47. ZARA
ZARA
“I’m ready. Let’s go.” I took a step towards Nero so he could transport us both outside the wards.
He’d been vehemently opposed to my plan to meet with Michael in person and at first he’d flatly refused to have anything to do with ‘such recklessness’.
He’d reluctantly agreed to help only when I pointed out that I would be doing it with or without him, but he’d still refused to remove his wards from the manor, telling me I’d ‘have to treat with Gabriel somewhere neutral’ if I insisted on doing it.
“It’s not too late to change your mind you know,” he said hopefully and I shook my head. There was no way I was backing out now. “Very well then.” He slipped an arm around my waist and transported us to just outside the gates, where his wards ended.
“Gabriel, I need to talk to you.” Nothing. “Oh, Gabriel,” I sing-songed, “I’m asking nicely. Please get your arse down here and talk to me.” Okay, that wasn’t exactly nicely, but I needed to make it look realistic.
“Again with the ‘down here’?” I shaded my eyes as he appeared in his usual obnoxious flare of gold light. “What do you want, pest? And what’s he doing here?”
He looked suspiciously at Nero, and I wondered again if he was wary of Nero’s powers. Zeus had said there was no telling what the Watchers were capable of, but I wouldn’t necessarily put my money on them being stronger than the gods.
“He’s here as my advisor. I want to negotiate terms.”
“An interesting choice of words. Are you surrendering?”
“Not exactly. I have a proposal for you.”
“Well, I’m flattered of course, kitten. And happy to see you’ve got over Seth so quickly.
” I schooled my expression to remain neutral, so he didn’t see how close I was to trying to rip his balls off for that comment, even if he was just putting on an act.
“But I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. You’re far too mouthy for my liking.
” He snapped his fingers and the same throne he’d conjured in his dreamscape appeared again.
“And you’re far too ostentatious for mine,” I shot back.
I felt a little flare of power behind me and turned to see Nero had conjured up a seat for us too.
It was a snug fit, barely big enough for us both, but I wriggled in next to him without protest. The closer the better in case he needed to whisk us away.
I recited the terms of the deal I wanted to make again for Michael’s benefit if he was listening in, even though Gabriel already knew them, and he huffed dismissively when I’d finished.
“Those are big demands for someone with so little bargaining power. Michael could squash you like a bug if he wanted to. Why should he negotiate with the likes of you?”
I frowned. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. There was acting and then there was acting like a total arsehole.
“Well, I’d say that Michael feeling the need to threaten me contradicts that statement, Gabe. So why don’t you run back up there like a good little messenger and tell him I want to talk to him.”
He looked at me like he wanted to strangle me. Either he was a very good actor, or I’d genuinely struck a nerve with that comment.
“I’ll deliver your request but don’t hold your breath. Have the wards around the manor removed so I can let you know Michael’s response.”
I shook my head. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Then how would your Royal Highness like me to contact you?” I couldn’t help but enjoy the way he gritted out those words, even if it was just an act.
“Oh don’t worry, Gabe,” I said sweetly. I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t resist. “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
“Don’t call us, we’ll call you? Really Zara?
” Nero choked out as soon as we rematerialized in the manor.
As soon as I’d said it I’d squeezed Nero’s arm hard enough that he’d flinched, but he’d correctly interpreted it to mean ‘get us out of here now’ and whisked us away before Gabriel could do anything to retaliate.
“I couldn’t help myself.” I smiled as I remembered the look on his face. “Do you think they’ll agree?”
“To a meeting at least, if not to your terms. If we’re right about you posing some kind of threat to them, Michael would be a fool not to at least agree to meet with you.”
“How long do you think it will take them to make up their minds?”
A pinging noise started, like hailstones bouncing off the walls and he grinned. “Well considering someone is throwing stones at your metaphorical window, I’d say they’ve already decided. Want to go and see what the verdict is?”
Gabriel was already there, the occasional tick of his jaw the only sign that he wasn’t as calm on the inside as he wanted us to think.
Nero kept me tucked firmly into his side. “Stay close,” he murmured. “I can’t sense anyone else here, but they may be able to hide from me.”
“Well, Gabriel?” I demanded, eager to get this over with. “What did he say?”
“Michael has agreed to meet with you.” He held out his hand and then huffed impatiently when I didn’t immediately move to take it. “Well come on then, we need to go now, before he decides you’re not worth the effort and changes his mind.”
“Nero?” I didn’t like how uncertain I sounded. Showing fear was the last thing I should be doing, but the thought of letting Gabriel take me back to his realm was terrifying. I’d assumed Michael would come to me. “Can you come with me?” I whispered.
“We’re taking a moment to confer.” We were back in the manor almost before I registered what he was about to do.
“I was hoping Michael would come to you, but this isn’t entirely unexpected.
As long as Gabriel gives his word that you won’t be harmed and that you’ll be returned within a specific timeframe, let’s make it an hour, I don’t foresee any problems. But it’s best I remain here just in case something does go wrong.
” To raise the alarm. He didn’t need to say that bit.
“You don’t have to do this, Zara. It’s your call. ”
I did have to though. I couldn’t bear the thought of the people I loved having to live with Michael’s threats because I was too scared to follow through with what I’d started.
“Yes, I do,” I said. “Take me back, please, and let’s get this over with. Just promise me you’ll raise merry hell if it all goes tits up.”
“I might do that anyway, just for fun,” he said with a wink before he whisked us back to where we’d left Gabriel.
He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face when we reappeared. “I do have better things to do than wait around on your convenience you know.” I resisted the temptation to ask him why he was still here then. “Are you coming with me or not?”
Nero spoke before I could answer him, his words thrumming with power, and I caught a glimpse of his dark wings swirling like smoke at his back.
“I’ll have your word that she won’t be harmed and that you’ll return her here within the hour before I allow her to go anywhere with you, Watcher.”
“You have my word,” he said irritably. “Now can we please get this over with?” Something unspoken passed between them before Nero finally gave a nod, apparently satisfied that I wasn’t walking into a trap.
I took a few steps towards Gabriel when Nero released me, immediately missing the comfort of being within his reach.
I cast one last worried glance back at him before Gabriel reached for me and the world dissolved into golden mist. Nero’s voice echoed after us, and I didn’t know whether I should be alarmed or comforted by his words.
“If any of you harm her or you fail to return her within the hour, it will be considered a declaration of war. And I’ll personally consider your life forfeit.”