CHAPTER 1

"Success is Counted Sweetest"

By: Emily Dickinson

Success is counted sweetest

By those who ne'er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar

Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host

Who took the Flag today

Can tell me the definition

So clear of Victory

As he defeated—dying—

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Burst agonized and clear!

--

I looked down contentedly on those under me and my cloud, Demetri. Although, up here in heaven, my little cloud couldn't talk, it could sure express itself. Clouds were like that. They rained when sad, thundered when angry, and thinned out when just plain tired. Right now, Demetri was delightfully plump as cotton.

I giggled as Demetri bounced me up and down. He was like a little kid even though I knew for a fact that he was eons of years old. Born earlier than me, Demetri was full grown and full of experience with angels.

Boy, I sure had surprised him.

I was not your average angel. I wasn't one who had horns beneath their halo but...I was mischievous.

But only little things! Alas, angels have rules too, even up here in heaven. There are rules that we cannot ignore.

Rules like: no tormenting the humans, not even if they really do deserve it.

No interfering with human lives.

No revealing your true self to humans.

No scaring humans...

Basically, all things that were human stay away.

I sighed as I thought of my past best friend, Akasha Adele, who had been silly which had resulted in her...elimination.

Akasha had been very foolish. She had been around humans for one. Something that is very risky for angels, for we might become tainted with their nature.

Akasha had said she was just curious. Just curious. She had ignored every warning I had given her, called me an old prune. That was partly true for I was very old by even our standards.

I remembered that last day I had with her.

She had just come from another day of playing and socializing with the humans on earth. I had idly thought that something was wrong with her eyes. They were brighter, somehow.

And then, I just knew.

Akasha opened her mouth and had told me.

"Oh Isabella, it's true what they say! Humans are so...wonderful! Oh my, I do believe that I am in love!"

I shook my head, my hands were trembling.

"No. No, you must be confused. It is against the law, our nature! Akasha..."

"No. I cannot deny it anymore. He is just so...amazing. And the way he looks at me...he...he loves me too!" Akasha had said, defiant.

I frowned, a facial expression not accustomed to such a face. "You will be punished for this, my sister."

Akasha's eyes glowed again. "I don't care. I'd to it again and again!"

I felt like I had sucked on a lemon that was particularly sour. "I know you would." I knew Akasha very well. We were so close, sisters almost.

I was just so sad that this was to be the end.

"But please...don't tell. I just...want one more moment with him. He's all I've ever wanted Isabella! He's made for me."Akasha had begged so much that day.

I truly thought that she had lost her mind.

"Akasha, if the angels ask of me I cannot lie." I told her.

"I know. It is an angel's duty to tell the truth." Akasha had whispered.

"What...what is he like, Adele?"

Akasha's face brightened up again.

"Oh, he is so nice. And smart. He said I was an angel, of which I was terrified he knew who I was. But that's just a compliment down there!" She giggled.

I laughed along with her. Some humans were dead on about certain things.

"And how does it feel?" I asked, unafraid now.

"It feels like you've found the one reason for living. And you would do anything for that person, even if it meant sacrificing your life for them."

I couldn't speak.

Never had I imagined such passion to come from Akasha Adele, my angel sister.

Nor had I imagined that was to be the last I saw of her.

For in that moment, as the fierce light burned in Akasha's eyes, the angels of decision that God had appointed spoke.

I felt that tug to spill everything from my lips without even being asked.

But I shut my mouth. I would not be the one to send my sister away.

"Akasha. What have you done?" one of the angels asked, when I would not respond. I couldn't tell who it was, for the three angels were identical that it was impossible.

Akasha willingly but fearfully opened her mouth.

No!

"I have fallen in love,"

"That is forbidden."

Akasha's eyes flashed. "I don't care! And besides, wasn't it you, Arias, who fell in love with a human woman long ago? Don't you remember how it felt? How crazy you went when she died?"

Shut up Akasha!

But she wouldn't listen.

It was Arias who spoke this time.

"That is none of your concern." He spoke with a coldly detached voice. I couldn't imagine the control it must've taken him. "You have broken our rules and there will be punishment."

"Bring it on." Akasha demanded.

I had to laugh. That human boy must have rubbed off on her more than I had thought.

"Akasha Adele, guardian angel of Smith Childs, you are sentenced to eternal service in…well, you know. You have offended me so that I can't just give you the easy way out. You won't go back to earth. You have manipulated too much all ready. I only hope that Childs can forget all this."

If I could cry, now would be that time.

Akasha bowed her head.

"Yes of course." The weight of her sentence had come down on her and her back hunched.

"But please, may I see him one last time?" Akasha breathed.

The angels allowed it.

And so, Akasha's last day was spent on earth with Childs.

And I knew she was happy forever.

"Akasha, my sister, my friend, I miss you everlasting." I whispered, absently looking down, down into where the fire burned those poor lost souls. Hell. Not a forgiving one, he, the devil. I hoped that Akasha was still happy. I'd once heard that happiness could rule out the horror of working and serving down there. I was sure that her happiness was strong enough. I hoped.

Oh, how I hoped!

Akasha deserved a little bit of heaven.

Ever since she'd left, I had taken her post as guardian over these humans. Oddly enough, I couldn't sense Childs presence very well anymore. I mean, I could tell that he was there. His life force just wasn't what it used to be. And he wasn't that old. I believe he was in his late 20s. Akasha had chosen him when he was young. A few years have passed since then. I had wondered about her fascination with him and his kind for a while. I still was unsure of whatever lure they presented.

"Akasha, please guide me." I whispered once more.

My cloud Demetri began to feel heavy. Of course, it would sense my emotions while I was this close.

"No, no. Sssh. I'm OK, I'm fine." I stroked the cloud reassuringly.

I could tell that Demetri thought of me as a poor liar.

And whose fault was that?

I was an angel.