Could it be Rafe? Had he found a way back through the gate? My heart constricted. Feather believed that Rafe was good, but I’d seen his physical self in her eyes. Had he somehow used Feather to make a weakness in the boundary between Sanctuary and the Abyss, and slipped inside while we were all distracted?
He could be coming in to destroy us… or to be with Feather. I sent a prayer to the Maker of All, that whoever it was, they were here with good intentions.
Another smaller shock wave rippled through the workshop, the Well humming again in response. I didn’t know why it was doing that, or what might be happening inside the Well to cause it to vibrate, but something about the sound raised my hackles. Our first priority now, though, was the open gate.
At my side, Feather staggered as we crossed the floor. I felt a moment of guilt for having taken her so many times in the night, not letting her rest, but she smacked me on the ass and hissed, just as I opened the main door, “No take-backs on make-up sex. Also, you’re the one who’s tired, old man. Don’t be blaming your creaky joints on your young, hot wife.”
“You make jokes when you’re nervous, don’t you?” Perception said, as he stepped inside my Hall and grabbed her hand. Both Righteous and I bristled, and he backed away. “Sorry, just… I’m afraid. Heart and Glory, they… they came to the gate when I was singing. They couldn’t bear the pain anymore. They sang their names and entered the gate. High Angelus, they were talking to someone right before they went in, though there was no one there.” He frowned. “I would say they were flirting, but that’s not possible.”
“That gateishella sexy,” Feather said, as Righteous swooped her into his arms. “If I could figure out a way to add him to my harem, I totally would. And the sheets.”
Her humor—I hoped it was humor, at least—lightened the weight on my heart. But I still flew as fast as possible to the gate. To the scene of the unmaking of two of Sanctuary’s finest souls. Righteous had shared what had happened to them, and I’d sent that thought to Gavriel at the very moment he’d been questioning Tradition, who truly had not known of the actions of their Guides.
Gavriel’s mental reply had been stricken, full of self-loathing and outrage.They were all corrupted, Mik. They used Tradition to give a façade of acceptability to their sins. How did it happen so fast? How did I not see?
I’d heard stray thoughts about scrolls he’d signed without reading the full contents, where Guides had taken harsh rules and made them harsher, or assigned more power to them than they were ever meant to wield. And conversations he’d put off. Reports and hints from Protectors like Merry and Hope that something was going very wrong with the power dynamics of the realm. Incremental, slow, insidious changes. It reminded me of the way the shadows had been deepening on Earth over the years, tilting the balance inexorably to their side.
Sanctuary would have been doomed, if not for my little mate.
Where are Sunny and Precious?Feather thought as we neared the final corner.Are they safe?
I didn’t have time to check mentally, as I rounded the last corner and descended. There was already a crowd gathered, but Sunny and Precious were nowhere to be seen. Gavriel was there, though, and Tradition, and… all the Head Guides. They were clustered near, but not touching, a figure that glowed so brightly, it hurt to look at them. Righteous set Feather down gently, but stood partially in front of her, in between her and the unknown.
“Mikhail! Is that you? By the Light, you look terrible!” The words were more sung than spoken, and the figure moved toward me, the crowd parting to stay out of range. As they grew nearer, I felt the heat that radiated off their body. I squinted, trying to make out who it was.
“Is that… Haneul?” My heart raced, and I found my feet running toward her. I had never thought to see her again. I stopped before I reached her, blinking against the brilliance she emanated. “Haneul, what are you— How did you— I never thought I’d see you again!”
Haneul had ascended without a mate, four thousand years ago. She had been my favorite teacher in school, Gavriel’s eventual mentor. I’d had a ridiculous crush on her, but she had never even thought about merging with me… or anyone. She’d happily flown through the gate and gone to the Celestial Realm on her own. I’d missed her.
I lifted my arms, uncaring of the heat that was battering my face, to embrace my old friend. And nearly tripped over a small, wide-eyed soulmate.
Feather was facing me, her tiny wings extended and her back to Haneul. “Holy shizz, she is gorgeous!” Feather mouthed at me, her cheeks pink. “Introduce us, please.”
“I will,” I assured her, and her blush went darker while she fussed with her hair, tucking the silver strands around her small, deep gray horns. “Feather, this is my old friend, Haneul. She ascended long ago. I haven’t seen her in?—”
“Who is this, Mikhail?” Haneul’s tone was gentle, but when Feather turned around, Haneul gasped. “Is this… Are you…” she choked out, looking like she might fall over, or faint. “You’re a Great Soul like me, but so dirty. And small!”
Feather shot Haneul a tentative smile, then stuck out a hand for her to shake. “How many Great Sacrifices does a girl have to make before people stop calling her a shrimp?”
“Great Sacrifice? Wait, you look exactly like…” Haneul’s thin brows shot up as she gaped at Feather. “Oh, little soul, how are youhere?” Then my old teacher, who I had never known to give hugs before, leaned down and wrapped my mate in her arms, her straight, black hair falling over Feather’s smut-streaked shoulders. Feather was shocked, but relaxed as the hug went on, Haneul greeting her like she was a long-lost relation and asking questions so fast, I couldn’t make them out.
Haneul’s fingers fluttered over Feather’s hair and arms like small birds, and everywhere she touched, the smut fell away andleft a patch of pure, glowing skin. Feather darted a dazed glance at me, and I shrugged.
“We’ll get the rest later.” Haneul’s light flared out all around them, and I blinked as I realized just how powerful she was. She had become a Great Soul, and it suited her.
Gavriel stepped up behind them, his Celestial sword in one hand, and a thunderous expression on his face. “Haneul? What are you doing here? How did yougethere?” Haneul ignored Gavriel, whispering something into Feather’s ear.
Where were you?I thought at him. He didn’t answer, so I muttered the question aloud.
His eyes were bleak when he met mine. “In the cells below. Making sure the ones who had been detained were taken care of. Perception sang for me while I… It doesn’t matter.”
His voice was subdued, and for some reason, I felt I owed him an apology. But for what?
Finally, Haneul put a dazed Feather down, and leveled a cool stare at Gavriel when he repeated his question. “Why are you here, Haneul?”
“Are you sure you want to have that discussion in this arena?” She raised an eyebrow at the crowd.
Gav narrowed his eyes. “I need to stay at the gate. The Abyss is stronger than ever.”
