took a deep breath and cleared his throat. “Seraphs are here. On Earth. As we speak.”
Adam ’s jowls pulsated as he was taken aback by Fisker’s revelation.
“ Who ordered Seraphs on Earth? That is completely irresponsible.”
“ It wasn’t my call, just like how your spontaneous girth issue wasn’t your call.”
“ Then whose was it? Adonai’s?”
“ Adonai did not call in the Seraphs. In fact, Adonai isn’t aware of our situation,” Fisker said, standing up and opening the curtains behind him.
The sun that splashed Los Angeles with its infamous sunshine filtered in through the office window with all its might. Adam shielded his eyes with his arm.
As Adam regained his sight, he noticed a large shape take form as the golden rays dissipated.
On the ledge, a large gray wrinkled creature crouched and observed the city below. It wore a tattered hood. Its muscular thigh and calf jutted out from beneath its ratty cloak. Three large feathery wings protruded from its back. Veiny and translucent skin seemed to tightly glue the feathers together. Claws grew out from the tops of its wing joints.
The creature swung its head toward the men in the window. It made eye contact with Adam, who averted his eyes. The only features visible from within the cloak were two large black discs and patches of its gray, oily and wrinkled face.
“ They’re desperate,” said Fisker. “They sense a disruption. Your daemon will be hunted down and killed in order to protect the Prophecy.”
Adam ’s eyes blinked rapidly, a twitch he had when confronted with predicament he didn’t appreciate. “That is against the Concord. The scions of Pit are off-limits.”
Fisker ’s posture stiffened as he began losing patience with Adam’s insolence. Fisker knew his kind held authority and there was a reason why rival overseers rarely crossed paths: ruminations of the past were too painful for Adam Cagle’s faction to bear. “The Concord explicitly states that all who stand in the way of the fulfillment of the Harvest shall be executed without question and without mercy.”
Adam ’s shirt and jacket began to flap upward as if caught within an invisible wind. The rolls of his belly synchronized with the flutters of his fabric.
“ Don’t you even think about it, Adam,” warned Fisker.
The creature outside the window screeched at the sight of Adam ’s offensive posture. Its shrill howl created a sound wave so small, so unique, that it traveled through the atoms that bounded the large thick window separating the outside world with Fisker’s office. Adam gritted his teeth as his ears and his entire being fought through the sound of the piercing shriek.
“ Adam, it’s not worth it. You fight me or attempt to extinguish me and you risk all-out war,” threatened Fisker.
Adam ’s glow diminished. He figured he was outmatched and was much closer in finding Theolodus than the Seraphs. As Adam picked up his bag, he abruptly turned around, and wagged his finger in the air, dark smoke emanated from his body. “Nope, our numbers will not be diminished. I will find him before your junkyard dogs ever do.”
Fisker planted his hands on his table. Exhausted by the fact that he almost had to battle, he panted at Adam, “Don’t get in the way, Adam.”
Adam turned around; his eyes glowed like hot coals. “Call off the Seraphs or Adonai will be hearing from us.”
“ Adonai can be petulant. You know and I know that might not be a good idea,” Fisker begged. “Like I said, the Seraphs aren’t my call.”
“ Tell whoever made the call to give me more time,” Adam’s voice echoed, as he stood on the other side of the long office.
“ I can’t guarantee that.”
“ Then war is imminent,” Adam intoned.
Fisker loosened his neck as his head drooped downward. “Fine, I’ll do my best, but I can’t guarantee how much time you’ll have.”
“ Fine,” said Adam, his glowing eyes subsiding, as he stood at the doorway. “I