Eternity by Heather Terrell

like you.” He smiled his old smile, and added, “No one is quite like you, Ellspeth.”
    Rafe inhaled deeply, and the humor faded. I could see that this next part of the story was difficult for him to share.
    “From above, my brother and sister angels watched this behavior of the two hundred. We were shocked by the angels’ flagrant disregard of God’s instructions. Who did they think they were, revealing His secrets? The secrets weren’t theirs to share. And how dare they procreate with humans?
    “But God did nothing.
    “I—along with Gabriel, Suriel, Michael, and Uriel—went to God. We pointed out the disobedience and the disrespect of the angels’ acts. Then we dared to ask Him, What was He planning to do?” Rafe paused, seemingly lost in his remembrances.
    He didn’t quickly resume. The pause grew so long that I finally decided to prompt him further. “What did God say?”
    “He asked if we thought they should be punished. When we answered yes, God asked us how. We suggested that He banish the two hundred to earth, to allow them their powers but forbid them access to heaven. God agreed, and of His own accord, went one step further. He wanted to teach the rebellious angels a lesson, and humankind along with them. He commanded the Flood to destroy all their followers and all their children.”
    “You and the other angels must have been relieved. He gave you what you asked for.”
    “Yes, at first. Quickly, however, we learned that the punishment didn’t have the effect we’d hoped for. The Dark Fallen—as we came to call them—didn’t feel remorse for their acts. Instead, they felt vengeful, because He had killed their children and taken away their ability to enter heaven. So as their means of revenge, they continued to disobey Him by continuing their forbidden activities.”
    “Do you regret the punishment you inflicted?” It felt unnatural asking an angel about his regrets. Yet that was what I thought I saw on Rafe’s face.
    “Yes, for its outcome and for its harshness. We were too severe. The Dark Fallen turned away from the light and power of God to celebrate themselves when they taught humankind and created the Nephilim. Their acts went against His teachings. But that’s not why I think that I was too harsh in my punishment of the fallen.”
    “Why do you think you were too strict with them?”
    Rafe took me by the hands and looked at me with his beautiful eyes. I couldn’t have broken away from his gaze if I’d wanted to. And I didn’t want to.
    “At first, I believed that the fallen acted solely from the sin of pride. Pride in their ability to teach and to create, like God. Pride in their own power and egos. I should have shown more compassion. Because I now understand how the fallen fell. It wasn’t pride alone. It was l—” He stopped himself.
    Abruptly he released my hands and backed away. “It doesn’t matter why the fallen fell, and how I feel about their punishment is unimportant. It’s old news now. Preventing the fallen from exacting their final vengeance, however, is critical. That is the destiny you share with Michael.”
    “I don’t think Michael is speaking to me right now.”
    “You must go to him and repair this rift between you. Only together can you stop the coming devastation.”
    I grabbed back one of his hands and asked, “Will you help me? Help us?”
    Rafe looked at me sadly and said, “I wish I could. I’ve already done far too much. I was only meant to observe. All I can do now is watch and pray.”
    “Please, Rafe. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to stop the end days. Michael is as ignorant as me.”
    “I don’t know, Ellspeth,” he said slowly.
    “Are you fearful that God will punish you for disobeying him? Like he punished the two hundred?”
    The mischief that I’d seen in his eyes before reappeared. “No, I’m pretty sure that I can talk Him out of that. This is definitely different.”
    “Then please, Rafe. Please help