Page 95 of Under a Wicked Moon
Michael’s eyes softened as he said so quietly, Ky almost missed it, “Exactly. You passed the test to demonstrate you would choose the lives of others over yourself when faced with zero chance of survival.”
The nun stood and transformed into a much younger woman. “I concur, Michael, with the choice of these four as protectors and will report back on their success today.”
“You’re an angel, too?” Shocked, Ky said, “We’re all God’s warriors? Not just Roman?”
Michael nodded in the direction of the other angel. “That’s Gabriel.”
“She’s not a he?” Ky asked.
Michael chuckled softly. “Gabe can be a he or a she. Or whatever they want.”
Roman, now awake, blinked around him. He stared at Ky and slurred out, “How’d you… What’d you do? There’re three angels here. And…holy fuck? Is that Shane?” He slammed a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, angels.”
Shane snickered. “Told you your foul mouth would get you in trouble one day.”
“Fucking…flipping language police,” Roman muttered as he rose to a shaky stand. He limped over to Shane and decked him.
Shane cradled his jaw. “What was that for?”
“Faking your death. How could you? You almost killed all of us over it. You broke Mom’s heart.” He pulled Shane into a hug. “This is for still being alive. Thank you, God.” Roman pulled away to look around. “Will someone please tell me what happened to have three angels and everyone like this?”
“Ky tried to martyr himself to save us,” Flynn said. “Seems that doing it was the right choice for us to pass some sort of test in God’s eyes. Would’ve been nice to skip the paralysis and pain part.”
Roman pulled Nova into his lap. He felt her pulse and releaseda long breath. A sharp look up found Zadkiel. “Why not fix this problem with the radicalized lycans and other paranormals in these brainwashing facilities yourself?” Roman asked. A few silent moments later, he sighed and nodded. “Because it’s our job. Got it. We’re on it.”
All the humans remained still and speechless, shocked in their positions on the floor.
Zadkiel pressed something into Roman’s hand before giving Michael a strange look.
Michael leaned in toward Ky. He experienced a feeling of peace and clearheadedness unlike anything in his life. The smell of comfort—that of the foods he savored in all their glorious freshness to the point of brilliance—surrounded him.
Michael glanced toward Vivi. He whispered, “You’ve left it unfinished. Unresolved.”
“Vivi?” He blinked up at Michael.
“Choices must be made. It needs to be decided.”
What’d that mean? He needed to end it with her once and for all? He swallowed hard past the dryness in his throat. “Thank you for what you did today. For always being with me.”
“It is you whom I must thank.” Michael bowed to him. “Thank you for believing. The world needs you. Not the monarch. The world.”
Zadkiel stood abruptly. “Roman, you must make all the humans forget us. Let me call your ride.” He dialed on his phone. “This is Zadkiel. Yes, the angel. I need you to be in this location at exactly ten thirty-six in the evening on Tuesday with an SUV fully gassed up.” He rattled off their address. He slipped his phone back into his dark jeans.
“That’s the call I got a day and a half ago,” Shane said. “How’s that possible?”
Helping Roman to his feet but supporting him beneath a shoulder, Zadkiel helped him move outside but didn’t answerShane.
Michael did similar to Ky. And Gabriel helped Flynn.
“What about the Curmsun Disc?” Roman asked.
“The humans got themselves into that pickle,” Zadkiel said. “Let them realize their mistake. They’ll ask you to clean it up. Ultimately, you’ll deal with it.”
“How’d you make a call back in time?” Flynn asked.
Zadkiel smiled mysteriously but didn’t answer.
“We probably don’t get one of those phones when we start working for God, do we?” Flynn asked.
