Until The End Of Time

Chapter 20.3. Whatever It Took

  The library was as empty as the night before. Kye took a deep breath and walked to the double door leading into Michael's office. She leaned against it and recalled the voice had been in her head. Goosebumps spread all over her body.

It had been so close.

A small sound beyond the wooden surface made her heart stop. Slowly moving herself away from the door, Kye turned back to the wall she had just come out of before reaching for the closest object—an intricate copper globe, which was as heavy as it looked, topped with a sharp decorative needle—and held it to her chest. She knew it was most likely useless against whoever stood behind the door, but she could try her best.

Taking another deep breath, Kye jumped into the office, ready to stab or club anyone in her way with the copper globe before the sight in front of her eyes made her drop it to the ground.

The office was filled with people. Angels. They were in different positions but all wore the same gloomy expressions. Their heads and shoulders hung low. From head to toe, they were covered in dust and God-knows-what substance. A small group gathered around the desk with their backs to her.

None of them seemed to notice Kye who had just entered the room with a ridiculous posture. They whispered to each other in the language she didn't understand but was very familiar with. It gave her ears a good ringing. At least, they didn't bleed at this low volume.

"Excuse me." She cleared her throat to announce her appearance.

The angels uniformly turned around with a half-annoying, half-surprised look. That was when Kye saw him.

Sitting on his leather chair with his head leaning back, Michael was unconscious. He was battered and bloody—like nothing she had ever seen before. Even when his life was threatened with Alastair's bullet, he didn't look half this bad.

"What happened?"

Kye wanted to scream the question, but what came out was barely a whisper. All her strength was sucked out and replaced with fear. Terrible, paralyzing fear.

"It's none of your business."

An angel with a young, brown-haired vessel came forward and spoke to her in the most condescending tone Kye had ever heard. Before she could snap back, another angel, who had been kneeling next to Michael, stood up.

This angel looked as dirty and disheveled as the others, with her hands, face, and blond hair covered in ash, but her eyes were gentle. Kye recognized her. It was Naomi from the camp. Kye couldn't say that she was surprised. She had never gotten the chance to talk to Naomi, but the woman was always around helping or teaching others. She seemed fair and caring. Maybe Kye could get an answer out of her.

Naomi walked over and tapped on the young angel's shoulder. With one stern look, she made him drop his eyes and move to the back of the group.

"I'm sorry for Kalaziel's behavior," Naomi sighed. "We have all been frustrated. Worried...Hurt. We've tried everything, but Brother Michael hasn't woken up. All we can do now is wait for him to do so on his own. Archangels are resilient and powerful beings. He will pull through. We just don't know when. He has taken a big hit. We have lost many, but we would've lost much more if it wasn't for him." Naomi glanced back at Michael before turning to Kye. "He is still with us but stuck...."

"What do you mean by that? Are you sure there is nothing we can do? Nothing at all? Can I... Do something?"

Naomi gave Kye a sympathetic look. The girl was desperate. Of course, they have done everything. What could a human do for an archangel?

"I'm sure, Kye. He is hanging between Here and Nowhere. This plane of reality and the next. Please know that it is important to pray. For him and to him. And don’t lose hope.”