Falling For You

Chapter 4: The Reality of Her Actions

Seraphina stared at me with her mouth agape. Her mind and mouth seemed disconnected momentarily, but as soon as I moved closer to reach for her, she stepped back to avoid my grasp.

“Sera… I- I’m sorry. I’m not trying to get you involved. I don’t want you to get hurt. You know that, don’t you?” I whispered, hurt leaching into my words.

“Do you know how I feel about y- this? How can you do this to me? To you? We have something good going and you want to throw it away for that moron?” she screeched at me.

“He’s not a moron. You’re just mad that I have feelings for him and want to spend time with him instead of you,” I replied harshly.

Her eyes blazed in her anger at me. I wanted to back down and apologize, but knew if I did she would keep me from my goal. Instead of waiting for her to answer me, I walked past her toward Father’s office. I heard her scoff as I turned the knob, but it was too late to back down now. Against my better judgment, I ignored Seraphina and stepped inside. Closing the door behind me, I went toward the bookshelf on the left. The highest shelf was now filled with books. Previously there had been none.

I skimmed the spines looking for anything that might be related to new jobs. It took a moment, but eventually I found what I was looking for: a book labeled “Angel Careers”. The tome was at least twelve inches in width and weighed more than a ton, but I pulled it down and placed it on the nearest desk. It smelled of fresh leather and promises of a future yet to come. Hesitantly, I flipped through the names until I came to mine. I was almost afraid to read the entries listed, but curiosity won out over fear.

The first entry listed my previous and current assignments and told how well they had been completed. God was generous in his rating of my work; he said that I was one of his most trusted children and performed well. I gulped as I began the second entry and my hands began to shake. I was being punished for my actions in this moment right now.

The next paragraph read: Azrael, while previously unflawed, will show signs of weakness which cannot be fixed with a simple reprimand from me. She must learn what it means to be responsible for others before she is ready for the next stage in her life. Therefore, it is in her best interest that she be tasked with delivering the human race to the bowels of Hell or the gates of Heaven. When she has gained the insight she needs, she will be released from this obligation. Until then, her title will be The Angel of Death.

I nearly dropped the book upon seeing the last sentence. What was this? Why? What did this mean for Cassiel? What would become of Seraphina? I couldn’t stop now. I’d already come this far. Cassiel’s entry was far longer and showed all of his many accomplishments. The last section of his entry was slightly reassuring. He would not suffer for my mistakes and feelings. This did make my heart drop, however; did this mean that Cassiel didn’t return my feelings?

It was then that I heard voices outside in the hallway. My attempt to flip further through the book to find Seraphina was stopped when two of my brothers opened the door. I was quick enough to place my body in front of the book to keep prying eyes out of my business, but not fast enough to keep the door closed. They were in the room before I had a chance to process my next move. I tried to formulate an excuse, but as they began talking, I realized Samael’s situation sounded much more urgent than mine. This was a happy accident. I guess Father didn’t want to punish me as badly as he wanted to punish Samael.

“Are you sure Father wants us all to gather? He hasn’t said anything to me,” I replied as casually as I could.

“Yes,” Gabriel replied. “He asked that we all meet at the gates. I’m not sure what he plans to do, but I do know that Samael has angered Father past the point of wrath.”

“Alright, I’ll be there momentarily. There is one more thing I need to check for a project on Father’s behalf,” I murmured softly.

“Fine, but be quick, lest you wish to join Samael’s side involuntarily,” Zadkeil chimed in.

I nodded vigorously. They left the door open and filed out silently, heading to the meeting. Seraphina poked her head in the door to make sure I was still alive and I watched as the tension slowly released from her facial muscles. She held out her hand waiting for me expectantly, but I shook my head and told her I would meet her when I was finished.

When I read Seraphina’s entry, the book fell from my hands to the floor. I regretted sending her ahead of me now. She would have time to make a decision that would alter everything; a decision that would make her fall from grace. I gasped and raced toward Seraphina before she could make the biggest mistake of her life.