cravingpenelope Read Free Page A

say? What would it mean if he admitted it? What if he truly lied? He drew pleasure from the visitations and did not wish to stop them. “I don’t really know. Angels don’t feel, but this woman...I have stirrings. I think that’s the best way to put it.”
    “Choosing your words carefully can’t hide the fact that you’re uneasy about this topic, yet you coming to me proves that there is more to this woman than you are letting on. You inquired about the Fallen. The first step to becoming one is not telling the truth. You don’t want that, do you?”
    Razziel blanched. “No. Forgive me, but what if even I don’t completely know the truth yet?”
    “Then you must at least tell me what you think to be the truth. Sometimes the mysteries of the universe are hidden from us until we start down a particular path. Take this slice of Heaven we are in. It belongs to a human who enjoys butterflies. The first time I stepped foot in here, I did not know or understand the little flying insects. They were only an annoyance to me until I too realized they were beautiful and peaceful creatures. But I didn’t know this truth until I set foot on the road that brought me here. Do you understand?”
    “Not really.”
    “That is honest. In order to know if these inklings are something for you to fret over, then you have to explore them. Discover why this human woman has you so enthralled.”
    Razziel nodded. The advice was sound. However, it left him with one question. “But if I explore these stirrings, then won’t I be set on the path of a Fallen?”
    A scarlet butterfly with white stripes landed on his knee. He watched its antenna wiggle and wondered what the meaning was for such a small creature. In the whole universe the butterfly came from one creature and transformed into another, flicking from flower to flower.
    “There are many possibilities, the way there are many paths. Walk the one you are supposed to. No one ever punished an angel for doing what they were supposed to do.”
    Razziel looked up from the flying insect to ask his brother another question, but Joe had vanished. Knowing he was not going to get any more answers, Razziel got up and walked through a curtain of butterflies that surrounded the human whose Heaven he was in. He glanced back at the happy soul and found it interesting that no matter how many came to this plane, there was always a little slice just for them. Sometimes they interacted with the angels, but most of the time they enjoyed their afterlife. But while he observed the man, he realized that he was completely at peace, the way Razziel used to be. For him to be that way again, he had to figure out why this mortal woman was causing his uneasiness.

 
    Chapter Three
     
    Penelope rubbed her temples, trying to ward off her blooming headache. Staring at the computer all day, trying to make sense of insurance jargon and straining her eyes, was taking a toll. Thankfully, she had an appointment with the optometrist next week. Petey meowed and rubbed against her leg. She glanced down and saw a furry blob twining around her boot, getting hair all over her jeans. Penelope picked up the feline. He settled in her lap, kneading a spot to make himself comfortable and poking her with his claws all at the same time.
    “You want attention. What brings this on?” she asked the cat and scratched behind his left ear.
    He was content to perch there for a few minutes and give Penelope a minute to catch her breath. She realized it was dark out, and a loud clap of thunder shook the house. Rain pelted the windows, tapping a steady beat that did not lift her spirit. Petey hissed and jumped out of her lap so suddenly, Penelope leaped too, sending her desk chair rolling back into the wall. Her heart slammed into her chest, and she giggled at being afraid of a storm. Granted, the large trees guarding the house were a worry because they could fall, but she was used to their creaking and the branches scraping across the