The Forsaken(54)
A gasp from one of her sisters broke through Izzy’s mind. Foretold? What is she talking about?
The Mistress leaned closer to Nathanael and Izzy.
“For the greater good thee were taught. A foretelling written at the beginning. Teach the human-born angels to be warriors and be our first line of defense against Lucifer’s growing army. When the time comes for thy battle at the heavenly gates, thou all wilt be welcomed home. So thou art blessed.”
With those words, the Mistress left as quietly as she had arrived. Isabella hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until Nathanael drew her into an embrace. When his lips claimed hers, inside she cried a mix of fear and joy.
Chapter Seventeen
Ash couldn’t believe his eyes. He’d successfully taken hold of Gareth’s mind, but still the human fought him. Crouched by the side of the recreational center, he could easily see what was taking place inside the room: a joining between a Cherub and Seraphim. They didn’t have time for this. The army his father was ready to unleash was almost ready. Did the Mistress not understand the urgency of his message? Surely not. He’d been quite detailed in what he’d conveyed to the Cherub. It felt like a blasted long time for the formal ceremony to end. When it was finally over, he noticed one Cherub in particular glancing out the window and for a second Ash wondered if she could see him. He almost laughed. No, that would be impossible. The power he’d amassed from Shea was a tangible pulse that continued to grow. And the only thing she’d spy if she did would be Gareth’s human form moving to lounge idly against the building. It was then Ash realized why Gareth struggled so much against his hold. He had feelings for this Cherub and did not wish her harmed. With a smile perfectly balanced on his lips, Ash made Gareth walk into the Cherub’s dwelling. This Cherub would be the one to let the demon enter the sacred Cherub domain.
*
Meredith waited for the proper time to pass. Silently, she eased her way out of the celebration. Turning down the hallway, she spotted Gareth leaning unsteadily against Shea’s door.
“Are you all right? She advanced into his space. He didn’t acknowledge her until she stood before him.
“Where is Shea?” His smoky voice made Meredith take a step back.
“Gareth, tell me you did not give in?”
He turned, gave her a puzzled look, and stepped away without answering. For a stunned second, Meredith did nothing. When she let the anger take hold of her, she marched after him and in a very un-Cherub-like way, grabbed his sweater.
“It’s not too late. You were doing good.”
A hurtful scoff met her remark. “Good is overrated. Where’s Shea?”
Meredith felt confused. Why is he asking about Shea? She immediately reproached herself. He probably worried for her welfare. I have no claim on Gareth. The reality is we can never be together. Disclosing what she was had unburdened her soul, but it had obviously been the wrong thing for Gareth to tackle.
“Shea is making her way to the recreational center for the celebration.”
“Celebration?”
It was question but it barked like a command she rushed to answer. “The joining. Isabella and Nathanael have completed the x’simcha ceremony and the feast continues with a private party Michael has agreed to hold for us. Would you like to join us?”
“Is the Mistress here?”
“No.” How does he know about the Mistress?
Gareth looked annoyed. His gaze shifted to the floor. “Great. That’s just great.”
Turning, he once again dismissed her to make his way back down the corridor toward the stairs. Meredith tried not to feel hurt and failed.
“Do you require me tonight to ease your pain?” She swallowed, feeling nervous for the first time in the human’s presence. He stopped cold, pivoted, and marched straight back to her. Something dark, feral, and predatory awoke behind his flat green eyes.
“Ease my pain. That has a nice ring to it. Lead the way, Cherub.”
“Why are you acting so strange, Gareth? And, please do not call me that name again.”
“What name?”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Cherub.”
His eyes narrowed. “You do not like your name.” He sounded slightly incredulous.
Meredith fought not to grimace. She’d told him exactly what she thought of Cherub tradition the night she’d shown him her wings. “It’s not my name. It’s a designation tattooed in invisible ink for all the other angels to see. I’m Meredith, not just a Cherub.”
He applauded, and the ringing sound of his mocking clap felt like he’d smacked her.
“I’m not sure what has happened to you tonight, but you are not the same.”
“No, I am not, Meredith.” His eyes softened as he moved into her space. “I am not mocking you. Your comeback took me by surprise. It seems there is much that continues to surprise me about you girls.”
“I told you what happened to us.”
“Yes, that is true, but I’d like for you to tell me again.”
“What? Do you mean now?” She turned her head to look back at the dark candle still flickering away in the common room and wondered if she’d be missed. The thought of watching Izzy and Nathanael act as a happy couple truly wasn’t something she longed to witness. Then again, she probably should set an example for the others.