But… she hadn’t.
She had come tonight to fulfill her promise to my mother. That was the only part of my plan I had decided to reveal to her. That she would arrive with me, wait, and fulfill her debt at a time of my choosing. If I told her anything else, she might have run screaming from the building.
Couldn’t have that.
I heard a sound from the back of the building ahead of us and waited, ignoring Rai’s uneasy gasp. It had been faint, but noticeable.
Staring ahead, I saw two sets of eyes reflecting the candlelight. “Are you alone?” I called out.
There was a pregnant pause before a familiar voice responded. “Yes,” Olin Fuentes growled.
Rai stiffened in recognition, turning to look at me with horrified eyes. Instead of answering her, I held out my hand for her to grab. “Time to pay your debt,” I said in a detached voice.
“You… set me up,” she whispered from a dry throat, her voice quivering in fear of the two Templars standing in the shadows across the room. “Sold me out,” she added. She must have expected me to ask her to fight at my side against my enemies.
I liked my idea better.
“Yes,” I told her.
With a shaky breath, she took my hand. Her palm was hot and sweaty as I led her over to the two figures, who were only now stepping out of the shadows.
Templar Commander Olin Fuentes, and…
His new acolyte, the dirty cop. Detective Beckett Killian.
They were armed and wore their pretty little scarves that covered up their pretty little sins. I halted a pace away, my face uncaring, unafraid, and unyielding. These two were beneath me.
In contrast, their faces were masks of different flavors of anger. Olin looked a breath away from giving up his prize in Rai, and rekindling our earlier fight. Because I had shown the city that he was really a werewolf. A big part of him wanted revenge for that. But he was also mildly intelligent, leery of such an easy setup. Me alone in a church without a weapon on hand had to be a trap.
He had seen how resourceful I could be.
Beckett stared at me with anger as well – upset that I hadn’t allowed him to justify his decision. Then again, my perspective had changed. He had been righter than he knew.
I smirked absently. “A dirty cop and a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Oath-breakers. Hypocrites. The great unwashed,” I murmured, as if reciting from a Biblical passage.
They shouted in unison, fingers clenching, but not reaching for a weapon.
“How dare you blaspheme!” Olin snarled, chest heaving.
“I am not a dirty cop!” Beckett shouted.
I gave them each an amused look before gently shoving Rai towards them. “Your chance to repay your debt comes. Do not falter, witch,” I said, not looking at her. “Be steadfast.”
She nodded in numb resignation. “So be it…” she whispered, walking the rest of the way to the Templars like a skittish horse bought at auction.
Olin snatched her up by her collar, putting her in front of him like a shield or a possession. “This isn’t all we came for. Where is our Ring? Hand it over or we will burn this city to ashes.”
“You should practice patience enough for two this evening, little Templar, for I left mine at home,” I replied, my voice flat and emotionless. Beckett studied me as if he had never seen me before. I turned my back on them, ignoring Olin’s sputtered protests and growls.
They cut off abruptly as a winged figure dropped from the rafters high above, landing in a crouch that cracked the wooden floor, wings outstretched. Nephilim were suddenly standing up from their hiding places, having snuck in while I addressed the Templars. I hadn’t acknowledged their arrival, though I had noticed it – even if no one else had. Every single molecule of testosterone in the room abruptly magnified as weapons were drawn and aimed at each other.
Like two spirits, only Nameless and I remained unconcerned and unaffected. No one attacked, but each man was ready for a fight at the slightest breath.
“You received my note,” I said.
He nodded, briefly scanning the building. “The Church of Callie…” he said, not sounding particularly pleased.
“I needed you to be able to decipher it, and not give the location away to anyone else.”
He nodded, glancing back at the Templars. “Leave them,” he commanded his Nephilim. “They are not your concern. Unless they make themselves a concern,” he added.
The Nephilim nodded stiffly, lowering their weapons. I didn’t see Alyksandre or Kevin, but didn’t really care enough to ask about it. Olin and Beckett looked visibly relieved that they wouldn’t have to fight Nephilim.
Turn them on each other…
Show them their sins with a mirror as your blade…
Only the virtuous can prevail.
Repent!
The Whispers bubbled up inside me, not necessarily eager for the impending bloodshed, but resigned, convicted – in exchange for what I had promised.
All parties present had gotten their hands dirty, and that was no longer tolerated in my city.
The Church of Callie was about to be christened.
Chapter 55
Nameless stared at me. He knew. That everyone present had crossed a line. He had been the first to admit it to me. That he had tried to manipulate me rather than respect me.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked in a very calm tone, indicating the Templars.
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” I murmured. “I wanted to offer an olive branch to get them off my back, to show them we need not be enemies. When they see our purpose – that of Heaven – they will repent and follow our lead. Or they will abandon their sacred duty, but they will do so without the shelter of denial. The truth will be laid bare tonight. Perhaps they will reconsider their hatred when they hear that the thief was working for me the entire time,” I said, pointing a finger at Rai, yet not turning to look at her. “To ensure that this moment, here, now, was possible.”
Nameless’ eyes widened, incredulous. “You had her steal the Seal of Solomon?”
Olin was oddly silent for the first time. I could practically hear the questions racing through his mind, though. Beckett looked like he had been struck between the eyes.
And the Nephilim looked murderous. Because I had gone down to the Catacombs with them to find the Seal of Solomon, telling them I knew nothing of it.
“It’s… true,” Rai said into the oppressive silence, finally repaying her debt to my mother. “I took it with the intent of giving it to her.” She avoided the stunned stares directed her way, taking slow, deep breaths as she stared at the floor, making peace with her decision.
I gave them a few moments to digest that, staring into Nameless’ pensive eyes.
I didn’t avert my eyes as I pointed up at a darkened loft that looked in danger of collapsing at any moment. “You’ll find one of the Fallen up there,” I said. “The one who attacked us in the Templar Vaults.”
Eae roared defiantly, sounding stunned that I had given away his hiding spot, stunned at my betrayal of his trust. Because I had told him to hide there. Told him to bring the Templars here. Nameless had taken off before the words had even finished leaving my mouth, tackling Eae into a wall, sending the loft crashing to the ground. The Nephilim were on Eae in a blink, subduing him with chains designed to restrain an Angel, ignoring his continued shouts of outrage at my betrayal.
“How could you?” Eae bellowed. Nameless landed beside me, watching me thoughtfully. Olin and Beckett stared at me in open disbelief, their bodies rigid as they clutched Rai, who simply stared down at the ground, sobbing softly. Because I had sent Eae to tell them to meet me here.
And I had just betrayed him. There was a lesson in that somewhere. That I no longer played favorites. Even for an Angel.
I stared back at the Templars, showing them my resolve. As much as the consequences of my decisions hurt me – I didn’t relish in the pain to come – this was truly the only way. I
would deal with my tattered soul later.
I had tried to save them from this, and they hadn’t listened. Their greed had been too great. Their desperation for power too profound. Eae wanting the Seal of Solomon. The Templars wanting Rai and the Seal of Solomon in lieu of me.
The consequences were now on them. At least I had gotten Claire out.
I turned back to Nameless. “It was the only way to get everyone to listen, to entice their greed. I’ve tried it my way, I’ve tried it the Shepherds’ way, I’ve even tried negotiating with the various powers in town. Yet they continue to scheme and manipulate. We no longer have time to coddle them.” I let my words ring out into the room, even Eae silent as he listened. “It’s time to do it your way. If you’re backing out now, then what are we doing here? Stop wasting my time.”
“Don’t presume to command me, Callie. Only He commands Angels.”
I showed him some of my human side, sneering at him. “Then show some backbone. We’re on thin ice. We can’t afford to hesitate or the demons will sense it. We must be resolved, not display a lack of conviction.” I let my eyes rest on Eae, heavily implying what a lack of conviction looked like in an Angel.
Nameless… did hesitate, the coward. “Why do you hide your thoughts?”
I gave him a level look. “I realized I don’t appreciate unwarranted scrutiny. With two Angels present, I decided it was best to keep you both out. Especially considering what we are about to do. I have found my own strength. Free will.”
He nodded after a few moments. Then he turned to Eae, a last-ditch effort for his fellow Angel to comprehend the big picture. Eae struggled harder against his chains, even knowing it was futile. “What say you, Brother?”
“If you are so righteous, reveal your name!” Eae snarled.
“I gave up my old name when I realized it only held me back, filled me with pride. The pride of all Angels and their petty squabbling that has brought us to this precipice. Now, I am Nameless. The one who will bring us back from that ledge.”
Eae stared at him incredulously, but I could see that it was also an inner realization. That a part of him agreed. That Nameless had a point.
“Lucifer take you!” Eae finally spat, shaking his head in stubborn refusal of his own thoughts. “The both of you. Do NOT do this!” he begged, staring at me.
Like water off a duck’s back, I let his anguish roll over me, and shot Nameless a pointed look, letting him see that I had been right, and that his attempt had been futile.
Because no one had known my intentions tonight. I had warned Nate and Claire away. But Rai, Eae, and the Templars had been necessary tools. This moment was for Kansas City itself. And to save my city, I’d do anything. It was all so clear to me, now.
I had been so blind…
The Whispers cooed approvingly, and I let them encourage me, let them fuel my conviction.
“We are wasting time,” I finally said. My tone made it obvious that there was the high probability that with all the different parties involved, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that reinforcements could show up if we delayed further.
Nameless nodded his agreement, though he addressed Eae one last time, sounding disappointed. “We have tried it your way for centuries, Eae. It never worked as more than a delaying tactic. We must go on the offensive. Two demons in just the last two years… No. These are desperate times. I smell our end in the air, Brother. It is coming. The End of Days. Without bold, decisive action, here, now, it will arrive sooner rather than later. I would have you see the truth to my words, but either way, I must stop it.” Eae shook his head adamantly.
“We must stop it,” I said, correcting his statement to include myself. Nameless didn’t acknowledge my response, but a sudden flash of silver in his palms revealed the Seal of Solomon. I didn’t look at it, meeting his stare with a calm, determined look.
“Our purpose is pure,” I continued. “We have to stop the demons. Learn of their plans.” Then, I pointedly glanced down at the Seal of Solomon. “That has the answers. I can almost hear them from here.”
I allowed him to see my tightly bottled grief for a fraction of a moment, to prove the price I was paying for this. “It hurts to watch them suffer the consequences of their choices,” I admitted, indicating the others in the room. “But that’s on them. I can shelter them no longer.”
“What finally convinced you?” Nameless asked me, ignoring Eae’s arguments.
I lowered my eyes and let out a breath. Then I allowed both Angels to read my mind for themselves. Eae gasped in astonishment, as if having not believed my words up until this moment. I spoke very clearly. “When I truly saw that everyone was working against each other. Especially those that should have been allies. Taking the Ring in the first place was a hope to get everyone to stand down, yet it only made everything worse. And the demons will win if they get us to continue fighting each other. It’s probably their plan. The first two were the farmers sowing their seeds of chaos. They understood that we would do the rest to ourselves.”
Nameless finally nodded. “Yes.” And I could tell that he had read my mind, assessing me for a lie. The look of relief on his face was momentarily bright and expectant, overwhelmed to find proof to my words. Then it was gone again, resolved to the dirty work ahead. “It’s distasteful, but necessary, work I do this night,” he agreed.
I closed off my mind again, needing as much defense as possible from unwarranted intrusion. I could still allow communication if I chose, but I wasn’t handing out unrestricted access. Toeing that line was taxing on me, especially after my long physically and emotionally draining day.
I shivered slightly as I settled my focus back into place like armor – a requirement when dealing with Angels – both Fallen and not. Because soon, I would immerse myself into the Seal of Solomon, and would need every layer of protection available to me as Fallen Angels attempted to scrub my soul raw.
“If anyone should have been on our side, it should have been him, the Demon Thwarter,” I said, glancing back at Eae with disappointment. “He wanted the Seal for himself.” Eae railed against his bonds. The Nephilim restraining him shifted uneasily from foot to foot, looking disgusted at the act of holding back an Angel, but resolved to follow Nameless’ orders – especially at the news that he had wanted the Seal for himself. And Eae was too hesitant to fight back against the Nephilim, fearing to hurt them unless they overtly did anything against God.
Nameless held out his hand, offering me the Seal of Solomon. “Give me what I seek. Help me save the world, Callie Penrose. Interrogate the Fallen for me.”
Eae was frowning in disgust at Nameless, momentarily halting his struggle, on the verge of giving up.
With a deep breath, I slid the Seal of Solomon – the Ring of Aandaleeb – onto my finger. It fit perfectly.
Then my eyes flashed white. Or the church exploded in a heartbeat. I wasn’t able to determine which, because I was suddenly in a fight for my very soul.
A cage match with Angels.
My Whispers rode with me into the fight, my own personal gang of monsters.
Chapter 56
The first thing I consciously knew was that my soul was screaming.
Tears of liquid fire rolled down my cheeks. Even though I wasn’t a physical presence here, I still resembled a human form, like a spirit. My soul was laid bare for the Fallen Angels to come and gobble me up.
I desperately gathered my Whispers around me like a blanket. “Protect me, and you shall earn your promised reward,” I stammered, spiritual teeth clacking together at the frigid cold and agony that threatened to splinter my mind. They obeyed, and I immediately felt a slight relief in the onslaught.
Very slight.
Unseen power still slammed into me from all angles, wings of claw, bone, stone, and teeth shredding at my mental armor – my last line of protection from the flapping, swooping, stained Angels. Screams, roars, agony, fury, excitement boomed through the world of chrome-tinted glass I found myself stan
ding in – like a tarnished orb with no corners. I could faintly see the church outside the prison, eerily calm in comparison to the chaos inside the Seal of Solomon.
A perfect, circular prison of madness. And the curved glass surface was etched with millions of warding symbols, all identical – as numerous as the stars in the sky.
“FREEDOM!” a voice snarled in a ragged roar. “You promised US freedom, too!”
“Not yet,” I thought back at it, gritting my figurative teeth. “We have a show to put on, first. Give me something. Anything. Credible enough to convince them, or all of this is for nothing.”
They couldn’t comply fast enough, spouting out a torrent of names. Details. Locations. Plans. Schemes. They could almost taste their freedom, and would do anything to serve their savior…
Callie Penrose.
Even though their excited frenzy – their very existence – threatened to rip me to spiritual ribbons. I kept a tight leash on my armor, grunting against the wills of the Fallen Angels, because although they were trying to buy back their freedom, they were quite literally too powerful for me to remain for any determinable length of time in the same presence as them. They had been locked here for centuries, and the sweet smell of their freedom was only moments away.
Seconds to them. But they had grown impatient in their captivity.
Like blood thrown into a shark tank, the predators thrashed.
With a ragged breath, I focused on the church that I could still make out beyond the polished chrome glass. I left the Whispers inside with their long-lost Brothers, not sure if I would have the strength to keep bringing them back and forth with me.
The wind, screams, and gusts of power evaporated, and I was standing in the church again, panting heavily.
Feathers and Fire Series Box Set 2 Page 26
