by JK Ensley
“You wanna fill in that huge gap, little sis?” Raphael said through a forced laugh.
“Cashiel and Jago,” she whispered absently, cringing at the surrounding gasps.
Jophiel sort of snorted. “How is it you are friends with slime such as that?”
“She did not befriend them,” Munenori answered on her behalf. “She turned them to ash—sent their damned souls to her dark husband. As part of a gift, I believe.” He winked at her then.
“Turned them to ash?” Raphael laughed as he draped his arm across her shoulder. “Color me impressed, little girl.”
She blushed slightly.
“Not only that,” Munenori continued. “She did so without her gifted blades. Back when she was fresh from hell and absent training of the knowledge of what she was… what she is.”
“By all that’s holy,” Jophiel whispered aloud, unbelieving, stunned.
“It was not my fault,” she protested. “They were going to sacrifice me. Drink my blood and father little demon babies or something. Well… I admit I wasn’t paying real close attention at the time. But it was something like that, best I can recall.”
Jophiel laughed then. “Kagi Naga.” He chuckled out the name. “Why am I not surprised?” He lowered his voice. “You have no idea how turned on I am right now.”
“Pfft…” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
“As am I,” Raphael whispered, for her ears alone.
Jenevier’s eyes went wide at his unexpected words. She froze.
“Jophiel!” Daichi growled as he shoved his captive out toward them on the balcony. “I would appreciate if you kept your filth to yourself. You dishonor her with such comments as that.” He stood toe to toe with the smirking Arch. “You put your snowy white wings in danger. Please… continue.”
Jophiel only shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and leaned back against the railing. “I wouldn’t mind having a go at those blue peacock feathers draped across your backside, Angel boy. You wanna play now?” He motioned toward their prisoner. “Or do we wait until we are done here?”
Jenevier ignored them, her curious gaze fixed upon the bent head of their shackled guest.
When Gabriel noisily cleared his throat, everyone fell silent and stepped back… leaving only Jenevier, the prisoner, and her ever-elegant, golden-haired ethereal brother standing in the midst of them.
“Centuries ago,” Gabriel began. “The man before you was counted among us. He was not the greatest, nor was he the least of our kind. He was a messenger, a deliverer of instruction—tasked with but that one thing.”
Jenevier tilted her head, trying to get a better look at the man’s face. His dark hair was askew, drenched with sweat. His clothing was tattered and filthy. Yet she could neither see nor smell any blood.
He has been bound only, she thought. Not beaten.
Gabriel continued, “Alas, he was not satisfied with his duty, did not understand the importance of his station. Greed and envy crept into his heart. As time passed, his hidden treachery only grew. Instead of delivering peace and comfort, he sewed strife and discord throughout the layers.”
“And… you have brought him here to judge him?” she asked, absently. “You wish me to gift him with death?”
Munenori chuckled. “He has already been blessed thusly by you once before, Little Fire.”
She shot the mossy lavender Angel a questioning glance just as the man slowly lifted his head.
“Decimus…” She hissed the name out through her cold whisper.
At the sound of his name from her lips, a smirkish smile spread across his face. “Ahh… you remembered me. That warms my heart. So… we meet again, rarest little one.” He glanced around at her surrounding friends. “I see now why you could not be swayed with sweet words and adoring flattery.” His gaze rested back on her. “You keep company with the blessed ones.” He snorted out a harsh laugh. “You hide your secrets well, pink eyes.”
“I knew them not when first we met.” She stepped closer. “But what difference does it make? If I had confessed walking with Angels, would you not have chosen me as your rare sacrifice?”
Decimus closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, his smile returning. “Ahh… that smell.” He chuckled again. “The enchanting scent that lulled my angelic brethren into your trap—robbing them of your true identity.” He opened his eyes. “No, Milady. You would not have been chosen that night. Instead, I would have plied you with just a bit more wine, then bound you within my pleasure pit. I would have hidden you from the world, pink eyes, yet left a smile upon your lips… always.”
Jenevier jumped with the suddenness of Daichi’s movements, cringing at the sound of snapping ribs when his mighty blow landed hard against the man’s side, sending him to his knees. He spit blood out near her feet, trying to laugh, mostly coughing instead.
Eventually Decimus caught his breath and looked back up at her shocked expression. His smirk was gone and his tone had softened. “I am truly sorry about Shabriri, about what he did to you.” He inhaled a shaky breath. “I was already bound within the pit you sent me back to. Yet, had I known what he—” He swallowed hard. “I would have come for you… I swear it.”
Tears filled her eyes as his raspy words pulled forth one of her darkest memories. She turned from him, staring out upon the flowing lavender, letting the soft breeze dry her streaked cheeks.
“So swears one of the greatest liars to ever live,” Raphael said. “If you wish to confess something to her, let it be your current doings. Tell this delicate little lady exactly what your pure and chivalrous heart has been up to as of late.”
Decimus was silent.
Do you wish me to come get you, little Guardian? Nilakanta whispered within her.
She looked toward her sapphire Dragon. Not just yet, she answered. But… soon, perhaps.
Munenori casually looked over his shoulder at the waiting giant poised for flight, and then over to his tiny pink-haired friend. They exchanged a knowing glance, yet spoke not.
If you try to interfere, Angel, Nilakanta warned.
I would never. Munenori cut short the Dragon’s threat and turned his attention back to the proceedings, giving away nothing.
“If you will not tell her, then I will,” Gabriel was saying.
Thus began the haunting tale of his recent bloody deeds and the unavoidable tragedy he had set into motion upon the eighth layer realm of Earth.
“Well now, in truth,” Decimus said in his defense. “I do regret that last part. At the time, I did not realize how sick his mind actually was. Crazy little Earthling,” he mumbled. “I was tired. I just wanted a peaceful little escape from the insane world I have been cursed to be a member of. I wanted a few moments alone, away from hell and demons and dark things. I did not go there with the express intent of doing harm.” He sighed then. “The boy came to me. I know not why. I did not invite him. Yet he found me… somehow. And to be perfectly honest, it was nice to have someone to just talk to.”
“Talk to?” Uriel snapped. “You call that talking?”
“What?” Decimus met the enraged Arch’s glare. “He was full of curiosity and I was full of stories. I cannot help the fact my stories all happen to be dark. How was I to know how fragile the boy’s mind was?” He looked then upon Jenevier’s still turned back. “What difference does it make now? The Death Angel did what she does. So he’s dead now. No more girls will be butchered by his hand.” He paused a couple heartbeats before continuing in a lowered voice. “I truly hate what he did to you, Milady. If even the thought of him running you through had ever crossed my mind, I would have snapped his neck myself. I swear it.”
Jenevier was shaking her head in disbelief. “So… what you are saying is that dozens of innocent girls died… all so you could buy a little alone time?” She turned back to face him. “All so you could know a few moments of undeserved peace?”
He snorted out a laugh. “Hello there. My name is Decimus. I am a demon. I thought you knew… my mist
ake. Pleasure to meet you, Milady.”
Jenevier didn’t flinch that time when Daichi delivered another bone-crushing blow to the man’s already bruised side. She waited until he had caught his breath again before she squatted down in front of his bowed head, her knees popping from the action. He slowly lifted his watery gaze.
“Yet, the Death Angel did not claim him, Decimus,” she said. “The boy claimed me instead. No, that wretched young man’s life was snuffed out by a valiant soul, one pure of heart and not fashioned for killing.”
Decimus did not respond.
“The eighth layer is not ruled by magic, you idiot,” Jophiel hissed. “They have discovered science within that realm. Do you have any idea what that means?”
Still Decimus did not speak, his worried gaze remaining fixed with hers.
“What it means, good Decimus,” Gabriel said. “Is that the bullet found deep within the dead boy’s brain, was traced back to the gun owned and used by the noble Prince Suou that day.”
Decimus finally managed to pull himself away from Jenevier’s intense glare and turned to face the speaking Arch.
“And the curious boy your demented stories twisted… he was the youngest son of a neighboring Ruler,” Gabriel continued. “One who had been looking for an excuse to start a war, and you delivered up exactly what he needed. The weapons this maddened King is now in possession of—the likes of which you cannot possibly understand—can easily wipe out that entire layer.”
“And those unlucky enough to survive,” Raphael added. “Will wish they had not.”
At the Arch’s sad words, Jenevier slowly closed her eyes and sighed, rubbing her throbbing temples. When she opened them once more, she was met with Decimus’s regretful tears.
“I am truly sorry,” he mouthed to her before being jerked back to his feet.
She stood, turning to look back down at her beloved Dragon. “Great power is a terrifying thing,” she whispered. “But the ones who abuse such power… are even more terrifying.”
“True,” Munenori said as he came to stand beside her. “And a weapon is a tangible form of that power. The weapon this madman now possesses is a truly unfathomable type of power… one that will leave that unsuspecting world kneeling before him.”
“Although what Munenori says is true, little sister,” Raphael said as he came to stand on her other side. “That a weapon is a tangible form of power. It is but a thing, an inanimate object. Its strength comes from the wielder. If he proves weak and worthless, so too will prove said weapon.”
“He may be worthless,” she mumbled. “But I doubt very seriously that he is weak. Thus, why would four Archs show up dragging with them a demon I once slew?” Her knuckles turned white as she squeezed the banister railing, her clenched teeth grinding painfully within her mouth. “I only wish one of you had the balls to just spill the truth of it before I get really pissed.”
Munenori quickly turned his head, hiding his smile. Raphael snickered and poked her in the ribs.
“Care you not what you say?” Uriel snapped.
She narrowed her glare, turning to face the Angel. “Does it look like I care, Uriel? Tell me. Can you find even the smallest hint of regret in my eyes?”
Decimus burst out laughing. “There she is! There’s the fiery little maiden I fell head over heels for.”
“Shut his mouth before I gut him again,” she said, without breaking her heated gaze from the Arch’s.
They quietly listened as Decimus’s laughter echoed back from the hallway. Jophiel snorted out a chuckle when they heard Daichi hit him again, followed by the subsequent cry from the demon.
“How can such horrible things fall continually from those perfect lips?” Uriel went on. “We are here as friends, as brothers. How would you feel if such careless words tore a rift that could not be mended? What if your sullen attitude caused blades to be drawn, needless blood to be spilt? How would that feel, Kagi Naga?”
She took a step toward him. “Wow. I guess that would really suck, Uriel. And… I guess I would probably hate myself tomorrow. But hey, what’s one more nightmare? Right, Brother?”
Jenevier held out her right hand, palm up. Raphael quickly placed his over hers, locking their fingers together, halting her summoning of Amatiste.
“Come now. Let’s all be friends today,” Raphael said, pulling her against him. “There is much yet that needs to be decided.”
“If you would quit jumping in,” Jophiel said, casually looking up from examining his perfect fingernails. “Maybe these two could finally have it out. Quit being the overly protective big brother and just let them work through their differences the best way they can.”
His mischievous smile and pious wink almost made her giggle.
“Yes, Raphael,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “Why don’t you go on inside? Uriel and I need some alone time.” She glanced back to the other Arch. “He wishes to dance with me. Alas, he is a bit on the shy side.”
Jophiel laughed and slapped Uriel on the shoulder as he made his way to enter the palace proper. “Now there’s a dance I would give my left wing to see,” he said, chuckling.
Uriel only rolled his eyes, following his teasing brother toward the council chamber.
When Jenevier made to leave the balcony as well, Raphael pulled her back to him. Tenderly stroking her curls, he whispered, “Do not always be so ready to put your life on the line all the time.” His deep voice vibrated through his chest, tickling her cheek. “I would be inconsolable if anything truly horrible were to ever happen to my precious little sister.”
Chapter 12
Nilakanta
(nye-lah-KHAN-tah)
Daichi slammed his fist down on the massive table, causing Jenevier to visibly flinch.
“Absolutely not!” he roared. “She will not be on her own with this summons. The fate of an entire realm rests upon her tiny shoulders. Who among you can say you have felt this same weight?”
Gabriel’s lips were curved up in his constant, gentle smile. “All of us have felt such, little brother. We are eons old. We have carried such loads many hundreds of times before. Yet, I agree with you. Naga should not be sent alone.”
“And who do you suggest join her?” Jophiel asked. “Who among us does not have equal summons to attend because of this mess?”
“You could ask my father,” Tenshi said.
Everyone slowly turned toward the timid Angel.
“What?” He leaned forward, meeting each man’s troubled gaze. “Are you seriously going to sit there and pretend he would not sacrifice his very existence to see her safe?”
“That truth goes without saying.” Raphael sighed. “The problem lies not in his loyalty to your mother, Tenshi, but in his loyalty to anyone else, save her. Think about it. What if, God forbid, something horrible happened? What if her precious light were snuffed out? Tell me. What do you think Apollyon would do then?”
“In but a breath… Earth would cease to exist,” Gabriel said softly. “There is no forgiveness, no live and let live with Apollyon.”
“But if he were there, nothing would happen to her,” Tenshi argued. “Not while he yet drew breath.”
Uriel softly cleared his throat. Tenshi turned to face him.
“No matter how we may act at times… I cherish your mother in my heart as none other before. I always have.” The conflicted Arch sighed and leaned his head back, staring up at the elaborately painted ceiling. “I might have even taken up your side in this argument, boy. Had I not already witnessed Prince Suou’s reaction to your tiny mother. You were there, Tenshi. You remember. I know you do.” His thoughts quickly matched those of his brother Archs as they recalled this young Angel’s unbelievably powerful response in his mother’s defense. “If your father saw how that man looks at her—eyes full of worship.” He looked back to the younger Angel. “Did she not tell you what Suou tried to do when she was forced to attend his ball? He tricked her into accepting a dance intended to introduce the up and coming n
ew Queen of that land. No, I should say we would never find all the pieces of that poor Prince… if your father were to escort her there. Apollyon would effortlessly slay the very one she has been sent to protect.”
At the Arch’s calm words, Tenshi gave up the fight, conceding to the older Angel’s reasoning.
Daichi growled. “All the more reason she should not go alone.”
“Just, listen… please,” Uriel said. “Decimus may have set this ball in motion, but Valencia picked it up and ran with it. The whole realm will soon be crawling with demons if we do not plug up all the holes she has torn. We will have our hands full. And we will each be on our own.”
Daichi sighed, exasperated, and fell back into his chair. “Tell me again how that wretched creature escaped her ethereal chains.”
“We know not the whole of it,” Gabriel said. “Not yet. But the fact she is now completely mad, and the fact she is also now loosed… there is no denying. All we can do now is clean up her mess. We will deal with the she-Guardian when this is over.”
“Very well, then,” Uriel said. “Now, let us decide. Shall we go with plan A, or plan B?”
Jenevier cut her eyes toward the speaking Arch. “Or how about we go with plan D, for dumbass… since that’s what you seem to be.”
Uriel smiled at her, but it was cold, minus heart. “I love you, yes. But never mistake my tolerance for weakness, little sister. To do so, could mean your death.”
She matched his smirk. “I will enjoy returning the bitter favor, Brother.”
“We are all speaking calmly here, rationally,” Uriel said. “That’s what adults do, little Kagi Naga. Do not speak foolishness.”
Gabriel reached over and took her hand, patting it gently. “She has proven herself many things, Brother, yet fool is not among them. Hear her out. Then argue against her reasoning.”
Uriel only rolled his eyes.
“Go on, Naga,” Raphael whispered. “Let your voice be heard.”
“Tell me, Uriel. Why is it all of your plans have me going there as Jenevier? Were you not the one who scolded me for removing my mask in the first place?”
