Chapter Three
It's only a few moments after do the first rays of sunlight spill through the velvet curtains of Gabriel's chambers and the light breeze blows in and vanquishes all the flames of the candles. He sits on the edge of his bed, reaching over to pick up the bitten strawberry and thinks out loud. "Must speak with me." He takes a bite and eats the strawberry, placing his hands on his knee.
The day starts with the Archangels entering the dining hall for breakfast, the conversations begin and then they part ways. A daily routine every since time began and the earth spun. Raphael tends to his horses, Chamuel sings to the slaves, Uriel flirts with the lesser angels, Michael practices alone in the arena and Gabriel does air formations, pulling weights with him.
Raphael smiles, lassoing a rope around a horse's neck and he takes to the air, landing on its back. He hollers as the wild horse stands on his back legs and he pets his mane, hushing him down. The horse neighs and trots around, relaxing under his touch.
Chamuel gathers a few slaves into the yard and she folds a cloth back from a large basket, offering them strawberries while she sings and reads them poetry. Her pink wings flutter in the sun, light like a butterfly and she smiles, combing her fingers through her red hair.
Uriel laughs, touching his chest through his unbuttoned shirt as he surrounds himself with a group of lesser female angels, discussing tactics and teasing other angels in good fun. His smile reflects the light of the sun, turning his white body into a diamond for a moment and he wraps his arms around two angels, walking off with them as they rub his chest with a flirtatious smirk.
Michael's leather boots pick up dirt in the arena, raising his wings to do a razor spin as he jumps in the air, lunging his spear through a practice target. Sweat covers his face and he eases his sword out, slashing it towards the open air to battle an invisible beast on the empty grounds.
Gabriel takes off to the skies, throwing a 100-pound weight far in the distance and angles his wings, diving towards it. He swoops around and catches it in his strong hands, grunting. The weight is thrown into the air and he flies up towards it, grabbing it in his arms. His jet-black hair shines in the sun and every ray of light outlines his chiseled features, showing Heaven his manly beauty.
The morning turns to afternoon and lunch is being served in the dining room, the halls on the side open up to lesser angels to take their lunch to eat. Slaves fill the area, waiting for their masters to finish or to serve them more food.
Raphael quietly eats a few grapes and tucks carrot sticks into the rim of his hat, hiding it for his horses. A young child of about fourteen tugs on his flannel shirt, looking up at him as he sits down. Her body is slim, bruised and frail, starving. Raphael looks down at her, frowning. "Where is your master?" She shakes her head and flicks her eyes to the entrance of the door. Raphael slowly turns to look at her master and Uriel has his back towards them, eating an apple. She sniffles and Raphael pats her on the head, standing to grab a chocolate cake from the golden dessert cart and he places it down in front of her. "It's okay, miss. You can have yourself a nice piece of chocolate cake. Would you like anything else?" She stares at him, wide-eyed for a moment and grabs the cake from the plate, quickly eating it.
Raphael watches her devour the chocolate cake like she hasn't eaten in weeks and when he turns to look at Uriel; he's gone. An apple core lies in the wet grass and the little girl whimpers, catching his attention again. Uriel has her by the jaw, squeezing her cheeks. "Cheeky little thief. Stealing from the archangels is not a wise decision, darling. I will have to punish you for that. Spit it out." She begins to whimper and shake, trying to move away from him. Raphael stands up and clears his throat. "She didn't steal the cake, brother Uriel. I gave it to her. I take it that she must be sick on account that she looks that weak." Uriel looks at her and squeezes her cheeks. "Come on, darling. Out with it." He looks up at Raphael for a moment, tapping her stomach with the back of his hand and he squeezes harder. "That may be so, but she is my slave."
A small tornado of whispers begins to erupt from the halls as all eyes fall on the three of them. Raphael takes off his hat and places it down on the table, moving closer to Uriel. "Brother Uriel, I would appreciate it if you didn't treat her so cruelly." Uriel softly laughs, flipping his golden hair over his shoulder and he releases her, standing to face Raphael. "Very well, then. She is of no use to me. Keep her." Raphael sighs, relieved and Uriel pats the little girl on the head, leaving the dining hall.
The little slave buries her face into Raphael's flannel shirt and sniffles. "I didn't eat for 2-weeks. He didn't treat me nicely and he used to hit me for no reason. He kept telling me he would feed me, but he never did and every time I would ask, he'd hit me and give me more chores." She looks up at him through her tears and wipes her nose."I thought Heaven only had good people inside of it."
Raphael shivers at those words, thinking even more about Uriel and the things he has done in the past to raise questions. He looks down at her, rubbing her back and he moves to sit her down. "Tell that nice man what you want and he'll make it for you. Don't eat too fast or too much because you'll get sick. Pace yourself and eat slowly. Eat a bite and pause for a minute or two, let your stomach register what's going on in there."
She wraps her thin arms around his forearm and squeezes him, closing her eyes for a moment. "Thank you, master!" Raphael shakes his head, lowering his voice. "Please, call my Raph. I'm not like Uriel, far from him. Stay here and enjoy your meal. Return to my chambers when you're finished."
Suddenly, Raphael remembers Stella and he bows to the angels in the room, hastily leaving to return to his bedchambers. The hallway is empty and he approaches the door, giving the secret knock and Stella doesn't answer. "Stella? You there, miss?" Raphael opens his door and his eyes widen in horror, seeing a figure lying on the bed, bloodied and covered with his sheets. He slowly closes his door and approaches, seeing a note and an orb.
The note is written in blood and he takes the orb in his other hand, reading the bloodied message. "Watch me." Raphael places the note down on the bed, hands shaking and he touches the orb, twisting his fingers against the smooth surface, seeing images inside.
"Raphael! Help! It's…" Her bloody face is lost in white smoke and the images vanish deep into the clear orb, turning transparent again. Raphael's wings shake and he looks at the edge of the sheet, gripping it in his hands. He slowly pulls it back and it's Stella, dead. Her tongue has been cut out, eyes removed and her body is covered in blood. Raphael stares at her, emotionless for a moment and he touches his face, closing his eyes. "I'm so sorry, miss. I should've protected you. Forgive me. Stella Robins, you will be found again."
Raphael whispers a prayer, moving his lips in silence and he takes the orb and note, stuffing it into a satchel. He respectfully covers her body, moving another blanket over her and then he turns to exit the chambers, bumping into Chamuel. "Raphael, what's the rush? I came to bring Greta back to you." He touches her shoulder, closing his door. "Something has come up. I need you to take Greta to your chambers and stay there with her. Don't leave her side for a moment and if you see Uriel, tell me. Don't trust anything he says. Don't question me just believe me." Chamuel swiftly takes Greta by the hand and they go down the hallway to her bedchambers, locking the door behind them.
Raphael goes to Gabriel's room, knocking with urgency. "Mister Gabriel, are you there? I need to talk to you, it's important." There is no answer and he goes to Michael's room, knocking on the door. "Sir Michael, please answer. Are you there?" Raphael shakes his head and paces back and forth, waiting.
In the garden away from the ivory buildings and pillars of the mighty kingdom, Gabriel is standing by the raging waterfall, watching the fish swim in the wide spill where the water comes crashes down. He taps his feet on the rocks, watching the lights of the day slowly fade as night vastly approaches to light the Heaven's with stars again.
Above, the trees blow in the breeze and Michael lands, fixing his clothes and he folds his wings back as Gabriel turns around. Michael softly smiles and walks towards the waterfall, looking down at the fish. "I'm glad you came. The wind is strong today." Gabriel nods, acknowledging the harsh breeze ruffling their feathers and he places his hands together. "Why meet in private? Away from the others."
Michael kneels down and puts his finger in the water, seeing the fish swim to him and they brush against his finger, swimming in circles. He flicks the water from his hand and he slowly stand up, lowering his eyes. "What do you think of love, Gabriel?"
Gabriel turns his head, leaving his body frozen and he stares at him. "Love." He sighs and turns to look at the raging water, thinking. "An emotion that two people share deeply with one another. Something much more than like or enjoying, it is far deeper than that. It is an emotion that deepens over time when you experience it with someone else and a feeling that can die. When angels love, it is forever." He turns to look at Michael, relaxing his hands on the side. "Why do you ask?"
The breeze passes between them and Michael looks at Gabriel, staring into his eyes, harsh blue meeting calm brown. "Leviticus 18:22. What are your thoughts?" Gabriel slightly tilts his head, staring at Michael and he shakes his head. "Why are you asking me such things, Michael?" He slightly narrows his eyes, taking a step closer. "Must I infiltrate you mind to find my answer, then?"
Michael touches his sword and takes a step back, shaking his head. "I am just curious of your opinion. That is all." Gabriel clenches his jaw for a moment and he looks at Michael's hand, dropping his gaze to the ground and then he turns to the falls. "Father fears the extinction of his beloved humans. If more men realize that they can be with one another, they will not breed with the women. They rely too much on their creations to have one naturally; the humans will die out due to sickness and failed births and then nothing. It will be as though they never existed. He is trying to protect His children, but they are destroying themselves. It is not His fault."
Michael's wings are shaking and he wipes the side of his head, lowering his hand from his sword, turning to the falls. A moment of silence pass, enough for them to notice the whistle of the breeze, the scent of the flowerbeds and the feeling of each other's presence. "And what of His sons?"
The garden grows darker and Gabriel spreads his wings, stunned at his words. His eyes blacken and he turns to Michael, widening his eyes to reveal the blackness spreading in rage. "Whatever you feel for this lesser angel, end it. An abomination and Father will punish you for this, if not for all eternity. Michael, you of all Archangels should know their place." Gabriel sighs, relaxing his posture and he closes his eyes, silent. The garden grows bright against, the fading sun slipping its last lights to warm their bodies and he opens his eyes, folding his wings back. "There was a couple in the garden, earlier today and they were both men. Gregory and Marcus. I let them go free with a warning."
Slowly, Michael approaches Gabriel, moving a step at a time and he pauses, catching the remaining blackness in his eyes. "Why did you let them go free?" Gabriel stares into the water and then he looks up into the sky, seeing angels fly above. "Because I understand. Father has made His rules for them and we are to obey them. He would not approve of your behavior and you will be flogged to death for this, Michael. I don't want that to happen to you."
The last words burn into his chest, filling him with warmth and Michael slowly lowers himself to his knees, taking Gabriel's hand. "Gabriel, I love you. I feel something for you, brother. I have had these feelings for as long as I could remember and I haven't had the courage or strength to voice them. Do not turn me away, do not shun me, but continue to understand. Gabriel, what do you feel?"
Before Gabriel has time to react or respond, a familiar scent flows through the air and Gabriel looks down at Michael's hand, slowly taking a step back. Raphael lands before them, nearly twisting his ankle on the way down. He touches his chest, relieved to have found them and he opens his satchel. "Mister Gabriel. Sir Michael. I sure am glad to have found the two of you. Stella was murdered and someone placed her body on my bed. I was coming back from the dining hall and she didn't answer the door. This orb was left along with a note."