teach you. Remember she is one of Gabriella’s children. I have faith in you.” I wish I had faith in myself.
Hope broke through my thoughts. “You said, you were an angel… what kind? I don’t think I have ever met an angel before. Why are you in my dreams?” Hope’s voice was still, just a soft whisper, questioning. Yes, I owed her the truth. I was part of her nightmares. Willy was right. I should know by now, Willy was always right. He was one of the blessed ones.
Hope took a deep breath, impatient, or just waiting. I was just glad she had her back against my chest, watching the sunset. I was relieved that we weren’t facing each other. I wouldn’t be able to handle the disappointment in her eyes when she finally knew the truth about me.
“My name is Daniel, my creator, or Father, as we call him, gave it to me long ago. When I came to live on earth, I choose the name Starr. It was the emblem on my breastplate that I once wore. I wear the same on a pendant, the one you saw around my neck. It’s called the Genesis star. It has no beginning, nor end. The six points represent the domain I was to protect: North, South, East, West, the heavens above, and the earth below. The sword was the power used to protect the weak from evil. I was one of Michael’s first lieutenants. Together with others like me, we were called the Powers, heavens army.”
Hope’s voice was soft asking, “Why are you here and how long have you been here?” It was only a simple question for her. It filled me with sorrow and remorse for what I had done. I couldn’t see how I could protect her and watch over her. I was sure Hope would be appalled at what I had done even if it was so long ago. But I had to keep going, telling her the truth, always the truth.
The sunset had quickly given way to darkness in our isolated spot on the beach. The stars were already sparkling as if they were jewels floating in the sky above. Perhaps they weren’t all stars, but angels who knew my disgrace. I closed my eyes in shame as I continued.
“Hope, I don’t know how to explain this to you. I just pray you can understand. My duty was to protect the children of Adam. I had fought many battles against the evils, which threatened heaven and earth. An archangel, named Michael, was our commander and I always stood by his side.”
“I spent two and a half millennia watching over the children of Adam. Watching them destroy the gifts that were given to them. I watched as they destroyed each other in someone else's name. I watched as men seized lands, they did not need or use. They only wanted more power. Lifetime after lifetime I watched, until I could watch no more. I began to feel like men were parasites upon the earth destroying its beauty and forsaking its wonders.”
“Until one day! A day I will always… regret. We were just so filled with anger. Myself and two other lieutenants with our legions decided the only way to protect the earth and Father’s wonders were to rid it of mankind. But we would not be fighting with… our commander, Michael.”
I felt Hope shiver against me. Was she cold, or just frightened? “Are you alright?”
“Just a little chilly.” She tucked her feet a little farther under the quilt. I pulled her closer to me wrapping my arms around her, hoping it would warm her. Hope always seemed to warm me, with her presence. I’d say she warmed my soul, if I had one. Then I started again.
“Of all the wondrous things Father had created, both in heaven and on earth, He treasured and loved the children of Adam above all. You were the jewels in his crown. In that last battle we didn’t fight to protect, but to destroy… to destroy the children of Adam.”
I felt Hope shiver in my arms, she understood. Was this the lesson that I would learn from her?
“I didn’t understand what He saw in mankind. All I could see was the hate, greed, and the senseless violence men did to each other, and I was angry. I was an angel, one of the Powers. I was the one who fought for heaven… and you… were His beloved?”
“We gathered our legions and headed towards earth. Our commander Michael met us. He had the rest of the legions with him, the Warriors of Heaven. We stood face to face in our battle gear with our Angel Blades of fire. The battle itself sounded of thunder. The sparks filled the universe, one angels blade against another. It was hard to keep my balance with the wind from so many wings. I saw the deaths of many of the angels in my legions. So many of my brothers and sisters died that day. I wonder if you can still hear their cries in heaven? Even after all this time. I know that I can still hear them. So many angels were lost that day. It was a massacre! And I… I was a part of it. The Archangel Michael advanced on me. Raising his sword, a sword of flames, blue flames. I could feel the heat burning me. The power it held was unimaginable. He was ready to strike me down. I just watched Michael; I didn’t raise my sword in defense. I would not fight Michael! I would rather cease to exist, to become nothing.”
“Michael watched me in astonishment, as I laid my sword at his feet. I don’t know what happened to the rest of what was left… of my legions. Myself, and one other lieutenant, Alexander, were put before the High Choir. It’s like a court, or counsel where you are judged.”
“Alexander?” Hope replied. “The same Alexander at the college? He called you brother… Is he your brother, an angel too?”
“Once…. But not now, there is only evil now.” Now all Alexander did was leave me with a disgusting taste that still lingered. Alexander fouled whatever he touched even my senses as I recall our last encounter. What did he want?
“What happened?” Hope whispered with a voice filled with sorrow.
“Michael stood beside me, as the Choir discussed my punishment. Before my sentence was passed down, Michael stopped them and asked me why I had laid down my sword. I told him, ‘what was the use in fighting’. Given enough time, I was sure the children of Adam would destroy themselves! Then my transgressions were read and my punishment delivered.”
I could hear Hope’s quick intake of breath. “Daniel… what did they do?” The truth, always the truth, I told myself.
“I was stripped of my titles. I was no longer one of the Powers. On that day I felt that I had lost everything. I was given this body, more human than divine. Michael sent me into the world of those I had wanted to destroy. I was charged with the task of giving assistance to the children who were dying without hope and alone, to help guide their souls.” I opened my eyes and saw the stars above me, heaven. “Until atonement.”
Hope’s breathing was soft and her head was still resting on my chest. She gave another little shiver and I still wondered if she was cold. I kept watching the small waves, as they built, fell and then retreated back to the sea. I knew we had about thirty minutes until we would be able to leave the cove. I brought forth my wings and wrapped them around me, around Hope, as I had once before.
I thought Hope had fallen asleep until I felt her fingers moving along the feathers of one of my wings. The feeling was almost indescribable. There were no words just strange sensations. It was as if a mild electric current was going through me. It was pleasure and torture at the same time. I tried as hard as I could not to move, trying to understand the sensation. When I could no longer endure it I shivered and started to snicker. The vision of Hope running in the small waves, laughing, filled my head. She laughed because the sand people tickled her feet. That was this feeling. It tickled! My wings trembled as Hope ran her fingers through my feathers; but now I knew what the feelings were.
Hope stopped moving and with a soft voice, “Sorry.”
“Sorry, for what?”
“You were shaking. I didn’t want to hurt your wings.”
