Ariana watched through the window as Ben stormed off, first through a crowd of people, then making his way to the outskirts of Kira’s village. She opened the door to chase after him, but the angel had beckoned her not to. She sighed and reluctantly returned to her seat on the cot.

Kira finished applying healing ointment to her arms. Within minutes, the burns had disappeared. She turned back to Ariana and smiled.

“See? Like I said, no big deal. He didn’t mean it.”

Ariana frowned, looking out the window, hoping Ben would come back. “So he didn’t do it on purpose.”

The angel shook her head. “He was still locked in a dream state by me. There’s no way he could have. Although he scared me a little.”

“How so?” Ariana arched an eyebrow. “The fire?”

“Well, not quite,” Kira admitted.

Ariana’s eyes widened. “Did you see something?”

“I did, yes.” Kira nodded. “Aside from pieces of his past, I…” Her voice trailed off.

“You what?”

The angel paused for a moment, her eyes wide. She closed them and inhaled. “It’s probably nothing. As for his memories, it almost felt like they were being externally blocked or something. I couldn’t decipher much, but I did sense a lot of pain.” She frowned. “He’s been through a lot.”

The memory of Ben lying on her floor, convulsing and screaming for Lilly, filled her mind as her teeth gnashed together behind her sealed lips. She paused for a deep breath and allowed it to pass.

“He really has. That girl? He must really love her.” Ariana rested her back against the wall and tucked her knees to her chest. “Whoever she is.”

Kira’s eyes flashed as she scooted her stool closer and leaned in. “Ariana Marie Winters…” she began, her tone sharp, the way a mother’s would be, “…is that jealously I spot in your eyes?”

Ariana huffed and turned her cheek. “Nope.”

“Hm…” Kira touched her chin in pretend deep thought, mocking her, “…you’re not lying to me, are you?”

Ariana bit her lip. Kira chuckled as she playfully poked her.

“Oh, you totally are! Ha!” Kira clutched her abdomen as she laughed. “I never would have thought that you would ever have a crush—”

“—it’s not important, though.” Ariana interjected, her legs relaxing and sitting back over the side of the cot as she dipped her head. “All that matters is that I help him recover his memories and find that girl he was trying to save.” She hesitated. “Besides…it’s my duty as his best friend. Especially now, with everything that’s happened. With the demons, with Raziel, with Dad…”

Ariana froze, unable to utter another word. Her throat felt like it had a rock stuck in it, air struggled to escape her mouth as tears flowed down her face.

“Dad,” Ariana rasped through tears as she remembered. Last she saw, he was about to face off against both a demon giant and Raziel. His chances of survival seemed slim.

Kira frowned. “Ari…”

“I don’t even know if he’s okay. I gave all my attention to Ben and abandoned him when he needed me most.” Ariana sobbed as she latched onto Kira. “I don’t want him to die. I don’t want Ben to leave. I’m gonna be all alone.”

Kira shifted from her stool to the cot as she held Ariana comfortingly to her chest. Slowly, the tears dried up, her throat cleared.

“Believe it or not, your dad will be fine,” Kira offered. “He’s been in tighter spots than this.”

Ariana looked out the window, seeing some of the wounded residents of her former village. She pivoted her gaze to avoid crying again.

“If I hadn’t brought Ben into the village…” Ariana began. “…then none of this would have happened.”

“None of this is your fault, okay?” Kira reassured her. “Blaming yourself is going to get you anywhere.”

“I know.” Ariana frowned. “It’s just kind of hard not to.”

Kira pulled back and smiled at her. Her eyes flicked down as she noticed something out of view on Ariana’s waistline, just below her back. She gestured to it.

“May I see that?”

Ariana took it out of its sheath and handed it to her. The blade glowed blue in the angel’s hands.

Stolen story; please report.

“I know this blade,” Kira said, tracing her finger along the spine of the knife.

“You do?”

“I was there when Zachariel found it,” Kira said, nodding. “It’s a specialized weapon, made by one of the long-extinct races from the beginning, in response to the first major demon invasion of earth, along with others like it. This one belonged to Archangel Ramiel before he passed.”

Ariana eyed the weapon. “Looks like a regular knife to me.”

Kira smirked, uttered a brief chant. The ethereal blade suddenly brimmed with blue fire, pure and holy. Ariana nearly jumped off the cot in surprise.

“This is Omega,” Kira stated in the angelic language. “This blade, though small, can kill any type of demon with one simple stab. The problem is, few can get close enough to strike.”

“Don’t know many people that would want to.” The image of Alexis with claws extended filled Ariana’s brain. She shuddered.

“Oh, trust me. Knives are deadly instruments in the right hands.” Kira winked as she handed the blade back to her. “Did your father give this to you?”

Ariana nodded and sheathed the blade back in its scabbard.

“Your father is a smart man. I imagine he gave that blade to you just in case Ben ever completely went out of control. For self-defense, if anything.”

“Even if he did, I don’t think I could.” Ariana shifted uncomfortably. “I’d never forgive myself if I hurt him.”

“But what if he hurts you?” Kira asked.

“I still wouldn’t.”

“Why?” Kira’s brows furrowed with concern. “Is this because of your crush on him?”

“No,” Ariana lied.

Kira pursed her lips. “Ari, I know he’s the first boy you’ve met that you developed feelings for, but he’s not worth your li—”

“It’s more than that!” Ariana said as she briskly stood. “Ever since I found him, there’s been something about him I just can’t shake. The moment I saw him, I just felt so drawn to him, connected. Every moment I’m with him, I’m more and more convinced that somehow, we were meant to meet.”

Kia rose from her seat, eyes narrowed, the flat of her palm faced her as she urged calm. “Ari…”

“That’s why, no matter what, I can’t kill him. Or hurt him. The way I feel isn’t just some schoolgirl crush.” Ariana looked up at her surrogate mother. “I love him, Kira.”

The angel’s eyes widened in what seemed like horror. She brought her face close to hers as she gently placed her hands on Ariana’s cheeks. “Listen to me. I know how you feel.”

“No, you really don’t. You angels can’t even love like we humans do.”

Kira looked taken aback. She swallowed and continued her words, ignoring the insult. “I just want you to be careful, Ari. You’re a lot like your mother this way. She always loved your father incredibly hard. I just don’t want to see you get hurt like—”

“You’re really gonna bring up my mother now?” Ariana hissed.

Kira’s mouth gaped open for a second. She sighed. “You’re right, Ari. I’m sorry.”

Ariana continued to glare at the angel, but it soon faded; She couldn’t stay mad at her. Every time she had a talk with Kira, she always backed her into a mental corner and forced her to be honest, and yet, she would relate to her. All the times Ariana had needed a mom, Kira was there. Be it her early troubles in New Eden, their long nights learning violin, or even now, when she knew Kira was just trying to protect her. Ariana frowned.

“I’m sorry, too.” They embraced each other tightly.

The angel rubbed Ariana’s back as they hugged, then pulled back and looked down at her. “So, I don’t know about you, but we should probably go find your boyfriend before he gets into trouble,” the angel teased.

“I mean…” Ariana blushed, “…he isn’t. Yet.”

“And why is that?”

Ariana shook her head. “Last time I tried to tell him how I felt, we got attacked by demons. Not a great track record so far.”

“Oh. I see.” Kira smirked. “Well, this time, you have me to back you up. I’ll keep the demons off your back. All you need to do is to be brave. Okay?”

Ariana beamed. “You’re the best mom ever. You know that, right?”

“Oh, hush.” Kira opened the door for her, beckoning Ariana to exit the cottage. “Shall we go retrieve Mr. Ben?”

Ariana nodded and stepped outside. The townspeople were hard at work, continuing to take in refugees from Riverglade and supplying them with food, water and shelter. She felt her gut sink as she took in the sight. Guilt tore at her like a wolf at its prey.

I’ll help, Ariana promised herself, but first, I need to find him.

You will, girly, the voice said. He needs you, more than you know.

“Where do you think he went?” She asked.

Kira shrugged and tapped one of the nearby townspeople, an old lady ferrying around a basket of used bandages.

“Hello! We’re looking for a young man, dark hair?”

“The fire-wielder?” The man next to her asked, only to be interrupted by the woman.

“Oh, don’t you dare. Call him what he is.” The woman looked Ariana straight in the eye, as knowing of her connection to Ben. “He’s a demon. Did you see what he did to Riverglade? All the people here?”

“He didn’t mean it,” Ariana protested. “He was just trying to protect us!”

“Protect us?” The woman scowled. “Is that some kind of joke?”

Kira stepped in. “Whatever he is, we need to find him.” She inhaled slowly, rising to her full height. “So please…just tell us where he is.”

“Just outside the village,” the man said, his burning glare refusing to fade.

“Where he belongs,” the woman added with a hiss. “Whatever the reason you’re trying to find him, I hope that it’s getting rid of him for good.”

Ariana’s cheeks burned, but Kira gripped her arm and kept her back. The angel bowed briefly at the woman and turned to the village exit. As they walked, they continued to observe as the remnants of her village limped past the arch. She frowned.

“Is that woman getting to you?” Kira asked, breaking the silence.

“I—” Ariana bit her lip. “Honestly, yeah. I can see what they were saying. We don’t have a village, a home anymore.”

“Do you blame him?”

To even her own surprise, Ariana muttered ‘yes’ under her breath, drawing a raised eyebrow from Kira. She cursed.

“I mean, no. Ugh. I don’t know,” Ariana admitted. “Despite how I feel about him, I’m not blind. I saw him slip during his fight with that man and the demons. He accidentally burnt me and you. At the same time, he wouldn’t have done any of that if it weren’t for that stupid demon bite. That wasn’t his fault.”

“Sounds like you two have a lot to talk about,” Kira noted as they arrived at the arch marking the entrance to the village. Out on a far tree overlooking the cliff stood Ben, his eyes locked on the setting sun.

“I guess we do.” Ariana frowned as she looked back at her. “Need my help with the villagers after?”

“Only when you’re ready.”

“Okay.” Ariana smiled. “Thank you, Kira.”

The angel brought her in for a long, tight hug. She beamed encouragingly. “Now go get him, girly.”

Ariana allowed herself a smile as she began walking toward him, the sun falling from its peak in the sky. She called his name, saw his gray eyes flicker as he looked back at her. Her stomach fluttered; her chest tightened.

Here goes nothing.