| |
I'VE MADE OUT WITH an Archangel. I still can't wrap my mind around that. Haniel calls it “snogging,” which is adorable to me. She says words like “bloody” and “knackered” too. Apparently, British English is the language of the Archangels. Who knew?
As long as I'm with her (and I hope it's forever), I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world. Every time I'm without her, an hour feels like an eternity. She's busy a lot, but she sustains me with frequent texts. She sends a lot of heart and lips emojis now. I guess that's a sign that our relationship is heading in the right direction.
I finished spirit school two days ago, but I haven't gone on any new missions yet. I tried to send a message to Jophiel, but he didn't write back. I guess I need a new partner, but I don't know many people. Haniel's promised to go with me, but I know she's busy training Archangels, so I don't want to take up too much of her time. When Grandma finishes school, maybe I can go with her? So far, she's completed one mission and failed one mission. Her partner is a scary-looking biker guy, but they seem to get along. Grandma can get along with anyone. They're even flirty with each other, which really blows my mind.
For the last couple of days, I've been reading a gritty detective novel. I'm in the middle of solving a crime when I get a strange text from Haniel.
Chris, I need to talk to you. You're needed for something. I'll explain more in a bit.
What does that mean? It's not accompanied by her usual kisses and hearts. I wonder if that's a bad sign?
I go back to reading my book, and a few minutes later, Haniel appears in my room. She doesn't even knock on the door or anything. She just pops up out of nowhere.
“Geez!” I exclaim. “It's a good thing I wasn't naked or anything!”
“Would it be such a bad thing if you were naked?” asks a grinning Haniel. “Anyway, I'm not here to flirt. I need to talk to you about something important.”
“Okay...” I sit up, take off my glasses, and give my eyes a rough rub. I'm not liking the serious tone of her voice. “What's up?”
“Jophiel was arrested yesterday,” Haniel says. “He's been put on trial today, and we need you to testify.”
I guess that explains why I haven't heard from him. “What? Why was he arrested?”
“The girl, Anna Donaldson, was struck by a bus. Jophiel visited her frequently, so Michael believes he arranged her death... even though he has no proof!” Haniel's lips sputter. “Michael doesn't really like Jophiel. He's looking for a reason to strip his Archangel status for good.”
“That's crazy! I don't think Jophiel would've done that to Anna.”
“Me neither.” Haniel flops down on my bed and rests her head on my shoulder. “So... will you testify?”
“What am I going to have to do, exactly?”
“Just vouch for Jophiel's character. As his student, you've spent a lot of time with him recently, so your opinion may carry some weight. Just answer Michael's questions to the best of your ability, and that's all we can ask.”
So, if I go to this trial thing, Archangel Michael himself is going to ask me some questions? The thought of it makes my stomach flutter.
“The trial's already in progress,” Haniel adds. “The Archangels have been popping in and out all day to share their opinions on Jophiel's recent behavior. I thought your opinion should be heard as well. At the end of the day, the Council will decide if Jophiel should remain an Archangel or not.”
“If you think I could help, I'd be happy to do it,” I tell her. “Just... take me wherever I need to go.”
Haniel warps us to the chamber where Jophiel's trial is taking place. It reminds me of a cathedral, full of stained glass windows, statues of angels, and a high, vaulted ceiling. Jophiel is cuffed and kneeling in the center of the room. Michael is standing beside him, and his voice echoes when he speaks.
“Archangel Deborah, what is your opinion of Jophiel?”
Archangel Deborah is a black woman with a bald head and tattooed face. She looks older than most of the Archangels, but I think that's cool too. The world needs more older ladies with swords.
“Archangel Jophiel is a womanizer, Your Grace. I cannot say it any plainer than that,” Deborah says. Suddenly, I like her a little less. “He tried to bed my daughter less than three days after she died.”
“Thank you, Deborah,” Michael says. “That's all I needed to know.”
Deborah, who was also kneeling in front of Michael, rises and returns to her place in the audience. There are a ton of chairs, but most of them are empty. In a whisper, Haniel explains that only Archangels are allowed to attend the trial—with a few exceptions. Obviously, I was one of the exceptions.
“Taishi Nakamura, please kneel before the lectern,” Michael requests.
My eyes go wide as they follow Taishi to the center of the room. He kneels in front of Michael, not far from Jophiel.
It makes me sad to see my former instructor like this. Jophiel looks sad, dejected—broken. He's usually brimming with confidence. I don't think I've ever seen him look so deflated.
“Nakamura, in your own words, please summarize your experiences with Archangel Jophiel.”
Taishi is looking at Jophiel, but no eye contact is made between them. Jophiel's gaze is fixed firmly on the floor.
“Well...” Taishi begins. “For some time, Jophiel was my instructor. He taught me the ways of an Archangel. He was strict, but liberal with his praise. I admired and respected him.”
“And how do you feel about him now?” Michael presses. “Please tell us about the incident that occurred... and don't pretend you don't know what incident I refer to.”
“Jophiel and I, we... liked the same girl,” Taishi says. “We got in a fight because of it. It's the oldest story in the book.”
“That's not the story I heard!” Michael protests. “He interfered with your mission to start that fight, did he not?”
“He... did.”
“And did he not tear off your wing?”
“He did. But I retaliated. Looking back, I believe we were both in the wrong,” Taishi insists. “Our duel should have waited until later. We were equally responsible for jeopardizing that mission, Your Grace.”
Michael cocks his head and asks, “But you still succeeded?”
“Yes, sir, that mission was a success.”
“If you would, sum up your feelings. When you look at Jophiel now, how does he make you feel?”
Jophiel's gaze finally drifts to Taishi, who assertively states, “I still respect him, sir. He was a good instructor, and I've never known a better Archangel. We've had our differences, but I would hate to see him stripped of his status.”
“Very well, Nakamura. You are dismissed.”
As Taishi leaves, Michael calls another Archangel, Ariel, to share her thoughts on Jophiel. Her opinion is mostly positive, and while she's talking, my thoughts drift to Haniel. She's so beautiful. How is she always so beautiful? She's probably reading my mind right now, because she sends a slight smile in my direction.
When Michael's finished with Ariel, he says, “Chris Pho, please kneel before the lectern.”
Oh no, it's my turn. I shoot a panicked glance at Haniel as I make my way to Archangel Michael. Everything about him is intimidating. He's got a thick neck, steely eyes, and the widest shoulders I've ever seen. I copy everyone else and drop to my knees in front of Michael.
He requests of me, “Chris Pho, in your own words, please summarize your experiences with Archangel Jophiel.”
I say, “W-Well, I... I think he was a really good teacher. He taught me a lot, and by the end of our time together, I considered him a friend. I'm really glad I was chosen to work with him. I can't imagine working with anyone else, to be honest.”
I catch a hint of a smile on Jophiel's lips before it disappears.
“On one of your missions, you met a young woman named Anna Donaldson?”
“Yeah. We did.”
“Please elaborate,” Michael demands, sounding a bit irritated.
“Anna was in a wheelchair, and she wanted to dance.” I try to get through my story without sounding too nervous, which is hard, because Michael's ice cold gaze is terrifying. “Jophiel and I entered Anna's dreams to make it happen. He went on a few dates with her, and then they had a dance together.”
“After your mission was over... did Jophiel continue to visit her?”
I hesitate for a few seconds because I don't want to say anything incriminating. I don't know all of the Archangels' rules. What if I doom him with my honesty? “Well, uh... y-yeah. I think he did.”
“Do you believe Jophiel fell in love with the young lady?” Michael asks.
“I do.”
“Do you believe Jophiel would arrange her death so he could be with her?”
This time, I answer quickly, “No, never. Hurting her is the last thing he would do.”
“Very well.” Michael expels a heavy sigh that makes me wonder if he's disappointed by my answer. “Pho, you are dismissed.”
I bolt from the “lectern” as fast as I can. The only time I've ever been that nervous is when I kissed Haniel for the first time.
When I return to my chair, she whispers, “You did well.”
“Did I? I don't know.”
Two more Archangels are called to testify, including Archangel Azrael. Michael asks him, “Azrael, you were the one who brought the young lady Home after her death. In your opinion, was Archangel Jophiel the cause of Miss Donaldson's demise, or was it an accident?”
“That bus came out of nowhere, Your Grace,” Azrael replies in a raspy, hollow voice. “It could have happened to anyone.”
“Precisely. The bus came out of nowhere,” Michael repeats. “For that reason, don't you think Jophiel could have put it there?”
“No.” Azrael glares at Michael. I don't know if he's mad or not. It's hard to tell, because Azrael's always glaring. “With respect, Your Grace, I believe you're inventing stories to incriminate my friend. You have no leg to stand on.”
Azrael's reply incites a chorus of frenzied whispers from the audience. When I glance at Haniel, she's grinning.
“But her death is too much of a coincidence!” Michael debates. “He was in love with the young woman, and he intervened so they could be together. How is that not obvious to anyone?”
Jophiel suddenly speaks up, “But I didn't, sir! I wouldn't! Like Pho said, I would never hurt that woman! Because I love her, I would never—”
“Silence!” Michael bellows. “Both sides of the argument have already been presented. The Council will now vote to decide your fate, Jophiel.” To Azrael, he snaps, “Get out of my face.”
Azrael leaves, and one by one, the Archangels vote on the fate of Jophiel. I feel like I'm getting a glimpse of something that no new spirit has ever seen. Even Taishi looks a bit out of place, and he's been a spirit a lot longer than I have.
There are quite a few Archangels, so the voting process takes a long time. Finally, after about an hour, Michael delivers the results.
Archangel Jophiel is free—and not only that, his probation is at an end. Haniel is the first to greet him with a hug, but Jophiel's eyes are on me.
As we study each other, my former instructor mouths two unmistakable words to me.
“Thank you.”