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Tuesday: Sunrise
Thelial
Thelial was reluctant to leave Daniel’s side, though his other half slept soundly. The late nights had finally caught up to him, and Thelial had to practically carry his mate home, where he tucked him in bed and then laid beside him. Just as the sun peeked over the horizon, he kissed Daniel’s brow and surrendered to Father’s will to return.
Sy met him in his room, eager to hear how the evening went. “So…?”
Thelial sat on his bed and patted the spot beside him before rolling into how it all went down at the fight club. “After watching how brutal it was—seriously no holds barred—I’m a little nervous. John taught me a bit, but I might be in over my head.”
“I need to do a better job, then.”
Thelial gaped at John standing in the doorway, leaning against the jamb. El and Nate stood nearby.
“Heavens, did you hear everything?” Thelial blushed under their scrutiny.
John pushed off the jamb, moving toward the desk and the spinning globe of Earth. “We heard enough to know that you’ll need us all to help bring down Troian, but we also knew that already. He is, unfortunately, a somewhat unknown entity. In the past, Troian got bored quickly. He would create chaos, then brush his hands clean of the mess as he retreated to Hell for another hundred years or so, only to rise again and repeat the cycle. Being able to defeat him like we did Marchosias would be good. We might rid ourselves of the demon for a thousand years or more if we can inflict enough damage.”
“So you're saying we need to keep his focus if we want to engage in a battle with him?” Sy asked, reaching back to prop himself on the bed. At John’s nod, Sy asked a valid follow-up question. “How are we to do that?”
John panned toward Thelial. “We already are. Do not think for one moment he doesn’t know what you are.”
Thelial popped to his feet, pacing softly to stare down at the globe, his gaze drawn to the brightness covering the United States. Dusk was only just falling on the holy lands ofYisraeland its neighbors: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. “I’m not so sure. I felt His hand on me, protecting me, while I spoke with the demon.”
The others mumbled at the grace given, but John was quick to quiet them. “Even if this is so, he must suspect about Mary and Joseph. Why else would he send Daniel to terrorize them?”
Thelial cursed under his breath before being rocked by a wave of anger. He dropped to his knees, muttering apologies and swearing to do better.
Adonai thundered into the room, staring them all down. One by one, the angels sagged to the floor, kowtowing before His Greatness. “You know how I feel about cursing.”
“Father, please,” Thelial whispered, “do not punish them for my wrong-doing.”
He scoffed. “You have all grown complacent. Remember who you are. You are mine. You are my greatest warriors. My most deadly shadows who walk in the grace of My light. Go now. Prepare. Joseph has foreseen the battle that lies in wait.”
Sy, El, and Nate bowed low, then scurried from the room. John, however, remained, daring to raise his head. “My King, is what Thelial said the truth? Did you shield him from Troian’s gaze?”
“As best I could, though I suspect the demon might have seen through the guise.” Father stood in front of Thelial a moment before he assisted him to his feet and set him walking. Thelial chuckled under his breath. Father knew just how much he needed to move when he had thinking to do.
He paced his room, managing ten steps one way before having to turn around. Seeing Daniel again had been the night’s highlight, but meeting with Troian and convincing the demon that he was just another human had stroked his ego, even if Father had helped. He only wished he could have spent even more time with his chosen, but Troian had monopolized his time during the fights, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the fighters he might face. There was money involved, significant money, though that was of no consequence to him, except when he thought of Daniel.
Defeating Troian, earning Daniel’s love, losing his wings… Money would be of consequence then. They could use it to live comfortably while they both sought alternative employment.
Thelial pinched his lower lip as he continued to pace. It was odd to think that, after two thousand years, he’d need to find a job that wasn’t bringing humans together in love matches or fighting evil demons with his sword and shield. He supposed Con would hire him on as a full-time bartender. He had the skill-set for that, at least.
“Of course he would,” Father said, his white robes swishing with his approach.
Thelial dropped to one knee, bowing his head. “Father… My sincerest apologies. I was getting ahead of myself.”
Father caressed the top of his wings as he circled Thelial. “It’s good to look ahead and visualize where you’ll be, what you’ll be doing, and who you’ll be with. You need to keep that vision in the forefront of your mind. Do not allow the demon to lead you astray.”
“Father!” Thelial gasped. “I humbly apologize if my thoughts seemed to shift that way. Know that I am not tempted toward corruption, only thinking of Daniel’s future and providing for him.”
Father chuckled. “My sweet angel. You were indeed getting ‘ahead of yourself.’ First, he must love you.”
“You’re right, of course. He’s so beautiful. Thank you for choosing him for me.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You only have five more nights, and it seems you have your own fight to win. I cannot aid you against a human opponent. Learn all you can from John.”
“I will, Father.” Theo pressed a fist over his heart. “I will.”
