again. I cannot live as we lived back then .
Silence stretched between them as the past overshadowed the present. Passion and decadence, unbridled lust, the Grigori had worshipped at their altars for far too long.
That’s why you’ve never chosen a mate among our own , Gadrayel said thoughtfully.
Aye . Sariel locked away the memories and focused on the females seated before the hearth. The beast within me is too strong. I’m not sure I could be with any female and remain in control. Alyssa is out of the question .
Our dilemmas are much the same . Gadrayel sighed. Have you been able to determine Rosalind’s true nature ?
I’m working on it .
Accepting the assurance with a solemn nod, Gadrayel spread his wings, preparing to depart.
Gadrayel . Their gazes locked. Do not touch her again until my decision is made .
Obviously displeased by the directive, Gadrayel inclined his head and disappeared.
* * * * *
Alyssa tried not to stare at the shimmering being beside Sariel. Several times Rosalind had glanced at Sariel, but she hadn’t reacted to the entity. Apparently her ward couldn’t see the cloud of golden light. It undulated in and out of focus, disappearing entirely only to reappear again.
“How long have you been alive?”
Rosalind’s hushed tone drew Alyssa’s attention away from the visual anomaly. “Time passes differently in the spiritual realm. I’ve been as I am now for over four hundred years.” Startled by the revelation, Alyssa searched for other details. She seemed to access her memories more easily when she didn’t concentrate too hard.
“As you are now?”
Alyssa sighed. Every time she spoke of the hillside confrontation with Michael it became more real. She was glad for the clarity of thought, but the emotions burned like fire. The one advantage to her faulty memory was forgetting the fury, the resentment and regret.
“Some of my friends and I had become discontent and rebellious. We gathered on a hillside one afternoon and Michael overheard our protests. He scattered us through time and gave each a specific challenge to overcome.”
“Why were you discontent?”
Alyssa extended her hands toward the fire. How could she begin to explain such a complicated conflict? “I’m not sure I can make you understand. The anger and frustration within us built gradually over several of your lifetimes.”
“But how did it begin? Every rebellion has a beginning.”
“Our minor rebellion was an echo of the great rebellion.” Knowing Rosalind would never accept such an ambiguous response, Alyssa continued. “Angels are not born as humans are. We are created. Those of us who are created and trained at the same time become very much like siblings. That’s why I call Lailah my sister.”
Rosalind nodded, her gaze wide and intent upon Alyssa’s face.
“Ambrose was Lucifer’s brother. He didn’t Fall as Lucifer Fell, but Ambrose refused to participate in the battle. Gideon, your ancestor—”
“Gideon of Monthamn was an angel?” Rosalind gasped. “The murals. Lady Naomi was not being fanciful. Those scenes actually took place?”
Relieved that Rosalind could find some pleasure in the tale, Alyssa allowed the momentary tangent. “Aye. Gideon was victorious. He triumphed over his challenge and lived out his life in peace with the woman he loved.”
“But Gideon died. I thought angels are immortal.”
“Gideon exchanged his immortality for the ability to reproduce. I would think you would be glad he wanted to father children with Lady Naomi.”
A faint smile gracing her mouth, Rosalind raised her fingers to her temples and rubbed firmly. “My head is spinning with all of this. How can it be true?”
“Shall we continue tomorrow? This is a lot for anyone to comprehend.”
“Nay. Please, go back to the hillside meeting.”
Alyssa paused to gather her thoughts and suppress the strongest of her emotions. Striving for a conversational tone, she resumed her tale. “Ambrose
Silence stretched between them as the past overshadowed the present. Passion and decadence, unbridled lust, the Grigori had worshipped at their altars for far too long.
That’s why you’ve never chosen a mate among our own , Gadrayel said thoughtfully.
Aye . Sariel locked away the memories and focused on the females seated before the hearth. The beast within me is too strong. I’m not sure I could be with any female and remain in control. Alyssa is out of the question .
Our dilemmas are much the same . Gadrayel sighed. Have you been able to determine Rosalind’s true nature ?
I’m working on it .
Accepting the assurance with a solemn nod, Gadrayel spread his wings, preparing to depart.
Gadrayel . Their gazes locked. Do not touch her again until my decision is made .
Obviously displeased by the directive, Gadrayel inclined his head and disappeared.
* * * * *
Alyssa tried not to stare at the shimmering being beside Sariel. Several times Rosalind had glanced at Sariel, but she hadn’t reacted to the entity. Apparently her ward couldn’t see the cloud of golden light. It undulated in and out of focus, disappearing entirely only to reappear again.
“How long have you been alive?”
Rosalind’s hushed tone drew Alyssa’s attention away from the visual anomaly. “Time passes differently in the spiritual realm. I’ve been as I am now for over four hundred years.” Startled by the revelation, Alyssa searched for other details. She seemed to access her memories more easily when she didn’t concentrate too hard.
“As you are now?”
Alyssa sighed. Every time she spoke of the hillside confrontation with Michael it became more real. She was glad for the clarity of thought, but the emotions burned like fire. The one advantage to her faulty memory was forgetting the fury, the resentment and regret.
“Some of my friends and I had become discontent and rebellious. We gathered on a hillside one afternoon and Michael overheard our protests. He scattered us through time and gave each a specific challenge to overcome.”
“Why were you discontent?”
Alyssa extended her hands toward the fire. How could she begin to explain such a complicated conflict? “I’m not sure I can make you understand. The anger and frustration within us built gradually over several of your lifetimes.”
“But how did it begin? Every rebellion has a beginning.”
“Our minor rebellion was an echo of the great rebellion.” Knowing Rosalind would never accept such an ambiguous response, Alyssa continued. “Angels are not born as humans are. We are created. Those of us who are created and trained at the same time become very much like siblings. That’s why I call Lailah my sister.”
Rosalind nodded, her gaze wide and intent upon Alyssa’s face.
“Ambrose was Lucifer’s brother. He didn’t Fall as Lucifer Fell, but Ambrose refused to participate in the battle. Gideon, your ancestor—”
“Gideon of Monthamn was an angel?” Rosalind gasped. “The murals. Lady Naomi was not being fanciful. Those scenes actually took place?”
Relieved that Rosalind could find some pleasure in the tale, Alyssa allowed the momentary tangent. “Aye. Gideon was victorious. He triumphed over his challenge and lived out his life in peace with the woman he loved.”
“But Gideon died. I thought angels are immortal.”
“Gideon exchanged his immortality for the ability to reproduce. I would think you would be glad he wanted to father children with Lady Naomi.”
A faint smile gracing her mouth, Rosalind raised her fingers to her temples and rubbed firmly. “My head is spinning with all of this. How can it be true?”
“Shall we continue tomorrow? This is a lot for anyone to comprehend.”
“Nay. Please, go back to the hillside meeting.”
Alyssa paused to gather her thoughts and suppress the strongest of her emotions. Striving for a conversational tone, she resumed her tale. “Ambrose
Similar Books
