Archangel's Heart (Guild Hunter 9)

Michaela waved a languid hand. “Your solution is simple, Favashi,” she said with a smile that was a wonder of physical beauty. “However, there is a reason Lijuan is the Archangel of China—and it’s not because it was the land of her birth. Her territory also includes a significant portion of what was once Uram’s.”

Astaad nodded. “Michaela is right. Lijuan’s is one of the physically largest territories.”

“Michaela’s territory is as large now,” Favashi countered. “She, too, controls a sizable percentage of what Uram once did.”

“But those lands contain areas that are largely uninhabited, and the overall population in Michaela’s lands is in the same vicinity as Astaad’s,” Neha said with crisp pragmatism. “China, in comparison, has the largest number of vampires in the population, and Lijuan was the most powerful among us for a long time.”

That was a very, very good point.

“Are you implying that I can’t control the vampires under my command?” Favashi’s whip of a question was directed not at Astaad but at Michaela.

Titus boomed an answer, his voice echoing off the stone before he tempered it—after he had everyone’s attention. “We are all archangels,” he said. “But I am quite prepared to accept that some of us have more power than others—and Lijuan has proven that multiple times. You are the newest member of the Cadre, Favashi. It would be irresponsible to hand you China and Lijuan’s associated lands.”

Favashi’s face tensed, her bones pushing out against the cream of her skin, but it was Michaela who next spoke—and very strangely for her, she didn’t ask for a piece of the pie for herself, or suggest they redraw the borders of all the Cadre territories. “Lady Caliane,” she said, her tone respectful. “The easiest answer is for you to take over a larger section of Lijuan’s territory, while Favashi oversees the rest.”

Favashi’s angry expression faded into thoughtfulness. “A workable solution,” she said at last. “And your lands, Lady Caliane, are currently the smallest in the Cadre. Such is not respectful to your status as an Ancient.”

The truth was that Caliane didn’t want anything more. The only reason she’d taken over Japan was that she and her people needed a home.

“I have done my ruling, child,” Caliane said, and from her, the world “child” was no insult. In this circle, only Alexander was her compatriot. “Unlike some of my friends”—a glance at Alexander that held dry amusement—“I have no desire to step back into that arena. I wish to live in peace with my people. Japan is enough for me.”

“I think you do not have a choice, old friend.” Alexander leaned forward again, muscled forearms braced on his thighs. “There is a reason that we two are both awake—and I think it’s partly because of this. The world does not need eleven archangels. It needs ten for optimum balance.”

Caliane’s wings glowed with power. So did Alexander’s.

Had any other archangel in the circle done that during a meeting, it would’ve been a sign of aggression. With Ancients, it had become clear that such things were often accidental. They had so much power running through their veins that it poured out of them without their conscious knowledge.

“Alex,” Caliane said softly, “do you not think we should leave the world to the young?”

“Callie, you know we cannot. They have made a mess of it.”

Everyone else in the circle sat in stunned silence. Even Raphael was startled. As he forgot his mother’s age at times, he also never thought of her as young. But once, she must’ve been. Once, she’d been simply Callie, not Lady Caliane.

Now, she laughed, the sound haunting music that made several archangels close their eyes and just listen. “Such arrogance,” she said to Alexander. “We made our own messes and we cleaned them up. We should leave them to clean up theirs.”

Alexander’s smile was open, containing none of the distance so often in it when he spoke to younger archangels. “It is the time of the Cascade,” he replied. “The normal rules do not apply.”

Sighing, Caliane gave a reluctant nod. “Perhaps you are right.” Her expression was quiet for a long moment, the quiet of ages long gone. “I will assist young Favashi to maintain order—and when she is old enough, I will release the lands to her. Will this satisfy the Cadre?”

Favashi’s expression was openly surprised—archangels weren’t known to give up territories they’d claimed. Recovering quickly, she said, “I thank you, Lady Caliane.”

Will you truly be able to work with her, Favashi? Raphael asked. You are used to total control. Like him. Like every other archangel in the Cadre.

Favashi didn’t look at him as she replied. Yes. She is not one of us—she is an Ancient. And unlike Alexander, she truly seems to want to be left in peace. Do you believe she will suddenly wish to rule again?

Raphael thought of the sorrow that sat heavy on Caliane’s heart, the losses that still marked her, the tiredness he glimpsed in her eyes too often, and said, No. So long as you do not encroach on the small territory she has claimed as her own, my mother will assist you as she has stated and leave you alone the rest of the time.

“Well,” Elijah said, “that settles it. Together, Favashi and Caliane are more than strong enough to control Lijuan’s territory.” As he spoke, Raphael realized the other man was one of the archangels who didn’t see Caliane as Ancient first; to him, she would always be the warrior he’d once served. “The only question is whether or not we have the right to dispose of that territory.”