Ballad of Blood

by Amy Sumida

  It was my turn to look surprised, but Raphael pointedly ignored my obvious curiosity and simply nodded to the men. We stepped into the room, and his whole demeanor changed. Raphael's shoulders straightened, his eyes sparkled, and a firm expression settled over his face. No one was looking at him reprovingly now; they wouldn't dare.

  In fact, the semi-circle of men and women who were seated in stone thrones before us all bowed their heads to Raphael as we approached. I had to reevaluate what I knew about him yet again. Who the hell was he? Had I ever known him at all?

  As for the Seraphim; they were stunning—as beautiful as the Shining Ones. All of them had the same glow to their skin and the luminous eyes that Raphael had. They were dressed in modern, human clothing, though the material looked to be far superior to any fabric found on Earth. Their serene faces were exactly what I expected to find on angels; ethereal and perfect. But I knew what lurked beneath that perfection, and it made them monstrous to me; all the more so for them being so beautiful.

  Oh, and their wings were on fire.

  “What the fuck?” I whispered.

  “The Seraphim are called the Burning Ones for a reason,” Raph whispered back. “They are the most powerful of us, beneath Jesus, of course.”

  “Of course,” I muttered.

  “Seraphim.” Raphael bowed to them. “I bring you Elaria Tanager, Spellsinger and Queen of Kyanite. Queen Elaria, this is the Seraphim: Leaders of the Angelic Host.”

  I bowed my head to them as they had to Raphael; respectful but not subservient. I'd always been good at sensing what a situation called for, and had I concluded that these angels wanted respect but wouldn't respect me if I showed them too much of it. Hell; I wouldn't respect me either.

  “Welcome to Heaven, Queen of Kyanite,” a man seated at the center of the half-circle said without a hint of surprise; leading me to believe that although Raph hadn't known about my royal status, the Seraphim had. “I am Metatron; I speak for the Angelic Host. Anything you wish to say to us can be said directly to me. Now, what is it you wish to speak of?”

  “I've just come from Omeyocan,” I said. “I was the guest of Kukulcan of the Maya Gods.”

  The Seraphim inhaled sharply and leaned forward in their seats.

  “The Maya are free?!” Metatron roared. “When? How?”

  “Isis freed them,” I said calmly. “I met the Maya after I killed Isis.”

  The Seraphim sat back in their seats and looked at me as if I had just done something interesting.

  “You have brought us vengeance?” Metatron asked with lifted brows. “Are you here to collect a bounty, Queen Elaria?”

  “You misunderstand me,” I said. “This is not about money; this is about blood. Mainly, the blood that will be spilled if you try to put the Maya back in Metnal.”

  Metatron narrowed his eyes at me and then looked to the rest of the Seraphim. They frowned at him, and he turned back to me with a much grimmer expression.

  “Go on,” he prompted.

  “The Maya Gods have been compounding their power during their imprisonment,” I declared dramatically. I knew I had only one chance to impress the importance of a truce upon the Angels. “After I killed Isis, Kukulcan—their leader—took me prisoner... and I assure you; I am not easily taken.”

  “Kukulcan is a dishonorable bastard,” Metatron hissed. “I'm not surprised he treated you so dishonorably.”

  “He did not accost me,” I went on. “He took me to Omeyocan and told me of his plans to wage war on the Angelic Host.”

  The Seraphim started muttering angrily among themselves.

  “Silence!” Metatron roared. “I speak here, and I have something to say.”

  The Angels went quiet.

  “We thank you for the warning, Your Majesty,” Metatron said sincerely to me. “We shall gather our armies immediately and see to this threat.”

  “I'm not finished, Metatron,” I said.

  He blinked at me in shock.

  “Kukulcan told me of his plans and asked me to join him,” I went on. “I refused and made him a counteroffer; peace. I'm here to negotiate a truce between your people.”

  “Truce?” Metatron hissed the word. “Do you have any idea what kind of barbarians you're dealing with, Queen Elaria? These people are savages; they soaked Mexico in blood before we stepped in to stop them.”

  “They have been in Metnal for centuries,” I pointed out. “The savages have grown in power and are also fueled by fury; they will be formidable enemies.”

  “The Angelic Host is not afraid of the Maya Gods!” Metatron exclaimed.

  “That's not what I'm implying.” I held up a calming hand. “Kukulcan threatened to kill your people first, Metatron. The Maya will run rampant over the Earth and blood will soak the soil once again, but this time it will be the blood of your worshipers.”

  Metatron's face went pale.

  “Your tithes will dwindle and possibly even stop altogether,” I said. “Or you can make a truce with the Maya, and they will agree to keep themselves to Mexico. They want their home back; that's all.”

  “Mexico is not their home,” Metatron said tiredly. “And it is full of our followers. I cannot abandon them in good conscience.”

  “I'm only bringing the offered terms,” I said reasonably. “If you have a counter offer, I will take it back to Kukulcan.”

  “Very well, Your Majesty,” Metatron said, “I offer them this; Mexico for their own, but only if they promise not to begin the blood sacrifices again.”

  “I think they'll want the blood,” I said softly. “It's their source of power. But the laws of the land have changed since they ruled. Humans cannot go around killing each other as a sacrifice to their gods. I don't believe the Maya Gods realize that this will prevent their followers from offering them blood sacrifices.”

  “What are you saying, Queen Elaria?” Metatron leaned forward on his thick armrests and eyed me.

  “I'm saying that you could agree to Mexico without adding the condition of no blood sacrifices.” I held my hands out. “The humans will police the Maya Gods and their followers for you.”

  “And what if they aren't successful at their policing?” Metatron lifted a brow.

  “If the Maya go back to their bloody ways, I will lead your armies myself and call them my own,” I offered impulsively. “In that way, we can circumvent the truce.”

  Metatron smiled wickedly. “I like the way you think, Your Majesty. You have negotiated peace; congratulations. I'll have a scribe draw up the contract, and you may deliver our offer to the Maya to sign. Once it is accepted by their magic, we will all be bound to it.”

  “Thank you.” I bowed my head again.

  “Let's hope that Mexico survives this peace,” Metatron said grimly.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  “You're a general?” I asked Raphael as we left the temple.

  “Do you really know nothing about Angels?” He countered in surprise. “My name is Raphael, Elaria. Doesn't that ring a bell? I'm kind of a big deal in the Host.”

  I grimaced at him, and Raph chuckled.

  “I'm an Archangel, sweetheart,” he explained. “If you end up leading the Host into war, I'll be there, right beside you.”

  “Fuck,” I whispered. “I can't believe I offered that.”

  “It was the only thing that would have convinced them,” he said gently. “You did well. Hopefully, the Maya won't find a way to get their sacrifices again.”

  “I'll have to explain it to Kukulcan.” I lifted the leather tube that held the Seraphim-signed truce. “Although, I'll leave out the part where I'll lead the armies of Heaven against him if he doesn't behave.”

  “Probably for the best, Your Majesty.”

  “Oh; here we go.” I chuckled.

  “You're damn straight we're going there,” he said. “I took you to the Seraphim, and you got what you wanted from them. Now, tell me how you became a Shining One queen.”

  I told him the whole, drawn-o
ut story. It was so long that he diverted us to a small park and found a bench for us to sit on while I recounted the events that led me to the Witch Relic. I told him about being hired to kill Torin, about how Torin turned things around on me, how he convinced me to wear the Relic, and how the Relic chose me. I told Raph about the Relic War, about what happened after the war, about Banning, Declan, and finally Gage. I told him all of it. When I was done, Raphael sat silently for a few minutes; staring from me to the other angels strolling around the park and back again.

  “Your dad must be over the moon,” he finally said.

  I laughed and nodded. “He's very proud that his daughter was chosen to wear the Witch Relic.” Then I grimaced. “He's going to freak the fuck out when I tell him you're an angel,” I added.

  “Yeah; I imagine Robert won't be too happy with me,” Raph looked away.

  “Are you kidding? It will probably improve his opinion of you,” I said. “I never told them why we broke up, but they assumed it was your fault.”

  “They assumed right,” he huffed. “Damn; I fucked things up good.”

  “So, you did, General.” I smirked. “Your turn; how does an Archangel become a rebel owner of a nightclub?”

  “The Seraphim can't dictate what angels do on their spare time.” He shrugged.

  “You know that's not what I meant.” I cast a sideways look at him. “How do you go from commanding their armies to cursing their names?”

  “I was a believer once,” Raphael said softly. “I believed in our race and what we could do for mankind. I thought we were helping humans, and I had faith in the Seraphim to lead us wisely. I was a good soldier, and I climbed the ranks quickly. Then I started to see the truth. Or perhaps the Host changed.” He shook his head. “I'm not sure anymore. Maybe the wealth of your world corrupted us, or it could have been the adoration. We spread across the Earth like a flock of famished birds, and the more we consumed, the hungrier we became. I wasn't the only one who remained true to my original beliefs, but I was definitely in the minority.”

  “I'm sorry,” I whispered. “It must be hard to feel like an outsider among your own people.”

  “It was harder to see what they were, or what they became; to acknowledge it and accept that I couldn't change them.” Raphael's eyes went sad and solemn. “I tried for a long time. I spoke out against our greed and ridiculous policies, and I even gathered a few angels who shared my opinions. But in the end, the Host consumed us as well. I'm a cog in the machine; I can't go against the way it all works, or I'll break myself.”

  “Can't you just leave?”

  “Turn traitor to the Angelic Host?” He laughed bitterly. “One of their generals leaving the ranks? I'd be hunted and killed publicly. We are the original cult, Elaria; there is no escape. All I can do is rattle the bars of my cage.”

  “You could leave the realm,” I suggested. “I happen to know of a kingdom that would grant you asylum.”

  Raphael's face went slack with amazement. “You would take me in after what I did to you?”

  “I love you, Raph,” I said softly. “That never changed. Now that I understand why you behaved the way you did, even my anger is gone. If you need my help, all you have to do is ask.”

  “Thank you, El.” He grabbed me close into a tight hug. “I just may take you up on that.”

  “You're not going to leap at my generous offer now?” I teased him.

  “I would,” Raphael said as he eased away from me, “if you hadn't just negotiated a truce between the Angels and the Maya. Leaving now might put you in a bad place.”

  “They wouldn't have to know where you went,” I pointed out.

  “They would find out,” he said grimly as he looked around Heaven with narrowed eyes. “They have spies everywhere.”

  “Okay. Think about it then,” I said. “The offer is a standing one.”

  “When this is over,” Raphael turned back to me, “when the truce is firmly in place, and the Maya have proven themselves to be able to abide by it, I will accept your offer.”

  “Okay. But I have one more question before we leave,” I said with a serious expression. “How do your wings sprout through that shirt without tearing it to shreds?”

  Chapter Forty-Five

  My consorts were overjoyed to see that I'd been successful. They were even more happy to say goodbye to Raphael. I gave him my cell number, though, and got some nasty looks for it. I was not looking forward to telling them about the offer I had made him.

  But that was going to have to wait. I had some Maya to settle a truce with. So, I took my consorts and Cerberus with me to Omeyocan, and found the Feathered Serpent curled up at the end of his bedroom; head hanging over the edge and into the clouds. He lifted his dragon face to us a moment after we appeared, and then rose out of his coiled state. As he did, he transformed into a man.

  “Whoa!” Gage held up a hand to cover the sight of Kukulcan's nudity. “Why does this keep happening to me?”

  “A fluffy dragon turning into a naked man?” Cerberus asked with a lifted brow.

  “No; dudes showing off their junk,” Gage shot back.

  “It must be our animal appeal,” Cerberus concluded. “It happens to me a lot too.”

  “Oh, sweet stones; now we have to deal with two of them,” Declan lamented.

  “You're welcome,” Cerberus said as he crossed his arms.

  During this exchange, Kukulcan's robe had settled into place. He ignored the men completely and strode forward to me; his dark gaze intent on my face. Kukulcan took in my expression and his eyes filled with amazement.

  “You did it,” Kukulcan whispered. “You got them to agree to a truce.”

  “I did,” I confirmed as I held out the leather tube. “All you have to do is sign it. You get Mexico, and they get the rest of the world. You stay within your borders, and they'll leave you alone.”

  Kukulcan took the parchment out of its leather case and perused it. He shook his head in wonder as he read. Then he strode toward the open wall and made a shrieking cry. As if nothing odd had happened, he came back to us and resumed his reading.

  I frowned at the guys, and they shrugged. But within a few minutes, it became clear what Kukulcan had been up to. The rest of the Maya Gods started to show up. All of them flew in through the open wall; some on clouds, some on winged beasts, and some just floated in on their own. They gave the men and I suspicious looks as they joined Kukulcan. Cerberus eyed them back as he sniffed the air, and then he let out a low growl of warning.

  “Cerberus,” I hissed beneath my breath.

  “I smell death,” Cerberus whispered back.

  “And I smell a mangy dog,” a skeleton retorted.

  Yep; he was a skeleton, and he was smoking a thick, hand-rolled cigarette—possibly not a cigarette, but I couldn't tell over his horrifying odor. The man reeked of decomposition, and he wasn't the only one. A woman who looked remarkably like a nachzehrer smelled awful as well, but I didn't think either of them had a choice in the matter. It wasn't something that bathing or perfume could help.

  “I got your mange right here, Mother—”

  “Cerberus!” I snapped and cut him off. “You're not helping.”

  “Is this another of your consorts?” Kukulcan asked with derision.

  “Buddy, you had best watch your—”

  “Gods damn it, Cerberus!” I shouted. “One more fucking comment and you're going back to Earth.”

  “Fine. Whatever,” Cerberus huffed.

  “And to answer your question,” I said to Kukulcan, “he's my best friend, so you had better watch your motherfucking mouth.”

  Cerberus grinned.

  “Understood, Elaria,” Kukulcan nodded graciously. “My apologies, Cerberus, is it? Are you the Greek God of that name?”

  “That's me,” Cerberus acknowledged.

  “I have heard of you,” Kukulcan offered. “You provide protection to humans, correct?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And the
y pay you for this?” Chamer asked.

  “That's the point,” Cerberus said.

  “Nicely done,” Kukulcan said with approval. “You have found a way to bring the arrangement between gods and humans into this new age. You give them your protection, and they give you offerings.”

  “Yeah; that's what I figured,” Cerberus didn't miss a beat.

  I shot him a sideways look, and he smirked. He had started his business for one reason alone; to make money. He'd never considered the perspective of god and human relationships. But I wasn't about to call him on it in front of the Maya—because best friends don't do shit like that. Although, I was seriously tempted to get him back for the thing with Raphael. Cerberus saw it in my face, and his expression changed to one of hesitation. I let him sweat for a second and then shook my head.

  “The Spellsinger has come through for us,” Kukulcan declared as he held out the contract for the other Maya Gods to see. “We have a truce with the Angelic Host; ready to be committed to.”

  “What's the catch?” The woman who spoke had arrived on the back of a giant bee. She was the same woman who had wanted me dead the first time we met.

  “I see no catch.” Kukulcan waved toward the parchment. “Look it over, all of you, but I am ready to sign.”

  “What about our plans for war?” A man with a prominent gap between his two front teeth asked.

  “We will use them if this truce fails,” Kukulcan said. “But why should we fight another war when we can get our life back peacefully?”

  The Maya Gods muttered among themselves awhile, but they could find nothing wrong with the truce. They were all about to sign when I decided that I'd better tell them about the human laws. If I waited until after they signed, I'd look as if I were trying to trick them.

  “Just one more thing before you sign that,” I said.

  My consorts widened their eyes at me in warning, Cerberus rolled his eyes, and the Maya went still.

  “What is it, Elaria?” Kukulcan asked.

  “I know that your people rely on blood sacrifices,” I said. “I assume that you'll want to reinstate that practice?”