I stepped through the doorway and up to the hospital bed. One glance at my beloved brother and every ounce of adrenaline drained from my body. I sat in the chair beside him and rested my forehead against his left arm as tears trickled, unheeded.
"I love you, Sam. I'm so sorry. If I wouldn't have been adopted, you wouldn't be here."
My voice cracked on the last word and my body quaked with silent sobs. I'm not sure how long I sat there, but eventually I stood, wiped away the tears and kissed his forehead.
"Where are we going to talk privately?" I spoke without turning.
"My office. No one is allowed except me and certain guests."
I gave Sam one last kiss and turned to the three men and one boy that accompanied me.
"Lead the way then."
We all herded into the elevator, Isaac on my left and Zeke, Dane and Liam on my right, with me in the middle. The tense atmosphere smothered me so when the doors dinged open, I was first out. Isaac opened a door at the end of the hall and we walked into the room I woke up in. He shut the door and I turned to all of them.
"What are you? What are the patterns? Why can I see them?"
They shot each other glances and moved to different parts of the room. Zeke was first to speak.
"How much do you believe in angels?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Everything. Now answer."
I huffed.
"I believe everyone has a guardian angel. I also believe there are fallen angels. Angels who have done something to displease God or has chosen sides with the Devil."
They all remained silent.
"So? What's going on?"
Isaac sighed and stood behind his desk.
"You are actually quite close to figuring things out. I am a Guardian angel. Not everyone has one though. Only the ones God has tested and found worthy. I am your Guardian. They are Fallen angels."
"Like you said, Fallen angels either choose Lucifer or were kicked out of heaven," Dane continued. "But some, are Lucifer's children. So they have no choice."
Zeke's feral growl ripped through the air.
"We do have a choice!"
I silently appraised him as he realized what he had said and regained control. He cleared his throat and went on.
"The patterns you see are Markings. They are the reason for our power. They also discern us from other angels. The markings are different on each angel. You can see them because you are a Seer. You are half mortal, half angel. Your father came down to guard your mother and ended up falling in love with her. Guardian angels aren't allowed to love a mortal or they become a Fallen. Your mother loved your father and you so much, she decided to become a Fallen angel and try to save you from this life. They are currently Lucifer's favorite 'helpers'. Fallen angels, though, are allowed to fall in love with whomever we want. Aside from a Guardian."
"So my parents abandoned me to save me? Why do it when I was eleven? Why not sooner?"
"They couldn't bear to leave you early on because you are their only child. Even now, it kills them everyday not being able to see you."
My head was spinning from all the information but one thing stood out to me.
"Why do I need a Guardian? Why do you three 'need' me?"
