“She almost went to Hell!” Her face twisted into a grimace. “I did the right thing once and look where it got me. If it weren’t for Michael, that reaper would have carted me off to an eternity of torture – and for what? Because I enjoyed the kill? Those people got what they deserved. Michael understood. He stood up for me.” She stared him down with a dangerous glint in her eyes. “You say I was a vigilante for justice, yet you’ve shown nothing but disgust for me. If that is truly how you feel, then where were you the day of my reckoning?”
“I was right where you are now, following orders and being what I thought was an obedient angel! Michael told me allegiance to God and Heaven meant compliance, so I turned away from what I truly believed. It was endless resignation – never questioning what I was told.”
His chance to get through to her grew smaller by the second. It had been difficult for Gabriel to break the chains that bound him to Michael. Aeons were not only discouraged from forming opinions, they were kept in isolation, trained through relentless discipline and brainwashing to make sure they didn’t. Illyria’s chains were much thicker than his had been, and their reach was long.
“Loyalty to Michael isn’t our job,” he said. “We’re supposed to protect our Father’s children and the world He created for them. If we falter, we should make it right.” Gabriel searched her face. “Michael tripped. I don’t know how and I don’t care. Instead of owning his mistake, he’s hurting others, and you help cover it up.” He sighed. “I did that for years. Does it make me a bad angel or a naïve one? It isn’t too late, Illyria. Be better than that, better than I was.”
Her laughter was shrill, full of hate and lunacy. She pointed at him.
“Oh, Gabriel, it’s so easy for you. You were Michael’s lapdog, his servant, his wind-up toy. Then one day, you grew a pair of wings, flew away, and turned into a motivational speaker.”
Illyria dropped her smile, making him wary.
“God doesn’t pull the strings where Aeons are concerned – Michael does. He is our father, our savior. We don’t have options like you. As an archangel, it would be difficult to explain if you suddenly disappeared. Michael could strike down every member of his army and no one would be the wiser. We are invisible, expendable. I’ve seen it happen, and don’t plan to become one of his statistics.”
“We could tell someone – a Virtue, perhaps – and I could help keep you safe. It doesn’t have to be this way, Illyria.”
“Yes, it does.” She pulled her sword from its sheath. Bright silver cut streaks through the night as she took a few swings, handling it like the warrior she was. “I’ll stay loyal to Michael as long as he stays loyal to me. He’s not the only one who can pull strings.”
Maybe it was her eagerness for battle, but instead of taking to the air or teleporting, Illyria charged, her sword at the ready. Gabriel waited until she was almost upon him, then teleported to the other side of Casen’s car and hid from view. Because of the ward, she was unable to detect his position. Still, he needed the element of surprise in order to avoid her blade.
Hunkered beside the driver’s door, he listened for her stealthy approach. There weren’t many places to hide. Nathan’s car, Casen’s even bigger car, and a rusty Suburban were the only options nearby. Illyria had to know Gabriel wasn’t far away. Lucas would have alerted her if he’d teleported inside the house. She had the advantage, knowing he’d never leave his wards tied up and at her mercy.
There was a pop of gravel – the sound of someone measuring each step before putting their full weight down. Gabriel peered underneath the carriage and saw Illyria’s boots on the other side of the car, slowly making their way around.
He saw his chance.
He teleported and materialized behind her. The sound of displaced air caused Illyria to turn. Gabriel grabbed the arm that held the sword, flooding it with raw power, hoping to make her drop the weapon.
Instead of pulling away, Illyria shoved him, using the power of her legs to knock him off balance. As soon as he hit the ground, the sound of her sword split the air. Gabriel rolled but wasn’t quick enough. The blade sank into his thigh. White-hot pain seared from within as its poison spread like napalm, climbing higher, devouring him inch by inch like some sort of holocaust monster. If he didn’t heal himself soon, he would die.
Illyria expected him to flee, to hide somewhere and tend his wound. Instead, Gabriel ignored the radiating pain, teleported one last time, and wrapped both arms around the angel. She screamed when he unleashed his waning energy, writhing like a worm in hot ashes, struggling to break free.
Weak, sick, Gabriel fought to hang on. The aroma of blistering skin filled his head, reminding him who the murderer was now. He wished there was another way.
Toxins raced through his body, consuming his pitiful reserves. Unable to finish the job, Gabriel was forced let go. Swaying on his feet, he watched Illyria’s body fall.
Panting, Gabriel placed a shaky hand over the wound in his thigh and willed the little energy he had to heal it. His life force ebbed and flowed, sucked out of him as it disposed of the poison and then replenished as his grace recovered.
Illyria’s wounds were significantly worse. Large clumps of hair had burned away. Exposed skin and tissue were charred to the point of flaking. Parts of her uniform had melted and fused with the skin.
Gabriel was disgusted with himself. If he’d been at full strength, her death would have been quick. With the wound she’d inflicted, he shouldn’t have attempted at all.
He stared at her smoldering body and she returned his gaze with one good eye, the other lost somewhere in the destruction.
“Finish me,” she whispered. “Let me die…a soldier’s death.” She pointed to the sword lying beside her.
Moments before, he could have – to save his wards, his family. But the image of her broken body made it impossible. In her current state, the Aeon was no longer a threat, and Gabriel couldn’t follow through.
When he shook his head, she laughed weakly. “And here I thought…you’d grown…a pair.” She gasped between words. “I don’t…deserve to die…like…this.”
Turning away, he said, “Death is death, Illyria. Regardless of execution, it all ends the same.”
<><><>
Lucas and his boys surrendered their weapons as soon as Gabriel walked inside. He suspected they’d been watching from the living room windows. None of them were inclined to carry on the fight.
“They promised to bring my wife back. It was business, Gabriel, nothing personal against you or Casen and his family.”
Unmoved, Gabriel gestured to the basement stairs. Lucas and his sons trudged slowly before him.
“I didn’t know what Illyria had planned. She told us to keep Casen and the boys busy while they searched for Jordan and we just followed orders. It was her idea to truss ‘em and rough ‘em up – swear to God.”
Nathan and Casen were bound to chairs with large zip ties. Red faced, they spewed muffled curses behind the duct tape over their mouths.
“I don’t think they agree with your reasoning, Lucas.” Gabriel waved his hand and the bindings disappeared.
Casen rose slowly, rubbing his chafed wrists. A good-sized lump protruded over his right eye. Nathan took a moment to shake the feeling back into his legs. Lucas watched warily from the corner where he and his boys had retreated. Gabriel braced for what was to come.
He didn’t have to wait long.
Casen grabbed a shotgun and shoved the dangerous end into Lucas’ gut while Nathan collared the boys. Wrapping a strong hand around each neck, he raised them a foot off the floor and then slammed their bodies to the dust-covered concrete. If they’d burst open like flour sacks, Gabriel would not have been surprised.
Doubled over, unable to speak, Lucas held up his hand. After much gasping and groaning, he looked to Gabriel. “Are you gonna sit by and watch the show or stop ‘em? My sons and I are members of the Circle. It’s your job to protect us!”
Casen pointed
his gun at the man’s chest. “You’re not dealing with him, Lucas. You’re dealing with me,” he growled. “Better pay attention.”
“He’s right.” Gabriel shook his head. “Your wife’s death was no one’s fault. For years, you’ve nursed your anger, ignored your children, and used that night to get easy assignments and a lot of money you didn’t earn. It’s time to let it go.”
Lucas sputtered, as if choking on words that wouldn’t come fast enough. “We do all the dirty work to keep this world safe! You angels cower in your Heaven, cloud-jumping, playing harps, and don’t even bother to keep an eye on our families while we do!”
It amazed Gabriel how humans twisted their emotions, distorted and rebuilt them until they were unrecognizable, and then pushed them on someone else. He’d seen it first-hand. Quinn took his fear of losing the ones he loved and doctored it the same way he did classic cars. Bit by bit, he replaced all the weak and broken elements, and turned reality into something he could live with.
What Quinn – and now Lucas – failed to remember was that truth can’t be destroyed or changed. Scratch away all the cosmetics, the damage still lies underneath.
Tired of the criticism, Gabriel stomped over and grabbed the man by the collar. Lucas yipped like a trapped weasel.
“You could have left the Circle. No one is required to serve.” He twisted the shirt tighter. “Why don’t you admit what’s really bothering you – what’s eating at your soul? You stayed for the money. You took easy jobs with little risk and hoarded every dollar while your wife and kids survived on welfare and bread lines. Where was the concern for your family then? The guilt is yours – own it.”
Gabriel gave Lucas a hard shake and then let go. To Casen, the angel said, “I know you’re angry, but there isn’t much more you can do to him that he hasn’t already done to himself.” Gabriel considered his own guilt and how all of this might have been prevented if he’d been more of an angel and less of a disciple. “Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemies.”
<><><>
Lucas herded his sons up the stairs and made a bee-line for the front door. Casen followed, with Nathan and Gabriel bringing up the rear.
“If I ever see the likes of you again I’ll chain you to a stake and feed your sorry ass to the wolves!”
The sound of tires spinning on gravel as the wheezing Suburban lurched down the drive was the only reply. Gabriel listened as it faded into the distance. Shortly after, Casen came back inside, shamefaced and shuffling his feet.
“Guess I need to apologize to Quinn. Looks like he was right all along.” He propped the gun up in the corner and took off his hat. “I sure wished I’d listened. Damn, I was way too hard on the kid.”
“We both were.” Nathan looked around the room. “Where is Quinn?”
“I sent him away with The Oraculum,” Gabriel said.
Casen lowered himself into a recliner with a groan. “How’d you even know what was going on?”
Gabriel relayed what happened after the grocery store pit-stop. “Now that Illyria is…no longer a threat, we can call Quinn and let him know it’s safe to come back.”
For now, he thought. He had to find a way to talk to Yasen before Michael made an appearance.
Nathan walked to the storm door and peered out. Gabriel was ashamed for him to see the mess he’d left Illyria in, the damage he’d caused…the life he’d taken. He had every right to defend himself and his wards but the death of a sister – even one as demented as Illyria – left him feeling empty, unworthy of his wings.
“Look, Gabe…” Casen began. He paused and let his eyes wander around the room.
Gabriel wondered if he was remembering what it looked like when his entire family occupied it and how empty it was now.
Casen sighed. “Nathan told me what happened between you and Michael – why you left in Tennessee. There’s no hard feelings here. I appreciate you coming back and trying to help. Can’t imagine that was easy for you.”
With Casen’s forgiveness, another link in the chain that bound him to Michael – to all the mistakes he’d made – broke. He felt lighter, more at peace, but knew he would never be completely free until he earned Jordan’s mercy, as well.
“Thank you, Casen, for giving me another chance. I won’t let you down.”
Casen nodded. “I believe you.”
To Nathan, Gabriel said, “If you’ll call Quinn, I’ll dispose of Illyria’s remains.”
His plan was to fly her to a remote place, say a prayer, and burn the body. Her soul would have departed seconds before she passed. He hoped, for her sake (and his conscience), that it was sent to Heaven. Maybe Illyria could be a better angel if she wasn’t under Michael’s influence.
“What remains?” Nathan asked.
Panic, like a shard of ice, pierced Gabriel’s gut and spread through his vessel like winter. It couldn’t be. There was no way Illyria could have healed herself. Her wounds were too extensive.
He rushed to the door, almost tearing it off the hinges when it stuck, and ran to where she’d fallen behind Casen’s car. The Aeon was gone. In her place, a large, scarlet-red feather rocked to and fro in the nighttime breeze.
Michael.
She’d called him and he’d healed her. Only one thing would have kept her from entering the farmhouse for revenge – The Oraculum.
Like a good little soldier, Illyria always followed orders. She’d gone after the book.
And the book was with Quinn.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jordan
Angels.
Not just any angels but soldiers from Michael’s army. Jordan didn’t know much about the Aeons, just bits and pieces she’d gleaned from Gabe through the years. Still, his information had been detailed enough to show her these dogs ran – hard. And now, they were here for her.
Mazie’s face was the only thing that kept her grounded. She had to keep calm for her sake.
“What do you want to do?” Ivy whispered.
Without hesitation, Jordan replied softly, “Whatever it takes to keep Mazie safe.”
Ivy and Xander frowned at the implication of giving herself up, but neither had a chance to object. One of the Aeons jerked Mazie’s arm, making her whimper. The sound reverberated in Jordan’s head and whipped her power into a frenzy.
Angels could kill demons with ease, regardless of rank or ability. Mazie was one level above a basic. The Aeons would crush her in seconds if Jordan let her anger run free. She had to play this smart.
“You will come with us now.”
The angel who held Mazie in his grasp showed no passion, no concern. That was the most unsettling trait of Michael’s soldiers. If they were truly devoid of human emotions as Gabe had once told her, how could Jordan ever convince them to spare her sister?
Ivy tried a different tactic – stalling. She turned to Gina, spearing her with sharp, dangerous eyes. “How the hell did you get mixed up with the Winged Wonders here? Their yawn-inducing personalities must make it hard to find dates but surely they’re not desperate enough to settle for gutter-whores just yet?”
Gina beamed. Her eyes sparkled with delight…or madness. It was always hard to tell. She circled the angels, crushing any roaches that scuttled in her way with the toes of her boots. Stopping beside Mazie, she said, “It’s funny you mentioned desperation. It does make people do the strangest things. It can even bring mortal enemies together if there’s something to be gained.
“After our dear sister left me powerless, I got to thinking about my future. Cambion souls aren’t allowed in Heaven. With no way to protect myself, the only prospect I had to look forward to was an eternity in Hell as some demon’s bitch.”
Ivy snorted. “I have a hunch that would’ve happened regardless.”
Gina continued in her happy sing-song voice, riding the high of the moment, Jordan guessed.
“After I left the cabin–”
“–after you were sent packing, you mean,” Ivy interrupted.
�
�I contacted a friend of a friend–”
“You have friends?”
“–who helped me get in touch with Michael. I agreed to help locate Jordan for something in return.”
“What? Laser hair removal? That’ll be a huge blow to all the lonely sasquatches. Where will they find a new pin-up girl?”
Jordan had to hand it to Ivy; she never gave up.
“No, my soul in Heaven. Michael promised me a one-way ticket upstairs when I die. All I had to do in return was help his soldiers with their task. Lucky for me, I stopped by the cabin today to pick up my things and happened to be right outside Aamon’s door when Mazie told him your plans.” Gina looked pointedly at Jordan as she preened, crowing in triumph. “The rest was quite easy.”
Mazie began to cry. Unknowingly, she’d led the angels right to them.
Jordan wracked her brain for an out – a solution. She could only think of one.
“If you’ll let my sister go and swear no harm will come to my family – Cambion or human – I’ll go with you.”
“No!” Ivy and Mazie screamed in unison.
Xander grabbed Jordan around the waist and pulled her close to him. “You don’t have to do this,” he pleaded.
The anguish in his voice touched her and, for a moment, Jordan wondered if his feelings for her were more than platonic. It didn’t matter. She’d never get the chance to find out, never understand the connection between them.
She kept her eyes trained on the Aeon and waited for his answer.
“We accept your offer and your terms. No harm will come to your families.”
Swallowing hard, Jordan nodded. “May I say goodbye?” She gestured to Ivy and Xander. When the angel frowned, she added, “No tricks. I won’t do anything to jeopardize their safety.”
Refracted (The Celadon Circle Book 2) Page 23