Devil's Toy

Chapter 7

I wiped the last tears from my eyes and stuffed the note into the bottom of my desk drawer and slammed it shut, allowing myself to feel everything, if only for a moment. I would not be manipulated by someone who had abandoned me centuries ago. I would not throw away the devotion I had worked so hard to maintain. Nor would I abandon my humans, regardless of how cruel they could be. Not for someone who so selfishly abandoned his Creator and the one he claimed to love, just for a taste of tainted power.

And I certainly wasn’t going to go down that path with Michael.

I shook off the simmering rage that had settled into my bones and let the facade of a content, devoted angel mask my aura.

Another knock at the door had my composure threatening to evaporate. Not surprising, considering how thin it had worn.

“Yes?” I asked as softly and cheerfully as I could.

Internally, I swore. If this was Michael again, my position in Heaven might end today.

The large door opened slowly, and a small angel with a sheepish smile stepped in.

“Hello, I’m so sorry to disturb you. I was sent to escort you to your mentee.” She kept her gaze fixed on my feet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She must be a newer angel.

She carried the fresh scent of desperation we all bore in our first millennia: desperate to fulfill our roles dutifully, mixed with a heavy fear of angering our ruler.

I smiled. “Of course. What is your name?”

She glanced up for the briefest moment, her eyes flashing with relief.

“I am Sandy. I’m a new angel here in Heaven. I’m currently working as a Transfer Angel, as well as training to possibly become a Guardian Angel.”

I couldn’t help but sigh. This small girl would likely end up behind a desk, collecting my records or processing human numbers. Transfer Angels were created with a specific strength necessary to carry out the role. Guardian Angels, however, were ideally indestructible.

“Gorgeous name. I value your devotion to this role and appreciate you accompanying me. Lead the way, then, Sandy.”

She nodded and turned, her wings flapping unevenly before she regained control and propelled herself forward. I followed closely, my mind wandering.

Why would I need an escort to retrieve Damien?

Why would God send me a new angel, one not even fully assigned, to lead me to the tunnels?

Would Samael be there too?

Sandy stopped abruptly, nearly causing me to collide with her. She stood frozen, staring ahead at the tunnel’s opening. Though we were still several feet away, I could see the two Guardians posted at either side, their forms small against the massive arch. Clouds drifted in and out, obscuring the view.

“Sandy?” I placed a hand on her shoulder. She jumped like a startled cat and turned toward me. Her eyes were wide, her lips pressed tight, and a faint red crept across her cheeks. Panic had her in its grip.

It may have been too soon to pass judgment, but these new angels seemed… defective. Anxiousness, fear, trepidation, all emotions forbidden. In the stage of creation, such flaws did not exist. This was a first.

“Sandy, is this your first trip to the tunnels?”

She nodded.

“And are you scared?”

Her eyes widened further, startling me. She shook her head, but the lie clung to her like smoke. Fear covered her from head to toe.

I took her clasped hands in mine. “There’s no need to be scared, Sandy. The tunnels are sectioned off with checkpoints. At every checkpoint, there are two Guardians of Heaven. If at any point you feel unfit to continue, I am more than capable of completing the journey alone. I’ve traveled the tunnels in alone many times. Does that work?”

Sandy let out a shaky breath, visibly relaxing, though her eyes stayed fixed on the ground. She nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much. Will you…”

I shook my head gently. “I only feel love and devotion to our Creator radiating from you. You will always be safe with me. Remember that.”

She nodded again, squeezing my hands before pulling back.

“Okay. Let’s complete this task then, shall we?” She grinned faintly, meeting my gaze for only a second before taking off again.

I made a mental note to ask the Guardian Keepers about this newest batch. Mass influxes of humans always brought mass creation of angels. I needed to know if Sandy’s unease was an anomaly or a sign of a deeper problem.

We reached the gates quickly. The tunnel stretched miles tall and wide, its golden entrance sealed shut. The gates had been added after a few stray humans, summoned to Hell, had found their way into our realm. What a disaster that had been.

“Hello, Alex!” I smiled at the Guardian on the left. He gave a curt nod.

“Hello, Amy!” I smiled at the one on the right. She gave a similar nod.

Alex and Amy had been created simultaneously, an accident that resulted in a single soul splitting into two forms. Inseparable, they were forged for protection. Both were much taller than the average angel, their physiques dense and unyielding. Alex had cropped blond hair that glowed like sunlight when the realm’s light struck it. Amy’s hair was identical, save for its length, cascading in perfect ringlets to her lower back.

“Hello, Guardians,” Sandy said sheepishly. I heard her breath hitch as their gazes fell on her.

She cleared her throat and straightened. “We have orders to enter the tunnel for a collection.”

Amy and Alex did not move.

I raised a brow but allowed Sandy to try again.

She cleared her throat louder this time. “Please step aside, Guardians. We have direct orders from our Creator to enter these tunnels for collection.”

Still, they did not budge.

“Is there a reason you two are directly defying orders?” I stepped forward, shielding Sandy.

Alex and Amy exchanged a glance before finally stepping aside. The entrance shimmered and split open, revealing the darkness within.

Before we could step through, Amy spoke. “There has been a change in orders, Gabrielle. You will find your new guidance at the third level.”

“Why not provide the change now?” My control threatened to crack.

“We are not in control of these changes,” Amy replied, her gaze fixed forward.

“Nor of how they are delivered,” Alex finished.