"I really don't like this," Edwin says for maybe the thousandth time. I give some serious side-eye, wishing he'd shut up.

"Sorry, but this my decision," I retort, giving him a very pointed look. He pouts and continues grumbling. "Anyways, if you don't like the guy, why get him involved?"

He gives a very heavy sigh, "It's not that I don't like him, I just know what he's like."

"And?" I ask, raising my eyebrows, which he returns with a blank stare. Is he serious? I groan, "What's the guy like, other than strange?" Edwin takes on a pensive look.

He gives a small hum, "I've known Michael for a long time, and strange sums him up." He stops a good five hundred feet from Guardian Tower. "He's always loved chaos and maybe that's what he's trying to do right now." He finishes, sizing up the tower.

"Why would an angel love chaos?" I say, befuddled at the very thought. I mean like really; Ming and David are poster children of chaos free. Edwin releases a huge laugh that I've only heard when someone mentions a good story (or I actually make a joke).

"Oh, Emma. From everything I know, he's adored chaos in both life and death. He loves to unsettle people and change things up on them." There was a fond, faraway look in his eyes. What exactly is their relationship? And how did they even meet with the contempt between our two professions?

"EDDY!" I hear a loud crow. I look in the direction to see a swirl of gold and Edwin disappears from my side. I whirl around to see him lying on the ground with Michael on top of him.

"Mikey!" Edwin exclaims in joy, shoving him off at the same time (mixed signals much, huh Edwin?), "How you been? It's been a while since I've seen you in flesh."

"Oh, ya know! Just basic angel duties. Surprising other angels with a reaper strutting around their territory," at that he throws a smirk at me and winks secretively. I roll my eyes.

This man is an actual fool.

Edwin, as if just remembering me, turns somber. "About Emma, why do you want her?" There was a genuine look of worry in his eyes. Is he worried that Michael will use me as a scapegoat or something? That would be chaos, I suppose.

Michael, with his ever-present smile, jumps in excitement. "That's easy," he claims walking over to me, throwing an arm over my shoulder. "I want her to assist me in my guardian duties today."

Edwin's jaw drops as fast as mine does.

What??

Why would I work as an angel?? I'm a reaper! I'm the least fit person to be a guardian! I jerk away from Michael and give him my fiercest glare. He has to be joking. There's no way he can be this dumb to think this would work. His clear blue eyes looked straight into mine, not hint of a lie or mirth anywhere.

He doesn't love chaos; this dude is just insane.

"Mikey...she can't." Edwin finally gasps out, giving me a look of fear. "The judges will punish her for even considering it."

"No, they won't. Just like there is no official rule barring reapers from the tower, there's no official rule saying guardians can't have reapers help them." Michael explains, his smile turning mischievous. Edwin starts flapping his mouth, grasping for words. I, on the other hand, am not speechless. I glare at Edwin with the same amount of ferocity I gave Michael.

How dare he make me think I was breaking the ultimate rule when it doesn't actually exist? I sense movement from my side, and I turn my attention back on what's important. But first I give Edwin the look that says we'll be talking about this later.

I step until Michael is forced to look down at me to keep our eyes linked. I glare up at him, crossing my arms over my chest, "Why do you want my help?"

Unperturbed, Michael answers, "Because you want to save a guardian, right? Well, then you should know exactly what he did beforehand."

 "Wha—but...uh...huh..." Edwin grasps desperately for words once more. And I was with him...this guy's logic makes no sense! How does anything he did before pertain to me saving him?! I already know everything guardians do, anyway.

"Well, Eddy as much as I would love to continue this conversation, I have somewhere to be," Michael says. He then turns his deep blue eyes to me, "Are you coming or not, Emma?"

None of this makes sense. Is this chaos like Edwin was talking about? But this isn't chaos, this is insanity! Is this some way to get me into trouble? But Michael doesn't seem like he would be mean spirited like that (but definitely insane). 

"What about my duties?" I ask.

"Easy, Eddy will do it for you!" Michael exclaims a huge smile on his face. I hear Edwin start to sputter again. "Come on, Emma. It'll be fun." He extends his hand out for me to take, a soft look on his face. I glance up at the faintly shimmering halo...just like David's.

I take his hand. Michael's face splits into one of excitement and crows.

"Wait—"Edwin starts, but we left before he could finish his sentence. In a flash of golden light, we were gone. We land on a sidewalk in front of a cute little house, Edwin's cry still ringing in my ears.