Read Online The Broken Window by Christa J. Kinde - Free Book Online

“And stay as long as you like.”
    Since she wasn’t in a hurry to go back out into the cold, Prissie basked in the warm light filling the forest clearing. As she’d once guessed, watching angels spar was much more interesting than football, but this wasn’t just for sport. These two were cherubim, whose job it was to keep the Fallen at bay. Marcus was obviously young, but he was learning what he needed from his mentor. He was growing stronger through practice so that he could protect people like her.
    A quick glance confirmed that Koji was avidly following every move, so she asked, “Do you understand what’s going on?”
    “Indeed.”
    “Could you use a sword, then?” she asked curiously.
    “I have neither the strength nor the skill,” he replied seriously. “And I am ill-equipped to defend myself.” Marcus was blocking Jedrick’s blows with his sword, and as she had noted once before, neither of them used any kind of shield. Just then, something happened that made Prissie lean forward. “What
was
that?” she whispered.
    “Watch closely. They are sure to demonstrate again.”
    Sure enough, after a short interval, Marcus went on the offensive, swiftly launching himself at his mentor with sword upraised. Instead of bringing up his weapon, Jedrick’s wings flashed forward, and to her amazement, they deflected the blow. “His wings!” she exclaimed. “He used his wings!”
    “An angel’s wings are a strong defense, shielding from blows of friend or foe,” Koji recited. “They can also become a shelter from wind and weather, or a quiet place for healing and rest.”
    As she watched, the tables turned, and this time, Marcus’s wings came around, the edges blending together in a seamless arc of light. “I never would have guessed,” she murmured.
    The Protector’s lesson had already ranged from midair to a ground battle. Without warning, it changed again, and both angels were on the move. Prissie’s jaw dropped as she twisted to follow the action. “What in the world …!” she exclaimed. Jedrick and Marcus still crossed blades, but in a crazy rush as they wove in and out between trees. Their heavy boots thudded over the grass, and they added tight wingbeats for bursts of speed. All the commotion shook leaves loose from the trees, and Marcus caused the slender trunk of a young sapling to bow by using it to change directions without slacking his pace. “Is this really training, or are they just showing off?”
    Koji’s gaze was solemn. “The enemy does not fight in an orderly manner. They ambush the unwary, give chase over great distances, and use any means possible to inflict pain upon their prey. Improvisation is often required to avoid grievous injury or capture.”
    To her, it looked like a playful game of chase, and she enjoyed watching in spite of the underlying purpose of their pell-mell blitz through the forest. Jedrick’s attacks grew more ingenious, but Marcus seemed good at evasion, and before she knew it, Prissie was rooting for her classmate. “He’s doing well, isn’t he?”
    “He is doing all he can,” Koji agreed.
    Finally, Jedrick called an end to the lesson and strolled over to where Prissie and Koji sat. After a moment’s consideration, he chose a seat on the grass in front of the two, placing his sword within easy reach behind his back. Koji quickly crawled over to sit at the big warrior’s side and was greeted by a gentle inquiry. “How have you been faring, my young Graft?”
    Marcus also laid aside his weapon and dropped unceremoniously onto the grass. His wings were already hidden away, but when Prissie stole a glance in his direction, his eyes were still a vibrant shade of gold. He smirked in a friendly sort of way, but his attention went right back to Jedrick, who was asking Koji about recent additions to his responsibilities. The more they talked, the more Prissie realized that the big Protector genuinely cared about her friend. If this was Koji’s family, then