Chapter 17

Andrew’s heart continued to pound loudly in his chest as he tried to figure out why he was now human.

“Why, Father?” His mind pleaded desperately,

“How can I help Monica in this form?”  Tiredly, he leaned his head back against the wall, his eyes resting on the sleeping angel he held in his arms.

He knew he had hurt her tonight by his revelation that he still had a problem with her having lied to him.  He felt a stab of guilt as he noted the troubled look on her pale face, even in sleep.  Andrew knew she had been through so much over the last two years with Denise and he could only imagine how she must have felt having to tell the humans she cared so much about that their loved one had died or was in trouble because an angel had failed.  Now she was facing the fact that she had lost her first caseworker to Kathleen and he knew that was a blow that had hurt her terribly. 

So why then, was he still so upset over her not telling him the truth? 

Sighing softly, he closed his eyes for a moment and drew in a deep breath.  It was then that his eyes opened in alarm as the smell of smoke filled his senses.  Trying not to panic, the angel, now human, carefully removed himself from Monica’s sleeping embrace and got to his feet.  His eyes now accustomed to the dark in the attic, he approached the door and was engulfed in the smoke that was pouring in from underneath it.  Laying his hand on the door, he felt the warmth and fear filled him to the very bottom of his soul with the realization that the house was on fire and they were trapped.

***

Tess paced the floor back at the apartment, waiting for some word from Andrew or Monica.  The not knowing was making her crazy with worry as she wondered what fate had befallen her two angel babies.   Oh, she knew deep in her heart that Andrew and Monica would take care of each other and even more importantly, that the Father would take care of all of them, but the not knowing was hard for her.  Andrew had left over three hours ago and there was still no word from either of them and that wasn’t like Andrew.  He knew she would be worried and she was.

Gazing out the window once more, she sighed heavily,

“Father, please, tell me what is happening,” She said softly.

It was then that her heart was filled with knowledge that sent chills all through her body.  As she listened, the Father told her all that had transpired involving the two angels, and she gasped out loud, hearing the trouble that they were now in and she sank wearily into the lounge chair.

“Can I help them, Father?  Please tell me that I can help them!” Her dark eyes flooded with tears at the mere thought of how afraid they must be right now.  Why was this happening?  She didn’t want to question and she struggled to keep her faith that God would give Andrew and Monica what they needed when they needed it.

“Be still, my angel,” Came the gentle, loving voice that floated down to her waiting heart,

“Not yet, but soon.”

****

“You are a genius, Denise!” Kathleen chuckled, as the two of them stood, unseen to the human eye outside of the house, watching as the flames began to engulf the third floor, slowly making their way to the attic, which held their two prisoners.

Denise smiled smugly as she watched the brilliant orange flames lapping at the house before her,

“I owe it all to you, Kath.  We make a great team.”

Kathleen smiled, knowing that now was the time,

“How would you like to make that a permanent thing, Denise?” Seeing the caseworker raise her eyebrows in question, she continued,

“You’re not cut out for all this lovey dovey God stuff, Denise, but there are bigger and better things that you are much more well suited for.  Come with me and serve my Master.  It’s much more fun creating havoc than goodness, isn’t it?”

Denise’s eyes widened at the realization of what Kathleen was and she wondered why she had not figured it out before,

“You’re a demon?” She asked incredulously.

“Well, in a matter of speaking, yes,” The dark angel replied, judging Denise’s reaction carefully.  This was the most crucial moment in a demon’s existence-would Denise leave God’s light to come with her.

Denise turned her eyes back to the house for a moment, thinking about her supervisor, who was trapped in the attic, maybe finding it hard to breath and she felt a very brief pang of guilt.  Then she thought about all the failed assignments and how Monica had never warned her before it was too late, but yet had refused to take the responsibility.  She shook her head in amazement before turning back to Kathleen,

“What do I have to do to join you?”