After heading into the kitchen, I open the fridge and stare at the shelves in dismay. It's totally empty, except for some moldy cheese and wilted lettuce. Father must not come by much now that I’ve gone back to school.
I rummage through the drawer and find the menu for the pizza place in Angel Peak, and order a supreme pizza plus a BBQ chicken pizza. I have no idea what Gabriel likes, so I figure that covers all my options.
When Father returns, he looks a hundred times better, although there are bags under his eyes that weren’t there before he was punished. Bonus, he’s not naked anymore. No one wants to see their dad naked, even if he looks just a few years older than you.
“There was nothing in the fridge, so I ordered some pizza,” I tell him, as we sit back down on the couch. “Hope that’s all right.”
"I'm grateful for anything at this point.” He sinks into the cushions with a frown. “I’m sorry I arrived outside your room last night and in such a state. I was trying to come here, but teleporting works by picturing where you want to go, and I guess I couldn’t stop thinking of you.”
“I’m glad you came to me. If you hadn’t, you’d still be injured and in pain.” I shudder as I remember the state he was in last night. He really thought he could handle that on his own? Angels truly are the most prideful race out there. “Are you safe here? With the attacks nearby?”
“This property is warded so no one can get in without invitation from one of the three owners—you, me, and Jonah. That's why I came here to recover."
“What happened? How could Azrael hurt you like that?”
“The Archangel Council had a meeting to decide my punishment. I knew it was coming, which is why I warned you and asked Callan to protect you. I hope he’s been doing a good job?”
“Yes, he’s been annoyingly protective at all times.”
“Good.” Father closes his eyes and draws in a breath, before speaking again. “At least I know you’re safe at that school. Especially now.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m no longer a member of the Archangel Council.”
My stomach drops. “Because of me?”
“Because of what I did with your mother, and because I lied about it. They no longer feel I can be in a position of power.”
“That’s total bullshit. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“They believe I did.”
I swallow hard and ask the question that’s haunted me my entire life. “Do you regret doing it?”
“Not for one second.” He rests his hand over mine. “I would take a thousand of those punishments as long as it meant having you as my daughter.”
I give his hand a squeeze as emotion makes my throat tight. I’m not used to feeling this way, and I try to shake it off before I start crying or something. Luckily the doorbell rings at that moment and saves me from an embarrassing moment.
I grab some plates and napkins, then head back to the couch. Father looks like he’s become part of the cushions, so I’m not sure he has the energy to move to the dining room table. Casual it is.
“Thanks for ordering this,” he says, as he fills up his plate with some slices. “How did you know BBQ chicken pizza is my favorite?”
“I didn’t—it’s my favorite too.”
He smiles at me, and I think how nice it is to sit on the couch and eat pizza with my dad, like a somewhat normal family. But the moment’s ruined as he continues his story.
“As I was saying, the Archangel Council kicked me off, but they decided that wasn’t enough. They want to make an example of me, to show that even an Archangel isn’t above the law. Azrael claimed I should be sent to Penumbra Prison for twenty years, which is the normal punishment for my crime.”
“Twenty years?” I ask, nearly choking on my pizza. “That’s so long!”
“Yes, although Ariel argued I should get a reduced sentence because I’m an Archangel, and some of the others agreed.”
“Good.” More points for Jonah’s mother. “What exactly is Penumbra Prison?”
"It's a prison for all supernaturals here on Earth who commit a crime, whether they are angels, demons, or even fae—although the fae are so rare on Earth that we don’t have very many of their prisoners. In Faerie, they handle their own punishments as they see fit.”
“Are they sending you to this prison?”
He grabs a glass of water and takes a sip before continuing. “No. Raphael argued that since I was the leader of the Ishim, I was too valuable an asset to imprison. The Council doesn’t want a group of angry and rebellious spies and assassins on their hands. Azrael reluctantly agreed because he knows it’s true, as an Ishim himself. He tried to take over as Ishim leader before actually, but our kind were loyal to me. When the Archangel Council offered me Michael’s position, Azrael thought he would take over as Ishim leader finally. Instead, I refused the position and he became the leader of all angels. And he never forgets to remind me of it.”
“He sounds like a real asshole,” I mutter, which makes Father laugh. I give him a little smile. “Sorry, but it’s true.”
“Oh yes, he’s definitely an asshole, it’s just funny to hear someone say it out loud.” He chuckles softly as he grabs another slice of pizza. “Anyway, Uriel suggested that instead of sending me away to prison, they invoke the old punishment of destroying someone’s wings with dark-infused weapons. It hasn’t been used in many years, since it’s considered so barbaric, but the other Archangels agreed to it.”
“Uriel suggested that?” I thought Bastien’s father was a pretty decent guy. Scary, as all Archangels are, but he convinced both Jophiel and Baal to allow me to stay at Seraphim Academy. I can’t believe he’d suggest something so horrible.
“It sounds harsh, I know, but if you think about it, he was actually doing me a favor. This punishment was incredibly painful, and they knew it would take me a long time to heal from it, but it’s still better than a long prison sentence. At least this way, I can still see you. And Azrael definitely enjoyed giving the punishment to me, the sick bastard.”
I’ve never met the guy, but I already hate him. And it’s a different hate than what I feel for Callan. This is deep in my bones, because he hurt someone I love.
“They did strip all my powers as an Archangel though. I’m basically just a regular angel now.”
I shake my head, my appetite gone. “I can’t believe they did something so horrible to you.”
“It was worth it. If they hadn’t punished me, they might have gone after you instead. I couldn’t let that happen.” He lets out a long sigh. “All your life, your mother and I have worried that if anyone found out about you, you’d be put to death. That’s why we hid you for so long, and why we will always do whatever it takes to protect you.”
That emotion is back, making my eyes water. I cough a little into my napkin. "Have there ever been others like me?"
"No. Plenty of angels and demons have had relations before, of course, but all other pregnancies ended in miscarriage. You’re the only one that’s survived.”
My eyes widen. “But…why?”
He shakes his head. “We have no idea. We always assumed it was because your mother and I are both very powerful, but I suspect it will always be a mystery. Just like some human couples can be infertile for years, and then suddenly become pregnant. Perhaps it’s fate. Or luck. Who knows the will of the universe?”
I take a minute to absorb that, and then get mad all over again that my father was punished for having me. “Angels and demons are at peace now. Why keep the old rule that the two races can’t be together? It needs to change.”
“I agree. But with Azrael in charge, I fear it never will.”
“I wish you’d taken the job.” It's exasperating to think how much good he could be doing right now instead of hiding in this house.
"Sometimes I do too, but I never would have risked your safety like that.”
“But now that I’m in the open, couldn’t you challenge him?”
/> “Probably not. Azrael’s powers have increased now that he’s the leader of the Council, and he has many people who are loyal to him too, like Jophiel. Even if I was still a member of the Council, it would be extremely difficult to remove him."
Gabriel yawns, and I decide it's time to cut things short, even though it’s been nice to talk to my dad so openly for a change. I grab our plates and take them to the kitchen, and make a mental note to do a grocery store run for him tomorrow. He walks into the kitchen behind me, but he's stiff. Is he still hurting?
I rest a hand on his shoulder. “I should get going so you can rest. Marcus will check on you tomorrow, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Please be safe."
Before I know it, I'm enveloped in his arms. Tears well behind my closed eyes. This is the most affectionate hug he's ever given me.
"I love you, Olivia."
My breath catches in my throat. "I love you too…Dad."
I’ve never called him that before. He was always Father, a formal name for our formal relationship, but maybe we’re starting to move past formalities to become a real family. I know I’d like that.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Olivia
As fall arrives, the trees begin to change, and the campus becomes beautiful in a different way. It’s hard to believe the school year will be over in a few more months.
Our soccer team has a game at Hellspawn Academy, and I ask Uriel if I can go, but he denies my request and says it’s too dangerous right now with the recent attacks. Our team wins, fulfilling Marcus’s Order task, and I’m sad I don’t get to see him play or check out the school. Someday I’ll make a point to visit it, but not now. I have more important things to worry about anyway.
Father—Dad?—is completely recovered, but he’s basically been placed on house arrest, and isn’t allowed to leave Angel Peak. I sneak off to visit him when I can, and we have a few more relaxed family dinners. I consider talking to him about the Order and about my plan to rescue Jonah, but he’s been through so much lately, I decide it’s better to wait until I know something more concrete. Besides, it’s not like he believed me last time I mentioned it.
In Fae Studies, Raziel finally starts talking about magical objects and relics, like my necklace. “Some of the fae have the ability to imbue objects with magic, and they’re known as enchanters. It’s a rare and powerful ability, usually used in conjunction with other magic, including that of angels and demons. For example, Raphael once worked with an enchanter to create a blanket that would heal anyone it was placed upon. Unfortunately such a relic was lost during the Great War.”
He goes on to talk about some of the objects the Fae have made, and I twirl my pen as my mind wanders. I have my meeting with Delilah at the end of the day, and I want to ask her about what happened to me on the night my dad was injured.
“This is also how angels, demons, and fae moved between the worlds,” Raziel says, drawing my attention again. “Fae enchanters created special keys that can open portals to the other worlds. Most open portals to two worlds, i.e. between Earth and Heaven. A few rare keys can open portals between any world. The most famous of these is the Staff of Eternity, of course.”
He has my full attention now. It's been over a month since the guys promised to help me defeat the Order and find Jonah, and not one damn thing has happened, other than they asked me to start spending more time in the bell tower with them. The request came from Callan, oddly enough. He was a total jerk about it, but explained that he takes his promise to my father seriously, and he'd appreciate it if I helped him by staying close when I could.
"The Staff is one of the most powerful relics in existence." Raziel rubs his hands together in excitement. He clearly loves talking about it. I wonder if he's in the Order. "It was created by an enchanter named Culann with the help of Michael and Lucifer, and it can work as a key between any world. But it also used their power as leaders to send both our races to Earth, and to close off Heaven and Hell from anyone who might try to open a portal to it.”
“Can it work in reverse to send all the demons back to Hell?” Jeremy asks. He narrows his eyes at me as he says it. Prick.
“Yes, and it could also send all of us back to Heaven too. Not that anyone would want to go there. Both worlds were pretty much decimated by the time Michael and Lucifer signed the Earth Accords. Our only hope of long-term survival was moving to this world.”
A girl I don’t know raises her hand. “Couldn’t we try to rebuild Heaven?”
Raziel gives her a sad smile. “Perhaps eventually we will. For now, we’re focusing on replenishing our population while on Earth and finding a way to live in harmony with both demons and humans.”
“Where is the Staff now?” someone else asks.
“No one knows. Michael and Lucifer hid it after the Earth Accords so that it wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands. Of course, it requires both an Archangel and an Archdemon—or one of their children, perhaps—to unlock its full power, and it’s unlikely anyone could find two of them to agree to such a thing.”
He continues telling us about different Fae relics, but Bastien and I have already finished our paper on this topic and he’s covering things I already know. I shift in my seat, impatient to meet with Delilah, and my pen rolls off the desk. When I bend over to get it, I realize it's rolled all the way under me and into the row to my right. I stretch my body and reach for the pen, and see something gold in Jeremy’s bag. I snatch my pen and knock the bag at the same time, just enough to get a better look at the gold mask inside.
I quickly sit up straight, bumping my elbow in the process. Bastien gives me a quizzical look, but I just shake my head. I should’ve known Jeremy was in the Order. He’s definitely a believer in their cause.
When class is over, Jeremy grabs his bag and purposefully kicks my chair on his way out. I can’t wait to take the Order—and that asshole—down.
“Is your dad out of town again?” I ask Bastien with a wink, as he leads me to the parlor.
He smirks. “Alas, he is not. But I can come to your dorm tonight.”
“I’d like that.” We pause outside the doorway and I reach up to touch his sharp jaw. I gave him a few weeks off to recover, but he’s back to his normal strength now, and I can’t wait to spend some time alone with him tonight.
He takes my hand and kisses my fingers in a move that’s surprisingly tender for him. Then he drops my hand and walks away, like it meant nothing to him. Oh, Bastien, you’ll never change.
I step into the parlor and smile at Delilah, who’s wearing a sleeveless black sheath dress that accentuates her shapely arms and legs. As always, I’m momentarily dazzled by her beauty for a split second, and then I recover and take my seat across from her.
“You look much better,” Delilah says.
I pour myself some tea. “Thanks. At your advice, I took additional lovers and I'm feeding more regularly now.”
“Good. You should be feeding once a week, at least. Remember that the more often you feed, the less you’ll need to take at each meal.”
“Just like if you skip a few meals, you’ll be starving and stuff yourself until you can barely move?”
“Exactly. It’s much better to have a steady diet, both for you and for your lovers.” A naughty smile crosses her dark red lips. “And if you can convince two of your lovers to join you for one meal, it will be even better.”
Two at once? That does sound amazing, but I’m not sure any of my guys would agree. I take a sip of my tea and stare off into space.
“Is there something on your mind?” Delilah asks. “You seem troubled.”
“A few weeks ago I transferred some of my energy into one of my lovers. Is that a succubus power we haven’t covered yet?”
She pauses while holding her tea mid-sip. “No, it isn’t. In fact, that shouldn’t even be possible. It must be your unique power due to your…special parentage.”
“I thought that might be it.”
She leans back with a pro
ud smile. “Now that you’re feeding more often your powers are growing, although I would guess something probably triggered this one’s emergence.”
“Someone I cared about was hurt, and this was the only way to help them.”
“Yes, that explains it. Just be careful with such a power. Don’t give too much of yourself, or you’ll risk growing weak.”
“I understand.”
“Is there anything else you wish to discuss?” she asks.
I hesitate. “Have you ever been to Faerie?”
Her face changes, her lashes lowering as she stares into her tea cup. “Yes, though it’s been many years. I used to have a lover there named Culann.”
“The one who made the Staff of Eternity?”
“The very same. Alas, we had a falling out some time ago, and I haven’t seen him in many years since it’s so difficult to get to Faerie now.”
I lean forward in my seat. “Do you know how to get to Faerie?”
“I do. You need a special relic called a key to open a portal to Faerie, but those keys have mostly been destroyed over the years, or are being held by the fae themselves. Some keys can only be used by fae too. Getting one now would be near impossible.” She taps her fingers on her tea cup. “I used to have one, but it’s long gone now. Probably for the best, since I have no interest in facing the High King again, and he would definitely notice if I stepped into his lands.”
Sounds like we’re not getting a fae key anytime soon, dammit. I remember Raziel telling us about the High King in class, and wonder how Delilah knows him. “Is it true the High King killed his wife?”
“Oh yes. Titania was a powerful fae queen, but could not bear him any children. Oberon desperately wanted a son and had many affairs in the hopes of having one, and because he has a hard time keeping his dick in his pants. In retaliation, Titania cursed him to sire only daughters. When he discovered what she’d done, he killed her. Yet the curse remains.”
Seraphim Academy 2: Sinful Things Page 16
