Chapter Eight

Theo knew who they were. It was like his subconscious was familiar with these creatures. He looked at his sisters and saw recognition on at least Alex's face. Nes was as unreadable as always. 

"You are angels?" Alex asked. 

"That makes things easier," the boy named Rezef said. 

"Come with us. We cannot chat standing up," the blonde girl said. She was beautiful, Theo noticed, with big golden eyes and a round face. She had a softness about her features, although Theo thought she was not so soft in personality. 

The three of them led them to another room. There was a set of grand-looking couches. The three of them sat down without any protest. It was surprising to Theo how none of them questioned anything, simply did what they were told. Even Nes did not say anything. It was like they all knew what they would be told and knew it was the truth, not an illusion. 

"Let's start by getting to know each other," the girl said. "I'm Daisy. You already know Rezef. And this is Ruman."

"What happened to Jin?" Nes asked. "Where is he?"

"We have not brought him here," Ruman said, keeping his eyes fixed on Nes in a way that it made Theo uncomfortable. 

"Then where is he?" Alex asked. There was a quiver in her voice that did not go unnoticed by anyone. 

"Your friend was taken by the demons," Rezef said. 

Theo did not find it funny or could not call it bullshit. Oddly enough, it made sense to him. 

"This won't do," Ruman said. "Let me explain from the beginning."

Ruman was talking to all of them, but he kept his eyes on Nes as if it were only her and him in the room. "We are angels. We protect humans and guard them."

"Guardian angels," Alex said. 

"Guardian angels are one type of angels. There are many types. Some give life, some beautify nature, some help animals and some help humans. And then, there are demons, who take life, and cause destruction. Demons are not necessarily our enemy, although yes, no angel likes them and they do not like us. Angels and demons maintain balance in the world, like good and bad. Only good cannot exist. We give humans pure advice, while demons manipulate them. Then, it is up to humans to decide what to choose."

Alex started to say something, but Ruman held his hand up, silencing her. 

"Your mother was an angel. She had you three with your father who was an angel, but never accepted it. Ultimately, he never trained to become an angel and remained among humans."

"We are angels?" Nes asked. She sounded amused. For a moment, Theo thought she would burst out laughing. 

"You are angels. All three of you. But just because you are born of angel parents do not make you real angels. You need to go through proper training," Rezef said. 

"There got to be a mistake," Nes murmured. 

"There is no mistake," Ruman said. Theo was surprised he heard Nes. 

"Is it up to us if we want to be angels or not? I mean, at least, trained ones," Alex asked. 

"Of course," Ruman said. "However, if you want to protect your friend, you need to be trained angels. Only then, you can hope to save him."

"Why did the demons take him anyway?" Nes asked. "It's not like he has done something."

"We don't know that," Daisy said. "Mistress Casta wanted you three here. That's why Rezef went to get you."

"I detected demons' energy there and knew something happened."

"So you don't know for certain that Jin was taken by demons?" Nes asked. "You didn't see anything, did you? You only guessed?"

"I have been following all four of you for quite a while. Yes, I assumed, but that is exactly what happened, I know," Rezef said defensively. Theo figured Rezef was a person who did not like to be told he was wrong. 

It felt so human, yet they called themselves angels. 

"I want to go back." Nes stood up. "I want to check on Jin."

"You cannot leave. You need to meet-" Before Rezef could finish, Nes threw a heel at him. First of all, Nes did not wear heels. It meant it belonged to Alex. Alex was horrified. She had no time to react even when Nes bent down to take it off her foot. "Take me back." Nes articulated each word. "Now."

"Nes, calm down," Alex pleaded, taking Nes's hand in hers. 

Nes shook her hand off. "I said take me back."

"Are you certain she is an angel?" Daisy murmured. 

Theo did not stop Nes. He wanted to stop her, but he knew there was no point. There was never anyone who could stop Nes. 

"Yes, she is," said a voice behind us. 

Theo turned and saw a woman who might be twenty-five at most. She looked like someone he knew very well. 

"Aunt?" Alex muttered. "What are you doing here?"

"Aunt?" Daisy repeated, confused. "That's Mistress Casta."

"And that's our aunt," Theo said. 

"Hello, children. Welcome home," Casta said with a wide smile. 

Theo was flabbergasted. The whole matter about angels and demons was easier to accept than their aunt to be here. 

"Oh? You are an angel?" Nes asked with so much venom in her voice that it was like she spat at her.

"I am," Casta said patiently. "Now, children, if you come with me, I can explain everything to you."

"First, someone brings us here and tells that he will tell us everything. But we still don't know anything for sure about Jin," Alex said. "Now you tell us to come with you."

"I am not lying to you, Alexandra," Casta said. 

"My name is Alex," Alex said. 

"Ah, yes, Alex."

Casta led them to another room which took them approximately three minutes. This room had a round table with nothing on it. 

"Sit down, children."

"Fuck sitting down! I swear Casta, if this is any-" Nes barked. 

Casta put her hand up. Nes looked like she would slap it away. "You don't lose your temper like this, Nes dear. Is that boy so important to you?"

"Of course he is! And you better tell me where he is and if he is okay. If something happens to him, you can bet I will tear you down."

Nes never liked their aunt. She always said Casta's Buddha-style manner pissed her off. She also never called her 'aunt' like Theo and Alex did. 

"Calm down, Nes. This manner does not suit an angel," Casta said calmly. 

"Well, then maybe you made a mistake, Casta. I'm no damn angel, if that wasn't clear."

"You made mistakes in the humans' world. I am trying to convince the Base that it was all just a mistake," Casta said. 

Nes paled a little, but recovered quickly. "Then don't bother trying. If they want to punish me for what I did, they can since I did not do anything like a mistake. I don't do mistakes, Casta. Those were my choice."

"That is not so, Nes. You are the daughter of angels. You cannot do such heinous things," Casta said.

"What heinous things? What did Nes do?" Alex asked. 

Theo wanted to tell them all to shut up. His head was spinning and he wanted to go somewhere quiet. 

"You don't need to know that," Casta said. "Now, Nes, I want to have a word with you alone, since you are not fit for a group discussion. Alex, Theo, I will talk to you to later. Daisy will show you to your rooms."