Broken Angel

Chapter 13: Fire & Brimstone

GABRIELLE

It happened. The moment Aurora was taken my brother was no more. His eyes darkened into pools of obsidian swirling with fury. The earth trembled in a foreboding sense of self preservation.

If Penelope didn’t destroy the world, Azrael would bring the entire world to its knees.

AZRAEL

I lost Penelope. I lost her and I mourned. And now. Now she took from me and it could not be forgiven.

I’d raze the earth before something happened to the twins. Penelope was no exception. Not anymore. Humans died that day. More than usual. A bit before their time even, but no matter. I was due an indulgence or two. I was owed for being Father’s most obedient soldier.

“She took her,” I seethed. I was back in this Father forsaken house attempting to reign in my temper. Alec was watching from atop the stairs. His little face peeking out from the banister. I was sure he could see the change in my features, the darkness of my eyes, the slow transition in my wings. I ruffled my newly grown feathers. The silver feathers were molting and being replaced by black. It felt like freedom.

I stared at my son—my son, because he was mine alone—wondering what he was thinking of this new change.

“Penelope wouldn’t hurt her,” Gabrielle added, dragging my attention back to her. The incompetence of this family was astounding. It seemed I had to take a new course of action. One they wouldn’t appreciate in the slightest.

Rage burned within me once again. Rage for that little wretch that took what’s mine. Mine, because Aurora was also mine, and mine alone. “Penelope doesn’t even know Rory is her daughter!” But I would make her know. She would know the truth, right before I squeezed the life out of her just to watch her revive and do it again.

“Raz calm down,” someone told me. I wasn’t sure who. I was seeing black at this point. No one could tell me otherwise. I simply had to figure out where that fake Angel went and wring her neck out. Yes, that was what needed to be done. Perfect idea. Great plan. I was already loving this route.

“Don’t tell me to f*****g calm down when my daughter is missing.” Someone was attempting to restrain me. I simply pushed them and branded my scythe. No one would question my power. “Find her. NOW!” I roared. I had never given a simultaneous order to all the Reapers, but…

It was a mistake. It was a f*****g mistake bringing her back to the house. I could acknowledge my idiocy in the original plan. I was foolish. Maybe Zachrael was right. Maybe I had fallen from Father’s Grace. All for a silly little human girl. Never again.

“You didn’t know she was going to react that way.”

Had I spoken aloud? No matter.

“I should have f*****g known. Everything about her demeanor had changed. She’s been off the hinges and I ignored every single hint. If something happens to Aurora… I’ll—” better left unsaid.

A small hand curling around mine brought me back to reality. Alec was looking up at me, confused. I could feel his energy flowing through me. He was trying to calm me down, the little thing.

Yes, calm. Calm and rational was what I needed to be. Terrible choices were made when one loses their head. Figuratively speaking of course. I needed to focus on finding my daughter. Only then, when Aurora was safely in my arms, would I turn my attention to Penelope. That vile little—.

Gabrielle stood in front of me, her wings flared and spear in hand. “Nothing is going to happen to her. Alexi and I will go to the Vatican, and I’ve called our siblings as well. We’re going to find her.”

She thought to order me? How charming?

I picked up Alec, holding him to me. He still smelled like his sister, their shared scent mingled together. Alec smelled of a calm sea breeze, while Aurora always smelled like the first day of spring. She was the epitome of a new beginning. Beautiful in nature and the representation of the cycle of life.

“Dad, when is Rory coming back?”

“Soon.” Not a lie. I would bring her back. They would once again be inseparable.

He laid his head on my shoulder, probably tired from helping me remain calm. If nothing else I would control myself for him. He wouldn’t tire himself out for me. “She’s not scared, but I am,” he sighed against me.

The Hellhound entered the room, sniffing around everyone. I realized belatedly that it was searching for Aurora. “Poochie, find Aurora. Find your keeper,” I ordered it. The hound disappeared in a flurry of fire and brimstone.

I needed to place protection around the house, then my hunt would begin.