⚜Guardian⚜

Chapter Twenty Two

Back in the present, Asher was still broken heartedly hanging over her body. Her eyes stared glassily at the roof, and Asher cried over the lack of life there. He cried over the fact that she would never breathe again. She would never laugh again. She would never make those little gasping noises into his mouth as she pressed her lips to his. She would never tell him the three words she had only said to him once. "I love you." Those words still rang in his ears, as loudly and clearly as when she had said them.

A blinding flash of light surged through the room. A messenger was probably here to claim Lacey's soul. Asher sobbed, his breath hitching as he stared at her blond curls. God, he would miss those.

"Asher, you have failed as a Guardian Angel. Yet once again, the Fates have not predicted this. Her soul lingers because the universe is in chaos. The reapers weren't assigned to this spot." The Messenger declared. Asher didn't even look at her. His gaze remained fixed on Lacey. The rest of the world was void and blurry to him.

"Demote me. Kill me. I don't care." He seethed quietly.

"Neither punishment will be delivered. We apologize, but we are unable to deliver another second chance. That was almost impossible to do, and even in the most dire of situations, we can't do that for you." The Messenger said. Asher clutched Lacey tighter to him. The already broken fragments of his heart shattered even further. It was like the Messenger had stepped on his heart, crushing any remains of hope that had dared to remain.

"Great." Asher driveled. "I'll do it myself."

"There will be no need for that. Your Alessia will be restored." The Messenger announced in the same monotone voice. Asher's head snapped upwards, looking at her for the first time.

"What?" He driveled.

"We will restore her in return for a favor. You will need to meet with the Board as planned. You will fly out there tonight."

"Done." Asher promised easily. He still didn't believe that they were just giving this to him. Was it even possible? It didn't make sense. Why was Lacey so important that she would need to be brought back? Could she even be brought back? The Messenger moved so that she was touching Lacey's temples. The Messenger's eyes rolled back into her head and she began shaking violently. Asher stared at her through his blurred vision, his entire body feeling numb. Everything was surreal to him right now. This all felt like some stupid dream he would wake up from. Beams of light pulsed through the Messenger's veins, and soon Lacey's body shook, too. He closed his eyes, silently sending a prayer to God.

Please God, if there's any justice in this world, bring her back.

"Come on," the Messenger hissed. I know this is the single most selfish thing I've ever wanted. Hell, it's the only thing I've ever wanted. But I will promise you whatever you want. Years of undying servitude.

"COME ON!" I will never break a rule upstairs again. Just let me hold her. Let life course through her body once again. Let her soul return to her body, where it belongs.

"It's not working. It's not working." the Messenger whispered. I know I haven't been the most reliable agent. I know I've screwed up almost every direct order you've given me. But that was because I hadn't discovered what it was to feel human emotions. I had never felt my heart speed up in my chest, or how my breathing seemed to hitch in my throat. But now it's different. Now I know what it is to feel. Now I know how to make another person feel like their world is spinning in such a good way. In the small amount of time that I've known Lacey, my world has changed. She alone has changed everything.

"I'm sorry, Asher. Sometimes it just isn't meant to be. In afraid I have no other purpose here." the Messenger declared. Asher felt a rustle, meaning the Messenger had stood up. Asher never so much as opened his eyes. I used to think being human meant being weak. Being sorrowful for your existence. After all, their life spans are so short. How could one accomplish anything in a life so short? I've grown to learn that I've had it wrong all along. Humans are probably the most powerful species in the universe. The sheet power of their will is astonishing. When they want something, they stop at nothing to achieve it. Yes, being a human means having a short life. But the lives they lead are empowered with decisions, made for the better or for the worse. Decisions that can change someone else's life. Decisions that can hurt almost everyone who loves you.

"I know you must be hurting, but we must go Upstairs." It's hard for me to admit this, but being human is something to be envied. I finally understand why you go through so much to protect humans. They're so worth it. They're fascinating, lively, and ambitious. We have so much to learn from them. Lacey isn't just some insignificant human who can be discarded. You kept her alive. You wanted her. Lucifer wanted her. She obviously means something. She needs to be kept alive somehow. Not only is she important to the Fates and the Board, but she is important to me.

"You have to move on. We need to get up there. Now." I can't imagine a life without Lacey. As far as I know, I don't want to live one. Without even knowing it, she became the reason I got up in the morning. The reason I followed every Guardian order to the letter. She was the reason I never once doubted you for these past couple of weeks. I said to myself, if Lacey ran away, it's because God has a plan. He's taken her from me so she can accomplish something. If this was true, then don't stop there. Bring her back. I don't just want her- I need her. Let her be alive. Let her breathe. Let me love her.

"Dear Lord!" The Messenger cried. A bright, white hot light burned behind Asher's closed eyelids. Asher felt movement and he nearly opened his eyes, but from the way the Messenger was screaming about the light, he knew it was too bright to look at. Soon it faded, and Asher opened his eyes. The Messenger was standing a couple feet away, her head turned over her shoulder, looking back at them with vivid interest.

"Divine intervention!" The Messenger breathed in astonishment. Lacey's eyes drifted open. Asher's heart lurched so painfully in his chest, and then Lacey uttered the only three words that could possibly make his life worse.

"Who are you?"