Page 398 of Castings & Curses

Neither sculpture was very large. The hollow made me think to re-examine the first sculpture, and when I pulled on the base, it came off.

"Hey, don't break it," Melinda exclaimed.

"It's alright," I said as a piece of paper dropped out of the base and fell on to the bed. "It looks like it's intended to be opened."

Melinda snatched up the paper, then unfolded it.

I moved closer, leaning in so I could read what it said. It was effectively a last message to Melinda from Misha, so I probably should've given her more privacy, in retrospect, but I was curious.

"Crazy," Melinda said.

It contained a list of names and information, only it wasn't any ordinary list. It was entitled 'Sins of Supernatural Beings' and it had six names listed. One was particularly familiar.

It read as follows:

1. Archangel Gabriel — secret lovechild.

2. Archangel Uriel — fabricating prophecy.

3. Seraphim Joanne — bribery and coercion.

4. Fallen Seraphim Joaquin — aiding the escape of dark entities.

5. Goddess Thursa — fomenting rebellion.

6. Shapeshifter Tori Sarell — turning supernaturals.

"I don't know why he would give this to me," Melinda said, shaking her head. "I didn't have anything to do with this — you have to believe me."

"It's alright," I told her, and held her hand comfortingly.

I was stunned by the list. Could Gabriel's lovechild — if this was true — be the one we were looking for? The fact Joanne's name appeared in the list wasn't reassuring. If this list was real then maybe she wasn't innocent, or perhaps she'd made herself vulnerable through her actions. I wasn't jumping to any conclusions, though.

"Misha might've given this to you as a backup, in case something happened to him. It's really hard to say, though. If the killer is looking for the list, then how would they know you had it? And how would they know it existed at all?"

"Misha might've told them, if they tortured him," Melinda replied. "I really don't like to think about that. Maybe they don't even know of its existence and they think Misha might've told me what he knew?"

"Also possible," I replied. "I don't think there's any other way around this — we need to take this list up to heaven. If it's what the killer's looking for, it isn't safe here. Some of these supposed crimes can only be investigated there."

Melinda nodded at that. "I don't want to put the non-angels in jeopardy if they're innocent, but I trust heaven to treat them fairly, as you have treated me."

"Then we should go right now," I said. "And stop on the way to warn Riga that the threat level might've increased."

* * *

We called aheadfor an escort of angels to accompany us as we made our way up to heaven. I feared another attack, and sure enough, by the time we were halfway there, a winged figure was spotted in the distance.

“What or who is it?” I heard an angel ask.

I didn’t know his name. "We need to keep going," I replied. "Fly faster."

We needed to make it back to heaven safe and sound. I hoped it wasn't a decision I'd regret, but what were the other options? Return to Enchant and hide out?

I felt uneasy about the approaching figure. We put on a burst of speed that took us up into the clouds more quickly. Melinda couldn't quite match our speed, but she was close, so we stayed together as a group. The winged figure gained on us, but they couldn't catch up before we reached heaven.

The moment we set down, I ordered more angels to go after our pursuer. I suspected they wouldn't catch up with the stranger, but I was hopeful.

Turning to Melinda, I asked, "Are you alright?"

---