Claire sat beside me, facing the Angel’s desk, listening patiently as I finished laying out our side of the story. Nameless contemplated us thoughtfully in silence.
“What have you found out about the Catacombs?” I finally asked him.
He leaned back in his chair. “We weren’t the only ones searching for it, obviously. But no one recognized our… guest. And our whistleblower has gone silent, probably dead somewhere,” he said, sounding genuinely regretful. I even heard Alyksandre murmur a prayer across the room.
Like a good Catholic, I swore, clenching my fist. Nameless narrowed his eyes at my outburst, but didn’t openly reprimand me.
I kept my mouth shut about Greta, wondering if she had been telling the truth about knowing Nate and the Angel who had attacked us. The problem was, I wasn’t entirely sure who was worth trusting these days, but I definitely wasn’t going to rely on a bitter stranger’s ravings.
“So, who stole the Ring of Aandaleeb?” I asked. “One of the local gangs?”
He grimaced. “The Catacombs seem to have been occupied for quite some time, but nothing had been stolen or damaged, so I doubt it was a gang. Whoever resided there respected the place. I don’t think they would have allowed a thief to get in, let alone get away.” His eyes flickered to my neck, noting the absence of my Templar scarf.
I didn’t say anything.
He hesitated for a moment before leaning closer to speak in a soft, barely audible tone. “You’re not one of them, are you, Callie? A Templar?”
Claire sniffed, folding her arms.
If he hadn’t looked so serious, I would have laughed at him. “The Templars hate me, Nameless. They wouldn’t take me if I begged them.” Sensing his paranoia, I glanced at the other Nephilim in the room. None were close enough to overhear. “Where do you think I got the scarf in the first place?” I added.
His lips tightened in understanding. Because there was really only one other way to obtain a scarf if it wasn’t given. Murdering a Templar and taking it. “I have reason to… distrust their Order,” he said. “I have heard that they hide Freaks of their own…”
I tried to act surprised, and then decided not to. “A werewolf… They’re run by a werewolf.”
He blinked at me. “You know this for a fact?” he asked, sounding stunned.
I shrugged. “I kind of had something to do with it, but I don’t know if it actually infected him or not. Maybe he walked it off.” I knew Commander Olin Fuentes was hundreds of years old, so maybe he was immune to the werewolf gene. I decided Nameless didn’t need to know about Paradise and Lost.
“I had hoped it was just a rumor…” he said, sounding troubled. “Being a shifter is not wrong,” he suddenly said in an apologetic tone, wincing at Claire. “It’s just the antithesis of what they preach, a direct contradiction. Why would his fellow Templars accept it? If he had openly declared a change in their principles, that would be one thing, but to continue hunting Freaks while he himself is one of them… This is not the act of an honorable man.”
I shrugged. “I always assumed he was a stinker.”
“A stinker…” Nameless repeated, frowning.
“Someone who respected the place moved in, so my guess is the Templars turned it into their new hideout. But if they had already found the Catacombs, why was it vacant when we showed up? Not even a sentry.”
Nameless nodded absently, face growing harder. “That’s another concern of mine,” he said, eyes casually indicating his own Nephilim. I stiffened, but kept my composure well enough for no one to notice. Claire had been studying the bookshelf, so hadn’t seen his subtle indication. That perhaps some of his Nephilim had turned coat.
“Well, that is remarkably unhelpful,” I sighed, meeting his eyes to let him know I had caught his meaning. Did he really distrust his own men?
“Kansas City is not the same as it was even months ago. All sorts of people stirring up trouble. I even heard a story about a fight last night. Involving a small group of car thieves. Seems a few people saw it all happen…”
I nodded slowly. “Good. Someone is trying to clean up this city, then.”
“You’ve made quite the name for yourself. Taking out two demons – without any help from those who should have been your allies,” he added, lowering his chin apologetically to admit his own guilt. Claire squinted at him suspiciously, the conversation piquing her interest again. Especially the admission of fault. “Perhaps you might consider an alliance… mutually beneficial, of course.”
“I can handle myself.”
“I have no doubt. But it seems those below the equator are not your only enemies. Stories about Rome have reached the city. Everyone whispers about the woman who faced the Vatican. They say her shout broke the walls. And that she lured out the Templars as well… It seems rumor was correct, for once.”
I placed my hands on my knees. “What do you know about the Templars?” I asked neutrally.
“They’ve been around for a few years,” he said drily. “As have the Shepherds. Neither are good enemies to have, although they say you can judge a woman by the caliber of her foes.” He looked up at me wryly. “Not sure what that says about you…”
I stared back. “I hear men get set in their ways and need to be reminded that times change. We have mobile phones, now, for example. Other annoying things. It all began to crumble after they let women have the vote,” I said, straight-faced.
He smirked ever so slightly, catching the tone of my voice, but managing to smile guiltily. He was one of those old-fashioned beings. “You do dress rather provocatively,” he added with a frown, but his hand very subtly covered his mouth and nose for a half-heartbeat, like mimicking a scarf. Was that a hint that he respected my accomplishments?
I nodded. “At least I don’t walk around naked like my girlfriend, here. Right, Alyksandre?” I called out in a louder voice, glancing over my shoulder at the door to the room. His face flushed red and he muttered darkly under his breath. Claire turned to smile at him before blowing him a kiss. Kevin chuckled but quickly turned it into a cough at the look on Nameless’ face.
“So, what is this Ring of Aandaleeb?” I asked Nameless, walling off my thoughts, not particularly sure what Angels could and couldn’t do. Or Nephilim, for that matter. I wanted to see how open Nameless was with me. I could always google the ring when I got home, but I wanted to test him. It would determine the course of events over the next few days. Then there was Phix’s bizarre riddle…
“Everyone leave. Except Alyksandre,” Nameless said.
“And Kevin,” Claire chimed in, glancing back at the Nephilim, not looking remotely concerned with the fact she was attempting to command both an Angel and a Nephilim. “An ass like that was made by God for my viewing pleasure,” Claire admitted with an easy shrug.
Chapter 21
I coughed into my fist, noticing Nameless’ darkening glare. “That will be all, Kevin. Thank you,” the Angel commanded.
Claire sighed longingly. Kevin looked torn between smiling back and obeying his master.
Soon we were alone with Alyksandre in the room, who was motioned to approach the desk and pull up a chair. He didn’t sit. Just stood beside the desk, eyes alert for dangers, choosing duty over comfort, although I figured with us four in the same room, any bad guys would be in for a long night at the hospital.
Or a quick trip to the morgue.
Nameless pulled out a slip of paper with a familiar drawing on it. Two interwoven triangles, one with the point down and the other with the point up, forming a six-pointed star – the same one I had seen at the Catacombs. The interwoven aspect made the image startlingly different from the typical Star of David that most people recognized. This wasn’t a flat, two-dimensional, six-pointed star of solid lines. This was a three-dimensional rendition of two different triangles woven together so that one line of triangle A would intersect above a line on triangle B, but then cross below triangle B on the second leg. A small difference that wouldn’t be noticed fr
om a distance, yet it was clear up close.
“The Seal of Solomon,” Nameless murmured. He pointed at the downward pointed triangle. “This represents water.” Then he pointed at the triangle pointing upwards. “And this, fire.”
He checked to make sure we were following.
“Many consider this symbol to be a protection against evil spirits. The interwoven nature of the two triangles was believed to trap, contain, and control demons – rendering them harmless to mortals. Like a maze, confusing any demon who stared at it, let alone one trapped within its lines.”
Claire blinked. Then she turned to me. “You mean you didn’t have to go all badass against the demons? You could have just drawn one of these fancy stars?” she asked, frowning doubtfully.
Nameless sighed. “A little more complicated than that, but essentially, yes.”
“Okay,” I said, thinking. “And it was on one of the walls in the Templar Vault. So… they had a demon trapped down there?” I hadn’t sensed anything from my boots down there, so it had probably been freed at some point.
But Nameless shook his head. “No demon. The Templars worshipped this symbol. And the man who created it.”
“Let me guess,” Claire said, leaning back. “King Solomon.”
Nameless was nodding. “We believe – based on the evidence found at the Vault – that the Templars of old had hidden King Solomon’s signet ring – the Seal of Solomon – there long ago.”
I turned to Alyksandre. “That’s the object of power you were tracking. This Seal.”
“Also known as the Ring of Aandaleeb,” he said. “One and the same.”
I studied the drawing, thinking over the conversation. “The Templars probably found it, took it, and left,” I finally said, shrugging. “And you just said we don’t have a demon running amok.”
“Nailed it,” Claire commented, folding her arms.
Nameless leaned forward, voice very low. “It doesn’t just ward against demons. It traps them. Contains them…”
My stomach felt hollow all of a sudden. “It has demons inside it? Right now?”
Nameless nodded. “And possibly held by a zealot-turned-werewolf who commands the Templars. A commander who has granted himself immunity from his own judgments… I fear his true intentions.”
I considered it, tapping my lips. What kind of trouble could Olin get into with this Ring? Would he dare risk releasing a demon? Why would he? And was he even strong enough to do that? And why was Nameless overly concerned? He was an Angel. Couldn’t he just turn them all into pillars of salt?
Then it hit me, and I slowly looked up at him. The tightness around his eyes told me the truth. “Demons… are just one flavor of Angel,” I whispered.
Claire frowned at my comment, turning to look at the silent Angel behind the desk. Nameless finally nodded, ever so slowly. “The symbol doesn’t have the same power over me as it would a demon, however the Seal itself is powerful enough to trap an Angel – Fallen or otherwise…” he admitted, eyes very cold.
“But this thing isn’t new. It’s been around for a while. Although missing, sure. What is your sudden interest in it? You said you’ve been searching for it for a while, now, but only just confirmed the Templars were in town.”
Nameless sighed, as if hoping I wouldn’t have come to this question for quite some time. “I… wish to interrogate some of the prisoners trapped inside.”
I blinked at him, eyes widening.
Alyksandre – although motionless – went so still that he may as well have had a heart attack. But being a good little Nephilim soldier, he didn’t offer his opinion on the matter.
Nameless nodded. “Something is coming to Kansas City. I sense a… finality in the air. I don’t know if that means the threat is imminent or some time off, but we need answers – to know what they are planning. To know that two demons came after you, and that you somehow managed to defeat them by yourself – although astounding – is unacceptable. True, we should have been on the same side, and that fault lies on my shoulders. But maybe if I knew then what I know now, I might have been wise enough to see you as an ally rather than a foe.”
He leaned back in his chair, looking exhausted.
“That…” I finally let out a low whistle, leaning away from the table. “Wow. And you haven’t told them,” I said, thinking back on how he had made the other Nephilim leave the room. “And I had thought you were set in your ways. You might be the most progressive Angel ever.”
He nodded tightly. “Now you see the full picture. Even my own brothers attempt to stop me. Either… for their own selfish desire to do the same, or because they cannot see what comes, refuse to see what comes.”
I nodded absently. “How very… human of them,” I said softly, not trying to offend Nameless, but to let him know I was well familiar with his plight.
Something about his troubled eyes suddenly made me feel uncomfortable, especially when they pinned me to my chair. “Those demons found you, Callie. Even after a lifetime of hiding, they were still able to find you. Still wanted to find you. We discussed the unique powers at your disposal. How dangerous they are,” he said carefully, referring to the Whispers – which he had warned me could be either Demonic or Angelic.
I nodded, a sickening sensation building in my stomach. “I’m managing, thank you. I’m more concerned about the shiny ring that lets anyone waltz up and trap an Angel. That is way too much power in the hands of one person—”
“Unless you are as wise as the fabled Solomon,” Alyksandre spoke in a gravelly voice, sounding as if the thought had just struck him. “The only one able to control its influence.”
But Nameless was still staring into my soul as he spoke. “It is too much power for one person or being… and usually burns up anyone trying to control it…”
Alyksandre slowly lifted his head, frowning thoughtfully at Nameless. Noticing his boss’ attention was on me, he frowned harder. Then he flinched, taking a step back, turning from me to Nameless in rapid succession.
“Nope. I’m not Solomon,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t even have a casual acquaintance with wisdom.”
“No one ever said you did,” Claire offered helpfully.
“I’m not related to Solomon,” I clarified, my breath quickening. But even as I said it, I realized the flawed logic. I didn’t have a single idea who or what I was. All I knew was that my mother had been a wizard named Constance, and I had a Nephilim father.
Nameless shrugged. “Are you so sure? Because I see a Nephilim with powers she shouldn’t be able to control – powers not granted to any Nephilim I have ever met…” he let his words echo in the small room. Claire’s mouth hung open as she stared at me. I could hardly blink, let alone speak. “It would explain why everyone has been so interested in you.”
“I… no,” I said, shaking my head, feeling dizzy. “No way. Something like that would be recorded…” I said weakly.
“Your lineage may be in question. I have no proof to this theory, but…” he tapped the symbol on the paper, “I am confident your unique powers give you protection from the Seal’s dangers.”
“And…” I said after a few moments, connecting the dots. “You need my help to do what you intend…” I whispered. “To interrogate the imprisoned demons.”
He nodded. Not victoriously. Not angrily. But…
Sadly. Empathetically. “I believe so, although maybe not. Angels do not have the power to control the ring, to abuse it – lest we would be able to control each other, but perhaps we could speak through it. To have you as a translator, of sorts.” He held up his hands in the universal I don’t know gesture. “I would like you there, just in case. Maybe you should spend some time brushing up on your… gifts.”
I stood, walking away from the desk, pacing anxiously, trying to control my breathing. I couldn’t be related to Solomon. That was impossible. But… I did have the Whispers. The Silvers. Were they the same thing? Or was one of them related to this power, this immunity, tha
t Nameless might need? Or maybe it was the two in tandem that gave me the unique chance.
Except my mind kept drifting to the Whispers – the Angelic and Demonic influences that frequently spoke to me. How I had to keep them at bay, control them.
Probably like I would have to do if wearing this Seal. Listen, but keep them at a safe distance.
“Why? This doesn’t make any sense. Why would I have anything to do with this?”
He just shrugged.
But what if his crazy plan to water-board demons… wasn’t so crazy? I could help put a stop to this impending demon incursion before it ever happened… That would keep my city safe. My friends in St. Louis safe. I could stop a war.
I stared at Nameless, facing him directly. I relaxed my control on my Whispers, hoping for some guidance or input. They were oddly still, as if listening. Or they weren’t paying attention.
Damn it.
I let out a sigh. “I need to think on this. We don’t even have the Seal yet, anyway. But… yeah. I’ll need to think on something like this.”
Nameless nodded. “Take your time. I had hoped to earn more of your trust before mentioning this. I only recently connected the pieces – that your unique abilities and the enemies you have attracted might be part of the same element. The solution to my problem in the first place.”
I nodded, feeling numb.
Luckily, Claire had driven us over here, because I was pretty sure I couldn’t have made a Gateway at that moment. I could barely put one foot in front of the other as I left with Claire, feeling Alyksandre’s eyes on the back of my neck.
Chapter 22
I had taken a glorious nap, because Claire had threatened to sit on me otherwise. It was early afternoon when I awoke, although it felt like I had slept for a week. Both in the fact that I now felt more relaxed and rested, and…
That I had woken from a coma and that the world might have caught fire in the interim.
The panic hit me like a fist to the gut about ten seconds after I woke up, shattering my smile.
Feathers and Fire Series Box Set 2 Page 10