Fallen

Chapter Twenty Two

"Don't patronize me," he spat.

Through a tight jaw, Michael replied. "I would not dare."

"I've seen you with my cousin more than once now, Angel," Xander began, seemingly uninterested in casual niceties. "You were drawn to her when you first arrived, and I have seen how she looks at you. I am only going to warn you once. Stay away from her."

Michaels face remained calm, but his fists clenched at his back. "I assure you, I mean her no harm."

Xander was not relieved. "I don't care. Harper is impetuous and careless. She looks for ways to rebel. She does not always think, instead always acting."

"Much like yourself, it would seem," Miles muttered, causing Xander to shoot him a glare.

"Her foolishness could risk everything for us, and I wont allow you to encourage that. You know that by letting her advance on you, you seal our fate unfavorably. You ensure that we cannot be absolved." Taking another step forward, Xander closed the distance that remained between himself and Michael. "Or maybe that was your plan all along. To entice a girl, and end this mess once and for all."

Michael could feel his anger rising, the blood in his veins humming. It was a physical effort to restrain himself as Xander spoke poorly of Harper. It was his natural inclination to defend her, but to do so, would be to out them both.

"There has never been such a plan, nor would there ever be," he said through gritted teeth. "Such acts are not conceived of pure hearts and minds. It is, instead, a mortal trait to be deceptive. Might I suggest you bring your concerns to your cousin, rather than to us?"

This suggestion only seemed to increase Xanders agitation. "She does not listen to me, nor does she take well to demands."

Michael fought back a snicker. "Then, it would seem, we are of the same mind in that regard." With a purposeful movement, Michael shifted to step around Xander, leaving the argument behind.

But quickly, a hand gripped his arm, pulling him back sharply.

"Don't walk away from me," Xander growled, as Michael pulled his arm away roughly. Before he had the chance to fully register what was happening, Xander pulled back an arm, and moved to strike. His fist connected hard with the side of Michaels jaw, causing the Angel to stumble back.

The pain that surged through his face was shocking. His eye pulsed, his skin feeling as though on fire. He had never been struck before, as violence was not something that occurred in Heaven. But as he righted himself, he felt the serge of adrenaline course through his body.

It was then, that he saw the glint of the knife in Xanders hand.

"You Angels have no place here," he growled. "You come here, thinking that you can decide our fate one way or another. Like you are above us. You know nothing..."

Xanders hand shot out, the knife firmly in his grip. Michael jumped back, the swipe of Xanders reach barely missing him by an inch.

Xander righted himself quickly, turning to advance on Michael again. He was beyond reason, Michael knew, but he did not wish to harm him. If only he could avoid him long enough, if only he could tire him, without having to fight.

But Xander was not to be denied. Lunging again, he held the knife firmly, about to drive it in to the Angels chest.

Another arm shot out as though from the air, connecting hard with the crease of Xanders elbow. His arm buckled, losing its strength and grip, causing the knife to fall to the ground with a soft thud. Looking up, Michael found Miles, his strong arms moving to restrain the enraged Fallen. The two grappled, falling to the ground, in a flurry of limbs, grunts and struggle.

Xander gained the upper hand, as the Angel was not familiar with the art of fighting. Sitting astride him, Xander moved to close his hands around Miles throat. Michael moved then, reaching down to pull Xander away, when he stilled suddenly, a sharp gasp leaving him quickly.

Michael faltered, his eyes down on the scene, but unable to see what was happing. Xanders back was to him, Miles now still, but his face visible. His eyes were wide with fear, his breathing shaky, as a hand fell away from Xanders torso.

It was covered in blood.

Moving to his friend's side, Michael took in the scene just as Xander Caison fell to the ground. His own knife protruding from his abdomen, he looked down at it as though confused. He breathing was rapid, short and shallow gasps, his face immediately white.

Michael shuffled over to the Fallen, no longer fearing his life, but of Xanders death. He reached out, moving to close his hands around the hilt of the knife, and pull it from his body, when Xander reached out a hand. Clamping down on Michaels forearm, he shook his head silently.

"What do I do?" Michael begged, pleading for guidance.

Xander did not respond. As he open his mouth to speak, no words flowed, instead, a river of red as the blood fell passed his lips. With a final exhale, Xander's head fell to the ground, his eyes blank.

Michael's body shook with fear, as he fell back to the ground on his backside. He could not tear his eyes from the mortal corpse, praying over and over that it was all a nightmare. But he barely had a moment to register what had just happened, when Miles cried out.

With a call of pain, Miles doubled over suddenly. His hands moved to his chest, his face contorting as he began to writhe. Moving quickly, Michael crawled to him, the grass beneath his hands sticking to the blood that coated them.

"Miles," he whispered, his eyes scanning his friend for injuries. "Are you hurt?"

Miles only response was a gasp, his eyes opening wide as his mouth fell open. As Michael looked upon his friend, he felt his blood run cold. For Miles eyes were no longer the gentle shade of ethereal blue, but were now the darkest of browns.

As his body stilled, his breathing evening, it seemed as though both parties came to the same realization at the same moment.

Miles was now mortal.