Chapter 7

 

Alex eventually moved her face from Gaius’ neck where she was safely held and sheltered. She laid her head against his shoulder and tilted her chin up so that she could look into his eyes. Alex slid her right hand from around his neck and slowly caressed his heart as he turned his eyes down toward hers.

Ever so gently, Alex lifted her hand from his shirt and she began to wipe Gaius’ tears away. A sad smile tugged at her lips, but it did not make it to her eyes. She continued with her care until his face was dry of his sorrow.

“Let me stand with you, sweetheart,” she whispered, and he kept his eyes locked on hers as he placed Alex back on her feet before him.

Gaius raised his hands then and set about drying the moisture from her face. When they were somewhat more presentable, Alex stepped closer and wrapped her arms under his, pulling his chest against hers. Gaius’ arms completely enveloped her and he turned his face to the side so he could rest his cheek atop her head. They slowly rocked one another, and Alex remained there for a little while longer as she tried to reclaim her internal equilibrium.

Only when Alex indicated that she was ready to move, did Gaius loosen his hold on her body. She framed his face and pulled it down to meet hers, lightly settling her lips on his. And with that touch and promise that he was with her in every way, Alex mentally told Gaius she was ready to rejoin the circle. She asked if he was, and he lifted his head from hers to nod just once.

She gathered his hand in hers and silently led him back over to the circle of twenty-four leather chairs. Alex waited for Gaius to lower himself into his chair, then she moved into the void between his legs. He parted them a bit more to give her room, and Alex made his seat her own. Cara wasted no time moving to lie across Alex’s feet once she was settled. Alex leaned back against Gaius’ chest as she turned her face toward her father and their brethren.

“We’re ready,” Alex said quietly, staring only at Ganymede.

He inclined his head and rose from his original seat to take the one she had vacated. For he needed to be closer to her as well, and he found the separation disquieting. Ganymede reached out for her hand, and Alex slipped her left palm into his right.

“Thank you. We needed a few minutes,” Alex said, coughing to clear the emotion still clogging her throat and feeling a few fresh tears threatening to spring forth.

“You may have all you need, daughter,” he said, seeming not quite over his own emotional response. “Would you prefer a recess for a time?”

“No, sir,” Alex replied somberly. “Time waits for no man, nor do the Fallen.”

Gaius’ right hand moved off of the arm of his chair and he gently settled it on Alex’s waist, then pulled her closer to his body. His aura surged again and he completely cocooned her as he tried to strengthen her still. Alex laid her right hand over his, gently patting and stroking him to let Gaius know she was still holding steady.

Elrick and Benen had to look away briefly as they tried to rein in their own tumultuous internal storms. Both immortal men were bordering on sheer trepidation and anger, feeling that Alex could not seem to catch her breath from those who were determined to move against her since her return. Barachiel and Jegudiel each touched their sons, sharing their power and reassurance that God was with them all still.

“Very well, Alexandria. If you want to finish this meeting now, we will,” Ganymede said cautiously. “First, I want to say how proud I am, how very proud we all are, of what you just accomplished. For an initial attempt at keeping beings more powerful than yourself out of your mind and soul, you performed remarkably well.”

“Thank you,” Alex said quietly, squeezing Ganymede’s right hand gently.

“I would like the council to give us their observations and impressions of your efforts to keep you Library shielded. Please share your thoughts with us children – whatever you can offer. I would hear your words first, before your fathers and I speak on the matter.”

Ganymede turned his focus from Alex and surveyed the circle. He focused on Nassor first, hearing each of the Nephilim’s internal dialog, and deciding to start with him. Nassor inclined his head and took the floor.

“Alexandria, I want you to know that I have never been more proud of you than I have been of late. You have honestly been given very good reason to walk away from all of this. For time and time again, our enemies encircle you and try to wound your very heart by targeting those you care most for. Yet, you have not run once. You’ve not left us, or any innocent, to the demons. So, my dear, for your bravery and your selflessness, I give you my most humble thanks,” Nassor said solemnly, placing a hand over his heart and slightly bowing in her direction from where he sat to her right.

“Nassor, you have not left me either,” Alex said, smiling a bit more genuinely. “I love you, just as you love me. I could do no less, for you and the others have shown me by good example what it means to be a part of this family.”

“Indeed,” he said, smiling with her. “What we all saw today was, quite honestly, extraordinary. I have witnessed the Light reflected within your soul before. And I have never seen it shine as brightly as it did today, both in this last practice and also on the lawn when you sparred with Ganymede. And if I had to offer any constructive criticism, I would tell you to shield your mind more rapidly, and allow none inside who could be trapped within your dome. Such is a fight that you do not want to engage in, Alexandria.”

“Yes, I agree,” Archimedes said, looking at Alex. “Though I would add, that you should not enter the dark ones’ minds as you did when you stepped into Asterron’s form, or when you sent your Light traveling along the contrails of their consciousness which were hitting the dome you had built.”

“For the purposes of this practice, our fathers were assuming the role of their Fallen brothers, and they would never truly harm you. But, Alexandria, if you were to go into the Fallen’s minds in that way, even if you were pushing out such a vast amount of Light, the contact might be the end of you.”

“Yes,” said John, shaking his head slightly. “Your choices were bold and brilliant. But, Alex, I would be very afraid for your mind if you entered a Fallen one’s consciousness by choice. It would be exceedingly dangerous for you.”

Alex stared at John for a moment, and then let her eyes travel around the assembly. One and all could see the deep furrow across her brow and the look of concern that was clearly reflected there. Her attention turned finally to Ganymede, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

“How did they see all of that? I never felt them there,” Alex questioned in a soft, but wary tone.

“They were within my mind, daughter. And I allowed them to watch the session, so that they might help us learn.”

“Oh, I just learned, alright.” Alex leaned forward and buried her head in her hands. She exhaled heavily, feeling very ill suddenly. “I was too slow, yet again.”

“Alex, what are you talking about, sweetheart?” Gaius asked, sitting up a little straighter and turning his head to the side so he could see her more clearly.

She lifted her head and stared at Gaius. He noticed the tears gathering in her eyes in earnest and how very pale she had gone. He gently smoothed her hair back and nodded once, urging her to tell him.

“Don’t you see, Gaius? It’s the same thing, all over again. The exact same thing,” she breathed. “I am my father’s daughter, just as our enemy belong to theirs. If we’re working with our fathers in new and collaborative ways, why wouldn’t the Fallen and their children do the same? Keres couldn’t enter my mind, though she tried with everything she had. And if her father could gain entrance, then he could have brought her consciousness along with his. He could have helped his daughter do what she never could on her own.”

“And think about what Ganymede told us, when I realized why I could see into the memory of Rangor killing Arianna, but my father and his brothers had not the knowledge. The Fallen are not my brothers, and they are not removed from my view. There is distance between us. Don’t you all see?” Alex asked, looking around the circle and seeing recognition dawn in her loved ones’ eyes.

“Though the Fallen are forbidden to see this world’s future and its past, the same is not true for their children. There is time and distance from our fathers and their brothers to us - one generation to the next. You told me in the first mental training session here, that no one should see what I can see. So you already knew that the Fallen’s children would want the information, and use it if they could get their hands on it. If they work with their fathers, as we are, then they might just think they’ve finally found a way in,” she said, looking back to Gaius and then over to Ganymede.

“Is this your true lesson this afternoon, Father?” she asked.

“This truth is one of today’s lessons, yes,” he said steadily. “Yet, Alexandria, we see this as a possible avenue for our lost brothers. We do not know for certain that this is a strategy they hope to implement, and we will not until tomorrow when you look into the past. However, as my brothers and I have discussed, it has always been a truth, that our Fallen brothers and their children love to mimic us.”

“So, I need to be able to shelter my mind like never before. Did I pass the exam?” Alex asked, a half-hearted chuckle escaping her lips despite her increased worry.

“Yes,” Ganymede exhaled and laughed softly with her, “you passed with flying colors, as many a mortal likes to say. But you see now, that you must shield your mind faster in the future. And, Alexandria, the decision you made to enter Asterron’s form was, as John called it, a bold move. But it is not one I wish to ever see you make again.”

“Tell me, what did it feel like when you merged your Light and consciousness with his form?” Ganymede asked, reaching out to touch Alex’s hand again.

Alex blew out a heavy breath and leaned a little closer to Gaius’ chest. He lifted his right hand and gently glided it over her head, then let it settle back on her waist as he had before.

“It felt like I ceased to be, momentarily. Just before I saw your form give way to his, I felt a shift in my mind’s image of myself standing on the courtyard. It was as if I was no longer whole there, but just made of Light. Pure energy, flowing and ebbing, just like my waters do.”

“And when I realized I had made an egregious error and allowed a Fallen angel in, I knew I had only one thing to combat him with – the Light. So, I thought of myself as the vessel, as the Messenger told me to, and I poured all of the Light into him, as one does from a decanter to a glass. And he was filled with the energy which he once knew. When Asterron scattered, so too did I, I think,” Alex confessed, seeing the grave nods around the circle.

“Is that why you told Gaius and me to let go of Alex?” Rohan asked. “You wanted her completely untethered?”

“Yes, Rohan, that is exactly why you were asked to release her. In that moment, your connection to her would have only hurt you as she mentally held the Fallen at bay. Just as Alexandria discerned that she could send the Lord’s Light racing upward along the mental streams striking her dome, the Fallen would feel your power holding to my daughter. And it is possible that they could use that connection to hurt you, and thereby use those she loves most against her to force her surrender,” Ganymede explained.

“But they held onto me before to strengthen me,” Alex interjected. “At the church, when we faced Rangor. Gaius and Rohan each had a hand on me, trying to help me get through it all. Why is it different now?”

“Did Rangor mentally assault a barrier you had in place?” Eremiel asked.

“No, sir. He pushed images into my mind of the two of us together,” Alex said softly, as a sudden shiver gripped her and her whole body shook momentarily. Gaius gently caressed her waist with his palm and sent his aura into her to still the spasms Rangor’s vile scenes evoked.

“Yes, and we are most regretful that he chose to do that,” Eremiel said gravely. “But in that moment, Rangor’s sole desire was to cause you pain and distress, Alexandria. He was not looking for more than just to toy with his prey, something that he delighted in for millennia. Rangor wanted you to suffer while he watched your eyes, and he was quick to seize advantage on the battlefield.”

“Nor were you shielding your mind with such a substantial wall of Light when you faced Rangor,” Haniel said, smiling gently at Alex and Gaius. “You were a new immortal, Alexandria, just coming into your powers and just learning what was possible. You have grown much since that day, my dear.”

“And,” Ganymede added, “I asked your husband and Rohan to release you, because I wanted you to experience what it feels like to rely solely on the Lord. You have always had Gaius and most often Rohan by your side under your cloak, daughter. But, there may be moments in the future when you need to place all of your faith and trust in the Lord’s hands, and let Him use you for His purposes.”

“When you did that just now, you were completely and utterly a soul burning brightly with our Father’s love, grace, and power. And, Alexandria, it was a thing of beauty to behold,” Ganymede added reverently.

“It felt beautiful, but also painful,” she conceded as she stared into Ganymede’s clear, blue eyes. “And on that topic, how can I prepare for the journey tomorrow? When I last found myself in those deeper waters, it almost suffocated me and I hurt everywhere when I made it back to you and Gaius. Now, I am going back with a purpose, but I don’t know how much I’ll witness or how long I’ll be under the waves.”

“Nor do I know how long it will take for you to see all that this vibration has to impart,” Ganymede admitted. “You told me of the way in which your soul was moved rather forcefully through the memories of Rangor when you searched previously, of the pain you faced then. I pray that such will not be true of this voyage, but… It may very well feel the same, if not more intense, daughter,” he confessed.

“The hardest part of those moments will be for you to continuously remind yourself that you are not physically there. You will not need to breathe in that place and the image of water is just that – a conjured picture to help your mind understand what it is you are encountering. There is no real water, no heavy, thick tar that will invade your lungs and end you.”

“I understand,” she whispered and looked down briefly at Gaius’ hand on her waist.

“Ganymede, is there no way you or your brothers can ask to go in her stead? I mean, is this really, really necessary?” Rohan pressed, wishing there was some alternative for Alex and Gaius.

“Rohan, we are given the Lord’s plan for us, and we must trust it. Our brothers are obscured from our view until the time of His choosing, not ours. And sometimes, God opens a window for us when all other doors are closed,” he said sagely.

Rohan drew in a deep breath and pursed his lips. There was no more to ask, no more to add, so he just held to Sabina’s hand and tried to still her anxiety and his. He noted that the other council members looked just as pensive as he knew he did.

“Children, for the remainder of this evening, we want all of you to rest and be refreshed for tomorrow morning. Alex will need everyone here to help keep her safely cocooned as her mind journeys far away. Do not worry over your safety, for your fathers and I will be keeping watch so that you may continue to know peace,” said Ganymede.

“Will you all eat with us tonight? I need for you to be close, if you can,” Alex said, honestly needing her angelic father and Gaius’ near.

“Of course. I would love nothing more than to spend time with you,” he replied, gently cupping her face and patting her skin.

Ganymede rose from his chair then, and was immediately followed by the other angels. Alex remained where she was for a few moments, leaning completely against Gaius. He wrapped both of his arms around her and she closed her eyes to just breathe in time with him.

When she did reopen her eyes, Alex saw that no one had left the library, and she knew they would not until she and Gaius were ready to go with them. Alex also saw several standing with their fathers, waiting for her to rise so they could embrace her. She could keenly feel the anxiety still flowing through many an aura, and she knew they needed her touch to reassure them she was alright.

So, she patted Gaius’ hands and stood. Cara moved off of her feet, allowing Alex to turn and extend a hand to Gaius. Once he was by her side, she moved first to Rohan. Alex gave him a tight hug and slapped his back, actually wresting a grunt from him from the force she had accidently exerted. She chuckled and leaned up to kiss his cheek, then she moved over to embrace Sabina.

After their gentle and loving hug, Alex stepped into Elrick’s arms. He crushed her to his heart, and she reminded him that she was not yet under the waves, and that she still needed to breathe while standing in Aeoferth’s library. Elrick pulled back and looked down at Alex, dumbfounded that she was joking despite it all. She smirked and nodded her head, and he suddenly found himself laughing aloud. Alex laughed softly with him, and she hugged Elrick again, whispering that she was alright.

From there, Alexandria moved into the arms of each council member and several angels. With each embrace, she reassured them that she was not injured and still holding steady through each new challenge. But she also knew that having suffered her soul’s loss before, the Nephilim of her kind would always be wary when they saw her placed in perilous situations.

Still, she hoped that time would help the old wounds to heal. But truthfully, Alex knew only time would tell.

 

When she made it back to Gaius’ side, Alex wrapped an arm around his waist and told him she was in great need of a snack. He smiled and kissed her gently on the forehead, then quietly called Cara to come with them. They left the library side by side and headed for the kitchen.

They felt many auras in the space before they walked in. Alex’s smile spread and became a bit more relaxed as she saw Heath, Iain, Gaillard, Noelle, Ansel, and so many others who had come to their side to fight in the last series of battles. Everyone paused in their conversations and turned to watch Gaius lead Alex in. Rohan and Sabina were right on their heels, as were most of the council members.

“You guys finished for a while?” Gaillard asked from where he and Iain were leaning against the counter nearest the sinks and windows.

“Yes, until tomorrow,” Alex replied. She left Gaius momentarily to retrieve the orange juice container and a glass.

“And…?” Gaillard drawled out, hoping for a bit more information as to what was taking place. The morning’s sparring session still had them all tense and in need of answers.

“And… we will tell you all what has been taking place at dinner tonight,” Gaius said, as he moved over to the counter and reclined against it next to Iain.

“Good,” Iain replied, looking down at Cara, who had come to sit in front of Gaius. “This morning was something else. Something we hope we don’t have to see again, anytime soon.”

“Nor do we, Iain,” Gaius said quietly as he leaned down to scrub Cara’s head.

“Is she hungry?” Alex asked from where she stood bent over in front of the open refrigerator.

“Probably not as much as you are,” Heath chuckled. “I can hear your stomach growling louder than Cara’s. Come over here and sit down, Alex. We’ll make something for you and the others to eat. Whatcha craving, sweetie?”

“Pizza.” She smiled, as she brought out the few remaining portions of lasagna that were stored there.

“I shouldn’t have to ask anymore, should I?” Heath smiled in return. He handed Alex a plate for what she was planning to start with, and then set about preparing several pizzas for them all to snack on. Noelle offered her assistance, and Heath welcomed her to his side.

While the council claimed stools along the butcher block island, their loved ones took care of the small things. Little offerings which added up to a great deal in Alex’s heart and mind. The unconditional love and support her immortal family offered were just as important as her mortal family’s had been as she grew up in their care, Alex silently mused.

And thinking of her mortal family, made her want to hear their voices most desperately. She had only been away from them for three days, but they had still chatted on the phone several times since the Nephilim had returned to Aeoferth. Alex made a promise to herself that she would call them all before she slept that night, knowing their voices would give her the last push to see the upcoming mental journey through.

She fed Cara, then ate the lasagna with Gaius, giving him bites in between hers. He winked at her, as she blushed lightly when he lingered over one particular bite. She mentally chastised him, but her wide smile let him know she was none too bothered by his play. Gaius only asked her to give him another bite as he raised and lowered his eyebrows at her.

They shared the pizza that eventually made its way out of the stone oven, focusing only on each other and not the large gathering around them. When she finally felt sated, Alex moved from her stool onto Gaius’ lap. She wrapped her arms around his waist and settled her ear alongside his heart. He set his glass down to hold onto her, only to hear Alex’s deep, even breathing. She was already asleep as he stared down at her face.

“I win,” Gaillard whispered, smiling innocently when Gaius looked up at him.

“What?” Gaius chuckled as he furrowed his brow.

“Iain thought Alex would fall asleep before she finished her food, but I said there was no way she’d let pizza pass her by.” He smiled.

“She’s had a busy day,” Rohan said softly.

“I know,” Gaillard said seriously, as he lost all pretense of his playful mood. “We all felt her Light roll through us and the entire estate in a substantial wave while you were meeting. So we know something very important took place in there.”

“Yes, it did,” Elrick said quietly. He turned his eyes in Alex’s direction and mulled over all he had witnessed and heard that day. When he looked back to the others at the island, he saw the same intense looks of concentration on their faces that he knew he still had on his.

“Gaius, I…,” Elrick began, but he broke off and shook his head in frustration.

“Elrick, I do know, and I do understand, brother. You need not apologize to me or Alex for how you feel right now. In truth, I have had longer to process all of this than you, and I am still a mess inside. I don’t want her anywhere near what is coming. Nor do I want to see my wife sacrificed for the greater good. Ever,” Gaius said in a decisive tone of voice.

“But,” he added, “I also know that God has led Alexandria, sheltered her, and given her purpose to all of her days from the very moment Bertrand laid hands on her. And I do not, for one second, believe that our Lord and Savior would abandon her now, not after He has brought her this far. She will survive this, although the individual moments are hell to live through,” he said gravely.

“Tell me about it,” Elrick sighed, shaking his head slightly still. “Gaius, I swear, I have never in all my many days wanted to have my father by my side as much as I do now. Maybe just after my mother died, but beyond that, I have always felt that we could take on any challenge, and make it through. Now, I don’t want Alex taking a step away from him or Ganymede. Or your father, for that matter. And this is not me. I’m not one to need my father to shelter under when danger comes calling.”

“Having our fathers close to us does not make us weaker, Elrick. Quite the opposite, dear friend. We are made stronger when we work together. And that is what we will do until all of this is laid to rest. Until we know and can end the danger for a prolonged period of time. Do you think I am weaker because Haniel has been by my side these last weeks?” Gaius asked, smiling gently at his friend.

“Of course not, Gaius,” Elrick replied, inhaling and chuckling half-heartedly. “Ah, hell. I know you’re right. Logically, I hear you and I get why all of this happened today. I’m just still dealing with what I said to my father this morning – that I don’t want them leaving until the danger has passed.”

“And they won’t,” Gaius promised him. “Ganymede most assuredly won’t. He does not want to lose his daughter again, and he will not forsake her.”

“He better not,” Rohan said evenly, and Gaius looked across the island at him with his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“You know, if you keep speaking to Ganymede that way, he might order you to spar with him next,” Elrick smirked and chuckled a little heartier than he could just a few moment before.

Everyone in the kitchen laughed with them, needing the release to break the tension they all felt.

“I’d do it,” Rohan said, smiling now too. He felt Sabina lean against his side and he kissed the top of her head before he took another sip of his beer.

“Rohan’s been talking back to Ganymede?” Iain asked. “I’m impressed.”

“I think Ganymede was, too.” Nikolaj grinned.

“Now that, I would’ve loved to see,” Gaillard said, lightly slapping Rohan’s shoulder. Rohan only grunted as he stared at Gaius across the island.

“So, what now? We rest, as they said?” Rohan asked.

“Rohan, does it look like Alex is resisting that request?” Gaius chuckled, a big grin lighting up his face.

“Could sleep through a hurricane, I swear,” Rohan mumbled affectionately.

“I know,” Gaius said softly, turning his eyes down to Alex’s face. “I think I will take her up to our room and let her rest there for a time. We have a few hours before dinner, but she needs all the sleep she can get before tomorrow.”

“Gaius, I’ll keep Cara with me, if you want,” Ahadi offered.

He smiled as he looked down at their young, furry friend. Upon hearing her name, Cara stood up and wagged her tail, patiently waiting to hear what Gaius would say to her.

“I think she is going with us, Ahadi. But thank you,” he said, standing and leaving the kitchen with Alex, and Cara following closely behind.

Everyone watched them leave and sat silently for several minutes. The council members were deep in thought over all they had heard and witnessed that day, and the other Nephilim hoped that answers and information would soon be flowing to the entire assembly. It was, a few of them thought, the not knowing that it made it all the worse.