by Lisa Olsen
“Yeah, I’m getting that. I looked over to where Gabriel watched over the crowd with that same impassive expression on his face. Was there supposed to be a formal announcement or were they waiting for me to leave to get back to angelic business? Deciding not to worry about it, I turned my attention back to my tall, new friend. “Listen, thanks for your help back there with Nathanael, that guy’s got it in for me big time, I appreciate the support.”
“Of course, I could do nothing else, Merceline,” he sketched a half bow.
“It’s Mercy,” I corrected him automatically. “Does everyone here know who I am?”
“Oh yes, word of your… evolution has been spoken of in the highest of places.”
“And the lowest,” I muttered, not at all happy with my lack of privacy those days.
“You speak of your capture by Raum. I was both pleased and impressed to learn of your escape.”
There he went again, knowing all about my business. It was a little flattering, but mostly it was kinda creepy, the idea that there were a bunch of people out there knowing the ins and outs of my daily life. “Seriously, how do you know all of this?” Sam had spoken of the angels watching over me, was he one of them?
“I made it my business to know. You don’t seem to understand the impact you’ve had on our world, my dear lady.”
“Oh?”
“Oh yes, in all the years of our existence, there has never been one such as you. You are…”
“Yeah, I know, I’m new. I get that a lot,” I sighed and he chuckled again.
“Do not take it to heart that many of my kind have not accepted you, as a whole we resist change.”
“That’s okay, I never set out to be Miss Popular. Actually I’m a little more worried about the ones that like me a little too much.”
“Could anyone ever care too much, dear lady?”
Uh oh. I recognized the look of infatuation that started to gather on his face and I wanted to nip that in the bud. “Yeah well, I’m taken, I mean really taken,” I added quickly, gratified when he got the message and stopped giving me those puppy dog eyes. “I don’t appreciate being kidnapped by demons who are attracted to my Grace or fallen angels who want to use me to escape eternal damnation either. By the way, shouldn’t it be your guys’ job to make sure that doesn’t happen? He’s your prisoner, right?”
“You speak of Azazael.”
“Yep, that’s the one. What kind of a prison is it if he can escape into the Ether whenever he wants or jump into someone’s body?” It seemed like a flawed system to me. Sure his body was chained to a rock, but it obviously wasn’t doing any good if his mind could escape so easily.
“He has come to you in the Ether?”
Maybe it was petty of me, but I couldn’t help but feel a little jolt of happiness for having caught an all knowing angel by surprise. “Oh, so you don’t know every little thing about me after all, do you?” I gloated.
“My apologies, the Ether is difficult for us to monitor.”
“That’s okay.” It was better for me if they didn’t keep too close of an eye on the Ether anyway. It left me feeling less like I was being watched at every turn when I got to spend time with Adam.
“You should not have to bear the brunt of Azazael’s avarice or schemes. Nathanael!” he called out, and I almost wished I’d kept my mouth shut. But if they could help me with my Azazael problem, that would simple my life up big time. “Were you aware that Azazael is stalking this child in the Ether?”
“I am not her keeper, I leave that to you,” he replied with disdain.
My brows came up at that one. The guy was my keeper? Did I have another guardian angel? Not that I was complaining, but how exactly did I rate that? Did he get an assignment to watch over me, or was it his idea all on his own? With an advocate in my corner, I spoke up again. “Yeah, but you don’t want him to escape right? Isn’t there something you can do to keep him from coming after me?”
“Even if I deigned to concern myself with your plight, we are bound by God’s instructions, unable to take action without direction. There is little that can be done against Azazael unless and until he actually escapes his bonds.”
The sonofabitch actually looked happy about the loophole that allowed Azazael to keep tormenting me with no retribution. I had to wonder, was he always like that? Or was it just me who got his knickers in a knot? While I pretty much expected a response like that from good ol’ Nate, my new champion clearly was not.
“Still, you cannot believe it is His will for Azazael to escape,” he pressed, but Nathanael wasn’t interested.
“I have learned not to try and anticipate God’s will and I would caution you to do the same,” Nathanael replied stiffly. “If you feel that strongly about it, take up a petition, you know the proper channels.”
“I shall.”
“Fine, may we get back to business now?” The air fairly crackled with enmity as the two angels squared off, but my friend was the first one to back down.
“I humbly await your pronouncement,” he gave a low bow before stalking off.
“That guy is a total asshat,” I muttered under my breath and the angel standing next to me gave a nervous titter of laughter. He soon quieted under Nathanael’s disapproving glare though and we all sobered, waiting for whatever angel business was on the docket.
“There is a report of a prophet near San Salvador, Gagiel, you are chosen to respond.”
“As my Lord commands,” Gagiel nodded.
“Zethar, have you a report on the situation in Portland?”
My interest peaked by the proximity of the location, I paid particular attention to Zethar’s report about witch activity in the Portland Metro Area. The short and skinny of it was, there was no proof anyone was trafficking with the devil, so they moved on. That’s how it went, assignments and reports on various activities going on all over the world.
Overall it was a lot more boring than I would have thought. Most reports were disproven as anything supernatural and even when something interesting was mentioned, they didn’t talk about taking steps to correct it, they were just cataloged for the report. Or maybe they were leery of talking about the good stuff in front of me?
Before you go thinking I’m being big headed about the effect of my being there, I can totally prove it. All along I got the feeling Nathanael couched his terms in the most general sense possible, keeping details vague, but it was never more noticeable than when he began his final report.
After a pointed look in my direction, he addressed the group. “There is a report that you know who has made his presence known at a certain club in Los Angeles…”
I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “Oh, come on, you know who? Seriously? What are we chasing after evil wizards now? Like I can’t figure out who you’re talking about.” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “I may not be an angel but I’m not a moron. Either tell it like it is or ask me to leave.”
“I did ask you to leave,” he replied, his teeth grinding together. “And yet you remain.”
“Fine, I’ll go. This was so not what I expected when I heard the call of the horn. No offense.” I turned to offer that to Gabriel who watched me closely. “I thought you guys helped people? All I’m hearing is a lot of surveillance. You guys are the biggest peeping Tom’s…” With that I turned on my heel and stalked away. I hadn’t gone more than a dozen feet when my new friend fell into step beside me.
“Have no fear, I will petition on your behalf. Azazael will not be allowed to torment you so.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it. I’d try talking to the Big Guy myself, but it’s a little out of my way.” I gave him a grateful smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
“A thousand apologies, my dear lady. I am Raziel.”
I felt as though I’d been socked in the stomach, and it took long seconds before I could suck in a breath to form coherent words. “You’re Raziel?”
“I can see my reputation precedes me.”
“No shit,” slipped out before I could stop myself from swearing in front of an angel. Raziel. The Angel of Death who had brought so much heartache to Adam and Sam both. Why the hell was he so keen on keeping tabs on me? Was he waiting for the time when he’d have to put me down too? If it wasn’t something like that, then why hadn’t he introduced himself to me in the first place?
The profound look of sadness in his eyes gave me pause. He was nothing like I’d imagined him. I suppose I’d pictured someone more like Nathanael, full of righteous anger. Or maybe a goose-stepping soldier with more brawn than brains, carrying out the Lord’s orders without regard for the destruction it would cause. But he wasn’t like that at all. In fact, I’d been well on the way to considering him a friend and ally. “Look, I have to go. I shouldn’t be talking to you.”
“I understand. I won’t trouble you any longer,” Raziel nodded, bowing slightly he turned away. Ugh, I felt like crap and I had to mash my lips together to keep from calling him back. But I owed it to both Adam and Sam not to associate with the guy, didn’t I? Still… he’d been nothing but nice to me in a pretty tense environment, taking on Nathanael like that.
“Wait…” I turned around and chased after him. “I’m sorry, you caught me by surprise, okay?” Raziel stopped walking but didn’t turn to face me, and I had to jog around him. His shoulders slumped miserably and I felt awful for making him feel like that. “How come you didn’t tell me who you were from the start?”
“Because I feared a reaction just as this one. You have judged me, and there is little I can say now to change your opinion.”
“When you put it like that…” I frowned, squirming on the inside because he was right. I had totally judged him without letting him give his side of the story. The trouble was, I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear his side of the story. What if I decided he was an okay guy despite what he’d done? How could I justify that to Adam?
Maybe he wasn’t a bad person, but I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea, the two of us being friends. “Listen, I do appreciate you sticking up for me, but you have to understand where I’m coming from. But for a couple thousand years, that could have been me you killed when you came after Adam’s lady.”
“Adam has broken no covenant, you are no longer a mortal woman.”
“Yeah, but my entire being here is an abomination, depending on who you talk to.” My eyes flicked over to where Nathanael stood. “What happens if the news comes down the pipeline some day that it’s my turn? Will you kill me as easily?”
“Killing is never easily done,” he replied with a pained look. “And I pray that day will never come.”
“But if it does…?”
Chapter Seventeen
The question hung heavily in the air between us, and from his silence I had my answer. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. I’m sorry if I find it a little hard to become best buddies with a guy who might eventually be my executioner.”
“I understand,” he nodded sadly, and once more I felt like I’d stepped on a puppy’s ears.
“But… that doesn’t mean I hate you or anything,” I added, gratified to see him perk up at that. “I understand you did what you did for a reason, and it wasn’t out of malice, but it hurt two people who are very important to me.” I felt the need to add that too, not letting him off the hook entirely. “How about we start fresh here? Leave the past where it is and worry about the future when it comes?” There might be hell to pay when Adam found out, but I couldn’t help but like Raziel. Hey, I would take all the help I could get, between Azazael and Raum both being after me, another friend couldn’t hurt.
Raziel’s noble face broke into a broad smile. “I would like that very much.”
“Okay, good.” I instantly felt better about the situation and broke into a smile to match his. “But I should be going now, I think Nathanael has more orders to give and you should get back.”
“I don’t take my orders from Nathanael,” he scoffed.
“Oh? Then why are you here?”
“Because I wanted to meet you.”
I wasn’t sure how to take that, and I really did have to go, so I decided to ignore it for the time being. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Raziel, but my friend is waiting for me so… I’ll see you around.” I turned around to leave and nearly ran right into Gabriel who stood behind me. “Oh, excuse me,” I said automatically even though really, it was his fault for standing so close.
Would I get the riot act read to me for breaking up the meeting? Would he have a personal message for me from the guy upstairs? Would he even say anything at all? I seriously contemplated a mumbled apology and darting around him as he did none of those things, standing there staring at me with that inscrutable look on his face. He reached for my hand and I was so surprised, I didn’t object when he lifted it straight up into the air, high over my head. My mouth dropped open as a rumble of thunder sounded overhead and with a crackle of lightning, a shining sword appeared in my hand.
“Holy cow…” slipped out, as I pulled the sword down to check it out. “Is this mine? For reals?” A faint smile was all I got from him in response and I took that to mean yes. “This is the coolest thing ever!” I quashed the urge to give him a hug in thanks, but my smile was a mile wide as I held the sword comfortably in my hand. Wait ‘til the demons tried to mess with me again! I’d be prepared next time. Gabriel’s smile broadened and he actually winked at me ,so quickly I almost thought I imagined it, before launching himself into the air in a flurry of snow white wings.
“Thank you!” I called after him, noting that the other angels followed suit, taking to the skies. “I guess the meeting’s over,” I murmured to myself as I stood alone in the clearing.
“Hey, Sam! Check out what I got!” Feeling almost giddy, I ran towards where I hoped Sam waited at the edge of the trees. I know I broke a rule, running with a sharp object in my hand, but damn it was cool! Not that I knew a thing about how to use it, but it felt good in my hand. I felt safer and more powerful, even though I was more likely to hurt myself on the thing than anyone else. Sam stepped out of the trees, amusement curving his lips.
“I see you made some new friends.”
I wasn’t sure if he meant that innocently, or if it was a dig because he saw me talking to Raziel. A month ago I would have taken him at his word, but his forays into sarcasm left me wondering. “Yeah, Gabriel gave me this.” I held the sword up and he side stepped it.
“Be careful with that until you learn how to use it.”
“Would you teach me?” It stood to reason he’d be pretty good with a sword. Adam too, but I had a feeling any sword lessons Adam gave me would pretty rapidly devolve into something else.
“If you like.”
“Cool. ‘Cause I don’t think it’d look so badass if I accidentally cut my own leg off with this thing the first time I tried to use it,” I grinned, giving it another experimental swing.
“Have a care.” His hands came up, his brow furrowing in an almost pained expression. “It will be very sharp indeed, and while I can heal your minor cuts, it will be very difficult to reattach limbs.”
That was a sobering thought, and I brought the point down to the ground. “You got it Obi-Wan. You lead and I’ll follow. I’ll even call you Master if you like,” I winked at him. Sam stared at me blankly and I was reminded that no matter how much progress he was making with his assimilation into the present, there were still gaping holes in his pop culture internal reference. “Remind me when we get home to watch the entire Star Wars saga from start to finish.” Daphne might like that, a movie-a-thon with popcorn and junk food… “Oh crap, Daphne! She must be freaking out!”
“Daphne is here?” Sam blinked in astonishment. Apparently he’d been too distracted by the call to notice her back at the shore.
“Yes, she’s waiting in the park. At least, I hope she’s still waiting for me.”
“We should definitely go to her, allay her fears.”
So adorable.
“Okay,” I agreed readily. “How about a lift?” I wasn’t sure the walking on water bit would work again and it would be a bitch to try and swim with a sword clenched in my teeth. Sam hesitated for a moment before giving a brisk nod and I felt a little jolt of exhilaration at the prospect of not only seeing his wings but flying. “Oh, what about the sword?” I didn’t want to accidentally cut him.
“Here, let me take it from you.” Sam held out his hand and the moment I passed it over to him it disappeared.
“Hey! What did you do to it?” I demanded, hoping that was done on purpose and I hadn’t lost my new toy already.
“I did nothing, but you can relax, it’s no biggie. You can retrieve it anytime you like, though I don’t recommend it while we’re in the air.”
“Sweet! The same way you can?” That would definitely come in handy, otherwise I’d have to figure out how to bring it with me to work and I wasn’t sure Parker would go for that.
“Yes, exactly. Hold tight now.” I wrapped my arms around Sam’s neck and he held me close. I was aware of the flutter of wings and then we were in the air. “Make yourself dim now, we mustn’t be seen like this.” With a nod I focused on removing myself from human eyes as we flew across the water. All too soon it was over and we stood on the rocky bank of the lake. For the first time I got a real look at his wings fully extended, and they were truly beautiful. A different kind of beauty from Adam’s dark wings, Sam’s were pristine white, like a dove’s, and they flexed before he noticed I was looking at them and he willed them away in a rush of air.
“Aw… I don’t see what the big deal is, they’re beautiful.”
“Mercy…” He looked acutely uncomfortable with the praise, but then his eyes lit upon Daphne who bound out of the car.
“Hey!” she called out, waving from the parking lot. With a start, she realized there was nothing keeping her from joining us on the rocky beach anymore and she ran down to join us. “What happened to you? I was about to call the cops and report you missing, but then I figured that might be a bad idea. Hi, Sam,” she smiled brightly.
