Page 393 of Castings & Curses

"I imagine they're probably like everybody else, in that they can't be paying attention all the time. Now, it's possible they've enchanted an object, so extensive spellcasting isn't required when they want to search an area. It's also possible they have watchers — other beings or magic folk who are keeping an eye out. If it was me, I'd send them here," Riga said.

"Well that's not discomforting at all," I said, a tone of sarcasm in my voice. "You could be right, though. We'll need to be careful and not assume Enchant is safe."

"I feel like we're no closer to figuring out who's responsible," Melinda replied.

"Maybe there's something I can do about that," I said. "I need to get the results of the magical analysis back. I might pay a visit to the sentinels and see what they've witnessed in the vicinity of the crimes."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Melinda asked.

Her tone was uneasy, which wasn't surprising, as she hadn't been on the best terms with heaven lately.

"No, I think this is something I'm best doing myself," I replied. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. Why don't you see if you can find out who would likely have access to that kind of magic, and what kind of magic they'd need to do it?" I asked.

Riga was listening. "A few types of magic spring to mind — shamanic, angelic, and scrying. It might be possible to narrow it down."

I nodded, and it wasn't lost on me that angelic magic was included. I strongly suspected the killer had connections to heaven, but we would see. Maybe it was just what they wanted us to think, in the hope we wouldn't do our due diligence.

When Riga turned her back, I kissed Melinda. The goddess smiled against my lips, and I heard a small huff from Riga across the room.

"Don't think I can't see you out of the back of my head," she said with a grin of her own.

I left through the door, and once I was outside the shielded area, I changed form and flew upward toward heaven. I really didn't like heights, but I'd been flying so much lately, it didn't make me as uneasy as it had before.

I had a greater concern I'd be attacked like Raphael had been, but I didn't encounter any problems as I flew up into the sky. It only took a few minutes of flight before I surged through the grand entrance of heaven and set down on my own two feet.

I felt human, even though I was an angel now, but Melinda was right. In my heart, I was a being of light. I wanted to help people, and even though only a couple of days had passed since I took on the case, it still felt like I wasn't making enough progress fast enough. I wanted to catch the killer before they could harm anyone else.

That was why I was here. There were avenues I could only pursue in heaven, and perhaps, there were clues to be found here if an angel was responsible.

I dropped in on the young angel named Carriel first, who I found grooming the hierarchy's pegasi in the heavenly stables. Pegasi were winged horses, and though angels seldom rode them into battle these days, they were a sight to behold. Beautiful, certainly, with opalescent wings that reflected a myriad of colors when the light shone through them. They appeared friendly and sociable, but I knew in battle they had a reputation for being tremendously powerful and aggressive when needed. One should never underestimate a pegasi.

"Carriel," I called out as I approached her.

I was reluctant to get too close to the pegasi, even though they didn't seem to mind my presence. Their manes shone like the sun, and I resisted the temptation to shield my eyes as Carriel approached.

"Such beautiful beings, aren't they?" I asked. They weren't animals, exactly. They were more than that. Even many animals were more than humanity relegated animals to be, but that was a discussion for another time.

"Yes, and strong-willed," Carriel agreed.

"Do you know if the results of the analysis on the pin are back?"

"Oh, of course. Yes, they are. I gave them to Raphael — I hope that's alright."

"Of course," I said. "Why wouldn't it be? I'll go find him then."

She nodded to me, and then turned and went back to her work. It looked enjoyable, but given a choice I'd rather be on Earth because Melinda was there.

* * *

Raphael foundme before I'd made my way to his quarters. It seemed quite by chance, but then as angels we knew that there was an undercurrent of destiny that ran through the world. Not every fate was defined by it — for example, Misha's, but it was there like a path in the sand that could help guide us in the right direction. I suspect that was why I ran into him.

We sat down on a white stone wall under the shade of a palm tree. It wasn't a busy part of heaven, but nor was it deserted, as one of the minor thoroughfares was located nearby.

"I've been meaning to contact you, Aurelia," Raphael said. "I would've returned to Enchant last night, but I'm still not quite well."

That would've been awkward if he'd turned up while Melinda and I were together.

"I'm sure you needed the time to heal. What did you find?" I asked him.

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