Disclaimer: I own the plot and idea. Richelle Mead owns Vampire Academy.
The angelic trio, plus the human met up at the edge of town.
"I'll take the northern wood, and you guys can decide between yourselves who will go where."
And with that, the angel of Love disappeared, with barely a glance at her companions, leaving behind a wisp of smoke.
Honesty rolled her eyes. "I'll take the eastern edge. And you can take the human."
Lust chuckled, turning his attention to the human. "Man, did you do a number on her."
"What?" The man jolted, shaking thoughts of the beautiful angel from his mind.
"It's rare Love is so worked up. She's usually collected and determined to not only see the job through, but to see it done right. With you, it looks like she's just ready to get this over with."
The man looked down at the ground, developing a sudden interest in the forest soil. "Do you really think she feels that way?"
The angel hesitated, reminding himself humans had fragile feelings, before answering. "I think you were more than she bargained for...but I think you've taught her some things. Even if she refused to admit that right now."
The two strode on, deeper into the wood in silence, the human lost in thought while the angel looked around vigilantly, attempting to find any structure that could house a fallen angel and human.
"Earlier," the man cleared his throat, "you mentioned you were going to call in others. Who did you mean by that?"
"We, Love, Honesty, and I, belong to a group of angels called the Guardians," Lust explained. "Our leader is Time, and in total there are eight of us. Together, we watch over the basic emotions and functions of humans. You are well acquainted with Love, and you've met me and Honesty. But there is also Bravery, Anger, and of course; Life and Death."
"And this fallen angel, Chaos, what about him?"
A rueful smile spread across the angel's face. "Chaos was once known as Peace. However, he fell out of favor and was banished when he fell for a fallen angel, known as Avarice. She used him," Lust admitted, "and together they conspired to rid the world of Time, which would effectively throw the world as you know it, into complete disarray. I know you humans have a love hate relationship with Time. There never seems to be enough of it, or it seems to drag on, but Time is the keeper for all of us. She is there for all of life's moments, good and bad. She exists because there is work to be done, but also a life to be had...her presence reminding us to find a balance because you never know when your time is up…"
"But I take it he didn't succeed in his plan?"
"No," Lust shook his head. "Love and Anger discovered the plot and warned Time. Chaos was subsequently stripped of his title and cast out, and Avarice was so far gone that she was returned to Hell."
The human looked thoughtful for a second. "So there is no more peace in the world? What about Chaos?"
"Well look around, there is plenty of chaos in the world," the angel chuckled without humor, "but there is also plenty who are willing to walk down the path of peace. So, while Peace has run amuck and warped into Chaos, these ideals have been so ingrained into humans, that there is hope...but for the rest of us Guardians...it has been tough. Love and Anger have been working overtime, Honesty and Bravery as well. And Time, she's been keeping it all together, but Chaos was her brother. So his betrayal hurt."
The man nodded, digesting all of the information before silence took over the pair.
It would be half a mile more before the pair stumbled upon a what would be a welcoming sight.
The girl.
She was alive.
"Holy shit!" The man rushed forward to where the girl was bound up against a rotted tree stump, and gagged, blood staining her hair and clothes. "Are you alright? What happened to you? What happened to the guy who took you?"
"Oh it was awful!" The girl wailed once her gag has been removed. "I thought he was taking me out on a date but then he tied me up and beat me!" She watched through tears as the man's face contorted into pure rage as he attempted to undo her binds.
The angel watched with a calculating gaze.
"And - and then he just left me here, saying the cold would finish me off, along with any hungry, rabid animals." She sobbed as he cursed.
"Don't worry," he soothes as he managed to free one of her hands, "I've got people who'll help-"
"Really?" She interjects, looking up at him through her lashes, with wide, innocent eyes.
"Yeah, they'll take care of him and you'll be good as new soon. I promise." He grasped her free hand reassuringly.
"Oh, thank you so much. So, so much...but there's only one issue…" the girl smiled.
And List realized half a second too late what was happening.
"Step away for her! She is not what she seems!"
The man looked up from where he was still trying to free the intricate knots, to the girl's now smirking, uninjured face, to their hands, still intertwined.
Except now she was gripping his hand with an inhuman strength, not letting him go.
"Chaos awaits, baby," she purred, and suddenly...he was being dragged away at light speed.
Oh shit. That can't be good...
Any guesses as to what's happening here? And who are the other angels?
Until next time...may you have a nice day/night wherever you may be, and please be kind out there.