“I’d planned to take you and Brenda to lunch, but I couldn’t reschedule an important meeting. Jeremy has given Brenda the authorization to take you out to lunch and charge it to the company. Go have lunch on me, and then start your weekend early.”
Funny how we all thought it was shitty he chose to come in on a Friday. Nothing crappy about me getting a half day off with pay. He stood and we shook hands again. Like before, he put his left hand over our clasped hands. Ralph was obviously a hugger, something I wasn’t.
We walked out together, and my co-workers clapped and cheered. Embarrassed by the attention, I waved awkwardly to acknowledge the applause. Ralph and the other senior manager departed leaving me with just Brenda and my peers. Some were genuinely happy for me, others were jealous or upset it wasn’t them. In other words, typical for any office.
I reached my cubicle and my only thought was to share the news with Trevor and Henry. Only, maybe not in that order.
Henry
Dupont Circle was busier than I expected for mid-morning as commuters and tourists wove through the park. A lot of people must’ve needed a pick me up to get through their Friday. I claimed a section of empty weathered wooden bench and let the rhythmic splash of water from the fountain calm my nerves. Subtly, I wove a veil around myself—a gentle nudge that encouraged passersby to keep their distance. I needed privacy for this conversation.
Across the way, I spotted my father striding toward me, his gait purposeful amid the swirl of activity. Dressed in a tailored light gray suit, he drew admiring glances from those he passed. His blond hair caught the sunlight, and for an instant it gave him an almost ethereal glow.
“Hi Dad,” I said, standing to greet him. “It’s good to see you.”
“Henry.” He pulled me into a hug, holding on a bit longer than usual. When he stepped back, he studied me as if we hadn’t seen each other in years. “Good to see you, too. Your mother sends her love.”
The image of Mom pointedly telling my father to give me her message made me smile. “Tell her thanks.”
“You might consider calling her once in a while.” He raised an eyebrow and stared down his nose. “She’s still a bit miffed you didn’t tell her about Nick.”
I should have expected she’d be annoyed hearing things third hand. “I’ll do it today.”
“Good.” He patted my leg. “Your aura is bright, and you look happier than when you set out on this mission. You even remembered to encourage people to avoid us. I’m very happy for you, son.”
Dad hadn’t come in person to have a casual chat, so I realized I’d really screwed up not calling home. “Sorry for being too wrapped up in things to call. I’ll try to do better.”
“You’re doing fine,” he said. “She understands, but she’ll always be your mother first.”
He’d always be my father first too. “Got it.”
“How are things with Nick?”
I hesitated. “It’s complicated.”
“Everything is with you,” he teased lightly, then his expression sobered. “I can see the weight you’re carrying, Henry. It’s more than just your assignment.”
I looked away, focusing on a squirrel darting up a nearby tree. “I want to protect him. I need to. But Uriel’s orders?—”
“Uriel has his reasons,” Dad said gently. “Even if he doesn’t share them.”
“That’s part of the problem,” I muttered. “We’re all in the dark, following his cryptic instructions. That, however, isn’t why you’re here, is it?”
Dad sighed, the levity slipping from his face. “No. And I also didn’t come in person to tell you to call home more often.” He exhaled and his expression changed. “As you know, we’ve been searching for the person Lael worked with to create the Drevlin energy weapons. Last week we captured someone who’s working with the leader.”
A knot formed in my stomach. “Go on.”
My father swept his gaze around the area around us before returning to me. “As you know, no one was convinced it was a rogue angel working with the Drevlin. Michael assumed the end game was to either remove the current leadership, or carve out a new group with different leaders.”
There’d been rumblings among some angels about wanting to reveal ourselves and claim our own territory. I hadn’t given them much credence because they were vague and unfocused. “So it’s true?”
“It would be easier if it was, but that’s not what we learned.” Dad surveyed the circle again and then touched his watch. The disruption field washed over us, making sure our conversation stayed private. “A Drevlin scout ship managed to sneak onto earth. I’d worried it would happen after we destroyed several scout ships over the last few decades. We’re not sure how, or how many, but there are at least two Drevlin operatives working on Earth.”
A chill ran down my spine. The noises of the park faded into the background. “How long have they been here?”
“At least a year. We’re still piecing it together, but the good news is we haven’t found any evidence angels are knowingly working with the Drevlin. Lael and his team got their information and plans from the human we caught.
“Michael and his team are still extracting information from this human, but one thing we gleaned is the Drevlin are aware of the concentration of powerful angels in this area.”
