“Grandpa Frank told me all the tales of how you and the other angel person, Dante, helped get him and countless others to safety. He thanked God for bringing you two into his life. He called it a miracle.” Alex loved talking about his grandpa.
“Dante was just a man,” Sarah corrected.
“No, Grandpa Frank was sure. He even painted one of Dante.” Alex took off walking excitedly toward the living room. Over the couch was another beautifully done painting. This one of Paul. It was exactly like the photograph that Sarah had of him only more beautiful and in color.
“But…” Sarah was speechless.
“Grandpa Frank made me promise that I would give you a letter if you ever came. It was from Dante to you. Grandpa said he forgot he had the letter until you had already disappeared. He searched for you for years before giving up. He even met my grandmother while searching for you. In his mind, it was just another way you blessed his life,” Alex explained while he lifted up the portrait of Paul and retrieved a letter hidden behind it.
Sarah took the letter, still confused by the whole ordeal. Dante was Paul? She was to meet Dante to pick up prisoners and ferry them the rest of the way to America. She had done three transfers before Dante finally agreed to meet but on the day they were to meet Azazel came. Sarah quickly opened the letter and read the contents.
My dear Ceralin,
Please forgive me for my absence. I have been given my mission from God, I cannot refuse. I had not seen you in so long that I barely remembered your face until I realized it was you I was to meet. My mission is to keep my father from destroying the world. I undermine his efforts as subtly as I can but it doesn’t seem enough. I’m sorry for endangering you but I had no idea it was you and I can’t do this alone. These poor people are being persecuted for their beliefs, I can’t sit idly by and let them die. I hope you understand and know that I had no choice. If I do not make it to you then perhaps I’m caught. In that case be warned. My father says that soon Samael will be returned to heaven and he will be free to create chaos.
Love,
Your brother Paul
“So he is one of the good guys!” Kathrine exclaimed with far too much enthusiasm.
“Yes, Kathrine, he’s one of the good guys after all,” Sarah conceded begrudgingly.
“I told you so!” Kathrine was nearly jumping for joy.
“So this was helpful?” Alex asked.
“Yes, thank you so much,” Sarah replied.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get it to you sooner, we really tried to find you.” Alex looked upset.
“No, no, don’t be sorry. This letter would have made much less sense a few days ago,” Sarah stated. “God got it to me at just the right time. You did exactly as he wanted.”
“Good.” Alex looked relieved.
“We need to be going, is there anything we can do for you. As a thank you for all you have done for us?” Sarah owed this man and his grandfather, she intended to pay up.
“Actually, can I get a picture of the two of you?” Alex asked meekly.
“Of course,” Kathrine chimed in. She owed this man and his grandfather as well. This was the least they could do.
“But I must warn you. Telling anyone else that we are ‘angel people’ could put you in serious danger. We need to keep this between us.” Sarah’s tone was serious now. A human walking around talking about ‘angel people’ would either get called crazy or worse be taken seriously. This would attract the attention of vampires and fallen angels.
“Oh yes, Grandpa Frank always said this secret stays in our family.” Alex pointed the camera at them and took a picture. “You never know, next time you visit me, or maybe my grandkids. You might see a new painting.” Alex smiled. “I’m no Grandpa Frank, but I could get better.”
“Good luck to you Alex. And remember, this stays in the family.” Sarah said as she waved goodbye.
Sarah and Kathrine were soon in the car heading to return the car from where Kathrine had stolen it. Before too long Kathrine had to speak. She couldn’t hold back any longer.
“So I’m stuck then right?” Kathrine asked disdainfully.
“Yep, and I’m very sorry.” Sarah kept looking at the road, this was hard for Kathrine and she knew it.
“What do I do now?” Kathrine sounded desperate.
“You have faith. God gave you a partner, he’s not dead, he’s not evil. He’s not even married,” Sarah smirked at Kathrine.
“I guess you have a point but I still can’t be with him.” Kathrine’s brief smile faded to sadness again.
“God will put you together when the time is right. Until then you will learn and you will train. On the day that God decides it’s time for you to help Paul, you will be ready.” Sarah sounded very sure of this.
“I suppose you’re right. I just need to keep myself busy and focus on getting stronger until then,” Kathrine sighed.
“You know what helped me a lot. I kept a journal, more like a story of my life kinda thing. Maybe that might help. You can go back and read it later, remember how much you wanted to be with him. Go over the stupid things you did so that you don’t do them again.” Sarah smiled hoping it might cheer Kathrine up.