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I sent Maghen and Xavier home, not wanting them to face Gabriel's wrath. Bethany had put on Xavier's sweatshirt to cover her tattered dress. As we walked up the front steps, I paused. "Bethany. When we go inside, I want you to go straight upstairs. Don't come down unless I come to get you."

"But what about Gabriel and Ivy?"

"If they don't know yet, they will soon. I'll deal with them."

Bethany nodded and we walked into the house. Our siblings were in the living room, but I could sense no knowledge of recent events coming from them. Gabriel got up from his seat with a smile, walking over to us. "I'm proud of..." He began but Bethany ran up the stirs before he could finish. "Did something happen?"

"Well...we've hit a small snag..."

What followed, was painful and antagonizing, but we deserved every minute of it. I'd let Gabriel take most of his anger out on me when we'd gotten home, but that didn't stop him from yelling at Beth the next morning.

"I need to speak with the Covenant." he eventually decided, making me groan. He meant the seven archangels that were called in to deal with the most dire of situations. It was made up of Michael, Raphael, Gabriel (Obviously), Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel...and myself.

"Will you explain how it happened?" Bethany asked.

"I already told you, Beth. They already know." I pulled my hair back.

"What will happen then?"

Gabriel answered her coldly, "The will give their verdict and we will obey." With that he left, the front door shutting loudly behind him.

"Shouldn't you go with him?" Ivy asked, concerned.

"I've got my own spot in Sherbrooke county for this kind of thing. Gabriel needs to find a nice place where he can meditate in peace. He's not going to get that with me around." I looked at my little sister, "And don't worry Beth...You've already got two votes in your favor. Only need two more."

I walked out the door, and taking my own sweet time, walked out of town.

I came to land in a clearing in the middle of forrest outside of town, having flown after I was away from people. I donned My black robes and halo, letting my wings stretch out behind me and holding my scythe in my hands. It was traditional, and more likely to remind my brothers that despite my actions, I was still one of them. I Knelt to my knees and let my essence expand to include the entire clearing. I focused on joining the covenant and connecting them here.

I rose to my bare feet when I felt their presence around me. The other six, Gabriel included, appeared, standing in a circle,partially transparent.

"Azrael." Michael greeted me. "How are you, sister?"

"Skip the pleasantries. We all know why we're here."

"Yes, to discuss yours and Bethany's mistakes." Raguel said, crossing his arms. He was the one who oversaw angels and made sure that they obeyed the laws that Heaven had set out before us. His vote would be crucial.

"With no disrespect, brother, I can not speak for Bethany but I do not consider my action a mistake."

"Then what would you call it?" Zerachiel-the one who watched over Earth- asked, "You showed that mortal your wings in a Chapel of the Lord. It seems to me that you had a lapse in judgement."

"Come on. You know what happened. That girl heard them. Azzy was busy trying to save that mortal's life and didn't notice her."Raphael smiled at me. He was... Much more relaxed, that our brothers. "I think she should be commended for resisting her instincts."

"Thank you, Raphael. " I sighed at the nickname. The archangel of medicine reminded me a great deal of Molly.

Uriel brought up a very reasonable concern "But what of the mortal...This Maghen Moore. It's human nature to sin and doubt. If she turns from you, she may tell someone."

Michael turned to my brother, "Gabriel, what do you think of this girl?"

"I've never met her, but I trust Azrael's judgement. If she says that she won't tell, she won't tell."

"She won't." I promised, "I have her word. And I feel obligated to remind you all that it is also human nature to be secretive."

"Is this all you have to say on the matter of your actions before me move on to Bethany's?" Michael asked me.

"No. I'd also like to point out that my job on this mission was to guide Bethany, and yet she's strayed from the path. I will be speaking in her defense and I will assume full responsibility for her actions as well as my own. "

"Very well." Michael nodded, "Since this particular vote regards you, I will allow you to choose someone to take your vote, so that we will have seven votes total."

I looked around at my brothers. I could take the easy path and choose Gabriel, or I could risk choosing one of the others and take their judgement as if I were any other Angel. "I give my vote to you, Michael. As leader of the covenant, I trust your judgement."

The air around me grew thin, making it hard for my human body to breath, and I knew they were voting. I wouldn't hear the verdict and course of action until it was decided. I knew that these votes could sometimes take a long time, especially dealing with delicate matters. This vote however, was much shorter than I expected, and the thin air disappeared much faster than I'd expected.

"We've decided. We're not going to do anything about this. But..." Michael began.

"If she tells anyone, we erase any memory of you from her, the entire town, and Bethany." Uriel finished. "After all, she is the one that started the conversation that Miss Moore heard."

I wasn't happy about that, but I felt confident that Maghen would come through. "Fair enough."

"Now onto the problem with Bethany..."

That debate and vote took a few hours. And by the time we'd decided ad agreed on what to do, it had cost Gabriel and I a lot of points. Gabriel may have been a bit of a prude, but he still cared about Bethany. He and I had met up after to meeting adjourned and walked home together in silence. When we reached the gate of Byron, I finally spoke up. "Thank you, Gabriel. I owe you one."

He didn't say a word, but a tired look crossed his face. We walked into the house and Gabriel slammed the door behind us. I had no doubt that he was still upset, but I also had known him long enough to know that he'd just want to be alone. We walked into the living room where Ivy and Beth were waiting. He crossed his arms ad Ivy walked over to stand beside us.

"What's been decided?" Beth blurted out, desperate for answers.

"The Covenant regret's recommending Bethany for this mission. Gabriel set a sharp gaze on her, "More was expected from an angel of her standing."

Bethany was shaking. She stood, bowing her head in shame and began walking toward the stairs. "Where are you going?" I asked her.

"I'll get ready to leave."

"Leave to go where?"

"Back home."

"None of us are going home. You didn't let us finish. They were disappointed, but their suggestion to bring you back has been overruled."

She looked up at me in surprise, "By who?"

"A higher power." I bit my lip, "and before you ask, yes. You can keep dating Xavier."

"Oh, thank you!" She smiled brightly but Gabriel interrupted her.

"The decision was not ours, we deserve no thanks."

I glanced at him surprised. I'd never known my brother to lie before.

"Please don't be angry with me, Gabriel. Actually, you have every right to be angry, but at least understand that I didn't do it intentionally."

"I have no interest in hearing what you have to say, Bethany. You have your boyfriend, now be satisfied." He told her and turned his back.

Ivy put her hands on Beth's shoulders in comfort, "I need to go to the supermarket. I could use a hand."

"Go and help Ivy." Gabriel told Beth, a strange look coming into his stormy eyes, "There will be five of us at dinner tonight."