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“That was an unfortunate mistake,” Michael allows. “I’d been called away and let the… Strange Men, as you call them, have free rein in locating Calliel. The more human he became, the harder it was for us. That mistake was mine, and I apologize.”
“Benji could have been killed and you apologize?” Cal snarls. “Michael, those things are dangerous! I still can’t understand why Father allows their existence!”
“Much like I don’t understand how Father allows yours,” Michael retorts. “And the only reason I was away to begin with was to try and placate the roar your falling has caused. You have put On High into disarray and others are demanding answers.”
“You know I have no answers to give, even if I wanted to.”
“Yes, yes,” Michael says, waving his hand in dismissal. “I will demand an answer from Father, one way or another. These games of his are getting tiresome, no matter what he hopes to learn about the humans. We have other things to worry about, you know. Will you return with me now? Save your friends here from further heartache?”
“No,” Nina says, stepping forward. “Blue stays here. He won’t leave with you.”
“That’s right,” Abe rumbles, moving to stand on the other side of Cal. “I know a bully when I see one. He isn’t going anywhere. You’ll have to go through me. I’m a lot sprier then I look.”
My mother comes to stand beside me, putting one hand on my shoulder and the other on Cal’s. “Cal belongs with us,” she grinds out. “I’ll be damned if I’ll let you take him away.” I might have doubted my mother, but how could I have doubted her heart?
I move in front of Cal again, blocking his massive body with my skinny one. Michael, who wears an expression of amusement, looks down at me. “And will you threaten me too?” he asks, a small smile on his face. “You are all nothing if not protective of the ones you care about.” He bends down until his face is level with mine. His eyes are so deep, they appear infinite. For all I know, they are. “You should remember, Benjamin Edward Green, that things are not always what they seem. But I believe you shall learn that in due time. I believe you shall learn all things.” Whether his words are a threat or not doesn’t matter. They still chill me to the bone.
He stands again. “This is not finished, Calliel,” he says sharply. “Either you will die here or you will return. Make your choice quickly, for I fear you don’t have much time.”
“Why are you guys all at the door?” I hear Christie call out from down the hall. “Is there something out there?”
“Something comes, to be sure,” Michael says, glancing over his shoulder.
Headlights, starting up the driveway.
“Who is that?” Mary asks as she came up behind us, pointing at Michael.
“A friend,” Cal snaps. He is getting riled up, and I can tell it has more to do with the oncoming car than the archangel standing in front of us.
“Who is this?” Michael asks with a frown. “I do not have eyes in this little place. The threads. I can’t see them.”
“What threads is he talking about?” Christie asks. “Why is everyone standing in the doorway? Move! I want to see!”
Cal begins to growl, and I know who it is even before I see the decal on the side, the lights on top of the car.
Griggs.
old bones
“A welcoming party?” Griggs asks with a sardonic nod of his head as he
steps out of the cruiser. “How wonderful.”
“Sheriff?” Christie asks, her voice going cold. “What are you doing here? None
of us called you out here.”
He shrugs easily, averting his eyes. “Thought I’d stop by and check things out
for myself.”
“Check what out, George?” my mother asks.
Griggs ignores her and looks up at Michael. “Haven’t seen you around before,
friend.”
“I don’t suppose you have,” Michael says slowly. “I’m not exactly from around
