"Ok. Hold on a second." Missouri raised a finger to silence the angel in front of her. Her head spun and throbbed, she'd just learnt that angels and demons were not just man made but real, and now they were saying that God doesn't exist? Sigh, when she went home she was making it a point to shrug this entire event as a bad dream, she might even laugh about it in a few months; if she was lucky.

"I don't understand." she replied and thought that she saw the woman at the back of Hadriel roll her green eyes. She hadn't noticed before but the angel was gorgeous, as a matter of fact all of them were, they exhibited this aura that compelled the human being to just, stare. Maybe if she wasn't on an emotional roller coaster, she would have had the time to admire God's creations...ok maybe not God's creations, but she didn't the time or luxury.

"If God didn't command you, then who did?" She asked. "The one we serve." Hadriel answered, obviously annoyed. "Who do you serve if not God, didn't he create...everything?" She finished lamely due to a lack of words.

"Listen, I don't have time to explain all of this to you right now, who we serve is not important, what's important is that the door to heaven is safe and so are you." Hadriel spoke authoritatively and Missouri knew that any attempt she made to learn more would be futile so she decided that maybe that was for the best, there were fewer things for her to try and forget. "Well, thank you for saving me." she began.

"Leo." coughed the owner of the name and Missouri looked at him and wondered if he ever stopped jesting. She smiled politely and continued, "Yes Leo, thank you as well for saving my life." Leo smiled, truly content at being acknowledged. Missouri spun around to leave, without taking a single step; there he was, standing menacingly in front of her. 

"And where do you think you're going?" Hadriel growled, and all Missouri could think off was smacking him in the face for using that tone. She felt small, in that moment he transported her back to when she was six years old and was being scolded by one of her caregivers for stealing, something she hadn't done. Just because he was an angel didn't mean that he could treat her as if she was garbage! She was well aware of the treatment, hell she'd faced it for the majority of her live but then she'd been an innocent, naive, and now she was fully able to stand up for herself.

She raised her eyes to meet his stormy gaze and returned one with equal intensity, Missouri could feel the tension build around them as the silence progressed, then he spoke. "I asked you a question." His voice low and barely audible. Missouri shot him with all the contempt she felt, letting the emotion permeate from her very soul, "And I," she began, her voice equally low and cold. "Would be inclined to answer if you were a bit more polite."

Hadriel peered at Missouri, the anger in his eyes slowly evaporated as if it had never been there. "I'm sorry." he apologised, leaving Missouri feeling somewhat embarrassed as the anger left her as well, awkwardly she added softly, " Thank you."

"What's your name?" Hadriel asked, and Missouri only then registered that introductions were completely forgotten. "It's Missouri." She replied.

"Well Missouri, what I meant to infer was that you cannot leave the Cathedral." he paused and Missouri tensed, after what she'd learnt and seen all sorts of thoughts ran through her head.

"And why exactly is that?" Missouri's voice was shaky as she took a step back from Hadriel, which, if her head was clear she would have known, was a step closer to three other angels. Hadriel saw the fear flash across Missouri's eyes and mentally scolded himself for not choosing his words wisely, but time was not something they had, he needed to make her understand. "Missouri, please do not misunderstand, we need to protect you; we are under orders." he spoke as soft and soothingly as he possibly could. He was a warrior, being careful and polite is not something he was known for.

"Why?" Missouri half screamed, "I am of no importance." 

"Listen, demons are after you and until we find out what you know or did, you need to stay where we can protect you." Hadriel was calm.

"But I don't know anything, I didn't even believe in the supernatural until- well now. I can't stay here." Missouri was adamant.

"Well then, finding out why they are after you is important, if you do not stay willingly, by the angel, I swear if you do not comply I will be tempted to bound and gag you until this is resolved." He paused and was encouraged to continue due to Missouri's stunned silence. "They will go after everyone you know, friends, family, people you just say 'hi' to, is that what you want? If they know you are in our protection they will never threaten anyone you know."

"Oh really? Whats to stop them?" Missouri cracked.

"The reality that we will never let you trade yourself for the life of anyone else, demons know that we don't offer protection for humans without any real significant," Missouri, was really starting to hate angels, how could they be so callous, not caring for anything? She wasn't religious, nor was she verse with religious scriptures, but she was under the impression that angels were merciful, but all she saw was ruthlessness. Despite being in full opposition to the angels, she didn't want to put anyone in danger, and if all it took to ensure her friends safety was to stay here, then she would comply, for the sake of her friends.

"Fine, you win. I'll stay, but I'll need some things from my home." Missouri didn't meet Hadriel's eyes, she'd lot all her strength and couldn't bear to muster any more. "Fine, Muriel" Hadriel spoke a name unfamiliar to Missouri and the woman walked gracefully to her side to look at Hadriel. 

"Go to Missouri's house and gather her things." The woman nodded and started to walk away as Missouri saw black wings extend out of her back, the edges were somehow like sliver, shimmering in the moonlight and Missouri saw that Muriel's wings were sharp edged and realized that the part of their body that would be considered the most sensitive part of their anatomy was actually a brutal weapon, the edges more defined and knife like able to kill a human with a single slash. Missouri didn't want to think about the wars the angels fought that required them to be so fierce.

"That won't be necessary; I am capable of getting my own things." Missouri spoke and swore that she heard Muriel growl, if she kept defying Hadriel, she'll be on her way to being hated, if she wasn't already.

"That's out of the question." Hadriel snapped.

"I will know what I need, besides, it's not far, do not squander the abilities of your angels, the Cathedral needs the protection more than I do." Missouri tried to change Hadriel's opinion, but he seemed unwavered, his arms folded against his chest in defiance. "Please, this is the last time I will be on my own for a really long time, just let me do this."

Hadriel looked at Missouri, and Muriel looked at Hadriel, everyone waiting for his decision yet they all knew his answer, he was firm, so you could imagine the surprise when he said, "Go on."