Refracted (The Celadon Circle Book 2) (8 page)

Chapter Ten

Gabriel

Yasen’s heaven rested in the center of the Helix Nebula, surrounded by the constellation Aquarius. The Second Triad was spread out amongst the galaxies. Gabriel hoped he wasn’t wasting precious time by coming here. Virtues never stayed in one place too long. Thankfully, Yasen was a creature of habit. He refused to move unless absolutely necessary. He had been in the same place the last three times Gabriel visited. He prayed that was still the case.

He teleported to the Helix, then used his powerful wings to propel him to the center. As Gabriel travelled through dust, different ionized material, gasses, stars, and planets, he often caught himself hovering to admire the view. The colors were breathtaking: spectacular oranges, lucid blues, vibrant greens, dazzling yellows and reds, deep purples…Gabriel could explore for eons and never grow tired of this particular masterpiece his Father had created.

A Throne guarded the entrance to Yasen’s heaven. Beryl-colored wheels within wheels, these particular celestial beings were some of the strangest amongst the angels. Their ‘rims’ were covered with hundreds of eyes. Members of the third choir of the First Triad, Thrones were assistants to Cherubim, who guarded the Tree of Life and the Sacred Garden. Gabriel was not surprised to see one placed at Yasen’s door. As the senior Virtue, the angel had access to many important scrolls and artifacts. He was also their Father’s most trusted advisor.

Hello, brother.
Gabriel addressed the Throne telepathically.
I was hoping to see Yasen. Is he available?

The Throne’s inner wheel spun continuously while the eyes around its rim took turns blinking against the lights and cosmic dust. The effect left Gabriel feeling woozy.

He is, and quite eager for your company. He has instructed me to allow you entrance.

A rent appeared in the fabric of space to the left of the Throne. It slowly opened wider, revealing a sky-blue tunnel.

May our Creator continue to bless you, brother.

Gabriel entered the mouth of the tunnel.

God be with you and protect you
, the Throne replied.

And also with you
.

Gabriel watched as the entrance closed behind him. He drifted in the blue light until he arrived at a plain wooden door with an iron knocker. Before he could grasp the ornate circle, the door flew open to reveal Yasen – spectacles askew, white hair standing on end, and a big smile on his face.

“Gabriel! Come in, come in!”

Yasen pulled him across the threshold and embraced him with strong arms swathed in green robes. Immediately, Gabriel felt at peace. Yasen exuded confidence and strength. He was smart, kind, and never wavered in his purpose to Heaven and God. No matter how bad things seemed, he didn’t worry, knowing it was all part of their Father’s plan.

Yasen pulled away and held Gabriel at arm’s length. The Virtue’s green eyes were bright, alive with joy. “It has been too long, my boy, much too long!” He put a fatherly arm around Gabriel’s shoulders and led him into his heaven.

The rooms in Yasen’s home were unlike any Gabriel had ever seen. The walls and ceilings were round and smooth, as were the windows that looked out upon the magnificent nebula. His den boasted a handsome fireplace, sturdy, comfortable chairs, and floor to ceiling bookcases full of beautiful tomes.

A tray with a steaming teapot, two cups, milk, sugar, and a plate of chocolate-chip cookies rested on a small table between the two armchairs. Yasen directed Gabriel to one of the chairs and took the other for himself. He immediately poured tea, a ritual the older angel performed every visit and one Gabriel knew better than to decline. Yasen enjoyed “playing house,” as he called it.

With drinks poured, the obligatory cookie consumed, and pleasantries exchanged, Gabriel searched for a way to broach the subject of Jordan’s status. But he had no idea how to bring it up without sounding like he’d drunk more than tea. Fortunately, Yasen was observant.

“You look troubled, brother. Is all well in the Third Triad?”

Gabriel set his teacup on the tray. His hand shook, making it rattle against the polished silver.

“What it is, Gabriel? What has happened?” Yasen set his own cup down and removed his spectacles, which he polished with a corner of his robes. “Before you answer, let me say that I am a Virtue, dear boy. I have heard…
rumors
.”

Gabriel wasn’t surprised by this admission. It was hard to keep things from Virtues. Still, he couldn’t help but ask. “Such as?”

Yasen smiled. “I’d rather hear from you first.”

Gabriel hesitated. Yasen was his only chance for answers but if Michael discovered he’d gone behind his back, disobeyed orders, he would be punished – severely. He no longer cared about the angel hierarchy or the fact that Michael was in charge. He did not fear the pain, incarceration, or exile. His only concern was for Jordan and her family, and what would happen to them if Michael suddenly made him disappear.

“Can you promise what we discuss will be kept between us?”

Yasen placed his spectacles back on his nose and pursed his lips. “That’s a strange request.”

“I have my reasons which I will explain, but I need your word first, Yasen.”

The elder angel frowned, an expression that didn’t sit well on someone who was normally jubilant and steadfast. Gabriel felt guilty for laying this burden at Yasen’s feet but had no choice.

Finally, Yasen said, “I cannot make any promises other than to hear you out and, if I feel the problem is above my position in the Second Triad, to only discuss it with our Father and no one else.”

Gabriel took a swallow of tea to moisten his dry mouth. Coming to Yasen was the right choice. For the first time since leaving Michael’s office he felt some of the weight lift, making it easier to think, to breathe.

“That sounds fair, brother. Thank you.”

Yasen reached over and placed a hand on his arm. “Then share your burden with me, Gabriel. I do not like seeing you this way. Please, let me help.”

<><><>

After telling his story to Yasen, starting with the events in the Bailey’s barn when Jordan’s eyes first changed and ending with the conversation he heard between Michael and Illyria, the angel beckoned for him to follow and they ended up…here. Gabriel was overwhelmed by the cavernous room.

It was infinite. As far as the eye could see, the walls went on and on, climbing to forever. Cylinders rested in cubbyholes carved into the walls every few inches. Each cylinder contained a scroll.

There was no particular index as far as Gabriel could determine. Each cubby and cylinder looked exactly like the next. Yasen flew around the room on grand silver wings, stopping every few feet to pull out a scroll and quickly scan it.

“And you are sure they said the Cambion was also part angel?” Yasen hollered down to Gabriel as he replaced a cylinder and reached for another.

“Yes,” Gabriel called back. “Michael said Jordan may have absorbed Sariel’s grace while she was in the womb.” He sat down on a rolling stool in front of a large oak table. More to himself than to Yasen, he said, “I don’t see how that is possible. Jordan’s mother would have to agree in order for Sariel to possess her, and why would she unless Sariel gave her a valid reason?”

“Was Jana Bailey the type of person who would agree to possession?” Yasen flitted to another section of the room.

Gabriel lay his head down on the table. “I don’t know; I never got the chance to meet her before she passed. I was appointed the Baileys’ Guardian a few months later.”

“And that,” Yasen continued, “raises another question. Only families with Seekers are given Guardians. You were sent to Jordan’s family a few months after she was born, yet she did not receive her first vision until the age of fourteen. At a few months old, Jordan’s position in the Circle was still undetermined. There is no way for an angel to foretell who will be a Seeker. Why did Michael send you to them so soon?”

Gabriel grabbed a quill from the table and rolled it between his fingers.
Another question.
That was the problem – too many questions and not enough answers. He thought back to the day Michael had named him Guardian of Jordan and her family. Not once had he questioned why; he’d simply accepted the position, accepted another order from his older brother like he had for as long as he could remember.

Maybe it was because he knew she was a Cambion
.

With a groan, he stood up and paced. The sound of Yasen’s wings overhead were driving him crazy. “What are you looking for anyway?” he yelled.

Dear God, he had to get a grip. He’d just raised his voice to an
elder
– something he would have never done before. Maybe Michael was right; maybe he
was
too close to his charges.

“Found it!” Yasen called, waving a clear cylinder.

By the time his brother conjured another pot of tea and some raspberry scones (Yasen had a weakness for human desserts), Gabriel felt ready to explode. His patience had grown thin. Every minute was important. Jordan, Casen, and the boys were in danger – he could feel it.

“If in fact Jordan is part human, demon, and angel, then she is a
Paladin
. That is the name God assigned to them.”

Gabriel tested the word on his tongue. It was foreign to him. “There are others? Impossible! More angels would have heard of them if there were.”

Yasen blew on his tea and took a sip. “No, but not for lack of trying.”

“What happened?”

Yasen looked thoughtful. “When Lucifer fell, he was angry – so angry with our Father. He could not accept His love for humans, much less love them himself. He thought the flawed race was beneath us, and swore to never pledge his allegiance to those who would eventually destroy all that our Father created.”

Gabriel nodded patiently. He knew the story of his older brother’s fall from grace but Yasen had to tell things in his own way.

“Many years later, Satan made our brother one of the seven princes of Hell. Lucifer and the other six overthrew the Dark Lord and took control for themselves. It was then that Lucifer had the idea of
Paladins
. He commanded his fellow fallen angels to lie with humans who were possessed by the Dark Lord’s demons. Lucifer assumed the children of this unique coupling would be the most powerful in existence. He would have been correct, but he forgot one very important detail.”

“What?” Gabriel sat on the edge of his seat.

Yasen pulled his spectacles down and looked at him over the rims, his eyes fierce. “What happens to an angel if he or she falls?”

Gabriel closed his eyes, remembering his one and only trip to The Vault. “They lose their grace.”

<><><>

He had been a young angel at the time. His Father, whom he rarely saw, had asked Gabriel to accompany Him on an errand. He was only too happy to oblige.

“I want to show you something important, my son.”

They transported to a small island surrounded by blue-green sea. Gentle waves lapped upon the shore. A sandy trail cut a path through tall trees dotted with colorful birds. The ground shook as something large and powerful lumbered farther away. Gabriel couldn’t see it, but heard its sonorous call, which was answered several times from different areas on the island.

“Where are we?” Gabriel asked. He hurried to catch up to his Father who had started up the trail.

“This,” He explained, “is a planet I created a long time ago. It is quite small compared to most, but it does not need to be large to serve my purpose.”

As they walked, Gabriel noticed a beautiful waterfall which fed into a magnificent pool. Lounging beside it was an animal that resembled a saber-tooth tiger. Farther along, he saw a herd of Sauropod dinosaurs.

They arrived at an entrance to a cave. It was sealed, but the massive stone rolled away with the wave of his Father’s hand. Once inside, they were pulled through another dimension in space and spit out in front of a vaulted room.

His Father whispered words of an ancient language and then placed His hand upon the door. Slowly, it swung open.

The expansive room twinkled with lights that looked like opals. Power pulsated through Gabriel in currents. The walls were fitted with shelves that held hundreds of small bell jars with nameplates. He walked closer to examine them. Inside each one floated a substance that was neither solid nor liquid. It was the color of pearls streaked with blues, oranges, greens, yellows, reds, and purples – the grace of angels. 

Every so often, a jar would break. The grace inside would either rise and dissipate or travel to a clear cylindrical opening on the far side of the room. Even less often, a bell jar would repair itself, complete with a new nameplate, and magically fill with another angel’s grace.

“Father, what is this place?”

Dread made Gabriel’s voice quake.

“When angels sin, they fall to Earth. Their grace is taken and stored here in The Vault. They are then made to live as humans.”