My aggression tonight. I don't know what the hell was wrong with me; I eliminated around thirty demons and healed countless people, all without Charlie's help. Of course, he tried doing so. But I didn't allow him to, and that seemed to make him nothing but proud of my rage.

And that rage . . . That rage has thankfully vanished within me as the raid has ended some minutes ago. With all regmen safe, I now rest against a building wall to get myself back together. But my best friend, Raj, and Colton, meet up with my guardian and I, interrupting the conversation we're in. Or more of the one he's in. Because barely listening to someone 'yap away' doesn't count as a real talk, right? Charlie finishes his thought when Brittany jumps before us, throwing on a blinding smile and her flashy, sky eyes at us. "How does it sound for us all to go home and get turnt?"

I murmur, "Rita wouldn't allow that."

"She can be there with us too!"

"You're kidding, Britt, right?"

"She has to be." Colton laughs, resting his arm on my shoulder. "Rita would definitely kick our asses!"

"We are adults, you know? I say hell yes to Britt's plan." Charlie and the blonde high-five each other as she continues to flutter.

But I shake my head to the ground. "I just want to go home and get into bed—"

"Ophy, no. Come on, seriously?" My best friend nudges me. "I'm not doing this without you. Don't ruin my fun by being lame—"

"Well, forgive me for being fucking lame!" I snap, startling everyone.

But Brittany's taken aback most as she's gone stiff. "Ophy . . . You know I didn't mean it in a bad way . . . I'm sorry for—"

"And I'm sorry for everything else too, like fucking tripping over nothing, because I'm such a pro at that, right?"

"Okay . . ." She murmurs as I'm gawked at by the others, even Raj, who's texting someone a damn near book-long message. Could it be Jayden?

But stopping to realize how rude I was to Brittany, I dry my welling eyes as I begin, "Britt . . . I-I I'm so sorry for saying those things."

She seems to force a smile as she hugs me. "It's okay, I promise, and I understand." But restless to escape the awkward tension I've created, she next turns to her distracted Raj. "Babe, what about you?"

Drifting between us and his phone, he grumbles, "Yes, because I've really been craving a burger."

His girlfriend rolls her eyes at his answer as it amuses the Reid brothers. But as he just sends off the lengthy text, she snatches his phone away to stuff it down her tank top and into her bra. "Since you ignored me, come get it back." She skips away.

"But I didn't ignore you, babe. I really want a hamburger—cheeseburger—Shake Shack in particular. A nice, juicy, cheesy son of a bitch."

My best friend repeats her proposal as she springs around him and giggles. "But since you wanna be a bad boy, you won't be getting food from me!"

"Fine." Raj, now in the same zippy mood, chases after her. "Since Shake Shack is out of the picture, you know all I need is some Henny." He winks as he says, "And you, of course."

Brittany stops in place, blushing hard, as if that was his first sappy line. "Oh, baby, you're just too sweet." He takes her into his arms, where he forgets all about his device that he could've taken back now. But as they kiss, I look away to roll my eyes. I love seeing the two happy like they are now, but this . . . this is what I'll have to see for eternity without Jayden.

My friends and I start leaving to meet up with the rest of the brigade a back street away. And though we initially disregard it, there's a short whizzing noise further down the alleyway. But as cries from a brigade member follow the strange sound, I dash around the corner with everyone to figure out why . . .

Approaching the scene, I'm dumbfounded by what I see: a principality writhing upon the ground, desperately gripping her throat for air. Her terrified friend tries helping her by offering any comfort she can. But even the slightest touch sends her crying harder.

Though as an angel manages dislodging the medium-sized dart that struck her, we're all startled by the black, branching scar it leaves on her neck . . . Picking up the metal point my guild mate discarded, I quickly become engrossed with the insignia upon it. Right away, I notice it has some version of a null sign with an 'A' halfway through the middle. But as I'm spotting three solid stars lining the bottom of the design, Brittany smacks the piece from my hand, shrieking, "Ophy, don't touch that!"

I look up at her as I swallow. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I wasn't thinking . . ." To be honest, I do not know why I did. I guess I got caught up in my stupidity and curiosity again.

But as I feel faint from the busyness around us, Rothschild—my grumpy brigade co-leader—snaps his fingers in my face. "Um, hello? Wake the fuck up, Ophelia!"

"I am awake." I blink a few good times, shaking the fuzziness out of my head. Charlie's the first person I look at, him pouting hard.

"It's okay, Ophy . . ." My guardian says, carefully taking my hand and bringing me to our injured teammate. "But can you heal her?"

"Yes." I answer as I dip onto my knees before the celestial and immediately get to work. But as nothing happens, I freeze up. Me, a seraph, not being able to save someone, not even my kind? What's this even mean? I inch back wondering that as most of the group gawks at me with bewilderment.

———————❖———————

The angel I failed saving earlier is being treated by our guild's head doctor Imogen, while I'm with my loved ones in my uncle's office. He's been pacing around nonstop over the situation since we got back a little while ago. Anxiously mumbling to himself without making much apparent sense, he finally says something we all can understand: "This can't be happening . . . N-not all at the same time. No . . ."

"Lee." His love stops him from flitting around and sets him down in his desk chair. "Will you tell us what you're talking about now? Because we're all curious."

As I patiently wait here, my heart aches watching him stress. I go to fiddle with my kitten necklace, only to be crushed remembering it's no longer there, my uncle finally saying through an exhale, "The Abolitionists."

"The who?" Rita cups his flushed cheeks.

"The Supernatural Abolitionists . . . Pure humans, full regmen—dogged ones nonetheless."

"But why are they after us?" She drops her hands from shock that Leopold picks up to hold.

"They started their 'movement' a few months after ours, The Lion Society, was officiated. And their mission has been the same from day one: to abolish every and all supernaturals."

Colton sticks his arms out in confusion. "But do they know we're angels?"

"Yeah, not dirty rogues?" Asks Raj, anger raiding his face.

"Oh, they do." My uncle snickers. "And that's why they sent us that little 'warning'."

"It makes no sense, though, Mr. Lancaster." My best friend narrows her eyes as she keeps herself in a corner.

"They're driven by atheism and believe no beings with divine or wicked abilities should exist. Because to them, no higher powers exist." Leopold adds, "Of course demons are their first targets. But they've grown so ruthless against us, ridding any corporeal angel because a few have used their powers to do bad."

"So they're punishing us because of some other idiot's mistake?" Charlie grows red.

My uncle admits, "That's correct, but I'm just confused about why they struck us now. We had an agreement." He sinks into Rita who now sits sideways on his lap as she kisses the top of his head. "We had an agreement . . ."

The warm woman says afterwards, "The Thrones could have insight on this, Lee. You said we shouldn't worry too much until consulting them—"

"If they're without that insight, I won't be happy. Not one bit. But I'll contact them soon. " He goes dim, Rita frowning at me because of the same thing, lovingly rubbing his back.

But while I thought our talk would end there, Leopold tells us more about the atheists. Their stealthy operation is strewn throughout the country, with their HQ being here in the city. They function as if they were a military force, designated within ranks ranging from cadets to marshals. Their duties and assignments remind be of ours here, but I keep that thought to myself. Because speaking like that to these guys would be catastrophic.

However, I ask Leopold what he and other Dominions had arranged with the SA many decades ago. But all we're able to get out of him is that the resentful regmen broke the agreement—even after accepting a hefty payoff—to suspend attacks against the Lion Society until a date that hasn't come yet . . . Figuring out why they've come after us now is tempting. But doing so amid their wrath is a risk we cannot take.

———————❖———————

It's almost midnight and I'm visiting the hurt celestial for the sixth time today in our infirmary. This isn't something I'd normally do. But because it's one of the few things that stir up my emotions, I go along with this morbidity.

I'm doubtlessly glad she'll recover despite how long it'll take until she's herself again. It's just unfortunate that I lost Jayden as my guardian now. Because will Charlie be able to protect me like she would've? Now it feels I won't be able to even look outside without being offed!

But I've already done enough panicking over the thought of losing to both the Infernal Trinity and rogues. And it's not that I won't fall apart again; I've been breaking down whether or not I'm alone. Like now . . . Will it happen again now? As I feel myself slipping, I back out of the room when I knock into someone. However, I don't have to turn around to figure out who it is as he tickles my side and asks, "Is she doing alright, Ophy?"

I cringe at Colton's touch despite it being harmless. "Yes. So far. I was leaving, though . . ."

"Fucking prejudice dicks." He grunts about the Abolitionists, shaking his head as he walks us out of the room. "I hate people like that, don't you?"

"Oh yes, most definitely." I nod, looking up into his eyes as we're now strolling down the lonely hallway.

After a few moments of silence, the gamer questions while tying his long, curly hair up, "So . . . are you doing alright?"

"I'll keep the truth to myself." I murmur.

"What's that supposed to mean, Ophy?" He narrows his eyes, me staring forward as I feel like a shell of a person. "Listen, don't you fear these new assholes, okay?"

This dork thinks that's what my problem is? Wow. I close my dropped jaw up and sigh, "I . . . I don't—"

"With the brigade strong and my brother as your new guardian, you'll be okay, I promise." He beams extra big as if to pump me up. "Do you understand?"

When I reply in mumbles, he teasingly pokes me until I screech, "Yes!"

But as he goes dark again, I sink down with him as he sighs. "Just . . . You know you can tell me if he gets too much, right?" Colton speaks about Charlie's love for me.

I nod to his question. "Of course, Colt."

Watching me go lifeless again, he frowns. "So are you actually gonna go to sleep now, Ophy? You look tired as hell."

I mutter, "That isn't a surprise."

"Well," Colton raves, "you're more than welcome to come up and watch me play—"

"Oh no. I'm more than happy to pass up that offer." Rolling my eyes, I chuckle, "But thanks for it—"

"But, Ophy, I got two more cases of yogurt, new flavors this time too!" The guy bounces as I wish it could excite me as well. Because we all know if it isn't dairy-free, it isn't for me. But God knows that option is one he wouldn't even dare to look at. Ever since Rita showed him her favorite kind, it's practically all he's been eating. If I were to split him open, would he ooze the custardy food?

———————❖———————

At first, I went on turning down Colton's offers to keep each other company. But I grew nervous the longer I was alone in my home, afraid I'd end up doing something I'd regret. Thus, I eventually made my way to him considering he was the only one I felt open to pester. And it was such a stupid choice I made—hanging out with the mega geek—but at least I'm not suffering as much as I was before.

Snuggled up with him now, he tells me about the action game he's playing. I try learning as much as I about the character's backstory and mission, even the controls of it all. But once realizing I'm too 'out of it' to retain his nerdy lecture, he fully emerges himself in his virtual world again. Though with nothing keeping me engaged besides thoughts of the past day, I drift off to sleep.

. . . But only for minutes, or seemingly so, as I wake up in his arms as he carries me back to my apartment. I sluggishly say, "I'm sorry for falling asleep, Colt. You could've left me there; you know I'd get up eventually." Before cuddling back against him, I look up to see it's Charlie instead of his brother. I ensure I keep from getting too close again to avoid any confusion about my platonic feelings for him. It's the last thing I need.

As he tucks me into bed, I thank him for it and mumble, "I suppose I was a little tired . . ."

"You mean a lot?" Jokes my guardian, sitting on the edge of the mattress. "It's okay though, Ophy. Just go to sleep—"

I nod and say, "I'll try."

"Alright. I don't get why you didn't come to me instead, though. I'm your guardian, not him." He says under his breath, "I fucking am."

"I know you are, Charlie—"

"Then why?" My guardian clenches his chiseled jaw.

"Because I didn't want to bother you." I tell him, "He had already asked me to come—"

"No matter what, it still seems weird . . ."

"Charlie, what does hanging with him have to do with anything?" I pat his arm, him frowning and shaking his head at my question. But as he tenses up and I think he'll boil over, I scoot back from him when he softens up. "I'm sorry, Ophy. I-I want to make sure I'm doing this right, you know?" My guardian swallows. "And you also know how jealous I get . . ."

"But you never have over Colton—"

"Never have or never showed it?" Charlie lowly asks.

Confused, I start, "I don't see why you ever would need to be—"

"Taking on this position is big for me. I have to prove to you and everyone I can do this." He breathes, "And with people getting in the way, how can I do that?"

"I know you can, Charlie." I stroke him this time while nodding with confidence.

Moving to fully face me, my guardian asks, "Do you believe I'll be better than Jayden, though? Because that's my number one goal."

"Well . . ." My mouth falls open at his impossible thought.

But he still peps himself up and smiles. "It's okay, Ophy. Just you wait and see."

I'm trying my hardest not to hurt him, so I only murmur, "Charlie . . . I—"

"What is it?"

"We'll talk about this later, okay? Because I'm so close to knocking out." I force out a yawn. "So close."

"Of course, Ophy." He nods while hugging me as I grin over his compliancy. "Good night."