The heavy iron gates squeaked louder as I approached.I scanned the shadows, searching for movement, and scented the air for the unmistakable scent of formaldehyde on the breeze.
So far so good.I headed deeper into the large cemetery.This one was old, and I guessed there probably weren’t many plots left.
Something moved in the shadows near a large oak tree several yards away.
I sensed nothing, there were no alarm bells, no inner warnings.Throwing out a hand, I called my sword forth.It appeared, the hilt cool and comforting against my palm.At least Michael hadn’t taken it when he’d relieved me of a substantial portion of my powers.I wasn’t totally helpless, but my abilities were nothing like they used to be.
“Show yourself, demon,” I called into the night.“Or die.”They were going to die anyway.Eating humans, dead or alive, was most definitely in the “breaking the rules” category set out by the knights, but I found telling them the truth at times like these caused them to run like hell, and chasing someone would expend far more energy than I had tonight.
A small figure stepped out from behind the tree.Definitely not a demon.
Power vibrated across my skin, tingling down my arms.I gritted my teeth as the kiss of power, the tiny taste of home, rushed over me, giving me a small, taunting bite of all I’d lost.If I’d been at full strength, I would have felt her presenceinstantly.
“Rosalind?What are you doing here?”I said, and my voice came out rough as residual power undulated through my chest and over my stomach.She was doing it on purpose.
Her wings rustled and the peach-colored feathers brushed with gold glinted in the moonlight as she stepped forward.“Silas, my dear, it has been far too long.”A serene smile curved her pretty lips as she weaved her way through the headstones.When she reached me, she rested a hand on my chest.“I’ve missed you so very much.”
Had she?“Why are you here, Rosa?”
Her lashes fluttered at my informal use of her name.“Are you not pleased to see me?”
“Of course,” I said, and in a lot of ways I was.She hadn’t been manipulative like some, and once upon a time she’d been my intended.“But it’s been a long time since we’ve spoken.I assume this visit isn’t because you wanted to check on my well-being?”I smiled to soften my directness.She was always extremely softhearted.We probably would have been good together if things had been different.Angels didn’t choose each other.We didn’t seek love matches.Those higher up decided when and who would be paired.Then after an arbitrary timeline set out for us, a short ceremony was held where we signed the book of alliance.
But before our arranged union could come about—I’d “sinned” in the eyes of my brethren when I’d lain with Ursula.Rosalind had been angry, of course, when she’d learned of my transgressions.She’d been humiliated that others knew what I’d done, but her feelings hadn’t been injured because Rosalind didn’t love me in the romantic sense.I had disrespected her, though, embarrassed her, and for that I would always be sorry.She’d still wanted to go ahead with our alliance, while I’d planned to petition to have our assigned union nullified.I’d only wanted Ursula even if she hadn’t felt the same.But before I could speak to Michael about ending things with Rosalind, I’d fallen.
She chewed her lip, and her hands fluttered about in front of her.
I slid my fingers under her chin and tilted her head up so I could see into her eyes.“Rosa?Why are you trembling?Tell me what has you so distressed?”
Her lips quivered.“I-I come to you with a message…from Michael.”
I stilled.The last time I saw him was when he’d sentenced me to fall.“What message?”
“He and Uriel know you are taking part in The Tartarean, that you are risking your life, your very soul…for Lucifer,” she said, lowering her voice when she spoke Lucifer’s name.
My back straightened.“I’m not beholden to Heaven.Not to Michael and certainly not to Uriel.Not to anyone but myself.They have no authority over me.Not any longer.”
She nodded quickly.“I know that, Silas, and so does Michael.He’s the one who asked me to bring this offer for your consideration, and it is a most generous one.”
Against all logic, hope filled me.“What kind of offer?”
“Michael wants you to take part in the tournament like you’ve planned.He knows with your skill and strength you can make it to the final round.”
My chest tightened.“And then?”
“He believes the final event will be between you…um, Hell”—she said it like she’d said Lucifer, as if saying it out loud would summon the devil himself—“and Heaven, then during the final battle?—”
“He wants me to throw the tournament.To help the angels win,” I said, fury pulsing through me.The angels had won every tournament since The Tartarean came to be, but with me competing against them, it seemed they weren’t feeling as confident.Hell had always been their biggest threat, their only real competition, at least in their eyes, so securing my assistance now meant eliminating any chance of a loss.
“Yes.”
“Why would I do that?I have no desire to help Michael’s cause?—”
“He will give your wings back, Silas.He will forgive you for your betrayal, for your…” She looked down.“Sins, and he will welcome you home with open arms.All will be as it once was.”Her cheeks turned pink, and she smiled softly.“We can sign our names in the book of alliance.We can have a child.”
Everything seized inside me.
It’s all I’d ever wanted.At least before I’d found Ursula.For a very long time, Rosalind had been my future.I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t miss Heaven, because I did, and I missed my wings so much that some mornings when I woke, I was convinced they were still there, positive I heard the rustle of my feathers and felt the stretch and pull of the muscles on my back from their movement.