Had the archangel lied to his face each and every reset? “If you see all, then you must know how this trial ends.”
Athorsis’s eyes flashed red. The heat simmered like rays from a firestorm. Jesse had grown weary of the repeated tests to determine if he was worthy enough to be considered archangel material. At the very least, he could recall instances of how each trial had gone wrong. Should he trust Athorsis when Brian didn’t? Perhaps fear played a role. Jesse changed the subject before the kitchen melted. “Never mind. What about Brian? Can he recall anything from each trial?”
The flare softened to an ember glow. “I often wondered this myself,” Athorsis said. “Every time you fail, I hit the reset button back to the day Brian and Ariane were born. Although neither twin should remember events from previous trials, I’m beginning to doubt this is so.” Athorsis fingered a plastic tumbler until it melted into a puddle. “Yet, Brian continues to defy logic through dreams and flashbacks as if he relived prior trial runs. After a few blunders, notably by the tenth, the dreams increased, almost driving him insane. I’ve noticed certain nuances in Ariane as well. Brian might have shared trial memories with his sister while they were in stasis within the zygote incubation stone. My fault, I’m sure.”
“The A-factor,” Jesse said to correct the archangel. “What were you thinking? Why did you possess Turian’s body when he and Julia hooked up? Isn’t it taboo for archangels to procreate? Impossible for genderless beings.”
As soon as the eyes radiated a fiery scarlet, Jesse spoke up to offset his snarky attitude. “Scratch that, and don’t worry. I’m certain I got it right this time.” His cell chimed. Whew, saved by the bell. “It’s Brian. Let me get this.”
“By all means.”
Shoulders hunched over, Jesse opened the refrigerator door for privacy and to cool off. The rush of frigid air revived his spirits. “Did you find it?”
“In my hands as we speak,” Brian said. “Your tip paid off. Just hope I got here in time. Checking the timer now—fock!”
The connection died.
The worst possible scenario flashed in Jesse’s mind, but he refused to except failure. “Lost him, the signal probably sucks out there in no-man’s land.”
A low rumble heightened until a whine pierced his ears. The breakfast dishes clattered. A warm breeze swept through the open window, billowing the curtains. The stench of ozone wafted in pursuit. Jesse ran to the window and recognized the green wall of flame on the horizon. His fist pounded the wall. “Damn it! I was so certain.”
“You failed. Again. I shan’t tolerate another failure, but lucky for you, I’m a forgiving being. Locate the exact coordinates next time, and make sure you give Brian ten minutes detonation time—period.”
Jesse never got the chance to object when he spun around in time to see Athorsis disappear as always, skipping out before the bitter end. Wide eyes stared out the window, his gaze fixed on the fast-approaching inferno. “Thirty-third times lucky. Tough way to earn my wings.” Hands gripped the frame as his sneakers dug into the newly installed carpet. No choice but to relive the blast and hope he’d get it right next time. Jesse squeezed his eyes shut as the inferno engulfed the ranch. His scream went unheard. Skin sizzled like frying bacon as it peeled away from muscle and bone. Still no wings burned.
38
ANGELIC HANDS
(Present time)
N ot everything had gone the way we planned after Sabree and I returned from K2. The tracking stones were removed. One I gave to Jesse and the other was added to my ever-growing stash. Check. Ariane admitted defeat and stepped down as lead scientist. Check. We moved away from the Caderen rhetoric and science labs to the estate in Edinburgh. Ariane scolded Sabree for purchasing Duncan’s mansion. Sabree argued that he had owned several estates worldwide, so why not one in Scotland. I suspected he originally bought the place just to annoy me. Truth be told, I was thrilled. Built outside the city limits, the estate made an excellent sanctuary. The basement laboratory provided the perfect stronghold. Double check.
While Cayiel took charge of the surviving clans, I managed my own brood, decreased in size because Gibyss and Abyss refused to leave the Caderen complex. No loss there. Check mate. In a sense, the move divorced Ariane from the Fallen. Seemed to be the only way to keep my sister focused on anything other than science and bugs. Check again.
Our clan more intimate and secure, I asked Serine to conduct a fast-track education for the toddlers, using the same curriculum Duncan Colton had programed for Ariane and me. They should experience the same empathy and compassion for humanity. Never understood why I trusted her with their education. Uncheck and done.
Since our time in Edinburgh, Ariane made little progress in her recovery. To uplift her mood, Sabree focused on her love of gardens and hired a landscaper to restore the overgrown maze. He immersed himself in the task and today, he arranged to unveil the finished product. I couldn’t wait to see my sister’s reaction but gave first dibs to Sabree. I set off to explore on my own before joining the couple.
Celtic designs shaped the topiary hedges. Dragon heads pruned from the corner shrubs stood guard at each passage. Ariane’s praises and clapping reached my ears as I casually weaved through the labyrinth. By the time I reached the epicenter, Ariane was sitting on the refurbished bench by herself. Her body quivered as she wept.
I sat next to her. “What’s wrong? Where’s Sabree?”
“I wish the labyrinth in my mind were as easy to prune and navigate as this garden.” Ariane’s hands cradled her face. “Every day is a struggle. Each new path leads to another dead end. The insect world dictates my mind, my every thought. It’s a never-ending battle.”
Still no sign of Sabree, no words of encouragement came as I clasped her hands. Her analogy on the nose, I offered false praise. “You’ve made great progress, Sis. Serine’s helping, isn’t she?” My doubts prevailed, so I awarded another uncheck to the DanJal scientist.
“Not enough. I see what’s going on. The way everyone looks at me. Mistrust disguised as loving glances. Worst of all, Loree’s threats still haunt me. If she finds out I failed, she could hurt our children. I need someone stronger, more powerful to help me.”
According to Sabree, there was no one more knowledgeable of Fallen science than Serine. Except maybe White Ghost. My fingers rubbed the smooth gem in my pants pocket. Beside it, the two tracking stones burned like blocks of dry ice. A frozen reminder of my sister’s cruelty. Had she genuinely sought help, or was she holding onto the insect realm. She used to fight for her humanity, now she didn’t seem to care if the insects stripped it from her mind.
Her lids half-closed, Ariane gazed into my eyes. “Why did you let Sabree buy this place? Duncan imprisoned us here. Do you want the same for our children? Serine shouldn’t be the one to educate them. I don’t trust her.”
“Should I trust you instead?” I glanced away, feigning interest in one of the corner dragons. I regretted the words as they left my mouth and patted her shoulder. She twisted away from my touch. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. Sabree and I thought the kids should have the same education we did.”
“You always side with Sabree.” She slapped her hands on her hips as if she meant to stand.
And for good reason. No more Duncan Colton. Sabree had seen to that. “Hey, I renamed the estate Gray Wolf Manor in honor of Jesse’s grandfather.” The mention of her friend sparked life into her dull eyes as if pest control had set off a smoke bomb to destroy the insect infestation. Would we ever rid her of the buggy invasion that suppressed reason? I wanted my sister back.
A flash followed by an erratic gust startled me.
The bench almost tipped when Ariane jumped to her feet. “Did you see that?”
“Aye ...” I stood alongside her and glanced around for the telltale signs. Autumn leaves blew around our feet, across the epicenter, and into the nearby shrubbery. “Maybe it’s Sabree.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Do you smell that?”
My nostrils flared as I sniffed the air. A hint of acidic ozone wafted in the breeze. I inhaled again and this time the pungent odor assaulted me full blast. I choked on a cough. Behind me, Ariane sneezed. The caustic bite meant only one visitor. “Run!” I yelled, pushing her toward the exit. An unforeseen force slammed her back into me.
A Malakhim male materialized in front of us. No portal opening or tear in space forewarned us of the intrusion. Wings flared outward with a snap only to curl behind him as his body fully materialized.
“No, no, no.” My gaze narrowed, recognizing him as the Malakhim soldier who accompanied Loree after I destroyed one-third of their population—Draven. His eyes blazed, the irises outlined by radiant flames. “Athorsis?” I asked, my chin held high.
Ariane’s nails dug into my sleeve. Sensing how the name drove fear into her, I shoved her behind me. The archangel still occupied the Malakhim body and perhaps its soul. I asked between clenched teeth, “What do you want?”
“Ariane.” Athorsis held out a hand. The heat from it hit me full barrel like an open furnace. “I possess Draven, for without the use of his body, my all-consuming brilliance would combust you and this silly garden into cinders.” He reached for Ariane. “Come, child. Let me help you.”
“Help her, my ass. No way!” He once threatened to destroy Ariane and me, because I failed as the anti-being. Forget failure—try conquest. I believed this to be true, that Athorsis feared I was the dark horse, the one who would someday overpower him. Pipe dreams? Maybe not.
Ariane let go of my arm and moved forward, unafraid. Between the two of us, I had stockpiled enough fear to enforce rashness. I yanked her farther back to advance on the archangel. “Over my dead body.” Not good that I left my sack of stones in the office.
Athorsis laughed. “A pity your death cannot be arranged. The entire universe knows how impeccably immortal you have proven yourself to be.”
“Your fault, not mine.”
Athorsis’s eyes brightened. “True, however …” His arm swung in a complete arc as if to swipe away an annoying insect. The gesture flung me across the epicenter into the shrubbery on the opposite wall. I fell into the bush head first. Broken branches scratched my face and arms. If Athorsis put more wallop into the swipe, my neck would’ve snapped.
Laughter littered the maze. “Fear not, Ariane will be in good hands. Angelic hands.” His eyes shot a stream of flames aimed at the hedges that swallowed me whole. The fiery gaze singed the leaves. “I will tend to her affliction. She will return before you miss her.”
Halfway out of the shrub, I almost fell over when my sister reached for the devil’s grasp and together, they vanished. My clothes singed, I sped to her rescue too late.
A puff of mist and then Sabree appeared in their place. He spun around in search of Ariane. I pulled a branch out of my hair, my charred flesh already healing.
Sabree stopped mid-spin. “Brian?” His arms folded across his chest. One designer boot, I had no idea whose, tapped the ground. “Did you scare Ariane off? I promised her I’d be right back.” He pointed at the exit. “The head server will be here any minute to deliver a tray of wine and sweets.”
A long sigh released some of the tension I had pumped up to do battle with Athorsis. Not Sabree. Why didn’t she tell me he was catering to her needs? Why so secretive? I met his inquisitive gaze. “Athorsis made a surprise visit and whisked Ariane off to God knows where.”
The archangel used to favor harassing son over daughter until I proved too powerful for his tastes. Perhaps Athorsis misjudged the compilation of genetic code, the anti-being surpassing all expectations. Or those who should never have been born. The symphony that composed me and maybe my sister, had stunned the almighty archangel.
“Just like that? You let him take her?” Sabree balled his fists as his gaze darted around the epicenter. “Why didn’t you stop him?” The server entered, pushing a cart of crystal wine glasses, a silver-plated ice bucket, and a platter full of delicate pastries. Sabree mashed the plate of cupcakes with his fist. The server pulled the cart away.
“I tried to stop him, but one swipe and the flamethrower shot me into the shrubs. Set your hard work on fire.” As proof, I pointed at the few burnt twigs poking out of my hair. Typically, the archangel launched some kind of attack, but this time his promise to help went beyond the norm. “Not sure why, but I think Athorsis means to help her. Maybe he realizes she’s out of her league when it comes to the buggy infestation.”
Teal eyes brimmed in red, Sabree shooed the server away. “We won’t be needing your services.” He licked the icing off his knuckles as his eyes mellowed to their natural color. Arms crossed over his chest again, Sabree glared at me. “So, we just sit around and wait? Can’t you leap into the portal after her?”
Coming from anyone else, the aggressive stance would’ve launched my defense shields. “Athorsis doesn’t use the portal. So, we wait.” Uncertain why, I trusted the archangel to do the right thing. Help Ariane regain her humanity.
39
FIXER UPPER
(Three years later)
G one for almost three years, I missed my sister if not for her buggy antics. Athorsis sent us an occasional update on her progress in the form of flaming scrolls shot from the heavens to our doorstep. His oddball method of mail delivery kept us on edge. All else was quiet. Disappointed in White Ghost’s solutions, I never found a way to fix Sabree’s stealth problem. The two of us busy raising Azrian and Zoe had stalled our research.
Good fortune had finally paid me a visit. Even Sabree envied my luck, however short lived. The Malakhim had accepted my promise to lay low. So, no issues there. Athorsis hadn’t reared his ugly head either, not since he kidnapped Ariane. The pivotal blessing to all these events was my son, perfect Mini-Me. Sabree’s nickname not mine. My brilliant happy-go-lucky and do-no-wrong child prodigy. Unlike my four raven-black wings, his glistened as white as fresh-fallen snow. Maybe it had something to do with Azrian coming into the world as a Nephilim, first born of the Fallen. Considering my bizarre gene pool, how so much good luck had befallen on me, baffled all.
Against Ariane’s wishes and my misguided blessing, Serine force fed Azrian and Zoeree a doctorate education along with human history and ethics. They also learned about every religion. Earth as their home, the two should understand and empathize with humanity. Without such knowledge, they might become egotistic monsters. Athorsis came to mind.
As two newbie fathers, the past three years equaled a century. Sabree never kept track of time, it never being an issue until we had to raise children of our own. Fatherhood tethered us to responsibilities. Barely four years older than Zoe and Azrian, I learned parenting on the fly. Compared to 5,000-year-old Sabree with all his experiences, I thought I did okay.
Today, we met in the grand room while the kids played a video game. Kids, I had to laugh, because like my sister and I three years ago, Azrian and Zoe were now young adults. Sabree had urged me to meet him here. Nearly demanded it of me. His demeanor spoke volumes, an open book that recited his worry for Ariane. We had not received a flaming scroll in six months.
Arms crossed, Sabree spoke in French. “Vous avait mieux corriger le problème.”
“Aye, what?”
“Unc says you better correct the problem. And by his tone, I think he means it, Pop.”
Sabree and I stared at him, our mouths dropped. Sabree asked first. “When did you learn French?”
“Never, except for the stuff Serine downloaded into my head. Not to brag, but I can understand, speak, write, and read any language known to man.” Azrian stared at us as though we had grown two heads. “Even that furry cat complains about the food you feed it. She’d rather have human-grade tuna and chicken. Hisses at the canned stuff.” Azrian cocked his head when neither of us responded. “Not normal?”
Sabree slapped my shoulder. “Azrian inherited a Fallen gift after all. The ability to speak multiple languages is commonplace amongst the Fallen who live three t
housand years on average. Gives us plenty of time to learn, especially those who travel the continents. Azrian’s gift to communicate with every creature makes this gift extraordinary. Turian used to communicate to all. Funny how he managed to slip some of his DNA into the pot.”
No surprise there. But why did Sabree react to my son as having a gift miraculous? One that might have never occurred. “Good news,” I muttered still letting it all sink in.
Azrian’s eyes widened. “I have a Fallen gift. Bazinga!”
“Ba what?” Sabree asked.
“Bazinga. Look it up in the Urban dictionary.” He punched my arm in play. “Aye, Pop, I can even emulate your Scottish brogue when I want to. Lucky for you, I don’t want. I’m going to go tell Zoe the news.” Azrian rejoined her on the couch to continue their game.
Not so perfect Mini-Me after all. So, Sabree claimed it took a miracle for Azrian to attain a gift? Too late to take back the pivotal blessing mentioned earlier, my mind raced instead with how to get even. Rub salt into Sabree’s open wound. Not very mature of me but rub I would. “Speaking of gifts, does Zoe have one yet?” His darkening eyes revealed the answer before he opened his mouth.
I couldn’t blame Sabree for the way he admired how Zoeree had grown into a stunning young woman. Unlike his kaleidoscope eyes, hers stayed one color for every mood—turquoise. Her honey-blonde curls swept upward. Normally held true for females, she not only looked more maturely, she also behaved like a young professional. Mostly. During our first four years, the same held true for me and Ariane. I nudged Sabree’s arm. “Well?”
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