Chapter 2

All I could think was 'Oh Shit!'

"Yes, young one 'oh shit', I believe, sums it up rather well."

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

"Ah, you see, even without knowing it you have tapped accidentally into your powers. A moment ago you projected your thought to all of us. I believe there isn't an angel around who didn't hear your 'oh shit' statement."

I was dumbstruck. I had been using my powers.

I was going to reply when something tugged at my gut and I felt complete despair and what was worse I didn't know why. Azrael saw the change in my demeanor. He seemed puzzled as a feeling of deep sorrow my eyes teary. Then something clicked for him.

"Goodness, you're an empath!"

"Huh?"

"You can feel other people's emotions. Actually that explains a lot."

He became silent and appeared to be deep in thought. There was a knock at the door. I didn't bother paying attention, the feelings I got were keeping my mind occupied. An angel walked into the room.

"Jake, Rose will take you back home and she will be your keeper. A keeper is an angel who guides an angel in training. For this reason she will be around you as much as possible to ensure your safety."

He placed a necklace around my neck and I had this funny feeling. All the emotions that I felt in my mind slowly faded into the background where they remained.

"That is a necklace of serenity. The necklace will help you suppress all emotions that overtake you so that you can focus on your training without being distracted."

.

Thank you... umm... I..." I didn't know how to say that I didn't want this. I didn't want to be a hero. All I wanted was to be with my brother. My brother... Then I realized there was a difference now when I thought of my brother. That overwhelming sorrow was gone. I still missed him sorely but the death wish was gone over-riding wish to die was gone. At least it had become less urgent - much, much less.

Azrael looked at me with a smile on his face. "I know what you want to say. The possibility was always there. Our Lady will not force you to accept your destiny, you have not accessed all of your powers. Some have been active since you were born, others like your empathy have been awakening slowly. We understand you need time to decide. We also know that you love your 'mommy' very much and that you will tell her everything. There is nothing wrong with that, which is another reason why Rose is accompanying you home."

"You mean I can walk away from this?"

"Yes, but know that if you do decide not become one of us we will block your powers, to protect you and others from your gifts."

This was a lot to digest. To be honest I thought I was going fucking crazy. Talking to angels... God is a woman... I had to be in the crazy house right?

Nope. I was completely sane. I didn't really know how I knew, I just did.

"I want to go to my mommy." Damn if that didn't sound childish.

"Yes, Jake. Rose is behind you to take you home and to lend credibility to your tale."

Something was bugging me about all this.

"If I'm supposed to be this powerful being, how come I don't have wings?"

"Jake, wings are a symbolism of power. If you had access to all your wings at any moment up to now, you would have self-destructed. You lack the control to maintain your full power form at the moment. If you really wanted to you could summon perhaps two wings. Any more and you chance being hurt or hurting someone."

That was scary. I didn't want to hurt anyone, well, maybe except Jeff and Jerry. My face broke out in a grin, when I realized my powers meant those assholes wouldn't be able to push me around. Then I remembered and I yelled,

"Amanda!"

"She is fine, your heroic act allowed her to get away. The other two will wake up on the ground in considerable pain, with their memory a little clouded. Now go home. I believe your mother is nearly insane with worry for you."

I nodded and turned to Rose, who still took my breath away. Man, was she beautiful. She led me to the outside and before I knew it we were flying on our way home.

Regina was worried, and had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her son, Jake should have be home hours ago. He was always home ever since Peter died. Peter and Jake were her life. When Peter died she clung to Jake and her desire to avoid further pain overshadowed everything else. When her husband tried to beat her and broke Jake's arm, she had had enough. Since that day she hadn't heard from or about him and she was glad.

"Where are you Jake?"

She heard a key opening the front door. She ran to see who was at the door only to see Jake there, with a beautiful woman at his side.

"Jake!"

"Hi mommy."

Regina looked at her son and marveled that he still called her mommy. She always felt special when he called her that. She worried that as he got older he would stop, but he hadn't and she hoped he wouldn't stop.

I walked up to mommy and wrapped her in a tight hug. I could feel her emotions, warm and soft in the back of my mind. I was glad I had the necklace otherwise her emotions would have overwhelmed me.

"Mommy, we need to talk. This is Rose. My story is unbelievable but she will verify it."

"Regina Collins." Mommy said as she shook hands with Rose.

"Let's head for the kitchen," I said leading them there.

With mommy sitting down and Rose across from her I began my tale. I didn't leave anything out. Her face told me that she didn't believe a thing I said so I waved a hand at Rose. "Mommy, watch Rose."

Rose moved to the doorway. Mommy stood near the sink to get a good view and I stood beside her.

Without much warning Rose began to glow and a brilliant white light dazzled our eyes. I don't know what mommy saw, but I saw it all. How her wings extended from her back and how her form changed. When the light faded away mommy was speechless. I felt something as Rose began her transformation. It felt like something tore a little, but it was so insignificant that I ignored it.

When Rose finally stood before us in her angelic form mommy fainted. I moved to catch her and I felt as if everything around me blurred and the next thing I knew mommy was safe in my arms before she hit the floor. Rose was still rooted to the place where she had changed form.

"What the hell just happened?" I asked Rose.

"You... warped. At least I think that's what it was."

I wondered what she meant by warp so I snapped, "You think! I thought you were supposed to guide me not confuse me?"

"No angel has been able to warp for centuries."

"Here help me with her. Let's put her on the living room couch."

Rose helped me carry my mommy into the living room. I was setting her down when the muscles in my back began to feel like they were being pulled off my bones. It felt like I was being torn in two.

I couldn't stop the scream that erupted from my throat. It was the most intense physical pain I have ever felt. I writhed on the floor as the pain coursed through my body.

Rose merely looked at me like I had sprouted a third eye or something. My back felt wet. The pain had lessened but it was still considerable. Rose's eyes went wide when she saw my back and she cried out, "You're bleeding!"

Fucking great! Not only was I hurting more than ever before, but somehow I was bleeding. This whole thing about being an Arch-Angel was starting to really be a drag. I watched things fade to black when it happened.