“Evander,” she tries to call out again, collapsing. Rushing over to her, I shatter the chains with a swipe, then scoop her up and see her emerald eyes open.I can’t believe she’s still alive.Looking back I spot Rathor staggering over to Lilith, he grabs her and they limp away, vanishing into Hell’s gate.
With all of my strength I take flight as fast as I can to get Frida to Heaven and before I know it I’m standing in the infirmary. I shift back as I set her onto the bed. Angels swarm her, pushing me out of the way, trying to save her.
I hear a loud thunderous crack and see a blinding light as someone appears behind me. Before I can see who it is something smashes into the back of my head, causing me to black out.
Chapter 17
Iwoke up on a hard, cold marble floor, blinking as my vision was still adjusting to the bright light.
“You’re lucky I didn’t kill you on the spot for what you have done,” a booming, familiar voice says with a hint of disdain. Sitting up, I realize that it’s Michael on the other side of the golden bars, covered in Angelic symbols.
I’m in what looks like a prison cell, but I can’t make out who iswith him.
“What do you mean what I did? No one else was going to save her, so I did!” I retorted.
“I’m not talking about saving Frida. I’m talking about you vanquishing Uriel,” he snaps back, glaring at me through the bars.
“Where am I? Where is Frida? What the fuck is going on, Michael?” I bark.
“Watch your tone with me,” he snaps again this time in a thunderous tone.
“What you have done is nothing less than blasphemy,” Gabriel shouts, stepping forward, slamming his fist against the golden bars, causing a piercing and deafening ring to echo in the cell.
“The only reason you’re still alive is because Michael was the first one to get to you, if it was me I would have obliterated you on the spot for your heresy,” he yells through pure anger, almost hate, half drawing his sword.
“Gabriel, you need to calm down, there is no way that he would have done this without some sort of a reason,” the last figure replies, stepping out and I realize it’s Azrael. “We all felt it when Uriel was killed, that feeling of complete and utter devastation. Almost like having your soul ripped from you, but we need to hear what Evander has to say.”
Michael puts his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Calm down, Gabriel we will find out exactly what happened and we will not hesitate to vindicate our fallen brother,” he replies, slowly moving Gabriel back from the cell.
They all stop and look at me. “What happened, Evander?” he asked with a chilling calmness in his voice.
With conviction and assertion, I reply. “It’s really simplewhat happened. I received visions of Frida being tortured in the middle of the night, woke up, and ran out to go save her. Uriel tried to stop me when I got to Purgatory. I told him to get out of my way. He refused and attacked me. I gave him one opportunity, after he attacked me, to let me pass, but he proceeded to stand in my way. So I did what I had to do to save the only person that I give a shit about. I don’t care what any of you say and if you were the ones in my way I would have done the exact same thing. Even if it would lead to my demise.”
“I understand your conviction to save the ones that you love, but we can’t just go off of your word. Is there anyone who can substantiate your claim?” Michael asks as Gabriel grumbles under his breath.
“There were two angels that watched the whole thing, Uriel told them to stand down. So if you don’t believe me then go find them and hear it for yourself.” I respond, then I turn my back to them, pissed off that they don’t believe me.
I sacrificed my life to save my team back on Earth. I am not a traitor with a trigger finger.
“Gabriel, stay here and make sure he doesn’t try to escape while we find out who was on sentry,” Michael responds, looking at Gabriel, then turns to Azrael. “Let’s start by asking your division if they have seen these angels,” he says, motioning to Azrael and they take off.
Leaving me with one vengeful Archangel.
FRIDA
The chains dig deeper into my flesh as Lilith moans. Sera screams for me to fight back. To not give up, but I’m so weak.The pain is unbearable and I just want it to end. “I’m sorry, Evander,” I mouth quietly.
Rathor grunts and removes his claws from my shoulder, not that it matters. I’m dying. I finally found my soulmate, and I am dying again… I don’t even remember my death from before. I think it was in battle.
It was so long ago.
Lilith giggles and walks toward the door, ordering her pet to join her. Rathor snaps back and I groan. My body is trying to heal itself, but they have my flesh pinned open. The skin stitching back together only causes more pain as it tugs.
It’s excruciating.
“Just kill me,” I mumble. Rathor walks over to me and grabs my hair, tugging my neck up to face him.
He’s naked, covered in my blood, and terrifying.
