The Falling (Book I)

Generosity

William

I had just been getting ready for bed when one of the messenger angels banged on my door. With a grumble, I kicked my covers off and lumbered to the door. I wrenched it open and glared at the poor girl, who shrank under my gaze.

"What?" I asked irately.

"God has called an emergency meeting for the Archangels, General Taylor," she stammered.

I groaned and waved her away, not bothering to watch her scamper down the hall and out of sight. I was tempted to remain in my sleep pants, but decided against it, knowing Joel would scold me for it. I grabbed the trousers I had worn that day and a loose cotton tunic, yanking them on before leaving my room.

The other Archangels were jogging to the conference room, anxious looks on their faces. As the Angel of Speed raced past me I saw the Angel of Children clinging to his shoulder, begging him to not let her fall. I picked up the pace, squeezing through the mass of Archangels trying to get to their seats. Some that were already seated yawned and rubbed their eyes.

Luke was already there, his arms folded across his chest. He was dressed for work; I assumed he had been in the Human World when he was summoned. The Angel of Femininity leaned against him, seemingly unbothered by his icy skin. She was dressed in a soft looking bathrobe, her long hair pulled back in a braid. Lately, it was rare to see one without the other, sparking rumors that Luke was courting her. I had yet to ask my brother about it.

"I apologize for calling you all so late in the evening, but if you could please find your seats quickly," Joel's voice called over the noise.

The remaining Archangels slumped into their seats. I sat and covered my mouth as a yawn slipped out. Joel himself looked tired and hastily dressed in his blue robe, his hair in disarray. Justin stood beside him with a sour look on his face. His right arm was in a sling, to my surprise.

"Justin went back to Hell to scope the area under my orders. Justin, what do you have to report?" Joel gestured to him.

The Non-Ala cleared his throat and schooled his features to their usual indifference. "A demon had been running through the forest, one I was not familiar with, but she knew me. At first, she acted coy and asked me if I was a lost traveler. We spoke for a bit and I noticed something change. Her eyes grew milky and she did not hear my response. She snapped out of it a few minutes later and asked me how I slipped past the guards. I tried to save my cover, but she told me she knew I am kin of the Angel of Death."

I bit the inside of my cheek. Judging by the looks of the others I assumed they did not know that Joel was still approving spying on the demons either. We thought he was done with that after the fiasco with Mel.

A few of the Archangels murmured amongst themselves, their tones disapproving. Amir pointed an accusing finger at Justin. "You are slipping! There is no other explanation for it."

Justin's eyes flashed as he gazed at Amir. He said coldly, "I did not slip up. This one is far more intelligent than other demons I have encountered, aside from Optima and Lucifer himself. I attempted to 'persuade' her to leave and forget me with my Charmspeak, but it had no effect on her."

Yet another one of his abilities that I could not help but wonder if he ever used that on any of us. I knew he never used it on me; I have never spoken to him.

Joel agreed, "Justin did not botch his assignment. While I do not know how she discovered your true nature, I suppose it is safe to theorize we do not know all of a demon's physiology. Do any of you have theories as to how this demon knew Justin?"

No one volunteered. I thought about offering my thoughts, but I truly had no idea how Justin was discovered. This demon was abnormal was all I could come up with.