Redeemed by Rubies (A Dance with Destiny Book 6) (33 page)

“…That I don’t deserve what I have,” she whispered.

What it says, Kagi Naga, is that Father favors you. He has plans for you to achieve your destiny, expectations. It means that He wants to see you do what it was you were intended to do.

“Yes.” Rixx nodded. “And if Father is willing to go that far for one flawed, tiny, broken little Angel… what would He give to keep her whole?”

“A trade?” Jenevier laughed. “You actually think
Father
would make a deal with a creature bound in darkness for
my
sake? You are mad, Nephilim.”

“Perhaps… perhaps not. We shall see.” He turned to go. “Oh… but if it
is
true. If Father truly wants you freed from Sheol—if you should choose to go there—then He will have to pluck you out by His own hand. You are all Angel now, Kagi Naga. There will be no escape. Once you step into Sheol, there is no creature in this universe who can save you. Not Michael. Not Daichi. Not even your all-powerful Vindicus. If you go to Sheol, there you will remain.”

Still chuckling, Maza Vespar Rixx slowly disappeared.

*****

“You will
not
go there,” Michael said. “It is out of the question.”

“I didn’t come back here to ask your permission, Brother. I came back here…” She turned to face Apollyon. “…to ask how I could gain entrance.”

“To Sheol?” Apollyon sort of snorted. “Never gonna happen, Anicee.”

“Do not put too much stock in the words of that Rixx creature,” Michael said. “I saw him with my own eyes. He is
not
Nephilim.”

“Then… what is he?”

“Not to be trusted,” Apollyon said. “
That’s
what he is.”

“I know not what he is,” Michael said. “I have never seen his like. I must agree with my darkest brother on this one, Kagi Naga. Rixx cannot be trusted.”

“Then, tell me. Is what he said completely false? Is it not true that if Ahriman can be found nowhere else in the universe, then he
has
to have Lala trapped in Sheol?”

Neither Michael nor Apollyon answered her.

“And is what he said about Sheol not also true?”

“If you mean the part about Angels not being able to enter Sheol,” Michael said. “Then, no. He did not speak true. I can enter Sheol, if I so choose.”

“Any creature can
enter
Sheol,” Apollyon said.

“Yet… they cannot return,” Michael added.

“But, why? Why can an Angel not return from Sheol? It doesn’t make any sense. If I can fight my way out, who’s gonna keep me there?”

“Sheol is forbidden,” Michael said flatly. “If an Angel enters there, all Grace for that creature is forfeit.”

“And just what the hell is
that
supposed to mean?”

Apollyon took her hand. “Your power, my power,
any
Angel’s power is not granted them by their own worth. None of us have earned or deserve it. It is a gift, a divine gift of Grace. An Angel is granted their might through Grace alone. Alas, a gift refused is no gift at all.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning…” The Prince of Hell smiled sweetly. “If you forfeit the gift—the Grace—then it is gone. Thus is the price for breaking the law and entering Sheol.”

“But you go there all the time, Vindicus. Yet, your power remains.”

“And that is because I am
already
damned. I made the decision, Anicee. I fell… of my own free will. My judgment is set in stone, my love. Yours is not. If you willingly choose the path that is forbidden… you sacrifice your Grace.”

“I see. Then… this is my destiny, isn’t it?” Tears filled her ethereal pink eyes. “I wasn’t
born
with these powers. I have simply been borrowing them… borrowing them so that I may fulfill this destiny, pass through this crucible. There are plenty of Angels that
could
rescue Lala, but none that
will
… save me.” She sort of snorted. “I am no Angel. Every creature in the universe agrees with this. And not only that, I was gifted with being the darkest sort of light Angel there can be. I have always loathed being Death, Vindicus. This you well know. If I have to give
that
up to see my granddaughter safe, then there is truly no decision to make at all. Of course I will go. I
want
to go.”

“You will not only sacrifice your Grace,” Michael said. “You will sacrifice your life as well—your very soul.”

Jenevier smiled. “And how could I go on living, knowing that Ahriman was making a nightly feast of my precious Lala? No, Michael. If I do not walk into Sheol of my own free will, then I will fall… and walk into that wretched realm already damned and lost. No… If this is it, if this is truly the end… then I will go out on my
own
terms. I will ensure my grandchild’s safety, then I will wait in the holding cell with the rest of those poor souls… wait until Father decides what
He
wishes to do with me.”

“I will not take you there,” Apollyon whispered softly. “I will not show you the way to Sheol.”

“Not even for your own granddaughter?”

“Not for my son and my granddaughter combined.”

Jenevier jerked her hand free of his. “How can you even
say
such a thing?”

“I love
you
, Anicee. You, and you alone. Have I not told you this before? My heart knew love when I first knew you. There will never be room for another.”

“Not even for your own blood?”

“The fruit of our union was meant as a blessing unto you, my love. Not me. I have enjoyed being around them, yes. I love the way they make
you
happy.”

“Apollyon lost the capacity to love when he chose to fall,” Michael said. “In truth, I’m not completely certain he had the capability while he was yet light. If he did, it remained a secret to us all.”

“You are my miracle, Anicee. My
only
miracle. Do not wish for another. I love
you
… and I will not see you bound in that place.”

“I don’t need your permission,” she spat through gritted teeth. “I will find Sheol on my own. If you feel nothing for your own children, then your love is a worthless thing to me. Consider this our farewell.”

And with that, Jenevier transported away from the palace on Jinn… never to return.

*****

“Rixx! Show your face! Let us be done with this farce. Take me to my granddaughter. Now!”

“No need to shout, Death Angel. I am ever near.”

Rixx appeared atop the largest waterfall in the Valley of Dragons… smiling.

I would beg you to stay
, Nilakanta said.
Burn down this entire layer… if I knew it would keep you ever at my side.

“I know, Brother.” Jenevier hugged and kissed her Dragon’s soft snout. “
You
are the one my heart breaks for… only you. My son will have his family. Yui will go on for the sake of the kingdom. And Daichi is content with his duty as an Arch. Every person I love will be comforted… in time.”

Save me.

“Yes, Nilakanta… save you. You, my most handsome of all Dragons…” Jenevier sniffed and wiped her eyes. “You are my only true regret. If I could ask Father for
one
thing… it would be that the two of us were never parted.”

That is my wish as well, Little Fire. When you leave… I will take to my cave and never again look upon the light of day. You possess my heart and soul, Kagi Naga. Only my shell will remain here in this world, after your departure. I will rest now—sleep until time is no more. Then, I will come to you. Never again shall we part.

“I will wait for you, Nilakanta. Always will I wait for you.”

When the Dragon raised his mighty head, Jenevier wrapped her arms as far as she could across his massive chest. A single giant tear fell—soaking through her clothing and drenching her hair—a heartbeat before she felt his velvety wings wrap about her, pressing her ever closer to his heart.

“Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?”

Jenevier’s breath hitched when she heard her son’s sorrowful voice.

“…Tenshi. How did you—”

“I was listening at your door, Mama. I heard everything.” He pulled her to him as his tears began to flow. “When you disappeared, I knew exactly where I could find you.”

“Did you tell anyone else? Yui or Daichi or—”

“No, Mama. I knew there was no one capable of stopping you. Telling them would have only caused you more pain.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear your father’s dark words, Tenshi. I am sorry I ever allowed him back into our lives. The day he tried to kill you on that battlefield, should have been the last day you ever had to look upon him. Forgive me.” She gently touched his cheek. “But I am glad you were with me in the end, my son. Now I can leave minus that regret.”

“I can do this instead of you, Mama. You know I can. Am I not Angel as well?”

“Yes. You are an Angel
and
a father. Lala will need you and Mika both. I can trust you to always keep her safe. Oh, and about Duhrias…”

“Worry not, Mama. If Lala is truly set on the River Spirit, I will not hinder them.”

Jenevier smiled. “Good. Trifling in affairs of the heart—”

“Never bodes well for the ones we love. Yes, I know.”

“You are such a good boy, Tenshi. A fine Angel, a devoted husband, and a father
any
child would be blessed to know.”

He smiled. “You did right by me, Mama.”

“Take care of Yui for me. Promise?”

“Always, Mama. Always.”

“Oh, and take Taka for me.” She pried the little Dragon Pixie from her neck. “Give him to Lala. They will need each other.” Jenevier kissed her son and turned to face the smiling Nephilim. “I am ready. Show me the way.”

“Simply step through this waterfall, Madam Empress, and Sheol will be opened unto you.”

“You mean… the entrance was
here
all along?”

“The entrance is wherever I choose it to be,” Rixx said, still smiling.

“What are you saying? That
you
are the gateway?”

Rixx nodded his head only once, then appeared at her side. “After you, Milady.”

When her strange escort elegantly waved his hand toward the waterfall, Jenevier took one step… and was violently jerked backwards. She landed on her back in the muddy water’s edge.

“I will
not
let you go!” Michael’s voice echoed loudly throughout the Valley of Dragons.

Jenevier struggled against her collar, to no avail.

“You cannot stop me, Michael!”

“I can, and I will. You are in
my
charge now, Kagi Naga. I will not let you err so.”

“It’s not your decision,” she cried.

“As long as you wear that collar, all your decisions are
my
decisions.”

“Nilakanta!”

Jenevier scrambled to her feet as her Dragon swooped down and gnashed at Michael’s invisible thread with his razor sharp teeth.

Michael smiled. “Chew away, Dragon. This is one cord you cannot cut.”

As Jenevier continued to struggle, she suddenly felt strong hands grasp her curls. Apollyon pulled her against him, locking her there.

“If you wish to fall, Anicee, come. Do it properly. Join me in hell. Together we will free your granddaughter, then you will ever after reign at my side.”

The Prince of Hell’s eyes burned with a terrifying blue fire the likes of which Jenevier had never seen within them before.

“Unhand my mama!”

Jenevier heard her son’s shouts a split second before Apollyon was knocked to the ground. The blue aura now emanating from Tenshi, matched that same terrible pressure she had felt when first she’d met Michael. Jenevier’s mouth fell open when she saw that Apollyon was now pinned to the ground… blood trickling from the corners of his beautiful sapphire eyes.

“Go, Mama!” Tenshi yelled, drawing back her attention. “Run!”

Without another thought, Jenevier spun towards the entrance, only to be jerked back into the water yet again.

“Nilakanta!” Tenshi screamed.

The Dragon immediately abandoned the binding thread and flew straight for the controlling Archangel… fire streaming from his lips as molten lava.

Jenevier seized the opportunity. In the tiny heartbeat of time that Michael was distracted, she dove into the waterfall.

Chapter 21

Sheol

(SHE-ol)

As soon as the water hit her face, Jenevier felt Michael’s cord snap. She rolled end over end into darkness.

“Well now, that was rather exciting. Wouldn’t you say?” Rixx chuckled.

Jenevier spit the mud and dirt out of her mouth. “Take me to Lala.”

“As you wish, Milady. Right this way.”

*****

Ahriman was sitting there… just sitting there, smiling—Lala at his side. Jenevier was so angry she was visibly shaking.

“Let. Her. Go.”

Her voice was so lethally cold, it gave the soul-eater a moment’s pause. Only a brief moment, though.

“Of course.” He smiled happily. “The Princess is free to leave anytime she wishes. As soon as her replacement arrived, that is.”

“Come, child.”

When Jenevier held out her arms, Lala burst into tears and ran to her.

“Obaasan,” she cried. “I am sooo sorry. I didn’t know. I just didn’t—”

“Shhh now, child. All is well. Did he harm you?”

“N-no,” the girl whispered.

Jenevier narrowed her gaze, glaring coldly at the gloating dark Angel.

“If you so much as
touched
a single curl upon her head—”

“It is as the Princess says.” Ahriman stood. “No matter how pitifully she begged and pleaded otherwise… I did not partake of her fruits. Nay, I didn’t even lust for the girl.
She
is not whom I desire.”

“Where is my bracelet?” Jenevier snapped.

“Your bracelet? Oh… you mean this old thing?” Ahriman held it up. “If it is that dear to your heart, here. Take it.”

Jenevier snatched it from the air as Ahriman tossed it. She spun Lala away from the soul-eater and quickly locked that amethyst shackle around her granddaughter’s wrist.

Ahriman chuckled. “I will admit it looks good on the girl, but such measure is useless. Aside from the fact I have absolutely zero interest in her; the spell will not work unless
I
say the words.”

“We shall see,” Jenevier hissed, then grabbed her locket and began her chant.

Never had her desire and intent been as strong as it was at that very moment. With one hand tight around the bracelet now locked to Lala’s wrist and the other squeezing hard on the inscribed locket within her palm, Jenevier calmly and continuously whispered the words written within. She stopped only when she heard the soul-eater’s pain-filled cries. She smiled coolly, then looked toward Rixx.

“Lead me back to the waterfall.”

He did so without a word.

When they reached the spot, Jenevier felt as if she had slammed into an invisible wall.

“This is as far as you go, Empress,” Rixx said. “I will escort the child to her father.”

Jenevier grabbed Lala’s shoulders and spun the girl to face her.

“Listen to me, little one, and listen well. Do not seek out your grandpapa. No matter what, never go willingly with that man. Promise me.”

Lala only nodded her head as tears dripped from her chin.

“I’m sorry, baby girl. I know you love him, but much has happened. When the time is right, ask your father. Tenshi will guide you well.
Always
listen to him.”

“I will, Obaasan. I promise.”

Jenevier smiled sweetly, twisting one of Lala’s raven curls around her finger. “The River Spirit loves you,” she whispered.

“Yes, and I love him as well… fiercely.”

“Then cleave to him, my child. He will never harm you, never betray you. With Dimples and your daddy ever near… I have nothing more to worry about. Go. Kiss your mother for me and tell her I love her.”

Lala began crying in earnest. “I will, Obaasan. I promise.”

“Take care of Daichi for me, will ya?”

The girl nodded her head again.

“Don’t be too hard on him, Lala. He is one Angel who deserves more than he shall ever receive. Be kind to him, and do not make him angry.”

“I won’t, Obaasan. I will love Uncle Daichi in your stead. I promise.”

Jenevier smiled and kissed her granddaughter’s forehead. “As it should be. Now. Go. Before I lose the strength to let you leave.”

Lala hugged her fiercely before Rixx took her by the arm.

“It is time, Princess,” he said.

“I love you, Obaasan,” the girl called out through her tears. “I will remember everything you taught me, every word you ever spoke. I swear by all that is ho—”

And then they were gone. Jenevier was left standing there—frozen in place, tears falling unchecked from her deep
blue
eyes. Gone were her pink curls. Gone were her magical pink eyes. She felt nauseous and dizzy… as the Grace slowly drained out of her.

“It is done,” she softly whispered, just as Ahriman stumbled up to her side, wiping away the blood trickling down from his ears.

“That was a dirty rotten trick, Angel,” he rasped.

“And who would know better than you, silver devil?”

“It was completely unnecessary. I told you such.”

“And yet… you are nothing if not a proven liar. I only ensured my granddaughter’s safety, my sanity, and your eternal absence from the ninth layer of this universe. Why do you care? If you do not go near her, you will know no pain. Why do you care if she is bound with the bracelet or not?”

“Because you did it while I was standing
right there
.”

Jenevier smiled. “An added bonus.”

“I thought my brain was going to explode.”

Her smile grew wider. “Now
that
would have been an added bonus, right there. One far too spectacular to even be hoped for.”

Ahriman only glared at her profile as Jenevier remained staring at the spot where her precious Princess had only just disappeared… patiently waiting for Rixx to return.

*****

“Wow… Things sure have calmed down out there,” Rixx said as he stepped back into Sheol. “Your son is one terrifying Angel.” He snorted out a laugh. “Apollyon is still flat on his ba—”

Rixx’s words were cut short when Jenevier calmly, yet quickly, sliced clean through his pale neck. She flicked her wrist then, slinging the blood from Iole Máni’s pristine edge.

Maza Vespar Rixx’s eyes went wide, before rolling back into his head. He fell to the ground. Not as a man, no… but as nothing more than a red and white speckled koi.

Jenevier did not turn toward the slow, deliberate clap coming from the darkness to her right.

“Congratulations, Death Angel. You figured it out,” the unknown man said.

“I figured out nothing.” Jenevier’s voice remained flat, emotionless. “I knew the man to be a liar, a trickster, and
not
a Nephilim. And… I hated him. Simple as that.”

Ahriman shared in the stranger’s amused laugh.

“You are as fierce as you are beautiful, Kagi Naga.”

“I am Kagi Naga no more. My name… Shamsiel…” She turned to face him then. “Is Jenevier Olesia Embarr. If you wish to address me further, you can do so as such.”

“So… you know who I am.”

“Well, it wasn’t all that hard. I mean, yours is the only name I have heard in association with this damnable place. Shamsiel—once right-hand commander to Uriel, Archangel of Heaven… and
my
long, long forgotten ancestor.”

Shamsiel raised a single brow. “Is that all?”

“No. You are an Arch who chose to fall for a woman, my great-whatever grandmother, with whom I happen to share a striking resemblance.” She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder. “What’s with the fish?”

Shamsiel glanced at the now stilled koi and then back to Jenevier.

“He was my eyes and ears. That is all.”

“Shamsiel has a rare talent,” Ahriman said.

“Yeah,” Jenevier mumbled. “Seems to be a common theme.”

“He can take any animal and turn it into a walking, talking, completely obedient, humanoid type creature.”

“Careful, Ahriman.” She casually glanced his way. “Your nerd is showing.”

The soul-eater furrowed his brow, obviously confused.

“Mind her not, Ahriman,” Shamsiel said through a sneer. “She is simply channeling the drivel she learned from those worthless Guardians.”

Jenevier smiled. “Snide comments were not the only things… umm, drivel… I picked up from those
worthless Guardians
. Mind how you treat me, Seraph boy.”

Shamsiel pretended to ignore her. “What our good Sage, here, was so eloquently trying to explain to you—before you rudely interrupted him—was my talent concerning Father’s lesser creatures. Alas, Sheol is minus any of these lower life forms. Ahriman was kind enough to obtain one for me.”

“Oh, how sweet. But… why?” She looked then to Ahriman. “He isn’t known for his selfless acts and good deeds. What did this wicked little soul-eater ask for in exchange for the fish?”

“You,” Shamsiel calmly said.

She turned back to the flaming-haired Arch. “And you expect me to believe you taught a fish to talk, let it follow me around for the better part of a century… all out of the goodness of your heart? All because you wished to help out your poor lovesick friend, here?”

“No.” Shamsiel snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He smiled then. “
I
desire you as well.”

Jenevier snarled up her nose. “That’s just sick, Great-Grandpapa.”

Shamsiel laughed. “I do not desire you as
he
does.” He motioned toward Ahriman. “I do not wish you as lover. I will use you as coin.”

“Coin? For what?”

“I hope to trade you for your
great-whatever grandmother
.”

She furrowed her brow. “What in the holy heavens are you talking about, Angel?”

“You are a naïve, stupid little human, aren’t you? Can you not clearly see your value?”

“Why don’t you enlighten me, good Shamsiel? Please,
do
go on.”

“You are full of fire, aren’t you?” He smiled a sardonic, crooked sort of smile. “Very well, I shall. Father favors you. Well, in truth, He favors all humans… but
you
caught His eye from early on. Even your origins—your creation—was blessed beyond the ones who came before you. Father
kissed
your delicate little soul, fashioned you from His favorite Guardian… and then whispered a great secret unto you.”

Jenevier stiffened, narrowing her steady gaze as the red Arch began encircling her as he spoke.

“Weren’t you just the most
precious
little thing?” He sneered, flipping one of her curls. “His perfect little doll. Your childhood was happy, carefree…
magical
. Have you ever gone a whole day without smiling? No… I don’t believe you have. Even when you had
nothing
to smile about, Father was blessed with your tiny giggles. Infuriating, really.”

“You hate me because I smile? Because I choose to find a spot of joy where none should exist?” She snorted. “You are pathetic, Grandpapa. The Angel within you is long since dead.”

“Oh, yes. That’s the truth of it, to be sure.” He chuckled. “But we’re talking about
you
right now. Allow me to continue.”

Ahriman’s silver eyes flashed as he watched her set a hard line to her jaw, heard her grinding her teeth. His mouth began to water.

Shamsiel stopped right in front of her and lifted her chin. “Oh, how His heart must have swelled with pride when He watched you stand up to that imposing Gate Guardian. I bet He was smiling the whole of your trial. What—falling for that
Alzeen
mask Varick was wearing, all because you were so sweet and protective and gentle.”

“Alzeen was the sweet, protective, gentle one. Not me.”

Shamsiel smiled with only one corner of his mouth. “You’re right about
that
, Jenevier Olesia Embarr. You proved yourself to be wicked, volatile… unpredictable on your
best
day.”

“Best you keep that in mind, Angel.”

Shamsiel ignored her. “And what did Father choose to do when you acted thusly? Hmm?”

Jenevier didn’t answer.

“He
blessed
you!” Shamsiel shouted in her face. “That’s what He did! No matter how many mistakes you made, no matter how many times you fell flat on your face—completely screwing up the universe’s plan—
He
continued to bless you, forgive you… love you. Why, little girl? Can you tell me that? Why did He treat you so much better than many who have come before you?”

“I don’t know,” she yelled. “I didn’t deserve any of it!”