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“SORRY,” JEREMIEL APOLOGIZES as soon as we get back Home. “On the off-chance that she would remember her dream, I couldn't have you spilling any afterlife secrets. You can understand that, right?”
Ben's not saying anything, so I answer on his behalf, “Yeah, we understand.”
“Very well.” Jeremiel takes a step back and bows. “Should you ever need me again, lovely Kaylene, don't hesitate to contact me. Ta-ta!”
Ta-ta? I don't think I've ever heard anyone use that in real life. Jeremiel is an interesting character, that's for sure.
As soon as the Archangel is gone, Ben manifests a cigarette and rolls up his sleeves. It's like he's trying to uphold some sort of tough guy persona. He probably wants me to forget he just cried until his eyes turned red.
“Ben, I want to try something,” I tell him. “It might not work, but... I think it's worth a shot.”
“What do you want to do?” Ben asks. His voice is flat—flatter than its ever been before. His encounter with Sophie seems to have transformed him.
“I'm going to petition the Council for another miracle... for Sophie. It hasn't been long since I asked for our last miracle, so they might not listen to me, but—”
“You'd do that for me?” Ben asks.
“W-Well, yeah. If I can do it for Candice and her son, why wouldn't I do it for you?”
Ben takes a step in my direction. He has such a carnal look in his eyes, for a split second, I think he's going to kiss me or something.
He doesn't.
“Kaylene, if you did that for me... I wouldn't even know how to thank you.”
“Just continue to be a good student. That would be thanks enough,” I answer with a smile. “But seriously, don't get your hopes up. If someone asks for too many miracles in a row, the Council is more likely to decline.”
I almost wish I would have petitioned the Council without telling Ben about it. If I fail, I'll have to see the disappointed look on his face, and that would be even more depressing than watching him embrace his sister in a dream. I can't fail.
I warp to Archangel Tower and request a Council meeting, and as I wait for my five judges to assemble, I jot down a speech. Even though I wrote it quickly, I'm kind of impressed with it.
I'm even more impressed when I see who assembles today. Archangels Ariel, Gabriel, Raguel and Jophiel all come to decide my fate. Strangest of all, Archangel Michael himself arrives for the meeting. I'm a little stunned, because I think it's fairly rare for him to show up for a Council meeting.
Obviously, Michael is the one who oversees the meeting. These sessions usually start with a summary of the supplicant's request, but Michael has other plans. He stands behind a lectern, and in a booming voice, he says, “Kaylene, I have nothing but respect for your mother, but you'll have to explain why you've asked for two miracles in such a short span of time. Normally, I would turn down such a request immediately, but out of respect for Amber, I will listen to what you have to say.”
I wish it was my own accomplishments—not my mom's—that bought me this time. As long as he's willing to listen, I guess I can't complain. I plead Ben's case as honestly and earnestly as I can. “I'm requesting a miracle on behalf of my student, Ben Worthington. His sister, Sophie, is in a coma, and—”
Raguel interrupts, “He put her there.”
“Pardon?” Archangel Michael curls a massive bicep and props up his chin with a fist. He looks pensive, and maybe a bit annoyed. “What were you saying, Raguel?” he asks.
“I guessed what Kaylene would ask for. I have strong powers of foresight, as you know,” Raguel says. “I knew she would be asking for a miracle for Benjamin, and to be frank, Benjamin doesn't deserve it. He's the reason his sister is in a coma. He's a terrible student, a terrible brother, a terrible spirit guide, and a terrible—”
I probably shouldn't interrupt, but I can't stand to listen to Raguel's hostile opinion. “Ben is not a bad student. He's made great strides over the last few days. He—”
This time, Raguel interrupts me. “Unless I'm mistaken, you also thought he was a terrible student, Kaylene. That's what you said to Auriel. You had to banish Benjamin because he was behaving badly.”
I've heard that Raguel knows everything, but this is the first time I've seen it for myself. Every time he opens his mouth, he buries me, and I'm not sure how to dig my way out.
“Ben... he... h-he was the cause of his sister's coma, but he regrets it.” My head shakes when I hear myself stutter. It doesn't make me sound very sure of myself.
“He regretted it so much that he offed himself,” Raguel says. “You know how we feel about suicide, Kaylene. It's frowned on. When you consider everything we know about Benjamin Worthington, can you really say he deserves a miracle.”
“But Sophie does!” I argue. “You can say whatever you want about Ben, but his sister is a good girl.”
“Is she, though?” Raguel's eyebrow raises as he challenges me. “When she was twelve, she slapped her mother. When she was thirteen, she ran away from home to be with a boyfriend. When she was fifteen, she tore off her best friend's wig because they were arguing over a boy. Would you like me to continue?”
“I... didn't know any of that.” I can feel all of the Archangels' eyes on me. I think they're judging me, not Sophie. They think I'm asking for too many miracles, for people who aren't worthy of them. How can I convince them otherwise? “I would argue... that everyone makes mistakes. If Sophie can learn from those mistakes, can we really condemn her? When I met her, she seemed like a nice girl. She was loving and affectionate to a brother who desperately needed her forgiveness. Ben's made mistakes too. We all have! I don't think we should base this decision on Sophie's worst choices.”
Jophiel suddenly speaks up, “I've made mistakes. It's a good feeling when someone can love you in spite of them.”
“Yes. Thank you, Jophiel!” I exclaim—but on second thought, maybe I shouldn't be too thrilled by his support? He's hardly one of the most popular Archangels. In fact, I've heard rumors that Michael resents him. Still, it's nice to get an assist from my former instructor.
“I think we've heard enough,” Michael says. “And let me remind everyone, Kaylene asked for a miracle very recently. In mortal time, barely a week has passed since her last miracle was granted. It's something to consider.”
“I like Kaylene,” Gabriel says, which earns him a scowl from Michael. Gabriel and Michael are famously very chummy with each other, so I'm shocked to see any dissent between them. “I think Kaylene is one of the most promising Archangels, and this is only the second miracle she's asked for. Who cares about the time frame? Who cares if the miracle's recipient made a few mistakes as a teenage girl? For heaven's sake, when did we all become such a judgmental lot? I thought were weren't supposed to judge the humans too harshly. I thought we were supposed to be forgiving. I don't think we're being very fair.”
Suddenly, I have a new favorite Archangel. Forget about Archangel Haniel—Gabriel is my new hero. If I wasn't smitten with Ben, I'd be smitten with Gabriel.
Wait. What am I thinking? I'm not smitten with Ben, am I? No way.
“Did anyone else just hear that, or am I the only one?” Ariel asks. When the others press her to continue, she says, “Forgive me, but I was in Kaylene's mind, and I heard something... interesting. She seems to be smitten with this Benjamin fellow. If that's the case, she must be asking for this miracle for personal reasons.”
My fists clench as I listen to the indiscernible mumbles of my judges as they discuss this revelation. This changes things. I could try to deny it, but no one would take my word over Ariel's.
Damn it.
Michael insists the meeting is over, and one by one, they cast their votes.
The decision is split. Three Archangels voted against me, and two voted in my favor. I was not granted my miracle today.
But that's okay, because I've already made my decision.
I'm going to heal Sophie anyway.