Prologue
It is just after midnight when the two boys walked into Michaela's diner, a tiny, hole in the wall grease joint called Arcadian Gardens. Normally, she hated working the nightshift. It was long, boring, the customers were either drunk, sleazy or both, and no matter how long she slept during the day, she was always tired. But for the last two weeks, she had been more than happy to cover it. Because he was in town. Finally. Just as the Yellow-Eyed Angel promised. And places like this diner were exactly where it was rumored that he likes to eat. She is thrilled that, of all their agents, she is the one who found him first. She is the one who gets the honor of saving him. She will be the one rewarded for her loyalty, above the others. Take that, Trish, Michaela thinks to herself smugly. Trish, who had passed on the diner post to favor the motel. Michaela could have told her it was a waste of time. Unlike Trish, she had actually done her research on the boys. Only the two sons were coming to town, to investigate the signs of a haunting that the Elder's had faked to lure them in. The father was away, on a different hunt, no doubt. And, when it was just the boys, he was more likely to rent a house, or an apartment, than a motel room. And, judging by the patterns that the boys had been falling into over the last couple of weeks, it seemed like they would be staying put for a little bit. The brat was enrolled at the local high school, and he had found a part time job with the mechanic. It was a shame, someone as special, as important as he was, having to perform such menial work, especially to support the thing parading as a boy at his side. Michaela watches them both as they help themselves to an empty booth, one tall, and well-built, and beautiful, with short blonde hair, gorgeous green eyes and adorable freckles, and the other, the little freak. Short, and skinny, like a twig. Long brown hair that seems to be constantly falling into his face. While the tall, beautiful one was easily six foot, the monster attached to his hip was at least a full a head shorter, a fact that the older one seems to be enjoying, as he reaches out a hand to ruffle the admittedly beautiful dark brown curls. Michaela chides herself for getting distracted. After all, the best monsters always look innocent at first, as her father taught her. Michaela refocuses her attention. Both boys are pale, and exhausted, but smiling happily. The eldest, the perfect one, is saying something softly, that has the monster throwing back his head and laughing loudly. Michaela scowls at the light, bubbly sound. Monsters shouldn't sound so innocent, so childlike. It is an affront to nature. And then she quickly composes herself. She can't afford to blow her cover, not yet. They may be his servants, but he is, as far as they know, unaware of them. Unaware of his destiny, his purpose. And the abomination has him wrapped around his finger. They need to be delicate. She needs to stick to the plan. So, placing a warm, welcoming smile on her face, she grabs her pen and pad and makes her way to the table. The youngest quiets down as she approaches, a shy smile crossing his sweet-looking face, wide, puppy-dog eyes looking earnestly up at her. If she was of weaker will, she might have fallen for his nasty little tricks. Keeping her thoughts to herself, she flashes him a smile, before turning her attention the oldest. He has to be about her age, young and proud-looking, with a devil-may-care attitude just radiating off him. Confident, strong, and charming, he grins a dazzling grin at her.
"Welcome to Arcadian Gardens." She says warmly, speaking solely to him. She means every word of it. They have waited generations for his arrival. "What brings you in so late?"
"A promise to my little brother." Dean says, grinning at the child. Dean… what a beautiful, strong name. It suits him. "Promised to buy him the best burger in the state from the most beautiful waitress I've ever seen, as soon as he turned sixteen." He winks, and Michaela smiles, blushing furiously. "Clearly we have come to the right place." Behind her, the little brat made a face at his brother and Micheala had to temper her anger. This isn't the time, or the place. She pretends she didn't see it, smiling even wider at Dean.
"Do you try that line on every waitress you see, or am I just special?" She asks flirtatiously.
"What line?" He asks, putting on the most amazing, most disarming look of pure innocence she has ever seen in her life. The sincerity in those stunning eyes of his almost takes her breath away. "I'm just stating a fact." She laughs.
"Well now. Keep that up and you might just earn yourself a free slice of our famous pie." Michaela teases, and she watches happily as a look of pure, childish joy lights up the beautiful man's expression.
"Oh don't even tease me." He says, with such a serious tone that she has to laugh again.
"How about that burger first?" Michaela smirks. "Then we can talk about dessert." She emphasizes the word dessert, and she sees his eyes darken, watches them sweep over her quickly in appreciation. A thrill of delight rushes through her. He wants her. Her! Of all women, he is showing her interest.
"Sounds like a plan." Dean says easily, and then, almost reluctantly, he looks away from her towards the spawn she almost forgot was there. "What do you want Sammy? Birthday Boy gets to pick whatever he wants." Just as reluctantly as Dean, she looks back at the boy, who is quickly skimming the menu, tilting his head curiously. With his overly long hair, and dark hazel eyes, and youthful face, he almost looks like a puppy.
"Could I get two double cheeseburgers, with onion rings and French fries?" The beast asks timidly. Dean laughs, a beautiful sound of pure mirth as Michaela writes down the order.
"Where do you even put all that food, Sammy?" He teases the boy, nothing but amusement and fondness in his eyes. "You are literally nothing but skin and bones."
"Shut up." The boy mutters, his face flushing red. How dare he? Soon enough, he'll lose his tongue if he continues to talk to Dean of all people like that. Dean looks back at Michaela, winking again, and her irritation melts away.
"Make that two orders of that." Dean says smoothly. "And two cokes, please."
"It's after midnight." The boy protests. Dean sighs.
"Only you complain about getting pop on your birthday. You are such a freak." Dean teases.
"Don't blame me for actually wanting to get some sleep tonight." The boy replies, his tone snarky and disrespectful, as far as Michaela is concerned.
"Fine, fine. You can get some pop tomorrow, princess." Dean teases, before looking back at her. "One coke, and one milk for the whiner."
"You got it." Michaela smiles warmly, jotting it down and winking at him, before turning and heading back to the kitchen to pass along their order. Once she is out of their sight, she goes to the back office, using the phone there to call back to her Elder, a lovely man named Baron. The phone rings twice before a voice answers.
"Well?" Baron asks immediately.
"They are here, Sir." Michaela answers. "Him, and the little freak."
"And?" Baron asks.
"He confirmed that it is the monster's birthday. He has turned sixteen." Michaela reports.
"Then the prophecy of the Yellow-Eyed Angel has begun." Baron says. "Excellent work, Michaela. Remember, do not raise suspicion. Our plan will be enacted, and everything will fall into place as it has been foretold. After all, it is May Second."
"The Day It All Begins." Michaela recites. She has been preparing for this day her whole life. The same way her father has, her entire family has. The first day of the calendar that the Children of Michael have sworn to live their life by. The line goes dead, and Michaela gently puts the phone down, taking a deep breath. A genuine, excited smile spreads across her face and she turns to go back to work, sliding back into the front of the house. She looks over at their savior, and the most dangerous threat to humanity the world has ever seen. Soon, Dean, Michaela thinks to herself. We will save you from him soon, I promise.