“I’m here with an offer for you, Teresa,” Gabriel said and stood up, fanning out his wings. They’d gone through enough pleasantries, so it was time for him to get to the point of his visit. “An opportunity to serve God in a more direct capacity as one of His human agents.” He paced over to the breakfast bar and put the glass down, aware her eyes were tracking each of his movements. “If you accept, you will answer to me and will be granted certain… perks. I believe you will find them most useful.”
“It is an honor to receive such an offer… and from one of God’s beloved seraphim, no less. I will be humbled to serve you, and the Lord,” she said with a greedy gleam in her eyes.
Gabriel approached slowly, fishing out the blessed cross necklace from the pocket of his breeches. He’d been a little surprised at what his lengthy visit to the Blessed Woods had yielded, but after observing the woman for a while, he deemed it a fitting gift to bestow upon her.
“I will come back with the contract next week as there are some preparations to be made,” he said, stroking her cheek. “But”—he extended his hand holding the enchanted object—“I took the liberty to have this ready before you gave me your reply so we wouldn’t waste time waiting.”
Teresa ran her fingers along the cross’ smooth form, her breath catching. “It’s beautiful.”
“Kneel.”
She did as told without hesitation. Gabriel put the necklace around her neck, feeling its energy attune to hers. As it recognized her as its rightful owner, he stepped back and gestured for her to stand up.
“Those perks I mentioned,” he said, pointing at the trinket. “You can instill seeds of thoughts or emotions in the minds of any man who’s ever accepted a gift from you. Jewelry, clothes, even money. The longer they have it on them or the longer they are ‘indebted’ to you, the stronger those suggestions you can implant will be. And the stronger those are, the easier it will be to shape men’s minds to your own liking.”
Teresa liked that, the sense he was getting of her satisfaction so intrusive it could have been a tangible thing.
“But make no mistake, Teresa. As much as this is a gift to you and a recognition from God, personal use comes secondary. Your standing with God will improve for every man you deliver to Him who is worthy to be more than asoldier in His Angel Armies. Work hard enough and you can surpass even the Cardinal.”
She was silent for a few moments, her fingers rubbing the cross. “I can make men do my bidding as long as they accept a gift from me? Whether that gift is an object or a favor?”
“Essentially. But the effect won’t be immediate. Time needs to pass, and the recipient needs to be in contact with or use the object often. It’s a seed that needs nurturing, but… it can become evenloveif you so will it.”
Comprehension intensified that spark in her eyes, her smile pleased. “Ah, something like that… I hope it won’t be necessary, Gabriel. Not when I believe my sweet Noahwillcome to me out of his own free will. Though, perhaps, a little push can’t hurt.”
Her remark did not surprise Gabriel. He’d seen enough to know that Teresa’s pleasure stemmed from submission, which was why the trees and the grasses and the flowers had imbued the object with this particular blessing. It could help God’s agenda while furthering her own, bringing men down to their knees so they would worship both her and God.
The one she’d mentioned though,Noah, he seemed to be someone she wished to break on her own or with minimal help from her new heavenly trinket. It suited Gabriel just fine, her little obsession of no consequence for as long as she kept providing results.
“You can use the blessing as you see fit. For as long as the cross is in your possession, it will retain its power.”
“Thank you, Gabriel.” She bowed reverently. “I am truly honored for this opportunity to serve you and God.”
Gabriel stretched his wings once more and walked over to the balcony, pausing at the door. “I expect great things from you. Don’t disappoint me.”
35
Five months later.
“Good job again, dear,” Teresa praised Noah for the fifth time, walking over to the window in Noah’s office. With a soft click, she opened it, letting the coolness of fall waft into the room on a gust of wind. “The Cardinal is very pleased. He assured me that once your term here is over, a promotion will be waiting for you.”
Noah smiled, not even trying to make it look genuine. “It’s all thanks to you,” he said, leaning back into his office chair and watching her fuss with the orchids.
There were five of them now, two on his desk and three on the windowsill, all of them gifted to him whenever she made a stop in Seoul in the middle of her travels through Asia. Why she kept giving him flowers, he didn’t know or care, but it was easier to accept them with a smile than negotiate with her to stop.
“Are you not feeling well?” she asked, concern weaving its way into her expression.
He wasn’t. He felt horrible, detached from everything and so very tired, the last blow coming from her this very morning as she’d surprised him with her unannounced visit. It was the last thing he’d needed after sendingover the Federation’s weapon systems’ data he wished the spying software had never discovered.
Spying software that now worked properly because the Empire had figured out Barbatos’ setup of fake servers and forced Noah to help tap into the real ones.
“Yeah, just not enough sleep. I had a late night,” he said, swallowing down his irritation.
How he wished his latest attempt at the spyware interception program would’ve worked.But the test rollout had failed this time too, condemning him to continue being an unwilling spy for the country he wanted to help take down.
Teresa studied his face. “Hmm, I think you and I can leave early today, we’ve both earned it. We can grab dinner and you can go home and rest after that. There is a Mediterranean place that just opened next to the Yuan Central Gallery… I’ve been meaning to try it since Agostino won’t shut up about it.”
“What won’t I shut up about?” Agostino’s rumbly voice came from the door, the man appearing a second later. He laughed and lowered himself onto the chair in front of Noah’s desk, extending his hand. “Congratulations, young man. I heard everyone back home is impressed by your performance so far.”
