Chapter 163

Chapter 163
Willow
“The Great Unicorn King Uriel…. The Steed of the Man King himself graces this house, so I know those words are true… but I do not understand… She is a monster now… A kitsune by the looks of it…. Why protect her? They commit heresy by her breathing.”
“This world was deemed Sanctuary. As a hunting priest, I know you already know that. Don’t play dumb.” Snorted Uriel. “The master bade me to come because he knew if you only saw the Realm King, that you may not necessarily believe him, or his nephew. So long as she does nothing to harm humans, or tempt to turn them, she is allowed to be here.”
“And you are not allowed to cause disruption.” Said Xaxas sternly. “Or else it will be just me who comes, and I must admit… all this peace is a little fucking boring. Don’t become my entertainment.”
“I’m inclined to agree.” Said Uriel. “There is no more war, and only those who break the law will ever see your Ring. Why not take this time to learn to know what peace looks like?”
He looked at me, and my mom holding my sister. Dad was still asleep, passed out with his mouth open. He took extra shifts from what mom told me, and Father Macky knew that. Macky is old enough to have seen my uncle and parents grow up… and me as well… I could see him debate this.
“I’m sorry. I will respect the master’s wishes, but I cannot be here.” He said respectfully. “Should you ever be human again, I will embrace you… But as a Child of Night protected by … by the Realm King I can’t in good conscious accept you.”
“And I accept that. It’s your right.” I said proudly. 
I wouldn’t show that it hurt to hear that from him… But it is his right. 
“This is the life I chose. Just as I accepted the Horned One’s mark, I accept that not everyone will accept me.” I said firmly. He will not see that his words break my heart.
For my mate and especially our pups, I must be strong. They will grow up with leers their way because of their bloodline…. And I don’t want people like this to wound their feelings… and I don’t want my mom to see me upset.
“Suit yourself, I don’t.” Said Clarence. “Thanks for dropping me off Macky.”
With magic, I saw Xaxas wave his hand, and it forced Macky to slide out the door, all the way to his car. He didn’t hurt him, but that can’t be good for an old man.
“You are barred from ever coming here again.” Said Xaxas, leaving in a puff of smoke.
“I’ll be off as well.” Said Uriel, becoming glitter and disappearing. “One of you be sure to speak with Father Vahn. He leads the chapter here.”
“Huh?” Mumbled dad.
“It’s just me. Go back to sleep.” Said uncle Clarence.
“He’s so tired, and that bastard almost woke him up.” I complained. “I’m serious mom… if you need anything please… just take it.”
“I won’t take your money.” She said shaking her head.
“Then take mine.” Offered Kaizen. “I agree with my wife. Plus, I feel you’re owed for pupsitting.”
“I’ll take it.” Said my uncle. “I could totally use a car after…. All that.”
“Do you want cash or a check?” I asked. 
“Or wire?” Offered Kaizen. “The goblins can have it in your account in 2 hours.”
“….Cash?” my uncle said more like asking a question.
With a wave of his hand, Kaizen summoned a suitcase. “I don’t remember how much I put in here after I got the pack, but I guess this is enough right?”
He said it so casually that when Clarence opened the case, he expected probably a few bucks… not about 20 grand.
“… Well there you go…. How does your head not pop?” my uncle asked.
“I got used to it.” I smiled.
“You should see my brother’s castle. He is the Wolf King. Or my sister’s. Her husband is the Dragon King.” Said Kaizen casually.
“…. And you just summoned Uriel and everything.” My uncle mumbled. “I have to admit, the first time I thought I was having a hungry hallucination. Honestly, even now it’s hard to grasp… but send the boys my way anytime.”
“Don’t quit the Church.” Said Kaizen suddenly. “I don’t know why, but I have a feeling this is the last straw by the look on your face.”
“I’m not, but if I’m being 100% honest, and please… don’t share this around, but I’m really starting to think about it.”
“What part of it makes you feel like that?” Said dad sitting up. “Wait, where’d all that money come from.”
“Babysitting our sons.” Said Kaizen. “And I’m inclined to agree. Your priesthood is worth more than words. You see for yourself that one of the greatest warriors of the Light was sent for your sakes.”
“I get that, but the people in charge of the 13 are…killers. They want me to join. I can’t. I can’t burn someone alive because they’re different.” He looked at his hands. “That’s why I was there. That’s what that stupid ‘emergency’ meeting was. They feel like since I know, I should join.”
“If you did, I would not look at you any differently.” Said Kaizen. “And the boys would love you all the same. So long as you’re hunting fae who break the law.”
“That’s the problem. They used to have those fires going every Sunday morning Kaizen… They were content with me being their cleaning crew, but now the world is Sanctuary, they want able bodied men to be soldiers.”
“….That sounds suspicious.” I said with furrowed brows.
“And now, a zealot knows details about you… I tried keeping you guys secret. I thought the Realm King said there was a spell over this place.”
“There is.” Said Kaizen. “…. It goes to show how dedicated he is to hate fae enough that he resisted…I get why Uriel wants me to speak with Father Vahn.”
“Do we need to sell the house?” Asked dad.
“If you move, I’m leaving with you.” Said my uncle.
“No.” said Kaizen. “Let me deal with it first. I don’t like the idea that you have to be displaced. That’s not fair.”
Kaizen looked like he was about to leave, but he stopped. “Hey, do you still have that gold coin?”
“I do.” I don’t know how it’s just always on me, probably magic, but I handed it to him. I thought it would burn him since I can make holy water with it… but it was thankfully inert.
\-----Kaizen-----
I masked my presence and zipped through the spirit world as lightning. Clarence’s scent was easy to follow.
I would handle this myself too.
I’m not leaving my in-laws in danger, nor am I giving Macky the satisfaction of lying through his teeth about what happened. The other members of the 13 weren’t there, and I know they’ll take whatever he said at face value.
But why did Xaxas make a spell that could be resisted? He’s a god, why didn’t he-Oh right, he’s a full god… Xaxas probably didn’t think his spell could be resisted. Either that, or he didn’t anticipate a priest with that level of zeal so close to my mate’s family.
Either way, I landed.
The church was old, and made of white sandstone….  I looked high above to see the ring of the sun up high, casting a hooped shadow around me. this Temple of the Light looked like any other old cathedral, but Willow’s human scent was here too… it was old, and so faded that it was nearly a memory, but it calmed me.
I do this for her… I enter a protected place, as much as it burns.
I walked through the grand doors in spirit form, and my robes appeared on their own. I was my true height and appearance, while there were very few humans here. I think they were only priests. They glared at me openly; some held a sword at their side.
Those that did put their hands on their hilts, as if to threaten me.
“I came here in peace to speak with who is in charge.” I said neither loud, nor harshly. “Where’s Father Vahn.”
I was motioned to follow one behind the altar. I walked down the gold carpet, with either side holding oak wood seats. The stained glass depicted the Earth Goddess holding the hand of the Lord of Light, while their children stood beside them.
But not grandmother. Her depiction made her like a whore. It pained me to see that, to see her caged, and laying in bed with multiple demons in the other… She is the Night Harlot to the humans….. That was done to keep them from loving her as the wolves do… Who knows… in another world, men might have gotten mates…
Behind the statue of the Lord of Light and the Earth Goddess, were stairs that went down. The chamber here had no electricity, but the hair on my neck stood.
Before me was a young man, one who was a fourth angel. That made him human, totally mortal, but with the blessings of a priest, he is preserved somewhat. I could tell by scent that he was 110 or 115, but he looked about 40. There was no gray in his black hair, nor any major wrinkles on his dark skin. Crow’s feet and some laugh lines aged him a bit, but nothing to show he was elderly.
He sat at a table like Tyson does. A tall one propped up on 3 wooden stairs. Candles lit this stone place, but it didn’t feel cold. It was warm. Their ring held still smoldering ashes, but I saw that soul before I showed off, and waved my hand to send him to hell.
It was just a stupid vampire. He was out here killing people at the airport. Dumbass. They had their next one in a solid silver cage. He too was guilty, being his accomplice.
“I heard Macky’s words. he called me, but isn’t here yet.” Said Father Vahn angrily. “What have you come to add?”
I put a coin of Arviel on his desk. Even in a desk on their little pedestal, I still looked him in the eyes without issue.
“Then you know Uriel told him in person that he’s to leave Willow’s family alone?” I asked with a raised brow.
“…. He didn’t say all that.” Said Vahn. “He called in a panic saying the Horned One is not only being worshiped in that house, but that they’re marked…and the twin of the Wolf King shows up at my desk, and presents me with an actual Coin of Light… a holy relic only bestowed upon the most blessed as proof…Please, have a seat.”