Chapter 4: Encounters

Michael:

As I wind my way through the Parisian streets, I search for any signs of danger. When I’m not working at the college or at the fighting ring, I’m usually working for the Supernatural Council by policing the city and protecting the humans from any supernatural beings who do not follow council laws.

After my fall, I searched for a purpose and discovered that I could do on Earth what I did in heaven─protect humans. Soon after, I met a powerful Magi and helped her establish the Council. The Magi and the others who helped build the Council asked me to become one of their elders, but I refused, opting to remain an enforcer.

I wanted to continue my travels and learn from others, and I could not do that from the shackles of a Council seat.

The Magi was more than happy to take over in my stead.

A council member called me earlier, asking me if I would investigate several human deaths. The Council warned me that a large hive of Nagas has been terrorizing and killing humans in Paris. As I was strolling down the tourist quarter, I sensed a group of them nearby.

Thoughts churning, I use my angel senses to search for any signs of the Nagas.

It’s late in the evening, which makes it easier for me to find their essence. While I search for them, I prepare to fight.

I’m near the center of the station when a feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. Jaw tight, I stride through the tracks until I am standing in front of a dark opening. I move through the opening, my eyes jumping side to side as I search for my prey.

The feeling in my belly intensifies the closer that I get. Finally, looking into a darkened cavern several yards away from the tracks, I step through a decrepit old doorway. For several minutes silence reigns. Not a sound is heard, considering the predators that have been reported to be living here. I’m about to turn around when I hear the sound of a scuffle nearby.

I search the darkness until I reach metal stairs leading down an old cavern. The cavern is riddled with bones. It’s definitely a Naga feeding ground. Naga’s, like vampires, feed on their victim’s blood. However, if I had to compare them to something, I’d say they are similar to bees or ants. Naga’s have a hive mentality and a queen that they serve. Other than drinking blood, they also eat the meat and organs of their victims. They are nasty creatures that have no remorse or emotions. The only thing a Naga feels is hunger.

Without hesitation, I step inside their den. The stench of blood and death reaches my nose, followed by the sounds of scurrying rats.

I look around until the sounds of struggles reach my ears. It’s coming from below a set of rusted stairs.

Taking several cautious steps, I release my sword and proceed until I reach the bottom. Water droplets fall from the pipes with a plop everywhere, disrupting the unnatural silence.

Using my supernatural senses, I sharpen my vision and listen intently until I hear growls several feet in front of me.

Horror replaces curiosity when I come face-to-face with a cluster of savage-looking Nagas surrounding a bleeding form. Their thin bodies are pale, and their eyes are dark as night. Naga’s have snake-like features and large reptilian feet and hands.

The female’s clothes are ripped, her hair is caked with mud and haphazardly tousled around her. She cries out as a Naga sinks its claws into her arm and another her leg. From what I can see, they haven’t bitten her yet, which tells me they're playing with their food before eating it. They must have taken her off the streets right before I arrived.

Jaw tight, I join the fray and kick one in the head before I impale another with my sword. The Nagas hiss as one of their own falls to my flame.

Thankfully, the female loses consciousness and does not see all of the carnage.

Once I’ve annihilated the nest, I look through the female's mind to make sure she wasn’t bitten before I flash her to a human hospital and head back home.

My mobile vibrates a moment later. It’s Lucifer. “Salut, frère?” I answer.

Lucifer’s crisp British voice resounds across the receiver, “Oy, Michael, did you speak to Gabriel?”

“I did. He was quite despondent.”

He sighs, “I know this whole situation has been difficult for all of you. But I get the feeling that this is not the end. Sometimes things happen for a reason. We do not even know for sure if the spell functioned correctly.”

I nod, “I think we just need time to work through it. I spoke to him, but I’m not sure if he écoutait,” was listening, “We are all trying to get through this.”

Lucifer sighs, “I’m sorry, brother. Sometimes I forget that you are also dealing with this pain.”

I shake my head, “I will not pretend it’s not difficult. All I can do is hope that this pain I feel over my loss will eventually dull. But I am working through it. I’m more concerned for Gabriel and his inability to mourn.”

“I’ll see if I can speak to him. Is he fighting tonight?”

“Oui, he will be,” I reply.

“Who is he fighting?”

I smile, “He is fighting a new incubus male. Have you spoken to Rafael?”

Lucifer snorts, “I called him last night, but he didn’t answer me. Why do you ask?”

I look up at the ceiling as I stroll to my bathroom to turn on the shower. “The reason you haven’t reached him is that he’s out taking care of Council business.”

“Why would he do that? For christ’s sake, he’s the bloody Creator now. Shouldn’t he be sending angel minions to do that sort of work?”

I chuckle at Lucifer’s put - out tone. “Non, this issue involves the disappearance of female angels. It appears that a new religious cell called The Hand of God has been gathering followers and kidnapping angel females who they believe can open Le créateur’s seal at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.”

Lucifer scowls, “Bloody hell, that’s monstrous. But how do they know that the Creator is trapped behind the seal?”

I pull off my shoes and lean my elbow on my knee as I continue to speak, “It seems that the tomb was discovered after we fought the horsemen, and Lana sacrificed herself. We know about the kidnappings because one of the disciples tried to kidnap Cassia Black, Mathias Black’s mate, but she managed to escape and identify the Hand of God tattoos on their arms. However, once he reported the attempt to Rafael, it was discovered that over a dozen female angels have been missing over the past eight months. Five of them were found dead in different parts of the world after being reported missing by family members who recall seeing men with the same tattoos following the females. They were all killed by sacred swords and were drained of blood, which tells me that they tried to use the female angel’s blood to open the seal.”

“They must not know that the seal can only be opened by the four horsemen,” he speculates.

“Or they know about them but don’t know who they are, so they’re carving up angel females to see if they’re fortunate enough to open the seal. Either way, they have been very elusive. According to Rafael, the disciples found a tome with the ritual to open the seal in other religious temples.”

Lucifer snorts, “Bloody hell, if they can do the ritual somewhere else, it would make it a thousand times harder for the Council to find them.”

I nod, “This is why the Council asked Rafael for help.”

“But how are they finding the females?” he asks, “There aren’t many female angels, and most of them do not bandy their status to just anyone?”

“That is a good question, frère. One that we have yet to discover the answer to.”

He puffs out a breath, “Lana’s doing further research at the Grand Canyon for the next couple of weeks. I think I shall join her.”

“C'est une bonne idée mon frère,” that’s a good idea, brother, I retort. “As for me, I will continue to police the streets in case any of these zealots dare show themselves. From what I gather, the Hand of God has been amassing zealots all over the world, and you can never be too careful.”

“Bloody hell, I guess I will have to speak to Gabriel another time. I hope Rafael puts a stop to these bothersome religious freaks.”

“J’espère aussi,” I hope so too, I state.

“I’m sure Gabriel will be happy to speak to you another time,” I reply sarcastically because I know Gabriel does not appreciate that we’ve been watching over him.

He releases a deep sigh, “Yes, I’m sure the git won’t be too torn up about me missing his fight. I just hope he’s no wallowing.”

My jaw twitches as I try to stifle my emotions, “Je suis d'accord, frère.” I agree, brother.

He doesn’t comment for a moment. “We are bloody amazing brothers, aren’t we?”

I snicker at his arrogant tone, “You are most definitely the humble one, I’m sure.”

He chuckles, “I am,” he mutters. “Oh, before I go,” he continues, “Have you spoken to Lilith?”

My body stiffens at the mention of that woman, “Oui, she has informed me that she is happy in her new apartment.”

He chuckles, “You must be relieved to be rid of her?”

I scowl. Lilith is Lucifer’s ex - lover and the mother of his son, Fallon. She tried to kill Lucifer and Fallon until Lucifer stopped her. Rather than kill her, Lucifer stripped her of her dark powers and sent her to live with me until she could be rehabilitated. She has lived in my home for three months and has caused quite a stir with my servants. However, over time she became less of a menace and seemed to settle into her life. She’s currently working at a local Café and is happy in her new home. Though she is still prickly, I’ve seen a less venomous side to her recently. It took me some time, but I learned that Lilith has suffered a great deal at the hands of my brother, Le Créateur and the male who rejected her. Seeing the tragedy of her life, I softened and tried to help her as best as possible. We are most assuredly not friends, but we’re not enemies, which is why I helped her find an apartment and wished her well.

“Oui, I will admit that at the beginning, I did curse you for sending her. However, I have to say that over time she became less horrible.”

Lucifer sputters with amusement, “Though Lilith and I will never be best mates, I have to agree that she was not as horrid as I expected when I last spoke to her. Thank you for helping her.”

I snicker, “Je vous en prie,” You’re welcome, “however, do not ever ask me to help you with one of your ex - lovers again.”

He hums in agreement, “That is something you will never have to be concerned about. Lana will cut off my bollocks if I ever mention any of my past liaisons, nonetheless ask my brothers to give them a home.”

“You’re a smart male, understanding your mate’s wrath. Lana is quite formidable.”

He laughs, “She is, and she’s all mine, which is why you are coming over after all of this Hand of God business is settled.”

I groan at his command, “It’s not that I do not like our family gatherings, but your woman’s obsession with football is quite terrifying.”

Lucifer’s laughter becomes more boisterous, “She is quite a fright screaming at the telly when the footballers are losing.”

I roll my eyes at his glib tone, “She shattered the last television, Lucifer.”

“You know she is passionate about the world cup. You should be grateful that her favorite team is France. The beautiful little traitor thinks our English team is rubbish.”

I snicker in retort, “You’re just upset because she has a crush on the team’s forward, Dante Giroud. You should not be jaloux, frère.”

He sputters in reply, “I am not bloody jealous, you git. I just don’t understand what she sees in him. I am bloody gorgeous compared to that troll.”

“Do you mean the troll who was named one of the most handsome men in the world by various renowned magazines? Is that the male you are speaking of?”

He growls and childishly whines, “These females are all bloody blind.”

On that note, I tell my frère goodbye and disconnect the call.