He caught her looking at him and acknowledged her with a nod. Probably because it’s less awkward than openly shunning me, Emma thought as she nodded in return. She went to brush the dirt off her Jack-imagined suit, but of course, it looked cleaner for having touched Heaven’s clouds.
The second throne was empty. Emma held her shoulders back and tried to be as proud as those around her. It was hard to be human. The angels had a certain magnificence.
Seraph Gabriel started the proceedings and the angel audience stilled to watch. He was always a stickler for titles and conforming to the rules. Emma really wished God were here instead.
“Former Seraph Emma, you’ve been brought before this court for participating in an illegal entry into Purgatory. Once there, you enabled the pause, after which you and your accomplice proceeded to disable the timing mechanism.”
The angels standing around tittered at the outrageous allegations. There was a shuffle and a parting as Jack was dragged into the scene, wearing just his leather pants and no shoes. The angels on either side looked down their noses, as if just being near him was a torment.
Jack only had eyes for Emma. When they locked gazes he mouthed, “Promise me.”
Subtly shaking her head no, Emma let him know she would not deny him. She would never abandon him.
The next set of angels walked a very scared Claudette into the circle. Emma couldn’t help but give Gabriel a hard stare. The woman you love? Your partner? To bring her here like this is the ultimate slap in the face.
Emma was thankful she’d once run these very proceedings, sitting in the chair Seraph Gabriel now occupied. The second chair should have contained another seraph, and she wasn’t exactly sure why it was vacant.
Jack was already shouting in her defense. “No! I forced her. I tricked both Claudette and Emma. They aren’t to blame. It’s me, Gabriel, you limp asshole. Let the women go.”
Seraph Gabriel wouldn’t look at Jack, insulting the former angel by refusing to acknowledge his words.
Just then a loud peal of thunder announced Everett’s arrival. “Sorry I’m late. Looks like I missed some good stuff,” he said, surveying the circle around him. “Emma! Hello, whore. Jack, you bastard. Claudette, I sensed weakness in you last time we faced off. Gabriel, I bet your balls feel huge right now sitting in God’s chair.”
Everett wore a black silk suit that looked like pajamas. He seemed completely comfortable in his role as the new Devil.
Guess the place hasn’t started to get to him yet. Emma wanted to whip her heels at Everett, ninja style, as he leered at her. Jack was running an endless stream of curses at him and straining against the angels.
You can do this. You were a seraph. You are a seraph. Then it came to her, what she would do, and she felt peace. She nodded calmly in the midst of the chaos. The current Devil was here to transport the former Devil to Hell, obviously. She ran through the Angel Offenses law book in her head. Claudette would be stripped of her wings and demoted to a spirit, possibly a ghost on Earth. She knew Seraph Gabriel would administer the harshest possible punishments, and that meant Emma’s sentence would include becoming a ghost as well. Maybe even Hell. There was no breaking and entering tolerated in Heaven, particularly with Gabriel in charge.
Claudette was shaking as Everett settled into the second judging throne.
Calm, peaceful… Get your angel sense back. Having a panic attack wouldn’t keep the others safe, so Emma stood even prouder.
She looked at Jack’s angry face and smiled. As if he could hear her love, he raised his eyes to look at her again. “Jack, let me do my job. Trust me.” She wanted to say more but they had witnesses, so she just nodded her thanks when he stopped his cursing.
Emma turned to face the judges. Seraph Gabriel seemed pleased at the return of decorum. He spoke in an official voice. “I shall hear the truth from each party involved, starting with Claudette.”
There were no angel lawyers. They weren’t necessary. When the truth was demanded, angels would never lie. Claudette was shaking and whimpering, but the words came tumbling out of her like water from a leaky faucet.
“I felt bad for Jack in Purgatory. He’d been there so long… I wanted him to make a choice. I visited him, but he wouldn’t speak to me.” Claudette kept her eyes on her feet, which were buried in wafting clouds.
Emma watched as Gabriel’s wings tinged red with his anger. Claudette’s deception was bringing out the worst in him.
He’s harsh with her because he’s jealous. What a hypocrite.
“I knew he had feelings for Emma, so I brought her up here to help him make his decision,” Claudette continued. She looked painfully in Emma’s direction, knowing now that her choice had been a poor one.
Emma was grateful for her time with Jack — just the opportunity to know he still existed. But she couldn’t convey this to Claudette. She had to seem in control, professional.
“I pressed the pause button I received when I became Emma’s Christmas Angel because I wanted to give her more time to convince Jack.” Claudette abruptly stopped talking because she was finished outlining her sins.
Although she wanted to, Emma didn’t point out that Claudette was acting out of concern for another’s soul, which was a very angelic action. She had a plan, and she needed to stick to it.
Seraph Gabriel listed Claudette’s actions more formally. “You, Angel Claudette, admit to manipulating the blessings of a Christmas Angel to aid and abet the destruction of Purgatory and a pause button.” At least Gabriel had the decency to look a little sad as he added, “You shall be justly punished by this Court.”
He then turned to the next defendant. “Jack, former angel, former Devil, and current human, I shall hear the truth from you.” Seraph Gabriel looked more than angry. His powerful hand gripped the chair’s arm like he wished it were Jack’s neck.
Jack would be tricky, Emma realized. As a human he could lie. He was not bound by his previous stint as an angel and his experience as the Devil probably gave him extra power to fib in Heaven.
Jack smiled at each woman involved and then leveled his eyes at the thrones. “Gabriel. You can suck my dick. You’re a traitor to your lover. I actually can’t think of anything worse than you right now — even with that ball-less wonder Everett sitting next to you.”
Seraph Gabriel held up his hand to stop Jack’s words, but it would take more than a gesture now.
“I’m the Devil,” Jack raged. “That asshole is just keeping my place warm. Do you think a silly angel or a stupid vampire is any match for me? My powers of persuasion are legendary. Legendary. Neither one stood a chance. I could’ve had them both at the same damn time wearing devil horns if I wanted to. They had no will. Punishing them just makes you a big tool. A jerk. A fucknob.” Jack gave Claudette and Emma withering looks, meant to seem demeaning.
Nice try, Jack.
Gabriel looked perplexed. If Jack was telling the truth, the only correct thing to do was forgive the women and return the man to Hell. He waved in a few angels for a consultation.
Emma was grateful she had a plan. Jack was trying to warn her with his eyes, silently begging her to agree with his testimony. He hoped she remembered she could lie — she was still human.
She tried to thank him for his efforts with her smile. This would be the last time they saw each other, she knew that. She had to tell him, even if it didn’t matter. She waited until Jack looked in her eyes again. Then she said it out loud. In Heaven.
“I love you, Jack.” And her eyes filled up because his did.
The jig was up. He knew she was planning something big. She’d been too calm during this whole song and dance.
“I love you right back, Seraph Emma.” Jack’s jaw was tight as he used her most prestigious title.
An angel and a Devil had admitted their love. This was cause for much upheaval and excessive commenting among the spectators. Even Claudette stopped looking sad and nodded in approval. She was a true angel and more love in the world
only made her happy.
Everett’s snicker could barely be heard above the din. But Emma caught it and looked at his horrible face. There was rage, as usual — there might always be. He moved his hand in a suspicious way and Emma was the first to notice Jason hovering, trapped in yet another cloud coffin. He’d been a silent witness to the proceedings.
Everett’s smile was huge as he watched her die a little inside. She’d not anticipated Jason — with his beautiful, hurt face — having to witness this, her confession of love for another man and the shame of being judged in Heaven.
Damn it. Jason will never believe in good again. I’ve failed.
She took a few steps in Jason’s direction and was chained instantly. The silver handcuffs were so beautiful, they looked more like jewelry. Everett tipped an invisible hat to her, his eyes merry.
Now what she needed to do would hurt Jason as well. Emma closed her eyes in rage, envisioning all the possible ways she could kill Everett. Her calm was cracking and her hands began to shake, making the elegant chains clatter. She took a breath.
When she opened her eyes she was ready for the next part. Her testimony.
Seraph Gabriel used his deep, most intimidating voice, as if he could scare her. “Emma, former seraph and current human, I shall hear the truth from you.”
Everett jumped in. “The truth shall set you free, Emma. Oh, wait — no it won’t. I feel like it’s my birthday and I’m having an orgasm.” Everett clapped his hands in delight.
Ignoring him, Emma began. “First, I would like to point out that Satan has brought a kidnapped victim to the proceedings.” Emma pointed to Jason with both her hands because they were lashed together.
“Pish. If I remember correctly, the Devil is afforded the protection of a companion any time he’s commanded to enter Heaven. That’s Jason, my pal. He’s a half-breed minion, and they’re scum.” Everett pulled Jason closer to the circle of angels.
Wings rustled as the angels scrambled away from the half-breed as if he had a contagious disease. Emma’s heart skipped at the forlorn look on Jason’s face. If her plan worked, she reminded herself, he would be okay too.
“Second, I would like to postpone proceedings until God is available to sit in the judging chair.” Emma stopped herself from motioning with her hands again. She didn’t want to call any more attention to her handcuffs.
Seraph Gabriel seemed flustered by her professional demeanor, so she knew she was doing exactly what she needed to.
Finally he answered her request. “Denied. God is handling an influx of souls from a natural disaster. The presence of Satan forces me to expedite the hearing so as to remove him from Heaven as quickly as possible.”
Emma nodded and felt her soul deflate a bit. She’d really been hoping for God. But she forged ahead.
“Okay, as you’re God’s emissary today, I’m sure He told you of His promise to give me back my wings someday. Well, today is that day. I would like my wings before I’m judged.” Emma felt everyone’s eyes on the back of her head. What she was asking was unheard of.
Gabriel was obviously torn, as Emma knew he would be. A seraph would be forced to tell the truth, but he didn’t want to grant the accused such a huge honor.
“I am unable to grant that request, as you well know,” he finally replied. “If God had promised you, you’d have your wings by now, I do believe. He’s far too busy for our petty disagreement.” Gabriel nodded and waited expectantly for her to start her testimony.
“I find your answer unsatisfying, Seraph Gabriel. Surely you aren’t submitting to your own fear of Satan’s presence. Justice must be served.” Emma stepped closer to Gabriel, daring him with her words.
“I do not fear Satan. If you want your wings back, I suggest you take a moment to pray. If God sees fit to answer, He will.” Gabriel shrugged and waited.
Emma nodded and bowed her head, but she knew she was lost. If God had wanted her to have her wings they would have emerged when she first set foot in Heaven. She tried not to think about the time she’d begged for her wings during Everett’s attack on Jason’s family. She glanced up and caught the half-breed’s eye.
Jason couldn’t speak, so he mouthed his words. “You are an angel.”
“Thanks,” Emma whispered. And she tried not to let what she was about to do kill her any more than it already was.
Dear God,
I’m sorry to interrupt you, as I know you’re doing important work right now. The only way I can save Jason, Jack, and Claudette is if I have my wings. I promise I will only do good with them, and I’m pretty sure I’ll lose them again soon anyway. I’m not sure you’re even listening to me anymore, but I can’t regret what happened with Jack. I love him. And even if I’m not to be granted this blessing, please know I am forever your servant, no matter where I dwell.
Love always,
Emma
The crowd had gone quiet, respectful of prayer — except for Everett, who kept snickering.
There was nothing. At first she just listened to the Heaven around her. It didn’t matter if she had wings or not. She intended to tell the truth.
She prepared to do so when it started from the ground — the love, the embrace. She kept her eyes closed, but she knew it would be phenomenal. God was with her, even though He was handling the whole world. He trusted her with wings. He believed in her. She knew then she would be successful, because He’d heard her after all.
The wings were beautiful, and being an angel again was glorious. She opened her eyes and saw the awe in the audience’s face. They might have doubted her, but God didn’t. And neither had Jason, despite what he’d heard. She smiled at him and heard the handcuffs clatter to the ground. No seraph would be bound in Heaven.
She turned to examine her wings. She could tell from the breadth of their extension and the pattern in the feathers that she was indeed still a seraph.
Seraph Gabriel cleared his throat and addressed her. “Seraph Emma, God has granted your request, which surprises me. Of course you know you cannot lie.”
Emma heard Jack cursing again. She nodded in Jason’s direction and released him from Satan’s coffin. The half-breed stumbled a bit, but then stood strong.
Emma addressed the court. “Pardon me if the rest of you can stand by and watch, but I can’t have an innocent soul suffering in front of me as long as I have my wings.”
Even Gabriel looked abashed.
“And yes, Seraph Gabriel, I fully intend to tell the truth.”
Emma fluttered her wings for the pure joy of it. It was magic. She turned and smiled at Jack again, and he had to smile back. Her joy was catching. She was completely confident now, for the rules were written in actual stone. She could not fail.
“I did enter Purgatory with the aid of Claudette,” Emma began. “I did enjoy the pause button, which she must have pressed. I was a party to the disabling of the timing mechanism.” She refused to leave anything out or duck her head in shame as she told the next part. “And I made love with Jack during that pause.”
Again there was a cacophony of gossip and talk. Emma stood straight. She could have left that out — it wasn’t part of the charges — but Jason deserved the truth, and Jack deserved to have someone proud to be with him. Emma didn’t have the heart to look at Jason now. He had promised her so very much.
She waited until the last of the noises had calmed. Then she continued. “Seraph Gabriel, as I’m sure you are aware, each punishment you dole out will be according to, but not exceeding the crime. Jack will be sent to Hell, and Claudette and I shall be stripped of our wings and demoted to ghosts.”
She waited as Gabriel motioned for the stone tablets to be brought to him. He was careful to check her words, and he was probably doing it slowly because he was starting to dislike her wise demeanor. However, eventually he had to agree, for it was the law.
Everett began rubbing his hands together and wiggling his eyebrows at Jack.
“And you will further note that a seraph may tak
e the punishment of the accused at any trial onto herself, if she so chooses.” Emma paused, as Gabriel looked confused.
Jack began shouting. He’d put it all together, and Emma discreetly made a fist to hold his voice. He then fell silent because he had to.
“You’ll find that in the Seraph law book if Josephine would be so kind as to bring it to you.” Emma refused to look at anyone, instead searching the clouds with her gaze.
Everett sat on the edge of his seat looking too scared to even hope he would get to have Emma all to himself.
After more slow perusal of the antique pages, Gabriel nodded. “If any seraph should want to assume the guilt of an entity, she may do so in Heavenly Court.”
Emma had seen it done once and had read that very law aloud. Of course, the infraction had been very minor — that seraph had saved his angel brother from a loss of power for three years.
“I would like to accept the punishment for Jack, Claudette, and myself.” Emma looked down so Gabriel would feel the choice was his, but of course it wasn’t.
Seraph Gabriel debated with the other angels for a moment, but Emma felt their decision before he spoke.
“Very well. You are well versed in the laws of the Court, and that’s testament to your dedication and years of service here in Heaven. The Court will adjourn briefly as I construct an acceptable sentence for Seraph Emma.” Gabriel stood and stepped behind his judging chair.
Everett began wolf-whistling, and Emma pointedly ignored him. She had but a few brief moments to set up the people she cared about.
She flew to Claudette and immediately set the tearful angel at ease. “Claudette, you did the right thing. I’m very proud of you. As a seraph, I grant you Earth privileges.” Emma bent her head and touched Claudette’s shoulders with her wings. Claudette looked confused but accepted the honor.
Emma stepped in to hug her and whispered quickly, “Jason will need safe passage back to his home, and I don’t trust anyone here but you to treat him with respect. Jack will be returned to Earth as a human, if I get my way, so transport him as well. I need you to take me from Jack and Jason’s memory. Let them live like men. Do you understand? This couldn’t be more important.” Emma looked anxiously into the pretty angel’s face.
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