Free Archangel Evolution by David Estes

he
asked.
    Dionysus hated being questioned, hated
insolence. With the speed of a damn mongoose attacking a pesky
cobra, Dionysus closed the gap to the engineer and shoved him
forcefully. The engineer flew backwards like he was made of straw,
and crashed into the side wall of the vestibule, leaving an
indentation the shape of his body in the stone barrier. Rocks
crumbled and cracked and generally rolled over his slumped body,
but Dionysus wasn’t looking at the aftermath of his actions.
Instead, he had punched the required commands into the
keyboard.
    He turned his attention back to the room. He
waited, gazing at the covered roof. A pinpoint of light appeared in
the absolute center of the ceiling and then birthed four slits of
light, which extended in opposite directions, like a cross. As the
four quarters of the cover slid away, each branch of the cross grew
wider and wider and exponentially increased the brightness of the
room. By the time the final corners of the cover had slid away, the
room was white. Dionysus couldn’t see Lucas, couldn’t see the
walls, the roof, the floor. He suspected that Lucas could be
immediately next to the viewing window and he still wouldn’t be
able to see him.
    The noise from within the chamber had
continued throughout the procedure, but it had changed in quality.
Something was different and Dionysus tried to discern what had
changed. And then someone was grabbing him from behind, yelling
something in his ear. He ignored the voice as he focused on the
sound from within the room. Screaming. Unlike a
get-your-attention kind of scream, this was a scream of pain. More
like agony. The tortured cry was shrilling, piercing,
mind-shattering, something heard only in horror movies and
nightmares. It was a sound that generally preceded death. The sound
made Dionysus smile.
     
     

Chapter Thirteen
     
    T hey made love as
the afternoon sun waned in the west. That night, Sam didn’t come
home so they made love again. Sleep took them soon after.
    Taylor awoke when the first full beam of
light spilled over the horizon and through her east-facing window.
Squinting, she said, “Gabriel.”
    His body was flush against hers—a necessity,
given that students were only entitled to single beds, which
created a logistical nightmare when opposite-sex sleepovers
occurred. But they managed it well, even enjoyed it. Early on in
their relationship, they had each learned that sleep came easier
and was more restful when they did it together. It was just another
sign that they were meant to be together. Or that they missed being
in the womb. It was definitely one or the other.
    Taylor felt Gabriel’s body shift against
hers. “Yeah?” he murmured, his eyes still closed.
    His face looked peaceful, as if he were still
in a dream full of grassy meadows and bubbling brooks. He also
looked beautiful. Such a shame that she had to do it.
    “Hiyah!” Taylor exclaimed, using the best
impression of a karate master that she could muster. She brought
the pillow down on his face as hard as she could.
    “Oww! What the—” Gabriel groaned.
    Taylor said, “Ding! Welcome to Hotel Taylor.
This has been your sunrise wake-up call. We hope you enjoy the rest
of your stay.”
    Slowly opening one eye, Gabriel said, “I
don’t remember scheduling a wake-up call and even if I did, I would
have expected something a little more delicate. I might have to
complain to management.”
    “I am management and your concern has been
noted and denied.” Knowing retribution was forthcoming, Taylor
leapt from the bed. In the time it takes to blink, she had
repositioned herself on Sam’s bed, lying down; her head rested
casually on her hand. Gabriel had tried to grab her as she made her
escape, but was left grasping at air.
    Taylor smirked. “Looking for someone?” she
said.
    “Damn. All of this talk about you being a
faster, stronger form of angel has already gone to your head. It
was bad enough when you were faster, but it is even worse