Under Watchful Wings (Archangels #1)

Chapter 1

Henry Angelini

Iloved Milano, Italy. It made visiting Uncle Michael almost pleasant.

The centuries old mountaintop villa was one of the most stunning buildings I’d ever been inside.

Its collection of art and furnishings rivaled any home or museum in the world.

It was my memories, however, that kept it close to my heart.

Me and my cousins used to race around whenever the family got together. Those carefree days didn’t last long, but they’d allowed us to bond as a generation.

Unfortunately, those good times couldn’t improve my sour mood. Being summoned from Miami without any real explanation on the eve of the circuit party I’d helped plan would do that to a person. So much for my social standing.

The echo of my steps off the polished stone walls broke the otherwise silent darkness of the villa.

I probably shouldn’t have had the metal guards installed to protect the heels, but at fifteen hundred dollars I wanted the shoes to last. Especially since they fit perfectly.

Just what I expected from fine Italian leather shoes.

Whatever required my presence must have put my uncle on edge. Staff I’d known for more than a century barely acknowledged my greetings. After mumbling a halfhearted welcome, they scurried off, pretending they needed to return to work.

I spent the bulk of the flight to Italy wondering what Uncle Michael had to say that needed to be discussed in person. I’d received assignments, sensitive assignments even, by halocalls, phone, text, email, even telegrams. This was more than just a mission.

Two guards stood a ceremonial watch in front of the closed, dark stained, oak doors. Michael didn’t need protection. I’d never seen him use his full powers, but those who had, spoke of its devastating effects.

Silently, the guards pulled open the French doors before I had to slow my stride.

At the far end of the room, Uncle Michael stared out the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

A strand of jet-black hair that somehow escaped the ponytail, fluttered in the breeze before being tucked behind his ear.

“Good evening, Uncle.”

He waited several heartbeats before turning around. While not hostile or angry, his face had a grim, determined look seen only during tense times. The big mahogany desk, that seemed so huge when I used it to hide as a kid, suddenly didn’t feel nearly as wide.

“Hello Nephew. Sorry I dragged you from your fun.”

Even his apology didn’t feel right. Was this a test? “Uncle, you’ve given me plenty of time to enjoy myself, probably more than I deserved. I understand my responsibilities, even if I don’t always show it.”

A slightly raised eyebrow told me I’d been out of line. Too bad. If I offended him, maybe he’d find someone else to do whatever needed to be done.

“I appreciate you gave up your party to come immediately.” He gestured for me to take one of the dark leather chairs nearby. “When you hear why I summoned you, perhaps you’ll feel less animosity.”

I wanted to protest, but I’d never convince my uncle I was sincere. Instead, I sat as instructed and waited to be spoken to.

“Your uncle Uriel has finally broken his silence.”

That was noteworthy. Uncle Uriel stopped speaking to the family twenty-five years ago. “He called you?”

Michael shook his head. “Of course not. Uriel’s still mad at me. He sent a message through Ephrem Grant.”

I sat straighter. This was getting interesting. “Ephrem Grant?”

“Yes. He and Uriel are closer than I knew.” The anger in Michael’s voice told me what he thought of their friendship.

What I didn’t understand is how this escaped his notice. “What was the message?”

“They’ve located the fourth of your generation.”

Who needed a circuit party. This was much better. Ephrem was a very powerful angel. “It makes sense that the fourth is one of Grant’s descendants.”

“No. That would be too simple.” Michael picked up an envelope and slid it across the desk. “This young man is an enigma. Something no one’s talked about in centuries. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of what happens when the fourth heir is born.”

Then again, Miami probably would be more fun than my uncle’s cryptic way of telling me anything. “Which would be?”

“Come, Nephew, not even going to hazard a guess?” He leaned back and folded his arms across his torso. “You’ve already missed the party. Focus on our conversation.”

The reference irked me. Had he called me to Italy just to miss the party? “I rarely pay attention to rumors or innuendos.”

Michael’s eyes narrowed and I braced for an angry broadside. “Clear your mind of the annoyance at missing one of those human events and return your thoughts to our race. You’re permitted to mingle among them, but your first responsibility is to our kind.”

Like it or not, the party was history. If I wanted to have a personal life again, I needed to redirect my thoughts to the scraps of information he fed me. “My apologies, Uncle.”

Michael kept silent. So much for helping me.

The silence dragged on, but having tossed down the glove, Michael was going to make me come up with an answer.

For my sake it better not be stupid either.

Finally, I remembered an old story I heard my father talk about.

It was in passing and I really didn’t think much of it at the time.

“I’d heard the Drevlin wouldn’t appear until a fourth heir was born. ”

“Very good.” He smiled and leaned forward. “Here’s something you wouldn’t have heard. The fourth heir was born to human parents.”

Okay. Final answer. This was way more interesting than Miami. “How’s that possible?”

“It’s not,” he said. “And yet it’s happened. An elder confirmed the child is an angel, and your father and Raphael confirmed the child’s lineage is free of our kind. The timing, however, seems too convenient. I don’t believe in chance, not like this.”

Such a thing wasn’t possible. There had to be another explanation. Uncle Michael stood before I could voice my doubt. He clasped his hands behind his back and faced the window. I wondered what he saw staring into the night sky.

“I asked Uriel to confirm the child is an angel. No surprise, he hasn’t answered me.”

Two things hit me. First, why didn’t Uncle Michael do it himself? As our leader, who better to find out the truth. Second, he couldn’t possibly expect me to do what he couldn’t. “You want me to make Uriel find this kid?”

“No. Even if you could find him, you couldn’t make him do anything.”

So those rumors were true. “How long has he been avoiding you?”

“Too long.” Michael tensed, and his body flared a shade brighter. Taking a deep breath, he released some of the energy in his body. “But Uriel isn’t your concern. I need you to guard this human angel.”

Shit! I must’ve pissed him off to make me babysit the kid. “How?”

“You’ll need to move to Washington and befriend him.” The steely gaze told me not to push too hard.

Missing a party was nothing; moving was a big deal. Moving meant starting over. “Can’t one of the others do this? What about Wallace or Victoria?”

“No.” The last of the luminance dissipated from his body. “You’re the best. Victoria’s already there, and as much as I love and trust my daughter, she can’t protect the child and search for Uriel.”

Me and Victoria assigned to the same case? This wasn’t just some kid. “What kind of trouble should I expect?”

“Most likely nothing, but if Uriel doesn’t step up, you’re going to need to mentor and train the boy.

He has no family to teach him how to use and control his powers when they appear.

” Lifting a sheet of paper from his desk, Michael scanned it quickly, then held it out.

“Here’s a list of people we’ve assigned to Washington. When you arrive, you’ll be in charge.”

Reading the names quickly, I recognized my cousin and one other name. “Won’t Vicky be upset that I’m the new leader?”

Michael laughed. “You didn’t read that closely enough. She isn’t part of your team. She’ll be in D.C. to offer her help should you need it, but her priority is to find Uriel.”

A side door opened, and the head of the household staff stopped just inside the room. “Dinner is ready, sirs.”

“Excellent.” Uncle Michael gestured toward the exit. “Please join me, nephew.”

Despite couching it as an invitation, I wasn’t free to decline. The food would be excellent, but I didn’t look forward to spending the evening dining with my uncle. He was irritated and would not be good company. “When do you want me in D.C.?”

“It will take a few days to get your documents in order. Work with the staff to make sure everything is to your liking.”

Hopefully the newbie would turn out to be just an anomaly and I could go back to my old life. If not, I’d been sent to worse places. “Yes, Uncle.”