Page 12 of The Angel's Kiss
He shook his head. “No, unfortunately. You must train until the day you’re able to call forth your Champion.”
I frowned because I was curious about that. In my dreams, I’d seen angels merge, which was what made the dreams even weirder to me. Was that what the Champion was? “What’s that?” I asked because it was best to let him explain it to me.
“Every Guardian has a Champion. You can command them to fight for you or if need be, to merge with you and become your weapons of Divine Justice. You’re too young right now and your ability to call forth your Champion has not awakened within you. But when it does, you already need to be able to fight,” Mr. Morris said.
I knew that everything he was telling me was the truth, but I seriously wished that it wasn’t. “So, I can’t be an astrologer?”
“It’s possible that you can be, but you’ll need to be able to leave your job to fulfill your duties at any time. Nothing can take precedence over your destiny,” he said. “I am the Headmaster of this Guild because I must be. However, I can also leave whenever I need to.”
“Guild?” I asked, because up until now, he’d been calling this place Stellar Academy.
“This is the Celestial Guild, Rai. It’s only known as Stellar Academy to those on the outside. The only children we take in are those who will protect humanity—hence the exclusivity.”
“What about my diplomas for elementary and high school?” I asked.
“You will need to train every day. Don’t worry, your education will continue here. You’ll get your diplomas and degrees.”
I now understood why this Guild seemed too good to be true. Why they had so many classes. It was because once you entered, you could never leave. And that realization left me feeling like I wanted to cry. Like I was lost. I felt so betrayed by him.
“So, why did you lie to my parents about everything?”
“Because humans can never know what this place truly is. They can’t learn about the demons who roam this Earth alongside them. Our war is fought in secret, hidden in the shadows. Your parents only needed to know that you would be well taken care of. And at no cost to them, I might add.” He leaned forward, his eyes staring into mine. “You can never return home. Never see them ever again.”
“Why not? I want to see my family,” I said, and rose from my chair.
He grabbed my arm before I could run from his office. “They don’t remember you anymore.”
“Stop lying. Let me go!” I yelled and fought to break free with all my strength, but I couldn’t get loose.
Mr. Morris rose and grabbed both my arms, forcing me to focus on him. “They must sever all ties with you, Rai. Demons will seek to kill or possess any human who has knowledge of their existence or relationships with Guardians or Guards. If you want your family to stay safe, you must let them go.”
I shook my head. “No one was bothering us before,” I stated.
“It was only a matter of time. Demons can sense us. They would have wanted to take you out, especially with you being so vulnerable,” Mr. Morris said.
I was crying so hard, I couldn’t see clearly. I just knew I didn’t like what he was saying. “I want my mommy,” I said through my tears.
“The moment your family left these grounds, all memories of you were left behind. Your bedroom in their house has been turned into a den by my people. Every sign of your existence in their life has been erased,” Mr. Morris said.
My legs just collapsed and I fell to the floor, crying so hard that my chest ached.
“Why...why even have my family... come here and tour... if you were just going to do this?” I yelled between my choking tears. I was so angry, afraid, and sad that I was shaking.
“It’s a process that makes the parting easier. And it gives us time to do what we needed to do to your home,” he said as a matter of fact.
“How is this easier?! I fucking hate you,” I said as more tears flowed down my cheeks.
Mr. Morris knelt down in front of me, putting a hand on my shoulder as if that was supposed to make everything better. “I know how sad this is for you, Rai.” He looked at me sympathetically, but I didn’t believe him.
I slapped his hand away. “No, you don’t!”
“Endure this pain now, grow stronger from it. Realize I’m doing this to protect your parents from harm. Yes, you’re upset now, but imagine how heartbroken you’d be if demons killed your family simply because you were their son?”
“But I can’t see... them... ever again?” I asked and choked on my tears at the same time. I coughed a few times to clear my airway.
He walked over to his desk, picked up a box of tissue, then returned to me, extending the box. I took several and blew my nose and wiped my tears.
“Not if you don’t want to put them in danger, Rai. You must leave your old life behind and embrace your destiny,” Mr. Morris said.
