I stared at the angel that stared back at me. Her eyes were like molten gold, trapped in a lava lamp. Clumps of color moved and I was enthralled.

Her lips moved, but I could not hear anything. Her eyes softened as she stared down at me, and she glided over.

Like a fish, she swam through the air. She smiled as she touched her forehead to mine.

I could feel her absorb my heat as the cool feeling of her skin touched my clammy one.

{Hello Kevin, I am %&$#*$^@} she introduced herself as a melodic voice filled my head. Her name didn't even make sense to me. I wasn't going to ask about it though.

“Hello miss angel,” I voiced back. It sounded so raw. Hoarse. Like sandpaper across the skin.

{You seemed to have used the wrong incantation} she answered as she opened her eyes and stared into mine. I teared up at intensity, but she gently used her hands to hold my cheeks.

I could move as my body, enraptured by her gave up on obeying me. Her scent of fresh air, her gentle warmth, her soft laughter. They filled my senses and I lost my will to do anything but stay still.

{What is it that you desire so? To invoke a ritual of ethereal contracts?} she asked as a book floated over to her. It floated in the air and she read the passage that I had used to try to summon a Deamon of War.

“I wanted… I wanted… world-ruling,” I mumbled as I struggled to answer her. To focus away from staying still. Staying in her hands.

{Deamons are of destruction and suffering. If you wanted to rule then Angels are what you need!} she whispered to me as she lifted her face away.

I gawked. I tried to move forward, but her hands, soft as silk and yet unyielding as steel held me back.

{Oh Kevin, the Lord has not forsaken you! I am here to grant you your wish!} she chirped as her wings unfurled around us. The feathers immediately warmed by the body, allowing me to float in her embrace.

Light-filled my world, and I felt her soft lips kiss my forehead.

—

I blinked as I woke up.

I stared at the cleanroom I had painstakingly set up. Skulls of humans and animals. Blood is drawn in runic circles. Human wax I had painfully obtained through a gypsy caravan in Romania… all gone.

I stared at my feet as a glint of light caught my eye.

On top of the Book of Blood, sat a glowing feather. It floated and pulsated with soft light.

I touched it, and it immediately struck me.

I felt a blistering pain of heat and pain. I trembled as my body locked.

Something was happening.

My mind went numb, and then my body collapsed.

I took in deep breaths as sweat permeated my body. Everything was damp as my clothes took in the excess moister.

Yet… I could feel it. Myself. I was here.

I stood up, bolstered by myself. It was odd, but I could feel her final whispers. A command that would allow me to achieve my dreams.

{Embrace, and believe. Unity through devotion}

I held the book to my chest and I walked out of the abandoned building. An old warehouse I had walked into and began the painful set up for the ritual.

I finally found something better than ruling the world.

I had found my calling.

I had found a purpose.

—

I smiled as I stirred the soup.

The smell of fresh, warm vegetable soup was wonderful, and my smile widened as I began to ladle a cupful into the thin man’s Styrofoam bowl. He mumbled thanks, and another took his place.

Beside me was brother James as he also handed out small buns of fresh bread.

Beside him was sister Jenna, who was handing the bowls.

Beside her, was sister Mila, who was preaching our church. The Church of Unitology. All of humanity, and human is all of us. Never alone, and never forsaken.

Other brothers and sisters were playing an orchestra. Some sang other played instruments. These unfortunate people simply sat, ate, and enjoyed.

We had a low chance of conversion, but we did not mind. We had a lifetime to bring about change. We were already in many towns and cities.

I felt them, my brother and sisters. In my soul, I could feel us.

The laughter of the young. The passion of the adults. The insight of the old.

My happiness was their joy. Their sadness was my sorrow.

Yet we were not alone.

Now and forever.