"Wow." Emily looked pensive. "You really love him, huh?"

"I do."

"Y'know, there were times I thought you were selfish, getting so close to him when you knew you'd have to leave one day. But you never planned to leave, did you?"

"No," I said softly. "From the day I met him I knew I was never going back."

We realized at the same time that we had drifted to the edge of the meadow, the spot where the corridors had opened in the air and delivered us to our destination. I lingered indecisively.

"So what now?"

"Zach said not to go back," Emily said thoughtfully.

"I have to. If I don't, Eve will come looking for me."

"So what?" Emily shrugged.

"You don't know her," I said. "She's a complete control freak."

"Okay." Emily nodded. "So go back and convince her you're okay. Ask for your old job back or something. You can pull it off."

Was this Emily's way of calling a truce between us?

"Okay," I said uncertainly. "I'll try."

No sooner had I spoken than the rainbow tunnels opened before us, throwing sparkling beams of light onto the grass. It was amazing how prompt they were, like someone had pushed a button on an elevator.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Emily asked. "In case the crazy cat lady is waiting at the other end?"

"Thanks." I laughed. "But I think I can handle her."

I moved to let the whirlpool passageway draw me in, but Emily's hand shot out and grabbed hold of my elbow.

"Wait!"

"What?"

"Do you hear that?" she hissed.

"I don't hear anything..." I began, then suddenly stopped. There was a peculiar humming that seemed to be building in the air, growing steadily louder. Was this Eve's doing? Had she sent an army after me already? Emily and I held on to one another as an opening appeared in the air as if it were made of fabric. And then it was rushing toward us or we were rushing toward it-I couldn't tell and it happened so fast there barely time to react. Then we both tumbled headlong onto a marble floor.

"What the-?" Emily struggled to sit up, her arms waving as she fought off invisible restraints.

"No need to be alarmed," said a voice, and we looked up to see three informally dressed figures hovering before us amid the vast pillars. The tallest of the men stepped forward and somehow I knew instinctually who he was. I felt suddenly awkward, like I had arrived for a job interview without bringing my resume.

Joseph was different than any angel I'd ever seen. He had wavy brown hair, short and thick, and a sharp, intense stare that was more assertive than the misty gaze I was accustomed to seeing on angels. He failed to acknowledge Emily's presence but surveyed me from head to foot then looked decidedly unimpressed. I couldn't blame him given the state I was probably in.

"Hello, Bethany."

"You know me?"

"I know of you."

"So I guess Zach filled you in." I tried to sound casual but my hands were fidgety. "You sure don't waste any time."

"What would be the point of that?"

I could see that engaging him in small talk wasn't going to be an option. I noticed that his firm-set mouth barely moved when he talked. I noticed the heavy boots on his feet-this guy was really in the wrong place. He would have been more comfortable hunting game with a rifle slung over his shoulder. His stance was slightly defensive, as if he was prepared to fight at any moment.

I glanced quickly at the faces of the two men flanking him. They were both built strong and thick, made for battle. But I wasn't afraid of them-in fact, deep down I knew these were the angels I had been searching for.

"So what can I do for you?" Joseph asked.

It was a stupid question-he obviously knew why I was there. But maybe this was his way of testing me. I didn't want him to think I was wasting his time.

"Zach said you could help me," I said, deciding to be as direct as possible.

"Is that so?" He raised a single eyebrow.

"Is it true?" I blurted. "Do you really know how to send someone back to earth?"

"I do," Joseph replied stonily.

"Then why are you still here?"

He sighed, as if the question disappointed him.

"If I wasn't, then who would be left to advance the cause?"

"Maybe I could answer that question if I actually knew what the cause was," I said. Joseph gave a hard smile.

"You and I," he said. "We are the cause. There are angels out there who've had experiences just like ours."

"Really?" I was intrigued.

"Yes," Joseph replied. "It isn't right to give us humanity and then take it away. We should at least be offered the choice. That is what we're fighting for."

"That sounds ... noble," I said, struggling to find the right word. I wanted to say awesome, but didn't want to come across as juvenile.

"It's not noble," Joseph retorted. "It's practical. Angels who have lived as mortals don't make decent angels anymore."

"So..." I began cautiously. "You must have been on earth once. How long ago was it?"

I felt like I was prying, but I needed to know more before entrusting him with my future.

"Several millennia ago."

He stared at me with his deep, dark eyes, not bothering to elaborate. I wondered if it was still a raw subject.

"What was your life there?" I pressed.

Joseph pursed his lips and exhaled heavily through his nose. "For a time it was happy. I did everything in my power to stay. I was married-just like you."

"You were?" I could hardly believe my ears. "What happened?"

"I didn't think about the consequences of embroiling her in a life of turmoil."

It could have been my story he was narrating with different dates and names.

"So your wife ... she must be here now."

"She is. Only someplace I can never find her. That's my punishment." He winced as if the pain of the memory had not yet been dulled by time.

"That's so cruel."

He shrugged. "Heaven is just, if not always kind."

"So if I were to wait for Xavier to come here..."

"There's every chance the same thing would happen to him," Joseph said. "Heaven is like a labyrinth-there are many realms and some dimensions even the most powerful cannot access."

"Why didn't you go back when you had the chance?" I asked in confusion.

"Because I didn't know then what I know now. But we're not here to talk about my history. I presume you want my help getting back?"

"Yes," I said quickly. "Please, before it's too late."

"And you're aware of what is required?"

I nodded, an involuntary shudder running up my spine. I hoped Joseph hadn't picked up on it.

"And you're not scared?" I shook my head vehemently, holding my face in a perfect mask of composure. Joseph regarded me carefully. "Whatever experiences you've had have made you strong. Even so, I want you to think about this carefully. Come and see me again."

Was he trying to get rid of me? Had he deemed me unworthy? How had I failed to convince him of my sincerity? I almost panicked. I could feel tears welling up but I blinked them back and bit down hard on my lower lip. If Joseph was my only chance of being reunited with Xavier, I couldn't afford to blow it. I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin.

"I don't need to think about it. I need you to help me now."

"I'm sorry-I don't help people who make rash decisions."

That got me riled. How he could pass judgments about someone he'd just met? I didn't care how finely tuned his instincts were, he knew nothing about Xavier and me.

"Don't help me then!" I said, spinning on my heels and starting to walk away. I couldn't remember a time where I'd felt more alone. Even in my darkest hours in Hades I'd had allies to guide me. "I'll take care of it myself. I'll take care of everything on my own!"

My outburst seemed to change something in Joseph.

"There will be terrible pain." His words stopped me in my tracks. "Unimaginable pain that the likes of us have no concept of."

I turned slowly to face him and this time didn't flinch from his grim, humorless stare. His manner was so blunt and businesslike.

"I'm prepared for that."

He looked intrigued by my blind determination. "And you have no questions?"

"Just one. Will it work?"

"What happens to you afterward is beyond my control."

"But this is my best shot?"

"Yes."

"And there are angels living as humans right now?"

"Only those who survived the transition." His directness was disconcerting. I almost wished he'd sugarcoat the truth. "If it doesn't work, it won't be pretty. The physical trauma alone can be fatal. If you don't transform you'll end up a mangled mess."

"Define mess."

"You'll be on earth but in a sort of paralytic state, not much use to anyone."

That was scarier than any punishment I could imagine. To be on earth and living only as a burden to those I loved ... there couldn't be anything worse.

"Do you still want to proceed?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Let's get this show on the road."

"Prepare yourself," Joseph said. "We'll return to collect you."

"Where are we going?"

"The furthermost regions of Heaven where we will not be disturbed."

"You're trying to breach the gap between Heaven and earth. How can that go unnoticed?"

"We are very good at what we do," Joseph replied.

"I can't believe I didn't know about you sooner."

"You thought power struggles were confined to humans? Who do you think taught them about power in the first place?"

"I never considered that."

"We are working to close the gulf between Heaven and earth. You've heard of the Promised Land? We want to expand the Kingdom-let souls and angels mingle freely. Darkness will be exterminated. Whether you live to see that day or not, you have been chosen to play a part. Make your part count."