When Angels Fall In Love

Chapter 14: Suspension of Concern

"What in Heaven's name were you thinking, Erelah?!"  Michael was livid beyond belief as he yelled in her face.  She hadn't blacked out long this time.  Maybe only a few minutes passing because when she came to, Michael and her two other angelic brothers, Baelic and Tymere, were still standing over her while her head rested in Michael's lap and his fingers stroked her cheek.  They had allowed her all of five minutes to collect herself before Michael had jumped into this latest torrent of rage and questions.  Erelah had just stayed silent, finding herself looking off blankly into the distance as Michael paced before her.  "Are you even listening to me?"

Erelah finally looked up at Michael, who had paused his pacing to question her once again.  Questions, so many questions...when will this end?  She met his gaze, keeping her face carefully blank as he studied and scrutinized her.  "You understand that you almost died, Erelah?  His voice was much softer this time, his expression shifting to one of pleading as she held his eyes.

"Yes, I do."  Was her only response as Michael finally turned away and rubbed at his face.  They were all splattered with ichor, the scent clogging her nose as she pulled her knees a little tighter to her chest.  Baelic and Tymere stood off to side silently as they waited for Michael to address them, they hadn't said a word to her but she could feel the intensity of their eyes on her.

Michael sighed heavily.  "I'm suspending your role in scouting missions."  Erelah's eyes went wide at his words before looking up at him.  Her own anger rose like a fanned flame and she couldn't stop herself...

"Fuck you, Michael."  Her own words startled her.  The second they had left her lips, she regretted it but she couldn't help the slightest bit of satisfaction as Michael stared back her in shock.

"What did you just say?"

"You heard me."  Erelah was on her feet now, standing before Michael as they both stared at each other but she wasn't backing down, not this time.

"Leave us."  Michael ordered, his attention flicking to Baelic and Tymere who Erelah could only guess looked horrified by her outburst.  There was a flurry of feathers ruffling before a whoosh of air and they were gone.  Erelah only had a second before something hard connected with her cheek.  Her head snapped to the side with the force but didn't say anything just stood there only slight stunned by Michael's strike.  "Never disrespect me like that again, Erelah, you know better."  His voice shook with anger but she didn't care, he was punishing her for doing her job and she couldn't just let that slide.

"You left me no choice, Michael."  Her cheek stung but still managed to get the words out.  "I did my job...but you see fit to punish me for it.  Why?  Why are you punishing me for this?"

"Because you are too careless with your life!"

"This is my life, Michael!" Erelah shot back.  "We are created to protect the humans, this is our duty and job for all of eternity.  What was I supposed to do, sit back and do nothing while that thing continued to rip open the portal? Well I couldn't...I couldn't just sit there and do nothing, that is not how you trained me and I'm certainly not about to let go of a 100,000 years of training just because of a demon that might have been too strong for me!  I'll admit I should have waited for at least someone to come and assist me but you can't stand there and tell me I am too careless with my life when you would have probably done the same if you were in my position."

"I would have Erelah! You are completely right but you are missing the point!"

"THEN PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT POINT I AM MISSING BECAUSE I CERTAINLY DON'T SEE IT!"  The world fell silent, Erelah panting with anger as she stared at Michael.

"I can't lose you..."  His words were so soft as they caressed her ears.  Her anger faltering as she looked on in shock. "I fear for your life every time I send you out into this world."  Erelah took a step away from Michael, trying and failing to understand the strong emotions that were deeply expressed and gleaming in his black iris'.  "Erelah...all I'm trying to do is keep you safe and lately all you've been doing is running away.  You run away to here, of all places, when all I want is for you to run to my arms..."

"No..." Her voice was a ghostly whisper.  "You can't do this to me.  You can't keep me locked up Michael, just because it hurts for you to see me go..."

"I'm worried about you!  Why can't you just accept that?  Everyone sees it Erelah, something happened and you've been distant ever since, from everyone including me..." 

"And I keep telling you nothing happened.  Why can't YOU accept that Michael?"

"Because I love you..."

"What?"  Beyond her question, Erelah was rendered speechless at his confession as she stared at Michael.  He had turned her entire world on its head with just three simple words and scared her to no end.  She wasn't just scared though she was confused as her heart pounded against her ears.

Michael took a step toward her, his hand outstretched but she shied away from his touch, taking a step of her own backward.  "I love you, Erelah.  I'm sorry it happened this way...-

"Stop...just stop, please."  Michael's arm dropped back to his side, looking defeated as so many emotions unknown to her were reflected in his eyes.  "I don't know what love is, Michael..." Erelah's voice quivered, causing Michael to try and reach for her again at the sight of her distress.  "How do expect me to return such an emotion when I don't know what you speak of?"

"I can help you understand, Erelah if you just let me explain."  Erelah shook her head, feeling conflicted.

"I don't want to hear another word...lift the suspension and let me go."  She could see his heart breaking, could see the pain she was causing him, but again there was that same question.  How could she love him?  If she didn't know what it was, how it felt, or what it was like to be in love...how could she return the affections?  It was such a humane emotion, one she had never experienced.  The love Michael was referencing and laying at her feet was not the same love she held for her siblings.  But really they weren't siblings, not in the slightest.  They were celestial beings created from energy, the only connection they held was the energy they shared and the God they worshipped.  It was obvious to her now that Michael did not see her as a sister but something more..."Lift the suspension Michael..."

The world fell utterly silent as she held her ground and pleaded with him.  She didn't even want to think about the repercussions of this encounter.  The utter strain it would put on the bond she had with him when she inevitably returned to Heaven.  She just wanted to leave and forget even if it was temporary.

"Just go, Erelah.  I shall leave you be..."  There was such heavy emotion occupying her chest, almost like it was tangible as it weighed strongly on her body.  It was an effort to leave but the heaviness didn't stop her from spreading her wings and taking off without another look.

A/N:

Not loving this chapter too much, might rewrite it ltr. Poor Michael...