When would they be likely to attack? I asked, staring at them. At him.
After dark. The Nephilim cannot go out in daylightit burns their flesh. They sleep during the day; then the hunger rouses them and they go in search of whatever they can find. And apparently they have found Sheol.
Found it?
Sheol is guarded by the mists. They were lifted when you were brought in, and were afraid that was enough to alert the monsters.
You mean, Im to blame for letting the crazies in? I turned away from the beach.
Of course not, Sarah said in her soothing voice. Theyre not in, and they wont get in. They can storm the gates and threaten, but they cannot come in unless someone invites them. And no one would invite their own death.
Suddenly the air felt cold, almost clammy, and there was a feeling of foreboding that I couldnt shake. So much for a cheerful afterlife. What about the Fallen? They can go out in the daylight. Do they
have to be invited into a place before they can enter?
She shook her head. Thats only for the unclean.
And vampires arent unclean?
We dont use that term, Carrie spoke up. Theyre blood-eaters.
It has too many negative connotations, Sarah explained. The roles of the Fallen and the Nephilim have gotten mixed up over the years, and people have made them the stuff of nightmares. Only the Nephilim are the monsters.
Who created them? Your just and loving God?
Sarah ignored my sarcasm. God sent new angels after the Fallen, to destroy them. To make certain they werent tempted, he made it impossible for them to feel. They fell anyway, and were driven mad, and he cursed them as well, made them flesh-eaters and abominations. After that, he stopped trying.
But they cant get in, right? The Nephilim, I mean. And even if they did, theyd probably have a hard time getting to the top floor of this place, wouldnt they? I wasnt usually such a wuss, but I had a horror of cannibalism. Jeffrey Dahmer made me physically ill. I always figured Id been eaten in a previous lifetime, though the way things were going, maybe that was part of my future and not my past.
If they get in, everyone will die, Sarah said. There will be no place to hide, not even up here. She must have seen my expression, for she quickly came up with a slight, dismissive laugh that was almost believable. Almost. But youre right, theyre not going to get in. The Fallen are worried because theyve reached our borders, when they never have before. They still wont be able to break through the final barrier.
She sounded very certain. And I didnt believe it for a minute. I needed ice cream.
It was Cherry Garcia and Super Fudge Chunk, which cheered me up, at least partially. I grabbed one container and a spoon and went over to sit crosslegged on the pristine sofa next to Carries silent figure. I was half-tempted to spill some, just to add some color to the place. I gestured with the round container. Either of you want any? There are more spoons. Sharing Ben & Jerrys is a very bonding experience.
Sarah laughed. Were already bonded, Allie. The ice cream is unnecessary. You enjoy it. She took the seat opposite me. How are you and Raziel getting along?
He hates me, I said cheerfully. If I couldnt have him, I could at least enjoy annoying him.
Oh, no! Sarah said. Raziel doesnt hate anyone. At least
Trust me, he hates me. Im not too fond of him either. It wasnt exactly a lie. He thinks Im a pain in the ass.
Surely not, Sarah said.
Surely yes. And explain to me about the hive mind.
The what?
How does Raziel know what Im thinking when Im with him? How did you know I wanted lasagna and Ben & Jerrys? Does anyone have any secrets, any privacy, in this place? I knew I was sounding querulous but I couldnt stop myself.
Secrets usually cause trouble, Sarah murmured. But there is privacy. While most of us can discern what other people are thinking if we listen carefully, its more polite not to. We can pick up on your basic needs, if you want food, or would like to go for a walk, or want company. The more important things will only be accessible to Raziel. And Im afraid he doesnt have to be in your company. He knows what goes on in your mind even when hes elsewhere.
Great, I said. No wonder he doesnt like me. My thoughts have been less than charitable. And less than pure. So he knew absolutely everything. If he wanted. He was also capable of turning off the one-way radio. I allowed myself a brief flash of how Id looked in the racy underwear Jason had bought me in the hopes of rekindling our love affair. Id really looked quite luscious, but it had been too little, too late.
At least it might help to keep Raziel out of my mind.
Carrie suddenly stiffened. We need to go, she said, rising in one fluid motion, more graceful than Id ever managed.
Sarah nodded, her serene expression replaced with a worried frown, and the dank, anxious feeling that had been slithering around inside me hit with full force.
I was on my feet before I realized it. Is it time for the meeting?