Page 27 of Uriel
“I... wasn’t aware you two knew each other,” I manage, my gaze flicking between Emilia and Gabrielle.
Gabrielle lets out a tinkling laugh that sets my nerves on edge. “Oh, we didn’t! Not until about an hour ago. I popped in for a visit and found this absolute gem all alone. Really, Uri, it’s not like you to be so negligent with your guests.”
Her tone is light, teasing, but I can hear the faint undercurrent of reproach. It’s so like Gabrielle to waltz in uninvited and then act as if I’m the one at fault.
“My apologies,” I say stiffly. “I had some... urgent business to attend to.”
Emilia’s brow furrows slightly at my tone, but before she can say anything, Gabrielle claps her hands together.
“Well, no matter! We’ve been having the most delightful chat. Did you know Emilia’s never been to London? I was just telling her about this darling little tea shop in Notting Hill. Oh, and we’ve discovered a mutual love for animals! Emilia does volunteer work at an animal shelter. Isn’t that precious?”
I clench my jaw, fighting against the urge to snap at Gabrielle. Her enthusiasm, so at odds with the gravity of our situation, grates on my already frayed nerves.
“How... nice,” I manage. “Gabrielle, might I have a word with you? In private?”
Gabrielle’s eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, but her smile never wavers. “Of course, dear brother. Though I don’t know what you could possibly have to say that Emilia couldn’t hear. After all, we were just getting to the juicy part about the end-of-the-world crisis.”
Gracefully, Gaby rises from her chair. “Uri, you wanted to chat? Let’s chat. Emilia, darling, would you mind terribly if I borrowed my brother for a moment?”
Emilia shakes her head, still watching me with those soft, concerned eyes. “Of course not. I’ll just... tidy up a bit.”
As she begins gathering the tea things, Gabrielle loops her arm through mine and all but drags me from the room. Her grip is far stronger than her delicate appearance would suggest, reminding me that for all her frivolous behavior, she is still very much an archangel.
She pulls me into my study, closing the door behind us with a soft click. As soon as we’re alone, her cheerful demeanor drops like a discarded cloak.
“Alright, Uri,” she says, her voice low and serious. “What in the name of all that’s holy is going on here? I leave you alone for a few centuries and suddenly you’re shacking up with a human and the world’s about to end?”
I bristle at her tone, old resentments bubbling to the surface. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Gabrielle. Or your presence, for that matter. Why are you here?”
She sighs, running a hand through her fiery hair. “Believe it or not, I’m here to help. Though I’m starting to wonder why I bother, given the warm welcome I’m receiving.”
“Help?” I scoff. “And how exactly do you propose to do that? By gossiping with Emilia about London and animal shelters?”
Gabrielle’s eyes flash dangerously. “Don’t be obtuse, Uriel. It doesn’t suit you. I was getting to know her, trying to understandwhat’s so special about this human that has you risking everything.”
I turn away, unable to meet her piercing gaze. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me,” she says, her voice softening slightly. “Uri, I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, especially since...” she trails off, but I know what she’s referring to. Her friendships with certain fallen angels have been a point of contention between us for millennia.
“But I’m still your sister,” she continues. “And contrary to what you might believe, I do care about you. And the world, for that matter. So when I started hearing whispers about prophecies and earthquakes and you being at the center of it all, I had to come see for myself.”
I sigh, feeling the weight of centuries pressing down on me. “It’s... complicated, Gaby.”
She snorts, a very un-angelic sound. “When is it not, with you? Come on, spill. What’s really going on here?”
And so, against my better judgment, I find myself telling her everything. The prophecy, the tremors, Azrael’s visit, my growing feelings for Emilia, and my recent, unsettling encounter with Lucifer.
Gabrielle listens without interrupting, her expression growing more serious with each passing moment. When I finally fall silent, she lets out a low whistle.
“Well, brother dear, you certainly know how to get yourself into a mess, don’t you?”
I glare at her, but there’s no real heat behind it. “If you’re just going to mock me, you can leave.”
“Oh, don’t be so sensitive,” she says, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m not mocking you. Well, not entirely. But Uri, don’t you see? This is exactly why I came.”
I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.
“I’ve heard things,” she says, her voice dropping to a murmur. “Whispers in dark places, rumors from old... friends.” The way she says ‘friends’ leaves little doubt as to their nature. “I think I know who’s really behind all this.”
