The Creation: Chaos Rising (18 page)

Nina gave him an unscrupulous look. "And just why is that a problem?"

"Because now I can't help but wonder what it would be like to
really
kiss you."

He tried again to turn away, but Nina's hand on his wrist stopped him once more. Her lips curved into a sensuous smile as she drew him closer. "Again I ask: why is that a problem?"

Gabriel looked totally flustered. "Because my Task is to
protect
you; not romance you."

Nina's voice grew husky. "So learn how to multi-task." Before he could respond she pressed her lips hungrily against his, the flash of energy brought about by their contact rivaling the thunderstorm's periodic lightening strikes.

At first the Celemor tried to pull away, but the Harbinger held on tightly, doubling her efforts. The feel of her lithe body pressing into his while her tongue continued its eager exploration of his mouth quickly drove all thoughts of resistance from his mind.

"So how was it?" Nina whispered when their lips finally parted.

Gabriel rubbed his nose against hers. "I'm not quite sure yet. I think we need to do it again so I can draw a more accurate conclusion."

Nina smiled and locked her lips against his once more. Their combined passion created a wave of pure emotional energy that reverberated across the Celestial ether, drawing the attention of several members of the Hierarchy, including a solemn Michael observing through the Window's shimmering dimensions.

"This situation is becoming dangerously precarious," the Archangel Gabriel's deep voice reverberated in Michael's ears as he stormed into the Chamber, having also felt the psychic backlash.

"Why is that?" Michael questioned, sparring his brother a curt nod.

A look of mild disgust appeared on The Bringer of Death's face as he observed the two Mortals. "An emotional attachment to his charge could hinder Gabriel's objectivity in regards to fulfilling his Task."

Michael shifted his gaze back to the duo now standing quietly before the apartment's door-wall, Nina's head resting against Gabriel's broad chest as they silently watched the falling rain. "Perhaps," the Keeper of Benevolence drawled. "It could also prove fortuitous. His taking an active interest in her may compel our brooding Celemor to greater diligence in his Task."

"Or it could prompt him to chafe even more at the restrictions inherit in his position," the Bringer of Death speculated.

A thoughtful frown consumed Michael's features. "I guess only time will tell."

Gabriel leveled stern eyes on him. "Take caution, brother. Your attitude in this matter is starting to mirror Omen's. Don't let your…affection for the woman taint
your
objectivity."

A slight smile creased Michael's lips, but he made no response, prompting an irritated snort from Gabriel.

The Bringer of Death accorded the scene in the Window a final scowl then stormed out of the Chamber.

Chapter 23

An unabashed smile covered Iblis's face as he soared across the barren plains of Nirvana's artic shelf.

As his mighty wings beat effortlessly against the frigid crosswinds, the Desolate One's mind wandered back to happier times. Before his separation from Heaven, he and his brothers would race the Northern Planes in their never ending quest to determine which of them was the fastest. Most of the time it was Gabriel who immerged victorious, but occasionally Iblis, Michael, and even the solemn Raphael would give their arrogant sibling a run for his trumpet.

My Lord?

"Yes Silas," Iblis responded to the Morphling's voice echoing through his mind.

Darius has arrived as you requested.

"Have him wait in my office," Iblis instructed as he banked sharply to his right. "I'll be there directly."

As you wish.

Iblis's altered flight plan put him in direct line with the
Tower of Self which, from this height, was a grayish speck against the region's pervasive white. The Lord of Hell folded his wings and plummeted straight down; setting what appeared to be a collision course with the tower's eastern face. At the crucial moment he snapped them open. The drag created by the wings' huge expanse brought him to an abrupt halt before of the open doors of the Tower's aerie, and he lightly touched down on the landing deck's smooth pavers.

I would've definitely put your speed to the test today, Gabriel,
Iblis mused as he made his way to his office. "Ah, Darius," he greeted the Desomor standing behind his desk. "I trust you're enjoying the view?"

Darius turned away from the sight of Hell's teeming streets, and accorded Iblis a respectful bow. "As always, my lord. It's a shame my people have such a horrid perception of this city."

Iblis sighed. "It is indeed. But perhaps the situation can be rectified. Tell me; what progress have you made with the Harbinger."

Darius' expression brightened. "Much, my lord. Shift and I have established
Spirit Way's philanthropic credentials, and Miss Delcielo seems very enthusiastic about working with our organization, though her companion seemed a bit hesitant."

Iblis' folded wings gave a slight flutter. "What companion?"

Darius looked pointedly at his master. "Gabriel."

Iblis's eyes widened with surprise. "Do tell! So he's finally tired of his customary background-skulking."

"I'd say the motivation behind Gabriel's actions were more…visceral."

"Visceral…wait…are you saying our pensive Celemor is
attracted
to this woman?"

"So it would seem."

Iblis's wings twitched again. "And you sure his behavior is genuine and not just a façade to hide his awareness of you?"

"Positive. The Veil of Deception has totally blinded him to our true natures. This surprised me at first, considering that buffoon's keen senses. But having observed their interaction, I'd say his curious lack of focus is due in part to his preoccupation with the
Harbinger.

Iblis considered this bit of news for a moment. "Gabriel always maintains a high degree of emotional detachment during a Task. If what you suspect is true this woman's charms must be considerable."

"They are."

Iblis focused sharply on the Desomor's face. "What do you mean?"

A bemused look appeared on Darius' face. "I'm not sure how to explain it. Miss Delcielo exudes an aura that's all most...magnetic. It's easy to see why that Center of hers has become such a success."

"She definitely seems to have captured
your
favor," Iblis noted through narrowed eyes.

The Desomor flashed his master a cunning smile. "Only in the sense that I recognize her potential; people like Nina tend to attract followers."

"Which is why I need her to embrace my Doctrines of her own free will," Iblis reiterated.

"I doubt if that's going to be a problem
," Darius confidently assured his agitated master. "Nina's apathy toward religious structure is quite pronounced, yet I sense in her a curious yearning. She
wants
to believe in
something.
She's just not sure what that ‘something' is."

Iblis' wings gave a slight flutter. "Then perhaps you and Shift should discover a way to fill that void."

A devious grin creased the Desomor's lips. "I was thinking the same thing, my lord."

Chapter 24

Cardinal Tullis stared impassively at the television as he listened to the casual discourse being shared by the man and woman on the screen.

The show was called Motown's Up and Comers. It was a
Detroit based program that highlighted citizens who were making a name for themselves on the national front. Quinlan and Sanders had taped the previous week's episode, and forwarded a copy to the Elders.

Tullis normally did not subscribe to such exploitive fair, but the spotlight of this particular episode was focused on Nina Delcielo, and the recent opening of five additional Youth Centers in the Metro Detroit area. There were also plans to take the Center's concept nation wide thanks to Miss Delcielo's successful collaboration with the nationally renowned, Spirit Way Foundation; an organization whose credentials Tullis had always questioned.

The conversation turned to matters of the spiritual, and a frown furrowed the Cardinal's brow. Over the past year and a half, Nina's rising popularity had provided her with a casual pulpit from which to espouse her skewered notions on organized religion and its place in modern society. She readily acknowledged God's existence, but felt that service to him would be better achieved through the realization of the inherent spirituality within oneself, and using that knowledge to affect positive changes; as opposed to becoming subservient to esoteric doctrines established by men.

Such radical heresy was frightening to the devout Catholic sentinel, but even more disturbing were the number of people who were beginning to ascribe to her beliefs thanks to the unlimited reach of cable television and the internet. In fact, in addition to the DVD containing the episode Tullis was watching, and other similar shows of interest, the Seekers had included a list of newly formed websites whose forums were dedicated to the woman's venomous rhetoric. These sites, and their steadily-rising number of subscribers, were an indication that Nina had indeed found her audience amongst the spiritually disenfranchised masses.

The frown on the Cardinal's face deepened as he continued to watch the show. Any hopes that Tullis might have entertained about bringing Miss Delcielo into the
Presbyterii's
fold where gone. She and the diatribe she was spewing was fast becoming a threat.

After the show ended, Tullis put in a call to Cardinal Dresden.

"Hello Calvin," Dresden's stern voice sounded through the receiver. "I trust you're calling to discuss the disturbing media the Seekers sent us."

"I am," Tullis replied. "Did you get a chance to look at the DVD?"

Dresden issued a disgusted snort. "I finished it this morning. It's obvious that Miss Delcielo has no intention of aiding our cause."

Tullis released a weary sigh. "I've come to that conclusion as well."

"I've already spoken with some of my associates within the Episcopalian and Lutheran societies, as well the Rabbinical Assembly and the Nation of Islam," Dresden announced.

Tullis' eyes widened at the news. "What prompted that?"

Dresden's voice took on a hard edge. "Apparently Miss Delcielo has found a far broader audience than we anticipated. Her naïve proclamations are drawing attention and a steady stream of acolytes across the spiritual front."

Another sigh escaped Tullis' lips, this time one of regret. "Then perhaps we need to take steps to…silence her rhetoric."

"I've a team of Neutralizers already in position," Dresden promptly announced. "I'll have them start the negative propaganda immediately. They've been fed all of Quinlan and Sanders reports on this matter, and will know how best to proceed."

"Will the Seekers be aiding the Neutralizers in this endeavor?"

"Absolutely not," Dresden declared in a firm voice. "Nina Delcielo is no longer Quinlan's and Sanders' concern."

Tullis'
hand tightened on the receiver. "You've taken them off the case?"

"As of this morning,"
Dresden confirmed. "The two are exemplary operatives, but like most Seekers I've encountered, lack the mental fortitude to accept the less savory aspects the
Presbyterii’s
policies concerning problems of this nature."

"A fallacy that I, too, share," Tullis remarked.

"Strengthen your resolve, brother," Dresden snapped. "The hand that serves the Lord is often dipped in blood."

Resignation settled heavily onto Tullis' shoulders. "Of that I'm well aware of. I just pray that we'll be able to discredit Miss Delcielo and short circuit her rising popularity
before
the Final Option becomes necessary."

"As do I,"
Dresden said and the line went dead.

*

"So that's it then?"

"I guess so," Quinlan grimly answered his partner's anxious query. "Our investigation of Miss Delcielo is officially closed.

Long association with Quinlan allowed Sanders to detect the hint of apprehension in his normally stoic partner's voice; the same feeling that settled in his own stomach after their receipt of the telegram containing Cardinal Dresden's terse dismissal.

Sensing that something was not right, Quinlan had immediately put in a call to Tullis' office. The Cardinal was marginally more polite, but the message was still the same: Nina Delcielo was no longer a Seeker priority.

"You do realize what this means?" Sanders asked.

Quinlan sighed heavily. "Yes."

Despite the Elders' attempt at discretion, few Seekers were ignorant of the darker aspects of the
Presbyterii.
For them to have been taken off of a viable Manifestation such as Nina's without securing her within the Vatican's structure meant that her particular talent had been deemed a potential threat. Given the broadening scope of Nina's popularity, coupled with her vociferous opposition against organized religions, it was easy to see why that determination had been made.

Quinlan's eyes bored into those of his partner. "So what's our next move?"

The small apartment where the two Seekers had taken up residence during their lengthy assignment was quiet as Sanders pondered his partner's question.

Technically
Dresden's order meant their affiliation with Nina was ended, but the two men had grown attached to their intrepid subject. And even though they were wary of her connection to the obviously supernatural Gabriel and the couple from the Spirit Way Foundation, the Seekers were quite impressed with her tireless efforts on behalf of, as she termed it: "Those exceptional individuals who lack only the necessary resources to achieve their full potential."

"Despite what the Elders think, I'm not ready to give up on Nina just yet," Sander's declared in a firm voice.

Quinlan's left eyebrow arched upward. "Then I take it our return to Rome will be delayed?"

A devious smile tugged at Sanders' lips. "Considering the amount of time and effort we've put into this Manifestation I would say that a little r and r is long overdue. And since the lease on this apartment
is
paid up through the end of this year…"

"We might as well stay here and recover our energies while awaiting our next assignment," Quinlan finished his partner's sentence. "And what if during our sabbatical it becomes apparent the Elders have decided to…permanently deal with Nina?"

Sanders did not respond to the ominous question, but the squaring of his broad shoulders and tightening of his jaw gave Quinlan his answer.