Page 25

Early morning, we all gathered at the warehouse.

No one spoke much—the weight of what we were about to attempt hung heavy in the air, making idle conversation impossible.

Instead, we moved with quiet efficiency, checking weapons, reviewing maps, and preparing the potions that would allow us to infiltrate Elysium.

Aspen and Boise stood at the center of the warehouse, hands raised as they prepared to open the portal that would take us to the eastern gate—the same place where Ezekiel had supposedly arranged to meet me with my family, where we'd walked into a trap.

It seemed fitting that we would return there, this time with our own deception planned.

“Everyone clear on their roles?” Lacey asked, her voice steady despite the tension evident in her posture. She and Abbie moved among us, distributing small vials of the invisibility potion along with the golden elixir made from the lilies.

Murmurs of confirmation rippled through the group.

I looked around at the faces of my allies—Levi, his expression grim but determined; Farrah and Wyatt, standing shoulder to shoulder; Erin, Rey, and Rage weapons checked and ready; Kadriel, Tarek and the rest of the Lost Legion, their eyes alert for any sign of danger.

The portal shimmered into existence before us, a swirling vortex of purple energy that would take us to the edge of Elysium.

“Remember,” I said, addressing the group one final time, “stay hidden until you see my signal. No matter what happens, no matter what Rhodes does or says to me, don't reveal yourselves too early.”

“We'll be right behind you,” Lacey promised, her eyes fierce with determination.

With a deep breath, I stepped through the portal, feeling the familiar disorientation as magic pulled me across space. The others followed close behind, emerging into the same wooded clearing where we'd been ambushed just days before.

From our position among the trees, we could see the eastern gate of Elysium—a simple arch of white stone, unadorned but radiant with power. Ten angel warriors stood guard, their armor gleaming in the early morning light, their expressions alert and watchful.

“Showtime,” I murmured, straightening my shoulders.

One by one, my allies drank the elixirs. The effect was immediate and fascinating—they didn't disappear completely, but rather became like reflections on disturbed water, their outlines blurring and shifting until they were barely visible even to my enhanced angelic senses.

Levi was the last to drink his potions. Before he did, he caught my face between his hands, his eyes locked with mine. “Be careful in there,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Remember the plan, but also remember to adapt if things go sideways.”

“I will,” I promised, leaning in to press a quick, fierce kiss to his lips. “See you on the other side.”

He drank the potions and faded from view, leaving me standing alone at the edge of the clearing. I took a deep breath, then another, steeling myself for what was to come. I'd faced Rhodes before, had survived his betrayal. I could do it again.

With deliberate steps, I emerged from the trees and walked toward the gate, my hands raised to show I carried no weapons.

The angel guards reacted instantly, their swords materializing in their hands as they moved to form a barrier between me and the entrance to Elysium.

“Halt!” one commanded, his voice echoing with authority. “Identify yourself!”

“My name is Ariella,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart. “I'm here at the request of Archangel Rhodes.”

The guards exchanged glances, clearly having been warned to expect me. After a moment's hesitation, the one who had spoken nodded.

“We were told you might come,” he said, his eyes hard with suspicion. “Alone.”

I spread my arms wide, inviting their inspection. “As you can see.”

The guard studied me for a long moment, then barked an order to his companions. Two of them moved forward, roughly grasping my arms and binding my wrists with shackles that glowed with suppressive magic.

“These will prevent you from summoning your wings or using your powers,” the guard explained with cold satisfaction. “Standard procedure for traitors.”

I said nothing, allowing them to manhandle me through the gate and into Elysium. Behind me, I knew my invisible allies were slipping through as well, taking advantage of the guards' focus on me to infiltrate undetected.

The air in Elysium was as I remembered it—sweeter, cleaner, charged with the subtle energy that permeated every corner of the realm. Under different circumstances, returning after so long would have been a homecoming.

Now, it felt like walking into enemy territory.

The guards led me along a narrow path that wound around the side of a mountain, away from the main thoroughfare that led to the capital. This was a back route, less traveled and more discreet—perfect for transporting a prisoner without drawing too much attention.

But as we rounded a bend in the path, I caught a glimpse of the main road below us, and my breath caught in my throat.

It was chaos. Angels crowded the wide avenue, some in battle armor, others in civilian dress.

They seemed to be gathering for some kind of assembly or announcement, their faces turned expectantly toward the central square.

And they were divided. Even from this distance, I could see the tension rippling through the crowd.

Some angels stood tall and proud, clearly Rhodes's supporters, while others huddled in small groups, their expressions fearful and uncertain.

As I watched, a skirmish broke out between two factions, quickly quelled by warriors in silver armor.

“What's happening down there?” I asked, unable to hide my concern.

One of my escorts gave me a rough shove. “Silence, traitor. It's no concern of yours.”

But I'd seen enough to understand that the situation in Elysium was even worse than we'd feared. Rhodes hadn't just been gathering supporters—he'd been sowing discord, turning angel against angel, preparing for a complete restructuring of our society.

We continued along the mountain path, climbing higher toward the Celestial Tower that loomed against the sky.

The tower had always been a symbol of angelic authority, the place from where Adona ruled and the highest council met to make decisions that would affect all of Elysium.

Now, it seemed, Rhodes had claimed it as his base of operations.

Our passage didn't go unnoticed. As we moved through a small residential area on the mountainside, angels emerged from their homes to watch. Their reactions chilled me to the core.

“Traitor!” one shouted, his face contorted with fury. “Murderer!”

“She killed her own squadron!” another cried, the accusation slicing through me like a physical blow.

But not all were hostile. Some watched with wide, frightened eyes, quickly ducking back inside when my guards looked their way. Others whispered among themselves, their expressions doubtful or confused.

An older angel, his wings showing hints of silver that denoted his age and wisdom, stepped forward from his doorway. “Is it true?” he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. “Did you really betray us, Ariella? You were always such a devoted guardian.”

Before I could answer, one of my guards shoved the elder back. “Return to your home, citizen. Rhodes will address all concerns at the gathering this afternoon.”

The elder's face hardened. “Rhodes speaks many words, but answers few questions.”

For that bit of defiance, he received a backhand across the face that sent him staggering. I struggled against my bonds, outraged by the casual cruelty, but another guard grabbed me by the hair, yanking me forward.

“Keep moving,” he growled.

As we continued our ascent, a younger angel broke away from a small group and rushed toward me, her expression wild with grief and rage. “My brother was in your squadron!” she screamed. “He trusted you!”

My heart clenched, recognizing her as Jeremiah's sister—we'd trained together, shared meals in the academy's dining hall. Now she looked at me with pure hatred, believing I'd murdered her beloved sibling.

My guards intercepted her before she could reach me, one of them catching her around the waist while another drew his sword in warning.

“Rhodes will deal with her,” the first guard said, his voice firm but not unkind. “She'll face justice for what she's done, I promise you.”

The younger angel spat in my direction before allowing herself to be led away, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

I watched her go, a hollow ache spreading through my chest. How many others believed the lies Rhodes had spread about me?

How many families were grieving loved ones they thought I had killed?

“Shocking, isn't it?” a quiet voice murmured next to my ear—so faint I almost thought I'd imagined it. Levi, invisible but still beside me. “How easily they believe what they're told.”

I didn't respond, couldn't risk acknowledging him with my guards so close, but his presence steadied me, reminded me why we were here. Not just for my family, not just for Adona, but for all of Elysium—to free it from Rhodes's manipulation and restore the truth.

The Celestial Tower rose before us, its crystalline spires catching the morning light and refracting it into thousands of rainbow shards. Under other circumstances, it would have been breathtaking. Now, it seemed cold and forbidding, a prison rather than a beacon.

Guards flanked the massive doors, standing at rigid attention as we approached. They stepped aside at a nod from my escorts, allowing us to pass into the cavernous entry hall beyond.

Inside, the tower was eerily quiet, the usual bustle of angelic activity replaced by a tense stillness that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

My guards led me through corridors of polished white stone, past many flights of pristine white stairs, past chambers where important decisions had been made for millennia, now empty and silent.

Finally, we reached a set of ornate double doors, carved with scenes from Elysium's earliest days. Two more guards stood at attention there, and they opened the doors as we approached, revealing the vast chamber beyond.

The Celestial Audience Hall had always been impressive—a circular space with a domed ceiling that mirrored the stars above Elysium, walls of pure crystal that caught and amplified the light. But my attention wasn't on the architecture. It was on the figures waiting inside.

Rhodes stood at the far end of the room, resplendent in armor of silver and gold, his wings—usually hidden like most angels'—fully extended behind him in a display of power and authority. Beside him, Haines watched with cold satisfaction as I was marched forward.

And kneeling on the floor before them, bound with the same glowing shackles that encircled my wrists, were four figures that made my heart stop in my chest.

“Ariella,” Rhodes greeted me, his voice silky with false warmth. “How good of you to join us. I believe you know everyone here.”