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A moment later a thin woman with a pursed mouth entered. Everything about her looked faded – nondescript hair, pale skin. She gulped when she saw him.
“Sir, it’s – it’s an honour,” she gasped. “When I came here, I never dreamed I’d see you. Why, I thought you were in Denver Eden!”
Raziel rose, crossing to a sideboard. “Yes, quite. And you are…?”
“Joa
He’d been about to pour himself a glass of water; he froze mid-motion. “Willow Fields’s aunt,” he said.
There was a mirror over the sideboard; he saw her expression darken. “That’s not my fault. You know that, sir. Miranda and I have nothing to do with that girl.”
He was glad he wasn’t facing her; he wasn’t able to keep the stu
“Miranda?” he enquired blandly.
“Yes, my sister.” Joa
“By all means.” He remained where he was, playing with the glass. “Suppose you remind me of the circumstances surrounding your and Miranda’s – er – continued existence,” he said. “I find myself fuzzy on the details.”
“Our – oh, of course.” Joa
Joa
Raziel swirled the water around in his glass. “The angel,” he repeated in a neutral tone.
Joa
Rage was building within Raziel; it was difficult to keep from squeezing his crystal tumbler into pieces. “How enterprising of her,” he said. “May I ask the name of this paragon?”
Joa
For a second, shock jolted Raziel; an even greater fury followed. Oh, someone thought they were very clever, all right – and he had a feeling he knew who.
Raziel shifted to his angel self. Joa
“I think perhaps I need more information,” he said, and buried his hands in her aura.
Though he found her energy distasteful, he fed deeply. It was, he’d found, the one thing that enhanced what little psychic ability he had left. As Joa
An angel with pale blonde hair and dark eyes appeared – a crystal smile. Charmeine, thought Raziel grimly, unsurprised. They’d always had a strong psychic co
Raziel shimmered back to his human form with a smirk. Ironic that Charmeine’s machinations had now delivered Miranda right into his hands. Foiled again, my dear, he thought, seeing again the moment of Charmeine’s death.
“So beautiful,” murmured Joa
“Thank you.” Raziel leaned against the desk. “Well, I think I’m up-to-date now,” he said, falsely cheery. “Why did you come to see me?”
Joa
Raziel’s eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
Joa
“Last week?” Raziel said sharply.
Joa
Raziel struggled to keep his voice controlled. “What was she saying?”
“I wrote it down afterwards, so I wouldn’t forget.” Joa
Raziel’s eyebrows rose as he sca
Miranda seemed to be talking to someone. At the very end, she said his name: Alex. They seemed to be pla
Shock and understanding roared through Raziel. Some part of Miranda was still cognizant, and existed in the angels’ world. And Kylar had been there with her. How? How had he gotten across to their world?
Enraged, Raziel resisted the urge to crumple the paper into a tiny ball. He’d destroyed all the known gates – yet if this information was accurate, he’d missed something vital. His plan to gain control of Willow flashed back to him. Yes, and none too soon, if she knew how to use the angelic energy field. If he didn’t act quickly, she’d destroy them all.
Fortunately, his next move would not be one she’d expect.
Raziel folded the paper and ran his fingernail sharply along its crease. “Where did you say Miranda is being kept again?”
Joa
“Perhaps you would wait in the outer office,” interrupted Raziel, reaching for his cell.
“Oh! Yes, of course.” She got up hastily.
Raziel was already hitting a button on speed dial. A voice answered.
“It’s time,” Raziel said as Joa
Bascal sounded instantly awake. “For the attack?”
“Precisely.” Raziel glanced at the clock: 3.17. “It’s to begin at six a.m. exactly. I want that town decimated. There’s a gate there; find it and destroy it – spare no one except the girl. She’s to be captured alive, unless she gets to the gate and tries to open it. Kill her immediately in that case.”
“Oh?” Bascal’s voice was wary.
“She can control our world’s energy field,” snapped Raziel. “It’s what Paschar’s vision meant.”
Bascal’s tone turned deadly. “Don’t worry. She won’t get away with it.”
Raziel was still holding the photo of Willow as he hung up. He gave a hard smile as he studied the girl’s radiant face. Oh, I’ve got a surprise for you, my daughter, he thought. I’ve finally found the way to control you.