Chapter: 22

The Twelve Angelic Orders/The First Choir

ILLUMINATIONS:
Those of the Third Order of Angels are of the highest physical form and maintain and accomplish the emulations of divine light and wisdom throughout the physical realms.

They appear as iridescent light and are known as Illuminations.
They are present within all physical realms.

Member of this Angelic Order

Sandalphon (Ilaniel)

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Matthew 16:26

Chris awoke to find that he was in bed. He sat up quickly, which made his head swim and his stomach start to tremble with the threat of the nausea returning. He had not slept much since the only company he had was the hurt. He had refused Nadia’s offer, but now living in the excruciating distress that ran through his entire body, he was contemplating his decision and wondering if it was the right one.

He threw his legs over the side of the bed to stand and when he did, he noticed that his side was re-bandaged. He did not remember when it was done. He had been so out of it that the only thing he could remember was the pain. At this moment, if Nadia made the offer again, he probably would take it.

Suddenly, he felt his stomach cramping and ran to the bathroom as fast as his body could carry him. Once there he dropped to his knees, his hands grabbing the cold surface of the toilet, his head leaning over the opening and threw up the yellow bile that was the only substance in his stomach since his capture by Nadia.

He stood on shakily legs, and leaned over the bathroom sink. Turning on the tap, he threw water on his face and washed the foul taste from his mouth.

Once he figured his tasks were completed, he turned to exit the bathroom, but into the bedroom. What he found there was a great surprise to say the least.

He found sitting precariously on the bed, a tray filled with food and coffee. He looked to the door and found Nadia Diaz standing leisurely by the doorway, eyeing Chris up and down.

“Christopher, it is good to see you awake. How did you sleep?”

Chris did not answer. He only glared at her and slowly staggered to the bed. He then picked up the tray and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. Moving with great effort, he carefully lowered his pain-wracked body to lie upon the bed.

“Well, if we want to be stubborn then so be it. But I warn you, it will not bode well for the sharpshooter if you persist in fighting me,” she said, a wicked smile appearing on her face.

Chris turned his head on the bed to look at her in alarm. He knew she was talking about Vin. Had they captured him? Oh, please, Lord, no. Not Vin.

Nadia saw the way Christopher looked when she mentioned the sharpshooter. She knew the value Christopher put on Tanner’s life and it was worth it to watch the power she had over him just at the mentioning of the man.

“You touch him and I’ll make sure you never live to see another day,” responded Chris in a low threatening voice.

Nadia smiled wider. That sounded like the Christopher she knew and loved.

“Well, then. You better do what I request, now shouldn’t you.”

Chris pushed his anger back down into the recesses of his soul. He knew that if he did not do what she wanted, Vin would be hurt, or worst killed. He could not live with that. He would not live with that.

Nadia saw his face change from one of anger to one of calm that she could not read. But she assumed that he was now more acceptable to her requests.

“Why don’t you go on and take a look at what I brought for you,” she suggested.

Chris grimaced in pain, as he sat up and felt the stitches pull on his side. He reached for the tray and pulled it over to closer to the bed. As soon as the tray was in reaching distance, he grabbed the cover and moved it aside to see what was underneath.

On the tray sat a plate of eggs, ham and toast. Next to it was a cup of black coffee and a small glass of orange juice, the way Nadia knew he liked it. And next to that was a prescription bottle. The same one he had refused earlier.

“See, lover. I know what you like,” purred Nadia, walking closer to the bed. “Why don’t you eat something? It will make you stronger and you’ll feel much better.”

Chris eyes did not leave the brown bottle that lay on the tray. It was his salvation and his damnation all in one. If he took it, he felt he would be betraying his friends, his brothers. If he did not take, then he felt he would be betraying Vin. What should he do? He had already decided that the pain was not something he liked, but he could live with it if he knew Vin was unharmed and alive. But, was he willing to sacrifice his freedom for Vin’s? The answer came without hesitation. Yes. He was. He would trade his soul to save Vin or any of the others in a heartbeat.

He grabbed the bottle from the tray and opened it, never taking his eyes off of Nadia. Taking two pills out, he popped them into his mouth and then quickly used the juice to wash it down.

When that was done, he then started to eat the meal in front of him, little by little, taking a taste of the eggs, ham and toast. He only ate a small portion of the feast, noting that his stomach had shrunk over the past few months; he pushed the rest away, taking care to pick up the coffee. He then sat back against the headboard of the bed, sipping it cautiously.

Nadia went to the bed and sat down next to him, gently as to not cause him any undue pain.

Chris noticed the action, and his eyes opened wide in bewilderment. He was surprised at her display of caring. He did not know what to think of it.

“I am not as evil as you think I am, Christopher,” she stated, touching his cheek softly. “Don’t you understand that I love you?”

“But you hurt people, Nadia. You are planning to hurt my friend,” retorted Chris doubtfully.

“I do it only because you give me no other choice. Admit it. We did have some good times together. Remember?”

Chris bowed his head in silence. They did have good times, but he could not remember them. He had given into Nadia’s pursuit after the death of his wife and son and was either basically too drunk or too hung over to care anymore. He was usually in one of these states on their nights out. They would hang out to all hours of the night, get stinking drunk, wake up in each other’s beds and go back to work. Buck at that time saw the change in Chris and knew it wasn’t for the better. He never trusted Nadia and when Lucien came into the picture it got worst to the point that Nadia turned traitor to the organization and Lucien was booted out. He shook his head in disbelief. And now she says she loves him. He wondered how he ever got into this situation.

“Nadia, listen. We were both lost souls at that time. I had lost my family and you had lost your brother,”

Nadia jumped up from the bed. “I don’t want to talk about that!” she exclaimed, anger showing in her brown eyes.

Chris could not understand her aversion to talk about the death of her brother. He did not know much about it. Only that she had lost her brother to a tragic accident. It had happened right before she joined Celestial. The details surrounding it were not in her file when she was finally assigned to Larabee’s team. He had just heard it about through the rumor mill and when he approached Chief Travis about it, he was told to let it drop.

Chris put the coffee cup back on the tray. “Okay, Nay. But we were both drowning our sorrows and using each other’s company to help us through. That was a long time ago. Things have changed for me.”

“But it hasn’t changed for me, Christopher. I still love you. I always have,” said Nadia sitting back down upon the bed. She then moved cat-like up the bed until she was lying next to Chris.

“Oh, Nay. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you,” said Chris, feeling the affects of the drug working in his system. He knew he should be upset, or angry or even scared, but at this moment he felt nothing.

Nadia knew the drug was working. It was not the drug that Chris had original brought with him. She had changed the pills to be more to her liking, more to make Chris pliable for her ideas and suggestions. Yes. This would work out perfectly. The only thing missing was the sharpshooter and then her plan would be complete.

“Just relax, my love. Remember the good times. Remember what we once meant to each other,” she cooed.

“Hmmm,” was all that Chris replied. His thoughts seemed too jumble and confused for him to get a handle on them. All he could think about was the sweet smell of perfume that wafted off of Nadia’s body. He dropped his head towards her neck and kissed it gently.

“Ah, that feels so good, my love. Don’t stop,” moaned Nadia, inching closer so that she could wrap her hands around his neck. She then kissed him deep and long, rubbing her body against his.

Although a warning bell was sounding wildly in his head, Chris did not fight it. He could not fight it. His mind and body seemed not to be his own. He kissed her back passionately, grabbing her around the waist, hugging her hard. The stirrings he felt encompassed his whole being and thoughts of his friends and his plans to escape faded away.

As he continued to kiss and pull desperately at Nadia’s clothes, he did not see the smile that crept to Nadia’s eyes. Yes. She had him and he was hers. Once she had Vin Tanner, then he would be completely hers and she would have the Christopher she always wanted. The bad boy, the bad element that everyone was so afraid would return.

She reached behind Chris, still clinging to him and turned out the light in the bedroom.

* * * * *

What Nadia did not know was outside the bedroom door, Devon stood, hearing the laughter and moans of lovemaking coming from the prisoner’s room. He knew Nadia was having a good time and he seethed with jealousy and anger, his mind conjuring all kinds of images of what the two were doing behind the locked door.

“Have fun, Larabee,” he thought to himself. “But I can tell you, Nadia will not be yours for long. Mr. DeCorisa will pay my price, then he gets what he wants and I get what I want.” He laughed nastily as walked away from the closed bedroom door and proceeded down the hall towards his own room.

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Chapter: 23

The Twelve Angelic Orders/The Second Choir

CELESTIALS:
The Second Order of Angels maintains the connections between Divine Thought and Wisdom and its manifestation into the physical realms.

They appear as shinning silver light. They are known as the Celestials.
Few ever appear to humans or 3rd density realms. They are present throughout all of existence.

Member of this Angelic Order:
Celestial (Astarael)

http://www.steliart.com/angelology_angelic_orders.html

“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.”

Psalm 112:4

Vin woke to the sun dawning in the darkened bedroom. He had not remembered how he had come to where he was. One minute, he was parked outside the home of one Nadia Diaz, dealing with his painful ribs and headache while sitting in his truck and the next minute a hand with a cloth was placed in his mouth and he woke here.

He found himself lying on a plush king-sized bed. The sheets and pillows were decorated in what he called “an Ezra styled bedding”, which meant it was very chic and very expensive. Well, wherever he was, it seemed that he was being lavished on.

He sat up slowly to give his head time to catch up with the rest of him and looked around. A small dresser sat in the right corner and a window with bars was on the wall to the left of him. A night table was next to the bed with a lamp, which Vin assumed was expensive just as expensive as the rest of the place. A chair resting to the left with his clothes folded neatly on it. He looked under the sheet and found that he was only dressed in his boxers and a huge stretch bandage around his ribs. It felt tight, but he knew that was the purpose.

He was about to get up, when he heard the open and a young African American woman dressed in a black pantsuit and jacket, holding a gun. The gun hung loosely at her side and Vin automatically knew that this was Nadia Diaz, one of the people who seemed to be threatening his friend.

Nadia sauntered over to stand next to the bed. Her men never failed her. They knew the consequences of doing so. She smiled wickedly at the young man who lay on the bed. He had very badly bruised ribs and the doctor had said that he must have had a very bad knock on his head as he had a slight concussion based on his examination. Nadia knew that should make him easier to handle. But of course, she did not know Vin very well.

Although Vin’s ribs were aching him fiercely and he felt pain every time he tried to breath, he still was alert enough to plan a strategy to take Nadia out before her men could arrive to help her.

While Nadia stood appraising the young man, Vin jumped up from the bed, which surprised Nadia since she did not think he had the strength considering his condition and the drugs, and grabbed her arm with the gun. They both fell back onto the bed, both wrestling for control of the gun. Although Nadia was in better strength physically than Vin, but she did not have the conviction that Vin did when it came to saving his friend’s life.

The struggled ended quickly and Nadia found herself looking down the barrel of her own gun. She slowly and cautiously backed away from threatening item, looking around to see what her advantages were.

Vin on the other hand read her body language like a book. He knew she was trying to figure a way out of her current predicament. Vin was not about to let that happen. Still holding the gun pointed directly at her with one hand and holding on to his injured ribs with the other, he moved slowly off the bed to become standing on his feet.

“Nice shorts,” said Nadia drooling over the man’s almost naked body.

“I like them,” said Vin tersely. He knew Nadia was no one to fool around with. She was a very dangerous individual, especially if she was to capture one Christopher “Archangel Michael” Larabee. “Now, why don’t cha move to the other side of the wall. Keep ya hands where I can see them,”

Nadia knew although this man was hurt and in pain, his brain was not idle. She also remembered from reports she received by her men, that he was capable of putting a bullet into her brain even under these conditions.

“Yes, sir, Mr. Tanner, sir,” she said smiling and saluting him and moving to the wall. “But I must warn you that my men are all around here. There is no escape.”

“First things, first, Miss Diaz.”

“Call me Nadia.”

“What I want to know, Miss Diaz, is where is my friend?”

“Ah, your friend. And what friend would that be, Mr. Tanner?”

“Let’s stop the games, okay, Miss Diaz. Ya hand over Larabee and I just might let ya live,” growled Vin.

If it was anyone else, they would have listened to the tone of that voice, but of course, Nadia was not anyone.

Nadia only laughed. She felt she was in no danger from this man. She could handle the strongest of them. He was no different.

“Now, now, Mr. Tanner. I would not start threatening me. Not if you want to see your friend alive,” she said in a low voice.

“Where is he?”

“Oh, he’s here, but I think your trip was all for naught. You see he wants to be here. It was his choice.”

“His choice? What the hell are ya talking ‘bout? Chris would never agree to stay here! Now where is he?”

“Very well. Since you won’t take my word for it, I’ll take you to your friend. Why don’t you put on some clothes first,” she said eyeing the chair and then returning her gaze to his boxer’s shorts.

Vin blushed, but did not loose his control over the situation. He grabbed his pants and started getting dressed by using one hand at a time and switching the gun back and forth when he needed to. Nadia leaned back against the wall, watching him. Her thoughts turning sensually as her gaze took in everything of the man. Chris and Vin. The two of them together would be a great addition to her so-called family. But what was this man’s weakness. Unlike Chris, she did not know. But she had to find out. Maybe after he saw that his friend was not inclined to leave, he would willingly stay. She then reconsidered her thought. He was too much the righteous man. It would not work. She would find another way.

Her thoughts scattered as she noticed that Vin was finally dressed.

“Now, take me to my friend,” he said motioning the gun towards the door.

“Very well. Follow me,” and she started towards the door.

“No, wait,” said Vin walking to the door himself. He then warily opened the door and peeked outside, still holding the gun on Nadia. He found the corridor empty. “Okay, but let me tell ya now. Any funny stuff and ya’ll be the first one I shoot and don’t think I won’t jest because ya a woman, understand?”

“Quite,” she responded and walked out the door, with the gun Vin held in her back. They both walked quickly and quietly down the corridor.

* * * * * *

Lucien sat in the large chair within the office of Christopher Michael Larabee. He was waiting for the others to let him know when they were ready to start thinking about a strategy concerning rescuing their friend from the clutches of Nadia Diaz.

He stared at the picture of Sarah, Adam and Michael that stood on the large oak desk. He remembered when the picture was taken. It was the day that they had bought their first house out here, when Michael was a different man, a man more in controlled of his destiny. Or was he? He was just a man like they all were, moving through time with no hint of what tomorrow may bring. Unfortunately for Michael, it only brought death, destruction and insanity.

Just then Buck Wilmington walked into the room. Lucien could tell that he was not a happy man ever since their meeting with Chief Travis. He had designated Ezra as the current man in charge and Buck did not like it all. He had also assigned them to find their missing friends without the aid of the Celestial. To Buck that was practically a death sentence for his friends. Without the extra help in tracking them down and they without their number one tracker it was left to the rest and their extra baggage Lucien.

Buck glared at Lucien. If he could, he would have thrown him to the wolves of Nadia Diaz. He still might if they did not find their friends soon. Nadia would love to get her hands on the obscured agent. She always like Chris had a big thing when it came to revenge. But they needed Lucien with them. He knew Nadia in and out. He knew her inner thoughts and dreams. He would know how to find her.

What Buck did not know was that Nadia did not want Lucien not only just for revenge. There was something more. Nadia wanted Lucien because he was one of two people who could do her the most damage. Lucien went into hiding because he feared the consequences of his action. He went into hiding because he held information, information that was damaging to Nadia if it fell in the wrong hands. It would not only cost her the ties she had forged in her business, but her life.

“Well, Bucklin. Did you and your bunch of ragtag misfits find the whereabouts of my brother, yet?” asked Lucien sarcastically.

Buck was almost at his breaking point with Lucien. He had kept his cool because the others told him it would not help Chris and Vin. But his patience with the man was waning. Lucien had not offered anything to assist them in their search as he had agreed to do when they first informed him of the suspected kidnapping of Chris Larabee by one Nadia Diaz.

Lucien knew that Buck was frustrated with him. It was going as he had planned. He wanted to throw the agent off guard so as to make him sloppy. Sloppy to the point where he would do something stupid that would give Lucien the opportunity to escape. But not to escape Nadia, no, that would be too easy. He would escape and find his brother and his friend his own way.

Buck stood there, breathing fire at the man. He could not believe that this was Chris’ brother. But he knew he could not believe otherwise. But boy, did the man get on his last nerve. “No! And don’t forget that your brother thinks very highly of his team!”

“No saying for my brother’s bad taste,” commented Lucien smiling.

At that moment, the others walked into the office. Lucien did not know it, but it saved his life.

Buck turned to Ezra and said, “This guy just sits there! Why are we bothering with him?”

“Because Mr. Wilmington, he has very personal knowledge of Nadia Diaz and it will be an asset in locating our absconded two compatriots,” answered Ezra walking over to Chris desk and seating behind it.

“Well, great leader, why don’t you tell us how we’re going to do that if this son-of-bitch doesn’t tell us anything!”

Ezra of course ignored Buck’s raving and turned to Lucien.

“Mr. Caymen. I would say you need to cooperate or I will have my friend Buck here eviscerate your face. Of course, it will be very painful, but the things we do for friendship,” said Ezra leaning back in Chris’ chair and wrapping his hands behind his head.

At first Lucien looked at the gambler with eyes of doubt, but then he saw the gleam of anger in the calm man’s eyes. He knew Ezra would do what he threatened to do.

“Very well. Nadia hangs out at the Twenty-One Club frequently.”

“Isn’t that DeCorsia’s place?” questioned Nathan.

“Yes, brother. It is. The devil incarnate is housed there,” put in Josiah.

“But that place is guarded like a fortress!” exclaimed JD.

“So it is, child,” said Ezra thoughtfully. “But I am sure that our ex-compatriot here has devised a plan to breach this formable fortification.”

“I had a plan, yes,” responded Lucien. “Had, that is. Michael and his friend Vin Tanner have changed that. It is no longer a workable plan. Marco and Nadia are not stupid, no matter what else you might think of them. They will be alert for any rescue attempts from the agency or us. He will make it more secure against intrusion and my plan called for him to be unawares and unguarded.”

“Your plan was to get back at Nadia,” stated Nathan understanding now why Lucien would have a plan in the first place.

“That is correct, Healer. But Nadia did not know I was here. In fact, none of you did, until now. Now she has Michael and probably the knowledge that I am here. As soon as she is done with my brother and your friend, she will be after me.”

“Yes,” said Ezra, his green eyes lighting up like emeralds. “She would, wouldn’t she?”

“Uh, oh. I think Ezra has a plan,” said Josiah noticing the look on Ezra’s face.

“I most certainly do, Mr. Sanchez. It’s not original, but I think it could work.”

“And what would that be, Ez?” queried Buck. If Ezra had a plan then it was probably a good one.

“We have something Nadia wants,” stated Ezra, his eyes turning full upon Lucien.

Lucien saw the look and started to rise from his chair. “Oh, no! You’ve can’t be serious!”

Buck and Josiah forced the man back into the chair. “Oh, but I think he is, brother. He’s very serious.”

“She’ll kill me!” yelled Lucien hoping one of them would see his way of it.

“She might,” said Buck laughingly. For once he had something to stress out Lucien.

“She won’t,” put in Nathan. “We just want to use you as bait.”

“Bait, the man says! And you’re a doctor!”

“Yes. I am. But I am also Chris and Vin friend foremost. Those two have saved my ass more times than I can count.”

“Don’t worry, brother. We’ll protect you,” added Josiah, smiling.

“Are we really gon’na do this, Buck?” asked JD.

“Yep, son. We are,” replied Buck.

Lucien sighed. He was not going to win this argument. These men had already made of their minds. Then an idea came to him. Maybe he could make this work for him. If he got close enough to Nadia, he could save his brother and his friend and take care of Nadia once and for all. But the plan had to have some contingencies.

“Very well, gentlemen. Let us say I go along with your plan,”

“You got no choice,” came Buck’s statement, but Lucien ignored him.

“Let us say,” he said eyeing Buck angrily. “That I go along with your plan. There need to be certain contingencies. I do not risk my life fool heartedly like some people I know.”

Ezra was willing to listen. “And what are these contingencies, sir?”

Lucien started to explain to him of the contingencies he wanted added to the plan.

They all sat listening, hoping that Lucien’s plan would work and not only save their friends, but Lucien as well.

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Chapter: 24

The Twelve Angelic Orders/The Third Choir

ANGELS OF THE COSMOS:
Govern All The Cosmos:

The third Choir Angelic Orders (the Dominions, Virtues and the Powers) concern themselves with the governing of a specific planet, as well as those angels assigned tasks below them. These angels flow in an intensity of power. They also carry out the orders they get from the Angels of the above Choirs. Third Choir angels deal with the cosmos and its interconnectedness.

The Virtues

Quote from Dionysius the
Areopagite text:

"The name of the holy Virtues signifies a certain powerful and unshakable virility welling forth into all their Godlike energies; not being weak and feeble for any reception of the divine Illuminations granted to it; mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God; never falling away from the Divine Life through its own weakness, but ascending unwaveringly to the super essential Virtue which is the Source of virtue: fashioning itself, as far as it may, in virtue; perfectly turned towards the Source of virtue, and flowing forth providentially to those below it, abundantly filling them with virtue."

Some Members of this Angelic Order:

Chamuel
Uriel
Gabriel
Michael

^“The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”

Luke 1:19

When Vin and Nadia reached the room that was to have held Chris Larabee, they found it darkened. There was only one light lit, that came from the opening of the bathroom.

Vin pushed Nadia inside, checking the hall to see if it was clear and then closing it silently behind them. As his eyes adjusted to the darken interior, he saw the figure of a man, lying upon the bed, curled up into a fetus ball. He knew Chris was not well and figured that the withdrawals were becoming frequent and furious now.

“Chris?” he called softly, but received no response. He motioned Nadia to sit in the chair on the other side of the room. “Make sure your hands are kept in front so I can see them.”

Nadia sighed, but did as she was asked.

Vin stepped closer to the bed and touched his friend with his free hand, gently trying to shake him awake. “Chris, ya need ta wake up. It’s me Vin. I’ve come ta get ya out of here.”

At first there was no movement, but then slowly Chris started to move and turned to face the person who had called his name. “Vin? What are you doing here?”

Vin smiled. “What cha think idiot? I’m here ta rescue ya.”

Chris finally came fully awoke and sat up in the bed.

“Here, let’s get some light in here,” said Vin walking over to the light switch by the door and turning the lights on.

The bright glare blinded Chris with pain. “Ow!” he exclaimed, putting his hand in front of his eyes.

“Chris? What’s wrong?” asked Vin concerned.

“Too bright,” replied Chris, pulling his legs over the side of the bed and leaning his head into his hands.

“Don’t worry. Nate’ll fix ya up real quick when he get back.” He noticed that Chris was wearing only a black shirt from the other day and his jeans.

“Come on. Get dressed. I don’t know how long we got before those men of hers start searchin’” he said hurriedly, pointing his weapon at Nadia.

Chris pushed his hand through his blond frizzled hair and raised his eyes to look at his friend.

Vin gasped at what he saw. Chris irises were tiny pinpoints in a sea of bloodshot and Vin knew the reason why he was so light sensitive. Drugs. Chris was using again.

“Damn, Larabee! What the hell have ya been doin’?”

Chris fogged mind barely registered the anger in the tone of his friend’s voice. “What’s your problem? Keep it down. There are little men digging for gold in my head.”

“Ya don’t get it, do ya? Ya can’t keep takin’ this stuff. It’s gon’na kill ya!”

“Listen, Vin. I ain’t going.”

Vin had felt the floor drop from underneath him. “What do ya mean ya ain’t goin’?”

Chris stood up, anger in his eyes and in his mind. “What? Are you deaf?” he yelled. “I said I ain’t going. Not leaving! Get it!”

Vin stared at him in concern. This man was not the Chris Larabee he knew. This man was a stranger.

Chris knew what Vin was thinking. He thought that Chris had let the drugs control him. But the drugs had worn off a while ago. All he had right now was a bad hangover. What was controlling Chris was fear. Fear that Nadia would do the same thing that he had done to him to Vin and he could not live with that. He was saving Vin from a fate he thought was worst than death.

“Vin,” said Chris approaching the young man. As he did, Vin backed up a step and Chris felt his heart drop into his stomach. Vin was afraid of him. This is what things had come to. “Vin, please,” he pleaded, not moving any closer to him. “I need you to get out of here. You understand? I don’t want your help or the others. I’m…I’m happy where I am. Tell Travis it was fun while it lasted.” He then walked over to stand side by side with Nadia.

Vin’s mind could not comprehend what his eyes were telling him. Could Larabee be turning traitor? He could not believe it. He refused to believe it. It was the drugs. He was sick. That was it. He was sick and did not know what he was doing.

“Chris, I don’t have time for this. We need ta move, now!”

“No,” came Chris’ simple reply, as he wrapped an arm around the waist of Nadia and pulled her close.

“Chris, ya can’t mean this?”

“I can and I do. Go now, Vin, while you still have the chance,” he said turning to look at Nadia. Chris knew she would be the only thing that would prevent the tracker from leaving.

Suddenly, there was shouting in the corridor outside. Nadia’s men were searching for her and their lost prey.

“Go on!” yelled Chris, keeping his face passive and unreadable.

“Yes, Vin,” piped up Nadia. “You better leave before they get here. My men…Well, they can be a little aggressive when someone invades their territory.” She smiled wickedly at him, knowing that she had the upper hand at the moment.

Vin opened the door and took a quick look outside the corridor. No one was around. He said before leaving, “I’ll be back for ya, Chris. Ya just hang on, ya here?”

“Quid me nutrit me destruit,” replied Chris. “Get going.” He walked back over to the bed and lay upon it turning his back on his best friend and brother.

Vin did not understand what Chris had said, but he knew he had to remember it when and if he got back to the others. He hoped it was a clue as why Larabee was acting the way he was. He then moved out into the corridor, closing the door softly behind him.

Once he was gone, Nadia moved to sit on the bed next to Chris, her hand slowly and lovingly caressing his back.

“You know, I could have screamed for help.”

Chris did not turn to look at her. He was feeling the guilt and shame of what he had just done. “Yeah, well, why didn’t you?”

“I have you, lover. I don’t really need the young Gabriel,” she lied.

“Yeah, you sure do have me, Nay. We have each other unto damnation,” said Chris softly.

“But you love me, Christopher. Admit it,” she cooed leaning suggestively on top of his back.

Chris spun around swiftly turning to face her. He then grabbed her none too gently by the shoulders, his eyes glazed over with anger and despair and when he spoke it was with such vehemence that Nadia felt chilled.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 'But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

“Chris, what the hell are you babbling about! Let go you’re hurting me,” complained Nadia struggling to free herself from the seemingly crazed man.

“Hurt? Pain? You know nothing of them!” he yelled pulling her even closer to him. He then said, “Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.’ That is what you have bargained for Nadia! That is what you have made me! A betrayer of friends.”

“Chris, darling, listen to me, remember I am the one that loves you. Not them. You don’t need them.”

“You don’t understand, do you? I’ve lost them! I’ve lost myself, my soul,” said Chris letting her go and covering his face with his hands.

Nadia stared at him astonished. This was a part of Archangel Michael she had never seen before. The Christopher that she remembered was a harsh and cruel taskmaster. This was not the man she loved and worshipped. But that would change.

Nadia touched him gently on the shoulder, but Chris flinched from it. She sighed tiredly and tried again. This time, Chris did not move. She said, “Chris, time heals all wounds and I have something for you.” She put her hand in the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a small vial. “This will ease your pain, my love. Please. Take it.”

Chris looked up at her. She saw the different emotions flitter across his face, first anger, then remorse and shame and finally acquiescence. He took the vial from her hands and cautiously opened it. Inside was a clear liquid. Chris sniffed it, but there was no smell.

“Go ahead, my love. Take it. Swallow it,” said Nadia soothingly.

Chris gulped it down with one swal