Page 31 of Uriel
I nod, a sense of unease growing at the intensity of her gaze. “Yes. He’s trying to overthrow Lucifer’s earthly rule, to trigger the apocalypse and reshape the world in his image.”
Helena sits back, her face a tapestry of emotions too complex to unravel. “Well,” she says after a moment, “that complicates things.”
Raphael turns to her, concern etched on his features. “Helena? What is it?”
She sighs, running a hand through her hair. “I... may have some inside information on War. Information that could help us.”
We all lean in, hanging on her every word. Helena takes a deep breath, then continues. “You see, War and I... we used to date. A long time ago,” she adds quickly, seeing Raphael’s eyes widen. “It was nothing serious. Just a bit of fun, really.”
“You dated War?” Emilia asks, her voice trembling with equal parts awe and disbelief. “The Horseman of the Apocalypse?”
Helena shrugs, a hint of her earlier nonchalance returning. “What can I say? I had a rebellious phase. And he was... intense.Passionate. Of course, that passion extended to destruction and chaos, which is why it didn’t last.”
Raphael makes a strangled sound, something between a laugh and a groan. “Only you, love, could so casually mention dating one of the most powerful and dangerous beings in existence.”
Helena pats his knee consolingly. “Don’t worry, darling. You’re much more my type. Less ‘rivers of blood’ and more ‘healing hands,’ if you know what I mean.” She winks, and I have to look away, feeling like I’m intruding on a private moment.
“As... fascinating as this is,” I interject, trying to steer the conversation back on track, “how exactly does this help us? Do you know of a way to stop War?”
Helena’s expression turns thoughtful. “Not stop him, exactly. But I might know a way to send him back to the Underworld trenches. It’s risky, though, and it would involve getting help from someone none of us particularly want to deal with.”
“Lucifer,” Emilia says softly.
Helena nods. “My dear uncle might be a pain in the celestial backside, but he’s got power and influence that could be useful. Especially given that this whole mess is partly his fault.”
I frown, not liking where this is going. “And how do you propose we get Lucifer to help us? He’s not exactly known for his altruism.”
A slow, mischievous smile spreads across Helena’s face. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I have a plan. But it’s not something we can discuss on an empty stomach. Why don’t you two stay for dinner? We can go over the details while we eat.”
Raphael’s eyes light up at the suggestion. “Excellent idea, love! I’ve been experimenting with a new carbonara recipe that I’ve been dying to try out on unsuspecting victims... I mean, guests.”
Emilia and I exchange glances, curiosity and apprehension flickering between us. After a moment, I nod. “That would be... most appreciated. Thank you.”
“Wonderful!” Helena claps her hands together.
As we disperse to our assigned tasks—Raphael to the kitchen, Helena and Emilia to set the table—I find myself at loose ends, uncertain of my place in this domestic scene. The sound of Raphael’s phone pierces the comfortable chaos, and I watch my brother’s brow furrow as he checks the screen.
“It’s Gabrielle,” he announces, accepting the call. “Hey, sis. What’s up?”
We all halt our movements, and I feel tension creep into my shoulders at the mention of our sister’s name. Raphael’s face shifts as he listens, his eyes darting to me. “Yeah, Uriel’s here. How did you—?” He pauses, listening. “Oh, I see. Okay, I’ll tell him. Take care, Gaby.”
When he turns to me, I already know what’s coming. “That was Gabrielle. She says she’s fine in Paris and that you’d explain. Care to fill us in, brother?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair—a distressingly human gesture I seem to have picked up recently. “It’s... complicated. I’ll explain later.”
Relief washes over me at Gabrielle’s message. At least now I know she’s safe, even if she’s trapped across an ocean by powers beyond her considerable abilities to counter.
As I watch Emilia and Helena arrange plates with easy familiarity, as if they’ve known each other for years instead of hours, I’m struck by the strange turns my existence has taken. For millennia, I’ve stood apart from such mundane moments, observing but never participating. Now here I am, about to share a meal with my brother, his half-demon partner, and a human woman who has somehow managed to upend everything I thought I knew about myself.
CHAPTER 16
Emilia
The aromaof garlic and herbs wafts through the air as I move across Raphael and Helena’s penthouse. It’s a stark contrast to the chaos of the past few days—warm, inviting, and utterly normal. Well, as normal as a dinner with angels and half-demons can be.
“Emilia!” Raphael calls from the kitchen, his voice warm and familiar. “Come in, come in. Don’t just stand there like a stranger.”
I can’t help but smile as I make my way towards his voice. It’s comforting to see this side of Raphael—not the efficient doctor I know from the hospital, but a relaxed, barefoot man in an apron that reads “Kiss the Cook (At Your Own Risk)”.
