"That and the fact that I would love to see that chiseled bod of yours in a tailored suit," Nina gushed with girlish enthusiasm, to which Gabriel burst out laughing.
"And what brought about this sudden change of heart?"
Nina's lips curved into a devious smile. "You're not the only member of the Hierarchy the glowing two-some chat up."
Gabriel stiffened. "What do you mean? Did Dichotomy…?"
"Divulge all of your secrets?" she finished his statement. "No but the dynamic duo did stress the fact that the terms of your service left little room for deviation. Hey, that's the way they put it," Nina responded to his cynical look.
Gabriel was unsure what to make of Dichotomy's curious initiative on his behalf. "And based on this…disclosure, you've come to the conclusion that my actions at the IMAX were justified?"
Nina glared at him. "I wouldn't go that far. But it did make me realize that until I learn your reasons for serving, I have no right to judge you."
Gabriel gave her face a searching look. "I guess that's my cue to divulge more of my own secrets."
Nina placed a gentle hand against his cheek. "Not at all. That's just my way of telling you that, although I don't like what happened, I accept the fact that you had your reasons."
Gabriel placed his hand atop hers. "Thank you."
She favored him with a tender smile. "Don't mention it." Her expression turned mischievous. "However if you still feel the need to let me into the closet where you hide all your skeletons, please do so."
Gabriel shook his head from side to side. "You truly are a unlike any one I've ever protected. But you've also made your point," he added, thinking of the countless details of her life that she had shared with him over the months. He took gentle hold of her hand still against his face, and straightened up from his squatting position. "Will you come with me?"
Nina gave him a wary look then used the proffered limb to pull her self up. "And where are we going?"
A wry grin tugged at his lips. "The closet where I keep my skeletons."
A nimbus of bright light engulfed their bodies, whisking them through time and space away from the office. The unnatural mode of transportation made Nina a bit queasy, but they arrived at their destination before the effect became overwhelming.
The glow faded and she gaped in wonder at the breath-taking beauty of the desert landscape around them. "Where are we?"
"Arizona," Gabriel said, directing her attention to the sprawling ranch set against a mountainous backdrop. "Welcome to Clawson, Miss Delcielo."
Nina's eyes bulged outward at the ranch's main house and accompanying structures. "Is this your home?"
"Yes it is," he said proudly.
Nina used her hand to shield herself from the sun's harsh glare as she gave the ranch the once over. "This is definitely not what I was expecting. You really are a man of mystery, Mister Leyr."
"So I've been told. C'mon, let's get you out of this sun." He motioned for her to precede him up the winding stone pathway that led to the main house. "You can catch a nasty burn out here if you're not careful."
Nina started walking in the direction indicated; deeply enjoying the balmy weather that was a far cry from the chilly Detroit spring they had just come from. She took note of the potted plants ringing the path, and stopped dead in her tracks. "Those are rose bushes," she exclaimed, turning incredulous eyes to him. "How the blazes did you manage that?"
A mischievous glint appeared in Gabriel's eyes. "Celestial energy has its benefits."
"Obviously." Nina wondered if her guardian realized the curious irony the potted roses represented. Apparently the Archangels didn't mind their agents using their powers for the creation of a whimsical desert garden yet forbade its use for saving innocent people in a burning theatre.
They continued on to the porch, and Nina quickly ascended the cedar-plank steps, grateful for the shade provided by the porch's ceramic tiled canopy.
"Thank you, sir," she acknowledged as he held the front door open so she could enter. "Oh, my," she uttered at the elegantly furnished parlor that greeted her. "This is lovely!"
She let her gaze drift around the room, marveling at the oversized sofa and chairs. The rich, caramel color of the leather cushions provided a stylish contrast to the dark mahogany wood used in the furniture's construction. Muted light from the numerous brass sconces lining the walls gave the entire room a cozy yet rustic feel.
"This place makes my apartment look shabby." Nina ran her hand along the intricately carved arms of one of the chairs sat in a loose semi-circle in front of a large, stone hearth. "The patterns on these chairs are amazing. Wherever did you find them?"
"I made them."
Gabriel's admission drew a surprised look from Nina. "You made all these pieces?"
"It's what I do to pass the time between Tasks. That and tend the rose bushes," he added with a wink.
"You must have a lot of time between Tasks," Nina muttered as she continued her inspection of the parlor's contents.
She took particular interest of the large painting hanging on the wall above the hearth. In it, a beautiful woman, dressed in what appeared to be some form of Native-American ceremonial garb was sitting pristinely on a fallen log amidst a lovely forest background.
Perched on the woman's lap, also dressed in ceremonial clothing, was a young girl. She looked approximately four or five years old, and though her skin was noticeably darker, she bore a striking resemblance to the woman; and to Gabriel, Nina noted upon studying the girls eyes.
"Is that your family?"
A pained expression crossed Gabriel's face. "That's my wife, Clarissa, and our daughter Gabriella."
"They're both beautiful."
"Yes they were."
Nina studied Clarissa's image a little closer. Though dressed in the proper attire, her tanned skin bore few traces of the physical characteristics associated with America's first inhabitants. "Was your wife a true Native-American?"
Gabriel nodded. "Clarissa's mother was a member of the Sioux Nation, and raised her in accordance with their traditions. Clarissa's father was reportedly a Caucasian, but she had no memory of him."
Nina favored Clarissa's image with a compassionate smile. "It sounds like she and I were kindred spirits. How did the two of you meet?"
Some of the angst lifted from Gabriel's expression. "During a family vacation to the Grand Canyon; the Leyrs hired her as one of our native guides."
Nina gave him an odd. "Aren't you a Leyr?"
Gabriel hesitated. He always knew the time would come for him to reveal is troubled past. He had wanted to confide in her during their heated discussion over his actions at the IMAX, but uncertainty as to how she would react had stayed his voice. Their current situation was in no way the emotional maelstrom that day had been, yet he was still concerned as to how she would react to what he was about to tell her.
So far Nina had masterfully adapted to the bizarre twists her life had taken, but the human psyche could only endure so many shocks. Hopefully the story he was about to relate wouldn't push hers over the edge.
Steadying his resolve, he took a deep breath, and answered her question. "The Leyrs are my adopted parents. My birth parents were killed during an excavation in the Valley of the Kings when I was two. They were exploring a newly opened tomb when the internal structure collapsed."
Nina's hand tightened briefly on his forearm. "Oh, Gabriel, I'm so sorry."
Gabriel frowned. "It's okay. I was so young when it happened that I really don't remember them."
Nina favored him with a tender look. "I could see how that could happen. Were your birth-parents archeologists?"
"My father was. My mother was a preservationist at the Cairo Museum."
Nina blinked. "Cairo? In...Egypt?"
Gabriel studied her expression closely. "That's were I was born."
Nina blinked again. "That's amazing. I've always been fascinated by Egyptian culture. How did you end up with the Leyrs?"
"You had no other family in Egypt?"
Gabriel's voice turned bitter. "None that wanted me; my father was Egyptian, but my mother was British. Their respective families wouldn't accept their marriage, let alone me."
Nina shook her head from side to side. "I will never understand the ignorance of racism."
Gabriel released an indifferent snort. "The world is what it is."
Nina jumped on his statement, her hazel eyes flashing with anger. "That's why folks like us have to put in the effort to change it!"
Gabriel gave her hand a soothing pat. "As I've heard you say on numerous occasions."
His teasing comment brought an embarrassed flush to Nina's face. "Sorry. It's easy for me to fall into lecture mode."
"Don't apologize. The world needs people like you who are willing to care for those that can't take care of themselves."
Nina smiled. "I guess that's something you and I have in common.
Gabriel's eyes flared briefly. "Actually we don't."
Nina gave him a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"
Gabriel's eyes shifted back to his wife's painting. "You do what you do because you want to. My cooperation was forced."
Nina lightly touched his face, drawing his attention back to her. "Tell me. Please," she added when she sensed his hesitation.
"I'm afraid this is the part where the story gets…interesting."
A look of worry briefly touched Nina's face. "Interesting as in bad?"
The Celemor shrugged. "Interesting as in…Interesting."
Nina searched his face for a moment then gave him a shrewd look. "I'm a heavenly Harbinger who consorts with glowing Celestial beings. I think I can handle it."
Gabriel hoped she was right. "Suit your self," he said then continued his tale. "
"As I said earlier, I met Clarissa while in the States on vacation with the Leyrs. Nathaniel had always been fascinated by America's southwest region, and decided that the time had finally come to satisfy his curiosity.
Clarissa and I became very close during our six week expedition. When it finally came time for the Leyrs and I to return to England, I chose to stay behind in the hopes that she and I could one day have a future together. The elders of her tribe accepted me and we were married 2 months later."
"It sounds like you made the right call. How did the Leyrs take you not returning home with them?"
Gabriel smiled at the memory of his adopted parents' reaction. "It was a mixed blessing. They were saddened by my decision to make a permanent home in America, but happy that I had found love."
A dreamy sigh escaped Nina's lips. "That's nice. I take it they approved of Clarissa as a mate for you?"
"Absolutely," Gabriel declared. "When I wrote to them about our plans to marry, they wired me a substantial dowry for us to get started in our new life. Clarissa and I used most of it to purchase this place." He waved his hands around the parlor. "Back in its heyday Clawson had been a popular resort. We had this grand idea to bring it back to its former glory." The Celemor gazed fondly at his wife's portrait. "I think she would've like what I've done with the place."
Nina nodded her head in stout agreement. "I think she would've been very pleased. Hell, I've only seen this one room and I'm blown away."
Gabriel grimaced at the compliment. "Thanks." He returned his gaze to his family's portrait.
Nina easily read the look of yearning on his face. She gently took hold of his hand. "How long have they been gone?"
Gabriel tensed. This was it. The moment he had been dreading. Hopefully his answer wouldn't push her away as it had done with the scant few he had shared his history with in the past.
Without taking his eyes from the portrait, he answered her question. "I lost them 106 years ago."
Nina stiffened, her eyes growing wide. "What?"
Gabriel sighed, and brought his eyes down to meet hers. "My wife and daughter were killed in the Great Quake that destroyed most of San Francisco back 1906."
It took the Harbinger several seconds to digest this startling revelation, and several more to regain the use of her voice. "How is that possible?"
A humorless smile curved Gabriel's lips. "One of the by-products of being a Celemor; when you join the Hierarchy, you're in it for the long haul."
Nina's left eyebrow arched upward. "Are you saying your immortal?"
"I'm afraid so."
Again, Nina paused as she tried to wrap her mind around such an amazing concept. "Now that's deep," she finally uttered as she eased her body into the closest chair, retreating gratefully into its oversized embrace. "So...when exactly were you born?"
"1878; on August 9th,, to be exact."
Nina did the math. "You're a hundred and thirty-four years old?" He nodded, and Nina let out an appreciative whistle. "Well you must be doing something right. You don't look a day over 130."
Gabriel released the breath he'd been unconsciously holding. Once again, his charge had proven her self resilient to a disturbing revelation. Smiling at her quip, he sat down in the chair beside hers. "Why thank you ma'am. I'll take that as a compliment."
Nina noticed that the humor on his face didn't erase the sadness in his eyes. She leaned forward and laid a gentle hand atop his shoulder. "All jokes aside, Gabe, if this is something you'd rather not talk about I completely understand."
He covered her hand with his, and brought it to his lips where he gave her knuckles a light kiss. "I appreciate your concern but no. You've come to mean a lot to me these past several months. I would rather there not be any more secretes between us."
A pleased smile creased Nina's lips. "I'd like that, too."
"I'm just glad the revelation of my age didn't spook you."
Nina released an amused snort. "Like I said before; I'm a heavenly Harbinger who regularly consorts with glowing beings. Finding out that you're a walking talking relic just isn't that big of a deal."
Her comment elicited another quick smile from the Celemor. "I suppose I should continue the story."
Nina gave his hand another squeeze. "Only if you're ready."
Gabriel met the compassion in her eyes, and some of the heaviness lifted from his heart. He took a deep breath, exhaled sharply then continued his tale.
"On our fifth wedding anniversary, Clarissa and I decided to take a family trip. She had never been away from her tribal lands, and wanted to know what a big city was like. I chose San Francisco because I had visited there many times with the Leyrs."
A shadow fell over the Celemor's face and his voice became robotic. "The morning of the quake, I woke before dawn. For some reason I couldn't fall back to sleep. I decided to go for a walk so I wouldn't wake Clarissa and Gaby. I'd gotten about two blocks away from the hotel when the tremors started." His words faltered, and Nina tightened her grip on his hand.
"When it was over half the city was in ruins, the other half on fire. I was pretty much unscathed, but the hotel..." He paused again, swallowing hard several times. "The hotel's ceiling had collapsed under the stress of the quake…while they were still in there…" A haunted look consumed his features. "Then the whole place caught fire."
Gabriel abruptly shut his eyes, trying to block the horrid memory that a century of living had done nothing to erode. "I heard Gaby crying out for me, but I couldn't…I couldn't reach them…couldn't save them…"
Tears formed in Nina's eyes at the pain in his voice. Not knowing what else to do she drew him closer, hugging him as tight as she could. "I'm sorry Gabe," she whispered in his ear. "I'm so sorry."
"Thank you," he said, drawing comfort from their embrace. He remained in her arms until he regained his composure, at which point he sat up and resumed his tale. "Once the fire subsided I was able to dig through the rubble. I recovered their r
emains, and brought them back to Arizona. Clarissa's family performed their customary rituals and wanted to bury them in their sacred ground, but I had them lain to rest here at the ranch."
He gestured to his left, and Nina caught a glimpse of the stone memorial through one of the parlor's windows. "It was probably selfish of me to deprive Clarissa's family of their traditional rites but I didn't want to have to share them with anyone else."
"I don't think it was selfish at all. I felt the same way when I lost my mother. In fact I still get peeved when there are other people at the cemetery when I visit her grave. Present company excluded, of course," she said with a quick grin. "So how is it that you became a Celemor?"
Gabriel's face turned somber. "About a week after I'd laid their bodies to rest, the Archangel Gabriel appeared during one of my daily vigils at their grave."
Nina's eyebrows arched upward. "I'll bet that was a shocker."
"It was; an extreme one. He was quite a site, too; all bathed in light with these enormous wings sticking out of his back. I asked him if he was there to take my family to Heaven. He promptly told me 'No' then revealed the truth about The Creation...and the spiritual requirements for entering the afterlife."
"Which are?" Nina prompted when he said nothing else.
A weary sigh escaped Gabriel's lips. "Contrary to what they teach you in church, the Mortal soul is not some ethereal apparition contained within our bodies. It's a collection of Celestial particles assigned to a specific consciousness. These particles disperse upon our deaths unless the deceased has a foundation of faith in The Almighty hard wired into their subconscious mind. This allows the particles to maintain their cohesive structure during the transition to the after life. The process begins at the time of baptism, and is reinforced through the practice of mono-deity, religious systems, such as Christianity, Judaism, or the Muslim faith."
"Weren't you and your family Christians?"
Gabriel's expression turned bleak. "The Leyrs indoctrinated me into the Lutheran faith when they first adopted me, and insisted that Gabrielle be baptized as well, but Clarissa was a Sioux Indian. Clarissa respected their wishes where our daughter was concerned out of gratitude for their support. But she didn't believe in the concept of a singular god, nor did she have any interest in becoming a Christian."
The Creation: Chaos Rising Page 14