Page 244 of Crimson Promises
Daniel’s gaze swept over the camp. "This is where we mold the finest of the guardian angels. It is a place of discipline, learning, and, most importantly, understanding one's purpose."
A horn sounded in the distance, signaling the end of the day's training. The camp slowly settled as angels gathered around a massive bonfire.
Daniel beckoned me to follow him to a large tent that seemed to serve as some armory or supply point. Inside, several angels distributed items to the recruits—none I recognized. I tried to smile at one, but they were so focused on themselves that they dismissed my olive branch of kindness. When it was my turn, I was handed a dense, leather-bound book—the rulebook for Guardian Angels. Glancing down, I found myself with a massive tome, its cover embossed with intricate patterns of feathers and celestial bodies.
"You'll need to know this inside and out," Daniel said, his gaze unwavering. "Tomorrow, your training begins in earnest. Rest well, Bennett. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your eternal duty."
With that, he gestured toward a series of tents on the far end—the sleeping quarters for the recruits.
The weight of the day's revelations bore heavily on my mind as I approached the tent assigned to me. It wasn't much to look at—just a simple, thin mattress with a blanket on a cot—but at least it offered some privacy.
That was a generous word for it in the dim light of my chambers. Cold seeped through the tent’s flap that kept opening in the wind.I could have sworn I remember Heaven having better weather than this. Despite running warmer than mortal, I assumed the unnatural cold was the first step in our training. I tossed on my cot from one side to another. Sleep felt impossible.
I conjured a ball of power. My well of magic was impressively larger than from when I had been an Ordinary. I summoned some heat for myself.
Is this what Aurora feels with all of her power?It was fucking cool to control more than one thing without feeling like I would pass out from the sheer control it required of me. No wonder the Gifted were cocky pricks.
I turned my attention to the rulebook for Guardian Angels. Given the recent turn of events and the immense responsibility thrust upon me, it was essential to understand every facet of this newfound status.
I slowly turned the pages, trying to digest the rules and guidelines laid out for those like me. Most of the rules seemed straightforward: "Protect your charge at all costs," "Do not interfere with their free will," and "Always remain invisible unless necessary." But as I delved deeper into the book, one rule caught my attention.
"Guardians often possess a profound, existing bond with their charges, a bond that the heavens amplify for the purpose of undeterred protection. This connection is intense, threading the very essence of both souls together."
My brows furrowed as I continued reading, the weight of each word sinking in. The following line made my heart skip a beat.
"The depth of this bond is frequently misconstrued as love, both by mortals and celestial beings. Guardians must tread carefully, for such feelings, while genuine, are magnified by the sacred bond. Misinterpretation can lead to dire consequences for both the charge and the Guardian."
I leaned back, taking a moment to process. Could it be? Was the connection I felt with Aurora, the intensity of emotions that surged through me whenever I thought of her, just a byproduct of this guardian bond? Or was there more? My heart argued that our love was genuine, but my mind, for the first time, was clouded with doubt.
Lying down, the sounds of the barracks surrounded me: the soft murmurs of angels in whispered conversations, the rustle of wings adjusting for comfort. My eyelids felt heavy, and as I allowed them to close, the cascade of memories and thoughts merged into a whirlwind that pulled me into the depths of sleep.
I was a child again, running through fields of golden wheat under a too bright sun. The joy in my heart was palpable, laughter bubbling up and spilling forth, but it was cut short by the sight of my mother, tears streaming down her face, her sobs echoing like thunder in the vast expanse. Her voice reached me, filled with sorrow and regret, whispering broken promises and half-forgotten lullabies.
The scene shifted, and I was standing in a barren landscape surrounded by thick fog, which felt suffocating. Shadows danced at the periphery of my vision, taunting and jeering. Yet, through the mist, emerged a tall figure with an air of authority. Their face was obscured. But as they approached, I could make out a smile—a kind, gentle curve of the lips that exuded warmth and understanding. That smile felt like an anchor, grounding me amidst the chaos, pulling me closer. Just as I was about to discern their features, they dissolved into mist, their presence fading like a forgotten memory.
My heart raced, the dreams shifting and turning, each scene melting into the next, a blend of my past, present, and fears of the future. I found myself falling, the wind howling in my ears; just before I hit the ground, I jolted awake.
Gasping for breath, the remnants of the dream clung to me. The barracks were quiet, with only the sounds of other angels in slumber around me. But the weight of the dreams, the emotions they evoked, remained, and sleep seemed a distant, elusive comfort.
The first light of dawn painted the barracks in soft hues, pulling me from a restless slumber. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, the vivid memories of the night's dreams still fresh.
Without warning, the tent flap flung open, and I stuck my head out.
“New recruits!” Daniel called out with authority, causing all present to stir and turn their attention to him. "You are summoned to The Hall of Harmony. Prepare yourselves and gather in formation."
A sense of anticipation buzzed in the air. The Hall of Harmony was a place of legends, spoken of in hushed tones and revered by angels young and old. It was where we would discover our charges, the souls we were destined to protect.
The fifteen recruits filed out of the barracks, forming a loose line behind Daniel as he led the way. As we drew closer, the majestic frontage of The Hall of Harmony loomed before us.
Towering gothic spires reached for the skies, and an intricate lattice of stained-glass windows painted the world in a motley of blues. The hues ranged from the softest azure to the deepest sapphire, each pane telling its own story. Sunlight streamed through, casting dappled patterns on the ground.
Upon entering, I was struck by the sheer scale and beauty of the place. High-vaulted ceilings soared above us, and the gentle hum of angelic harmonies resonated in the background. A sense of profound peace pervaded the hall, and for a moment, all my worries melted away.
Daniel cleared his throat, drawing our attention. "Here, in The Hall of Harmony, you will learn who you are meant to protect. I will address this only once. Pay attention: You cannot swap your charges, change them, or ask for another. Who you get has been determined by the Almighty and is a design of fate. Let your heart be open, and let the hall guide you. I will await you outside.”
Each angel entered the inner sanctum one by one, and a smile spread across most faces as they exited. There was only one that came out with puckered brows.
The door to the inner sanctum of The Hall of Harmony slowly creaked open, revealing a chamber bathed in blue light—my turn.The air permeated with a hint of lavender and sandalwood. I hesitated momentarily at the threshold, absorbing the room's serenity, before stepping inside.
