Michael and I had spent most of the night in long discussion over the details of this odd place. Their faith was foreign to this world, their absolute dedication confusing after so much time spent amongst the people of Vega. We agreed above all that, primarily, we had to understand how the fire was protecting them; it made no scene that a fire could ward off enemies, especially to such a distance.

We had gone out to the town's borders, found and interrogated an eight ball. But we found out very little – it hurt them to get close, and at a certain distance, they would spontaneously catch fire. But that didn't help explain how it worked. It wasn't like anything either Michael or I had seen on this Earth.

XXX

The woman had appeared in state, late morning. She was distressed, slightly injured and in shock. She had been surrounded by a small crowd, and when they dispersed slightly she saw Michael and I. As soon as she'd seen us her eyes had widened in recognition, and fear. It had not gone unnoticed, Wes, the man from yesterday who had been so keen to threaten us, glared up at Michael and I before taking the woman inside to get her help.

She was the same woman who had seen us bathing in the sea before, she had seen our wings - she could identify us as angels. Michael and I shared a look before following the small crowd inside. If she were to tell any of them what we were, we would have no choice but to leave, with our questions unanswered.

I learned the woman's name was Harper. We convinced her to trust us, and not to share our secret with the rest of the village. Michael told her it was God's will for only her to know us as we are.

The town's leader returned. We stepped outside to a quiet spot, leaving the women to talk. "Michael, we cannot lie to her like this, we can't say that this is God's will" I told him, uncomfortable at saying such things.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to tell her, Azriel, you understand." He looked at me desperately, "There is something here, something different about this place that we have to learn. I..." he trailed off, looking away for a moment before saying, "What if this is the key to bringing father back? They seem to, to feel Him here – to hear Him. What if this is the only way?"

He looked at me pleadingly – he was disheartened, clutching for an answer; he was not broken yet, but he seemed to be cracking under so many years of strain. After leaving Vega, Michael had become so desperate – he had put so much faith humanity in these recent years that the betrayal had come as such a hard blow to him, much more so than it had been to me. Michael's attitude toward humans had changed completely since the beginning of the war – I spent so long knowing him with an utter disregard for humanity. I hoped with all my heart that this wouldn't see him returning to a deep set hatred he'd set aside. He felt as though he had been stabbed in the back, I would agree that he had been. But I prayed that he would remain gentle towards humanity, as he had done for so long.

"I understand," I said softly, "but I don't think that lying to them will help us, Michael – especially about our Father. We have to make them trust us, we have to have them accept us, as difficult as that may be. From this lie, all that will come is another"

Michael bowed his head, despair in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Azriel"

Stepping closer to him, I cupped his cheek, pressing a kiss to his forehead. I sighed, "It is not how I would have done it Michael, but I understand why you did. I just ask that you would consider what you would say to them, or consult with me before you lie about our Father, please."

Michael rested his head on my shoulder. I lowered my hand so I could hold his. "Of course, of course, I should have done so before, but I promise you now I will do so in future."

I wrapped my arms around his back, and he placed his hands on the tops of my arms. We stayed that way for some time, close to each other, safe with each other.

XXX

Michael had decided to go looking for another eight ball, to try to figure out anything more about how the fire worked as a shield against them. I had wanted to return to the church, and so we had gone separately for the first time since we entered Mallory. I knelt in front of the aisle, staring at the multitude of artefacts there. I inspected them in turn from where I knelt, seeking for something in each that would inspire something in me – I struggled, I truly did. I bowed my head and prayed silently for some kind of answer, any kind of response, an acknowledgement of some form from my Lord. But again, none came.

I heard footsteps at the doors and quickly stood. The woman who had first met us, the leader of the town, stood watching me, "May I join you?" she asked.

I nodded, "Yes" I knew how abrupt my voice sounded in the silent church.

She walked down the aisle, and I moved aside to sit in a pew. She sat beside me. "I haven't seen you away from Michael's side since you arrived."

"We've been just the two of us for some time now, I guess it's strange for that to change."

"But now you're here without him"

"I wanted to be here, Michael wanted to do something else. We're not joined at the hip, we do have our own independence"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound offensive... My name is Laurel, by the way"

I turned to look at her, "...I am Azriel" I said softly.

"Azriel." She repeated, "You've got an angelic name, where does it come from?"

"My Father" I answered truthfully.

"Was he very religious?"

I smiled at the irony, "You could say that... I'm sorry about before, I didn't mean to be so hostile – Michael and I have had a rough time these last months. I've been struggling, we both have."

"I could tell. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

I huffed a laugh, "I'd rather not, sorry"

"I understand – you've been quite solitary, that seems your nature, am I right?"

"Yes, it does seem that way – since before the war even"

She leant forward, "You know that you're welcome here, you are safe here in Mallory, you can stay as long as you like – I hope you can find peace here."

I let the words wash over me, "I hope so too"

XXX

Part of the religious rituals of Mallory included confession. They believed that every five year the town must be cleansed of its sins or else the fire would go out and allow the eight balls would be able to come in. After the confessions there would be a celebration. According to Laurel, a profit had come to them at the beginning of the war, telling them these things. I wanted to ask who this profit had been, but it had not seemed the right time.

There was a gunshot outside, loud, singular. I turned to the door, frowning. Laurel picked up her gun, and Michael and I followed her outside. Wes was walking back towards us, she asked, "what did you do?"

He spoke with disregard, without care, "I did what was necessary for the safety of this town, Laurel." He began to walk away, "I know I already confessed my sins but now I have another one. I'll wait for you inside."

"He killed her" I breathed. "Michael" I whispered.

"Hush, not now." He said, putting a hand on my arm, "not now"

Harper's body was removed, and things were put in place for her funeral. Michael and I found a quiet place, close to the town's border. I was upset, and Michael knew it. "She died because of us" I said, straining my voice to keep low and quiet.

"No, Azriel-"

"She was keeping our secret, she was killed for it – this is our fault."

"This is my fault, Azriel, I lied to her and she lied in turn. This is not on you." I was tense, the death of an innocent had never sat well with me. Michael put his hands on my shoulder, rubbing his thumbs back and forth, "Forget this, you do not need anything else to keep you up at night. The blame is mine, and mine alone. This is not for you to take on board, Azriel, please, don't dwell on it"

I nodded, eyes fixed on the ground. I decided not to sleep that night.