I flipped through the third book, becoming more and more frustrated by the moment. These books were just as helpful as Wikipedia! I heard my phone buzzing in my pocket and I grabbed it, checked who was calling (not really looking at the caller I.D), and shut the phone off. I knew I was going to be in deep trouble when I came home. But right now, I didn't really care.

I had at least fifteen sheets of paper with me, every single space filled in with notes. I was about to give up when I shoved the third book aside and remembered that really old book I had found in the back of the library. I rearranged the books and eventually, I was staring at a very old, very worn down book cover. All it had on the cover was a small design that for some reason, reminded me of something.

I looked at the cover and frowned. "Duodecim Theologi?" I flipped the book open and dust particles assaulted my nose and throat. I started coughing and after I recovered (and being scolded by the head librarian), I started reading. There was a thing about a the Archangels transferring their powers every five-hundred years and how they are reincarnated every cycle, if they choose, but that wasn't interesting enough for me to pursue.

It didn't have anything that stood out to me; I had hoped that with this book being so old that it might give me some clues as to why I am looking up things on angels, and why I keep thinking that Michael is one of them. However, when I turned to the next page, my interest was peaked. "Nephilim, God's forbidden race." I started reading the chapter and a one passage stuck out to me (partially because it was a passage from the Book of Genesis). "The Nephilimwere on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown."

I wasn't blind or deaf. Mr. Brandt had taught us that Nephilim were half angel and half human, normally they were the children of fallen angels—angels that had gone against God and was forced to the earth by Michael the Prince. I kept on reading. "As the Nephilim grow and age, certain attributes arise from their Angelic parent. Rumors claim that they can predict outcomes, vanish, hover in the air, influence emotion/thoughts, shield their thoughts, but the most common attribute for a Nephilim to have, is the ability to read minds."

My eyes widened and I turned the page, hoping to see a page that shows possible symptoms. Luck was on my side and I continued reading. "Since the most common form of Angelic Magic to manifest in a mortal male or female is the ability to read minds, the most common symptom is suffering from consistent migraines and hearing distant thoughts. The migraines intensify whenever a Nephilim is within the vicinity of an Angel. Only when the Nephilim reaches a certain point in their growth, do the migraines slowly disappear and the ability to read minds is available without the pain." I rubbed my temple as a tension headache made its home there. I rubbed my eyes and reached for the next book and opened it to reveal the same drawing as the one on the book from before. I opened the first page and it was really faded print.

"Angels walk among the mortals. They are seen, yet unseen. They are the perfect being. Inhumane beauty, perfect features, they carry an aura of calm and gentleness with them. But their most striking feature is their eyes. Archangels have the ability to change their eye color from amber to silver." I closed the book, closed my eyes, and rubbed my temples. This was getting me nowhere fast. However, I opened up the back of the book to see a picture of the Archangel, Michael. Blonde hair, amber eyes, a pendant that had a dark red garnet gem in between where the two golden wings should have met.

.:-Flashback-:.

Michael looked at me. I noticed his necklace was out in the open. It was gold and stopped just below his ribcage. The design was weird. Two wings extended fully with an amber topaz in the middle. The same amber as his eyes. "Nice bling," I commented as I pointed to the necklace.

.:-End Flashback-:.

"Breanna?" Michael whispered as he lightly shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Are you okay?" his velvety voice made me relaxed and the smell of cinnamon and ginger was a refreshing scent.

I nodded. "I'm fine, just trying to figure this mess out. Mr. Brandt wanted us to do an assignment on philosophical beings and I chose angels," I lied. Michael gave me an amused look as he took a seat in the chair across from me.

"That's strange," he grinned and my heart started to beat erratically. "Because I chose Angels as well."

I noted the way he said angels. As if they were actually real. "Oh, well, I'm sorry, I can tell Mr. Brandt when he comes back that I want to switch—." Michael cut me off with a hand.

"That's hardly fair. You already have so much information," his eyes scanned the papers for a minute then returned to me. The liquid amber of his eyes left me breathless. "I couldn't live with myself if you flunked because we had the same idea. How about this, we choose what Angel we would like to do and call it good." Michael smiled as he reached in his pocket and took a quarter out. "Are you going to tell me which Angel you are going to do?"

I just thought of a random name—okay not so random. "Michael!" I blurted and Michael gave me a bemused look. Why did I always act like a love-struck teen when he's around?

Michael gently rested his arms on the table and I watched as his muscles flexed. "Yes?" he responded in a gentle voice, but I could sense the humor behind it.

"No…uh…I mean…I'll do the Archangel. Archangel Michael, God's prince," I stammered as I rested my head in my hands, trying to regain my sanity and composure.

"Heads I get Michael, tails you get Michael." I heard the seriousness but I also noticed the playful smile on his face as he flipped the coin. "Tails it is. Looks like you won the bet. Have fun," he leaned back in the chair. I was about to say something when I saw Michael's eyes go flat amber, his jaw tensed, and he swiftly got up. "Stay here," he ordered in a dark tone. I turned in my chair I saw that he walked over to a female with auburn brown hair with a hint of red in it. The girl stared at me and I was met with soulless black eyes. I thought back to the intruder and shivered.

I tried to listen to what they were talking about, but all I understood were a few Latin terms. I didn't know that Michael was that fluent in Latin where he could carry on a full conversation. The girl must've been able to understand it because she answered back promptly.

Moments later, Michael came back, had put my papers in my folder, and he was putting the books in a bag to be checked out. "What's going on?" I asked as he strode past me without a second glance. The girl from before was gone.

Michael didn't answer right away and I was really starting to get freaked out by this. "Breanna," he whispered. "That was…a friend," he spat the last word, "of mine. She works with me at the restaurant and she was telling me that your mother had called, hoping that you went out for dinner. When your mom was told that you weren't there, she started panicking." Oh crap, I forgot about her date tonight!

Oh great, I'm for sure going to be dead. Michael checked the books out for me and he walked me to my car. We were walking in an uneasy silence and I turned my head to look at him and I gasped when I saw him glowing. The strange outline on his back was taking shape again and I was tempted to touch it—but it vanished as soon as we reached my car. "Drive safely?" he asked, his eyes were fading back into amber. When did his eyes change into silver?

"No kidding," I responded a little too defensively at the same time my stomach growled.

Michael only raised an eyebrow as he looked at me. "Can I at least get you something to eat?" he offered.

"Sure."

He rubbed the back of his head and looked around. "Where would you like to go? My treat."

I looked around and saw that Stone Diner was still open. "How about the Stone Diner just down the road?" I asked as I pointed at the diner. Michael looked at to where I was pointing and nodded.

"Do you want to walk there or take our cars?" he asked.

I looked at my car then his, then the diner. "I think we should walk. Gas isn't cheap anymore."

He gave a throaty chuckle. "That is true. Come on, let's go." He protectively wrapped an arm around my waist and I was hit with that same electric sensation running through my body. My heart was beating unevenly at the contact and the scent of leather, sandalwood, bonfires, ginger, and cinnamon was so strong and powerful that made me dizzy for a moment.

Michael removed his hands from my waist and opened the door for me. I ungracefully stumbled into the diner and found our own seats near the window. Stone Diner wasn't exactly busy at this time of day and it made me feel a little awkward sitting in an empty diner with a god-like being next to me. "Good evening Breanna, and who is your date this evening?" Mr. Dreux asked me as he lowered his glasses to look at Michael. Michael gave a friendly stare back.

I was a deep red and ready to correct Mr. Dreux when Michael politely smiled and stood up. "I'm not her date this evening Mr. Dreux, my name is Michael Prince, I'm just treating her to dinner. She spent most of the day at the library," Michael explained as he shook Mr. Dreux's hand.

Mr. Dreux smiled and Michael sat back down. "I'll just have a coffee Mr. Dreux," I mumbled as I rested my head in my hands and whimpered quietly as a migraine pounded its way through my skull.

It's good to see that God's Prince is here, protecting her. I snapped my eyes open but Mr. Dreux was already making a fresh pot of coffee and grabbing two coffee mugs. "Breanna?" Michael whispered as he gently shook my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head and sighed. "I'm okay. Just another migraine. I think I'll be better after I have some food in me." Michael gave me a weak smile and nodded. Mr. Dreux returned with our coffees and we ordered our meals. I had a small chef salad and Michael didn't order anything.

"I ate before I came to the library," he explained as he took a sip from his coffee.

"So, if you don't mind me asking," I whispered. "Where do you live?"

Michael looked at me for a moment. "I lived in Rome, Italy for a time. My parents travelled a lot when I was younger. I even got to meet the Pope once." I saw a spark of amusement slide across his vision, as if he was remembering a joke.

"Oh, that must've been cool."

"Hardly, I called him an old coot and left. I wasn't exactly old enough to appreciate what he represented to some people."

"Oh, so, what happened to your parents?" I asked, hoping that he would let me into his mind for just one night.

"They were killed while walking home from a date night. I was ten at the time and not old enough to be on my own. So I was put into a foster home for about three years. Then someone adopted me and raised me. They were very nice, but their own children hated me," Michael grinned.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why did they hate you?"

Michael ran a hand through his hair as he laughed quietly. "I was into sports back then and so were my foster siblings. They were always trying to beat me at everything, but I always somehow won."

"Did you cheat?" I asked nonchalantly.

"No," Michael answered. "It's physically impossible for me to cheat at anything. If I did cheat, I couldn't live with myself. I can't even lie."

"Can you lie to keep a secret?" I goaded.

"Yeah, that's the only time I can lie to someone."

I wanted to ask another question, but my dinner came and I started eating. Michael only sat there, relaxed as he watched me with interest and I was starting to feel a little awkward. I swallowed my food and wiped my mouth with a napkin. "Where do you live now?" I asked.

"I have a home at the church. The Father is very generous. In return I help him with Mass and Communion."

I sighed. "It must get boring after a while though," I stated. Church was never enjoyable for me. The old lady perfume gagged me.

Michael shook his head at me. "You would be surprised. I find it refreshing to see so many people that believe in the Lord and his Warriors."

I looked at him. "Warriors?" Since when did the Lord have Warriors?

"The Archangels. Mr. Brandt never got that far. Sorry if I confused you," he apologized.

I quickly at my dinner and just as he promised, Michael went up to the front and paid for my meal. He turned his head slightly and gave me a small smile. I blushed as I looked down and I heard Michael approaching. "Ready to go?" he asked. Mr. Dreux was cleaning up the kitchen and waved at us as we left.

Nodding, I stood up and walked out of the diner with Michael walking next to me on my right. "Thanks, you didn't have to buy me dinner. I'm sure my mom is going to have something ready for me to eat."

Michael gave a short laugh. "And in case she didn't have some dinner ready for you, I didn't want you to go home hungry."

"And I thought chivalry was dead," I responded. Michael laughed and put his arms around my waist again as we walked back to the cars. There was a nip in the air and I shivered. Michael responded by handing me his jacket and I was momentarily hypnotized at the sight of his lean, muscular arms and broad chest. "Um…are you a swimmer?" I mumbled, blushing a deep crimson.

Michael smiled at me. "I swim to stay in shape, if that's what you meant."

I nodded, afraid that if I spoke, I might make a fool of myself. Too late, I thought. "So, will I see you at school then?" he asked me.

"Yeah, of course." He looked forward at something then back at me. His amber eyes were literally swirling with life.

Michael removed his arm from my waist, and took his jacket from my shoulders, and a small whimper escaped my lips. I wanted to feel that electric feeling again. I always felt alive when he touched me. "Have a good night, Breanna," he said as he took my hand and raised it to his lips and kissed it. My knees started to shake and I used the car door for support. I watched as he walked away and get into his car and took off towards the church. Slowly and clumsily, I got into my own car and rested my head against the head rest. Okay Breanna, you definitely have a crush on the guy. You also have a one percent chance of living through the night if you don't get home before nine-thirty. I smirked at the thought and fumbled for my keys. Once I started the ignition, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed home.

Hell hath no fury when mommy is pissed.

I was driving home along the back roads when I saw a silver Toyota pulled on the side of the road. That's not Michael's car is it? I wondered. I looked on either side of the road, but all I saw were miles and miles of forest. But then again, there were hundreds of silver Toyotas in the country and maybe this owner liked to go for late night hikes. The moon was full enough for one, however, I didn't see any trail entrances from where I was.

Not dwelling on the 'what ifs' I hit the gas and sped home, preparing for the punishment of a life time.

I pulled into the driveway and the lights were still on in the living room. I walked up the steps and through the door and I saw my mom waiting patiently for me. "Sorry I'm late mom, I had some research to do—." She raised her hand and I shut up.

"That nice young man that helped you the other day called and explained everything to me. He also explained to me that he bought you dinner," she told me as she put a stray piece of hair behind her ears.

My jaw was on the floor. "So you aren't mad that I'm at least an hour past curfew?" I thought I was going to be dead for sure. I looked at my phone and saw that it was already nine.

My mother smiled as she shook her head and stood up. "No. Why don't you get some sleep? You look like you've been through hell."

I nodded and went upstairs. To my surprise, a white feather was resting on my pillow. I picked it up and set in on my dresser. "If you keep showing up, I'm gonna have enough of you to make a ceremonial Indian headdress," I grumbled as I changed into shorts and a t-shirt.

After a few minutes, my eyes closed and I drifted off into a deep sleep.

I opened my eyes and realized that I was standing in a field; it didn't take a genius to figure out that I was sleeping. But off in the distance, I saw something move closer to me. It was glowing ever so slightly. I looked around the field again and noticed that there was a mist that seemed to have made its presence known. I looked up and saw that the sun was a darker shade of yellow than it should be.

The air swirled behind me ever so slightly and I saw someone looking at me. Soulless black eyes, platinum blonde hair that seemed to be sleeked back, flat against their skull. They wore a dark black suit of armor that was form fitting and a silver pendant with a blood red gem in the center. The pendant looked exactly like Michaels, but it seemed, darker.

Frowning, I felt warmth radiating from behind me and I saw Michael standing there. He was wearing a strange skirt like thing that reminded me of Egyptian clothing that men wore, he was also wearing gold-plated boots that stopped just at his knees, his forearms were covered with gold-plated vambraces, his shoulders were covered with gold-plated spaulders, on his chest was a scaly-yet-smooth looking chest plate that seemed to warp to fit his torso, in the middle was a silver insignia that matched his pendant perfectly, even the topaz was there. In fact, all the armor he was wearing didn't make him look bulky at all. It was form fitting. Even the helmet that he wore was form fitting. I noticed his pendant was glowing insanely bright as others that were dressed similar to him formed behind him. I recognized Gabrielle instantly but the others were unknown to me.

Michael reached down to his left hip and unsheathed a glowing silver sword with a gold hilt. I looked to his left hand and saw a glowing silver shield, in the shape of two angel wings. The people behind him did the same and I noticed that they wore pendants as well, but the gems were different.

I turned and saw the man surrounded by a dozen other people, the girl from the library was standing on the mans left and a boy that looked like her was on the mans right.

My gaze was back on Michael and what I saw, made my jaw drop. Fourteen foot pure white wings erupted from his back and even from this distance; I could see the sharp silver in his eyes. Michael looked directly at me and spoke.

"Get away from him!"

I turned my head to see wings on the others too, but black in color and the man drew a sword similar to Michael's, but it didn't look as sleek.

I screamed as someone grabbed my shoulder and the blade was running through my heart.

I woke up screaming and cut myself off quickly. Gasping for air, I found my way to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face. "Just a dream, it was just a dream…" I muttered to myself. After I finally calmed down, I looked at myself in the mirror and the realization hit me. I tried to deny it, but even I couldn't lie to myself about it.

Michael was not human.