Chapter 44 #2
Will thought about the difference in his own appearance when comparing his Holy body with the mortal version in the In-Between.
The Holy features were more refined, and the eyes more like precious gems. Imperfections slipped away, leaving what could only be described as an upgraded version of the mortal form.
They were more similar than they were different, one was simply enhanced.
He thought again of Sauriel’s features, or what he could remember of them.
Then he thought of Vixen. The timing was too perfect to be coincidence.
She was twenty-four, and her features could absolutely pass for Sauriel’s.
It could be her… Oh Savior, I would never have seen it before, but please let me be right.
Small moments gone by, rushed to mind with alarming clarity.
When he’d first been assigned to Vixen, he’d been shocked at the purity of her soul.
Other angels had also commented on this.
She’d always felt like an old soul, beyond her young lifespan.
When Tobias had drank from her, he’d commented on the potency of her blood.
It had rejuvenated him more than Lori’s, which was surprising since Lori was Nephilim. What if Vixen was Sauriel reincarnated?
“It would explain the infant’s wings,” Michael said. He was clearly thinking the same thing.
“Dare I hope for that?” Will murmured.
If they were right, Vixen would not be trapped in the Outer Realms, waiting for Will to visit. If she was an angel, she’d be able to travel back and forth as she pleased. They’d have a normal life. She could be a mother.
Will had gone from thinking he’d lost everything, to hope, to believing a miracle possible.
“Could you at least tell Ramiel we are here?” Michael asked gently.
The angel shook his head. “Unfortunately, I cannot. We are not supposed to interrupt when Ramiel is with a new soul.”
A sly grin tugged at the corner of Will’s lips. “Apologies in advance.”
Michael arched a brow. “For what?”
“Fuck fuckity asshole, fucking shithouse bastard.”
Michael stood there in open-mouthed disbelief, which only intensified when the roar of deafening thunder rocked the palace. The archangel winced at the sound, looking all around as if they were under attack.
“You are incorrigible, Will.” The tawny angel sighed, resuming walking in the direction he’d been headed before they got there.
The angel had scarcely left, when a tall broad-shouldered angel materialized where he had been standing.
“Why am I not surprised it is you?” Ramiel muttered. Then he saw Michael. “You, on the other hand, are unexpected.”
“Is Vixen Sauriel?” Will blurted.
Ramiel blanched. “What?”
“Are they one and the same?” Michael repeated.
“I am in the middle of processing a new arrival, I do not have time for this,” Ramiel said dismissively.
“Ramiel,” Will whispered, clutching his shoulder. “Please.”
“The new soul I am integrating is indeed Sauriel.”
“And, Vixen?” Will thought he might burst from the pressure of not having confirmation of what he needed most to be true. Ramiel said nothing.
“Ramiel! For fuck’s sake!” Will shouted.
“I respectfully request that you refrain from such language, which you already know to be unwelcome in this realm.”
“He is incredibly sorry,” Michael babbled, both hands thrown up in the air as if it would emphasize his point.
“I really am.” Will nodded furiously.
“This information you have requested is supposed to be confidential. Nobody is permitted to know the path Sauriel chose.”
“For the love of all things Holy. Just say yes or no.” Will felt like he might claw his own skin off if the male continued to be pedantic any longer.
“She cannot see you at this time. It is too soon.”
“Vixen is Sauriel.” Will stepped backward until his shoulders hit the wall, and he slid down to the marble-tiled floor. “Vixen is Sauriel.”
“Even in the In-Between, you still fell in love with an angel.” Michael chuckled as he sat down beside him. “You are unlike any Holy being I have ever known, my friend.”
“You may wait here in the palace, but I cannot predict how long this will take,” Ramiel spoke calmly, as if Will and Michael weren’t sitting on the floor with their wings splayed out awkwardly against the wall.
“You should return to your child,” Michael suggested. “And, perhaps I should return to where I belong. It is clearly not here, beautiful as it may be.”
“We welcome all angels here.” Ramiel’s tone was thick with compassion. “Leave the past at the gate and embrace the new truths you have learned, that is all I ask.”
“Thank you.” Michael grinned. “It is a lot to process, but I am delighted with your invitation. I will indeed return some day. Fair thee well brother.”
Ramiel smiled and nodded. “As with you, Michael.”
“You’re welcome in our domain, too.” Will took the hand Michael extended and got to his feet.
Michael, still grinning, nodded. “Until next we meet, Will.” With that, he dematerialized, leaving Will to do the same.
Will couldn’t do it. He wanted to, but he couldn’t bring himself to summon the Holy power he needed to dematerialize.
Though he longed to cradle his daughter in his arms, concern over Vixen seemed to paralyze him.
What if something went wrong during her initiation?
What if she chose not to be with him anymore?
He had to see her. With knots in his stomach, he walked into the Great Chamber and sank onto a chaise lounge.