“But you’re the Angel of Fertility, and she’s the Goddess of Fertility,” I said, still frantically trying to piece this story together. “Aren’t you on the same side?”
They might even have the same gene pool. Who knew?
“Nope. It doesn’t work that way,” Romy answered. “I was born into my position, she was voted in. Much different. If humans had prayed to her in another capacity—say, as Goddess of Anthills—she would’ve gladly taken that route, presiding over the ants of your world. It’s hardly the same thing.”
I was completely stymied. “But…you helped her kidnap our friends.”
“I did,” she replied. “But I just told you it was out of necessity. And, of course, to make sure what comes next doesn’t get out of hand.”
“Okay.” I hesitated. “The only choice we have is to take your word for it that you won’t fight against us. If they’re down there, how do we get them out?”
“I tell them to come out.” She intoned it like I should be following along closer than I was. Pretty angel lady, I’m trying, I swear.
“We’re having a hard time following what you’re telling us, and it’s not because we’re not intelligent, it’s because we need more information,” Rourke said. “You helped our opponents by kidnapping our friends, and now you’re just going to tell them to come out and everything’s going to be fine?” I’m glad he spoke up. “That sounds too easy.”
“I never said fine. You will fight,” she said. “It’s not going to be overly easy. I will tell them to come out, and if they do not listen to my wishes, I will force them out. When they come up, you will do what you will with the confrontation. Once it’s over, we will have an outcome.” She still had her hands comfortably settled on her hips like we were just having a nice little chat.
“Do you know in advance what that outcome will be?” Danny asked. His facial expression—a cross between shock, confusion, and awe—represented most of ours. This angel was clearly powerful, and rare. Even though her countenance was bright, she was dressed in all black. Everything about her seemed dark—much darker than Leo.
As Eudoxia had said before, two celestial beings from very different origins.
That couldn’t be truer.
“I am no seer,” Romy said. “I am here to protect and facilitate, nothing more.”
“Then let me get this straight,” Danny said, spreading his hands apart like a game-show host. “You tell them to come out, and they have no choice but to oblige. Then we fight. I understand those rules. But what if they gain the upper hand? Are you going to step in for our side or leave us to flounder? If you don’t mind explaining a wee bit more, as we lot”—he moved his arms in a circle to indicate all of us—“are confused as to what your actual errand here is today.”
“I will not interfere with either side”—she tossed her hair over her shoulder carelessly—“unless the outcome reaches a specific point.”
“You’ve already interfered on their side,” I pointed out. “And, if I can ask, what specific point are you referring to?”
Rourke placed his hand on my waist and leaned down. “I believe this angel can’t share all the details,” he murmured. He straightened. “Isn’t that right?” He gave her a pointed look. “You have coordinated these events so the outcome happens right now, which I understand. You can’t fight our battles for us, which I understand. But you’re staying here in case something happens”—he paused—“to Jessica.”
Why would she need to do that? I gave Rourke a look. “Why would she need to protect me specifically?”
“I believe we will find out shortly,” he answered, a little cryptically.
Do you know something you’re not telling me? I asked. Because if you do, now’s the time to spill it.
Nothing for sure, he said. I’m just putting all the pieces together, including what we got from Enid today. I’m happy Romy is here. I believe it means that Fate is invested in this outcome. And that end result is tied to what Pandora wants, which is good for us.
I’m glad you’re able to reason all this out, I replied somewhat sarcastically. All I am is extremely confused and worried about our friends. It’s time to tell her to call them up.
Agreed.
I cleared my throat, glancing at my father. “Are you ready for Romy to bring them out?”
“Yes,” my father answered. Internally, he said, I’m not sure I trust this being, so be wary. She has a strange signature, and this all seems a little too easy, just as your mate suggested.
I’m with you on that one, I answered. I consider myself fairly intelligent, but I’m not picking up on all the subtleties here. Rourke believes that she’s interested in achieving Pandora’s outcome. If that’s true, we have nothing to worry about.
Let’s hope for our sakes that’s what she wants.
“We’re ready whenever you are,” I told Romy.
She stared at me intently for a few seconds, which made me uncomfortable.
It didn’t seem fair that all these beings knew about me, yet I knew nothing about them. Hopefully, that would all change when I took my seat on the Coalition. I’d no longer be in the dark. I looked forward to that day. It couldn’t come fast enough.