Angels in Disguise

IX- Margaret

We reach Kira's place and quickly change out of our wet swimsuits. We huddle in her bedroom.

"So. What the actual heck was that?" she exclaims after a moment.

Isla and I share a look. I rub my temple and look at Isla to start. My head's still throbbing from feeling that demon's pain.

"This is going to be the weirdest sentence ever, but... Millie and I are dead." she smiled awkwardly. "And our names are actually Margaret and Isla."

Kira gasps and looks between us. "You mean... the two girls who got in a car crash? So, you're what, ghosts?"

Isla shakes her head. "Angels. We were sent down from the Realm of Infinite Heart because a great evil has risen and we're somehow connected to it."

I watch as Kira's face registers what Isla's saying. She seems to go through confusion, anger, sadness, then to an odd acceptance.

"Well, what are we going to do about it?"

I start. "You believe us just like that?"

"Sure. Only the truthful could spin such a crazy story like that."

I smile weakly. "You've got a point. And to answer your question, you aren't doing anything. It's too dangerous, especially for a mortal."

"Pshaw." Kira waves her hand as a dismissing gesture. "I've done danger before."

Isla jumps in. "This isn't regular danger, Kira. It's a fight between the Realms. Even knowing this information could get you seriously hurt, and we can't let that happen."

Kira looks down, hesitating. "Fine. But promise me you'll let me aid you in the safest way. I want to help."

"In the safest way," Isla and I agree.

Kira stands and walks over to a shelf with hundreds of rocks and pebbles on it. She picks out three matching ones of sparkling blue, shimmering green, and ruby red. She handed the blue one to Isla and the red one to me, while she held the green one. The rock sits comfortably in my palm, a slight warmth to it.

"Friendship crystals. Keep them close and they will provide aid whenever you need. It'll call the other ones. But be warned," Kira adds as Isla attempts to use the crystal to call Kira and I's, "it only works once."

Isla immediately stops messing with her pebble. "But how do we know it works?"

"Isla, we are freaking angels trying to fight demonic spirits. I'm ready to believe anything by now."

Isla nods in consent as a quiet descends upon us.

"So... Do you guys have wings?" Kira asks, grinning cheekily.

•••

Back in our apartment, Isla and I are laying on our bed, exhausted from the craziness of the day.

"Your headache better?" Isla asks.

I shrug. "If you could call it that. The High Angel said that we probably wouldn't get a curse... but I somehow did. Something bad must be inside me to make me get this."

"Don't say that!" Isla exclaims.

"But it's true," I respond, forcing my voice to be calm. "She said whatever we got, power or curse, was based on the wearer."

Isla doesn't reply. What would she say? She knew what I was saying was true.

I change the subject. "Anyway, you got an amazing power. Element bending? Sick!"

Isla visibly brightens. "Yeah! It's so cool. Having power over the elements–"

I silently listen as Isla rambles on about her power. I fiddle with the silver dove bracelet. It feels shockingly cold, whereas earlier it was lukewarm.

I hear Isla yawn. "I'm pretty worn out, Margaret. Goodnight."

"'Night," I answer. But I would stay awake a while yet, the dove bracelet burning icy fire into my wrist.