"There is a moment, in time, a particular instance, where, if one makes the wrong choice, their entire life can shift course. That is this moment, right now, for you."

Lana cleared her throat. This was going to keep happening, she assumed. She'd be kidnapped, tortured, and Meir would inevitably find her be burned by holy water and then he would kill whoever took her.

A trend. She could do with a trend, if for nothing but consistency.

Here stood an Angel, flouting ideals she didn't exactly subscribe to, but that she couldn't really deny.

"And I'm guessing the wrong choice is him? Right?"

The Angel smiled. "Yes, Lana. Do you think he was imprisoned to the darkness for eternity for a simple mistake. He is...not even at his full potential. And look what he's done,"

"He's killed more than were meant to die. He's abandoned the laws of the natural. Messing with what it is right. Bringing back your child, without a contract. Making a half reaper—an abomination of a corpse. A child not even full term. Do you...understand the repercussions of what he's done?"

Lana stared into the distance. He wasn't wrong. Meir was an issue. He probably always had been and isolation made him worse. If there was an end of the world, it would look like Meir.

Still...

The Angel sighed. "It's human of you, to care about him, Lana. It's why we keep coming to you. Entreating you, to do the right thing."

The Angel put his hands behind his back, his hair swaying in the breeze as he looked out at the sunset.

"The reason you keep asking me, is because we both know he'll kill you, if you show your face to him."

The Angel looked over his shoulder. "And that's another thing. Each Angel was carefully created for a specific purpose and we aren't supposed to die. Yet what does he do,"

The Angel clenched his jaw. "It's wrong, Lana. Surely you see that?"

Lana shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's not my place, is it to judge right and wrong? I'm only human after all."

The Angel turned around, narrowing his eyes. "At some point, we will receive orders to stop asking. What do you think will happen to you...just human, Lana?"

Lana leaned back. She'd lived well. Her baby was alive and in Meir's care. Did it really matter? She looked away. She couldn't move. She always carried her scythe, the one he gave her.

"Why do you keep looking out there," she asked trying to wiggle her hands.

"Unfortunately I have to keep an eye for the man in the sky."

"Isn't he on your side?"

The Angel gave her a backward glance. "I think you know who mean."

Lana chuckled. "Well...he wouldn't be coming in the air. He would crawling out of hell, more his style. It'll probably just be me today."

The Angel glanced back once more. "Oh?"

"Lily has colic. He can't put her down—"

"Please stop crying we have discussed this, I am...disappointed in this behavior,"

Lana looked down before grinning.

"And yes I know your tummy hurts but there is nothing I can do about it!"

"Can she be here?" She asked gently.

Meir smiled. "Just don't look. I have her covered up. She can see you, Lana. I'm sorry, I...I'm late."

Lana shrugged. "It's fine. She has colic. Nothing to do."

"Well, someone could've stayed with a clone," he stated pointedly at the swaddled baby in his back, strapped in a holder.

"I don't want to hear it missy you know how much I don't like your crying, and I think you're weaponizing it, which...I'm proud of—but not against me."

The Angel cleared his throat, raising his brows. "Should you...really be taking an infant to a life or death battle."

Meir adjusted her with a frown. "Of course not. I would never take her to a life or death battle. But I'll be fine, it's you who's going to die."

Meir shifted Lily on his back.

The Angel sighed. "I'm not going to do this with the child. I'll deal with you later, Apocalypse."

Meir sighed. "I really don't go by that anymore."

"I was actually talking to the child. But...either or it's an apt description. Till later, Miss Lana."

Meir narrowed his eyes. "That sounds like a threat, Micheal. I don't enjoy being threatened. Especially not by the likes of you."

Micheal smirked. "The likes of me? Hm...it's good you recognize I'm superior. You always had trouble with that, Apocalypse."

"I told you I don't—"

Micheal disappeared. Meir didn't go after him.

"She shouldn't be around you this long," he apologized. "I'm sorry you keep getting...mixed up in this. I can wipe your mind. No one will come after you, if you don't know me."

Lana looked up at him with a smile. He rubbed the back of his neck, shifting Lily once more.

"She's tired, and fussy. I'm going to take her home."

Meir glanced back. "This is just a supernatural realm. When I leave, it'll close, since...you're only human.You'll wake up at home."

He kissed her softly, resting his forehead against hers.

Lana's hand reached out. Meir caught it.

"You can't," he whispered.

"I touch you all the time." She protested. "Let me...please?"

Meir weakened. He always did. He couldn't help it.

"Not yet. Lana..."

Meir sighed. "Every day, with every soul I take I gain power. Soon I may be powerful enough to make a contract with you. But you know the conditions."

Lana glanced away. "You already have my heart, Meir."

Meir looked away. "Think very carefully Lana."