Sariel raised her head to look at the top of the metal gate blocking her way—rusted spikes jutted out in all directions. On the other side of the gate, there was a mansion surrounded by an endless field of green grass. Trees in the distance obscured her view of the rest of the wall encompassing the area. She placed her palm on the gate and pushed, causing the metal to groan as it swung open. The road leading to the mansion was made of red metal bricks. Sariel could feel the heat coming off of them through the soles of her cloth sandals.

The door to the mansion swung open, and an angel wearing a suit and tie hurried outside. He froze in place with wide eyes when he saw Sariel. “Lady Sariel,” the angel said after a moment. He dipped his head down, not willing to look the approaching angel in the eyes.

“I am here to see Lord Caelum,” Sariel said.

“Yes, right away,” the angel said and held the door open and gestured for Sariel to enter first. The sounds of a piano could be heard coming from within the building. Sariel nodded at the angel before stepping inside, taking off her shoes and placing them in a corner. The butler led her to a room with a plush couch. The piano was situated in the same room, and an angel that looked like Raea was playing it. The angel stopped when she heard Sariel come in and turned around to greet the guest while the butler left the room.

“Lady Sariel,” the angel said and stood up, performing a curtsy with her robe.

“You are Nina?” Sariel asked, as she appraised the angel standing in front of her.

“I am Ariel,” the angel said. “Nina left the capital many years ago.”

Sariel nodded. “Forgive me, I was mistaken,” she said. “It is quite unfortunate to turn old—it ruins one’s memories. Are you still a greater angel? If I recall correctly, you were one of the youngest greater angels in history.”

Ariel smiled. “I am,” she said. “I turn eighteen this year. Perhaps I will become an archangel within the next two years.”

A faint smile appeared on Sariel’s lips. “Very good,” she said. “If that happens, I may ask for you to serve on the council. Are you willing?”

Ariel’s eyes lit up. “Of course, Lady Sariel,” she said and bowed her head. “It would be my honor.” Footsteps approached the room, causing Ariel to raise her head. Moments later, a man and woman walked inside of the room.

“Lord Caelum, Lady Caelum,” Sariel said to the two newcomers. Their attires were hastily cobbled together, and their hairstyles were a mess, but she didn’t seem to mind. The two returned the greeting while Ariel retreated and closed the door as she left. She could tell from her parents’ gaze that she wasn’t welcome. Sariel watched the door close. “A good seedling,” she said as Ariel’s footsteps could be heard leaving the vicinity.

“Thank you for the praise,” Raea’s father said. He fidgeted in his seat across from Sariel. He rubbed his stubbled chin. “Would you like something to drink?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Sariel said with a faint smile. “There is no need to be so nervous. None of your people in the capital have fallen.” Raea’s father exhaled and leaned back into the couch.

“In the capital?” Raea’s mother asked. Her brow furrowed as she smoothed out her tangled hair. Wrinkles could be seen in the corner of her eyes. “Then outside of the capital?” she asked as her husband’s face darkened.

“General Michael sent us a disturbing report,” Sariel said as she folded her hands and rested them in her lap. The two parents held their breaths. “Your eldest son has abandoned his duties as a general and deserted the army to accompany his sister, your youngest child.” She gazed into Raea’s mother’s eyes before continuing. “General Michael also suspects your youngest child has become an archangel,” Sariel said and paused as the couple exchanged glances, “of wrath.”

Raea’s mother gasped. “Is it possible the report may be inaccurate?” she asked and clasped her hands together. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. “If I had known this would happen, I would never have begged for your leniency when you wished to execute her.” Her head lowered as she bowed to Sariel.

“Raise your head,” Sariel said and turned her gaze towards Raea’s father. The expression on his face could make babies cry. “Of course this report may be inaccurate. It is likely your eldest son was coerced to desert the army by your daughter if she has truly fallen,” she said. “If it were any other family, the council would have personally dealt with this, but given your track record, I will give you two a chance to ascertain the truth for yourselves.”

“Where are they?” Raea’s father asked.

“They were last seen in the western parts of the third sector,” Sariel said. “A previous report said your daughter slew an archdemon. I advise you two to be careful.”

“I don’t believe Raea would try to harm us,” Raea’s father said.

“You did not believe she could poison your eldest son either,” Sariel said. “But she did. She is no longer the same person as before.” The parents exchanged another glance, and Sariel stood up. “That is all I needed to tell you. There is no need to see me out.” She nodded at the two before opening the door and walking down the hallway towards the exit. The two parents remained silent until the front door closed.

“What do we do?” Raea’s mother asked.

“I don’t believe Elrith would desert the army given his personality,” Raea’s father said. “We will go to the third sector and try to track our children down.”

“I meant what do we do if the report is true? If Raea truly has fallen?”

“She already disgraced our family once. There is no such thing as a third chance,” Raea’s father said and sighed. “We did our best to teach her, but evidently that wasn’t enough. As parents, it is our duty to take responsibility for our children’s actions. That includes punishing them when they have gone astray.”

Raea’s mother pursed her lips. “Yes,” she said after a while. “You’re right. It’s better if we do it ourselves.” Her hands clenched into fists as she stood up. “I never thought this would ever happen to us. I heard the eldest daughter of the Ingel family fell as well, and Lord Ingel personally carried out her punishment.”

“We were just unlucky,” Raea’s father said and placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “We should be thankful the rest of our children didn’t end up the same way. It’s a pity about Selena and Raea, but the Creator always has reasons for the things that happen.”