The Guardian

by Elicia Hyder

  She pulled back and rested her forehead against mine. “Thank you, Warren.”

  I let out a slow sigh. “Anything for you, Fury.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  I took nothing except my watch, my sword, and the clothes on my back when I set out toward the beach. Back to the spot where we’d landed only hours earlier. Fury and I agreed she’d only tell Reuel and Ionis if/when they heard me breach, and that I would be back by 6 a.m. at the latest.

  With a thunderous boom, I crossed into the spirit world and navigated the spirit line back to the Eden Gate. Samael saw me coming and met me on the moonstone steps.

  “This is unexpected,” he said, his dark robes trailing behind him.

  “I’m not here for long.” I unfastened my watch and held it toward him. “I just set this to the time on the island, and set an alarm for 5:45 a.m. I need you to call out to me when it goes off. I can’t afford to lose track of time while I’m here.”

  He took the watch. “Why are you here?”

  “I need to see Cassiel. Know where I might find her?” We started up the steps toward the massive gate.

  “I would assume she’s in the Onyx Tower. She hasn’t left Eden as far as I know.”

  I squeezed his shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”

  “While you’re here…”

  “Yeah?”

  “There’s something you should see.”

  “What is it?”

  “Follow me.”

  I followed Samael up and across the steps toward the door to Reclusion—my chamber, where wicked souls go to die. Sitting in front of the door was Flint.

  I stopped. “He’s been here the whole time?” A few days on Earth was a long time in Eden.

  “The whole time. He begged me to send him to Nulterra. I refused and told him he had to wait here for you.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Or I’ll try to, I added silently, knowing Flint was just as hardskulled as Fury. I cautiously approached him. “Flint, what are you doing here?”

  He stood when he saw me. “Warren! Is she with you?” His eyes frantically searched the steps.

  I put my hands on his shoulders. “Fury is safe on Earth. Why haven’t you gone inside the gate?”

  “She’s safe?”

  “Yes. She’s chilling in a tiki hut right now.” I looked past him to Samael. “Why does he care so much? Humans are usually pretty oblivious to memories of Earth when they get here.”

  Samael pointed to his own eyes. “Older ones with the gift are different.”

  “Did you rescue Anya?” Flint asked.

  “Not yet. We’re going to the Nulterra Gate tomorrow.”

  He grabbed my forearms. “Send me down there.”

  “What? No.”

  “I can run recon for you. Scout the area before you arrive.”

  “I don’t think you understand how this works. If you’re sent to Nulterra, it will be in chains. Not as a scout.”

  “So send me in chains,” he pleaded.

  “You know I can’t do that.”

  “But I need to help my daughters.”

  I shook him gently. “Then let me go back and tell Fury that you are happy and safe in Eden.”

  His eyes drifted toward the gate.

  “Come with me,” I said. “I’ll escort you through myself.”

  Flint took a step back. “Not until I know Fury is safe. I know the gate will make me forget.”

  I sighed and put my hands on my hips. “So you’re going to sit outside my office for however long this journey takes?”

  “If I have to.”

  “Suit yourself then.” I turned back toward Samael. “Don’t let him talk you into sending him.”

  Samael shook his head. “Of course not.”

  I started toward the gate again.

  “Warren!” Flint called. “Tell her I love her.”

  “I will.”

  At the entrance, I stopped and patted my pockets to make sure they were empty. The gate would destroy anything born of Earth. Then I turned and gave Samael and Flint a thumbs-up before walking inside.

  Euphoria engulfed my spirit, and I breathed in the scent of Eden—honeysuckle and sea salt. The two Eden suns warmed my face, and a cool breeze floated off the Eternal Sea.

  It felt like I’d been gone a million years, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d stay for a million more.

  My T-shirt, basketball shorts, and sneakers had melted away. They were replaced with the softest jeans throughout eternity, a button-up black shirt made from the night sky, and cushioned boots that fit like I wasn’t wearing them at all.

  I started through the Idalia Marketplace, holding my breath so as not to get distracted by the manna carts or the fresh gazenberry-juice presses or the taco truck, which happened to be my favorite.

  Pausing only briefly to return a few hellos, I exited the market and turned up the hill toward the Onyx Tower. I took the black stone steps two at a time until I passed the marble columns and reached for the heavy double doors.

  Inside, the Principality Council courtroom was empty, so I jogged along the side corridor until I reached the winding staircase that wound up through the Tower. Cassiel’s home was on the nineteenth floor, so I stood in the open center of the staircase and flew straight up.

  I knocked on her door. “Cassiel?”

  A few seconds later, the door opened. Cassiel stood on the other side in a long emerald gown with her golden hair flowing over her shoulders. When our eyes met, she rushed out and embraced me. “Warren!” When she finally stepped back, she searched my face. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need your help.”

  “Come inside.” She led me by the hand into her apartment.

  I’d been there before, but it never failed to impress me. White walls, alabaster floors, and one whole wall made of glass—or probably crystal—with a spectacular view of Eden.

  The place was filled with contraband she’d smuggled in her bag from Earth. The floor-to-ceiling shelves were lined with books. Her ice box was covered in tourist magnets. And on the counter was a crystal vase filled with Earth’s seashells.

  Remembering what Azrael had told me made me smile.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, sitting down on the velvety white sofa, still holding my hand. “Did you go to Nulterra?”

  I sat down beside her. “Tomorrow, hopefully. But I have learned a lot more about it.”

  “Tell me everything.”

  There was no time for everything, but I gave her a quick recap. “Azrael killed Moloch before he could tell us more.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “For us maybe, but for you? Congratulations.” I took both her hands. “You deserve it.”

  “Thanks. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I’m settling in.”

  I shrugged. “You’ve been running the Council a long time anyway. You’ll be great.”

  Her cheeks blushed. “I’m going to try.”

  “What can you tell me about an angel named Torman?” I asked.

  “Torman? Wow. I haven’t heard that name in a long time. He’s an Angel of Knowledge. He was cast out with the Morning Star and the rest of his followers. Why?”

  “I met his daughter on Earth. A Seramorta named Chimera. She had a stone given to her by Torman. It protects her from the side effects of being around angels.”

  “I’ve never heard of such a stone.”

  “Me either. Moloch said it was a blood stone called sanctonite, made from the blood of the Father.”

  Her laugh was incredulous. “That isn’t possible.”

  “That’s what Azrael said. Moloch told us that the Father’s blood is what powers Nulterra. Az killed him over it.”

  “Why not ask the Father yourself?”

  “Can I? Is he here?”

  “I think he’s been in Zion since you left. That’s what I’ve heard anyway.”

  “Thank you, Cassiel.”

  “I’m glad I could help. Was that all you needed
?”

  “No. Actually, none of that is why I’m here. We’ve run into a problem.”

  “What happened?”

  “Reuel threw the blood-stone cuffs Fury was going to use to cross into Nulterra into the ocean.”

  “I heard about that. I assumed you’d let her open the gate and go on without her.”

  I shook my head. “I promised her I’d come and try to find a way to recover the blood stone.”

  Her eyes searched mine. Deeply. Intrusively. “Oh.” Angels of Knowledge could extract information with a touch.

  I pulled my hand away, guilt flooding my heart.

  “Do you love her, Warren?”

  I looked away. My feelings for Fury were complicated, and I wasn’t ready to admit to them, or have them gleaned involuntarily through a glance. “That has nothing to do with this. Can you help me? I really don’t have much time.”

  Cassiel put her hands in her lap and stared at the wall.

  “Please, Cassiel.”

  She got up and walked to the window. “The only Angels of Life powerful enough to summon blood stone are the Morning Star, which is why he has so much of it, and Metatron and Ariel. Neither of them will return to Earth to help you.”

  “You don’t think Ariel will help me? Even to rescue a human soul lost to Nulterra?”

  “The remaining Angels of Life haven’t left the Throne Room since the war with Abaddon and Kasyade. They still believe your daughter is too much a risk to the spirit line.”

  I almost couldn’t blame them. If the spirit line were severed, any angels on Earth would be stuck there. Permanently.

  “But Ariel is powerful enough to find it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you come with me to talk to her? You’re much better at persuasion than I am.”

  She still wouldn’t look at me. “I should probably stay here.”

  “Cassiel.” I stood and walked up behind her, gently taking hold of her upper arms. “Don’t shut me out.”

  “It’s better this way. Your life is on Earth. You’ve never made that a secret.”

  “You’re right.” I leaned my head against hers, inhaling the sweet scent of honey on her hair. “But I don’t want to hurt you.”

  She shook her head. “You haven’t.” She took a deep breath and straightened. “Go to the Throne Room. Find Ariel. That’s the only way to get the blood stone back.”

  I squeezed her arms. “Thank you.” Then I released her and walked toward the door.

  “Warren?”

  I stopped with my hand on the doorknob and turned around.

  “Remember to let us know when you descend through the gate. We’ll all be anxious to hear of your success.”

  “I will. Goodbye, Cassiel.”

  “Goodbye.”

  The fastest and most distraction-free route to the Throne Room was through the air. I flew past the Avronesh, the home of the messengers, over the bay, and up the hillside toward Zion.

  Zion was nothing short of a palace with a large open square, spectacular gardens, and a throne room fit for the Almighty.

  It was the Father’s official residence, though I’d never actually seen him there. Most of his time, he spent on Earth. And when he was in Eden, he could usually be found at the manna carts in the marketplace or visiting in someone’s home.

  Zion just wasn’t his style, but it was used for the official business of Eden, celebrations (which were frequent), and prayer. The Throne Room was the only place where humans could communicate with their loved ones on Earth.

  Humans rarely used it, however. They spent their days so caught up in the magic of Eden that the lives of their loved ones passed quickly. And before they knew it, they were reunited in the blissful everafter.

  But occasionally, the messengers would send word to the Angels of Life, that a loved one needed help. Help even an angel was unable to give. In those cases, the departed could send messages of comfort or wisdom back to Earth. It was usually reserved for the most dire of cases.

  Once, while I was in the Throne Room, a human sent word to her daughter who was clinging to life support. The messenger carried back a memory stone with the mother’s words recorded inside it, “Let go, Diane.” My angels brought Diane to Eden the very same day.

  Maybe I could convince Flint to wait for word on Fury there. I needed to tell him on my way out.

  I landed in the square outside the Throne Room, next to the crystal water fountain. Crystal water was rare. The only place in the universe it could be acquired was right here in the home of the Angels of Life. Which was probably why Zion became party-central of Eden. At about a bazillion proof, crystal water made moonshine look like apple juice.

  Music was coming from the Throne Room, so I jogged up the marble steps and across the landing.

  “Warren?” A woman’s voice made me slide to a stop.

  Ariel, the Archangel of Life was coming down the outdoor corridor. She had no human body, like most angels who stayed primarily in Eden. Though her form was solely made of light and energy, she resembled a woman. Small with long, flowing silvery hair.

  I clasped my hands together. “Just who I was looking for.”

  “I heard you were coming.”

  “Cassiel?”

  She nodded, then walked—or maybe floated—toward the double doors. “Come inside.”

  One of the heavy bronze doors opened, and music flooded the square. I expected there to be a party in the overwhelmingly grand hall. There wasn’t. Just a lone human on the platform, playing an assortment of instruments seemingly all by himself—Ed Sheeran-style.

  We stood there a moment and listened to the eclectic sound. Not quite jazz. Not quite pop. “Who is he?” I asked.

  “I have no idea,” she said, a bit of wonder in her ethereal voice. She gestured toward the pews.

  I sat down on one row. She sat down in front of me and turned around.

  I took a second to take in the impressive room. It was massive, though I expected it still took a bit of magic to get all the citizens of Eden inside at once. And all the sections of rows of pews faced the platform. Behind our music-entranced performer were the thrones.

  The center for the Father.

  Two on the right for Sandalphon and Metatron.

  And one on the left—at the Father’s right hand—for my daughter. It had once been the seat of the Morning Star. Someday, it would be hers.

  Ariel waved her hand, and an invisible shield went up around us to diminish the sound of the music. “How may I help you, Warren?”

  “Return to Earth with me.”

  “Ha! How else may I help you?”

  “I’m serious.”

  “So am I.”

  “We’ve lost the blood stone that will help Fury and me break into Nulterra. We need to rescue Anya McGrath.”

  “I’m aware of what you’re doing.”

  “Then why won’t you help us?”

  “Because it’s dangerous.” She folded her hands on the seat back of her pew. “Too dangerous for Fury.”

  “Too dangerous for you, you mean,” I said, standing. “I don’t know why I even bothered to come here. The Angels of Life are nothing but cowards.”

  With a flash, she was in the air, hovering inches above me. “Now, see here—”

  I pointed at her. “No, you see here. I haven’t forgotten that Sloan nearly died because you and your angels were too scared to do your job.”

  “Your child posed a threat to our entire existence. You and your summoner wife started that. Not us.”

  Shaking my head, I walked toward the door.

  “Don’t turn your back on me, human.”

  That was it. I spun on my heel and aimed my finger at her shimmering face. “Ariel, war is coming. And when it does, let the chronicles of history show that when the angels who sit closest to the throne had their choice to fight for the sanctity of Eden, you chose to take a knee.”

  When I turned to storm out, I saw him.

  The Fathe
r was sitting in the very last row.

  His presence didn’t stop Ariel. She slammed the Throne Room door as she left. I ducked my head and walked to the back of the cathedral.

  “Hello, Warren.” The Father looked the same as he had on Earth. Old. Pudgy. And with a birthmark that looked like South America stamped on his nearly bald head. He slid over to make room for me beside him.

  I grimaced as I sat down. “Did you hear all that?”

  “I hear lots of things,” he said with a smile. “Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere else?”

  “Yes.”

  “So why are you here?”

  I turned toward him on the bench. “I need to ask you something.”

  “OK.”

  “Did you give your blood to the Morning Star to create Nulterra?”

  His face didn’t change expression. “I did.”

  “And you never told anyone?”

  He shook his head.

  “Why?”

  “Why did I give it to him? Or why did I keep it secret?”

  I shrugged. “Both?”

  “The simple answer is I needed to protect the people I made him capable of hurting.”

  “But why not kill him? Actually, why didn’t you just kill him after the First Angel War?”

  He was thoughtful a moment. “You’re a military man. Let me ask you this. If a leader strikes down every follower who turns against him, then why do any of his other followers remain?”

  “Fear.”

  “Exactly. What a lonely existence that would be. For the leader and for the people.”

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “And as for why I didn’t destroy him in Antioch…” He sighed. “You’re a father. I’m sure you already know the answer to that.”

  I thought of my bond with Iliana. The only thing I’d ever created. “I guess I do.”

  “And I told no one for a very simple reason. It wasn’t time. Time is the most powerful force of all.”

  “Well, I hope it’s time now because I told Cassiel.”

  “I know. I also told Rogan and Malak before I sent them to Earth.”

  “You sent them?”

  “Of course I did. With two guardians on the ground and the ones watching from the auranos, Iliana will be safe. They can also teach her when she’s older.”