Page 29 of Metatron
I couldn’t help a snort. “Not sure I believe that.”
“There was a time I’d have scoffed too. I’ve seen purges before. Cleansings for new beginnings happen as colonies degrade and start to act out against their shepherds. But what he wanted to do to your world? Eradicating it entirely and not even taking the suul? It’s unprecedented.”
I stared at him in thought, my mind putting pieces together. “He’s worried even the souls are tainted.”
“Perhaps he does; however, I disagree. In my view, humanity has evolved into something unique. It’s why I want to save them. Save this entire planet if possible.”
“And if you can’t?”
“I have to if I’m to protect the one thing I desire above all.”
“What’s that?” The question whispered from me.
“You.”
Chapter 9
The problem with honesty?
Sometimes it blurted out too much.
In a moment of weakness, Metatron admitted how he felt about Francesca. Why bother hiding it? It had only led to fighting and estrangement as they sought to ignore their mutual attraction. The bliss he’d experienced when they finally gave in to their desire made him regret the time they’d wasted.
She clapped and shook her head. “Wow, that’s quite the line. Bravo. I’m impressed. The Bible never mentioned angels were slick playboys.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to feed me all kinds of cheesy lines to sleep with me. You want us to have sex, then fine. We’ll fuck. I could use the release since I forgot my vibrator when I moved out of my apartment.”
“That’s rather crude.”
“It’s honest, Tron. You’re right. There is an attraction between us. And given the end of the world might be nigh, why not play around and have some fun? But at the same time, we have to remain focused on the main mission. Saving planet Earth.”
Why did one have to cancel the other? “That is still the plan.”
“Good. Then we should get back to work on it.”
With a nonchalance that irritated, she turned from him and played with the holo system on board the cantorii. Completely blasé, which was when it hit him. She pretended their coupling meant nothing.
Let her. For now. Later he’d show her why they were meant for each other.
“What are you looking at?” he asked, nearing her manipulation. He eyed the many images of a tall building from numerous angles and frowned. “Those appear to be of a singular location.”
“Zilla’s saying this penthouse is the best option to ambush the president.”
“That seems premature to decide given the surveillance just began.”
“Zilla started watching the president a while ago. Apparently, she predicted we’d want this sooner or later and so has been keeping track of the president’s schedule and location.”
It showed forethought of a level even more advanced than an ark. Or at least those he’d worked with. Having had some contact now with the very aged Atlantis, and its distinct personality and ability to make decisions, he realized Elyon had controlled the narrative—and his subjects—even more than he suspected. Did he even now assert some power over Metatron? Maybe he should go ahead and remove his HALO. But how much of a disadvantage would they have if he forfeited their only way to learn what Elyon planned? God wasn’t the kind to hide. If he chose to come after Metatron, he’d say so, if only to ensure he had time to dread.
“What is this location, and why is the cantorii suggesting it?”
Still not looking at him, Francesca replied. “Zilla says the president visits almost weekly, sometimes twice, not for too long. And she gets there via convoluted methods. There’s actually a tunnel from another building, a remnant of an abandoned subway line, that leads to this condo.” She pointed. “The elevator for the penthouse takes her straight up.”
“Who is she visiting?”
“No idea. The owner of the condo is a corporation, but if I had to guess, Madam President has a lover.”