The Creation: Chaos Rising (17 page)

Nina burst out laughing. "That's only because I felt sorry for your old carcass!"

"Well in that case I I'd better accept your invitation," Gabriel replied with feigned indignation. "I'd hate for all that pity to go to waste."

"If you're so inclined," Nina said in haughty voice. "But do me a favor, and keep the Icy-Hot to a minimum. The smell of that stuff is wicked."

"I'll do my best, honey," Gabriel croaked, affecting the posture of an extremely old man.

His antics drew more laughter from Nina who leaned forward and gave his trembling lips a kiss.

She meant it as a teasing gesture, but neither Harbinger nor Celemor were prepared for the spark of energy that occurred the moment their lips made contact.

"Wow," Nina gasped. "That was different. What's the Celestial dictionary say about that."

"That's a new one for me, too." Gabriel was baffled not only by the incident but by the sudden tingling in his groin during the brief moment of contact. Not wanting to draw Nina's attention to his confusion, he quickly dissembled. "Maybe it's a sign that you're a bad influence and I should keep my distance."

"On no, you're not getting out of our date that easy," Nina exclaimed, completely oblivious to the subtle change in him. Still smiling, she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him up from the chair. "C'mon old man; I've got a staff meeting in a couple of hours, and I want to see the rest of this western paradise before we go."

"It would be my pleasure." He gestured for her to precede him, and Nina strolled eagerly from the parlor.

Gabriel moved to follow, but paused at the doorway, his eyes locking briefly with those of Clarissa's image. He experienced a sudden stab of guilt, but managed to suppress it as he rushed to catch up with Nina.

*

"Our fledgling Harbinger
appears to be interacting well with her guardian," the Archangel Michael remarked to Omen as he made his way through the Chamber's vaulted entrance. He took up a position beside the Overseer at the Window.

"Indeed she does," Omen replied after according the Keeper of Benevolence a respectful bow. He then turned back to his observation of the casual discourse being shared between Nina and Gabriel as they strolled about the ranch.

"I suppose the same can be said of the Celemor," Michael commented on the smile on Gabriel's face.

Omen had also noticed the Celemor's happy expression. "He does seem to have taken an uncharacteristic liking to Nina. In fact, this is the most content I've seen him since his entrapment into Celestial service."

Michael regarded the Overseer through disapproving eyes. "I have always been tolerant of your involvement with him, Omen. However in the future I would advise you to exercise a bit more discretion when commenting on the Celemor's recruitment. To the wrong ears, your words might ring of sedition."

Omen knew full well whose ears Michael was referring to. "I meant no disrespect to you
or
the Bringer of Death. I was merely pointing out that Gabriel's service has been begrudging at best, due mostly to his initial...
indoctrination,
" Omen temporized at the look of warning the Archangel directed at him; "to the Hierarchy. Perhaps his interaction with the Harbinger is an indication that he has finally come to terms with his Celestial post."

Michael gave Gabriel's image a speculative look. "Perhaps," he drawled. "But it could also stem from the pleasure he seems to derive from her company; in which case it might be prudent for you to impart to him the importance of maintaining his objectivity. Particularly in this instance," he added when he noticed the curious flaring of Celestial energy that took place whenever the two mortals touched. "I would hate for him to become
too
attached to the Harbinger."

Omen's hooded features swiveled in the
Archangel's direction. "Considering Gabriel's tragic history," the Window shimmered as the Overseer used it to focus in on the small cairn marking Clarissa and Gabrielle's gravesite. "Would the formation of a deeper relationship between the two truly be such a negative thing?"

"The Celemor's history is the reason I brought it up," said Michael.

Omen's glowing eyes flared brighter with concern. "Why is that?"

A pained looked flitted across Michael's face. "The Almighty has yet to reveal Nina's eventual position in the Reclamation. I would hate for her destined role to prove…difficult for Gabriel to accept." Michael gave the image of the Celemor and
Harbinger a final glance then strode quietly from the Chamber.

Omen sensed an unusual amount of anxiety in the
Archangel, and pondered its significance. Perhaps Gabriel wasn't the only Member of The Watch that would have a difficult time if Nina's fate proved to be a dire one.

*

In a secluded anteroom at the rear of the main sanctuary of the Sistine Chapel, the state of Nina and Gabriel's relationship was the topic of another conversation.

"It's obvious through these photographs that Miss Delcielo has been totally dishonest with us from day one about her relationship with this Gabriel character,"
Dresden's stern voice rang out. He dropped a heavy manila envelop onto the small table before him. "In fact, judging from the majority of these shots Quinlan and Sanders have managed to capture, the two appear to be inseparable!"

Cardinal Tullis quietly retrieved the envelope, and deftly undid the metal clips. He carefully pulled the stack of high-resolution photographs out of the envelope then spread them on the table for a closer inspection. "The periphery position depicted in every shot suggests he's taken on the role of bodyguard as opposed to a consort."

Dresden released an irritated snort. "I don't care what position he's assumed, the fact of the matter is that we
know
he's not of this earth."

"Yes but that doesn't necessarily mean his intentions are evil," Tullis reasoned.

"If that's the case then why has the Delcielo woman repeatedly denied any association to him?"

"You forget Miss Delcielo's general mistrust of religious organizations," Tullis pointed out. "Which I'm also sure is the cause of her continued refusal of
Presbyterii
guidance that Quinlan and Sanders have repeatedly offered over these past several months."

Dresden
issued a disgusted snort. "Given the preponderance of supernatural entities in her life, I'm beginning to wonder if that truly is the case."

"I'm afraid I've had similar thoughts," Tullis confessed. "Although I have to admit, in spite of her religious antipathy, Miss Delcielo has become a driving force in the philanthropic world. Her tireless efforts lead to me to believe in the sincerity of her heart."

Dresden eyed his fellow Elder through impatient eyes, but refrained from refuting the other's altruistic conclusion. It would be a wasted effort. Tullis was a strong leader and a devout believer in the
Presbyterii's
sacred mission, but his eternal optimism could sometimes be quite pernicious.

Dresden
knew that it wasn't because his esteemed colleague didn't recognize the inherent danger of the modern world. Tullis was fully cognizant of the ever rising taint of the unrighteous, and the Church's inability to route it. Unfortunately, when it came to assigning blame he was prone to giving a suspected infidel the benefit of the doubt; irregardless of the evidence stacked against them.

Dresden
did not share this trait. To him, Nina Delcielo's obvious disdain for religion clearly showed her for what she was: a powerful protagonist for the agnostic cause, and a potential threat to proper Christian values, such as those laid down by the Catholic Church.

"As always I respect your opinion, old friend,"
Dresden said after Tullis had returned the photos to the envelope. "And I laud the mercy that often tempers your justice. I just pray that it has not blinded you to the reality of our current crises."

"It hasn't," Tullis quickly reassured his peer. "I'm just not ready to advance to the next Protocol. Despite her antipathy for religion, and her association with Celestial entities, Miss Delcielo has done nothing untoward to warrant disciplinary action from this body."

Dresden eyed Tullis through beetled brows. "And what happens if the faith you have in Miss Delcielo's moral character turns out to be misplaced?"

A look of apprehension crossed the Cardinal's face. "Then God help us all."

Chapter 22

"I still don't see what the problem is." Exasperation colored Nina's voice.

"The problem," Gabriel stressed, "is that it's not appropriate. A man and woman shouldn't live together unless they're married."

"Maybe that's how it was in
your
day, but this is the twenty first century. Folks now are a bit more liberal."

Gabriel released a disgusted snort. "That's one of the reasons the world's so screwed up." He turned away from her disapproving scowl, and focused on the thunderstorm raging on the other side of the apartment's sliding glass doors.

Nina bit back her sarcastic response. The Celemor's pious position was beginning to grate on her nerves. All she had suggested was that he move into the apartment with her during his continued vigilance as opposed to hanging around outside perched on light posts and antennas, which to her made perfect sense. Unfortunately, Gabriel's ethics were still mired back in the eighteen hundreds.

Gritting her teeth, she placed herself between him and the door-wall. He tried to not meet her eyes, but she stood on her tip-toes, forcing him to look at her.

"Look Gabe; I'm not trying to ignore or trivialize your values, but this whole situation is ridiculous. It would be different if I weren't
aware
of your presence. Then I could understand you skulking about in the shadows, but let's face it; you and I have become pretty close these past few months, and I don't like to see people I care about in uncomfortable situations. Case in point." She pointed toward the heavy drops of rain pelting the door-wall and terrace.

Gabriel spared the downpour a brief glance then shrugged. "My Celestial aura protects me against inclement weather."

The Harbinger resisted the urge to slap the obstinate look off his face. "Then do it for me. So
I'll
feel more comfortable!"

Gabriel maintained his sullen position for a moment then his expression softened. "Very well," he said in a resigned tone. "But I'm
only
doing this for you. I was perfectly content where I was."

"Well thank you sir." Nina gave him a flourished bow. She turned her back to him and hunched her shoulders. "Now that that's settled, tell me what you thought of the Spirit Way Foundation."

Taking the hint, Gabriel began a gentle kneading of her neck and shoulders. "I respect their philanthropic mission, and I checked the organization's credentials. On paper everything appears legitimate."

"Then why do I hear suspicion in your voice?"

"It's your two new friends."

Nina's eyes arched upward. "I thought Darius and Sheila were pleasant enough."

Gabriel frowned. "Yes they were; almost overly so."

"And that's a problem?"

"It could be. I'm not sure yet."

Nina thought about it for a moment then her lips curved into a smile. "Maybe you're feeling a bit nervous because Darius is a good looking guy, and you're sensing a bit of competition."

Her teasing comment turned into a hiss for the slight but painful discharge of energy from the Celemor's finger tips.

"I'm sorry, Nina!" Gabriel immediately released another jolt of energy to soothe the affected area. "That was completely unintentional."

Nina shot him a wary look over her shoulder. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," he muttered, continuing his massage. "I've been feeling a bit out of sync lately. I guess it's affecting my control."

"How long have you been this way?"

"Ever since…" he began to say then immediately clamped his mouth shut. "It's not important. I'm sure it'll pass."

Sensing an unusual amount of tension in his touch, Nina pulled away and faced him. "Ever since when?"

Gabriel refused to make eye contact. "I told you it's not important." He started to turn away, but the strong grip she placed on his forearm prevented him from doing so.

"Tell me." Her voice carried a note of steel, and a resigned sigh escaped Gabriel's lips.

"Ever since the day you…kissed me at the Ranch."

"Oh," Nina said in a quiet voice, releasing his arm. "Look Gabe, I'm sorry if…"

"On no, it's nothing like that," Gabriel hastily assured her. "It's just that," he paused for a moment, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "You're the first woman I've kissed since Clarissa," he confessed, looking everywhere but at her. "And I know you only meant it as a joke," he continued briskly before she could respond. "But…I really liked it, and that's the problem."