Nephilim Rising
Angelic Hosts Series, Book 4, Episode 17, Part 1
Michael gets orders…
The hour grew late as the two angels strategized inside Blanca’s hotel room. They needed to find a safe place for the guardian and the key, and Berto, too, to hide since he might also be a target used to draw her out.
“So, what is it you’re looking for?” Antonio asked, pulling up a chair to the small kitchenette table.
“Holy ground,” said Gabriel. “It’s the only place a demon can’t enter.”
“We were at the Basilica when Sophie warned us. Why not just go there? Why did we leave? It’s a church, right?”
Cassiel shook his head. “Sacred Heart was consecrated in 1919.”
Antonio waited, clearly confused by that answer. “And?”
The Keeper of Sorrow sighed. “Sorry, I should explain. The consecration occurred more than one-hundred years ago. Generally speaking, blessings have a…” he paused, thinking, “a sort-of shelf life. An expiration date, if you will. In a normal church, the consecration could last up to a hundred years easily, but the Basilica is more of a tourist destination. People come to see it, take pictures. They’re not necessarily there to worship. Without continuous prayers and solemnity, the protection provided by the holy blessing wears off.”
This was news to Antonio who glanced at Blanca.
She shrugged.
“Don’t look at me. I haven’t been to church in a while.” She cast a guilty look Cassiel’s way. “Sorry.”
He smiled, his dark eyes calm and full of understanding. “No need. Your life has been full of sorrow, so much so that believing in the existence of the Almighty was something you had difficulty reconciling. But He was always with you, Blanca. And with you, Roberto.”
Tears stung her eyes, and she wiped them away. “Yeah, I guess.”
Berto placed a hand on her shoulder, offering comfort. “We know now. Just hope he can forgive us both for doubting.”
Cassiel stood, walking to the siblings where he bent down upon one knee. “He already has.” He took each of their hands in his own. “From this day forward, you walk in His grace, both a blessed part of his plan. You are keepers of peace, protectors of she whom He has sent unto the world. And you are deeply loved.”
A sensation of peace, of joy so overwhelming filled their hearts. Blanca knew that somehow, Cassiel was responsible. She’d felt something similar the first time she’d laid eyes upon him. But she couldn’t deny her relief at having the weight of her burdens lifted.
Antonio interrupted. “But how can you know it’s worn off?”
Gabe answered. “Because I saw no less than three demons wandering among the tourists myself today.”
“What?” This surprised Antonio.
“Didn’t you notice the scent of rot as we ascended the stairs?” Gabe asked.
Recalling their earlier excursion, he had to admit he’d smelled something bad. He just figured it was some garbage nearby. He nodded; his brows drawn together.
“You figured it was trash, didn’t you? You’ll need to hone your senses. When you run across that particular smell, and it is distinctive, you’ll know next time. It’s a demon. And in this case, there were three of them. Had you looked for the source of the scent, you would have noticed them all. Your wolf demon can recognize kin.”
“I guess I still have a lot to learn with no time to get it all together.”
Gabriel patted Antonio’s back. “You’ll get it. No worries. I’m here to help until you no longer need me.”
Stiffening his spine, Antonio faced Cassiel. “So, where can we find fully charged holy ground?”
Cassiel stood, relinquishing Blanca and Berto’s hands. “I was thinking the Temple Mount, but there might be some resistance from Michael.”
Gabe choked out a laugh. “You think? He doesn’t like getting involved in human affairs. You know that.”
“I do, but if the order comes down from on high…” he let the thought trail.
Gabriel grinned, picking up the thread, “…then he won’t have squat to say about it. I like it.”
“You just like needling him,” said Cassiel, side-eyeing Gabriel.
“True. Anything that gets under Michael’s holier than thou skin really makes my day.”
“You really are a troublemaker, Gabriel. But in this case, we need to protect the key and her guardian. I’m afraid that means we’ll need to bend Zaphkiel’s ear.”
A white light appeared near the doorway, momentarily blinding them. It dispersed, and in its place stood an older man with auburn hair and beard. He wore a golden robe of the finest silk threads that seemed to hold the light of a million stars.
“Did I hear my name?”
“I’m never going to get used to this,” muttered Blanca.
The auburn-haired angel cast his green eyes upon her.
“Ah, the key. And in such lovely form this time, I see.”
Something inside of Blanca vibrated in response. A voice deep inside her soul seemed to be saying hello to the archangel. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “That was weird,” she gripped the side of the bed where she sat.
“It is only like calling out to like,” he said. “The divinity within you, now part of you, recognizes the divinity in me. We come from the same celestial cloth.” He turned his attention back to Cassiel and Gabriel. “Did I hear correctly? You need to hide the key at the Temple Mount? You know that no human has ever before entered that hallowed place.”
“I know, but she’s not completely human anymore, as you just aptly pointed out. And Antonio here,” said Cassiel, pointing to the guardian, “is Nephilim.”
Zaphkiel nodded. “But this one is purely human,” he said, looking at Berto, “although he is quite an old soul. A familiar one,” he pondered, looking closely at the young man. “I’ll see what I can do.” And with that, Zaphkiel disappeared into the bright light in which he arrived.
“I hate when he does that,” Gabe muttered. “Always showing off.”
“Who was he?” Blanca asked.
Cassiel glanced at her. “The right hand of the throne.”
Her eyes bugged. “Jesus? He’s Jesus? I though you said his name is Zaph-something?”
Gabriel chuckled. “He’s not Jesus, trust me. We already explained that one to you. The Nazarene has been reincarnated. Zaphkiel is what you might call an executive assistant.”
“But,” she pointed at the spot Zaphkiel last occupied, “you said right hand of the throne. He works directly with God?” She whispered the last few words.
“He does,” answered Cassiel. “But don’t let that intimidate you. Zaph can be a lot to take in most of the time, but he is efficient, and there is a reason the Almighty trusts in him.”
“As long as he can bring Michael in line, I won’t even comment on his robe. Not sure why he can’t just wear the uniform like the rest of us,” Gabriel grumbled, referring to the black pants, shirt, and boots he and Cassiel wore. “Always trying to set himself apart is Mr. Fancy Pants.”
“You know, for angels, you guys are remarkably petty sometimes,” said Blanca. “Worse than teenagers.”
Cassiel grinned. “We’re not all as rebellious as Gabriel. Some of us have grown past such nonsense.”
Zaphkiel returned, scaring the bejesus out of Blanca and Berto. This time, Antonio was not fazed.
He handed a fine vellum envelope to Cassiel. “The order. Michael won’t object…much.” He looked at Gabriel. “And I heard that.” He disappeared from the room once again.
Gabe stood, shaking his head. “Ask me if I care, Zaph,” he called out to the ceiling.
“If you’re finished getting on Zaph’s last nerve, shall we get these three to Temple Mount? We need to head out to open sky.”
“Why?” said Berto.
“Because angels can pass through anything, including ceilings, but you’re human and can’t. And we need to fly you to the temple. We can’t just transport you like we did earlier. That was a different type of transport. Too many magical protections placed around the mountain. Nope, you’ll have to fly Angel Air.”
Antonio tried not to look alarmed, but Blanca couldn’t hide her anxiety.
“Um, no one said anything about flying with angels…” she said, backing up on the bed.
Next to her, Berto stood, rubbing his hands excitedly over his thighs. “Cool! I’m ready!”
“We’ll need a third…taxi.” Cassiel pulled out his cellular and dialed. “Rafael? How fast can you get here?”
Let me know below your thoughts on this week’s episode.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE now for FREE so each episode lands in your inbox every Monday!
Last Week’s episode: Click here.
All Episodes: Click here.
Reminder, the first 4 books in the Angelic Hosts series will be presented here FREE! We are now in book 4, Nephilim Rising. This is an epic fantasy/paranormal, action-adventure romance. And there will be more books beyond book 4… (Announcement)
All you need to do is subscribe. New episodes every Monday.
