What the Halo? I ONC2020 I

Chapter 17: Michaela

From under a canopy of red maples, my brother Rafael and Cain's brother Eli smiled at us, almost mockingly. My instinct was to punch them, but with the disheveled state of my wingless and blue-flamed body that would not only be disrespectful but also foolish, so I followed Cain's example and gritted my teeth. What were they doing together, and more importantly, why were they doing it here?

"Michaela." Rafael fished his glasses from his briefcase and shoved them on his nose to get a better look at me as if he was reading a book. Instant goosebumps popped up on my skin. I hated it when he did that.

"Unorthodox as usual, but you managed to get your protégé to safety, so ... I suppose a well done is in order." At the word protégé, he gave Cain a disdainful once-over. Then he spread his wings and touched the sides of my arms with the feathery tips. An instant soothing engulfed my body, while his wings eradicated the blue marks and the pain.

I stretched my muscles, enjoying the relaxation. "He's not my protégé, Rafael. Spare us the drama."

Eli stepped in and pinched Cain's cheek as if Cain was the toddler on the scene. "Oh but he is, see, he was supposed to protect you and you were supposed to protect him, and somehow both of you pulled through."

Eli opened his hand, palm flat to the sky. Rafael slipped in a fiver and shrugged. "I didn't think you would. I was betting on you two ripping each other's heads off."

"This was a bet, a stupid bet?" I stammered, "You knew where the child was all along?"

"Hush hush, angel." Eli, bothered by the subtle autumn breeze, shook his long hair and tied it back in a messy bun. "The bet was only some sideline entertainment, a little something to make it more interesting for Rafe and me."

"Rafe?" I was disgusted.

"Eli and I have been putting up with your shenanigans for a looong time." Rafael circled his hand from Cain to me. "What you need to understand Michaela is that you and Cain are more alike than you think. Our Heavenly Father took you in as one of our own because he loved your mother so very much. But I have news for the two of you."

I swallowed hard, horrified by the expression on Rafael's face. Eli stifled a laugh.

"We're not siblings are we?" Cain and I stared at each other in horror.

The relief I felt when Rafael shook his head was enormous. "No, you're not. Not even close. The thing is, Michaela ... Our heavenly Father has gone above and beyond to keep you in heaven, to prove that you could be a worthy angel, but the fact is that though you manage to get outstanding results, your methods are far from angelic."

"And you," Eli stared at Cain, "you've never fit in well down below. You've always followed every rule Pops gave you, you're always on time, you never cut corners, and you rarely kill living creatures unless provoked. To be blunt, you're not really demon material."

Cain looked hurt. As if the Holy Ghost was in his head again.

"Our fathers can't agree on what's best for Lucy. Since ... well, both former experiments haven't worked out as they expected," Eli went on.

"Experiments?" I wanted to throw up.

Cain's fists clenched, the familiar blue flame dispersing through his fingers. He wanted to smack something or someone and I understood completely.

"The good news is ..." Rafael clapped his hands together and put on a cheerful face. "All three of you are of the same breed, which is why you were sent to fetch the child together."

"Would you cut it out with the flames?" Eli rolled his eyes at Cain. "You're so dramatic. As if you didn't know."

"I'm sorry..." I interjected, "Are you insinuating that both Cain and I are Nephilim?"