Read Online Fledgling: Book 1 (Afterlife) by Katrina Cope - Free Book Online Page B

the final part of my mission.
    I see our base and prepare to land. A few of our fellow fledglings are down below, waiting for Archangel Michael’s blessing and new task. I wonder if any of them are struggling with the final part of the mission.  
    I land with a soft thud on the grass, and Blue follows behind. A couple of the others look over briefly. It is early afternoon. They are probably hoping it is the Archangel so they can have something to do. I quickly scout around.  
    “Can you see Yellow?” I ask Blue.
    He looks around and shakes his head. “She might have already been here.”  
    “Let’s check the edges near the ocean. She has always had an attraction to the sea.”  
    He nods and we walk together away from the other fledglings. The sun is peaking behind a cloud, but the rest of the sky is a clear blue. The air is clear of the city smog and besides a couple of distant calls by the roaring waves, seagulls and pelicans, there is barely a sound.  
    Growing up, I didn’t mind being alone. I enjoyed the peace. This is probably a good thing because being an angel is not exactly a social life though I am glad for the friendships I have made with Blue and Yellow. They really care. This was often not the case when I lived in the city of the Gold Coast. I always felt insignificant and invisible around the people and the area. But there was one exception – Ethan, my only love. I wonder what he is up to now? Is he still living? Has he found a new girlfriend? I can never go back now as my days as a human are over. A wet sensation trickles down my face. Deep in thought, I lift my hand and wipe the tear away.
    “Hey,” Blue’s soft voice pierces through my thoughts. “What’s up?”
    I blink and realise what has happened. I focus on his ocean eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed. I give half a smile. “Nothing. I was just thinking about my past life and what I am missing.”
    A look of understanding passes over Blue’s face. I haven’t told him much about my past, we are not supposed to share, but he nods likes he understands. He puts an arm around my shoulders and squeezes them lightly. I rest my head against his shoulder and look out over the sea.  
    “Is there room for a third,” a voice calls from behind us. “I hope this isn’t a secluded club.”
    We release our embrace and turn around. Yellow is standing behind us. Her usually bright face looks unsettled.
    “Of course there’s room for you,” I say as I hold out my arm inviting her.  
    Her face relaxes, and she dashes forward for a group hug. “I so need this,” she says.  
    “What happened?” Blue asks. I look down and notice that the yellow angel on his charm is glowing dimly. Something must have upset her.  
    I feel a little selfish as I turn and look at her. “Is all okay? Did something happen?”
    She sighs deeply and releases the embrace. “No, not really. I just had a really creepy, evil person. I find it so hard to believe that people can stoop that low and do what they do to our victims.”
    I nod. “It is upsetting, especially when all of us come from a background of innocence — not once, but three times. Doesn’t it make you wonder what made them become that way?” I ask.
    Her blonde brows crease together and her face puckers. After a moment's pause, she shakes her head. “No. I’m just glad that we are giving them what they deserve.” Her shoulders shudder as she lets out a sound of revulsion.  
    Blue grabs my arm firmly from behind and pulls. I know that he is trying to tell me to stop. I can’t help myself. “What if there is still good inside of them?”
    Her eyes study my face. “Nah. That is not possible. These ones are pretty much born evil. They deserve whatever the conscience does to them.”
    I feel extra pressure from Blue’s hand on my arm. My insides are about to explode. I want to argue and convince Yellow, I know I shouldn’t, but I don’t understand how she could be so blind to the other side.