Protected by Emeralds (A Dance with Destiny Book 5) (16 page)

Jenevier jumped with the suddenness of Daichi’s movements, cringing at the sound of snapping ribs when his mighty blow landed hard against the man’s side, sending him to his knees. He spit blood out near her feet, trying to laugh, mostly coughing instead.

Eventually Decimus caught his breath and looked back up at her shocked expression. His smirk was gone and his tone had softened. “I am truly sorry about Shabriri, about what he did to you.” He inhaled a shaky breath. “I was already bound within the pit you sent me back to. Yet, had I known what he—” He swallowed hard. “I would have come for you… I swear it.”

Tears filled her eyes as his raspy words pulled forth one of her darkest memories. She turned from him, staring out upon the flowing lavender, letting the soft breeze dry her streaked cheeks.

“So swears one of the greatest liars to ever live,” Raphael said. “If you wish to confess something to her, let it be your
current
doings. Tell this delicate little lady exactly what your pure and chivalrous heart has been up to as of late.”

Decimus was silent.

Do you wish me to come get you, little Guardian?
Nilakanta whispered within her.

She looked toward her sapphire Dragon.
Not just yet
, she answered.
But… soon, perhaps.

Munenori casually looked over his shoulder at the waiting giant poised for flight, and then over to his tiny pink-haired friend. They exchanged a knowing glance, yet spoke not.

If you try to interfere, Angel
, Nilakanta warned.

I would never.
Munenori cut short the Dragon’s threat and turned his attention back to the proceedings, giving away nothing.

“If you will not tell her, then I will,” Gabriel was saying.

Thus began the haunting tale of his recent bloody deeds and the unavoidable tragedy he had set into motion upon the eighth layer realm of Earth.

“Well now, in truth,” Decimus said in his defense. “I do regret that last part. At the time, I did not realize how sick his mind actually was. Crazy little Earthling,” he mumbled. “I was tired. I just wanted a peaceful little escape from the insane world I have been cursed to be a member of. I wanted a few moments alone, away from hell and demons and dark things. I did not go there with the express intent of doing harm.” He sighed then. “The boy came to
me
. I know not why. I did not invite him. Yet he found me… somehow. And to be perfectly honest, it was nice to have someone to just
talk
to.”

“Talk to?” Uriel snapped. “You call that
talking
?”

“What?” Decimus met the enraged Arch’s glare. “He was full of curiosity and I was full of stories. I cannot help the fact my stories all happen to be dark. How was I to know how fragile the boy’s mind was?” He looked then upon Jenevier’s still turned back. “What difference does it make now? The Death Angel did what she does. So he’s dead now. No more girls will be butchered by his hand.” He paused a couple heartbeats before continuing in a lowered voice. “I truly hate what he did to you, Milady. If even the
thought
of him running you through had ever crossed my mind, I would have snapped his neck myself. I swear it.”

Jenevier was shaking her head in disbelief. “So… what you are saying is that dozens of innocent girls died… all so you could buy a little
alone time
?” She turned back to face him. “All so you could know a few moments of undeserved peace?”

He snorted out a laugh. “Hello there. My name is Decimus. I am a demon. I thought you knew… my mistake. Pleasure to meet you, Milady.”

Jenevier didn’t flinch that time when Daichi delivered another bone-crushing blow to the man’s already bruised side. She waited until he had caught his breath again before she squatted down in front of his bowed head, her knees popping from the action. He slowly lifted his watery gaze.

“Yet, the Death Angel did not claim him, Decimus,” she said. “The boy claimed
me
instead. No, that wretched young man’s life was snuffed out by a valiant soul, one pure of heart and not fashioned for killing.”

Decimus did not respond.

“The eighth layer is not ruled by magic, you idiot,” Jophiel hissed. “They have discovered science within that realm. Do you have
any
idea what that means?”

Still Decimus did not speak, his worried gaze remaining fixed with hers.

“What it means, good Decimus,” Gabriel said. “Is that the bullet found deep within the dead boy’s brain, was traced back to the gun owned and used by the noble Prince Suou that day.”

Decimus finally managed to pull himself away from Jenevier’s intense glare and turned to face the speaking Arch.

“And the curious boy your demented
stories
twisted… he was the youngest son of a neighboring Ruler,” Gabriel continued. “One who had been looking for an excuse to start a war, and you delivered up exactly what he needed. The weapons this maddened King is now in possession of—the likes of which you cannot possibly understand—can easily wipe out that entire layer.”

“And those unlucky enough to survive,” Raphael added. “Will wish they had not.”

At the Arch’s sad words, Jenevier slowly closed her eyes and sighed, rubbing her throbbing temples. When she opened them once more, she was met with Decimus’s regretful tears.

“I am truly sorry,” he mouthed to her before being jerked back to his feet.

She stood, turning to look back down at her beloved Dragon. “Great power is a terrifying thing,” she whispered. “But the ones who abuse such power… are even more terrifying.”

“True,” Munenori said as he came to stand beside her. “And a weapon is a tangible form of that power. The weapon this madman now possesses is a truly unfathomable type of power… one that will leave that unsuspecting world kneeling before him.”

“Although what Munenori says is true, little sister,” Raphael said as he came to stand on her other side. “That a weapon is a tangible form of power. It is but a
thing
, an inanimate object. Its strength comes from the wielder. If he proves weak and worthless, so too will prove said weapon.”

“He may be worthless,” she mumbled. “But I doubt very seriously that he is weak. Thus, why would four Archs show up dragging with them a demon I once slew?” Her knuckles turned white as she squeezed the banister railing, her clenched teeth grinding painfully within her mouth. “I only wish one of you had the balls to just spill the truth of it before I get
really
pissed.”

Munenori quickly turned his head, hiding his smile. Raphael snickered and poked her in the ribs.

“Care you not what you say?” Uriel snapped.

She narrowed her glare, turning to face the Angel. “Does it
look
like I care, Uriel? Tell me. Can you find even the smallest hint of regret in my eyes?”

Decimus burst out laughing. “There she is! There’s the fiery little maiden I fell head over heels for.”

“Shut his mouth before I gut him again,” she said, without breaking her heated gaze from the Arch’s.

They quietly listened as Decimus’s laughter echoed back from the hallway. Jophiel snorted out a chuckle when they heard Daichi hit him again, followed by the subsequent cry from the demon.

“How can such horrible things fall continually from those perfect lips?” Uriel went on. “We are here as friends, as brothers. How would you feel if such careless words tore a rift that could not be mended? What if your sullen attitude caused blades to be drawn, needless blood to be spilt? How would that feel, Kagi Naga?”

She took a step toward him. “Wow. I guess that would really suck, Uriel. And… I guess I would probably hate myself tomorrow. But hey, what’s one more nightmare? Right, Brother?”

Jenevier held out her right hand, palm up. Raphael quickly placed his over hers, locking their fingers together, halting her summoning of Amatiste.

“Come now. Let’s all be friends today,” Raphael said, pulling her against him. “There is much yet that needs to be decided.”

“If you would quit jumping in,” Jophiel said, casually looking up from examining his perfect fingernails. “Maybe these two could finally have it out. Quit being the overly protective big brother and just let them work through their differences the best way they can.”

His mischievous smile and pious wink almost made her giggle.

“Yes, Raphael,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “Why don’t you go on inside? Uriel and I need some alone time.” She glanced back to the other Arch. “He wishes to dance with me. Alas, he is a bit on the shy side.”

Jophiel laughed and slapped Uriel on the shoulder as he made his way to enter the palace proper. “Now
there’s
a dance I would give my left wing to see,” he said, chuckling.

Uriel only rolled his eyes, following his teasing brother toward the council chamber.

When Jenevier made to leave the balcony as well, Raphael pulled her back to him. Tenderly stroking her curls, he whispered, “Do not always be so ready to put your life on the line all the time.” His deep voice vibrated through his chest, tickling her cheek. “I would be inconsolable if anything truly horrible were to ever happen to my precious little sister.”

Chapter 12

Nilakanta

(nye-lah-KHAN-tah)

Daichi slammed his fist down on the massive table, causing Jenevier to visibly flinch.

“Absolutely not!” he roared. “She will
not
be on her own with this summons. The fate of an entire realm rests upon her tiny shoulders. Who among you can say you have felt this same weight?”

Gabriel’s lips were curved up in his constant, gentle smile. “All of us have felt such, little brother. We are eons old. We have carried such loads many hundreds of times before. Yet, I agree with you. Naga should not be sent alone.”

“And who do you suggest join her?” Jophiel asked. “Who among us does not have equal summons to attend because of this mess?”

“You could ask my father,” Tenshi said.

Everyone slowly turned toward the timid Angel.

“What?” He leaned forward, meeting each man’s troubled gaze. “Are you seriously going to sit there and pretend he would not sacrifice his very existence to see her safe?”

“That truth goes without saying.” Raphael sighed. “The problem lies not in his loyalty to your mother, Tenshi, but in his loyalty to anyone else, save her. Think about it. What if, God forbid, something horrible happened? What if her precious light were snuffed out? Tell me. What do you think Apollyon would do then?”

“In but a breath… Earth would cease to exist,” Gabriel said softly. “There is no forgiveness, no live and let live with Apollyon.”

“But if he were there, nothing
would
happen to her,” Tenshi argued. “Not while he yet drew breath.”

Uriel softly cleared his throat. Tenshi turned to face him.

“No matter how we may act at times… I cherish your mother in my heart as none other before. I always have.” The conflicted Arch sighed and leaned his head back, staring up at the elaborately painted ceiling. “I might have even taken up your side in this argument, boy. Had I not already witnessed Prince Suou’s reaction to your tiny mother. You were there, Tenshi. You remember. I know you do.” His thoughts quickly matched those of his brother Archs as they recalled this young Angel’s unbelievably powerful response in his mother’s defense. “If your father saw how that man looks at her—eyes full of worship.” He looked back to the younger Angel. “Did she not tell you what Suou tried to do when she was forced to attend his ball? He tricked her into accepting a dance intended to introduce the up and coming new Queen of that land. No, I should say we would never find all the pieces of that poor Prince… if your father were to escort her there. Apollyon would effortlessly slay the very one she has been sent to protect.”

At the Arch’s calm words, Tenshi gave up the fight, conceding to the older Angel’s reasoning.

Daichi growled. “All the more reason she should not go alone.”

“Just, listen… please,” Uriel said. “Decimus may have set this ball in motion, but Valencia picked it up and ran with it. The whole realm will soon be crawling with demons if we do not plug up all the holes she has torn. We will have our hands full. And we will each be on our own.”

Daichi sighed, exasperated, and fell back into his chair. “Tell me again how that wretched creature escaped her ethereal chains.”

“We know not the whole of it,” Gabriel said. “Not yet. But the fact she is now completely mad, and the fact she is also now loosed… there is no denying. All we can do now is clean up her mess. We will deal with the she-Guardian when this is over.”

“Very well, then,” Uriel said. “Now, let us decide. Shall we go with plan A, or plan B?”

Jenevier cut her eyes toward the speaking Arch. “Or how about we go with plan D, for dumbass… since that’s what you seem to be.”

Uriel smiled at her, but it was cold, minus heart. “I love you, yes. But never mistake my tolerance for weakness, little sister. To do so, could mean your death.”

She matched his smirk. “I will enjoy returning the bitter favor,
Brother
.”

“We are all speaking calmly here, rationally,” Uriel said. “That’s what adults do, little Kagi Naga. Do not speak foolishness.”

Gabriel reached over and took her hand, patting it gently. “She has proven herself many things, Brother, yet fool is not among them. Hear her out.
Then
argue against her reasoning.”

Uriel only rolled his eyes.

“Go on, Naga,” Raphael whispered. “Let your voice be heard.”

“Tell me, Uriel. Why is it all of your plans have me going there as Jenevier? Were you not the one who scolded me for removing my mask in the first place?”

Uriel did not respond. He simply waited for her to finish.

“Why can I not just go as Vashti, kill the man who is threatening Earth, and be back before you finish your tea?”

“Because, little one, Earth is not as simple as that,” Uriel said. “You must take care not to cause too many ripples. Look at what you have already done. You chose to let the killer look upon your true face all because the victims reminded you of your dear friends. You made one selfish decision… and now the fate of that world hangs in the balance. If you had simply done your job as you had been instructed, that gun would have never been fired and Prince Suou would have remained blameless. Use your head for a moment and tell me this, Naga. If Suou has been found guilty of this death, who do you think suspicion will fall upon if all his accusers are found slain in their beds? Hmm?”

She swallowed hard, the truth of his words hitting their intended mark.

“And not only that,” Jophiel said. “Wait until you hear who it is that requires your attention concerning all this.”

She met Jophiel’s gaze, a pit forming deep within her, fast filling with dread.

He smiled. “When you and Vittorio skipped blindfolded into the royal gardens and became the Prince’s unexpected honored guest… you made your
next
mistake. By accepting the stranger, Kazuto, as your dance partner… you were gracefully twirled about by the eldest son of the man you must now go back and help slay.”

She gasped, her ethereal pink eyes going impossibly wide.

“Yes,” Uriel added. “Akio Kazuto is eldest brother to the madman you were initially sent to reap. He is first-born of Lord Kazuto, who now threatens Earth’s realm with all out annihilation. Akio held you, desired you, and would have claimed you right there in the hallway, if Prince Suou had not saved your ass… yet again.”

“But that’s not all, Kagi Naga,” Jophiel said, smiling. “When you snapped, when you let your anger get the better of you… you emasculated that young man. And in front of a hated rival, no less. When you err, little sister, you make sure to leave a lasting impact.”

His words cut through to her very core. They were right, and she knew it. She stared blindly at her cooling tea, countless mistakes rolling through her troubled mind.

“Apologies, Naga,” Jophiel whispered. “But the bitterest truth is better than the sweetest lie.”

The following silence seemed to stretch on forever, each Angel replaying the demons from their past.

Jenevier finally looked up at the Arch she always seemed to end up fighting with, and sighed. “What would you have me do?”

“The impossible,” Uriel said softly.

“You would so easily send me to my death?”

He released an exasperated tsk. “Oh, don’t go on so, Naga. These humans will never lay a hand on you.”

“And if you err?”

“Then I shall mourn your pain,
or
your passing… whichever it shall be.”

Daichi leapt to his feet, growling viciously. All present jumped slightly when his chair crashed to the floor.

Uriel slowly stood, his blatant smirk now replaced with a look of growing concern.

“Mark my words, Angel,” Daichi snarled. “One day I will kill you, regardless of cost. What you have only just given voice, is an unforgivable thing. I will
never
forget it.”

“Let it go, Daichi,” she whispered. “I brought this on myself. It is as it should be.” She turned to Gabriel. “Can I bring Nilakanta?”

“No,” Uriel snapped. “Dragons have not lived there for many centuries. Remember you not what I just said about making unnecessary ripples?”

Jophiel half laughed. “Wait, Brother. I want to hear this. Tell me, Naga. How do you propose walking about with a giant Dragon in tow? Hmm? Even invisible, he is neither weightless nor massless. How could he accompany you, unnoticed?”

She couldn’t answer the mocking Angel. She could only fight back her coming tears.

“There
is
a way,” Munenori said quietly.

Everyone turned to the mossy lavender Guardian Angel of Jinn.

“What is he prattling on about?” Jophiel asked Uriel. “He is always inserting himself where he does not belong.”

“He fancies himself her lover and protector,” Uriel answered his smirking brother. “He dreams of being her saving Knight one day.”

The two Archs shared a condescending chuckle.

“You know I can hear you, right?” Munenori raised a single eyebrow. “I
am
a celestial being, after all.”

When Raphael spat out a laugh, the conniving pair of Archs turned toward him.

“What?” Raphael said. “I quite like the little purple guy. He’s got fire. I’ll give him that.”

Jenevier snickered and Raphael yanked one of her curls.

“Let’s hear him out,” Gabriel said. “If he knows of some rare magic, let him speak it… minus harassment.”

Duly chastised, Jophiel cleared his throat. “Very well then, miniature Angel,” he said, earning him several cold glares. “Tell us all you know, and all you do not know, concerning the secret magic of Dragons.”

Munenori cut his eyes toward the speaking Arch. “And just how in the hell am I supposed to tell you what all I
do not
know?”

Jophiel growled, but even Gabriel allowed a muffled chuckle to escape at the smaller Angel’s curt words.

*****

Nilakanta stood as she approached.

Mistress Naga.
He bowed low just as she reached him.

“Is what Munenori says, truth? Can you
meld
with me, Brother?”

The Dragon looked up over her shoulder at the approaching Angels, then back down to Jenevier.

We are bonded, Kagi Naga. If such rare magic is needed, it is possible, yes.

“Then I’m gonna need you to meld with me, Nilakanta,” she said with a smile.

But… you are so tiny. And I am largest of my kind. I’m not certain you could handle such a thing as that, little Naga.

She tilted her head to the side, studying his beautiful eyes. “What do you mean? What happens when you meld?”

Nilakanta looked then to the Guardian Angel of Jinn.
What have you done, Angel? You have witnessed a melding yourself. Why did you put such thoughts as these within her?

“I stood absent choice, mighty brother. Your tiny bonded Guardian is being summonsed to Earth to do what she can to thwart its destruction. She must go alone. We will not be able to help her.”

“It could take me years, Nilakanta,
years
,” she said. “If I must go it alone, you might be old and gray at my return… if I return at all.”

I hate Earth above all realms
, he said to Munenori.
Why would you even consider sending her there alone?

“As I said, we stand absent choice. If Naga is to succeed in this, it will be due to our help here, as much as her actions there.”

“Will you help Mama, Nilakanta?” Tenshi asked. “Will you go with her and protect her? Will you see that no man lays a hand to her… in anger
or
in passion?”

I will always do everything within my power to protect your mother, baby Angel. But you know not what you ask. If such a thing between us is even physically possible, the pain would be unspeakable.

Jenevier turned to Munenori. “Pain? You failed to mention
that
part, Senpai.”

“I cannot speak to the pain,” he said. “I have never melded with a Dragon.”

Nilakanta growled.
Does she know anything of the process, Angel? Did you tell her about the scars she could carry with her the rest of her life? And did you even mention the separation process? If things go as planned, and we both lived through it… we could be irrecoverably changed. Does she or her son know any of this?

“Forget it,” Jenevier said, holding up her hands. “If this will hurt my Dragon in any way, any way whatsoever, the deal’s off. I refuse to go through with it. I will die before I bring harm unto him.”

No, Little Fire, you do not understand. No harm will come to me. I will feel no pain. I will bear no scars. And if I am changed, it will be only for good, not ill. No, dear one, worry not for me. All harm that could come from a melding is for the human and the human alone. For a Dragon… it would be akin to euphoria.