Episode 19

The energy in the room was apprehensive as the rag-tag group in the back exchanged worried glances, and Alaric shifted about a bit. I pressed my energy outward so that David could feel my power. As expected, he faltered, if ever so slightly, and only showed a hint of mild pain in his face. The angels behind him began to slump and slouch. One reached for another's shoulder to steady himself. David was strong, but he needed to be reminded of who exactly he was dealing with. "Do with me? You are hilarious, David! As to the purpose of my presence here, it is not yet determined. It will, however, be whatever I wish, and I will do whatever I wish to do. Naturally, as per my usual course. You are delusional if you believe you could ever take me by force." I responded, matching his relaxed disposition but with a sneer. He had to realize at this point that I was only entertaining this conversation out of pure amusement. Soon I would be able to walk out of here, and there would be nothing that any of them could do to stop me.

Bland David did not even flinch. Not a single blink or the slightest budge. He just calmly sat before me, matching my gaze, and waited patiently. What game was this fool playing? I was somewhat taken aback by how much he did not care about his words or my responses. It was slightly unnerving. "Oh Bast," he said with a small, short sigh, "Please do not be difficult." His voice was of boredom more than reason, proving he already knew this was how things would go. "This world is nowhere near the state it was in when you left. Michael believes, and I'm sure anyone would agree, that it would be difficult for you to blend into it as it is today. You would disrupt the natural order that we have established here." He gestured with a hand motion at the space around him. "We all believe it is a good system and need not be broken or replaced."

I had to give it to him. He was bold. Too bold. In an attempt to be polite and civil, the corner of my lips curved upwards in a small, tight smile. I needed to gather as much information as possible, and it was apparent by reading the minds of those in the room that they could not provide the answers I wanted. I needed to play nice for the time being. It was the most strategic move available at this moment. "About that, David... What exactly happened here? This is nothing like what should have been after what I provided them. All of the things they could have learned and created in the time that I was gone! Where is it all, David? Please explain this to me." I blinked at him a few times innocently and plastered on my best disarming smile. I needed to know. Why?

David straightened his tie and brushed down his chest as if he were straightening out his already perfectly pressed shirt. This was his signal that he was starting to feel distressed. I knew David quite well. He was a simple and predictable creature. It was one of the very few things I appreciated about the man. He folded his hands in his lap and looked back up at me, "As I'm sure you've already sensed, the wars are over. Things were concluded after your last demise. It would be best if you came with us. Michael can explain it to you properly. In short, God created a system that was agreed upon by all on high. The decision was practically unanimous as it was more suitable for the track they wished the Earth to be on. This system was implemented seven hundred and sixty years ago, and what you see before you is the product of exactly that. There has been lasting peace on this planet since. Everything is balanced as it should be and operates at the level they require."

At this, I heard a robust Pffft sounding noise from the back. Yeah right. Some fucking peace! This guy is a total dickhead. There was no doubt it came from Alaric as his slight arrogance dripped through. He projected it so loudly it sounded surprisingly forceful inside my mind. David instantly shifted his disapproving gaze to him, and mine followed. Alaric's arms were crossed defiantly, and he even looked angry until he noticed we were observing him. Instantly, his eyes grew a little wide, but he quickly recovered. He dropped his arms to his sides and flashed us a grin.

I had never met, in all my time, an underling acting so lightly impaired in the presence of beings so much higher in vibration. Especially while the energy of those vibrations was being released. He stands there only mildly affected, while his friends, all of whom were standing with him mere moments ago, were now sitting down or leaning over the counter in the kitchen, looking slightly ill. I had to wager that maybe if he were sitting right next to David, he would appear less affected than him! It was only a bit of my power; this is true, but it was astonishing, nonetheless. He was crossbred. It didn't make much sense.

Our eyes met, and that pleasing shiver slithered down my spine as I envisioned all of the delightful ways I wanted to play with him. All the ways I would play with him if I were lent the time. I tried, and I think that I was able to hide the chill successfully. David cleared his throat, his slight impatience effectively bringing my attention back to him, "As I was saying-"

"Spare me, David. Rather, spare yourself the breath." Emotion was visible on his face for the first time since he arrived. He was offended but didn't try to speak again. "First, I will not be going with you anywhere. Second, and I stress to you this point, you are sorely mistaken if you believe you can take me anywhere I do not wish to go or get me to do anything I do not wish to do." At this, he sighed again, and I thought I saw a slight frown for a moment. "And lastly, I now intend to reconstruct what I started."

Not wanting to waste any more of his time, he stood up, and I followed his movement. He gave me a slight bow before heading toward the rear door with his entourage. Alaric, still barely affected, stepped aside as David and his lagging angels walked past; his scowl made no attempt to hide as his eyes followed them. Not one of them looked well, save for David.

Pausing at the threshold, David seemed to be momentarily battling something internally. When he finally spoke, he turned in my direction and looked into my eyes, "You know they will come, Bast. There is no changing this set path. They will not just send Michael either." Michael. That got my attention, but I didn't let it show. Michael hardly ever left to deal with things directly. I did enjoy a challenge now and then. "Once they know of what was said today, it will not even be Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel alone. They will come for you with everything they have and will not stop until you are done. This is your last chance. Come with us willingly now before any blood has been shed or stand in stubborn objection and face the consequences."

I stood there defiant and unmoving as he paused. I allowed him his silence, as he was undoubtedly waiting for me to be obedient and well-behaved. He sighed again, touched his temple, and closed his eyes. They danced around the socket a bit underneath their lids. His squad stood, recovering around him, waiting. Aww, poor David. Such an inconvenience I can be.