window where the notes of Die Nephilimâs sigils covered the metallic skyâÂâof Engelâs song, seek me. It has taken all of my skill to remain invisible to Engel and his pack of Nephilim. If I try to move past their song, Engel will immediately know where I am. He was always stronger than me. Now, in my weakened state, he will easily take the idea from me.â
There was more to it than that, Guillermo thought as he assessed Prietoâs pale features. In his efforts to remain hidden, the angel had expended his own song to the point of depletion. He was dying.
Prieto must have seen the knowledge in Guillermoâs eyes. âI am trapped, Guillermo, trapped well and good.â A shaky laugh trembled through his lips.
Even coming from the half-Âmad angel, the laughter brightened the dim hall. Several mortals nodded and smiled as if their hearts were lightened in the wake of the angelâs mirth.
Guillermo was reminded that the angels had once brought only joy in their wake, but some had remained in the mortal realm for too long. While the archangels rarely descended from their heavenly home, the Messengers were becoming tarnished by taking the flesh, which sullied their spirits until they, like the daimons and the mortals, grew more caught up in worldly concerns than those of the spirit. Guillermo sometimes wondered if he wasnât wrong. Perhaps it wasnât the affairs of angels that affected the mortalsâÂperhaps it was the other way around.
Prietoâs laughter trailed into silence. He glared at the window where the net of sigils turned the sky the color of mercury.
Guillermoâs lighter clicked softly in the hush that had fallen over the hall. âWhatâs going on, Prieto?â
The angel breathed heavily and tracked the vibrations of Die Nephilimâs song with deep brown eyes. âYellowcloud was delayed. I was forced to linger here in the asylum longer than was wise.â
Guillermo glimpsed the claw of a talon at the foot of the blanket. Certain that if he pulled the blanket away, he would find the feet of a raptor, Guillermo reached down and adjusted the blanket so that Prietoâs talons were hidden. That would explain the wheelchair. Moving on these polished floors would be treacherousâÂnot to mention conspicuousâÂespecially with all his power focused on keeping Engel at bay.
âTalk to me, Prieto.â Guillermo spoke quietly.
âWhere do you want to begin?â Prieto asked.
âStart with Garcia, end with Yellowcloud.â
Prieto nodded and fumbled with the silk bag. âEngel has been working on Garcia for years. Theyâre friends. That is why Garcia flagrantly disobeyed your command to bring any angelic orders to you before obeying them. Engel swears he is not ordering Garcia to act. He merely makes suggestionsâÂinnuendos and intrigues. Garcia believes he is acting of his own volition. In truth, his motivations are provoked by his own prejudices. He has long believed that you are too lenient with the daimons. Engel tells Garcia what he wants to hear and strokes his intoleranceâÂand egoâÂinto hate.â
âThat makes Garcia stupid,â Miquel said.
âNo argument from me.â Prieto picked at his blanket as if pulling fleas from the fabric. âBut this goes higher than Engel and Garcia. The Principalities are involved.â
Guillermoâs stomach did a slow somersault. âWhich ones?â
Prieto said, âAker.â
Miquel whispered, âThe Prince of Germany.â
âWho else?â Guillermo asked.
âPoyel.â
The Prince of Italy. Guillermo and Miquel traded a guarded look.
âWhat does Aker want with Spain?â Guillermo asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
Prieto toyed with the silk bag. âAker believes that Sariel is unable to govern.â
This was news to Guillermo. As far as he knew, Sariel, the Princess of Spain,
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