Page 78 of Destined for Eternity
Jeriel moved over to Zoe’s corpse, no emotion reflecting in his gaze. “I’ll have someone put her body in cold storage for now. Her daughter can decide what to do with her later.”
“How many others are dead?” Bartol asked.
Jeriel’s lips thinned. “Two nerou and a few lower caste angels. We were considerably outnumbered once again, despite our precautions, but it could have been worse.”
Countless bodies were scattered everywhere, thicker than after their battle in Alaska. Distracted by the prince, Bartol hadn’t been able to help his father. It must have been overwhelming. Raguel had been forced to execute hundreds of demons on his own, and though the angels were also able to help by exorcising the humans, it was still a lot.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t assist you more,” Bartol said to his father, bowing his head. It bothered him that he’d only fought one while the others had battled so many. Perhaps they’d have had even fewer losses if he’d executed the prince more quickly.
Raguel shook his head. “You did more than enough, son.”
“And we owe you a debt of gratitude,” Jeriel added, gesturing at the dead prince. “If you hadn’t distracted that one right away, he would have gone straight for the nerou and killed them all. After that, he might have gone on to locate and kill the rest around the world as well.”
The nerou with foresight nodded. “That is what I saw in my visions.”
Bartol felt regret over the losses and shock over what might have happened if he hadn’t succeeded against the prince, but he couldn’t miss the opportunity to gain something for himself from of all this. He did have his priorities as a father. “Are you grateful enough to waive my daughter’s duties to serve you?”
Jeriel barked out a laugh. “Nice try, but no. What I can do is allow her to choose her assignment when the time comes, if that helps.”
It wasn’t enough, but it was something. “Very well.”
Lucas returned and narrowed his eyes at the archangel. “These demons…” He paused to sweep his arms out and gesture at the dead hosts. “Why have they been this determined to attack us repeatedly? There is far more going on here than you’re telling us.”
“It’s complicated,” Jeriel said, working his jaw.
“We’re tired of your secrets,” Lucas growled, golden eyes blazing. “If we’re going to keep assisting you, then you cannot keep hiding the truth from us any longer.”
He was voicing Bartol’s same thoughts.
Raguel cleared his throat. “I think it’s time they know the truth.”
He nodded at his father. “Yes, please.”
“I haven’t been authorized…” Jeriel began.
Yerik appeared before them, flashing from wherever he’d been in the ravaged compound. His kilt was a little worse for wear after the battle, but the powerful man didn’t appear to have many wounds on him. “I don’t care if you’re authorized or not. If you want any more of our help, you’re gonna tell us what the hell is going on. My son has been manipulated and used by demons because of you people putting him in harm’s way. I’m damn well not going to put up with it any longer without an explanation.”
The daimoun was a fearsome sight to behold when he was angry. Most of the time, he preferred to stay out of angel politics and live his life quietly, but every once in a while he drew the line, especially when it came to Tormod. He’d been one of the top leaders who’d orchestrated the supernaturals coming out to the world, using it as a distraction while a small group of them invaded Purgatory to free the nerou. Yerik would do anything to protect his son. It was impressive he’d held back from complaining this long.
A flash of nervousness crossed Jeriel’s eyes. A nephilim might not have the strength to kill an archangel, but the daimoun was old, and he was half demon and half angel without any human side to weaken him. He’d proven his ability to fight powerful foes before, and everyone knew it.
“Very well, I’ll tell you.” Jeriel paused, resettling his cowboy hat on his head. “The demons claim we broke the treaty by banishing and killing those who came to Earth by lawful means. Until we agree to new terms that allow them a place on the mortal plane, they will keep attacking everywhere they can.”
Lucas drew his brows. “Did you break the treaty?”
Jeriel cleared his throat. “That is one interpretation, but we argue otherwise.”
“Damn idiots,” Yerik cursed. “You should have told us about this sooner.”
Bartol rubbed his face. No matter how he looked at it, his daughter was going to grow up in a world with demons. He didn’t like it—not at all. They shouldn’t have been kept in the dark about such a serious matter, especially since it affected nephilim and their offspring more than anyone.
“I agree with you.” Jeriel gave them a sympathetic look. “But it was not my call to make. The others wanted to wait until a new treaty was drawn up before informing anyone.”
Yerik’s brows lifted. “You’re actually negotiating with them?”
The archangel nodded. “A date has been set for one week from now. All that is left is to prepare the location where both parties will meet.”
“Please don’t tell me it’s going to be in Alaska,” Bartol said, grimacing.
