Page 29 of Uriel
CHAPTER 15
Uriel
The world dissolvesinto a kaleidoscope of light and sound, my power surging through every fiber of my being as I wrap Emilia in my arms and will us away from danger. For a moment that stretches into eternity, we exist everywhere and nowhere, our very essence scattered across the cosmos.
Then, with a rush of displaced air, reality snaps back into focus.
We materialize in a spacious living room, my legs buckling slightly from the strain of the teleportation. Emilia clings to me, her face buried against my chest, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I tighten my hold on her, as much to steady myself as to offer comfort.
“It’s alright,” I murmur, my own voice sounding distant and strained to my ears. “We’re safe. You can look now.”
Slowly, Emilia lifts her head, her wide eyes taking in our new surroundings. We’re in what appears to be a penthouse apartment, all sleek modern furnishings and floor-to-ceilingwindows offering a breathtaking view of a city skyline I don’t immediately recognize.
“Where are we?” Emilia whispers, her grip on my shirt loosening slightly as the immediate danger passes.
Before I can answer, the sound of shattering porcelain breaks the silence. We both turn to see a woman standing in the doorway to what appears to be a kitchen, the remains of a salad bowl scattered at her feet. She’s tall and lithe, with skin the color of burnished copper and hair that seems to shift between deep maroon and midnight blue as she moves. Her eyes, a startling shade of brown, are wide with shock and a hint of fear.
For a long moment, we all stand frozen, staring at each other. Then the woman’s lips part, and I brace myself for the scream I know is coming.
But instead of a cry of terror, she calls out, “Rafa! We’ve got company!”
The use of my brother’s nickname sends a jolt through me. Surely it can’t be...
“Coming, love!” a familiar voice responds from deeper within the apartment. “Did you drop something? I heard a crash and?—”
Raphael rounds the corner, a dishtowel slung over one shoulder and a look of concern on his face. He stops short when he sees us, his eyes widening in a way that would be comical under different circumstances.
“Uri?” he says, disbelief coloring his tone. “What in the name of all that’s holy are you doing here?”
I open my mouth to respond, but the woman beats me to it. “You know them?” she asks, her posture relaxing slightly but wariness still evident in her eyes.
Raphael nods, moving to stand beside her. “The stuffy-looking one is my brother, Uriel. The Archangel of Chastity,” he adds, a hint of his usual mischief creeping into his voice.“Though given the way he’s holding that lovely young woman, I’m starting to wonder if he’s considering a career change.”
I feel heat rise to my cheeks as I realize I’m still holding Emilia close. I loosen my grip, but don’t let go entirely, some protective instinct unwilling to break contact completely.
“This is Emilia,” I say, choosing to ignore Raphael’s comment for now. “And we’re here because... well, it’s a long story. One that I think we’d all better sit down for.”
Raphael’s expression sobers, recognizing the gravity in my tone. He nods, gesturing towards the plush sofas arranged around a low coffee table. “Of course. Make yourselves comfortable. Helena, love, would you mind putting on some tea? I have a feeling we’re going to need it.”
As we move to sit, Raphael’s eyes light up with recognition as he stares at Emilia.
“My favorite troublemaker,” he exclaims, his tone warm and familiar. “I should have known if Uri was breaking rules, you’d be involved somehow.”
Emilia laughs, some of the tension leaving her shoulders at the sight of a familiar face. “Dr. Angelstone… I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re part of all this too.”
Raphael grins, winking at her. “Please, it’s just Raphael here. No need for formalities.”
I glance between them, momentarily thrown by their easy rapport. “You two know each other well, I take it?”
“Oh, Emilia here keeps me on my toes at the hospital,” Raphael says, his eyes twinkling with devilry. “Always pushing for better patient care, even if it means bending a rule or two. I can see why she’s caught your eye, brother.”
My face grows warmer still, but Emilia just chuckles, settling more comfortably beside me on the sofa. “I had no idea you were an angel too,” she says to Raphael. “Though I guess it explainshow you always seem to be in the right place at the right time during emergencies.”
Raphael shrugs, a playful smirk on his lips. “What can I say? I’m just that good.”
As we settle in, I notice Emilia’s gaze darting between Raphael and me, a look of amused disbelief on her face.
“You okay?” I murmur, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
