Chapter 16 The Tower of Chain
Chapter 16 The Tower of Chain
The time approached too slowly.
Thaddeus paced the hotel suite like a lion in a cage, shoes sinking into the thick carpet with every step. The room smelled of fresh linen and faint citrus air freshener, but it felt suffocating. His new suit — tailored, expensive, still strange on his body — felt too tight across his shoulders. He kept glancing at the clock on the wall, the second hand ticking like a countdown to something he wasn’t ready for.
Malachi sat near the window, calm and still, watching the city lights flicker below. Raziel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes distant as if he was already seeing possible futures unfold.
Thaddeus stopped pacing, fists clenched at his sides. “We go in as buyers. We assess. We get Uriel out. No heroics. No sentiment. Wait for my order.”
Malachi nodded once, voice steady. “As you command, my lord. We will follow your lead.”
Raziel pushed off the wall. “We understand. But if Kane tries anything… we will not stand idle.”
Both angels bowed their heads slightly, a quiet acknowledgment that carried more weight than words.
They drove to Kane’s tower in silence. The black SUV cut through the evening traffic, the city lights streaking past like blurred stars. Thaddeus’s hands rested on his knees, fingers tapping an anxious rhythm. The Ageless Balm sat heavy in his jacket pocket, a reminder of what he had gained — and what it had cost.
The tower rose ahead, sleek and imposing, its upper floors glowing against the night sky. They parked in the underground garage. Security eyed them but waved them through after Malachi spoke a few quiet words. The elevator ride up was long and quiet, the soft hum of the cables the only sound.
When the doors opened onto the rooftop, Thaddeus stepped out and froze.
The scene hit him like a punch to the gut.
Uriel was chained in the center of the open rooftop, black thongs sinking deep into his golden skin, wings spread wide and pinned like a trophy. Golden blood dripped slowly from the arrow wound in his shoulder and the cuts where the thongs bit in, glowing faintly as it fell onto the concrete. The wind whipped across the roof, carrying the metallic scent of that blood mixed with the distant city smells.
Uriel lifted his head. Their eyes met.
The look in Uriel’s eyes was a storm — recognition, desperate hope, and a silent warning to be careful. His jaw was clenched tight, sweat glistening on his golden skin, but there was still fire there. He was hurting. Badly. But he was still fighting.
Thaddeus felt it hit him hard — a sharp twist in his chest, guilt and anger and something deeper, like seeing a brother broken. Hold on, Uriel. I’m here. I’m not leaving you. He forced his face to stay neutral, but inside he was screaming.
Kane approached with a smug smile, arms spread like a gracious host. “Ah, our buyer arrives. Minister Tate, this is the gentleman I told you about — the one interested in my newest acquisition.”
Minister Tate sat nearby in a chair, sharp eyes studying Thaddeus. He nodded politely. “A pleasure.”
Thaddeus nodded back, eyes flicking briefly to the woman standing near Uriel — Tate’s daughter, pale and fragile. She looks like she’s barely holding on. He forced himself to stay focused. “I’m here for the angel. Ten billion. Cash. Tonight.”
Kane’s smile widened. “Straight to business. I like that. Minister Tate here holds real power in this city. He understands the value of rare things.”
Tate leaned forward and told Thaddeus about his plan to use the angel in healing his daughter, if only he'd be able to.
Thaddeus’s mind raced. They think Uriel can heal her. If he could, he would have done it already. But if I play along… maybe I can buy time. Use this to get closer to Uriel. But Kane can’t be trusted. One wrong word and we all go down. He kept his face calm. “I understand. We can discuss terms. My organization deals in unique assets. This angel would be a valuable addition. I’m prepared to pay ten billion.”
Kane chuckled. “Impressive. But tell me more about your organization. Malachi spoke highly of you. Said you run a powerful secret gang back home. Said you have a particular interest in rare specimens like this one.”
Thaddeus nodded smoothly, lying with practiced ease. “We do. We specialize in acquiring and protecting rare assets. This angel fits perfectly into our collection. I’m not here to negotiate. I’m here to buy.”
Tate’s eyes narrowed slightly. “If he can heal my daughter… I’ll make it worth your while. Name your price on top of the ten billion.”
Thaddeus glanced at Uriel again — the golden blood still dripping, the silent warning in his eyes. I can’t promise that. But if I play this right, maybe I can get him out alive. “We’ll see what he can do. First, I need to inspect the specimen.”
Kane’s smile never faltered. “Of course. Take your time. But remember — he’s not leaving this rooftop unless I say so.”
Thaddeus scanned the rooftop — ten armored guards with rifles tipped with dark arrows, countless thugs lingering in the shadows. He knew Kane had what it took to put Malachi and Raziel down in seconds if things went wrong.
He looked at Raziel again, then lied smoothly about himself, voice steady. “I run a powerful organization back home. We deal in… unique assets. This angel would be a valuable addition to my collection. I’m prepared to pay ten billion. Cash. Tonight.”
Kane introduced him properly to Tate. “Minister Tate here holds real power in this city. He understands the value of rare things.”
Thaddeus nodded, keeping his expression neutral. “A pleasure. I understand your situation with your daughter. We’ll see what can be done.”
But inside, his mind raced. He looked at Uriel again — the golden blood still dripping, the silent warning in his eyes. The odds were bad. Ten guards with those dark arrows. Countless thugs. Kane had the advantage.
He didn’t know how to save Uriel yet.
But he wasn’t leaving without him.
The wind howled across the rooftop.
The stare-down held.
And the night waited for someone to make the first move.