Read Online Refracted (The Celadon Circle Book 2) by Nicole Storey - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nicole Storey
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yet.”
“You will not needlessly shed blood to satisfy your sick, twisted needs. I won’t allow it. I need the girl whole if I am to determine her true nature.” Michael’s tone changed. He tried to sound threatening but came across slightly off, like a piece of classical music played on an electric guitar. The chords were there, but the song was not as powerful and moving. “Everyone’s replaceable, Illyria.”
She laughed long and hard. “Oh, dear commander, aren’t we all ? Remember, I know why Jordan’s situation is so important to you. Do you honestly believe it has never crossed my mind how easy it would be to dismiss me from your service? Do you think I have not taken steps to insure myself a permanent place in Heaven? If I go missing, your dirty little secret will spread faster than a California wildfire. When your Father finds out, how long do you think it will take Him to strip you of that Archangel title you’re so proud of or worse? I hear His wrath is the stuff legends are made of. After all, He sacrificed His own son for the sake of humanity. If He learned one of His most trusted children dressed up in His clothes and took it upon himself to play God with the very humans who were commended to his care…I can’t imagine He’d be too pleased. As a matter of fact, I think He would be downright furious.”
Gabriel was still. He pressed his fingers to his temples hard enough to leave marks and waited to hear what came next.
“Illyria,” Michael began in his Let’s-Be-Reasonable voice. “I need Jordan unscathed. I can’t ascertain the strength of her powers if she is not able to function normally.”
Illyria’s voice now dominated. Gabriel wondered about the secret she dangled over his brother like a swinging ax. It must be powerful. The Aeon switched roles with the archangel as easily as politicians changed the minds of millions of people with a single, well-delivered sentence. It was all about patience and timing.
“Very well, Michael. I will make sure she is delivered without a scratch. How should I proceed if there is interference from the demons?”
“Kill them all.”
“And if Jordan’s family does not cooperate?”
Michael sounded sad, defeated. “Use your best judgment, but please remember I made a promise to my brother. Don’t harm them unless you have no other choice. It would shatter Gabriel’s soul into pieces too small to reconstruct. I’ve made mistakes I can never atone for. I have a long list of people I have wronged and it grows every day, all because of a single act of egoism. I’d like to keep Gabriel’s name off of it as long as I can. He…” Michael’s voice shook. “He has a pure spirit. My Father chose wisely when He made Gabriel a messenger between worlds. He cares about everyone. I think I could bear any punishment except having to look into his eyes if he ever finds out what I did.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Michael. What you need to decide is how far you’ll go to keep your secret. How many rules are you willing to break?”
Gabriel had heard enough. He directed the butterfly to a bright yellow flower nodding in the sweet breezes, released the creature, and retrieved his grace.
It was time to pay a visit to the Virtues.
Chapter Eight
Quinn
The gray Chevy pulling the horse trailer left a cloud of dust in its wake. Quinn watched it depart with mixed feelings – watched until it rounded the bend in the dirt and gravel drive. Sunlight winked on chrome and then it was gone.
He had no idea when he called The Good Shepherd Riding Academy that morning they would want to pick Archer up the same day.
“We would love the opportunity to have him, even if it is only temporary. We have more children than we do horses right now. Could we pick him up today?”
So soon?
Quinn suddenly had a hard time swallowing. Was he doing the right thing? Jordan loved that horse more than white bread. She wouldn’t want him to be depressed.
“You will not needlessly shed blood to satisfy your sick, twisted needs. I won’t allow it. I need the girl whole if I am to determine her true nature.” Michael’s tone changed. He tried to sound threatening but came across slightly off, like a piece of classical music played on an electric guitar. The chords were there, but the song was not as powerful and moving. “Everyone’s replaceable, Illyria.”
She laughed long and hard. “Oh, dear commander, aren’t we all ? Remember, I know why Jordan’s situation is so important to you. Do you honestly believe it has never crossed my mind how easy it would be to dismiss me from your service? Do you think I have not taken steps to insure myself a permanent place in Heaven? If I go missing, your dirty little secret will spread faster than a California wildfire. When your Father finds out, how long do you think it will take Him to strip you of that Archangel title you’re so proud of or worse? I hear His wrath is the stuff legends are made of. After all, He sacrificed His own son for the sake of humanity. If He learned one of His most trusted children dressed up in His clothes and took it upon himself to play God with the very humans who were commended to his care…I can’t imagine He’d be too pleased. As a matter of fact, I think He would be downright furious.”
Gabriel was still. He pressed his fingers to his temples hard enough to leave marks and waited to hear what came next.
“Illyria,” Michael began in his Let’s-Be-Reasonable voice. “I need Jordan unscathed. I can’t ascertain the strength of her powers if she is not able to function normally.”
Illyria’s voice now dominated. Gabriel wondered about the secret she dangled over his brother like a swinging ax. It must be powerful. The Aeon switched roles with the archangel as easily as politicians changed the minds of millions of people with a single, well-delivered sentence. It was all about patience and timing.
“Very well, Michael. I will make sure she is delivered without a scratch. How should I proceed if there is interference from the demons?”
“Kill them all.”
“And if Jordan’s family does not cooperate?”
Michael sounded sad, defeated. “Use your best judgment, but please remember I made a promise to my brother. Don’t harm them unless you have no other choice. It would shatter Gabriel’s soul into pieces too small to reconstruct. I’ve made mistakes I can never atone for. I have a long list of people I have wronged and it grows every day, all because of a single act of egoism. I’d like to keep Gabriel’s name off of it as long as I can. He…” Michael’s voice shook. “He has a pure spirit. My Father chose wisely when He made Gabriel a messenger between worlds. He cares about everyone. I think I could bear any punishment except having to look into his eyes if he ever finds out what I did.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Michael. What you need to decide is how far you’ll go to keep your secret. How many rules are you willing to break?”
Gabriel had heard enough. He directed the butterfly to a bright yellow flower nodding in the sweet breezes, released the creature, and retrieved his grace.
It was time to pay a visit to the Virtues.
Chapter Eight
Quinn
The gray Chevy pulling the horse trailer left a cloud of dust in its wake. Quinn watched it depart with mixed feelings – watched until it rounded the bend in the dirt and gravel drive. Sunlight winked on chrome and then it was gone.
He had no idea when he called The Good Shepherd Riding Academy that morning they would want to pick Archer up the same day.
“We would love the opportunity to have him, even if it is only temporary. We have more children than we do horses right now. Could we pick him up today?”
So soon?
Quinn suddenly had a hard time swallowing. Was he doing the right thing? Jordan loved that horse more than white bread. She wouldn’t want him to be depressed.
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