Part 21 (1/2)

”We,” Jedrick amended, nodded his acknowledgment to the angels who moved with them. To Milo, he said, ”You will have a head start. Use it.”

The Messenger's wings s.h.i.+fted restlessly, then rose defensively as a volley of stones was flung their way. ”I can't think of another delivery I'd rather make today,” he a.s.sured. ”I'll be ready.”

After a brief skirmish, they gained the entrance, putting them back within reach of the blizzard. The short winter day was ending, so the sting of driven snow hurled into them out of the darkness. Jedrick crossed blades with a screeching demon whose tattered wings dragged uselessly upon the ground, while another of the cherubim squared off with a squat demon with a glittering dagger. ”Make ready!” the Captain shouted.

Milo wheeled in time to see Tamaes launch out of the inner recesses of the cavern, his orange wings tucked close around his precious cargo. Immediately, the Messenger let slide the restraints that became second nature to Grafts. Holding nothing back, his face shone like lightning, filling every nook and cranny of the pa.s.sage with a radiance borne of heaven. Those Fallen who were nearest cried out and stumbled backward, but Tamaes's urgent gaze zeroed in on Milo. Seizing the opportunity his teammate's short burst created, the Protector flung his wings wide and charged right over the top of the mingled ranks. A few weapons stabbed blindly upward, but other angels intervened, knocking aside their blows.

Stumbling to his knees before the Messenger, Tamaes sucked in his breath, then gently shook his pa.s.senger. ”Ephron, we are here. You need to go with Milo now.”

”Milo?”

”Right here,” answered the Messenger, catching hold of the Observer's hand. ”Upsy-daisy!” The transfer was clumsy, but Ephron soon had his arms wrapped tightly around Milo's neck. Bouncing on the b.a.l.l.s of his feet, he stretched wide his blue wings. ”It's been a while since I had a pa.s.senger,” he confessed. ”Bear with me?”

Jedrick's voice cut him off. ”Fly to Abner!”

Taking a deep breath, Milo prepared to hurl himself into the storm, but to his amazement, the winds stilled and the sky opened up, giving him a clear view of the sky overhead.

”What happened?” Ephron asked, turning his head this way and that.

”Abner happened,” Milo replied with a grin. ”Thanks be to G.o.d for His mercy ...” The Messenger trailed off with a stunned, ”Have mercy!”

The Observer's hold tightened so that he was practically throttling his friend. ”What do you see?” he asked tensely.

”Abner,” Milo replied distractedly.

”Go!” growled Jedrick, giving the startled Messenger's shoulder a shove.

Milo obediently took flight, and one after another, the six cherubim Sent to watch over him followed suit. Jedrick also soared skyward, then turned to check for pursuers, wings widespread as he surveyed the scene just below. He gestured broadly for Prissie's Guardian to follow, but his expression quickly s.h.i.+fted into one of dismay. ”Tamaes!” Jedrick urgently called. ”Behind you! Fly!”

Creeping shadows coalesced, catching at the auburn-haired angel's ankles and winding through his wings. Before the Guardian could jerk free, spines encircled him from behind, the decrepit wingtips locking around him in a creaking cage. ”h.e.l.lo, Tamaes,” a smooth voice greeted.

”Adin,” Tamaes stiffly acknowledged.

”Ever the fool,” his former comrade said smugly. ”How does it feel to be betrayed by the One you serve?”

Tamaes's features hardened into grim lines. ”Is that what you think?”

”I know it!”

”Then you are the fool,” the Guardian calmly retorted, despite the crus.h.i.+ng grip that prevented him from raising his sword.

”The G.o.d of heaven Sent you into darkness,” Adin mocked, his eyes flas.h.i.+ng briefly to the seven cherubim hovering just overhead. With a sneer, he dragged Tamaes backward, promising, ”In darkness you shall remain.”

16.

THE.

ROUGH.

NIGHT.

Usually, Prissie loved a long day of puzzles and board games, but she was having the worst time fitting in with her family's diversions. She could feel the long looks Koji was sending her way, but so far, she'd been dodging them. Momma noticed the difference. ”Are you feeling okay, sweetie?”

”I'm fine.” It wasn't exactly a lie, but it felt like one. Managing a brighter expression, she said, ”I think I'll follow Tad's example and take a little nap.”

Her mother relaxed. ”I might do the same. Go on, then.”

Prissie slipped from the kitchen, escaping up the back stairs, but she didn't go all the way to her room. Instead, she chose a spot halfway up and sat on a step, hugging herself in the dim pa.s.sage. The storm seemed to have smothered all the sunlight, but it wasn't as dark as her dream had been. s.h.i.+vering at the memory, she bowed her head and wished for a way to know what was happening to her friends.

A soft sound made her glance up, and she saw Koji peeking his head around the corner below, his dark eyes uncertain as he gazed up at her. With a sigh, she waved him over, and he tiptoed lightly up to join her on the stairs. ”Why are you grieving?” he asked.

”The place where Ephron is,” she ventured. ”It's dark there.”

He c.o.c.ked his head quizzically, but replied, ”Yes.”

”I saw,” she explained, then shook her head. ”I mean ... I couldn't see.”

Koji's eyes widened somewhat, but then his gaze softened. ”When did you meet?”

”This morning. Just before... .”

Nudging closer, he asked, ”Were you afraid?”

”A little.” Leaning her arm against his, she mumbled, ”Or ... a lot. I still am.”

”Why?” the young angel inquired. ”We have been Sent.”

Knotting her fingers together, she asked, ”Do you know what's happening?”

”No.”

”Don't you usually keep up with each other ... somehow?” she pressed. ”I thought you could talk to each other in your heads ... or something?”

”Neither Harken nor Milo have conferred with me this day,” Koji reported gravely. ”Would you like me to see if they have good tidings?”

”Would you?” she pleaded. ”Something's strange about today. I don't like this storm!”

”Indeed,” he agreed. ”I will see if anyone is listening.”