Page 70 of Destined for Eternity
Melena grinned. “It’s good to be on that level sometimes.”
“Find another way,” Cori suggested.
“Like what?” Bartol asked.
“The nerou have graduated and will be leaving for their assignments in a few days. Kerbasi will be out of a job. You and your father are the only ones who can kill demons, but what if the guardian could be changed somehow so he could do it, too?”
Raguel stirred. “It is a painful process to alter an angel of any caste, but especially for those designed for duty in Purgatory. They are rather…different.”
Technically, Kerbasi was an angel, but a lesser one.
“How much pain would it involve?” Bartol asked.
“Many hours of agony.”
Something clicked into place, and it settled him. This particular idea appealed to Bartol. He might have to work with the guardian at first to assist in training him, but after that Kerbasi would be able to go on assignments by himself—preferably far away. It would keep the man busy and yet useful for once.
“What are the odds Heaven would allow it?” Bartol asked.
Raguel rubbed his chin. “I cannot say for certain, but the timing is the best it will ever be for such a proposal.”
Melena frowned. “What about the treaty with the demons?”
The archangel’s face became an emotionless mask. “That is complicated.”
“How so?”
Raguel glanced toward the stairs. “I believe I shall go see my grandchild now.”
Before anyone could stop him or ask more questions, the archangel was gone. He’d been pointedly avoiding certain topics since his return. Bartol suspected there were things occurring in Heaven that the rest of them weren’t allowed to know about, but it was getting annoying. They couldn’t be kept in the dark forever.
“That man has got a secret,” Melena said, leaning back in her seat. “And it’s a big one.”
Lucas nodded. “Agreed.”
“So, um, about Kerbasi…” Cori began.
Bartol looked at her. “I’ll let the issue of him attending our child’s birth go for now, but I don’t want him here—end of discussion.”
“Even if he proves himself to you by transforming into a demon slayer?”
He worked his jaw. For the life of him, he couldn’t understand what people saw in the guardian, but he would try under those conditions. Eli was convinced that Kerbasi was the largest part of Bartol’s problem that needed to be resolved. If it would help his relationship with his mate and child, he would at least give it a chance. “We’ll see.”
“It’s getting late,” Melena said, glancing toward the window.
It didn’t get dark until around eleven at night this time of year, so the sun was still shining outside, but it was nearly eight in the evening. Bartol and Cori were both exhausted and had let the guests know they shouldn’t stay too long. Joy had prepared a large dinner, and they’d already had their fill of food. Others had stopped by, including Derrick, Asher and his family with their new baby, as well as Micah and Olivia. All the others had left already.
While the sensor said goodbye to Cori, Lucas walked up to Bartol. “Congratulations with the baby. I hope it all works out and you find happiness.”
“You’re a good friend,” he said, reaching out to shake the nephilim’s hand.
Lucas lifted his brows in surprise before taking Bartol’s hand. It still bothered him to allow others aside from Sybil and Cori to touch him. The contact made his skin crawl, but each time Bartol allowed it, he found it irritated him a little less. Perhaps with time, he would get over it.
As Melena and Lucas were leaving, Raguel came down the stairs, holding Sybil. “She is hungry.”
Cori rushed over to their daughter. “I’ve got her.”
The archangel took one last look at the baby, love shining in his eyes. “I never thought I would have this experience. Thank you.”
