Page 72 of Destined for Eternity
Chapter 25
Bartol
Bartol shifted from foot to foot, impatient and wary. He was in Russia at another of the nerou training facilities—one he’d hoped never to visit again. Zoe was there. He’d had no desire to see the manipulative woman again, and especially not when he’d rather be with his newborn daughter, but he’d had little choice.
After losing so many nerou in Alaska to the demon attack, Jeriel wasn’t taking chances. He’d waited a week before holding the next graduation, allowing time for a memorial service and to bolster defenses, but the ceremonies had to be completed before the students could move on to their first postings.
The trainees were currently walking the stage one by one, and Bartol was keeping a watchful eye all around them. As of yet, the graduation had gone smoothly. They had nephilim acting as the perimeter guard who would alert them if anything demonic came near the fence. Extra angels were there as well, positioned around the stage. Bartol, his father, and Tormod were behind the seated students and guests. At a moment’s notice, they could jump into the fray should a battle break out.
Raguel stood stiff and solid. He had become more secretive than ever, unwilling to discuss anything related to the demons other than strategies about how to fight them. He’d disappeared for most of the previous day. When he’d returned, he would only say that the archangels had agreed to convert Kerbasi into a demon slayer soon. Bartol doubted that was the only topic of conversation that had come up given such a long absence, but his father would reveal no more on what had occurred during his trip to Heaven.
Zoe sauntered up to join them, stopping close to Bartol as if they were friends. “I can’t believe my daughter didn’t let me attend her graduation. I’ve missed so many milestones in her life, but that was an especially big moment for her. She should have wanted me there.”
She sniffed and dabbed at a tear in her eye.
“This surprises you?” Bartol arched a brow. “Rebecca sees you for what you really are, thankfully.”
“I’m trying to prove myself to her,” Zoe said, lips pouting.
The nephilim woman had long, strawberry-blond hair, fair skin with a golden tint, and a lithe body that had just enough curves to turn most men’s heads—though not his. The outside of her was a facade for the manipulative, self-centered person inside. When they were in Russia the last time, she’d refused to give them critical information about the demons without seeing her daughter first. She never put anyone before her own selfish needs, and he doubted it would ever change.
“I’ve yet to see the proof of that myself,” he replied drolly. “You are as egotistical as ever.”
She sniffed. “Well, I am trying to be better if you all would give me a chance.”
“Why should we?”
“If the demons attack,” she began, then ducked her head so that he couldn’t see her golden eyes. “You won’t have any doubt of my commitment to doing whatever it takes.”
Bartol would have to see it to believe it.
Tormod let out an annoyed sigh—no fan of Zoe himself. “Do you think the demons will strike again?”
Raguel kept his gaze trained on the stage ahead. “It is a distinct possibility.”
“Will you ever tell us why they’re doing this?” Bartol asked.
“Soon.”
That was all he ever gave them as a response lately.
“This is more boring than the last graduation,” Tormod said, toeing the grass with his boot. “I’m glad it’s almost over.”
In fact, they were calling up the final few students. Bartol kept an especially close watch since this was near the point when the demons had attacked in Alaska, if one didn’t count his marriage proposal to Cori. The last nerou crossed the stage and received their scroll certificate. He clapped his hands with the audience as everyone congratulated the students, still keeping an eye on the perimeter fence. The other nephilim, including Lucas and Micah, were a short distance beyond it, but he couldn’t see them from his vantage point. There were too many trees.
“Please,” Jeriel called from the stage. “Join us for refreshments at the tent.”
They’d set up a large, open canopy with tables underneath filled with food and drinks. In Alaska, they’d had the same, but everything had been destroyed in the demon attack before they’d tasted any of it—not that it mattered, considering everything else that had occurred.
Bartol still mourned the ten nerou who’d died that day. He hadn’t been close to any of them, but he’d hated to see their lives snuffed out before they even began. For those who’d had family there, it was even more tragic. The memorial service was one of the most heartbreaking he’d ever attended, and that was saying something for a man his age. Nephilim parents had cried, students broke down at the loss of their long-time friends, and there were many speeches given in remembrance. It took most of the day, but by the end, Bartol felt like he knew most of the victims.
He sucked in a breath and shook himself out of the memory. The guests and nerou graduates made their way over to the tent, not quite as joyful as he’d expected, but he heard whispers among some students as they discussed the last ceremony. Though they might have been away from their brethren for more than a year, all the hybrids had grown up together in Purgatory. They couldn’t just forget their friends’ deaths this soon, or that they might be next. The parents present today were also worried about their children. No one wanted a repeat.
It was quiet and tense for the first few minutes, but then upbeat music began playing from a stereo and speakers set up next to the stage. A few people cracked smiles and livelier conversations began. This group was proud to finally graduate, and rightfully so, but they’d been holding back their elation.
Bartol accepted a cup of lemonade from one of the nerou. He and the others were still standing guard, apart from the celebration, but as time went on with no disturbances, it was tempting to try the food. None of them had been given time to eat that day.
“They better save some cake for us,” Tormod grumbled.
