smiled with kindness and maybe a bit of amusement, “if you are satisfied, we will continue.”
Knowing that even if I did come to understand, I would never agree, I nodded. The expression on Eli’s face told me that he was aware of my feelings, and he appreciated that I was willing to let him move forward.
A new level of intensity weighed on everyone — everyone but Eli, who seemed impervious. Michael’s chest heaved as he readied himself to make his case and avenge Isaac’s death. As Michael took a step forward, his small army lifted the cloaks from their faces. I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised. I expected them all to look like Michael: Dark eyes and hair. Instead they more closely resembled Claire. A few of them looked upon me with curiosity, others with disdain, but mostly they seemed to be there out of duty and not personal reasons. That logic went against why Claire and Samuel appeared so uneasy.
Eli spoke. “Michael….”
“Isaac had no choice!” he said. “He was important. He was given gifts unlike any Half-Breed. The choices of his Taleh do not justify his death!”
Eli nodded. “Jared….”
Jared showed no emotion. “The choices of our Talehs never justify our deaths, but it is the duty and curse that we must accept to be obedient.”
Michael shifted his weight. “What do you know about duty, Half-Breed?”
Blood rushed to my cheeks. “How dare you,” I seethed.
“Nina,” Jared warned.
“Your son — the one with such gifts — was also half human. I suppose since Jared doesn’t support his Taleh living a life of crime and serving a demon, he doesn’t take his duty seriously?” I said, my temper temporarily removing any thoughts of my own safety.
A deep line formed between Michael’s brow, and his eyes glistened with anger. “My son was not as fortunate as Gabe’s. He accepted his fate and made the best of it. We cannot interfere with the free will of humans. It is against His will.”
“So is serving the other side,” I grumbled.
“Nina!” Jared growled.
Michael jerked forward, and arms burst from the long, black sleeves of cloaks behind him as hands held him at bay. Simultaneously, Samuel angled his body toward Jared in a protective stance. He didn’t crouch, as I had seen Claire do so many times before when she protected me. Samuel would not fight his brothers, but he wouldn’t allow them to harm us.
Claire leaned against my arm, and whispered in my ear. “Shut up, stupid. You’re not helping.”
“She should not speak here!” Michael said, jerking away from his allies.
“Enough,” Eli said, his voice calm and even. “Nina’s fate is affected. She is allowed an argument,” he said, looking to me. “Your thoughts have been considered. That will be all.”
For the first time, I didn’t feel Eli’s bias. I nodded quickly, showing my obedience with a small step back.
“Claire….” Eli said, moving the trial forward.
“The truth is, Isaac and Donovan were working with Shax, and they were there to kill Nina, in effect to kill Jared,” she said in her no-nonsense way. “Eli, it was going to be Donovan or Nina. Isaac or Jared. If you ask me, the best man won.”
Her words stung Michael, but he didn’t argue.
Eli’s eyes scanned the looming angels behind Michael. “Do any of your supporters wish to enter opinion?”
Michael shook his head. “It is my claim.”
“And what exactly is your claim?” Bex asked.
Michael’s eyes narrowed, staring directly at Jared’s younger brother. “That he murdered my son.”
Claire took a step forward. “Your son murdered Nina’s father.”
When recognition hit that Claire was speaking of my father, my knees buckled, and Jared tightened his grip to keep me on my feet.
“W-What?” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Jared leaned into my cheek, his nose grazing my ear. “Donovan shot your father. Isaac was with him.”
My eyes widened, focusing on Michael. “You want to blame Gabe and Jared? You come here, interrupt our wedding day, yell at me, accuse us of murder, and your son was an accessory to the cause of all of this?”
Michael’s dark eyes darted from me to Eli.
Eli shrugged. “She has a point.”
Michael’s jaw dropped. “Isaac did not to deserve to die. He was a good son. He accepted the curse and honored his duties.”
“Michael,” Samuel said in his deep, firm voice.
Michael stepped toward Eli. “Gabriel’s son should be punished! He allowed his Taleh to kill my son! Rebecca’s son!”
Eli looked to the ground in thought. “Rebecca was unhappy with Isaac’s choices, was she not?”
Michael’s eyes flickered to each of us. “I demand Jared be punished for taking Isaac’s life.”
Samuel spoke again. “Michael….”
“Jared should be killed, and leave his Taleh to the savages,” Michael said, pointing to Jared.
“Michael…” Samuel repeated, this time with a low growl.
“An eye for an eye, Eli! I demand it!” Michael said, his fists balled at his sides.
“MICHAEL!” Samuel boomed. The earth trembled when he spoke, and my hands flew to my ears.
Eli watched the interaction between Samuel and Michael for a moment, and then spoke. “Okay. All right. I’ve heard enough from each side. Only one argument remains.”
We all looked to one another, wondering who was left.
“My apologies,” a warm voice spoke. It was a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time. A voice from my childhood.
Jared’s hand was still in mine, and the moment the voice could be heard, his hand went limp. “Dad?” he said.
I turned, seeing Gabe Ryel at the top of the chapel’s rock steps. He looked exactly as I remembered him: tall, his blond hair and piercing, ice-blue eyes glowing even from several feet away. A flash broke from the crowd and up the steps, and in the next moment, Claire was in her father’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She pressed her cheek against his chest, whispering something I couldn’t understand. Gabe bowed his head, spoke something back, and then he kissed his daughter’s forehead. They descended the stairs together, and approached Bex.
Gabe offered a small smile to his youngest son, who fell against him with a clap.
My mouth fell open, and I immediately searched Jared’s face for a reaction. There was none.
Gabe’s expression turned remorseful. “I’m sorry for your son, Michael. You and I are in unique positions…to know love for a child. You and I agree that if we could change the outcome, we would make it so.”
Eli reached out to Gabe. “It’s important to remember that it is in the height of adversary that we must come together. Michael, you’ve lost your son. Your widow has now lost her husband and her son. It is unfortunate.”
Michael bowed his head.
Gabe approached Michael, pulling him into his arms. “We need you on our side, Brother.”
Michael shrugged out of his grasp.
“Eli?” Michael pleaded.
Eli offered a small, comforting smile. “You already know the answer.”
Michael shot an accusing glare at Jared.
Jared’s brows pulled in. “I didn’t want Isaac to die, Michael. I swear to you, I wish it hadn’t happened.
“Very well, then.” He gestured to the cloaked angels, and they all disappeared into the darkness.
Eli clapped his hands together, lacing his fingers together. “Impeccable timing, as always, Gabriel.”
Gabe nodded. His eyes paused on me for a moment before fixing on Jared. “This isn’t your fault, Jared.”
Jared didn’t speak. His face tense, his dark eyes meeting the eyes of his father, he was paralyzed. The scene brought back memories of the moment I saw my father for the last time, and I ached for Jared. He would have to say goodbye a second time.
“Jared,” Gabe began, “it’s not your fault. You’ve done everything right.”
Jared’s head dipped slightly as he attempted a nod.
