"You," I sputtered, blood starting to boil underneath my skin. "You have got to be kidding me," laughing hysterically, the tears just started falling quickly.

"You just kicked me out of heaven! You didn’t even let me defend myself! Just completely turn my life upside down and now," I pointed at his face, baring my teeth. Ugly tears falling down my face as my chest heaved. "Now I’m just supposed to listen to you explain yourself like everything’s all hunky dory?! It’s not okay and-”

"Larcrion, I understand and I'm here to explain why I did what I did. Whether you like it or not is up to you, but there is a much bigger picture I have to think about and I'm sorry that it hurt you," Uriel explained with a sad frown. "Would you like to sit or just talk here?"

"You can talk, and I will listen, but that's all I am willing to give you," I barely breathed out, the constriction in my chest making it hard to speak.

"I understand," he bowed his head before letting out a small sigh and staring up at the sky. "I know it wasn't you that stole those items, but there was nothing I could do. There was too much against you, your essence was around the location. Which is why I would like for you to find the items and who stole them. Also why."

"Why me?”

"I don’t know why they targeted you, but I do know that I can trust you," he answered and I finally looked up at him. "Maybe the demon who lives here can help?"

I gave a small nod at that before chewing my lip, thinking things over. “Why couldn’t you tell me all this earlier? Why wait till I was here?”

"There were far too many eyes and ears that would have overheard, we don't know who did what and who we can trust," Uriel explained and I let out a small sound.

"So I'm just the fall guy," I muttered softly, shoulders sagging.

"Unfortunately. When this is all over, I will do my best to make it up to you."

"To be honest, that doesn't make me feel any better," I averted my eyes and saw Ezekiel and Loria looking through the windows on the enclosed porch.

I could tell that they were concerned for me, but Ezekiel was keeping Loria from coming out if the hand on her shoulder was saying anything.

"I understand and you have every right to feel that way, but unfortunately this is what needs to be done," he sighed heavily and offered me a smile yet again. "I do hope that you'll be able to forgive me after this is all said and done. You're one of my best angels."

I gave a small shrug and shifted some. "I need to go," I said and moved to walk away; Uriel stepped away to give me some room.

"I'll reach out again later, Larcrion. Take care," he bid before vanishing a small flash of light.

Flinching, I took a small breath and hurriedly entered the porch where Ezekiel stood with arms crossed. "Why was Uriel here?" He almost demanded, Loria raised a brow as well, though she wasn’t pressuring me for anything.

"Can we talk later?" I asked softly, body sagging as my stomach churned.

"No, we need to know why he was here." Ezekiel snapped and stepped closer to me.

"Please, Zeke. I need time," I nearly begged and hugged myself tighter.

That gave him pause before he huffed. "Fine, but you need to tell us. An archangel doesn't just show up for no reason."

"Don’t you think I know that?" I hissed and rubbed my arms some. "I just can't right now."

Slipping around them, I headed inside and went back to my room, hiding under the blanket again.

I don't know when, but I somehow fell into a fitful sleep when I felt a hand gently shake me awake.

Peeking out of the blanket cocoon, I found Loria kneeling beside my bed. "Dinner's ready," she gently encouraged me before straightening up, waiting for me to sit up.

"I'll be down in a few," I whispered as I slowly sat up and let the blanket fall off my shoulders.

“Alright Lark,” she leaned to give me a hug and I placed a hand on her back. “I’m just worried about you.”

“I appreciate that Loria,” I whispered softly and let out a breath.

She let go and stepped back. “I’ll see you downstairs,” she smiled and slipped away to give me some space.