Something huge sat hunched next to Naira. Enormous, white wings fell to its sides, taking up nearly the entire width of the room. They rose and fell with its breathing.
“Who are you?” I demanded, readying myself for an attack. The thing stood slowly, undulating until it reached its full height – over six feet tall. When its wings stretched away from its body, I could tell it was a man, clothed in only white linen pants with a lime green sash wrapped about his waist. A horizontal scar took up half his right shoulder blade and above it, strange markings were burned into his skin. His massive wings folded in on themselves tightly and he turned.
The light was blinding and I raised my hands, throwing a shield around myself. When it finally cleared, I was left staring into the face of an impressive looking angel. His light brown hair floated in the air as if he were underwater. Extremely muscled, his back and side muscles were so large, his arms actually rested on them. Intense grey blue eyes bore into mine. Everything about him suggested power, even his stance.
“I am Paul.” His voice shook me to my core.
“Paul?”
“Paul David.”
“Why are you here?” I asked, trying to remember that I was The Link and not a little girl.
He looked down at Naira.
“You’ve come to take her away?” I surmised, holding my non-existent breath.
“Not yet,” he said.
“Are you her angel?” I asked.
He looked me up and down. “I am.”
“If you’re not going to take her, why are you here?”
Paul didn’t answer.
“I won’t let her die,” I said and Paul dropped his chin, his eyes intent on me.
“That is not for you to decide.” His voice lowered. “One is not allowed to meddle with the dying.”
It was a phrase I had heard all too often. “How would you explain that to doctors? To healers?” I asked and the angel almost smiled.
“If it is not what He wants, it will not be.” He said simply.
I felt helpless. “Does He make deals?” I sighed in desperation, already knowing the answer. It made him smile.
“No.”
Though I already knew the answer, my heart sank just the same. I sat on the floor and stared at Naira’s body. “Why did this happen? She was just a little girl a few months ago.”
Paul shifted his stance. “I don’t presume to know His will.”
What a typical answer.
“There’s never been a Link that’s had a sibling. She’s been ‘destined’ to die at the age of fifteen, you know.”
He didn’t answer but he walked around the bed and stood next to me.
“I’m Morgan.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.
“I know,” he said. “You’re The Link for your species. You’re Naira’s sister.”
“Yeah,”
“You don’t seem surprised to see an angel.”
“I’ve seen you guys before.” I smiled up at him and he frowned.
“Is that so?”
“I’ve met my angel.”
Paul’s face lightened, the darkness of his mood changed. “Oh, she’s special.”
“Is that so?” I mimicked him and he glanced sideways at me. “What’s her name?” I asked.
“I can’t tell you her name – she’s higher than I. But, you’re in good hands.”
“And what about my sister? Is she in good hands?”
His eyes were inquisitive as he watched me. “I’d like to think so.”
“If you’re here it means she doesn’t have much time left.”
“Not necessarily,” he mumbled and stopped, seeming irritated with himself.
“What’s wrong?” I asked and he moved away, the tips of his wings dragging on the floor.
“Nothing, I misspoke.”
“If she’s not supposed to go yet, what are you doing here?” I pressed, watching him shift uncomfortably.
“I just watch over her.”
“Why?” Something was up. Paul stopped moving and stared me down.
“To make sure she’s safe.”
“To make sure she’s safe,” I repeated, considering his words carefully. It sounded like something Thayde would do and the answer hit me like a ton of bricks. “Do you love her?”
“Of course I love her,” he answered, “all angels love the ones they protect!”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it!” I pushed myself to my feet and pointed at Naira. “She’s a child!”
He hesitated.
“She’s only four!” My voice raised and his fists clenched.
“She’s nearly twenty-five.” He said in a cold voice.