The Awakener

by Amanda Strong

  “Okay, Micah, you better start talking. What kind of crap have you stepped in? I saw things tonight I didn’t know existed except in messed-up movie producers’ heads. And please tell me who that,” Trent paused with a look of longing, “Greek goddess was.”

  They were standing in Micah’s bedroom now. The girls had dropped them off and Trent had locked every door behind them.

  Micah didn’t hold back and told Trent everything.

  Trent’s hands were on his hips when he’d finished. “So she comes to you at night? Why are you so lucky?” he demanded.

  “Trent. Focus. I’ve never even talked to her. That night you heard her, she was in my room mouthing words I couldn’t hear and then you barge in telling me what she said. I still don’t know how that worked, but the message was important. She told me to learn from the Gennaros.”

  “About the City of Enoch, yes, I know,” Trent said, keeping up. “She was there that night? I was right; you did have a girl in here.”

  Micah shook his head. “Trent, it’s not like that, and you know it. This is serious.”

  “What? I am being serious. I almost wet myself tonight. You don’t need to tell me this is serious!”

  The room brightened and warmed at the same time. She’s here. They stared at her simultaneously.

  She checked them both over. “You’re both all right.”

  Micah didn’t know how long she would stay. “Who are you?” he blurted.

  “Other than the girl of my dreams,” Trent added wistfully.

  The woman smiled. Her features were breathtaking. “I’m Sage, your guardian.”

  “Like guardian angel?” Micah asked.

  “Yes, something like that,” she replied.

  “Do I have a guardian like you?” Trent piped in.

  “Your guardian was there fighting too, Trent.”

  “What was that thing?” Micah asked.

  At the same time, Trent asked, “My guardian was there?”

  Sage looked first at Trent. “Your guardian fought bravely.” To Micah, she added, “That was a demon, one that shouldn’t have been able to touch you.” Her black eyes narrowed.

  “That’s what I thought,” Micah murmured.

  “Demon?” Trent croaked.

  Sage clasped her hands together, her long, white fingers intertwined. “There’s a line, a barrier between my world and yours. Tonight, it was breached. You need to know some places will be off limits to both of you now, unless we want a repeat of tonight. You’ll be protected while here. The Gennaros were selected long ago because they’re good people. Their home’s safe. Your school’s named after the martyred apostle, Stephen, and it’s on holy ground. Rome was chosen because much of the land’s holy, where it’s harder for demons to break through… usually. Do not wander in parks or forests, especially at night. You should plan on being home by sundown.”

  Trent’s eyes were wide as saucers. “Home by sundown?”

  Micah grunted. That’s the worse news he’s heard all night.

  Sage’s voice was soft, “I’m always with you, Micah, even when you can’t see me. Don’t be unduly concerned with the demons—I’ll stop them. You need to focus on your purpose as the Seer.”

  “What do I need to do?”

  “You’ll need to learn that for yourself. My visits with you are limited. Angels can’t appear whenever they want, we must be told to, but I needed to warn you. You both need to stay safe.”

  “What do I have to do with all this?” Trent asked, eyebrows shooting up.

  Sage’s gaze moved to Trent. “You’re very important to Micah’s mission. You’ll need to be there for him. You’re his Interpreter.”

  “Interpreter? You want me to help him with his Italian? It’s pretty bad, I admit, but I don’t know how that’ll be useful against demons from Hell,” he replied, half-jokingly.

  “An Interpreter’s much more than that. Remember the night you heard my voice?” Trent nodded. “That was me calling you. You’d been awakened but had yet to experience anything. You have a gift. You’ll be able to help Micah understand his visions, his dreams, and his thoughts. Without you, he’d go mad.”

  “You see, Micah, even this beautiful angel agrees with me. You’re a total nut job without me,” Trent chuckled.

  Only you could find humor in all this, Trent. Micah remembered the night at the museum and how Trent had easily deciphered his dreams’ meanings.

  “What do you mean, he has a gift?” Micah asked, determined to not waste any time with Sage.

  “Everyone has gifts. They’re spiritual gifts from the King. They’re to be used for good. Some gifts, like kindness and patience, come naturally. But some are a little more unique and special. They’re gifts from the Captain and he decides who gets them. These gifts need an Awakener.”

  “What’s an Awakener?”

  “I can’t tell you more, Micah. You need the journey of learning it on your own.”

  I really hate that answer. He decided on another question. “Were you on fire tonight?”

  “Say what?” Trent asked.

  Sage’s eyes widened.

  Micah continued, “I saw you on top of the car, on fire.”

  “You do see everything, don’t you?” She separated her fingers, letting her hands fall to her sides. “I’m Seraphim. We light on fire.”

  “Oh, well that explains it,” Trent muttered.

  Sage stared at Trent and then Micah. “You haven’t read Isaiah, have you.” It was a statement.

  They both glanced at each other, Micah feeling slightly guilty. “No.”

  “That’s a negatory,” Trent answered.

  She sighed. “Isaiah wrote about us. We are fiery beings that surround the King’s court. We usually don’t leave.” She paused.

  “So why did you?” Trent asked.

  Sage’s lips twisted to the side. “I wanted to be involved in the Captain’s plan. Be a part of it.” She gazed at Micah. “I wanted to be a guardian.”

  It was such a new concept to him, angels choosing to guard mortals. Micah stared back at her in awe. She chose me.

  Like she’d perceived his thoughts, she said, “The Captain chose me to guard you, Micah. It’s an honor for me.”

  “Who did he chose for me? Is she hot?” Trent asked, grinning.

  “Trent,” Micah warned.

  “Sorry, is she attractive?” Trent asked again. “Please, tell me she’s a redhead.”

  A musical, warm sound flowed from Sage, filling Micah with peace. She was laughing and he didn’t want it to end.

  Her face radiated. “Trent, you’ll be happy to know that your guardian does have red hair.”

  “When will she come to me at night?” he asked, looking like he might pass out at the thought.

  “Most guardians don’t make appearances, but maybe one day, you’ll see yours, Trent.” Her smile widened further.

  “I live for the day,” Trent sighed.

  A new thought occurred to Micah. “You said you don’t appear unless told to. I get why Trent and I saw you, but why Eden?”

  Trent stared at Micah.

  “Ah,” Sage said. “Now you’re on the right path.”

  “Path? What path?” Trent asked.

  So, Eden has a part in this too. “Wait, does she have a guardian like us?” Micah hoped she wasn’t in danger.

  Sage nodded, her eyes softening. “She’s in very good hands. Don’t worry, Micah.”

  “But she could be attacked too, right? Demons might want her too?” Micah persisted.

  Sage shook her head. “It’s difficult for demons to physically manifest themselves. It takes very old, dark magic.”

  “But one did tonight,” Micah reminded her.

  For a split second, Micah saw the panic in her eyes, and then it was gone. “I know and it wasn’t alone either. I’m going to discuss it with the guardian council.”

  “It spoke to me,” Micah murmured.

  In one fluid movement, Sage was r
ight before him. “What did it say exactly?”

  “Ah,” Micah stuttered, surprised by her sudden closeness. “You are mine, Seer. Semjaza’s praise and glory are mine. At least that’s what I remember.”

  Sage’s black eyes stared past them. Her lips turned down. Under her breath, she mumbled, “Old magic indeed.”

  “What does it mean? Who’s Semjaza?” Micah asked.

  She focused on him again. “I must leave. This must be taken to the council immediately. Study from the Book of Enoch, Micah. Read about the Watchers. You will find your answers there.”

  And she was gone.