Mercy for the Fallen by Lisa Olsen Page B

delay, ere thine seed may grow to fruit before its time.”
    I sat up higher in bed, drawing the comforter around me as I tried to push past the fog in my brain.  “Sorry, I didn’t understand a word of that.  Maybe start at the beginning where you feel like it’s important enough to wake me up to talk about gardening.”
    Michael shifted his weight impatiently.  “Gird thyself for battle, woman.  We have little time to lose.”
    “Oh, you did not just call me woman,” I growled.  “I’m not girding anything until you tell me what you’re talking about.”
    “Lucifer has absconded with thine issue.  Thou must needs abandon all else and seek her at Githa, for time is of the greatest essence.”
    “What?  Can you please drop the crappy Shakespeare bit and talk English like a normal person?  Are you saying something happened to Eve?”  It was ridiculous.  I’d checked on her before turning in for the night, and Nelo would tell me if anyone came into the house.  Wouldn’t he?  It was enough to get me out of bed though, taking the comforter with me to keep from giving Michael an eyeful. 
    “What’s going on?”  Parker rolled over, his voice thick with sleep.
    “I don’t know, he says there’s something going on with Evie.”
    “Who says?”
    Of course.   I turned to Michael, who had given me his back once I emerged from the bed.  “Would you please do the courtesy of showing yourself?”
    “We are not for human eyes,” he replied without turning around.
    “Oh, for Pete’s sake,” I sighed, pulling on my clothes as quickly as I could.  “He knows you’re here, genius.” 
    “Who’s here?” Parker frowned, reaching for a pair of boxers by the side of the bed. 
    “Michael,” I answered, when the angel made no effort to reveal himself. 
    “Michael who?”
    “Michael from the Big Guy’s Brat Pack.”  I pointed upward. 
    “Shit…” Parker’s eyes narrowed, peering into the darkness.  “I hate it when they do that.”
    “Parker, why don’t you go check on Evie and I’ll try to figure out what’s going on, okay?”  I couldn’t bring myself to think she might really be gone.  Not again.  Hadn’t we already gone down this road before?  “I think we’d better start at the beginning.  How do you know what’s going on with Lucifer?  And if Eve really is gone, why didn’t you stop it in the first place?”
    “There is no time, wo… madam,” Michael changed his word choice at the last moment, which was the only reason I didn’t let him have it at his tone of voice.  “Thou must believe me when I say unto thee – every moment we linger spells greater danger.”
    “Okay, look – no offense, but I don’t know you from Adam.”  Literally.  “Adamiel!” I yelled, hoping like hell he might help me get to the bottom of what was going on. 
    “She’s not here!” I heard the call from down the hall.  “Eve’s not here, she’s gone.”  Parker stuck his head into the room, eyes wide. 
    “How can she be gone?  Go find Nelo, see if he saw or heard anything.”  Christ, had something happened to Nelo too?  Parker gave a short nod, bellowing Nelo’s name as he bounded down the stairs. 
    “It is as I told thee, Lucifer has absconded with the child.  The demon will shed no further truth on the matter.”
    “Better the devil you know,” I muttered, bending over to tie my shoes.  “Adamiel!” I yelled again, my head pounding from the noise.  All at once it occurred to me – what if he didn’t come?  Hadn’t he said something earlier about not sticking around anymore?  What if he was already halfway around the world?  “Adamiel, please, please come…” I called out softer, my face falling into my hands. 
    “Change your mind already?”  His voice was like a soothing balm, and I was all I could do not to jump into his arms for a comforting hug when I opened my eyes to see Adam standing by the window, casual as anything.  “Hey,