Prologue
Silas
Michael stood before me,concern, or maybe it was disappointment, etched into his perfect features.“You know why I’ve asked you here, Silas?”
“Yes,” I said, although honestly, there could be any number of “indiscretions,” at least in his eyes, that would cause Michael to call me home for this disciplinary meeting.I didn’t see any of the things I’d done that way, though, but whatever my punishment, I’d have to accept it.
“You have been warned, many times, that your attachment to the knights of Hell, that your feelings of loyalty toward them is clouding your judgment, yet you persist in putting them and their needs ahead of your own brethren.You continue to disobey, to argue, and yes, betray us, your true family.”
“Betray?Absolutely not.Everything I’ve done, I’ve done out of?—”
“You have done out of selfishness, to satisfy your own wants and needs and those of the knights,” he said, stunning me into silence.“But this latest report has gone too far, Silas.It can’t be ignored.No slap on the wrist or simple reprimand will be enough this time.”
Michael said it all without heat, without anger.Everything the archangel did, he did only after looking at a problem from every angle and without emotion.There would be no changing his mind.
“What am I supposed to have done?”Though seeing that look on his face, I knew.My actions had broken every rule and law we lived by.My punishment would be harsh.
“I’ve received reports that you met with one of the fates, that you made a deal to influence the outcome of a destined path, and that you did this for none other than the knight Zenon, who is, in fact, the grandson of Lucifer himself.”
“Michael, if you will let me?—”
“Do you deny it?”
“Who told you this?It was Nathaniel, wasn’t it?You know he’s been looking for an excuse to destroy me for centuries.”
“And you have handed him one,” he growled.“Do you deny it?”
His voice was raised this time, something I had only witnessed twice in my entire life.“No, I don’t deny it.”
He slammed his fist down on the desk in front of him.“They’re calling for your wings, Silas.Do you have an explanation for what you did?One that will save you from this fate?”
My heart gripped tight in my chest.“Zenon has been under my charge since he left Hell.I witnessed firsthand the horror, the suffering he endured.I couldn’t allow it to continue any longer,” I rasped.That explanation wouldn’t satisfy those calling for blood, but maybe it would appeal to Michael’s sense of justice.
Michael paled, his snowy-white wings ruffling behind him.“That excuse isn’t satisfactory, Silas.”
“Michael—”
“You have been a loyal soldier in our army.A good male, a devoted brother.But this violation of our laws can’t be ignored.There is no saving you.”Sadness filled his eyes.“Silas, you will fall this day.”
Somehow, I stayed upright as he laid down my sentence, as I felt my power being stripped from me.My gift of foresight was torn away leaving a gaping wound on my soul.Ironically, I never saw it coming.My sight didn’t work when other angels were involved, but even if I had seen my own fall coming, there wasn’t one thing I would have taken back or done differently.
“I will pray for you,” Michael said as the doors to his office flew open and several angels stormed in, grabbing me and dragging me from the room.
Heaven’s gates loomed ahead, surrounded by angels I had once considered my brothers and sisters.The gates swung open, and I was dragged through.
Nathaniel waited on the other side.“Knife,” he said.
“No,” Rosalind screamed before she was pulled back.
No one else tried to stop what was about to happen.
Someone handed him their blade, and he sneered down at me when I was shoved to my knees.“I’ve dreamed about this for so long,” he said, for my ears only, then lifted his head.“Extend his wings.”
My wings were forcibly stretched out as I fought and roared, trying to fight them off, but it was no good.With most of my powers gone, I was defenseless against them.
At the first slice, a roar was torn from me.The pain like no other.My soul screamed from the horror of what was happening, the betrayal.Angels pulled at my wings as Nathaniel continued to slice and, in the end, mostly tore them from me instead.
“Enjoy the fall,” Nathaniel said, then planted his boot in my back and shoved me over the edge.