AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Indigo swiped tears from her eyes. She tilted her chin to stare at Ohngel. “Something to consider. You’ll need an occupation. I’ll need more clothes if I’m expected to live forever. We’ll want two places. Here and Angor. Ooh, a ranch near Thorn’s in Montana might be nice. It’s beautiful there.”
Before his Indy got too wound up, Ohngel said, “We accept.” He’d continue to fight beside his brothers, stop the truly dangerous from wreaking hell in Vast, and be with Indy.
“What’s his take-home pay?” she asked. “Should we negotiate in person with the OneCreator? Can I just call him One? It’s shorter. Rolls easily off the tongue.”
When Ohngel tried to shush her, she shot him with the look.
Michael laughed, arching his brows. “No nicknames. No negotiations. But we’re talking big coin.”
“Can I keep my business? I do important shit for Aeternals.” She propped her hands on her hips.
Ohngel stepped between Indy and Michael. “Now’s a good time to muzzle yourself.”
If we don’t negotiate, Roark, the OneCreator will think he can walk all over us.
He can.
Michael floated above the ground, his powerful wings stroking up and down to tread air, his gaze on Indy. “I envy you, old friend. May your destiny be favorable.”
“May it be what I make it.”
Michael raised a single finger. “There is something strange the OneCreator said which concerns destiny. He had just bragged about juggling all the rapid, moving pieces of the OneWorld and doing so with a flair no one else commanded. Or appreciated. He claimed his memory sometimes failed him. Then he reminded me he was an all-powerful bastard who’d smite anyone who faulted him for the lapses.”
“Forgetful my ass.” Ohngel threw an arm over Indy’s shoulders.
“Anyway, he says he feels bad forgetting to tell Gahya and Gabriel about an important part of the game.”
“What’s that?” asked Ohngel, curious himself.
“A warrior-prophet who, if he chose to do so, could even the odds in the final showdown between their two species. He muttered something about the guy being a willful A-hole. An arrogant bastard. Or perhaps I just imagined those last few words.”
Ohngel shook his head.
“The OC is the true Genitor. As such, throughout eternity, he determines how to treat each of his immortals. Some he guides. Some he comforts. Others he imprisons, destroys, occupies with frivolity, ignores, or uses for his own means. Now here’s the kicker. A few he sets free to determine their own fate.”
Indigo kicked a toe through the dirt. “What the hell does he mean?”
Ohngel scrubbed a fist across his jaw, considering the speech. “The mutherfucker’s as enigmatic as always. He enjoys playing with words as much as with dice.”
Michael quipped, “And I thought his favorite pastime was diddling his schwantz.”
“Speaking of diddling, what’s happening with Gahya and Gabriel?” asked Ohngel.
“They’re on to some new bet. Some new bed. I think they fall under the OneCreator’s occupy-with-frivolity clause.”
“One last thing,” said Ohngel, storming toward his friend. He drew back his fist and sent it smashing into Michael’s chin, hard enough to rattle teeth and set the guy on his ass.
“What was that for?” The Bearer of Death picked himself up off the ground.
“For leaving us hang.”
“I didn’t. I was acting on orders. The OneCreator wanted to see what the two of you are made of. You passed the test.”
“Leave before I deck you again, asshole.”
Michael grinned, his skin glowing with light from within. “Glad to have you back, friend. I look forward to getting to know your mate.” Michael chuckled. “Mate. If it can happen to you, it can happen to anyone.” He flew off, his wings glinting in the sun, his laughter filling the air.
“Your friend is weird. Sometimes I understand what the guy is saying. Sometimes I even like him. Mostly I don’t.” Watching the OneCreator’s Bearer of Death disappear in the bright light, Indigo stroked a hand along Ohngel’s spine. “Hey. Yours are cooler.”
