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| Sample Excerpt From Wrath of Angels: Robin in the Snow by Elizabeth I. Warner (part of Chapter 12) |
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| "Surely those chains can't be enough to hold a creature, such as yourself. "Why can't you just break them and flee from this place? I'm sure that you could find company somewhere that would be more pleasing to an angel, if you were to try to do so. "As much as I should be honored by your presence, it doesn't site too well with me to see you traped like this, and it makes me feel like I should get out of here the sooner the better! We are both prisoners now, and with nothing for comfort in this room but the hard stone slab that we sit on. There isn't even a blanket here to cover up with to keep you warm, though you have been kind enough to shelter me with your wings. I can't believe how mercilessly you're being treated here ... and I wonder what will be done about me if I am found with you. Can't you do anything to help free us before Ramon comes back?" "Not before he gets back, no," replied the angel. "Sometimes I manage to escape, but it is usually for only a short duration of time. Ramon always recaptures me, though, because I don't have enough strength to resist him. Without my former powers, it takes much mental and physical strain, and considerable amount of time for me to get out of my restraints, for these are very special chains that hold me. Even though it would be invisible to your eyes, the metal is stamped with The Holy Father's [God's] own precious seal ... by those who have the power to administer His authority. And once the shackles are clasped shut, they are almost impossible for me to try to escape again so soon. "But you should not worry about my comfort and how badly that you think that I'm being treated. A being such as myself has no need for Earthly comforts--a man-made invention, I assure you. I don't feel physical pain or discomfort in the same way that you do, but only the driving desire to be free to roam the land or soar the heavens, as I was created to do with my own kind, ... as has been so strictly pointed out to me, I might add; but that is another story. Nevertheless, that is what I miss the most. "However, as much as I love my freedom, we only have but this one key, and it is not enough to help either one of us out of our predicament. "Even if I could rid myself of these chains, there's that heavy door at the top of the steps, and we don't have a key to that because Ramon has the only one. Besides, he will be there soon, so there isn't enough time for me to try to get us out of here. In fact, he is already on his way, as we speak, for he has detected your fear and is rushing to your rescue; I can sence it. He didn't notice your fear before, because it wasn't as intense as when you finally ran across me, and he had other thngs on his mind. "It seems that he is very protective of you, ... so much the worse for me to find my freedom. I only wish that had more time, or better yet, the proper key with which to unlock these chained shackles that are on me." "Oh, no!" she cried, almost petrified with the dread of being found. She couldn't imagine what Ramon might do to her. "I didn't want him to know that I was here--and he's coming! "How will I explain? What could I say ...? "But wait a minute; on second thought, I forgot. I suppose I won't really have to explain anything to him, if he already knows I 'm here. I'm sur he knows now that I was spying on him. "Is there nothing one can hide from this man?" "It is difficult to hide anything from him; it's true," the angel agreed thoughtfully, "... but not impossible." "How embarrassing--and how angry he'll probably be! I'm really in trouble now! What do you think he'll do to me?" she asked fearfully. "I hope nothing but take you back to the house and try to talk this thing over," he replied. "But don't worry too much, because I believe he's really fond of you, and will only beg you to keep all of this a secret." "What if I won't?" she, then, asked a little defiantly; but only out of stubbornness, reflecting on her feelings because of Ramon. "Well, I would probably like it if you didn't," replied Za'aphiel earnestly. "--But think clearly now: Do you really wish to tell anybody about what you have seen here tonight? Who would believe that you had discovered an angel? "Perhaps Father Eduardo would, but no one would believe him, even if he were to go to the Vatican and tell this seemingly absurd story. I'm sure you understand how they are there. I would be moved from here by then, anyway, therefore you would both end up looking very foolish, I can assure you. So tell me, what could be gained by that?" "I see your point," she admitted, deflated. "Sorry, I was just being obstinate, only it wasn't toward you. I know it would be ridiculous for me to tell what I've seen. ... And I'm really not looking forward to facing Ramon right now. "But how can he already know that I'm here? Just how psychic is he, anyway?" "Do not worry, we still have a chance to conceal you," Za'aphiel assured her. "When I spread my wings over you, I 'closed' your mind to him, giving you the same ability to block your thoughts from all others as I myself have. So you shouldn't have any trouble with allowing him to know only what you want him to know now; however, I gave you that power after you had already felt your fear, therefore he will undoubtedly still be on his way. "Just as with all psychics, Ramon usually picks up on strong emotions, but if it is not really on his mind to be thinking about someone's thoughts at the time, he is not always accurate with his assessments of them. He cannot always know when people lie because he himself rarely does so, so it is hard for him to conceive of people who it is easy for. This is why, until his premonitions come to pass, he cannot be sure of knowing anything precisely, since it is only for God to know all things. "I guess you now understand the need for me having passed my special gift on to you. You will even be able to pass this gift on to others to whom you may wish to ... |