Prologue

Michael, dressed to the nines as always in a silver suit and black tie with matching black shoes, stepped into the small hall where a dozen other angels stood or sat around a great table of black walnut gilded in gold. Gabriella caught his eye. He had been working with Gabriella for hundreds of years now. He had been among the first angels sent down as an Observer, his only job to record the doings of a female named Foogla. That was literally how she pronounced it. She had been a daughter of Adam and Eve. Things had been pretty dull in those days. There weren’t a lot of people to watch, and not much of interest happened until Cain came along.

Once fratricide was introduced into the world, things changed quickly. Many Observers were promoted to Influencers, Michael among them. Influencers needed Organizers. Organizers needed Overseers. And so on and so on and so on. Michael was the Chief of Archangels, which put him indirectly in charge of all angels on the planet. When it came to overseeing special projects like the Nexuses or major conflicts, Michael was always involved. Otherwise, he spent time training the other Archangels and Overseers. The body of Overseers was also known as the Twelve.

Momentarily after Michael entered the room, the Twelve took their seats around a long table. Michael sat at the head. Most of the Overseers were not directly involved with the Nexus situation. They had other duties around the world. Millions of angels were Observing, Influencing, and Organizing. The Overseers—the Twelve—kept everything running smoothly.

Michael wanted their help in forming a strategy. It was a risky move, bringing all of The Twelve together on the mortal plane, but it was necessary to demonstrate exactly what was happening surrounding the potential Nexuses. Some things didn’t transmit or translate well on the immortal plane, particularly the sensation mortals experience in their natural minds or bodies.

But to cross into the mortal plane meant danger. Angels and demons could not be injured on the immortal plane. But even the strongest of the archangels, like Michael, and the greatest of the demons and the Fallen, like Lucifer, could die on Earth. Fortunately, they normally couldn’t even see each other here. Not unless the Horn of Gabriel or Joshua’s Trumpet blew near them. The other side had its useful instruments, too, David’s Harp being the most feared among them.

“Let’s come to order,” Michael said. “We want to keep this as short as possible.”

Though the Twelve were seated, Michael remained standing. “Right to the point then. We’re losing the battle for the Nexus. There were two possibilities: Jade Seymour and Marcia Dawson. Both of them have been far more influenced by the other side than us. Consequently, Marcia is almost impossible for our Observers and Influencers to reach. Jade grows hazier but is not outside our sphere. The enemy’s influence is growing on both. We need a plan.”

Not to Michael’s surprise, Gabriella spoke first. Her normally perfect silver locks were styled but hastily done. Her skin looked tight and pale with faint hints of purple rings under her eyes.

“Michael, I fear Marcia may be too far gone. She may be lost to us.”

This statement caught the attention of the rest of the Twelve, and several of them turned to her. Gabriella did not flinch at their stares as she continued to speak.

“Jade went to Marcia’s residence the same day we lost visibility on Marcia. Even inside the home, Marcia’s aura grew so dark our Observers couldn’t tell exactly what happened, but they heard enough. They sensed enough. I do not believe Marcia can be redeemed.”

“That’s a strong statement,” one of the Twelve named Matthew remarked, “and it flies in the face of much of what we do. Our goal is not just to keep the people who are already making good choices from falling into temptation but to help those who are lost find their way back on the right path. What’s the point if we declare someone who could be the Nexus a lost cause?”

“I concur,” Helena offered. She sat next to Matthew. Her golden hair and white irises gave her an ethereal look Michael had often found both enchanting and strange. “We have helped many find redemption after losing their way. Why should Marcia be any different?”

“It’s dangerous,” Gabriella countered. “She is the Nexus.”

“She is a possible Nexus,” Michael reminded. “We have yet to untangle the two. We have yet to see a witness from either of them.”