Records

Chapter 24 of Banished for Love

Janie’s Point of View

 

“Wait, does that mean what I think it does?” Libby asks as we stare down at the school parking lot.

 

“I’m… not… sure,” I reply, dumbfounded.

 

“Well, we should go to the council about it. With the possibility they falsely banished an angel, they need to hear about this,” Libby responds, standing up. We walk out the front door and flit over to the High Council chamber. The guards out front recognize us from our recent visits and wave us through the ornate doors immediately.

 

“What news do you have?” a council member asks as we bow politely.

 

“Council, you keep records on all angel activity, correct?” I inquire.

 

“Yes, of course,” one replies.

 

“Including those falling?” I nudge.

 

“Yes,” another says suspiciously. “Why?”

 

“We need the see those records,” Libby states bravely.

 

The council members share a wary glance before the middle one nods and rises from her seat. She floats down to the floor and leads us through a set of double doors just behind the towering desk. Her robes billow out behind as if she were wearing a cape. Archangels bow formally as we hurry down to the end of the hall, passing ornate doors lining the corridor. The council member places her hand flat against a comparatively nondescript door. After a moment, the door clicks and glides open smoothly. A scrawny looking man with broken glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose scrambles to stand when we enter.

 

“Hello Ian,” the council member says formally. “We need to see the records of one angel.”

 

“Of course, ma’am,” Ian replies quietly, not meeting any of our eyes for more than a second. “Whose file do you need?”

 

“A fallen named Brittney Cummings,” I say to him. He flinches at the word fallen but scuttles off in search of it nonetheless.

 

“What relevance would her file have to what you’ve been watching?” the council member asks.

 

“Brittney has befriended Kelsey, and we may have found some interesting facts,” I reply just as Ian scurries back into the room, carrying a thick manila envelope. He lays it down on the desk before us. Libby pops it open and spills the contents onto the faux wood.

 

“I’ll leave you to it,” Ian bows quickly and ducks away.

 

“Such a timid man,” the council member murmurs, clicking her tongue disapprovingly.

 

“Here it is. The investigation write-up that led to Brittney falling,” Libby says, holding a bundle of paper held together by a paperclip.

 

“Yes, there was evidence to show she had fallen in love with a human. And, as you well know, the law strictly forbids…” Libby interrupts the council member.

 

“But it says here that the human was never able to be tracked down,” Libby points to the top page.

 

“Well yes, but I don’t see how…” the council member starts again.

 

“He wasn’t just any human,” I say, frustrated that a complete investigation wasn't even carried out before damning her.

 

“What are you girls getting at?” She asks skeptically.

 

“That “human” was Devin, son of Satan. Technically only half human. Which means Brittney never should have fallen,” Libby states matter-of-factly.

 

There is a beat of shocked silence. The council member opens her mouth, and then shuts it again. We give her a moment for this to sink in. The council member clears her throat softly, obviously taken off guard.

 

“This is not an issue we’ve ever had to address in the past. I will have to consult with the rest of the council on the matter. If you could please show yourselves out.” And with that, looking quite flustered, she turns and disappears the way we had come. Libby and I high five before heading back out the winding corridors and flying back home.

“Now if we can just find a way to help Kelsey too,” I say, landing on the front porch.

“We will,” Libby responds. “I feel confident of it.”