Archangel's Resurrection (Guild Hunter #15)(86)

Zanaya couldn’t imagine what it must be like to have so many siblings who so openly loved you. And for all of Titus’s muttering about his siblings, he’d glowed with pride when he’d visited of late and she’d told him how much she valued his sisters. She hadn’t missed the fact that he’d then spent several hours with the twins of his own free will.

In their bond, she saw what Alexander had once had with Osiris, and she mourned for her lover. “Will you consider it then?” she said to Zuri and Nala.

The twins looked at one another, nodded. “We don’t need to; we’d be honored to stay on.” Both angels went down on one knee in a single smooth motion, their identical wings overlapping. “We’ve never been part of building a court and to do so at your side, Lady Zanaya, it’s a dream. We need only to speak to the sire and gain his official assent.”

Zanaya didn’t ask for ornate displays of respect from her people, but she appreciated their formal bow all the more for being made out of choice. “I couldn’t have better squadron commanders by my side,” she said, then held out both hands, one to each twin.

Accepting the offer, they rose to their feet, and the rest of their conversation was taken up by the necessities of the court. That court was a skeleton yet. Almost none of Zanaya’s old court was awake—or alive.

Only three had made their way back to her thus far.

An infinitesimal number, she thought as she stood on a high balcony looking up at the sky where a sleek young angel arrowed toward Alexander’s territory. She’d just handed the courier a letter for her consort in which she requested the transfer of the twins’ contract. Of course, it hadn’t been the least bit formal. In truth, she hoped her glee at winning their loyalty would make him laugh. She loved it when her general laughed.

Her smile faded as she thought on about the damaged land that was now hers. “Auri,” she murmured. “I’d very much appreciate it if you woke, my friend.” She’d already used a screen device to speak to the slender brunette who was the angelic Librarian and Historian; Jessamy had gone through all available records and told her that there was no record of either an Aureline or a Meher waking in the time that Zanaya Slept.

“I’m sorry, Archangel Zanaya,” Jessamy had murmured, the kindness in her eyes so innate that it was impossible to distrust her on any level, “but the records are patchy at best. To go so far back, I had to rely on the memories of the old ones who were awake during the relevant segments.”

“I expected as much.” Zanaya knew she’d Slept a long, long time.

“What I can say,” Jessamy had added, “is that because Aureline and Meher were so powerful, being your second and third, their waking would’ve been noticed. The Cadre doesn’t like to leave such powerful angels to do as they will.”

Zanaya well understood that; she remembered how the archangels of old had watched Alexander like a hawk before his ascension. She might’ve been young at the time, but she’d had eyes and ears. And he’d been her fascination and her obsession.

“So,” Jessamy had concluded, “it’s highly unlikely that either has woken since they went into Sleep.”

Zanaya had turned off the screen with a jolt of hope. She wasn’t used to this new way of communicating, and her mind had trouble with the concept, but she couldn’t argue about its usefulness.

So much so that she’d asked Nala to teach her how to use it. It had taken effort, but she could now make direct calls without assistance. She input her favorite person’s name, and soon enough, his face—harsh and handsome and beloved—filled the screen.

“I hate this device,” Alexander muttered with a scowl.

“That’s because you’re an old man, General.”

Narrowed eyes. “I see the twins are being their usual good influence.”

Laughter dancing inside her, she pressed her palm to the screen.

He pressed his hand to the screen on his side, his expression softer. “You have something on your mind, Zani.”

Oh, he knew her so well. Dropping her hand after their silent and familiar communion, she said, “Do you know if an archangel can wake a person with whom they have a bond?”

“You’re thinking of Aureline and Meher.”

“It’d be good to have my second and third with me as I rebuild my court. The twins have told me that they don’t feel suited to the responsibility of those positions, and I have to agree with them—they’re brilliant squadron commanders and that’s their strength.”

Alexander sighed. “You’ve stolen them, haven’t you?”

“I’m sure I have no idea what you mean. Oh, you’ll be getting a visit from a courier soon.”

Arms folded but lips curved, he said, “I can’t answer your question about archangels, but I can tell you that I was rudely awakened by one of Raphael’s Seven and his mate.”

Zanaya’s mouth dropped open. “Surely, you jest?” To disturb an archangel in their Sleep was a death sentence.

“No, it was needed. Lijuan.”

Zanaya echoed his scowl. “Oh.”

“But,” Alexander said, “in my case, they managed to locate my place of Sleep, then yelled insults at me until I woke up. Turns out a Sleeper can hear such abuses when they take place right on top of him.” Amused laughter that belied his stern tone. “You must meet Naasir—he’s one of a kind.” His smile faded. “The only chimera in all the world.”