Page 95 of Bad Moon Rising
“Like I said before, I made a call. Informed my boss you weren’t grounded enough in this world to continue to do what needed to be done. For the past few years, you lost a lot of yourself. Too much. You started to drift. Nova became a reason to exist and a way to rebuild your soul. Seems He liked that.”
“Your god wants me to be with Nova?”
“You need to grab ahold of this gift and don’t let go. Don’t fight what was given to you.” Zadkiel’s gaze didn’t deviate from its stare at the pulpit.
“Okay, I didn’t fight it the first time. I was ordered to hunt her down and kill her. One of us had to die, and she organized it to be her. Now she has to stay away from me or risk being exposed to those that pull my strings.”
The angel chuckled. “Why do you think He chose her? There are others of your kind in the world who could’ve been your match.” When Roman said nothing, the angel sighed. “She can wield powerful elemental magic on top of being lycan.” The angel’s eyebrows rose as if Roman should get it.
“Wait. So, now it was all some sort of elaborate test? That doesn’t resolve the issue that she has to be dead in the eyes of those who hold my leash.”
“Are you dense? She can will herself invisible. If she doesn’t want anyone to see her, then no one will. Maybe she doesn’t remember she can do that, but if she asks the annoying mage for some training, then she can relearn it. The girl is also a decent fighter. It’s handy to have someone with those kind of skills on your team. She can help you and hold her own if you can get over yourself to let her fight. Face it, she’s perfect for you.” He clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Love’s a bitch. Believe me, I know.”
“Thanks,” he whispered.
“You and I aren’t that different, Roman.” He lowered his voice. “We’re both tethered to a master that sends us on difficult tasks at whim. There’s purpose to our missions, but it can be tedious to always be at the mercy of another’s orders.”
He nodded gravely. “Who is your God? Is he Zeus or someone different? I can’t quite align how he fits into everything.”
“Is it a he? Or it is a she? It’s more an it, but historically called He. God, Allah, Zeus, Odin, Ahura Mazda, Marduk… They’re all members of the same species. Their power lies in the belief of their supporters. Honestly, I’m too tired for a philosophical debate.”
“That helps me understand why I can call upon other gods, especially the Greek ones. That they’re all valid in their own right. I do have a question for you before you go. Not sure you can answer or if you need to leave now that you did your thing.”
“About what?”
“What do you know about Antonio’s Alliance group?”
He cast a glance upward. “They’re legit in idea, but they…” He pursed his lips. “They’ve got funding and enough non-human recruits, but they lack experience and balls.”
“I was skeptical Antonio would risk getting his pearly hands as bloody as is sometimes necessary to destroy most evil creatures, especially the demons and nastier of the witches.” He shook his head and chuckled. “He’s jealous that I know you.”
“That’s cute. I’ve never been a huge fan of vampires.” Zadkiel examined his hands. “Not saying he’s evil. It’s the blood drinking that gets to me.”
“I’m not sure if I should ask them for help with a little problem I have. Many of the dangerous items that I’ve lifted off supernaturals over the past few decades, the items that can’t be destroyed, are housed beneath London. I thought them safe, but I discovered one is missing recently. It’s a bad one that I really don’t want to have to track down again, although looks like we have no choice. It means none of the items are safe there.”
“Move them.”
“Any suggestions as to where? You think this Alliance offers a safe place?”
Zadkiel shook his head. “There are too many variables at the Alliance. They lack solid vetting of its members. High risk you’ll be chasing paranormal idiots who try to use one of the magical items. Bad scenario. Build your own safe place. Tell no one but your family.”
“That was my gut instinct. I’ll go with it.” He cocked his head and stared long and hard at the angel. “You doing okay? You seem off.”
The angel sighed and smiled softly. “No one but you ever asks. Humans are either in the middle of their own personal crisis and need me to guide them out, or they want something from me. Other angels really couldn’t care less about each other.”
“You didn’t answer.”
“It’s been a tough few weeks,” he said cryptically.
“If you need help with something, let me know. No scores on who owes who. Friends.” He held out his hand.
The angel shook it. “That means a lot, Roman. I appreciate it. Someday, I might take you up on the offer. Go take control of your life.” He rose and sauntered up the aisle. As he reached the back of the church, he disappeared.
Chapter Thirty
“What’d you and the angel talk about?” Flynn shouted from the rear of the plane as Roman settled into the cockpit.
“Let’s get home, and we’ll talk about it.”
