Elliott Kay - Good Intentions

“Rachel,” Hannah said in a loud and clear voice, “you are hereby entrusted with dominion over Seattle and its environs. This shall be your first and foremost duty in all things. It falls to you to battle and banish the darkness of this land. As a guardian angel protects and guides individual mortal souls, so shall you protect and guide all those under the light of Heaven throughout your dominion.”

The cathedral erupted in cheers and applause. Rachel beamed, tears streaming freely down her face as she looked at the glowing pommel of her sword and then to Alex, who rushed over to wrap his arms around her. She buried her face in his shoulder, laughing and crying all at once.

Lorelei followed slowly, catching the eye of both Hannah and Lawrence as she walked in short, stiff steps. The pair of angels descended from the altar to join her. Lawrence offered his hand. “It is good to meet you this way,” he told her. “I admire you greatly.”

“The admiration is mutual,” Lorelei smiled coolly, taking the hand offered to her. Lawrence cocked an eyebrow. Lorelei explained, “I never would have credited such ruthlessness to the Hosts.”

“Ruthlessness?” Lawrence asked innocently amid the tumult. “Whatever do you mean?”

“An angel can do only so much without upsetting the balance and renewing open warfare between Heaven and Hell,” Lorelei said. “Yet the actions of certain mortals and demons are often plausibly deniable, aren’t they?”

“Rachel’s burdens need not be shared by you or by Alex,” Hannah said.

Lorelei’s smile remained. “You say that with a straight face,” she observed.

“We all have our talents,” Hannah conceded. She offered Lorelei her hand. “Their happiness has been a long time in coming, Lorelei. As has yours. I am glad you have one another.”

Lorelei took Hannah’s hand. “Thank you,” she said politely but sincerely. Then she stepped closer to Rachel and Alex, still wrapped in a close embrace. “Alex, Rachel,” Lorelei asked them, “at the risk of spoiling the moment, I think it’s time I take my leave of this place.”

“Not without us, you don’t,” Rachel smiled, taking her hand. Alex likewise fell into step on Lorelei’s other side. None of them hesitated in heading for the exit despite the crowd around them. “We need to take you home. And then take you. Over and over.”

“We need to get a home,” Alex thought aloud.

Lorelei squeezed their hands. “I am home with you.”