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I was right. The reason why I knew it was because I agree with him. I don’t want Raven to go through another cycle and take on another life and another mortal form all over again. I didn’t know her before like Elias had, but I know her now. I love her now.
“Oh.” Raven is stunned silent. It’s obvious by the look on her face, her eyes shining over with tears. I don’t think she thought about the possibility. I’m not even sure that’s the reason why she reacts as she does. Maybe she’s thinking about Elias.
“Don’t worry, pretty soul. We’re going to take care of the guardians and find your soulmate, even if we have to send all of Heaven’s army to Hell in the process.”
Dante shifts off of me and gathers Raven in his arms. I take the opportunity to roll out of the way and get to my feet. As much as I want to stay here and be by Raven, I can’t. I need to go. I need to find Cassius and figure out what is going on. He would know what the guardians are planning. I want to be able to help Raven the best I can. I may not be able to tell her, but at least if I know what to expect, I can prepare myself better.
Expanding my wings, I bend my knees and launch into the air. I expect Dante to holler and chase after me, but he lets me go. I glance below and catch sight of Raven tipping her head back to stare up at me. She waves her fingers with a pout, and I steel myself and flap my wings harder until the world brightens from night to day and the familiarity of home envelops me.
It’s been at least two weeks since I’ve been to my sanctuary. My whole being buzzes with light and love, helping me believe things are going to be okay. I should’ve come here sooner. I don’t know why I haven’t. Raven has been occupied and hasn’t been left alone this whole time. I just can’t seem to keep away.
I stroll along the glittering path and enter into the pristine building made of heavenly power and the pure goodness of the Higher Power’s grace. I freeze in the doorway, spotting Cassius sitting in front of my arched window with a view of a heavenly portal.
He doesn’t look at me, keeping his head bowed. I wonder if I should turn around and head back to the Mortal Realm. I thought I could face him, but if he asked me where I have been, I know I can’t lie. I don’t have it in me.
“Zade,” Cassius says without looking at me. “How are the devils? I see you still have your wings.”
I release a breath and stroll forward, keeping my gaze trained at the brilliant light Cassius stares at. My heartbeat slows, settling down because of the peace I find here.
“Of course, I have my wings.” Annoyance washes through me at his accusation. “I thought you knew me better than to think I would stray from my path. You know that I know my purpose. I am not involved with the devils or Raven. I have only been watching over them. Had you had come to me, you would have known. Where have you been?”
“I’m sorry, Zade. I didn’t mean that. It has just been so difficult lately. With everything that we have discovered with Elias, I worry about the state of the universe.” Cassius reaches out and pats the spot beside him on the bench. “Come, Zade. I think we have some catching up to do, don’t we?”
I join him on the bench and rest my elbows on my knees. “That we do, Cass. The devils know that we know Elias has gone through another lifecycle to start over. With the way the guardians just started attacking, we now face a far worse threat from Hell. I have come here to see if you agree with them. Because I fear the consequences. They aren’t as strong as we are. I just watched Azrael get sent to Hell after he was unable to withstand being interrogated by Dante.”
Cassius whispers something under his breath. “I feared that would happen. They are all brute force without the strategy they need. I need you to join me and stand by my side to hopefully guide them in the right direction. Can you do that for me, Zade?”
“Are you sure they will listen with me around? I had assumed they thought I’ve lost my way.” I couldn’t resist saying it. It still bothers me that he mentioned that he expected me to have lost my wings.
“I assure you they will. Because like you told me, you are keeping watch. You will prove to them that you are following your rightful path.” Cassius sits on the bench and stares at me until I look at him. “Right? You will give them the answers they seek?”
All I do is nod my head. I don’t know what kind of answers they would need or if I’m really willing to give them to them.
Heaven help me.
“Good. I’ve missed you being around. It’s just so hard these days.” Patting my knee, Cassius tries to comfort me in silence, but I’m pretty sure he is the one who needs comforting. Unlike me, who still sees our fallen brethren, Cassius keeps away.
“I understand. But you must have faith that it will get better.” I keep my gaze on the window of light. “The Higher Power knows what It is doing.” I just wish I knew what It was doing, and what It truly wanted from us.
Cassius gets to his feet and holds his hand out to me, helping me up. He doesn’t comment and just shrugs his shoulders. “And we will continue to serve Its will.”
A soft knock sounds from the archway behind us, and I stiffen at the presence of Mikail. I don’t have to look to know it is the guardian. He has probably been lingering by this entire time. Privacy isn’t a thing, even in my own sanctuary. We are all separate entities, but we still can come as one on a spiritual plane, especially in the place that is connected to Heaven and the Mortal Realm.
“Welcome home, Zade. My heart fills with joy and light that you have decided to re-join us.” Mikail offers me a smile as he darts his gaze from mine to Cassius’s. “I am assuming you have an update on the situation? The guardians are gathering now with more news. They don’t want to wait long before they go after the devils again and it’s pertinent you know our plan of attack. We need you.”
Cassius thins his lips into a line. “Zade won’t let Heaven down.”
“I will not fail my purpose or fall from my path,” I say, clenching my fingers at my side. It feels as if everyone has been waiting for me, and some expected me not to return. It’s like they didn’t want me to even have a chance to prepare for any of this. But what can I do now?
Mikail leads the way from my sanctuary. Strolling beside me, Cassius stares at the side of my face as if he tries to read my mind. I keep my gaze focused on the pathway ahead of us. The world glows with heavenly light, and I spot dozens of figures gathering nearby. They are near the portal to the Mortal Realm.
“It is with utmost importance that we move quickly.” Meri, Mikail’s companion, unfurls her wings. “We need to strike hard and fast before the devils become aware of the situation at hand.”
“Zade has agreed to help us with the initial attack. The mortal will trust him, and he will be able to persuade her to come with him. And when we have her, we can assure Hell never gets what it wants. She will be sensible. She has to be.” Mikail clasps his hands together and bows his head. “Is everything clear?”
I scrunch my brows in confusion. Nothing is clear. It’s as if I’ve missed everything. And maybe, that’s the way that they intended it to be.
“No,” I say, peering around the brilliant light radiating from the angelic army. “I need a better explanation. Raven might trust me, but it’s not enough. Why would she come with me? I need something to tell her.”
