The Ascended Read Free Page A

with their Links was painful, not because I was envious, but from the indescribable sorrow of losing Mark.
    I was a rarity, being the only Guide in over five hundred years that had survived the severed bond that my Protector and I had shared.
    "Ok, so, what are you doing here?" I asked, getting his silent message that as one of the most powerful Angels ever, he could go anywhere without being seen.
    "I feel we need to discuss the plans you have been making," he answered simply, not needing to clarify.
    I felt my knees give out from under me at his words as I sank into the chair. "I'm going after him Haniel. I have to." I whispered, not wanting Joan to hear me.
    "Why?" He asked.
    "Because I'm empty without him!" I said louder than I intended. "I have no purpose on earth with him gone," I added in a quieter voice.
    "Krista you're wrong. You don't yet understand the extent of your purpose. Your place on earth surpasses any soul that has ever crossed my path," Haniel replied.
    "Can't you understand how it feels Haniel, loving someone that no longer loves you back? I have to know why." I said dejectedly, knowing an Archangel couldn't possibly understand what I was talking about.
    Much to my surprise, Haniel simply nodded at my words.
    "Does that mean we can go?" I asked, not daring to believe.
    "Yes Krista, we can go, but it will be on my terms, with stipulations of course," Haniel stated.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 2
     
     
    "Like what?" I asked, not really caring what kind of stipulations he had. I would walk barefoot across broken glass for the chance to see Mark one last time. If his soul was indeed gone, all my plans would be dashed, but if it was just buried, I could use my gifts to save him. My fear though, was that even if his soul was savable, it might not change how he felt about me. I just wanted to try. Even if only to keep Mark from turning out like his father. If I could set his soul free it would be worth it, even if it meant I would have to live without him.
    "I will explain it all when we join the others," he said. "You need to come with me now."
    "Haniel I can't leave now. Joan needs my help today stocking the new books in," I said, indicating the cart of books I had loaded up.
    "I will take care of your boss."
    "Oh no, you're not going to do the mind-melt stuff on her, are you?" I asked, feeling terrible about the idea of manipulating poor Joan.
    "Krista, do you want to go after Mark or not?" Haniel asked.
    His point was clear. Why the heck was I worrying about a temporary mind lapse when we were finally setting a plan in motion? Priorities Krista, priorities, I silently reminded myself.
    "Do I need to go check in with her?" I asked, unsure of what exactly he had planned for Joan's mind to believe.
    "There is no need for that. She will have no recollection that you were here today. As far as she knows, you stopped working here last week. She will be under the assumption that you are on your way to your next learning establishment."
    "So, I don't even get to say goodbye?" I asked sadly, glancing toward the door.
    "Time is critical and goodbyes must be put aside," he said. "I will meet you at the dwelling of your friends," he added, exiting the stockroom through the swinging door that separated the sales floor from the stockroom.
    I glanced toward the doors one last time, regretful that I couldn't say goodbye to my new friend, but I was suddenly anxious to leave and start what I had been waiting two months for. I scooped up my backpack along with one of the novels Joan had set aside on her desk. I had already prepaid for it, but for some reason I still felt a little guilty as I shoved it into my bag. I was halfway toward the stockroom door when I remembered my iPod that was still on the docking station. Rushing back to the desk, I grabbed it and hurried out of the stockroom, locking the door behind me. I would have to remember to drop my key in the mail so that Joan could give it to the summer help next year, I