The Angel of Milan Read Online Free Page A

for sure. In the mean time, you can begin your investigation at the Duomo. The archbishop and our agent are the only persons who will be formally aware of your purpose in Milan. However, we cannot be entirely sure of anything any more. Be careful Adama.
                  If we are successful, others seeking the Atonement Lot will never be aware that it has left Milan and been placed in the hands of the Vatican. When you locate the object, you are not to hesitate in the use of deadly force to retrieve it. Adama, my son, do not leave a witness to your recovery of the Atonement Lot. If they know you have it, they will set upon you like hungry wolves. In that case, I assure you, you will never reach Rome.”
                  “I understand, your Eminence. I will proceed as you have instructed,” I responded.
         Burtuchi turned away from me, facing the wall. He took an exaggerated breath before turning back.
         “That brings me to information I am reluctant to share with you, but I must if you are to have positive results in Milan.” Burtuchi hesitated again before continuing further. I was sure he was carefully composing his next words.
                  “There is a person in Milan, Del Cielo, the likes of which you have not encountered before—a person of great influence and intellect. The full name he goes by is Victorio Del Cielo, but I am sure that is not his real name. He will surely take great interest in the Atonement Lot you are to retrieve, desiring it for himself.”
                  “Eminence, I have dealt with evil men in positions of power before. I have every confidence—” Burtuchi stopped me again with a wave of his hand.
                  “Adama, please let me continue.” He is not evil; rather, he is indifferent to the values of good and evil. His motives are difficult to discern and he cannot be influenced by events or actions in the usual sense.”
         “What are you trying to say, Eminence?” Burtuchi just stared at me, and fell silent for a long moment in thought before speaking again. 
         “Adama, I believe he is Grigori 4 .”
         “Excuse me Eminence, what did you say?” I was sure I had misheard him.
         “I said Grigori, Adama. You heard me correctly the first time.”
         Burtuchi waited for the import of the statement to fully register in my mind.
         “Do you understand what I am telling you?”
                  I found myself searching for a reasonable explanation for the cardinal’s words. Perhaps he was making an analogy. Of course that’s what it was, an analogy.              
                  “Oh, I see, Eminence, this man plays by his own set of rules, and is self-justified in those actions.”
                  “No, Adama, I suspect he is Grigori, a Watcher. Am I making myself clear?” I just stared at him. 
                  “I am not entirely sure, but I have personal reasons to believe he may be so.”
                  I was still in disbelief, and remained silent, recalling things I had studied about Grigori. An order of angels, sent to watch over mankind in antiquity before the flood. Most of them were condemned for mating with human women and having children—the Nephilim, half breeds. Their leader and those who sinned were thrown into a pit sealed by none other than the Archangel Raphael himself, and the pit was covered with a great rock until Judgment Day. Those few who had not sinned were guilty of complacency because they had not tried to intervene. Their punishment was permanent exile to the earth. No longer were they permitted access to the
    council of Heaven. Their angelic grace was replaced with regret; they were outcast, never to see the glories of Heaven again until Judgment Day, when their fate would be decided.
                  “Adama… Adama!” Burtutchi repeated