And not only because he feared Khari was getting restless, the male threatening to emerge regardless of the body he was inhabiting. If that happened while he was still ensconced in the human vessel, things were going to get ugly. However, that was the least of their worries.
Michael’s true fear lay in what they would encounter in the future. The attack that was imminent was going to make Eevuhl’s breach look like a day at the playground. He only hoped they were prepared and they were able to keep the fight away from the home front. It was the only way they would protect the child that would change everything. And for once, Michael wasn’t referring to Ari’el, though she was most certainly at the top of his priority list.
Michael recalled Eevuhl’s attack, seeing with his own eyes as Lucifer’s demon charged forth with the intention of taking Obsidian’s daughter. There had been only one thing to do, and Michael had met the onslaught without thought. Nothing would harm the babe. Not as long as Michael’s heart pumped blood in his veins. And if the other warriors had offspring, Michael would protect them the same, until his dying breath. However, as important as she was to him, Ari’el was not the child who would change everything.
Michael had lost all that mattered to him when his belovedamsouelotwas taken from him. Lucifer had betrayed him in the worst possible way, dooming Michael to a hell of his own even though he resided in Heaven. Then Obsidian had come along and given him hope for the first time in forever. And though he would give almost anything to have his beloved Ari’el back in his arms, he knew that would never happen. Lucifer was nothing if not determined and the male would keep her for the simple fact Michael still felt the loss.
Nothing could be done about that now.
And here on Earth, there were other things to worry about. Namely the demons that were making a stronger presence with every passing day. Theimpietanswere no longer their main concern. The humans turned into mindless, soulless idiots were but a tiny fissure in the overall crater that was breaking open in the fabric of humanity. The demons had begun taking over human flesh, choking out the souls that were housed there and assuming their lives. And with the vampire numbers dwindling, it was imperative Kaj take a stand and protect his people. The best option Michael could see was to activate the original vampire, to bring Khari back to his former glory, because his power was what they would need in order to succeed.
A throat clearing had Michael looking up.
There, standing in the doorway, was the Alpha himself, wearing a pair of jeans he’d clearly tugged on as he’d left his chambers.
“Michael.”
“Kaj.” He didn’t bother to get up, preferring to let the sofa hold the burden of his body. At the moment, he didn’t have the strength to do much of anything else.
“Bring to me the written release of the Fae and I will fulfill my end of the bargain.”
Michael stared at the male, surprised but not at all disappointed by his decision. He snapped his fingers, produced the scroll with the Heavenly seal.
“Wasting no time, I see,” Kaj said as he strolled forward to retrieve the sheet of rolled papyrus.
“There is no time to waste.”
A light turned on, clearly by the vampire’s will, as he broke the seal and skimmed the document.
“I have only one other condition.”
Of course he did. “What’s that?”
“You’ll make the human immortal. That way Oliver can live out his life here with the angels, with his sister.”
He hadn’t expected the request, but he wasn’t the least bit surprised. Kaj was a protector of others. It was in his nature.
“Done.” Michael produced a quill, passed it over.
Kaj scrawled his name, then handed the paper back.
After reviewing the signature, Michael nodded. “As of now, the Fae are free.”
Kaj lifted his eyes. “And their ability to procreate?”
Michael met the celadon-green stare.
“You owe them this,” Kaj said stiffly. “They’ve proven their worth to your warriors.”
Although Kaj’s claiming had altered Acadia, rendering her fertile, the same would not be the case unless the other Fae were to mate with a vampire, so he had to consider it.
“I shall render them fertile,” he told the vampire, “however, they will no longer be indestructible, merely immortal.”
Kaj nodded. “I think it’s a fair trade. And when they die?”
Ah. He should’ve seen that one coming.
“They must be given the opportunity of Heaven,” Kaj insisted.
