Free Echoes and Embers (Rebel Angels) by Cyndi Friberg

more Grigori than human tend to be corrupt. All the angelic power of the Grigori with the freewill of man—it is more than most beings can withstand.”
    He recited the information in an expressionless monotone. How long had he been hunting the offspring of his order? How many Nephilim had he killed? “You already told me you’re prepared to destroy Rosalind if she’s corrupt. What are the alternatives? If her nature is pure, what becomes of her?”
    “There is a section of Heaven reserved for my kind. She will accompany me there. If she—”
    “Lady Alyssa!” A middle-aged servant called from across the hall. She stood in the archway leading to the domestic wing, her features tense with worry.
    “What’s amiss, Imogene?” Pushing back her bench, Alyssa went to join the servant.
    “I can’t find Lady Rosalind. I’ve looked everywhere.”
    Sariel loomed behind her. She didn’t need Imogene’s frequent glances to tell her he stood there. “Where have you looked? How long have you been searching?”
    “She hardly touched the tray I took her last eventide. I was worried, you understand. But her bed was empty, so I set about finding her.”
    “Where did your search take you?” Imogene’s tendency to ramble had never been more frustrating.
    The older woman’s dark eyes shone with unshed tears. “I’ve looked everywhere! She’s not within the castle walls. I just came from her chamber, milady. Her mantle, some of her gowns and her polished silver comb are missing. Lady Catherine gave her that comb, milady. Lady Rosalind would not be parted from it. I believe she’s run away.”
    “Did you check the stables?”
    “No, milady. I thought it best I inform you first.”
    “You’ve done well.”
    She gave the old woman’s narrow shoulder a gentle squeeze before heading across the hall. If Rosalind’s mare was gone, Imogene was likely correct.
    “Why didn’t I see this coming? She couldn’t force me to leave, so she chose to depart.” Alyssa’s stomach knotted as she recalled the emotion-ravaged gaze of her ward. She’d never seen Rosalind so angry or so hurt.
    “Where would she have gone?” Sariel fell into step beside her, his hand brushing the small of her back.
    Twisting away from his light touch, Alyssa moved aside so Sariel could open the door. “We don’t know for certain that she’s fled.” Even as she spoke the words, Alyssa knew Rosalind was gone, sensed her absence with an awareness Alyssa had forgotten she possessed. One day in Sariel’s company had awakened many things within her.
    She clenched her hands and hurried her step. If she hadn’t succumbed to her desire for their uninvited guest, Rosalind would not have run away.
    “This is not your fault.”
    His deep, caressing tone disturbed her as much as the casual brush of his hand. “Aye, it’s yours! If you had not come here, none of this would have happened.”
    He chuckled. “Perhaps, perhaps not. If I recall, you were searching for Rosalind yesterday as well. The conflict between you began before my arrival.”
    She suppressed the urge to stick her tongue out at him—barely—settling for a heated glower instead.
    They crossed the upper ward in silence, Alyssa lost in worry. Rosalind’s mare was missing as Alyssa feared.
    The marshal shuffled from foot to foot, avoiding her gaze as he spoke. “One of the stable boys saw her ride out just after dawn.”
    “Why was I not informed?” Alyssa demanded.
    “He only just told me. I immediately sent him to the hall to find you.”
    Sariel took her by the elbow and led her from the stable. Sunlight gleamed in his hair and caused the gold flecks in his eyes to sparkle. “I will find her.”
    Alyssa laughed and jerked her arm out of his light hold. “Why would I trust you to return her safely? This is the perfect opportunity for you to fulfill your mission.”
    “It’s the perfect opportunity for me to gather information. I’ll not deny that’s my intent, but I promised