Page 243 of Crimson Promises
My head jerked back in shock. They were going to try andhelp. My eyes bored into Michael over Azrael’s shoulder. He was behind this. Why? I wasn’t sure. But you could bet your ass I was going to find out.
“Don’t look so surprised, Caelum. We are not evil.”Agree to disagree. Azrael leaned forward, “I’ll be watching you, Bennett Caelum, waiting when you reveal your cards. Iknowyou have deeper ties to your former leader than you let on. It will be a pleasure to permanently wipe you from this earth once I get what I need from you. That is theonlyreason you are here. Don’t forget that for a second.” He sauntered away through a set of amethyst doors that echoed a heavy thud as it closed behind him.
I resisted the urge to dry heave behind him.
The room began to empty, the angels departing with a flurry of wings and whispered conversations. Michael approached his formal presence a reassuring balm.At least some things haven’t changed.
"Welcome back," he murmured, his voice clipped and formal.
I smiled weakly. "It's good to be back, though I never imagined it would be like this."
He chuckled softly. "Life is full of surprises." He always cut an imposing figure, but the hard planes of his expression seemed softer since the last time I had seen him. “We will catch up when it is safe. Especially abouther. Her presence won’t remain concealed for long fromthem.”
I nodded in agreement. Now that I was a Gifted angel, we had to be extra careful of our interactions. We were on their radar now. Everything was a heightened risk.
“I still can’t quite believe it,” I stated.
The weight of Michael's gaze pressed heavily upon me, a scrutiny I hadn't expected. There was a deep gratitude in his eyes, a kind I'd rarely seen, especially from someone of his rank and power. "Ben," he began, his voice gruff with emotion. "For savingher... thank you. My debt to you for that is immeasurable."
A shiver ran down my spine. Why was he so profoundly grateful?
Aurora was just another assignment to me, or it had started that way. Yes, over time, the bond between us grew, and she became someone who viewed me as worthy. Someone I loved, but why was she of such monumental significance to Michael?
"However," he continued, the threat evident in his tone. "Do not mistake my gratitude for trust. I should tear you apart limb from limb for violating my directives, especially concerning your…personal relationship withher. Now is not the time or place. Lucky for you.”
The air grew colder, and the tension in the room tightened. Every instinct screamed to defend myself, explain, and justify my actions, but what could I say? Yes, I'd grown closer to Aurora, but that was never part of the plan. I was supposed to protect her, not fall into the complicated web of emotions that now ensnared us both. Neither one of us could live without the other. We had been through too much to lose each other now.
With a deep breath, I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Michael, I assure you, my primary goal has always been, and will always be, her safety. I need to send word to her, though. She must be worried.”Or worse.
A mocking smile played on his lips. “We shall see. Leave trying to communicate with her to me. We have enough eyes on us as it is. We can’t afford any infractions. Especially you,” he murmured, turning away. My heart raced, and a million questions whirled in my head. Just who was Aurora to Michael? Why was she so crucial to him? And why did I feel there was so much more at stake than I'd ever known?
A gentle hand rested on my shoulder when I stepped out of the Council’s chamber. Startled, I turned to face an ethereal figure with gossamer wings that glinted like moonlight. Her almond-shaped eyes, a translucent shade of aqua, were tranquil.
"I am Serenity," she murmured, her voice melodic, like the soft tinkling of chimes. "I've been assigned to guide you to the barracks."
The chamber's grand doors closed behind us with a muted thud. As we walked, the hallowed halls of the Council chambers transitioned to vast, open courtyards adorned with fountains that sang with crystalline water. Angels of various ranks and responsibilities fluttered about, their conversations blending into a harmonious hum.
Beyond the courtyards lay serene gardens filled with flowers that seemed to pulse with life, their colors more vivid than anything I had ever witnessed. Bioluminescent trees lined our path, their branches adorned with what looked like starlit fruits, casting soft, dappled light. The aroma that wafted in was intoxicating—a mix of ambrosia and cinnamon.
Serenity led the way. Her presence was soothing, and her stride confident. Occasionally, she would point out landmarks or areas of importance: meditation zones for those seeking communion with their higher selves, and libraries containing scrolls and texts chronicling the cosmos's history.
Our journey took us across a bridge made entirely of shimmering light, beneath which flowed a river of pure, molten gold. Over the bridge, you could feel the ambiance shift from serene reverence to purpose and discipline. Here, I first glimpsed the vast camp that would be my home for the foreseeable future.
I had to meet with Michael ASAP. We needed to figure out how I could return to Aurora. I couldn’t precisely saunter away now that I was on their radar.
Serenity paused at the camp's entrance, her gaze meeting mine. "This is where your journey as a Guardian Angel truly begins," she whispered. "Remember, every step you take from here on is not just for you but for those you will be sworn to protect."
With that, she folded her wings gracefully behind her and stepped aside, gesturing for me to proceed. I took a deep breath, letting my new path sink in, and stepped into the barracks, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
The transition from the grandeur of the Council's chamber and its surrounding grounds to the Guardian Angel barracks was disorienting. One moment, I stood amid the opulence of celestial designs and glistening marble; the next, a gust of wind hit my face as I stood at the entrance of what looked like a vast military camp.
Around me spanned rows of tents, each adorned with a shield with a flaming sword, Michael’s symbol. Of course, all training fell under his responsibility. The ground, a mixture of sand and crushed crystal, shimmered beneath my feet. The entire camp buzzed with activity as angels in training moved in synchronized patterns.
A pang of nostalgia gripped me. The organized chaos, the sound of armor clinking, and the hum of focused energy were eerily reminiscent of serving under Lucifer's banner during The Great War. With Jos. A time I had tried hard to put behind me.
"Bennett!” A deep voice resonated across the field, drawing my attention to a tall, commanding figure approaching me. His pristine silver armor contrasted with his dusty pink wings that cascaded behind him. His features were sharp and angular. "I am Daniel,” he introduced himself, a hint of a smile on his lips. "One of Michael's trusted generals and the overseer of this camp."
I gave a curt nod, trying to mask my unease. "It's an honor."
