The Taking (17 page)

I cringe. Ben would be able to hear this conversation too and I can’t imagine it bringing him back any quicker.
 

The archangel waves hands around disapprovingly. “It wouldn’t do us well to have him turned evil. They are using him as bait for her.” Another finger is pointed at me and my eyes expand.
 

How do they know all of this?

“All the more reason not to send her. Separus will grab her for sure and then she will end up lik—” His eyes flick to me and he closes his mouth.

“Like you,” I mutter, my eyes never leaving his.
 

He drops his arm and gazes at the monks. “Don’t you have work to do?” he snaps and turns his back toward all of us walking to the furthest wall, staring at the individual stones holding it together.

I stare at his stunted wings. It would be horrible to live like that every day as an angel.
 

Joseph kneels beside me. “Do you need our assistance anymore?” His eyes are so kind and giving. It is no wonder I have learnt to trust these monks so quickly.
 

Archangel Gabriel shakes their head. “No. Thank you. You have helped us enough. Go finish your meals if you can and continue with your duties.” The usually joyous archangel sounds a little mundane.
 

“Our pleasure.” Peter bows slightly to Archangel Gabriel. “We are happy to help at any time but since our brothers have left to aid the people, our duties have increased.”

“What do you mean by 'left to aid the people'?” I ask. “Is this normal?”

“No, it is not normal.” Joseph’s face etches with sadness. “Has Zacharias or Archangel Gabriel not told you?”

I shake my head and look at Archangel Gabriel for confirmation.
 

“It has only happened just before you left and they have been very sheltered here.” The archangel explains turning from me to the monks. “We haven’t had a chance to tell them.”

Both Peter and Joseph nod in understanding then Joseph turns to me. “The crime and destruction has escalated in the world, especially in certain parts. They have started helping in the closest village of Tatev but have now continued to Yerevan. It is in complete upheaval. It is looking as though we will have to start sheltering people here if it doesn’t settle down.”

“Do you have room for that many people here?” I ask.

"We have room for thousands of people. Mostly the weak, or women and children will come for sanctuary,” Peter says. His mouth is downturned, and his eyes hold sadness I have never seen in them before.
 

“Let us know if this happens, okay? We probably won’t find out unless we are informed. As I’m sure you know, only monks and angels can come down here.”

Both Peter and Joseph affirm together.
 

“We must go,” Joseph says and they turn and leave.
 

Zacharias remains at the far wall. Turning to Archangel Gabriel I ask, “Did you see Ethan when you arrived at the townhouse to look for us.”

Their eyes cloud over and I feel myself already tensing before the mouth opens. “Yes, I did.” I wait, hoping for more information but I am left with silence.
 

“And?” I ask, unable to take not knowing any longer. “Did they leave him alone seeing they picked up their prize?” I have managed to pull my knees up to my chest as I sit on the hard floor. My arms wrap around them and are beginning to pull them so tightly to my body that parts of my arm muscles are going numb.
 

It was only the slightest shake of the head, emphasised more by the sway of the golden blond locks.

A massive lump suddenly appears in my throat and no matter how hard I try; I cannot swallow it. I open my mouth to speak and have trouble hurdling the lump for my voice to sound. “Is . . . is he alive?”
 

This time the golden locks sway back and forth with the nod of the head. I manage to gasp a shallow breath, but the lump is growing bigger.
 

“Did . . . did they,” I choke on the lump, “remove his . . . conscience?” Wells are beginning to build in the inner corner of my eyes. If it is not good news, then I don’t really want to know, but I have to know.

A clicking sound came from Archangel Gabriel from releasing their tongue from the roof of the mouth. “Oh, sweetie.” The caring archangel rushes to my side, squatting and gathers me in an enormous hug, knees and all. The words did not need to be spoken. The gathering wells continue to gather at a more rapid pace, and before I know it, I have blurry vision as I gaze through salty water. I blink and push the water away only to feel it trickling down my inner cheek and dropping from my chin to my bodysuit. A wet patch is gathering quickly in my lap.
 

“Does this mean . . . that he . . . is no longer an Innocent?” My lips swell and my mouth puckers.
 

“Yes.” Archangel Gabriel pulls me closer and the well walls completely break.

Ethan, my Ethan, my true human love has been tainted.
My body is a statue; I cannot move.
No, this can’t be right. He has been an innocent for two whole lives and in his third until now. There must be a way to change this. Surely this can be undone. It is not as though he asked for it.

When my lap and Archangel Gabriel’s shoulder is completely drenched, a thought comes to me — a glimmer of hope. “What if we inserted a conscience into him before he does anything to stop him from being an Innocent?” I search Archangel Gabriel’s eyes.

The head shakes and my hopes are crushed. “It would kill him or send him mental, remember?”

I frown then it hits me. “Not if inserted before he does anything bad. Then he wouldn’t have anything to be guilty over and maybe he can still become an angel.”

A soft, comforting hand runs through my hair as I continue to gaze into the sad eyes. “Sweetie.” The archangel pauses.

I swallow.
I don’t like the sound of this.

“Sweetie, we can’t do that. It is too risky. His thoughts may even be too impure, and there might be repercussions from that.”

I choke out a sob. “But he has only just lost it.”

“I know, but you don’t want to risk him suffering mental illness or worse, do you?”

“No.” I feel completely hopeless. I was sent to protect him, and I failed now look what happened. He has lost all the good in him.
 

“There may still be some hope.” Despite the words, the voice sounds harsh. Shocked, I look up when I realise it was not Archangel Gabriel who spoke. Zacharias was standing over us. “Don’t get too excited it is going to take a huge risk on our part, but perhaps he may still have a chance to be a decent human again.”
 

“What? How?” My hopes lift slightly, but I am finding this too hard to believe.

“For one, we have abducted him and locked him in one of these rooms so he cannot commit any indecencies,” Archangel Gabriel says. “Although Zacharias did not know why he was so important, he suggested that he be brought here so he can keep an eye on him.
”

“Really?” I am surprised by the earthbound angel. Underneath all that roughness, he really must be a kind hearted being. I am excited yet apprehensive about having Ethan here.

“Yes.” Archangel Gabriel nods. “But he is not the same as you knew him. Already he is changing and must be confined at all times. At least if he is here, they cannot use him as bait anymore nor can they deepen his evil and turn him into a minor demon.”

My mouth drops open. “They could do that?”

“Yes. Just like we can recruit humans to be angels, they can recruit humans to be demons, only we are fussier in who we pick. Not that I am saying that Ethan is not important, but the demons will recruit anyone they can get their hands onto.”

The thought of Ethan turning into a demon terrorises me.
 

“For now, you and your companions need to improve. As soon as you all recover it is back into training.” Zacharias studies me. “One, you need to avenge this human love of yours. Two, to protect him and you, we need to work on killing Separus.” Zacharias stands with his hands clasped behind his back, and his wrinkled face set in stone.
 

“And if we don’t succeed?” I ask him.

“Then eventually he will turn into a demon. But you are not going anywhere until you have had more training.”

- Chapter Sixteen -

Gradually, my energy returns. Each passing moment that I am not touched by a demon more of my body recuperates. The final part to receive the strength is my wings. Enjoying the freedom, I stretch them to their capacity and stroke. Standing in the middle of the large room of Zacharias’ pride, I gaze in appreciation as their golden yellow passes in front, touching briefly at the tips then flow to the back. Lifting slowly, I fly around the external walls of the room a few times.
 

Zacharias is standing in the middle watching my delight. As I briefly gaze at his face, I think I see a fleeting glimmer of joy — it was almost a look of a proud father. Once our eyes connect it disappears into his usual scowl.
 

Archangel Gabriel left earlier muttering something about now that we are safe there were more errands to run. As I finish my flight, my eyes wander to Ben and Cindy still lying unconscious on the floor. It would be nice to see them at least conscious again. Slightly out of breath, I land next to them then go to Ben and kneel next to him.
 

“What are you doing?” I hear Zacharias’ footprints approaching from behind.
 

My breath is already recouping. “What do you think I am doing?” I ask, grasping that he already knows what I am about to do and I am going to get a lecture.

“You only just recovered. You will not have the strength to heal them.” I hear angry rustles of his monk clothes.

“I’ll be fine — even if I can just get them conscious again. It would be nice to hear their voices, don’t you think?” I lay a hand on Ben’s forehead and project to him.
I hope you are going to speak to me soon. I know you’re in there. Archangel Gabriel already told me you have been communicating. You must know you are still my favourite angel.
 

I touch his cheek gently and watch his eyelids flicker as I let out a deep breath. I don’t know if he has the communication channels open, but it is worth the try. With Zacharias around there is not a moment of privacy.
 

Leaving my hand on his forehead, I focus and push in healing white light. Although I am healing, I still have not completely recovered. I feel enough energy leave me that will hinder my flying for a while, but if it brings him back to consciousness sooner, it is worth it.
 

His eyes remain closed while I remove my hand. Pushing off the floor, I stand, then kneel by Cindy’s side giving her the same treatment. I long for her cheerful babble to return. It always makes life around here more enjoyable. More energy leaves my body, and I am sure it will stop me flying for even longer.

After removing my hand, I rise and face Zacharias. “I want to go and see Ethan.”
 

“It is not a great idea.” His shoulder length, grey hair tosses as he shakes his head. “You should not go anywhere near him until you have completely recovered, and you have company.”
 

“Can’t you be my company?”

His eyes study Ben and Cindy, and he tilts his head in their direction. “You should wait for them.”

“I think they will be a little while yet, and I am sure Ethan is confused. Has anyone explained to him what has happened and where he is?”

The grey hair tosses again with the sudden side movement from the shake.
 

“I need to check on him, for his sake and mine. He probably thinks he has been kidnapped.”

“That’s because he has,” Zacharias grumbles. “Let him believe that.” He waves a dismissive hand in his left direction.
 

I point at that wall. “So, he’s in that direction then?”

He slumps his shoulders and grumbles. “You’re insufferable.”

“Well, if you don’t tell me, you know I am going to search to find him.” I raise an eyebrow. “You did hear Archangel Gabriel say he was my true human love for three lives, didn’t you? You know that I have to check on him.”

He shakes his head, and his green eyes glower at me.
 

I raise both hands in the stop sign. “You know I am not going to do any of the romantic stuff. Surely you trust me to not do that. I just need to check that he is okay. He is still dear to my heart even though we can’t be together now.”

He grumbles again, and I have trouble deciphering it. He pushes past me toward the door. After opening it, he leans on the frame, turns and calls to me. “Are you coming or what? I am not going to let you search all day for him wasting good training time.” With his hand, he indicates to follow. “Come on, I will take you to his room.”

Excited, yet apprehensive at the same time I follow him. Last time Ethan saw me it was a big shock for him, and we had Ben’s company making it an inept reunion. Then after finally convincing him it was me, I had to wipe his memory. Now I have to go through all that again, only this time I don’t have to wipe his memory, and he is no longer an Innocent. I am hoping that Zacharias will not stand over me and watch; I think this is going to be awkward enough. We turn left and travel through the grey stone corridor. After passing a few large stone doors that were sealed we reach an area that looks familiar and stop outside the doorway.