Fic: A History of Heaven (Gabriel/Various Angels, PG-13 for most) 8/59
For full notes and other chapters, please see the Masterpost.
Notes: In this story, before Lucifer fell, his name was Sammael. He was not Lucifer in Heaven.
There is one other canon character operating under an OC name, but I wish for his identity to remain unknown.
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter word count: 8,976
Chapter Summary: Mesopotamia. A great getaway locations for partners to relax together…or the scene of a horrific massacre. What happens when angels screw up?
CHAPTER 8:
Mesopotamia
Humans were delicate, frail creatures. Their teeth and nails provided little natural defense. Their skin was thin and easily split. They were decent at running, but they were hardly the fastest predators around. They relied far too much on their eyes and hands, and they could not stand in the presence of unfiltered grace without liquefying.
Gabriel turned slowly, taking in the carnage around him. A large human village in Mesopotamia, once home to over one hundred humans, was absolutely silent. Scores of bodies lay around him, all of them sporting burnt-out eye sockets and blood still dripping from their ears, sprawled on the ground where they had fallen as they tried to flee. Sammael emerged from one of the small houses, shaking his head. “It’s gruesome in there. The children tried to hide. Didn’t work.”
“How many?”
“Six.” Sammael stepped gingerly around a dead mother and her infant to return to Gabriel’s side.
“And that makes one hundred thirty-nine. All of them. They’re all dead.”
“This can’t be overlooked.” Sammael folded his arms loosely over his chest as he turned to Gabriel. “We can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”
“I am aware of that, yes,” Gabriel snapped back, chagrin immediately flashing through his grace afterwards. “Sorry,” he mumbled. Sammael just shrugged and waved it off.
Father was furious. The entire Host could feel tendrils of His wrath seeping into their songs. The Archangels felt it more keenly, sharp spikes of anger jabbing into their minds. If they didn’t punish the angels responsible for this mess soon, He would.
“I don’t think you should be involved in the trial. You’re too close.”
Gabriel shook his head. “He’ll think I turned my back on him.”
“I’ll tell Michael to stay out of it too,” Sammael said.
“That leaves Raphael! He’ll demand death!”
“Gabriel.” Sammael set a cool hand on Gabriel’s arm, looking pointedly at him. “Raphael and me. I’ll make sure the trial is fair. If he’s found guilty, I’ll keep him alive.”
“You’ll overrule Raphael?” Gabriel gave Sammael a dark look. Sammael was higher-ranked than Raphael, officially, but the Archangels tried not to take advantage of their authority over each other. The only one they all consistently deferred to was Michael, as the oldest and Archangel of Heaven.
“I won’t have to. I’ll just ask him who has to deliver the killing blow. Who has to be the first angel to spill the blood of a brother?” Sammael took Gabriel’s other arm in his other hand, and then drew his younger brother into a gentle hug. “Not even Raphael would condemn another brother to that fate. Unless he is willing to draw his own sword, they’ll both survive this.”
“He tried to have Castiel put to death,” Gabriel warned Sammael, reminding him of the trial Raphael had called for after news of Castiel’s accident with the unicorns reached his ears. Quick thinking on Cariel’s part had managed to silence Raphael’s protests, and Castiel was now a member of Anael’s garrison, under Zachariah, in Gabriel’s own choir. He had to give up two of his best Angels, Hester and Ion, to his twin, but they were both strong in spirit and could fit in with Raphael’s humorless choir.
“And he did not succeed,” Sammael reminded Gabriel. “I don’t think he’s actually thought through the ramifications of a death sentence.”
Another pulse of their Father’s anger made both Archangels wince. Sammael drew back from Gabriel, massaging his head. “We should return, and get things started. The sooner we can appease Father, the better.”
Gabriel nodded, pressing the heel of his hand against the side of his head, as if that could banish the lingering pain. He stepped further back from Sammael so he could spread his wings fully before leaping into the air and jumping planes to Heaven.
Even before Gabriel landed at his tower, Cariel had flown into him, grabbing tightly to his arm, his grace wild and desperate. “It was an accident!”
“It was devastating, accident or not,” Gabriel said, gingerly prying Cariel’s hands loose. He wrapped one wing around his Seraph before Cariel could take this as a rejection, keeping him close. “That was one of the larger human settlements, Cariel, and there wasn’t a single survivor. Sammael is preparing the others for a trial.”
Cariel gave a little nod, pressing one hand over the other fist and closing his eyes, trying to regain some composure. Gabriel could see as Cariel reined in the panic in his grace, replacing it with the calm neutrality that was an angel’s default appearance. “You’ll be there. You won’t let Raphael see me executed for this.”
“Cariel…” Gabriel flinched at Cariel’s utter faith in him, catching his Seraph’s face in one hand and turning the younger angel to look at him. “I… won’t be. Sammael doesn’t think it’s wise. I’m too invested in the outcome.”
“What does that mean?” Cariel demanded, another thread of fear blossoming out through his grace before being yanked back in.
“It means I’d probably do just about anything to skew the outcome in your favor, regardless of the facts of the matter,” Gabriel sighed. “And he has a point. I may try to be impartial, but I couldn’t be, not when it involves you.”
“Raphael hates me almost as much as he does you,” Cariel pointed out. “Ever since I helped manipulate Castiel into your choir. He will relish this chance to have power over me without your interference.”
“I know. And I already spoke with Sammael about this. He will be present too. He’s already promised me that he won’t allow Raphael to call for a death sentence.” Gabriel touched his forehead to Cariel’s, wrapping his grace around the Seraph. Cariel had always done everything Gabriel had asked of him, and so much more. He anticipated all of Gabriel’s needs, understood his moods, and spoke honestly with Gabriel instead of merely deferring to his superior status. Gabriel hated that he was helpless to step up and defend his Seraph when Cariel needed him most, but he knew Raphael would press for an even sterner punishment if he thought Gabriel was angling for a lenient one. “I can’t promise everything will be fine, but Sammael has assured me that your trial will be fair, and he will ensure Raphael does not punish you out of spite for either one of us. I trust Sammael.”
Cariel closed his eyes, leaning into Gabriel’s embrace. “Will Michael be there?”
“Sammael is going to ask him to stay away, since Naomi is involved.”
“So I have to appeal to Sammael and Raphael. Excellent.” The sarcasm dripped from Cariel’s words.
“Be respectful,” Gabriel cautioned. “Especially in front of Raphael. Sammael may find your irreverence amusing, but Raphael will see it as an excuse to send you away for re-education. Do not lose your temper. Raphael will take any excuse to punish you. Follow the code of conduct to the letter, and pray.”
“Will Father accept their decision?” Cariel asked quietly, his wings drawing in tight against his back. “He is not happy right now…”
“If their verdict is fair, there is no reason why Father shouldn’t accept it.” Gabriel rubbed his hand along Cariel’s feathers and sighed. “I will pray for you, for His mercy and forgiveness. Have faith. The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
Cariel growled, swatting at Gabriel’s wings. “Don’t you give me that crap!”
Gabriel laughed weakly, lifting his wings out of Cariel’s reach. His Seraphim were revealing as much of a distaste for the obfuscating ways of God as Gabriel himself had. Gabriel couldn’t help but wonder if they were taking after him, or if this was a natural doubt held by angels that his felt safe admitting to in his presence. “Everything does happen for a reason, Cariel. We may not know what that reason is, but I’m confident it exists.” It had to. Gabriel didn’t want to imagine a world where bad things didn’t have a point hidden somewhere in the depths of their darkness.
A flare in Gabriel’s mind caught his attention, and Gabriel lifted his gaze to the horizon, focusing on the grace. Sammael was calling to him. Gabriel brightened his own grace in reply, acknowledging Sammael’s wordless message.
“They are ready. I’ll take you before them, and I’ll wait for the trial to be over.”
Angels were frequently punished for minor misdemeanors, rarely anything large. No matter the degree of misconduct, all angelic trials took place in the Garden, which always became the Throne Room for them. Gabriel spread his wings and led the way, trusting Cariel to fly just behind him.
Michael was already at the Throne Room when Gabriel and Cariel arrived, casually leaning against the frame of the door, his arms folded and his grace largely neutral but with a slight disgruntled cast as he looked to the new arrivals. “Sammael, Raphael, and Naomi are already within. I’ve agreed to stay out of this.”
“As have I.” Gabriel turned to Cariel and touched their graces together one last time. “Be strong, Cariel. Behave. I’ll see you soon.”
Cariel nodded, his grace rather ashen, before he turned and stepped through the doors of the Throne Room, keeping his head and wings high. The Cherub Joshua slipped out and closed the doors with a heavy boom that reverberated along the Axis Mundi. Almost immediately, the spikes of God’s anger shrunk within Gabriel’s head. His Father was still upset, but the constant headache had almost abated. Gabriel gave a sigh of relief, and noticed Michael had lifted his hand to rub the side of his head gingerly, his wings relaxing. Father was giving them a chance to make this right.
Joshua brightened at the two Archangels standing outside, touching his hand to the base of his throat and gesturing to them both in a salute. “Hello, brothers.”
Michael nodded his acknowledgement to the Cherub, while Gabriel returned the gesture. “Hello, Joshua. Are you usually here?”
Joshua glanced over at Michael, his choirmaster, before addressing Gabriel. “Yes, usually. I am a humble gardener, and it is my duty to oversee the Garden.”
“That must be a pleasant job,” Gabriel said. “Very… peaceful.” Very boring, actually, but the Cherubim liked mindless, repetitive jobs. It’s why they were so effective as support and assistants to the higher ranks.
“It is undeniably relaxing,” Joshua agreed. “Though, if I may speak frankly?”
“Always,” Gabriel answered earnestly, glancing up at the slight chuckle from Michael. His older brother said nothing, merely gave a shake of his head, his grace much brighter, more amused now. “With me, always.”
Joshua beamed up at the Archangel. “It doesn’t sound like you approve of a peaceful job.”
Michael did laugh at that, and Gabriel had to join him. “Oh, well, there’s nothing wrong with peace! I just…”
“You are the son of fire and change.” Joshua’s big eyes were far too knowledgeable for a Cherub. Gabriel wasn’t sure if he liked it. “You don’t like conflict, but stability bores you too. You like different.”
“Yes,” Gabriel agreed, grateful Joshua was able to sum up Gabriel’s feelings on the matter without making him sound destructive like Raphael always did. “I like doing something new each day; you’re absolutely right.”
“Is that why you’re so rarely in your tower?” Michael asked. “Do you find its consistency boring?”
“Mind-numbing,” Gabriel said with a nod. “Absolutely maddening.”
Michael laughed again, and Joshua bowed to both Archangels. “If you’ll excuse me, sirs, I’ll just carry on my business?”
“You’re dismissed.” Michael gestured lightly at Joshua, waving him away, his bright eyes focused on Gabriel. “So.”
“So,” Gabriel repeated, as Joshua spread his wings and flew out of earshot.
“Naomi and Cariel certainly made a mess of things. Honestly, they were the last two I’d have guessed would screw up this badly. Ever since you presented Anael’s garrison with Balthazar’s partner, I was dreading the day I’d see them both standing before us.”
“Castiel means well.” Gabriel had to defend his newest Angel. “His heart is in the right place, and now that he’s away from Raphael, he’s not flinching as much as before. He can calm down, and when he’s calm, he’s much more angelic.”
“It’s not Castiel I was concerned about,” Michael said. “Balthazar easily holds the record for the most appearances before a tribunal. I’m simply saying, once he has his partner close at hand to corrupt…”
“Castiel is terrified of disappointing me,” Gabriel admitted. “I don’t think we have to worry about Balthazar corrupting him for at least another three centuries.” Not for lack of trying, though. Like Castiel, Balthazar meant well, but unlike Castiel, Balthazar tended to mean well for himself first, the choir second, and the Host third. He kept sticking his grace in places where it didn't belong, and he frequently “borrowed” the tools of other angels whenever they caught his interest. Gabriel suspected Sammael had a Cherub, or perhaps even an entire garrison, dedicated solely to relieving Balthazar of everything his quick fingers encountered.
“I give him one century,” Michael countered. “On the outside. You have a way with your angels, Gabriel. They love you. Castiel will feel comfortable enough to test your limits soon.”
“Don’t yours love you?” Gabriel asked, his wings rising in curiosity as he cocked his head to the side. “I mean, I can understand Raphael’s being more afraid of him than adoring, but even they are smitten when it comes to their choirmaster.”
Michael was shaking his head. “Our angels do love us, yes, but your angels, Gabriel, yours go above and beyond simple love. Your angels would throw themselves in even my way if I tried to hurt you.”
“They would not!” Gabriel protested, waving his hands in denial. Sure, his angels loved him, but didn’t every choir adore their choirmaster?
“Naomi overheard a pair of your Seraphim talking a few years back.” Michael curved his wings behind his head, creating a feathered pillow between him and the stone of the Throne Room. “She thought I should know that the first rule in your choir is: Protect Gabriel at all costs.”
“What?” Gabriel shook his head fiercely. “Absolutely not! Rule one is to protect the Earth and all things on it, but especially the humans! There are no rules about protecting me!”
Even as he protested, Gabriel smothered a flame of pride within him. Did his angels really think that highly of him? He had always done everything he could to be the best choirmaster he could be, and he knew his temper could flare up at times, and he was certainly lax about most of his responsibilities, foisting more than their fair share off on his Seraphim and their garrisons, but they still loved him anyway?
“I didn't think that was a rule you knew about. It certainly didn't sound like something you'd insist on.”
“It's not. I'm not like that. Raphael, maybe, but…”
Michael lifted a hand, chuckling softly. “Peace, Gabriel. I'm not trying to tease you. I think it's admirable that you inspired such loyalty. Even here.” He gestured to the Throne Room doors. “Cariel came straight to you to confess, didn't he?”
Gabriel nodded slowly, and Michael let his hand drop. “Naomi didn't say anything until I asked her directly, and even then she first tried to explain it away as an Earthly matter that was best dealt with by your choir.”
“But it was an accident.” Gabriel leaned back against his own wings, studying the door as if he could see the four angels within. Gabriel had sent Cariel away to enjoy some time with his partner-with Naomi in Michael's choir, the two Seraphim didn't see each other as often as they deserved. Partners split between choirs weren't uncommon, and Gabriel, at least, tried to give his angels every chance to be with their most beloved sibling. Michael and Sammael frequently encouraged their angels to take time for their partners as well. Everyone in Heaven knew exactly how perfect the partnership between the two oldest Archangels was. It was no surprise that they supported similar relationships among their younger brothers.
Gabriel knew Cariel had planned to show Naomi his favorite places on Earth and spend the day with their graces entwined. Gabriel had even taken steps to withdraw some garrisons and reassign others, ensuring that the two could find some privacy if they so desired. He hadn't expected the pair to run afoul of a human civilization, nor had he expected to have a horror-stricken second slamming into him before the day was even half over, babbling hysterically about an accident and death.
The angels had already known most humans reacted poorly to their presence. They had never experienced it on such a broad scale.
“Why would Naomi lie about an accident?”
Maybe it wasn't an accident. Michael's words were mental, transmitted through a brush of his grace against Gabriel's instead of spoken aloud for anyone else to overhear.
You think that she, that they intentionally attacked the humans? Gabriel was shaking his head before he even finished his reply. Cariel was utterly devoted to the Earth. He would never attack anything on it that did not first threaten him, and with how delicate humans were, angels tended to stay hidden and cloaked when they were near.
I don't want to, but I have to consider every possibility. Did Cariel tell you what happened exactly?
Gabriel shook his head again, more slowly this time as he tried to recall Cariel’s exact words. He just said there had been an accident, and many humans were dead, that he and Naomi had 'encountered a village…' Cariel had known that village was there. The humans loved that mountain vista as much as Cariel. He wouldn't have just stumbled upon them accidentally… but maybe he and Naomi had been playing together and he lost track of how close they were. That was entirely possible. Sammael and I confirmed that all the humans died from exposure to grace. Their… sensory organs exploded, or imploded, or just melted. Humans and angels don't mix very well.
A most unfortunate flaw. Michael sounded distracted, clearly not overly concerned with the designs of their Father. Do you believe Cariel could attack humans?
Absolutely not. Gabriel's answer was instantaneous and iced with a flare of disgust at the mere thought that his lieutenant’s integrity was being questioned. Not unless they somehow managed to attack him first, which I'm sure they didn't. Is Naomi capable of such an act?
Michael's silence said more than any words could, and when he finally turned his gaze to look at Gabriel instead of the door, his eyes were unsettled.
I don't know.
When the Throne Room door finally opened again, Gabriel and Michael pulled away from the wall, straightening their wings and looking expectantly at the angel on the other side. Sammael nodded to both of them. “We've reached a possible verdict, but I don't think you'll agree to it. Raphael has agreed to listen to your input for the disciplines.”
“They were found guilty?”
Sammael caught Gabriel's eyes but said nothing, neither out loud nor privately between them. He just turned and strode through the room, toward the elevated thrones at the far end.
Highest of all was the Throne of God, gleaming white and oversized even for Michael, the largest angel. A matching throne, only slightly smaller, sat at its immediate right. No one knew who this Throne was for. A few angels occasionally joked it was for Eve, Mother of All, but Gabriel quickly put a stop to that talk whenever he heard it. Some blasphemy was too much even for him to allow.
In front of the two white thrones were four black ones with high backs. They faced away from the first thrones, toward the rest of the room, their polished surfaces reflecting all light. Gabriel knew from experience that the highly polished thrones also reflected grace; while seated with both wings and throne to serve as buffers between them and their unfiltered Father, the Archangels could endure His presence for extended lengths of time.
Michael's throne was to the right of God's throne, while Sammael's was to the left. Both were raised off the ground, but nowhere near as high as those of their Father's and his companion's. Raphael and Gabriel's thrones were just three steps off the ground, with Raphael seated at Michael's right and Gabriel at Sammael's left. The twins' thrones were further apart than their combined wingspan. While seated, the two would never be able to touch each other, even if they leaned toward each other.
Gabriel suspected this had been an intentional feature.
Raphael was currently seated in his throne right now, sitting straight and tall, as imperious and smug as ever. Gabriel fought the desire to slouch and drag his wings on the ground that always swelled up within him whenever he saw Raphael's impeccable stiffness. Naomi and Cariel were kneeling in front of the thrones, hands folded demurely in their laps, wings held low and tight against their backs. Sammael and Michael stepped between them to reach their thrones, while Gabriel went around Cariel to his. Raphael's sharp eyes were focused on him, but Gabriel still reached out with his grace, brushing over Cariel's as he passed. I'm here, Cariel. You are not alone.
Cariel's fingers twitched at the contact, but he did not lift his head. Raphael's reaction was much more visible, his eyes narrowing, grace twisting around his spirit like it was caught by a sudden wind. Gabriel just looked innocently at his twin before turning and taking his seat.
Sammael remained standing in front of his throne until Michael was seated as well. “Naomi, Seraph, second class, of the choir of Michael, and Cariel, Seraph, first class, and Lieutenant to the Archangel of the choir of Gabriel, stand accused of the destruction of an entire village of humans. One hundred and thirty-nine human souls have been reaped as a direct result of their carelessness. We have found these Seraphim guilty of the misconduct attributed to them and order them to fully adhere to the discipline laid out as consequence.”
Guilty. Gabriel's fingers clenched around the arms of his throne as he looked to Cariel. His Seraph remained motionless on the floor of the Throne Room. But no… Sammael had accused them of the destruction of the village. Not the intentional destruction. It may still have been an accident, though one nevertheless caused by the angels.
Sammael sat down, stretching out his wings. One brushed against Gabriel's, and the younger Archangel jumped, looking guiltily over at his older brother. Sammael dipped his head to the side apologetically. An innocent verdict would have been better for Cariel, but Gabriel couldn't have asked Sammael to twist the truth.
Raphael now stood, raising his wings. “The suggested punishment for these Seraphim is re-education. Both will be restored to their original mental states, as they were upon awakening. Any corruption from their current life experiences will be removed from their spirits.”
“No!”
For a moment, Gabriel wondered who had been so bold as to interrupt Raphael, but then he realized that he was the Archangel on his feet, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, grace angrily smoldering around him. “No,” he repeated, striking blindly for words to back up his protest. “Absolutely not.” He was stalling for time. All eyes in the room were on him now. At his side, Sammael was radiating a smug amusement. He had known Gabriel would protest this punishment, the bastard!
Re-education was better than death, but only barely. The core of the angel was guaranteed to survive, but something less tangible, like an angel's personality, could emerge irrevocably changed. One of Sammael's Seraphim, Alastair, oversaw the education and re-education of wayward angels. Gabriel wasn't entirely sure what, exactly, it entailed, but he knew it could include the removal of memories or desires. If Cariel were re-educated, he would be returned as innocent as a fledgling. He might not remember any of his love for the Earth, or any of the time he spent at Gabriel's side. Their easy banter would certainly be replaced with the formalities all new angels exhibited toward their superiors, and Gabriel would have to break Cariel of prostrating himself at Gabriel's feet all over again. Gabriel didn't even want to imagine Cariel being so mindless. He loved Cariel because of his mind, because of his clever insights and the dry humor that could make Gabriel laugh at the most inappropriate times. Cariel's encyclopedic knowledge of Gabriel's choir might be damaged from a reeducation as well, and how could Gabriel rely on his second if his second couldn't even remember why Zachariah's garrisons hunted the monsters, or why Barachiel's angels sculpted the Earth.
That would be his explanation. Gabriel lifted his chin a little higher, turning a heated glare on Raphael. “Cariel is my lieutenant. The smooth running of my choir hinges on his being present and fully capable of carrying out his duties. I cannot afford to have my second taken from me for Father only knows how long, to be returned in questionable condition. As this incident proves, Earth is still very fragile. The Host cannot afford to disrupt the choir responsible for its care!”
To his right, Gabriel could feel Sammael's smug amusement was shifting into smug pride. Bastard! Sammael had brought Gabriel in here solely so Gabriel could protest because he knew Gabriel wouldn't let Cariel be re-educated!
Raphael gave a nod and confirmed Gabriel's suspicions. “Sammael claimed you would appeal our verdict if we settled on re-education. May I then propose reassignment? Naomi and Cariel will both be demoted to Seraphim, fifth class, and transferred into the choirs of Sammael and myself respectively. We shall each provide you and Michael with one of our Seraphim as a replacement.”
“How is that any better?” Gabriel demanded, his grace running cold at the thought of Cariel being in Raphael's choir, at Raphael's mercy and lack thereof. The demotion would be a blow to both Seraphim's prides, but the transfer… Gabriel might be able to give Cariel time to spend with his partner, but he certainly couldn't take much time himself to spend with his favorite Seraph. Selfishly, he did not want to let Cariel go. “I would still lose my second, but with a reassignment, the loss would be permanent!”
“You'd be able to promote a replacement instead of waiting an indeterminate amount of time,” Raphael pointed out coolly. “Your choir will be fully functional again much more quickly.”
Gabriel was shaking his head from the moment Raphael mentioned a replacement. “You're not punishing Cariel with these suggestions. You're punishing me. I'm not on trial here.”
“Perhaps you should be.”
Michael and Sammael had been looking between the twins as they spoke, but now the two senior Archangels turned to each other, raising their wings almost defensively at Raphael's accusation. Gabriel growled under his breath, feeling fire licking along his wings. “Excuse me?”
“Perhaps,” Raphael repeated, slowly and deliberately shaping every syllable, “you should be.”
“Explain yourself, Raphael,” Sammael interjected calmly, not bothering to stand.
“This incident happened on Earth. Earth is, as Gabriel so thoughtfully pointed out, his domain. An entire village of humans was wiped out on Gabriel's watch. He did nothing to stop it. He is just as guilty as the Seraphim.”
Gabriel summoned a fireball into one hand, ready to hurl it at Raphael's self-confident face, but a stab of despair snapped him out of his rage. Cariel had thrown his grace forward, wrapping a thin tendril around Gabriel's ankle and begging him not to make this worse for himself. Remember your own advice. Do not lose your temper! The Seraph hadn't shifted his position, but his entire being was radiating distress at the thought that his own actions were somehow a failure of Gabriel's.
Gabriel's fire bled away as he looked at his upset lieutenant. If he attacked Raphael, attacked him here, in God's own Throne Room, Gabriel would be looking at a lot more than a re-education or reassignment. Father Himself might come down in person to deliver the punishment, and Gabriel did not relish a second dose of his Father's wrath. He squeezed his fists tighter before forcing both open, loosening his stance. “If I'm responsible for this attack, what about you, Raphael? Isn't it your job to protect Heaven and its greatest treasures? Isn't humanity one of Heaven's greatest treasures? If I should have stopped this attack, surely you are just as much to blame.”
A trickle of pleasure brushed Gabriel from where Cariel's grace still wrapped around his ankle, but the Seraph quickly released him and withdrew his grace. Gabriel fluffed his wings up a little, glad he could lift Cariel's spirits even as his words wiped the smugness from Raphael's grace.
“Enough.” Sammael lifted his hand, turning an exasperated look on each of the twins in turn. “We already established that this incident happened too quickly for any other angels to make a difference in the outcome, Raphael. Neither you nor Gabriel could have prevented the deaths. As Gabriel was the first responder to the disaster, no case can be made that he was in some way neglectful of his duties as caretaker of Earth. But he does have a point. All of the suggested punishments thus far are more crippling to Gabriel and his choir, or to Michael and his, than they are to Cariel and Naomi, the two actually responsible.”
“Then what would you suggest?” Raphael hissed at his brothers. “Let them off with a warning? Over one hundred humans are dead because of them!”
“If I may?” Cariel’s quiet voice cut through the Throne Room, though he had not even lifted his head. He waited until all four Archangels were looking at him before glancing up. Instead of seeking out Gabriel, his dark eyes focused on Michael. “We could be grounded.”
“Grounded?” Gabriel asked, glancing over to Cariel as he sank back into his throne. He had never heard of grounding before, not in relation to angels.
“Our flight feathers get clipped.” Cariel’s voice was carefully neutral as he looked from Michael to Raphael, then to Sammael, avoiding Gabriel’s eyes. “Neither of us would be able to fly until our feathers regrow. We would be confined to Heaven and to the surface. Our movements will be slowed and our access limited. It will take time for our feathers to regrow, perhaps even years. After we are whole again-naturally-this case can be revisited and our punishments reevaluated. If we have proven suitably repentant, our restrictions can be lifted. If not, our feathers can be clipped again.” He glanced over at Michael again. “Such a punishment would not affect the smooth running of either choir. It punishes us more than you or Gabriel. It does punish us.”
This concept of “grounding” sickened Gabriel. The mere thought of losing his ability to fly made him draw his wings against his back protectively. Even if it was only temporary, it was a horrific punishment, and he couldn’t believe Cariel was actually suggesting such a maiming. Gabriel’s fingers clenched against the arms of his throne again as he fought down another wave of fire.
And yet… and yet grounding wouldn't destroy Cariel's spirit. He would remain Gabriel's second, his trusted lieutenant, his good friend. Cariel couldn't attend to matters on Earth, but he could help manage the choir from Gabriel's tower easily enough. He would survive the punishment and remain at Gabriel's side, and really, Gabriel couldn't ask for anything more.
“Gabriel?” Michael glanced over at the younger Archangel, leaning around Sammael to catch his brother’s gaze. “Is this satisfactory?”
Gabriel forced himself to release his throne and gave a nod to Michael. “Grounding is an,” the words were difficult to push out; Gabriel was condemning Cariel to mutilation, “acceptable punishment.”
“Sammael? Raphael?” Michael looked between his brothers. “Do you accept this suggestion?”
Raphael nodded, his own wings tucked in tight against his body. Sammael was far more relaxed in his throne, confident that no one would ever try to ground him as he nodded his consent and rose to his feet.
“Naomi, Cariel, your fates have been decided. You will report to Raphael’s healers before sunset for your punishment. Your right to visit Earth has been revoked until further notice.” Sammael paused, looking around the room before giving a firm nod. “This trial is dismissed.”
Sammael waited for Michael to rise and reach his side before the pair exited the Throne Room together. Raphael didn’t bother waiting for Gabriel, his long strides carrying him toward the doors. Gabriel gave Cariel one last look before heading out himself, immediately turning to wait for his Seraph.
Cariel was the last one out of the room, though Michael returned and slipped back inside without a word to any of them. As the door swung shut behind his oldest brother, Gabriel turned to Cariel, grabbing his arm. “Just tell me it wasn’t intentional,” he hissed.
“It was intentional,” Cariel whispered back, looking down at the Archangel. Gabriel sometimes hated that his Lieutenant was one of the few Seraphim taller than him. Not often, but sometimes, it made it hard to be in charge. “If I let Raphael pick the punishment, he’d insist on removing me from your choir!”
“Not that.” Gabriel waved Cariel’s comment away. “The massacre. Tell me you didn’t hunt those humans down.”
Cariel’s eyes narrowed into a glare. “Of course it wasn’t intentional! I already told you that. It wasn’t even accidentally my fault. Naomi unveiled herself and killed those humans. I just tried to help clean up the mess.”
“Did she do it intentionally?”
“No!” Cariel flapped his wings, a gesture usually meant to exaggerate an angel’s size and intimidate smaller creatures. “How could you think that of us? Have I ever given you any reason to doubt me?”
Now it was Gabriel’s turn to glare, stretching his own wings to remind Cariel that he may be shorter, but he was still the bigger angel. “I’m just trying to figure out what happened. Michael and I were concerned with the circumstances around this whole situation. You were found guilty-”
“Raphael found me guilty. I didn’t actually-”
Gabriel slashed a hand through the air to cut off his lieutenant’s protest. “Cariel, the trial is over. Your punishment has been decided. It was your own suggestion, and I-Ah!” Gabriel cut off with a wince, staggering a little as he pressed his palm to his head. This was a different sort of headache, a direct summons from God. Usually, they weren’t so loud, but usually, Gabriel supposed, he wasn’t standing right outside the door when they came. “Cariel, I’m sorry, I have to go.”
“Don’t-”
“I have to go.“ Gabriel reached out, squeezed Cariel’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cariel. I am. We’ll talk about this when I’m through with Father. Wait in my office for my return.”
The Throne Room doors opened, and Michael emerged. He looked between Gabriel and Cariel for a moment before jerking his head back over his shoulder. “Father wants to speak with you now, Gabriel.”
“I got the message.” Gabriel gave Cariel one last look before slipping back into the Throne Room.
The cavernous room was no longer as empty and echoing as it had been during the trial. Every last corner was filled with a celestial glow, and a pillar of blue flame filled the massive throne of God at the far end. Gabriel ducked his head respectfully as he warily approached the throne, dipping into a low bow when he arrived at his Father’s feet. His wings were all outstretched, except the smallest pair, which he drew over his head to shield him from God’s direct presence. “Father.”
Gabriel.
Some of the tension left Gabriel’s wings. His Father’s mood was always obvious in how He spoke His sons’ names. Gabriel’s name wrapped around him like a heavy arm across his shoulders, neither angry nor particularly soothing, but a definitive guiding force. “Did the outcome of the trial please you, Father?”
Perhaps.
Perhaps? What did He mean by that? Gabriel waited for elaboration, fighting to keep the twitch out of his wings.
God eventually took pity on Gabriel and spoke again. If I asked it of you, would you kill Cariel?
The sudden paralysis that seized Gabriel was the only thing that kept him from flinching, or from saying something utterly stupid. He stared at the floor in front of him, his fire frozen within him. Kill Cariel!? Was that what God wanted as punishment for the two Seraphim? He had called Michael in before Gabriel-was that to give him an order to kill Naomi?
God was waiting, eternally patient, but His presence was a pressing weight on Gabriel’s back. The angel’s eyes fluttered closed as he found the strength to move again. “I… Father… that is, You already know all. You know my answer.” His hands were trembling, and he clenched them into fists in an attempt to still them.
I do. Do you?
“Do I?”
Know your answer? The pressure on Gabriel’s back increased, and he sagged forward, catching himself on his hands.
“I…”
Answer me, Gabriel. Tell me what you would do if I ordered you to kill Cariel.
Gabriel tried to imagine it: Cariel, waiting for his return at the tower. His punishment had already been decided. He wouldn’t be expecting anything more. Gabriel would enter, keeping his grace neutral so as not to alert Cariel to anything wrong. Cariel would turn to him, his dark eyes still angry, but softer than they were just minutes ago. Time was already serving to calm him down. Cariel never stayed mad at Gabriel for long. It would be easy to step up to Cariel, to get close enough to the younger angel. He’d draw his sword and…
And…
And he’d grab Cariel’s arm, desperate, and fly. They’d run, to the far corners of the universe, where even God’s presence was weak. Slip into the Borderlands. Seek out a new universe, where God’s power could not reach. Gabriel would abandon his choir, his family, to save his brother.
Gabriel shook his head. “I wouldn’t,” he whispered. “I wouldn’t do it.”
There is no place I am not.
“I don’t care. I’d run anyway.” Gabriel curled his fingers against the cool stone floor. “There are places where You aren’t as strong. Shadows to hide in. I’d take him to the far planets, to the Borderlands. We’d find a way into another universe. I would die before I let him be killed for this.”
God’s silence was deafening, weighing Gabriel down, pressing him against the floor. A sob tore itself from Gabriel’s throat as he felt the stone brush his face. He would die, smote here on the floor of the Throne Room, before Cariel had a chance to be warned. Gabriel closed his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, not sure if he was apologizing to his Father, for directly countering an order, or to Cariel, for not shielding him from this, or to his choir and his brothers, for abandoning them. He would not change his decision.
The pressure was suddenly gone, and Gabriel nearly collapsed from its absence. He lifted his head, catching himself just in time before looking directly at his Father. He cowered back, covering himself with more of his wings. “Father?”
I am not asking you to kill Cariel. I am satisfied with the results.
… not? That had been a test? Sometimes, Gabriel really hat-
He bit that thought off before it could finish forming, thinking instead of butterflies on the wind. Father was frequently lenient, but surely not here, not in His Throne Room, not in His presence.
Had he passed the test? He must have, if God was allowing the verdict to stand unchanged.
I have a message for you to deliver, for the entire Host. No angel may be on Earth for more than twenty-four consecutive hours without taking a vessel.
“A-a vessel?” Gabriel didn’t even bother trying to push himself off the floor. He could pick himself up once his Father had left the room.
Humans and angels are designed to work together. Angels may enter vessels to filter their grace and allow them to interact with humans without harm.
“How-?”
God’s grace departed the Throne Room before Gabriel could finish his next question. The Archangel sagged in the emptiness, pressing his forehead against the floor. Never before had he been so grateful to be abruptly dismissed from his Father’s presence.
Gabriel took his time returning to his tower. He had an excuse, flying throughout Heaven to alert all of the Seraphim and Raphael to the new rule about vessels on Earth. The Seraphim could inform their Dominions, who would alert their garrisons. Neither Michael nor Sammael were at their towers. Filiel, Michael’s second, and Azazel, Sammael’s second, both reported that their Archangels had not returned from the trial yet.
Michael and Sammael weren’t on Earth, either. Gabriel took a detour to the planet so he could tell his own choir about the change. His angels were understandably flustered; Father hadn’t given them any instructions on how to take a vessel, so they had only twenty-four hours to figure it out.
Gabriel couldn’t hold off facing Cariel forever. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, though there was still time before sunset. Setting aside his need to alert Michael and Sammael for now, Gabriel reluctantly returned to his tower. As soon as he landed, he could feel Michael and Sammael’s grace within. They had been here the whole time, waiting for him.
Flicking back his wings, Gabriel pushed his office doors open and stepped inside. Sammael had made himself at home behind Gabriel’s desk, idly flipping through some of the mess of papers Gabriel usually had strewn about. Michael stood at a window, his arms folded, wings drawn up, his grace heavy and brooding around him. Cariel waited near the door, twitching with every flip of a page from Sammael. Gabriel knew his Seraph was itching to kick Sammael out for messing up Gabriel’s poor excuse for an organizational system-it had taken Cariel the better part of a decade to convince Gabriel to straighten things up at least that much, so Cariel had some hope of finding needed information.
The flicker of amusement at the thought was quickly doused by the icy realization of how close Cariel had come to being killed. Had come? What if that was why Michael and Sammael were here? What if they were supposed to fulfill a death sentence in the face of Gabriel’s failure to?
“Cariel, come here,” Gabriel ordered, beckoning his Seraph close. Sammael cocked his head to the side curiously as Gabriel slid in front of the younger angel, physically placing himself between Cariel and his oldest brothers. “Sammael, Michael, what brings you here?”
Sammael looked over at Michael, who turned away from the window. “I wanted to see how you were, after your meeting with Father,” the oldest angel said.
Wanted to see if I would kill Cariel or if you had to? Gabriel wondered. “I’m… it was a message. He had me deliver a message for Him.”
“Is that all?” Michael stepped toward Gabriel, and Gabriel stepped back, into Cariel, who stumbled a few steps back himself. The oldest angel stopped, his head dipping to the side as he studied Gabriel. Sudden awareness filled his eyes, and Michael lifted his hands in supplication. “Gabriel, it’s okay. I’m not here to kill anyone.”
“What?” Sammael demanded, leaping to his feet. “How could you think that of Michael, Gabriel!?”
“I…” Gabriel looked between the two Archangels nervously.
“Peace, Light Bringer,” Michael said, gesturing to Sammael to sit down again. “It’s what Father asked of us, isn’t it, Gabriel. He asked me if I would kill Naomi.”
Gabriel gave a little nod, not ready to relax yet. “He… He asked if I would kill Cariel.”
“What?” Now it was Cariel’s turn to cry out, stepping away from Gabriel, his wings lifted high and tight.
Michael gestured Cariel down as well, shaking his head. “Father did not ask us to. He simply asked if we would.”
“And I said I wouldn’t.” Gabriel turned to face Cariel fully, praying for his Seraph to believe him. “Cariel, I told Him that if He asked if of me… I told Him… to His… I said…”
The words failed him as Gabriel’s knees gave out. He stumbled, grabbing onto his desk for support. He had told his Father, to His face, that he would disobey a direct order. He’s going to smite me!
“Gabriel!” Two pairs of strong arms wrapped around him, keeping him on his feet. Michael and Sammael pressed in close, wrapping their grace around their little brother. Cariel hung back, one hand raised as if he changed his mind halfway through reaching out to Gabriel.
“It’s okay, Gabriel,” Michael soothed, stroking his hand along Gabriel’s wings. “It’s okay, Little One. Father tested us both, but He would not ask that of us. You endured the test, and you passed it. It’s okay. Father does not hold grudges.”
“I said I’d take Cariel and run,” Gabriel whispered into Michael’s chest. “I said I’d sooner die than watch him be killed.”
Cariel took a step closer, his wings hanging limp, but Sammael turned a glare on the Seraph and pinned him in place. Gabriel shook his head, covering his face.
“Is that what you said too?” Sammael asked Michael, looking up at his partner.
Michael hesitated before slowly shaking his head. “I told Father that if He asked it of me, I would do it.”
Sammael’s arms fell away from Gabriel as he stared at his brother. “You would kill your own Seraph?”
“If Father required it of me, yes.” Michael met Sammael’s gaze evenly. “I am a good son, Sammael. I do as my Father commands.”
“Would you kill me?” Sammael spread his arms, stepping back from Michael. “If Father asked you to, would you kill me?”
“Sammael.“ Michael managed to speak his brother’s name with so much loving chastisement that Sammael immediately backed down. It was ridiculous, really, to think that Michael could have turned his sword on Sammael, the one angel he loved and cherished above all others. Gabriel could see Michael executing a Seraph for disobedience, but not Sammael. Never Sammael.
“I’m sorry, Michael,” Sammael murmured, sliding back in to hug him around Gabriel. “I shouldn’t doubt you.”
“So,” Cariel’s voice was hesitant as he spoke up in front of the three Archangels, “am I going to be killed?”
“No,” Gabriel answered, drawing away from his brothers so he could turn to Cariel. He took his Seraph’s hand between his and shook his head. “Absolutely not. Father said He is satisfied with the outcome of the trial. And He made a new edict-no angel may be on Earth for more than twenty-four consecutive hours without a vessel to protect humans from our grace.”
Cariel fell against Gabriel’s chest, curling his taller form into the Archangel’s grace. Gabriel hugged Cariel and rested his cheek against his Seraph’s head. “It’s all right,” he whispered, petting Cariel’s wings like Michael had just stroked his. “I won’t let you die for an accident. I promised you.”
“It makes sense now,” Michael murmured to Sammael, but Gabriel heard and looked over in time to see Sammael nodding.
“What does?”
“Remember what we spoke of during the trial?” Michael asked. “How your angels would throw themselves to their deaths for you?”
“I remember you exaggerating,” Gabriel said, looking back to Cariel.
“Was I?” Michael asked. “Cariel, if I were to attack Gabriel right now, would you try to stop me?”
“Of course,” Cariel answered, without any pause.
Michael shrugged. “Clearly, Cariel doesn’t want to be killed today, but if he got in my way, he’d die. For you.”
“Any angel would do that for their superior,” Gabriel protested, but even as he spoke he could see the denial in Cariel’s eyes.
“Your choir is unique, Gabriel,” Sammael said. “We’ve been trying to figure out your secret for centuries, but I think you’ve just shown us.”
“I don’t have any secret to choir management,” Gabriel argued.
“You said no to Father,” Michael said. “To His face. To save just one of your choir.”
“Because Cariel is mine! I have a responsibility to him, to protect him, not to slay him!” Gabriel tightened his arms around Cariel, feeling the Seraph relax into his embrace. Cariel trusted him. Even after the guilty verdict, Cariel still had faith that Gabriel would protect him.
“So do I,” Michael said. “And yet, even I would bow before the superior will of our Father.”
“Well, I…” Gabriel had no rebuttal for that. It was true, after all. He did put his choir above even God.
“Our little brother seldom does what is expected of him,” Sammael said, reaching out to take Michael’s arm. “Come on, Michael. I think Gabriel’s choir has been stressed enough for one day. Let’s return to our own.”
Michael nodded, stepping back and unfurling his wings. In the next blink, he and Sammael were both gone.
Gabriel felt the last dregs of tension drip from his wings at their absence. He hadn’t even realized the tautness that had overtaken him by the presence of his brothers. Usually, Michael and Sammael being near did nothing but relax him, as between them, they could fix any problem. Was this what it meant to grow up? Having to tackle situations that Michael and Sammael couldn’t help?
“Cariel?” Gabriel released his Seraph, stepping back to look at the younger angel. “Are you okay?”
Cariel shook out his wings and straightened up, offering Gabriel an uncertain shrug. “I still need to get my wings trimmed and was very nearly sentenced to death by Father today, but all in all, could be worse.”
“I’m sorry.” Gabriel pressed his hand to his head, turning toward his desk. “Today has just been…”
“I started it,” Cariel pointed out. “No, Naomi started it. I just took the fall for her. See if I ever do that again.”
“You said that earlier,” Gabriel looked back at Cariel. “That it was Naomi’s fault. Why did Sammael agree that you were guilty if you didn’t do anything wrong?”
Cariel shifted guiltily. “I… covered things up for her. Before coming to you. Set it up so it didn’t look as bad for her and worse for me.”
“Why would you do that?”
“She’s my partner,” Cariel said, as if that explained everything. It probably would have, Gabriel thought, if Gabriel knew what it felt like to have a partner you actually cared about. “Naomi is… she’s my other half, and we didn’t know how Michael would take the news. I knew you’d forgive me, so I figured if it looked to be mostly my fault, you’d smack me on the hand and we’d be fine. I didn’t expect you to not participate in the trial!”
“You were protecting her,” Gabriel said. “Even at the trial, you were trying to defend your partner.”
“Not so much then,” Cariel muttered, slanting his eyes downward. “I figured full honesty would be best in the face of Sammael and Raphael.”
“And they still found you guilty?”
“Naomi didn’t believe full honesty was better.” Cariel’s grace rippled darkly as he looked back to Gabriel. “She figured since we made the scene look like it was my fault, might as well stick with that. She did everything she could to pin the whole incident fully on me.”
“But you’re her partner.” Gabriel cocked his head to the side, watching Cariel. “Why would she do that to you?”
“She saw a way out without getting in trouble herself?” Cariel shrugged. “I think Sammael saw through her bullshit, but since the physical evidence all pointed to me and Naomi’s testimony corroborated it…”
“He had to punish you,” Gabriel finished. “But Naomi was given the same punishment.”
“That was Sammael’s doing. Raphael wanted to let her off, but Sammael pointed out that she was present and didn’t prevent it, so she should take a full punishment as if she had caused it. And vice versa-I was there, didn’t stop things, deserve a punishment.”
“Did you try to save them?” Gabriel asked quietly.
Cariel nodded. “If we had only taken a moment to strategize instead of charging ahead with swords drawn, we could have saved them all. Naomi didn’t want to waste precious time.”
“I’m sorry,” Gabriel said. “I didn’t want to agree to your punishment. Grounding you is… you don’t deserve that.”
“No, you were right to.” Cariel’s wings slumped in defeat. “At least I’m not being re-educated or reassigned. I did suggest the grounding. I know I can live with it.”
“Grounding is temporary,” Gabriel said, reaching out to stroke Cariel’s wings, the delicate feathers that would soon be cut away. “You’ll be flying again before too long, and I’ll vouch for your return to Earth.”
“What if Raphael tries to permanently maim me?” Cariel asked quietly, leaning into Gabriel’s touch. “I didn’t expect Michael to have him do the cutting.”
“Then I’ll make him heal you,” Gabriel answered fiercely. “If he tries to do anything more to you than just cut your feathers, he’ll have me to deal with.”
“I love it when you get all fiery.”
“Shut up,” Gabriel groused, though he wrapped his arm around Cariel’s back. “Come on. I’ll fly with you to Raphael, and I’ll glare at him the whole time so he knows not to try anything.”
“Can we take the scenic route?”
“Absolutely.”
Next...
Notes: In this story, before Lucifer fell, his name was Sammael. He was not Lucifer in Heaven.
There is one other canon character operating under an OC name, but I wish for his identity to remain unknown.
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter word count: 8,976
Chapter Summary: Mesopotamia. A great getaway locations for partners to relax together…or the scene of a horrific massacre. What happens when angels screw up?
CHAPTER 8:
Mesopotamia
Humans were delicate, frail creatures. Their teeth and nails provided little natural defense. Their skin was thin and easily split. They were decent at running, but they were hardly the fastest predators around. They relied far too much on their eyes and hands, and they could not stand in the presence of unfiltered grace without liquefying.
Gabriel turned slowly, taking in the carnage around him. A large human village in Mesopotamia, once home to over one hundred humans, was absolutely silent. Scores of bodies lay around him, all of them sporting burnt-out eye sockets and blood still dripping from their ears, sprawled on the ground where they had fallen as they tried to flee. Sammael emerged from one of the small houses, shaking his head. “It’s gruesome in there. The children tried to hide. Didn’t work.”
“How many?”
“Six.” Sammael stepped gingerly around a dead mother and her infant to return to Gabriel’s side.
“And that makes one hundred thirty-nine. All of them. They’re all dead.”
“This can’t be overlooked.” Sammael folded his arms loosely over his chest as he turned to Gabriel. “We can’t pretend it didn’t happen.”
“I am aware of that, yes,” Gabriel snapped back, chagrin immediately flashing through his grace afterwards. “Sorry,” he mumbled. Sammael just shrugged and waved it off.
Father was furious. The entire Host could feel tendrils of His wrath seeping into their songs. The Archangels felt it more keenly, sharp spikes of anger jabbing into their minds. If they didn’t punish the angels responsible for this mess soon, He would.
“I don’t think you should be involved in the trial. You’re too close.”
Gabriel shook his head. “He’ll think I turned my back on him.”
“I’ll tell Michael to stay out of it too,” Sammael said.
“That leaves Raphael! He’ll demand death!”
“Gabriel.” Sammael set a cool hand on Gabriel’s arm, looking pointedly at him. “Raphael and me. I’ll make sure the trial is fair. If he’s found guilty, I’ll keep him alive.”
“You’ll overrule Raphael?” Gabriel gave Sammael a dark look. Sammael was higher-ranked than Raphael, officially, but the Archangels tried not to take advantage of their authority over each other. The only one they all consistently deferred to was Michael, as the oldest and Archangel of Heaven.
“I won’t have to. I’ll just ask him who has to deliver the killing blow. Who has to be the first angel to spill the blood of a brother?” Sammael took Gabriel’s other arm in his other hand, and then drew his younger brother into a gentle hug. “Not even Raphael would condemn another brother to that fate. Unless he is willing to draw his own sword, they’ll both survive this.”
“He tried to have Castiel put to death,” Gabriel warned Sammael, reminding him of the trial Raphael had called for after news of Castiel’s accident with the unicorns reached his ears. Quick thinking on Cariel’s part had managed to silence Raphael’s protests, and Castiel was now a member of Anael’s garrison, under Zachariah, in Gabriel’s own choir. He had to give up two of his best Angels, Hester and Ion, to his twin, but they were both strong in spirit and could fit in with Raphael’s humorless choir.
“And he did not succeed,” Sammael reminded Gabriel. “I don’t think he’s actually thought through the ramifications of a death sentence.”
Another pulse of their Father’s anger made both Archangels wince. Sammael drew back from Gabriel, massaging his head. “We should return, and get things started. The sooner we can appease Father, the better.”
Gabriel nodded, pressing the heel of his hand against the side of his head, as if that could banish the lingering pain. He stepped further back from Sammael so he could spread his wings fully before leaping into the air and jumping planes to Heaven.
Even before Gabriel landed at his tower, Cariel had flown into him, grabbing tightly to his arm, his grace wild and desperate. “It was an accident!”
“It was devastating, accident or not,” Gabriel said, gingerly prying Cariel’s hands loose. He wrapped one wing around his Seraph before Cariel could take this as a rejection, keeping him close. “That was one of the larger human settlements, Cariel, and there wasn’t a single survivor. Sammael is preparing the others for a trial.”
Cariel gave a little nod, pressing one hand over the other fist and closing his eyes, trying to regain some composure. Gabriel could see as Cariel reined in the panic in his grace, replacing it with the calm neutrality that was an angel’s default appearance. “You’ll be there. You won’t let Raphael see me executed for this.”
“Cariel…” Gabriel flinched at Cariel’s utter faith in him, catching his Seraph’s face in one hand and turning the younger angel to look at him. “I… won’t be. Sammael doesn’t think it’s wise. I’m too invested in the outcome.”
“What does that mean?” Cariel demanded, another thread of fear blossoming out through his grace before being yanked back in.
“It means I’d probably do just about anything to skew the outcome in your favor, regardless of the facts of the matter,” Gabriel sighed. “And he has a point. I may try to be impartial, but I couldn’t be, not when it involves you.”
“Raphael hates me almost as much as he does you,” Cariel pointed out. “Ever since I helped manipulate Castiel into your choir. He will relish this chance to have power over me without your interference.”
“I know. And I already spoke with Sammael about this. He will be present too. He’s already promised me that he won’t allow Raphael to call for a death sentence.” Gabriel touched his forehead to Cariel’s, wrapping his grace around the Seraph. Cariel had always done everything Gabriel had asked of him, and so much more. He anticipated all of Gabriel’s needs, understood his moods, and spoke honestly with Gabriel instead of merely deferring to his superior status. Gabriel hated that he was helpless to step up and defend his Seraph when Cariel needed him most, but he knew Raphael would press for an even sterner punishment if he thought Gabriel was angling for a lenient one. “I can’t promise everything will be fine, but Sammael has assured me that your trial will be fair, and he will ensure Raphael does not punish you out of spite for either one of us. I trust Sammael.”
Cariel closed his eyes, leaning into Gabriel’s embrace. “Will Michael be there?”
“Sammael is going to ask him to stay away, since Naomi is involved.”
“So I have to appeal to Sammael and Raphael. Excellent.” The sarcasm dripped from Cariel’s words.
“Be respectful,” Gabriel cautioned. “Especially in front of Raphael. Sammael may find your irreverence amusing, but Raphael will see it as an excuse to send you away for re-education. Do not lose your temper. Raphael will take any excuse to punish you. Follow the code of conduct to the letter, and pray.”
“Will Father accept their decision?” Cariel asked quietly, his wings drawing in tight against his back. “He is not happy right now…”
“If their verdict is fair, there is no reason why Father shouldn’t accept it.” Gabriel rubbed his hand along Cariel’s feathers and sighed. “I will pray for you, for His mercy and forgiveness. Have faith. The Lord works in mysterious ways.”
Cariel growled, swatting at Gabriel’s wings. “Don’t you give me that crap!”
Gabriel laughed weakly, lifting his wings out of Cariel’s reach. His Seraphim were revealing as much of a distaste for the obfuscating ways of God as Gabriel himself had. Gabriel couldn’t help but wonder if they were taking after him, or if this was a natural doubt held by angels that his felt safe admitting to in his presence. “Everything does happen for a reason, Cariel. We may not know what that reason is, but I’m confident it exists.” It had to. Gabriel didn’t want to imagine a world where bad things didn’t have a point hidden somewhere in the depths of their darkness.
A flare in Gabriel’s mind caught his attention, and Gabriel lifted his gaze to the horizon, focusing on the grace. Sammael was calling to him. Gabriel brightened his own grace in reply, acknowledging Sammael’s wordless message.
“They are ready. I’ll take you before them, and I’ll wait for the trial to be over.”
Angels were frequently punished for minor misdemeanors, rarely anything large. No matter the degree of misconduct, all angelic trials took place in the Garden, which always became the Throne Room for them. Gabriel spread his wings and led the way, trusting Cariel to fly just behind him.
Michael was already at the Throne Room when Gabriel and Cariel arrived, casually leaning against the frame of the door, his arms folded and his grace largely neutral but with a slight disgruntled cast as he looked to the new arrivals. “Sammael, Raphael, and Naomi are already within. I’ve agreed to stay out of this.”
“As have I.” Gabriel turned to Cariel and touched their graces together one last time. “Be strong, Cariel. Behave. I’ll see you soon.”
Cariel nodded, his grace rather ashen, before he turned and stepped through the doors of the Throne Room, keeping his head and wings high. The Cherub Joshua slipped out and closed the doors with a heavy boom that reverberated along the Axis Mundi. Almost immediately, the spikes of God’s anger shrunk within Gabriel’s head. His Father was still upset, but the constant headache had almost abated. Gabriel gave a sigh of relief, and noticed Michael had lifted his hand to rub the side of his head gingerly, his wings relaxing. Father was giving them a chance to make this right.
Joshua brightened at the two Archangels standing outside, touching his hand to the base of his throat and gesturing to them both in a salute. “Hello, brothers.”
Michael nodded his acknowledgement to the Cherub, while Gabriel returned the gesture. “Hello, Joshua. Are you usually here?”
Joshua glanced over at Michael, his choirmaster, before addressing Gabriel. “Yes, usually. I am a humble gardener, and it is my duty to oversee the Garden.”
“That must be a pleasant job,” Gabriel said. “Very… peaceful.” Very boring, actually, but the Cherubim liked mindless, repetitive jobs. It’s why they were so effective as support and assistants to the higher ranks.
“It is undeniably relaxing,” Joshua agreed. “Though, if I may speak frankly?”
“Always,” Gabriel answered earnestly, glancing up at the slight chuckle from Michael. His older brother said nothing, merely gave a shake of his head, his grace much brighter, more amused now. “With me, always.”
Joshua beamed up at the Archangel. “It doesn’t sound like you approve of a peaceful job.”
Michael did laugh at that, and Gabriel had to join him. “Oh, well, there’s nothing wrong with peace! I just…”
“You are the son of fire and change.” Joshua’s big eyes were far too knowledgeable for a Cherub. Gabriel wasn’t sure if he liked it. “You don’t like conflict, but stability bores you too. You like different.”
“Yes,” Gabriel agreed, grateful Joshua was able to sum up Gabriel’s feelings on the matter without making him sound destructive like Raphael always did. “I like doing something new each day; you’re absolutely right.”
“Is that why you’re so rarely in your tower?” Michael asked. “Do you find its consistency boring?”
“Mind-numbing,” Gabriel said with a nod. “Absolutely maddening.”
Michael laughed again, and Joshua bowed to both Archangels. “If you’ll excuse me, sirs, I’ll just carry on my business?”
“You’re dismissed.” Michael gestured lightly at Joshua, waving him away, his bright eyes focused on Gabriel. “So.”
“So,” Gabriel repeated, as Joshua spread his wings and flew out of earshot.
“Naomi and Cariel certainly made a mess of things. Honestly, they were the last two I’d have guessed would screw up this badly. Ever since you presented Anael’s garrison with Balthazar’s partner, I was dreading the day I’d see them both standing before us.”
“Castiel means well.” Gabriel had to defend his newest Angel. “His heart is in the right place, and now that he’s away from Raphael, he’s not flinching as much as before. He can calm down, and when he’s calm, he’s much more angelic.”
“It’s not Castiel I was concerned about,” Michael said. “Balthazar easily holds the record for the most appearances before a tribunal. I’m simply saying, once he has his partner close at hand to corrupt…”
“Castiel is terrified of disappointing me,” Gabriel admitted. “I don’t think we have to worry about Balthazar corrupting him for at least another three centuries.” Not for lack of trying, though. Like Castiel, Balthazar meant well, but unlike Castiel, Balthazar tended to mean well for himself first, the choir second, and the Host third. He kept sticking his grace in places where it didn't belong, and he frequently “borrowed” the tools of other angels whenever they caught his interest. Gabriel suspected Sammael had a Cherub, or perhaps even an entire garrison, dedicated solely to relieving Balthazar of everything his quick fingers encountered.
“I give him one century,” Michael countered. “On the outside. You have a way with your angels, Gabriel. They love you. Castiel will feel comfortable enough to test your limits soon.”
“Don’t yours love you?” Gabriel asked, his wings rising in curiosity as he cocked his head to the side. “I mean, I can understand Raphael’s being more afraid of him than adoring, but even they are smitten when it comes to their choirmaster.”
Michael was shaking his head. “Our angels do love us, yes, but your angels, Gabriel, yours go above and beyond simple love. Your angels would throw themselves in even my way if I tried to hurt you.”
“They would not!” Gabriel protested, waving his hands in denial. Sure, his angels loved him, but didn’t every choir adore their choirmaster?
“Naomi overheard a pair of your Seraphim talking a few years back.” Michael curved his wings behind his head, creating a feathered pillow between him and the stone of the Throne Room. “She thought I should know that the first rule in your choir is: Protect Gabriel at all costs.”
“What?” Gabriel shook his head fiercely. “Absolutely not! Rule one is to protect the Earth and all things on it, but especially the humans! There are no rules about protecting me!”
Even as he protested, Gabriel smothered a flame of pride within him. Did his angels really think that highly of him? He had always done everything he could to be the best choirmaster he could be, and he knew his temper could flare up at times, and he was certainly lax about most of his responsibilities, foisting more than their fair share off on his Seraphim and their garrisons, but they still loved him anyway?
“I didn't think that was a rule you knew about. It certainly didn't sound like something you'd insist on.”
“It's not. I'm not like that. Raphael, maybe, but…”
Michael lifted a hand, chuckling softly. “Peace, Gabriel. I'm not trying to tease you. I think it's admirable that you inspired such loyalty. Even here.” He gestured to the Throne Room doors. “Cariel came straight to you to confess, didn't he?”
Gabriel nodded slowly, and Michael let his hand drop. “Naomi didn't say anything until I asked her directly, and even then she first tried to explain it away as an Earthly matter that was best dealt with by your choir.”
“But it was an accident.” Gabriel leaned back against his own wings, studying the door as if he could see the four angels within. Gabriel had sent Cariel away to enjoy some time with his partner-with Naomi in Michael's choir, the two Seraphim didn't see each other as often as they deserved. Partners split between choirs weren't uncommon, and Gabriel, at least, tried to give his angels every chance to be with their most beloved sibling. Michael and Sammael frequently encouraged their angels to take time for their partners as well. Everyone in Heaven knew exactly how perfect the partnership between the two oldest Archangels was. It was no surprise that they supported similar relationships among their younger brothers.
Gabriel knew Cariel had planned to show Naomi his favorite places on Earth and spend the day with their graces entwined. Gabriel had even taken steps to withdraw some garrisons and reassign others, ensuring that the two could find some privacy if they so desired. He hadn't expected the pair to run afoul of a human civilization, nor had he expected to have a horror-stricken second slamming into him before the day was even half over, babbling hysterically about an accident and death.
The angels had already known most humans reacted poorly to their presence. They had never experienced it on such a broad scale.
“Why would Naomi lie about an accident?”
Maybe it wasn't an accident. Michael's words were mental, transmitted through a brush of his grace against Gabriel's instead of spoken aloud for anyone else to overhear.
You think that she, that they intentionally attacked the humans? Gabriel was shaking his head before he even finished his reply. Cariel was utterly devoted to the Earth. He would never attack anything on it that did not first threaten him, and with how delicate humans were, angels tended to stay hidden and cloaked when they were near.
I don't want to, but I have to consider every possibility. Did Cariel tell you what happened exactly?
Gabriel shook his head again, more slowly this time as he tried to recall Cariel’s exact words. He just said there had been an accident, and many humans were dead, that he and Naomi had 'encountered a village…' Cariel had known that village was there. The humans loved that mountain vista as much as Cariel. He wouldn't have just stumbled upon them accidentally… but maybe he and Naomi had been playing together and he lost track of how close they were. That was entirely possible. Sammael and I confirmed that all the humans died from exposure to grace. Their… sensory organs exploded, or imploded, or just melted. Humans and angels don't mix very well.
A most unfortunate flaw. Michael sounded distracted, clearly not overly concerned with the designs of their Father. Do you believe Cariel could attack humans?
Absolutely not. Gabriel's answer was instantaneous and iced with a flare of disgust at the mere thought that his lieutenant’s integrity was being questioned. Not unless they somehow managed to attack him first, which I'm sure they didn't. Is Naomi capable of such an act?
Michael's silence said more than any words could, and when he finally turned his gaze to look at Gabriel instead of the door, his eyes were unsettled.
I don't know.
When the Throne Room door finally opened again, Gabriel and Michael pulled away from the wall, straightening their wings and looking expectantly at the angel on the other side. Sammael nodded to both of them. “We've reached a possible verdict, but I don't think you'll agree to it. Raphael has agreed to listen to your input for the disciplines.”
“They were found guilty?”
Sammael caught Gabriel's eyes but said nothing, neither out loud nor privately between them. He just turned and strode through the room, toward the elevated thrones at the far end.
Highest of all was the Throne of God, gleaming white and oversized even for Michael, the largest angel. A matching throne, only slightly smaller, sat at its immediate right. No one knew who this Throne was for. A few angels occasionally joked it was for Eve, Mother of All, but Gabriel quickly put a stop to that talk whenever he heard it. Some blasphemy was too much even for him to allow.
In front of the two white thrones were four black ones with high backs. They faced away from the first thrones, toward the rest of the room, their polished surfaces reflecting all light. Gabriel knew from experience that the highly polished thrones also reflected grace; while seated with both wings and throne to serve as buffers between them and their unfiltered Father, the Archangels could endure His presence for extended lengths of time.
Michael's throne was to the right of God's throne, while Sammael's was to the left. Both were raised off the ground, but nowhere near as high as those of their Father's and his companion's. Raphael and Gabriel's thrones were just three steps off the ground, with Raphael seated at Michael's right and Gabriel at Sammael's left. The twins' thrones were further apart than their combined wingspan. While seated, the two would never be able to touch each other, even if they leaned toward each other.
Gabriel suspected this had been an intentional feature.
Raphael was currently seated in his throne right now, sitting straight and tall, as imperious and smug as ever. Gabriel fought the desire to slouch and drag his wings on the ground that always swelled up within him whenever he saw Raphael's impeccable stiffness. Naomi and Cariel were kneeling in front of the thrones, hands folded demurely in their laps, wings held low and tight against their backs. Sammael and Michael stepped between them to reach their thrones, while Gabriel went around Cariel to his. Raphael's sharp eyes were focused on him, but Gabriel still reached out with his grace, brushing over Cariel's as he passed. I'm here, Cariel. You are not alone.
Cariel's fingers twitched at the contact, but he did not lift his head. Raphael's reaction was much more visible, his eyes narrowing, grace twisting around his spirit like it was caught by a sudden wind. Gabriel just looked innocently at his twin before turning and taking his seat.
Sammael remained standing in front of his throne until Michael was seated as well. “Naomi, Seraph, second class, of the choir of Michael, and Cariel, Seraph, first class, and Lieutenant to the Archangel of the choir of Gabriel, stand accused of the destruction of an entire village of humans. One hundred and thirty-nine human souls have been reaped as a direct result of their carelessness. We have found these Seraphim guilty of the misconduct attributed to them and order them to fully adhere to the discipline laid out as consequence.”
Guilty. Gabriel's fingers clenched around the arms of his throne as he looked to Cariel. His Seraph remained motionless on the floor of the Throne Room. But no… Sammael had accused them of the destruction of the village. Not the intentional destruction. It may still have been an accident, though one nevertheless caused by the angels.
Sammael sat down, stretching out his wings. One brushed against Gabriel's, and the younger Archangel jumped, looking guiltily over at his older brother. Sammael dipped his head to the side apologetically. An innocent verdict would have been better for Cariel, but Gabriel couldn't have asked Sammael to twist the truth.
Raphael now stood, raising his wings. “The suggested punishment for these Seraphim is re-education. Both will be restored to their original mental states, as they were upon awakening. Any corruption from their current life experiences will be removed from their spirits.”
“No!”
For a moment, Gabriel wondered who had been so bold as to interrupt Raphael, but then he realized that he was the Archangel on his feet, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, grace angrily smoldering around him. “No,” he repeated, striking blindly for words to back up his protest. “Absolutely not.” He was stalling for time. All eyes in the room were on him now. At his side, Sammael was radiating a smug amusement. He had known Gabriel would protest this punishment, the bastard!
Re-education was better than death, but only barely. The core of the angel was guaranteed to survive, but something less tangible, like an angel's personality, could emerge irrevocably changed. One of Sammael's Seraphim, Alastair, oversaw the education and re-education of wayward angels. Gabriel wasn't entirely sure what, exactly, it entailed, but he knew it could include the removal of memories or desires. If Cariel were re-educated, he would be returned as innocent as a fledgling. He might not remember any of his love for the Earth, or any of the time he spent at Gabriel's side. Their easy banter would certainly be replaced with the formalities all new angels exhibited toward their superiors, and Gabriel would have to break Cariel of prostrating himself at Gabriel's feet all over again. Gabriel didn't even want to imagine Cariel being so mindless. He loved Cariel because of his mind, because of his clever insights and the dry humor that could make Gabriel laugh at the most inappropriate times. Cariel's encyclopedic knowledge of Gabriel's choir might be damaged from a reeducation as well, and how could Gabriel rely on his second if his second couldn't even remember why Zachariah's garrisons hunted the monsters, or why Barachiel's angels sculpted the Earth.
That would be his explanation. Gabriel lifted his chin a little higher, turning a heated glare on Raphael. “Cariel is my lieutenant. The smooth running of my choir hinges on his being present and fully capable of carrying out his duties. I cannot afford to have my second taken from me for Father only knows how long, to be returned in questionable condition. As this incident proves, Earth is still very fragile. The Host cannot afford to disrupt the choir responsible for its care!”
To his right, Gabriel could feel Sammael's smug amusement was shifting into smug pride. Bastard! Sammael had brought Gabriel in here solely so Gabriel could protest because he knew Gabriel wouldn't let Cariel be re-educated!
Raphael gave a nod and confirmed Gabriel's suspicions. “Sammael claimed you would appeal our verdict if we settled on re-education. May I then propose reassignment? Naomi and Cariel will both be demoted to Seraphim, fifth class, and transferred into the choirs of Sammael and myself respectively. We shall each provide you and Michael with one of our Seraphim as a replacement.”
“How is that any better?” Gabriel demanded, his grace running cold at the thought of Cariel being in Raphael's choir, at Raphael's mercy and lack thereof. The demotion would be a blow to both Seraphim's prides, but the transfer… Gabriel might be able to give Cariel time to spend with his partner, but he certainly couldn't take much time himself to spend with his favorite Seraph. Selfishly, he did not want to let Cariel go. “I would still lose my second, but with a reassignment, the loss would be permanent!”
“You'd be able to promote a replacement instead of waiting an indeterminate amount of time,” Raphael pointed out coolly. “Your choir will be fully functional again much more quickly.”
Gabriel was shaking his head from the moment Raphael mentioned a replacement. “You're not punishing Cariel with these suggestions. You're punishing me. I'm not on trial here.”
“Perhaps you should be.”
Michael and Sammael had been looking between the twins as they spoke, but now the two senior Archangels turned to each other, raising their wings almost defensively at Raphael's accusation. Gabriel growled under his breath, feeling fire licking along his wings. “Excuse me?”
“Perhaps,” Raphael repeated, slowly and deliberately shaping every syllable, “you should be.”
“Explain yourself, Raphael,” Sammael interjected calmly, not bothering to stand.
“This incident happened on Earth. Earth is, as Gabriel so thoughtfully pointed out, his domain. An entire village of humans was wiped out on Gabriel's watch. He did nothing to stop it. He is just as guilty as the Seraphim.”
Gabriel summoned a fireball into one hand, ready to hurl it at Raphael's self-confident face, but a stab of despair snapped him out of his rage. Cariel had thrown his grace forward, wrapping a thin tendril around Gabriel's ankle and begging him not to make this worse for himself. Remember your own advice. Do not lose your temper! The Seraph hadn't shifted his position, but his entire being was radiating distress at the thought that his own actions were somehow a failure of Gabriel's.
Gabriel's fire bled away as he looked at his upset lieutenant. If he attacked Raphael, attacked him here, in God's own Throne Room, Gabriel would be looking at a lot more than a re-education or reassignment. Father Himself might come down in person to deliver the punishment, and Gabriel did not relish a second dose of his Father's wrath. He squeezed his fists tighter before forcing both open, loosening his stance. “If I'm responsible for this attack, what about you, Raphael? Isn't it your job to protect Heaven and its greatest treasures? Isn't humanity one of Heaven's greatest treasures? If I should have stopped this attack, surely you are just as much to blame.”
A trickle of pleasure brushed Gabriel from where Cariel's grace still wrapped around his ankle, but the Seraph quickly released him and withdrew his grace. Gabriel fluffed his wings up a little, glad he could lift Cariel's spirits even as his words wiped the smugness from Raphael's grace.
“Enough.” Sammael lifted his hand, turning an exasperated look on each of the twins in turn. “We already established that this incident happened too quickly for any other angels to make a difference in the outcome, Raphael. Neither you nor Gabriel could have prevented the deaths. As Gabriel was the first responder to the disaster, no case can be made that he was in some way neglectful of his duties as caretaker of Earth. But he does have a point. All of the suggested punishments thus far are more crippling to Gabriel and his choir, or to Michael and his, than they are to Cariel and Naomi, the two actually responsible.”
“Then what would you suggest?” Raphael hissed at his brothers. “Let them off with a warning? Over one hundred humans are dead because of them!”
“If I may?” Cariel’s quiet voice cut through the Throne Room, though he had not even lifted his head. He waited until all four Archangels were looking at him before glancing up. Instead of seeking out Gabriel, his dark eyes focused on Michael. “We could be grounded.”
“Grounded?” Gabriel asked, glancing over to Cariel as he sank back into his throne. He had never heard of grounding before, not in relation to angels.
“Our flight feathers get clipped.” Cariel’s voice was carefully neutral as he looked from Michael to Raphael, then to Sammael, avoiding Gabriel’s eyes. “Neither of us would be able to fly until our feathers regrow. We would be confined to Heaven and to the surface. Our movements will be slowed and our access limited. It will take time for our feathers to regrow, perhaps even years. After we are whole again-naturally-this case can be revisited and our punishments reevaluated. If we have proven suitably repentant, our restrictions can be lifted. If not, our feathers can be clipped again.” He glanced over at Michael again. “Such a punishment would not affect the smooth running of either choir. It punishes us more than you or Gabriel. It does punish us.”
This concept of “grounding” sickened Gabriel. The mere thought of losing his ability to fly made him draw his wings against his back protectively. Even if it was only temporary, it was a horrific punishment, and he couldn’t believe Cariel was actually suggesting such a maiming. Gabriel’s fingers clenched against the arms of his throne again as he fought down another wave of fire.
And yet… and yet grounding wouldn't destroy Cariel's spirit. He would remain Gabriel's second, his trusted lieutenant, his good friend. Cariel couldn't attend to matters on Earth, but he could help manage the choir from Gabriel's tower easily enough. He would survive the punishment and remain at Gabriel's side, and really, Gabriel couldn't ask for anything more.
“Gabriel?” Michael glanced over at the younger Archangel, leaning around Sammael to catch his brother’s gaze. “Is this satisfactory?”
Gabriel forced himself to release his throne and gave a nod to Michael. “Grounding is an,” the words were difficult to push out; Gabriel was condemning Cariel to mutilation, “acceptable punishment.”
“Sammael? Raphael?” Michael looked between his brothers. “Do you accept this suggestion?”
Raphael nodded, his own wings tucked in tight against his body. Sammael was far more relaxed in his throne, confident that no one would ever try to ground him as he nodded his consent and rose to his feet.
“Naomi, Cariel, your fates have been decided. You will report to Raphael’s healers before sunset for your punishment. Your right to visit Earth has been revoked until further notice.” Sammael paused, looking around the room before giving a firm nod. “This trial is dismissed.”
Sammael waited for Michael to rise and reach his side before the pair exited the Throne Room together. Raphael didn’t bother waiting for Gabriel, his long strides carrying him toward the doors. Gabriel gave Cariel one last look before heading out himself, immediately turning to wait for his Seraph.
Cariel was the last one out of the room, though Michael returned and slipped back inside without a word to any of them. As the door swung shut behind his oldest brother, Gabriel turned to Cariel, grabbing his arm. “Just tell me it wasn’t intentional,” he hissed.
“It was intentional,” Cariel whispered back, looking down at the Archangel. Gabriel sometimes hated that his Lieutenant was one of the few Seraphim taller than him. Not often, but sometimes, it made it hard to be in charge. “If I let Raphael pick the punishment, he’d insist on removing me from your choir!”
“Not that.” Gabriel waved Cariel’s comment away. “The massacre. Tell me you didn’t hunt those humans down.”
Cariel’s eyes narrowed into a glare. “Of course it wasn’t intentional! I already told you that. It wasn’t even accidentally my fault. Naomi unveiled herself and killed those humans. I just tried to help clean up the mess.”
“Did she do it intentionally?”
“No!” Cariel flapped his wings, a gesture usually meant to exaggerate an angel’s size and intimidate smaller creatures. “How could you think that of us? Have I ever given you any reason to doubt me?”
Now it was Gabriel’s turn to glare, stretching his own wings to remind Cariel that he may be shorter, but he was still the bigger angel. “I’m just trying to figure out what happened. Michael and I were concerned with the circumstances around this whole situation. You were found guilty-”
“Raphael found me guilty. I didn’t actually-”
Gabriel slashed a hand through the air to cut off his lieutenant’s protest. “Cariel, the trial is over. Your punishment has been decided. It was your own suggestion, and I-Ah!” Gabriel cut off with a wince, staggering a little as he pressed his palm to his head. This was a different sort of headache, a direct summons from God. Usually, they weren’t so loud, but usually, Gabriel supposed, he wasn’t standing right outside the door when they came. “Cariel, I’m sorry, I have to go.”
“Don’t-”
“I have to go.“ Gabriel reached out, squeezed Cariel’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cariel. I am. We’ll talk about this when I’m through with Father. Wait in my office for my return.”
The Throne Room doors opened, and Michael emerged. He looked between Gabriel and Cariel for a moment before jerking his head back over his shoulder. “Father wants to speak with you now, Gabriel.”
“I got the message.” Gabriel gave Cariel one last look before slipping back into the Throne Room.
The cavernous room was no longer as empty and echoing as it had been during the trial. Every last corner was filled with a celestial glow, and a pillar of blue flame filled the massive throne of God at the far end. Gabriel ducked his head respectfully as he warily approached the throne, dipping into a low bow when he arrived at his Father’s feet. His wings were all outstretched, except the smallest pair, which he drew over his head to shield him from God’s direct presence. “Father.”
Gabriel.
Some of the tension left Gabriel’s wings. His Father’s mood was always obvious in how He spoke His sons’ names. Gabriel’s name wrapped around him like a heavy arm across his shoulders, neither angry nor particularly soothing, but a definitive guiding force. “Did the outcome of the trial please you, Father?”
Perhaps.
Perhaps? What did He mean by that? Gabriel waited for elaboration, fighting to keep the twitch out of his wings.
God eventually took pity on Gabriel and spoke again. If I asked it of you, would you kill Cariel?
The sudden paralysis that seized Gabriel was the only thing that kept him from flinching, or from saying something utterly stupid. He stared at the floor in front of him, his fire frozen within him. Kill Cariel!? Was that what God wanted as punishment for the two Seraphim? He had called Michael in before Gabriel-was that to give him an order to kill Naomi?
God was waiting, eternally patient, but His presence was a pressing weight on Gabriel’s back. The angel’s eyes fluttered closed as he found the strength to move again. “I… Father… that is, You already know all. You know my answer.” His hands were trembling, and he clenched them into fists in an attempt to still them.
I do. Do you?
“Do I?”
Know your answer? The pressure on Gabriel’s back increased, and he sagged forward, catching himself on his hands.
“I…”
Answer me, Gabriel. Tell me what you would do if I ordered you to kill Cariel.
Gabriel tried to imagine it: Cariel, waiting for his return at the tower. His punishment had already been decided. He wouldn’t be expecting anything more. Gabriel would enter, keeping his grace neutral so as not to alert Cariel to anything wrong. Cariel would turn to him, his dark eyes still angry, but softer than they were just minutes ago. Time was already serving to calm him down. Cariel never stayed mad at Gabriel for long. It would be easy to step up to Cariel, to get close enough to the younger angel. He’d draw his sword and…
And…
And he’d grab Cariel’s arm, desperate, and fly. They’d run, to the far corners of the universe, where even God’s presence was weak. Slip into the Borderlands. Seek out a new universe, where God’s power could not reach. Gabriel would abandon his choir, his family, to save his brother.
Gabriel shook his head. “I wouldn’t,” he whispered. “I wouldn’t do it.”
There is no place I am not.
“I don’t care. I’d run anyway.” Gabriel curled his fingers against the cool stone floor. “There are places where You aren’t as strong. Shadows to hide in. I’d take him to the far planets, to the Borderlands. We’d find a way into another universe. I would die before I let him be killed for this.”
God’s silence was deafening, weighing Gabriel down, pressing him against the floor. A sob tore itself from Gabriel’s throat as he felt the stone brush his face. He would die, smote here on the floor of the Throne Room, before Cariel had a chance to be warned. Gabriel closed his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, not sure if he was apologizing to his Father, for directly countering an order, or to Cariel, for not shielding him from this, or to his choir and his brothers, for abandoning them. He would not change his decision.
The pressure was suddenly gone, and Gabriel nearly collapsed from its absence. He lifted his head, catching himself just in time before looking directly at his Father. He cowered back, covering himself with more of his wings. “Father?”
I am not asking you to kill Cariel. I am satisfied with the results.
… not? That had been a test? Sometimes, Gabriel really hat-
He bit that thought off before it could finish forming, thinking instead of butterflies on the wind. Father was frequently lenient, but surely not here, not in His Throne Room, not in His presence.
Had he passed the test? He must have, if God was allowing the verdict to stand unchanged.
I have a message for you to deliver, for the entire Host. No angel may be on Earth for more than twenty-four consecutive hours without taking a vessel.
“A-a vessel?” Gabriel didn’t even bother trying to push himself off the floor. He could pick himself up once his Father had left the room.
Humans and angels are designed to work together. Angels may enter vessels to filter their grace and allow them to interact with humans without harm.
“How-?”
God’s grace departed the Throne Room before Gabriel could finish his next question. The Archangel sagged in the emptiness, pressing his forehead against the floor. Never before had he been so grateful to be abruptly dismissed from his Father’s presence.
Gabriel took his time returning to his tower. He had an excuse, flying throughout Heaven to alert all of the Seraphim and Raphael to the new rule about vessels on Earth. The Seraphim could inform their Dominions, who would alert their garrisons. Neither Michael nor Sammael were at their towers. Filiel, Michael’s second, and Azazel, Sammael’s second, both reported that their Archangels had not returned from the trial yet.
Michael and Sammael weren’t on Earth, either. Gabriel took a detour to the planet so he could tell his own choir about the change. His angels were understandably flustered; Father hadn’t given them any instructions on how to take a vessel, so they had only twenty-four hours to figure it out.
Gabriel couldn’t hold off facing Cariel forever. The sun was sinking lower in the sky, though there was still time before sunset. Setting aside his need to alert Michael and Sammael for now, Gabriel reluctantly returned to his tower. As soon as he landed, he could feel Michael and Sammael’s grace within. They had been here the whole time, waiting for him.
Flicking back his wings, Gabriel pushed his office doors open and stepped inside. Sammael had made himself at home behind Gabriel’s desk, idly flipping through some of the mess of papers Gabriel usually had strewn about. Michael stood at a window, his arms folded, wings drawn up, his grace heavy and brooding around him. Cariel waited near the door, twitching with every flip of a page from Sammael. Gabriel knew his Seraph was itching to kick Sammael out for messing up Gabriel’s poor excuse for an organizational system-it had taken Cariel the better part of a decade to convince Gabriel to straighten things up at least that much, so Cariel had some hope of finding needed information.
The flicker of amusement at the thought was quickly doused by the icy realization of how close Cariel had come to being killed. Had come? What if that was why Michael and Sammael were here? What if they were supposed to fulfill a death sentence in the face of Gabriel’s failure to?
“Cariel, come here,” Gabriel ordered, beckoning his Seraph close. Sammael cocked his head to the side curiously as Gabriel slid in front of the younger angel, physically placing himself between Cariel and his oldest brothers. “Sammael, Michael, what brings you here?”
Sammael looked over at Michael, who turned away from the window. “I wanted to see how you were, after your meeting with Father,” the oldest angel said.
Wanted to see if I would kill Cariel or if you had to? Gabriel wondered. “I’m… it was a message. He had me deliver a message for Him.”
“Is that all?” Michael stepped toward Gabriel, and Gabriel stepped back, into Cariel, who stumbled a few steps back himself. The oldest angel stopped, his head dipping to the side as he studied Gabriel. Sudden awareness filled his eyes, and Michael lifted his hands in supplication. “Gabriel, it’s okay. I’m not here to kill anyone.”
“What?” Sammael demanded, leaping to his feet. “How could you think that of Michael, Gabriel!?”
“I…” Gabriel looked between the two Archangels nervously.
“Peace, Light Bringer,” Michael said, gesturing to Sammael to sit down again. “It’s what Father asked of us, isn’t it, Gabriel. He asked me if I would kill Naomi.”
Gabriel gave a little nod, not ready to relax yet. “He… He asked if I would kill Cariel.”
“What?” Now it was Cariel’s turn to cry out, stepping away from Gabriel, his wings lifted high and tight.
Michael gestured Cariel down as well, shaking his head. “Father did not ask us to. He simply asked if we would.”
“And I said I wouldn’t.” Gabriel turned to face Cariel fully, praying for his Seraph to believe him. “Cariel, I told Him that if He asked if of me… I told Him… to His… I said…”
The words failed him as Gabriel’s knees gave out. He stumbled, grabbing onto his desk for support. He had told his Father, to His face, that he would disobey a direct order. He’s going to smite me!
“Gabriel!” Two pairs of strong arms wrapped around him, keeping him on his feet. Michael and Sammael pressed in close, wrapping their grace around their little brother. Cariel hung back, one hand raised as if he changed his mind halfway through reaching out to Gabriel.
“It’s okay, Gabriel,” Michael soothed, stroking his hand along Gabriel’s wings. “It’s okay, Little One. Father tested us both, but He would not ask that of us. You endured the test, and you passed it. It’s okay. Father does not hold grudges.”
“I said I’d take Cariel and run,” Gabriel whispered into Michael’s chest. “I said I’d sooner die than watch him be killed.”
Cariel took a step closer, his wings hanging limp, but Sammael turned a glare on the Seraph and pinned him in place. Gabriel shook his head, covering his face.
“Is that what you said too?” Sammael asked Michael, looking up at his partner.
Michael hesitated before slowly shaking his head. “I told Father that if He asked it of me, I would do it.”
Sammael’s arms fell away from Gabriel as he stared at his brother. “You would kill your own Seraph?”
“If Father required it of me, yes.” Michael met Sammael’s gaze evenly. “I am a good son, Sammael. I do as my Father commands.”
“Would you kill me?” Sammael spread his arms, stepping back from Michael. “If Father asked you to, would you kill me?”
“Sammael.“ Michael managed to speak his brother’s name with so much loving chastisement that Sammael immediately backed down. It was ridiculous, really, to think that Michael could have turned his sword on Sammael, the one angel he loved and cherished above all others. Gabriel could see Michael executing a Seraph for disobedience, but not Sammael. Never Sammael.
“I’m sorry, Michael,” Sammael murmured, sliding back in to hug him around Gabriel. “I shouldn’t doubt you.”
“So,” Cariel’s voice was hesitant as he spoke up in front of the three Archangels, “am I going to be killed?”
“No,” Gabriel answered, drawing away from his brothers so he could turn to Cariel. He took his Seraph’s hand between his and shook his head. “Absolutely not. Father said He is satisfied with the outcome of the trial. And He made a new edict-no angel may be on Earth for more than twenty-four consecutive hours without a vessel to protect humans from our grace.”
Cariel fell against Gabriel’s chest, curling his taller form into the Archangel’s grace. Gabriel hugged Cariel and rested his cheek against his Seraph’s head. “It’s all right,” he whispered, petting Cariel’s wings like Michael had just stroked his. “I won’t let you die for an accident. I promised you.”
“It makes sense now,” Michael murmured to Sammael, but Gabriel heard and looked over in time to see Sammael nodding.
“What does?”
“Remember what we spoke of during the trial?” Michael asked. “How your angels would throw themselves to their deaths for you?”
“I remember you exaggerating,” Gabriel said, looking back to Cariel.
“Was I?” Michael asked. “Cariel, if I were to attack Gabriel right now, would you try to stop me?”
“Of course,” Cariel answered, without any pause.
Michael shrugged. “Clearly, Cariel doesn’t want to be killed today, but if he got in my way, he’d die. For you.”
“Any angel would do that for their superior,” Gabriel protested, but even as he spoke he could see the denial in Cariel’s eyes.
“Your choir is unique, Gabriel,” Sammael said. “We’ve been trying to figure out your secret for centuries, but I think you’ve just shown us.”
“I don’t have any secret to choir management,” Gabriel argued.
“You said no to Father,” Michael said. “To His face. To save just one of your choir.”
“Because Cariel is mine! I have a responsibility to him, to protect him, not to slay him!” Gabriel tightened his arms around Cariel, feeling the Seraph relax into his embrace. Cariel trusted him. Even after the guilty verdict, Cariel still had faith that Gabriel would protect him.
“So do I,” Michael said. “And yet, even I would bow before the superior will of our Father.”
“Well, I…” Gabriel had no rebuttal for that. It was true, after all. He did put his choir above even God.
“Our little brother seldom does what is expected of him,” Sammael said, reaching out to take Michael’s arm. “Come on, Michael. I think Gabriel’s choir has been stressed enough for one day. Let’s return to our own.”
Michael nodded, stepping back and unfurling his wings. In the next blink, he and Sammael were both gone.
Gabriel felt the last dregs of tension drip from his wings at their absence. He hadn’t even realized the tautness that had overtaken him by the presence of his brothers. Usually, Michael and Sammael being near did nothing but relax him, as between them, they could fix any problem. Was this what it meant to grow up? Having to tackle situations that Michael and Sammael couldn’t help?
“Cariel?” Gabriel released his Seraph, stepping back to look at the younger angel. “Are you okay?”
Cariel shook out his wings and straightened up, offering Gabriel an uncertain shrug. “I still need to get my wings trimmed and was very nearly sentenced to death by Father today, but all in all, could be worse.”
“I’m sorry.” Gabriel pressed his hand to his head, turning toward his desk. “Today has just been…”
“I started it,” Cariel pointed out. “No, Naomi started it. I just took the fall for her. See if I ever do that again.”
“You said that earlier,” Gabriel looked back at Cariel. “That it was Naomi’s fault. Why did Sammael agree that you were guilty if you didn’t do anything wrong?”
Cariel shifted guiltily. “I… covered things up for her. Before coming to you. Set it up so it didn’t look as bad for her and worse for me.”
“Why would you do that?”
“She’s my partner,” Cariel said, as if that explained everything. It probably would have, Gabriel thought, if Gabriel knew what it felt like to have a partner you actually cared about. “Naomi is… she’s my other half, and we didn’t know how Michael would take the news. I knew you’d forgive me, so I figured if it looked to be mostly my fault, you’d smack me on the hand and we’d be fine. I didn’t expect you to not participate in the trial!”
“You were protecting her,” Gabriel said. “Even at the trial, you were trying to defend your partner.”
“Not so much then,” Cariel muttered, slanting his eyes downward. “I figured full honesty would be best in the face of Sammael and Raphael.”
“And they still found you guilty?”
“Naomi didn’t believe full honesty was better.” Cariel’s grace rippled darkly as he looked back to Gabriel. “She figured since we made the scene look like it was my fault, might as well stick with that. She did everything she could to pin the whole incident fully on me.”
“But you’re her partner.” Gabriel cocked his head to the side, watching Cariel. “Why would she do that to you?”
“She saw a way out without getting in trouble herself?” Cariel shrugged. “I think Sammael saw through her bullshit, but since the physical evidence all pointed to me and Naomi’s testimony corroborated it…”
“He had to punish you,” Gabriel finished. “But Naomi was given the same punishment.”
“That was Sammael’s doing. Raphael wanted to let her off, but Sammael pointed out that she was present and didn’t prevent it, so she should take a full punishment as if she had caused it. And vice versa-I was there, didn’t stop things, deserve a punishment.”
“Did you try to save them?” Gabriel asked quietly.
Cariel nodded. “If we had only taken a moment to strategize instead of charging ahead with swords drawn, we could have saved them all. Naomi didn’t want to waste precious time.”
“I’m sorry,” Gabriel said. “I didn’t want to agree to your punishment. Grounding you is… you don’t deserve that.”
“No, you were right to.” Cariel’s wings slumped in defeat. “At least I’m not being re-educated or reassigned. I did suggest the grounding. I know I can live with it.”
“Grounding is temporary,” Gabriel said, reaching out to stroke Cariel’s wings, the delicate feathers that would soon be cut away. “You’ll be flying again before too long, and I’ll vouch for your return to Earth.”
“What if Raphael tries to permanently maim me?” Cariel asked quietly, leaning into Gabriel’s touch. “I didn’t expect Michael to have him do the cutting.”
“Then I’ll make him heal you,” Gabriel answered fiercely. “If he tries to do anything more to you than just cut your feathers, he’ll have me to deal with.”
“I love it when you get all fiery.”
“Shut up,” Gabriel groused, though he wrapped his arm around Cariel’s back. “Come on. I’ll fly with you to Raphael, and I’ll glare at him the whole time so he knows not to try anything.”
“Can we take the scenic route?”
“Absolutely.”
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