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I'M ABOUT TO ACCEPT another mission when I get a really weird message from Archangel Auriel. Not to be confused with Ariel or Uriel, Auriel is the Archangel of Illumination, and she often presides over disputes between spirit guides. She sheds light on their problems and helps them come to a peaceful resolution.
I don't think I've ever gotten a message directly from Auriel. That's how I know this is important. If she's contacting me personally, it can only mean one thing: Ben has filed a grievance against me.
I manifest a pant suit, stare at myself in the mirror, and tell myself to remain calm. I haven't done anything wrong, right? It's not like Ben can get me fired or anything—at least, I hope he can't.
I warp to Auriel's office, just outside of Archangel Tower. Non-angels and spirit guides visit her all the time, and they're not permitted to enter the tower, so she has her own special space. When I arrive, I'm surprised to discover that Ben is already there. He has a smug, little grin on his face that makes me want to wring his neck.
“Hello, Kaylene.” Auriel dons a pair of unnecessary spectacles as she greets me. Her black hair is pulled up in a tight bun, and she's wearing a satiny white robe, fit for a queen. “Please, have a seat. And do wipe that worried look from your face. I assure you, you aren't in trouble.”
This is the first time I've talked to Auriel one-on-one. Her voice reminds me of a Disney princess, but not in a bad way. She's cute, and something about her chubby cheeks makes her look incredibly friendly.
As soon as I'm seated, Auriel says, “Your student, Benjamin Worthington, claims that he was unfairly failed on his most recent mission. I want to hear both sides of the story, starting from the beginning. Benjamin, would you like to go first?”
Ben shoots the most heated glare in my direction. It's the kind of glare that says I hate you.
“We were supposed to help out this thirty-something, average-looking disabled guy who had a crush on the girl who delivered his groceries. She was in her early twenties, blonde, and gorgeous. I didn't think she was the kind of girl who would go for Isaiah.”
Auriel asks, “Isaiah is the name of your charge?”
“Yeah. Anyway, Kaylene was the one who got to decide what our mission would be. She thought she'd hook up Isaiah with the hot girl, but I wanted to hook him up with someone else. I didn't think this Angelica chick seemed like someone who'd be interested in the long term.”
Clearing my throat, I speak up, “Isaiah wasn't asking for love. I didn't read his thoughts and find out he was lonely and looking for a girl in his life. I found out he liked Angelica. Specifically. If his wish was a little more broad, maybe I would have—”
“Kaylene,” Auriel loses her sweet Disney princess tone when she addresses me. “Please, let Ben finish his side of the story. You'll have a chance to speak your mind. I promise.”
Ben's grin returns. He's probably glad I got chided.
“Anyway,” he continues, “I made it my personal mission to find the right girl for Isaiah. I was trying to talk him into hitting on someone else, and all of a sudden, Kaylene sent me back to my dorm room. A little while later, I found out I failed. I didn't think it was fair at all.”
I bite my tongue while Auriel and Ben review some of the details. I don't think Ben really cares about this. If he really cared about spirit guide work, he wouldn't have an extremely low rating. He doesn't care about failing, he just wants to make me look bad.
Finally, it's my turn to tell my side of the story. With my chin held high, I begin, “As I said before, Isaiah wanted Angelica, and this wish was consistent throughout our mission. Ben didn't want them together because he didn't think they'd be good together. Ben constantly judged our charge, and he repeatedly tried to sabotage our mission. If you check Ben's record, you'll find out I'm not the first instructor who's experienced this sort of behavior from him. I tolerated it for several days before I finally lost my patience. Yes, I banished Ben. And yes... I failed him. I truly believe he didn't deserve credit for it.”
“You didn't even give me any kind of warning, though!” Ben whines. “You just got rid of me out of nowhere!”
“Not true,” I calmly disagree. “You knew your behavior was getting on my nerves. I asked you to stop. I did give you a warning.”
“Okay, but I didn't realize I had to fall in line like a good little boy or you'd fail me! That wasn't right!”
The strangest thought pops into my head while Ben is railing at me. I keep looking at his lips. He's got good kissing lips. They say there's a thin line between love and hate, and maybe that's not far from the truth? On one level, I can't stand him, but deep, deep down, I have some kind of twisted attraction to him. I wish I didn't, but he's undeniably cute.
Ugh. Kaylene, why are you like this? I'm so frustrated with myself for even thinking I might have some sort of bizarre hate-tinged crush on Ben.
Ben and I are both dead quiet as Auriel deliberates. When she finally speaks, I lean forward in my chair.
“Kaylene, I believe you were correct about your mission. If Isaiah specifically wanted Angelica, that should have indeed been your mission. However, Ben is also right. If you were going to banish and fail him, he should have been properly warned.”
Oh dear. I'm actually going to get in trouble for this, aren't I?
Auriel continues, “I have to take your records into consideration as well. Kaylene, your record is impeccable. Ben, you haven't been here very long, and yet there have already been several complaints about your behavior. Additionally, I need to consider that you've only completed one mission in your afterlife career. It doesn't sound like you're much of a team player.”
Ben says, “Maybe I could be a team player if the coach actually cared to listen to my opinion!”
Auriel somehow manages to smile at him. “I understand your frustration, but after reviewing this case, I'm afraid I must side with Kaylene. If you were truly disruptive to the mission, I don't think you deserve any credit for it.”
I try to keep my face as blank as I can. I don't want anyone to think I'm gloating.
“Whatever.” Ben jumps from his chair with a growl. “I shouldn't have wasted my time with this. You were never going to side with a guy with my history, even if I was right!”
Get over yourself, Ben. That's what I want to say, but I don't want to sound unprofessional. In an argument, the calm person is usually the one who isn't at fault.
“Ben, would you like to be assigned to a different instructor?” Auriel asks.
Ben doesn't respond. He pounds a fist against Auriel's desk and storms from the room with a grumble. As soon as he's gone, Auriel says, “Oh my. That was quite rude.”
“He can be... difficult,” I state the obvious.
Auriel turns her question on me. “Do you want him to be assigned to a different instructor, Kaylene? No one would blame you if you did.”
I start to shake my head—then I pause. I'm not the type to give up, but I don't know if I can handle three more missions with this guy.
“I don't know yet,” I reply. “Can you give me a day to think about it?”
“Of course.” Auriel leans over her desk and lowers her voice, even though I'm the only one around to hear her. “Personally, I think you should reassign him. There was a lot of tension between you. Two spirits working together should have a good rapport. If they don't, missions may suffer because of it.”
“Like I said, I'll think about it.” I rise from my chair and face the door, but before I leave, I share some final words with her. “Thanks for the advice, Auriel. It's been... illuminating.”