Large wings scraped the floors lined with gold, creating a bzz whenever the armored tips made contact with the ground. A bright glow emanated from Michael’s form, shading his face from view.
I was so in for it.
“Jada—” Michael sighed, and I could tell that the archangel was trying very hard not to rain the full breadth of his annoyance on my head.
“Yes, Michael? My lovely mentor, whom I thank the King for each and every moment—”
“Save the flattery.”
“Of course.”
“You know that the King sees everything that happens. Nothing passes without His knowledge.”
“Yes.”
“However,” Michael cleared his throat, “this is not about the King and that which He allowed tonight. It is about your negligence.”
I hung my head. No excuse in the world could make up for the choices I had made. A human life had been lost and a trust broken.
If only I had known! But it was an empty desire. Unlike the King, angels are not omniscient or omnipresent. Most of the time, we aren’t privy to the King’s plan until it is already in motion.
Whether or not my momentary distraction with the princes of darkness had been foreseen and approved, the consequences of my choice were far greater than I could have imagined.
“What do you think I should do with you?” Michael asked.
I winced. There was nothing I hated more than choosing my own punishment. Before tonight, my mistakes had run along the lines of interrupting emotional parent-child reunions with cheerful songs and playing hop-scotch with the toddlers using the precious gems lying on the street.
Indirectly causing my own charge’s death… that was leagues ahead of my usual shenanigans.
“Uh… how about I spend a day with Moses again? You know how he likes droning on and on—”
“Is this a joke to you?” Michael hissed. He silently flew toward me, the light around his form growing stronger and hurting my eyes. “I told you not to engage with the demons unless they were provoking your charge!”
“I know.” My eyes dipped to the ground. “But how could I just let them seep the life out of the children of man while doing nothing? They were so… condescending with their beady red eyes and black wings.” I made a face.
“You were in their world. Their territory. Of course they would be smug.”
I jerked my chin and fiercely defended. “The earth is the King’s territory.”
“We know the Truth, but the whole world thirsts for the system offered by the Evil One. Who would want to follow a narrow way—one where their selfish desires are rejected instead of indulged?”
“Smart people?”
Michael shook his head. “I have no choice but to take extreme measures. Jada, because of your carelessness, you were not protecting your charge.”
“But, I had no idea she was in danger or I would have—”
“Whether or not Denise Carballo had lost her life tonight, my decision would remain. I, as archangel of the legions of the Army of Heaven—in the authority given me by the King—strip you of your Guardianship.”
I lunged. “Nooo! Please, don’t take that away from me. I love my job!”
“You will return to your nursery duties until further notice.”
I sank to my knees. What would I do now? Return to the mindless existence of entertaining the adorable children in the playroom?
No offense to the kids, but I was cut out for more than that. I’d been created for something bigger. Was it all going to slip out of my fingers today?
“One moment.” I heard a voice and lifted my gaze to a man walking toward us. Like everyone in the Kingdom who lived in the King’s presence, his face held a bright glow.
Michael froze and bowed. “Governor.”
“Rise, Michael. You know how much I hate pomp and circumstance.”
Still on bent knee, I craned my neck to soak in as much of the Governor’s appearance as I could. It was an extreme honor to be in His presence, and I wanted to recall every detail so that I could boast to the others later.
Not that they were likely to believe me.
The Kingdom Head was made up of the King, the Prince, and the Governor—all equal in authority, but distinct in their functions. While the Prince often visited the angels and the King stopped by to chat now and again, the Governor was always busy. His job of providing comfort and guidance to the sons of man took up much of his time.
“Guardian, rise also.”
I pointed to my chest and tilted my head. “Me?”
The Governor nodded and beckoned with his fingers. “Come closer.”
I did, my knees jiggling with fear as I went.
“Do you think Michael’s decision is fair?”
How was I supposed to answer that without looking like an insubordinate jerk?
“Uh… yeah?”
“You don’t sound convinced, Guardian.”
“I agree that I made a mistake,” I said and then took a deep breath. “But I believe, with the King’s help, I can do better. Please give me another chance. Then… if I fail, I will accept any task given me. I just… I don’t want to be discharged in dishonor.”
“You believe you can protect someone else? Someone with mystery and danger still lingering? It will be a task that requires total dedication.”
“I can do it!” I saluted. “Wherever you send me, I will gladly go!”
“Good.” The Governor’s light beamed brighter. “Michael, assign her to Tanisha Bennet.”
My jaw dropped. “T-Tan?”
“Governor,” Micheal stepped forward, “Tan is intimately linked to Denise’s death.”
“I know.”
“It will be dangerous. The strength of the darkness will cling to any Guardian, making it hard to distinguish ‘good’ from ‘bad’. It is intensely challenging for a more experienced Guardian, but especially one like Jada.”
The Governor set his hand on top of my head. “Guardian, do you want to—?”
“I’ll do it!”
The Governor chuckled. “Alright. From this moment forward, I assign you to Tanisha Bennet. Keep her safe and return with honor.”
As the Governor walked off, Micheal drew closer to me and hissed. "I hope you know what you're doing."
I gulped. What had I gotten myself into?
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