Soul: Book 1 (DISCONTINUED)

The Voice of an Angel

The snowstorm intensified as the sky darkened. The winds howled as they sent snow and rain from the clouds to ravage the land with their frigid white fury. So cold it was, even the monsters had retreated to the safety of their caves. The barren land was almost void of any life. Almost, except for a teenage boy that lay spread-eagled on the ground, unconscious. He had been there for quite awhile and tiny white snowflakes hung on his eyelashes. His red-and-black checkered hoodie was covered with snow and his damp brown hair lay flat on his forehead. His expression was peaceful compared to the chaos that swirled around him.

Suddenly he opened his eyes and sat up with a jolt, gasping loudly. The teenager looked around, utterly confused, his breath forming faint clouds in the air before dissipating. The last thing he remembered before blacking out was succumbing to bacca poison. Now he was stuck in a snowstorm with no knowledge of his whereabouts.

Mitch shook off the freezing snow and attempted to stand up, but the wind blew him back down to the ground. He drew his thin hoodie closer to himself, wincing as the air nipped at his exposed skin relentlessly. Mitch coughed violently and tried to crawl away, but he was shivering too much and it felt like all of his strength had been sapped away. Another strong gust of wind made Mitch inhale sharply and shut his eyes tightly. He brought his knees to his chest and tried in vain to preserve what little warmth he had. It was so cold...

Mitch was dimly aware of a pair of strong arms embracing him and two wings wrapping around his body. He stopped shivering and rested his head against the person's chest. Mitch was vaguely reminded of the soothing warmth of a fireplace and the person's wings felt as delicate as the petals of a dandelion. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The person smiled sadly as he held the freezing teenager closer to him. Mitch's amber aura was flickering like a candle in the wind, and he was afraid that it would go out completely. But all the angel from the Aether could do was sit vigilantly through the storm, guarding his son from the cold.

---

The storm gradually softened. The winds slowed to a peaceful breeze and the snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground. The sun shone through the white clouds and the snow began to melt. The angel looked down at Mitch, who was still sound asleep in the warm embrace of his wings. He sighed with relief when he saw that Mitch's aura was a steady bright amber again. "Wake up, Mitch." he said, tousling the teenager's sandy-brown hair affectionately.

Mitch yawned and rubbed his eyes. He looked up and stilled when he saw the angel. A bright golden aura emanated from him and he had on dark blue robes and a purple scarf. The ange's crystal-blue wings matched his eyes. The angel had ashy-blonde hair and looked about thirty-years-old, yet he still had a youthful air to him. Mitch's heart almost stopped in shock. "Daddy?" Mitch asked in disbelief. He wondered if he was still hallucinating from the bacca poison. "Is that you?"

The man laughed softly. "Yes, Mitch."

"But I thought you were dead."

"I am. I'm an angel of the Aether now."

Mitch reached out to hold the angel's hand and was surprised that he could actually feel it. He paused, still unsure if this was just an illusion. Mitch decided to ask a question that only his real father could answer. "What presents did I get for my ninth birthday?"

"Oh, that's easy to remember." the angel said, smiling fondly. "Let's see, Tulip gave you a birthday card, I gave you my dog tag, and your mother gave you your first bow. Oh, and I also baked your birthday cake." He turned to look at Mitch with his warm, familiar blue eyes. "Convinced now?"

Mitch's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "It's really you." he whispered. His face contorted as he tried to hold back his tears. "I... I..."

His father wrapped his arms around Mitch and pulled him in for a hug. "It's okay, Mitch. Just let it all out."