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Chapter 22

My fingers tightened around the neck of the flute containing a rich vintage wine poured during dinner. Helena's fingers smoothed against my wrist, her eyes never wavering from Zircah and Gabriel. Fey's thoughts behind me were as shocked as everyone else's. My skin heated from the anger and Helena's hand gripped around my wrist harder.

What did she expect me to do, not get angry?

Everyone at the table had grown quiet, watching my reaction and waiting for Gabriel's answer. The Archaic angels joined us tonight as well as Ezikiel and Aira, Brooke and oddly enough even Joseph with his dark striking hair.

"Um," Gabriel shifted in his seat. The creak of the chair echoed through the silent dining hall. "I'm sorry, I don't quite-"

 "Well, boy, I asked you-"

"I'm very aware of what you've asked," Gabriel interrupted and I squeezed harder. "I just don't understand why you have asked it."

Zircah leaned toward him. If somebody dropped a pin, I'm sure the fifteen people at this table would hear it bounce. "I'm sure I'm not the only one in this realm intrigued by yours and the Goddess of Power's relationship."

The glass broke.

"Zircah," I interjected trying and failing to keep the sharpness out of my voice. . "Must you-"

"Nonsense it's fine. Its like a huge family dinner. Fey would you clean that..."

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Fey make a move toward me but I held up my hand to stop her. "What are you doing?"

"I'm intrigued." He repeated, keeping his mischievous eyes on Gabriel. "So?"

Gabriel looked at me before and then back at Zircah. "It's not really anyone's business."

For the longest time no one said a word, not even Zircah. The feeling of apprehension faded slowly as everyone returned to their meals. I wanted nothing more than to leave but what would that be doing? Giving in. And I wouldn't. I'm sure I'd given in enough just by breaking the damn glass.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Axel smile.

They spoke of the upcoming ball in four days and the impending guests. Cassiel was meant to be there. I wasn't aware of much that was meant to happen but I knew I was playing that stupid song.

I want to show you something,

My gaze landed on Perses at his thoughts but he wasn't paying me any mind. 

We'll go now. Dinner is over.

And before I could even say anything, Perses announced our and I mean, our departure. Helena pressed a kiss to my head and nudged me out of my seat to follow him. Of course, Zircah glared a giant hole in my back as well as the other Elders - excluding Helena of course. 

Perses smiled at me. "How have you been this past week?"

"I've been coping." And truly I had been.

This past week had been the longest six days of my entire life. Two earth months. I hadn't gotten over this worldlag as a few had called it. It's been... weird. Filling my days wasn't as easy as I thought. Ten days in one, I ended up reading a whole section in the library one my fourth day, sitting under the Forbidden Tree. I've never slept this much before. And to be honest by yesterday I realised that this wasn't really a punishment. It was more freedom. Aside from the bands on my arm, I could roam where I wished. I hadn't been back to the beach, I didn't want to push it just yet. But last night I'd released my wings inside The Elder's Keep. It was the only place to go without gaining too much attention. 

"Are the days still long?"

"Very." I sighed. "But I've been reading a lot and going to my lessons with Brooke. She taught me about the ranking of the many angels here in preparation for the ball."

"Well, I have a present for you. I was saving it for a later day but I saw you sleeping by the Forbidden Tree yesterday and thought I may as well. Come," He placed his hand on the small of my back. "You'll want to see this."

I allowed Perses to lead me through the halls and around the Elder's Keep. We reached the double doors to the room my friends had left in days before but passed it to stop at a single door at the end of the hall. "Go in," His lips stretched into a childlike smile.

My hand twisted the handle of the door and stepped into the large red circular room. The walls were void of any portraits, books or windows. The room was quite bland actually. However placed within the centre of the room was an enormous bowl. The bowl was silver, intricate marks ingrained all around it. I slowly approached it and frowned. It was filled with a clear liquid.

"What is this?"

Perses stood beside me, staring into the bowl with his boyish smile. "Your entertainment. Place your hands either side of the bowl here. That's right. Okay, now think the names or faces of the people you wish to see."

My heart stalled. "Really?"

"Really. Here, you want to see your mother and father. Just think of their faces, it's honestly that simple."

It couldn't be that simple. I placed my hands exactly where he'd told me and thought of my mother's beautiful face. And there she was. The water rippled outward and her surroundings reflected into the bowl. She was with my dad eating dinner, happy. Normal. They seemed safe enough...

"...Anthony isn't due back until..." What ever she was saying was fragmented. Her lips moved but only few words were spoken.

"It takes a while to get it to be perfect but it won't take too long. You can come as much as you want. No one comes here apart from Helena and I.  We used it to keep an eye on you. You can view any world in this bowl including the Unnamed Realm."

For a while I watched my mother and father interact. I enjoyed their smiles, their exchanging of conversation and the way they helped each other to wash the dishes. Without even a second thought I threw my around and Perses and squeezed. "This is perfect thank you!"

"You're very welcome. It's getting late. I best return you to your room."

I frowned. "Late? It's almost-"

"The brilliant thing about this room, is that it almost speeds up time. You won't feel it of course. For example, to locate your mother and father it took an angelic hour but its timeless in here. Don't worry, as soon as they're found time carries on as normal."

As Perses returned me to my room, he explained how guardian angels have rooms like these in another part of this realm. It was a way of keeping an eye on their humans. "Tomorrow morning, you have a manipulation class with Brooke and Mitch. I doubt you'll remember him but you will when you see him. Have a goodnight, Lonsa." 

"Perses," I stopped him. "I really do appreciate you showing me that room."

"I knew you would." He winked at me and strolled down the hall. I watched the wonderful man leave. He was my father figure. I chuckled to myself. Such a cool guy.

Fey turned the corner where Perses disappeared and smiled. "Your departure from dinner didn't go unexcused." 

"Why am I not surprised." I laughed leaning against my door. To me, Fey wasn't someone waiting on my hand and foot. So she did a few errands for me but only if she insisted. It was what she had to do after all although I chose to do most of it on my own. She was someone I could trust and talk to. As well as Isaiah of course. And she barely spoke to me in Enochian anymore. "Anything worth reporting?"

"Nope. Zircah didn't mumble much. But Gabriel did disappear not long after you."

I pushed off the door and opened it. "He probably went to the Forb-" 

I paused.

Fey peaked over my shoulder and gasped. "My word."

Gabriel stood beside my window holding one of the many books scattered around my room. Dripping wet. In a towel. Poor Fey. 

Poor me.

He turned, that delicious V on his abdomen deepened as he gasped. "Oh, I'm sorry Fey."

"O-oh. No it's... it's fine. Great." Her mouth curved into a shy smile. "Um, Alex I'll see you tomorrow morning." 

"Try to keep your thoughts quiet, Fey."I laughed as she closed the door behind her. "Gabriel are you trying to scare the girl."

The look of surprise on his handsome face switched to one of mischief within the blink of an eye. "I wasn't expecting you back for another hour."

A rather large droplet of water started from his neck and ran all the way down his chest stopping above the first ridge of his six pack. I was surprised the bands hadn't tightened by now. My impure thoughts were... hell, they were really impure.

"Maybe you should put some clothes on." I insisted pulling my gaze away from him. "Whilst I shower myself."

Gabriel's hand wrapped around my wrist. "I'm not deaf, Alexis."

"I'm aware."

"I can hear every thought." 

"Again, I'm aware." I placed my hand against his chest and stretched it to literally keep him at arms length. "Clothes. Ten minutes. "

True to his silent word, he was dressed when I'd come out of the shower in my usual shorts and shirt. Well, half dressed.

"You didn't tell me to what extent of dress you would have liked me in." He said as he brushed his hand across his naked chest.

"The extent where neither of us are tempted."

"Is being tempted that bad?" He murmured suddenly beside me.

I sidestepped him with a small smile and picked up my brush. "Lust is one of many of the deadly sins, dear Gabriel."

"And when were you one to obey rules?"

My smile only widened. "Since my arms became stress balls to these platinum bands. Find me a place in Heaven where I'm free to sin and my views will change immediately."

"I'll find us a place." He said beside my ear. 

I could feel him behind me as I continued to brush my hair. He didn't budge an inch not even as I turned around and faced him. He smiled down at me crookedly, taking my hands and dragging me to the edge of the bed. 

"What are you doing in here anyway? You usually sneak in when I'm half asleep and sneak out before morning." 

"Well," He sat. "I figured six days was long enough for me to continue brooding."

Before I could reply, he tugged on my hands and glanced down at his lap. He wanted me to sit and straddle him. So, well, I did. I placed my hands either side of his neck and sighed. "Brooding?"

"Perses showed you the room with the 'crystal ball'. While you spend your days reading," He rested his large hands on my thighs. "I go in there."

"And how did you know about it?"

"I followed Helena in there once on one of my errand days. It was a long time ago when I was only beginning my days in Bastille. I was too afraid to ask her to show me you. So now, I go in there and make sure Bonnie and everyone are okay."

"And are they?"

"They're all doing good. Even Cameron." He added.

"Well, that's great. I'm glad."

His hands skimmed up and down my thighs occasionally slipping his thumbs beneath the fabric of the shorts. His calloused hands moving against my skin had goosebumps rising even onto my unusually heated skin. 

I made a move to get off his lap but he tightened his hold. 

"What are you doing, Gabriel?" Again, I moved and again he squeezed my legs. "Gabe?"

His hands continued to move up across my hips, waist and ribs. My breath caught when his cool nose skimmed along my neck. 

"You've only called me Gabe once since we've been here." He pressed a kiss to my jaw. "I've missed it."

"Well, Gabe. I know our bands haven't tightened yet but I'd rather we don't wait until it happens. But just for good measure," I kissed him. A deep passionate kiss that had him pulling me into him and lying back onto the mattress. I leaned away and grinned. "Good measure indeed. Now we're going to sleep, okay? Oh, don't moan."

"Alexis-"

"Sleep, now." I climbed off him and absorbed the flames from the candles on the sides of the rooms and turned over. "Goodnight, lover."

"Lover my ass-uh. Bloody bands."  I heard him huff before falling asleep with a smile on my face.

**

I didn't know who to think of first. 

I finished my morning classes with ease, manipulating a flame, using it to amaze the younger angels allowing them to manipulate it themselves with my help of course. Gabriel watched from the sides with a small smile but never interfering. And whilst he resumed his chores, I'd dismissed Fey until dinner and came here.

I wanted to see how Bonnie was and what she'd been doing the past two months on earth. Then again I wanted to see Blaine. I wanted to know if she had found her partner and that she was okay. So I started with Blaine. 

I placed my hands on the bowl and waited for her face to appear. I released a sigh of relief at her and her male friend walking the streets of the unnamed realm. Her hair had returned to normal and she looked... well, happy. As happy as she could be in that realm. I thought of another face; my brother Anthony. As over ten days had passed since I'd looked yesterday, he was back at my mothers house with his wife. Conversation exchanged between my mother and brother but I still couldn't make out much conversation. So I thought of Bonnie instead.

It took slightly longer than locating Blaine and Anthony but after a while the image panned out of New York City Central Park. Fallen Angels still roamed which was a disappointment, but it didn't look as bad as it did a few months ago. A part of me felt relieved. I wasn't frightened it'd be worse but it looked like everyone was helping as much as they could. Bonnie came into view. And she wasn't alone. Jayden was with her.

"...See Mary this afternoon?" She said in an echoed voice. "We could always have dinner...?"

Jayden's arms wrapped around Bonnie's shoulder's as they walked through the park and I smiled. "...be fine."

For a while I watched them. They looked happier and it made me happy. In a weird sense I was glad they returned to earth. Bonnie needed to see Jayden. They ended up back at an apartment which I was shocked to find Kimberly and Jackson in. The apartment was quite large, large enough for four people. If I worked hard enough on this it could work as an invisible camera. I looked in the rooms, I found the bathrooms and I'd even started to get the hang of their speech.

"...Maryanne's there." Kimberly said dropping a magazine. "She'll be back soon, Bon."

Jackson stood and joined Jayden in the kitchen engaging in conversation I couldn't catch onto. I watched for a while more, before the water rippled outward to the image of a familiar male. Had my thoughts really wandered that much? Cameron was with Maryanne in Queens fighting God literally only knew what. Maryanne still looked the same, which I was expecting anyway but... It was Cameron 's appearance that shocked me. 

He hadn't shaved in what looked to be days. He looked... exhausted.

I released the bowl and stepped back from the images swirling within the pool. So Gabriel told a lie about Cameron being okay. Maybe it was a tiny test of his to see if I'd look. Or maybe he did it on purpose so I would look. I'd have to refrain from seeing him as much as possible. The only reason it hurt to see him like that was because it was partly my fault. 

Partly? a part of me argued. 

Who was I kidding? It was my fault. And to kick him whilst he was down I didn't even defend him when Gabriel had punched him. What kind of a friend did that?

Throughtout the rest of the day, which was thankfully halved thanks to my trip to the back room, I couldn't get the images of my friends out of my head. It was a perfect way to cope through the days but could I handle watching them on earth without even interacting with them?

I had twenty-four more days left of this... I stepped into the library and forced a smile toward Fey seated with Isaiah. I could do this. I could. 

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