Angel Warriors

by Stephani Hecht

  The female lab tech had seen how upset Barakiel was. She came over and gave him a cookie. Patting him on the head, she walked away.

  “I’m not a child.” Barakiel called after her. He did bite into the cookie, however.

  “Cam’s very lucky to have you guys as family,” Abdiel said softly. “You should all hate me now. It was my brothers that did this to him.”

  “Damn it, archangel.” Barakiel shot him an exasperated look. “Those things that did this to Cam and you are not your brothers, we are. You and Rachael may not share the same blood as us, but we couldn’t love you anymore. Any one of us would gladly sacrifice ourselves for you two.”

  Abdiel was shocked at Barakiel’s speech. The mature words were in complete contrast to his dark gothic look. This little empath who had just completed his training was able to put both him and Cam at ease. They both fell into a comfortable silence as they watched Cam sleep and waited to see if his misfortune could be the miracle that all the angels had been praying for.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cam hunched over the toilet as the last of the dry heaves painfully wrenched their way through his body. Dumb ass that he was, he had taken a gander at himself in the mirror and what he had found staring back at him had sent him diving for the can just in time to lose his lunch.

  He was one of them, a demon. By all rights the council should send him right back to Hell, where he belonged. The only reason why they probably hadn’t already done so was because he was part of their precious Order of Four. Or maybe his dear old uncle had intervened on his behalf.

  One thing he had learned from his time in Hell was how if you kept your trap shut and pretended to be invisible, you could learn all kinds of neat things. Another thing he had learned was not to sleep too deeply. Too many nasty surprises could be sprung on you if you were caught with your guard down. As soon as Michael had started talking with Gabi back on Earth while they had stood over his cot, he had woken up and he heard every single word they said.

  It was true, Michael was his uncle and he had never claimed them as his. Cam could care less about himself, but the fact that the chief had rejected his brothers and Ana pissed him off. They had never done anything wrong. In fact, every single one of them had devoted their lives to the “good fight.”

  Now his family was falling apart and it was all his fault. When little Bear had started to cry in the lab, he had wanted to pull his brother in his arms and comfort him, but he didn’t know what to say.

  Don’t cry for me, Bear. Don’t you see? The real Cam is dead. They destroyed and buried him down in Hell. All that stands before you know is a worthless piece of shit.

  That’s what I am too, a worthless piece of shit that did not deserve any of their compassion or love. They didn’t how close he had come to turning. He had been about ready to lick Mammon’s boots and give in, just to stop the torture.

  Only Abdiel knew that. It had been Abdiel that had grabbed him and pulled him back from the brink. The one who reminded him what he was and the sacred vows he had taken to protect. He, also, knew that Abdiel would never tell anyone about what really went down there. Even though he didn’t not deserve it, Abdiel respected and loved him too much to do that.

  As soon as the antidote had worked, everyone was jumping up and down for joy. Yippy skippy! Now the demons could not poison angels anymore. Oh yeah, it came a little too late for his sorry ass. While everyone else is able to skip around free and untouched, he was seriously fucked up both physically and mentally.

  Although all the change had not been bad. He was wearing Nathaniel’s leather pants and one of his long sleeved black shirts. Normally the clothes would have hung on him. He’d bulked up and filled the clothes out. He wasn’t scrawny anymore. Maybe it was time to ditch the jeans and tee shirts and dress like all the other archangels.

  He didn’t feel like a real archangel regardless of what Michael thought. Sure, he could fight as good as anyone but he was still a freak. He felt like he was a confused mixture of angel parts, a tad of empath, mixed with a sprinkle of telepath, with a dash of archangel. Oh, and don’t forget the heaping spoonful of demon too. Now he knew what a platypus felt like. Obviously Michael must agree with him somewhat because he had never held the formal naming ceremony for him that all archangels had.

  He felt Ana’s presence the minute she entered his room, and his gut tightened with guilt. It had been her blood that he drank earlier. He knew it the second he sipped it from that cold, clinical mug. All of her emotions, feelings and memories had slammed into him like a sledgehammer, and he had learned something that he had never suspected before. Their Ana was lonely.

  She had devoted her entire life to raising them and now that Barakiel was leaving, she felt that she had no more purpose. Ana wanted nothing more than to find a male and settle down to start her own family, but no male ever gave her a second glance. If her cold demeanor didn’t run off suitors, her eight brothers did.

  “Hi Ana,” he said as he walked out of the bathroom.

  She turned and gave him a fake, sickly smile. “How are you feeling?”

  Let’s see, he thought. I have a pounding headache and a queasy stomach that I suspect is from being in Heaven. All I can think about is getting into a good fight and getting laid not necessarily in that order. What does that make you think of your little brother, sis? However all he grunted was, “Fine.”

  “Cam…”

  “Look Ana, I said that I was fine, and I meant it. Your little Cammie is doing just peachy. Let it go already.”

  “Don’t lie to me.” Ana narrowed her eyes at him. “I can feel all the anger and confusion rolling off of you.

  “Yeah, well I’ve had a bad hair day.” He sat on the edge of the bed and started to pull on his black combat boots.

  “Are you planning on going somewhere?” she asked when she noticed what he was doing.

  “No, it’s just always good to be prepared. There are enemies everywhere.”

  “But we’re up in Heaven. You are perfectly safe up here.”

  “I’m sure that’s what Abdiel thought the day his brothers and Lucifer almost destroyed him.”

  “That was different. Surely you don’t think that anybody up here would want to harm you.”

  “That’s bullshit and you know it!” he yelled out louder than he intended. He ground his teeth together and got control of himself. “Douma and Forcas knew I was going to be alone and away from the house that day. How did they know that? Someone with insider information had to tell them. Who was it, Ana?”

  She looked down at the ground before softly answering him. “We think it was Anfial. Ramiel said that she took off the day after you were captured and neither he nor Daniel have heard from her since, no one has.”

  Cam closed his eyes as he took in this latest piece of news. Another empath had turned. Even though he was now supposedly an archangel, he would always be first and foremost an empath, and it hurt him that his own kind was suffering. He realized now that the Empath Guild had not been blowing hot air all along. Ever since his mother had been incapacitated, there had been no one to lead the empaths, to provide them with structure, to stand up for their rights.

  He had paid the ultimate price for that too and it had all been thanks to another empath. If he ever got a hold of Anfial, he’d wrap his hands around her throat and squeeze her until that annoying voice was shut up forever. Just thinking about her pissed him off so bad that the mirror in the bathroom shattered as his powers surged.

  He heard Ana gasp and when he caught the look on her face, he turned away in shame. She had the look of fear on her and it wasn’t fear for him it was fear of him. He cursed under his breath and breathed several times until he got control of himself.

  “Sorry,” he finally said.

  “You have to learn how to control the rage,” her voice was laced with worry.

  “Tell me, Ana.” He stood and walked over to face her. “What did you find when you scanned me? Don’t try to tell me
you didn’t do it either. I know you too well to believe that for one minute.”

  “I don’t want to discuss this right now.” She refused to look him in the eye.

  “You detected evil in me?” he demanded. When she refused to answer, he gave her a slight shake on the shoulders. “Damn it, Ana, I deserve to know the truth.”

  “You already know the answer,” Ana said dully. “We can stand here and act stupid all we want, but we both know that you’re part demon now. Cam, you’re something that our world has never seen before. An angel that was able to fight from converting to full demon. You may have some evil in you, but your heart is still angel. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “I just want things to go back to the way they were before,” Cam cried out in a ragged voice. “I don’t want to be special. I don’t want to be part of the Order. I don’t want to be part demon. I just want to go back to being my old, dorky self.”

  “I know you do, sweetie.” She pulled him into a hug. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to feel the familiar comfort that her arms offered.

  “They are all idiots,” he whispered against her hair.

  “Who?” she asked as he pulled away from her.

  “You are the most beautiful and smartest female I know.” He cupped her chin and made her look at him. “Any male in his right mind would gladly fight through the eight of us for you.”

  “Have you been reading my mind?” She shot him an irritated look.

  “No, I have not been reading your thoughts.” Which was technically the truth. “You’re very good at shielding your mind. Hayyel taught you well.”

  “You better be telling me the truth. Come on, we have to go. Michael is passing out commendations for the battle, and he specifically asked that you be present.”

  “Fine, but only to show how grateful I am to the warriors that fought to free us, not because Michael asked me to. Right now I wouldn’t spit on our dear uncle if he were on fire. But, we sit in the back where no one can see us. Step outside for a second, and let me finish getting ready.”

  As soon as he ushered her out, he locked the door using his mind. Pulling the piece of paper out of his pocket he thoughtfully fingered the numbers on it. He knew that he should not even be considering calling her, but he also knew that he needed to find some way to release all the emotions boiling up in him. He dialed the number before he lost the courage. As soon as he heard her voice, his body tightened in response.

  “It’s me.” He cringed when he realized that he was licking his lips in anticipation.

  “What does my little puppy need?” She had laughter in her voice.

  “You know what I need.” He gripped the phone tight, hating himself for admitting that.

  They made arrangements to meet later that night at a neutral bar. Neutral bars were usually dingy hole in the wall places. Frequented by rogue angels and demons, there was a no fighting rule in place that was more fragile than any Middle East peace treaty. Although no alcohol was served there, it was a hot bed for illegal activity. No self-respecting, law-abiding angel would ever set foot in one, but Cam did not particularly care about that right now.

  He left his room and followed Ana to the ceremony hall. When they reached the huge double doors he could hear that they had already started. Great, nothing like walking in late to call attention to one’s self. He was going to crack the door just enough to slide in when Ana pushed both doors wide open. Every angel in the hall turned to look at them including Michael who stood at the front. He turned to shoot a dirty look at Ana only to discover that she had snuck away to sit with Derel.

  “Camael, we have been waiting for you,” Michael called out.

  It started slowly sinking in for him. Every archangel was present and standing at attention at the front of the hall. They had their swords drawn and pointed down. Michael held a sword flat balanced between both hands. On either side of him were Gabi and Abdiel, both smiling at him. It was an archangel naming ceremony. It was his archangel naming ceremony.

  He slowly walked forward, his boots making the only sound in the hushed hall. Having attended all five of his archangel brother’s ceremonies he knew exactly what to do. Once he reached Michael, he went down on one knee and bowed his head.

  “Wait!” a voice called out in the back.

  Cam whipped around toward the source and saw his Aunt Amiteil rushing forward. Now what? He somehow did not think she was coming up to give him a welcome home kiss. Once she reached them, she bowed slightly to Michael. The chief was giving her a look of warning, but she ignored it.

  “Before you continue, Michael, the empaths have one request to make,” she spoke loudly so all of her words carried through the hall.

  “Amiteil, don’t do it.” Michael growled so low that only the three of them could hear him.

  She acted like she did not hear him and continued. “We would like Camael to be our leader.”

  Cam clamped his jaw together so it didn’t drop open with shock. What the hell was his aunt thinking? He was the last one that should be a leader. He was so screwed up right now that he couldn’t even manage his own life let alone every empath’s. He stood up and faced his aunt.

  “What is this, some sick joke?” he asked softly, before he opened his mouth to show her his fangs. “Look at me. I’m some monster, not the next leader of the empaths.”

  “No, you are our savior,” she replied. “You are the only one strong enough to lead us through these hard times. Our kind are in disarray. We need someone to stand up for us, to protect us when no one else will.”

  Again she spoke loud enough so that everybody heard her. He knew that she was painting him into a corner. When she put it that way, there was no way he could refuse her. That bitch was smarter than he gave her credit.

  Think carefully before you accept. She thinks that you are too young and that you will turn to her for council. She intends to control you and use you as her own personal puppet, Michael’s voice warned in his head.

  Is that why you are finally having my naming ceremony? So I will be one of your archangels and under your control? Cam snapped back.

  No, I did it to honor you. Not only have you sacrificed a lot, but you have proven yourself worthy.

  I’m freaking touched. So you will claim me as one of your archangels, but you are too ashamed to claim me as your nephew.

  He slammed off contact before Michael could respond. His mind raced. Maybe some good could come out of this. The empaths did need someone to stand up for them and to lead them. With Ana’s help, I might be able to do it.

  “I accept with great honor,” he shocked everybody by saying in a loud, clear voice.

  “Of course, I will council you until you are fully ready to lead.” Amiteil bowed to him.

  “No, I take full leadership now, today.”

  He took one look at his aunt’s shocked face and had to bite back a smile. Check fucking mate, bitch. She had no choice but to nod to him before she went into a full bow at his feet.

  Every empath in the room followed suit and bowed to him, even Barakiel. Cam swallowed a mouthful of bile as the repercussions of what he had just done hit him like a sledgehammer. Holy crap, he was not ready for this. He looked at Ana, and she must have read the panic in his face.

  It will be fine. I will help you. You won’t face this alone. Her soft, gentle voice soothed him and gave him the courage to do what he did next.

  He waved his hand over the group of kneeling empaths. “Rise now, my fellow empaths and know that you are now facing a new time. Gone are the days where we go unprepared into battle.”

  Holy crap, were these words of wisdom actually coming from his trap? All that time alone in Hell with nothing to occupy him but his thoughts must have done some good. “Keep you heads and your hopes high. I vow to you all that I will do everything in my power to make sure that all empaths have a brighter future.”

  This brought a roar of cheers from all the empaths. He knew then that he had done the right thin
g. Even if the mere thought of leading them did scare the piss out of him. He turned and saw that Gabi and Abdiel were both so shocked at his speech that their jaws had dropped. He just gave them a little, sheepish shrug.

  “Now that we have cleared up that matter, shall we continue with your naming ceremony?” Michael said once the cheering had stopped. Cam could have sworn that the chief actually looked impressed with him.

  Cam nodded and once again knelt at Michael’s feet.

  “Do you accept this sword?” Michael asked as he raised the blade up.

  “Yes, with great honor.” As soon as Cam answered, all the archangels banged their swords on the marble floor. The sound echoed through the hall. Michael lowered the sword, and Cam kissed the blade symbolizing that the weapon was now his most treasured possession.

  “Do you accept the title archangel?” Michael continued.

  “Yes, with great honor.” Again the archangels hit the ground with their swords.

  Michael lowered the sword. This time Cam wrapped his hand around the blade. He squeezed it tightly until blood trickled down and dripped onto the gold floor.

  “I swear a blood oath to always protect the human race and my fellow angel brethren from Lucifer and his followers,” Cam recited the archangel oath that was as old as time. Even though he had never been taught the words of the oath, they poured from his lips easily because they were ingrained into his heart, his soul. “I will always put their needs before my own and willingly sacrifice myself if necessary. I vow to never use my powers for evil and always remember the ones who have fallen before me.”

  “Rise archangel, Camael, and be accepted by you brothers,” Michael instructed.

  Cam rose and took the sword from Michael. As soon as he turned around, all the archangels saluted him by raising their swords into the air. Cam followed suit raising his up too. The entire hall erupted into a loud cheer. To Cam’s shock, the cheering continued for several minutes. Never in history had there ever been such a response to a new archangel.