Read Espial for Free Online Page B

exclaimed.
         “You both
are making me feel incredibly old,” laughed Rider.
         “Sorry,” I
blushed.
         “My name’s
Ace,” said the angel, extending his hand toward me.
         “Sol,” I
replied, shaking his hand.
         “Oh I know
who you are.” He turned to Rider. “They both arrived a little while ago and are
in your quarters.”
         “Thank you,
Ace,” replied Rider. “This way.” He motioned for us to follow him.
         We walked
toward one of the glass elevators and stepped in. Rider faced a monitor secured
on the inside of the elevator. A blue beam scanned his face, followed by a
short beep. The elevator then began to move upward.
         “Where are
your quarters?” I asked while surveying the lobby as it became smaller beneath
us.
         “The penthouse,”
he replied.
         “But I
assumed you were all in hiding. How could you live so close to rooftop?”          
         “We have
precautions in place to help mask our presence here.”
         “Like
what?”
         “A special
angelic task force, with protective powers and the like.”
         “Did you
just say ‘powers’?” I asked, eyes widening.
         “Yes. You
will understand shortly.”
         The
elevator came to a stop and its doors swished open. We entered an alcove with
an ornately decorated door. A solid gold doorknocker hung in the middle, shaped
like an eagle with the ring in its beak. As Rider stepped toward the door, it
opened at once and we followed him in. In his living room, I could see how
lavishly he lived. The wall facing the side of the building was made entirely
of glass windows. Now dusk, the sun setting in the distance cast a warm glow
around the room. I could see that we were on a remote island, far from
Terredome. Plush black sofas made an L-shape in the middle of the room,
surrounding a gold-trimmed glass table. On it sat figurines of various angels. Underneath
lay a crimson rug with gold trim and tassels. To the right sat the kitchen with
an open layout. The island separating the living room from the kitchen held
several bowls with assorted fruits and vegetables. Two platters sat next to the
bowls with freshly baked pastries. Sacra and Glinda both made their way toward
the kitchen. Just as Rider began to follow them, I sensed a movement to my left
and turned. There stood my mother and Luke.

CHAPTER 9
         “Mom! Luke!”
I shouted, running to them.
         They both
took me into a big hug, my mother sobbing into my hair. “I thought that was it.
I thought I lost you,” she cried.
         “I’m
alright. I’m alright.”
         They
released me and we all took a step back to look at each other. My mother had
tears streaking her cheeks, yet her eyes were wide in happiness. She clutched
her hands together and held them by her chin. Luke smiled at me, yet he looked
tired and weak. His eyes had bags and his lips were dry. His hair looked
completely matted down and he had cuts across his left cheek and neck.
         “Luke what
happened?!” I reached toward him, trying to touch his face.
         “I look
worse than I feel, Sol.” He gently removed my hand from his face. “We need to
talk. All of us. Now.”
         “Yes now is
the time,” said Rider who had appeared out of nowhere. “Please, let’s all sit
in the living space.”
         I walked
with my mother and Luke to one couch, while Sacra and Glinda came over with
food. They sat on the L-shaped portion of the couch and began munching on some
of the pastries, looking at Rider to start. Rider stood in front of one of the
large windows, facing outside while addressing us.
         “You all
know why we are here. Today’s events have demonstrated that it is now time to
take our efforts to the next level.”
         I tilted my
head, wanting him to explain further.
                “Warren
Sato’s name is an anagram for his previous