I tried to remember back, but everything was a little foggy. I recalled the coffee house and spilling my chai. I didn’t, however, remember how we’d actually arrived at the warehouse. I missed something, hit my head and lost my short-term memory. Or was something else going on?
“Guys, where are we?”
“In the Void,” Kieran said.
I appreciated him fixing my arm and everything, but Kieran was starting to annoy me with this attitude. “And what’s the Void?”
“It’s a parallel place that lies between this world and another.”
I stared at him, wondering what on earth had happened to my best friend. “What—”
“I’ll answer all your questions when we get to my house. I promise.”
You got that right. All my questions and then some, buddy!
After we walked a block, a pleasant tingle passed through my body, like I walked through a waterfall. I took one more step and we were on Sandbar Lane, the street just before my and Kieran’s neighborhood. I turned back to where I thought I’d felt the wall of shimmer, but didn’t see anything unusual—rows of houses.
Shay reached for my hand, then stopped an inch away and pulled his back.
“Don’t worry,” he said.
His small movement of withdrawal made me surprisingly sad. I wanted to hear him talk.
“So ... I noticed you had a silver sword back there, and now, you don’t. Where is it?”
He shrugged. “It’s a special sword. It only appears when I need it.”
Apparently I wasn’t going to get any reasonable answers, but that wouldn’t stop me from trying. “Why haven’t I seen you at Trinity High School? Do you go to school there?”
“No.”
“Where do you go then?”
He chuckled. “I haven’t—”
“He hasn’t attended school in decades,” Kieran interrupted. “Lots has changed, Shay.”
“Oh.” My smile faded. Decades?
Kieran lived six houses away from me, so every morning we met at the end of his driveway and walked to school together. His home was a newer, three-story monstrosity. It reminded me of a museum with its shining walls of white, both inside and out. Between his mom and the gardener, they had included splashes of bright colors here and there. A triple garage sat behind the main house, nestled in a meticulously groomed lawn. Despite its intimidating size, Kieran’s house always felt cozy and welcoming to me.
Maybe that was because his parents never hovered or asked too many questions. I had always thought their lack of presence just meant they trusted Kieran. Now I had to wonder. Apparently I didn’t know everything there was to know about my best friend.
On the other hand, every time I wanted to leave my own house I always received the twenty questions routine from my parents. They trusted Kieran. They questioned me less if they knew he was going. Fortunately, he went most places with me.
We arrived at his house, and I made myself at home. Leaving the boys behind, I kicked off my shoes in the mud room, turned down the hallway through the kitchen, and headed into the den. I plopped down on the couch near the windows overlooking the backyard and felt the tension ease from my body. Digging out my cell phone, I checked the time, but was startled by the numbers on its face. I figured it must have stopped somehow, so I turned it off then on again. Same numbers popped up: three p.m.
“How can only twenty minutes have passed since school let out?”
Shay came in the room behind me and squeezed my shoulder as he walked by. My body instantly grew warm. That had to mean something.
“Time moves differently in the Void,” he explained.
That did not explain anything, in my opinion.
“Hey, does anyone want anything to drink?” Kieran called from the kitchen.
“A diet strawberry pop, please,” I yelled. “And a serving of answers!”
I rose up and walked to the window, staring at the fountain in the large backyard. Now that Shay had told me his crazy story about being a half-angel, the fountain seemed to make a little more of a connection to the place. In its center stood a marble angel, her majestic wings extended and arms reaching toward the sky. Her stone eyes gazed into the heavens with an incredibly real expression. She looked as if she were in the midst of a conversation, maybe speaking to God.
Chapter Four
Kieran
Kieran decided Zoe could be left for a few minutes at his house. After all, it was only a second in her sense of time, and Shay would protect her if it came to that. Now he stood next to a grand staircase overlooking a small stream, fidgeting with his hands.
“Ah, Kieran,” came his mentor’s voice. “What brings you to Heaven so soon? You’re not scheduled to bring an update to the Council today. Are matters not well on Earth? Not any worse, I hope.”
“I have come to seek your guidance.”
The Archangel Michael appeared, regal as always on the top step. Dressed in a deep-blue, gauzy robe, his feet strapped in golden sandals. He descended the stairs with his magnificent gray wings extended. “I saw you and Zoe in the Void today.”
Kieran embraced his mentor, avoiding the wings. “I had to take her there,” he admitted, not meeting Michael’s eyes. He was deeply ashamed he had failed to protect Zoe. “Two low-level Knights found her.”
“Don’t fret. You haven’t let her, or us, down. Considering the sheer numbers Sammael has been unleashing on the world lately, the demons were bound to find her. It’s a miracle you two were able to hide and protect her this long. You have done well on your assignment.” He placed a reassuring hand on Kieran’s shoulder. “No one will fault you. I am proud of you, Kieran. Do you feel she is ready?”
He shrugged and ran a hand over his face. “The timing could be worse, I suppose. She turns eighteen in a little over two months, and she’ll get the Heaven’s Mark then. I think telling her now will help prepare her. It will give her time to contemplate the situation, which could only improve our position.”
Michael nodded. “I trust your judgment. I will tell the Council your decision. Anything else?”
Something about his tone bothered Kieran. He peered closely at Michael. “She will get the Heaven’s Mark, won’t she?”
Michael’s expression was predictably calm. “Let’s hope we are correct about her. Only He knows for sure.” He gave Kieran a parting smile, then disappeared.
Kieran looked around Heaven, remembering the last time he had been here. It had been on the day of Zoe’s birth, the day he’d received the assignment to protect her. The Council had assembled and asked for volunteers, and his hand had risen to the request.
What he’d seen on that day was not necessarily what anyone else saw. To him, Heaven had been like a Greek picture of Mount Olympus, complete with towering white pillars, floating pathways made of stone, all of it surrounded by a thin layer of soft, white light. The assortment of wing colors took Kieran’s breath away. And just like a human fingerprint, no two wing shades were exactly the same. The vibrant hues stood out even more, in contrast against the whiteness, and a calm serenity washed over him.
But today he saw gentle rolling hills and sharp jagged cliffs, cut by steep waterfalls. Different palettes of blues, greens, and reds splashed the landscape, and he inhaled the fragrances of multi-colored plumeria, gardenias, and jasmine. Angels wandered around, dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and lei necklaces. Somehow his version of Heaven had morphed into how Zoe imagined it.
Time in Heaven was not measured, since Angels had eternal life. Many were still as youthful as they had been when he had left for Earth, over seventeen years ago. He guessed he hadn’t changed much in that time either.
Or maybe he had. He’d had to age along with Zoe so she’d never think to question him, but that was only his outer appearance. The truth was he did feel differently in his soul now. Maybe spending his days around humans was helping him understand the depths of their emotions.
He often missed the serenity and the choir of angels
, now that he was living on Earth. He also missed knowing he was closer to the Father. But if he decided to stay in Heaven, he would miss Zoe too much. It would be worse than missing Heaven.
He’d watched her grow up, and he knew she was special—even if she turned out not to be— He shook his head to clear his mind of that thought. Over time, he’d grown to love her. It wasn’t just one thing about her. It was the sum of all the little details. Like how she included everyone. Zoe had tried to make friends with the new girl, Morgan, even though not all her classmates liked her. Or in fourth grade, when she let Cali have the Virgin Mary role in the Christmas play, even though she wanted to play the part. Or just last year when she’d organized the Student Volunteer Program, coordinated the food bank drive, and raised money for the seniors’ home in town. It was all those little factors that made her special. That’s why he loved her.
And maybe even more because of her flaws. He hadn’t realized he was “in” love with her until today, when Shay had shown up.
He understood Zoe. He would do anything for her. If it were in his power, he would find a way to be with her always. And if he could take her place in what was to come, he would.
But that wasn’t what Zoe would want. Kieran gazed at the wandering angels, unable to push away the regret he felt inside whenever he thought about what she’d have to go through. When she eventually discovered what she was prophesied to do, she wouldn’t want him to shoulder her burden. Zoe would never allow others to suffer because of her, and that was what made her Zoe.
Chapter Five
Zoe
When Kieran walked into the den and handed me my drink, I noticed he’d put on a new button-down shirt in the few seconds he had been in the kitchen. He slouched in the wingback chair in front of the fireplace, leaving Shay to sit next to me on the couch. My skin grew increasingly warm with him so close, and I leaned away, pulling my legs up under me and averting my eyes. I hoped he didn’t notice my flushed cheeks.
Slightly exasperated, I grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and formed a barrier between us. Now I was ready for the discussion. Or as ready as could be expected, anyway. I’d been pretty tolerant so far. Seriously. I could have lit into Kieran or had a breakdown at the warehouse, but hadn’t. I’d trusted him. Now it was his turn.
“So, spill.”
Shay faced me, draping his left arm over the back of the couch, and when I stole a glimpse in his direction, he smirked.
Focus, Zoe.
“Shay has already told you he’s a Nephilim,” Kieran said. “Which means he is half-human and half-angel.”
I nodded, glad for the distraction and much better at watching Kieran than I was ignoring Shay.
“I told you in the warehouse that I was assigned to watch over you.”
Finally. I leaned toward him, needing to understand. “Go on.”
“Okay. The truth is ...” He hesitated, and his cheeks turned slightly pink. “I’m an angel.”
My arms flailed. That was unexpected.
“You now know about Heaven, angels, and demons.”
I nodded, becoming aware that my jaw hung open. I snapped it shut.
“And there is a prophecy,” he continued, his eyes slightly glazed, “that has been told over the centuries. It’s so old that I don’t remember its origin, but I think it was from the fairies.”
I blinked at him, speechless, then grabbed onto the one word with which I could vaguely connect. “Wait a minute. Fairies?”
“That’s what I think.” Kieran nodded, as if all this were as normal as anything else. “You are familiar with Guardian Angels. Well, I’m yours. I’m a member of the Third Hierarchy of Angels. Archangels are members of the Second Hierarchy of Angels. Seraphs are in the First. Each level has particular gifts.”
What he described seemed incredible. And yet his face didn’t show any emotion. Shay’s expression hadn’t changed either, so this was nothing new to him.
“Huh.” I frowned, determined to understand. “If angels are real ... then the other creatures in the myths are true, too. Right? I mean, Shay said those guys in the warehouse were ... demons. So you’re suggesting there are other beings besides angels and demons.”
Kieran stood and started to pace the room. “Yes, but not all myths are true or real. Witches—”
“—are real,” Shay interrupted. “But mermaids are not.”
Kieran looked sideways at him. “Oh. Those are real.”
“No, they aren’t.”
“Yes, they are.” Kieran narrowed his eyes. “I’ve seen them. Have you been in the depths of the ocean? I didn’t know Nephilim could hold their breaths for that long.”
“What about werewolves?” I asked, attempting to diffuse the situation.
“Real,” Kieran said.
I frowned. “Come on. You’re talking crazy now.”
He stopped pacing and glared at me. “Why? Is it so hard to believe that humans are not the only ones inhabiting the earth? Many people believe in angels and demons according to whatever religion they follow.”
“Of course not. But I’d never considered there might be an entire population of mythical creatures here. Then again, myths must have come from somewhere.”
Kieran sighed and continued, “There are three Orders of Enlightens: Eternals, the Naturals, and the Ordinaries.” He held up one finger. “Angels, demons, and fairies make up the Order of Eternals, because they live forever.” Another finger joined the first. “Werewolves and Nephilim are in the Order of Naturals, since they live longer lives.” He paced toward the windowsill and then leaned against it, holding up his third finger. “Normal, everyday people are called Ordinaries.”
I’d give him points for that one. “That makes sense. Who named the Orders?”
“I’m not certain, but guessing the fairies again. Typically, Ordinaries think all angels are good, and all demons are bad,” he continued. “Over the centuries, we have discovered that generalization isn’t true. Within each Order, there may be some good elements and some bad.”
My expression must have shown something, because Kieran left the window and sat on the arm of the chair across from me. “Evil has always been around, but it’s getting more powerful all the time. More countries are going to war, human tragedies are on the rise, and unexplained natural disasters keep occurring.”
“Why?” I asked.
“The King of the Underworld, Sammael, is recruiting forces and unleashing them on the world. So now our side has to recruit as well. We need to get ready for the coming war.” I was surprised when he knelt in front of me. “If evil prevails,” he said earnestly, “the world as we know it will cease to exist. Every creature God has put on this earth—including Ordinaries—will die and their spirit will go somewhere else. Waters will dry up, the desert lands will spread, and the earth’s temperature will rise to scorching degrees. In the end, only demons will run wild. God will not intervene as He still believes in humans’ free will and thus he left it to the Council of Angels to deal with it.”
I breathed a deep sigh. My brain felt like it had been launched into overdrive. “So. You’re saying ... angels, demons, fairies, and werewolves are all real?”
He nodded.
“Okay.” I frowned. “Well, not okay, but whatever. Let’s just say I’m buying all this. I understand who Ordinaries are. Is there a way to tell if someone is an Eternal or a Natural?”
“They will have a specific mark on their body,” Kieran said. “Angels and demons have wings and a special symbol. Male angels have theirs on their upper arm while female angels get theirs on the undersides of their wrists.” He turned his body slightly away and rolled up his sleeve.
“Um, I hate to disappoint you, but you don’t have a tattoo, Kieran.”
He grinned, then cupped his hand over a spot on his bicep. I stared as a small spotlight landed on two gold, iridescent wings, opened around a kind of triangular Celtic knot, also in gold.
“What ... Kieran! Is your hand glowin
g?” I grabbed his arm and twisted it, so I could stare at his palm. A soft, white light seemed to pulse from it. I didn’t even bother to shut my mouth this time when I looked up at him. “What ...?”
He nodded, unconcerned, and put his hand back over his arm. “That’s called Angel Light. It’s the only way you can see this on an angel.”
“What’s that?” I asked, touching the triangle. “It looks familiar.”
“It’s called a Triquetra symbol.”
“Tri-ket-er-a. It’s pretty.”
“Thanks.” He grinned. “Fairies have a different kind of mark. They have either a blue or green lily. And werewolves have a paw print.”
“Why a blue or green flower?” I asked. Even I understood about the werewolf.
“The winter fairies are blue,” Shay said, “and summer fairies are green.”
Of course. I blew out a long breath. “So. Angels,” I blurted out. “Angels are real.”
Shay snickered. “Yes, we are real. Even us halfies.” He gestured toward Kieran with his chin. “Kieran, as an angel, is a protector by nature. If you know what to look for, you’ll see he looks a little different from an Ordinary.” Shay glanced at Kieran, who nodded once, then both of them looked back at me. “What do you see, anything different about him?”
What did I see? My best friend. The boy I’d always known. “Um, he’s tall, with fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. He has a great ...” I blushed then proceeded. Why not? Things were already pretty strange. “I guess model-like build.”
“Yes, now look closer at him.”
So I did, but it felt awkward, staring like that. I mean, I always saw him, I just avoided looking. This time I didn’t notice anything unusual at first, but Kieran just stared back, trying to make it easier on me.
Then, well, I thought at first it was my imagination. I checked to make sure the lights were working, because while I watched, his body began to glow. It was as if he were bathed in a soft white light. Then all of a sudden, he flickered out of sight. Poof.
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