The abbess stood waiting behind her desk as Jacob stepped through the doorway. She was gazing through a small, darkened window, her hands folded in front of her. She was tall and rigid and wore the traditional habit. The room was only small, mostly bare and dimly lit. Books lined several shelves on the opposite wall. Her desk was large but simple with an accompanying small and simple chair. Two chairs for visitors sat in front of it.

Jacob's eyes briefly locked onto a painting depicting an angel guiding a girl safely across a dangerous bridge. 'Mother Abbess,' he said.

The abbess took a breath, then turned with a polite smile. Jacob pulled off his hood, and her lips trembled at the sight of his bright face. 'Welcome to our abbey.' She gestured at one of the chairs. 'You must be tired. Please, take a seat.'

'Angels don't get tired but thank you.'

Her smile continued to tremble but she held it bravely as he sat. She was an older woman with lines around her eyes and mouth—kindly lines, Jacob could tell. Though her smile was strained, it was not out of anger or frustration. Not even fear. It was simple—she was worried. Worried for her nuns. Worried for Jacob and the other angels. Worried for the Earth. All worthy concerns of a strong woman who was able to take surprises in her stride.

She was stronger than Father Alexander. Purer than Father Bartholomew. They'd made a good choice on the abbey.

'I am sorry for the sudden intrusion but it had to be done,' he said.

'I know I should not ask questions. I know I should trust you, to trust God ...' She gripped the back of the chair. Like her lips, her hands were trembling.

'I'd rather not tell you why we're here.'

'Is there danger?'

'Not if our presence remains secret.'

The abbess looked down at her desk. 'I hear whispers. Even out here, I hear whispers of a girl in trouble. In so much trouble she has drawn the eyes of The Beast himself.' Her face turned pale as she raised her eyes to his.

Jacob bowed his head.

She sucked in a breath. 'Will he come here?'

'No. You have God on your side. There is no greater protector.'

The abbess tightened her mouth. 'I admit we are not ready for such a task.'

'There is nothing you need do except provide her comforts and keep her secret safe.'

'I trust my nuns. Their hearts are pure.'

Jacob nodded. 'I believe so too.'

'How long do you plan to stay?'

'As long as we are able before the shadows start to creep. Have no fear, abbess,' Jacob said quickly at the flash of fear in her eyes. 'We will be long gone before any harm comes to your abbey.'

The abbess looked towards the same painting Jacob had glanced at. 'I consider myself a devout woman. But this ...' She took a breath. 'This is much ... more than I ever thought possible. Your presence here has exposed the true depth of my doubts. I must beg your forgiveness. As I must beg God's forgiveness.'

'There is no sin in questioning the truth.'

'I should have believed the moment your companions stepped up to my door, A-Angel.'

'Call me Jacob.'

She shook her head. Her eyes shone as they filled with tears. Clasping her hands together, she bowed her head. Jacob stood. The old abbess jerked her head up as he laid his hand upon her shoulder. Her eyes were wide.

'God knows your heart,' Jacob said. 'He knows your faith, just as I know it. I have nothing to forgive. And you have nothing to repent. He gladly calls you His daughter.'

The tears were pouring down her cheeks now.

With a frown, Jacob released her, turning his attention towards the doorway. It was Catherine. She was worried. Come quick, resounded in his heart.

'I must go. I am needed,' Jacob said. 'Thank you, abbess. I'll speak to you again.'

He hurried down the hall back into the nave, then down a second hall leading to Kaitlyn's room. Her cries were echoing against the stone walls. On either side of the hall were doors. Several were open as young nuns listened, fearful and curious. When they saw Jacob, their doors clicked shut.

The young nun, Grace, was standing by Kaitlyn's room, ashen-faced and wide-eyed. She'd changed out of her habit and into a long nightie. She was wearing a sleeping cap. Her long red hair tumbled down her back. Her eyes widened further at the sight of him.

'Go to your room,' he told her.

She hurried away. Once he was sure she was gone, Jacob entered Kaitlyn's room, closing the door behind him.

Catherine was standing beside Kaitlyn's bed, her eyes creased with worry, her brow deeply furrowed. 'I can't wake her up. He has her too firmly in his grip.'

'Let go!' Kaitlyn shrieked, arching her neck. She was gripping the sheets so hard that all the tendons stood out in her hands. Her veins bulged. Her blankets were spilling onto the floor. She'd tossed her pillow across the room. He saw that she was wearing the same nightie Grace had been wearing; it was rolled up past her hips, exposing her long legs and underwear. Rolling onto her side, she bit into the mattress with a moan.

'Go,' he told Catherine. 'I'll take care of her.'

Catherine nodded and left, closing the door behind her. Kneeling down beside her cot, Jacob took her shoulder. 'Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn.'

Rolling back with another moan, she reached down into her underwear. Jacob pulled her hand out. His eyes widened at the sight of blood on her fingertips. Then she started to twitch. She started to shudder.

Quickly, he climbed into the cot with her. Gently, he pulled her into his lap. Sitting up with his back against the wall, he held her close as she shook and writhed. There was nothing he could do but wait until Satan had finished with her. It was hard. Every cry, every jerk, every moan, was like a stab in his chest. Jacob was supposed to protect her, and yet when she really needed him he was powerless.

What kind of guardian was he?

'I'm sorry,' he said.

Jacob pressed his forehead to hers as she cried out again. Her eyes were shut tight. Her face was screwed up. She was clawing at him desperately, helplessly, digging her fingers into the muscles of his shoulders. Her teeth were gritted. Her body was so tense he felt like he was holding a log. Then he smelled it—the smoke. The sulphur. It was in her hair. It was on her skin. It descended upon the room like a cloud. Satan and his dominion were only a dream away, so close Jacob could feel his presence.

Jacob tensed as all the old emotions came flooding back. The rage. The betrayal. The vengeance. It clutched at his heart in a cold, dead fist. It enveloped him in a thick, toxic shroud that threatened to extinguish his light.

He wanted to run. Every cell in his body screamed that he needed to get away. But he only held onto Kaitlyn more tightly, brushing the hair out of her face. She was pale. She was sweating. But the dream wasn't going to last forever. Steadily the room began to brighten with dawn's grey light. He glanced through the window into the courtyard beyond. There were trees, flowers.

Life.

He tightened his embrace as she shuddered again. Throwing back her head, she cried out.

'Kaitlyn.' He gripped her face. Her dark hair tumbled over his arm. Tears beaded her lashes. They were warm and sticky as they trickled around his wrist. 'Hold on, Kaitlyn. It'll be over soon.'

She was so innocent. So young. She shouldn't be going through this. Satan was a power beyond human concept. How could she be expected to fight him? It was wrong. It wasn't fair.

'Come on, Kaitlyn, wake up.' He brushed his fingers down the side of her face. Her cheeks were wet. Her lips were parted as she gasped for breath. She gave another hard jerk and suddenly her eyes snapped open. She blinked as she tried to focus on him. For a moment she was quiet.

'Kaitlyn?'

Her mouth opened wide and she screamed. Delirious, panicked, her tear-filled eyes rolling in her head, she fought him, scratching her nails down his face, pummelling his chest with her fists. He felt none of it. Though he felt her pain. He felt her pain like an ache in the pit of his stomach.

'Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn!' But she would not listen, still screaming and thrashing in his arms. She was crying too, choking on her tears. In her rolling dark eyes he saw the despair, the hopelessness.

A muscle in his chest wrenched. Firmly, he grabbed her head. 'No, Kaitlyn. No. Don't let him win. Don't let him steal your light away.' Like he did mine.

But she would not look at him as she choked and cried and writhed. 'Make him stop!' she screamed. 'Make him STOP!'

There was nothing else for it. Holding her tight, he pressed his face into her neck as he let himself go, allowing the warmth, the love, the light of God's goodness to flood his system, to flood her system. White light steadily brightened the room, subsuming dawn's faint glow. Jacob felt the familiar itch at his back as his wings began to unravel. The light became blinding. The warmth made him feel hot. The power of God's love filled his chest to the point where he thought he might burst.

In his arms, Kaitlyn stilled. Her eyes were shut, her face had softened and she no longer screamed. And she was gripping onto him differently. The desperation was gone. The horror. The despair. Now, she was holding onto him like she would a father—or a lover.

Slowly, Jacob's wings folded into his back. Dawn's crisp coolness replaced the warmth. The love that had buoyed him up dispersed evenly through his body. The bright light dimmed into the grey gloom of early morning.

Kaitlyn's eyes were wide, watching him, as she lay calm and motionless in his arms. Jacob gazed back. The room was quiet. Outside in the hall, he could hear nothing. Catherine was at the door, keeping guard, sending any curious or worried nuns away. David was wandering the halls. Samuel and Zeke were patrolling the grounds.

He felt them all. As Jacob gazed back into Kaitlyn's eyes, he suddenly wished he could feel her the same way.

She gave a quivering smile and Jacob smiled back. Gently, he eased her out of his lap. She took a shuddering breath, then winced, gripping her belly. Again, Jacob saw the blood on her fingers.

'Kaitlyn,' he said. 'Let me help you.'

Gently, he eased her hands away. She grabbed his wrist with a gasp when he attempted to reach between her legs. She was shaking.

'I only want to heal you,' he said.

She didn't move, her eyes filled with fear.

'I can get Catherine,' he said.

She released his hand. 'No. I-I trust you.' She gave a weak smile.

Her nightie was already up by her hips as he laid one hand on the warm, soft skin of her abdomen and eased his other hand into her underwear. She stiffened but didn't stop him, her eyes locked onto his face. He could feel the soft wet opening of her labia.

'You okay?'

'Yes,' she gasped.

Carefully, he eased his finger inside her. She was warm and soft. Kaitlyn winced and sucked in a startled breath but didn't stop him, her hands fisted in the sheets.

Jacob didn't delay, allowing his power to heal the abrasion. But it was hard. It was hard to utilise the power of God's love when he swelled with such anger. It tightened his belly. It made him grit his teeth. It was startling and concerning. It had been a long time since he'd felt something so strong.

Kaitlyn relaxed as he eased out his finger.

'Th-thank you,' Kaitlyn said, looking away. Her face was so red it looked like she was sunburned.

His mouth thin, Jacob nodded. 'I only wish—' He fisted his hands on his knees '—I only wish I had the power to stop him.'

Kaitlyn lifted her eyes to his. He suddenly noticed the welt on her neck. He turned away. It was too much.

Quickly, he climbed out of bed. 'I must leave you for a moment,' he said without looking at her, unable to look at her, lest he lose control of his bubbling rage. 'There is no need for you to get up. Stay here and recover. Catherine is at your door if you need anything.'

Before she could speak, he threw open the door and left.

Jacob avoided Catherine's eyes but he felt them on his back as he marched down the hall. He could feel all the angels' eyes on him, from near and afar. He marched through the nave. Two nuns watched him fearfully as he shoved through the front doors.

Gravel crunched beneath his boots, followed by grass as he walked out into the surrounding field. Once he was far enough away, he stopped and dropped to his knees. He felt the warmth of the morning sun on his back. He felt the softness of the ground beneath his knees. He smelled the freshness of the air. All God's miraculous creations. He took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself. He looked down at his hands—they were trembling. He gazed at Kaitlyn's blood on his finger, then clasped his hands together and bowed his head.

He felt his brother angels' concern.

Leave me be, he told them.

But they would not listen.

Ezekiel joined him first. Followed by Samuel, then David. Catherine remained standing outside Kaitlyn's door, in case the girl needed her.

Jacob raised his face to them all. They were gathered around him, watching with their bright eyes.

'Do you see now?' Jacob said. 'Do you see now why I must do it?'

'Is this really about her or about you?' David said.

'We see your heart as well as your mind,' Samuel continued. 'No matter your own needs, you will not stop Satan from seducing her.'

'This is not about my needs,' Jacob snapped as the anger swelled inside him again. 'It's about hers.'

The angels didn't respond

Jacob sighed. 'Yes, I have feelings for her, but they are not what this is about.' He dropped his head. 'I told you I was vulnerable. I still don't understand why God chose me as one of his five. Except, if he meant for me to do this.'

'God would not want this. To touch one of His children is a sin,' Ezekiel said.

'Then why do I have His blessing?'

The dawn sun beat hotly against Jacob's back. He could hear a sheep bleating. A bird flew overhead. He could sense his brothers' uncertainty as vividly as he could feel his own.

'It will work,' Jacob said. 'It may not stop him completely, but it should limit his control over her. It will give her more will to fight. Besides, we have to do something. Things are getting worse.'

He showed them his bloodied finger. They all looked at each other. Jacob felt the agitated stirring of their invisible wings.

'It cannot be,' Samuel said.

'His power cannot be that great,' David said.

'It is,' Jacob said. 'I sensed his presence.'

'But to reach between dimensions!' Ezekiel exclaimed. His amber eyes flashed. 'How can we fight against that?'

Jacob stared at them all. 'Exactly.' Feeling more resolved than ever, he stood.

'Are you really willing to make the sacrifice, Jacob?' David said, his violet eyes boring into his.

'If it means saving her. If it means saving all mankind. Isn't that our task, after all?' And yet, even as he said it, Jacob felt something sink inside him. A heavy weight seemed to press down on his shoulders. It had taken him a long time to reclaim God's light. To lose it again ...

Jacob shook his head. This is not the same.

He looked at them all. 'This is not the same. This is not the same as the last time.'

'No. It is not,' David agreed.

'If it is what God wants ...' Ezekiel said, though uncertainly.

Jacob nodded. And yet, how much of it was because he wanted it? He tried to shutter his heart but his angel brothers could feel everything. They knew everything.

But said nothing.