Page 65 of Seraph's Tears
“We should’ve had this meeting weeks ago,” he admitted. “I take full responsibility for her flightiness. She wasn’t up to the task, it appears.”
I bit back an angry retort. How could he not see that Eve was marvelous? She was far smarter than this idiot. It seemed like she had been telling me the truth after all—she’d stalled communications and hidden things from them for as long as she could.
My anger eased at the realization.
“We know you are mighty beings from another world,” Grimshaw said, and I realized I had missed when he’d changed the subject. “You are still here in our world, which means you have a purpose here. Allow our church to provide a place of rest and worship for you. We will be your humble servants, your acolytes, and we beg that you will come with us.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“You have great powers that should be venerated,” the reverend explained. “Eve told us of your superior senses and your warrior background. But I also know you have the power of life and death inside you.”
My blood ran cold. He was wrong, but…with the ayim in seraph bodies, I could see how an ignorant human would draw their own conclusions. Had Eve betrayed me? I swallowed. “What do you mean?”
Chapter Twenty three
Gabriel
Grimshaw smiled. “I see you wish for me to prove my knowledge and devotion to you. Very well. I’ve researched all I can about this. When you Fell from the sky, my grandfather thought you and your whole company had died. But then you rose. And after you, others did as well. The demons who tormented you fled at the sight.
“My grandfather also retrieved a single feather from your wings. Pure white, glistening in the sunlight.” Grimshaw’s voice took on an awed tone. “He used the feather in healings, long periods of prayer over a sick person. He used the feather as not only a physical reminder of faith in our lord, but also a blessing. Those who were meant to die were hurried into death’s waiting arms. And the others grew healthy again, springing forth from their sickbeds and returning into our arms.”
I didn’t bother to hide my sneer. “My feather did all this?”
He nodded fervently. “We need you, oh great one. We shall provide for all your earthly and spiritual needs, and in return we shall boast to the world that a Herald resides with us. I swear, we shall make everything to your specifications.”
I didn’t trust this man one bit. I wished Eve had told me earlier about him so I could understand better what he wanted.
He took my silence as encouragement to continue, for he eagerly delved into his plan. “We have created chambers for your comfort. We shall provide all food, drink, and material needs for you. We only request that you provide us with your blessing as well as your heralds for life and death.”
Did he think I could predict and prevent death? Or also cause it to fall upon other people? I could not. Seraphim were predators of humans, if we wanted to be. Some seraphim did have magical powers, but we couldn’t access it here. But still, I’d learned not to brush off fanatical belief. It could make a man do strange things. And a whole group of them? Repulsion rippled through my body. Eve was right; this was a cult.
My mate had a far stronger will and inquisitive mind than I realized to overcome all of this.
“Well?” He looked expectantly up at me.
I blinked. Apparently he’d still been talking. “What?”
“Will you come?” Grimshaw prodded.
I cocked my head to the side, as if thinking. Then, “No.”
His jaw dropped. I don’t think he’d even considered the idea that I might say no. His face turned red. “I must insist you reconsider. You can find a better life surrounded by us. We wish to give you the adoration one such as you deserves.”
I held back a grimace. “The answer is no.”
“Lord Herald,” he got out through a fiercely clenched jaw. “I must beg you?—”
My patience was at an end. I couldn’t believe Eve was betrothed to such a jackass. “And I must insist you leave. Now.”
For a heartbeat he stared at me, anger radiating from his body. Then he recovered himself, smoothing a hand down the front of his clothing and readjusting his hat. “I see.” The change in behavior and body language was impressive, I had to admit. “You need more time to think it over. I can come back tomorrow and we can discuss what else you might need to feel at home among us.”
“The answer will be no,” I told him.
He nodded to himself as if he hadn’t even heard me. “Women. We can certainly offer women.”
I sneered. “Get out of my home, human.” I pointed to the door behind me.
He left with his nose in the air and back ramrod straight, a picture of perfect dignity. He slammed the door shut behind him, the only display of anger he let slip.
