Airs & Graces Read Online Free PDF Page B

mattered.
    “What is this place?” she called softly, still a ways behind me but gaining.
    “An old abbey.” I said it loud enough for her to hear.
    “Thank you, Captain Obvious,” I heard her mutter in a sardonic tone.
    The abbey was a magnificent structure in its day, thriving with those who sought only to do Heaven’s bidding. That was then. Now it was overrun with Demons, led by an ancient power that was not on speaking terms with Heaven. Still, there were many glory years prior. If it were still firmly in the hands of Heaven, it would be the last place I could go. As it was, the likelihood this stop would be the death of both of us was extremely high, but a chance in hell is still a chance.
    Adelaide caught up with me inside the front gates. Her questions stopped when she caught a real glimpse of the structure that lay ahead of us, along with the sight of the figures in the yard around it, staring into us with their burning yellow eyes from the deeper shadows. I felt her latch on to my right arm as they began slowly drifting toward us. I wasn’t sure if any of these specifically knew me or not. If not, they might actually be thinking they had a chance. After standing against Archangels and Fallen, I wasn’t worried about them. What did concern me was that Adelaide would spook and run, or that if they did get bold, they’d try to separate us. If they got to her, she’d be lost, and this would all be a loss. All I could do was keep moving, show no fear, and hope she’d stay behind me this time.
    The doors slowly swung open as we approached. Not my doing, but I wasn’t about to tell Adelaide that. She’d seen me turn a Fallen to smoke, though I privately had my suspicions as to how long that would last. She also knew I’d jumped us halfway around the world, and the whole pack of Demons was keeping a little out of sword’s reach. Why shouldn’t doors just open for me? Better that assumption than letting her know someone knew we were coming and was prepared. On the other hand, I took the invitation as a good sign. We’d at least get to say hello.
    Once inside the entrance, we were faced with Hadad immediately. I appreciated that about him: he was direct. I would have liked to think that he felt respect for my directness, but he probably just wanted me dead because I wouldn’t go along with his wishes.
    I told Adelaide, “Don’t look directly at him if you can avoid it.” She was already wounded, and if it got any worse, there wasn’t much I could do for her. Healing was one of those things I’d been hoping we’d manage back at the frat house. I was always more of a fighter. At least she listened and averted her gaze without any more questions.
    Hadad expressed himself physically according to his perception of his place in the universe: exactly six feet tall, slimly built, and dressed properly in an ivory suit, which went well with his copious amounts of bleached blond hair. I could see cameras set up and workers scurrying about performing menial tasks. He had tissue paper tucked into his collar and makeup layered over his fake tan, and thin lips split wide in a rictus grin over unnaturally white teeth. Hadad played the part of a popular televangelist well, his followers easily led astray, parted with their worldly riches to Hadad’s gain. Not only in earthly riches, but in power as well. How easily some humans worshipped false gods and prophets, and that is exactly what Hadad claimed to be to his many followers: a new prophet, preaching false words of a sham of a god.
    His power flooded the room, and I stopped short, making certain to keep myself between him and Adelaide. I’d hoped to not have to shield her from him, but he was unpredictable. I had no idea how he’d react to me, much less me with an uninvited guest in tow. His power seeped outward from him in a rush, and all the mortal workers scurrying about dropped dead mid-task. A peal of thunder followed a moment later, and with it, equipment