“What?” I asked.
Hesitating, he said, “I don’t know, Luc. They reassigned all of us, even Mona. They said we weren’t to talk to you.”
“Who is ‘they’?”
“Some David guy, along with you-know-who.”
“No, I don’t know who.”
Zack shrugged. “Your favorite person.”
“Jesus? I love him, and he loves me. He loves everyone.”
“You told me one time that you didn’t get the hype. Now you’re saying you love him?”
“We had a falling out a long time ago, but that’s in the past. I got over it, and he should too. Isn’t the forgiveness thing his whole schtick anyway? And by the way, that debacle with Mary Magdalene had nothing to do with me. I couldn’t control her. I think he and I are on good terms now though.”
“You’re always saying that, Luc. It was a long time ago, but you still haven’t taken responsibility for it. I think that’s the only thing causing problems for you now.”
“No, what’s causing problems for me now is that I’m in love with Evey. My past wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for her. Why didn’t they banish me to the Star Wars bar?”
“Because of your past. They’ve just had it. They think you’re a lost cause.”
“A lost cause? Do you know how many great events in history I’m responsible for?”
“I gotta go,” Zack said.
“You’re my best friend, Zack.”If I said it enough, maybe he’d believe me and stick by me.
“I have to go and do what’s right.” He reached his hand out for a shake, and I pulled him into a hug.
“I’m going to miss you,” I told him.
“It might not be forever.”
“I hope not, but I’m changing. Something is happening to me.” He nodded but didn’t reply. “Zack, will you please find Mona and tell her I need to talk to her?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Then with complete sorrow written on his face, he flew away into the powerful wind, flapping his crappy wings as hard as he could to get enough lift.
I got a chill sitting on top of the tower. I had never been cold before. Wrapping my wings around myself, I waited. There was a thump behind me… feet landing.
“Lucian?” Mona sounded defeated.
I couldn’t look at her. I kept my head down when I spoke. “How bad is it?”
“I fought for you.”
“Just tell me how bad it is.”What is everyone keeping from me?
“All the higher-ups decided you weren’t worth helping.”
She was standing next to me by that point; I could feel it. “So I’m not banished, but it’s worse? I lost two feathers today.”
“That’s going to happen.”
“What else is going to happen, Mona?”
“I’m not certain, but I don’t think it will be pretty.”
