Tempest

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  The menacing sound made me shrink away. I glanced up at Preston. His eyes were wide as he stared at Uriel’s crimson wings. Maddie peeked around his back, her mouth gaped open.

  So much for keeping the supernatural world secret from my human friends. Panic tightened my throat. I hoped Maddie continued to keep her cool, although it probably wouldn’t be a bad thing for her to faint, either.

  “How did you get in the valley?” Sawyer demanded.

  The Angel’s brows arched and his eyes darkened. Sawyer tried to hold his gaze, but ended up dropping his.

  “You dare speak to me at all, and in that condescending tone?” Uriel didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to. The sound of it carried naturally, drumming into everyone’s ears. “Your little foray into the undead lands to collect dark particles at the guidance of a ghost Watcher—and with the aid of dragons nonetheless—has caused more problems than you can imagine. Heaven help us, what you’ve done.”

  I stared at my ancestor. “How do you know all that?”

  He inclined his head, pinching his lips together, like he was working hard to control his temper. “I forced Eae to tell me before I healed him.”

  “You would have left him to die?” I croaked and jumped to a standing position.

  “Eae broke every Angelic law by accompanying you on your journey to Purgatory. It was his duty to tell me, his superior, everything.” His eyes narrowed. “If he hadn’t, I would have finished him off myself. But he spoke the truth, and in doing so, exposed Gabriel’s sins.” He looked at Sawyer. “To answer your question, it was Eae’s presence with me that broke the warding enough for us to slip through. It seems his connection to Ember is deep enough to give him passage into her territory.”

  “Uh, did you say Purgatory?” Preston spoke up. All our eyes shifted to him.

  I didn’t want my human friends to know what was about to happen. In this case, ignorance truly was bliss.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll wipe their memories clean and they won’t remember a thing.” Uriel frowned.

  I looked back at him, surprised that he knew what I was thinking. Perhaps it was an Angel thing. I tensed that he might be able to read my thoughts.

  “Hey, wait a minute.” Preston pointed at Uriel. “I don’t care if you are an Angel. You’re not messing with my head.”

  Maddie stepped out from behind Preston. She squinted as her gaze swept Uriel from head to foot and a polite smile was frozen on her face. “I guess it’s true then—the rapture is happening soon.”

  My eyes whipped between Uriel and Maddie. The Angel shrugged and glanced away. Maddie was calm, almost serene.

  “How could you possibly know that?” I asked.

  “Papaw’s been preaching about it every Sunday for the past few months.” She motioned to the sky. “There have been signs and he’s had dreams. Thousands of Christians are being openly murdered. Our country has turned its back on the Middle East and war is breaking out there. Papaw says that’s where its beginning and it will soon spread into Europe and then here. Our congregation has been preparing.”

  “The resiliency of humans never ceases to amaze me.” Uriel looked as if he’d tasted something bitter.

  “What about you, football player—have you been preparing, too?” Sawyer’s lip curled up.

  Preston waved his hands. “Whoa, this is the first I’ve heard about it. But it doesn’t surprise me. Most of my family are survivalists—we’ve been planning for everything from a government crackdown on our second amendment right to a zombie attack.” When Preston saw my eyes widen, he smiled a little. “The world’s been messed up for a long time. Momma’s convinced terrorists are going to release some kind of disease that will turn people into flesh-eating zombies. Our basement is full of bottled water, canned food and guns.”

  I blew out my lips, recovering from the shock that Maddie and Preston were not freaking out the way I’d expected they would at the news.

  “They can’t be allowed to remember this. Chaos will break out, and we don’t even know exactly when it’s all going down.” Sawyer glanced at Uriel. “Unless you know something we don’t.”

  Uriel raised a defiant eyebrow to the group. “It might be tomorrow, next week or a year from now. The Lord hasn’t set a date or if He has, He hasn’t revealed it to us.”

  “What’s He waiting for?” The conversation was too bizarre to even contemplate. The only thing that kept me from losing my mind was the sprinkle of rain on my face and having Preston and Maddie standing so close by.

  Uriel’s eyes became unfocused and he gazed out at the meadow and hills beyond. Maddie moved closer and slipped her hand around mine. She squeezed and gave me that I’m the cheerleader captain, and everything is going to be all right look.

  “His will is His will. It is not our place to ponder the details.” Uriel turned sharper eyes on me. “We must deal with the here and now.” He nodded at Maddie. “Gabriel crossed the plane of existence to communicate with this human girl.” He looked back at me. “To locate you.”

  My stomach clenched painfully and I closed my eyes.

  “I thought Gabriel was an arch Angel—one of the good guys,” Maddie said.

  Eae took a gasping breath and sat up. I placed my hands on his shoulders. “He’s gone rogue,” he choked out in a raspy voice. “His wrath at Adria and his jealousy of Vorago have driven him mad.” He pushed off the ground and Sawyer grasped his arm, pulling him to his feet. “He operates outside of our Order, as do many of the Angels now.”

  “Are Angels warring among themselves?” Sawyer asked.

  Eae took a shaky breath. “Not yet, but I fear that will happen.”

  My head swam with the implications of Angels battling Angels and I looked at Uriel. “I don’t understand. Why would they fight each other?”

  “Some of us follow God’s orders and others do not. It has always been that way.” His lips thinned. “The humans are at the center of controversy. There are those Angels who are envious of the love and favor the Lord has shown them while others have grown fond of the short-lived beings.”

  Eae grunted and Uriel’s head snapped in his direction. “Fond is putting it mildly in some cases,” Eae said.

  A fine mist rose from the grass. Cricket tossed her head, whinnied and took off, galloping back to the barn. A gust of wind lifted my hair and the sky flashed pink and orange.

  “What was that?” I chirped, pulling Maddie tighter against my side.

  “That is Gabriel testing your warding.” Uriel’s hand went to the long sword at his hip. “I’m surprised he hasn’t broken through yet.”

  “It’s going to take more than one Angel to get into this valley,” Insepth called out, flanked by Sir Austin and Youmi. “We’ve added our own warding to Ila’s—he can’t enter.”

  Uriel snickered. “Clever Watchers. You’ve bought us some time.” The sky lit up with a purple glow and a clap of thunder shook the air. “Eventually, the warding will break.”

  Gabriel’s killer wind and his battle cry were fresh memories. There was no reasoning with him. If he broke through, he’d kill us all.

  I let go of Maddie and rushed up to Uriel.

  “Will you help us—will you fight Gabriel?”

  Uriel’s blazing blue eyes settled on me and his mouth twisted in concentration. Reddish-pink flashed overhead and thunder cracked the air again.

  Please, I begged in my mind.

  After several long seconds, he replied, “That all depends on Gabriel.”

  Chapter 28

  This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

  2 Corinthians 13:1

  Uriel and Eae stood in the middle of the barn and we formed a ring around them. The sudden downpour had slowed to a heavy drizzle, but the taps on the tin roof were still loud.<
br />
  “The bear, wolf and horse will patrol the boundary lines—Gabriel may not come from above. He’ll pay them little mind and their swift feet cover more ground than the rest of you.”

  Lutz turned and barreled out into the rain. Ivan nodded firmly and changed form, racing through the barn door just a few steps behind the bear. With Uriel’s arrival, I had lost my leadership position. I didn’t really care. He was more capable of dealing with Gabriel than I was, but still, my ego bristled a little at how promptly the Growlers had responded to his orders.

  I glanced at Cricket, who hung her head through the window opening. Uriel’s eyes narrowed on the horse and she bobbed her head. My jaw dropped when she whirled and galloped away.

  “She understood you?”

  “Her mind is still human, although she’s too stubborn and angry to acknowledge that fact to you.” His face hardened. “That is the next issue we’ll deal with.”

  My cheeks warmed and I looked away from his stony gaze.

  “The Demons will cover a smaller perimeter around the cabin and barnyard.” Uriel dismissed them.

  “I’m staying with Ember,” Sawyer protested.

  “You will do as I say or you will die.” Uriel didn’t raise his voice, but it was still menacing. “This time, she doesn’t need your protection.”

  Sawyer opened his mouth, but I lurched forward, pressing my hands into his chest. “I trust you and Horas to warn us of any intruder—and you’ll be close by.”

  He pointed at Uriel. “I don’t take orders from you—” he shifted to Insepth and the other Watchers “—or you.” He bent to my ear and whispered, “They don’t deserve your trust.”

  He turned into a blur, racing out of the barn. Horas paused to look at me before he was out the door.

  “That one has always been a bit temperamental,” Insepth joked.

  “That’s not funny. He made a good point. Why should I trust an Angel, who I don’t even know and a group of Watchers, who deceived me for their own purposes not so long ago?”

  Uriel gave me a hard look. “Demons spread dissention, it’s their nature, but I agree with him. Ultimately, trust only yourself and take responsibility for your choices.”

  A goat bleated from one of the pens, breaking the tension that hung heavy in the damp air. I breathed in the smell of alfalfa hay and old barn wood, letting the earthy scents clear my head. Ila had always told me to trust my gut. Perhaps, in a way, it was the same thing as trusting only yourself.

  “What of the humans?” Eae asked.

  “We have to let them go,” I rushed the words out. “They’re in danger here.”

  “They’re safer within the confines of the warding than they would be on the outside. Remember, Gabriel has already touched the girl. He knows she’s special to you.” He shrugged cruelly. “He didn’t use her just to find his way here. What better way to get to you than by torturing your friend?”

  I crossed the dirt floor to where Maddie and Preston were sitting on a bale of hay. “I’m so sorry you’ve been dragged into this.”

  Preston rose, and startling me, he gave me a quick hug. “We’re here for you. Whatever you need, just ask.”

  I pulled back enough to look at him. His blond hair was a messy mop on his head and his blue eyes were so human compared to Uriel’s. Preston was brave and kind, and so was Maddie. My heart swelled with love for them.

  “There’s nothing you can do,” I said.

  “But there is,” Uriel interrupted. “They may be witnesses for the final book of the Bible.”

  Maddie lifted her chin. “Revelation is the last book.”

  “When the end of days comes, a new chapter will be written by humans—the witnesses—just as it was with the other scriptures,” Eae said.

  “I want to be the one to write it.” Maddie set her jaw. “Please don’t erase my memories.”

  “You’re an ambitious human, aren’t you?” Uriel flicked his eyes from Maddie to me. “I leave the decision up to you. It is a minuscule issue whether these humans remember or forget meeting me and the events to come. Some will believe them, but most will judge them insane.” He turned back to the Watchers.

  Maddie pleaded me with her eyes. Preston frowned uncomfortably. Uriel was probably right. If the pair went back to school spouting they’d met an Angel, everyone would laugh. Maddie’s congregation was a different story though. After another flash of pink light lit the sky, I became resolved. The world was beginning to tear apart. It didn’t matter if some people knew. At least they could prepare themselves.

  “If that’s what you want, okay.”

  Maddie sprang forward and hugged me. I disengaged from her arms. “Why don’t you guys stay in the barn with Angus?” I lowered my voice. “I have no idea what’s going to happen.” I motioned at the small doorway on the other side of the barn. “If things get bad—go out that way and follow the dirt path into the forest. You’ll reach a small clearing with a fire pit. Just a little past that is the boundary line of Ila’s territory. Once you cross over into human lands, I think you’ll be all right.”

  “Human lands—are you serious?” Preston asked.

  “Dead serious. The world is full of monsters that you only thought existed in movies and in nightmares. In a short time, you may be running for your life.”

  Preston stood up straighter. “I’m not running from a fight. I’ll stay and protect you.”

  Even with my stomach doing somersaults, I smiled. He was naïve about the situation and had no clue about my abilities. “The biggest help you can do for me is to get Maddie out of here if all hell breaks loose.” I touched Angus’ forehead. “My dog will escort you out of the valley.” Preston’s face was stubborn. “Promise me you’ll follow him.”

  He stared back, not flinching. It was Maddie’s hand on his arm that prompted him to answer. “Sure. I promise.”

  “Glad you got that all worked out. Now, down to business.” Insepth swept his hand for me to join him.

  I was proud of my human friends. I hadn’t expected such cool determination from a football player and a cheerleader. I only hoped they didn’t end up getting killed when Gabriel showed up. I didn’t think I could handle losing any more friends.

  “Isn’t it unsafe if we all link?” I asked with trembling lips. The crashes in the reddening sky were increasing in intensity. “I mean, I have all four elements—won’t that be enough?”

  “No. You are untrained in the use of air and barely proficient in water. If you link this one’s air—” Uriel pointed to Sir Austin “—and that one’s water—” his finger wagged at Youmi “—to your fire and Insepth’s earth, you’ll have a substantial weapon at your disposal.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered.

  Uriel’s mouth stretched into a thin line and Eae crossed his arms, and said, “We hope that with a strong show of force, Gabriel will back down. He is temperamental, but not suicidal. We may avoid a battle all together.”

  I snorted and searched out the open doorway. Mist hung above the ground. The sky beyond the valley was overcast and gray, and I wondered if anyone in the lowlands looking up at the mountain saw the swirling pinkish-red clouds gathering. I still wasn’t sure how Ila’s warding worked. It was possible it was strong enough to keep anyone on the outside from seeing the strange anomaly gathering above the mountain.

  “I hope you’re right,” I said.

  Insepth touched my shoulder before he stepped outside with Sir Austin and Youmi.

  “Go with them,” Uriel ordered Eae.

  Eae didn’t hesitate and followed the Watchers out into the barn yard.

  I was poised on the balls of my feet and paused. Uriel’s tall, muscular form looked out of place in the barn aisle. His wings were so large their feathers brushed the sides of the stalls on each side while at rest. The tunic he wore was a weaving of tan an
d red, and the golden quiver full of arrows poking above his shoulder shimmered, even in the low light. His brow was furrowed and his lips curled down at the corners. He certainly wasn’t the gentle kind of Angel I’d imagined as a child attending Sunday school. He was an angry warrior and I had no doubt he’d strike down his enemies with the long sword at his hip without a second thought. Uriel was terrifying to look at, but also magnificent.

  It wasn’t the appropriate time for a chat, but I figured I might not have another opportunity. “What was she like?”

  His head turned in my direction. “Who?”

  “The human woman who you—” I stuttered, searching for words that wouldn’t be offensive “—you know, liked.”

  A small smile cracked Uriel’s lips. “Humans are such inquisitive creatures. It is a vice that has corrupted many of your kind.” His face softened a notch. “I forgive your curiosity. You are very similar to her in personality and fairness, but her hair was flaxen and her eyes the color of acorns.” He gazed upwards as if remembering and his smile deepened. “Unlike Michael and Gabriel, I was slow to appreciate the allure of women and was only struck with the notion that they were appealing when I saw Luella tending her father’s sheep. It was in a place where the barrier between the planes of existence was weakening, and that’s why I was there—to repair the damage.” He shrugged, his face hardening again. “I was weak and succumbed to her charms. She was the only human I procreated with.” His eyes narrowed. “Your line is my only tie to humanity.”

  “What happened to her?” I whispered.

  “When I left her and didn’t return, she married a farm boy before her pregnancy was detected. In all she had ten children, lived a pleasurable life by human standards and died of old age, which was only a blink of an eye to me.” The ends of his wings shook. “I confessed my sin and was forgiven. It wasn’t until later that I realized the abominations I’d created.”

  “You think I’m…an abomination?” My voice shook.

  His eyes darkened. “If I could take back time, I wouldn’t have shown myself to the human girl, but since it is done, I must make good my lusty actions and protect Luella’s and my prodigy.”