But if I don’t lie, what comes next? Could I be imprisoned for breaking the most divine law? Will I be banished? Will theyvaporizeme? Will I ever even be allowed to ascend?
I’ve heard rumors that if an angel offends the Archangels by breaking a divine law, they vaporize them right on the spot without a second thought. I’ve also heard that the Archangels are seven feet tall and utterly impossible to fight off. Guardians don’t often see the Archangels, so their appearance is a complete mystery to me.
I gulp and loosen the collar of my button-down cream shirt, re-tucking it into my brown slacks and tightening my black belt just to give my hands something to do. I don’t regret what I did, but the suspense of not knowing if I’ll make it might eat me alive.
As the sun begins to set, I realize procrastinating the inevitable won’t save me. It’s time to greet my fate.
I refuse to face certain darkness with anything less than a smile.
Venturing outside my quarters, a breath of fresh angel mist immediately covers me from head to toe. The crisp mist fills mewith light, giving me the extra push I need on my short walk to the headquarters. I follow the selenite crystal path leading to the palace’s bridge, passing by several other living havens similar to mine.
A green square courtyard lies just ahead. The selenite path is lined with a multitude of flower beds featuring white peonies and hydrangeas—among several other flowers I can’t quite name. A pristine opalite fountain spewing sparkling water lies at the square’s center, serving as the perfect focal point, while four other selenite paths fan out from the fountain to various other parts of this realm.
The path to my right leads to other living quarters for Watchers and Educators. To my left, another leads directly to the town’s marketplace, full of little shops, booths, and the atrium. The walkway straight ahead leads to a grand stone staircase connecting to the palace’s bridge.
I drag my feet down the path with my hands in my pockets, fixating on how to manage tonight. Before running into my Watcher, I had every intention of confessing my wrongs, accepting I didn’t have anything else to lose.
Cleo’s words alone didn’t scare me. No, the flash of emotion is what got me—the trace of fear etched in her gaze. It appeared to be a momentary lapse; she doesn’t seem like the type to wear her emotions on her sleeve. But for the briefest of seconds, her apprehension was sopotent, it leaked out against her will.
Wouldn’t it be wiser to be truthful tonight? Shouldn’t Archangels value that? Maybe if I walk in there and put myself on blast, I’ll get to prance out with a fancy new set of wings and ascend to the realm above amid a choir of angels singing.
But maybe not.
Lost in thought, I don’t even realize I’ve made it inside the building. I’m standing directly outside the throne room. I look up at the skylight above, registering the sun setting. I give the middle-aged angel with warm green eyes guarding the room a friendly nod, to which he shakes my hand.
“Kai Greene, I presume?” He smiles, looking me up and down.
“In the flesh.” I smirk. “Well, not quite in theflesh, but you get it.”
He grabs his stomach and chuckles loudly. Damn, it’s good to be back in the Middle Realm around people who get me. Jasper clearly didn’t.
“The Archangels are thrilled to make your acquaintance. Your Watcher and mentor are already inside. Go on in, son.” He pats my back and then opens the grand golden doors for me.
I stride past him, tossing him the widest grin I can, then turn toward the room, keeping the grin plastered on my face. A wave of calm energy washes over me as I stroll deeper into the vast room.
The throne room is even more serene than I imagined. Several large marble columns grace the room, giving it a timeless allure. Its walls are made of beaming selenite, similar to the walking paths throughout the realm. A glow radiates from within the room, and my lips part in shock.
The arched ceiling is adorned with angelic mosaics. My eyes veer toward the angels, cherubs, and pegasi illustrated throughout the piece. I desperately want to understand the story behind the art—how did it get here? Did Michelangelo pass through here and finish this project on his way up to the Golden Realm? Did the Archangels wave their fingers to weave this into existence?
At the other end of the room stand four separate thrones, one for each of the Archangels. It’s a relief that they aren’t all seven feet tall—that would’ve been slightly more intimidating. Although, a couple of them look a lot taller than me. All of them have enormous iridescent—almost transparent—golden wings that glisten as if covered in droplets of starlit water, too. I’ve heard they have the largest sets of wings in the realm.
In gazing at each angel, I realize I do not recognize them at all, except one. The one with silver eyes and icy-white hair sitting on the far-right throne looks vaguely familiar, though I can’t quite place my finger on how I know her…
Focus.I snap out of it, turning my attention to the other three thrones. Each Archangel reacts differently to my gawking and gaping.
The blond golden-skinned male in the center—yes, I know using the term male feels formal coming from me, but these angels seem too refined to be referred to as anything else—has his eyebrows slightly raised. I notice his cerulean eyes and chiseled cheekbones before glancing at the bronzed female Archangel on his right. Her ebony eyes hold a knowing look, as if she already knows all my secrets. The raven-haired, porcelain-skinned male to her right, on the other hand, appears bored. I’m borderline offended by his entire lack of interest. I peer into his amber eyes, attempting to gauge his character, but alas, his face remains entirely unreadable.
Again, my eyes wander to the platinum-haired, fair-skinned Archangel on the far-left throne. She smiles coyly before averting her gaze.
They’re all glowing.
Predictable.
Just behind the Archangels, a spiraled staircase of nearly blinding light stretches upward beyond the ceiling and into the sky. It’s rumored that the light serves as a path ascending directly to the Golden Realm above, cutting through the Middle Realm’s dome.
“Welcome, Kai Greene,” a velvet voice breaks my concentration as the throne room door closes, locking me in here with these ultrapowerful beings. “We’re so pleased to see you. To get the formalities over with, we’ll start with introductions. I’m Annalise.”
She nods to the man on her left.
