The Timekeeper (5 page)

“We had a relationship, a century or longer ago. I’m afraid we lost touch when I transferred here. If Aural thinks Warde’s got some information, then I will help you locate him. I can’t leave the island, but you might check the Union Underground. I’ve been told he’s been in the Isle de la Roja for quite awhile. He just can’t stay away from your granddaughter for long since he can’t pursue you. If nothing else, you should leave a message for him with Jason
.
I’m surprised she didn’t find him herself.” I beamed.

I figured he kept better tabs on his brother than he let on. The other thing I noticed, his response to his relationship with Jaylynne had been understated. She meant something to him, more than he planned to admit. I saw no point in pushing the issue with him. His personal life remained none of my business
.

“I will. I appreciate the help Neal, and I’m sorry you and Warde aren’t getting along right now. For the record, he always cherished Aural more than he ever loved me.” I stood to leave and Neal rose with me. As I turned
,
he stopped me, holding onto my arm gently.

“Wait, Azriella. Something else might peak your interest. Rumors are flying around that Zev is looking for you again.” I twisted back and met his stare, my insides melted at his touch, and then hardened at the mention of my first husband’s name.

“Any idea why?” Neal shook his head.

“Not a fucking clue. I overheard the girls talking in a closed-door session of court tonight. No one’s willing to talk to me concerning Zev, because of our relationship. I planned on sending word to Azul, but you showed up when I was on my way to send the message. You saved me a trip.” Neal wrapped his arms around me one last time and kissed him on the cheek.

He smelled of summer flowers and the arid desert. I leaned in to him, knowing it might be years before I caught a glimpse of him again. I tipped my face upward to meet his eyes. I had to stop myself from getting lost in their warm blue depths.

It didn’t take long for our lips to find each other, his soft
,
yet strong mouth taking control of mine. His kiss, exceptionally passionate, and so filled with longing, made me weak at the knees. My hand went up to the smooth white skin of his cheek. I longed to be his and he felt the same.

Our races were different, and yet similar. I pulled away slowly, knowing if I didn’t leave now, I wouldn’t go at all. I had other places to be, something I needed to continuously remind myself of.

“Thanks for telling me.” I felt horrible about abandoning him in such a state of need, “Neal, please don’t make this harder than it needs to be. I can’t stand the thought of you being so miserable.” His striking blue eyes made my heart melt.

“Someday, Princess, my love for you will be all that matters. Azazel won’t allow you take me on as a husband, I’ve come to terms with his decision, but he never said I couldn’t be your lover in a more permanent capacity.” I gave him a sad smile.

I hadn’t told him Azazel had banned our relationship. The King had put strict punishments in place for all of his daughters and granddaughters, none of us considered taking on an Angel as a lover. Nothing was worth the consequences.

“Neal, I’ve got too many men in my life right now. I would encourage you not to forget the feelings you still hold on to for the young Jaylynne Kwan. No one you love will ever be truly yours. But if everything had been different, it wouldn’t matter what my father thought.”

He grinned and moved toward me, sweeping me up in his lean, muscular arms and enveloped me like I might bear his children tonight. I couldn’t stop myself. I ran my hands up his chest and into his spiky blue hair and pulled him closer into me.

“Azriella, beautiful Demoness, I would give my life for you. You saved me, something I will not soon forget. Even the small chance you might consider me as a lover makes my heart swell.” He kissed me again, a long and slow kiss that forced my knees to weaken.

When he finally released me I witnessed the miserable longing, mixed with grateful happiness masked his face. His slight smile brought tears to my eyes. He bowed deeply, kissed in the back of my hand. Neal, always the gentleman.

“Lady, you should be off. You need to find that lowly dog. I wish you well. Please be careful, things are going on behind closed doors
,
and I’m concerned for you safety. We’ve overheard rumors that are quite disturbing, I’ve reported them, consider checking in with your father.” I smiled at him.

“Neal, I am well aware many have piqued an interest in taking my life. Please, remember the promise I made you so long ago. When I return to reclaim all that’s mine, you will be by my side. I haven’t forgotten.” My pledge kept the Angel going. I could think of nothing more I wanted in life than to save Neal from Ariannona and her abuse.

I turned and walked out of Neal’s room, out of the palace and out of the Summer Lands. I needed to get to the Isle de la Roja to find Warde immediately. While on my way, I couldn’t stop thinking about Neal’s warning regarding Zev. I had no desire to see him ever again, and I thought that had been made perfectly clear the last time he had come looking for me. My first husband wouldn’t leave me alone.

We remained married but separated, divorce wasn’t allowed, nor could I have him killed without implicating myself. Not that my heart would ever allow such a thing. Our separation had been far too public. As usual
,
he had perfect timing. Showing up when everything started moving and shaking seemed to be just his speed. He prided himself on causing me inconvenience.

I fizzled myself directly into the lights of the club, Union Underground. Night reined on Summer Island, as it did in Isle de la Roja, hundreds of miles away. You wouldn’t have noticed standing in front of the Underground.

I should have been prepared for the bright neon’s, but I had been lost in my thoughts about Zev. The bar wasn’t open yet, the evening still young in this part of the world
.
Warde wouldn’t be here, however
,
someone I trusted to relay the message for me all but lived here
.
She was always working, from open to close
.

“Maleficent. We need to talk.” The lovely Demon behind the bar turned around and smiled, her waist length indigo and black hair spinning about her body as she moved. Our gazes met for a moment, her fierce sapphire eyes glowed in the dark of the club, overshadowing the blacks of her pupils. 

“Princess Azriella, to what do I own this honor?” She didn’t make any formal gestures. Thank heavens since Neal had used up all of my tolerance for the night.

“Would you be so kind as to give Warde Caldwell as message for me?” Her smile faded, and I could tell I hadn’t been the only one looking for him. The entire world was conscious that Maleficent and Warde had been friends since they had first met eons ago.

“Dear cousin, what’s he done now?”

I shook my head, “Nothing
.
Well, not anything I’m aware of or care about. I need you to tell him to stay on this side of the Veil until further notice. The Order of the Seraphim is looking for him again. He also needs to get in touch with Aural as soon as possible.

“A very important young woman’s life hangs in the balance. He must contact me without delay
.
I have some information he’s going to want in order to save the Vala. Maleficent, we’ve always been more sisters than cousins. Make sure Warde swears he will not enter the mortal world.”

She nodded, putting her hand over her heart, “I swear, Lady.” While Maleficent was curious, she didn’t going to badger me for details. I was breaking the law simply by being here, not that she had any concern for Council regulations.

Maleficent is my most trusted friend and relative. I never worried about competition for my title with her. She wanted nothing to do with being part of the royal life. Mal chose to be trained by my mother as an Assassin and take solitary rather than the pomp.

“I will get the messages to him right away. He’s already been informed about the situation regarding Aural. She contacted me this morning fearing Drake wouldn’t find you in time. That girl is just like you, Az, and she had found it’s better to take care of things herself, rather than relying on others to do her bidding.” I smiled and chuckled.

“Doesn’t surprise me in the least, cousin. I hope you are well, and please give my regards to your sisters.” She bowed her head and I grinned at her and walked out.

“Oh, Viscount Crysian stopped by, told me to relay to you Zev Styx was looking for you. Crys seemed to think you might want to know. He was informed by Eulalie.” Well it certainly appeared the whole world knew about Zev and his stalking behavior.

“Keep me posted, if you run in to cousin Crysian again, tell him thank you.” She nodded and gave me a half smile. She would be true to her word.

             
Like many of the other Angels and Demons in this world, Maleficent had been smuggled in by yours truly and she owed me her freedom. Even though we were cousins, she had been born in Hell. Her sire had dumped her and her sisters into the mortal world.

The three of them had gotten into a bit of trouble and I swooped in to save the day as usual. I hadn’t done my father any favors with his brother, but Azazel never had the heart to tell me no with regard to our blood relatives. The sisters found their place in the Aliis, and made the desert area their homes.

My cousin, granted distant and by marriage, Viscount Crysian Nicolai was someone dear to my heart. I’d watched him grow up into a stunning young man when he later started dating Viscountess Eulalie Khalid. She was a lovely
,
youthful woman, and unlike most in her family, incorruptible. She had quickly won my affection and became good friends with her cousin, Aural.

The couple and I are close. They helped keep an eye on my clan, ensuring the rest of the family stayed their distance from my throne. They were still keeping their ears out for anything strange. Zev’s sudden interest in me after all this time was definitely bizarre.

There was one more stop to make before I headed back home to Darius
.
I needed to speak with my granddaughter, Aural. Last I heard
,
she was in Portlandia City, stalking the Vala of the Norse Pantheon. This time I was smart enough to prepare myself for light, sunlight. I planned on traveling half way around the globe for this visit
,
and I prayed I didn’t get caught.

The city was the big HQ for the High Council. Nothing would be worse then getting busted sneaking about, but I wasn’t concerned. I knew my way around this dump without being seen
.
I threw the hood of my black cloak over my face, making certain the only feature exposed was the mouth. It tended to be my green eyes that gave me away.

Aural wasn’t difficult to find, she had my blood and it called to me like a homing beacon. I pulled into the alley
,
keeping myself hidden in the shadows of the tall buildings we were in between. Aural stood with her back to me, watching Rajheem and Jayden walk out of the narrow passage, apparently on their way to a meeting with Warde.

It was excellent she got the message to him before I could. If she hadn’t taken the initiative, the young Vala would have been doomed before I had the chance to get help to her.

“Damn, Dante. What did I do to deserve this?” She muttered to herself as she kicked the wall. Puddles littered the area, but the never
-
ending rain of Portlandia City had finally subsided. I chuckled to myself. She detested dealing with Jayden Kwan about as much as I loathed the endless downpour. Without Dante’s involvement, Aural would’ve killed the kid a long time ago.

She didn’t realize I was standing behind her, and she made a move to start her way out of the alleyway. Exposure to the streets of Portlandia wasn’t a viable option for me right now, and it shouldn’t be for her either. Even in the darkness of the passageway, I couldn’t take my eyes of her long burgundy hair, the same color as mine.

We were easily confused and the last thing I needed was to have to explain to the Council what Aural was doing here. She wasn’t banned, but she certainly raised eyebrows.

“Well, I should be able to name some things off for you, Aural. First thing, you chose Dante even after everything he did to you. Secondly, you chose to let him run this operation. You’re better off without him. I’ve already told you this, so I see no reason to bring it up again.” Aural spun around to glare at me, and I saw every part of myself in her honey yellow eyes, despite the fact she got those from her grandfather.

Aural’s a stunning woman, the perfect combination of skill and aggression my family had come to find so dear in its women. Her long burgundy hair hung in a high ponytail, and her golden eyes were intelligent and fierce. 

“Grandmother, what are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here. Surely you have something better to do.” She had no idea why I stood in front of her, I wasn’t allowed to be in the outskirts of the city, and I imagine this a shock for her. I’d made a habit of visiting her in her dreams. It tended to be the only safe way to correspond with her.

I never paid much attention to the laws. It shouldn’t have been surprising to find me in a place I wasn’t suppose to be, but she clearly wasn’t thinking that way right now, she had more pressing things to consider. I said nothing, simply surveyed her.