When everyone had left the room, Cam turned and looked at her. “Why are you so afraid of Abdiel?”
“He’s going to beat me,” she whispered, although she had already scanned her brother’s mind and found out for herself that he was not capable of doing such a thing. Still she doubted herself. It wasn’t like her family was exactly the warm and fuzzy type.
“Michael said it wasn’t your fault.” Cam started to pick up some of the debris in the room. He must have decided that the mess that they had made was too big to bother with at this moment because he stopped cleaning as quickly as he started and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Abdiel’s not like the rest of your family. He won’t hurt you ever. He promised not to, and he always keeps his word.”
He glanced up at her before he ducked his head down, but not before she noticed the look on his face. Oh God, he felt sorry for her. If it was one thing that she hated above everything else, it was pity. She was used to being hated; she and Appolion had grown up cutting their teeth on the preverbal hate stick. However, she could never get used to someone feeling bad for her. It made her feel helpless.
She stared down at the raggedy old gown she was wearing and realized that she did look like a war refugee. She ran her hands over the offending material trying to make it stretch out as far as it could go. Good molly, my legs are barely covered. This is no way for me to make a first impression. Cam immediately noticed her discomfort and went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of sweats and a tee shirt.
As he handed them to her, they locked eyes for the first time and both of them froze. Brother, the thought came unbidden into her mind and as soon as it did, she knew it was true. Even though they had come from different parents, he was as much of her brother as Appolion and Abdiel. They were linked by some higher power and had been since they were born.
She reached up and touched his cheek, gently rubbing her fingers over the road rash that was still there. He had gotten that injury fighting Abdiel in order to get to her. So he must feel the connection too. She breathed out a sigh of relief. She was never going to be alone again. She had found-home.
“Thank you, for coming to me. Without you I would have been lost forever.”
“After seeing the way you handled yourself earlier, I somehow doubt that,” he mumbled.
“I sense your pain, you inner conflict, brother.” She smiled when she saw his shocked expression. It was going to take them both a little while to get used to being around another telepath.
“Get changed and I’ll get you something to eat. I don’t think that we can keep you a secret anymore. Not since you and I pretty much went postal,” he said gruffly, changing the subject.
“What do you mean postal?” She wrinkled her nose at him.
Actually she already knew what he meant. She had been scanning his mind since the car ride home, plucking little bits of information from his thoughts and memories. However, she wasn’t ready to tell him that yet. The first thing she had learned in Hell was to not reveal all your strengths or weaknesses.
“Sorry, I forgot that you’ve been vegging out for the past few centuries. I mean since you and I tore apart the house. I think we broke out every single window.”
As he waited for her outside in the hallway, she quickly took of the gown and pulled on the clothes he had given her. It felt so good to be in regular clothes. She looked over at the old, white dress and vaporized it with her mind. She didn’t want anything around to remind her of her time in Hell.
Even though she was full-grown now, she noticed with disgust that she was smaller than most females. Cam was no giant by any means, and his tee shirt still hung to her knees. She had to cinch the drawstring as hard as she could on the sweatpants in order to keep them up. Somehow she didn’t think losing her drawers in the kitchen would be a good introduction into the angel world.
She went into his bathroom and finally willed herself to look in the mirror. It had a giant crack down the middle thanks to her and Cam’s little spat, but otherwise it was unbroken. When she saw her reflection, she let out a horrified gasp. She reached out and touched the glass, trying hard to will away the image that was looking back at her.
Her hair was raven in color with loose curls that went every which way. Her eyes were wide and a deep piercing blue, framed by long, dark lashes. She had high, finely arched, cheekbones and full lips. She was the spitting image of her mother.
She hissed out a demon curse and shattered the mirror with a wave of her hand. She resisted the insane urge to turn the water on in the sink and scrub her face until the offending features were wiped away. She would have rather turned into a demon than look like her witch of a mother. She did not just hate the female, she despised her.
When Douma and Forcas had started to do the bad things to her, she had gone to her mother for help. Instead of helping her like any other normal mother would have, the witch had smacked her across the face and called her a lying whore. How could a ten-year old female be a whore? When Rachael had refused to retract her story, her dear, old, sweet mother had given her a beating that would have made their father proud.
Cam must have sensed her distress because his voice immediately came into her head, Are you okay? I can sense that you are upset.
I’m just dandy. Hold your horses I’ll be there in a second. Even though she had tried to sound annoyed she wasn’t. Ever since Appolion had cut off contact with her, she had no one friendly to communicate mentally with until now.
She walked out into the hall and he took her hand, led her down the stairs and sat her down to the kitchen. There were a couple of males there, and they both looked at her with interest. Much to her dismay, she found herself hiding behind Cam. She just couldn’t stand to be ogled.
“Be nice guys. This is Abdiel’s little sister and you don’t want to piss him off by hurting her feelings.” Cam grabbed her hand.
One of the males stepped forward. “Hi, I’m Daniel.” He turned and looked at Cam. “Look, I’m really sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have said anything about your mother. That was a real low blow. It’s just that I learned my sister was in town, and she’s up to her old tricks.”
“Who’s your sister?” Rachael asked timidly as she watched Cam pour them tall glasses of milk.
“My sister is a succubus.”
Cam had just taken a big swig of milk as Daniel said this. At the other angel’s revelation, he choked.
Daniel groaned. “Oh no, not you too. I swear my sister has banged ever male I know.”
“What’s your sister’s name?” Cam gasped out between coughs.
“Ramiakle.”
“Then she’s not the one I, ah…. “He glanced over at Rachael.
“You are such a perv, Cam.” Rachael rolled her eyes at him.
“Thank God, at least she hasn’t gotten her claws into you.” Daniel visibly relaxed. “I can tell you that have some small injuries. It would be a honor if you would let me heal them for you. It’s the least I can do.”
“In case you forgot, Daniel, I beat the ever living tar out of you. You don’t owe me anything.”
Daniel still went over to him and touched his shoulder. Since the injury was not too serious, it only took a moment before his arm felt like new. When Daniel moved to Rachel and reached out for her, she instantly tensed up and she let out a low growl.
“It’s okay, he just wants to heal you,” Cam reassured her. “I’ll be sitting here right next to you the entire time.”
“Don’t worry, little one.” Daniel gave her a crooked smile. “I would never want to face the wrath of your big brother let alone Cam.”
“It’s not us that you have to worry about, healer. Little Miss Muffet there could probably kick both of our asses.”
Daniel went over and very gently touched Rachael on the back. She scanned the healer’s mind and found that he meant her no harm, so she allowed it. It still terrified her to have a male other than Cam or Abdiel touch her, however. Cam held her hand the entire t
ime, and before she knew it, her back was healed.
Daniel pulled back from her with a look of awe on his face. His eyes darted between her and Cam before they shifted to one of the shattered windows. “Damn, you guys were the ones that caused all that shit to happen earlier, weren’t you?”
Rachael looked over at Cam, wondering how he was going to explain this one away when the sound of pounding footsteps made her turn her head. It was Derel, and he was hauling ass up to Gabi’s room. A couple more healers were hot on his heels. If Raphael was calling in for extra healers, it could not be good.
It’s all my fault. I did this to her. If I had just stayed in Hell, none of this would have happened. She was appalled to feel hot tears stinging her cheeks. She had always been taught that tears were a weakness. In fact, the more she and Appolion had cried the more they had been beat for it.
Stop thinking that way. You are where you belong now. Cam’s voice soothed her instantly. Don’t diminish Gabi’s sacrifice by thinking that you are unworthy of it.
As soon as they were the only ones left in the kitchen, Daniel fixed them both with a concerned glance. “There is only one thing that could get this many healers upset. Is our Mistress injured?
Realizing that Daniel was deeply troubled at the thought of Gabi being hurt, Rachael told him everything that had happened to her. By the time she was done, the healer had lost all of his color.
“We cannot lose our Mistress. There must be something we can do.” He paced a few more steps before he stopped and ran up to them. Grabbing both of their hands, a smile slowly spread over his face. “Come on, I have a crazy idea that just might work.”
Abdiel reached over and stroked Gabi’s hair. Raphael, Michael, Derel, and Ana stood around him silently. The other healers had left the room, carrying the heavy weight of their grief with them. The news of The Mistress’ condition traveled quickly, and the echoes of screams and cries went through the house as more healers joined in their mourning. They all admired and loved her just as much as the archangels did Michael.
Abdiel gritted his teeth together as he fought to keep his own cries back. Part of him wanted to join the healers. He wanted to throw back his head and yell out his pain for all to hear. It was only by true determination and years of holding his feelings in that he was able to keep from doing so.
Some insane part of him felt that if he did give in and weep that he would be giving up all hope that Gabi would wake up, and he wasn’t ready for that. Although he knew deep down, it was hopeless. They had all tried everything that they could and they could not make his Gabi better.
Part of him wanted to grab her and shake her by the shoulders. Don’t you realize I can’t live without you? Without you I am nothing.
She had done this for him. To make him happy, she had sacrificed herself, but he would never be happy again. He had lost the thing that meant the most to him. He leaned down and buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. She laid still under him, her beautiful green eyes dull and lifeless.
Cam came bursting in with Rachael and Daniel in tow. “Daniel’s got an idea, guys,” he shouted.
“It’s hopeless,” Abdiel said dully. “There’s nothing we can do.”
“Cam,” Ana said quietly. “We’ve already tried everything.”
“You don’t understand,” Rachael implored. “Daniel really thinks that Cam and I can help.”
“No offense, guys.” Abdiel didn’t look up from Gabi as he spoke. “But unless something needs blowing up, I don’t think so.”
Daniel went over to Raphael and went down on one knee. “Master, I believe we can use the power that dwells within the two of them to rejuvenate The Mistress.”
“You mean jump start her like a car?” Michael asked, incredulous.
“That’s exactly what he’s suggesting.” Raphael looked at the healer thoughtfully.
The room was silent as they all took in what Daniel was suggesting. It had never been tried before. But then, there had never been two angels with Cam and Rachael’s gifts before either. They all looked over at Raphael and waited for his response.
“It would be very dangerous,” he finally warned them. “We could lose all three of them trying.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Cam said. “Gabi would do it for me in a heartbeat.”
Rachael nodded her head. “Me too. It is the least I can do.”
Abdiel looked over at them, touched by what they were offering to do. They were willing to risk themselves in order to save Gabi. Yet at the same time a part of him could not believe that these two kids could be capable of something so great.
Michael looked doubtful too. “You two don’t even have full control of your powers yet. In case you forgot, you almost vaporized the house not even a hour ago.”
Cam pointed at Abdiel. “Remember, he is the Control. He can shield our powers if we lose control.”
Raphael took charge. “Rachael and Cam, go on either side of Gabi and lay hands on her. Abdiel, hold their hands and try to keep a reign on their energy. Daniel, I want you to go over with Cam and sing the healing chants. Derel, come stand by me and do the same.”
Following his instructions, they formed a circle around her. Rachael and Cam looked at each other nodded then closed their eyes. They both placed their hands on her and released their energy.
Abdiel was shocked by how strong it was. The air hummed as the energy flowed into Gabi. He threw up a shield in order to keep it centered. It pulsated and strained to get away from him. He fought hard to keep it contained or else the power would have surged out of control.
A glowing light settled over them. It felt warm and calming at the same time. He could hear the healer’s strong voices combining together in a strong rich melody. Outside the sky turned a deep blue and streaks of lightning beat white paths throughout it. The horizon grew hazy as waves of heat were sucked from the center of the earth and brought up to the surface. The color came back into Gabi’s face. Her eyelids fluttered as her eyes came back into focus. She let out a strangled gasp almost like a drowning victim that had been revived. Abdiel reigned in the healing light and the buildup of energy died down.
Cam and Rachael collapsed on the ground. They were exhausted but otherwise unhurt. Abdiel, found himself panting, exhausted from fighting their powers. It had been the hardest thing he had ever done.
“Abdiel,” Gabi breathed out.
Her voice was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard. He scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tight. “It’s going to be okay, honey.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Did I get Rachael back for you?” She was still worried about him even though she could still barely move herself.
“Yes, you did.” He couldn’t let her go. “You did real good.”
“Where is she?” Gabi struggled to sit up.
She followed Abdiel’s gaze to his sister. “Why are you letting her lie there on the floor?” she demanded. “And why is she wearing Cam’s grungy, old stuff?”
He looked down at his baby sister. She looked so small and fragile, yet she was capable of so much. She had given Cam a taste of his own medicine matching his skills one by one. It had been just as hard to keep her powers under control as if had been Cam’s.
Abdiel pulled his sister onto the bed. He gave her a big hug. “Welcome home, sister, and thank you for bringing Gabi back.”
“You’re not mad at me?” Rachael squeaked out. She still acted like she was going to be punished.
“I could never be mad at you,” Abdiel reassured her. She gave him an impish smile before she scooted over to the other edge of the bed and hung her head over the side.
“We did it,” she yelled at Cam. Reaching down, she smacked him on the head. “Wake up, sleepy head.”
“Leave me alone, or I’ll remember I owe you one for blasting me,” he groaned. “Why is it, Abdiel, that every time I meet someone from your family they find it necessary to zap my butt?”
“Mayb
e it’s because of you’re winning personality,” Gabi said tartly.
Abdiel laughed, relieved to hear that her dry wit was back. Even though she still looked too pale and tired for his liking, he knew that she was on her way to being better.
“Sorry about your windows, Gabi.” Rachael did a bouncy movement on the bed.
“Do I even want to know?” Gabi asked him. Her eyes were beginning to droop.
Raphael came over and took her hand. “You need to rest. You’ve been through a lot today.”
She obeyed her brother closing her eyes, even though she wanted to resist. She wanted to stay awake and talk. Even more important she wanted to find out what they had done to her windows. However, her exhaustion won out. Clutching Abdiel close to her she soon fell asleep.
She woke up to a pair of bright blue eyes staring into her. Startled, she sat up with a gasp. “Rachael, is there something that you needed?”
“Oh goody,” Rachael broke out into a huge grin. “You’re awake. I was sick of being around boys.”
“Where are the boys?” Gabi nearly choked on the last word.
“They’re talking about that Order of Four stuff,” She complained before she turned and gave her a wicked smile. “They didn’t even ask me about it, and I could tell them everything they want to know.”
“Slow down,” Gabi told her. “What do you mean you know everything?”
“That creep Beezlebub knew all about the prophecy.” Rachael gave out a bored, little shrug. “I just scanned it from his mind. He was so easy to read. It was actually pathetic.”
Abdiel came in the room to check up on Gabi. “Hey, you’re awake.” Cam trailed behind him.
“Yeah,” she said drolly. “Rachael was just filling me in on The Order of Four. Seems she knows everything there is to know about it.”
Abdiel looked over at his sister in shock. She was trilling a piece of gum in her fingers as she hummed to herself. “What exactly do you think you know, Rachael?”
“I happen to know the names of all four angels.” She blew him a raspberry. “You only know of two.”
Angel Warriors Page 20
