While Sariel’s mouth curved into an amused smile. “I think you’ve made your point.”
Genesis bowed behind him while Mason started slamming plates again.
“We can talk about your mating at a later date. Right now, I have more pressing matters…. say, matters that deal with life and death, the death of a certain Demon, and the secrets he may or may not have spilled before his blood stained your hands.” Sariel said the words with such indifference, my body trembled.
Did lives matter to him?
And why did they suddenly matter to me?
Why did I suddenly care about the Demon’s blood downstairs? Or the lives that could be lost because of the secret he held?
Why did I care?
The answer?
Came to me as Stephanie lightly brushed the back of my neck with her fingertips.
Her.
It was because of her.
I cared because I loved her.
Her love made me feel.
All the things I’d pushed away.
The Darkness told me it was dangerous to feel.
The Darkness was right.
Because in feeling—I cared—I wanted fairness. I wanted equality. I wanted peace.
Hell, I wanted the impossible.
“So.” Sariel stood, his feathers brushing from one edge of the room to the other, nearly pushing Mason to the floor as they spread wide in their vibrancy. “I simply came to ask what you’ve done. What all of you—” He turned only slightly since his wings blocked his ability to twist completely around. “—have done.”
“We–” I stood to my full height, which matched Sariel’s, though I had no wings; being a victim of the curse I was semi grounded. “—can ask the same question of you… can we not?”
Sariel’s face twisted into a knowing smile. “I always wondered when this day would come. There were times I doubted it. Especially when Eva came along, throwing you off your purpose, your destiny.” He shook his head. “And now look… still weakened by emotion. Will you never learn, my son? Emotions are frivolous, a curse upon the human race, one you bear because of your parentage. Give into that emotion, and you will only feel pain.”
“I’d rather feel… something,” I answered.
“Oh you will…” He glanced behind me at Stephanie. “Believe me, it will be the greatest pain of your existence. Now.” He rubbed his hands together. “Direct me to the blood. If you would.”
Mumbling out a curse, I clapped open my hands. “No need.” The blood from downstairs spread between my fingertips, the different flecks of colored dust spread around the table. A possibility only because the blood was mixed with Angel blood.
Sariel stumbled backward.
“I think that means he didn’t know,” Alex whispered loudly.
“Don’t Angels know everything?” Genesis mused out loud.
“Do I look all knowing?” Sariel fired back. “Believe me, life would be so much easier if I saw every angle. I see three and a half.”
“Three and a half?” Genesis asked. “Three and a half what?”
“Sides.” Sariel picked up the dust between his forefinger and thumb, rubbing it together as the red parts of the blood stuck to his fingertip, clearly wanting to bond again with its true purpose. “I see every side, but half of a side is missing. It keeps me loyal.”