For some reason, I wasn't scared.

"I know you're not going to hurt me. You would have done it in the car or… You wouldn't have taken me to dinner. You would have taken me to a field and killed me."

"I could do it now. You're home alone. Dad won't be home till… Friday. That's 4 days away."

I stiffened, but Patch's soft expression comforted me.

"Your mom broke the rules."

"There are rules?"

Patch chuckled, sitting across from me on the edge of my bed. "There are lots of rules. Your mother broke the golden one." He grabbed my hand and my body went numb. I blinked but it looked as though my eyes had not opened. My vision had gone black. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. I could still feel Patch's hand, which yanked me to stand upright. He pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tight enough that I could hear his irregularly fast heartbeat.

Thump thump thump thump. Stop. Thump thump thump thump. Stop.

A bright light blinded me so I buried my face into Patch's chest.

"Your assignment was to protect Harrison Grey, correct?" a bell-like voice asked, sounding irritated.

"Yes. And I did." The other voice shocked me. I ripped myself from Patch to find the source.

She looked radiant and very much alive. More than alive…

"Mom!" I screamed.

"She won't hear you, Nora. This is a memory. My memory."

"You broke the most important rule: keep your distance." I hadn't noticed the woman talking. I couldn't take my eyes off Mom. I shifted my gaze to the other woman. She had straight blond hair, contrasting Mom's brown curls. We were surrounded by clouds, the sun beaming overhead brighter and more beautiful than I had ever seen it. The area had an airy glow to it.

"I... I apologize, Claire. Please, I know these feelings are true."

"No, Lynn! You know my position in this. You are my little sister, but this is something that cannot be forgiven."

Sister? I asked myself. I don't have an aunt…

"What does that mean?" Mom's eyes became afraid.

"You know I don't want to do this, but I have to. It's my duty."

"Claire, I have a daughter. Please, please don't make me leave her. And Harrison… I love Harry."

"I covered up your tracks. I was your follower and I protected you. When you realized you loved Harrison I protected you. When you and Harrison began your relationship I protected you. When he asked you to marry him I protected you. When you got pregnant and had your baby, I PROTECTED YOU! There is only so much I can do! I don't think you realize all I did! It's been six years! You don't understand what I put on the line to keep your secret from the Archangels. Everything, Lynn. I risked everything. You were given the chance to protect someone, to be on earth again, something you know we all want. And you broke the rules. The Archangels found out I was lying for you. I might lose my wings!"

"So now I lose mine?"

"I'm sorry sis. You know I love you."

"Do you know where I'm going?"

"Whit time you can earn your wings back."

"I… I'm going to me a dark angel! A DEMON, CLAIRE!"

"Not completely! You will be fallen, not dark. If you choose to become a dark angel, then you will get your black wings."

"I fell in love! How is that so wrong?"
"He's human! Full human! You were his guardian!"

"He didn't know what I was. To him, I was human."

"Human by appearance. Your daughter is a half-breed. The Archangels have been trying to destroy the half breeds for ages."

"What will happen to my Nora? She's only five!"

I was horrified. I wanted to scream I'm here! I'm safe! But I knew it was useless.

"You know her fate and I am sorry. The Archangels know about her. They cannot hurt her as a child but when she matures into an adult… she will be vulnerable."

"Please, Claire. Punish me, not her."

"I can't do anything about her. I would if I could, but I've done everything I can."

Mom sobbed into her hands as she turned her back to Claire.

"I'm sorry." Claire took hold of the air behind Mom's back. I felt patch tense up beside me. Claire made a ripping motion. Mom screamed in pain.

"Take her." Claire called in our direction. Patch stepped toward them, but to my surprise he was still by my side, almost as if he split into two. I looked at him, baffled.

"This is a memory, Nora. That right there," he pointed to the Patch walking to Claire and Mom, "is memory Patch. He's just a part of the memory."

I nodded. So this is heaven.

Memory Patch had Mom by her wrist, leading her away from Claire. Patch pulled me to walk with them.

"Promise me," Mom sobbed, "Promise me you will take care of her."

"I promise." Memory Patch smiled sympathetically. "Can you Vow to me?"

"I… I…"

"Please, Patch. You fell, too. And you gained your wings back. You know what I'm going through. Before my angel abilities dissolve completely… Make the Vow."

Memory Patch looked over his shoulder to be sure that Claire was out of sight. He released Mom's wrist and pointed his palm to her. She matched his motion, touching her palm to his. She closed her eyes and said quietly, "Patch, be Nora Grey's guardian. Keep her safe at all costs."

"I will." Memory Patch closed his eyes, too. The two pulled their hands apart slowly and a faint, glowing string appeared between them. Mom pulled and the string broke off her hand and slinked into Patch's.

"It's time to go, Lynn. I'm sorry." Patch looked into her eyes and forced a smile. The world around me began to darken. Once bright, now hazy, the world went black. I blinked and I was in my room, panting.