Between (42 page)

“
But that is so unfair!” Davin interjected.

“
Unfair for whom? You or Claudia?”

Davin didn’t reply. It wasn’t fair for both, he wanted to say, but he knew his words would make no difference.

“
Will she still be able to remember her grandmother?” Caleb asked, eyes in despair, knowing what their answer could be.

“
Yes, but we believe it is the best interest for her not to have any memories of her mother. For her mother, it will be like she never had a daughter. We’ve already taken care of her. She can make her own life that was taken from her by Lucy. Claudia will also have no memories of her friends, nor will her friends have any memories of her. Furthermore, now that her powers have fully emerged, she won’t age like humans. She’ll stay 18 for another century while the people she loves and cares for will have passed on. Would this be fair for her?

“
We also have another dilemma. Given her powers and her capability, Claudia may be able to resist us. She has the ability to resist our mind control, but she doesn’t know she can. This action will have to come from someone she trusts. It will have to be from you, Michael.”

Michael didn’t say a word. He was in shock. As his eyes flamed with rage, he was unable to look them in their eyes. His fists were tight, as his body fiercely trembled inside. He felt like he was going to explode. Building up his courage to speak his mind, he looked up. “You can lock me up for the rest of eternity or send me to Hell. I will not do it,” he said, calmly.

The room was filled with commotion as the alkins flashed a surprise look. Caleb placed his hand on Michael’s shoulder in hopes of calming his anger.

“
Erasing that much selective memory is too dangerous,” Michael continued. “Once it’s taken, you can’t give it back. Her memories may get mixed up. She may remember the first part, but not the second. I will not do that to her.”

Jeremiah started laughing out loud. “Defiant, aren’t we? The reason we forbid angels to fall in love; he is the perfect example.
You’re more concerned with her losing memories of you.”

“
Do not judge him. ‘If any one of you is without sin, then be the first to cast a stone.’ Don’t sit there and pretend you’ve never lusted for mortals or consummated your love. And Michael is right. Erasing selective memories can be dangerous,” Margaret said, looking at Katherine for moral support.

Philip, Margaret, and Agnes’ eyes filled with concern. They cared deeply for Michael and didn’t want to see him being punished. In fear of what Jeremiah would suggest, Philip thought about how he could make Michael cooperate. It would have to be something he feared the most. Though the Divine Elders had already voted for Claudia to stay on Earth instead of taking her to Royal Council, Michael didn’t know. “Michael, if you don’t do this, the only alternative we have is to send Claudia to the Royal Council. It will be your choice.”

Michael didn’t respond. He felt disgusted. Not only was it painful enough to hear this, but they were asking him to do it; it sickened him. How could he do this to her? He felt drained, so weak he thought he was going to collapse. The room started spinning and the faces of the Divine Elders became blurry.

“
The alkins will have to go back to Halo City, but Michael, I have an important assignment for you. We will discuss it later,” Katherine added.

The meeting was shortly adjourned. Michael was given one week to fulfill his order.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Michael and the alkins transported to Claudia’s front door.

“
Why are we knocking on the door instead of already being inside?”Davin asked.

“
Because the door has a purpose,” Michael replied, pushing the doorbell.

“
We never use the door before. Did Claudia say something?” Davin asked, feeling concerned.

“
No. I don’t like to surprise her, especially when there will be all four of us appearing at once.”

Davin was satisfied with the answer and turned to look at the angel statues, the watchers. They were situated along the front porch, near the rose bushes. “They are so creepy looking, especially when you know they can see and hear you.”

“
I think they are beautiful,” Caleb commented.

“
Yeah, you would,” Davin teased.

Caleb pushed Davin, sending him flying towards one of the statues.

The impact of Davin’s weight crushed the statue into several pieces. “What the heck?” Davin said in shock. Then he realized it was a real statue and not a watcher. “Look what you did. You can put it back together.”

“
Children,” Vivian said. “I can’t take you guys anywhere.”

Michael shook his head.

Caleb ignored Davin when Claudia opened the door and saw the broken angel statue. She looked at Caleb and Davin as they both pointed their fingers at each other. Vivian and Michael pointed their fingers at Caleb and Davin.

“
What’s up, Claudia?” Davin cheered. “Don’t worry, you know Caleb will fix it.” He gave a nervous smile.

Claudia beamed a warm heartfelt smile seeing all four of them wearing the red scarves she’d bought for them for Christmas. It didn’t matter what they did, she hardly ever got to see them all together. This was a surprise visit and she wanted to spend quality time with them instead of scolding them.

“
Come in.” She opened the door wider. Michael gave her a tender kiss on her forehead and walked in.

The alkins felt uncomfortable. Their visit had a purpose today and it was one that would change their course forever. They headed to Claudia’s room and sat on her bed. Michael seemed aloof and he sat away from everyone. Claudia felt something was different, but she couldn’t pin point it.

Claudia talked about her daily life, her job and friends. But when she brought up the subject of her mom, the alkins’ bodies stiffened.

Claudia was worried that her mom had been texting her only for the past several weeks and Claudia couldn’t reach her on the phone. Her friend had passed away, and Claudia couldn’t understand why there were so many urgent things her mom had to take care of.

“
I’m sure she is fine. You need not worry about her.” Michael tried to calm her worries, but he had to calm his own nerves. He hated lying to her.

“
Hmmm…no need to worry. I can feel that she is fine,” Vivian fibbed.

“
Really?” Claudia got excited. “Okay. I guess any teenager would love to have free time alone. But she’s been gone so long.”

“
It’s not like she got brain washed and moved away,” Davin snorted.

“
You’re so funny,” Claudia said, pinching his cheeks.

The alkins gave him a questioning stare. Davin raised both of his hands and shrugged his shoulders. Vivian nudged him so hard he fell off the bed. Then they all started laughing.

The day turned into twilight as the light and dark met for a brief second.

Michael nodded his head as his sign to let them know it was time to leave.

“
Well, it looks like we need to head back,” Caleb said, feeling awkward and nervous, knowing he was straight out lying to her. “We’ll see you soon.” He reached for her, holding her so tightly that Davin had to peel him off her. Caleb turned sideways, hoping Claudia wouldn’t see the tears that were threatening to fall. Davin blocked Claudia’s view of him and grabbed her, turning her at the same time.

“
Don’t you remember the slow dance you promised me?” He tried to lighten the mood and held her in a dancing position.

“
Now? In front of everyone? Will Michael approve?” She giggled, smiling at Michael.

Michael did his best to give her a genuine smile, but he was dying inside, wanting to tell her the truth. He didn’t know how he was going to find the strength. He nodded to let Claudia know that it was okay.

Davin opened his mouth and Claudia thought he was going to say something funny or sarcastic, but instead, he started to sing “How Do I Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men. As he sang he squeezed her so tightly she couldn’t breathe.

The lyrics touched her deeply. A tear drop found its way down from her teary eyes. The song was heartbreaking, yet beautiful. She would go through it all just to have them in her life because they were her sunshine after the rain. “That’s so beautiful, Davin,” she said softly, overwhelmed by emotions she didn’t want to feel, the thought of not being able to see them again.

“
A song I heard from my iPod,” he whispered.

Vivian pulled Davin off and placed her arms around Claudia’s neck. “Thank you for being a sister I never had. And thank you for being such a good person. I’ve learned so much from you. I will never forget you,” Vivian whispered as tears escaped her.

Claudia pulled away while holding Vivian’s arms. “This isn’t goodbye, right?” She looked at Michael for confirmation. “I mean. I know we killed Aliah, but I’m sure there will be more demons or some other angel looking for me, right?” Her steady heartbeat was now increasing beyond her control.

The alkins didn’t answer; they focused elsewhere, afraid she could see the truth in their eyes.

“
Why aren’t you answering me?” she asked frantically.

Michael stood between them. “Claudia, say goodbye.” His voice was monotone.

“
No! I don’t want to say goodbye. I’d rather say see you when I see you or peace out,” Claudia huffed.

Davin let out a chuckle then he felt his heart deflate. It was the saddest thing he’d ever had to do that he could think of in his angel life time. He wished he could make this easier for Michael, but he didn’t know how. He was heartbroken himself.

“
Claudia, please, say goodbye,” Michael pleaded.

“
Why? I’m going to see them soon. Right?” She looked at the alkins for an answer. “Okay…is this a joke or something because it’s not funny anymore. I want to hear it from anyone of you that I will see you soon,” she demanded.

The alkins didn’t say a word. So Claudia turned to Davin, whom she knew would spill the beans. She faced Davin, but Davin wouldn’t look her in the eyes. Then she knew. Her heart sank and she felt as if her life had been drained out of her. “Are you mad at me?” She asked so innocently the alkins started to tear up even more. Heartbroken, they had no words to give her that would comfort her, and nothing would ever be the same.

Michael drew Claudia into his arms. “Claudia. My Claudia. I will love you for eternity. There is nowhere I’d rather be than here with you. No matter what happens, know that my love is real and my heart and soul belongs to you and only you.”

Claudia gazed up into Michael’s teary eyes. “Michael, what’s wrong? Please tell me. You’re killing me. I need to know.”

It’s time
, Michael thought. The longer he dragged this out, the harder it would be for everyone, especially for Claudia. He kept repeating to himself,
better here where I can be with her then lose her to the Royal Council forever.

He cradled his hands behind her head. “Claudia, look at me.” She did as told. “You are falling asleep.”

“
Why, Michael?” Claudia asked. She could feel her body relax, but her eyes were wide awake.

Michael started to speak to her telepathically. “Claudia, when you wake up, you will have no memories of me, the alkins, your mom or your friends. You will have no memories of the life before.”

“
No, Michael. What are you doing?” Unexpectedly, Claudia was in shock that she was able to speak back to him with her mind.

“
I’m sorry. I was given an order. I need to do this to keep you here or else I’ll lose you completely. You must understand. This is not my will.”

“
Nooo…” she begged.
She couldn’t fathom why he would do this. Michael loved her; or did he truly? Was this an easy out? None of this made sense. ‘
I’ll lose you completely’
echoed in her mind. Whatever the reason he had for doing this, she felt heartbroken and betrayed. Never in her wildest dream had she imagined something like this would happen–especially by Michael– but she couldn’t give up. She loved him too much and knew that he loved her back to the depth of his soul.
“Michael, I don’t want to forget you. I don’t want to lose the memories of people I love,” she pleaded. “Pleeeassee…don’t do this to me. Don’t do this to us.”