Chapter Two

Mere days had passed, but Fae was more than ready to leave the between place and find more. Down there. To walk among them, to see them up close??she was tired of the tedious perfection, of the lectures she??d been forced to endure for days, but the wasted time would mean nothing when she was released.

If only I could touch them.

??You mustn??t, child. To do so is a sin.??

Fae looked at her mistress, older than names, as were all those she knew. Those with names walked among the humans, as she would soon. Perhaps they would understand, because clearly the mistress didn??t.

The words that dampened her excitement played over and over in her head.

Look, but do not touch.

??Why???

The mistress??s lips turned down, but the rest of her face remained still. How strange that her expression never really changed. Almost like the women below who had needles stuck in their foreheads to retain their youth. They looked like they wore plastic masks. She??d always wondered what plastic felt like.

She reached out.

The mistress brushed her hand away. ??Because it is so.??

That tone, the same one those below use with their children. Fae didn??t like it when they did. Children were the sweetest things, like puppies and kittens and??

??When a child misbehaves, it is chastised. The same applies to you. The rules are clear within. Follow them, and you will not be led astray.??

??But, Mistress????

The mistress??s frown deepened. ??Go now, enjoy the life. And while you do, let the questions pass. They will do you no good.??

There had never been a thing she did not like. Life. Death. All beautiful. But not to question, not to learn?

How will I bear it?

Not wanting to anger the mistress, she nodded. She would obey.

Or at least try for a little longer.

Careful to guard her thoughts, Fae listened to all the mistress??s instructions, solemn and quiet, the way the mistress liked her to be. And she stopped asking questions.

Only once she began her descent did a secret smile steal across her lips, hidden behind a curtain of golden hair, just in case someone was watching.

I will find my own answers below.

As the device in the doctor??s hands caught the infant??s first heartbeats, Fae held up her glowing hands and let the soul nestled in her core flow out.

The child??s mother laughed, her eyes sparkling with tears of joy.

Wonderful to witness, but Fae felt like someone had scooped out her insides, leaving her empty. If only she could touch the mother, or even the father who hovered close in his khaki green uniform, his cheeks as pale as the white sheets draped over the mother??s hips, she would feel whole.

But she couldn??t. It was forbidden. She??d completed her task in sheltering the fragile soul with its tenacious grasp on the little body. The pregnancy had been difficult, and none had been sure the little one would have the strength to survive. But she had. And Fae was no longer needed.

Still, she lingered, drinking in their happiness like a trickle of water in a desert she couldn??t escape. Her existence felt shallow. Incomplete. That sweet essence of life and love was just out of reach.

??You are done here.??

The voice startled her, mostly because she knew who it was.

Azrael.

Why is he here?

??She is perfect.?? Fae squared her shoulders and faced the archangel. She knew very well she couldn??t protect the child if she were destined to pass into his hands, but still, she had to try. ??You are wasting your time.??

Azrael smirked. ??Who says I??m here for her??? His heavy black cloak billowed around him as he slid behind her. ??Be gone, little one. Indulge in the wonderful future you??ve envisioned for her. Go out and watch existence unfold in your blissful way. You are too young to know any better.??

The glorious heat of his being wrapped around her, reminding her of the one touch she??d been granted since her birth. Absolutely still, she closed her eyes and prayed he??d move closer with that huge, virile body he??d taken on. She imagined his soft, long dark locks drifting over her flesh.

??My, my. That didn??t take long.?? His breath caressed her cheek and she shuddered. ??They won??t trust you with another soul until you get such thoughts out of your head.??

Fae jerked away from him and folded her arms over her chest to hide her hardening nipples. She refused to let him see how her body reacted to his presence, to his tone. Not when she didn??t understand it herself. ??I do not know what you mean.??

He laughed. ??I suppose you don??t. You are innocent, despite your wantonness. Thank God one of us wishes to remain pure. That look in your eyes could tempt a saint.??

She dropped her gaze to the floor, unsure of what he saw, but knowing it wasn??t good. ??Please just go.??

??Oh, no. I have duties I must attend to.?? He stepped away from her and gestured to the door. ??But you should go before you??distract me.??

The sterile air turned icy and her nipples pebbled under her arms. She should go. This wasn??t a place to welcome worldly pleasures, of the flesh or anything else. Death??s cologne hovered over everything, thick enough to gag her. Much as she??d like to distract him, she wanted to be away from him more. His broad form hid something sinister she could not face.

She hurried out the door and didn??t look back.

In a flurry of white skirts, the young angel swept from the room so fast one would think Azrael had threatened to ravish her. The poor thing must have misconstrued his words.

Yes, because that??s not at all what you intended. Azrael shook his head, staring at the empty doorway with a bemused smile. What in the world had come over him? Head tilted to one side, he envisioned the little one then analyzed his reaction to her, searching for anything??vulgar. And thankfully found nothing. He had no real designs on her innocence??but provoking her had amused him. Spunky little thing.

Warriors bowed their heads in his presence, but somehow she??d found the courage to stand up to him. Even if only for a brief moment. Pretty impressive.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned back to the sorry task at hand. The soldier had been given a medical discharge. His poor wife didn??t know it yet??she thought he was on leave??but the disease working its way through his system would cut their time together short. Azrael could have taken him already, but he had to respect the man??s will to fight for these last precious moments. Truthfully, he??d like to see if the man had the strength to cheat death. It sometimes happened, and though he??d never admit it out loud, in some cases he revelled in defeat.

Watching over the pair cuddling on the hospital bed, Azrael let his powers flow out, feeling for the cold fingers of death that had drawn him here. If they??d latched on to the man, he??d have no choice but to take him now. But if they didn??t have a solid grasp??

The weak tendrils clinging to the man??s soul shocked him.

Impossible.

Death never called for him unless mere hours remained before a soul was ready to be led away. Granted, miracles, or sheer stubbornness, sometimes wrenched a soul from his grasp at the last second, but this man had days??possibly months??before he??d have need of Azrael??s attention.

So what had brought him here? Not the mother??he double-checked??she was perfectly healthy, as was the child, just as the Fae had??

??No.?? Azrael gritted his teeth and strode toward the door. He rarely meddled in human affairs, but the affairs of his own kind??damn right, he??d get involved. What could take the life of a newly formed angel? A demon? Would they dare?

A man in a white suit cut him off in the hall. ??My Lord. What a pleasant surprise.??

??Midael.?? Azrael??s lips drew into a thin line. ??What do you want???

His ??brother?? put a hand on the hilt of his dagger and bowed low. ??If I may???

??Speak, man.?? Azrael shrugged his cloak off his shoulders, his palm itching for the weight of the sword strapped to his hip. Instead, he folded his arms over his chest. ??I have neither the time nor patience for your obsession with outdated protocol.??

??Outdated???? Midael straightened then gave a curt nod. ??Very well. I am looking for a newly formed that goes by the name Fae. She should be here??have you seen her???

??A newly formed??? Azrael??s brow shot up. What interest could the Virtues have in her? Namely this one? He let out a sharp laugh. ??The last I heard, the Virtues were following Asmosdeus and the Fallen he??s gathered. Has he bested you once again???

Midael??s jaw ticked. ??We were called away to a more pressing task. The Snake has laid temptation before this newborn angel. We must find her before she becomes one of the Fallen. If we don??t????

Yes, one so newly fallen in His hands would be??unfortunate. Azrael studied Midael??s impassive face. But you??re lying.

??And what makes you think I would have noticed her here? This is a place where new souls take form every day. Those who deliver them are all the same. Young and innocent. You might not have noticed, but they tend to avoid me.??

??She would be different.?? Midael ran his tongue over his teeth, head tilted slightly as though he were searching for the right words. ??Perhaps lingering a little longer than the others????

??They all linger, Midael. Life fascinates them. It??s rather sweet.??

??Sweet??? Midael jerked back as though he??d been struck. ??You find it sweet???

??Why does that surprise you???

Eyes wide and wild, Midael leaned close. ??Because you are above this plane??you are one of the Four.??

??Whatever gave you that idea, little brother??? The corner of Azrael??s lips crept up as the tick in Midael??s jaw became more pronounced. They were of the same mold??a mold originally formed for Azrael. There was no feeling of kinship between them, but hell, the man lorded his superiority over all the later tiers of angels. He deserved to be taken down a few notches now and then. ??Have you developed the power of prophesy since we last spoke? Are congratulations in order? Shall you finally join the Dominion???

??No. But I am satisfied with my position as a Virtue.?? A tight smile plastered on his lips, Midael continued. ??Which brings me back to the task at hand. If you haven??t seen the girl????

??I find it hard to believe Paschar would order you to hunt her while she is still pure.??

??Paschar does not ??order?? me,?? Midael said through his teeth. ??And I am not hunting her. The Virtues have decided it is prudent to watch her closely so we may act immediately when she does take the fall.??

Azrael blinked. ????When?????

??Yes. It is inevitable.??

They??ve already condemned her. He nodded once then let his face take on the cool detachment he was so well known for. ??Then you??d best go. As you can see, she??s not here.??

??Of course, My Lord.?? Another bow, swift and almost mocking. Midael took a step toward the door, paused, and glanced back. ??But if you see her????

??I will be sure to tell Paschar.??

Shadows stirred as Midael departed, following him, letting Azrael know exactly where the vicious Virtue had gone. A little further, he sensed Fae. Death??s hold on her had slipped, but lurked closely enough for him to find her until the danger had passed.

Reaching out with his power??s icy claws, he located every Virtue on this plane, easy enough considering how often they risked their lives. Singling out Paschar, he cupped a hand over his mouth and whispered out a cool breeze that could travel across any distance. Communication in this manner was never ignored, not even by the Elders.

The message was simple. I??d like a word.