Above the Winter Skies [English Version]

11

"We're going to dance for a while," Nova said, pulling Torin with her. She winked at me, and I realized what she was planning: she wanted to distract me and maybe even set me up with Lyndor. But that wouldn't work out. I had another plan. A plan that might cost me everything I had, but I couldn't help it. I had to try.

I leaned forward towards Lyndor, who was sitting opposite me.

"That sounds exciting," I said. "What's it like with the Seraphim?"

"To be honest, a bit intimidating." He laughed. "I know Torin has terrible working hours, but sometimes I envy him for not having to encounter the angels down here practically ever."

"I can imagine that," I said honestly. While this was only partly true because I very much enjoyed Cassiel's company, I shuddered at the memory of the first evening and my encounter with Michael. It was definitely wise to avoid the angels whenever possible.

I took a sip of my beer. Lyndor was nice, and if Nova was really planning to set me up with him, he probably didn't know about it. He didn't give me the impression that he had any expectations, which secretly relieved me.

"I always thought that people weren't allowed to enter the angelic quarters," I said truthfully.

"That's true for everyone else. Only the Roomboys and chambermaids are allowed access. Someone has to clean up after them."

I thought feverishly. Should I ask Lyndor to take me upstairs? That would be the easiest, but I was sure he wouldn't agree. He'd be foolish to do so. Why would he jeopardize his job so recklessly? No, I needed to find another way to get the information, to get up there myself.

"How do they make sure no one else enters the floors?" I asked.

"There's a password you have to enter at the elevator," Lyndor explained. "A four-digit code. You can select the floor at the elevator, but once the lift stops, you'll be prompted to enter the code in the field. If you don't know it, the door won't open."

I tried to recall the outing with Cassiel. I hadn't noticed him entering a password, but I had also been staring at my feet for most of the time, preoccupied with my own conflicting feelings.

"I was recently on the fifth floor," I told Lyndor. "Have you ever been up there? It's incredible!"

"No! What's up there?"

I told him about the gigantic garden, the aviary and the birds, the restaurant behind the waterfall. His mouth fell open.

"How did you get in there?"

"One of the Seraphim invited me," I said. "Cassiel. Do you know him? He lives on the fourth floor, I believe."

I pricked up my ears – and my plan worked. "No, on the third," Lyndor said immediately. "And yes, I know him! He has the nicest and biggest room of all, actually he has half the floor. He occupies the Regent Suite at the end of the hall. It's amazing that you had dinner with him!"

"Maybe he felt guilty because my first night at the nightclub was really terrible," I said with a shrug. Now I knew where Cassiel lived. But I still had no idea how to get the password out of Lyndor. He had a kind and slightly naive demeanor, but I doubted he would be easily tricked. Or would he?

"But you don't live up there, do you?" I asked.

He laughed. "No, I live where all the other humans live. Far below the Seraphim, where we supposedly belong." The irony was unmistakable; I realized he didn't think highly of the angels, and I could understand that. Being surrounded by them and being pushed around every day, one would eventually form one's own opinion. I had also quickly realized in the nightclub that most of them were by no means saints but quite arrogant and rough.