Eli nodded, knowingly and patiently. “The actions leading to Isaac’s death are why we’re here, Nina. You may enter your argument in a moment. I assure you this will be a fair proceeding.”
“Then why do Jared and Claire seem so nervous?” I said, deliberately leaving Bex’s name out. “This doesn’t feel like a casual inquiry.”
“You’re right. It’s not. The charges against Jared are very serious. A life was lost. Archs are not allowed to kill humans to protect their Taleh. Half-Breeds are exempt from our rules, as they are half human and allowed free will. However, because Half-Breeds are privy to those rules, it is important that they not take advantage. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes,” I said, afraid to say my next words. Eli seemed to have unending patience, but I didn’t want to test it. “But…Jared didn’t kill Isaac.”
Michael’s body twitched, and he began to speak in a language so beautiful, I knew it was of Heaven. Eli interrupted.
“English, Michael. It’s polite.”
Michael sighed with frustration. “Why do you waste your time?” he said to Eli. “We don’t explain ourselves to them.”
“Patience,” Eli said simply. He looked to me, then. “All actions leading to Isaac’s death are in review. In this case, Jared revealing himself to you plays a part. Typically, we would trace to the beginning, and hold the individual responsible. In this case, the individual would be Jared’s father, Gabriel, for revealing himself to Lillian Van Buren. That action ultimately resulted in Isaac’s death. But, because Gabriel has already been judged for that action, the responsibility falls on Jared.”
I frowned, still confused.
Eli smiled in understanding. “Think of the Garden of Eden. Our Lord judges wrongs based on chain reactions. It is the way of things.”
“You mean he holds grudges,” I said.
“No,” Eli said with a small chuckle. “No, that is not what I mean. He considers the root of the problem when He makes a decision.”
“’The sins of the father’ type of thing?”
“It’s difficult to explain in human terms, Nina. The short answer is yes.”
Jared had made his choices, but being blamed for being the product of his parents’ love, and for me for the death of Donovan was unacceptable to me. He was my husband, after all. It was now my duty to protect him, as well. I stood tall. “What about me?”
Jared tensed. “Nina,” he chided.
I glanced at Jared, but didn’t heed his warning. “On grounds that my father made choices that could have been the cause of everything that’s happened, and the fact that I am the one who killed Isaac’s Taleh…shouldn’t I be the one on trial?”
“Yes,” Michael growled, low and frightening, through his teeth.
Eli touched my shoulder. “You are, Nina. Every choice you make. His decision for you will be later. Jared is held to a different standard, set apart from Heaven and Earth; rules for his kind that he is aware of. Now,” he smiled with kindness and maybe a bit of amusement, “if you are satisfied, we will continue.”
Knowing that even if I did come to understand, I would never agree, I nodded. The expression on Eli’s face told me that he was aware of my feelings, and he appreciated that I was willing to let him move forward.
A new level of intensity weighed on everyone—everyone but Eli, who seemed impervious. Michael’s chest heaved as he readied himself to make his case and avenge Isaac’s death. As Michael took a step forward, his small army lifted the cloaks from their faces. I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised. I expected them all to look like Michael: Dark eyes and hair. Instead they more closely resembled Claire. A few of them looked upon me with curiosity, others with disdain, but mostly they seemed to be there out of duty and not personal reasons. That logic went against why Claire and Samuel appeared so uneasy.
Eli spoke. “Michael….”
“Isaac had no choice!” he said. “He was important. He was given gifts unlike any Half-Breed. The choices of his Taleh do not justify his death!”
Eli nodded. “Jared….”
Jared showed no emotion. “The choices of our Talehs never justify our deaths, but it is the duty and curse that we must accept to be obedient.”
Michael shifted his weight. “What do you know about duty, Half-Breed?”
Blood rushed to my cheeks. “How dare you,” I seethed.
“Nina,” Jared warned.
“Your son—the one with such gifts—was also half human. I suppose since Jared doesn’t support his Taleh living a life of crime and serving a demon, he doesn’t take his duty seriously?” I said, my temper temporarily removing any thoughts of my own safety.
A deep line formed between Michael’s brow, and his eyes glistened with anger. “My son was not as fortunate as Gabe’s. He accepted his fate and made the best of it. We cannot interfere with the free will of humans. It is against His will.”
“So is serving the other side,” I grumbled.