Between (4 page)

Michael had said to me, when I asked him how long he would be gone, “
However long will be too long,”
and that’s exactly how I felt. As I Googled party favors, thoughts of Michael and the alkins were on my mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing.

Lost in thought, I accidently entered a website. The headline read: ‘
Missing girl, Claudia Emerson. Last seen in Los Angeles, California with her boyfriend Ryan Weber.’
That’s bizarre
, I thought. A name identical to mine was on the news website, and this Claudia’s boyfriend had the same name as my ex-boyfriend; except my Ryan’s last name was Powell. What were the odds? I wondered what had happened to her. Was she kidnapped by her own boyfriend? Maybe they ran away together. Either way, her parents must have been devastated. I hoped she would be found or go back home soon, but I couldn’t help the icy chills that settled in as I wondered if this had anything to do with any demons or fallen looking for me. But, perhaps it was pure coincidence–I hoped.

As I continued to search the computer, I brushed the back of my neck. Michael had shown me where my birth mark was located. My fingers traced the Omega sign that looked like an upside down horseshoe; a birth mark given to the one with the soul of the Holy Spirit. Only a child born from one of the Royal Council, God’s first angels, would have this mark. An icy, frightful chill started to creep up again and fear over took me.

Chapter Two

Statues of the archangels Michael and Gabriel were stationed tall in the center of a fountain as if they were ice sculptures, flawless and perfect in every way. Their grand majestic wings were expanded, showing their glorious status. Michael held his sword, pointing toward the sky victoriously, and Gabriel’s arms extended outward, giving a feeling of peace and comfort.

The water from the fountain glistened like sparking diamonds as it reflected from the beaming light, giving off golden hues. It blinded Michael for a brief second as he walked toward it. He noted the rose bushes that were nearby as their fragrance awakened him, and he recalled Davin explaining how red roses symbolized love in the human world. Immediately, a warm flame ignited inside his heart at the thought of Claudia…he could sense that she was safe, but wondered how she was spending her days without him.

He rarely visited this section of Halo City and for the first time appreciated the beauty of the place. His perspective about anything and everything had gotten brighter since he’d found his true love, so that even the ugliest creature would have looked just as beautiful in his eyes.

He stood there, gazing into the water. Only the Twelve knew that the deathly crystals were hidden there, so fine and grain like that there was no way of telling the difference between the water and the crystals. But Michael knew the precise location where they were hidden. Aden had told him when he once fought alongside him.

The Twelves’ swords were made from these crystals, a gift by the Royal Council to insure the death of an angel. Without permission, Michael had used the crystals to make the beaded butterfly necklace for Claudia on her birthday. Then his gaze shifted upward to the archangels, wondering who Claudia’s father could be. Even in their perfection, they could not resist the temptation of being with mortal women. If
they
couldn’t, how could they ask it of him or any other angel? As these thoughts ran through his mind, Alexa Rose surprised him by placing her delicate thin arms around him from behind.

“
Hmmm…I wonder who it could be?” Michael asked playfully.

Alex Rose giggled inaudibly, trying not to give away her identity, but then was unable to control her laughter when Michael reached behind and tickled her.

“
It’s me, Michael,” Alexa Rose announced, twisting and turning, trying to escape his tickling hold as she continued to laugh.

Michael stopped, knelt down to her and spoke sternly. “I know it seems like all I ever say to you is never leave Crossroads, but I must remind you again.”

Alexa Rose’s blue eyes grew wild and she frowned. “I know. You told me like a thousand times,” she mumbled.

“
I’ll tell you a thousand times more if I must.”

“
I already pinkie promised. You were there when we spoke to Philip, Margaret, and Agnes. I know I’ll get in big, big trouble if I do it again. And I really don’t remember what I did or how I did it. And I don’t like it when you’re mad at me,” she pouted, crisscrossing her arms, emphasizing the word “don’t.”

Michael slid his hand down her golden hair. “Alright then. Enough is enough. I won’t remind you again,” he smiled, enjoying her pouting. “Why don’t I tell you a story? Gather your friends around and I’ll retell the story of Noah and his ark.”

Alexa Rose beamed with excitement. “I’ll be right back,” she said and quickly ran to find her friends.

As Michael waited for Alexa Rose’s return, he recalled the conversation he’d had with Philip. Though he had sided with Aden at one point in his life, Philip continued to treat him with only kindness and respect, and the truth he kept from Philip was eating at him. Guilt had consumed him and it was unbearable to look Philip in his eyes. But Philip knew Michael too well, and he knew something wasn’t right. Michael finally owned up to his guilt and told Philip almost everything; everything except the part about loving Claudia.

Michael’s thoughts were broken by the sound of laughter. Alexa and the other children gathered around him. He instructed them to sit comfortably on the grass, the grass that never grew, the grass that never needed a trim. Halo City was a place where there were neither clouds nor sun, but a light that glowed constantly. Where the day never met night, and there was no sense of time of day; everything was always and had always been perfect here.

As the children sat, they waited attentively. Michael sat on the brick that surrounded the fountain and began. “A long time ago, there was a man name Noah. He was a good man. He had a wonderful wife with many children.”

The children giggled, gasped, and smiled as Michael continued. After he finished, the children clapped and asked for more.

“
Sorry,” Davin interrupted. “It’s time for the grownups to play.”

“
Play?” Alexa Rose giggled. “Grownups don’t play.” The children joined in and laughed out loud.

“
Okay then, Michael and I are not grownups, we’re big kids,” Davin replied, making the children laugh even harder when he poked Michael on his chest.

“
Speak for yourself,” Michael said, poking him back. Then Michael effortlessly pulled Alexa Rose up in midair by her arms and squeezed her tightly. “I’ll tell you more stories later. I promised this big kid that I’d practice sword fighting with him.” Then he planted a kiss on her cheek. After he let her down, he walked beside Davin to the main corridor.

“
So, have you thought about when we should see Claudia?” Davin asked suddenly.

“
We?”

“
Yes, we. You know, like Caleb, Vivian, you, and me; the fantastic four team.”

Michael kept on walking, ignoring Davin’s question.

“
Ahhh, come on Michael, we want to see her too. Don’t be selfish,” Davin chuckled, hoping to lighten Michael up a bit.

Michael curled his lips and raised his brows. He was just about to say something when Davin spoke first. “Fine. If you win, we stay. If I win, we go too.”

“
Deal,” Michael said and took off like a lightning bolt, surprising Davin, then Davin took off after him.

“
What took you so long?” Michael teased, twirling his sword, gliding from side to side.

“
We were supposed to have a romantic walk together. How was I supposed to know you were going to take off like that?” Davin teased back, circling Michael.

“
So, you want to see Claudia?” Michael asked.

“
Not just me, but Vivian and Caleb too.” As Davin released his last word, Michael caught him off guard and struck.

Davin blocked. The two swords collided as Davin’s sword slid off, causing a loud metallic slicing sound that reverberated in the room.

“
You know you’re making a deal that is impossible?” Michael said, blocking Davin’s sword, causing Davin to coil.

“
You may be faster and stronger than me, but I’ve got some secret moves up my sleeves.” Davin flipped and landed behind Michael. Michael anticipated what Davin would do and drove his sword behind him, blocking the attack.

Michael chuckled. “I know all your secret moves, my friend.”

“
Oh, yeah? Maybe so, but you don’t know this one.” Davin stopped suddenly. With the sword still in his grip, he pointed it downward. He looked past Michael. His eyes widened, looking bewildered, as if he had seen a ghost. “Claudia? What are you doing here?”

Michael’s heart beat out of control; she wasn’t supposed to be here. Something must have happened. He turned to look for her. When there was no sign of her, he realized he had fallen for a trick. But before he could turn, Davin grabbed him from behind and held his sword across his neck. “I told you I had a secret move and yet you fell for it,” Davin chuckled. “Must not let a woman under your skin; they are the hero’s weakness.”

Michael rolled his eyes, placed his hand on Davin’s arm and peeled him off, then lay his sword down in defeat. “That was a good trick–and I fell for it! You nearly gave me a heart attack, not that I could have one. I thought something terrible had happened to her.” Energy drained out of Michael’s face like he had just been given terrible news. “I don’t know what I would do if…”

Davin felt horrible. He didn’t like seeing Michael looking fragile. He reached for Michael to give him comfort and to apologize, but as soon as his hand touched Michael’s arm, he realized his error. Davin felt Michael’s grip, and instantly knew he was in trouble. Michael flipped Davin over, causing Davin to fall flat on his back. Even before he hit the ground, Michael’s sword had contacted Davin’s chest. “And that, my friend, is an even better trick.” He chuckled out loud in triumph.

When Davin realized what had happened, his face grew warm. “I have to admit, you are quicker than I thought. That was a better trick.”

With a huge smile, Michael gave Davin his hand and helped him up. “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.”

“
Yah, yah, yah! But we still get to go–I won first,” Davin reminded.

“
But I won last,” Michael challenged and took off again, having Davin chase after him.

They came to an abrupt halt when they realized the door to the main hall was closed. Having the door closed meant one thing; the Twelve were holding a meeting and the alkins were not invited. Davin gave a mischievous smile and placed his ear on the door. “I hear Philip’s voice.”

“
What are you doing?” Michael asked worriedly.

“
Doing what I do best?”

“
Being a dummy?”

“
That’s right,” Davin said at first, and then realized too late that he’d misheard Michael’s words as he attempted to hear Philip and Michael at the same time. “No…very funny. You know what I mean. You called me peeping Tom once.”

“
You mean several times.”

“
Shhh!”

“
What are they saying?” Michael whispered urgently.

“
I’m not sure. These thick doors are sound proof; something about Alexa Rose. How she let the demons out.” Davin paused. “Jeremiah is saying that Alexa Rose should be punished.”

Michael felt furious and placed his ear on the door. He would find away to prevent that from ever happening. He didn’t know what the punishment would be; he didn’t care, he didn’t want that for her.

“
Why don’t you just use your supersonic ears and tune into their conversation?” Davin whispered.

“
I can’t. They’ll pick up on it right away. When such powers are utilized, they can sense it.”

“
Then, forget what I said,” Davin said as they continued to listen intently.

“
She is only a child. You need not worry. Philip cleared her memory. She does not know how to release herself from Crossroads,” Margaret conveyed.

“
You should have made her forget that she is a gate keeper too,” Samuel fumed.

“
The poor child has no idea what that means. Please take note, we will keep her safe and guard her here,” Philip promised.