War of Wings

of you, but you two.” The four looked caught off guard, their smiles fading. “Actually, it could be the other way around. It could be you two instead. Anyway, I’m the angel savior. Tell your friends.”
    “That’s it. I don’t have time for this,” Michael said. “Goodbye, Gabriel.” He started to walk in the other direction.
    “Michael, wait. You’ve got to admit this whole thing is far-fetched, right?”
    Michael hesitated before turning around. His eyes flashed, and the line of his jaw was tight. “Yes, I admit that. But this is the way it is. Most angels don’t seem to care about the order of things anymore, but I do. There are rules to follow, and I guarantee that God is going to fix this whole mess. I promise you, there will be consequences!” He crossed his arms and visibly pulled himself together like Gabriel was accustomed to. Even so, his features were strained. “All I know and believe—and will live by—is what God showed me.”
    Gabriel was taken aback. Even Michael didn’t know what would happen. Michael was always in control but not with this. It gave him an uneasy flutter in the pit of his stomach.
    Michael jabbed a finger at him in the air. “Just trust me when I tell you, brother—be careful. Do not trust anyone but God and me—especially not this virtue angel you just met.”
    “You don’t even know her! She wouldn’t do anything to deceive me. Why can’t you trust my judgment for once?”
    “Are you really this protective of her already? You barely know her! Do you not find her timing a little strange?”
    “Yes, I am protective of her. What is wrong with that?”
    Michael heaved a sigh. He shook his head before stepping forward and patting Gabriel wearily on the shoulder. “All right, then. I’m sure you will do the right thing.”
    “I have to go. She is probably waiting on me at the gate. But I’ll see you soon if you don’t hide this time.”
    “I’ll most likely be home.”
    Michael walked away, and Gabriel watched him slip into a crowd making its way down the golden avenue. When he was out of sight, Gabriel quickly went in the other direction toward the gate. Michael was jealous. That had to be it. He tried to block out Michael’s mistrust and focus instead on seeing Arrayah again. The flutter in his stomach returned but with a different quality to it, one that sent a flush of warmth into his face. But when he got back to the gate, she wasn’t there.
    He began to pace back and forth. Might something have happened to her? No, most likely not, he decided. She was just a little late. No big deal. He would wait.
    Gabriel waited as angels came and went. To pass the time, he approached the dominion at the gate and asked if he knew Arrayah. The guard shook his head, and Gabriel began rambling on about her until the guard looked uncomfortable. Gabriel kept praising her anyway until enough time passed that his anxiety returned. “She must have come and not seen me,” he said to the dominion. “I’ll just wait a little longer.”
    Another dominion passed through the gate and the guard, appearing relieved, left Gabriel to speak with him. Gabriel scanned the groups of passing angels; he watched the skies. Finally, he saw Arrayah flying up the mountain.
    “That’s her. Got to go,” he called to the dominion, who was no longer paying him any attention. “I told you she was coming. Isn’t she stunning? Humility angel; can you believe it?”
    Gabriel ran over to meet Arrayah as she dropped lightly to her feet. He didn’t know whether to give her a hug or shake hands. He started to give a quick embrace but changed his mind and pulled back, reaching for her hand instead. Arrayah chuckled.
    “What’s funny?” he asked, a little embarrassed.
    “Nothing. You are just cute.”
    “You are the cute one.” She smiled, and he fell into step beside her. “I already saw Michael.”
    “Really?” Worry clouded her face. “Where is he?”
    “I think he just went