~~Young~~

Chapter Twenty Three

   “We’re not the same,” Gage countered him, “because unlike you I know how to love. To treat what is most important to me as a treasure and not as if it can be replaced by the next warm body that comes along.”

   And thinking of such things he turned around and pulled Sera to him abruptly. Good thing too, because he became the buffer between God’s wrath and Sera. Gage didn’t want to think what that lightning bolt would have done to her, it wouldn’t have hurt her-there was no pain in heaven- but as it was Gage was seriously winded from the sting.

   “How dare you,” God spat when Gage turned around, “Why else would I care, why else would I have to send your brother to beg you to stop in your killing,” he said tightly through his teeth, “why would I have any interest in you if it wasn’t because I love you!”

   God looked away immediately after those words fell from his mouth, as if ashamed to have had to admit to such things. Gage, though shocked, was hesitant to believe him at all. But it was Death’s own sullen expression that told him those words were true, impossible, but true. She would have been the first person to call him out on his faults.

   “I…I knew if you continued down that path,” God said more to the floor then Gage, “that I would lose you forever.”

   “So…then you wanted me back…too?” Gage asked carefully.

   “Of course I did,” God snapped, “I created you, you’re my son!”

   Gage swallowed deeply and looked to Sera, he didn’t know why, but somehow he felt the answers were with her. She didn’t offer any though, only a smile and her hand wrapped around his in support.

   Another change of subject seemed like a good idea, “so...I’m an angel,” Gage muttered awkwardly, “I guess it…makes sense with the wings and all.”

   “What other reason could you have for such freedom to move between the realms,” God hefted a heavy breath and pulled his hand away from his eyes as he met Gage’s gaze, “You’re not just an angel son,” he said halfheartedly, as if he was tired of explaining these things. But hey, that was entirely his fault, “your one of my Archangels. Why else would Lucifer have created his own four horsemen? He needed the number advantage, one more horseman than I had Archangels.”

   He did mention he had sent his brother after him didn’t he? A chill ran up Gage’s spine at the thought of being related to Michael. Gabriel he had no qualms with. He may be a warrior too but their one and only run in- that he could remember of course- ended without a single punch being thrown. Words were all that were exchanged; neither of them had even raised their voices. He was a compassionate immortal, one who preferred his words to any real conflict.

   Gage decided then and there that he was his favorite brother, but that did mean he was going to be seeing a lot more of Michael too. He frowned, surprised he hadn’t seen him yet considering he was always up for seeing Gage get his ass knocked down a notch or two. But when he asked everyone’s gazes began to wander, except for Sera of course, she looked up to Gage once again lost. He tried to quickly recant his and Michael’s relationship as he had known it before asking again what was going on.

   It was Death who spoke first, “he’s gone Gage. Nobody knows where he went after he dropped you off here.”

   “He saved me?” Talk about shit that’s hard to believe, “why would he do that?”

   “Because he thought saving you might change how I saw him,” God answered solemnly, “how I saw him after I learned he had gone to my brother.”