Fledgling: Book 1 (Afterlife) (19 page)

I am deep in a trance of passion when a voice sounds clearly in my head. “Fledglings.” The voice is stern and strong. It’s a tone that screams do not mess with me, or the rules — It is the voice of Archangel Michael.

- Chapter Seventeen -

My body stiffens. Ben reluctantly pulls back. His face shows a mixture of guilt and unrepentance.
 

“What have we done?” I ask. I panic thinking Archangel Michael can read our minds from the base.
 

“Something we should have done a long time ago.” He grins as he reaches out, cupping one side of my face gently with his hand, and running his thumb gently across my lips.
 

I can’t help smiling at him. Even after what we have just done, his boldness startles me.
 

“Fledglings.” The voice sounds in my head bearing that unrelenting tone again.
 

“We have to go,” I whisper.
 

He nods his head and reaches in sneaking a kiss on my lips. With both hands on his chest, I push him away with enough force to show I mean it. I smile. “You rebel, you. You’re not even stopping when our leader calls us.”

He smirks. “Some things are worth the punishment.”
 

“Come on. Let’s go before he comes looking for us.” I turn to walk back to the plain and Ben follows me. I do everything I can mentally to prepare for an emotionless face when we enter into the clearing. If I can be convincing that nothing happened, then hopefully Archangel Michael will not search our memory.
 

We walk straight and tall as we approach the group. I don’t look at Cindy in case she picks up on my emotions. A pang of guilt washes over me when I think of Ethan, but I know Ben is right. As much as it hurts me, that life is over. It is sick entertaining any thought of hope that Ethan will be murdered to join us — if he is even chosen. With my emotions in a whirlwind, I keep my eyes focussed on our leader, feigning goodness.
 

“Where have you two been?” he asks as his eyes scan us without emotion. He stands legs apart and arms behind his back wearing his Roman fighting skirt that finishes just above his knee. He looks and sounds his like normal, although this time I can see a hint of exhaustion around his eyes.
 

“We apologise, Sir,” Ben says. His voice carries sincerity. “We had taken a walk fearing we had missed you for the day. If we knew that you were still coming we would have stayed. We are keen to hear of your recent battles.”

At the mention of the knowledge, a stunned look passed over Archangel Michael’s face. “Oh. I see Archangel Gabriel has been unable to keep their mouth shut. This is not an uncommon trait.” He pulls his hands around to his front, clasping them together.

Sensing that Archangel Gabriel was in for a talking to, I say, “It is not Archangel Gabriel’s fault, Sir. We were keen to know your location, as we have never had a meeting without you. We were concerned.” I pause. I notice that his mind is ticking over the information. “You look a little tired. It must have been a nasty battle.”

I see his head tilt slightly to the front. “That along with other things,” he finishes cryptically.
 

“We would love to hear about it,” Cindy says. “Maybe we can help next time.”

“There is no time for storytelling right now and you are too young and immature to help.” There was no room for argument in his voice. “Although some of you are maturing quicker than others, you are all still in the fledgling stage.” He gazed at each one of us individually, his blue eyes unrelenting. “It would be too dangerous.”
 

His eyes land on me, and remorse rises to the surface. He clearly cares for us, yet I can’t seem to stop myself from breaking the rules. I try to hold his gaze despite the betrayal I feel. I am certain if they overlooked my shortcomings, I could still be a loyal and helpful angel.
 

He stands up straight again ready to take control. “Come now. It is already late, and you have more missions to fulfil.” He points to Pink and Violet. “I will see you two first. Come stand in front of me so I can complete your assessment.”

It occurred to me as odd. Archangel Michael always has his ritual, and it always starts one side of the line to the other. Never does he call us up to him. I had to admit though, that this is not an ordinary day.
 

He goes through the ritual with Pink and then Violet. They receive the all clear and their new missions.
 

“Now go forth and complete your mission fledglings. The world is in need of you.” They disappear, and he sighs. He does look slightly worn, but only in the eyes. His outer appearance still holds the strength of a warrior.
 

He looks at Cindy, Ben and I, one by one. His expression is unreadable. “I hear that Gabriel sent you on an unusual mission.”

We nod in unison. “Yes she did,” Cindy agrees out loud for all of us. “Very unusual indeed. Also, we were all on the same mission. It was confusing at first, but we understood why when we saw what it was.” The words were filing out of her mouth rapidly stopping everyone else from speaking.
 

“Thank you, fledgling,” Archangel Michael cut in.
 

She acted as though she didn’t hear him and continued. “There were nine males, nine. Can you believe that? And they fought like they weren’t injured even though they should have given up.”

“Yes, fledgling.” His voice was a little louder and sharper.
 

“They just kept coming back and back and back like they were pos—”

“Fledgling.” Archangel Michael snapped.

Cindy looked around to see that we were all looking at her shaking our heads. “Oh! I’m talking too much aren’t I?”

“Yes, fledgling.” I could see our leader was struggling to hide a smile. He could see her continuous talking was only out of nervousness and thinking she was telling him something necessary. Once he contains the smile, he says, “I can read your mind, remember? It saves a lot of time, especially in a time like this.” He motions for her to come closer. “Now, come stand in front.”

“Of course, Sir.” Before I can blink, she is standing in front of him, and he has a lit finger pressed to her forehead.
 

After a few moments, he says, “Good work Fledgling. You have served well.”

Cindy smiles, happy he approves and waits for her mission.
 

“You may step back now, fledgling,” he says to her after seeing her remain in front of him.
 

“But Sir, I haven’t received a mission. Are you unhappy with any part?”

He gives her a stern look. Her face turns pale, and she steps backward.

He indicates Ben with his arm reached out. “Come, Fledgling.

Ben steps forward. My stomach has jumped to my throat. It annoys me how he looks so calm from behind. I wonder if he is churning inside with worry. My hope is that our leader is too tired to search any further than our last mission, or else I know I am in big trouble. A feeling of dizziness overwhelms me and realise I am holding my breath. I concentrate on breathing to keep my mind off the probing and what mischief I have been partaking.
 

After what feels like forever, Archangel Michael removes his finger from Ben’s forehead and says, “Good work Fledgling. You have served well.”

I see a Ben’s chest suddenly deflate. He must have been holding his breath also.
 

“You may step back,” Archangel Michael says to him. Ben looks at him for a stunned moment then steps back as instructed. I am frustrated when he does not look in my direction to give me any indication of what our leader saw.

I know it is my turn, so when Archangel Michael raises a hand in my direction, I step forward before he asks. I am keen to get this over. As the finger touches my forehead, I look into Archangel Michael’s eyes and concentrate on my breathing. I watch as the unusual battle replays in my head. I feel pride when I see me healing the girl. I think I see a flash of surprise cross the archangel’s face. If I did, it is gone as quickly as it appears. It finishes with me healing the males. I do not know if I have done the right thing there, but I did my best.
 

When he removes his finger, I can’t help but breathe out completely in relief. I look for any sign of emotion on our leaders face. There is none, and I am not surprised. He is always a hard one to read.

He says, “Good work Fledgling. You have served well. You may step back.” There was no surprise for the last comment, as he had already said it to the other two. It does feel odd not being given another mission straight away. Deep down, I wonder if we are all in trouble or for something we did unknowingly. Unless, Archangel Michael knows how to search the mind without the owner knowing, I am sure that I have escaped punishment for my bad behaviour, for now. But I still feel like we have done something wrong. Like Cindy said, it has always been if a fledgling has done a good job they receive a new mission.

After a silence that seems to last for eternity when the time is spent worrying, Archangel Michael speaks. “You three were given a special mission, which in fact was well over your experience level. When I first found out I held concern for your safety. I see though that this concern was unwarranted. You have served above and beyond your level and experience and did as well as some of the more senior graduates. For this, I am proud of you.”

These are words I have not heard from his mouth before and I am speechless.
 

“I am also grateful,” he continues. “By the three of you completing your job correctly, unknown to you, you also helped us in the war against the demons.”

I frown. “How can that happen?”

“By you inserting the conscience into the demon’s host, you cripple or maim the demon responsible. We can then take charge of the demon and overcome them easier.”

“Really?” Cindy asks surprised.
 

Archangel Michael nodded once.
 

“Then I’m glad we could help,” she chirps. A large smile spreads across her face.
 

“So, if we did such a good job, with respect, why are we not given another mission?” Ben asks. “I am keen to help in any way I can.”

Archangel Michael paces back and forth the small distance in front of us. He pauses and says, “Because I need to take the three of you up to headquarters to see if the other leaders deem you suitable for the job I have in mind for you.” He paces a little more in silence then says, “This job is possibly a very dangerous job; however, I am not one hundred percent sure.”

“How are you not sure?” I ask.

“Because we do not know all the facts. There are possibly many untamed elements.”

This mission sounds like my kind of mission, and I am keen to execute. “Then, let’s go,” I say.

- Chapter Eighteen -

Archangel Michael pushes off and begins to fly, leading us toward headquarters. Cindy turns to look at us. She has a look of excitement and fear all in one. “I get to see the headquarters,” she says. Her voice betrays the brave expression on her face.
 

“You’ll be fine Cindy. You’ll have us with you,” I say.

“Yeah, and last time you two went to headquarters, you were sent to the abyss. I feel so confident,” she says mockingly. After giving us a quick smile, she pushes off and follows our leader.
 

Ben approaches me and his arm brushes against me. Tingles spread through my body. He stands in front of me and looks deep into my eyes, towering over me and enticing me to swim in his blue ocean. I place my hands on his bare chest and push him away playfully.
 

“We have to go, remember? We have a difficult mission.” I say, stepping past him and pushing off. It is only a moment later I hear his strong wings flapping behind, stroking with an even rhythm against the wind. Soon, he is flying next to me. Involuntarily I find myself regularly staring in his direction, admiring the parts that make him special. Occasionally he catches me looking at him, deep in thought. Each time I would feel my face turn warm, and he would give me a cheeky grin. Our friendship has taken a completely different turn. I hope it is for the better. I would hate to lose my dearest friend.