Page 1 of Greed

I soared above the clouds, my wings skimming the puffy whiteness cutting pretty lines with the thick, white feathers. Dipping my tips, I flicked the magical fluff into the air and watched it fill in and reform once more. Below, the normally bright green grass was more vibrant today, glittering like emeralds. The sun, in all its golden brilliance, illuminated the sky, so it too seemed to be made of rare gems.

I loved patrolling this area of Heaven. Rarely anyone came out this far, and there was a special peace and beauty that lived here. It was difficult to put into words. This section was like a private reading nook. More than once, I’d brought one of the great books of history out to this location and let myself relax in the soft grass as I read. Here, the quiet took on another level, and the warmth of Father’s love washed over me, filling me with a clear purpose.

I pulled up as I reached the end of the area and turned toward the magnificent ivory palace. To behold the Palace of Creation brought emotion to my soul. Every time I held still and stared at the tall symbol of hope, a tear would slide down my cheek as a warmth would fill and spread throughout my body. The walls glimmered like an infinite number of diamonds and pearls, and the rich blue sky made the perfect serene backdrop for the place to shine like a beacon. The gilded peaks glistened, each marked with a golden statue of one of the angel guardians assigned to protect this place.

I smiled wide as my eyes fell on the statue of myself. It was the peak just to the left of Father’s. A sense of pride filled me, and my chest pushed out as I took in the magnificent sight as I had done many a day and would never grow tired of seeing.

“Hi, Maddix!” I looked over my shoulder and saw one of our newly appointed guardian angels waving. She had her week-old infant wrapped snugly in her arms.

“Do you have a name yet?” I called out.

“She has been blessed to be a guardian angel like myself when she is grown, so I’m calling her Tikshya so she will be filled with patience for her coming responsibilities.”

“Wonderful choice.” I gave her a salute. My hand made a fist as I laid it over my heart and smiled.

I stayed a few moments longer than I should, just staring out over the beauty and the angels hard at work in the distance. I rested my hand on the golden hilt of the sword strapped to my hip as my fingers traced the intricate lines of the finely crafted piece. The uniqueness of it symbolized my rank amongst my brothers and sisters and I took immense pride in the piece Father had created.

With a single thrust of my powerful wings, I was quickly off to finish my loop—banking to the left, the golden-colored tips of my wing disappeared amongst the white as I veered toward home. It felt amazing to stretch out my wings, pushing myself and rejuvenating my senses.

If there was wind here, I imagined it would blow in my face, but this was a place of perfection. The wind never stirred, the temperature was always the same mix of not too hot and not too cool, and the lands were always bright with a kaleidoscope of colors that shimmered no matter the time of day. Why would anyone ever want to leave this place?

Spotting old Shilo, one of the oldest angels amongst us, I pulled up and landed beside him.

“I don’t need your help. I’m not that old,” Shilo said, waving his hand in my direction. Not bothering to listen to him, I bent to pick up the large basket of ripe serenity fruit he’d dropped.

“Aw, don’t be like that. I would stop if it were any one of my fellow angels.” I held out the large basket for Shilo to take, a wide smile on my face.

“Careful, you smile like that for too long, and it may stay that way, son,” Shilo said, taking the offering.

“That’s my plan.”

“Really, and what is your plan for the humans and all the trouble they are stirring up on Earth,” Shilo asked. “Do you think your pretty smile will keep them from turning into the miscreant creatures that they are?”

My face fell a little at the mention of the humans. I didn’t have anything against them, but Father adored them like they were to be celebrated, and I didn’t see why. In a very short time, they’d become famous for causing trouble and hurting one another and the other creatures that inhabited Earth. They systematically destroyed the land they lived on without a care, and worse yet, they barely listened to the angels sent to protect and guide them.

Many angels quit and were banished from Heaven for not doing their designated duties, yet I didn’t blame them. Not only was it a difficult job to look after the humans when they didn’t want our help and blatantly ignored us, but it seemed like they weren’t held to as high of a standard as the rest of us. The situation was a nagging worry in the back of my mind. To be so conflicted about who was right when my loyalties were firmly with Father was disturbing.

The tension had reached a boiling point over Father’s unconditional love for them. Those that were duty-bound to protect the humans even questioned Father, and a divide had started to brew among all the angels. Complaints and bickering had been festering on both sides of the argument from the moment Lilith had fallen from grace.

I lifted my shoulder, unsure what Shilo wanted to hear. “My goal is always the same, to make sure that all those know what it is to give wholly of oneself to others—and how good it can feel to be generous in all things. And trust me, if I can show all these stubborn, set in their ways, angels a thing or two, then I’m positive I can pull it off for Father’s humans. It just might take me a bit more time.” I gave Shilo a wink.

“You have always been a good one, now begone with you before anyone else passing by thinks I’m a decrepit old angel in need of help,” Shilo teased, making me laugh.

“Okay, okay, I’m going, but you know if you ever need anything….”

“I know what cloud you like to perch on and the pretty little blonde that happens to sit there more and more frequently.” Shilo’s soft blue eyes twinkled with mischief.

I flushed hot, the smile miraculously spreading a little wider across my face. “I think that is my cue to get going. See you, Shilo. Have a great day!”

“If you’re going to unite with that sweet girl, could you please make sure to do it before I wither away into nothingness,” Shilo called out as I leaped into the air.

“I promise it will be sooner rather than later. Besides, it’s going to be a long time before the day of your withering comes,” I said back. With a thrust of my wings, I was off again, ready to have a cup of tea and a slice of homemade bread.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Shilo knew I’d been spending more time with Callista. It was bound to get out that I fancied her, and it seemed she felt the same way. Deciding to make a quick detour, I slipped beneath the thick clouds and stared at the opening to the River Styx. I slowed my pace as I made my way past the unusual area and watched in fascination as the human souls drifted lazily to the bank of Grace. Some of the souls had already emerged from the water, and in the customary single file march, they made their way toward the wide-sweeping arches of Heaven’s entrance.

Humans were an unusual bunch indeed. They certainly didn’t like to listen to the sage advice given by their designated angel. It was becoming a pandemic that the angels sent to work below would come back and beg for relocation. Why were these creatures, these humanoids, made to be so stubborn? What purpose did Father see in such a thing? Then again who was I to question Father’s will?

Shaking my head in wonder, I continued on home. I spotted Callista when I was still a little way out. Her waist-length golden hair shone in the sunlight. She’d settled herself on the little bench outside my modest home, her hands kneading the material of her simple white tunic. Landing beside her, she jumped up with a start and then sighed as she recognized me.