Page 2 of Far From Center
“A stolen artifact?” Gabriel gritted his teeth. Now that they were all locked out of Aaru, he had no way of finding out exactly what this traitor had stolen before that final battle.
“I also know that the item is being transferred to another demon from the Gormand — a Noodle.”
Noodles were information demons, so the item could be anything. Besides information, they tended to be magpies when it came to interesting objects. But how could a Noodle possibly have the money to buy a stolen artifact brokered through a Gormand? Gormands were a type of greed demon, and always had currency to spare, but information demons generally were poor. Perhaps he or she had a benefactor.
And beyond a benefactor, the Noodle probably had a bodyguard — a war demon or one powerful enough to protect the weaker class of demon from the Gormand who would surely try to rig the deal.
“So when is all this going to happen, and where?” He could easily defeat a Gormand, a Noodle, and whoever else she brought in for muscle and retrieve the item, but that wasn’t his priority. He was going to capture this rebel, the angel who’d eluded him for nearly two years. Gabriel had a score to settle with this angel, and in this matter, his legendary patience had come to an end.
“Within the next three days. I wanted you to be here early so you can hide your energy signature, and so you can follow the Noodle. She’s your key to finding the Gormand as well as the angel you’re hunting.”
It wasn’t the complete information he’d hoped to receive, but Nils had given him more than any member of his household had been able to do in the last year. This was his chance, and he wasn’t about to let this one slip by.
“How do I find the information demon?” He’d need to find her and trace her back to the Gormand as quickly as possible, since it was likely the angel he sought would vanish once the artifact was transferred to the greed demon. Time would be of the essence here.
“She arrives on the flight from Maryland this afternoon. She and her bodyguards are staying at the Casa Bonita. I managed to get a copy of their itinerary.”
“And how exactly did you do that?” Gabriel narrowed his eyes. “Whoisthis information demon?”
The Fallen had a bead of sweat on his forehead that betrayed his unease. “She is part of the Iblis’ household. The Iblis is brokering the deal at her end to get the item from the Gormand. I didn’t…please don’t let the Mistress know I’ve been sharing this information with you.”
It made sense. The Iblis had more money than a Noodle, and there were many reasons why she’d want an artifact — not all of them for the benefit of the angels. If he had time he’d need to also retrieve this artifact, whatever it was, before it reached the Iblis. Or, if that failed, alert his eldest brother that the imp he loved, the one who allegedly ruled Hel, was up to something.
“You know that I can’t vow to remain silent on any of this, but I will do my best to keep your cooperation in strict confidence,” Gabriel told the Fallen.
Nils didn’t appear thrilled with that answer, but he nodded and slid a paper over to Gabriel. On it was flight information and two rooms at the Casa Bonita — a first floor, and a third floor. Odd that the Noodle would want to be two floors away from his or her bodyguard. Wait bodyguards? As in plural?
“How many bodyguards is the information demon bringing?” It didn’t matter, but it would let him know how powerful this Gormand was. He wanted to be ready if he needed to exercise considerable force in interrogating the demon. And he wanted to make sure he had enough energy left over to deal with Tura.
“Two.” Nils squirmed. “But you know the Iblis. Her household is mostly Lows. I doubt she has any heavy-hitters. That’s probably why she’s sending two.”
A household full of Lows and a Fallen. What a ragtag group. He almost felt sorry for the Iblis. Almost.
“What is the artifact she’s attempting to acquire?”
“I don’t know.” The Fallen took another bite of the sandwich. Gabriel cringed as he continued to speak with his mouth full. “I don’t think the Iblis even knows. That’s probably why she’s sending a Noodle. Those demons know all sorts of random stuff.”
Which brought to mind another question. “What is she exchanging for the artifact?”
Nil’s shrugged. “Some elven-made item that’s supposedly rare. Looks like a necklace. Makes my skin crawl every time I see it.”
Well that wasn’t exactly helpful. And Nils inability to speak in full sentences was becoming irritating.
“Anything else I need to know?” By the creator, he was starting to pick up the habit himself. Gabriel cringed. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
“I’ve told you everything I found out.” The Fallen picked at his fries, then looked up at Gabriel hopefully. “But if you need anything else, anything at all, please let me know.”
Of course, because the Fallen was eager to be reinstated. Depending on how this worked out, Nils might be one step closer, but Gabriel couldn’t help but torment the Fallen a bit more.
“You’re sure about that offer? What I ask of you might be contrary to what the Iblis, the head of your choir, orders.”
Nils shuddered. “I…she’s very creative in her punishments. I really don’t want to cross her, but I’m willing to suffer if it gets me back into Aaru, and back into your choir, Ancient Revered One.”
Little did the Fallen know there was no more Aaru. Well, there was, it was just that no angel could figure out how to access it. It was one additional thing the Iblis had ruined for them. They’d all been accidently banished, and it looked quite likely that they’d never be able to return to their homeland.
It hurt Gabriel deep inside to think that he might never see his beloved Aaru again, that he might be condemned to a physical existence for all of eternity. But none of this was something Nils, or any angel beyond him and his siblings and the Iblis, needed to know about.
“You’ve proven yourself very useful, Nils,” Gabriel said, standing. The waitress approached with two beers, giving him a disappointed pout. He made a show of digging in his pocket and created the American human currency that was accepted on this island. It must have been sufficient since the woman’s eyes lit up as he handed it to her.
“And Nils,” he added as he turned to leave. “If you so much as lay a finger on this woman, I will personally slice your wings off, one feather at a time.”
