Guardian Angel

by Trebus, David

  As he stepped out of the bathroom, Michael smelled something coming from the kitchen. Jasmine must have woken up and decided to make herself some breakfast. Did Guardians actually need to eat? He'd find out soon.

  He shut the bathroom door behind him and ambled over to the kitchen to find the source of the delicious smell. He walked through to the living room, tripping over a small box he had left to sort, and stifled a swear-word when he realised it was his own fault for leaving it there. In the kitchen, Michael was met with a surreal sight.

  Jasmine stood near the table, wearing a green apron over her usual regalia of white robes. It had been a gift from Michael’s mother but, not being one for housework, he had never bothered to wear it. The table had been set neatly, laid out with cutlery and a glass of orange juice next to a plate.

  “Morning. I thought I would fix you some breakfast while you were in the shower,” Jasmine's usual chirpy voice tinged with nerves.

  “Uh...thanks. Aren't you making yourself some?” Michael asked as he sat down.

  “Don’t be silly, we don’t need to eat. Well not unless we want to,” Jasmine had made him a traditional English breakfast, placing it in front of him with an expectant look.

  The sight of it made Michael salivate, he hadn't been cooked for since he lived at home. He hungrily shoveled the food down his mouth. The toast was fine, lightly buttered and tasty, but when Michael got to the cooked foods, the taste was something akin to charred rat.

  Jasmine beamed at him from across the table, watching him eat and clearly waiting for an opinion of her cooking skills. Michael’s first thought had been “Don’t give up your day job,” but he couldn’t find the cruelty to say such a thing. Instead, he forced down his mouthful of food, and tried not to pull a face.

  “How is it?” Jasmine asked, leaning forward.

  “Yeah… it’s great... Really tasty,” Michael managed, finishing off the toast and staring at the rest of the meal, while worrying about how he could avoid eating it.

  “Oh great!" Jasmine squealed enthusiastically. "I'm so happy you like it. I made sure to use loads of Earth spices in it. Tons of pepper, salt, cinnamon, garlic and sugar! I haven't really cooked before, but I knew I could do it.”

  Michael smiled and nodded, he would probably have to eat more of the offensive mishmash to avoid hurting Jasmine’s feelings. He managed another bite, this time of bacon, trying to stifle a retch from the flavour. He pushed the plate away slightly and rubbed his stomach, drinking deeply of his orange juice. Thankfully Jasmine had not decided to spice his drink up any.

  “Finished already?” Jasmine asked.

  “Yeah, I'm not very hungry just yet. Perhaps I could cook us something later, or we could go out to eat!” Michael tried to be subtle but was aware of sounding a little strained.

  “Oh, ok. Well, I guess that’s understandable after everything. Hope you enjoyed it!”

  “It was definitely unique, Jasmine. Excuse me a moment, I just need to go to the loo,” Michael muttered as his stomach clench from all the pepper. He jumped up and left the table. He had to teach Jasmine a little about human cooking, or at least keep her away from the kitchen.

  ***

  After he had gone, Jasmine pulled Michael’s plate over with a puzzled look on her face. She sniffed it, then took a cautious bite of some egg with a little bacon. Her face twisted into a mirror image of Michael’s when he had first tasted the food. She managed to swallow her creation but took a sip of the remaining orange juice to wash the taste away.

  “Humans really do have some strange tastes,” Jasmine commented, oblivious to her culinary failure.

  ***

  Following Jasmine's dodgy breakfast, Michael got dressed and decided to pop out for a walk. Right on queue just as he was about to leave his mother called to check up on him. With not much to say beyond “I‘m fine.” and the usual “How are you?” the conversation didn't keep him too long. He wanted to discuss his recent special situation but felt it best not to, his mum would probably think he was crazy.

  Michael had no work and wasn’t meeting Claire until the next day. He felt at a loose end with not much to do, and so, like every time he felt that way he went out. Naturally, Jasmine went along as well, after having disposed of her breakfast feast into the bin. She almost forgot to take off the green apron. Would people see the apron floating around on its own? . She took it off, though, and left it in the house before Michael could ask.

  As they walked along the road, Michael noticed a kind of tension between them. Jasmine would have previously grabbed and held Michael’s hand. This time, she seemed to pointedly avoid even brushing up against him, though he felt somehow she wanted to. Michael thought of making the move himself, but a pang of nerves struck him every time he thought about it. He felt like a teenage boy trying to ask out a girl he liked.

  It didn’t help either that the x-rated images kept flashing into his mind. He couldn’t work out where they were coming from; he certainly didn’t remember having such vivid thoughts before about any girl, even those he fancied like crazy. It felt as if he and Jasmine had grown much closer but had somehow hit a wall, or pushed past the comfortable friendship zone and into something deeper.

  Michael decided to head down to the High Street. He couldn’t be bothered travelling further afield and certainly didn’t fancy the idea of getting onto a crowded bus or train. It wasn't that far and he was looking forward to the mundane routine of browsing through some shops for goodies like dvd's or food. A taste of normality was just what he needed.

  Many of the Guardians around people looked normal, hovering close with a look of care or concern on their faces. However, Michael also noticed a large proportion of angels who seemed haggard or worried. This made him feel a little on edge himself. Their charges looked normal however, none of them seemed particularly aggressive, angry or evil, but then the old adage “Looks can be deceiving,” sprang into his mind.

  As they walked, more and more Guardian's appeared distressed. On instinct, he checked Jasmine was okay. Aside from the strangeness between them, she looked fine. However, the worry didn’t diminish. Something strange was definitely going on, he could sense it.

  Michael hurried along the street, feeling he should run but having nowhere to escape to. He bumped into someone at the edge of the road, stopping him in his tracks. He made a quick apology and took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Panicking won't do me any good, there's nothing going on, just relax.” He muttered under his breath.

  Something was familiar about this place. He was standing only a few feet away from where the accident happened. The accident that had changed his world completely, that had allowed him to meet Jasmine for the first time. All around him, worn-out angels moved with their charges. The sense of worry exploded into full-blown anxiety as his instincts took over. Something was very wrong here.

  Michael began to shake and had to shut his eyes and clench his fists to keep control. He must be having a panic attack brought on by the overwhelming sense of wrongness around him. The thought that the accident must have had an ulterior motive behind it, beyond just himself, made him sick.

  ***

  Jasmine saw her charge suffering and hesitated for a moment, remembering how she felt whenever she touched him now. She had already broken so many rules as well as letting Michael down so many times. Instead of spurring her forward, it kept her from comforting him. She swallowed hard, not sure what was troubling Michael, but hearing a discordant note in the heavenly symphony which seemed to spring from the site of the accident.

  Jasmine fought with herself, trying to gain control. She felt confused and, for the first time, truly lost. She reached out again but hesitated, her hand pulling back at the last moment, and only fuelled her guilt and despair. Desire built within her, unholy desire for her charge adding itself into the maelstrom of her feelings.

  Then a clear note sounded in the symphony, a single note played from on high by Metatron on his harp. It pierced thro
ugh the frenzy in Jasmine’s mind, and she felt better. A passage Metatron had quoted sprung into her mind “There is no greater gift one can give another than love.”

  Jasmine’s head cleared and she reached out, grasping Michael’s hand. She pulled close, hugging him tightly and whispering a soothing song into his ear. She couldn’t believe she had left the most precious person suffering because she was scared of her own feelings.

  “Im so sorry, Michael, I promise I will always protect and….love you,” Jasmine whispered with newfound conviction and certainty into Michael’s ear.

  Tears streamed down Jasmine’s cheeks as all her barriers finally fell. All the walls of discipline, all the control developed during decades of service. Her hold over the emotions inside gone in an instant. She finally understood Jazen’s situation and, for the first time, doubted the divine wisdom behind the restrictions on a Guardian’s feelings. She felt stronger where previously she had been paralyzed. Jasmine’s love for her charge gave her strength and determination. What was wrong with that?

  Jasmine could see Michael relaxing. He seemed calmer, less stressed. He shakily raised his hands and embraced Jasmine back.

  Before Jasmine could react, he kissed her their lips meeting with what felt like an electric charge. Jasmine didn’t pull away; instead she tightened her embrace, pouring all her love through the physical contact they shared. She stood there , locked in a lovers embrace while the world seemed to slow to a crawl around her.

  Eventually Michael broke the kiss and took a step back with his hands on Jasmine’s shoulders, looking into her eyes. He smiled at Jasmine nervously, even as she mirrored it back.

  “I love you too,” Michael whispered in a gentle voice only Jasmine could hear.

  “I promise to always keep you safe, Michael. Not just as your Guardian, but as someone who truly loves you.”

  “I know. Somehow even, though I’ve only known you for a few weeks, it feels like I’ve known you for years, it feels like this was meant to be.”

  “Well you have known me for years in a way, silly, but I think this really was meant to be.”

  “Oh, I... uh, well you know what I meant."

  Jasmine smiled and took Michael’s hand. “Come on, didn’t you want to get some shopping done?”

  ***

  A palpable aura of light developed around the couple , invisible to human eyes but to every Guardian around blinding in its intensity. The angels close by turned to look at Jasmine and Michael. The aura spread in all directions soothing every Guardian it touched, banishing the weariness from them and leaving them feeling refreshed. The discordant note in the symphony however continued to chime, unrelenting even in the face of newborn love.

  ***

  Garamond reclined in his throne, free of a possessed body. His wings always felt massively constrained when inhabiting a human, even though the sensation was purely in his mind. Possession was a spiritual act, and as such physical attributes didn't really matter. But still it always felt as if he was cramped.

  He took a sip of blood-red wipe from a golden goblet at his side, enjoying the taste as he swallowed the spiced liquid. Choosing the Lilith Sisters had been a good move. So far, they had done an excellent job of inflaming passions in Michael and his Guardian, as well as preparing for the next part of his plan. The one thing Garamond couldn’t understand was why Heaven had not intervened; that thought vexed him no end.

  Also, the purifying light emitted by the newly formed couple had been unexpected. The accident site was supposed to be an unstoppable taint, the location of a spell years in planning, corrupting everything nearby; yet for a time the pair had nullified its effects, reversing some of the damage done to the humans and their Guardians. However, the discord in the symphony remained, so he'd let the matter lie for now. In the end, it wouldn’t matter. It should be the last time Michael and Jasmine get to perform such a feat.

  Garamond grinned, relishing the corruption and carnage that was yet to come. He would soon have all the pieces in place, and everything was moving steadily towards the culmination of his plans. In the end, he would have the mortal’s special power, several new high-powered demons and, after that, the whole world in his sway.

  Garamond laughed, his booming voice shaking the room. The door at their master's mirth. Every demon in Garamond’s lair felt their lord's joy and took up his laugh themselves, knowing that the time for corruption, sin, unfettered decadence and war was near.

  ***

  The shopping trip Michael turned out to be a fairly brief one. they spent some time browsing through CDs, video games, movies and even some models. Michael initially felt embarrassed, taking a girl into what many regarded as a nerdy shop. Then again, Jasmine had been with him in such places all his life, and he had nothing to hide.

  They strolled down the High Street, popping in and out, but Michael grew tired pretty quickly. Anyway, as nice it was doing something normal, it just didn’t hold the same appeal anymore. After an hour or so, he'd finished browsing and bought some food and a movie before suggesting they head home.

  To add fuel to Michael’s desire to cut the trip short, grey clouds, threatening rain were building. Were those rumbles of thunder in the distance? The change in weather seemed quite sudden, but this was England after all.

  Jasmine looked at the clouds thoughtfully, before turning to face Michael.

  “You know, there may be consequences for what I’ve done. I used to think Jaden was such a fool, until I experienced the same with you.”

  “Do you think the clouds are a sign that someone's angry at us?” Weren't there Bible stories about that kind of thing?

  Jasmine pulled a face and shook her head.

  “Don’t be so silly. You’ve been watching too many movies. The clouds up there are the clouds up there. They do what they do because of moisture building and weather systems. If something truly biblical were to happen, or I had transgressed massively, there would be a much stronger sign of it.”

  “Oh… ok.” Michael looked back at the clouds as a few spots of rain began to fall.

  “It makes me wonder, though. I should have received a summons for what I did earlier, or have felt some kind of disturbance at least. I broke one of the biggest rules we have, and…well, nothing's happened.”

  “Maybe they are making an exception for us; I mean, our situation is far from normal.”

  “Maybe... I hope so! But I'm not so sure. There's a lot going on here behind the scenes we don’t know about," Jasmine smiled warmly. "I guess all we can do is keep having faith that things will work out, and keep trying our best.”

  “Sounds like good advice to me.”

  He had forgotten where they were standing, just outside a shop on a side street. Not many people were about, but some had noticed talking as if to himself. A young couple laughed as they walked past, While a woman with children gave him a wide birth. she must have thought that he was some kind of lunatic.

  Flustered and embarrassed, Michael leaned in closer to Jasmine to whisper.

  “Definitely think it’s time we were going home. If I stand here much longer talking to you in the open, someone's going to get me locked up in a looney bin.”

  Jasmine laughed and took Michael’s hand. “Let’s get out of here, before the heavens open. Pardon the joke.”

  “Pretty lame.” Michael commented, and Jasmine playfully punched his arm.

  They made it back to Michael’s house in record time. The rain had started as a drizzle but soon built up into a thundery downpour, catching Michael and Jasmine mid-journey. They ran through the rain, but Michael still couldn’t avoid getting wet. Jasmine, however, avoided getting wet entirely.

  The rain fell around her, the drops bending their trajectory to miss touching her. It created an odd image: raindrops falling vertically, then suddenly changing direction away from Jasmine. Michael envied her ability, the rain showing him no such mercy. By the time they reached his doorway, he was soaking wet, water dripping from his hair a
nd clothing in large, heavy drops.

  “You’ll have to teach me how to do that one day. The rain thing I mean,” Michael said as he searched for his keys.

  “Sorry, it’s an angelic secret." Jasmine replied playfully "Angels only!"

  “Fine, then. Best make sure I take an umbrella next time, or hide under your dress.” Michael opened the door.

  “You definitely won't be doing that, young man. Stop making jokes and get inside before you end up ill. I don’t fancy having to nurse your snotty nose again, like I had to last year. I never knew a man could produce so much goo!” Jasmine gestured for Michael to go first.

  “Blimey, I had forgotten all about that. I remember my nose drying up suddenly one night, so I could actually get to sleep. Was that you?”

  “Yup. I couldn’t watch you suffer any longer, so I sang a short soothing song to help you.” “Well, thank you. That night's sleep was the only thing that got me through work the next day.”

  Michael took off his dripping coat and hung it over the radiator. His shoes were soaked through, like all good trainer brands, they seemed to act like sponges, and he left them by the door to dry out. Jasmine went off to the bathroom, returning quickly with a towel which she threw over to Michael. He nodded in thanks and tried and dry himself off as best he could, shivering all the while.

  “I think it’s time for a warm shower. I won't be long; will you be ok waiting?”

  Jasmine laughed. “Don’t be silly. I’ve waited so many times before, I won't start minding now. Stop being so formal with me. Nothing's changed between us, other than we know how each other feels. Let’s just take everything else as it comes and try to act normal, okay?”