Fallen

Chapter seven

Trudging sluggishly back into the RV, I once again closed and locked the door. I really hope there were no more interruptions tonight. I don’t think I have it in me to lie again. I hated lying. It was deceitful, something I promised myself I would never be. But what other choice did I have? I couldn’t very well let them know Azrael was here. Not when they planned on punishing him for a crime he didn’t commit.

When I turned away from the door, I came nose to nose with a very pissed off Azrael. My eyes widened at his anger and I took a faltering step away from him. What happened? Why is he so angry? And why was he directing it at me? Did I do something wrong? No, impossible. He was asleep and I was in here the whole time. There was no way I could have done anything to offend him.

“Azrael?” I whispered.

“What did you do?” He demanded, his tone hard, sharp, accusing.

“I don’t know what you mean.” I answered honestly, my hand on the door ready to bolt should the need arise.

“You just lied. Not only to your own people but to angels. And archangels at that. What in that tiny human brain made you think that was the best course of action?”

I was stunned for a split second before anger rolled over in its place. Seriously? He seriously doesn't know why? “I lied to save your life.” I spat at him. “They intended to kill you, on sight if I had to guess. I kept you from them, shielded you.” My anger rose. I could feel my face turning red as my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

“I am capable of taking care of myself. I do not need human protection,” he sneered.

His words pierced my heart. This. This is why I don’t get close to people. It caused too much pain. “You don’t need my protection or my help, you just need me to get back to heaven, is that right?” I asked flatly, shoving passed him to the closet I stored his blade in. I grabbed the hilt, pulling it out before thrusting it into his surprised hands. “If you don’t need me. If you don’t need my help or protection, then go, leave. Let them lock you up, kill you even.” I all but screamed at him. “I won’t be used Azrael; I won’t be tricked.”

Azrael was stunned into silence as he white knuckled the blade’s hilt. When he didn’t move, I growled, actually growled, before shoving passed him once again. I stormed over to the door, threw the locks and shoved the door open before turning to look back at him with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Belle..” Azrael started, but I held my hand up to stop him from speaking, closing my eyes and willing back whatever emotions threatened to clog my throat.

“This tiny human brain can comprehend enough to know you are not safe out there. This tiny human brain understands enough to know the archangels were a threat, no matter how pleasant Michael seemed. And apparently this human has done a poor job of helping you. So go if you can protect yourself. Go if my human help has been such a hardship to you.”

Azrael’s silver eyes blazed with remorse and regret. The hardness in them softened, his anger dissipating to nothing as he stared back at me. I couldn’t let that affect me, but it did. I don’t know why, but it did. I didn’t want it to, didn’t want him to affect me like that. Especially after his insulting comment.

“Belle, I did not mean the words I said.” He told me gently.

I crossed my arms over my chest and snorted. “Somehow I don’t think you say things you don’t mean.”

“You are right, I do not. But I also have never seen another lie to an archangel. It is a sin and it angered me. I should not have taken my anger out on you no matter the circumstances and I apologize.” He put his sword down and approached me slowly, his hands reaching for mine before they completely encompassed them. “I appreciate your help and your protection Belle. More than I could ever say. Without you I would be dead, or taken back to heaven to be killed.”

I closed my eyes and sighed, trying not to let this kinder side of him impact me. But I knew it was no good. I turned and closed the door, pulling my hands from his and putting his weapon back in the closet. “All my weapons are here.” I told him closing the door. “Your sword will be safe.” He nodded, never taking his silver eyes from mine. “We will leave tomorrow. Too many have already come about the crater. You can leave or you can come with me. I won't stop you either way. But regardless, we need to leave here.”

“I will come.” Azrael said, resolve in his voice.

“Very well. Get some rest, we will leave in the morning.” I went to move past him, but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me. Turning to look at him, I raised a brow.

“Belle..” He whispered.

“Azrael, please. Don’t.” I pleaded softly, looking away from his sad eyes.

“Please look at me.” Azrael said, his tone torn. I did as he asked, trying to hold back the emotion that plagued me. “Belle, I am sorry my words hurt you. I am sorry my behavior frightened you. But please, I implore you. Do not give up on me just yet. Do not distance yourself from me.”

I shook my head, embarrassed when I felt a single tear roll down my cheek. “I haven’t given up on you, Azrael, and I won’t. But I have to distance myself. One day, and I know that day will be soon, you will leave and I will never see or speak to you again. If I allow myself to get any closer to you, that day will be unbearable for me. Never, not once have I found someone I want to get close to. Not until you. And you are unobtainable. So far out of my grasp that we might as well be in different galaxies. You, Azrael, are an angel, an archangel. And I am nothing but a human, a mortal who has no right to even speak to you, much less allow myself to grow close.” I squeezed his hands with a sad smile. “I cannot allow myself to be hurt, I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.”

“I will not leave you,” Azrael said with so much certainty I almost believed him. Almost.

“Yes, you will.” I told him. “Because you don’t belong here. You belong in heaven among your people. You know that as well as I do.”

Azrael’s eyes hardened. “No. I belong wherever I feel is right. And right now, my place is with you.”

“Exactly. Right now. What about tomorrow? A week from now? A month? a year? How long until you finally tire of me?”

“You saved my life, nursed me back to health, kept me from losing my wings. You took me in when I had nowhere to turn. I could never repay that debt.”

“You owe me nothing, Azrael. I did not do it to get something in return. I did it because it was the right thing to do.”

“I’m not leaving you.” He stated again, more firmly this time.

I chuckled humorlessly. “We will see. Goodnight Azrael.” I said lowly, before pulling my hands from his once again and going to my new room, closing the door behind me.