Fallen Angel

Chapter 17.2

Gabriël ran into the library and closed the door behind him. The fireplace lit itself as he stepped towards it. He looked into the roaring flames, outrage and ache distorting his heart at what he'd overheard Joan say to Hypatia. Those awful words about how he made her feel now... They echoed in his head.
Gabriël slammed his fist into the carvings above the fireplace. His skin barely showed the damage, but the bird carving was not so lucky. Small chips broke off and fell into the fire, making it crackle.
The Archangel didn't know what to do. He felt angry. Not at Joan, but at himself. Because he knew she was right. Of course she was. He wasn't the same anymore. The old dutiful Messenger would never have agreed to a pact with the Devil himself. But that person had also never known love. Not really. If he had changed, it was because Joan had inspired that change within him. He was more rebellious than before, more strong-willed, more... well, just more. So maybe he was a little angry with her because he'd done everything for her. And their baby. How could she resent him for loving them?

Gabriël dropped into a lounge chair and traced the outline of what remained of his rune with his finger. He had to believe that his vow to his Lord was still strong enough to hold on to it. Michael's proposal came back to mind. What effect would him becoming Lord Protector have on the vow he made to Lucifer? He had promised him his sword and service, but he never said he would actually stand by his side, did he? Then again, he couldn't very well be up in the Vale if he was sworn to the Devil. The other Archangels would never accept it.
Whatever he did, he would not lie to them. He wouldn't be another Michael. The whole point of him taking Michael's place was to correct his wrongs. And there was Joan to consider, too. Lucifer had vowed to keep her safe. If he considered Gabriël had broken his vow, he and Joan would become targets. It was too great a risk.

All of a sudden, a white light flashed throughout the Sanctum. Gabriël turned his head to the door. He heard footsteps and voices approaching fast. Agitated voices. Anne and Thomas. And... Raphael? Gabriël was barely back on his feet when the three of them barged into the library.

"Gabriël! Thank the Heavens, you're here!" Raphael hurried over and threw his arms around the surprised Archangel's neck.

"Rafe? What are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see you. I just wasn't expecting you."

Thomas chuckled. "We bumped into him outside, wandering aimlessly to find the entrance of the Sanctum."

"I've never been here before. I wasn't exactly sure where it would be," muttered the physician, his cheeks blushing red.

"Aha, sure."

"Excuse us," said Anne, poking her husband with her elbow. "We need to attend to some things."

"Yes, of course. Oh, wait! I almost forgot," said Raphael. "We examined the dagger you sent us. No trace of poison whatsoever."

The Nephilim both let out a sigh of relief. The news couldn't have come at a better time for them. There was nothing standing in Thomas and Hypatia's way of treating Adeline with their own medicine and magic. 

"Rafe, why are you here?" asked Gabriël as the couple left him and Raphael alone in the library. "What's happened?"

"I should ask you that. Michael left after he got your message."

"Oh, Lord, please tell me he went to see Samael first."

"He said he was going to, but if Samael refused to help, he would attempt to reach the Dream Realm on his own."

Gabriël grunted in frustration. That stupid fool!

"It's well past noon now," continued Raphael, "and I still haven't heard from him since he left at dawn. He told me to come to you if that was the case, and I dared not delay any longer."