Page 21 of Destined for Dreams
Bartol grunted, hardly able to believe that line. “If they had any kind of solution, wouldn’t they handle this problem themselves rather than use us as fodder?”
“Remiel says it’s more complicated than that. Apparently, it has something to do with an agreement between Heaven and Hell made nearly ten thousand years ago. Inhabitants of Earth—such as us—must track and identify a full demon before an archangel can step in,” Lucas explained, not appearing any more pleased about it than them.
Melena drew her brows together. “Why would they agree to that?”
Bartol wondered the same thing. He couldn’t imagine what would have compelled them to follow such a measure, even if it was during a different time when men still lived in caves. They’d tied their own hands behind their back when it came to protecting humans, leaving them vulnerable.
“Because in return, Hell agreed to keep their gates shut.” Lucas shook his head. “A few demons make it to us here and there, but the portals separating our two planes of existence are extremely difficult to penetrate. It’s what keeps us from being overrun.”
“When you and the others infiltrated Hell, it nearly happened,” Bartol pointed out.
“That was only because we opened the portal and brought that problem on ourselves.”
He wasn’t there for that battle, but he recalled everyone talking about it. As soon as the gate was shut, the demons stopped coming through and could not open it themselves. In fact, nearly every case of demons making it to Earth was because someone—supernatural or human—summoned them or opened the way. Demons never made it here on their own. Bartol could now see the advantages of the deal the angels had made, though it didn’t help them in this case.
Caius crossed his arms. “None of this matters to me. I’m killing the damned thing if I find it.”
“No, you will not,” Lucas warned, stepping closer to the other nephilim.
Tension thickened the air.
“Hey, guys. We don’t need to fight over this,” Melena said, ever the peace maker.
“How will you stop me when you can’t leave Alaska?” Caius gestured at the band on Lucas’ ankle, magically preventing him from leaving the state. It was punishment for his part in freeing the nerou from Purgatory earlier in the year.
“Let’s not worry about that now,” Bartol said, stepping between the two men. “No one can kill the demon until we find it, and I have every intention of summoning Remiel when that happens.” Especially since there would be disastrous consequences for him if he didn’t—ones he could not risk happening.
He met Lucas’ gaze, and they exchanged a look of understanding. Bartol would keep the nephilim informed, which would hopefully prevent Caius from going on any suicide missions without backup. If his old friend truly wanted to die, he’d find a way eventually, but not yet. Stopping the demon with the right reinforcements came first.
“When can we leave?” Caius asked after a long moment of silence.
“If there were only the two of us, it would take about two days for us to flash to the compound, considering how far it is.” Bartol rubbed his chin. “But with Rebecca and Tormod going as well, it will take even longer to bring them with us. We’d burn twice as much energy transporting them.”
Tormod might be the only nerou who’d shown flashing capabilities so far, but that was only because his father had no human parent—only demon and angel. It made the young man a lot more powerful than his brethren, but he was still very young in immortal years. He couldn’t flash more than a hundred miles or so at a time before he needed to recharge for a day. Tormod couldn’t possibly make it to the nerou compound in Russia on his own without it taking far too long. Alaska might technically be close to the east end of the country, but they were headed toward the west side, northeast of Moscow. It was nearly four thousand miles from Fairbanks.
“They could use your plane,” Melena suggested to her mate. “It’s not as if we’re using it at the moment.”
Lucas moved over to his desk and started making notes. “I’ll speak with my pilot tonight. He’ll need time to prepare the plane and crew, and you’ll need the way cleared with officials in Russia since you’re flying.”
“Couldn’t we just compel them?” Bartol asked.
Melena shook her head. “According to what I’ve heard through DHS, Russia is on top of things since supernaturals came out. I don’t know the specifics, but all the higher ups have made sure they can’t be compelled. They don’t play around over there.”
“They’ve gotta have sensors too, right?” Cori addressed Melena. “Maybe they’re helping the government just like you are.”
“It’s a definite possibility,” Melena agreed.
Lucas looked up from his desk. “Regardless, I’ve got a few contacts who should be able to help. You should be able to leave by early tomorrow afternoon if all goes well. I’ll also need to let Rebecca know of your plans and give her time to prepare herself.”
Bartol wanted that time as well. He needed to take care of a few things before he left, including talking to Cori alone. He could see the questions in her eyes every time he looked at her, though she’d held her tongue rather well so far. Bartol hoped the upcoming separation might bring some clarity for them about their feelings, and what they truly wanted from each other.
He turned to Caius. “How long do you think we’ll be gone?”
“Zoe will insist on having time with her daughter first, probably a few days. After that, I imagine it will likely take up to a week before we can locate the demon. From what I could find out on my own, the creature is moving as soon as his presence is noted, which means Zoe is unlikely to know its precise location.”
Lucas’ features hardened. “She gets forty-eight hours with her daughter. Then you put Rebecca on the plane and send her back to Alaska no matter how much her mother protests.”
“Won’t we need transportation after we’re done in Russia?” Bartol asked.
