Never once did she question the purpose, but seeing him in all his battling glory now, on the heels of her new talent awakening inside her, she began to wonder if the Fates had orchestrated all of this for a reason. Some purpose beyond the council.
“Enough,” a deep voice bellowed as Adriel appeared, his red wings splayed around him in a cape of pure energy.
The fighting ceased, but Gabriel didn’t lower his sword. Instead, he faced his father with an expression unlike any she’d ever seen from her son before. Fierce emotion radiated from him—a palpable anger that threatened to burn everyone alive.
Father and son stared each other down, their warrior spirits testing each other as they floated in ethereal form.
“Banish us if you have to,” Gabriel said, his tone underlined with authority. “But I will do what is necessary to see the prophecy fulfilled. And right now, I need Caro’s help with Astasiya.”
What’s wrong with Astasiya? Caro demanded through the link.
She’s fine, Sethios promised. Why?
Gabriel just said he needs my help with her to ensure the prophecy is fulfilled.
He’s using that as a reason to convince the council to free you, Sethios replied.
She considered that. Oh. That’s a practical move.
Yes, he agreed.
“You choose the prophecy over your loyalty to me? To your home? To your council?” Adriel asked, seemingly unbothered by the power his son wielded before him in the form of a vicious sword.
“It’s my loyalty as a Seraphim that drives me toward this decision. It’s the only path for me to take, Adriel. Even if it means that I need to go through you.” Gabriel shifted his grip, his stance boldly hostile. “Decide.”
“I could have you stripped of your wings.”
“You could try,” Gabriel countered. “And you would lose.”
“I’m the original warrior, Son. You can’t dethrone me.”
“It’s not my goal to dethrone you, Father. I merely wish to see this prophecy through. Is that not why the Fates created me?”
So he senses it, too, Caro thought. He senses that the Fates are playing the council.
What do you mean? Sethios asked.
It’s all too coincidental. I gave birth twice in a century—something that shouldn’t be possible with Seraphim only being able to procreate every five hundred years or so. I also created two of the most powerful progeny in existence today. But I, too, was birthed with a purpose. It’s all aligned, only I don’t think the Fates told the council the real reason for our existence.
I’m still not following, angel, he whispered into her mind. Are you suggesting the Fates have tricked the council somehow? That you all weren’t created to take down my father?
I don’t know. But there was something nagging at her mind, some puzzle she hadn’t quite pieced together yet. However, she sensed she was on the right trail to a bigger revelation.
The council thought they were all destined to destroy Osiris.
But what if that wasn’t the purpose at all? What was the prophecy again? she asked, trying to remember and coming up blank. What are we destined to do?
Astasiya is prophesied to be the one to destroy us all, meaning the Ichorians and Hydraians because it was Skye who voiced it.
Caro frowned. Something about that feels… We’re missing something.
A flash of energy yanked her out of her thoughts, drawing her back to where Gabriel squared off with Adriel about ten feet off the ground. Several other Seraphim had joined the lead warrior Seraphim’s side, but her son didn’t appear fazed. If anything, he looked impatient.
“I’ve fought my way up to second-in-command, Adriel. I’m more than capable of doing it again.” He twirled the sword as another appeared in his opposite hand, the dueling blades blazing with angelfire.
Power oozed off of Gabriel, his birthright showing in the smoldering green of his irises. He wouldn’t back down. And in this state, only Adriel would be able to defeat him.
Unless the other older Seraphim arrived, which Caro suspected might be the point in this delay.
She quietly tested her ability to mist and found it fully intact once more, her body having healed automatically from the ropes of fire that had threatened to bind her to the earth.
“The council has not yet reached a verdict,” Adriel replied. “Until that point, Caro should return to reformation.”
Gabriel shook his head. “Your decision is the one that matters. So deliver your verdict, Adriel. To do otherwise is just a waste of time, of which I have little to give. Things with Osiris are escalating, and I’ve left