What the Halo? I ONC2020 I

Chapter 2: Cain

Yeah, I'd said it. I'd said a lot of things over thousands of years, most of which was a lie, but if you want the truth, I'd thought about saying that from the moment I'd set eyes on her.

As cruelty goes, what I'd said wasn't even in the top ten. Facts can't be cruel if they're facts, and the fact was Michaela was a disgrace to the heavens. She gave angels a bad name, and I would know, seeing as I myself am a fallen angel, or demon if you'd prefer, I know a thing or two about giving and getting bad names.

Take my actual name for instance—Cain—the automatic association is with the fratricidal maniac who killed his brother in a fit of jealousy. But that's not me. I'd never kill anyone... not without thinking it through. I'm not hasty, I take my time, I think about my actions. Michaela on the other hand...

"You've got no choice, kid," my brother Eli's eyes found me from behind a book. "He said you have to go."

"I'll refuse."

"Refuse?" Eli cackled and chucked his book at my head.

I scooped it up and looked at the cover with an arched eyebrow. "Romeo and Juliet?"

Eli shrugged. "They kill each other in the end, definitely demon related."

"What? That's not..." I shook my head, discarding the book on my desk, "Doesn't matter anyway, I always say yes, I follow every order, he'll cut me a break this time."

"Yeah, you follow every order, which is exactly why you'll follow this one."

I pulled at the collar of my shirt, had someone turned the heat up? "God damn him!"

"Too late." Eli grinned. "God already did that."

I threw myself into a chair, arms crossed over my chest. "Then I'll insist they choose another angel, a real angel."

"Do you hear yourself? You can't get more angelic than Michaela, she was literally handpicked by God for her position."

"You've never met her!" I gritted my teeth. "She's anything but angelic. Oh sure she looks it, red curls, meticulously preened wings, serene features, but that's where it ends." I leaned forward. "Did you know she's the guardian of hundreds of children? Most of which continue to find themselves in near-death situations."

"Well, near-death isn't sudden death, so I guess that's saying something."

"She's chaos with a halo!"

"What are you afraid of?" Eli swung his legs down off the bed, his elbows resting on his knees.

"I'm not afraid. I'm simply concerned with her inability to follow direction. I never fail because I follow rules, and she has zero appetite for order."

"You're right," Eli smirked. "Perhaps the two of you should trade places, she sounds better suited for your position as Grade A Demon Elite."

"Don't call me that," I growled.

"You know what? Do what you want. Go see the dark father, make a plea, beg for a different angel, grovel at his mercy." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Unless of course, the thought of disgracing yourself in front of father pains your black heart too much."

I looked away. He knew me too well for an attempt at a bluff. I'd complain now, but in the end, I would never snivel before my father, I would never in league myself with unfit low-level demons. I was far superior and far too prideful to refuse a direct order.

Damn Eli. Damn father. But most importantly, damn Michaela.