Ymir had the most intense eyes. They never met mine, but I saw them plenty enough as I watched her. They were a pretty amber color, as if someone had taken liquid gold and turned them into her irises. Her skin was bronze to match her gold eyes. Her hair was always tied back, streams of ebony kept back with an elastic band. She had rugged features. A strong, sharp jaw, planes and arches to her face that made her scream danger. And in many ways, she was just that, dangerous.

My chains clinked upon the wooden floor of her bedroom as I stepped towards her. She was changing, and as always, I watched. I traced my fingers along her body as she dressed, fascinated with the freckles that were scattered across her bronze skin. She shivered as she pulled on a pair of sports shorts. Even when I touched her... she couldn't see me, could hardly even feel me. All she would feel as my fingers crossed hers was a subtle chill.

I exhaled heavily, then removed my hands. It was against the rules to touch her further than that. Making her aware of my presence was a rule that if broken could mean eternal suffering on my part. A suffering I was not yet ready to take on, and I probably never would be.

Ymir slipped on a sports bra and tugged on a crisp white shirt with no sleeves. She sighed heavily as she stretched, before walking out of the room and entering the bathroom. I followed, her loyal dog. She picked up her toothbrush, then tossed it into the air where it did a little spin and then landed back in her hand. She smeared white minty paste across it then proceeded to brush her already porcelain teeth.

I sat on the toilet, swinging my legs and happily observing her. She sure maintained dental care. I smiled as I watched her, head tilted to the side. She hummed a sweet tune as she brushed, before putting the toothbrush away. I loved how clean her teeth were, and the fact that she always carried around mint gum and floss. I loved everything about her.

When I imagined Ymir kissing me, I also imagined her breath smelled good when she did it. I followed her as she raced out of the bathroom, snatching up her cell from her bed, before dashing towards the front door to her pretty, tiny apartment. She was excited today because Ymir had a new customer, and a new customer meant a new person to coax secrets from which she would eventually use to blackmail them for money. Or worse, she'd bring the woman to her bed. Ymir never took them there for more than one night, so it was okay. Once the girl left it was just us again. And that made me happy.

I pressed close to her as she hailed a taxi, then slid inside next to her. Her body was warm as I pressed against her. I whispered her name in her ear, inhaling her cologne which she had sprayed across her chest and neck. It was cinnamon-flavored, and it filled my senses utterly, my insides warming. I lifted my chains from the floor and adjusted the white-steel collar around my neck. It was so uncomfortable sometimes and restricting… but I was proud to wear it. It connected me to my beloved in a way no other could be connected to her.

I was her Guardian Angel, her Angelus Custos. It was an honor, a great honor. I had only been recently placed under her, when her other guardian died from old age. 10,000 years of age to be exact, while I was only about thirty. Even so, I liked to think I was good at what I did. I kept her safe, I stopped her from making terrible, drastic mistakes that could cause her to die. Sometimes it was hard with the toxic, negative way she thought, thoughts I felt when they became very strong, and from there I could tell what she was planning to do and stop it from happening by giving her a gentle mental push. Over the past three years, we had got into a routine. She went to work, I followed. She went to the store, I followed. Anywhere she went, I followed. And protected her.

I felt kinda lonely but just being with her was enough to make me kind of happy in a way!

Her taxi arrived at its destination, and I followed her as she climbed out and walked towards the gym she worked at, a gym where she had a special room where she and her client practiced privately. Just as she opened the door there was a loud sizzling noise. My eyes widened with shock as the air shimmered, and then I saw it.

There, around her pinkie finger… a red string stretched far into the gymnasium. I was absolutely horrified.

'Her soul mate is here.' I had hoped to never see this day come. Ymir's attraction to her soulmate would be instantaneous.

Ymir would be drawn to her like an insect is attracted to light, a magnet to steel. I stared into the gym and followed her inside. My eyes followed the string, and there she stood. She was jogging on a treadmill, her black hair hanging over each shoulder in pigtails. Her pale skin glistened with sweat.

'She's beautiful. Ymir's type. Small and cute…' I felt a dark feeling tug at my heart. I had to stop this meeting from happening, I whispered into Ymir's ear, gently influencing her, my words causing her to not even spare a glance at the girl. If they didn't meet, they couldn't be together. Then fate played its hand, and the girl ruined it all.

"Ymir!" Her voice was soft and pretty, and Ymir's head turned instantly. The girl turned off the exercise machine and practically raced towards Ymir, she paused when she grew close, the string around her finger and Ymir's glowed as they grew nearer each other, shaking a tiny bit, pulsating with power.

Ymir smiled deeply, and a strange look entered her eyes. She was entranced by the whore - no, girl's - appearance. I wanted to scream at that moment. Why?! Why did this have to happen? Ymir couldn't be with this girl; I couldn't stand it because Ymir was mine. The love of a guardian angel had to be more pure and powerful than this slut's! I tried not to let my thoughts be cruel yet they came out all on their own. The threat of tears burned on my eyes.

"Y-You are Ymir Fritz right?" Ymir seemed a bit surprised, but she nodded.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Ymir's voice made me shudder with a mixture of seething rage and desire. It was husky, a voice she saved for pretty girls she wanted in her bed. But it was a delicious noise, and I liked the sound of it. I simply wished it was directed at me. "I'm sure I'd remember a girl as gorgeous as you," Her teeth glinted as she smiled a special smile for the girl.

The pretty girl with the pretty eyes bit her lip, a blush spreading across her cheeks, shaking her head. "No but I know you. I'm a huge fan!"

Ymir grinned at that, seeming far too smug at that moment. I stared silently, gloomy. Now that they met, I couldn't influence any decisions Ymir made regarding this beautiful girl. "I've seen you on YouTube, you do personal training videos!"

"Personal training videos? I don't make personal training videos…" Ymir seemed confused.

"Oh umm, illegal personal training videos. Someone else has been uploading your lessons." The girl laughed nervously. I wanted Ymir to get angry. Someone had recorded her private sessions, and this whore-girl had dared to use them! They were basically stealing money from her pockets and Ymir loved nothing more than money. I wanted Ymir's hideous, horrendous, bulbous greed and pride to show at that moment, her nasty streak!

… But already this girl was bringing out her good side. Ymir smiled in an unfamiliar, happy way. "Well, I can't be too mad. I can see that you benefited from them. I would offer you my services, but clearly you don't need them Miss- what's your name?" Ymir asked huskily, her eyes smoldering and seductive.

"Mina Carolina, and um, thanks so much! I'd love lessons but I'm a bit short on time right now." When Ymir seemed disappointed Mina hurriedly spoke again. "But I'm free tonight." She took out a piece of paper from her backpack and a pen, scribbling down a number in ridiculously neat handwriting.

Ymir took the paper, looking severely disappointed but pleased at the same time. "I'll hit you up."

Mina continued, "Yes! Call me please, don't leave me hanging. It's been a while since I've had an adult sleepover… or a date for that matter."

"I can't imagine why," Ymir said in a genuine tone, "and I will, I promise."

Without another word the brightly blushing fangirl took off, opening the door of the gym and leaving. Ymir watched her leave with a pretty perverted expression. I wanted to scream at that moment, a dark feeling forbidden to angels rippling in my chest, making my teeth clench together so tight I thought they might break but I couldn't stop them! I couldn't stop Ymir and Mina.

Ymir would call this girl tonight. This was inevitable. Almost all humans met their soul mates. They didn't always end up together, but they usually met.

I just couldn't stand the thought of Ymir - My Ymir- belonging to that Mina girl. I wanted her to be mine, and mine alone, even if we couldn't touch. I was in love with this heart-breaking troublemaker who got drunk and angry all the time. She couldn't be in love with another girl, because I was her Guardian Angel!

I exhaled and tried to relax. I must keep watch faithfully. There was nothing I could do about this… I would simply have to watch over her in sorrow, in agony.

Ymir was too anxious to call Mina when she got home from working with her new client. She had made an impact on the man, and he had sworn to contact her again for her services soon. This was step one in a process of thieving Ymir seemed quite fond of. She would soon swindle him for so much money a year's worth of bills would be paid. Ymir was a sinner, she seemed to like doing that.

Ymir paced eagerly, lost in thought.

I simply sat on the bed with my arms crossed against my chest, my legs crossed underneath the dress I was wearing.

Her red string was still convulsing. A horrid, wicked though entered my mind. I shook my head.

'No no no, don't be so stupid Historia!' It was forbidden, no angel had done it in so long I wasn't even sure what the punishment for it was. The thought lingered in my head as she dialed "Mina's" phone number, telling the girl to come over whenever she could, what her address was.

It seemed like only ten seconds had passed before Mina arrived, a bag fully packed and tossed over her shoulder. She was wearing a short, revealing dress.

I gasped. 'Slut!' I wasn't used to these thoughts, and they made me nervous! They were hard to control, and dangerous and yet they kept flowing out of me like a river. They chatted for a bit, smiling nervously. Then Ymir grabbed her and pulled her close.

'No. No!' Ymir pressed hard against Mina, ground their hips together, kissed her hard. I saw the exchange of saliva and tongue. 'No more, please! I-It hurts Ymir!'

I tried closing my eyes, but I could still hear them, and then the drop of clothes.

I couldn't stand it. I made my decision quickly. If I dwelled on it, I would chicken out, and then Ymir would be gone! I reached into thin air, closed my eyes, and muttered a few incantations. In the air appeared a pair of golden scissors. I stepped towards the pair. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. There was a loud shout of "no'' as I opened the scissors,

"Historia, you must not!" Someone called out- but I was intentionally deaf. I didn't want to hear the other angels' warnings. They sensed the rule that was about to be shattered, but I had fallen in love with the woman I was sworn to protect. I loved her! So, I could not let her with someone else! - Snip! - The sound was loud; it pierced my ears and filled the room. The glowing red string of fate floated downward; their connection destroyed. I couldn't help but laugh. Ymir and Mina would likely feel no special attraction now. They kept kissing, but I was satisfied. What bound them together - fate - was now ashes!

Mina was the one who pulled away first. Her face was pale. "I umm… I don't think this is a good idea…" Mina murmured. "I thought I was over my ex but… it's like… I'm not ready. I'm... I'm not okay right now. I'm sorry, Ymir."

A look of despair - despair at something they had not even realized they'd lost- flooded both their faces.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my lips trembled, my heart slammed in my chest as the scissors dropped from my hands. Ymir and Mina parted, they tossed around a couple jokes, suddenly awkward. I fell to the floor, and the second I did that the room was full of a monstrous golden glow. A warmth that marked the arrival of the keepers of this world, of which I was supposed to be a member. I was suddenly seized from behind, the unholy scissors wrenched from my hands.

"Historia, you fool! How could you do this?!" A familiar, booming voice snapped.

I looked over to see Bertholdt, a friend of mine and fellow angel, looking horrified. I couldn't meet his eyes, simply stared at the floor in horror. I didn't resist when he pulled me up, nor when he bound my body with the chains I usually dragged around. I should have felt guilty. I had destroyed Ymir's only chance at romance, happiness. All because I was jealous. However, what was done cannot be undone and I found no regret in my heart... only satisfied fear.

I was silent the entire time I was dragged back to the Heavens by Bertholdt and Reiner, refusing to answer their questions or offer an explanation.

"Historia, you are here on account of your crime." Archangel Pixis was solemn for once, not the jolly man I usually saw him as. He seemed so incredibly disappointed. And he had reason to be. "Because of your selfish whims a human woman now has a fate of eternal unhappiness and loneliness. Do you deny this crime, Historia?"

I stared up at him in horror, then stared at the grand golden floor of the Heavenly Courtroom. I hesitated, stuttering, struggling to come up with a response that would save me. "I had to do it- because I love her Archangel Pixis!" A chorus of shocked gasps rang out from those gathered; various burning gazes cast my way. Yet I continued to speak. I had to share my side of the story.

"I couldn't stand by and watch her get taken from me," I explained, tears flowing down my cheeks. I could taste their saltiness. Archangel Pixis stared at me sternly. He had raised me, burped me, hugged me when I was afraid, and told me stories of human and angel heroes alike. He was like a father to me, but I expected no clemency, no gentleness. Yet his eyes grew softer. The angels around him were stern and frozen.

"Historia, we protect humans. We safeguard them. To destroy the string that binds a human and their soulmate… it has unforeseen consequences. Your charge, Ymir, might never love again." I knew all this when I did it. No one had committed my particular sin for thousands of years, but I'd had no choice. I nodded, squeezing my eyes shut. "But… I raised you myself. I know there is no darkness in your heart. Thus, I have decided to spare you from the usual fate of an angel if they were to do this."

Gasps filled the courtroom; curses were shouted in disbelief. Pixis raised his hand, and suddenly silence. His words were law.

Pixis stroked the mustache above his lips. "I'm afraid your punishment is not much better than death."

I shuddered with fear. Eternal suffering? I'd be tortured forever, most likely. His next words shocked me.

"Historia, your wings shall be burned off. You will be cast down to Earth, where you must prove your love. You must give this human her happiness back within a month's time. If you don't succeed," He sounded pained, "you will be executed. Ymir Fritz is a sinful woman, and you have taken away her brighter path by snipping the string connecting her to the woman who would soften her, change her ways. Her red string must reawaken, and her darker ways cast aside. Do you understand me, Historia? She must love again. Love you."

The weight of the world lifted off my shoulders. What was the meaning of this? I'd never expected to be given a chance to prove my love. I met Archangel Pixis's eyes. They held a bit of pride for some reason. Gone was his disappointment in me. He knew that I was not full of hate, that I genuinely loved Ymir. His deep eyes held trust, and hope. He knew I could do this. I slowly nodded, doing my best not to jump up and down with joy. I cared not for my wings if it meant a chance to be with Ymir.

"I understand and accept this task Archangel," I rasped. He stood and walked towards me.

"Then from this day on, you are no longer Historia, you are Krista Renz. A human." His fingers pressed to my forehead. A stern-looking angel came from behind. I felt my wings get drawn out from below my gown. A sizzling sound filled the air, familiar to all angels. And then there was nothing but agony!

Surges of pain washed over my body as a burning flame began to roast my wings from the tip downward, a slow and agonizing punishment. Pixis held my hand, guiding me through the pain. Even so it felt like my heart was going to rip from its containment within my chest. I screamed in pain at the sensation I was feeling, and then I saw black. I knew that before I was even awake, I would be cast down.

"Goodbye, Historia. One moon cycle. Prove your love…"

The countdown had begun.