Stroke of Genius

Chapter 20 of Banished for Love

Janie’s Point of View

 

Libby and I rush from our house to the council meeting room. We land in front of the building and sprint for the doors. Guards look up in surprise as we run past them. The two Archangels standing nearest the door step forward, effectively blocking our path.

 

“What is your business here?” one asks in a deep commanding voice.

 

“We require an immediate audience with the council. We have pertinent information for them,” I say in a rush. The two guards exchange quick glances before standing aside and letting us pass. We walk brusquely into the meeting room and bow our heads formally.

 

“What news do you have?” one council member asks urgently.

 

“Jeremy knows. Devin revealed to him his motives. Satan wants Kelsey to turn over to his side. He’s upset she escaped with Jeremy, and he wants revenge,” I explain the gist of what we had just witnessed.

 

“Plus, Devin used some mind trick on Jeremy so he can’t tell Kelsey anything about it,” Libby chimes in.

 

“This is worse than we feared,” one council member murmurs, shaking her head.

 

“Exactly, so please, let us do something. We understand we can’t physically speak to her, but what can we do?” I plea.

 

“If you don’t mind, council, I have an idea,” Libby pipes up. I look at her questioningly.

 

“Please proceed,” the middle council member says calmly.

 

“Well, what if we were to drop hints by altering reality the same way we do in order to save our charges? She's clever, she might pick up what we throw down.” There is a beat of silence as we take in her idea.

 

“Libby! You are an absolute genius!” I yell, giving her an enthusiastic high five.

 

“It’s an idea worth trying, but you must be subtle about it. We cannot interfere too heavily,” the middle council member states.

 

“We will be subtle,” I promise her.

 

“Then I suggest you go back to observing immediately,” she responds, shooing us out.

 

“That was amazing Lib! How long have you been sitting on that idea?” I inquire as we coast home.

 

“I was thinking about it while we were watching them,” Libby shrugs nonchalantly.

 

“Well, it was a stroke of genius,” I reply opening the door to our home. “Now let’s just hope it works.”