Fallen

Chapter Eleven

I burst through the door just as Azrael finished cleaning his wounds and had him lain over onto his stomach. His wounds were bad, much worse than Azrael’s had been. His wings were barely hanging on, his back covered in fresh whip marks. I was appalled and I was scared for Uriel, terrified for Azrael’s response to whatever may happen. This was bad. Really, really bad.

“I’ll try Azrael, but he is much worse than you were.” I told his quietly as I moved around him to climb onto the bed with Uriel. I had already grabbed all my medical supplies; I’d have to make a run soon for more supplies if this was going to keep happening. Azrael had wiped Uriel’s wounds clean with water, I used alcohol. It needed to be disinfected. If Uriel was awake, I was sure he would have backhanded me.

It wasn’t until I got started stitching his wings back where they belonged that I wondered who had whipped him. Surly he didn’t deserve such a fate. When they came by he was silent, he never spoke. But those icy blue eyes spoke volumes. He knew. And I knew that he knew that I knew. But he stayed quiet, never spoke a word. If anything, there was a gratitude in his eyes. I would never be able to repay him for what he did that day.

“Do you know why someone would do this?” I asked Azrael, never turning to look at him so I could finish stitching Uriel’s wings.

“It’s a punishment used for deserters. They are thrashed countless times, beaten then thrown from heaven. Most don’t survive.”

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m some kind of archangel magnet then huh?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“Wait.” Azrael’s voice was louder. “What did you say?”

“Uh, that I was an archangel magnet?” I asked.

“Why would you say that?”

“Well because you fell basically at my door step, and now hundreds of miles away another archangel falls at my door step. It can’t just be coincidence.”

“No, it is not, Father knows what is happening. He is sending us all to you.”

“Wait a minute.” I finished the last stitch on Uriel’s wings and turned to face Azrael. “You’re telling me, God is sending all of you to me?”

“Yes.”

“And why would he do that?”

“Because you are pure.” Azrael spoke as if it was the obvious answer.

“This can’t be happening.” I groaned, rubbing my temples tiredly.

Shaking my head I turned from Azrael and started to work on Uriel again. He required much more attention than Azrael had. More attention than I was prepared for. It took me four hours, to get his wings reattached, and the slashes stitched. I had to clean and bandage his chest and any cuts that needed tending to on his face or chest. Then I had to bind his wings to his back somehow. I knew one thing. When Uriel woke up, he was going to be more volatile than Azrael ever was. I warned Azrael of that too. Well considering what he went through it could go one of two ways. He could wake in total combat mode, in which Azrael would have to hold him down and try to calm him so his stitches didn’t come loose. Or he could be dejected and resigned to his fate.

Somehow, there was something inside of me that told me that Uriel would be the latter. Seeing him up close, the look of what I could only describe as innocence radiated off of him. He didn’t have nearly as many scars as Azrael did either. He wasn’t a fighter, not in the way Azrael was. Uriel was the peace keeper. Trusted and depended on by all. And now they’ve betrayed him, turned on him. He wouldn’t take that well.

“Azrael.” I looked up to him from Uriel. “He was all of your kind’s peace keeper, wasn’t he?”

Azrael looked shocked. “He was. How could you have known?”

“I don’t know.” I reached over and moved a strand of his snow-white hair from his face. “There is this sense of peace, serenity about him. He looks innocent, like he hasn’t seen nearly as much as he should have in his time.” I looked back up to Azrael who was all but gawking at me now. “Does that make sense?”

Azrael nodded. “It does, and you are exactly right. Uriel is one of the best of us. He is brave, and loyal. Strong and resilient. I do not see how this could happen.”

“Someone is trying to get rid of all of you.” I told him simply. “You have an uprising on your hands, and so far they are getting away with it. The real question is why is Michael accepting others words over his own brothers.”

“If many speak against the one, then he will have no choice. Even against the ones he loves most.” Azrael hung his head sadly. “This would have hurt Michael greatly.

I stood and made my way over to him and wrapped my arms around him the best I could in order to comfort him. “We will figure it out.” I told him softly. “Hopefully before anyone else can get hurt in the process.”

Azrael kissed the top of my head as he held me to him. “Go sleep.” He urged me. “I will watch over him. If he wakes, I will let you know.”

I hesitated on letting him go. I didn’t want him to go through this alone. I wanted to be here for him. “I don’t want to though. I want to stay with you, be here for you. I don’t want to leave you alone.”

He moved to sit in the chair in the corner I used to sit in to watch over him. “Come here then.” He opened his arms to me and I happily crawled into his large lap and settled against his chest. His heartbeat was soothing, the sounds of his breathing a reassurance he wasn’t a dream. And his warmth, better than any blanket I could own. I snuggled down in closer to him, nestling my head right under his chin but still over his chest so I could hear his heart.

Next thing I knew I was being gently shaken awake. I didn’t even remember falling asleep. I yawned and stretched out as far as I could. Azrael laughed and I froze. I completely forgot I was on his lap when I fell asleep. Oh, how embarrassing.

“Sorry.” I muttered.

“Do not be. It was my pleasure to have you sleep in my arms. I quite enjoyed it.” He told me, kissing me gently on my lips before scooping me up and setting on my feet.

I chuckled, before turning and checking on Uriel. He was still out like a light, but the few of his injuries I could see were healing well. Should I do for him what I did for Azrael? I didn’t know Uriel, not in the way I did Azrael. But Uriel also did not deserve to die for a crime he didn’t commit. This would not be an easy decision, and would especially be something I would have to speak to Azrael about. I couldn’t be impulsive.

“How is he doing Belle?” Azrael asked, coming up from behind me and wrapping his arms around me, while he rested his head on the top of my head.

“Well, he seems to be healing nicely. Slower than you sure, but healing all the same. He will just need more time than you did. He should wake up soon.” As long as his mind isn’t too damaged to return. I wanted to add. I had studied medicine for a little while, and I knew the mind was a powerful thing. If it was protecting itself, he wouldn’t wake up until he was ready, and there was no telling how long that would take. All we could do was hope for the best. Hope that Uriel wasn’t so far gone that he wouldn’t return.

I actually hoped he would wake up. I found myself more compelled to get to know this archangel. The kind one, the gentle and innocent one. The one everyone betrayed, including his brothers without even blinking. It pissed me off honestly. How could they be so calloused? So cruel? Could it truly be that humans were the lesser of the two evils? I looked over to Azrael and how he looked at me. So much compassion in his eyes, yearning. Then I saw the way he watched over Uriel. So much worry and pain, and I knew the stupidity of that thought. They held more emotion than we did, felt things on a deeper level. Knowing this I wondered why I Azrael chose me. Wondered what made me special. But it didn’t matter, he was here and by some miracle he was mine. Welly and truly mine.

During my mental journey a jostling brought me back. Azrael had left for some reason and Uriel was stirring. I couldn’t leave him to wake alone so I knelt by his face at the edge of the bed. He was still on his stomach so his wings could heal and he shouldn’t move around.

“Hey, don’t move.” I whispered, wiping hair from his face. “You’re okay, you’re safe. Just don’t move. Your wings are in very bad condition, they need to heal.”

“I…I do…don…don’t, Under…understand.” He stuttered the sentence out, his voice harsh and dry. I reached over to the night stand and grabbed the water bringing the straw up to his lips. He drank greedily, as if his very life depended on this cup of water.

“It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay. I stitched you up, and you’ll heal, but you need to stay still. Okay?”

“Why are you helping me, what do you want?” he asked his ice blue eyes glazed over like ice.

“I don’t want anything Uriel.” I sighed. “I want you to heal, get well. I want you not to lose your wings. I want you and your brother to be able to reconnect.” Uriel growled and he began to try and move. “Stop that.” I ordered, pushing him back down as gently as I could.

“I want nothing to do with them.” He hissed.

“I’m talking about Azrael Uriel. He is here, and he is healed and safe. He is very distraught over you, worried. “

“So, I was right in my assumptions. You were keeping him from us.”

“Yes, I was.” I nodded. “I wanted him safe and unharmed. He was still healing and still his. Speaking of Azrael, I need to go check on him. Now don’t move, I’ll be back with more water in a minute.” Once I got Uriel’s vow, he wouldn’t move I left to find Azrael. I was worried about him; I hadn’t seen him in a little while.

It was easy to find him, but the condition I found him in sent a wave of terror through me. “Azrael!” I shouted, running towards him and running my hands all over his back without actually touching him. “What happened?”

“Do not be so distraught my dear. I am fine. It will heal.”

“Yes, I am aware it will heal Azrael, but it does not mean it doesn’t concern me. You concern me, your health and physical wellbeing concern me. Do you understand that?”

This time Azrael turned to me kissing me lightly on the cheek. “Of course I understand. Just as your wellbeing concerns me, mine would concern you.”

“Thank you.” I sighed, then remembered. “Oh, Uriel is awake.” He shot to his feet and was about to shoot through the door. “Don’t run.” I shouted over at him. “Don’t hurt yourself more than you already have.”

Thankfully he slowed down, an easy smile crossing his face. I followed closely behind, stopping to get Urial some water before going back to him. I was getting ice when I started hearing their conversation.

“Are you sure about this girl?’ Uriel asked, his question directed at Azrael.

“Yes.” His voice was like bliss. “She is the one for me. None other shall compare.”

“Do you remember that an angel and human pairing hasn’t been heard of in centuries.” Uriel reminded him.

“I am, but she is special Uriel. Can’t you sense it, feel it when she is near? Her compassion. Her sincerity. Her need to help others. I would be dead without her, as would you.”

“She’s human. She’ll ask for something.” Uriel’s voice was a sneer now. I felt bad for him, the calm that surrounded him in sleep. Now he was full of aggression, anger,

“I’ve got your water.” I said lowly as I entered the room. Azrael could you take it to him and help him please. It didn’t go over so well last time and I don’t want to get him worked up.”

“Belle, is there anything you would want for saving Uriel’s life?” Azrael asked me, the utter and complete belief in me hitting me like a tidal wave.

“No. As I said I want him better, want you better. And I want to make sure this doesn’t make happen to anyone else.”

“You can’t stop them.” Uriel panted; his voice still raspy. “Not until all the archangels have fallen. Not until each one of them find their beloved and bond so they can be stronger.”

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to try.” I said stubbornly, crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’t think can fit anymore seven plus people in my RV if they fall.”

Uriel didn’t like my attitude, a low growl emanating from deep within his chest. Damn how it irritated me. So unthankful, snobbish and ignorant. I thought he was one of the gentlest of angels, but I was wrong. Betrayal can have a big effect on people. I knew that, more than others. But this? This was going overboard.

“Now you listen to me you ungrateful, ignorant angel. I didn’t have to help you, I could have left you where you landed, let you die, but I didn’t and not just for Azrael’s sake.” I huffed, as I went to the door to leave the room. “I understand you’re upset from the betrayal. Believe me, I know about betrayal, more than I’d like to. But I didn’t let it make me bitter, it made me stronger. You’re letting it make you hateful.”

On a whim I decided to walk over to him and kneel before him, my eyes boring into his now iced over, hard eyes. “You once had such gentle eyes, a serene feel around you. I knew even before I met you that you were their peace keeper, the gentlest of the five of you.” I closed my eyes shaking my head as I stood. “Don’t let this change you, let it make you stronger, more resilient. Just rest. Let your wings heal then you can leave. Just like I told Azrael when I first brought him here. If I wanted anything from you, if I wanted you dead, I already had plenty of time to do it. Your sword is in my weapons closet, Azrael can show you once you’re healed enough to move. I’ll need to change your bandages tomorrow and check your stitches. Until then, you don’t have to worry about seeing me, I’ll let Azrael care for you. You’ve made it exceedingly clear you don’t want me around.” I turned from Uriel and faced my angel. “I’m going to take the motorcycle and run into town for supplies. Uriel’s wounds are more extensive than yours were, and I’ll need more medical supplies for him, and extra just in case this happens again.” I stood on my tip toes and kissed his jaw, since that was all, I could reach. “I’ll be back soon.”

“I will watch over him, and I shall await your return.” He said, his eyes soft, as he leaned over kissing my forehead. A shiver ran down my spine and tingles spread through me.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I whispered, turning and leaving the two of them alone.