Page 129 of Crimson Promises
Michael held up his hand. Lightning looked as if it flashed behind his eyes.
“On top of that, I find you boxing and then lazing about riding that trinket.”
Did he really just call a Ducati a trinket?
“I wasn’t lazing about, Mich?—”
“Save it for someone who gives a shit about your pathetic life. We had a deal, and unless you no longer thirst for the power I can offer you, I would recommend sticking to the duties as they have been assigned to you as part of our covenant.”
I bowed my head in reverence. “Yes, sir.”
I had worked with Michael long enough to recognize there were times he seemed compassionate. Now was not one of those times. Today, the general of Heaven’s armies was here to extract information and provide orders.
Lucky me.
“I want all pertinent information you have on the necklace, the demon attacks, and your suspicions about Lucifer.”
Michael could not find out that I had shared my suspicions that Aurora was adimidiumto her. Hell, he didn’t even know that I suspected that’s who she was. He knew why the entirety of the underworld was after Aurora, but like usual, he liked to play those cards close to his chest. So could I.
“Of course. I’ll share everything I know.”
He tapped his foot, waiting for my answer.
“I narrowed down the window. Aurora's necklace went missing the night she was attacked. I scoured the trip-state areas for information: I revisited the crime scene, talked to the police, and even visited pawn shops. The man who stole it abused alcohol, and someone whom I spoke with indicated that he was willing to do or say anything to help fund his next high. They seemed to believe it would be doubtful of us to track down the item of value. I tend to agree with him. It’s probably changed hands more than a few times. Don’t you think it’s time we called off the search? Is it really that worth it?”
It was a reminder of her love for her unborn daughter: a bond they had forged during the nine months in her womb. But why the necklace was so important to Michael still eluded me.
He gave me a bitter smile.
“It is none of your concern to determine if it ‘really worth it’ as you so casually put retrieving the necklace. All you need to know is that I’ve ordered you to retrieve a simple gold necklace, and each time we meet, all you have for me are excuses. You are an angel, a fallen one at that, but you have skills that should make locating something so simple an easy feat. Or are you insinuating that your failure to commit a simple task is proof that you are incapable of guarding Aurora and, therefore, not worthy of The Gifted ability I have assured you I would grant to you?”
“Consider it done,” I answered tightly. Beneath my skin, I seethed to wipe that terse expression off Michael's face. It was moments like this that reminded me why I had made this deal in the first place. The archangels needed to be knocked down a few pegs. I longed to see them answering to those who they had treated like slaves and scum. The image of a groveling Azrael at my feet helped reign in my emotions.
Michael was keenly observant, and the last thing I needed to do was give him more power over me than he already had.
“That’s the type of can-do attitude I like to hear,” Michael stated. “Don’t you have more updates to provide? Or is the high altitude scrambling with your already minor brain cells?”
What was with this guy today?
Michael was usually curt, focused on the facts, and didn’t care for small talk or bonding experiences, but the cruelty and taunting weren’t typically hismodus operandi. Today, Michael had what looked to be faint purplish circles under his eyes. His white wings which normally stood glorious and tall, drooped as if they were desperate for a rest even in the uncomfortable reaches of the mountain.
“You alright?” The words were out of my mouth before I could suck them back in.
“I’m fine, Caelum, not that my well-being is any of your concern.”
I’d bet the one rare magical object I had that he was lying, but he was right. It wasn't my concern. This was a professional meeting, not a friendly catch-up session.
“Oo-kay.”
“Let’s move this along. The longer you take to update me, the longer that Aurora is alone and vulnerable.”
My limbs locked. “Did something happen?”
If we were on level ground, I could have sworn his lips curved upwards ever so slightly. But that wasn’t possible. Michael didn’t display signs of emotions, especially positive ones. The elevation was the culprit.
“No. Nothing happened. Aurora's fine. Sleeping, I think.”
I hope he didn’t realize where she was ‘sleeping.’
