Part 9 (2/2)

”I am going to help out Caroline and her family with the renovation works today.”

”Oh, that's awesome of you,” A.M. says, and he beams up at her. Poor boy, he is hopelessly smitten. Is it my place to tell her, so that she doesn't string him along unknowingly?

”No, it's awesome of them to let me. I love building projects.”

”Don't tell me you two will now begin slinging weird construction words across our table,” Charlotte retorts. Who else but her can come up with such a comment? I am really losing patience with her today. I've been having a short temper since my scuffle with Azrael last night.

There is a light drizzle all day, and I know it'll suck to work on the house when it is raining. I'm just about to ask Magnus if he wishes to reschedule for a day with better weather when I see the shadow pop up outside the farthest canteen window from me, and then glide away after a light flick of the wrist.

I've seen that gesture before, and know what it means.

”Excuse me guys, I'll be back in a jiffy.” I say, getting up from my seat.

”Where are you going?” Of course, nosy Charlotte.

I don't answer her for fear of what I may say, considering how she is on my last nerve. I pull my hoodie over my head as I step out into the light drizzle, and follow the angelic creature disappearing around the corner.

Chapter 14.

When I get around that corner, the creature swoops in, cradling me to himself and in a couple minutes, we are standing on the soft grounds of Rundskov Park.

A single word then escapes my mind, Epitome. Where have I heard that before? Raphael looks back at me, not bothering to help me stabilize myself as I stumble when he steps away. I look around me and note that we are alone.

”Where are the others?”

”They are out hunting.”

”Who or what are they hunting?”

”The enemy,” he answers me vaguely. Whatever! Just as long as it is not me or my loved ones.

”Is Azrael hunting the enemy too?”

”No, he and I will remain close to you as much as we can.” What he says annoys the living c.r.a.p out of me. I don't want the two angels I dislike most watching me. Why couldn't I get Ariel or Uriel, or even the twins to watch me? Definitely not ice queen Camael!

”That is why I brought you here,” he continues, ”you need to let go of your dislike for him. It is endangering our hunting missions, and making it hard for us to protect you.”

”What are you talking about? And how many times do I have to tell you I do not want your d.a.m.n protection!”

”Well, we have no choice but to protect you.”

”Why? I don't want your protection. And if for some reason my life really is in danger, I'd rather face it alone without your help!”

”We can't let you do that. Should we lose you, our home will be lost to us forever. So you have no choice in this matter.”

”What do you mean? What has your home got to do with me?”

”You are the key to our home.” I laugh at the face before me.

So... I am a key... Wow!

”And what home is that, if I may ask?”

”Heaven, paradise, peponi, valhalla. Whatever you choose to call it.”

”So you really are angels?”

”Yes we are. Angels, malach, malaika- whatever your languages choose to call us.”

”And how exactly am I a key to your home?”

”Do you see that nook over there?” He points to a place where a large oak tree's roots emerge on the other side of the pond. I nod in answer.

”That was the main portal home,” he says, his voice betraying a longing emotion I never before thought Raphael could possess.

I daren't look up at him, because I do not want to embarra.s.s him or stop him from telling me the truth. I need to understand what is going on.

”A short while ago, the seven of us were pushed out of home to this world and the portal was closed.”

”Why?”

”There has been a great tragedy.”

”What tragedy?” I ask, concerned for him, for I barely know the voice masking traces of fear speaking to me right now.

”The doors of Tartaros have been opened.”

”What is Tartaros?”

”Today's children of man don't know anything,” he says shaking his head in disappointment. ”It is where the fallen angels were imprisoned awaiting judgment day.”

”You mean fallen angels like Saturn?”

”There has never been an angel named Saturn. But yes, fallen angels like Daniel.”

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