She’d hoped that she would awake in Heaven after she died. Most people did. She admitted there was a tiny bit of doubt that it would happen, until she’d met Lash, blowing any doubts she’d had out of the water.
Naomi beamed as Lash covered her hand with his. As beautiful as Heaven was, she wouldn’t have been nearly as happy as she was at that moment if he hadn’t been by her side.
“We’ve been out here for ten minutes, Raphael,” Lash said. “I’m listening. Spill it.”
She studied Raphael as he paced in front of them, his golden hair glittering under the light. He looked like an older version of Jeremy. Even Lash looked a bit like Jeremy, except for the dark hair. She wondered if they had any familial ties to each other. Could angels be related?
“There is so much to tell you. I’m not quite sure where to start,” Raphael said.
Lash smirked. “Raphael at a loss for words. That’s a first.”
“Lash, be nice.” She warned. “Why don’t I ask some questions and you answer them. Maybe that will help.”
“Yes, that would be fine.” Raphael sat down in the seat across from them.
“Based on Lash’s surprise in finding me here, I assume this is not the typical place people go to after they die. Is that right?”
“Yes, that is correct. Most people go to another part of Heaven and are separate from the seraphim and archangels that live here.”
“Now don’t get me wrong. I love it that I’m here with Lash,” she squeezed his hand. “But, why am I here?”
Raphael smiled widely. “Because you, my dear, are the seventh archangel.”
“Seriously?” Lash studied her. “Isn’t she, you know, small?”
She frowned at the ridiculous way he was looking at her. “I may be small, but now that I’m like you I can probably whip your butt anytime. Wait, what’s the seventh archangel?”
“The archangels are protectors of all that is good. When we go to battle, we are the ones that take the lead. It’s akin to generals in a human army,” Raphael explained. “There are seven of us. There is Raguel and Uriel.”
“Uriel and Ragu—what?”
“Raguel is Rachel, and Uri is her partner,” Lash said.
“Oh, Rachel. I like her. She’s sweet. Who are the others?”
“Myself, Michael, Gabrielle, Jeremiel. I mean Jeremy.” Raphael continued. “And of course, you.”
“So are you saying I outrank Lash?” She turned to him and grinned.
“There must be some mistake. Uh, I mean,” he stammered when she threw him a glare, “I didn’t think a human could become an archangel.”
“There’s no mistake about it. Naomi, show him your wings.”
She looked confused as she stood. “Can’t you see them?”
“Spread them to their full length,” Raphael instructed.
“Oh, like this?”
Lash watched in shock as she expanded her wings to twice the size of his own. They were almost the size of Gabrielle’s. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as her hair and feathers moved gently in the wind. She looked powerful—stunning. He’d never loved her more than he did at that moment.
“It’s true. You are the seventh angel. It suits you.”
She blushed and folded her wings flat against her body. “I guess Welita was right. My mark is lucky.”
“Not luck,” Raphael said. “A mark of who you really are.”
“That is why I was assigned to look over her,” Lash said. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Raphael let out a rush of air. “I couldn’t. It was part of a test to see if you would have faith enough to do what you were told.”
Lash stiffened. “Jeremy knew.”
“Yes, but that was all he was told. He was told to bring her over. Lash, it was one of the most difficult things he ever had to do. He hated having to hurt you, not knowing what would happen after he struck you down.”
“I’m sure it was,” he mumbled.
“He cares for you greatly. Talk with him soon. I know you two can work it out.”
“Okay. Okay.” Lash leaned back and crossed his arms across his chest.
Naomi sat next to him with a worried look. “I thought he was your best friend. He was only doing his job.”
“I thought you didn’t trust him,” Lash said.
She sighed. “That was before all this.” She swept an arm over the courtyard. “He was very worried about you when he escorted me to the hall to wait for you.”
“What did he say?” He leaned forward.
“Only that he wanted to work things out with you when you were ready and that he misses you. He’s actually quite sweet.”
He grunted and fell back into his seat. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”
“I’m not, jeal—” Lash started then turned back to Raphael. “So, back to the topic at hand, what assignments will she be working on?”
“She won’t work on any assignments yet. She will be too busy training.”
“Training?” She sat at attention.
“Yes, we will need you to assist when we go to battle against Lucifer.”
“Uh, I’m all for helping you guys out, but I don’t know anything about fighting.”
Lash snickered.
She whacked him playfully. “I mean about military fighting and all that stuff.”