Page 242 of Crimson Promises
Michael closed his eyes briefly before narrowing at them.
Okay, wrong thing to say.
A woman with platinum blonde hair circled me. “Such a peculiar question from a creature we have just breathed new life into.”
I drop into a bow. “My question was never intended to be taken as an insult. It is an honor to be given a second chance at life. I acknowledge how rare a feat that is and how benevolent of you all to grant me such an opportunity.”
Her nails were painted a deep citrine color. She dragged that nail horizontally from one shoulder blade to another. My dick twitched at the contact. Quickly, I interlocked my hands and let them drop in front of my waist.
Michael’s voice popped into my head.“Be careful of that one.”My gaze almost snapped to Michaels.I can hear his voice in my mind.I cast my eyes to the floor in deference, but really, it was not to shoot daggers at Michael.
“We have created a rather impeccable form,” she muttered. Whether it was to herself or the rest of the angels, I couldn’t tell. The pointed tip of her nail felt eerily like a blade as it made its way over the curve of my ass.
I tried not to shift from foot to foot.
“Come, Zera,” said the angel with brown curls called Uriel.
“I’ll be seeing you later,” she said low enough for only me to hear.
Ick.I’d rather be caught dead than spend any time near these beings.
“Careful,”Michael warned in my head.
I schooled my features into a show of reverence.
Azrael, the pompous prick, stepped forward, so I had no choice but to make eye contact with him. “Nice to see you again, Caelum.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
“I see that death hasn’t managed to erase your attitude towards authority.”
“It is just part of my winning personality,” I smirked at him.
Zera fanned herself. “Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?”
“Let’s see if this winning personality can learn to express some gratitude for being re-made into a—Guardian Angel."
The heaviness of that statement hung in the air.A Guardian Angel? Me?
The weight of those words settled heavily on my chest. To be a Guardian Angel, vested with powers I had only dared to dream of, placed me in an entirely different realm of existence. I had entered into my agreement with Michael for precisely this kind of elevation—to be counted among the Gifted, to possess an influence that would allow me to tear down the very fabric of the Council's dominion.
It was a vendetta, a deeply rooted desire for retribution that had consumed me, driven by years of witnessing the Council's corruption and arrogance. Yet, I had put those ambitions aside, shelving them deep within the recesses of my soul, all for Aurora.
Yet now, standing at the very core of the power structure, the universe dangled before me the very thing I had so long yearned for. Neither Lucifer, with his cunning and deceit, nor The Originals, with their self-proclaimed divinity, truly deserved their thrones of power. The temptation to reclaim my vendetta, to act on those suppressed desires, clawed at my insides, pulling me in two opposing directions.
I shook my head, trying to dispel the conflicting emotions. That road paved with revenge and chaos was a path I had vowed not to tread again. Aurora had changed everything. Her safety, her happiness, her future—they came first. No matter the power or influence handed to me.Who are you trying to convince?
Sachiel, a striking female angel with flowing blue hair and eyes that mirrored the ocean’s depths, stepped forward. "Do you understand the gravity of this new role, Bennett?"
I nodded, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I do."
If following this path was what it took to reunite with Aurora, I would do anything. And if what Chamuel said was true, Lucifer would have had to free Aurora. Lucifer was many things, but he never went back on his word. Ever.
Hope ignited a flame within my heart.
She studied me for a moment longer, assessing my sincerity, then gave a curt nod. "Very well. You will be guided and trained. Your journey as a Guardian Angel will begin shortly.”
Azrael stepped next to Sachiel, “Understand, Caelum, that with this role, you are a soldier of Heaven as a member of the Gifted class. Failure to abide byanyof these terms is punishable by death, the permanent kind this time. My caliph can always use slicing another Gifted in half.” His reference to Jos was not lost on me. It took everything I had to remain as still as a sphinx. “Another war is brewing. Lucky for you, you’ll be on the winning side this time. Any intelligence that you come across must be brought to your superiors.” His gaze flicked to my wrist before meeting my eyes. There was no way he would know. No one knew what it meant. Not even Michael. “Additionally, Michael and Cass have decided to work with you on establishing an assembly to begin hearing the grievances of Ordinaries, to see how we can better support them in the community, blah blah blah.”
