The Impact (Book II)

Fall

The next day—at least I thought it was the next day—came and I was brought back to the throne room. This time, Will was present, as well as our children and Joel. Will and Joel's wrists were shackled to the floor, forcing them to kneel on the earthenware floor. Will's wings were tense, quivering like they wanted to take flight. When he saw me, relief washed over his face before the fear returned.

They chained me to the floor beside him, close enough that if our arms were free we would be able to brush our fingers against the others. Zach and the others were standing not too far from us, each with their own guard. Keith, I noticed, had two angels standing behind him, hands on their weapons' hilts.

"Good morning, all. Joel, I expect you slept well?" Amir asked cordially.

Joel smiled. "As well as one could on musty hay."

The brute on the throne chuckled, though he did not appear to be as amused as his laugh indicated. "You always had a dry sense of humor. I have just a few questions to see if everyone's stories match up before we can get to the punishments."

He waved a hand at Joel. "Joel, do you recognize this demon?"

The true God glanced my way. "Yes. I had her brought to Heaven two thousand years ago during my little inquisition."

"Prior to that, were you aware of her existence?"

"No."

At this, Amir looked at the Angel of Truth, who nodded.

"And what is your relationship?"

Joel paused and scrutinized me again. "We share a mother, my father was the Angel of Light at the time, Cyrus Abner."

I looked around the crowd and noticed some angels were wearing masks and decked out in dark armor. They stood at the very front of the crowd, their hands on their weapons. I guessed they were our executioners.

"Ah, yes. I remember that day. Death, Darkness, and Health aided me in executing Light and cut his wings off. His demon lover and the babe escaped. I should have recognized you were his son. You're the spitting image of his brother, Lucifer!" Amir said darkly.

A bit of dark aura seeped out of Joel and several angels shuddered. Even Amir had to look away.

"Taylor, what are these abominations and the she-demon to you?"

"...My wife. Those four are our children: two angels, a Non-Ala, and a demon." His voice was strained.

Amir spoke over the murmurs in the crowd. "You say two are angels, but they have demon blood, do they not?"

"Their demonic blood has been canceled out by their angelic blood. The same goes for the demon; his demonic blood canceled out the angelic blood." Will argued. "So, please, leave them be. Leave my children be; none of this is their fault!"

At his pleading, I noticed the tallest Archangel wearing a brightly feathered bird mask clutch his weapon harder.

"Angel of Life William Taylor, do you admit to having lain with a demon and produced unnatural offspring? One of the most depraved acts an angel can commit? Do you admit to treason?" Amir boomed.

With some bite in his voice, Will replied, "Naturally."

"Then, I hereby sentence you to Fall. Your 'wife' and 'children' will be sentenced to death."

Emily's and Keith's faces paled. Zach cursed, straining against his bonds, Cole had become a statue and Orlene's head was bowed as she silently wept.

I cried, "No! Not my children! They've done nothing wrong!"

Amir looked at me and coldly said, "They were born; that is their crime. Semifacta Angels and demons are dangerous beings, almost as dangerous as a Non-Ala."