The Ascended (The Saving Angels 3)

"It is located five hours north of the area you call San Francisco."

"It makes sense that Victor would choose such an obscure place," Sam said quietly. "If he's building an even greater army, he'd need a spot where he's least likely to get unwelcome visitors."

"What's he planning Haniel?" I finally asked, moving past my initial excitement of finally doing something, to being a little concerned. The fact that Haniel had consented to intervene and be a part of my mission was enough to sound an alarm in my head.

"It would seem that Victor has decided the world would be a much better place with less human interference. It has come to our attention that he is now taking greater advantage of forgotten souls by resorting to possession. Their thoughts, feelings and any emotional attachments are wiped clean while he uses them for his bidding."

"How is that any different than when a Daemon possesses a human?" Lynn asked.

"When a Daemon possesses a human they can only use one host at a time. Victor is able to possess multiple forgotten souls at once."

"How is that even possible?" I asked with disbelief coloring my voice.

"The Light did not share his insights with me. My duties were handed down to me by one of The Light's most trusted Angels. We do not question The Light," Haniel said, making it clear that even the thought of doing so was ludicrous.

I looked at him in dismay. I get it, the Light was all powerful and the very reason for our existence, but to not be able to ask questions seemed insane to me, especially in a situation such as this.

"It is the way it should be Krista," Haniel said, reading my disgruntled thoughts.

"The Light knows the outcome of every situation you will ever face, but it is your freewill that gives you the opportunity to change the outcome of everything you encounter. The explanations that you seek will only inhibit your very essence of being. To question The Light, would be to know your future."

"I get that, but surely a little heads-up could only help in a circumstance like this," Robert said, jumping into the conversation.

"It is neither my place nor yours to question The Light," Haniel said, closing the door on any further argument. "We leave for our journey in the morning," he added, heading for the front door.

"Wait, what about the others? Are we leaving without them?" I asked.

"They will be here by morning," he said, closing the door softly behind him.

"Frick, that annoys me so much!" I grumbled, sinking back against the worn cushions of the couch we had picked up at a garage sale. The musty cushions emitted a faint scent of pipe tobacco as I rested my head back. Shawn had volunteered to clean them, but Sam and I had both protested. For some reason the smell was comforting to the both of us.

"He's got a point Sis. If The Light answered every question we asked, we would never make a decision on our own. It would change the course of our lives," Shawn said, perching on the arm of the couch next to me, as he reached out to ruffle my hair affectionately.

I ducked to the side trying to save my ponytail from looking like a cyclone had wrecked havoc on it.

"Stop!" I protested, giggling as he used his long arms to maul my hair one last time.

"So, how are things between you and your mom?" Sam asked, bringing down the mood again.

"The same. She was upset when I told her I wanted you and Shawn to drive me to the airport, but I've been distancing myself from her so much the last few months, that her protest seemed feeble. I know she's hurt that I've changed so much lately, but I'm so sick of pretending I'm something I'm not. The whole human charade has become a big fat pain in the neck," I said defensively, trying to hide the real reason I had begun to cut myself off from my mom. The pain over losing me this way would be much easier on her than if I were to die.

"Krista we're not judging you. We know how tough all of this has been on you," Sam said, sinking next to me to grasp my hand.

Sudden moisture filled my eyes as my friends all looked at me compassionately. I knew they could see through my ploy. "I'm just trying to make it easier for her," I mumbled, willing the moisture back.

"We know Krista, but we're not going to allow anything to happen to you, no matter what. You understand? We are not letting you go," Shawn said, his voice shaking with emotion.

"You guys just don't understand," I said standing up. "I'm an empty shell without him. I would say I ache, but there's nothing left inside me to ache. If I've lost him forever, what will fill that void he left behind," I said with my voice rising slightly.

I was grateful for the silence that now followed my rant. I did not want to be pacified. I just wanted them to understand how I felt.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," I said after my angst dissipated. I headed toward the door, keeping my eyes averted from the worried looks that followed.

Chapter 3

The next morning I dragged myself out of bed exhausted. My mom and I had stayed up late as she made a final attempt to change my mind about her going with me to Colorado to check in at school. I knew this was all taking a toll on her, and I hoped to be able to make it up to her someday, but I held firm that this was something I wanted to do alone. After a fountain of tears she had finally consented and we hit the sack on somewhat of a truce.

I could hear her moving around as I gathered my bags together. I looked around my room one last time to make sure I had everything. My heart broke as I watched Feline snoozing on the rocking chair in the corner of my room. I approached him sadly, and sank down on my knees in front of the chair.