You Fill My Sails With Your Wasted Breath

"What g-game?" I asked, not turning around. If he really was a demon, asking about the game would probably be awful. But then again, in books, the main character always has to do something and ignore the supernatural thing for as long as possible. As much as I love going against the status quo, I wanted to leave. I needed to leave.

"Aren't you at all interested?" He, too, hadn't turned around. If this were a movie, this scene would have been awesome.

"We're not kids anymore, William." I said softly. So softly I felt like a baby. I should have said it with more force. More oomph but I didn't have any oomph in me. I wanted to know but didn't want to die. Was that so bad? "We don't play games." I walked away from him and tried to play cool. That's what a main character should do right? Play cool? Wait…..WHY AM I EVEN CARING!? This is my life! There's a fricken WAR going on over my SOUL! I'm nuts. I headed towards Macy's and pulled out my phone to call Joshua.

"Hey Ariella, you alright? Nathanael said you were looking weird."

"Nathanael would say that." I grumbled. "I'm fine. Where are you?"

"Basement of Macy's. Nathanael and the angel, I forget her name, are with Katie. She's shopping for bathing suits. She said she'd get you one. What happened to you guys?"

"I'm on my way." I said as I swallowed hard.

"Ariella?" The way Joshua's voice sounded through the phone made me blush. He sounded like he had rolled out of bed and buried his face in my neck….I could feel my cheeks flame and bit back a remark about how he didn't like me but he would flirt like crazy. It was annoying as hell but I'd still give in to it any day of the week. "Tell me the truth, how are you feeling?"

"Awful." I whispered. I wanted to cry, to scream, to laugh, and to hurl at all of this. It was nuts! I could feel the tears beginning to poke at my eyes and I squashed them down. I needed to be strong. I could break down later. Not now. "But don't worry about me."

"Where are you?"

"At the toasters." I said as I glanced around. Stupid Macy's and their stupid appliances. Stupid world for being so unfair. Stupid God for picking me. Stupid me for talking to that stupid pretty boy. Stupid everything!

"I'll be right there. Don't move." I nodded a little into the phone and tried not to cry. Tried not to fall to pieces. I was surely going to die. Something about this whole ordeal made me realize that I hadn’t lived a good life at all. I was going to die and my worthless soul would either go to Zach or William. I wasn't sure which one was a better choice.

I sighed and closed the phone before retiring it to my pocket. I saw Joshua's dark brown hair coming up the escalators and then his broad chest. I stared as he climbed the escalator even though it moved, and by the time he stepped off, his eyes found me. His large shoulders slumped as he let out a sigh. I offered as best a smile as I could and he immediately sprinted over to me. The blue checkered shirt he wore over a white undershirt was flying as he ran and his long legs carried him closer by the seconds. In all the years I had known Joshua, he never had that look of worry on his face. He never looked like he was terrified for me. He didn't slow down and I offered a lopsided grin.

"Jeez, where's the fire?" I asked before he crashed into me, hugging me tight. I wanted to blush but I was too confused.

"I'm sorry this had to happen to you." He whispered. I tried to pull away but I ended up just burying my head into his chest. He smelled so good. Like clean laundry and sun. That familiar smell that made me wish this whole "Ariella's going to die" thing hadn't happened. His arms pulled me tight and his lips were against my ear. "You're going to be ok. I promise I'll be here to protect you." I pulled away to look at him.

"Joshua, this isn't your fault." I said as I shook my head. He sighed and started to say something but I smiled a little. "Really, this is all my fault. Stupid me. I should have just shut up and left him alone." Joshua smiled and put his hand on my head.

"If you didn't do that you wouldn't be the Ariella I know."

"Joshua what are you touching me so much for?" I asked softly as I swatted his hand away. He grinned, though it seemed sadder than usual. I stared up at him when he didn't say anything. "Joshua?" I prompted.

"You don't want me to touch you?" He asked as he poked my stomach, making me jump. There was the Joshua I knew.

"No." I gasped as I looked around. He smirked and did it again and again until I was laughing so much I had to press my hand to my mouth to smother my laughs.

"As much as I love your bonding," Nathanael said as he stood with his arms crossed. Joshua and I stopped but I had problems controlling my giggling. "We need to get you out of here. The demons are kept back for now but that's not going to be enough."

"Where are we supposed to go?" I asked.

"Home. Far away from anyone that's not you or Joshua or Katie." Katie smiled and waved from behind Armiseal.

"Wouldn't going to her house be a bad idea?" Joshua asked. "Zachariel and his brothers are still there."

"Afraid?" Nathanael asked, a gleam in his eyes.

"No," said Joshua. "I just want Ariella to be safe." Nathanael's lips pulled to a ghost of a smile and he nodded.

"Well then," said the angel. "We'll need to find somewhere safe, won't we?" Nathanael glanced behind him where the five angels from before walked towards us.

"They've gone for now but the demon after her soul is here." I swallowed hard as the Eae angel spoke. I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath.

"Alright, here's the deal," I said as I looked at the angels. "I need to get out of here. There are six of you and three of us. Split yourselves up however you want but you need to have someone on Katie and Joshua. They're not going to go out there unprotected."

"Luv, we've the same idea. Eae, you and Af take the girl. Amitiel and Hasdiel, watch over the boy. Armisael you and I will keep Ariella in sight."

"I'm not leaving Ariella." Katie said as she put her hand on my shoulder. "I don't care what happens. I'm not leaving her, not after today."

"Katie--"

"No," she said as she turned to look at me. "I'm not letting my best friend deal with this alone. You and I are going to do this together."

"I'm going to have to agree with Katie. I'm not letting Ariella out of my sight." Joshua said as he put his hand on my shoulder. Nathanael and the angels stared and it was only Nathanael that showed his annoyance. He put his fingers to the bridge of his nose before shaking his head.

"You three are the most righteous and stupid humans ever talk walk this Earth. You will do as we say or Ariella will die. The more people around her, the more they can pick her out. Split up and do your group hug later." I took a deep breath and nodded before walking over to him.

"We'll be together. We just have to get safe first." Nathanael nodded and patted me on the back.

"Good show, Ariella. Now, Joshua, you're going to take the south entrance. The one nearest your car. Katie, you'll take the one upstairs and you'll meet Joshua at the car. Ariella, you are going to leave through the west entrance and you'll have to walk the farthest. This should only take 10 minutes. If anyone is gone more than that, you have reason to worry. But do not go back, do not call, do not do anything. If someone is over 10 minutes, you turn and you leave. If worst comes to worst, we'll get whoever it is out of there."

"What about my mom?" I asked.

"She's at the car. We've got an angel inside and she's waiting ever patiently for you to arrive. I suggest not making her wait too long. She has a bit of a temper." I nodded and looked at the two greatest people I'd ever meet.

"See you in 10 minutes." I said before walking away from them. Armisael and Nathanael followed after and they walked in step with me. I didn't look behind me to see if they were gone. I just hoped.

"You're a brave one," said the female. "You surprise even me."

"I'm just a big bag of surprises." She smiled ever so slightly and we left the Macy's. Armisteal and Nathanael remained silent as we walked through the mall. I glance at both of them and sighed. "God you two are boring. Are all angels so quiet?" I asked. Nathanael glanced at me.

"We just don't have much to say."

"Bologna. You are angels in human bodies and you can honestly tell me you have nothing to say? I mean, if I were you, Nathanael, I'd be going off about chicks. I mean, you angels are all…." I glanced downward and shrugged. "Never mind. You know, I think Armisteal is a cool name and everything but you need an easier name for me. You look like a Kaily." I said as I nodded. "My grandmother was named that. She had a great house and she would yell at the little kids to get off her lawn but they knew she was just kidding. My grandma was awesome. I--"

"You talk too much, Ariella." I stopped short and stared at William. I had to refrain from visibly cringing. Couldn't I just get out of the mall? Really? "You really need to learn how to keep the important things confidential." I pouted a little. I don't do it that often…

"Mammon." Nathanael said as he tipped his head. "What an honor."

"Oh shove it." The demon said as he rolled his eyes. "I could kill you where you stand, angel." Nathanael's eyes turned a dark color.

"You couldn't do that if you tried while you're playing this game. You're powerless."

"Tell that archangel I'll be getting this soul." William's brown eyes shifted to me and a grin smeared his face.

"Mammon? Is that a type of elephant?" I asked as I crossed my arms. William only started to chuckle.

"You're clever, Ariella. I'll enjoy taking your soul."

"You wont get that chance." Armisteal said as she put her hand on my shoulder.

"Really? And who is going to stop me? A couple of angels? I've killed your kind before. It--"

"You can't kill angels. Only other angels can. Maybe you sent them back to Heaven, but you didn't kill them." I was surprised I even spoke. He frowned but quickly recovered.

"Ariella, I do think I'm going to have fun with you."

"I'd rather you didn't." His laugh rang so loud in my ears that I had to cover them. It turned into a screech though. The world was replaced by the shrill constant noise. I felt someone push me and I looked to see Nathanael trying to move me. My feet wouldn't move. I couldn't. I just wanted this noise to stop. I tried to find Armisteal but she was no where to be found. Nathanael kept pushing me and he looked like he was screaming but there was just the ringing in my ears. He eventually gave up and he grabbed me by my waist to drag me. I had to squeeze my eyes shut while he pulled me along. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Alright luv," Nathanael's lips pressed against my ear and in the middle of all the screeching, I heard his voice; his soft coo. "I'm here, Ariella." His voice was a whisper that made my skin tingle. He made me feel like a child. Like I was small again and the world could just be shut out. "You're alright, come on. It's just a stupid little spell. You can get over it. You just need to get up and focus. You're going to beat these demons and archangels. You're going to be able to live your life normally."

I couldn't help but think other wise. I mean, come on. I was a human. How am I supposed to beat an archangel and a demon? That's kind of crazy. Not to mention impossible. I can barely beat up my neighbors dog. I can't even back talk the school bitch. How was I going to beat two mega powerful creatures? It wasn't fair. I couldn't do it….I just…I couldn't.

"You know, I was chosen to protect you." I looked at him and his blue eyes turned a deep red. "They said I'd understand you when I saw you. I am the angel of fire and I see the fire that burns in your heart and it's better than any human's I've seen in years. It burns with a love that has yet to find it's master. It burns with courage that hasn't gotten a chance to be praised. Most humans…they're not as bright as you. They're usually dull. They don't have that same fire. You're a bonfire in a world of meager candles." I sniffled and stared at him.

His pale lips pulled away from his prefect teeth, ever so slightly, before he let out a soft sigh. He stood and held out his hand to me. I took it and his hand gripped mine gently but firmly. I couldn't help but wonder what the heck Nathanael really was. Who he really was. Maybe this niceness about him was just the human he was in. He smiled at me and walked over to the door. We were in a Brigham's….I looked around for people but no one was there.

"Nathanael," I said softly. "Where are all the people?"

"They're still here," he said. "But we aren't. We've…disappeared as you can say. Right now, you and I don't exist."

"What about the others? Katie and Joshua?"

"They're fine for now. You and I need to get out of here. I can't keep this up for much longer." He held out his hand to me. "Are you alright, Ariella? Are you alright enough to run?"

"So much running…" I moaned as I wobbled over to him.

"This is a serious situation, Ariella. No time for jokes."

"This is the perfect time for jokes," I said with a smile. "We're being hunted by the scariest thing in the universe and we're going to run from him from inside a Brigham's. You know how crazy this is right?"

"You're talking to an angel, Ariella. And you saw a demon, and five other angels and you're still convinced that this is all crazy? Not to mention that you know of four others living just across your street. How can you call that crazy when you know for a fact it is true?" He got me there. I sighed a little and looked at the boy.

"Nathanael," I said as I put my hands on my hips. "You ruin everything for me." His lip quirked and he headed out of the Brigham's.

"Keep close. Don't make much noise." Nathanael said as he looked back at me. I smiled at him, though I don't know why, and started to follow after him until the two of us stopped.

"You're safe for now, Nathanael." A very familiar voice made my throat tighten and my stomach squeeze.

"For now." I growled at Sebastian. He wasn't the brother I expected but I knew one of them would show up. The only question was, why him?

"For now," he repeated, his smile making me hate him even more. He was going to laugh at me. "Ariella, I hope you know I took care of Mammon for you." Why would he do that?

"As appreciated as that is," Nathanael said as he pulled me by my hand. "I'll take my chances protecting her from Mammon on my own.

"Now brother," said Sebastian. "I was just helping her out."

"No, brother," Nathanael snapped. "You weren't. I'm helping her out. You're just doing your duty to your team. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bring Ariella somewhere safe."

"I'll find you, Nathanael. And Ariella. You can't hide her." I ground my teeth and walked over to Sebastian, my fists clenched. I stared up into those big green eyes and tried not to smack him in anger.

"Do not threaten Nathanael. He's a great angel and probably better than you. You want to find me, give it a shot, Sebastian. I'll be ready to beat you, your brother, and that demon on my tail by the time you do. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to get ready to kick your ass." I snarled out as I walked passed Nathanael, grabbing his hand in mine, and pulled him along out of the mall. Nathanael pulled me to a stop, which was good cause I would have gotten run over by a car.

"Ariella," he said, making me turn to him.

"I'm sorry, Nathanael, I didn't mean to threaten him. I was just…I was angry I couldn't--" When Nathanael muttered, "thank you" I was about to die. "Did you just thank me?"

"Thank you for defending me like that." I smiled and shrugged a little.

"No problem, Nathanael. You're a cool angel." He smiled, a real, wide smile, and nodded.

"No one defends angels, Ariella, so I hope you know how significant this is to me." I nodded and turned around again.

"Let's head home. I'm tired." He followed after me and we quickly ran to where the car should have been. When I stopped, I looked at Nathanael, who was getting in the next car over.

"Come on," he said, looking out the passenger window. "Time to go home."

"They left?" I asked, getting in the car.

"She had very specific orders. They're safe, I assure you."

"What if--"

"Love," he said as he pulled out of his parking spot. "If you go through life thinking like that, you'll never do anything." I couldn't help but think that wasn't so bad. It was that kind of thinking that got me into all of this wasn't it?

"Nathanael," I asked softly. "Did God choose me?"

"God," he replied with a smile. "Is a broad term. There's just a large house in a bunch of clouds that is sealed off to us lesser angels. The only ones who know anything are the Seraphim."

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked.

"The lore behind a lot of what you know is either false or true but I am not allowed to verify anything. Already," he sighed softly and looked at me. "I have lied to you, Ariella. A lot of what I have said is a lie. Please forgive me but I..I am a messenger like all of my brothers. It's strange that me, a power, was called onto this job but…They thought…I don't know what the Lord or the Seraphim thought. All I know is that I…" he drifted off and looked at me with a smile. "I'm glad to be here." I smiled back and nodded.

"Me too, Nathanael. So, these Seraphim…they talk right to God?" He nodded and I leaned back in my seat. "What's to stop them from doing what they want?"

"Seraphiel is a tough boss." He said with a smile. "Seraphim are very strict about their jobs and don't mess with the word of God."

"Well what about the others? I mean, there are like 9 choirs of angels right? Seraphim are at the top and pass on the word, sure, but there are hundreds of angels in the middle ground. One angel just starts to think about something that could help the world and--"

"You're deterring from your main question," Nathanael said. "The Seraphim have no say in who God chooses and you have no significance to the grand scheme of things in their eyes. Everyone, even the Dominions who control the lesser angels and the Rulers who bring those orders to the material world, are more concerned with what God wants. Not what the Archangels want. The Archangels are a bunch of whining babies. Just look at Lucifer for goodness sakes! He was upset because God chose humans over him. Not all archangels are like that though, you must understand."

"What?" I asked. "I thought there were only 14?"

"No no," Nathanael said before sighing. He looked at the sky and cursed. "God forgive me for this," he whispered before looking at me briefly. "The choirs of angels are like armies. They were born to serve the Lord against the forces of evil. The choir archangels is the second-lowest choir while Archangels, with a capital A, are angels that are above other angels. Michael, Gabriel and the other seven in Christianity are the highest Seraphim. The other seven I mentioned are actual archangels, with the lower case a, and control the 'armies' of the archangels. They're important, just not important. You understand?" I nodded and looked at the sky as well.

"I hope you don't get in trouble." He smiled and pet my head.

"I would have been smotted had I done something to displease Him."

"How'd you get to be so cool, Nathanael?"

"Many years of watching the world and people like you." He said.

"How old are you Nathanael?"

"Too old," he laughed. I smiled and leaned back in my chair.

"Nathanael," I said as I looked at him. "If I'm supposed to be saved by Will--I mean Mammon, shouldn't we be staying with him?"

"No," he said angrily. "I do not trust a demon, no matter how much the Archangels do. They are bad news, no question about it. The thing is that this game…The demon saves your soul when the Archangel has either A) been defeated, meaning killed or B) you save yourself from the Archangel's wrath, which I don’t know if you'll survive." I nodded and bit my lip.

"You and me both, man."

"I will be here to help. I'm will be attending school with you until you defeat Zachariel." He said softly. I started to smile.

"You like me Nathanael!" I accused. He turned to me and bit his lip.

"You are worthy female," he said cautiously. "And a good human."

"Admit it you like me!" I said as I presented myself.

"I'd like it if you kept your voice down. I am trying to operate this machine." I smirked and folded my arms.

"You like me," I whispered. "Hey, are you going to be this English kid tomorrow?"

"No," he said. "I'll have to report back to the base and they'll give me a body of my own for the time being." I nodded and stared at this boy's face.

"Does he know?" I asked, making Nathanael frown.

"Does who know what?"

"Him. You. The body you're in. Does he know that you're using him?" Nathanael shrugged.

"Yes and no. He knows that I'm here but he doesn't know that when I leave, he'll forget everything." I smiled a little.

"Could you maybe some how make him remember so I can be friends with a cute British guy?" I asked, making Nathanael roll his eyes.

"I'll see what I can do."

"That's all I ask." I replied with a bright smile. "Are we going somewhere secret?" Nathanael shook his head and pulled up to that familiar house. I frowned and looked at him.

"Are you sure?" He nodded and got out of the now parked car before walking up to my front door.