Company of Angels 02 - The Demoness of Waking Dreams

Luciana’s room swung open.
    * * *
     
    Luciana stared at the open door.
    That’s a trap if I ever saw one, she thought. But the open door called to her. What’s the alternative? Sit here and wait for them to wear me down?
    She got up. Took a step toward the door. Then she ran as if she still had a life that depended on it. Down the length of the long, white hallway. Down the curving staircase. Through the empty lobby and out into the blazing heat of the midday sun.
    She bolted, barefoot, racing across the vast stretch of lawn, not knowing where she was headed. Yet certain that anywhere was better than that stark little room. Her lungs burned, but she did not stop running.
    Heading to the left, she ran toward the wide-open space, toward what looked to be an undeveloped area. If she could just get herself out of here. Back to Venice. Somehow, she would cut a deal with the devil. She would complete this year’s sacrifice—maybe throw in another victim just to smooth things over. She would make things right again.
    Nothing was going to keep Luciana down.
    She reached the fence, looking up at it, studying the ornamental wrought-iron spikes at the top. It was about a dozen feet high, difficult to climb under the best of circumstances. And now, exhausted as she was from this whole ordeal, it would be impossible.
    That fence stopped exactly where the lawn ended and gave way to a small stretch of sandy beach. Straight ahead lay the open ocean. But the waves were turbulent, and the beach was bordered on both sides by craggy rocks. Luciana had thought simply to slip around the end of the fence. But as she touched it, she felt a flash of pure energy that blinded her as though she’d run into an electric current. She fell to her knees, clutching her head. Between her temples, a blinding white light pulsed, combined with the most powerful pain she had ever felt.
    She screamed, a shriek that must have carried up to the heavens and down to hell. But not a soul came to aid her.
    She looked up, toward the main building.
    Where the ethereal beings who held her captive stood in a long row, looking down at her from the vantage point of a wall of glass that stretched along the second story.
    Watching.
    The Company of Angels had her penned in.
    “What was the point of that?” Brandon asked, standing with the rest of the angels at the window as they watched Luciana writhing on the ground. He started toward the door, determined to go get her. “It was just unnecessarily cruel.”
    Arielle put a hand on his arm, stopping him. “There’s no need. I’ve sent a couple of my people out to take her back to her room.”
    The Company watched as two of the Guardians went out to collect the demoness.
    “The point of that was to prove that we do, in fact, have the facilities to keep Luciana securely locked up. And to teach her that there’s no point in trying to escape,” Arielle said calmly.
    Brandon looked toward Michael, challenging. “I cannot believe you’re letting this go on.”
    “I agree,” said Michael. “That did seem unnecessary. Arielle, in future, please refrain from any needless disturbances to the detainee. Your track record is spotless. I know you understand your responsibilities in terms of safeguarding the best interests of everyone involved.”
    “Yes, of course,” Arielle said smoothly.
    “For now, this meeting is adjourned,” said Michael.
    The Company began filing out of the boardroom, the angels muttering quietly to each other about what had just happened.
    “Wait,” Brandon said, turning to Michael. “What about me? What is my role here?”
    “That is your own decision. The Chicago unit is functioning well at the present time. No problems have been reported. You may stay or go as you choose,” said Michael.
    Then he, too, turned and walked out of the room.
    Leaving Brandon staring out at the spectacular view, wondering what the hell he was going to do.
    “I need to talk to you,” said a voice behind him, startling him. “Man-to-man.”
    Brandon turned to see Julian Ascher standing there.
    “Man-to-man, I think you’ve got your head shoved up your ass,” Brandon said. “At least when it comes to Luciana.”
    “You may well be correct. So I need you to listen.”
    “Why would I do that?”
    “As Michael said, we’re all working for the same thing. The greater good of humankind.”
    “I don’t buy that for a second,” Brandon said.
    “Call it guilt, then.” Julian sighed. “There are