Page 33 of Wicked Savior
“We’re the same height,” Arden tells him. “I’m so used to towering over other women. I can’t believe I didn’t notice when we met.”
I silently curse myself. Probably because I’d grown a couple of inches in the last hour. Being in Theia’s presence brought out a little bit of the goddess in me. Now I’ll have to remember to keep this height.
He hums. “You’re usually very observant, gorgeous.” The smile he gives her is filled with seductive sweetness, like the richest dark chocolate in the world. “Would you like to join us on the top level?” He looks at me and points to the second level.
I follow his eyes and see Daire, Valerian, Theron, and Fallon seated at a large booth, watching our every move.
“Sorry, I’m feeling a bit tired. I’ll grab a glass of water and go to bed.”
As I walk away, I hear him whisper “lie” in Arden’s ear.
ChapterEighteen
LUCIFER
Vargas sends the coordinates to my mind, and I can’t help but roll my eyes. Gabriel is holding Ishkova on the mountains of Ararat. The same mountains where humans believe Noah’s ark landed after the great flood. It could be, but I don’t know. By the time the flood receded, I was fighting my way through the ranks of the Underworld and didn’t give a damn about the few survivors.
As a meeting place, it’s a subtle, but effective, reminder of what can happen to the people here. Gabriel loves symbolism more than most angels. It bleeds into all the messages he carries to the people.
When I land beside him, Gabriel doesn’t look the least bit surprised.
He waves a hand toward the snow-capped mountain in front of us. “It’s a good place to meet, don’t you think? The greatest symbol of benevolence and faith. A glorious spot designated as the great reset. Or the rebirth of the human race.” An ugly tone enters his voice, and his eyes dart to mine. “I hate it, don’t you?”
Startled to hear the word hate come out of his mouth, I turn from the mountain to him. “I hate all the reminders. I’m surprised to hear those words come out of your mouth, though.”
He continues to stare at the mountain. “It was literally my job to know the people, bring them messages, and build their faith. I knew every single soul. Good and bad. I knew their children and their children’s children. Every generation since the first humans walked the Earth. They knew me. When the flood happened, whose name do you think they cried out when they received no answers to their prayers?” He pauses. “Even now. I hear them calling to me.”
“How many did you save?”
He shakes his head. “None. I’m a servant, not a god. It’s not up to me who lives and dies.” He finally turns to face me and not the mountain. “Did you save any?”
I cross my arms. “I saved any who were brave enough to go through a portal to find a new life.” The corners of my mouth turn down. “Very few were willing. They believed the water would stop and they would be saved.”
“The same thing could happen again. If evil rises up and takes over the world, do you honestly think the end won’t come for them all? It’s why I fight every day to make sure things stay in balance.” Gabriel’s voice rises with each word. “Evolution needs to happen naturally. It can’t be forced.”
I tilt my head and give him a droll look. “Are we moving from your sad story to Evren now?”
His head rears back. “How well do you know her and what she’s doing? Druids can’t be entrusted with humanity’s survival.”
I paste a blank expression on my face. “Tell me why, and I’ll consider helping you.”
His fist clenches. “I can’t. You aren’t to be trusted with humanity, either.”
“This is going nowhere. Give me Ishkova and do what you think you have to do. But I warn you, Evren’s under my protection, and I’ll protect her from anyone you send after her, including yourself. I was lenient once, but I won’t be again.” I emphasize every word, so he knows I’m serious.
Gabriel starts pacing back and forth, his desperation apparent with every step. “We believe there is a purpose for everything under Heaven, right? If so, then the decision is already made. The race is on the decline. Let it stay that way. If they aren’t surviving, there’s a reason. It’s the foundation of everything we believe in.”
I snort at the use of the word “we.” “You don’t know me. Not anymore. You lost that privilege long ago. Where is Ishkova?”
He whirls around and throws up his arms. “You’re picking the wrong side again.”
Furious, I stalk toward him and grab his shirt in my fist. “I didn’t pick a side the last time. I was given an order by you. Because I trusted you, I lost everything. My entire world. My family. The grace and love I’d been given.”
He scoffs. “I might have suggested it would be good to have him gone, but I didn’t order you. You took it upon yourself to kill Satan. You knew you could, so you did it. Our savior. Getting rid of the great evil. All you could think about was the glory you would get for saving us all.”
The ground rumbles under our feet. My anger increases along with my voice. “You betrayed me! I thought I had his blessing, but you manipulated the situation until it suited your outcome. You were my commander, my brother, and my friend. I looked up to you. Trusted you. Look at where that got me. I’ll never believe another word that comes out of your mouth. The only thing I live for is the day you fall. Then, you’ll be mine.”
He laughs hysterically. “You seem to have come out of it fine.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Look at all the power you have now. Practically a god yourself. Back then, you were an angel rising through the ranks, a lowly foot soldier.”
