Try Again

Part 4: Third

     My eyes flicked open. This is my last try. If I don't get this one right... I gulped a breath, keeping my eyes on the back of the angel's head. Please, God. Please let this work out. I got a weird look from the human next to me. I pressed a fist to my mouth. For some reason the nausea was building.

     I made a split-second decision. Fixing my eyes on the angel, I got to my feet. Excusing myself down the pew, I settled next to her and touched her sleeve. Thankfully it wasn't heavenly fabric. I would've gotten a nasty rash. "I'm Maricela Savidge. Can we talk?"

     The angel recoiled, eyes narrowed. I saw a flicker of blue fire jump along her fingertips, but it extinguished immediately. "What do you want?"

     I was impressed. She adapted fast. "I'm caught in a time-loop. Lived this day three times already." I lowered my voice. "You've died every time. I want to prevent that."

     She scoffed and stood. We went to an empty pew behind a pillar. "Liar."

     My hands clenched into fists. "Last time, we fought the demon who killed you together. His name is Suociv, and he got through the Tunnel with the help of a rogue angel to kill demon informants and any angels along the way. Which includes you, me, and my roommate, Felicity." Her eyes smouldered. One hand grabbed my wrist. Smoke rose from the contact. I bit back a whimper. I placed a hand over her stinging one. "I'm serious." Her eyes widened a fraction. Maybe I'd gotten through enough to use my chance. "Together we were able to kill Suo, but he mortally wounded you. As you were dying you told me something that you said would convince you this was for real."

     Frosty blue hair fell over one eye. "And what did I say?"

     I swallowed. "You told me... you fell in love once. With a human."

     The angel's hand shot out and grabbed one of my horns, wrenching me closer to hiss in my ear. "Think very carefully about what you're going to say."

     I gritted my teeth. "You fell in love with a human named Kelly Jordan."

     The angel released me and backed off, breathing hard. "I told you that?"

     I lifted my chin. "Yes."

     She turned her back. Her hand went to the communicator. "Are you in position? Good. Listen. Savidge's in a time-loop, and she knows how things go today. I die." A pause. "I'm convinced. She told me something I'd said in a previous loop." A longer pause. "Something I've never told anyone. Not even you." The angel turned back to me. "Did you speak with—"

     "The other angel? Evergreen suit, kinda grumpy?" I winced at the memory of burning fingers pressed to my face. "Yeah."

     She relayed my confirmation and nodded to me. "Did he tell you anything?"

     "Can I talk to him?" I glanced at the church doors. Suo would be here any minute. "I'm not sure if this is private."

     She scoffed. "A considerate demon. This is a day for firsts."

     I got the communicator, burning myself again in the process. "Hello?"

     "Convince me."

     "You were born blind," I whispered.

     Silence. "Give the communicator to her."

     I passed it over. The angel listened and turned to me. "What happens next?"

     I resisted the urge to smile. If we focussed, we could save everyone. Even the angels. "When the mass ends, Suo attacks once we leave the church. Makes sense, since anything religious hurts demons." The angel considered me thoughtfully. I looked away. "Last time, you didn't believe me and left the church. He ambushed you and you died from blood loss after the battle."