Page 56 of Wicked Angel
Inside, the tower was eerily quiet, the usual bustle of angelic activity replaced by a tense stillness that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. My guards led me through corridors of polished white stone, past many flights of pristine white stairs, past chambers where important decisions had been made for millennia, now empty and silent.
Finally, we reached a set of ornate double doors, carved with scenes from Elysium's earliest days. Two more guards stood at attention there, and they opened the doors as we approached, revealing the vast chamber beyond.
The Celestial Audience Hall had always been impressive—a circular space with a domed ceiling that mirrored the stars above Elysium, walls of pure crystal that caught and amplified the light. But my attention wasn't on the architecture. It was on the figures waiting inside.
Rhodes stood at the far end of the room, resplendent in armor of silver and gold, his wings—usually hidden like most angels'—fully extended behind him in a display of power and authority. Beside him, Haines watched with cold satisfaction as I was marched forward.
And kneeling on the floor before them, bound with the same glowing shackles that encircled my wrists, were four figures that made my heart stop in my chest.
“Ariella,” Rhodes greeted me, his voice silky with false warmth. “How good of you to join us. I believe you know everyone here.”
21
My heart poundedin my chest as I stared at the prisoners kneeling before Rhodes.
My mother's face, so familiar yet lined with new worry. Adriel, my beautiful, stubborn sister, her eyes wide with shock at my appearance. Ezekiel, beaten and bloody, his wings damaged in a way that made my own back ache with phantom pain.
And Adona herself, the leader of Elysium, her eyes unfocused and glazed, her movements sluggish as if she'd been drugged.
“Mother,” I whispered, unable to help myself.
Sanvi's eyes filled with tears. “Ariella,” she breathed, her voice cracking with emotion. “My baby girl.”
Rhodes strode between us, cutting off our line of sight. “Touching,” he said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “The traitor reunited with her family. Almost makes one forget the blood on her hands.”
I wanted to lunge at him, to wipe that smug expression off his face with my fists, my sword, my magic—anything. But the shackles around my wrists dampened my power, and even if they hadn't, attacking now would be suicide. Not with my family and Adona so vulnerable, not with Haines standing guard, not when I had no idea where the dagger was.
So I swallowed my rage, forced my face into a mask of calm. “The only blood on anyone's hands is yours, Rhodes.”
He laughed, the sound echoing off the crystal walls of the chamber. “Still defiant, even in defeat. I've always admired that about you, Ariella. It's a shame you chose the wrong side in this.”
“I'm sorry,” Ezekiel's voice came from behind Rhodes, ragged with pain and regret. “Ariella, I'm so sorry. They caught me trying to take more lilies. I tried to fight, but—” He broke off with a wince as Haines kicked him in the ribs.
“Quiet, traitor,” Haines snapped.
“It's not your fault,” I told Ezekiel, my voice firm despite the fear squeezing my heart. “You did everything you could.”
Rhodes clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and jarring in the tense silence. “Well, as touching as this reunion is, we have business to attend to.” He gestured to the guards still flanking me. “Bring her.”
I was pushed roughly forward, past my kneeling family, toward a set of doors on the far side of the chamber. They opened onto a wide balcony that overlooked a courtyard below. There, a sea of angels had gathered—some in the silver armor of the Guardians, others in the plain clothing of ordinary citizens. Their faces turned upward as Rhodes stepped onto the balcony, me at his side, my guards ensuring I couldn't make any sudden moves.
“Angels of Elysium!” Rhodes's voice boomed out, amplified by magic to reach every corner of the assembly. “Today marks the beginning of a new era for our realm!”
Cheers rose from his supporters, while others in the crowd shifted uneasily, exchanging worried glances.
“For too long, we have been weakened by false leadership,” Rhodes continued, gesturing grandly. “By those who would have us serve humans and lesser supernaturals, rather than rule as is our right.”
More cheers, louder this time.
“But that time is ending. Today, we take back our power, our pride, our rightful place in the order of things.” He turned, grabbing my arm and shoving me forward to the edge of the balcony. “And we begin by bringing to justice those who have betrayed us from within!”
The crowd below rippled with movement as they recognized me, whispers spreading like wildfire through their ranks.
“Ariella, once a guardian of Elysium, revealed her true nature when she murdered her entire squadron five years ago!” Rhodes declared, his voice ringing with righteous fury. “Recently, she killed her mentor, Archangel Ylena, and plotted to overthrow our very way of life!”
Boos and jeers rose from the crowd, along with shouts of “Traitor!” and “Death to the betrayer!” But not everyone joined in. I could see confusion on some faces, doubt on others. Not everyone believed Rhodes's version of events.
“But her treachery ends today!” Rhodes continued, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. “She will face angelic justice for her crimes, and Elysium will be cleansed of her corruption!”
