Floating (2nd book)

17. Wings and harps

Asher, Anoplia and I race down to the meeting room.

The only thing I can think about as we're running is my poor brother. What's happening to him in Hell? What if he's dead?

I try to push that last thought out if my head as I run.
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Asher and Anoplia burst through the meeting room first, with lots of energy.

Then there's me.

I am dragging myself in the room. My feet drag and I pant for breath.

Everyone stares at me in disgust.

"What? I'm not very fit!" I argue.

"Ahem!" Peter grunts.

We all evert our eyes.

"We are all here obvious because we've come to an agreement," Peter starts.

Anoplia moves and she catches my attention.

Her pointer finger rests on her lips and she stares at Peter with sad eyes. Recondition sparks in her eyes.

Does she know him? I'll have to ask her later.

"Our decision is..."

Come on! Tell us! This isn't a soap opera or a book series!

"We're not going to get Dante White," Peter says.

My heart drops.

Asher places a hand on my shoulder.

I throw away my stupid anger towards him and throw myself into a hug.

He quickly wraps his arms around my body.

I feel so safe with him.

"Rose, I'm so sorry," he murmurs into my hair.

I sob into his chest. Everyone in the room is silent.

How can they do this to me?

I'm in charge! That's my brother they're killing!

I grow angry- no furious!

I turn around to face the Angels with a red face.

"Listen up!" I demand.

They all stand up and look at me with scared faces.

"How would you feel if your brother was left to die in a place like Hell?" I ask through sobs.

The Angels look around to Peter in discomfort.

"Don't look at me! I never had a brother!" Peter says with an attitude.

The Angels stop looking at Peter and turn their heads to face me.

I roll my eyes. They don't understand.

"Anyone who has wings and golden harps to sing hymns on, sit down!" I command.

Everyone sits down except one angel that raises his hand.

"Uh, Miss White?" The angel says weakly.

I cock my head.

"Yes?"

The angel sheepishly smiles.

"What if your harp's broken?"

I scoff, annoyed.

"Sit down!"

The angel nods and returns to it's seat.

"Now then," I continue,"we're going to get my brother."

Peter stands up.

"We can't! It will break the peace!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Anoplia screams.

Asher and I smile at her.

"Listen, this war was inevitable. You even got Asher and me out here because you wanted to be defended," I point out.

Some Angels nod their heads.

"We can do this," I reason.

Peter sighs in defeat.

"When are we going to do this?" Peter asks.

I smile.

"Hopefully in two weeks."

Everyone's eyes bulge.

"Th-that's not enough time!" An angel calls out.

I shake my head.

"This is Heaven! Anything is possible!"

Suddenly the doors to the meeting room open.

Out rushes Gabriel.

"Gabriel? What are you doing here?" I ask in wonder.

Gabriel's face is hard.

"I found your parents."

All the Angels gasp.

My breath catches in my throat.

"They're in Heaven?" I ask. I hope the answer is yes.

He nods.

"No one is allowed to enter the spirit dimension!" Peter cries out. Poor thing. Between me and Gabriel, I'm surprised he hasn't lost any hair.

"Why would you do that?" I ask in awe.

Gabriel steps closer to me, and I let him.

He stares me directly in the eye. A muscle in his jaw clenches and he breathes out a nervous breath.

For some reason, he looks back at Asher behind me. Asher stares at him and me in curiosity.

"Because..."  He starts while staring into my eyes.

Penny in the air.

"Because?" I question.

He smiles.

"Because I love you."

Penny has dropped.