Nephilim Rising
Angelic Hosts Series, Book 4, Episode 12, Part 1
The Guardian’s fight…
Gabriel leaned over the railing. The skyline of San Antonio from the rooftop of the Palacio del Rio was a striking sight with the famous Riverwalk below, but he was not focused on the beauty of lit trees along a manmade river or a bustling southern city night life. He was focused on the balcony of the penthouse beneath his feet.
“I smell him,” he sneered.
Cassiel chuckled. “Brimstone reeks, brother.”
Rafael and Camael turned, checking the rooftop. Rafael inhaled, then slowly exhaled. “And that’s not all. The Guardian has ignored your order, Grandpa Gabriel,” the angel taunted. “Perhaps you should take away his toys for a week, hmm?”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air. Scanning the ground below, he searched for Antonio. “I should have tied him to a chair.”
“There’s nothing you could have done to prevent this, Gabriel,” said Cassiel.
“By all that’s holy, what am I supposed to do now?” Gabe pulled away from the railing, failing to get a visual on Antonio. “He’s getting better at avoiding detection. I don’t see him.”
“But we smell him. That’s something he hasn’t yet learned to hide. Of course, hard for him to get downwind when we’re up here, where all scents from below rise.” Cassiel walked to the edge, peering over the rail. “The good news is, even with his own now-heightened sense of smell, he won’t know we’re up here. Not yet. And neither will Del Fuego.”
Rafael pulled his sword from the invisible sheath at his side. The steel caught the moonlight flashing a wicked glint off the razor-sharp blade. “He thinks he has the element of surprise,” he mused. An elbow shot out catching Camael in the ribs. “Remember when you were still that naïve?”
Cam punched back, slamming a fist into Rafael’s shoulder. “We were all that naïve once, Rafael. Remember, brother, we came into being fully formed as we stand today, but mentally and emotionally, no different than human children. We all had to learn. So must the Guardian.”
Rafael’s nostrils flared as he rubbed his shoulder. “Respect your elders, Camael. That’s one lesson you still need to learn.”
“Whatever you say, old man.” Cam grinned.
Ignoring the snark, Rafael turned his attention back to Gabriel and Cassiel. “The bad news is, with smells rising on the breeze, Del Fuego, and that perverse abomination he calls a pet will detect the Guardian coming a mile away. We have to act now.” Rafael moved to the edge of the roof preparing to jump down to the balcony below. A hand shot out stopping him.
“Or we stand down.” Cassiel’s grip on Rafael was like a vice. The dark-haired angel threw Cassiel a perplexed look.
“What? Why?” Gabe demanded.
Cassiel, calm as ever, turned to Gabriel. He could see the anger and frustration, the restlessness that forever plagued his brother roiling like storm-tossed waves in his lavender eyes. Patience and understanding were ever the lessons of Gabriel’s existence.
“Because this is his fight. Del Fuego has the key, the very thing Antonio is now tasked, by both lineage and personal duty, to protect. And he has the Guardian’s woman. This is his first test, and we must allow him to take the exam.”
Gabe snorted like an angry bull. Hands on hips, he demanded, “So, we’re just supposed to stand around like watchers and do nothing?”
“As ever, you’re itching for a fight, brother,” said Cassiel. “But this one is not yours. I’ve seen it.”
Cam rolled his eyes. “Seer’s basin,” he muttered, thinking of the mystical waters used by their leader.
“Michael!” exclaimed Rafael. “Then why didn’t he say something?”
Cassiel released Rafael’s arm. “Zaphkiel relayed the order to Michael after showing us both what was to happen this night. The order comes from the top.”
“Then what of free will?” Gabe demanded. “Is it predestined or does the kid get to make up his own mind? And what’s he supposed to do about the wolf demon trying to take possession of his soul, huh? He’s not ready for this, I tell you!”
Gabe’s rant thundered from his lips. He paced, gesturing wildly, and growing angrier by the second. It was clear he was worried about Antonio’s life, for his very soul. Cassiel suppressed a smile. As rebellious as Gabriel often was, he had a huge heart. He could just never admit it.
Stepping closer, Cassiel placed a comforting hand on Gabe’s shoulder. Through his own power, he infused his brother with reassurance and calm.
The starch went out of Gabe’s spine, and he immediately shrugged, throwing Cassiel’s hand off. “Stop it, Cas! I don’t need you turning me into an emotional eunuch.”
“Why are we here, Cassiel, if we’re to do nothing?” Cam asked the million-dollar question.
Cassiel glanced his way. “Who said we’re doing nothing?”
“But you just said…” Gabe sputtered.
“I said it is the Guardian’s fight. We must let him have it. We’re here to make sure he survives. Antonio’s destiny cannot end here. The prophesy must be allowed to continue to unfold.” He paced before them, speaking in his sonorous tone. “The child of destiny has not yet reached her maturity. Neither has her champion. Until they do, the key must remain hidden and protected. That means the Guardian must remain whole to protect it. We’re here to put a permanent end to that devil’s spawn, Cinder, and to make sure Del Fuego is sent, one final time, back to Hell.”
Gabe grinned. “Now you’re talking, brother.”
Cassiel nodded, then stopped to sniff the air. “I sense the Guardian has found his way to Del Fuego’s door.”
Rafael inhaled slowly, tasting the breeze. “And Del Fuego knows it.”
“Then let’s get down there—” Gabe began.
“Wait!” Cassiel walked to the edge of the roof and looked down. Cocking his head, he listened. “Hold, brothers. Not just yet.”
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