Forgotten Souls (The Saving Angels 2)

"I thought so. My dad has ruined all of your lives," Mark said miserably as he picked at the ragged cuticle around his thumb.

I rested my hands on his to stop his obsessive habit. "Look, I'm sad I don't remember my parents, and yeah it sucks that your dad is like some crazy Dark Angel freak, but my life hasn’t been terrible. I know I can't speak for the others, but the life course he set me on hasn't been all bad. I couldn't imagine not knowing my adoptive parents and experiencing the love they showered on me."

"But, he kept us away from each other and he killed his fellow band members. How can you even look at me without disgust?" he asked, quietly finally coming to the root of the problem.

"Mark, I've said it before. You are not your father!" I said loudly to emphasize my point. "You're not responsible for his actions, and none of us believe any of this is your fault," I said earnestly, rising from my own chaise lounge to perch on the end of his chair. "Everything happens for a reason, and though our numbers have been devastated, we are going to overcome this. We will stop him and release the grip his actions have on you," I finished passionately, slipping into his arms to give him a hug of reassurance.

He wrapped his strong arms around me, hugging me deeply against his chest before settling comfortably behind me on the chair. I linked my fingers through his. We didn't find the need to speak again, watching in compatible silence as the waves pounded against the shore. Every so often he would place a soft kiss on the back of my head, making my heart flutter each time. Loving him was easy. Fighting our life real demons was the hard part.

***

The next morning, after only a few hours sleep, our band was assembled on the night-cooled sand preparing for our 'demon training,' as Shawn liked to call it. His nickname for it earned a few chuckles from the guys, while Haniel looked like he didn't know whether to reproach him or join in the chuckles. I had learned early on that the words Demons and Devil made Haniel extremely uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if it was some kind of Angel thing or just Haniel's preference. He usually only referred to them as Daemons and The Dark One I couldn't help giggling each time Shawn said them though. Watching the look on Haniel's face was classic. It was like a kid sneaking in a curse word in front of an adult.

During tonight's training, our group sat back to observe while the more qualified Protectors went first. Watching them battle was unlike anything I had ever seen. Each move and maneuver seemed precise and well calculated before it was even executed. Every block and counter move came a split second before the impact could connect.

"The Daemons you will be fighting are best described as puppets being controlled by the Dark Angel, and as such, their emotions cannot be manipulated, as Krista realized in her recent foray." Haniel said.

I shuddered, remembering how it felt when I tried to filter the Daemons soul at the revival.

"They can be hurt and stopped, but it will take more force and tenacity to put them down than it would for a normal man. You will be challenged as never before as you face a great deal more than before," he said, addressing the Protectors of my group. "This is the reason The Light gave you your supernatural strength."

"And here I was, thinking it was to make me more of a stud for my woman," Shawn said jokingly, as he hauled a squealing Sam up in the air, holding her above his head.

"Perhaps when Shawn is done showing off his masculinity we can get back to work," Haniel said drily.

"Aw, give them a break Haniee," Grace said affectionately. "It's nice to be around a younger band. Their exuberant attitude is refreshing to see."

"Yeah Haniee, give us a break," Shawn said playfully, grinning at Haniel. With a glint in his eye, Haniel took a threatening step toward him. Shawn darted away, trying to distance himself, but didn't make it far before Haniel gave him a quick blast of energy from the palm of his hand, sending him sprawling face-first into the sand.

We all burst out laughing when Shawn stood up looking like a clown that had taken a pie in the face.

"Nice job sandman. You can't take on an Archangel. They can totally kick your ass," Robert said chuckling while Shawn dusted off. >The women were by far the most beautiful I had ever seen. Their hair shimmered in the light that streamed through the French doors. Though they were different heights and builds, they all shared the same honey-colored skin that made them look every bit their Angelic role. The men on the other hand looked like warriors from a gladiator movie. Their builds were broad with bodies that looked like they had been carved out of marble by a talented artist. Perhaps their greatest assets were the adoring ways they looked at their Soul Mates others. There was no question who belonged to who.

"Ah Krista, Mark, you have arrived. Come, let me introduce you to everyone. This is Amelia and her Protector, Paul," Haniel said, pointing to the first couple. "And this is Jenna and her Protector, Keith, Kieran and her Protector, John, and Grace and her Protector, Thomas," he said, rattling off the rest of the names. My head spun trying to keep the pairs matched up as I nodded to each of them.

"Hi," I said, bewildered at the atmosphere in the room. I tested the waters, trying to get a sense of it, but it was like the feelings in the room had been snuffed out. My own bewilderment began to fade as I felt the alien blanket of passiveness creeping over me.

Trying to fight it off, I struggled to push it back. My attempts felt feeble, compared against theirs, and I felt my own emotions retreating. I should have been pissed that they overtook me so thoroughly, but I couldn’t seem to muster enough emotion to care, as I sunk down on the couch next to Sam.

"You are witnessing what a united, experienced band can accomplish. As you can see, it can be highly effective when properly administrated," Haniel said.

At his words the blanket left us and my emotions became my own again. Though they were like us, I couldn’t help feeling exposed by their easy access to my inner feelings.

"Ugh, well I didn't like that at all," Sam said, breaking the silence.

One of the women from the other band laughed. "No, it's not pleasant as a Guide to have your feelings tampered with. I hated this exercise when Haniel used to make us practice it with the more experienced bands."

Her words broke the rest of the silence in the room, and soon questions were flying back and forth. Our band seemed to fascinate them, and they peppered us with questions.

"So, how exactly did all of you find each other?" Amelia, the quietest of the band asked.

"We felt the pull of the city," Lynn said. "Each of us had a chain of events that led us here."

"Do you feel disjointed with the absence of the missing pair?" Jenna, the more outspoken one of the band asked curiously.

"What do you mean?" Shawn asked.

"When our band is separated we feel the absence like a gaping wound. It's as if a crucial piece of a puzzle is missing. We prefer it when our band is not far apart," she said.