle. “How are things where you are?”

  “Aye, it’s me. They’re interesting, that’s for sure. Did you hear from Ondrass?”


  “Yeah, he came in, delivered his report, and then went off to Hell.” Tzadkiel sighed loudly. “He’s a fucking pain, you know?”

  Gabriel laughed. “Oh, believe me, I know.”

  “Did he really eat a demon?”

  “Aye.” Gabriel’s upper lip curled. “It was the most revolting thing I’ve seen this year.”

  “Only this year? That’s something, I suppose.”

  “Are there any crises that need me or Mike right now?” Gabriel asked.

  “Not right this moment, no. Raz’ll be back in a few hours. The shifters here are calm, for the most part, and Mike’s little elite squad of Venatores are on the roof, training.”

  Gabriel nodded to himself. “That all sounds good so far. Is Lix Tetrax around?”

  “Yeah, she’s just down the hall. Why?”

  “Can you put her on the phone, please? I need her to come here and help me with a little spell or two.”

  Tzadkiel snorted. “You want a powerful ward to go up somewhere, huh?”

  “Got it in one.” Gabriel looked down the street. It was empty, no traffic and no people. He wondered if that was normal for this time of day.

  “I’ll get her for you, hang on a minute.” There was the sound of voices and then Gabriel heard Tzadkiel call Lix Tetrax’s name. A few moments later, Lix Tetrax’s voice purred in Gabriel’s ear.

  “Hello, Gabriel.”

  “Hey. I need you to come help me with a ward.”

  “I see. In the same place that Ondrass went to?”

  “Aye.”

  Lix Tetrax hummed. “What sort of a ward are we putting up?”

  Gabriel took a deep breath before plunging into it. “We’re going to wind our power together, like a rope. Then we’re going to surround a property with it. Using both Hell and Heaven magics, we’ll be able to keep anything of Naamah’s from going where it shouldn’t.”

  “I see. Interesting.” Lix Tetrax paused. “Will I be feasting on demon today?”

  Gabriel barked a surprised laugh. “I doubt it. I think every demon alive ran away when Ondrass had his snack.”

  “Shame. Oh well. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” The line went dead and Gabriel pocketed his phone, leaned against the wall of Minnie and Max’s garden, and waited. Sure enough, ten minutes later, Lix Tetrax sauntered up to him.

  “Lovely spot,” she said, looking around.

  “Aye, it is.” Gabriel straightened. “So let’s get this done so we can get back to Yerevan and be there for Raz.”

  “Okay.” Lix Tetrax canted her head to one side and regarded him with frank appraisal. “We’ll have to physically touch for this to work, Archangel. I know I won’t like it, but will you be able to deal with it?”

  Gabriel shrugged. “I’ll have to, won’t I? And I doubt it’ll be that bad.”

  She smiled at him, a wicked, sinful smile. “Famous last words.”

  Gabriel held out his hand. “Let’s see then, yeah?”

  “All right.”

  Her hand was cool in his, slender and smooth. Together, they began to walk slowly around the perimeter of the property owned by Max and Minnie, muttering under their breaths—Gabriel in Aramaic, Lix Tetrax in Latin. As they walked, power trickled from their joined hands, a twisted rope of silver, blue, red, and black. It faded into the wall and the pavement, into the grass and the earth, and Gabriel could feel the structure of the ward, the strong shield needed to protect those within the property, building and strengthening invisibly behind them.

  While it was not a large property, casting the magic required took time, and it was nearly an hour before they were finished. Gabriel’s hand felt numb, from both the magic and the touch of an Archdemon, and Lix Tetrax’s expression was one of mild revulsion.

  “Your magic is too clean,” she said when they returned to the spot where they’d started. “It feels disgusting.”

  “And yours feels like Hell, so there we go.” Gabriel shook his hand as if to loosen it, feeling as if he were shaking out the sensation of pins and needles.

  “I need to wash,” Lix Tetrax declared. “I’m returning to Yerevan. I’ll tell everyone else that you’re on the way.” With that, she was gone.

  Michael stepped out of the gate then, his eyebrows raised. “Is it done?”

  “Aye.” Gabriel pulled a bottle of clean water to himself with his power and proceeded to wet down his hands. “Test it. What do you reckon?”

  Michael did so, using his power and then his sword, looking thoughtful all the while. Finally, after several minutes, he sheathed his weapon and drew his power back into himself. “It is strong,” he approved. “And it will hold well. None will pass this who are not invited by Minnie or Max. Prior to it going up.”

  “That was part of what I did,” Gabriel said. “I didn’t want to take any chances. Only those who are already welcome can come in, no one new. Leastways until it comes down.”

  “A wise precaution,” Michael said.

  “We should head back to Yerevan,” Gabriel said. “The natives are growing restless. So to speak,” he added hastily as Michael’s expression became alarmed.

  “Ah, I see. Forgive me, I thought you were speaking literally.”

  “Nah. Just that everyone’s well curious to see what Raz has to say. I have to admit, they ain’t the only ones. I’m dying to know myself.”

  “As am I, I confess.” Michael took Gabriel’s wet hand in his and gave a gentle squeeze. “You washed off Hell?”

  “As best I could,” Gabriel said.

  “As you say. Let us bid these good people farewell and return to Yerevan, then.”

  Gabriel nodded.

  Minnie hugged them both, and Max shook their hands. The two Venatores, Alethia and Tommy, saluted smartly, and Gabriel admonished them all not to go outside the boundaries of the property, not for any reason at all. “Even if,” he said, “you get a call saying a loved one is dying. It’s bound to be a trick, so don’t fall for it. And if you’re concerned, holler for an Archangel, yeah?”

  “Yes, Gabriel,” the four chorused.

  “Good. Well, we’ll see you kids soon. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Michael sighed. “That does not give them much in the way of boundaries, Gabriel, for there is little that you would not do.”

  “True!” Gabriel grinned. “Okay, stay out of trouble and keep in touch.”

  Michael gave them all a little bow and once again took Gabriel’s hand in his own. Gabriel looked fondly at his lover and moved toward the gate.

  “Bye, Gabe, Michael,” Minnie called, waving.

  “We’ll be in touch when we know something,” Max said.

  Once they were back on the street, the gate closed firmly behind them, Michael let go of Gabriel’s hand and moved closer, wrapping his arms around Gabriel’s waist. Gabriel hummed and hugged his lover back, just as tightly as he was being hugged.

  “Okay?” he asked softly.

  “Yes. I simply wished to feel you close.”

  “You never need to apologize for that,” Gabriel said, kissing Michael’s forehead.

  “Thank you,” Michael said. “Very well, let us return to Yerevan.”

  “Okay.” Gabriel moved them.

  Chapter Three

  AGRAT HAD gone to sit on the edge of the roof of the apartment building in Yerevan by herself. Shateiel had wanted to go with her, but she had demurred and told him she needed to be alone for a while. She had not properly grieved the death of her sister, and now as she gazed out over the city, she wasn’t sure she ever could.

  On the far side of the flat roof, Angelique trained her squad of Venatores. Agrat could hear the orders and the grunts and groans as the squad trained. She let her wings unfurl, the great pinions drooping in reflected sorrow for her loss.

  “Agrat.”

  She started, looking up at the owner of the voice who had spoken her name. It was Camael. He sat down beside her, gazing at her unblinkingly.

  “Hi,” she said.


  “You still grieve the death of your sister.” It wasn’t a question.

  Agrat looked away from him. “I don’t know what else to do.”

  Camael sighed. “Nor do I. Yet, perhaps I do know. Do you trust me?”

  She looked at him again. “Yes. You’re an angel.”

  Camael chuckled at that. “And Adramelek was once an angel, too. Do you trust him?”

  It was a good point. Agrat shook her head. “Not in the least. But you’re different.”

  “Yes,” Camael agreed, “I am.” He stood and held out a hand to her. “Come with me.”

  She hesitated only a moment, then stood and took his hand. “Where are we going?”

  “Somewhere I think will help your grief.” Without further ado, Camael moved them.

  When they emerged in the world, they were in the black depths of space. Agrat blinked, flaring her wings as she adjusted to this new, weightless environment and using her power to protect herself from the dangers of vacuum. Stars shone around her, dimly at first, and then with an increasing light as they recognized her nature, that she was an angel, and that she was Eisheth’s sister.

  “Where are we?” she thought to Camael.

  “Where Eisheth spent her time while she was alive.” Camael released her hand. “Talk with the stars, Agrat.”

  Agrat found that an odd suggestion, but she turned her attention to the shining points of light that glittered around her in the midnight of space. They hummed, speaking without words, filling her mind with images: scenes of Eisheth moving through space, dancing with them, traveling along the light trails of their tails. Images of her comforting those that died and those that fell to Earth. And then they filled her mind with sorrow and loss, and tears slipped from her eyes to be lost in vacuum as she felt and shared their sadness.

  “This place,” Camael began, “is the empty spot that showed up in the images that Lord Raziel had. This is, I am told, where Eisheth made her home. When she was pulled from here prior to being murdered, the empty space is what remained.

  “God has retrieved her soul. Even now, He prepares her for her final rest, and in respect to her and these stars, she will lie here, forever sleeping among the embrace of those who she loved and cherished for so many millennia.”