Michael kept silent. So much for helping me. The silence dragged on, but having tossed down the glove, Michael was going to make me come up with an answer. For my sake it better not be stupid either. Finally, I remembered an old story I heard my father talk about. It was in passing and I really didn’t think much of it at the time. “I’d heard the Drevlin wouldn’t appear until a fourth heir was born.”
“Very good.” He smiled and leaned forward. “Here’s something you wouldn’t have heard. The fourth heir was born to human parents.”
Okay. Final answer. This waswaymore interesting than Miami. “How’s that possible?”
“It’s not,” he said. “And yet it’s happened. An elder confirmed the child is an angel, and your father and Raphael confirmed the child’s lineage is free of our kind. The timing, however, seems too convenient. I don’t believe in chance, not like this.”
Such a thing wasn’t possible. There had to be another explanation. Uncle Michael stood before I could voice my doubt. He clasped his hands behind his back and faced the window. I wondered what he saw staring into the night sky.
“I asked Uriel to confirm the child is an angel. No surprise, he hasn’t answered me.”
Two things hit me. First, why didn’t Uncle Michael do it himself? As our leader, who better to find out the truth. Second, he couldn’t possibly expect me to do what he couldn’t. “You want me to make Uriel find this kid?”
“No. Even if you could find him, you couldn’tmakehim do anything.”
Sothoserumors were true. “How long has he been avoiding you?”
“Too long.” Michael tensed, and his body flared a shade brighter. Taking a deep breath, he released some of the energy in his body. “But Uriel isn’t your concern. I need you to guard this human angel.”
Shit!I must’ve pissed him off to make me babysit the kid. “How?”
“You’ll need to move to Washington and befriend him.” The steely gaze told me not to push too hard.
Missingaparty was nothing; moving was a big deal. Moving meant starting over. “Can’t one of the others do this? What about Wallace or Victoria?”
“No.” The last of the luminance dissipated from his body. “You’re the best. Victoria’s already there, and as much as I love and trust my daughter, she can’t protect the childandsearch for Uriel.”
MeandVictoria assigned to the same case? This wasn’t just some kid. “What kind of trouble should I expect?”
“Most likely nothing, but if Uriel doesn’t step up, you’re going to need to mentor and train the boy. He has no family to teach him how to use and control his powers when they appear.” Lifting a sheet of paper from his desk, Michael scanned it quickly, then held it out. “Here’s a list of people we’ve assigned to Washington. When you arrive, you’ll be in charge.”
Reading the names quickly, I recognized my cousin and one other name. “Won’t Vicky be upset that I’m the new leader?”
Michael laughed. “You didn’t read that closely enough. She isn’t part of your team. She’ll be in D.C. to offer her help should you need it, but her priority is to find Uriel.”
A side door opened, and the head of the household staff stopped just inside the room. “Dinner is ready, sirs.”
“Excellent.” Uncle Michael gestured toward the exit. “Please join me, nephew.”
Despite couching it as an invitation, I wasn’t free to decline. The food would be excellent, but I didn’t look forward to spending the evening dining with my uncle. He was irritated and would not be good company. “When do you want me in D.C.?”
“It will take a few days to get your documents in order. Work with the staff to make sure everything is to your liking.”
Hopefully the newbie would turn out to be just an anomaly and I could go back to my old life. If not, I’d been sent to worse places. “Yes, Uncle.”
Nicholas Fenton
Late again. I took the stairs two at a time. Stupid Metro had one job. One job. Run the trains. On time. And they couldn’t do it. I’d planned to get a run in before dinner, but now that probably wouldn’t happen.
Stupid Metro.
I reached our apartment when I heard talking inside.
“Now?” Trevor asked. Silence answered the question. “No. I don’t like this. He’ll screw up everything.”
Phone call. And not a good one. I slid the key home and made more noise than needed opening the door. “Trev, I’m home.”
My roommate popped out of the kitchen and pointed to the phone. “Yes. I understand.”
