Peace (18 page)

The Judge motioned for him to continue and Day coughed, his throat dry. With another gesture, the Judge had a glass of water appear in Day’s hand.

After taking a sip, Day said, “Thank you, sir. To be honest, I never wanted what they have. Yes, I led a rebellion against them, but it wasn’t to take the power from them. I wanted them to think about their actions. They were slowly becoming separate from the others. They put themselves on a higher level than the rest. They thought they were meant to rule instead of taking care of the mortals. The archangels believe mortals are beneath their consideration.”

Michael wiggled and squirmed, obvious disagreement on his face, but the others stayed silent. Day was impressed by their restraint. He’d thought at least Gabriel might protest what he said.

“But we aren’t here to go over past history,” Day said. “The archangels thought they could threaten Lam’s life, forcing me to act. Sir, I’ve done nothing to make them think I’d try to take power from them. I’ve lived my life on the earthly realm with little contact with any angel, except for Lam. I’m not interested in what is going on in heaven. Not anymore.”

“They thought that by threatening this messenger angel, who is now mortal, would get you to cooperate with them,” the Judge repeated.

“Yes. I wasn’t going to let them do anything to Lam. I found three angels who agreed to help me discover where Lam was being held. It wasn’t until afterward I learned they were helping me because they knew I’d go to free Lam. They wanted me to break the only rule you gave me.” Day rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans. “You might think I was naïve to believe they wanted to do this out of the goodness of their hearts, and you’re right, though I must admit I wasn’t completely convinced about their intentions. I’m not an idiot.”

The corner of the Judge’s mouth tipped up in a very small smile, as though he wasn’t entirely sure he agreed with Day. “That might be true, but are you really accusing the archangels of kidnapping Agnus Dei to get you in trouble? Why would they think that would work?”

“Because I love him.”

The Judge’s eyebrows rose up and Day shrugged.

“I’m won’t deny how I feel about Lam, and I’m not going to lie to you. Lying wouldn’t help my case anyway.” Day glanced over at Lam then back at the Judge. “I did break the one rule you gave me, but it was because I wanted to save the person I love.”

“Don’t tell me you never once thought about getting revenge on them for causing you to be banished?” The Judge motioned to the archangels.

Day frowned. “Why? I got in trouble all on my own. I chose to go against them and try to change things. It didn’t work, but that’s on me. I was pissed and at some point, considered doing something to get them in trouble with you.”

“You’ve changed your mind?” The Judge asked.

He nodded. “I did. I changed my mind once I met Lam. Being with him convinced me not to do anything stupid. I wasn’t going to screw everything up just because I couldn’t get beyond the fact that they’re ruling the heavenly realm with iron fists. I decided I didn’t care what went on as long as Lam was with me. I’ll admit I was contemplating going after them once I found Lam and took him to safety. I re-evaluated my choices before I got him. Trust me, none of that matters now. I just want to be with Lam.”

Lam cleared his throat and the Judge gestured for him to speak.

“I accepted my banishment, sir. It was a little difficult to deal with suddenly becoming mortal, but I did it. Lucifer and I had found each other and were settling into our lives. Next thing I know, I’ve been kidnapped and thrown into a cell at some prison the archangels have set up. Uriel showed up, telling me they were going to use me to blackmail Lucifer and keep him from going after them.”

Uriel started to protest then seemed to think twice about it when the Judge shot him a quick look. “Did you do that? All of what he said?”

Michael tilted his head then Gabriel stepped up. “He’s lying. We would never do that. We don’t care what Daystar is doing. Our concern is the mortals you put in our charge.”

Day rolled his eyes. “Seriously? Lam doesn’t lie. What would he get out of lying to you? He’s already been banished.”

The Judge sighed. “It seems we’re at an impasse. I have to believe someone, yet I can’t tell for sure which of you is lying because I know someone is.”

Chapter Seventeen

Lam tightened his grip on Day’s hand.
How can we get out of this without something worse happening to Day? I don’t want him sent to the hellish realms—or being unmade.

“Judge, if we may come before you.”

Jumping, Lam turned to see Paisley and Seth standing behind them. Day stiffened beside him, but didn’t look away from the Judge. Seth winked at Lam.

“Yes, you may, though this is breaking the one cardinal rule of the Watchers. You are supposed to watch, not speak—or interact—with anyone.” The Judge waved them forward.

Seth and Paisley moved up next to Lam and Day. They both bowed then straightened. Lam edged closer to Day, not sure what was happening, but he was staying close to the only person he trusted in the entire universe.

“I’ve been watching Lucifer Daystar since the minute he was banished to the earthly realm,” Paisley informed them all. “A decade or so ago, I started working for him as a personal assistant. Daystar never knew who I was until a few days ago when I told him because the man he loved had been kidnapped.”

“So that part is true? The Agnus Dei had been taken against his will?” The Judge squinted at the archangels.

“Yes, sir. I watched Gabriel and Raphael take him from the shores of Lake Superior where Lucifer Daystar has a home.” Paisley sighed. “I wish I could’ve stopped them, but I obeyed my directive and stayed out of it.”

The Judge shifted then rested one elbow on the arm of his chair before propping his chin on his hand. “You allowed that to happen, but then you went and informed Daystar that the Watchers existed and you were one of them.”

Paisley bit her lip and dropped her gaze. “I did. I couldn’t let Daystar continue to worry about Lam. I would’ve told him exactly where to find him, but I was recalled by the head Watcher.”

“You will be suitably punished for revealing who you are,” the Judge told her.

After nodding, Paisley shrugged. “I’ll accept whatever my leader deems appropriate. I cared more about helping Daystar than my punishment.”

“Why?”

Reaching out, she touched Day’s shoulder and Lam saw his lover meet Paisley’s gaze for the first time since she’d gotten there. Her regretful expression touched Lam’s heart. He hoped Day could find it in his to forgive her for lying to him.

“I’ve watched Lucifer from the beginning. My leader thought it would be important to have an impartial observer when Lucifer caused trouble. He figured chaos would be the order of the day as long as Daystar ruled the earthly realm, and he wanted a record of events.” Paisley laughed. “At first, it was quite exciting. I never knew exactly what kind of trouble he’d cause. Yet as the decades wore on, I watched as he grew tired of the games. Then he met Lam. He found his focus and any bad thing he might have done held no interest for him.”

Lam could see that Paisley’s statement hadn’t convinced anyone. He wished there was something he could say to make them believe in Day like he did. Yet it wouldn’t happen because they saw him as they wanted to see him. Frustration burned in his gut.

“This whole kidnapping situation was a plot by the archangels to get Lucifer to break the only edict you made against him. They knew he wouldn’t leave Lam imprisoned, so they took him and threatened to hurt him if Lucifer didn’t obey.” Paisley gestured to Seth. “My brother can report about what he saw in the prison when Lam arrived. He was being held captive there.”

The Judge straightened at the news. “You dared hold one of the Watchers captive? By what right did you put him in jail? Why do you have a prison at all? Angels aren’t supposed to deal with things like that. All crimes are brought before me. I’m the only one who has the power to pass judgment on any creature.” Anger flashed in the Judge’s eyes.

Lam fought the urge to take a step back, knowing if that small a move would be seen as a weakness. He noticed all four archangels stood still under the Judge’s narrow-eyed stare.

“You do remember the part where we said they banished Lam for fraternizing with me, right?” Day reminded him.

Lam squeezed Day’s hand in warning, not wanting any more attention brought to them. It all needed to stay on the Watchers and the archangels. The Judge swung his glare to include them.

“I don’t forget, Daystar. You should know that,” the Judge pointed out.

“The Agnus Dei’s transgression was a minor issue. We didn’t want to bother you with trivial things when we could deal with them ourselves,” Gabriel interrupted.

“Trivial? You took an angel’s wings and banished him over a trivial matter? I’d hate to see what you’d do if he’d done something unforgivable,” Seth muttered, though he was loud enough for the Judge to overhear.

“Anything that deserves punishment is not trivial,” the Judge explained. “You would do well to never forget that I can judge you as well. As archangels, you aren’t above the laws of this realm.”

The Judge stood and all of them dropped to their knees. Lam didn’t bow his head like the others. There was a hint of rebellion in his heart, saying he didn’t have to respect a creature that had let the archangels run amok for centuries without taking them to task for the things they’d done.

He had no doubt that the Judge knew about what the Quad had been doing. If there had been a Watcher with Day from the beginning, then there had to have been some with the other angels. They would’ve recorded everything the Quad had done and at some point, the Judge should’ve taken them in hand. Yet he hadn’t and it had caused more trouble than it was worth.

He didn’t believe the Judge deserved his respect anymore and if he took umbrage with Lam, then so be it. Lam would deal with those consequences later.

The Judge held up his hands. “My ruling is this. The Agnus Dei will remain mortal. He did knowingly and willfully break the rule about fraternizing with Lucifer Daystar.”

Lam inclined his head. “I won’t argue that, sir. I’ve accepted my punishment, though it should’ve come from you and not the Quad.”

“True. Furthermore, Lucifer Daystar will not be punished for breaking the only stricture I put on him. He returned to the heavenly realm to save his beloved. I deem that cause enough to clear him that charge.”

Day’s shoulders slumped slightly, and Lam realized just how worried Day had been about the outcome of this hearing. Though Day was well with his rights to come and rescue Lam, he’d set a precedent for being rebellious. Day’s arrogance all those centuries ago could’ve been the one thing that had turned the decision against him.

The Judge seemed to have grasped the knowledge that Day had changed from the rather self-righteous fallen angel into—if not a good man—at least a man who did no harm to anyone now.

“Thank you, sir. I acknowledge my actions went against your laws, but I would do it all over again if it meant saving Lam,” Day said in a rather submissive tone.

“I’m glad to see you’ve learned humility, Lucifer Daystar.” The Judge leveled a grim smile on Lam. “Falling in love with an angel obviously had a good influence on you.”

After nodding, Day bumped his shoulder against Lam’s. He leaned over to brush a kiss over Day’s cheek. Their eyes met and Lam winked at Day, hoping he conveyed his affection for Day.

The Judge motioned for them to stand. “Lucifer Daystar and Lam, you are free to go. I don’t imagine I’ll see you before me again. At least not until it’s your turn to be judged as a mortal, Lam.”

They climbed to their feet and Day turned to go, but Lam wasn’t satisfied. He pointed at the Quad.

“What about them, sir? Are they going to be let go with a slap on the wrist for what they did to Day and me?” Lam took a step toward the Judge. “It isn’t fair that we’ve had the more severe punishment when our crimes are far less than theirs.”

Waving his hand, the Judge dismissed Lam’s concerns. “The archangels will be dealt with. I can’t banish them—or take their wings. There truly isn’t anyone powerful in the heavenly realm to take over for them. You’ll have to trust me that they will be punished. I will restrict their powers and set someone to watch their every move. I will act on the reports I receive from said Watcher if they get out of hand again.”

“But that isn’t really a punishment,” Lam argued. “That is a slap on the wrist. They banished me and took my wings. They judged me unworthy without the benefit of a trial before you. Then they kidnapped me to force Day into doing what they wanted. It doesn’t seem very fair.”

Day stepped in front of Lam as though to protect him from the Judge. “I’m sure whatever decision you make regarding their punishment will be fitting, sir. We’ll take our leave and respect your authority in all things.”

Lam wanted to continue to argue. It wasn’t fair, but Day obviously wasn’t taking any chances that Lam might anger the Judge. He grabbed Lam’s arm then dragged him away from the gates.

“We’re leaving,” he told Lam.

“But…”

“No, Lam. It’s none of our business what happens to the Quad. Not anymore. Once the Judge became involved, it became his and we have to respect whatever he does to them.” Day clasped his shoulders then met his gaze. “You have to let it go.”

Lam gritted his teeth and swallowed back his angry retort. Day wasn’t at fault there. It was the Quad who had pushed them to this point. He hated feeling helpless.

Day placed his fingers on Lam’s chin then lifted it so he could press their lips together. Lam encircled Day’s waist, leaning against his solid body. When Day broke the kiss, Lam murmured in protest.

“Let’s get out of here, Lam. I want to go back to our house and hold you in our bed. I never want to think about these people and what they’re doing again. I know we won’t have to worry about them doing anything to us. We’re safe now.” Day’s bright smile caused Lam’s heart to skip a beat. “We’re finally free. No more looking over our shoulders. No more hiding our relationship for fear of someone finding out. We can be together forever, never to part.”