Everlasting Embrace (Embrace Series) by Charlotte Blackwell Page B

on listening. I don ’ t recognize the man at the front of the class . S earching the room , I lock eyes with Alexander , and he connects to me.
    This is the angel Michael . He ’ s kind of a miserable bastard, but we ’ re learning a lot from him.
    What ’ s his deal?
    Not sure , really . I can ’ t connect or read him. It must be some kind of angelic block.
    Okay , then , what are you learning from him?
    He ’ s explaining a little about why the angel hunters want the nephilim, and explaining to the students how we were able to cloak Ben. I think he may be a good addition to our teaching staff , if we can convince him to stay.  
    Do you think this ‘ Twelve ’ will allow that?
    Not sure . I guess we just wait and see.
    Do you think he can tell us anything about Matt? Ebony is in a really rough place right now , and I would love to get her some answers.
    We can only ask. Come sit with us and listen to his lecture.
    As I take my place next to my siblings , I listen to the angel before us.
    “ Angels , like myself, are called alkins . W e are the first and only generation in Crossroads. We are not permitted to interact with mortals. We can ’ t spend extended periods away from Crossroads. You can think of it like a rechargeable battery ; we need to return home to energize ourselves. Of course , there are times we would like to stay here, but it ’ s just not allowed , and they will change everything to keep it that way. I know it ’ s for her … I mean , we angels know it ’ s for the protection of those here on earth, but it ’ s not always what is best ; a t least it doesn ’ t always feel right. ”
    I can sense his pain . Michael is hurting more than any angel should. I always thought they were full of peace and joy, but I ’ m learning how wrong I ’ ve been. Michael dismisses the class , and we decide now is the time to get more answers.
    “ Michael , wh y is it you ’ ve been sent to us? ” Eliza wonders.
    “ One of my leaders, Katherine, is one of the Twelve who received the power from the original angels . She believes that all nephilim can be rehabilitated , and trained properly. Whereas … others may disagree. ”
    “ What do you believe? ” I ask.
    “ It doesn ’ t matter what I believe . I follow my orders. ”
    “ I would sure like to know if you feel that being on our side i s the right thing. ”
    “ If you must know, yes , I do. I don ’ t agree with everything the Twelve order s , but this I do. I ’ m proof that Katherine is right. ”
    “ You were a nephilim ? ” Ben questions with excitement and curiosity.
    “ Was , and still am . I t ’ s not something you outgrow. ”
    “ Sorry — o f course not . I ’ m just a little confused by this new life of mine. ” Ben tucks his longer blond locks behind his ears.
    “ I understand. I don ’ t remember my life on earth, but I have seen the transition with others and know the difficulties involved.
    “ Thank you for coming . I hope you will stay, ” Caspian invites.
    “ I will stay as long as I can, but when I do leave , know that I will return , ” h e reminds us that he needs to return to the Crossroads.
    I feel that having Michael around will be an asset to our school ; to the training of these supernatural students. He will help us save the innocents from evil , and we will help him wherever we can.

Chapter 17
     
    Danger Lurking
     
    Now that things are returning to normal, we cho o se to go full force with training at the school. We have some great students , and I know I can ’ t wait to see their potential. Some of the students have even been exhibiting amazing powers . T hey will prove to be useful in our fight against evil. Training has been very rigorous for the last month or so, so we have agreed to take the students out on a field trip around town. We have over two dozen students and teaching staff at our facility , and they ’ ve not yet seen the sights around town. We ’ ll wait till nightfall as our