demon clan and tried to convince them to change their evil ways.
“Dionysus was appalled at the appearance of the strange demon lovechildren. He referred to the creatures as gargoyles and believed them to be an abomination.
“One day an argument erupted into violence. Dionysus fought fiercely against three other demons, but was eventually backed into a corner and subdued. He was brought before the clan leaders and banished from his home. They told him never to come back.
“Dionysus was full of rage at his family’s evil plans. As he passed from the shadow of the mountain, he emerged into the sunlight. Despite being under the sun, he saw that the area immediately around his body remained cloaked in shadow.
“He dropped to his knees, tortured by his inability to fully experience the warmth and light of the sun. He summoned all of his strength as he focused on driving the darkness from his body. To his surprise, some of the darkness receded and a single beam of light touched his chest. This small token of relief from the darkness strengthened Dionysus further and he attempted to thrust the remaining darkness away. He roared in agony as the darkness was ripped from his frame. His bones splintered and tore through his skin, leaving countless gashes on his arms and legs.
“Black blood poured from each wound and evaporated into the air. A mere human would have surely perished from the injuries, but Dionysus’s body quickly repaired itself.
“Dionysus looked at his arms, his legs. He saw that the shadow had been lifted. Bathed in its life-giving rays, Dionysus closed his eyes and absorbed the power of the sun into his being. He lay there for hours until he was aware that the sun had set beneath the horizon.
“When he opened his eyes it was dark, but he perceived a source of light nearby. Afraid that someone might discover him, he looked around anxiously, but saw only darkness. It was then that he looked closely at his new body. It glowed softly despite the dark that had fallen on the earth.”
“He was the first angel,” Taylor whispered.
“Yes, he was. And Dionysus soon realized that he was changed in many ways. His body could still heal itself, but he now drew his power from light rather than darkness. He was inherently good rather than evil. It was the beginning of the angel evolution.”
“So his powers were stronger than the demons’ and he kicked their asses?” Taylor asked.
“Not exactly. The demons’ powers were still a major force to be reckoned with. For the last 60 years Dionysus has built an army that has protected humans against constant attacks by the demons. The fight is referred to as the Great War by both sides. Given each side’s equal and opposite powers, no advantage has really been gained at any point.”
“Come on, that would mean the demons are still out there. It sounds a little farfetched to me.”
“Unfortunately, they are. Many of the unsolved crimes you hear about on the news are the handiwork of the demons. But the angels are out there every day keeping the demons at bay and protecting the humans. We feel that the tide in the War is finally turning in our favor.”
“Do you fight too?” Taylor asked.
“We all do, Taylor. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility.”
“Are you screwin’ with me, man?” Taylor asked bluntly.
Gabriel looked amused. “I wish I was, but it’s all true.”
Taylor’s head was spinning. Her thoughts once more turned to the snake, and to Gabriel’s courageous victory over it. “I think there is something else I should tell you about my dreams,” she said.
Chapter Sixteen
“I ’ve had a few snake nightmares lately…,” Taylor started, “…and I think you were in two of them.”
To her surprise, Gabriel replied, “I know.”
“What the hell—” Taylor started, but was interrupted by Gabriel.
“One of my abilities is to alter the dreams of any human I choose,” he explained. “In your case,
“Dionysus was appalled at the appearance of the strange demon lovechildren. He referred to the creatures as gargoyles and believed them to be an abomination.
“One day an argument erupted into violence. Dionysus fought fiercely against three other demons, but was eventually backed into a corner and subdued. He was brought before the clan leaders and banished from his home. They told him never to come back.
“Dionysus was full of rage at his family’s evil plans. As he passed from the shadow of the mountain, he emerged into the sunlight. Despite being under the sun, he saw that the area immediately around his body remained cloaked in shadow.
“He dropped to his knees, tortured by his inability to fully experience the warmth and light of the sun. He summoned all of his strength as he focused on driving the darkness from his body. To his surprise, some of the darkness receded and a single beam of light touched his chest. This small token of relief from the darkness strengthened Dionysus further and he attempted to thrust the remaining darkness away. He roared in agony as the darkness was ripped from his frame. His bones splintered and tore through his skin, leaving countless gashes on his arms and legs.
“Black blood poured from each wound and evaporated into the air. A mere human would have surely perished from the injuries, but Dionysus’s body quickly repaired itself.
“Dionysus looked at his arms, his legs. He saw that the shadow had been lifted. Bathed in its life-giving rays, Dionysus closed his eyes and absorbed the power of the sun into his being. He lay there for hours until he was aware that the sun had set beneath the horizon.
“When he opened his eyes it was dark, but he perceived a source of light nearby. Afraid that someone might discover him, he looked around anxiously, but saw only darkness. It was then that he looked closely at his new body. It glowed softly despite the dark that had fallen on the earth.”
“He was the first angel,” Taylor whispered.
“Yes, he was. And Dionysus soon realized that he was changed in many ways. His body could still heal itself, but he now drew his power from light rather than darkness. He was inherently good rather than evil. It was the beginning of the angel evolution.”
“So his powers were stronger than the demons’ and he kicked their asses?” Taylor asked.
“Not exactly. The demons’ powers were still a major force to be reckoned with. For the last 60 years Dionysus has built an army that has protected humans against constant attacks by the demons. The fight is referred to as the Great War by both sides. Given each side’s equal and opposite powers, no advantage has really been gained at any point.”
“Come on, that would mean the demons are still out there. It sounds a little farfetched to me.”
“Unfortunately, they are. Many of the unsolved crimes you hear about on the news are the handiwork of the demons. But the angels are out there every day keeping the demons at bay and protecting the humans. We feel that the tide in the War is finally turning in our favor.”
“Do you fight too?” Taylor asked.
“We all do, Taylor. As they say, with great power comes great responsibility.”
“Are you screwin’ with me, man?” Taylor asked bluntly.
Gabriel looked amused. “I wish I was, but it’s all true.”
Taylor’s head was spinning. Her thoughts once more turned to the snake, and to Gabriel’s courageous victory over it. “I think there is something else I should tell you about my dreams,” she said.
Chapter Sixteen
“I ’ve had a few snake nightmares lately…,” Taylor started, “…and I think you were in two of them.”
To her surprise, Gabriel replied, “I know.”
“What the hell—” Taylor started, but was interrupted by Gabriel.
“One of my abilities is to alter the dreams of any human I choose,” he explained. “In your case,
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