by T. G. Ayer
Evie studied Gavriel's face, recalling the look of agony which had twisted his classic features when he'd sawn off his wings the evening she had first met him. Her gut wrenched as she realized he must be in the worst kind of agony. Those accursed bells of Heaven would be ringing in his head, causing him no end of pain. And yet he had paid it no mind while he fought to defend her life.
She should be grateful. Gavriel had just saved her life, but a tiny part of her had wanted to be the one to end his sorry life. Especially since he was responsible for Patrick's death. If he died he would deserve his end, for everything he'd done. For allowing his poor family to be killed. But was mere vengeance enough. Shouldn't he have to pay for what he'd done?
"Should we get him some medical attention?" She looked at the fallen angel as he lay crumpled on the ground. It was most certainly fitting that he lay right where he would be judged by the Gods.
Gavriel laughed and behind her she heard Julian's soft voice. "Daniel was trying his best to separate your head from your shoulders and here you are worrying about his health. Why should it bother you at all if I died right now?"
Evie considered Julian's question. Perhaps it was Daniel's angelic origin that pulled at her conscience. Not the best way to receive Heavenly blessing, killing an angel. But he had pulled the first punch. Infiltrated the Irin, guided Marcellus to use the Nephilim for his own purpose. He had come down to Hades to kill Evie. And he would have succeeded had Gavriel not saved her ungrateful ass.
The last thing Daniel deserved was Evie's pity.
"Guess he does deserve to be punished," said Evie still confused as to the words coming out of her mouth. She looked up to see both Julian and Gavriel staring at her, shaking their heads in disbelief while the subject of their conversation lay before them, all arrogance, pride and defiance.
"The great demon slayer is afraid of killing an angel?" Daniel stared up at her and laughed through his anger and pain. His eyes were a strange black, none of the whites visible.
At her side Julian stiffened at the words. A reminder that he was still sensitive to any mention of what she really was.
But Julian ignored the angel. "We have to get him to a cell. Pollo," Julian called the faun over his shoulder. "Get the guards to help you take him to Gavriel's cell. He shall remain there to await Judgment in the comfort and luxury befitting of his crime. And send word to the Gods that a case is at hand. I am sure they would want to dispense of Daniel as soon as possible. Within a few hours this angel will be residing in Tartarus."
Evie wanted to snort. The same comfort and luxury had been afforded to Gavriel whose crime certainly had not fitted his punishment. She followed Julian's gaze as he waited for Pollo.
But the faun hesitated and Evie saw the fear and trepidation in his eyes. He was very afraid of the heavenly creature, even in Daniel's injured state. Pollo hovered, the guards at his back mimicking his actions, clearly distressed.
Julian sighed wearily and bent to grab Daniel by the arm. The action caused Pollo and the guards to rush forward. Evie smiled to herself. Julian had just achieved his desire without ranting and raving at his disobedient servants. But Evie understood their fear. The angel instilled in her a similar dread, like a snake entwining its way along the bones of her spine.
She watched as the faun led the entourage away, their footsteps echoing down the dark tunnel and away from the now ruined cavern. The once beautifully decorated space was now filled with broken columns. There were holes in the stone walls where swords had slashed chunks out of the once smoothed surface. Dust filled the air, hovering like a cloud.
The smoothed stone floor was veined with cracks in so many places it looked like an earthquake had just abused the cavern.
At that moment Cerberus howled, the long mournful sound echoing in triplicate along the tunnels. Fitting. It suited the feeling of mourning than settled over Evie like a heavy, unmovable weight.
Chapter 13
The Cavern emptied slowly as Julian left to check on Daniel, leaving just Gavriel and Evie alone and drained.
"I really think we should have your wounds looked at," said Evie, eying his blood drenched shirt.
The angel shook his head. "It will be fine. It is already healing." And when Evie studied the bloodstain she realized that very little of it shone fresh. She felt somewhat happier although not entirely confident in his health.
"Fine but if you do decide to keel over and die please ensure I am not around to see it. I don't think I can handle it right now." She spoke sharply but her voice didn't disguise her weariness.
"Do not worry, Evangeline. I will try my best to stay alive." Gavriel smiled and Evie studied his face. A countenance free of the lines and shadows of concern.
"What's wrong?" she asked him, her levels of patience at an all time low.
Gavriel seemed to sense she would not appreciate being given the runaround. He cleared his throat. "There is something you should know. I fear it will cause you much pain to hear this news but I believe I owe it to you to tell you the truth."
Evie's heart thudded. Was he about to tell her what she'd begun to suspect since she last spoke to him. Could he really be who she thought he was? Every fiber of her soul prayed that he was. "Tell me," she said leaning forward slight, eager to hear his words.
"It is about your father."
"Did you know him?" Evie figured she should play along, make it easy for him to get it all off his chest.
Gavriel stared at her for a moment. "Yes, I did know him. In fact I know him even now." Evie stopped herself from frowning. That was an odd thing for him to say if he was about to admit he was really her father. She felt a little drop of disappointment taint her happy expectation.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her throat tightening on the words. "Who is my father?"
"I have to warn you, Evie. You are not going to like it." Gavriel said, pausing to swallow hard. He pressed his fingers to his forehead and waited a moment. "Your father is an angel, that much is true. He is one of the fallen, very much like me. Cast out for spawning Nephilim on a human woman. The only difference with him was he felt little loss for the family he created, no remorse for his hand in their deaths."
Evie blinked. Memories of words filtered through to her.
She shoved the memories away. No. It was not what Gavriel was talking about.
Gavriel continued, unaware of Evie's inner struggle. "He had little regard for human life. His life revolved around himself and himself only." Gavriel sighed. "I am sorry Evie. I did not want to hurt you with this knowledge."
"You have told me nothing yet." She looked up at him, her expression hard as she mentally shut her ears to the words
"I fear it is more difficult for me than I expected. I have come to care a great deal about you Evangeline. As much as I would my own child. I do not wish to break your heart."
"Can you just tell me? I can take it." Evie was touched that he cared but he'd already broken her heart. He was not her father and nothing would make her feel better about that. "Who is my father, Gavriel?"
She tensed as Gavriel took a breath and spoke. "I am afraid it is Daniel." He didn't say anything more. And Evie just listened to the name of her father as it echoed in her ears over and over again, in a voice just like the dark angel too.
Words floated to Evie.
Sorcha loved me, and I ... well I quite like spending time with her... Just what is love anyway?
It was not your business to save them. It was your job to eliminate her and the half-breed.
You mean your wife and your child?
Does it really matter, brother?
Mocking laughter followed and Evie jerked out of her shock, looking around, searching the cavern for Daniel.
"And how did I end up with Patrick?" she asked although she already suspected she knew.
"I took you to Patrick and left you in his care."
"Did you tell him who my father was?"
"I didn't have time. He assumed you were min
e but I didn't have the time to correct him." He fell silent and Evie couldn't think of a response. She just stared at the far wall, studying a fresco shattered to pieces.
She must have been silent far too long as Gavriel cleared his throat and asked, "Are you alright, Evangeline?"
Evie glanced at Gavriel having half forgotten he was still there, still waiting, still concerned how she would take the news.
"Don't worry, Gavriel. I am fine. I am not going to fall apart on you."
"I am very glad."
Evie nodded. "Right now I think I need a rest. Now that your cell is occupied where will you go?"
"That is a good question. I will go and find out." Gavriel began to walk off, then stopped to glance back at Evie, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you going to be alright? I know it is not what you wanted to hear."
Evie managed a weak smile. "I will be fine. He may be my father but he has no claim on me apart from a genetic one. I feel nothing for him."
Gavriel gave Evie one last look, then turned and left her to her thoughts.
She'd lied. She didn't feel nothing for Daniel.
What she felt was fury and a deep-seated need for vengeance.
Evie returned to her room, her mind filled with thoughts of Daniel and Gavriel, thoughts that she didn't want swimming around in her head right now.
She pushed the door open to find her two friends on the sofa laughing over some obscure joke. When Evie entered they fell silent but it was her face that was their cause for concern.
"Evie." Ling rose and came to Evie as she reached the foot of her bed and found she could go no further. Evie sank onto the bed. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Ash hurried over and sat beside Evie. "Eves. What's the matter?"
Evie took in a shuddering breath. "You two need to get back to the estate ASAP."
"Why?" Both girls asked in unison.
"Because, Daniel came to Hades and had a huge fight with one of the Angels here."
"There's an angel here in Hades?"
"Daniel's here?"
Evie held up her hands. "One question at a time," she said as she sighed. "Only one question allowed at a time please." Evie fell onto her back, enjoying the feel of the soft mattress beneath her aching back.
"Okay," said Ling. "Talk."
Evie cleared her throat. "Daniel came to Hades to get the Seals. Then he wanted to fight me but Gavriel wouldn't allow it so they had this all out battle in the Cavern. Then Daniel was about to kill Gavriel for the Seals and I told him I had it so he wanted to kill me. So Gavriel stabs him and they threw him in Hades." Evie turned over, closed her eyes and snuggled her pillow. "Man, I need some rest."
The girls were silent. Too silent.
Evie cracked open one eye to find both Ling and Ash standing in front of her, arms folded. "What?" she asked although she suspected she already knew what they were thinking.
"How do you get yourself mixed up in stuff like this?" asked Ash shaking her head.
"No idea. Wish I knew so I could avoid it." Evie sighed again. "You two must go back home. Who knows what the brotherhood is doing without their Master and without Daniel. You have to tell them what happened."
"Fine. But we’re coming right back." Ling's voice was calm, reasonable and brooked no argument.
But it didn't matter to Evie. Right now her friends had to get out of Hades. The Brotherhood needed them more than Evie did. "No. Go and take care of things there. I have a few loose ends to tie up and then I'll be on my way back. Oh, and you must take Castor with you."
"He's not going to like it," said Ling.
"He doesn't have a choice," Evie said firmly. They both stared at her for a moment. "What?"
"Should we go now?" asked Ling, with an almost petulant pout.
"That would be for the best."
"Fine," said Ling as Evie swung her feet to the floor and rose to hug the girls. "Evie, you must take care of yourself. Promise us that you won't do anything risky?"
"I promise."
"Or stupid?" asked Ash.
"I promise."
"Do you believe her?" Ash asked Ling, raising and eyebrow.
"I never believe anything she says," Ling responded, giving Evie a dirty look.
Evie laughed. "Get going you two." She grabbed them each by the arm and dragged them to her door. "Ask Pollo to fetch Castor and don't let him convince you to leave Castor behind. I want all of you home. Castor would do better tending what few patients he still has. He needs to make himself useful." Evie sensed her argument may be weak but she realized that between the walk from the Cavern to her rooms, she'd made the decision to go to Tartarus and see Daniel face to face. Which meant she wasn't going to be around the palace for a while. Seemed pointless having her friends here, hanging around and waiting for her return. They were better off doing their jobs.
At the door the girls nodded solemnly then headed off down the passage. In the end the Nephilim always did what was needed, despite their personal opinions.
Once the door closed Evie's world returned to its recent state of shatter and ruin.
She eyed the bed, then stalked to the hot pool, tugged off her boots and tore off her clothes. She slid into the steaming hot water and leaned against the edge of the pool. Heat rose off the surface and Evie released a sigh that came from somewhere deep within her soul.
Chapter 14
Evie was about to step into Julian's study when she caught movement just inside the door. From where she stood she could see Persephone slink into the room mere seconds ahead of Evie. The goddess took a seat beside Julian, a contemplative smile on her face. Julian's jaw clenched tight as he examined her face, his fingers clenching tightly on the small leather-bound book in his hand.
Now what does she want? That smile could only mean she had some plan whirling about in that twisted brain of hers.
Julian had far too much on his mind to be distracted by the goddess.
Persephone took a deep, husky breath and reached over to pat Julian's thigh. "Julian, Julian. What are we going to do about you?"
"What do you mean?" he asked, taking hold of her hand by her slim wrist and moving it off his leg. He dropped her hand back into her own lap, then opened the book onto his legs. Sef's face lost a few shades of color. "I don't have time for your games, so speak or leave."
"Ooh," she breathed, ignoring his recent insult. "So very harsh with your consort, dear one."
Julian snorted. "You and I, and not to mention the entire population of Hades, know very well you are not and never were my consort Persephone. What are you up to?"
"Me?" she asked, feigning innocence. Evie noted she feigned it too well. "I'm not up to anything. All I'm concerned with now is the hold that girl has on you."
"It is not a hold on me, it is a hold on the throne of Hades. Would you prefer she become the ruler, then? How would you like to be her consort?" Julian smiled at Persephone as he asked the question and Evie was sure he enjoyed putting that question to the goddess.
"That is preposterous and you know it." Persephone spoke with the ice of winter and yet a little tremor belied her nerves.
"Not preposterous at all. Should Evangeline keep the throne then by her right as Hades you shall be her consort. And as per the terms of your marriage you are beholden to her in every way as you would be to your husband."
Persephone's face had now lost all color and Evie was enjoying her reaction as much as Julian was. "I will never allow that to happen." She spat the words at Julian. "I have my ways. I can get rid of her if I wanted to."
"Not while she has the Mark." Julian smiled, speaking softly, almost lovingly he said, "And not if you want to reap the consequences. Touch one hair on her head and you will have me to deal with."
The temperature in the room dropped to below Arctic despite the crackling fire.
Persephone rose stiffly and headed for the door. When she saw Evie standing there her eyes glittered, hatred clear in her vicious stare. The goddesses didn't miss a step,
moving straight toward Evie, and brushing past as she stormed off down the tunnel. Evie stared after her, wondering what had gone wrong in the cosmos to turn Persephone so nasty.
When Evie turned to face the door she saw Julian watching her. His face was inscrutable.
She forced herself to enter the room and head to the sofa directly opposite him. A part of her was a little afraid to be too near him. Afraid to feel his rejection. She drew in a shuddering breath and pushed those thoughts out of her head.
When she sat she placed her hands on her lap and studied them. "I'm so sorry." Julian examined her face, his eyes dark. She'd hurt him with her secrets and wondered now if she was too late. "I wanted to tell you the truth, but I never found the right time. It's just seemed like something too hard to discuss."
"Why would the truth be too hard?" he asked, his tone still holding an edge of ice that stabbed at Evie's heart.
"Before I entered Hades, I was told not to reveal my species. That being a Nephilim in the Underworld was dangerous in itself. And when I received the Seals I assumed that a Nephilim bearing the Seals would be more dangerous."
Evie paused for a moment, then swallowed as Julian closed his book and placed it on the arm of the sofa. "You could have trusted me, Evangeline." There was a hint of accusation in his voice that Evie understood. She'd feel the same way if she were in his place.
"I'm sorry. There was never a right time." The shadows shifted on the planes and hollows of his face, but his expression did soften. It gave Evie hope. "Can you forgive me?" she asked hopefully.
Julian shifted so he was facing her. "I would think that we should be able to resolve any issues between us." He leaned forward and ran a hand along her cheek. Evie suppressed a shiver. "We have … something. I'm not sure what it is yet but I care for you. More than I have cared for anyone in a very long time. I don't want to lose that. But I do need to know that I can trust you."
Evie nodded, her heart beating wildly. "You can trust me. And this thing …" she moved her hand between Julian's chest and hers. "These feelings … they mean a lot to me. And I don't want to lose it either. There's just so much going on right now."
