Trapped; Part One

When Noma had told Gabriel that the Chosen One was doubting his trust in Michael, the Archangel, had thought it too good to be true. He needed a way of testing whether what she said was to be trusted even with Furiad's surprising support of her allegations. He told her to wait, he told her that he would act soon. And act he would.

Gabriel had allowed the humans to imprison him and he'd set in motion his brother's anger, hoping that he would kill his former lover and now betrayer in a fit of murderous rage and thus, show Alex just what Michael was capable of. Then, he would approach the child and offer him a new path. But then when the time came for what should have been the scientist's death, the Chosen One had stopped his brother and so, ruined his whole plan.

Gabriel had watched the two fly from the city before he'd made his own escape and he'd used his ever increasing power to spy on Michael's mind as they'd fled. He'd been practicing this ability; the ability to see into minds without leaving any trace. And now, because Michael had spent so long denying the link they had shared, it made him even less likely to notice the invasion of his mind now. It aided him further now that Michael's mind was especially fragile and tenuous after worrying that he could have murdered one of his beloved mortals.

He'd heard fragments of their conversation that night and he realised that Alex trusted his brother more so than ever despite what had happened. He knew that Michael was leaving for the city of New Delphi. But it mattered little to Gabriel; one way or another, he knew that they would come for Noma. He also knew, that he had no chance of gaining the Chosen One's aid now. All had failed and he had but one path before him.

"You think I'm a fool?" Gabriel sneered at her, looking in on one of two occupants of the cage of empyrean steal.

Noma was slouched against the far wall, trying not to touch the metal that surrounded her as she glared back at Gabriel, stubbornly. "You didn't think I'd walk into some trap, did you?" Gabriel sneered at her, "And you, what made you turn traitor?" he turned to Furiad who also stood within the cage.

"It wasn't by choice," the Power replied, "I was meeting with her...Michael found me and threatened me."

"Hmmm," Gabriel scoffed, "You'll never see the light of day again...either of you."

"What are you doing?" Uriel frowned. She was stood across from her brother, staring at the cage.

"Dealing with traitors, sister," he answered simply, leading her from the room. "She's working for our brother...she'll lead him to us."

"For what purpose will he be lead here?"

"The child has fled Vega with Michael, he'll never turn to me," Gabriel told her once they were away from his prisoners, "Our brother has done a very thorough job."

"Are you sure that he cannot be swayed?"

"Not anymore," her brother replied, "He's Michael's Chosen One now...and they can die together for mankind."

"Gabriel..." she breathed, "Kill the child if you must but Michael..."

"I don't want this any more than you," Gabriel snapped, "But Michael has gone too far. He won't turn back."

"That's easy for you to say, you already killed our brother once." *1

"Out of necessity," Gabriel sneered angrily.

"What necessity involves killing our own brother? Killing Michael?"

"Bringing father back is all that matters!" he yelled at her, "He brought Michael back before, he'll do it again once he returns to us."

Knowing that she couldn't give herself away Uriel sighed reluctantly and met her brother's gaze. "Give Michael his follower back," she said simply.

"What?" Gabriel glared at her.

"You must try to convince the child that you are on his side, you will not do that by holding her prisoner."

"I told you, he won't be..."

"Try again," she snapped, "Have him come to you if you wish on the grounds that you will return Noma."

"And I give her back...he takes me for a fool and returns to Michael," he dismissed, "That is a terrible idea, sister."

"Give him one last chance," Uriel said kindly, "You can be very persuasive when you want to."

"Hmm," he scowled.

*1 'Legion' reference.