Free The Nephilim: Book One by Bridgette Blackstone Page B

left him feeling trapped and useless, but now with Verrine gone, he
faced being truly alone.
    As the heat in the chamber grew,
sweat beaded at his forehead, and he strode down the few steps to a raised
basin of water. He doused his face then gripped the sides of the bowl. His life
had never taken him beyond the walls of the castle, his parents saw to that for
both him and his twin sister, and he, at least, had obeyed. Was it finally time
for him to venture into the unknown? At a loss for what to do, he stared into
the basin for an answer, but was shocked to see it was not his own face that
stared back.
    "Oh, Troian, how has it come
to this?"
    He glanced behind himself as well
as above but found no other body within the chamber. Reflected in the basin in
place of his own visage was that of someone markedly older with a short beard
and cropped hair. He was not of this realm, of that Troian was sure. "Who
are you, old man?"
    The face chuckled, creasing about
his eyes and mouth, "Why, I am the one who’s been watching over you all
these years. And, oh, how you've always made me laugh, Troi."
    Troian noted from the reflection’s
neckline that he wore white robes and a golden stole. Those were signs that
were unmistakable. "You’re an archangel, aren’t you?"
    "And what makes you think
that?"
    "Those clothes," Troian
narrowed his eyes, "And who else would be powerful enough to project
themselves into the throne room in the third circle?"
    "Who else indeed?" the
face smiled back, "I did bring out the good robes, I suppose, but I only
thought it appropriate visiting a demon royal and an heir to the throne at
that. Don’t you agree?"
    Though archangels were more
powerful than any being truly knew and meddled infrequently in the affairs of
Heaven or Hell, Troian still felt uneasy at this man’s knowledge. Few even in
his own realm knew of his existence. "I wasn’t aware the choirs had
started recognizing us as anything other than vermin, let alone had taken to
making social calls. What do you want?"
    "I see you're having a bit of
trouble," the archangel glanced away absently, "Lost something,
haven't you?"
    Troian could feel the heat begin to
boil below his skin and took a tighter grip on the basin.
    "Now, now, don't get
testy," the angel held up his hands before him, his fingers adorned in
rings, "I don't want you to blow anything else up."
    "How do you know?" Troian
growled through clenched teeth.
    "News travels fast," he
shrugged.
    The demon was furious, "What
is it that you want?"
    "I am here to offer you
peace," he clasped his hands in front of him, "I have found your
sister."
    Troian staggered back from the
basin, knocking into the steps and falling back onto them. His sister, Sophie,
she’d been found.
    "I see you know what this
means," the angel’s voice floated quietly from the basin and Troian jumped
up, running back to it, "She has, however, fallen into the wrong hands,
and The Agrippa has made its way to the Material World as well."
    Troian shook his head, "How do
you know all this? Who are you?"
    The man bowed his head slightly,
smiled, and alleged, "I am the Archangel Raziel."
    "Raziel?" Archangel or
not, the name was renowned in Heaven and Hell. "Why come to see me? You
never see anybody."
    Raziel sighed, "I am closely
tied to this book, my boy, and it is in my best interests that the girl and the
book do not come into contact. I have reason to believe that a rogue angel has
kidnapped your sister. His name I fear you know: Adam."
    Troian grimaced, "How is that
possible? He was executed!"
    "Was he?" Raziel
questioned, "I know it seems ridiculous, I was uncertain of even my own
suspicions, but there has been activity in the Material World that suggests
otherwise."
    Troian swore under his breath and
clenched tight fists. "Adam," he growled, the name bitter on his
tongue, "You've torn apart this family enough for one eternity."
    Raziel stared solemnly at the boy,
"Do you feel that, Troian? That anger?"
    He nodded,