Iniquity (The Premonition, #5)(61)

“You already have.”

“How?”

“You survived the Gancanagh.”

“That proves I’m Heaven’s champion?” I feel disoriented by what he just said. Is he insane? Is he evil? Is he a lunatic?

“No. The fact that you’re their queen proves that you’re Heaven’s champion.”

“I don’t understand.”

“No, but you will. When your father arrives with Reed, I need you to get Reed alone.”

“How?”

“You’re a resourceful being. I’m sure you will find a way. Tell Reed to come here to this statue.” He holds out his hand to the ferocious ice angel holding a sword aloft, ready to smite us at any moment. “Inside the ice shield will be the boatswain. I want him to have it. He plans to kill me for it, but that’s unnecessary. I want everyone who knows about it to believe I still have it. It will be safer for you if they do.”

“What do you want him to do with it?” I ask.

“I want him to take it and to leave here with you.”

“How?”

“Find a way. Once you get somewhere safe, I want him to call out these tones on it,” he says, before whistling a soft tune that is hauntingly familiar. “Can you remember it?”

“You want him to kill me?” I ask.

He scowls. “If I wanted you dead, I’d do it myself!” His cat-like eyes narrow to slits. “There are several different tones. At its worst, the boatswain will only subdue you—separate your soul from your angelic body. It cannot destroy your soul. What I want is for you to use a tone that will make you remember our deal—Emil has negated part of the contract by speaking of that night.”

“Our deal?” I ask. “That night?”

“If you keep repeating me I will smite you. I need you to go somewhere safe with Reed and only with Reed. I need you to remember our deal. Then I need you to lead your army into battle. The gates of Sheol are wide open. Demons are pouring in as we speak.”

“Whoa, wait! The gates of Sheol are open?”

“Emil has cut through the fabric of this world and opened hell to it. The Gancanagh have attempted to close it, but it has not held.”

“Where?”

“Where you once resided—in your little college town.”

“Crestwood?”

“Yes. Emil tried to capture your soul mate there. The Gancanagh saved him.”

“Which army am I to lead into battle? Tau’s or Xavier’s?” I ask.

“Not their armies, your army! You’re the queen of the Gancanagh. You rule beside their king. You must lead them into battle. It is the only way to defeat Emil. We must have them all: Tau’s army, Xavier’s army, and your army. And Reed must be at your side. You must unite them all.”

“What happens if I fail?”

“Then you cease to be and everyone you love falls prey to your inescapable.”

“What about my soul mate?”

“You need but ask him and he will move a mountain for you. Do you understand what I’m telling you? We don’t have much time!”

“Can you give me the tune you want Reed to use one more time?” I beg, feeling completely desperate.

Atwater whistles it for me again. When he finishes, he asks, “Do you have it now?”

I nod, overwhelmed by all he’s said. He straightens then, turning toward the silver doors. “We should not be seen together. Wait a bit before you return inside.” Atwater leaves then without a backward glance.

I wander around, covering up the tracks that had led to the ice figure of the avenging angel before making new tracks to other ice statues in the courtyard. Something stirs in my abdomen. It tugs me toward the silver doors. I have a sharp intake of breath. Reed! I think as I touch my hand to my belly. Forgetting the tracks on the ground, I round the last sculpture. I pause when I see Xavier’s dark shape in the light of the doorway. As I near him, I notice he’s without a coat and his skin is turning rosy from the chill. “What are you doing out here, Evie?” he asks.

Snow falls around me, trapping us in a shaken snow globe scene at the top of the world. “How did you know I was out here?”

“You never returned to the table. I have angels looking for you. I saw Atwater. He said he saw you, but wouldn’t tell me where because he said you wanted to be alone. I noticed his nose was red from the cold. Did you speak to him?”

“Yes. I wanted to talk to him about Brennus, but he was in a hurry to get away from me. I think he’s the one who wants to be alone.”

Xavier nods, distractedly. “Your father has arrived,” he says with a guarded look. His breath curls away from him like smoke.

“Oh?” I ask. “You look upset about that.”

“I would like you to go to your room until I come to get you.”

“I’d like to speak to my father.”

“And you will. I want to speak to him first.”

“Why? Is something wrong?” I ask.

“He plans to give the boatswain to Atwater.”

“And you believe that’s a bad move?”

“I do. I saw what it did to you. I’m never letting that happen again. I’ll destroy it before I see it in another angel’s hand.”