CASTIEL'S REQUIEM

Chapter 7: Guardian angel

Castiel's living room was a sleek and modern oasis, a stark contrast to the ancient being that inhabited it. The walls were painted a crisp white, and the floors were made of polished black marble. A minimalist sofa and armchair, both in a rich charcoal gray, sat atop a plush area rug in a subtle geometric pattern. The coffee table was a gleaming slab of glass, reflecting the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

A few carefully selected pieces of modern art adorned the walls, their bold colors and abstract shapes adding a touch of personality to the otherwise austere space. A sleek, silver-gray bookshelf stood against one wall, its shelves lined with a curated collection of leather-bound tomes and rare manuscripts. The room was illuminated by a combination of floor lamps and recessed lighting, casting a warm, soft glow over the entire space.

Despite its modern aesthetic, the room exuded a sense of timeless elegance, a testament to Castiel's refined taste and her ability to blend the old with the new. And yet, amidst this sophisticated backdrop, the angel's bowed head and troubled expression seemed utterly out of place, a poignant reminder that even the most powerful beings can be vulnerable to the weight of their own thoughts.

Castiel's thoughts swirled with unease as she reflected on her uncharacteristic behavior in the alleyway. She had inexplicably intervened, saving the human child from certain doom. Now, she was plagued by regret and uncertainty. "Emily," she whispered, astonished by the tiny human's ability to pierce her normally impenetrable heart.
Castiel's gaze turned inward, her mind grappling with the unfamiliar emotions that had driven her to act so impulsively. She had long ago severed her ties with mortals, after the pain of losing her last human friends had become too much to bear. Yet, here she was, inexplicably bound to this tiny, angel-obsessed child. The irony wasn't lost on her - she had become Emily's guardian angel, tasked with protecting her until the inevitable day when she would reap the child's soul. Castiel's eyes closed, her thoughts echoing with the whispered words: "What have I done?"
Castiel downed her espresso in one swift motion, the cup clattering into the trash can as she tossed it away. "Bullseye," she muttered, her frown deepening as her ear twitched, begging to be scratched. An angel, scratching her ear? It was absurd, yet the sensation persisted. Her gaze narrowed, focusing on the strange, crawling sensation at the back of her mind. Ah, yes, the little brat, Emily, demanding her attention like a persistent itch.
"Save a mortal's life, and kiss bliss and silence goodbye," Castiel grumbled, her wings unfolding from her back with a soft whoosh. She launched herself into the air, soaring toward Sutton Lane with a grace that belied her irritation. The wind rushed past her, a gentle caress that failed to soothe her growing unease. What had she gotten herself into, binding herself to this tiny, mortal creature? Only time would tell.
—_—
Castiel alighted on the porch of the quaint cottage, a charming anomaly in the midst of Dawn City's urban landscape. Her gaze settled on the dark-haired beauty, Maureen Imelda Rodriguez, who looked to be twenty-two or twenty-three. Castiel's mind rifled through her vast repository of knowledge, recalling the details of Maurie's past: the star cheerleader of Dawn City High, unexpectedly pregnant with Delaney Matters' child, abandoned by the cowardly father-to-be.

With a mischievous whisper, Castiel breathed "Boo" into Maurie's ear. The woman's hand instinctively flew to her ear, slapping at it as if to swat away an insect. "What the heck?" Maurie swore, scanning her surroundings for the elusive creature. Castiel's laughter burst forth, a melodious sound that echoed through the evening air, her eyes sparkling with mirth at the absurdity of the situation.

"Humans and their gullibility," Castiel said with a chuckle, shaking her head. She'd wager her vast fortune that Emily had eagerly shared her fantastical tale of angelic encounters and demonic defeats with her mother, only to be met with disbelief. "Typically human," she mused aloud, striding through the open doorway into the living room.