On a hot summers night

(AN: Henker literally means executioner, but over time it also became his name)







Hiding his eyes from the sharp sun in the wastelands, Tristan pointed straight out. ”I see it!” He turned to yell for his brother. ”I see the gates Harm!”



”Thank Heavens!” Harm panted, winching by each step, his feet swollen and bleeding in his Roman sandals.



Tristan stopped and stared mesmerised at the grand gate to Eden. ”Maybe I should.. I mean, maybe we shouldn\'t.” His voice dropped to a whisper, ashamed of himself he added, ”Arrive together.”



”Are you afraid of Æniediel?” Harm stopped and leaned heavily on his sword speared in the ground. ”Or father?”



”Both.” Tristan admitted, ”Not to mention Seraphina, or Adrian.” He smiled a little boyish, embarrassed, making Harm snort in amusement over his cowardice.



”You who were once a general in the army of morning glory, is frightened of old cherubs and women?” Harm teased his brother, swatting him with no strength left.



Tristan sighed deeply and just stared at Harm, ”I wish I could lend some of your magic, to go in there looking like I used to, and not like this.. this wretched thing.” He twisted his arm around staring at his cuts, and ashen skin. ”It used to be flawless as marble.”



”You are still beautiful.” Harm said softly.



”Sure.” Tristan sighed sarcastic, not believing his brother one bit.



Harm took a deep breath, and closed his eyes concentrating, little sparkles erupted in the air as Harm once more transitioned into the angel of death. Tristan just stood and stared at the change with a heavy heart, it was easy to believe that they could find somewhere, a place for them, where their love would not be futile, when Horatio had looked like his beloved brother. But what stood before him now, was the angel of death, and somehow Tristan understood that they might fool themselves for a little while, but in reality it just make the inevitable heartbreak harder to endure. ”Come on, lets go find Godiva and bring him home.” Tristan mumbled, turning with his gaze fastened on the ground, not able to look Harm in his eyes as he spoke so freely of what would be the end of their love, for the time being.



-*-



Godiva bit his lip staring up at the tall blond angel who he knew now was named Æeinediel. His wife Seraphina came and placed a glass of water before Godiva, ”Pray tell boy, what is your name?” Ænediel asked.



”Godiva.” Godiva said a little shaken.



Seraphina looked at her husband, before she turned to the cat hybrid, ”And your mother?”



”My mum?” Godiva involuntarily split in a grin, pretty sure what they were getting at, ”Peaches is a shapeshifter, and when my dad\'s and her genes mixed, I apparently got stuck somewhere in between, I honestly don\'t know why.”



Ænediel stared at the boy intensely, ”You have his eyes.” He said with a soft smile.



Seraphina seemed to be really uncomfortable, fidgeting her sleeve, ”You cannot stay. ” He stated, ”You must return to your own world. There is no room for you in Eden.”



Godiva frowned, not sure if she had just called him something dirty, or if she was trying to do him a favour. ”Believe me, lady, I didn\'t ask to come here.”



Æendiel pinched the bridge of his nose. ”That is not for you to decide my dear wife, we must trust the council of Seraphs to decide what should happen.”



Seraphina nodded, ”The two of you go, I will stay behind.”



Æendiel shook his head, ”You are coming with us.”



Seraphina grid her teeth but nodded. ”If you wish, my dear husband.”



-*-



Godiva was sitting in a chair overlooking the giant hall that was buzzing with hushed, exited words.



One angel, clad in blue, looking more important than the others stood up. Instantly the hall went silent, ”Are you Godiva, son of Thanatairan the fallen, and Peaches of the Willowgrove?”



\'More like peaches of the golddiggers\' Godiva thought to himself, but nodded, ”I am.” An unnamed angel cleared his throat at the uncomfortable silence that followed, and Godiva realised his slip up, ”Eh, I mean, I am he, my lord.” He said with a weak blush.



The angels at the long table nodded to eachother. ”What be your business in Eden?”



”Eh..” Godiva licked his lips, ”I was taken here by Vishnu.” When he saw the shock painted on their faces he hurriedly continued, ”It\'s not like he chose to, he was told to take me here.. I\'m not quite sure why tho... eh, my lords.”



”You came here escorted?”



”Yes, he took me through all that dessert like stuff, and then when we could see the gates he turned around and went home again.” Godiva said.



”Home?”



”To..” Godiva realised he was in trouble now, and he lowered his gaze from the Seraphic council, ”To the cities my lords.”



the same agitated buzz emerged from the halls bystanders again, until the blue clad angel silenced them again. ”You came here from the cities? What be your business at the cities?”



Godiva might be a little confused about all this Eden and cities stuff, but he was not born stupid. There was no way he was telling them that he came to see Nurreal! ”I came at my father\'s cousin Sethekiel\'s bidding.” He lied, hoping he could get away with it. ”My uncle Horatio took me there, my lords.”



”You went to the cities to see Sethekiel the fallen, and yet you left unharmed? Surely the demon who calls himself Bernhard, and his bastard son must have known of your presence.”



Godiva smiled a little timidly, ”Yes. They were the ones to arrange my escort.”



The blue clad Seraph stared intensely at Godiva, ”We will retire and decide your fate, but while we do this, you must stay somewhere.” The Seraph looked out in the halls, ”Is there anyone who will take upon them to house the son of Thanatairan the fallen?”



the halls were silent.



”I will, my lords.” A deep voice said in the back, and a dark dressed strangely feminine angel stood out, ”I will house him.”



”NO!” Seraphina suddenly cried from the side. Turning to her husband, ”Say something Ænediel!” But Ænediel was silent.



Adrian ignored his mother and stepped closer to the council. ”I am his only blood relative here, it is but logical that he stays under my roof.”



Godiva\'s eyes widened, so this was his elder brother? This was Adrian?



”Henker, are you sure of this?” The blue clad Seraph asked.



Godiva could see all sorts of snappy comebacks flash in Adrian\'s expressions, but instead he bowed to the council, ”Yes my lords, I will take this burden, for it is mine to carry.”



”Very well.” The Seraph said, looking from Adrian who still bowed before them to Godiva in the chair. ”Godiva, you are to follow the henker to his house and remain there until you are summoned by the council once more.” He turned to Adrian, ”And you Hadrianus Henker, you will be held responsible for any transgressions this one makes while he stays under your roof.” The Seraph sat down again. ”Do you both agree to this?”



”Yes.” Both Adrian and Godiva said in unison.



-*-



Adrian walked swiftly, causing the much shorter Godiva to jog next to his long strides. ”So you are my brother, huh?” Adrian said, looking at Godiva with a mixture of suspicion and interest.



”I.. am..” Godiva panted, ”Slo-slow down please.”



Adrian shook his head, his long tangled silver hair swaying, and instead he walked faster, forcing Godiva to run. ”The faster I am gone from this place, the better.”



-*-



Tristan stepped inside the giant golden gates for the first time in a lifetime. Everything was exactly like he recalled it. But hardly had he drawn a breath before he felt strong hands grab him from behind. He looked over at Harm with large surprised eyes, but his brother just looked down at the ground between his own feet.



”You are violating the laws of Eden.” The Soldier behind Tristan said, ”Once cast out, one cannot return.”



”But the gates opened.” Tristan argued, knowing too well that the gates would not open for anyone with foul intent. ”I mean no harm.”



”None the less, thus are the law.” The celestial soldier said, pushing Tristan in front of him, towards a huge white building.



Tristan looked over his shoulder at Harm as he was ushered away, but Harm didn\'t move a muscle, Tristan smiled sadly and turned his head again, almost stumbling over the cobblestone.



-*-



”This is my home.” Adrian said and pushed the huge door open, ”And for now this is yours as well, little brother.” The tall mangy looking angel tasted the words in his mouth, it sounded strange \'little brother\'.



”Thanks.” Godiva said, gingerly stepping inside, only to be met by another angel, standing staring at him in the middle of the hall.



”This is Adam, my servant.” Adrian said, ”Once he was punished for failing to follow orders in my fathers batallion, isn\'t that right, Adam?” Adrian said casually while he sauntered past the much older angel.



”It is, master Adrian.” Adam said loud and clear.



Adrian stopped behind Adam and tossed out his arms, ”His punishment was to take care of me, till the day I came of age.” He said, ”I came of age long ago, but Adam is still here.”



Godiva just stared at the two angels, ”Dad punished him?”



”Yes.” Adrian said, his expression changed from a smile to a scowl, ”Apparently one has to be punished to spend time with me.” He said with a ice cold tone.



”Damn.” Godiva admitted with a nod.



Adrian ignored it and turned to Adam, ”Adam if you please, we are hungry.”



”Of course, master Adrian.” Adam said, swiftly exiting the hall.



”Come.” Adrian said waving for Godiva to follow. ”Tell me about yourself,” He said eagerly, ”I want to know everything!”



Godiva followed meekly.



-*-



Tristan sighed as the iron door closed behind him, he stared at the cell, this was a part of Eden that few angels would ever see, yet he had seen them more than he liked to admit.



-*-



”Please Ænediel, I \'beg\' you to help him.” Harm said, desperately kneeling in front of his father\'s old friend. He clawed the dirt on the ground between his fingers, ”For me?”



Ænediel just stood and stared at the dark angel at his feet. ”I can\'t.” he just whispered.



Harm looked up at the tall angel, ”There must be a way, there has to be! The gates opened, and you know what that means!”



Ænediel sighed, ”They would argue that the gates opened to you, not to him.” He paused and placed a hand on Harm\'s head. ”They would never admit to having wrongfully punished him.”



”Answer me this; why would the gates open to the Reaper, I have no business in Eden.” Harm whispered brokenly, ”We both know they opened to him. His purpose here is just! We came for his son, we came for Godiva to take him home to earth where he belongs.”



”He seems like a gentle soul, the child Godiva.” Ænediel said.



”He is, but he is also in trouble, and way in over his head.” Harm answered, ”He has no place here, I know Thanatairan never indented to let him know any of this.” He grabbed Ænediel\'s calf, holding it tight, ”Please help me carry them both back to where they belong, this was a giant mistake.”



”I am not sure anything can be done.” Æenidiel whispered.



”Horatio.” A woman\'s voice spat behind them. ”You are not welcome here in my house.”



Harm turned his head and looked at Seraphina that stood in the door to the garden, ”I know.” He said, ”Therefore I am not in your house.”



”You are on my property.” Seraphina said flatly.



”Forgive me.” Harm said slowly standing to his feet. ”I did not mean to offend you, my lady.”



”That you are breathing still, offends me.” Seraphina said coldly.



Harm looked over at Ænediel desperately.



”I know why you are here, Horatio.” Seraphina said finally walking closer to the two other angels. ”I know he is here, and I know what they are intending to do, I also know why he is here.”



”Then help me.” Harm said softly, not taking his eyes of the female angel, ”Let me take them back to earth, safely.”



Seraphina shook her head, ”No.”



”My brother wronged you, I wronged you, but Godiva has done nothing to deserve your wrath. Seraphina.” Harm said while he stepped a little uncomfortable step closer to the female angel.



Seraphina crossed her arms over her chest. ”He sprung from his faithless loins.” she stated.



”So did your son.” Harm argued.



Seraphina frowned, ”He is no longer my son, he is the Henker.” she said bitterly.



”Adrian is still your son, whatever he does. Did you not carry him in your womb for nine months? Did you not give birth to him, and did you not love him?” Harm said so frustrated that he had to control himself not to stomp the ground.



-*-



Adrian sighed blissfully as he tossed the bone from the chicken on his plate. ”Thank you Adam, that was delicious as ever.”



”Yeah, thanks Adam, it was great!” Godiva chimed in.



Adam smiled as he started to take the plates off the table.



”Why don\'t you live in Eden with the other angels?” Godiva asked innocently, squirming a little as he saw Adrian\'s frown.



”I am the Henker.” Adrian said, standing from his seat he made his way to the fireplace and picked up a fire poker, poking the fire. ”Shunned by all righteous and true, such is my lot in life.”



”That makes no sense, man.” Godiva said, turning in his chair to look at Adrian, ”Vishnu said you were the celestial executioner or something, but if they need you to do what you do, then why exclude you?”



”Because it is a sin to take another life, unless it is to preserve your own.” Adrian whispered.



”That makes no goddamn sense.. man you angels are weird!” Godiva sighed, ”And by the way, I thought it was a sin to kill anything.”



Adrian chuckled, he liked this kid, his little brother. ”Well, you can\'t very well have angels marching off to war, and then let them be slaughtered on the battlefield. So the law is that you can rightfully kill anything that threatens your existence.”



”Who decides when you are threatened?” Godiva asked.



”Good question.” Adrian admitted, ”The Celestial council I would reckon.”



”So you kill without being threatened?” Godiva asked, he really wanted to understand, even if it sounded like rubbish.



”Yes.” Adrian said, staring off into the flames, ”Even if the victims are criminals, then I am tainted by their blood, and therefore lost my right to live in Eden.”



”I don\'t understand.” Godiva mumbled, looking at his brother who seemed oddly deflated, ”Why did you agree to doing it then?”



Adrian laughed mirthlessly and turned his head, smiling bitterly at his brother, ”A task like that is not one you choose, brother, that is something that you are chosen for, and appointed to.” He inclined his head, ”In other words, I was picked for this task, and could not refuse.”



”Wow.” Godiva whistled. ”Bummer.”



”Enough about me, tell me about you.” Adrian said a little more cheerful, ”It\'s so rare that I have visitors for pleasure.”



”Uhm.. I don\'t know where to start.” Godiva said, raking a hand through his silver hair, mirroring Adrian\'s.



”Tell me about father.” Adrian said sitting down in front of the fire, staring wide eyed up at Godiva, ”I hardly remember him.”



”I didn\'t even know he was my dad until I was like 14.” Godiva said, ”He was just some bloke that visited my mum and gave me a present and pretended to be interested in how I was doing in school and such.” Scratching in the lacquer of the table with a nail, Godiva continued, ”One day my mum was really drunk, and I guess she was especially bitter, and told me that uncle Tristan was my dad.”



”I was but a little boy when he was cast from Eden.” Adrian said, ”I remember his voice and his eyes, but that is about it.”



Godiva got off the chair and slid down on the floor, scooting over to be seated next to Adrian. ”He never told me I had a brother.” Godiva said, ”I wish I had known before.”



”I have known about you since you were born.” Adrian admitted, ”Mother was furious when she heard that father had remarried on earth, and then to top it off, with a dirty shapeshifter.” Biting his lip he quickly added, ”Sorry, I didn\'t mean that, but it was what she said.”



”I don\'t mind.” Godiva said slowly, ”But I don\'t think they were exactly married. I just think they had an affair.” He shrugged, ”But I wouldn\'t know, none of them ever tells me anything.”



Adrian\'s brows furrowed, ”I am pretty sure mother said he remarried.”



”Your mother remarried too.” Godiva stated softly.



”She did.” Adrian sighed, ”But only after she appointed me as the Henke to the council.” He looked away from Godiva and into the flames, ”Giving them me, she was granted the special favour to annul her marriage to father, and therefore be free to marry again.”



”\'she\' gave you to them?” Godiva gasped, ”And she knew what it meant?”



Adrian snorted bitterly, ”Yes she knew what my fate would be.”



”How.. How long have you lived here?” Godiva asked barely audible.



”I was appointed Adam and relocated here when I was.. uhm around sixteen.” Adrian said flatly. ”Adam was as I said supposed to care for me till I was an adult, but he chose to stay even after I came of age.”



”Maybe he likes you?” Godiva said, ”And wanted to care for you.”



”Yes, or maybe he just pities me. I wouldn\'t know.” Adrian said.



”Doesn\'t it get lonely out here?” Godiva asked, scooting closer. ”Doesn\'t anyone visit? Your mum?”



”No one comes here unless it is because I am summoned to Eden.” Adrian said sombre, the solitude evident in his voice. ”And mother, she has not spoken to me since I left her house.”



”Shit! She\'s pissed at you or something?” Godiva burst out.



”No.” Adrian said softly raising his gaze to look up at his beautifully painted ceiling. ”She is afraid I will stain her, so she let me die in her heart.”



”No offence, Adrian, but your mum sounds like a bitch.” Godiva said, rightfully irritated.



Adrian smiled genuinely. ”Aye, that she is, brother... that she is indeed.”



TBC