Echoes and Embers (Rebel Angels) (10 page)

“Enos looks rather like me, only his eyes are a darker green. Did anyone resembling me approach you at court?”

“Lord Diadem?”

Alyssa gasped and scooted closer to his back, resting her hand on his shoulder as she peered around him at her ward. “Did you mention this person to me? I have no recollection of such an introduction.”

Rosalind shook her head and turned her face toward the fire. “He frightened me. I danced with him once, but… Are you saying Lord Diadem is a d-demon? That isn’t possible.”

“Why did he frighten you?” Sariel asked. Blending in with humanity was Enos’ specialty. He was the perfect demonic spy. Only the most discerning soul could sense his evil.

“His eyes, there was something unnatural about his eyes.”

“Were you ever alone with him?” He insinuated himself into her mind. Her expressive face made his abilities almost unnecessary, but now they needed to delve deeper, to investigate issues she may be reluctant to discuss.

“Nay.
He tried to separate me from the crush several times, but I returned to Alyssa.”

He sensed only truth. “Did anyone else at court seem out of place?”

“Other than me, you mean? I have never felt so rustic and clumsy.”

Alyssa moved her hand from his shoulder to his upper arm. The simple caress sent heat cascading through his body. Would she never learn? The beast within him was ravenous, ready to feast, and she continued to poke sticks at it.

“A member of Sariel’s order was supposed to have contacted you,” Alyssa said. She squeezed his arm, drawing his attention. “How would he have introduced himself? What does he look like? Is he able to pass for a human?”

“All the Grigori can pass for human and we are all uncommonly tall. His true name is
Gadrayel
, but I doubt he would have introduced himself as such. His hair is darker than mine and he can change the color of his eyes, though they are most often green.” A jumbled surge of emotions twisted through the girl. He had just described someone she knew, but she was frantically trying to protect his identity. “Did you encounter this man at court?”

“I met no one like that at court.”

Omission tainted her truth. Sariel smiled. “When did you encounter him?”

“I didn’t say I had.” Rosalind pushed to her feet and moved closer to the hearth.

“You don’t have to say it,” Alyssa told the girl. “He can read your thoughts.”

* * * * *

Refusing to leave the females unguarded, Sariel sent out an angelic command, summoning
Gadrayel
to him. Alyssa and Rosalind sat on a bench by the fire talking softly, their heads slightly bowed. He scanned Rosalind’s being, searched her mind, examining every nuance of her soul. Spiritual forces had definitely played a part in her development, but he couldn’t define the specifics of her nature.

She is not a
Nephilim
.
Gadrayel’s
voice sounded within Sariel’s mind.

Though he sensed
Gadrayel
behind him, Sariel didn’t turn around.
Gadrayel
should be chastised for his misbehavior, but Sariel couldn’t help but empathize with his subordinate. This mission was unusually complicated.

Your silence had me wondering if you were nearing a Crisis of Faith
. Sariel sent a surge of annoyance along with the thought.
You should have reported your findings
.

I apologize
.
Gadrayel
moved up beside Sariel. The lesser angel remained incorporeal, only discernible to highly trained angelic senses.
I had nothing to report
.

You claim she is not a
Nephilim
. How
came
you to that conclusion
? Sariel sent his thought directly to
Gadrayel’s
mind.

I observed her at court. I listened and searched her being extensively. I’ve never encountered anyone quite like her
.

Sariel smiled. That description applied equally to Rosalind and Alyssa.
You did not approach her while she was at court
?

Nay.
I only interact with my objectives when absolutely necessary
.

Sariel understood what he didn’t bother to say. It was easier to destroy a being with which he had never interacted. If a simple scan of their nature could determine that a
Nephilim
was corrupt, there was no need for conversation.

Did you sense Enos at court
?

Enos is about
?
Gadrayel’s
shock sounded genuine.

He appeared to Alyssa asking about Rosalind. Do you have any idea what Enos would want with Rosalind
?

Gadrayel
shook his head.
Nay.
She has no significant powers and is completely unaware of the few she does possess
.

Sariel nodded.
Gadrayel
had told him nothing he didn’t already know.
Why did you conceal yourself from me
?

I had nothing conclusive to report, sir, and did not wish to risk your ire
.

Sariel snorted.
Her image is seared upon your mind. How far did you indulge your carnal nature
?

Not nearly as far as I wanted to
.
Sariel followed the direction of
Gadrayel’s
stare and found Rosalind.
Never before have I faced such temptation
.

Another sentiment Sariel understood all too well.
You were wise to return Rosalind to the castle. Who does she believe you are
?

Her gamekeeper
.

For the time being let’s
allow
her misconception. Guard her well. With Enos about, we can take no chances. But only appear to her as this gamekeeper
.

A long pause followed then
Gadrayel
asked,
Is Rosalind forbidden to me? She is not human. I have been able to determine that much. Yet she is not
Nephilim
either. Will I Fall if I…indulge my carnal nature with her
?

Sariel locked his hands behind his back and shook his head.
I don’t know the answer. In fact, I’m struggling with a similar question
.

Gadrayel’s
gaze moved to Alyssa, his expression curious.
Is she an angel
?

Aye
.
Sariel chuckled.
And nay.
Much like Rosalind, Alyssa is unique
.

And you desire her
?

As I have never desired another
.

Turning to face him,
Gadrayel’s
features reflected his confusion.
If she is an angel, it is not forbidden. You sanction unions among the members of our order. How is this different
?

She is not Grigori
.

Gadrayel’s
brow furrowed and he glanced back at Alyssa.
Then how is she aware… Does she desire you
?

It is not as simple as desire
, Sariel grumbled. The beast jerked against the chains restraining it.
I will never allow my carnal nature to rule me again. I cannot live as we lived back then
.

Silence stretched between them as the past overshadowed the present. Passion and decadence, unbridled lust, the Grigori had worshipped at their altars for far too long.

That’s why you’ve never chosen a mate among our own
,
Gadrayel
said thoughtfully.

Aye
.
Sariel locked away the memories and focused on the females seated before the hearth.
The beast within me is too strong. I’m not sure I could be with any female and remain in control. Alyssa is out of the question
.

Our dilemmas are much the same
.
Gadrayel
sighed.
Have you been able to determine Rosalind’s true nature
?

I’m working on it
.

Accepting the assurance with a solemn nod,
Gadrayel
spread his wings, preparing to depart.

Gadrayel
.
Their gazes locked.
Do not touch her again until my decision is made
.

Obviously displeased by the directive,
Gadrayel
inclined his head and disappeared.

* * * * *

Alyssa tried not to stare at the shimmering being beside Sariel. Several times Rosalind had glanced at Sariel, but she hadn’t reacted to the entity. Apparently her ward couldn’t see the cloud of golden light. It undulated in and out of focus, disappearing entirely only to reappear again.

“How long have you been alive?”

Rosalind’s hushed tone drew Alyssa’s attention away from the visual anomaly. “Time passes differently in the spiritual realm. I’ve been as I am now for over four hundred years.” Startled by the revelation, Alyssa searched for other details. She seemed to access her memories more easily when she didn’t concentrate too hard.

“As you are now?”

Alyssa sighed. Every time she spoke of the hillside confrontation with Michael it became more real. She was glad for the clarity of thought, but the emotions burned like fire. The one advantage to her faulty memory was forgetting the fury, the resentment and regret.

“Some of my friends and I had become discontent and rebellious. We gathered on a hillside one afternoon and Michael overheard our protests. He scattered us through time and gave each a specific challenge to overcome.”

“Why were you discontent?”

Alyssa extended her hands toward the fire. How could she begin to explain such a complicated conflict? “I’m not sure I can make you understand. The anger and frustration within us built gradually over several of your lifetimes.”

“But how did it begin? Every rebellion has a beginning.”

“Our minor rebellion was an echo of the great rebellion.” Knowing Rosalind would never accept such an ambiguous response, Alyssa continued. “Angels are not born as humans are. We are created. Those of us who are created and trained at the same time become very much like siblings. That’s why I call Lailah my sister.”

Rosalind
nodded,
her gaze wide and intent upon Alyssa’s face.

“Ambrose was Lucifer’s brother. He didn’t Fall as Lucifer Fell, but Ambrose refused to participate in the battle. Gideon, your ancestor—”

“Gideon of Monthamn was an angel?” Rosalind gasped.
“The murals.
Lady Naomi was not being fanciful. Those scenes actually took place?”