Ardeur (Abbey of Angels)

by Danielle Gavan

  Blue-black curls bounced with her nod of understanding. Her lips parted, as if to speak, and I watched for a moment, waiting to see what she would ask next. “Does the meditation you do help?”

  A burst of laughter bubbled up and out before I could stop it from getting past my lips. The startled look on Remiele's face didn't help any and the laughter started anew. I tried, between bouts of giggling, to explain that I wasn't meditating but was actually reciting every shielding spell I could recall.

  “Your brother screwed with my shields and I was trying desperately to fix things before Chris and Val showed up and startled me.”

  My mention of shielding spells caught her attention and we spent the next hour comparing knowledge of various spells each of us had tried and whether we had found them to work or if they were useless. “Where did you learn all of these things, Ardeur? You have a vast knowledge of things that I truly didn't expect you to understand; especially for one as young as you are.”

  “Here, and there.” I shrugged and stood, dusting the bits of grass and dirt from my legs. “When my parents realized what I was capable of, they took over my education. Only instead of having to read children's stories, they had me reading spell books and learning all kinds of occult things that a child shouldn't know about.” Remiele stood and I smiled up at her. “Call me Ardy, please?”

  Remiele nodded and tilted her head toward the library. “Come inside. Let me show you my collection of books. There is one I think you might find of particular interest.”

  I followed her inside and learned just how interesting and invaluable her book was to someone such as me - a necromancer - but more importantly, someone sharing a body with a chaos demon.

  The shadow falling over the page I was reading later that evening startled me. I was used to the shadows moving around me after having spent years hidden inside of them. Still, someone sneaking up on me showed just how focused my attention was on the book in my lap. “Excuse me? Are you Ardeur?” The sweet, sultry voice that came from behind me caught my attention enough for me to lower the book and turn to see who was standing over my right shoulder.

  “Ooh, a succubus. Haven't seen one of those in ages.”

  Shade perked up when I looked over the tall redhead with the most amazing eyes I had ever seen. Shut up jackass. “Yep. Who are you?”

  My senses were swirling with the energy rolling off the woman as she circled around from behind my chair and sat in the one across from me. She was dressed in a short blue body-hugging dress that might have been silk, but I couldn't be sure. I'd never been given a choice of fabrics during my captivity. I’d stuck mostly denim, leather and cotton once I’d regained my freedom. Her perfume tickled my nose with the subtle scent of flowers and something musky underneath. Everything about her oozed seduction.

  What is it with these people and their designer clothes? Does being immortal equal a good wardrobe? Shade laughed but kept whatever smart answer he had to himself and left me to deal with the succubus on my own.

  “My name is Nevan. I suspect your demon has already told you what I am so I'll spare you the explanation.” She crossed her legs at the ankles and leaned forward, her swirling blue-green eyes nearly mesmerizing me with their shifting colors. It wasn’t hard to understand how men fell under a succubus’ spell so easily. “Remiele tells me that you are quite the powerhouse under the pretty, innocent exterior. She said you're strong enough to have frightened even Azrael and I find that quite intriguing.”

  I pulled the silky crimson ribbon that served as a bookmark over and laid it between the pages I'd been reading before closing the book and putting it aside. The action served a dual purpose for me in that it not only allowed me to break my eyes away from hers, but also held my place in the book. I'd found an interesting chapter and would most definitely be coming back to it later.

  When I looked back up it was with eyes gone soulless black. “Don't push at my shields. Rae learned the hard way and I'm really not in the mood for a second go round today. Just tell me what you want and then get the hell out.”

  She started to laugh. The sound was like the tinkling of bells and it only served to piss me off more until I had enough and let go just enough to give her a taste of what was hiding beneath the china doll appearance. “Now that I see I've got your attention, let me repeat - what do you want?”

  “Eleuaphon.” Nevan blushed at the blurted out word and took a deep shuddering breath to compose herself before continuing. “Remiele told me that you could help me raise the spirit of her brother Eleuaphon to settle a dispute between Tate and Rae. I came to ask if you would, please, raise him for us.”

  I blinked at her for a minute while I processed what she'd just asked me to do. “You want me to channel the spirit of an angel?” I'd never done anything like that before; didn't even know if I could. “What do you care if Tate and Rae are fighting? Unless,” I looked her over and grinned as something that Rae had said in the kitchen earlier clicked in to place. “You're the one. The woman that broke Tate's heart. Well fuck a duck. Isn't that just priceless?”

  Something I'd said must have tripped a nerve because the next thing I knew the succubus was off her chair, in my face and the swirling colors in her eyes had fixed to a solid blue that glowed eerily from her drop dead gorgeous face. “Yes. I am the one Rae blames for turning one brother against him and for the death of the other.” She took a moment to compose herself and continued, “We, Remiele and I, need you to raise Eleuaphon in order for this ridiculous vendetta of Azrael's to be put to rest.”

  “And how do you know I can do this? Angels are supposed to be all virtuous and good; clearly - I'm not.”

  The succubus and I sat in the quiet of the library for a moment while we contemplated each other, her darker, more seductive looks in stark contrast to my much lighter, innocent ones. “You truly believe you're not good enough? Don’t you know what you are? What you can do?”

  “Do you?” I watched her eyes widen when I let go of the hold on my shields. The scent of death overpowered my own sweet, tangerine smell. Nevan gasped as the room began to darken, lights flickering and then going out until nothing was left to illuminate the room but the light from the windows. “Do you really think I'm good, at all?”

  I watched Nevan's hair lift from her back by hands unseen or felt by her. The curtains rustled yet there was no breeze in the room and a pillow whizzed between us to land against the French doors.

  “You've let your demon convince you that what you can do is evil, and that's not what it is, Ardeur.” Her voice was strong, unwavering. “Remiele sensed the good in you, the innocence and I can too. You are not what your demon has tried to make you believe. You are good enough and you're damn well strong enough. I can feel it, see it.”

  Shade, of course, took this moment to pipe up and begin his usual evil egg, spawn of Satan speech in my head. Unfortunately for him, I'd about had enough of that particular tirade a long time ago. I smiled at the succubus and, just to piss the demon off, agreed to raise the dead angel for her and Remiele.

  “Give me a few days to prepare. I'll let you know when I'm ready.”

  “You stupid bitch. I'll make you pay for that. Just you watch and see.”

  My eyes closed as if doing so would block out the obscenities that Shadekar was hurling at me.

  When I opened them, the succubus was gone and I was once again alone in the library. I'd have been willing to bet that no time had passed except for the fact that the light coming through the windows was that of early dawn and the clothes I was wearing were not the ones I'd had on when I sat down in the chair.

  A chill ran down my spine as I stood and fled the library in search of my room and the clothes I hoped I'd find there. My bag had yet to surface and the few items of clothes I'd been able to borrow were precious. Without them, I'd be forced to wear whatever Shade found to dress me in when he broke through my shields and took over running the show.

  I breathed a sigh of relief when I found the sho
rtened jeans from Valencia and the t-shirt Remiele had given me lying haphazardly across the bed. “Thank God.”

  There was a knock on the door as I reached for the jeans and I turned to see Remiele standing in the doorway with an expression somewhere between shock and amusement on her face. “What on Earth are you wearing?”

  I glanced down at the indecently small shorts and low cut camisole. “You don't want to know. Can you gather everyone in the library at five? We're raising your brother tonight.”

  The expression on her beautiful face solidified into shock at my request. “Oh, um, okay. Everyone?”

  I started to peel off the camisole that barely covered my assets and turned my back to her. “Yep. I've got a few things I need to read up on but I'm pretty sure I've got down what needs to be done. Trust me, the more people there the better.” I pulled the scrap of black material over my head and looked at Remiele over my shoulder. “If you'll excuse me, I need to get dressed.”

  The sound of stilettos echoing down the hall told me she was gone and I hurried to change so that I could get back to the library and the book that had given me the key to getting rid of Shadekar for good.

  “He'll never agree to it. No one ever wanted to help you before so why start now?”

  “Buzz off Shade.” It was going to be a long day.

  Eleven

  I sat at the head of the circle of those gathered to witness, with Nevan to my left and Metatron straight ahead. He would be the first face Eleuaphon would see should he come through, and he would. I could feel him waiting. The son of a bitch was actually begging to be let in.

  Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to center myself. Let's get the party started, I thought and opened myself up.

  “We call upon the soul of Eleuaphon. Fallen, brother of Remiele, Azrael and Metatron. Come to us. We call upon you to settle the blood debt claimed in your honor. Rise from your tormented hell and come to us.”

  Several indrawn breaths were heard at the last line that was uttered. That’s right boys and girls. Tormented hell. Death à la succubus got you that much….especially when, well, he'd get to that.

  My shields dropped and death marched through the room. Shade was cheering as he felt the spirit brush across my consciousness. It had been a long time since any spirits had been granted access to my body and he loved every minute of it.

  The voice of Eleuaphon yammering in my head settled in and took the driver's seat.

  “About time - angel? What's this? A Nephilim with a demon? “

  I gave my head a shake. Shut up and focus. You're here for a reason. My eyes opened and glowed black. The obsidian voids focused on Metatron. When my mouth opened, the voice was not mine, nor was it even remotely female.

  “Tatters.”

  A skeptical, curious gaze crossed Metatron's eyes. No one but Eleuaphon dared to call him that childhood nickname. “El?”

  A grin spread across the delicate features of my face . “Shush, rest easy my brother. It's me.”

  Nevan gasped when the familiar voice, so like those of the other two male angels in the room, rang from my mouth. The rest of the witnesses were so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. All eyes were glued on Metatron's face, waiting for a reaction, a twitch or movement. Anything.

  “No, it can't be true,” he said. “I won't have you do this. Send him away; don't stir his soul further. I won't stay and listen to more of this blasphemy.”

  The chair fell over as he stood and went for the door.

  “Don't you hear it, Metatron?” asked Nevan. “It's your brother. She's brought Eleuaphon to us.”

  “Screw this.” Metatron shouted at everyone in the room but before he could get out he was tied to his chair, which had been uprighted, by Valencia and her convenient use of a restraint charm. That would certainly prove useful later on and I made a mental note to ask her about it once Eleuaphon vacated my premises.

  “Tate, easy boy. You need to let this go. I don't blame you for my death. It wasn't your fault.” The words sounded almost pleading as they slipped past my lips. Their impact on Metatron was obvious. He took them like a baseball bat upside the head. Blunt. Hard. Painful, and yet, calming.

  “El - is it really you, brother?” Incredulous blue eyes focused on the black ones that blinked calmly in my face, my head tilting with a slight nod.

  “Yes. It's me... El. Your brother and Remiele's as well as Azrael's. Hush. I know you don't believe it. I know your torment, my brother. “

  “Rae blamed me - the day you,” he glared at Nevan, “died. He blames me and, perhaps he is right.” Metatron's shoulders slacked and he hung his head. The weight of the guilt he had been shouldering was palpable. “I'm sorry.”

  “Metatron. It was not your fault. I am where I deserve to be for my actions. I blame no one but myself. No one. Not you. Not Rae and not Nevan.”

  I saw confusion visibly settle upon Metatron. His emotions charged the air and his eyes flickered with understanding as some of the information he was given by Eleuaphon processed.

  “El, why do you take all the blame? I should have fed her, but I couldn't. I forced her to seek you out. But she is still partly responsible and Rae will not be convinced otherwise.” Tate sat back and looked at Nevan. “You bitch. Did you conspire this to convince me to defend you to Rae?” He looked at Remiele. “And you - did you do this because you care for Nevan? Don’t you want to see the rift settled between me and our brother?”

  Azrael glared at Metatron and I could feel Eleuaphon growing restless inside of me while the brothers and sister he'd come to reunite fought as they had when the four of them had been children. Metatron and Azrael, identical twins yet so unalike they seemed to have been born strangers instead of brothers who shared the same womb for nine months.

  Nevan's eyes glowed blue as she glared at Metatron. Shade was gleefully cackling inside, watching the other demon's power flare. “You dare? You? The one who denied me what I needed and turned me toward your brother? He gave himself to me willingly. He died because I was starved and couldn’t see clearly to stop soon enough. I accept the guilt for my part in it but the blame is not mine alone.”

  The chair that held Tate lifted from the floor and he made to rush for Nevan. Valencia put her hand on the back of it and drove both the seat and its occupant back down.

  “No, I never sent you his way. Never. You were so consumed with your needs and desires that you sought out the next best thing to me. The only reason you spared Rae was that he wasn't around for you to lure into your bed. If you had been honest and told me what you were, I would have made sure you were satisfied. You were dishonest. How was I to know that you weren’t a human?” Tate turned his icy blue gaze on Remiele. “I believe your intent was honest and that you love us, but your desire to see us reunited has blinded you if you think that Rae will let this go.” He turned his gaze up to Valencia and calmed himself, “Now, release me so I can leave this joke of a reunion.”

  My head turned as a whisper, barely audible to the human ear, sounded from Nevan, “I tried to tell you, Tate. You would have none of it.”

  All eyes, including mine, turned to Metatron. “How could I believe you?”

  Valencia groaned in frustration. Designer boots stomped on the hardwood of the living room floor as she rounded the chair and faced the man she'd tied to it. “How can you still not understand, this happened so long ago and everyone is killing themselves over this when the one who was actually killed is forgiving everyone else. What's your deal? Because I sure as hell don't understand you.”

  Nevan stood, her hand coming to rest on Valencia's shoulder as she too faced Metatron. “I tried my best, Luv. I gave you all that I could without feeding from you as proof of my nature. I didn’t want to lose you. You had your honor and traditions, and I had to have sex to feed then. It was the one thing you wouldn’t give me. I was young when we loved each other. I can control it better now. I am not what you once thought me to be. You suffer for naught, Metatron. That is the point
. We three suffer for something none of us could control.”

  The exhaustion of fighting against his brothers was beginning to take its toll on Tate. He began blurting things out about wanting to marry Nevan, not wanting to spoil her honor and Eleuaphon's remorse washed over me like a flood, bringing tears to my eyes. “Tate - stop. There is a bit you do not know...a secret I'd kept from you and Rae. I had knowledge of a succubus prior to Nevan. I knew what she was and passed myself off as you in order to gain her bed. She was too far gone to know the difference, brother. You've never taken a succubus to bed. You don't know the pleasure to be found there. I was weak and took the opportunity you denied yourself.”

  Metatron closed his eyes and I felt another consciousness brush against mine. I recognized it for what it was and let the two brothers speak telepathically. They deserved this small measure of privacy in the crowded room of friends, family and others that fit in neither category. “Brother. I don't believe you - you wouldn't act this way. You chose to save her over honor? You loved her?”

  Eleuaphon used my lips to smile and tried the rusty link to his brother to respond. “How could I not when you wouldn't. My life was worth it to see her suffering end. I only wish you could have truly seen how she loved you and how beautiful she was at that moment.”

  A sad smile spread across Metatron's face. “At one time, I would have agreed El, but I can't see her that way again. She is lost to me. There are some things I can't get past or over or forget about.”

  Eleuaphon said aloud. “You must forgive her, Tate. You must or Rae will never let her rest.”

  “You will have to haunt his ass, El. We can't even be in the same room without breaking bones. What I think or don't think doesn't matter to him.”

  The spirit inside of me rejoiced at the words spoken by its brother. “I think he has witnessed enough here to convince him of the truth if he would only open his eyes to see. He's a stubborn ass, hmm?”

  Tate made an off color comment about family and the lengths they go to for their annoying siblings, which had everyone laughing, including Eleuaphon. “Ah, Metatron. Forever the ass. See if I don't send one to prick yours one dark night. Now forgive the woman as she deserves and be done with it.”