The Creation: Chaos Rising (6 page)

A chill ran through Nina's body. "So am I. I'm actually surprised this happened. This part of Jefferson's usually very safe."

Gabriel shrugged. "There are always a few bad apples in every barrel. Not to be forward or anything, but I think it might be best if I escorted you to wherever it is you're going; just in case those creeps are still in the area."

She searched his face for any signs of duplicity, but found only genuine concern mirrored in his eyes; that and a curious sadness. "That's fine by me. My apartment's only a few blocks away, but I'd sure appreciate the company. This whole incident's left me a bit jumpy."

The Celemor offered his arm to her. "I'd say that's all the more reason to get you someplace where you'll feel safe."

Nina gave his face another scrutiny then casually linked her free arm through his. It was like wrapping her arm around a piece of iron.

"So what is it that you do, Gabriel," she asked as they headed down
Jefferson in the direction she indicated.

"I run a small security firm in the area."

Nina's eyes widened with surprise. "Really; you mean like alarms and stuff?"

"Occasionally I do consulting work in those areas, but the majority of the time my contracts are more along the lines of personal protection and secure transportation."

"Sounds like a pretty dangerous line of work."

Gabriel's expression hardened. "Only when my clients fail to adhere to the precautions I set in place." Many were the times that subjects aware of his presence had taken advantage of their protected status, engaging in foolish activities knowing no harm would come to them. That, above all else, was the main reason the Celemor preferred to keep his presence concealed.

"I can see how that could be a problem." Nina wondered how anyone under this man's care could work up the nerve to defy him. "Well I can assure you that I'll be maintaining my position at your side until you've delivered me safely to my door." Her facetious statement produced a smile on his face. "So what's the name of your company?"

A mischievous glint lit Gabriel's eyes. "Heaven Sent Security."

Nina's left eyebrow arched upward. She hadn't pictured him as the religious type. "That's an Interesting name. How did you come up with it?"

Gabriel's smile deepened; to Nina it seemed to take on a secretive edge. "It's a long story."

"I'd like to hear it if you'd like to share it."

For a brief moment, the Celemor considered doing just that, but decided against it. "Maybe someday I will." He tried to imagine what her reaction would be when she did learn the truth. "And what about you; what do you do when you're not picking up pizzas?"

Nina laughed. "I'm a stock and real estate broker by trade, but lately I've been spending most of my time trying to get a new Recreation Center going for this area."

"That's a noble cause," Gabriel complimented her.

"And a demanding one! Had I known all the trouble opening a center would be, I might've taken the easy road and made a donation to Detroit's Youth League."

Gabriel gave her face a sidelong glance. "Somehow I don't picture you as the ‘just-make-a-donation' type."

Nina released a tired sigh. "Yeah I guess you're right. And to tell you the truth I really don't mind all the headaches. Detroit's a great city, but she's got a lot of problems. It's up to those of us who are a little more fortunate than others to do something about it."

Gabriel chuckled. "Spoken like a true Samaritan."

"Oh hush." She gave his arm a playful pinch, and nearly broke a fingernail against his bicep.
This guy must live in the gym
. "You're not much better."

He turned questioning eyes on her. "How so?"

"As a bodyguard I'm sure you spend the majority of your time putting yourself in harms way for the sake of others. If that's not a conspicuous display of selflessness, I don't know what is."

Gabriel's respect for his charge went up another notch. Weeks of observation had already shown her to be a woman of strength and character; he could now add compassion to that list. "I suppose. But I'm not as passionate about my job as you seem to be."

Nina grimaced. "Sorry. I tend to get a carried away when it comes to helping others."

"Don't apologize. It's nice to meet a genuinely good person."

Nina turned tender eyes on him, this time giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "Same here." A stab of regret pierced her heart when the Jeffersonian's front sign came into view. "I'm afraid this is my stop."

"Then I guess my job is done." Gabriel reluctantly relinquished her arm.

Nina was heartened by the fact that he too appeared disappointed that their impromptu date was coming to an end. "Thank you for walking me home and listening to me ramble on."

Gabriel laughed. "It was my pleasure, madam, and I enjoyed our conversation."

"Ah, so you're a gentleman and a good liar," she teased, drawing another smile from her new friend.

"No seriously, I did. I'm sorry we had to meet under such poor circumstances but I'm glad we did."

Sensing his attraction to her, Nina decided to throw all caution to the winds. "Maybe we can see each other again sometime,"

If Gabriel was surprised by her forwardness he didn't show it. "When did you have in mind?"

Nina couldn't suppress the girlish grin that rose to her face. "How about this Friday? You can be my guest at the rally I'm holding at the Recreation Center." She reached into her purse and fished out one of the event flyers. "Here's the address. We've got lots of activities planned, plus Tony's is providing most of the food."

"In that case, I'll definitely be there," he beamed, graciously accepting the flyer. "Until then you take care of yourself."

"And you as well."
Not bad, Nina-girl,
she mused as she watched him go.
A cutey-pie with manners and a job!

She couldn't wait to see the expressions on Tony and Maria's faces when she told them the good news. Boy would they be surprised!

Actually Nina had surprised herself. She didn't normally warm up to strangers this quickly, but there was something about Gabriel that just felt…right. Judging by his eager acceptance of her invitation, he must have felt it too. This could be turn out to be a good week after all.

Easy, Nina; you should probably wait a date or two before you start calling him your knight in shining armor.

She watched until he had completely faded from view then made her way inside.

"Good evening, Miss Delcielo," Carl greeted her as she sauntered through the apartment's reception area.

"Hello, Carl."

Carl took note of the gleam in her eyes. "You're looking pretty chipper this evening. It wouldn't have anything to do with that handsome chap that walked you home, would it? Misses Watson's going to be pleased."

Nina shot the guard an unscrupulous look. "You, my friend, spend entirely too much time in front of those monitors!"

Carl flashed an ingenuous smile. "That's my job, Ma'am."

"That and keeping up with the latest gossip," Nina told him, smiling to take the sting out her words.

Carl gave her a lascivious wink. "Only the juicy stuff."

Nina burst out laughing. "Yeah, I'll bet! Well at the moment I've got nothing…juicy to share. But if something develops, I'll be sure to let you know."

Carl tipped his hat in appreciation. "I can always count on you, Miss Delcielo. Have a good night."

"You too, Carl." She gave him a cheery wave then boarded the elevator.

*

Perched atop a nearby broadcast antenna, Gabriel's enhanced vision easily discerned Nina in her apartment going about her bedtime rituals. The Celemor didn't know if the Avon products she was lathering on her face really did all the miraculous things for skin that they claimed to, but he had to admit they added a pleasant fragrance to her natural scent.

"I see you've made plans for Friday evening," Omen's deep voice sounded in Gabriel's ears as the Overseer materialized in the air beside him. "Does this mean that our burgeoning
Harbinger has managed to unlock the iron-gate around your heart?"

Gabriel sighed. "Give me a break, O. You of all people should know that I never allow my Tasks to get personal."

"So that curious smile on your face was brought about my arrival."

Gabriel gave the Overseer a trenchant look. "Is there a reason for this visit, or do you just enjoy annoying me?"

"Causing you grief is entertaining, but in this case I am here to discuss the attack on the Harbinger." Omen shifted his hooded gaze toward Nina's now darkened apartment. "It would appear that Iblis has taken an interest in her."

"Yes it does, and given that the Disciples are involved I've decided to assume a more visible position in her protection."

A wave of surprise emanated from Omen. "That's a different approach for you."

"I know, but Azreal's restraint told me that our little sortie was just a test to see if Nina was being protected."

"Possibly," said Omen. "And depending on what Iblis's intentions are, you're next encounter with that brutish simian and his cronies may not be so benign."

"I was thinking along those same lines, which is why I need to be ready."

Omen took a moment to consider the Celemor's point. "Your reasoning is sound. I will, of course, be monitoring your progress." The Overseer accorded Gabriel a slight nod then vanished.

"Nothing like babysitting the babysitter," Gabriel muttered as he resumed his vigilance of Nina's apartment.

Chapter 9

Iblis's wings fanned slightly outward as he listened to Silas's account of his Disciple's first confrontation with Nina.

"Gabriel." He let the name roll slowly off his tongue. "The new Harbinger must be of significant importance if my brothers have assigned that dullard the Task of protection."

Silas pursed his thin lips. "Dullard or not, he is lethally efficient."

Iblis smiled, his blue eyes sparkling. "That goes without saying. The question now is: how can I take advantage of the situation."

"I'm afraid we won't know that until we ascertain how the Delcielo woman figures into the Almighty's
overall plan. Given the Archangel's coddling of her, I've a feeling she's more that just a simple Harbinger."

Iblis regarded the Morphling in thoughtful silence for a moment then folded his wings tightly against his back so he could relax into his chair. "You're right, of course, but with Gabriel alerted to my interest we'll have to use a more subtle form of scrutiny."

"Shall I assign one of the Desomors?"

A tender smile played on Iblis' lips "No, I'll handle it." He mentally projected the name
Mayhem
into the Celestial ether.

Within moments, an attractive mortal woman materialized before his desk. She was dressed in tight black leggings and a low-cut lavender blouse that amply displayed her heavy bosom. "You summoned me, my lord?" Her voice was a sensual purr, and Iblis's smile deepened.

"Yes, Mayhem; I have need of your talents in regards to a new Harbinger."

A predatory gleam appeared in Mayhem's brown eyes. "And where would you like the body displayed when I'm done?"

Iblis chuckled at the Desomor's destructive eagerness. "No where at the moment. The Harbinger's name is Nina Delcielo. I need you to discover the reason behind her sudden Emergence, and the extent of her abilities."

Mayhem cocked a questioning eyebrow. "Is that it? I was hoping for something a bit more challenging."

Iblis regarded the disappointed woman through calculating eyes. "Your wish might come true. Gabriel has been given the Task of Protection."

An excited flush darkened the Desomor's Caucasian features. "Now that's more like. I've been waiting for another chance to lock heads with that noble simpleton."

Silas released a contemptuous snort. "I think we can all agree that ‘locking heads' isn't the only thing you want to do with him."

Mayhem turned cold eyes on the Morphling. "Meaning?"

"Meaning that your peculiar obsession with that Celemor has been an issue on more than one occasion," Silas bit out. "I would expect someone of your pedigree to show a bit more professionalism."

Mayhem's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Listen, you shape-stealing maggot…"

"Silas does have a point," Iblis interrupted what promised to be a potent verbal blast. "Gabriel does have a way of driving you to distraction. For the moment, I need your surveillance to be discreet. Do you think you can manage that?"

Mayhem turned smoldering eyes on Iblis. "You needn't worry yourself, my Lord." She leaned forward and brushed an imaginary speck of lint from his immaculately pressed, white oxford." I'll shadow her every move, and neither Gabriel nor the bitch will know I'm there."

She gave Silas a final scowl then vanished.

"I will never understand why you put up with that woman's irreverence."

"The same reason I put up with your egocentricities," Iblis told the disgruntled Morphling. "You're both so entertaining."

Silas cleared his throat. "Yes well, entertainment notwithstanding, I'm still not sure assigning that volatile nymph to monitor the
Harbinger was the sensible thing to do."

Iblis gave his minion a reassuring smile. "Worry not, my friend.  Volatile or not, Mayhem is well versed in the art of discretion."

Silas strongly disagreed but made no further comment. The Desolate One's peculiar fondness for Mayhem was nearly as great as hers was for Gabriel. The Morphling just hoped that it would not prove as equally distracting.