Free An Archangel's Promise by Jess Buffett Page A

asked.
    “An archangel can’t be around any Nephilim going through
their transition. Our power is too great, and we risk speeding up the process.
For lack of a better explanation, it would be like using the wrong wall mount
for a charger. It would overload your body to experience your transition too quickly.
Too much power all at once.”
    “Damn,” he muttered. “All right. And before that?”
    “Ash.” Gabriel sighed. “I had hope for him once, but he
turned out just like his father. When the others and I were left with no choice
but to cast him out, he swore his revenge. I knew then that he had discovered I
had a son, and so did Raphael. He knew our sons were helpless against him. The
only way to keep you safe was to stay away. Until you began your transition, he
could not find you. I wasn’t willing to risk the chance that I would lead him
to you. Both Raphael and I agreed with your mothers that it would be for the
best to stay away.”
    He had stayed away to keep Hunter safe? Deep down Hunter had
known that since the moment he had discovered the truth, but it didn’t take
away the loneliness he felt. Only a few years later his mother had died,
leaving him alone.
    As if he read Hunter’s mind, Gabriel said, “I’m so sorry
about your mother. She was a good friend. I loved her…at least in my own way.
When a prophecy was foretold that we archangels would have children of our own,
I had never found my bonded and just knew she would make a wonderful mother to
my son.”
    Hunter’s heart hurt at the thought of his mother. “Is she
okay?” He hated that he sounded like a lost child, but he needed to know.
    “Yes, Hunter. Worried for you as always, but she is happy.”
Gabriel smiled fondly.
    Well, that was something.

Chapter 7
     
    Gabriella stirred in Hunter’s arms. When he glanced down, it
was to find her eyes open, staring up at him. “So, you really are the son of an
archangel, huh?”
    He nodded. “Yes, Gabby. I am.”
    She seemed to contemplate that. “And the others…your cousins ,
are their fathers archangels too? I know you said Sebastian’s was, but…”
    “Yes.” He smiled down at her. “They are the sons of the
other archangels. Well, except for Raphael’s son. He hasn’t gone through his
transition yet. Too young.”
    “Oh,” she said simply.
    He raised a brow, trying not to laugh. “Oh?”
    Hunter didn’t think he had done a very good job when she
glared at him. “Yeah, oh . Sorry, did you expect something a little more
articulate? If so, come back tomorrow, I think my brain is fried right now,”
she snarked.
    Hunter didn’t hide his grin that time. He was both amused
and enthralled by her attitude.
    “I’m afraid there isn’t time anyway,” Gabriel interrupted,
concern shining in his eyes. “There is something we need you men to attend to.”
    Seriously?
    “What is it, Uncle?” Sebastian asked.
    Sebastian’s familiarity with Gabriel surprised Hunter, until
he remembered that Sebastian was much older, and as his mother was an angel,
Sebastian had never had to be separated from his father or uncles. Hunter
wondered briefly what it would have been like for him had his mother been an angel.
Sebastian and Dominic were the only sons of the archangels with angelic
mothers, and while they had guarded and protected the others through their
transitions, the two older angels had never had to experience it themselves.
    “We received word that Ash and the rest of Renatus are
hunting Raphael’s son, Landon.”
    “But the kid would only be sixteen,” Elijah said, outraged.
“Ash can’t go after him. He can’t even track him.”
    Gabriel grimaced. “It appears Ash is determined to stop the
prophecy from coming true. He is willing to break any and all laws.”
    “What prophecy are you talking about?” Hunter had never
heard of a prophecy.
    Sebastian’s brows furrowed, and he crossed his arms over his
wide chest. “I was not told of a prophecy either. Why?”
    Gabriel held