Chapter 15 Gavriel
Gavriel
“Don’t let go, Rafe,” I called. “Feather is evacuating the realm right now. She just needs a little more time.”
Rafe was on his knees at the end of a hallway, his hands not just pressed to the wall, but embedded in it.
The material gave way under his claws as if it were pastry dough he was kneading, and not one of the strongest materials in existence.
His head was bowed forward, massive horns almost poking through the jagged tear he was trying to force closed.
The shadows didn’t attack him; I wasn’t certain they realized he was trying to keep them out.
I had no idea how intelligent these things were.
Centuries ago, they were mindless, ephemeral entities. Now, they had substance.
And claws. I fought back a scream as I felt a serrated edge run straight down my spine, cleaving my flesh.
He didn’t answer, and I drew a breath to sing again.
I had no weapons, and the small shadows that managed to get past Rafe tore savagely at my wings and back, even raking lines of fire down my scalp.
I ignored them, focusing the full force of my song on a small section of wall, and the far more dangerous beast that had formed a colossal battering ram and was hitting the bottom of Sanctuary almost without stopping. Don’t let go.
Get… out… Rafe whispered in my mind. You… go…
I didn’t break my song, but I answered him. Not happening. I abandoned you once. I broke my promise. And I will not do so again. All she needs is time. We can give her that, and then we’ll follow her.
I knew that it wouldn’t be that easy. The gate had to have a surge of sacrificial power to let even one soul exit. I hated to think what it would take to open wide enough for the entire—
Suddenly, Rafe’s thoughts speared my mind. She’s not the sacrifice! Be certain. Don’t let her do it.
I wanted to swear, but I knew it would affect my song.
I closed my eyes and focused. I had to juggle the music with mental communication—which was difficult to manage, with shadows literally tearing strips of my flesh away—and Feather’s mental state had been so panicky and fragmented, it made me want to race to her side.
Gavriel? The voice that entered my mind wasn’t my small mate’s.
Arabella? What’s wrong? I asked Feather—
To save the others. I know. She’s convinced that her friend Perception can lead the way to the Limen, outside the Celestial Realm. And that Imriel will welcome them all.
I pondered that for a moment. She had redeemed the entire realm only days ago, so the residual smut on the souls of the refugees would be minimal. They hadn’t ascended yet, so it would be excruciatingly painful to go through the gate, but it wouldn’t necessarily unmake them.
Arabella’s voice interrupted my train of thought. Feather hasn’t considered the cost of such a large evacuation, the power that must be given to open the way for that many.
You cannot let her take it on herself. You know she will try.
Of course she will. But I am Thysia. The Dreamer of All created me from a different substance than all my siblings, and with a unique purpose. I am the Glorious Sacrifice. Even if I’m not as beautiful as my little sister. Her voice was thick with emotion.
Thank you, I managed to say, my song wobbling slightly. Rafe grunted, and I calmed my mind. Thank you for saving her, and the realm.
I’m still not certain this realm was worth the trouble.
But her? Yes. A flare of anger filtered through her thoughts.
Gavriel, you need to come quickly. The power I hold is consuming me.
I won’t last much longer. My vessel is failing.
You know it won’t matter if you’re not at the gate as well. She cannot live without you.
I know. I’ll find a way to escape. A price I can pay, to be with her.
How?
When she was parted from Mikhail, during his trips to Earth, their bond was muted.
He couldn’t even feel her. I had done some reading on the phenomenon once, and when I insisted he travel with me to Earth to seek out the “demon child,” I showed him the texts so he could rest easy while we were away.
Just over two thousand years ago, a few Celestial Messengers traveled to Earth.
One had a soulmate who needed to remain in the Celestial Realm.
He felt pain when his mate departed, but when she entered the earthly realm, the pain almost vanished.
They survived the separation and were reunited.
I believe Feather will be safe while I’m there, as long as we leave this realm within minutes of one another.
It’s the only solution I have. I wasn’t certain how I would reach the upper level to access the way to Earth, with my wings not functioning.
But if it meant saving my soulmate, I knew I would find a way.
It’s a good solution, Arabella replied. The same power that shields young Novices from the shadows on Earth protects the soul bond.
Blankets it by freezing it in a timeless pocket.
She laughed. Sabriel wrote a thesis on it, and forced me to read it.
Tell her for me that it came in handy? She always promised it would.
I will. So, Feather will return to Mikhail and Righteous. I will go to the Flight Hall and… I didn’t spell out the process of that particular method of travel, but I could tell she knew of what I spoke. After I live a blameless mortal life, free of corruption, I will join her upon my death.
Can you do so?
For my brave soulmate? Of course.
Maybe you are worthy of her, Musician, she said gently. Maybe… Those idiots! Why will they not listen to her? Gavriel, one last thing: tell Seraphiel something for me?
Yes.
Tell him she needs him, too.