4. Unexpected Visit

Lilith's POV

Right in the Celestial palace is a huge library that contained every kind of book you could think of. Books that told the tale of history, books that taught the art of magic, books that contained prayers to the Everlight and taught the holy ways and so many others.

The libos are the protectors of the library and its contents. I am hidden in a part of the library, quietly reading a book from the human world. I giggle like a child when alas, the protagonists kiss.

Since human books are strictly prohibited in the library, how did I manage to get my hands on one?

There are a set of angels called collectors. They are given the permission to go down to earth and collect things of value or interest to Celestial. One of the collectors is my charming friend, Zion, and he never comes back from his journey to earth without bringing me one of its amazing romantic books.

It is quite strange how humans love. They do not get marked...they just have what they call, "chemistry", meet up at a place, talk, commune in bed, go into courtship and if all goes well, they get married but if not, they suffer what they call, "heartbreak". It is a very strange practice but it is sweet, nevertheless.

I love reading about all the chemistries and heartbreaks.

I am deeply immersed in my book and do not notice someone walking towards me.

The person coughs and I am jolted out of my imagination back to reality. I slowly look up, thinking I have been caught but instead, a wide grin plasters itself on my face.

"Michael!" I shriek and get up from my seat to run into his arms.

Michael laughs as I hug him tightly, my giggles echoing in the hall.

Michael used to be my guard turned friend before he became a templar and rose to an archangel. He just became one of the top ranking archangels not too long ago.

We have not seen each other in years and I realise how much I have missed his presence.

"Be quiet now, you know the libos do not take likely to noise." He whispers in my ears while hugging me back.

"What are you doing here?! It has been ages!" I say excitedly, looking back to see his beautiful face. Michael has the greenest eyes I have ever seen, it reminds me so much of the emerald orb of magic.

"At this point, we will have to leave the library...sorry, Fergus!" Michael waves to a libo who is glaring at us.

I giggle softly as Michael leads the way while I follow behind. We walk down the long hallway with no particular destination in mind.

"You still have not answered my question...what are you doing here?!"

"What if I said I came to see you?" He asks with a small smile.

"I would say you are lying. An archangel never leaves the borders." I say with confidence.

Archangels are the only angels granted six wings by the Everlight. When a templar becomes an archangel, they are sent away from Celestial to the borders between realms. They guard and protect all the realms from any evil that threatens the balance between worlds.

Their six wings make them very formidable and ardent warriors. The extra two wings can become a dangerous weapon if an archangel wills it to be - bottom line, they are not to be messed with.

"I am not entirely untruthful. I did come here by myself because I missed you if not, I could have sent one of the other lower archangels instead."

"True. What would you have sent an archangel here for then?"

"Still curious as ever, are you not?" He smirks.

"You bet." I tell him with a smile as we keep walking down the hallway.

"A wraith escaped the border..." He starts but I interrupt him before he has a chance to continue.

"A wraith?!" I exclaim loudly and many eyes turn to look at us. I realise my mistake and lower my voice, "A wraith?" I ask again.

"Yes, a wraith. One has not been seen since Satan was imprisoned in the orb of doom. Wraiths are nasty and dangerous creatures but they never act without a purpose."

"What are you saying, Michael?"

"This wraith appeared out of nowhere for a reason which is why I came to warn the queen and the other royals to be very alert in case of any suspicious activity."

I mull over at his words. Wraiths are dangerous creatures that can shapeshift into anything or anyone of their choice, disappear into mists and release loud pitches of sound that can rip an angel apart. It is too dangerous to have a wraith just flying around.

"What did mother say about it?" I ask the next question that comes to mind.

"That's for you to speak with your mother about...now away from wraiths, how have you been?"

We stop in front of a courtyard.

"I am still wingless as you can see." I tell him bluntly.

"I did not ask about your wings, Lilith. I asked about you." He scolds.

I sigh while crossing my hands on my chest, "I have been trying to learn how to be Celeste...that is all I do, Michael."

"And all I do is defend and protect the realms." He adds.

I chuckle in response as he continues, "We each have our responsibilities to carry out, Lilith. Being Celeste should not weigh you down, you were born for it."

"I wish. If I was born for it, then tell me why do I not have my wings?"

"You are a unique angel...you will be Celeste, I just know it."

I smile softly at him, "It is amazing how you have always believed in me, Michael."

"You are worth believing in, Lilith...you are." Michael says and his eyes hold so much truth that I have no need to doubt his words.

"How long are you staying?"

"I will be leaving on the morrow. I need to go back to the border and join the investigation so we know where the wraith came from...the templars will alert us in case of any problems they cannot handle."

Just as he says so, a messenger comes running down to the courtyard. He looks to be in a hurry.

When he stops in front of us, his wings shimmer with urgency.

"Speak." I order him.

"May the light continue to shine on you, princess. The queen demands your immediate presence, archangel Michael and you too, princess."