Hadriel flew abreast the unknown angel in the form of his gargoyle. He wasn’t sure if this angel had the warrior blood for he flew in angel form. All the while Hadriel couldn’t tame the excitement from overpowering his good sense. Soon Missouri would be free. He would destroy all who dared to wish her harm.

The Cathedral was in view and in seconds Hadriel dropped menacingly on the roof, his gargoyle bending its neck for relieve as it gave itself into a growl. He rose from all fours and transformed into himself.

“It’s forbidden to bring outsiders here. I never thought you would break the rules.” The angel spoke at the back of Hadriel. “Well I have been breaking a lot of rules lately; let me assure you that this will be the least of my worries.” Hadriel walked on and the angel followed him into the Cathedral.

“Hadriel!” Leo shouted as he was walking towards Hadriel, his purpose forgotten when his gazed passed over the unknown angel and like Hadriel he felt as if he knew him.

Hadriel followed Leo’s gaze and replied, “He’s here to help.” He continued walking Leo blocked his path. “The Council called for Missouri.”

Hadriel’s mood darkened, he didn’t like the idea of Missouri meeting the Council. “I will take her in a moment. Send word!” He barked.

“That’s not possible.” Leo was exasperated. Hadriel’s jaw tightened, “What do you mean?” His voice a whisper.

“Satael carried her a few minutes ago. He didn’t want to keep them waiting.” Leo sounded reserved and Hadriel knew he thought it was a bad idea.

Everything suddenly faded away, the only thing that mattered was Missouri, and he would need to find her. “They can’t take her to heaven but I know where they’ll be, I’ll find her.” Hadriel began to leave when the unknown angel shouted after him.

“Be careful.”

Missouri stood in an alley, Satael at her side. Out from the shadows the goliath buildings cast; four figures emerged. Four men who Missouri was sure would be angels; the Council.

“Ahh Satael, you brought the girl. You have done well.” The obvious leader spoke, his expression light but not filled with light. He then turned his attention to Missouri. “Hello. My name is Ayil, and these fine angels behind me make up the Council. I think this meeting is long overdue.”

Missouri stared, “I believe it is.” She responded bravely.

“Do you have any idea why the demons are after you?” Another one of the angels spoke, his tone aggressive and Missouri felt like a five year old being scolded.

“No I don’t.” It wasn’t a lie, she didn’t know why she was coveted but she did know that Hadriel didn’t tell the Council of her abilities, according to Leo. She wouldn’t do anything to get him in trouble.

“That’s Raziel, by the way.” Ayil introduced the second angel who spoke to Missouri.

“Well we will be taking you with us, you will no longer be staying at the Cathedral, your presence there is dangerous to the door and that is our first priority.” Ayil informed.

Missouri tensed, she couldn’t leave with them! There was something about them that made her blood crawl with distrust.

“What’s going on here?” A voice boomed at the same instant as a fury of winds surrounded the group and Missouri saw Hadriel standing beside her, gazing defiantly at the angels who were his superiors. This angel stooped to no one!

“Hadriel!” Ayil acknowledged. “I was wondering if you were going to make an appearance!  The girl is coming with us.”

“You have nowhere to house the girl; she is fine in my care.” His voice was a half growl.

“Hadriel perhaps it will be a good idea for the girl to go with the Council.” Satael inputted and Hadriel’s anger flared! How dare he speak of Missouri as something unimportant! He will not allow them to take her.

“Know your place Satael, you already defied me by keeping me in the dark about this!” his turned his attention back to the Council. Something was off, the stares, the impatience, since when did the Council have any desire to personally guard anything or anyone.

“Missouri will not stay in your care; my angels are more than capable of tending to her needs.” Hadriel was decisive and Raziel responded, “You cannot disobey a direct order Hadriel! Besides it’s not about tending to her needs it’s about keeping her safe.”

Hadriel seemed unresponsive and Missouri had the most terrible of feelings, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as she felt her body shake with a shiver.

“My angels are the most competent of them all, if anyone should be burdened with her care, it should be us.” Hadriel responded vehemently.

Hadriel studied them all, and knew that their minds were set. But why?  The pieces starting falling into place and then it clicked. Hadriel smirked humourlessly, his eyes truly opened.

“It’s you.” He looked at them and saw Jeremiel secretive smirk. “I couldn’t fit it until now. You are the ones who want Missouri, you told Varcan of our secret entrance into the Cathedral.”

The Council’s eyes darkened and Jeremiel spoke, “The girl needs to die Hadriel. She is hazard to our kind.” Hadriel’s fist balled at his sides. His eyes cast in shadows, the orange of his eyes glowing with anger and Missouri saw what Leo talked about.

Missouri stiffened at the angel professing that they want her dead.

“So that’s why you needed Varcan. To destroy the girl without the angles knowing of your villainy.” Hadriel spoke through clenched teeth.

“Hadriel, give them the girl, she is nothing to us. Where is the loss in a human life?” Satael interrupted and went to stand beside the Council, Missouri and Hadriel on the opposite side.

His eyes widen in surprise, “They didn’t ask for me to bring her, they told you to deliver her without my knowledge?” Hadriel commented, realising that Satael had planned to give Missouri to the Council.

“You see your house also contained a traitor. He is not loyal to you, if you defy us you too will die with the girl and then Satael will take your place as leader.” Michael spoke for the first time, his voice even and filled truth.

Hadriel continued to stare them down, “Why did you defy me Satael?” He turned his attention to longest friend.

“Because you choose her over me!” He screamed, pointed intensely to Missouri who jumped at the tone of his voice. “Let’s destroy her Hadriel and everything will go back to normal, we can save our friendship.” His voice softened and he seemed less like a madman.

“You have always been a brilliant warrior Hadriel but listen to your friend, you are and angel, we do not protect humans.” Ayil persuaded and Hadriel felt torn. He knew decision meant he would lose someone dear to him.

“Except she’s not human, is she Ayil?” They all averted their gaze upwards where the unknown angel was crouched on the roof of a building. He gracefully glided down and landed on his feet at Missouri’s side. He looked at and smiled and Missouri felt as if she should know him, he sure acted as if he knew her.

“Metatron.” Jeremiel whispered defiantly, the Council appeared as if they’d seen a ghost.

Metatron? Hadriel felt as if he heard the name before, this angel was a mystery but one that Hadriel felt he should know.

“You’re alive?” Raziel spat.

“I see your intellect has not changed.” Metatron responded lightly.

“I don’t know what poison he has fed you Hadriel, but make your decision. Do you want to live or die?”

Hadriel shook his head in contemplation, “Hell, I hadn’t planned on living that long anyway. I cannot follow what I believe is wrong. We are angels and you degraded our names by being in coalition with the King of demons.” He stood his ground and saw the Council grow angry; Satael shook his head in disbelief.

Hadriel momentarily turned to a fear struck Missouri when he was tackled to the ground by Satael in gargoyle form. Satael bit down on Hadriel and he growled in pain as he too transformed, he tried to knock Satael back but was unable to move, he felt the weight removed and saw Metatron throw Satael further into the alley.

The Council no longer there and when their eyes searched for Satael, he too was gone. Hadriel stood on his feet and transformed to his angel form.

“We need to move, they will attack us as soon as they rally forces.” Hadriel informed, he held onto Missouri, bring her close to him, “Are you alright?” He whispered.

“Are you?” her eyes searched him and he felt a pang for the friend he lost. He couldn’t believe that Satael would betray him. “I will be, once you are safe.” He pulled her in and kissed her lightly on her lips not caring that Metatron saw them.

“We should leave; there is much that I need to tell you, and not enough time.” Metatron informed, ignoring the private moment between Hadriel and Missouri.

 Hadriel knew that he couldn’t stop what was to come; he couldn’t back down from this fight. He would rather die fighting for the truth than live for a lie. Missouri was not a hazard to angel kind. There was more to it all and he would discover it!